Normandy via noirish Newhaven

Off we go again, the fourth autumn in a row that we have headed south the moment the first few leaves flutter down from the old trees at the end of the garden. You would think practise makes perfect, but getting ourselves organised seems to get more of a chore than less. It is certainly the case that preparing for a trip that lasts until next March is considerably trickier than a jaunt of a couple of months. You really do have to pack for four seasons, not just clothes but bed linen too. Finally the moment comes, Gill hops out the cab to take the usual 'goodbye house' shot.

We got a good price on the Newhaven to Dieppe crossing. Given that we are heading south through Normandy it saves a few miles. It is possible to sleep overnight at Newhaven docks, catch the 8.30am ferry and be in France by lunchtime. All this would be fine apart from storm force winds are forecast, both in the Channel and across the whole of Western France.

In the end none of the catastrophic predictions came true. It merely became a tad breezy and that was it.. Seven hours of tedium down the motorway, then a quick drive across the South Downs. Lovely chalk landscape, Gill's second favourite after anything igneous. Shame it was so foggy.... 

 It's a short walk from Newhaven ferry terminal into town. We  found a local Italian restaurant. It had received good on line reviews, but the best thing that could be said about it was the staff were friendly and the food was inexpensive.-

Unseasoned chicken in floppy pasta with creamy soup - not good.

I liked Newhaven though, but I have a soft spot for slightly down-at-heel ports. If anything the drizzly dusk gave the place atmosphere, in bright sunshine it probably looks worse.

Some might call it depressing, intriguingly 'noirish' I thought...I wonder when the corpse will float by?

Given the number of trucks parked next door in a secure pound we had a surprisingly peaceful night. Up at 7am. that's a bit of a shock these days. Soon we were waved aboard, Compared to Dover its all very laid back and small scale. We would use the route again we agreed.

ESCAPE!!!!

 So here we are, escaped once more from the Disunited Kingdom of Great Brexit and Northern Ire-land, a few months of sunshine and sanity beckons.

 Heels for Dust!