Day 2.             Wednesday 31 May 2017.    Mileage: 117            Total:   125

Weather: Hot.           From: Roscoff                      To:  Mousterlin.

We enjoyed a brilliant night’s kip aboard Brittany Ferries Armorique. They sell them as cruise ferries and Brittany Ferries have upped their game considerably since the last time I was on board, some twenty-five plus years. Everything went exceptionally well.

We arrived at check in at 2000hrs after an emotionally charged farewell from family and friends in Lynwood. The check-in clerk, directing and loading staff were all on the ball. True we had to sit in the wagon for an hour whilst we were loaded but hey!

Once on board we proceeded straight to our cabin on deck 9. We were issued with our cabin number on our boarding card which also opens the door electronically. Clever stuff. We had booked a twin, well bunk beds with en-suite. It was very modern looking, fresh smelling and clean. The bed as I was to find out later was very comfortable. Even though I was detailed off for the top bunk.

As I had eaten little or nothing since 0500hrs when I awoke this am and it was by now, 2200hrs, I was a bit peckish. I woke early yesterday am due in part to things still yet to do. The two bikes to fit onto the rear carrier was on my mind. Especially as I had not yet bought covers for them or the square red/white back marker board, for overhanging loads. There is a degree of uncertainty about the legality of this requirement in France. I opted to go with a board.

I also had the dentist on my mind! In Greece last week I had lost two fillings, both major ones. I had rung the practice from Greece over a week ago and booked myself in for 0935hrs today. I arrived fifteen minutes early, Mathew, the dentist had a cancelation just prior to me so in I skipped. Not really but then I knew I was in trouble. I had little to no pain all week but the holes were massive. I fully expected to hear him say “I’ll pull that one”. He didn’t. Some half dozen needle jabs later I waltzed out having paid a mere £20-60. It’s cheaper if it’s an emergency apparently. That’s why I had little to eat. The numbness was only just receding. A small price to pay for hanging onto these knashers a bit longer.

Back to Brittany Ferries. We went into the self-service café and bought a couple of meals with desserts, coffee for me, wine for Jackie. As we sat there and ate our meal we could watch the lights of Plymouth recede as we passed out into the sound and the English Channel. It was soon time to turn in and by 2300hrs I was just about out for the count.

The next thing I know the tannoy is playing some harp melodies. This is the alarm call. It was 0600hrs. Too early to get up yet. I dozed until a blast from the shower shot out of the bathroom door and sprayed itself around the cabin. It was a fire hose out of control. Or so it seemed. Jackie had dropped the shower head. It was my cue to get up, shower and dress. We walked down to breakfast. Neither fancied a Full Monty or croissants come to that. We made do with two coffees and a biscuit. No sooner had we started in on the drinks that we were called to the garage to mount vehicles.

Jackie looking slightly pensive.

As we climbed aboard the Ice Cream Lorry we were directed off the ferry. One of the first. Through the passport control booth and then the open road. Next stop Concarneau.

The weather was slightly overcast but soon cleared away to a gorgeous day. The navigation was in theory straight forward but alas we missed a vital turning and my Navigator thought we were headed West when we were headed East. This was soon rectified but did take us on a slightly longer route in. No matter.

We have another forty-eight days to get it right! We could not find our first night’s camp spot. It was a free one with space for forty units. We parked up and went walkabout. Stopping an old couple, I asked, in my usual French way, “Where is the nearest Aire Stationment pour Camping Cars?” They looked confused. I was confused. Speaking slower I apologised and asked “Parlez vous Anglais?” “Qui”, they said “Were Scottish”. Would you Adam and Eve it?

They knew of no such site to park. Jackie hit on an idea using addresses and Google. It showed us we needed to be about four miles away. We soon arrived at the site some 100 metres from La Plage. No facilities save a rubbish bin but a great spot. We anticipate we might be here for the two days allowed.

Mike prepped lunch which we ate accompanied by a rather pleasant bottle of Pinot Gris that Suzie had sent over for us. All the way from France via Tim to Angleterre then returned to France to be consumed in Cape Finnestre. The afternoon was spent strolling the beach, the water was like bath water. I kid you not. Arriving at a stone pier we spotted a huge fish in the water. Dead. As we stood and watched, it was soon covered by twenty or more crabs all feasting upon it. Remember that line from The Outlaw Josey Wales? “Buzzards gotta eat same as crows”. Well that must also apply to crabs I guess.

2200hrs and its still light out. Time for a can of Thatcher's.