Spinal
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2004
- Messages
- 4,806
- Location
- between Uxbridge and the Alps
- Car
- x254, G350, Duster, S320, Mach1, 900ss and a few more
So yesterday I took a trip across the channel (P&O's £20 offer)...
Although I had a fun trip overall, I thought I'de post some comments:
-France + Sunday + Shopping = yeah, right! Other than the large wine stores in Calais, the only other things open were the petrol stations and the restaurants!
-P&O Ferries really need to train their staff a bit more on customer relations.
I was wandering around the ferry looking for a good spot to get a shot of the White-cliffs of Dover. I saw a group of people up ahead, and started walking towards them; some steward starts screaming at me from behind telling me to "get the f**k down". Apparently I was walking towards the Captain's cabin (the little metal gate was open, there were people and I didn't see the sign saying crew only, on the open gate). The other members of the public already up there were then asked to leave too. (on the return journey we ordered some tea at the bar, and were served a very unpleasant lady who could learn a thing or two about manners...)
Also on the return journey, our ferry was delayed. We were scheduled for the 20:30 ferry (boarding 19:55). We got there with time to spare, and were told that due to "weather and industrial action by sea-france, there was a 30 minute delay" - fair enough. We eventually boarded at 11-something. Throughout the wait, I tried contacting a member of staff - there was no-one around, and the number on the tickets played an automated recording saying there were "30 minute delays".
On a similar note, we headed to the passenger terminal around 19:40 - after eventually finding it from a map we were given on checkin-in, we were told that everything was closed and we had to leave. A very strange elderly man (not in uniform and reeking of ale) stood by the elevator and ushered groups of people out of the bar and into the elevator. Being in the very last group to leave, (at almost 20:00) I noticed that there were a few people still sitting at the bar being served; regulars or staff I guess.... I waited at the ground floor (where the vending machines were broken) for the other members of my group for a while - I never did see anyone else come out of the bar...
-If you goto Calais, go see Boulogne-sur-Mer and eat at the "Aux Pecheurs D'etaples" (or something similar). The food was amazing, and at 35 euros pp (starters, main course, desert + coffee) was quite good value. Don't be put off by the work-site on the front of the building, walk through it and into the restaurant.
-CPH wines has some very knowledgeable staff, and some fairly good wine in the 8-30 euro price range. They also sell wine "en vrac" (by the litre) - I'll report on this when I build up enough courage to try it!
-EastEnders, though open 24/7 was ... interesting... (or dodgy, depending on your point of view). We decided to play a game, seeing who could find the cheapest wine. I found a bottle at 1.35euro's of Bulgarian Wine - my friends found a tetra-brik on offer - 6x3l (so 18l) for something like 7 euro's... it did say "not suitable for drinking, but perfect for cooking" on the side :shudder: I ended up buying a bottle of "Gnats P**s" for the canteen cook (I work in a school). I'm sure he'll get a kick out of it! I also tried a sip of "French Dog's ********" - I'll avoid rating that too... I'm no someiller - but I can warn you to keep away from it - I ended up having to look for gum to take the aftertaste away!
-Cap Griz Nez and Cap Blanche Nez are stunningly beautiful, even in a cloudy/windy day like yesterday. Bring a flash-light, a quick walk into the bunkers is quite potent. It really makes you think about all those people who died that (on both sides).
-I wanted to go see the Etaples Cemetery (about 30kms south from boulogne-sur-mer), but couldn't seem to get to it. The tourist office in Boulogne had no clue what I was on about (my broken french couldn't have helped). I'de recomend that too as a very sobering sight - but I haven't seen it so can't comment on it.
Michele
Although I had a fun trip overall, I thought I'de post some comments:
-France + Sunday + Shopping = yeah, right! Other than the large wine stores in Calais, the only other things open were the petrol stations and the restaurants!
-P&O Ferries really need to train their staff a bit more on customer relations.
I was wandering around the ferry looking for a good spot to get a shot of the White-cliffs of Dover. I saw a group of people up ahead, and started walking towards them; some steward starts screaming at me from behind telling me to "get the f**k down". Apparently I was walking towards the Captain's cabin (the little metal gate was open, there were people and I didn't see the sign saying crew only, on the open gate). The other members of the public already up there were then asked to leave too. (on the return journey we ordered some tea at the bar, and were served a very unpleasant lady who could learn a thing or two about manners...)
Also on the return journey, our ferry was delayed. We were scheduled for the 20:30 ferry (boarding 19:55). We got there with time to spare, and were told that due to "weather and industrial action by sea-france, there was a 30 minute delay" - fair enough. We eventually boarded at 11-something. Throughout the wait, I tried contacting a member of staff - there was no-one around, and the number on the tickets played an automated recording saying there were "30 minute delays".
On a similar note, we headed to the passenger terminal around 19:40 - after eventually finding it from a map we were given on checkin-in, we were told that everything was closed and we had to leave. A very strange elderly man (not in uniform and reeking of ale) stood by the elevator and ushered groups of people out of the bar and into the elevator. Being in the very last group to leave, (at almost 20:00) I noticed that there were a few people still sitting at the bar being served; regulars or staff I guess.... I waited at the ground floor (where the vending machines were broken) for the other members of my group for a while - I never did see anyone else come out of the bar...
-If you goto Calais, go see Boulogne-sur-Mer and eat at the "Aux Pecheurs D'etaples" (or something similar). The food was amazing, and at 35 euros pp (starters, main course, desert + coffee) was quite good value. Don't be put off by the work-site on the front of the building, walk through it and into the restaurant.
-CPH wines has some very knowledgeable staff, and some fairly good wine in the 8-30 euro price range. They also sell wine "en vrac" (by the litre) - I'll report on this when I build up enough courage to try it!
-EastEnders, though open 24/7 was ... interesting... (or dodgy, depending on your point of view). We decided to play a game, seeing who could find the cheapest wine. I found a bottle at 1.35euro's of Bulgarian Wine - my friends found a tetra-brik on offer - 6x3l (so 18l) for something like 7 euro's... it did say "not suitable for drinking, but perfect for cooking" on the side :shudder: I ended up buying a bottle of "Gnats P**s" for the canteen cook (I work in a school). I'm sure he'll get a kick out of it! I also tried a sip of "French Dog's ********" - I'll avoid rating that too... I'm no someiller - but I can warn you to keep away from it - I ended up having to look for gum to take the aftertaste away!
-Cap Griz Nez and Cap Blanche Nez are stunningly beautiful, even in a cloudy/windy day like yesterday. Bring a flash-light, a quick walk into the bunkers is quite potent. It really makes you think about all those people who died that (on both sides).
-I wanted to go see the Etaples Cemetery (about 30kms south from boulogne-sur-mer), but couldn't seem to get to it. The tourist office in Boulogne had no clue what I was on about (my broken french couldn't have helped). I'de recomend that too as a very sobering sight - but I haven't seen it so can't comment on it.
Michele