Gap year mother

In response to Jo Thompson's blog ("Stricken by stomach pains in Istanbul "): while I feel sorry for Mrs Thompson suffering from appendicitis, (assuming the diagnosis is correct), at least that means she will have to go into hospital. Once fully recovered, she will hopefully go home to her family and forget this hare-brained scheme of swanning around the world like some single gap year 18 year-old.
'Lord Stanley', website comment

Can I just say thank you to Jo Thompson for her articles? My daughter is on the trip with her (she is one of the "Back Seat Brady Bunch"), and her articles are bringing real joy and comfort to her grandparents who are reading them (and my daughter's emails) avidly. It sounds a fantastic trip so far – and only two days to Iran. I hope Jo keeps on enjoying it and living life to the full.
'thankfulmum', website comment

The girl who lost her passport and featured in Jo's blog from Belgrade ("To the rescue in Belgrade") is my niece, so I'd like to say a big thank you to Jo for all her help.
Peter, website comment

Palermo to Genoa ferry

We would like to warn readers about the Palermo to Genoa ferry. Grandi Navi Veloce (GNV) is the ferry operator. On a recent trip, everything was fine except the loading procedure. Lanes were clearly marked on the car decks but the operators were taking no notice of these and were squeezing cars of all shapes and sizes so closely together that a person could only stand sideways between cars. Someone had to climb in through his car window. We dread to think how many cars were damaged in the process.

On disembarkation in Genoa chaos reigned. There was no control of cars departing lane by lane and it was a "free for all" – just like the driving in Palermo. My recommendation to anyone from Britain using this ferry is not to be bullied by the loaders and to insist on a comfortable space around one's own car. We are sending a complaint to GNV but are not expecting a reply.
Alan and Pam Jobling, by email

Bergerac car hire

I was very interested to read Dan Dorrian's letter regarding car hire from Europcar at Bergerac Airport (Ask Gill, September 19).

We had the identical problem with Europcar with a car rented in June via AutoEurope. We specifically said we did not want extra insurance (being very aware that all the companies push this quite aggressively) and duly signed what we assumed was the car hire agreement. We were subsequently debited £103 on our July credit card statement. Like Mr Dorrian, on examining the carbon copy of the agreement, we noticed the "Serenity Pack" statement stamped on the copy, but are absolutely certain that nothing was shown or pointed out to us on the signed top copy. We have been battling with AutoEurope since July and having finally managed to get through to the AutoEurope Customer Services Department (40 minutes waiting time), after quoting Gill Charlton's column and Mr Dorrian's experience, we have now been informed that we will be receiving a credit shortly as there have been several problems with this office.

We thought you might like to know the extent of the problem and warn other car hirers.
Andrew and Sue Phillips, by email

I am in the process of disputing a charge of €551.03 (£499) off my credit card from Bergerac Airport (Europcar). I can see on my carbon copy that it has "I agree to be charged for the Serenity Pack" stamped on. I do not remember this on their copy. They have now also sent an invoice to show that I have been charged for the "Serenity Pack" and for "Jeune Conducteur". I have only found out through the article what a "Serenity Pack" is and I'm still in the dark about "Jeune Conducteur". Staff at NatWest credit cards are doing their best to fight my corner but heavens only knows how many other people are being misled by Europcar. They need to be stopped.
Philippa Edge, website comment