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Quote: Originally posted by askill on 01/9/2009

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Hi Vic, it seems we have the same taste in ferries as well as sites, we always do Portsmouth-Caen, we make it part of the hols. Although next year we're planning to do the night crossing from Portsmouth to St Malo on the way out, and the morning Caen to Portsmouth crossing on the way back. From St Malo to Logis can only be about 4 hours or so, we won't be towing so it should be an easy journey. Need to keep an eye on the Brittany Ferries website and book asap.

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Quote: Originally posted by pager33 on 01/9/2009

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askhill, how do you go about getting your airmiles to give you a discount of Brittany ferries? We really like the tunnel but OH (the driver) thought the jurney back yesterday was horrendous and we are now thinking of biting the bullet and paying for the Portsmouth/Caen crossings both ways.

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Hi Pager

You need to be registered for Airmiles, maybe you get them already from other sources, then you send off to TESCO as usual to change your Club Card points into Airmiles. Tesco offer 60 miles for £ 2.50, and Airmiles currently work on around 1000 miles for £ 60 of price.  eg £ 360 ferry cost is 6000 miles ie 100 Tesco vouchers equals £250 for a £360  crossing. Not  as good as the tunnel, but a 30% discount nonetheless.

We are with the guys above, we love the atmosphere on the Brittany Ferries boats. My favourite is the Barfleur, but equally the ones on the P/mouth /Caen route in their own way. The one exception is the Pont Aven which I found disappointing on the Santander to Plymouth crossing.  Did n't have the "feel " of the western channel boats, strange , but there you are. Am giving it another chance in a few weeks on the Roscoff to Plymouth crossing.

Crossings are not cheap, but it's where do you prefer to spend the money.

FM

Hi J & S

Difficult one to answer, a bit subjective really. The only thing I can put my finger on is that channel boats are "very French".  Now that might put some people off. but for me it is the start of the holiday. The Pont Aven seemed to bow much more to the comercial need if that means anything. Maybe I am just an avid Francophile. It has been said in certain quarters.

Specifically, the boat is excellent, and I was totally impressed. Had a super cabin. I did n't find a "posh " restaurant, and whilst I enjoyed the food in the self servs. It is a special treat for us to have a meal in the restaurant cross channel. For me the quality is tops, I don't know if they still do it, but we once had breakfast on the Barfleur, and it was " Silver service"

Hasten to add we are " ski ing " pensioners, and when we had a young family it was the "Orient Express" lounge , Newhaven /Dieppe on Sealink,(or was it Townsend Thoresen )  now that will evoke memories for some.

FM

Hi pager, we convert our Tesco points into Airmiles, we get 80 miles for £2.50, and 1000 miles = £60 towards the crossing. Sounds complicated, but we've been doing it for years (hence the 80 mile rate and not 60, which is the standard rate), plus living in Portsmouth means we have an easy journey to and from the port. Hubby loves the convenience. We paid £28 I think for our crossing this year, the rest was airmiles, and we still have some left in our account for next year's crossing. I know my Tesco points could be used for better value elsewhere, but this is what I prefer to use them for. We all love the crossing (when it's smooth) amd enjoy spending time in the bar and restaurant, plus relaxing in the lounges. It's all part of our holiday.

Vic, we are storing our tourer there for the first time this year. M. Gagnard must store at least 150 UK caravans on his site. So we hope to do the 280 miles in 4.5 hours or so from St Malo. This year we towed from Caen as far as Rennes, then stopped overnight and drove on to Logis the next day. As this was our first time towing in France we wanted to take our time. I'm pleased to say the journey went like clockwork, it was actually enjoyable driving at our leisure.

We were there from 1st-16 August. Travelled in our VW camper. Calais to Limoges...across to Dordogne then on to Atlantic Coast. Started at Capbreton making our way up to La Rochelle. Across into the Loire Valley before heading upwards past Rouen, a night neat Le Touquet then back to Calais.

Phew...2,500 miles. Sometimes we saw an abundance of GB stickers but in other places such as through Limousin very few.