Longer crossings

Frank Barrett
Friday 18 February 1994 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THE revelation that P&O European Ferries is considering launching a new service to Bordeaux (Independent Traveller, 29 January) draws an enthusiastic response from R M Bradfield, of Derby.

A couple of years ago he enjoyed travelling from Harwich to Esbjerg in Denmark with Scandinavian Seaways. He boarded at about 6pm ('a civilised hour'), had a comfortable night's sleep, and disembarked around noon. 'This left us the afternoon to drive to our destination. All very relaxed.'

By contrast, last year's trip with Brittany Ferries from Plymouth to Roscoff was a disappointment. 'We were not allowed to board ship until about 11pm (what does one do in Plymouth for three hours after dinner?), spent a short - and uncomfortable - night in our cabin. We were turfed out on to the quay at Roscoff, where it was dark and drizzling, at 5.30 the next morning.'

What Mr Bradfield would like is a service to Bordeaux that leaves at about 6 to 7.30pm (giving him ample time to drive down from Derby), and arrives in France around 9 to 10.30 the next morning (providing a comfortable night's sleep on the boat, and time for breakfast). 'It's considerations of this kind, I believe, that will enable the ferry companies to shrug off the threat from the Channel tunnel,' Mr Bradfield says.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in