Buggered old geezer does France...

[gerarddwatts]

Soooo...
First summer trip for over 20 years not on a bike.
New leg and old remainder have conspired to prevent a summer bike trip this year.
Volvo loaded with as much spare clothes as we like and off we go. Set off in the rain, round Embra, steam in the distance from Pete fuming about something....anything....and into our first stop at Beal Farm, looking out over Holy Island.
Just walking from the car and watched the Flying Scotsman heading south...magnificent!
Setting the tone with a Croque Monsieur.
Had a text from DFDS advising that they are loading from 12.45, but we have a mission en route...scattering of Cherrys pa's ashes in St Pauls, Jarrow.

 

[Doc]

Both have a cracking trip.

 

[Posh Pete]

Very good Gerrard. Carry on. : thumb2

 

[brut33]

Will you be camping, or hoteling it? In any case lap up the luxury of abundant luggage and easy packing.
Enjoy and bon voyage.

 

[gerarddwatts]

Not enough stars in camping for my current wife....

 

[Oldrat]

Enjoy your trip Gerard

 

[Loiq]

cool.... have fun

 

[gerarddwatts]

Boarded 14.40.....no fucking about with greasy ratchet straps, greasy decks or greasy stokers.
Up to deck 9 and into the cabin....

 

[gerarddwatts]

Which is adequate and agreeable....complimentary dwinkies...

 

[gerarddwatts]

And a decent ensuite...

 

[gerarddwatts]

What a novelty to not have to jump in the shower immediately to hose off sweat and emissions after the travails of tying the bike to the boat.
Couldn't help but snigger at the poor folk on bikes queuing in the rain...nasty fellow that I am.
Just have a wee snifter here and up to the Sky Bar....there are some traditions that cannot be dismissed...

 

[Doc]

Impressed with that room.

 

[Orinoco]

Ah, the benefits of not travelling by motorcycle, not to be overrated, I think travel on 4 wheels is definitely the way forward and much more comfortable, enjoy your trip.

 

[gerarddwatts]

Cherry's pa and his family came from Jarrow..... one of her prized possessions is a drawing he did as a child of St Pauls Church Jarrow.
So the bulk of his remnants, and her mothers got plonked into Loch Linnhe at Ganavan, where they spent many a happy holiday but she kept back a bit for St Pauls. A very ancient church the original....and still standing bit, dates back 13 hundred years, when Bede was celebrant here.

 

[gerarddwatts]

Actually worth a visit if you are a bit early for the ferry....10 or 15 minute scoot to the boat. Very ancient.
Cherry, being a pagan proddy just loves it when I remind her her lot are just squatters in this ancient place of worship.....
Come judgement day they'll all get hunted out and us true believers will recover it.

 

[Wapping]

A car is an excellent way to move about. No wonder they caught on as they did.

 

[Micky]

Good one Gerard .... watching with interest

You old fucker ....

 

[wilbjr21]

Have a great trip Gerard

 

[gerarddwatts]

Storm!
Into a gale.....!
Sea areas Tyne, Dogger, Humber, Thames, Dover,....Gale force 8 to 9! As a Radio 4 fan I am accustomed to listening to the shipping forecast with interest....now looking it up on the (free...Commodore of course...wifi) internet....gulp.
Still in bed at 0550 CET...unusual for me, but welcome, wondering if the weather will influence the full enjoyment of complimentary Commodore breakfast! Life can deal some savage and cruel blows sometimes!
Sea state still moderate I would guess, but could become rough.
Will I feature in a 'Saving lives at sea' programme....better shave and prepare myself just in case?
Watch this space!

 

[Wapping]

Miss Mandy Lifeboat