We had heavy rain and a
thunderstorm during the night and it was still grey and threatening
when we got up. A very early start for us with a quick breakfast and
servicing limited to emptying the loo before we headed off to try our
luck at getting into Spain. A very quiet drive up to Ceuta and, after
asking to see our ferry ticket, the police let us through to the
border. Despite there only being a handful of vehicles, almost all
motorhomes/campers of some sort, it took well over an hour for us to
be processed with each stage wanting to see our passports – we must
have shown them half a dozen times to various people – before we
were allowed to proceed. We were even checked by a sniffer dog as
well as all the lockers opened. When you consider they did this in
less than 10 minutes at Tanger-Med you can see why the Ceuta crossing
is becoming less popular.
There was, however, one
light-hearted moment; as we were getting our last check completed so
a couple of elderly Arab gentlemen were giving unholy hell to the
border guards at the barrier alongside us; obviously restrictions
were affecting the locals too. Brens comment of “someone isn't very
happy” was greeted by a wry smile from the guy dealing with us!
Then came the Spanish
border; via Tanger-Med we've barely been stopped after disembarking
but not here. Once again a search, passports thoroughly checked and
for the first time for us Jamies Pet Passport was fully scrutinised,
registered and a microchip check was run, before we were allowed to
proceed into the town.
Ceuta is a typically
scruffy border town but having no great desire to explore anyway we
took a quick photo of the only thing worth looking at, then went
straight for the docks with a little diversion caused by roadworks
and no signs. There didn't appear to be anybody at the check-in for
Balearia but Terry walked up anyway to find a guy there who got
straight on his radio then accepted our ticket with no question. He
told us to hurry up as it appeared they had just finished loading but
were holding the ship for us so, once again encountering a passport
check, we dashed round and were on the 11.30 am ferry to Algeciras.
The ship was barely one
third full so we had a much-needed coffee then found comfortable
seats for the one and a half hour crossing, unfortunately having to
leave Jamie in the van without having had any opportunity to
“exercise” him since we left the site. He had water and a few
snacks of course so we just had to cross our fingers and
hope............
A smooth crossing and
we were soon disembarking, Jamie having been very good (!), with no
more checks and headed straight out towards Los Palomes and the
motorhome parking outside the ticket agents office (who was closed).
Once we'd stopped for a few minutes we were somewhat overwhelmed, not
knowing quite what to do next, apart from letting a by now anxious
puppy out for a wee! We'd managed it!
Our planning hadn't got
us any further than this point so we had some lunch whilst gathering
our thoughts. First off we needed to shop, which wasn't possible
today as it was Sunday then, although not desperate, some washing as
it had been awhile since our last opportunity and the basket was
overflowing. At some stage too we needed water and gas for the van.
We also had to consider the increasing chaos caused by the
Coronavirus panic, with countries locking down, businesses being
closed, campsites not accepting new residents etc. etc. Eventually we
decided to remain here for the rest of the day, start early again
tomorrow and stock up for as long as we practically could, then pop
along to the marina aire at La Linea to use the launderette there.
From then we would play it by ear, but always in the backs of our
mind accepting that our holiday was over and we should be heading
home by the quickest available route.
Later the Brits we met
onsite at Martil turned up having crossed with a different shipping
line a bit later than us - they had been told that the ferries from
Ceuta were stopping after 7.00 pm tonight. It very much looks like
we've escaped by the skin of our teeth again, only last year was
weather related of course. During the afternoon and evening more
motorhomes arrived who we suspect were doing a similar thing to
ourselves.
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