Sunday 20 July 2014

Day 1–Departure day - Sunday 20th July.

 

20140720_233346_HDR

With everything loaded ready in Monty we set off 5.30ish & headed for the Eurotunnel. As we drove south the heavens opened. We passed lots of big American RVs that were heading North – where were they all going/ what were they doing? We stopped for a quick McDonalds when we were just a little way from the Chunnel and by then the rain had stopped and it was warm and humid again. We arrived at the Chunnel about 11 o’clock and self- checked in. There is an automatic number plate recognition and all your details appear on screen. You then confirm and get a piece of paper to hang from your rear view mirror which has a letter printed on it. We then proceeded to the waiting area (separate parking/waiting area for motorhomes, caravans etc). There is a screen that tells you when you will be called to load onto the train. The on screen letters correspond with the letter hanging on your rear view mirror. There is a building with toilets, eating places and shops. We had hoped to catnap whilst waiting but couldn’t drop off. Our letter ‘B’ appeared on the screen and we followed the sign for France. We were then told to follow a numbered lane. There was one car in front of and as we drew up behind it the barrier raised and we were off and straight down onto the train. We trundled through right to the front with only the other car in front of us. After a little while everyone was on, the safety announcements had been broadcast and we were off! With very little noise or movement it was hard to believe we were rattling along under the sea. After about 40 minutes we had arrived in France. The doors in front of us opened and we watched as the front of the train sides opened, the inner sides flopped open to make ramps and then we were driving off. It was all very simple and smooth. 

No comments:

Post a Comment