436. Run away

Calais

The joys of PVA

Roman had been very keen to revisit the Eiffel Tower. Yesterday, we had seen it disappearing into the mist and agreed that a visit to the lower levels was in order. Checked the route on the Maps and saw masses of red and a long travel time for what should have only been a twenty minute drive. Suspicions aroused a bit of research confirmed that the protests were in full swing and common sense told us that it would be worse tomorrow, Sunday.

No need to keep saving
my NZ marmalade 

We decided to Get out of Dodge and head for Calais, about three hundred kilometres to the north but could see that the main route the A1 had lots of blockages with the protests. It was a big pack up as even the roof rack was off the Disco having needed repair but we had good motivation as we had how long the drive would take. Three hundred kilometres normally takes us about four hours but we knew today would be interesting and challenging.

Autumnal departure 

It took a few hours to get everything loaded up and we set off at about three in the afternoon. We weren't stressed as we knew we had everything on board and if we got stopped could just go to bed, on the road if necessary. I had established that the gas central heating worked, it only taking a new AA battery for the igniter, the whole Giantavan able to run for days on its reserves.

We wound our way out of Paris on little roads, the roads deserted due to the protests, it was very strange. Though we were sure we would be stopped we weren't though we occasionally saw fires and arrived a Calais a bit before three in the morning. Checking online news we were stunned to see the images below where we had been, without a problem, last night.

Wouldn't like to get caught up in this with the family....

Arrived at the Calais ferry terminal and very pleased to see a aire dedicated for caravans and motorhomes. Fell into bed with racing heart having drunk energy drinks to keep the family alive. Bought a ferry ticket for ten thirty sailing in the morning. Wasn't prepared to purchase a ticket prior to now as I had no confidence that we would make it through to Calais.

Should all be pretty straight forward from here, hard to miss the boat when you are already at the terminal.