Day 1 - Departure (29/3)

We left Wotton and Ashton Keynes for the bright lights of Portsmouth ferry port, bound for Santander – the gateway to Spain and the name of a bank.

Climbing aboard the truck, and after the customary photo calls from Susie, the boys and their Gran, we set off at 5.20pm snaking our way through the back streets of Ashton to avoid turning the beast (Jaba the Hut) around.

We gave ourselves plenty of time to make our 10pm departure and were pleasantly surprised at making the journey in just over two hours.

Captain Tony had warned me of the dangers lurking in ferry ports, namely 4x4 drivers and motor home enthusiasts all wanting to have a poke around Jaba (which dwarfed any other passenger vehicle).

After some re-arranging of kit and a cup of tea, we began the (regular, I am informed) customs check. Stopping our progress for nose around and general snoop, the customs officers decided not to trouble the passing Columbian-drug-running-Al-Qaida types selling their AK47s to the local warlord and concentrate on the winch set up for the quad bike. 

After escaping the clutches of customs, we crawled on board the 'Cap Finestre', flagship of Britanny Ferries. Welcomed into the bowels of the ship with the already routine, How many miles to the gallon does she do?What's her top speed? Did you convert her yourself? etc. etc. we were eventually able to get to our cabin.

In scenes reminiscent of the wonderful American comedy drama 'The Love Boat' we settled into a playful flirt with our fellow passengers - the girls mentally undressing us(?)  Many men choosing to parade in their safari kit (khaki shirts and Landrover merchandise featuring heavily), but alas no smiling! This is a serious adventure and should be enjoyed on the inside; open displays of excitement are frowned upon, an air of business as usual should be nurtured. 

After paying for the first round of drinks 'Captain Tone' was dispatched to get the portable drinks survival backpack. Clinking back into the bar area we avoided detection and therefore the horrendous bar charges – I don't think we were alone. In bed at midnight, we ambitiously decided to watch a film; ten minutes later we were asleep.