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Travel StoriesSome Iberian Mountains
Onto The Ferry
Ride Date 15 September 2024
By Ren Withnell
The only rush this morning is that the kicking out time is 1000, although the rate Sharon is getting herself together has me fearing we'll be getting charged another night. That's unfair, she's a lot better than she used to be and we are packed and ready to depart the lodge by 0955. It's just that we drop the key off a little after 1000 but no-one bats an eye.
Load 'em up and head 'em out.
With time on our side it seems sensible to skip the nearby motorway and allow Sat-Nav to lead us on a merry dance through the countryside towards Exeter. This it does, although there's nowhere near as much countryside as we'd hoped.
There's a bit of countryside. Then there's Bridgewater. There's a bit of countryside. Then there's Taunton. There's a bit of countryside. Then there's a village. This goes on. And on. And on. And on. The countryside is nice enough, the villages are fine, the towns aren't horrible either. It just seems to take ages and ages. By the time Exeter is finally, eventually looming in the distance I'm starting to fear we'll miss this bloody ferry!
Luckily from Exeter to Plymouth is all dual carriageway and our rate of progress increases accordingly. However Plymouth has other plans.
We hit Plymouth around 1445 on a Sunday afternoon. It's not just busy, it's a car park. The ferry leaves at 1745, we MUST be there by 1700 which means we have 2 and a quarter hours to get through what is essentially a small city, about the size of Bolton. By 1515 I am really starting to think we could be late, google maps tells me there's only 2 miles left, we could walk there in that time but it doesn't feel like we'll get the bikes there in time.
I'm flapping, of course I am. We get to the terminal at 1530 just fine and dandy. Still, that's an hour and a half longer than I thought this whole leg would take and we're both exhausted.
We book in just fine, then join a queue. We start to chat with the other bikers in the rapidly warming sunshine. Oh wait, we're off, helmet on gloves on, oh, no, we've just moved forwards 20 feet. Pfffft. Start the conversation again. Oh wait, we're off... repeat.
"Have you got any bombs?" No. "Have you got any petrol cans other than your fuel tank?" No (except the petrol stove but we'll not mention that). "Have you got any knives?" No (except the penknife but we'll not mention that). "Are you a member of any terrorist organisations?" No (although I've been a member of some terrible organisations). "Can we look in... that bag?" Sure. Luckily there's no bombs or knives or fuel in with the waterproofs.
We're off! Oh, no, wait, another queue. We're off! Oh no, wait, just a few off the front. I tell Sharon to push the bike otherwise we'll be getting flat batteries.
It's a familiar scene of waiting then moving then waiting once more.
We're guided down to the bowels of The Pont Aven, right to the front and save for one BMW, we're as tucked right into the corner as much as you can be. We'll not be getting off quickly at the other end that's for sure. We grab our sensibly previously organised overnight bags, wait around to ensure the bikes are strapped down by the stevedores and make our way to our room.
The room is tiny and windowless, Sharon has a moment of panic as there is only one bed. I reach up to the roof and pull down the upper bunk. While the Pont Aven is considered the better ship these inside cabins are quite poor compared to the Baie de Seine which we travelled upon in 2018. Once Sharon stops grumbling we settle in and both grab a quick shower before we even leave port.
Out on deck we find a plastic chair each just as the ship makes way. We watch Plymouth slip away, Sharon does her internet magic to help a lady identify the one of buildings we can see, she's good like that. As soon as we're away from shore the wind whips up, the air gets cold and we head inside.
It was 2005 when I was last on this vessel. I kind of recall various features and I don't think it's changed much. Unlike the Baie de Seine this one has a bar and entertainment room, a small pool, a posh restaurant, and glass elevators. Like the Baie de Seine there's a regular restaurant for we poor folks and a few decks both inside and out to stroll around on.
It's... a ship with lots and lots of ship things.
We walk around, we go to the room. I walk around alone, I go to the room. We talk, we charge our various phones and appliances, we go for another walk, we get a brew. Sharon gets lost, luckily it's a boat and as long as she doesn't get wet she'll be fine. The ship is moving around just a little, I have a moment or two of minor queasiness, luckily Sharon's seasickness tablets seem to be working. We have some tea, the prices are tolerable and the food is acceptable.
The sea is calm as the evening draws in, probably somewhere off the Brittany coast.
There's a few places to walk around.
It is what it is. It's a means of transport, a way of getting somewhere, and as such it's fine. It's all part of the journey, it certainly makes me feel like I'm going "somewhere else". By the time it's 1030 we're well and truly bored so we settle in for the night. I'm on the top bunk, Sharon below needs reassurance that the bunk isn't going to collapse and squish her flat, like Flat Stanley. I point out the advantages Flat Stanley had.
Today has been successful in that we're here on the boat and en route to Espana. Fun? I was hoping the non motorway route would be nice, instead it proved tiresome. Plymouth is a car park and the ferry is what a ferry is. Fun, no, but I'm not sad or disappointed, we are here, we are well, the bikes are fine too. I have a tinge of nerves thinking about navigating through Spain on the wrong side of the road but sleep soon fixes that.
