I've got those Eurotunnel Blues – a traditional weekend melody

These toilets are temporarily out of order

Normally we avoid traveling through the Channel Tunnel at the weekends, especially if we are taking the Shuttle. Unfortunately this time we had no option we had to travel today – Saturday. 

Predictably we discovered when we turned up at the check-in that there was a delay of two hours on booked time due to a broken-down train in the tunnel – apparently a Eurostar. Difficult to blame Eurotunnel but these sorts of delays seem to be much more prevalent on a Friday to Sunday than during the week. 

We did eventually get onto the shuttle with a two hour delay. Unusually we were put in the section for high sided vehicles – coaches, camping cars etc. All presumably to clear the backlog as quickly as possible once the broken down train. These trains for high sided vehicles only have toilets at the far front and far rear of the train. 

As we were closer to the rear I opted to head in that direction through at least five compartments, only to discover that all three toilets at the rear were 'Out of Order'. Unfortunately no-one from Eurotunnel thought of informing passengers that the only operational toilets were at the front of the long train. Thoughtless!     

 Three sets of toilets at the rear of the Shuttle 

– all 'temporarily out of order'

   

Avoidance tactics leads to a stay in Montreuil-sur-Mer

Needing to be back in London for appointments on Tuesday 21st June we decided break our journey back from the Loire with an overnight stay in Montreuil-sur-Mer. Normally we drive from the Loire back to London in a day but as Monday was the day after this year's Le Mans 24 we were keen to avoid any heavy traffic as petrolheads made their supercharged way back to the UK.

On the recommendations of several friends, we chose to stay in the Hotel Hermitage in the centre of the town. Booking on-line secured us a double room for 79€ a night plus 10€ for secure parking – certainly a serious consideration carrying a couple of decent mountain bikes. Curiously had we booked direct over the phone the room would have been substantially more. 

For 79€ we could have no complaints – our room was spacious, the bed comfortable and the bathroom – large. 

We had a very enjoyable meal at Le Bistronome – a short walk from the Hermitage.  The choice of dishes is quite limited as is the wine list but this wasn't a problem. I failed to take photos of most of our meal but did manage the soft, juicy and powerful 2014 Plaisir d'Eulalie, AC Minervois – 30% Syrah, 40 Carignan and 30% Grenache Noir. I also managed to capture CRM's well made quenelle de chocolate – rich without being over sweet. 

Quenelle de chocolate

 

On A16 early Tuesday morning – pas terrible!

Unfortunately the drive from Montreuil towards Calais was just as foul as the drive up from the Loire the previous day had been – the summer solstice! It did, however, improve as we approached Calais.