We are off again

Dear Reader, all two of you.

I started writing last year after coming back from a bike trip of a lifetime and failed to get to the exciting parts.  No wonder you stopped reading, although I hope that might have something to do with me stopping writing.

Well here I go again.  This time in post-COVID holiday season and this time it’s spontaneaous and unplanned unlike my prior trip that required a lot of organisation, and practice, before I could leave.  This time I’ve already got the bike, the kit, and some experience.  I’ve only got a week off though and it’s already Sunday evening so it’s going to be rushed.

I write from the Pont Aven, a cruise ferry operated by Brittany Ferries, en route to Santander having embarked at Plymouth.  This time it’s not as unknown, or frightening, as my first trip but it is a hell of a lot more unplanned, which is saying something.

The route plan is vague.  Day one – London to Parents (15 mins for tea) to Plymouth – embark on 1645 ferry. Day two – err.  Head East. Day three – err…  Day seven – Arrive home 

You get the general picture. Life doesn’t get more sponteaneous than this. 

It’s just what the doctor ordered after a stressful few months.  Except that she didn’t because you can’t see a doctor right now as they are busy saving COVID patients, all four of them.  Brief disclaimer – I’ve already had COVID in March/April. No test as those were saved for people in hospital. No hospital visit as I wasn’t gasping for breath and could talk. It was miserable and worrying in equal measure but the upside is that I can’t get it again, for a while at least.  

They announced earlier we need a completed form to show our personal details on arrival.  I filled that in but it wasn’t helpful as it was for flights.  Let’s see what happens.  Oh and they will take our temperature before we can disembark.  I’m going to be wearing motorcycle leathers and carrying all my luggage.  The chances of me having a normal body temp are close to zero given how hot is in Spain at noon when we arrive.  Let’s see if this ferry journey ends up being a two way trip….