Wales to Portsmouth Ferry

And still more driving ....

Fortunately on Thursday the weather gods smiled on us for the long drive from Aberyswyth to Portsmouth.

We loved being able to see around Aberyswth with our hosts John and Anne, who also showed us their yacht moored in the harbour there. John Gee also kindly pointed out a less challenging route for the return journey. This time we went along the coast before cutting across to Carmarthen where we picked up the M4. An altogether less scary trip but still very beautiful. Wales is lovely! What a difference good weather makes to the drive too.

We zoomed along the motorway making very good progress this time and we reached Portsmouth in just 6 hours which included two stops, once for lunch and once for John to pop in to Marks & Spencer to buy another pair of deck shoes. He was so happy with the ones we got in a Scotland M & S!

It was easy to navigate to the ferry terminal. This is John's old stomping ground. He used to live nearby in Warsash and worked at Bay House school in Gosport (opposite Portsmouth across the harbour) before he met Barb. Barb had visited there back in 2005 and had a memorable trip up the Spinnaker Tower, where she even walked on the glass floor looking down the high drop. No time for a repeat performance, although we did see the tower from the deck of the ferry as we sailed out of the harbour.

What incredible views from the boat! The sun was just setting as we got away a little late. We were mesmerised by the vista before us and Barb (to John's complete lack of surprise) kept running from one side of the boat to the other trying not to miss anything.

Barb on the back deck of Brittany Ferry

John, not checking the life boats, despite what Barb says

Barb loving the boat

Our ferry was huge. We're on deck 8 - there are 10 altogether - in an inside cabin. You can travel just in chairs but I'm glad we had a bed and privacy for the night. The cabin was pretty compact and basic and had double deck bunks (John was quickly relegated to the top bunk). It also had an ensuite shower & loo and a small desk. There was also supposed to be free WiFi but it didn't work in the cabin.

Leaving the harbour at sunset .... magical!

John enjoys the sunset from the back deck

The Spinnaker tower at Portsmouth

Portsmouth Harbour entrance looking to the right

We spent some time exploring the various facilities available on the different decks. There were an array of restaurant options, a cinema, games room, bar and plenty of duty free shops. It was pretty busy and more like a small town. CityCats might be ferries, but this was a FERRY!

By the time we got to bed it had gone midnight.