On the 16th of August 2008, we embarked on a nostalgic tour of Europe with my family. Our adventure commenced with meticulous preparations, loading up our Suntour 6 berth motorhome with essentials such as fresh water, food, soft drinks, beers, wines, throwaway barbecues, a toolbox, and, of course, our clothes. The six of us, comprising myself Mahesh Karadia, my wife Hansa, son Nitin, daughter-in-law Bharti, daughter Shital, and nephew Kiran, bid farewell to our home in Leicester at approximately 2:30 pm, heading towards Dover, a 190-mile journey.
To enter France, we had to traverse the 22-mile-wide English Channel. Having pre-booked a ferry for a 9 pm departure, we took our time driving and reached the ferry terminal around 6 pm. Upon checking in with P&O Ferry, they kindly offered us an earlier crossing at 8 pm, an offer we gladly accepted. With ample time on our hands, we decided to prepare tea and indulge in some fafda ganthias, a delightful Gujarati snack that we had brought along. Being fond of our cultural snacks, we savored the moment.
Boarding commenced at 7:30 pm, with these sizable ferries accommodating over 200 vehicles, including cars, trucks, and buses. Onboard amenities included restaurants, bars, and shops, making the 1 hour 30-minute crossing a comfortable experience. Vehicles were parked in designated spaces, and passengers were not allowed to remain in their vehicles during the journey. We headed upstairs, settled in one of the bars, and enjoyed some drinks.
By 10:30 pm, we were offloading at the French port of Calais, where there were no customs formalities. As we ventured into France, we had to make a mental shift, adapting to driving on the right side of the road instead of the left. Our motorhome, with its right-side steering, required extra caution. The transition was also noticeable in the change from miles to kilometers for distance measurements.
Our ultimate destination was Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland, nestled at the foothills of the Alps, a distance of 860 km. Along the French motorways, we encountered rest areas equipped with parking spaces, picnic benches, and toilets, offering a convenient option for a break or even an overnight stop. After covering around a hundred kilometers, we halted at one of these rest areas. Once again, we enjoyed some drinks, indulged in the home-cooked food we brought along, and settled in for the night. More adventures awaited us on the morrow…
