Reversing with Caravan onto Brittany Ferry
Whilst watching a Brittany Ferry video about their Portsmouth / St Malo Ferry (Bretagne), the narrator said caravans are reversed on. Seeing how close the final parking positions are, I wonder whether this is true. When travelling via the Portsmouth / Le Havre route we simply did a 'U' turn within the deck.Can anyone please confirm the Bretagne actual situation?
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We've never had to reverse onto any ferry but on one occasion , and I can't remember which ferry it was, we had to drive on, go to the far end of the car deck and then do a complete U turn, drive down the other side of the deck and end up almost at the ramp that we had entered the ferry on.
We did have an interesting experience the very first time we used the tunnel. We drove onto the train following several other caravans. The train attendant then came down the train asking us all to reverse back up the full length of a carriage. I was reasonably OK but for the guy in front of me it was an absolute nightmare for him. Reversing was obviously not his strong point, especially withing the narrow confines of the rail carriage.
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The Bretagne is a straightforward drive on at the front, drive off at the back (or vice versa). The Cap Finisterre is the one where you go up the ramp round the ship and end up nearly back where you started from because the CF only loads from one end. Came over on the Bretagne a couple of weeks ago to St Malo in place of the ill fated Pont Aven sailing to Spain.
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I remember doing the U turn thing but that was on the old P&O Leopard back in the 70's IIRC.
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This is reminiscent of Pentland Ferries where caravans and MHs have to reverse on. In some cases, it’s quite entertaining😎
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But as TW and I know, life is easier here in Cornwall - roll on, roll off.
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Yes indeed. Double decker buses use it so caravans and motorhomes certainly can. And free of charge to come into Cornwall, but you have to pay to be let out.
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I think you know it well, MM.
Unless I’m mistaken, the pic is taken on the Devonport side looking across the Tamar towards Torpoint.
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1955 and a nice bit of pollution from the coal fired steam powered version.
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Re-visiting old haunts, eh?😀
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It's all housing and business park now I believe. 😟
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I well recall my first trip abroad.We joined a rally touring the wine regions of germany (Rhine and Mosell) I do not recall the port of departure or the ferry company.Mine was the largest van (Thompson Gleneagle/Granada mk1. We watched as 39 caravans drove onto the ferry and u turned at the far end so as to be able to drive off in France.We watched as a couple of railway goods trains boarded.It was,at last our turn to load.Please reverse down the loading ramp into the boat said the stevador,I will guide you.Problem 1.....the occupants of the other 39 vans were watching from the deck above........problem 2....I did not realise that the stevador new exactly how to reverse an articulated outfit and his steering advice was correct!Problem 3.....bright sunlight into dark boat!!
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though I have been to the area fairly recently 
Even the main gates are across the road in Raleigh.