Honfleur to St Nazaire
The following morning its back to it. The GS in its new livery, outside the charming little Motel.
Getting packed is a painless experience, for I have delegated it to the good lady of the ramble. She packs the bags, I pack the bike. Simples. And here she is..
The morning is packed away to a little foreign music television, always a good source of entertainment. Alex Ferrari Bera Bera Bare Bare. A ridiculous French accordion fusion pop dance number with talking knickers. Just fancy that. I would embed it, but You Tube has blocked it on copyright grounds, I would really say should be blocked on the matter of good taste. Anyway, in the UK, well, knock yourself out..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KacJzAR9_io
To the road. It's raining and so we opt to take a little motorway to see if things change. Fortunately they do. Nothing to report here, motorway is motorway, aside from at the toll booth on the opposite side there's a van on fire, with two guys desperately trying to unhook a caravan from it. Not good. Fortunately the weather improves so we dip south on to the quieter D roads. Typical France, easy motoring, pleasant views.
Taking in the sights at Domfront..
On the road..
Stopping at the Café Du Commerce in Pouance, as frequented by Larry David, co-creator of 'Seinfeld' and star of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'..
In amongst the arty pictures, landscapes, cows and flowers lies this gem. 'I was hungry' was the explanation..
And so to where the road leads to our port destination, veering away from Gary Glitter's European destination of choice..
There's just time for a quick trolley dash at the Super U in preparation for our ferry. I was quite proud of my results from the GSer 5minute shop-off against the clock.
Sadly it was a no for the Kebab flavoured crisps, though..
So we're cruising in to St Nazaire, and following the signs for the Port. Le Port. Which turns out not to be the ferry port. They're building ferries though, and bloody big cruise ships here, but no car ferries for the shuttling of peeps elsewhere. It's a big place. We trawl round for a time without success, and we can't see anything that resembles a car ferry either. Back out, and to the signs to Le Port Ville. No joy again. Time is knocking on and we're starting to get a bit concerned. But there's no sign of it, and no signs for it either. We ask a guy at a café, he seems sort of to know what we're talking about, but can't help. We ask two guys working on the road, they've no idea at all. Finally we stop at a bar with two gents sat outside looking laid back and typically French. I ask in my broken French for the Ferry port, Ferry to Gijon. 'I have no idea what you're talking about' responds the one guy in English. 'Ah, you speak English!' I say. 'Yes, sometimes' he says. He knows what we want, and knows where we need to go, but 'it's complicated' he says, 'so I will show you'. He waddles off to get his keys. He ambles across to his VW Golf, pulls up and rolls down the window. 'Forgive me', he says 'normally my English is very good, but I am very drunk'. Ah. 'Follow.. Allez' he beckons, and in a flash takes off at high speed down the back streets. I conceed it is indeed complicated, but not as complicated as the Police conversations would probably be..
But some five or so very odd minutes of persuing this guy around the port town, he rolls us out at the sign for the Car Ferry (and there is only one sign so it seems, great job St Nazaire). He leans out of the window 'I am so glad I can help you' he smiles. We thank him and tell him to drive carefully. His laughter and eye rolling now tells us that he is pretty lashed. Bloody hell
After the customary messing around to check in we're on our way.
The ship sails just after 9pm, and we sail under the impressive Pont De St Nazaire..
Of course, when we get to the cabin I realise the folly of 'you pack the bags' part of the deal, as despite instructions I have no trousers in the overnight bag, and thus have to go to the bar in my jim-jams. Nice.
The LD lines ship is really kicking about overnight in the Bay of Biscay, noted for its swell. I really like it.
Spain beckons tomorrow!