I didn’t stick around to find out—like the ship in the bottle! It was actually a beautiful catamaran. I was going to join him sailing around the world. But the row of toilet cubicles wasn’t the only creepy thing!!
The Labraventures of Carbón, Spanish (ex-) foster dog extraordinaire
- Thread starter Emily_Babbelhund
- Start date
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Definitely! I'm totally justifying the cost as one of those 'once in a lifetime adventure' things, so proper documentation is key to easing my conscience.
It helped a lot in terms of ferry anxiety that Rose - my friend in Kinsale with the B and B - said she's had several guests come over from France with their dogs on the ferry and say it all works really well.
Oh my!
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
We enjoy the Hull-Rotterdam ferry when visiting Boogielet1 in Germany. But we’ve never taken a dog as there are no dog cabins.
Sending good Lambie vibes for a peaceful, stress free voyage xx
Sending good Lambie vibes for a peaceful, stress free voyage xx
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
I've found my tape measure so can did this today.
Distance from back wall to centre banister: 85 cm
Center banister width: 10 cm
Distance between centre banister and post at first step on ground floor (not including post or banister widths): 85 cm
Footprint of upper floor opening : 185x170 (shorter is the section near the wall)
Lower step width: 83 cm
Upper step width: 67 cm
Not sure if that makes sense. If not, I can label a photo of where I measured. If that's not what you needed, just let me know - I'm here tonight so can re-measure!
Thanks very much, that’s really useful. I’m trying to work out whether I could fit a staircase into what’s now my sitting room (again!) to link it to the room above and create an annnexe, if necessary. That staircase looks good, as well as being usable, although my rooms aren’t as big!
Is the ‘lower step’ the ground floor one and the ‘upper step’ on the first floor level?
Hope you’re having a good day exploring.
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Yes,exactly. When it makes the bend mid-way, the steps get narrower. though it's not visually noticeable. I always take photos of my rentals right before I leave, so will snap a few extra of the stairs if you want them afterwards.
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Oops, polished off the second half of the home-made cider. 
What a horrible Airbnb host. Fresh baguette and croissant delivered to my door every morning. Madelines and homemade plum jam. And the very worst...delicious cider made from the same apples Carbon keeps devouring in the garden. Is this all a ploy to make sure I don't mention the "The Shining" bathroom and my friends the kitchen spiders???
I think it worked.
So... as I want to get a good nights sleep tonight since tomorrow I'm on the ferry and because I AGAIN succumbed to the temptations of the evil cider, NO PHOTOS. Nope, not a one. Bad, bad, bad.
On the other hand, a drunken update on our adventures today. Hey, does that earn me points or get them subtracted?
Doesn't matter, won't remember this in the morning. Party!
So after 30 years of coming to France and not having the best relationship with this country, I can safely say: Brittany is the best bit. Gorgeous coastline, free parking (take that you nasty National Trust pay and display lots which blight Cornwall), public toilets everywhere (women of a certain age rejoice), no freaky overgrown hedges to negotiate in the car (lookin' at you Cornwall AND Ireland) and pretty friendly people. Downside: most beaches are no dogs until 15 November. My Airbnb host tells me no one cares, but suffering Stockholm syndrome from too many years in rule-crazy Bavaria, I am loathe to walk willy-nilly past the very large "no dogs until 15 Nov" signs adorning every beach.
And of Brittany - what I've seen so far which admittedly is not all that much - the Perros Somethingorother area that I visited today was THE BEST. Wowsa. Carbon and I went to one area, parked and then spent three hours walking along the shore path. HUGE rocks, blue sea, crashing waves. We got so lucky with the weather as it was raining like mad when we arrived and then - angels singing - cleared to an amazing day.
After the three hour walk, I then found a beach that was ok for dogs after 15 September. Score!
Carbon got in lots of tennis ball time and even had a swim. He also had a roll in the sand so my car if full of Brittany sand. Perfect! Souvenir!! That dog is SO smart. Only funny bit was that a woman came to the far end of the beach where I was tossing the ball - picking it specifically so that we wouldn't bother other people also on the beach. She was taking photos with her iPhone and got all bent out of shape when Carbon tried to pose for her. C'mon lady, he was IMPROVING your photos. And if you didn't want a wet iPhone, maybe don't walk up to a wet sandy Labrador on an otherwise nearly empty beach.
Yes, Carbon shook all over her. Heh, heh. Nope, not sorry.
Not after having stopped at five non-dog beaches and finally finding one Carbon could play at. You go to the dog beach, you takes your chances.
After a huge play session we walked back to the car, I programmed in the scenic route for the way home - meaning of course going by the Lidl - and had a very non-rush hour rush hour drive to the farm. My car started to make horrible noises on the drive and I made plans in my head of trying to find a mechanic tomorrow but when I pulled over and inspected the engine it turned out to be a wayward branch. Whew! Saved by my mad skills at pulling branches out of my car!
Another play session with Carbon at the farm, dinner - which tonight he did NOT steal off the kitchen counter - a wee tipple of cider and now it's time for bed.
Darn - with all that I've written, I guess I could have done photos instead after all. I guess I'm a drunk writer but not a drunk photo editor. I'm sure this will all be very embarrassing in the morning.
Shhh...we'll just not mention it.
What a horrible Airbnb host. Fresh baguette and croissant delivered to my door every morning. Madelines and homemade plum jam. And the very worst...delicious cider made from the same apples Carbon keeps devouring in the garden. Is this all a ploy to make sure I don't mention the "The Shining" bathroom and my friends the kitchen spiders???
I think it worked.
