"VAL DE LOIRE" - 14th/16th March 2004

[PHIL]

It just had to be done before her move up-channel, my own personal pilgrimage, quite apt for a Plymouth departure and one last chance to sail on my beloved vessel on her Santander crossing.

Leaving the North East shortly before midnight on the Saturday evening for the usual easy run down to Devon, Radio 4's shipping forecast for Plymouth to North Biscay gave gale force 5 increasing 6 to gale 8! My long-awaited 'heavy weather' at last. A breakfast stop at the Little Chef next to Exeter racecourse and then the foreign HGV's started to appear on the other side of the A38 - she's in. Left at the roundabout into Millbay, strain to see past the end of the wall, there's my Lady! She looked absolutely magnificent. Parked the motor and headed into the city to renew my acquaintance with NatWest's "tin-man" and back to the terminal amidst rain squalls that had us absolutely soaking wet in no time. Check-in was completed as usual with the minimum of fuss, NatWest's recent transaction with me was changed into Mickey Mouse Euro's (1.41 to 1 GBP ) and fortunately, perhaps because of the weather, boarding began shortly after 10:30. The walk to the gangway highlighted where she had already had heavy port-side contact with fendering and a reminder that once out of the dockyard, she and her like are subject to the many bumps, scrapes and slides that is part and parcel of her trade. Cabin upgrade to one with a port-hole complete and wet clothes drying off in our cabin, we took our place at the for'd facing viewing area and at 12:20 the last rope snaked aboard, bow thrusters rumbled with main engines (though I was unaware of stern-tug assistance until photo's from another post) her siren boomed around Millbay and we swung into the Sound. With the Eddystone well to port, she ploughed into the south-westerly winds and swell for the next 6 hours to the French coast, dropping her bows into the troughs and breasting sea and spray aside with ease. This passage was fairly rough but at no time was it ever uncomfortable and we had no difficulty whatsoever of disposing of either Kronenbourg or chef's entrecot with pepper sauce. A quick wander through the vessel and the main alterations have been a widening of the self-service area to include another pay-till and quick exit area for beveridges only, obviously this to speed up the queues on her future shorter trips. The photo shop has gone, but the small gift shop extended accordingly and the model of " PONT-AVEN" and associated publicity on deck 8 has been withdrawn.

Morning sunshine as we awoke nearing the southern end of the Bay and only a gentle swell, the Spanish coastline ahead and we soon rounded the point off Cabo Mayor and glided into Santander to berth at 12:45 at the terminal, where the high-viz jackets were in abundance, I think due to the fact that the shoreside cargo ramp has had extensive work done to it to prepare for the new vessel. Berthing complete, the city of Santander was ours for the next 5 hours where T-shirt and shorts were not out of place, a far cry from Devon some 24 hours earlier. The usual lunchtime pizza/san miguel combination worked a treat, a gentle stroll to the Palace overlooking Santander bay, quick beer at the beach-bar and we headed back into the port area for our departure. The sun setting as we slipped moorings at 18:05, another long blast on her siren and we swung 180 degrees into the channel, noticing as we left the quayside that 2 new big 'Yokohama' type fenders are now installed to save dents and paint on BF's new arrival. Passage northward through the Bay was smooth, yet another great night's sleep in those bunks (wish I had one at home) and only a few white horses for company as the ship pushed up towards Plymouth and her 18:00 e.t.a. A last visit to the bar (Kronenbourg 2.40p a pint as opposed to 2.20p on the New Year mini but you just don't care once onboard do you) and the usual entrecot before packing and tidying cabin before arrival. Entry into the Sound, round through the buoyed channel, swing to starboard and line her up for Millbay as she silently slips into her berth some 4 minutes ahead of schedule - not good enough!! Another trip over.

Why !! Why is it that a ship designed to transport thousands of passengers throughout her working life brings me near to tears with a lump in my throat just because her owners want her to work out of Portsmouth in the future and not Plymouth. They're even putting in a brand spanking new vessel just so I can continue to do Spanish mini's and drive to the Costa Del Sol when I want. I'll grow to like her I know, but will I have the same affection as I have for the "VAL" ?? I hope so, but the last 10 or 11 years have been an absolute pleasure each and every time I've been aboard her and that's some achievement. I've lived with this ship, there's a map on my office wall opposite my desk and there's a thick red line that runs from Plymouth round Ushant and down to Santander. On a bad day I look at that map and wonder where she is on the red line, then I look at the day, look at the time and I can see exactly where she is on the red line. Some might think that's a bit sad - not so! She's looked after me handsomely - it's only right that she's appreciated,

My french isn't good at all, but a'bien-tot "VAL DE LOIRE" - c'est magnifique!

[Dan]

That was a cool report, thanks Phil.
I've never been on her, always admire her splender though.
She looked great when I saw her from a distance at night the other day.
Fingers crossed you'll get an oppertunity to go on her again in the near future.

[pw]

Nice report Phil, I have never been on the Val but by all the good reports Ive read it looks like Ive dipped out on a fantastic vessel.
As you will notice by my signature the Brets my favourite, but that is also based on the route. I think the Val will be valued asset to Portsmouth-St Malo.

Anyway this year we will be travelling on the Pont in late August for our annual holiday, can you give me an idea of the prices for the "mini cruise" trip that you took because Id like to get on BF vessels more than once a year!

[Normandie]

I think, you are exaggerating a bit, or you have not been completely sober when writing parts of that report

I´d like to know, about food onboard, does BF differ their food from route to route or from season to season ? Have you noticed alot of Pont-Aven advertising ?

[Dan]

I've always found the food on-board any BF ship to be a tad expensive, but it is always a nice meal.
We usually only go to the self-service, certainly on the Duc last year the meal we had was delicous.
I honestly don't know whether it differs from route to route.
I would have thought for the purpose of variety though, that the menu offered is updated or refreshed regulary.
** Modified : The Chocolate Mousse is always nice tho!

[Nick]

Well done, good report.

[Chris]

Yeah it does vary slightly, the rack of lamb is only ever avaiblabe on the bretagne....

but then again the food is always great!

[Normandie]

I just noticed I have seen same stuff every time been on Normandie and Mont St. Michel. Although I´d not try the lamb and something from the restaurants after seen the prices but instead I usualyl brought my own stuff with me

[Deckhand]

Good report Phil. All the food I have ever had on BF has always been good. I had dinner in the restaurant on the Val last time and while pricey compared to self service it was very good quality and so good value. You have to be prepared to pay for being posh and spoil yourself a bit!

[Normandie]

Oh, actually I would do that, if I didn´t have to spend alot of money on train etc. to get to England. So usually I have to cut off some of the "posh" stuff Still, each trip I done, was very well enjoyed