Shortly after 10am, everything is stowed in the car and we drive off. Once again we are on our way to England! We’re looking forward to a few hopefully quiet and relaxing days.

We fill up on petrol again shortly after Bern and buy breakfast. How can it be that all the croissants at the service station are sold out already? Unbelievable. One hour later we cross the border to France and make good progress. Even around Strasbourg, the traffic jams less than other times.

Finally the toll motorway begins, where there is less traffic. If only there weren’t always these construction sites! Miles long single-lane traffic, and a speed limit of 50 mph, but there is actually no work done anywhere. A special highlight are always the French service stations. Time and again, we regret that we don’t have enough petrol to reach England in one go and that we can’t deny ourselves a loo break.

The sun is already quite low above the horizon when we arrive in Calais at about half past six. At least we don’t have to wait too long here, and get on the train that takes us under the English Channel to England less than half an hour later. For a change, we are not in the front, but are accommodated in the rearmost carriage, which is intended for coaches, vans and other vehicles that are too high or too wide for the double-decker cars in the front part. I find it exciting to see how the layered entrance area to the train closes. And we have a new letter for our mirror hanger collection!

In England we first stop for dinner. The service stations here are simply so much better than in France (or Switzerland). We decide against the “Swiss Stack with Emmental Cheese Sauce” and opt for a Jamaican Jerk Chicken Burger from McDonald’s.

A good hour later we arrive at our hotel opposite the British Library in central London. They allow us to park in their locked backyard. We are happy to see Khaled opening the gate for us. He – and all the staff here at Premier Inn – are always so friendly and helpful. A little later we fall into bed tired.