After the big bang last night we didn't really sleep much more. An hour before we dock the on board alarm call of tinkling Celtic music starts to filter through the speakers, building in volume and tempo. Our helper arrives and takes us to the car deck and soon after 07:15 we are out into a dark morning, clearing border control and driving, on the left, through Poole's almost deserted streets. 20 minutes later we stop and make coffee and breakfast then continu...

After a peaceful, restful night the alarm goes off at goat o'clock, goose o'clock and finally donkey o'clock. Fully awake we are in no particular rush as we have a short distance left and a whole day to get there. We tidy away things we no longer need, sort out passports and pack an overnight bag for the ferry. It's cool but sunny as we set off near midday into Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte and park near the castle. Ali gets out for a look but Nick decides it's to...

It's still raining on and off so we stay in bed until well after 09:00 then have a cooked breakfast. Shortly after the electric trips out, probably waterlogged, but we're away soon so we decide there's no point trying to find anyone to unlock the cabinet. At least Ali can unplug without needing wellies and rubber gloves. It really is a lovely location, but the temperamental services mean we're glad to be here only for a single night stopover. As we drive off ...

After such a lovely day yesterday we had considered staying another day to see more of Honfleur, but this morning it is cold, windy and drizzling. The aire gradually empties out through the morning and when we leave [just before our 24 hour ticket expires] there are only about 30 vans left out of over 200 yesterday. Our plan, on this our first properly miserable morning, was to follow the coast road along the D-Day beaches, but the rain and wind increase ma...

Last night the weather looked a bit iffy, but this morning the wind and rain has gone and it is bright and sunny, but a nippy 11C No one from the passion has bothered to say hello so we don't feel guilty to leave without buying. We set off for Honfleur only 21 miles away which includes a short ride on a free ferry and arrive around 11:30. The aire at basin de cabot is already quite full but we find a good space although there are none of the electricit...