Pont-Aven to Roscoff

Our 2004 event naturally took place onboard Brittany Ferries new flagship the Pont-Aven, sailing between Plymouth and Roscoff on Friday 3rd September. Proving to be both our most popular and most successful trip to date the crossing was enjoyed by all.

I woke to a rather misty morning with fog horns echoing around Plymouth Sound at a somewhat early hour (well, by my standards anyway). Having agreed to meet Phil outside his hotel en route to the ferry port we were both informed by Jim that the Pont had not yet arrived so decided to take a de-tour and walk on the Hoe to see just where she was. We were both surprised to see that the mighty Jewel of the Seas was anchored in the middle of the Sound with tenders already shuttling thousands of Americans ashore. The Pont-Aven then rounded the breakwater and made her was slowly through the channel passing behind the Jewel, which dwarfed her in immense proportions. It seemed like an age before the Pont ‘popped out' from behind her again, before she approached Milbay swinging effortlessly into the berth.

Once at the ferry port we saw Michael, Jim, Cornelia and Faith waiting for us beside the car park (which we were told at length had silly parking meters!) before Karl ‘pounced' on us as we made our way up the escalator to the check in desk. For those of you that don't know Plymouth's terminal the ground floor is where immigration and customs are based, the first floor has the Brittany Ferries check in desk, a Thomas Cook bureau de change, a large waiting room, a café, and a balcony overlooking the berth. The 2nd floor is home to the BF offices and reservations centre. After looking for familiar faces and considering making a sign(!) everyone found each other and the ‘mammoth' task of checking in began with 18 passports etc. Once that was done and Phil had handed out the boarding cards and passports (laughing at everyone's photos!) more coffee was needed and we awaited boarding whilst out of the balcony. Just before boarding began we were handed our dinner vouchers which had just been printed - the printout was taller than us both! Just before it was time to board we were all wished a good trip by Dan, who was on a family holiday.

Boarding commenced at around 9am. Like I mentioned in my Val de Loire report last week not everyone at Plymouth is scanned, it's a random selection, and it was quite amusing to see which of our now 19 strong group they considered to be ‘dodgy'! I have always liked the fact that you walk to the port rather than being bussed and as a result we were quickly onboard, before most of the cars had even started to come onboard. Cabins found, on deck 5 (which we all at some point got lost on!) people began to explore, have breakfast and get to know each other. Departure was rescheduled to 1030, being due to her delayed arrival (because of the Jewel of the Seas manoeuvring in the Sound) and due to the fact that the tide in Roscoff would prohibit berthing if we had left any earlier... more on that later!

The ropes were let go, 3 long blasts were blown on the whistle (followed 2 shorts later as the Captain waved to someone ashore!) and we made our way out of the port gently to a beautiful blue sky - the weather could not have been better! We passed very close to the Jewel with both passengers and crew alike keen to get a glimpse of this giant - which coincidentally had been built at Meyer Werft alongside the Pont-Aven earlier this year ( and I was left wondering if she had encountered any mechanical problems?! - ahem!). Once we were clear of the breakwater we were brought up to speed as she sped across to France.

It wasn't too long before members were found in the various bars onboard, and it was no surprise when it was Jim and Phil who were the first to be found propping up the pool bar! After some late breakfast and socialising in the self service overlooking the bow the group was summonsed to reception for a visit to the bridge. It's an understatement to say that everyone was quite taken aback by the scale of the bridge, as well as the technology being used up there. We were then given a very in-depth tour and explanation of the ships systems by Noelene which had everyone's deep attention. Following the ‘tour' we were all left to ask questions, take photographs and explore on our own - only the brave walking on the glass floor! Once the Officer of duty had come out of his corner (which he had retreated to when seeing what must have looked like an invasion walk up there) he commented on how surprised, pleased and proud he felt with the ‘fans of the ferry' showing such a keen interest, even more so when he found out people had come from so far to be onboard with us.

Some 30 mins later, and following a group photo it was time to leave, and following a members request the opportunity to view the Commodore Cabins and lounge presented itself. Its surprising just how big those cabins are being able to squeeze the whole group in plus our guides. I did keep an eye out to see who would try to raid the mini bar (not me of course!). After viewing the Commodore Lounge and any more questions we all dispersed... to the bars! It was obligatory for various visits to Chance and Games planet, where air-hockey prevailed again (well, I won one game against Alex anyway!). Seeing Roscoff rapidly approach we made our way out on deck and saw the rather unattractive Normandy of Irish Ferries at anchor having made way for arrival. Considering we had already left late everyone remained in very high spirits when the following announcement was made, whist just off the berth.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. The captain would like to inform you that due to very low tides it is impossible to berth the ship. We shall therefore be arriving in 45 minutes". Well, I think that ‘excuse' was a first for everyone, but was the truth as once we did berth the tide gauge showed just 1.4m! It was good to see the Pont berth bow in - yes, the opportunity was taken in Brest to fix the door. Disembarkation rapidly commenced, with about half the group deciding to go ashore whilst the rest of us decided to take advantage of the empty sun decks to catch a few rays!

Those who had gone ashore returned to the news that they had missed seeing what appeared to be the French BF management taking a tour onboard with the Captain, including the infamous Alex Gournavec!

An hour later and everyone was back onboard again, a busier return of over 1600 compared to around 650 on the way out. As soon as we had left, and passed the now delayed inbound Normandy we all made our way to the restaurant. Not knowing how to order the table it was Phil who was left to say "Table for 19 please"! A long table had been laid for us all at the rear of the table, but even that couldn't hold us all, and a separate table for 4 was taken beside us all - there was just not the room for us all! A fantastic meal was then enjoyed by us all, langoustines included! Everyone agreed that it was a sight to behold when 8 waiters lifted the lids to our main courses together following a "1,2,3" and a round of applause by those in the restaurant. It is perhaps those little touches that add so much to the whole ‘Brittany Ferries Experience'. Desert buffet complete, from which Phil must have had a piece of everything, we realised we had been in there for over 2 hours and it was all but dark now.

The remainder of the voyage was spent ‘shopping' and socialising in the bar before the lights of Plymouth were in sight, and we berthed some 30 minutes ahead of the original ETA, having had a 4 hour crossing. All too soon the trip was at an end and it was time to disembark and say farewell to our new found friends.

On behalf of everyone I would like to extend our thanks to Brittany Ferries for organising the trip, from the special rate to the unexpected cabins, and of course to the crew of the Pont-Aven for making us feel so welcome with particular thanks to Noelene and Captain Hardouin for the allowing the visit to the bridge. Finally a big thank-you to all of those that joined us which made the event both enjoyable and memorable from which we left all having made new friends.... Roll call....

Phil, Michael, Jim, Alex, Faith, Cornelia, Steve, Karl, Elizabeth, Gordon, Anthony, Kathryn, Tom, Steve, Lynda, Ian, Margaret, Mark, and finally Amanda.