Salamanca is one of the new LPG powered ships from Brittany Ferries and we are presently on-board her for our sailing from Portsmouth to Santander.

it’s been a difficult few days preparation for our first trip of 2024. Moe has had a bad cold since mid-December and a subsequent chest infection. Close to the end of her second round of antibiotics she declared herself fit to travel. That left Joe to complete the sale of the old towcar, pack the new towcar, caravan, sort out the allotment, and much more besides. All in persistent rain!

Our trusty Kia Sorento was collected by the buyers on the day of departure.

Finally, we left East Devon in our outfit pulled by “Nellie”. Our departure day, 4th January 2024 will be remembered for Storm Henk. As if Blighty wasn’t already sodden after what seems like the wettest Autumn and Winter ever, Henk dumped another deluge of rain and turned our usual 3 hour trip to Portsmouth into a 5 hour nightmare.

Despite flooding everywhere and roads virtually impassable we reached the port around 7pm.

Close to the port of Portsmouth lies the Ship and Castle Inn. An oasis in the desert of industrial units, port workings and office blocks. A well earned pint of London Pride was waiting for Joe.

We had booked our ferry crossing back in July shortly after the booking window opened and we managed to secure one of the posh cabins which includes access to the fully inclusive “Commodore Lounge”. All food and drinks are complimentary but at an add-on price of £85 it isn’t a cheap option if it’s not included with the cabin.

After the numerous storms, the Bay of Biscay today is calm. Perhaps not a millpond but certainly more than we had hoped for.

Our arrival at Santander is scheduled for 08:00 Spanish time at the port of Santander.