It all went incredibly quickly.
We arrived at the terminal and took Duna through to the animal checkin. A slightly offhand French woman looked at her passport and handed me the machine to check the microchip. After a bit of faffing about and panicking I found it and the machine went ping. And that was that.
‘Bon Voyage!’
We took the car past the ticket machine which weirdly knew who I was without having to punch in any codes, opted for the earlier departure, bought some last French pastries and drove onto the next train. It’s not like Eurostar – no lovely buffet nor fancy seats. You sit in your car in a narrow coach and after 30 minutes or so, you arrive in England!
We tried to drive to London without joining the M20. After an hour or so of pretty Kentish lanes, we had a drink and a picnic outside the Good Intent pub where Duna had her first run on UK grass
Then we gave in and drove to London on the motorway. As we have to pay the congestion charge tonight we took the opportunuity of driving through the centre, over Westminster Bridge, past Big Ben and Buckingham Palace – all a bit strange and dreamlike after waking this morning in the French countryside with cocks crowing all around.
Now Duna is fast asleep on the lovely rug my friend Ana thoughtfully put out for her. and we will sleep in a real bed again.
The Chunnel
(Visited 63 time, 1 visit today)
Dear Kate,
nice to be in London. Will you stay there long and sight-see? Lots of dogs there, allowed in everywhere it seems, so Duna can enjoy sightseeing too!
Pearl x
I have been following you as you make it back to your own home countryside. What an adventure! I am trying to image a dog with his/her own passport and a car that gets to ride the chunnel. Oh, technology! (meant in every good and bad way). Did you hear that I met Oreneta in PERSON???!!!! What a great, great evening it was. For me, a bit of a wall flower, I often worry about whether I will carry conversation, especially if I am the “host” but it all went swimmingly and passed too quickly. We mentioned you and how much fun it would be to have a coffee clache together (in person, of course). I wish you godspeed with getting your dogs back to Spain and despite any hiccups or setbacks, it is all going to work out just fine. It seems like you have been away from home (Spain) for quite some time and if you are even a little bit like me that would be unsettling. Here’s hoping all your “i”s are dotted and your “t”s are crossed for safe and swift travel back home with your lovely dogs. I could just pick up Duna and take her home with me, though, so sweet she seems.
How utterly LOVELY!!!!
Great posts Kate – how on earth do you find the time and inclination on this exciting trip.
Duna – what a fab dog, like Bodhi Chick I could run off with her.
I shall catch up with you when you write about Pz. etc. Safe travelling and hugs
P.