We began our journey to Poole in Dorset, decide to go a day early not wanting to get up in the early hours of the morning and race to the port.
I had enquired before and it was acceptable to park in the departure area the night before and pay Seven pounds to the Coffee shop on the dock area.
It was a bright day when we set off mid afternoon.
As we approached Bush Hill the other side of Bath a car came down the hill at breakneck speed overtook a Bus, was on our side of the road I swerved and braked towards the left hand kerb side, Sandra screamed and I waited for the collision.
Suddenly it was all over he was gone.
How he ever missed us will remain a mystery,
Feeling rather shaken and Sandra feeling sick we proceeded with our journey to Poole.
On our arrival surprisingly there was no one there we just pulled up to the checking in Gates put our legs down, Oh! by the way the rain had started. My job to source some water for the night.
“Marley” and I made our way to the toilets and shower rooms, still open, nice and clean services provided.
Barrel full, Marley serviced we made our way back to the van.
The rain had increased along with the wind, it was not a night to be out and about.
Heating up to full remember that the caravan was freezing cold not being used since New Year.
TV set up settled for the night.
Boarding Day
I was up at 5.45 after having a restless night started packing.
Went to the car and Oh no, there was not any life in the battery, it was dead flat. Panic began to set in thinking of all the alternatives.
By now Checking In office was open, there had arrived a few other cars etc , they were allowed to go through to waiting to load area.
I enquired if there was any help available, negative response only here’s a Red sticker for your car to let the staff know there is a dog in the car.
I decided to ring the RAC, their response was we can get someone there by 8.15 when he had finished his other job.
The sailing was at 8.30 that did not give me enough confidence to wait but I agreed.
I then decide to get my long starter leads from the car, remember, it was still dark although the lights from the dock were on, it was hammering down with rain I was getting wetter and wetter and cold along side.
Everything out on the ground in the rain, starting cables out and onto the Battery leads, reloaded the car.
There were still a few cars coning in, I decide I would ask someone to assist me.
At that moment a car and a trailer pulled up , having trouble mate.
He went to his boot and out came one of these things that start engines,
He placed the contacts on to my battery all the while he was getting soaking wet.
What a hero, the car started and away he went in to night through the checking in office, with me shouting my thanks.
Engine still running I finally packed everything checked in and proceed to the waiting area. Soaking wet and windows steamed up, you know you have been there.
What a start to the day, what else is waiting for us.
On to the next check in, my caravan is inspected, mirrors used to check underneath the car, I said that’s a bit low for immigrants anyway you should check that on the was back.
Questioned about did I pack everything myself, do I have any explosives, Only the gas bottle and that’s turned off I replied.
I said you should be checking me on the way back when I’ve got all the wines
and Fags onboard.
I proceeded to board, parked up and put Marley in the van, kissed him goodbye and said will be back in a couple of Hours.
Pet owners were escorted once during the journey to inspect their pets.
The passenger list was very short and my dog was the only Pet on board.
There were only approximately 40 cars on board, I did not see any lorries or larger vehicles.
As I checked the car was secured, a gentleman was asking the transport deck attendant if he had a supply of water, apparently he had an old MG that his wife had borrowed some months previously and he was returning it to France. Problem was it had problems with the water system and was loosing water, he needed it to fill his radiator again.
I would not fancy driving a car a couple of hundred miles into France with that sort of problem
Any way I said I would be able to assist him with water I had on board.
He was a happy man and I was able to repay the good turn someone had offered me earlier.
Up to the lounge Deck, very few people around, nice and warm and I began to dry out and get warm.
I was feeling Knackered and it was only 8.30, walked around purchased a news paper sat and read for a short while when Sandra suggested we went for breakfast.
Restaurant was empty, full English was 4.95, I thought was very reasonable.
Sandra was laughing and Joking with the French steward, not understanding a word he was saying but making sure she got what she wanted, some extra toast included.
I asked for a couple of extra chipolata sausages, he grunted, I reminded him I was helping him get rid of all the wasted food, there was no one on board to eat it.
After we decide to lay down and try and get some rest, we managed to layout, there was plenty of room.
Had a kip, then went to buy a news paper.
Then started wandering around to see who was on board.
Came across the guy’s who Helped me.
His boss was in the car,
.
They had driven down from Darlington that morning, I put my Sherlock Holmes head on and hazarded. a guess and said they were going to collect a car .
Yes, they were MG restorers, of some repute I understand.
They were on their way to collect an old valuable MG that had been stood quite a few years in a Garage in France.
Their client moved to France 20 years ago and sought them out as Classic Restoration, “Simon J Robinson”.
