last day

 

A bit cooler as we left Ibis and we had to wander round Lannion waiting for a café to open as it was Saturday and things start later at the weekend. But Lannion is pretty on its river with very very old wooden buildings. We got superb crispy croissants and pain aux raisins and drank good coffees opposite.

Then with a few hours to kill we meandered along the headlands and down the ria snapping lighthouses and gannets.

The Armorique was waiting and we got on board, having first jumped through an interesting Brexit hoop at passport control. First of all there was a Dutch car in front of us whose driver had to search in his boot for a passport! Was it his first time out of the EU? Then he for some reason had to hand his phone to Mrs Customs Officer. Took ages! Poor woman then had us to deal with… we may not have mentioned this but Adrian had discovered in Sablet that Mr Customs Officer at St Malo had not stamped his passport on arrival. Much consternation - what would this mean when we left? He still had his boarding card so in a pinch could prove he was on the ship. So, back to Roscoff…she looked at our passports and asked if we lived in France. Alas not I replied. Ah then why are your passports not stamped? Mine is says I. What date she asks. 14 March. But not here? No, St Malo. Ah…Strange that your husband’s is not stamped. Bizarre, I agree. She ponders,  then laughs. Oh well as he never arrived I can’t stamp him exiting. He can come back tomorrow and still have 90 days whereas you Madame only have 42! And so, chuckling away, she hands back the documents and bids us a cheery au revoir.

Ship was only one third full and only one commercial vehicle - a Britannia removal truck. And a celebrity meeter and greeter!Loads of space and our cabin was spotless. 

The crossing was a veritable millpond. Home by 10 and unpacked. Then awoke to a desiccated weedpatch and soft persistent rain - much needed. We are in front of our fire with bowls of saucisses and lentils and glasses of Puyméras. Waitrose ordered for tomorrow!