With the cancellation of Taiwan leaving a big empty hole in our diary, despite the fabulous Venice trip, we wondered what to do. We set off in the camper van to visit Doris, Ian and Elaine in Durham. It was good to see how well Doris was settling in to her new flat, despite a fall which badly injured her leg.
Great meal out with Ian and Elaine, although we were worried that Elaine might not be allowed in....
After a good couple of days with them we set off south on the east side of the country for a change. We originally had no plans but had packed the passports just in case. The weather wasn't brilliant so we decided to keep heading south until the sun came out. A stop in Huntingdon , followed by Canterbury - great cathedral! led us down to the south coast.
The weather was so bad that the thought of crossing the channel on a ferry was appaling. Carole had a stroke of genius in thinking of the channel tunnel. We'd never used it before but a quick internet check resulted in tickets for the next day.
Driving into the Chunnel carriages.
Phenomenal piece of engineering, quite earie driving onto the train carriage and then disappearing under the Channel, but 45 minutes later we were in France and heading further south. By this time we'd resolved to drive down to the boat for some sun.
First stop was at Luynes, France, lovely little village and hotel had a great restaurant, one of the best meals we've had in France in a long time.
Luynes village
We'd originally planned to fly out at the beginning of March to put the boat back into the water after some work had been completed, but more on that later.
Our trip south was fairly leisurely but we kept moving as the weather wasn't improving that quickly. The nearer we got to the Spanish border the better the weather became.
We stopped at various Chamber d'Hotes and small hotels, we felt it was too cold to camp - getting soft!
First view of the Pyrenees
Great views
Lunch stop in the foothills of the Pyrenees
Chateau guarding the entrance to the Samport Tunnel
The weather got better as we approached the Pyrenees and then once through the Samport tunnel- 8km of tunnel driven through the mountains! Then the sun really came out.
First stop in Spain, and it was hot!
The view from our hotel in Spain, near Huesca.
It was snowing at home, we only saw snow drifts of almond blossom!
Our friends Neil and Yvonne had recommended a campsite just south of Alicante at Cattral, a big site but with good facilities. This was a great location as it was halfway between where the boat was being worked on and Carole's tennis friends. So we could easily sort the boat out and Carole could play tennis.
Ten days at the campsite went very quickly, helped by one of the best heated swimming pool and spas we've ever used. There was also an unheated outside pool, it looked lovely but too cold for me but Carole took it for a test swim. Carole also keeping up the training for the London Landmarks Half Marathon.
Ready for a run!
The boat had been hauled out to clean and prepare the hull for a new type of antifouling to be used. Called Finsulate, it feels like velour and the tiny bristles prevent barnacles and weed sticking to the hull. A bit experimental but very environmentally friendly so we'd decided to go for it after a lot of discussion. Whilst out of the water the boat's hull was polished and we had new seacocks fitted - in for a penny, in for a pound!
Hull stripped back to gelcoat and topside polished
Being epoxied.
Finsulate being applied by Rik Breur of Finsulate BV.
The boss checking the work!
Final bits!
The Dutch company came over and fitted the material to the hull after it had been prepared and all went well. The boat went back in the water and we had a couple of quick sails to make sure all was good. The boat looks great and fingers crossed the new anti-foul will work well for many, many years to come.
Back in the water and looking good!
Carole was registered for the London Landmarks Half Marathon in London along with Jen, Vic and Vic's Mum, on 29th March so we'd booked a return crossing from Santander to Portsmouth on 14/15th March. In the meantime she was running 10km every other day - I was exhausted just thinking about it, but all for a good cause, Alzheimer's Research UK.
Wrapped up and put to bed.
As we were packing up and getting ready to drive north for the ferry crossing the press broke the news that the Coronavirus had reached Spain.
We drove drove north stopping at Toledo - fab city, great knives! It's the sword and knife making centre of Spain. We treated ourselves to a night in a Parador, it was worth it for the view alone.
Great views from our hotel bedroom
The next night we stopped at a tiny village that had a hotel boasting pool and spa just outside Santander. The hotel turned out to be a therapeutic centre built around some hot springs.
It was like turning the clock back to 1950, some of the "treatments" offered would normally be considered as a form of torture, amazing. That night we went to a local bar for a meal, the TV was on, it always is in Spanish restaurants, and we realised that the virus had spread hugely and the government was going to enforce a shutdown of the country.
The following day we drove into Santander arriving about 11.00 with the original plan of spending some time in th town before boarding the evening ferry across the bay of Biscay, a 24hr crossing. As we parked at the ferry terminal, the town started to shut down, all bars restaurants and shops were closed by midday. It was shocking to see at the time but we soon learned what it was like at home. We returned to the ferry terminal and spent the afternoon in the camper van - at least we could brew up!
The ferry was full of vehicles but the public spaces were very quiet, a lot of people had decided to spend the crossing in their cabins, so as not to mingle with other passengers. The only good point was that there was a quiz in one of the bars and we got a trophy for coming second; due to the lack of competition! The crossing was as smooth as a smooth thing, for which Carole was eternally grateful, Biscay can be a beast of a crossing at this time of year.
Arrival in Portsmouth
A quick stop in Birmingham to see Jen and then home.
The pandemic hit the UK and all events were cancelled and lockdown followed.
We are so lucky to live where we do, to have a garden, and not be financially distressed by the shutdown so far.
