A seriously early start to the trip. We left home around 2am for an 03:15 departure from Llantrisant. Easy enough. We’d loaded the car last evening, set an alarm for 01:00, going to bed around 20:00 the previous evening. At that time of the morning… no traffic, so we arrived in Llantrisant at 02:45, comfortably in time for departure. Being able to load your own car the evening before and park at the depot, then board the actual tour vehicle makes life so much easier than taxis and coach changes caused by feeder services.

There was only one further pick-up en route and, with early morning light traffic, we arrived in Dover in good time for the 09:10 DFDS ferry crossing. The very early departure from home now paid dividends. We were crossing the channel at breakfast time, promising a much more “civilised” journey through France.

We always use “Club” lounges on channel crossings (and, on DFDS, where there’s a free meal voucher. We  gift the vouchers to a random stranger with children). Today, guest services thought the lounge was fully booked (we were startled - the ship didn’t feel busy).  A short “discussion” had us requested to return after departure so he could check if space was available. We did. It was. Maybe 10% occupied! As an apology he did a 2-for-1 ticket. Just £9 each for Club lounge food and facilities. Bargain!

We were in France by 09:50 BST/10:50 CET on our way to Dijon and our overnight IBIS hotel. We weren’t expecting much. Overnight pit-stop, IBIS… not a lot to commend it.

Quel Surprise, Sacre Bleu! We were very pleasantly proved wrong.

Arriving around 19:00 we had a good sized room (quirky French decor) and dinner was well served and delicious (with imaginatively priced wine).

In bed, falling asleep in minutes by 22:00.

Menu:

Salad; Bouef Bourguignon, potatoes; Waffle (covered in cream)