On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 10:15:17 +0100
Bruce wrote:
wrote:
The overnight to Santander is quite pleasant - not least because it saves
driving down the whole of france - but Brittany Ferries run what are
essentially cruise liners on that route that just happen to take vehicles
too. Recommended if you want to tour spain by car.


Thanks, we are thinking about a trip to mainland Spain next year.

If you do take that route book a cabin, they're worth the extra money.
Its a long voyage and you don't want to be leaving all your stuff in
a lounge for 24 hours.

B2003

d wrote:
On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 10:15:17 +0100
Bruce wrote:
wrote:
The overnight to Santander is quite pleasant - not least because it saves
driving down the whole of france - but Brittany Ferries run what are
essentially cruise liners on that route that just happen to take vehicles
too. Recommended if you want to tour spain by car.


Thanks, we are thinking about a trip to mainland Spain next year.

If you do take that route book a cabin, they're worth the extra money.
Its a long voyage and you don't want to be leaving all your stuff in
a lounge for 24 hours.


Thanks. Yes, a cabin is essential for such a long trip.

In article ,
(Basil Jet) wrote:

On 2011\08\03 23:26, Neil Williams wrote:
On Wed, 03 Aug 2011 21:55:48 +0100, Paul Corfield
wrote:
boggle

Down to the individual I suppose. I wouldn't be interested in a cruise,
but I do find standing out on deck in the sea air (or socialising in the
bar) for a short crossing from Dover to Calais quite pleasant and
relaxing, compared with half that time in my car in a garage on wheels.

Never mind Calais, I sometimes go out of my way to use the Woolwich
ferry just to treat myself.

Yes, back in the 1970s, I and some friends used to make a point of using at
least one ferry (and some interesting train routes) to get to the autumn
party conference. Took in the Tilbury-Gravesend Ferry on a not-via London
route to Margate, a Mersey Ferry and a Lime Street to Southport train and
the Humber paddle steamer to get to Scarborough. All great fun which enabled
me to use train and ferry services that have since ceased!

--
Colin Rosenstiel

On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:11:38 +0100, Basil Jet
wrote:
Never mind Calais, I sometimes go out of my way to use the Woolwich
ferry just to treat myself.

Or the back of the Thames Clipper on the fast stretch towards Canary
Wharf. Hold on tight, lean out slightly and enjoy. (You're not
really meant to but they don't usually mind).

Neil

--
Neil Williams, Milton Keynes, UK

On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 10:40:56 +0100, Bruce
wrote:
Thanks. Yes, a cabin is essential for such a long trip.

It used to be BF policy that you had to book a cabin (or at least a
reclining seat) if any remained available. May still be. This
helped prevent there being people piled all over corridors etc
overnight, unlike Bari-Durres where the sleeping bags even came out!

Neil

--
Neil Williams, Milton Keynes, UK

On Thu, 4 Aug 2011 08:44:46 +0000 (UTC), d
wrote:
It depends what ship. Dover-calais ferry full of screaming brats?
Hmmm...

Try the bar, normally they aren't in there.

Neil

--
Neil Williams, Milton Keynes, UK

Neil Williams wrote:

On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 10:40:56 +0100, Bruce
wrote:
Thanks. Yes, a cabin is essential for such a long trip.

It used to be BF policy that you had to book a cabin (or at least a
reclining seat) if any remained available. May still be. This
helped prevent there being people piled all over corridors etc
overnight, unlike Bari-Durres where the sleeping bags even came out!


Thanks Neil. I've heard plenty of good reports about Brittany
Ferries.

We are planning a week (or possibly two) with friends around Valencia
then a week (or possibly two) exploring the north coast, at least in
part by metre gauge railway. Total three weeks.

On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 19:34:30 +0100, Bruce
wrote:
Thanks Neil. I've heard plenty of good reports about Brittany
Ferries.

It's been a good 15 years since I last used them, but they had that
civilised edge then

We are planning a week (or possibly two) with friends around
Valencia
then a week (or possibly two) exploring the north coast, at least in
part by metre gauge railway. Total three weeks.

Sounds good - enjoy!

Neil

--
Neil Williams, Milton Keynes, UK

On 04/08/2011 22:16, Neil Williams wrote:
On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 19:34:30 +0100, Bruce wrote:
Thanks Neil. I've heard plenty of good reports about Brittany
Ferries.

It's been a good 15 years since I last used them, but they had that
civilised edge then

I found Portsmouth - Cherbourg on foot pretty good last summer. It was
probably the first time I've liked travelling on a high speed ship,
rather than felt it was "cheating".


--
Arthur Figgis Surrey, UK

Arthur Figgis wrote:
On 04/08/2011 22:16, Neil Williams wrote:
On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 19:34:30 +0100, Bruce wrote:
Thanks Neil. I've heard plenty of good reports about Brittany
Ferries.

It's been a good 15 years since I last used them, but they had that
civilised edge then

I found Portsmouth - Cherbourg on foot pretty good last summer.


Wouldn't going by ferry have been more practical?