Ooooh look! Night vision scene from within the cabin.
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Prologue - Some Iberian Mountains
Organising a simple 2 week bike tour should be easy peasy. Watch Ren make this simple task as difficult as possible.
Easing Into The Trip
After plenty of flapping and fretting Ren can calm down and start to enjoy the ride. It's a simple journey today with no purpose other than getting closer to the forthcoming ferry.
Onto The Ferry
Ren takes a simple short trip and turns it into an unnecessarily arduous ride to the ferry. Then all the Dynamic Muppets have to do is get on the ferry. Should be easy - right?
Off The Ferry And Into The Affray
It's all waiting and chaos, confusion and queueing - and that's just getting off the ferry. Despite being in Spain the evening has a very English feel with an English friend.
The Wonder That Is Riano
What started out as a good day turns into a really good day. There is of course a mishap and some moaning, otherwise so far so good. What's the catch, there's gotta be a catch.
Reader's Comments
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ed, your failures our ours. We'll just try this nice looking squiggle on the map and avoid that nasty blue line that is straight, wide and quick. Doh...
Now ferries.....we had a bit of a result heading out to Sicily. Pulled up at North Shields 1 hour after leaving home and were in our cabin within 15 minutes of arriving at the dock. We did have to tie the bike down ourselves mind.
Then a butler (honest) showed us to our cabin....with hot coffee and warm pastries already awaiting our arrival. I kid you not.
It was obviously a mistake, but a nice one.
Upt.
29/10/2024 16:00:44 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Yes, Er'Indoors is gloating. Nice carpet, three windows and a king-size bed.
I know.
29/10/2024 16:04:01 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
For the first time we splashed out on a commodore cabin on Brittany ferries this year. It was like the one you show, free minibar (soft drinks) free breakfasts, coffee / tea making. Very pleasant of expensive.
When I think back to the days of bedding down on the barroom floor......
29/10/2024 16:34:14 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Yes Ian, free mini bar, bag of small triangular choccy bars, and ring 6000 and "Queenie will bring you more". I liked Queenie. I did feel sorry for er carrying our bags but she wanted to help.
Strangely the mini bar was empty the next day.
Upt.
29/10/2024 18:09:52 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
What kind of blummin' posh types am I dealing with here?!?!? Commodore cabins, mini bars, and butlers!! I'm starting to think Upt's real name is Lord Tarquin Fortescue-Smythe the Third and not Fred or Bob the ex cop from Stoke. There's some money going around here and I seem to not be gettin' any of it. Here's me working my ass off and skimping of parts while you lot are luxuriating. 'Sno wonder you can rack up the miles when there's concierge parking at the end of it and your food is all laid on.
30/10/2024 07:07:18 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Just a point re using smartphones etc on a ferry - unless you use the ship's wifi you'll be using your mobile roaming data. And that will be supplied, not by normal land-based transmitters but by the ship. And it can be hideously expensive - which you only find out when you get the bill......
https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/information/faqs/ships-and-ports/will-my-mobi...
30/10/2024 10:59:41 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Good call Ian.
I noticed on the ferry when we got way out to sea my phone automatically connected to the ship's mobile phone network. I'm like "what the deuce?" then an SMS message came through from somewhere saying yeah you're connected to the ship and - in business speak - "it'll cost a fortune". I put my phone into Aeroplane mode for the rest of the crossing.
There is WiFi on the ship and as Ian's link says you get a free limited session, I seem to recall 90 minutes. After that you've got to pay for the WiFi too and that wasn't cheap either.
Unless you have deep pockets my recommendation is to put your phone into aeroplane mode for the crossing. I played a lot of games of solitaire...
30/10/2024 12:21:51 UTC
nab301 said :-
Ren , will you and UPT be collaborating and bring us recollections of a hotels tour versus the beans on toast sort of tour!
Nigel
01/11/2024 11:52:35 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
Nigel, It seems to myself that Ren is spending many nights in hotels and static caravans just lately.
Maybe normal camping tours will resume on the Spanish tour.
07/11/2024 18:51:08 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
nab301 - I have GREAT NEWS! Upt has sent me the first part of his ramblings from his recent excursion. Thus and therefore you'll be able to compare our experiences for yourself.
ROD - I'm afraid you're right. I blame Sharon, obviously. As you already know I'm a roughty toughy mean and moody well 'ard biker type. Sharon is the one who FORCES me against my will to stay in these nice places. As for normal camping tours being resumed - there is some actual tent action coming soon, but I warn you it's not ALL tent action. Deepest apologies from Ren (the not really well 'ard biker).
08/11/2024 12:13:49 UTC
nab301 said :-
Brilliant ! , Thanks Ren and of course UPT
@ ROD , yes a bit of balance will be nice!
Nigel
11/11/2024 13:05:40 UTC
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Travel StoriesSome Iberian Mountains