We continued to discuss MG cars when along came the chap with the MG he was returning, the one with radiator problems. They soon started discussing the finer arts of MG’s In general which let me out of the conversation.
We then came upon 3 young men, covered in hair, haversacks and casual clothes, jeans and warm thick Tartan shirts.
I asked what they were doing and where they were going.
We are going to the Alps snow boarding, all self employed live just 10 miles away, they decided a few days ago to book and here they are.
They have a friend who lives over there, they were going to see him.
Sleep in his house I enquired, oh! No we will sleep in the van, crickey I hope the van is insulated, yes they replied.
Time is approaching to disembark, and finally the all clear was given to go to our vehicles.
Taking Marley from the caravan into the car, he was not very happy, he tends to get miserable if he is left too long, after all he is with us all day every day.
Into France
Here we go then first time on French soil on my own driving on the other side of the Road.
Russell’s suggestion of getting behind an English number plate went up the swanney.
I had to follow a large vehicle with a foreign number plate so I was on my own.
Luckily Cherbourg is a relatively small port, there was not much traffic and my Sat Nav was working OK.
Concentrating and not wanting to be one of the statistics you hear about being on French soil for the first time.
We eased out of the port up the hill and pulled over to give Marley a run and relieve himself.
That over with, back to driving on the right.
Approximately 215 miles to site and I wanted to get there before Dark.
This was pushing it.
I had to stop for Fuel some where, But where?
My worst scenario was getting to site in the dark, I was reasonably confident of my Sat Nav would get me there ( I have a bit to say on that subject, quite interesting but not at this precise moment)
Foot down and lets go we are all set up for the journey. It was surprisingly simple.
Get to a round about second exit and continue for 74 miles.
Well that was quite relaxing not having to make any decisions until then.
My confidence grew and my speed increased until I was overtaking lorries.
They do not appear to have the same speed restrictions as the UK because they were travelling at all sorts of speed.
I did have take care on overtaking.
My caravan is smaller that the previous one and has different handling characteristics.
The French duels carriageways are a little narrower than the UK so when overtaking there is less room.
If too close to a lorry when overtaking the lorry has the tendency to draw my caravan closer to it, quite unnerving at times.
Also because of it’s lack of weight when travelling on the inside, the French white man van hurtles by, the bow wave of frontal air pressure hits the back of my van causing it to lurch forward and to the right unexpectedly. Again unnerving.
Any way after a hundred or so miles we stopped for some Fuel.
I had heard that it was cheaper here in France, at €1.32 / liter I did not think so, however like the UK Motor services, they have a monopoly.
I was getting worried now dusk was approaching and we were still a long way from our destination.
The traffic had been quite light, but as we approached various cities the traffic increased and as we passed by it began to thin out again. We were now approaching our destination.
Following the Sat Nav implicitly ever nearer to Our Destination.
Turn left, turn right all on the right had side. Clever this Sat Nav.
It states you have now arrived at your destination.
I suddenly realized my worst fears.
In France, Dark, Caravan on back, lost and cannot speak the language.
After some discussion we move on circulating the area slowly looking for some sort of clue.
This was rush hour 6 oclock’ ish, thr French were rushing home from, there was some idiot in front with UK number plates in the way, irritability was rife.
I pulled over and took my chances,, the few people that were around at that time, all none English speaking, most sensible Frenchmen were in the warm watching President Miterrieon, on TV moaning about the English government and their stupidity.
Luck at last a gentleman walking his dog realized my predicament, called his wife over and she had a smattering of English.
I showed him the address, his eyes lite up and proceeded to wave his arms frantically in the air.
He obviously recognized it, again waving his arms in a directional mode told me to go around the block back onto the main road turn left by the garage and follow my nose.
We bade farewell and I declined his offer of a French kiss on each side of the cheek
Fortunately his directions proved to be correct and we arrived at the site out in countryside somewhere.
It turned out to be a forestry type of site.
The gates were locked and it was dark (can you imagine how I was feeling by this time, how could so much happen to me in one day)
Walking into the site I noticed a light far away, approaching there is was “The Office”
A pleasant young girl, English speaking greeted me, showed me my pitch gave me the entry pass card for a deposit of 20 Euroes
We set up during which period I drove forward there was some restriction and noise, it was the 13 pin pug had got caught on the ball some how.
It looked OK so I set up, the usual things, feeling knackered I sat back and let Sandra provide the Tea and food.
On refection I had not done too bad, 230 miles on the wrong side of the road, no angry Car horn blasts or angry Frenchmen, that I was aware of, only took one wrong turning, crap Sat Nav settings and here we are all safe and sound.
Tomorrow’s another day.
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