So after what seems like ages, I’m finally in France, pitched on a cider farm in Normandy. Having arrived in good time, and after reading the notices, informed Mme Desfrieches I was here, I’ve put the ramps down to level it. A bit, and even found an electric socket, for €3 next to the loos. I’ve been joined by a French motorhome containing a very large dog, and a friendly couple. Also, by a couple of beekeepers, who seemed to be telling me I was in the wrong place. My friend the dog owner helped translate; the compromise was that I shut the door for an hour to protect me from the danger of the bees. We agreed that with all the apple trees in blossom, the bees had an important job to do, which seemed to assuage them.

Drove down to Newhaven, and parked on the quayside with a bunch of others. The couple behind me, Jonathan and Claire, had read about a burger bar on a forum: had to be an improvement on Maccy D. A portacabin on an industrial estate, mostly doing takeaways, but the recommendation was accurate – chipotle burger with garlic/ herby fries. No hot drinks though.

Got my head down about 9 pm, and a reasonable night’s sleep. Woken by a few bangs on the van at 4.45. “Hello? Who’s there?” Lifted a blind to see a file of motorhomes heading for check in. Loading had begun! Dressing quickly, stepped outside to see a guy in high vis, who told me what to do. Turns out I didn’t need the app to get on the boat as I’d pre-booked, just a passport. Got pulled over for a search, including pat-down.

“Do you have any guns” “No” “Any large knives!” “ Yes, it’s a camper, they’re in the drawer!” “I have to ask!”

Also chatted up the couple queuing in front, Pete and Bev from Devon, heading for the Romantic Road in Germany. Ended up having breakfast with them on the boat. My policy of gate crashing friendly couples seems to be working, at least for me, don’t know about them. I’ve decided that the ferry is good for meeting folk, but the four hour crossing is a bit tedious compared to the Tunnel.

My original plan was to stop in Dieppe for lunch, on Rick Stein’s recommendation. In the event, I wanted to get on the road rather than fight the urban traffic in a strange place, so hit the open road. Found the autoroute that took me over the Pont de Normandie. I’d forgotten what a squeaky bum moment it gave me last time I did it. Stocked up on milk and cheese at a service station, so had my cup of tea.

It’s now raining, and just had a thunderclap. The beekeers have installed their bees and gone; soon time to eat.