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.