Holiday Inn Calais

We awoke to the noise of trucks and early morning deliveries..Took Lucy for walk and packed van ready to hit the road again..Start? Yes!!

Breakfast at the Happy Chef opposite the Marina in Dover was very welcomed, and to be recommended. We will be checking out Uncle Sam's next time we pass through. Now down to the Ferry port for check in..

Ooh la la......

... br>The parade through Calais followed, with all the vehicles making as much noise as possible. The navigators were all frantically trying to work out where to go.
Unfortunately, we followed a group along the motorway, missing the correct exit. That was a mistake which we decided not to repeat again - we needed to have confidence in our own skills.

We ...

Travelled all day to Calais, arriving at about 5 p.m.We pitched up, and met a few of the other teams:Gaz & Charlotte, Dean & Helen, Jab & Hank, Potti & JC.

After we got scrutineered, there was time for a bit of shopping and a drink. Then we went off to dinner at Le ...

... to a strangled cat heard accross the campsite. Dave Shayler had gone for a shower only to find a token was needed for warm water and the camp office was shut. The screaming carried on until we were all showered - apparently it was refreshing!

The snoring started very shortly afterwards.

... site. Duncan orders snails much to the disgust of the boys but they both try them. Our chance to be smug Mom and Dad.
We have had a lovely holiday, with some memories to last forever. Try as we might thoughts keep on marching on towards new adventures and the Isle of Man that lie ahead.

... car gratuit. This is no ordinary car. It's a Fiat Panda (it's like a cross between a bus and a hearse), and upon the sight of it, the only word John could use to come close to describing the hideous-ness of the color was "lemongrass." Which is actually pretty right on. John and Drew in unison: "IT'S AN F-ING PANDA!" We made the drive to Paris the next day, which (and I'm going to overuse these adjectives entirely) was again beautiful and after a ...

... of France and stay in an interesting range of places: Epinal, where I have a meal of: Terrine de foie gras layered with figs and served with small cubes of jelly and a fruit chutney. Poached rabbit stuffed with minced veal and mushrooms. Dessert - mirabelle (golden plum) tart. I drink a Pinot Gris 2005 (Ingersheim, Haut Rhin) rich, voluptuous and a bit sweet - perfect with foie gras but too much for the rabbit. Nancy My god-daughter is called Nancy, so I have a bit of ...

... by the forest that surrounded it. Getting on the ferry took hardly any time and Team Molalla set up camp and we all took turns watching the stuff so people could wander. I went up to the deck first thing to snap some quick pictures of the white cliffs of Dover before heading below deck to find some food. The ferry was massive, containing 9 decks totals. There was food on every other one but some of the places cost way more than the others. Nora ...

We soon climbed out of the tunnel and raced towards the train's first stop at Lille. The land was flat, bathed in sunshine and looking decidedly and strangely 'foreign' !!!

We were served with a late lunch during this section of the ride. Well cooked and well served! Also with a nice glass of champagne!!!