Leaving home on time at 08:30 we set off for Dover, arriving
after an easy journey at 12:30. We were pulled in for a random check – a very
cursory look at the interior, a few questions and a more detailed inspection of
the Henrietta's underside. One of the questions was “Are you carrying any knives?”.
Well the answer was obviously “Yes” but they excluded those used for cooking,
so we were OK.
We were soon allowed to leave and joined the queue for the
13:25 P&O ferry. We had only just made a cup of coffee when we were called
to drive onto the ferry. The coffee was hurriedly stacked in the sink and
surprisingly survived the journey without a drop being spilt.
The Pride of Burgundy is quite an old ship without the
lovely large bow lounge common in the more modern ferries such as the Sea
France ferry that we travelled on in the Spring. In fact, there were no public
areas with a view over the bow so we had to be content to watch the white
cliffs of Dover, covered with lowering skies, slowly drifting astern. Despite
the “moderate to rough” conditions, the crossing was very comfortable and
P&O definitely have better shops than those on Sea France.
We were only one car away from the ships bow doors and were
off within a minute of the doors being opened. Heading initially for St. Omer,
we then joined the A25 motorway and made our way to Le Cateau. Arriving at
19:00 we found the 5 official pitches in the aire already taken but were able
to find a space closer to the road. The aire has four free electric points,
unsurprisingly all in use, but is next to a busy and noisy main road. This lead
to a somewhat disturbed night but the official pitches would have been slightly
better as they are further from the road.
Photos: Jane collects bread from the baker who calls at the
Le Cateau aire.
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