So... as I want to get a good nights sleep tonight since tomorrow I'm on the ferry and because I AGAIN succumbed to the temptations of the evil cider, NO PHOTOS. Nope, not a one. Bad, bad, bad.
On the other hand, a drunken update on our adventures today. Hey, does that earn me points or get them subtracted?
Doesn't matter, won't remember this in the morning. Party!
So after 30 years of coming to France and not having the best relationship with this country, I can safely say: Brittany is the best bit. Gorgeous coastline, free parking (take that you nasty National Trust pay and display lots which blight Cornwall), public toilets everywhere (women of a certain age rejoice), no freaky overgrown hedges to negotiate in the car (lookin' at you Cornwall AND Ireland) and pretty friendly people. Downside: most beaches are no dogs until 15 November. My Airbnb host tells me no one cares, but suffering Stockholm syndrome from too many years in rule-crazy Bavaria, I am loathe to walk willy-nilly past the very large "no dogs until 15 Nov" signs adorning every beach.
And of Brittany - what I've seen so far which admittedly is not all that much - the Perros Somethingorother area that I visited today was THE BEST. Wowsa. Carbon and I went to one area, parked and then spent three hours walking along the shore path. HUGE rocks, blue sea, crashing waves. We got so lucky with the weather as it was raining like mad when we arrived and then - angels singing - cleared to an amazing day.
After the three hour walk, I then found a beach that was ok for dogs after 15 September. Score!
Carbon got in lots of tennis ball time and even had a swim. He also had a roll in the sand so my car if full of Brittany sand. Perfect! Souvenir!! That dog is SO smart. Only funny bit was that a woman came to the far end of the beach where I was tossing the ball - picking it specifically so that we wouldn't bother other people also on the beach. She was taking photos with her iPhone and got all bent out of shape when Carbon tried to pose for her. C'mon lady, he was IMPROVING your photos. And if you didn't want a wet iPhone, maybe don't walk up to a wet sandy Labrador on an otherwise nearly empty beach.
Yes, Carbon shook all over her. Heh, heh. Nope, not sorry.
Not after having stopped at five non-dog beaches and finally finding one Carbon could play at. You go to the dog beach, you takes your chances. After a huge play session we walked back to the car, I programmed in the scenic route for the way home - meaning of course going by the Lidl - and had a very non-rush hour rush hour drive to the farm. My car started to make horrible noises on the drive and I made plans in my head of trying to find a mechanic tomorrow but when I pulled over and inspected the engine it turned out to be a wayward branch. Whew! Saved by my mad skills at pulling branches out of my car!
Another play session with Carbon at the farm, dinner - which tonight he did NOT steal off the kitchen counter - a wee tipple of cider and now it's time for bed.
Darn - with all that I've written, I guess I could have done photos instead after all. I guess I'm a drunk writer but not a drunk photo editor. I'm sure this will all be very embarrassing in the morning.
Shhh...we'll just not mention it.
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
We're at the ferry waiting to board. Most cars in front of us look to have dogs as well. Lovely calm day so hopefully smooth sailing.
Carbon and I are both ready for a rest this evening. I fell off a path and got a bit bloodied - yes, that takes real talent - while Carbon just looks a bit sad today.
All fingers crossed that he and cockapoo Curly will get along for our stay with Rose as he really needs some doggie companionship.
Onward to Ireland!
Carbon and I are both ready for a rest this evening. I fell off a path and got a bit bloodied - yes, that takes real talent - while Carbon just looks a bit sad today.
All fingers crossed that he and cockapoo Curly will get along for our stay with Rose as he really needs some doggie companionship.
Onward to Ireland!
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
Safe travels and plenty of rest xx
Glad you like Brittany I do love it and Normandy. The people are very different from the rest of France. Safe travels to Ireland 
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
Hope you enjoy your crossing to Ireland 
and you get that rest this evening.
and you get that rest this evening.
- Location
- Vlaardingen, the Netherlands
Safe travels!
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Survived all the checks, now just waiting to drive on. Carbon flirted with the security person like the Spanish gentleman he is. ;-)
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Buen viaje
I hope you have an uneventful crossing; when will you arrive in Ireland?
I hope you're not too sore after your fall. A nice restful night sounds like a good idea - maybe, I dunno, sorting out some photos?
I hope you have an uneventful crossing; when will you arrive in Ireland?
I hope you're not too sore after your fall. A nice restful night sounds like a good idea - maybe, I dunno, sorting out some photos?
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
And we're on! Check in and boarding took about 2 hours. Tardis on the top deck in the open so will need a bath in Ireland. Carbon isn't thrilled with the muzzle rule despite being fine with it in Italy. He's happy in the cabin playing with Bunny and me getting his dinner.
Cabin window looks out on stairs so people staring at us in the cabin is a bit odd, but hopefully less foot traffic as we get going.
Anchors away!
Cabin window looks out on stairs so people staring at us in the cabin is a bit odd, but hopefully less foot traffic as we get going.
Anchors away!
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
We get in at 8am but have to go back to the cars at 7:30. We'll see about photos...I"m hoping but depends on if I'm seasick. I am taking lots of pics though, so our grand crossing is properly documented. ;-)Buen viaje
I hope you have an uneventful crossing; when will you arrive in Ireland?
I hope you're not too sore after your fall. A nice restful night sounds like a good idea - maybe, I dunno, sorting out some photos?
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Bon voyage x
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Oh Emily, only you could attract an audience ! Safe trip , both of you xxx
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
I so love reading your posts, super. Now imagining you on the high seas, hope all goes well.