We've been away for a few days on Hull P&O Ferries to Zeebrugge. We didn't get any of the silly security at Hull where they have been searching for any alcohol you may be taking aboard. Not that it really matters as we always get our JD through anyway. Met up with some old friends ... Warrior and crew along with some newbies he brought along ... great gang to be with and now we have some new friends. Also there were the Hordes of the North and they never fail to entertain.
Next day, Warrior and crew offered us a lift to Adinkerke which we gratefully accepted. They left us in Adinkerke after they'd made their purchases as we were meeting Peter Ameloot of Real Tobacco. Peter showed us round his operation and then took us to lunch at the sunny seaside. Peter is doing all he can to inform shoppers of their rights and many more shoppers are now prepared for the tactics often used by Border Force (UKBA). Was very impressed with Peter's operation and the way he keeps prices down for shoppers. They even have a petrol station where the price of fuel was lower than anywhere else as he sells it at virtual cost.
We decided to take the coastal tram (Kusttram) back to Zeebrugge. The journey took just over 90 mins but was very enjoyable and at only €3 was exceptional value. We got off at Zeebrugge Strandwijk and walked around the corner to the bar Monte Carlo (h/t Bobi). Many shoppers meet here before going on to the ship. The bar itself can resemble Star Wars Bar at times but it is very friendly. They'll arrange a taxi for you and it cost us €5 to get to the ship.
We'll go to Ostende next time round as that is only 30mins or so from Zeebrugge. lf you've done Brugge once it's enough, anymore visits and it soon becomes ultra boring! We will of course be going to Adinkerke too but as that is further, you can only realistically spend a couple of hours there.
We had another enjoyable night on the ship and the next morning we prepared for the reception committee at Hull by the Border Force. We'd had reliable reports that they were questioning passengers at passport control and asking where they had been and more worrying ... if they'd bought any tobacco. This information was radioed down to the Customs Area where they were waylaying passengers. So we were prepared for this and were going to ... let us say ... 'voice our concerns at passport control'.
So, after disembarking the ship we approached passport control. Zaphod went to one desk and me another. They did indeed ask questions ... "How are you today?' ... and they meant it! Not only that ... they were smiling and the smiles were genuine! WTF?
We then went on to Customs Control to find there was nobody there! Maybe l'll wake up tomorrow and find it was all a dream but for now ....
Thank you, Hull Border Force ... it's nice to be welcomed back to my own country by happy smiling faces.
Perhaps Carling really do baccy trips? :)
Next day, Warrior and crew offered us a lift to Adinkerke which we gratefully accepted. They left us in Adinkerke after they'd made their purchases as we were meeting Peter Ameloot of Real Tobacco. Peter showed us round his operation and then took us to lunch at the sunny seaside. Peter is doing all he can to inform shoppers of their rights and many more shoppers are now prepared for the tactics often used by Border Force (UKBA). Was very impressed with Peter's operation and the way he keeps prices down for shoppers. They even have a petrol station where the price of fuel was lower than anywhere else as he sells it at virtual cost.
We decided to take the coastal tram (Kusttram) back to Zeebrugge. The journey took just over 90 mins but was very enjoyable and at only €3 was exceptional value. We got off at Zeebrugge Strandwijk and walked around the corner to the bar Monte Carlo (h/t Bobi). Many shoppers meet here before going on to the ship. The bar itself can resemble Star Wars Bar at times but it is very friendly. They'll arrange a taxi for you and it cost us €5 to get to the ship.
We'll go to Ostende next time round as that is only 30mins or so from Zeebrugge. lf you've done Brugge once it's enough, anymore visits and it soon becomes ultra boring! We will of course be going to Adinkerke too but as that is further, you can only realistically spend a couple of hours there.
We had another enjoyable night on the ship and the next morning we prepared for the reception committee at Hull by the Border Force. We'd had reliable reports that they were questioning passengers at passport control and asking where they had been and more worrying ... if they'd bought any tobacco. This information was radioed down to the Customs Area where they were waylaying passengers. So we were prepared for this and were going to ... let us say ... 'voice our concerns at passport control'.
So, after disembarking the ship we approached passport control. Zaphod went to one desk and me another. They did indeed ask questions ... "How are you today?' ... and they meant it! Not only that ... they were smiling and the smiles were genuine! WTF?
We then went on to Customs Control to find there was nobody there! Maybe l'll wake up tomorrow and find it was all a dream but for now ....
Thank you, Hull Border Force ... it's nice to be welcomed back to my own country by happy smiling faces.
Perhaps Carling really do baccy trips? :)
