Day 15; Calais - Sittingbourne (UK); August 2, 2003 (Saturday)

As I said before I got up very early, around 6, I did not want to be asked stupid questions as what I was doing there. I quickly rode to the port. Had to check out timetable and buy ticket. I knew there were boats at least every hour. The question was the price now. I was in Calais 3 times before, but always by car and then it is a different story.

I got to P&O ticket office and got myself a ticket for €23. I asked if I have to go as foot passenger or as a car. I had to go as a car to loading parking area

I reached the ramp, and had to climb. Out of this rush I did not change the gear on time, and since my derailleur required some adjustments after over 1100 km, I could not change the gear while already on the ramp... must have looked funny fighting with the bike.

Quick picture before boarding...

...and already on opened deck waiting for departure.

When ferry leaves French waters Duty Free shops will be opened. I can buy "cheap" ciggies :-). Need them in UK, now pack of 20 costs almost £5.

Had to leave the bike on deck 5 (if I remember correctly)...

Trip from Calais to Dover takes around an hour. Just enough time to buy some stuff and have coffee (and use normal toilet! ). I was watching famous cliffs of Dover...

And few minutes later we entered port of Dover... 

On the way out of the ferry I met American couple also on the bikes, and together we got immigration booth.

Immigration guy was crazy. He opened my passport at the page where I had 6 or 7 stamps from Heathrow and is asking me if I have ever been to UK (?!)

Road from Dover to Sittingbourne was quite heavy. When you arrive you are at the sea level, then immediately you have to climb. I chose road A2 via Canterbury, however I did not get into town. Few miles before you just see the sign for Canterbury, but I carried on towards Faversham.

Of course had to get used to traffic on the left side. Generally it is not a problem, but after 1,100 km all of a sudden cars bypass you on your right - weird.

You think England is flat in the south. No. All the way you are going up and down, and sometimes you have to go quite steep. So my last 70 km were hard. Especially between Faversham and Sittingbourne.

But finally made it

In front of my brother's house

So have to start thinking about next trip...

I came back to Austria by plane. No problem with flying with the bike what's so ever. British Airways were very helpfull - did not have to pay any fees for the bike AT ALL!!

Trip to UK (14 items )