CHAMBER REVIEW An early
spring adventure
We reminded ourselves that, living down in the South West, we effectively have our own local cruising ships right on the doorstep, and our own version of 'Southampton' in Plymouth, and that Roscoff, just 100 miles to the south, and Santander in northern Spain are both extremely attractive and perhaps much understated destinations in their own right, with beautiful countryside, coast and beaches, and famous towns within easy reach - if one chooses to take the car. We decided to try a short break travelling on the Pont-
Aven, the beautiful flagship of Brittany Ferries. At 41,000 tons she is really a cruise liner not a ferry, with pool, restaurants, shops, luxury cabins and all the trimmings, plus of course the car carrying facility, and, running in and out of Plymouth. A quick phone call to the very helpful Plymouth booking centre had all the detail explained, an immediate booking made, and the tickets with us in the post the following day, and so Thursday evening saw us arriving with passports at the Millbay terminal at 7pm. It was all very smooth and friendly and
‘A feeling of space and
unhurried elegance and real quality prevailed’
even with tight security, amazingly just 45 minutes later we had dropped our hand luggage in our super cabin and were enjoying a martini in the piano bar. Dinner in the Le Flora restaurant followed, and was truly impressive, with French cooking and service at its best.
Charming and attentive staff, a feeling of space and unhurried elegance and real quality prevailed, and so getting up from our table after the first sip of a good white Burgundy, we helped ourselves to the renowned and very generous Pont-Aven cold buffet. Amazing choices and beautifully presented. By the time dinner was over, and having not noticed, so
gentle was the process, we had sailed, and were beyond the breakwater heading southwest at about 13 knots. After a long day, we elected to finish our wine and have our coffee up in our cabin, with some gentle music. A word about this accommodation - upgrades are not expensive and thus we were in the second tier comprising
20 Chamber Profile May/June 2017
with Brittany Ferries
On board the Pont-Aven to Roscoff, Thur 30 Mar-Sun 2 April BY A DEVON CHAMBER MEMBER
an outside deluxe mini suite which could sleep four, with a large sofa, a desk and easy chair, huge picture windows, coffee table and a surprisingly decent bathroom off the lobby. A large flat screen angled TV, DVD, minibar with complimentary soft drinks, tea and coffee, fruit and gift wrapped chocolates are all standard, and combined with soft lighting and free wifi, provided for a great feeling of luxury. After a very good night’s sleep and with a continental
breakfast in bed we arrived alongside in Roscoff on the dot at 7am (8am French time) 12 hours after first checking in, refreshed, spoiled, admiring and very appreciative. Just a few minutes later and sporting our GB sticker and headlight shades we first gently circled the town on empty roads and then homed in on the beautiful seafront Hôtel Le Brittany (one of the four-star options Brittany Ferries offer) in a lovely calm sunrise. With our car safely tucked into the hotel’s private drive, we walked in
Roscoff, a beautiful port town of Brittany, France
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