Two ferries to the sun

The UK is being blasted with freezing temperatures and howling winds, and we are preparing to head to the sun. This isn’t a tour, or a trip where we’ll discover a new country or new architecture, history, and people. This is about being warm, pure and simple!

When we first thought about moving to the island (having visited for a whole half a day!) we discussed spending summer in our fixed home and winters in our home on wheels.  We haven’t actually managed to achieve this until… now.

Braving the cold, we entertained our neighbours as we packed Agy up. It was so cold I needed to warm my frozen body with a hot bath in between attempts to fit all our belongings into the jigsaw puzzle of confined space that will be our home for the next few weeks. 

Agy had an extension to her rear this time as Lexi, our little scooter, is joining us for the trip. Lexi’s van rack is brilliant, but once she is aboard, the back doors are no longer accessible, so packing had to be completed before she could be rolled up the ramp onto her travel rack. She looks at home, don’t you think?

After a last night out with our fabulous friends and neighbours we headed to our first ferry. We had been planning to leave a few days earlier, make a special delivery to my brother and then heading to see dad and other family members, but given the weather forecast we chickened out. Icy roads and freezing nights are no fun in Agy, despite her upgraded and brilliant new heating system.

Luckily the winds died down and the next day we had a smooth crossing, boding well for our next step of the journey. With a stop at Port Solent in Portsmouth where vans are welcomed to park up, or even stay overnight for free while you shop, eat, or enjoy the cinema, we headed to the international ferry port at Portsmouth.

Now, this all seems sensible and doable until you realise you have several hours to wait at the port (I mean, you can turn up an hour before sailing, but we were not risking any issues or delays!)  On most occasions, this would be fine, but it was bitterly cold! We have a great heater, but we didn’t want to use it as you can’t just turn it off if the port authorities ask you to move, it needs to run a cool down cycle which takes a couple of minutes. So we sat, in the cold, bobble hat (me), scarf and cap (Ian) and waited… and waited. We were due to sail at 11.30pm, but it became clear that wasn’t going to happen. The ferry eventually arrived about 9.30pm and very slowly cars, campervans, motorhomes and lorries disembarked. At about 11pm the line started to move and we were boarded quickly as we were at the front of the queue. 

We were sailing with Brittany Ferries aboard their new ferry ‘Salamanca’. We’d booked a cabin and ‘C club’ access, so headed to our cabin, dropped off our bag and went straight to the C Club. The C Club is a lounge you pay an additional charge to access, which provides free food and free drinks (soft and alcoholic) as well as a lovely calm area to relax for the entire journey. Having done some research and added up the cost of food and drink in the bar and restaurant, it was clearly worth the additional cost.

Despite being very late on board, there was delicious hot vegetable soup waiting for us, crusty bread, cheeses, sliced meats, and fruit as well as wine, beer, tea and coffee. Just what we needed to warm up and relax.  Before we knew it we were chatting to fellow travellers and feeling warm, full and perhaps slightly tipsy!

Our cabin was a simple affair, but gave us all we needed, comfy beds, a bathroom, and was spotlessly clean. We chose an inside cabin (which we don’t mind at all). Ours had a Trompe-l'œil that lit up showing a shutter and beautiful view. I loved it - Ian didn't!

The journey passed fairly quickly with a hot breakfast, lunch and dinner in the C Club lounge, we chatted to others, read, braved the outside deck once (it was very cold!!) and had a wander about the onboard shop and remainder of the ship. Everywhere was very nice, but the noise levels and the costs of drinks and dinner, although reasonable, made us thankful for the quiet sanctuary in the C Club lounge. If you are wondering about doing this trip with a pet, they do have pet friendly cabins, but I understand they sell out quickly!

Arriving in Santander at 8 am, 2 days later - a very civilised way to travel.