Episode 3

Renting a car on holiday is expensive - but if you are not careful it could cost a lot more than you bargained for! Tim Shallcross from the Institute of Advanced Motorists gives his top tips if you’re planning on hiring a car and driving abroad:

1. Fuel Policies

Check how you've got to bring the car back. There are three possible options:

· bring it back empty

· bring it back as you found it

· bring it back full

Bring it back full is the best option here providing there is a garage close by. This way you will get a better deal on the fuel than if you let the rental company fill it for you.

2. Car seats

The laws in most European countries are the same as the UK so if you need a car seat at home you need one abroad.

A lot of airlines will allow you to take a car seat free of charge, but check before you go.

Alternatively if you can’t take one with you, don’t hire one from the car rental company. If you look online there are lots of companies who will rent you a car seat at your destination for a fraction of the price.

3. Sat nav

Your smart phone can be the perfect sat nav. Check the data roaming charges before you go or there are some navigation apps you can download for free.

4. Check for specific laws at your destination

There are things you've got to have in the car, like warning triangles but the rental company will make sure those are in the car already.

You need to be aware of things like, if you wear glasses for driving and you're driving in Spain you must have a spare pair of glasses in the car.

In a lot of Mediterranean countries you'll get a hefty fine if you drive wearing flip flops.

One other thing, if you're driving in Denmark do remember to check underneath the car for sleeping children before you drive off, it's a legal requirement!

5. License check code

Remember that since the paper part of the driving license was abolished you need to get a code from the DVLA if you are hiring a car. No code in some cases means no car!

Get a code.

Useful links

GOV.UK

The AA: Driving abroad

The AA: Hiring a car abroad

RAC: Driving in Europe

You can buy the ingredients in most supermarkets.

The chillies in this recipe were added whole for a little spice without all of the heat! But Abul says if you like your curries extra hot, you can chop some chillies before adding them.

Ingredients:

3 large chicken breasts (cut into long strips)

2 large onions (cut into long slices)

1 red or green pepper (cut into long strips)

1 clove of garlic (finely chopped)

2cm piece of ginger (finely chopped)

2 tomatoes (chopped)

3 or 4 cardamom seeds*

2 bay leaves*

4 green chillies (whole)

2 small sticks cinnamon*

1 small bunch fresh coriander (chopped)

1 pinch of salt

2 tablespoons veg oil

2 spoons mix spice powder

2 spoons mango pickle/chutney

A little water

*Optional

Method

1. Add garlic, ginger, pepper, cardamon, cinnamon and bay leaves to hot oil.

2. Add onion, tomato and salt until soft.

3. Add mixed spices and cook for 2-3 minutes to release their aroma, adding drops of water to prevent burning.

4. Add chicken and cook until brown.

5. Add mango pickle/chutney.

6. Cook the mixture slowly, adding water in small amounts until you reach the thickness of the sauce you wish.

7. Serve and sprinkle with fresh coriander and garnish with chillies

Egg Pilau Rice

Ingredients:

1 onion (diced)

2 cups basmati rice

Half cup of green peas

1 spoon mixed spices

3 spoons veg oil

3 or 4 cardamom seeds

3 or 4 bay leaves

Half stick of cinnamon

1 clove garlic (finely chopped)

2cm piece of ginger (finely chopped)

4 cups water

3 eggs

Method:

1. Add onion, cardamon, cinnamon, garlic, ginger and bay leaves to hot oil and cook until brown and soft.

2. Add mixed spices followed by peas and rice, stir and cook for 2-3 minutes.

3. Add the unbeaten eggs to the pan.

4. Add water to the rice and cook until evaporated.

Do cheap sunglasses offer your eyes the protection they need?

Poor quality sunglasses can damage your eyes by letting in more harmful UV radiation than if you were wearing no sunglasses at all.

So we tested cheap sunglasses from seaside shops around Wales – costing between £1 and £6.

And our tests found that all sunglasses passed the tests. So – as far as protecting your eyes go – there is no reason to spend more than a few pounds on a pair of sunglasses.

But the same cannot be said for fake designer sunglasses.

We bought three pairs from a market stall in Cardiff and two of them let in too much UV radiation and could damage the eyes.

Experts say that when you are buying sunglasses:

• Look for a UV protection sticker on the lens
• Choose a big frame to stop light getting in at the sides of the frame
• Any colour lens will do – a lighter colour lens offers the same amount of protection as a dark lens
• If in doubt, you can always check with your local optician