IOW – Don’t Turn up Early for the Ferry!
As we decided not to go to Europe this autumn we thought the next best thing was to go to the Isle of Wight. Having been born in Southampton it was natural to want to travel via the City and Red Funnel Steamers. All was booked but the only trouble being that our crossing was not until 4.00pm which meant that we would not get to the Southlands campsite until about 6.00pm. I did phone the warden on the site and they seemed pretty relaxed about it. Unbeknown to us was that whilst on the Island there was going to be a festival which would make the place, especially transport communications, so much busier. If was no difficulty getting to Southampton for our booked ferry but it would mean we would be kicking our heals until our booked time. We stopped at Sutton Scotney for a comfort break and we stopped at the Rownhams Services for lunch but it was still not 2.00pm. By 2.10pm we made a move thinking that we would be at the Port by 2.30pm, which we were. However the place was very busy and to our horror we were told to exit the Port and come back later. Just as well I knew Southampton as with a motorhome or caravan it’s almost impossible to find somewhere to park, even for a short time. We just drove along the Western approach road until we got to Millbrook and turned round to go back to the Port.
This time we were accepted and told to go to our lane. In the lane next to us the pick-up truck, towing some mobile toilets, was well into out lane so we had no choice but to do the same. That was until the Lane Marshall came along and made us all move to get exactly into our lanes. The pick-up driver was clearly not keen and insisted on pulling out and reversing back. We did pull round, just, and came back into the lane. This time with only inches between us and we were both seriously worried what would happen when we were called to load. Whilst the incoming ferry was being unloaded I went and spoke to a young man directing traffic. He said not to worry as the vehicles will be loaded from our left which was a relief. When it was time to load we pulled out of the lane with only inches to spare. Thinking that we had escaped without damage I promptly hit the mirror on a lorry as we were being directed to our place on the ferry, fortunately only a minor mark.
Pleased to report that when we returned to the mainland we got on an earlier ferry with no difficulty and there was plenty of space to park at East Cowes. By the time we had got on the ferry to come to the IOW we were wondering if it was all worthwhile but I am glad to report that it was.
