Saturday, we left the hotel at 9am for the journey through France to Paris CDG. A very standard journey stopping along the way at service stations for breaks and, for us, a chance to buy sandwiches etc, for an evening meal. The hotels’ restaurants at CDG are only suitable for those with an expense account.

We arrived at the Mercure, CDG, around 5:30pm. A standard business hotel, a good sized, well equipped room and views of aircraft taking off. Not bad for an “overnight”.

Away on Sunday at 7am after a decent breakfast, we were told that Leger had switched all coaches to P&O for a 12noon crossing to help speed up the journey home. “The best laid plans of mice and men…”

An unremarkable trip to Calais had us at the port in, apparently, good time. However, a very slow check-in and similar border controls meant we arrived at the ferry just in time to board. No time even for a stop at the duty-free.

P&O’s Club Lounge is a touch above Irish Ferries. Better food (Steak & Ale Pies 🥧 😋) desserts, spirits and more attention to clearing and cleaning tables. Premium pricing… well worth it.

Adjusting our watches, we arrived at Stop24 around 12:30pm having learnt that one coach had missed the crossing, meaning if any of its passengers were on your feeder coach you’d be delayed.

We were (as were many others).

We were away at 3pm and in Cardiff for 8:20pm, taxi waiting

Looking back, a tour we enjoyed in the main, but not quite the standard we’ve come to expect. It seemed less well organised than most with some strange itinerary choices. The hotel redeemed many of the issues as did the civilised departure and return times for excursions. But that’s escorted coach holidays. Always a roll of the dice.