Guernsey Harbour - waiting for the boat to France. . 8 miles total (total miles 105miles)
I was supposed to check in at the ferry 40mins before departure at 10am. Thus I was aiming to leave the house at 8am.
Pleased to report my ‘fungus the bogey man’ green, sparkly hearing aids are working again. Bex had been surprised to learn that ‘they’ didn’t make waterproof aids. I’d brought a small ‘dehumidifier’ thingy (technical term) from home – silicon grains or somesuch - and she found a small pot we could seal the aids and the ‘thingy’ inside together overnight. The experiment was successful – and I now had functioning ears again.
Anyone who knows me well, knows I find it hard to leave anywhere (translate that as I’m always late). After porridge, bacon and eggs (I could get used to this!) – juice, coffee, I finally left at 08.35 with 4miles to go to the ferry. Most of it was down hill – but I could feel the panic rising as the gates close at 09.30hrs. In the end, I was there with more than 15mins to spare, only to see Bex screech to a halt in her car beside me, and leap out of the car holding up my toothbrush and toothpaste which I’d left in the bathroom. Emily’s nose glued to the back window, they waved me off. I went to the pedestrian check in, but got sent back around a roundabout to the car entrance. They waved me through – and I pushed the bicycle up the ramp onto the ferry – which was dwarfed by the enormous Brittania ferry floating next to it. Half an hour later, with a blast of her horn, the Ferry sets off for Guernsey, led out of port by a tiny tugboat. We float past what I later found out were the very distinctive Old Harry Rocks to the starboard, and golden sandy beaches and a fortified building; Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight to the port (see, getting all nautical already).
It’s all very exciting.
I liked some of the signs on the boat e.g., “Slide to open – or use the Jedi force” on one door, and “key in number to open, or alternatively, put your hands on your head, stand on one leg and sing ‘three blind mice’ loudly, which won’t work, but will be fun to watch” on another door.
At 11.45hrs we sail past Alderney and Sark. Once we got to Guernsey, we had to disembark as the later sailing to St Malo was on a different ferry boat. I didn’t go far – just cycled along the harbour and sat down to make a daily drawing and eat some more of the cake Philippa had given me (lasting a long time isn’t it?). A seagull startled me by landing right next to where I was sitting and squawking loudly (do they squawk? – whatever, it was startling). I think it wanted some chips.
Went back to check in (early!?) – and had to explain ‘Ms’ to the young guy behind the glass who thought someone had made an error and had meant to put ‘Miss’.
We gained an hour on the next ferry – and I wonder where I’ll sleep as I know the Youth Hostel is full and the municipal campsite is out of town (if it’s even open this early in the season) and it will be 8pm when we arrive. The ferry stopped in Jersey and lots of holidaying folks boarded.
I had a Croque Monsier to get in the mood.
Once in St Malo, I pedalled around aimlessly for a while – found the Mairie and got used to riding on the right side of the road. There was nowhere to camp, so I found a hotel and splashed out on bed and breakfast - £47 and I’m pretty sure I’m still in credit as far as the daily budgeting goes.
I was supposed to check in at the ferry 40mins before departure at 10am. Thus I was aiming to leave the house at 8am.
Pleased to report my ‘fungus the bogey man’ green, sparkly hearing aids are working again. Bex had been surprised to learn that ‘they’ didn’t make waterproof aids. I’d brought a small ‘dehumidifier’ thingy (technical term) from home – silicon grains or somesuch - and she found a small pot we could seal the aids and the ‘thingy’ inside together overnight. The experiment was successful – and I now had functioning ears again.
Anyone who knows me well, knows I find it hard to leave anywhere (translate that as I’m always late). After porridge, bacon and eggs (I could get used to this!) – juice, coffee, I finally left at 08.35 with 4miles to go to the ferry. Most of it was down hill – but I could feel the panic rising as the gates close at 09.30hrs. In the end, I was there with more than 15mins to spare, only to see Bex screech to a halt in her car beside me, and leap out of the car holding up my toothbrush and toothpaste which I’d left in the bathroom. Emily’s nose glued to the back window, they waved me off. I went to the pedestrian check in, but got sent back around a roundabout to the car entrance. They waved me through – and I pushed the bicycle up the ramp onto the ferry – which was dwarfed by the enormous Brittania ferry floating next to it. Half an hour later, with a blast of her horn, the Ferry sets off for Guernsey, led out of port by a tiny tugboat. We float past what I later found out were the very distinctive Old Harry Rocks to the starboard, and golden sandy beaches and a fortified building; Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight to the port (see, getting all nautical already).
It’s all very exciting.
I liked some of the signs on the boat e.g., “Slide to open – or use the Jedi force” on one door, and “key in number to open, or alternatively, put your hands on your head, stand on one leg and sing ‘three blind mice’ loudly, which won’t work, but will be fun to watch” on another door.
At 11.45hrs we sail past Alderney and Sark. Once we got to Guernsey, we had to disembark as the later sailing to St Malo was on a different ferry boat. I didn’t go far – just cycled along the harbour and sat down to make a daily drawing and eat some more of the cake Philippa had given me (lasting a long time isn’t it?). A seagull startled me by landing right next to where I was sitting and squawking loudly (do they squawk? – whatever, it was startling). I think it wanted some chips.
Went back to check in (early!?) – and had to explain ‘Ms’ to the young guy behind the glass who thought someone had made an error and had meant to put ‘Miss’.
We gained an hour on the next ferry – and I wonder where I’ll sleep as I know the Youth Hostel is full and the municipal campsite is out of town (if it’s even open this early in the season) and it will be 8pm when we arrive. The ferry stopped in Jersey and lots of holidaying folks boarded.
I had a Croque Monsier to get in the mood.
Once in St Malo, I pedalled around aimlessly for a while – found the Mairie and got used to riding on the right side of the road. There was nowhere to camp, so I found a hotel and splashed out on bed and breakfast - £47 and I’m pretty sure I’m still in credit as far as the daily budgeting goes.
Sun sparkling on the sea as we sail out of Poole Harbour.
Welly on the ferry.
Welly in the waiting room (Daily Draw).
Woman reading her book as French coastline hoves into view.
Guernsey harbour - daily draw whilst waiting for ferry onwards.
Sunset in St Malo, as I pedal aimlessly around wondering where I should kip
The Mairie in St Malo. Love those pollarded trees.
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