Thursday, 25 April 2013

Bruges Wednesday 17 April 2013


A bit of work and a bit of shopping take me from breakfast to 11:00 and then a taxi to the coach park. The parking is not too far away but I have so much stuff with me I couldn’t carry it all in one go and not being able to park outside the hotel means the easiest thing for me is to take everything now.
At 13:00 I have everybody on board as we head towards Calais and our sailing back to Dover.
Once again it is quiet and we are early so we manage to catch the 14:30 ferry which is the sister ship of the one we came over on, the Spirit of Britain.
It is a bit busier than Monday but still quiet.
I had a bit of a scare approaching Calais when I could see some smoke coming out of the back of the coach. As I pulled up at passport control the passengers towards the back said they heard a bang and then smelt burning. I investigate what sounds like the belts coming off to find I have lost my two air con belts but all the others are intact. I won’t need the air con now and should be okay to drive home.
On the boat with me is my old mate Robin and his wife Kath who both work for Bakers of Weston super Mare. They are on their way back from Switzerland.
Robin doubles as a mechanic and he had a quick look at my engine and said I would be fine to get home which is good enough for me.
Enjoyed a late lunch with Robin and Kath talking over old times and what we are up to now. Their children are all grown up and they work as a team all year being away for about 42 weeks each year! And I thought I had done a lot of touring! Even at my busiest working for Truemans I would only be away for six months a year.
We have a good run back making a stop at the new Cobham services for a comfort stop and group photo opportunity.
I am back in Petersfield by 19:00 after a great three days that has gone well and look forward to another holiday to Bruges next year.



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