Bye Bye Blighty

MARCOING.

We leave Goudhurst in plenty of time for the ferry at midday. We arrive at the port just before 10:00 having tried to put drinking water in the home at a local petrol station without success. Everywhere seems deserted so it was surprising when the staff rushed us on to the boat. Believing we had 2 hours’, we started messing with the headlight diffusers when the stevedore told us that we should be on the passenger deck because we had already sailed and if we weren’t quick we would miss the White Cliffs. Still, he did help us with the diffusers, first.

So, arriving in Dunkirk at 1pm, we decided to drive further south and settled for the Cambrai area, where 3 Aires exist. The first one, at Banteaux, was easily found but was closed by barrier. A pity it was a lovely setting on a canal side. The second at Marcoing was found with difficulty but had no services. The third, at Cambrai, had rocks at the entrance. Therefore, back to Marcoing.

En route we called at a petrol station and, using a push-button tap, we manged to add water to the van. Around the corner from the petrol station, we find a pizza restaurant. Not the cleanest, the high chair was stored in the Gents toilet, but the food was tasty and the half bottle of wine drinkable. Euro 36 seemed expensive, but we are used to Spanish prices.

Back at Marcoing, we discover that a fellow Brit has arrived.

The day ended on a low note, a burst pipe began leaking a hot water spray when the pump was turned on. So, to bed without a thorough wash.