Trip to Cherbourg (17/04/14)

Trip to Cherbourg with Brittany Ferries
On Thursday 17th April, Brittany Ferries Fastcraft Vessel, the Normandie Express started back on her 2014 Summer Season from Portsmouth to Chebourg, and i had to be on it!

Normandie Express

I booked up about 4 weeks previous wanting to get on the 1st crossing as the Normandie Express spent nearly 6 months out of the water having various work done, including paint, new lighting on the Car Deck, and new flooring in the interior.
I booked up with a Brittany Ferries website address courtesy of the Portsmouth Evening News, this trip only cost £10 (Return). Brittany Ferries normally offer this crossing at a very reasonable price of £23 return on their 'Offers' Page. http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/offers/ferry

Arriving at 07:30 on Thursday, i immediately checked in, only having to wait 40 minutes until boarding. Once on board, it was straight to the Cafe/Bar for a cup of Tea, brilliant price at just £1.45. 
I decided to wait out the back of the Normandie Express watching the loading of vehicles and listening to the sound of the Paxman Diesel Engines.

Loading Normandie Express

Our departure time was 9:00am but this was slightly delayed by 10 minutes due to an issue with the Car Ramp, the crew had problems raising it before we left. The crossing was very smooth all the way, we arrived in Cherbourg 20 minutes later than scheduled.

Getting up to speed

After leaving the Normandie Express and getting out of the terminal, it was on to the bus to the town. From there i walked towards McDonalds in Av Jean Francois Millet (Again), the staff there are great and seem to know English very well and it's much easier.

After a break, i walked through the town mainly just to kill some time and stopped to buy a filled baguette to eat when i got home. By the time i did all this walking, it was time to head back to the Shuttle Bus which took us to the Terminal. After checking in & getting back on board at 4:15 (Local Time), it was time for another cup of Tea. We managed to get a decent seat this time as the foot passengers were loaded on before car passengers, we sat right at the front.

Again, coming back, the crossing was only 3 hours, it's surprising how quick this time passes. Passing the Isle of Wight, the Normandie Express slowed due to the speed restrictions. It takes about 30 minutes from the Outer Spit Buoy to the Harbour, this bit does seem longer.

Back in Portsmouth, it was time to disembark, another trip to France over! I will be booking this trip again but in the 2 weeks, i go to Ouistreham/Caen on the Mont St Michel, returning on the Normandie. This one i am really looking forward to!

On of the many streets of Cherbourg

Yummy!

Tony!