The Last Leg
After our P&O Cruise to Portugal and Spain, we decided the best way home was from Portsmouth to Caen with Brittany Ferries.
After picking up some treats and meal deals for the journey, we headed to the docks.
There was no queue to check in and we proceeded quickly towards the terminal and boarding lanes.
It was freezing cold! After a quick dash to the loo, we waited to board the ferry that was already alongside and disembarking the inbound traffic.
Eventually, the two lanes started moving. The first 3 or 4 cars in each lane were shepherded into the customs hanger. Great! That’s us!
Although we had nothing to declare and we weren’t in a hurry, it was just a nuisance. It was blooming freezing getting out of the car to open the boot and take out our sandwich cool bag to go through the scanner!
“Anything offensive in the vehicle? “
“Nope, only Alison” (chortle chortle) We’re sure they hear this from every car but somehow, you just can’t help it!
All Aboard!
We boarded the ferry, the Mont St Michel, and parked up on car deck 5. Our cabin was on deck 9. Up the stairs we trundled….hardly the same experience as our lifts on Iona but it was fine. There is a lift available but we decided to hike.
We located our cabin, the very last cabin forward. We hoped it wasn’t going to be a rough crossing.
Now after leaving P&O Iona that morning, we were in for a culture shock! The cabin sort of resembled a prison cell!
It consisted of a fixed bunk, a bunk that converted into a sofa and two Pullman berths that were hidden in the deckhead. We didn’t experiment with the hidden beds. Knowing our luck, they’d fall off or break!
Under normal circumstances, it’s a pretty normal cabin on a ferry but after our cruise, it was basic! We had booked an outside cabin for up to 4 passengers. The crossing is only 6h but for the cost, we decided we’d probably nod off after our early start!
The bar we visited was actually very nice. Comfortable seating and lots of space. Alison had a pint of Moretti….it was cheaper than on Iona! There was also an arcade games room on the next level up!
Back to the cabin, it was freezing! We’d already turned off the air-conditioning but it didn’t seem to make much difference. Although it was only 16h30, we climbed into our bunks and after a few minutes, nodded off!
We were rudely awoken an hour or so later by our alarms! We tucked into our Meal Deal before being asked to leave our cabins 30 minutes prior to arrival.
It had been a very calm crossin unlike our previous trips across the channel.
Bonjour La Belle France!
Very quickly we were off the boat and heading to the Ibis Caen, Port d’Angleterre for our third bed in one day. It had been a strange experience getting off the ferry after 6 hours and moving beds at what felt like the middle of the night!
We found the hotel easily and got parked. Secure parking and almost empty so no need to unpack the car again…. hurrah!
Our room was small but adequate. Janine decided her mattress topper was needed….Ibis beds are a little strange. A firm divan base with a thin mattress topper.
In our hotel in Lourdes we’d bought a few of this type of bed from IKEA. Although quite comfortable, not quite normal!
The room was clean, comfortable, quiet and fine for an overnight stay. There are no kettles in the rooms.
Next morning and we were up and off by 08h00 for the long drive South.
Being back in France, we quickly spotted a boulangerie and bought our breakfast baguette.
Moments later we were heading home on the motorway. It was ‘spot the car’ today…..it was very quiet!
We’d decided to use the toll roads this trip to get home in one day. It was still a long drive but with us both driving 2 hour stints, it was easily doable.
We’d filled up with diesel in Southampton and didn’t need to fill up again until we came off the motorway at Caussade, around 1h20 minutes from home. Vera the Volvo is certainly economical.
Our route had taken us directly South. We didn’t expect to be going off the motorway but off we went. Through fields and forests we drove, passing by little villages with châteaux, both restored and ruins.
The Loire is well know for its chateaux, one day we’ll stop and explore but not today.
Eventually as dusk was drawing in, we arrived home. It had been an unremarkable trip, relatively easy but another long day. Our neighbours cat was waiting by the back door having heard us open the gates.
Time to light the fires and get the washing on.!
Summary
Altogether the trip was as expected. The ferry was clean and had everything we needed. The Ibis in Caen was a great place for an overnight stay and very handy for the ferry to and from France. We’d definately use this route again.
Portsmouth to Caen with Brittany Ferries. Cost £126 one way including cabin
Ibis Caen, Port de Bretagne €64.26
Tolls €45 approximately
Diesel cost €80 ish definitely less than €100 from Portsmouth to Puylaurens 81
Driving time Caen to Puylaurens including WC/driver changes, was around a 9h drive and 780km
