Events at home conspired against our
normal two-month sojourn and we have had to console ourselves with
just a 16-day break. We really wanted to have a break abroad and
therefore chose France as it is only a quick trip across the channel.
Leaving home before 09:00 we drove to
the campsite where we store Henrietta (our Hobby motorhome), did the
final packing and by twenty past nine we were on the road. We had
booked the 13:55 P&O crossing from Dover to Calais and found
ourselves on the Pride of Britain. The initial impression from the
dock was that it was much larger than other Dover ferries that we had
used and when we boarded we were very impressed. The ship entered
service only last year and is very spacious and comfortable and we
were particularly impressed by the open area at the stern. Sat on
chairs eating our lunch we enjoyed the warmth of unbroken sunshine
whilst admiring the views of France forward and the cliffs of Dover
receding behind us. Dover-bound ferries passed us (including the
sister ship, the Pride of France) whilst all manner of ships,
including those massive, seemingly top-heavy, container ships were
plying the English Channel.
We seemed to arrive in Calais in no
time and were soon heading for the Majestic Wine outlet. Here we
sampled a few wines and bought a few others to try over the next two
weeks with the idea of calling in on the way back.
We then drove on to Lumbres where we
stopped at the Leclerc Hypermarket. We have used the aire here on a
number of occasions as it provides a good, free stopover close to
Calais. More to the point it is an excellent place to pick up lots of
French goodies either for the holiday or to take back home.
We are all used to the muzak played in
shops but the Leclerc here takes this to a new level. We park by the
side of the store so that we can see the lovely view over many miles
of the surrounding countryside and here they have speakers that
broadcast the muzak to the car park! Fortunately, it is not a 24-hour
store and the speakers are turned off when the store closes at 20:00.
Photos: Leaving Dover behind.
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