Great timing

This morning we woke at 6.00 am so that we could catch the ferry to Calais. I checked the traffic, clear roads so no rush to set off.  We did our last minute packing and were just about to eat breakfast when Igor's phone rang. A French number. It was Rouen boatyard. There are strikes tomorrow so they won't be able to get into work. The démâtage will now happen on Monday.

The crane guy sounded as surprised as we were that there was a strike (though my niece, who lives in Paris, had joked that this would happen).

The prospect of a day stuck in Rouen marina with everything closed didn't really appeal so we moved our ferry booking to Saturday then enjoyed a leisurely breakfast.

There are positives. If I'd booked a flexible ferry ticket it would have cost me an extra £40. Irish Ferries only charged me £3 to change the date. Also, the weather forecast for Monday is a bit better so I'm now all set to enjoy an extra day or two at home, my suitcase packed and everything ready to go.  

If I'd rushed to leave the house at 7.00 am as originally planned we'd have been halfway to the M25 and probably stuck in traffic. Result!

Merci beaucoup!