Day 1.             Tuesday 30^th May 2017.     Mileage:        00    Total:  008

From:             78                                        To:   Brittany ferry port.  

Weather:       Sunny.

There is nothing better than starting a seven-week holiday abroad in France than obtaining emergency treatment at the dentists for two lost fillings. Both lost in Greece last week on the family holiday. I was convinced they would have to be pulled. However, Mathew the dentist managed yet again to plug the gaps. I skipped out of the dentists. As much with relief  that I had lost none, as the fact it was emergency treatment, so only cost me £20-60.

We had agreed to have Callum today, half term. Jackie had a hair appointment and needed to collect her bike from Plymstock after a service. What real man allows a push bike to be serviced? Whilst all this took place I took my Grandson into a pub for a beer. Not exactly true. I was keen to purchase the RYA’s Competent Crews training manual. After a few stops at various shops, including Go Outdoors, where Callum and I played hide and seek amongst the tents we arrived at the bookshop at Queen Anne’s Battery. What a treasure trove of books nautical, charts, nic nacs et al. Purchasing the said training manual, more an introduction to sharp and blunt bits, ropes, halyards and stays than anything, it was suggested I also buy an aide memoir for skippers. This was well out of my league and comfort zone but succumbed to some smooth sales talk. Meanwhile Callum had chosen a great little book about pirates which I felt matched his reading ability and would not be vetoed by his mother!

As we left the shop he suggested a milk shake would go down well right now. We walked into the Marina’s bar. There was no milkshake so he settled on fresh lemonade. I had a coffee and we spent a pleasant 40 minutes or so drinking away discussing his pirate book and wandering around the bar looking at the naval artefacts bolted to the walls. We returned home to 78 just as Jackie was cycling up the road. We had lunch and about 1600hrs Tracey collected him.

We were all pretty much loaded on the camper and set off at 2030 hrs.

                            

“And so the adventure begins.”

No sooner had we driven down the road than there stood Tracey Mike, Callum, Jacob, Paddy and Claire all wishing us farewell. Cameras flashed, they wished us bon voyage and we were away.

A tearful farewell!

The ferry port terminal at Brittany Ferries was efficiency itself. All smiles and great customer service. Dawn, Jackie’s sister had deposited an envelope for us at check in desk. I suggested it might be an invite to the Captains table for dinner. “I doubt that.” she said. It was a voucher for two cocktails once on board. Sweet! We joined a queue for loading and after an hours wait we were beckoned forward into the cavernous hold that was The Armorique.