Friday 1st May - Four Countries

It was an early start today, we needed to leave the site at 7.30 to be at the port a good two hours before sailing.  We were allowing one hour for the new French customs ETIAS boarding process and the second one was for P&O, who like you to check in an hour before departure time.(which for us was 9.45 am).

We were a bit unsure of the ETIAS process, we couldn't find anything online telling us how long or what to expect.  We knew that we aren't allowed to take any meat or dairy products with us, so the fridge was pretty empty (French customs will confiscate it if they find it).

Waiting to be loaded onto the ferry

So we arrived at the port in good time, followed all the arrows that direct you throughout the port, and reached the first queue for a custom check.  Our passports were scanned by a French officials who barely even looked at us. From there we followed lots more arrows for the P&O ferry, sat in another queue and when we reached the front we were checked in.  We were allocated a loading lane - more arrows - and finally we waiting on the keyside, in our allocated lane, waiting to board.  It was all so unexpectedly easy.  I dunno about this ETIAS thing, maybe they'll get us on the way back?

We knew we'd be sat waiting, and now it was time for our breakfast and a coffee in the van watching seemingly hundreds of other passengers get out of their vehicles and head towards the cafe/toilets across the way.  I imagined the queues and felt pleased we didn't need to join them.

Tara to the White Cliffs of Dover

Lovely and sunny, the sea was smooth and flat.  

Loading was easy, and then it was up the stairs into the passenger area.  It felt odd being on a ship that we'd be getting off again in just 90 minutes.  The sea was calm and we sat outside enjoying the sun (and the wind once the ship got underway).  (No, we didn't see any dinghies.) In no time at all, we could see Calais, and then the announcement was made to go down to our vehicles to unload. 

And then we were in France, driving on the right.  Peter has done this quite a few times, but today was the first time in a right-hand drive.  To be honest we spent most of the time on motorways and dual carriageways where the biggest difference is being overtaken on the left hand side.  

Our first stop is a place called Camp Gritt, in Ingledorf, Luxembourg, which meant that we would be driving out of France and through Belgium to get there.  In France We stopped for an (Italian sausage baguette.... mmm mmm mmm), and then got a bit of fuel further on. 

At one point in Belgium we were in a small town at a fourway junction.  It just felt so wrong to be driving through this busy junction, and past traffic turning right (our left) by driving on their right.  It felt a bit manic.  Later, still in Belgium, we found an awesome supermarket just off the dual carriageway - a bit like a farm shop, but massive, with sooo much choice, so we stocked up with a couple of days meals.

We're here, Camp Gritt in Luxembourg.  Yaaaay

We finally arrived here at Camp Gritt at about 8 tonight, and the first thing I did was to put the lasagne we'd bought in Belgium in the oven.  The site we're at is quite nice, but absolutely packed!  Turns out that it's Labour Day over here, a BH.  Most of the supermarkets in France were closed because of it, and we think that's why the site is so full. 

It's been a busy day.  Breakfast in England, lunch in France, shopping in Belgium and dinner in Luxembourg.  Not bad eh?  We're tired though.  Tomorrow, not such an early start, and we should be able to better enjoy our surroundings as we carry on. 

Thursday 30th April - Another New Adventure

So we're off again, but not on a ship this time.  This adventure is going to be in our much loved campervan (or motorhome), Drago.  Despite owning a campervan for the best part of 13 years, we have only ever crossed the sea to tour abroad once, and that was to Ireland.  We decided to start making up for it, and today we set off for our grand "To the Mountains and Back" tour. 

Who knew how much planning we'd have to put into this!  And so much preparation to make sure Drago was fit to travel. The van has undergone it's first "habitation check" since we bought it 8 years ago, (some people do them annually), and then some expensive work such as tires, a new driver side mirror ("How Much!") and batteries. Then there are European regs regarding things like warning triangles, hi vis vests and UK stickers,.  There are possible electric connection issues that have to accounted for, and possible different fittings when filling up with LPG.  And then there are Crit'air stickers, tolls and vignettes to sort out 

While Peter was emptying his bank account into the van, I've planned the places we're going to visit and the sites we'll stay at.  What started as a trip out to Bavaria in Germany has ended up a bit of a tour of Europe.  Costs have gone up.  And then up a bit more,  but we are soooooo looking forward to it.  

And today is Day 1.  We've driven from home all the way down south to a little Camping and Motorhome Club "Certified Location", (which means it meets basic requirements such as providing drinking water and a place to empty the loo).  It's basically a field, but it's very cheap, level, the grass is cut, the sun is out, and we've got the place to ourselves.  Who could want for more? 

Tomorrow we catch the P&O Liberte ferry to Calais.  We're a little concerned about the new ETIAS system cos we are not quite sure how long it will take, but we're allowing ourselves loads of extra time. 

But it's been a beautiful evening, so we are just going to enjoy the rest of our stay here... We've got an early start tomorrow.  

Wednesday 11 December 2024 Santa Cruz de Tenerife

After missing a day's sailing due to bad weather and helicopter evacuations, the captain managed to get us here to be docked by 9.40 am and just a couple of hours late.

For us, it was a lie in, after getting up every morning at 7.30. Today, we surfaced a little after 9, and that was only because we needed to make sure we got breakfast as The Grill closes at 10.

It was a lovely warm day, and our plan was simply to have a walk. Peter had a look at Maps.me and spotted some paths up the hills behind Sante Cruz, and we thought we'd check them out. Now, we've been here loads of times, often walking along the sea front to the Opera House and beyond where there has always been plenty to interest us. This time we walked through the city heading out to a hill, and came across a wonderful little park that we'd never seen before. Parque Garcia Sanabria was delightful, with fountains, butterflies, birds and flowers. We really liked it there.

We explored for a bit before continuing on our way to the northern edge of the city. The path Peter had found turned out to be an old road which snaked up the side of a little peak called La Meseta. There used to be houses and little farmed terraces each side of the broken tarmac, but not anymore. A couple of the buildings were lived in, but they were ramshackle, repaired with bits of board, railings and corrugated metal. Others were completely derelict, surrounded by piles of fly tipped rubbish and rubble. Then there were patches of flowers and cacti, little lizards running across the road and a kestrel hovered. A steep sided gorge in the landscape was full of caves - some of these seemed to be lived in too.

All of this kept us interested. The climb wasn't too steep and the weather wasn't too warm, so we kept going up. There is a satellite tower at the top, but to be honest, our aim was to reach a point where we could enjoy the views across the city, port and mountains nearby.

Which is exactly what we did.

Walking down was of course much faster than walking up, and we got back to the ship with a couple of hours to spare. We took advantage of the self-service whipped ice-cream machine first, before indulging in drinks, peanuts and crisps in the Brittania Lounge.

A good day. (11 000 step target well exceeded). The walk was much needed after 4 days on board.

Now it'll be 6 days of good food, warm sun and gentle waves before the port of St John, Antigua. As Peter sez, "Bring it on....."