Actually, we are sitting here in the glorious, warm evening sunshine, having opened our first bottle of red on this trip. No patisserie just yet but we did enjoy our bowl of leek and potato soup for tea.
We have made the trip South to Dover on so many occasions now that we simply cannot recall how many. Interestingly, Linda did say that the first time we came with car, caravan and the kids, Richard was just 2! It's a lot.
As you all know, the Channel Tunnel was completed many years ago and yet I have maintained a maniacal stance against using this method of getting to France, despite the protestations of family and friends. It possibly all stems from the purchase of P&O shares which gave discounted rates to travellers but also from a personal belief that the tunnel should never have been built! For me, this amazing construction project took away our Island status and I vowed never ever to use it!
The other thing for me was the excitement of boarding a ferry, being able to take in the views of the receding white cliffs of Dover and the approaching land mass of France and also to enjoy a couple of hours break after the 280 mile drive from Bingley. Oh, and grab something to eat at the same time.
Everything changed yesterday and I shed a tear at my weakness as we turned left into the Channel Tunnel loading area at Folkestone rather than carry on that few extra miles to the ferry terminal at Dover. What have I done I asked myself!
In my defence, it was really the Yorkshireman that won the day because I was able to book Eurotunnel on the back of a massive holding in Avios points which meant no money had to change hands. That had to be a result for me.
So my soul has gone but do you know what? I'm not sure I will ever use it again. It was fast, 35 minutes from boarding to hitting French soil, but talking of soul, this was totally soulless. You are incarcerated in a tin can, you get no break from your car and you have absolutely no idea where you are. I kept looking out of the window to see the sea and the land but all I saw was darkness. Ferries -1 Eurotunnel - 0.
And so we have had a great run down France today and are currently within 95 miles of our intended destination. I can't however sign off without recounting a tale from last night's stay on the French autoroutes.
Caravanners have to be flexible at times with their arrangements, particularly when travelling. We are no exception. Yes we have a flushing and useable toilet but water for washing is a touch more sparse when mobile. It's even more sparse when you can't find the plug for your bathroom sink which us what happened to us pre-bedtime last night!
The missing plug only became apparent after we had already heated our water in the pan but suddenly, Linda had a eureka moment. You can get washed in the pan! What? It will be ok she cried.
And so it was that for the first time ever, I had a wash in a pan. Adaptable? You bet. Mind you, the biggest benefit came this morning when I used the same water to make my early morning cuppa! It tasted just like Earl Grey!
Enough from me as the pan has just gone on the stove for tonight's wash. Happily, I can report that I found the plug so the morning should see a return to English Breakfast!
Update tomorrow from Camping Les Ramieres.
Ready to Board Eurotunnel
Our Tomb for 35 Minutes!
A Quick Comfort Break
Our Stop for Sunday Night
Personalised number plate..I always knew you were famous!
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