Arrival in France
To my amazement, we were away at 08:20 and it was a good job. 270 miles to the channel tunnel and very little 70 mph. We actually had quiet roads but the miles of 50 mph roadworks and other slow sections agree into our time.
5h40m got used too the Folkestone terminal and we were offered an earlier train at check-in but, as we hadn't stopped, we stick to our 14:50 booking. Wait time at Burger King made this a good decision.
Straight onto train, driving into the lower deck through the side door then along the inside. It was very quiet and it felt like we were driving to France. However, we reached the back of the other cars and as we were at a coach connection held back behind yellow lines as shutters closed and fire doors folded in.
We set off driving on the right which after all these years is now fairly comfortable but cursing the recent reduction in speed for out of town roads, 43mph is a pain! As it was early, we avoided the autoroute and stuck to the green signs but encountered the inevitable "route barre" and set off on a diversion through tiny lanes through gorgeous post harvest farmland glowing in the sunshine.
Arrived at Bethune at a comfortable time as nd checked into Campanile hotel. We like this group, they are roadside lodges which have an in house restaurant which is always very French. We are very happy but acknowledge some would find the accommodation basic.
Good meal downed with nice wine followed by an espresso. Nicely chilled now ready for tomorrow's drive East toward Germany.
5h40m got used too the Folkestone terminal and we were offered an earlier train at check-in but, as we hadn't stopped, we stick to our 14:50 booking. Wait time at Burger King made this a good decision.
Straight onto train, driving into the lower deck through the side door then along the inside. It was very quiet and it felt like we were driving to France. However, we reached the back of the other cars and as we were at a coach connection held back behind yellow lines as shutters closed and fire doors folded in.
Soon we could feel movement and then the view through the little window disappeared and other than occasional flashes of lighting remained black for the next 25 mins until we could feel the train climbing and slowing into Calais.
We set off driving on the right which after all these years is now fairly comfortable but cursing the recent reduction in speed for out of town roads, 43mph is a pain! As it was early, we avoided the autoroute and stuck to the green signs but encountered the inevitable "route barre" and set off on a diversion through tiny lanes through gorgeous post harvest farmland glowing in the sunshine.
Arrived at Bethune at a comfortable time as nd checked into Campanile hotel. We like this group, they are roadside lodges which have an in house restaurant which is always very French. We are very happy but acknowledge some would find the accommodation basic.
Good meal downed with nice wine followed by an espresso. Nicely chilled now ready for tomorrow's drive East toward Germany.
Gorgeous sky tonight.
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