DAY 29 – 30 SANTANDER – UK

Day 29 – Alice, Hotel Arha’s manager, took great care of me. Her English was good enough to have a nice chat & it surprised me how a genuine, friendly person & a little warm sunshine could provide such a lift & improve my appreciation of this city.

Once on board, I secured my bike to the vessel’s hull, noted the deck & staircase number & treated myself to a cabin. Then to the bar for drink of English IPA beer – I didn’t really need it but it felt appropriate at this stage of my journey home.

I soon got chatting to a lovely couple, Paul & Claire, motorcyclists from Cumbria, heading home after two weeks touring Spain & Portugal. Highlight places for them – Spain: Toledo & Navia & Portugal: Ovar. With lots in common, hiking, travelling, engineering, renewables, etc. & of an age to contemplate retirement (that old chestnut) enjoyed a very pleasant evening with both.

Day 30 – I’d taken an inside cabin on deck 9. It was small but had all the needs for a comfy sleep & a freshen up. Other than two restaurants, a bar, gaming computers & brisk walks on deck 10, there was little to do, so lots of reading & listening to music. Paul came by & picked up where we left off the night before.
€3’s got me 1hr internet access – enough time to update my Passenger Locator Form, do my blog & contact home.
Christine was waiting at the docks & it felt good to be back. We reached Devon By 11:30 pm, very tired & looking forward to a long weekend with family. After that, to the comforts of home & getting back on my bike – minus the load!!!