Tuesday 18th February 2025

All packed and ready to go. Left home early afternoon. Paul reports that the van feels heavy but thankfully not heavy enough to affect the handling. We are carrying half a tank of water, which is about 35 litres, so we could travel lighter and also save on fuel. I had maybe my fifth ever Big Mac when we stopped at a services for a Costa and found that the only thing open was a McDonalds – yuck! Arrived in Portsmouth at 7pm thinking check-in would start at 20.45 for a 22.45 departure. Looking forward to parking up and getting a coffee but check-in was already open and we went straight through from ticket and passport check to the queue to get on the ferry. We then boarded at 11.15pm! The ferry is huge and full and there must be well over 100 motorhomes and caravans and even more trucks, containers and cars.

Best: The G&T when we eventually got on board.

Worst: The wait to get on the ferry.