Our last trip out ended rather suddenly in February this year as we had to come back due to a family illness. Sadly Hayley’s mum is no longer with us.
Spring is in the air now, or so we are told. It’s the start of May and we are still seeing lots of rain and cool temperatures, but that’s not stopping us. Since we got back home in February it has been rather busy what with a family loss and trying to work as much as we can at the same time and we now feel that the time is right to have a quick three-week trip away in Jess.
For the next three weeks we will be exploring Normandy in France, and in particular making a special trip to the Normandy coast where the D-Day landings took place on the 6th June 1944, 80 years ago. We have been in that area a couple of times on past trips, but we did miss a few things, so to make sure that we see everything this time, we are making a special visit to the area hoping that three weeks will be enough to see everything. During the trip, we are meeting up with a good friend from the Isle of Wight, who will be joining us for about 9 days in her car.
3rd May 20204.
Home, UK to Dieppe, France – 155 miles
Our journey, as usual, starts from our home base on the Isle of Wight with a ferry from Fishborne to Portsmouth. Then a 2-hour drive to Newhaven for the 4-hour crossing to Dieppe, France. This is the first time that we have used this ferry. The thought of driving to Dover for the ferry to Calais, and then the drive south to Normandy filled us with dread. We are looking forward to this new ferry. It’s only 4 hours but we have booked a cabin so we have somewhere to relax out of the way of everyone.
We now have Jess, our beloved motorhome, stored near the flat where we live. It now only takes 5 minutes to walk to her rather than the almost hour and a half round trip to Ryde and a muddy field where she used to be kept. She has had a full service, and a habitation check, has been cleaned throughout, and is ready to go. This morning we stop briefly at the flat to pick up some remaining bits and pieces before setting off.
The ferry, unusually, leaves on time. There are a few ferries on this route, but today we are on the smaller vessel, the St Faith. It’s an old but reliable boat. A real throaty sounding, dirty, oily, reliable boat. The ferry company bought a huge new ‘hybrid’ boat, the Victoria of Wight which is always out of service for repairs. We don’t think that her namesake would be amused…
It has turned out to be a nice warm sunny day, the crossing is pleasant and uneventful. Next, the short drive from Portsmouth to Newhaven. An hour and a half later and at a steady cruise between 50 to 60 miles per hour, we arrive at the little port of Newhaven between Brighton and Eastbourne. It’s a rather small port, not at all busy, very quiet, but we like it. Compared to the hell hole that is Dover, this is very pleasant.
We arrive a little early but at 4 pm we are shown the way into the belly of the boat, a big blue and yellow shiny vessel.
We make our way to the reception and collect our keys to our cabin, room 649. It’s basic but comfortable. Bunk beds, plenty of room with a shower and toilet. All very clean and tidy with a window on the port side going out to Dieppe (that’s on the left for non-boaties!).
We have a good look around the ship and watch the English coastline fade away into the sea mist and the late afternoon sunshine. Very nice.
Dinner is in the restaurant, we have salad, fish and chips and some cake – a tart Tropezienne, a speciality of St. Tropez.
Back to our cabin for a lie down where Hayley watches Race Around the World while we listen to the low hum of the engine and the gentle movement of the ship as we cross the channel in the setting sun.
Finally, we arrive in Dieppe at 10:15pm and we head for a motorhome spot within the port for our first night. We have no water in our tanks so we have showered on the boat. We have a few bottles of water for tea and breakfast and flushing the loo, we will fill up Jess tomorrow morning.
Shopping day tomorrow.
Hope you both enjoy this latest adventure. Looking forward to reading all about it.
Love Liz & Sarah xx
Hello you two and good to hear from you. When we settle in I dtill have to send you my short story for review. Hope you are both well. Great to see you a couple of weeks back.
Happy and safe travels to you two . Hope you have a refreshing 3 weeks and bring back summer with you . I can see you both next year on Race Around The World for sure !
Hiya John. Good to hear from you. Mixed bag of weather from warm sunny skies to sharp showers. No matter we are seeing a lot. Our eyes are hurting from it all!
See you very soon, get the champers & oysters on ice, yeah baby!!!
Can’t wait to be in France again xxx
Wooo-hooo! Yes we are looking forward to seeing you. Champers are on standby. We are in the right place for oysters! See you soon, drive carefully.
Great blog ! always look forward to reading about your new adventures
Hiya Natalie… Lovely to hear from you. Looking forward to seeing you n the island very soon.
Good to see you two doing what you love.
It’s all politics here at the moment so lucky you for missing it all.
Enjoy your trip and keep reporting on your adventure xx
Hello Marie. Very nice to hear from you. Yes we left the day after the election. Glad to be missing all the rubbish that get talked about after.
So sorry to hear about Hayley’s mum, and sending our condolences for your loss. However, it’s good to hear you are off to France and Normandy in particular, a very pretty region. Hopefully the weather will be kind to you and stay warm and sunny – it’s about time! Looking forward to hearing all about your trip.
Lovely to hear from you both. We ae only three days in and already our eyes are hurting from the fabulous sights. Currently in Etretat. Lovely place.
enjoy the next travels…….. if you find spring in France…. send it our way!!!
all the best
jx
Jon… It started off well, but no wwe have some rain. It never lasts. Hope your are well…