Day off, 20th May

Martin Robson said:

I'm taking a day off on Friday. I'm going to take the overnight ferry from
Portsmouth to Caen on Thursday night, then cycling from Caen to Cherbourg
which I reckon to be about 100 miles. Taking the fastcat back to
Portsmouth. Really looking forward to it. Brittany Ferries are charging me
£14.95. Bargain! Plus all the wine I can drink and carry in my panniers.
Anyone else done anything similar? It helps to live just outside
Portsmouth, of course.

Hi Martin, where are you? I'm also within easy striking distance of the
ferry port (Titchfield, nr Fareham) and have nipped across the water a
couple of times.

I've only done a day trips starting and finishing at Cherbourg; out to
the nuclear powerstation and back. It's great cycling country; rolling
hills, quiet roads and superb views. I went with my brother a couple of
years back and had a slap up lunch complete with a litre of wine for
about £3.

I have relatives living about 100 miles south of Cherborg and would love
to cycle down to visit this year. Problem is that my diary tells me I'm
running out of unbooked summer weekends. Ideally I'd make it a sailing
and cycling trip; sail across with the folder and have a weekend cycling.

Never used the fastcat and have only used P&O. Not sure if Brittany
Ferries have a similar facility but last time I went I didn't fancy
splashing out for a cabin and I couldn't face the refugee ship style of
travelling without a cabin. I paid (IIRC) £5 for club class couchettes -
an excellent compromise. Free coffee in the morning as well.