Our journey from Zaragoza to Barcelona via the toll motorway was smooth and uneventful, it's well worth the toll fee with lots of decent picnic areas and service areas to stop at. Not far out of Zaragoza the satnav said there were 277km until the next 'action' which gives an idea of just how straightforward it is! The only traffic we encountered was the outskirts of Barcelona on the coast as we worked our way towards the port. We were using Transmediterranea and it was pretty easy to find their offices. We were way too early to officially wait for the ferry but on checking in and getting our boarding passes etc we were told we could park in one of their secure areas for 12 euros which we duly did. This is very useful if you are anxious about the security of your vehicle and contents although there is also underground parking at the port. However the peace of mind to be the other side of a gate with a security guard was definitely worth it.
We spent a few happy hours in Barcelona and enjoyed a cheeky jug of sangria although it was very expensive at 16 euros but we felt we deserved a treat. We didn't stray far from the port but there are lots of cafes, restaurants etc nearby and Barcelona is definitely somewhere we will return to explore some time.
Embarkation was straightforward that evening. Although you need to have muzzles, we were not asked to put them on this time which was a relief. The dog area is a special portakabin on the top deck and you are issued with a numbered padlock.
In our opinion the kennels are better proportioned than the Brittany Ferry ones and there was only one other dog and a kitten using them so we had choices and put our two in together. There is a sink and the whole area was not in the last bit smelly so we were quite impressed. Later, a crew member came to check the lock numbers and shut the portakabin outer door although it isn't locked so you can check your pet anytime. We headed for the sleeper lounge seats (they call them 'armchairs' we had paid for. They are off the main area and the room is darkened. The seats are very like long haul airline seats and recline quite well but I needed my neck pillow which is a TOP TIP as is some sort of throw/blanket (which I left in the car and regretted as it gets quite cool) and ear plugs and perhaps an eye mask depending on how good a sleeper you are. This is because people do go in and out which is disturbing so another TOP TIP is to head for the back of this room as the doors are at the front, something I only sussed when it was far too late to bother to move.
We had paid for classic breakfast which is better described as basic breakfast but you can buy extra bits. And then we were off the ferry and pitchforked into very early Saturday morning Palma. Feeling slightly surreal we made our way to Puerto Pollensa, taking the route along from Alcudia as it's our favourite view of the Port.
Since then our life has been a haze of unpacking (our things arrived all in one piece on the Monday) and organising everyday life stuff such as connecting the TV and getting the internet sorted. Telefonica is like the UK's BT and Movistar is part of this. We had been recommended to go to the Movistar shop in Juan XXIII where they can speak some English and also get a package to suit. We went for the basic package of fibre optic internet which also gives you a landline and 2 mobile sims for 62 euros. Later that day we got a call from their technical department and the very next day it was installed which was pretty impressive stuff and quicker than it would have been in UK.
We currently have 'holidaymaker envy' as we walk past tourists lying in the sun on the beach or by a pool or eating out etc because we are doing none of those things. But we sustain ourselves by the thought that they will soon be going home whereas we ARE home :-) This might be a good time to indicate that whilst moving to your dream location sounds idyllic, the reality is that like any other move it is tiring, stressful and emotional. So you really do need to be committed to doing this and at some point or another it really will register that you are living far from the rest of your family. All we can say if you find yourself ever making the move is, keep going and then TOP TIP: make Skype or FaceTime calls the moment you have the internet as this is massively emotionally reassuring.
In other news......there was a storm of biblical proportions on Saturday where apparently 39.6 litres of rain per sq metre fell(!) which was a useful opportunity to establish that our apartment is perfectly watertight (trust me, this is worth knowing!) and we seem to be being bitten by something other than mosquitos which is a first. We have therefore commenced battle with the unidentifiable culprits and are determined to emerge victorious.
So there we have it. We have survived the first week or so of living in the Port. It's been wonderful but also, like any house move, tiring and stressful. Moving to your favourite place in the world doesn't mean that all the normal stresses and strains of moving will magically not exist......but it does feel like home :-D
Fantastic...so glad it went well, really enjoying following your journey. Hope you soon settle in.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! More posts to follow :-)
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