A Weekend Ferry To Spain

Saturday 6.3.10

I've headed down to Devon to hook up with my dad in readiness to take a ferry to Spain tomorrow.

First, though, still at home, we had our usual big brekky and  made a mad dash to Paul and Ems to drop off the air bed and roof box and to get the hub out of MeWallys' old bike wheel and into the new one. All done and home by 11. I was away by 12. Not bad, as we don't usually eat and get out of the door before 12.

Yesterday MeWally bought a Kenwood mixer from Ebay. It's pristine and bright orange. 

Linked up with the seller in Exeter, exactly where I'm going, where dad lives. The mixer was in the back of his van (he was at a friends) and plugged it in to demo it, then and there. I was well impressed. 

Spent the rest of the day sorting and cutting some of dads stored  wood to use as studding and battening in our place, chatting with  family, texting and glancing at the Kenwood as it peeped out of it's old cardboard box. Hope I don't forget to take it home with me on Tuesday. That's the sort of dumb mistake I make.

Sunday 7.3.10

Admired my bro. Johns' new town run about, a smart, silver scooter. Looks the part, though more a summer toy than a winter one especially as he's so old now!

Here we go then, the bloody car park machine only gave us  a 2 day ticket, we need 3. Now we have 2 tickets for today, one for tomorrow and none for Tuesday afternoon/evening. I've left them all there on the dash board with a note saying, I've paid for 3 days, shame it's not the 3 days I asked for.

As dad is a bit disabled he had to board via the car deck as it has a lift!

Sitting around in the boat. Getting a bit stir crazy now and it's only 2pm. Nice view. out of the window though.

Just asked about the lack of wifi;. 4quid an hour an; AND you have to sit in ONE PLACE in the boat. The girl in customer services said, well it has to go all the way to a satellite you know.

Reeleee? So it's like an internet cafe?

Yes madam, that's right.

Only dearer. 

Good  old Brittany Ferries, always cash before customer.

I'll pay for upload time when I've something to post; could be a long wait.

Spent the late afternoon/evening on deck spotting the wildlife. Didn't see anything, though someone saw something jump out of the water. Davey Jones probably. 

A guy called Allan got chatting to me. We  were the only people out there and passed a pleasant hour in the FREEZING wind and BOILING sun passing time and waiting for the sun to put on a show as it set. . 

All the while dad dozed in the cabin. 

Had a pretty nice meal. Dad took his tablets.Takes a lot to keep us going for so long.

Into the bar. Girl in sparkly dress sang what she called middle of the road music; more like road kill.

Monday 8.3.10

Got up at about 7am and went off to spot Dolphins and the ljke. 3 hours later and this was all I had seen

.

The weather closed in 

And as the boat came into Santander - it SNOWED.These are Spanish snow flakes on the deck of the boat.

The view of the local hills from the boat was less than welcoming.

The general area looks full of promise, despite the fact it has been snowing, on and off since I got out here. Sooooooo cold. Bitter wind; last nights veges I expect.

The town, Santander is OK, if you like that sort of thing. 

Loads of people in fur coats - why?

We toughed it out. Dad's calling the shots,.if he says he's tired we dive into the first cafe, or bar, we come to, buy a drink, beer, coffee, maybe some grub,  take a photo and stroll on.

It's an unusual way to 'admire' a city.

Some places were smarter than others.

Thank goodness we don't have too long on shore. I' getting a coffee head. I'll be turning to booze soon, at least then I'll get a nights' sleep before the headache kicks in.

Dad's on his second beer. He'll sleep well tonight.

Now in our last place in Santander; the ferry terminal. It's like a bus station, you'd only be here if you had no choice. We have no choice, so we're here. The ferry companies haven't gone the way of airports. So there's nothing to do but sit here and type/ do photos, or go into the one shop,

 or the cafe.

A few people are left sitting as everyone queues to get on board: apart from us, all the 'sitters' are all Spanish.

In the queue are the English (I assume) and dad's desperate to join them. 

As we sat and waited for cast off, or sunset, which ever came first. I sketched the building opposite the boat.

Then I  took a few photos of the town 

and the docks

as well as the distant snow covered mountains

and dad being reflective, or is that reflected?

And both of us in dark relief.

as the car decks were being loaded and the sun went down.

Had a bit of a lie in and  then mooched about the boat. No brown bread for brekky, nor any 'local' bread. 

Went outside, straight into a howling gale. Even my hat wanted to fly free. The sea had been pretty big overnight, with the boat dipping and lurching abruptly, at acute angles. Now the sea is choppy, but not that 'swelly'..

I've got 6 hours to kill. Ho Hum. Had a cuppa.

Made another square; the last in this colour.  5 more to make, but not today. Had a cuppa.

Finished my book; quite good. Had a cuppa.

Got myself all packed up and ready to go home. Had a cuppa. 

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