And thankfully it did in Barcelona with marginally less chaos than we boarded with in Genoa. That was a complete revelation and we have done a few ferry journeys over the years. Accident/traffic jam on the route in -no surprise there, and then complete lack of signage anywhere at the port other than the boat/car symbol which we duly followed.
Piece of paper and passport checked after a 9-point turn in the works area of the port we joined a lane for the boat-which thankfully we could see bearing the correct company and name of boat. Excellent. The boat was heading to Tangiers after Barcelona and as ever that was both surprising and hilariously interesting as you watched the cars absolutely ladened down with all sorts of belongings and packed with people heading for Tangiers.
At this point you would imagine that some lane control would be an excellent idea, but No. So, you had to follow your own instinct. Those obeying weight controls stuck together in again some random eyeing each other up order, while the other vehicles all laboured together. Then ‘boarding’ started, and it became wacky races with any vehicle just ducking and diving around each other to the solitary man in control at the front. Of course, the Moroccan vehicles were pushed to one side whilst the rest of us continued the argy bargy with as ever the Italians beeping their horns continuously. Somehow or ever, we managed to board and headed up to our cabin and boat for the duration of 20 hours. What to said- it was fine, food Ok and we got to Barcelona. Was it a luxury cruise, then No but job done and less cost and time for us.
Our last days in Italy were spent in Lucca and just outside Genoa on a small campsite. Lucca is a must-see destination-it has charm, history, culture whatever in abundance.
Genoa, well that’s another subject. We had driven through it and over the newly built bridge replacement but had never actually visited the city itself. So, with a few days to spare we decided to give it a go. The train ride from the small, but perfectly formed Sestri Levante was fine and the old historic part of the city everything the guide books say, but the city has an under belly of edginess and crime that can’t be ignored. Barcelona has a bad name for petty crime but Genoa has something much more sinister going on and so would we return No. That said we had the most delightful lunch there. Haute cuisine definitely not, basic good home cooked local food than Yes and what’s more it does donkey ragu, well who doesn’t love that? It is of course in the guidebooks, but for whatever reason it wasn’t actually full of tourists, a lot of workmen whom I seemed to blend in with wearing my Elddis Solid t-shirt that day. The 3-course meal was exactly as it said on the tin, and I finished with a lovely desert of bananas laced with rum, I’m not sure I can have them any other way now! Did we have the donkey ragu, well what do you think, but I will say those ears take some chewing.
Camping Barcelona is like second home to us, and we arrived with thankfully the sun shining. We parked up, took the free bus to the local town, did our grocery shop before relaxing in the sun gazing at the sea through and past the other motorhomes.
Saturday saw us take the camp coach into the city itself. The coach which is now a pay for extra is still a great asset and takes all the headache of the getting, parking seeing etc that you would otherwise have to do yourself. What it doesn’t do is book the Park Guell ahead for you and stop you wearing shoes that had been previously comfortable, but always maybe a tight fit from wearing without socks. Thus, the day was a bit of a slight error, but from which we came back, just wondering and delighting in the amazing coastal city that is Barcelona.
Barcelona is of course a repeat for us and now due to our lack of foresight we are having to stay an extra night so that we can see the park, having booked tickets now for the Monday.
Is this a hardship for us?? No, I don’t think so as I sit in the sun, slurping a G&T watching the sailing ships on the horizon through the myriad of other motorhomes.
One thing on my mind- are our fellow Swiss neighbours just a lovely sweet old couple or could they indeed be Swiss diamonds thieves- you can never be sure these days can you??
Spends- Sun 9/4 to Sat 15/4/23: Sustenance £471 Accom £137 Travel £135. Not including non essential first pair of ear-rings brought!
Mrs S L Snow says
Hi both. We caught a windy ferry from morrocco to algeciras, it didn’t rock too badly. We are now in very windy Tarifa where people kite and wind surf.
Sharon and Rob.
David says
You mush go to El Palmar lovely there great tuna restaurant in Babarte enjoy.
David and Karen