Plan for the unexpected delays. That's the advice from the Notte's when trying to return a rental car in a foreign country and trying to catch a ferry. Because if you don't follow our advice you will miss the ferry. If you are the Notte family you will miss the ferry shuttle by FIVE minutes!
Yes we went around the roundabout several times. Yes we entered customs and then tried to drive out on the one way entrance. Yes we were directed to the car park a few times (No! We don't want to park. We want to return a rental car!). The 2nd time through customs the French officer was less than helpful. Just noting that. In contrast the British customs officer flagged us down and began the conversation with, "You're having a bad day, aren't you?". YES!! With another turn around the roundabout, we finally see the small 'car hire' sign where we are directed to a car park (Ah! Now we begin to understand) only to find there are only two small levels and they are full. With a quick drop in an illegal spot and a dash to the terminal, we receive the bad news. Five minutes.
Oh well. An hour later we were actually departing sipping champagne compliments of the upgrade John purchased. No, not the kids. They were too busy plugging in.
Dover seemed very industrial and I was sad the white cliffs of Dover were marred by this. As we traveled further away though, the unspoiled portions away from the port were quite dramatic. It was interesting to note the chalk giving them their white appearance was also present at Stonehenge and Avebury.
We arrived in Calais in good order and survived dinner out. One child was adamant that he was not hungry(?!) and did not want to eat. This feeling passed when we were understood and the food was familiar. John and I were in for a surprise though. We chose something totally unrecognizable and received pizza! That made for good laugh!
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