Brittany Ferries . . . oh dear!

[Jeff Crawley]

Fellow Pilgrims, I feel I should alert you to a new advertising campaign launched by Brittany Ferries who ply their trade between the UK and France/Spain.

The campaign is called "10 Spanish adventures to have with your children" (I sense rising concern in you already).

Associated with an image of two, trainer shod, pairs of feet (one in pink the other blue with yellow trim) standing on the familiar sun-burst shell icon the copy then goes on to say:

Cycle the Camino

While a one-month pilgrimage route from the French border to Camino de Santiago (sic) might not sound practical with kids, there's also a shorter, family-friendly version. Camino Ways (caminoways.com) offer a simple, self-guided, six-night, 62 mile cycling route. Starting in Sarria, you'll meet plenty of interesting characters along the way, and, when you reach the tomb of St James in Santiago's dramatic cathedral, you can collect your pilgrim certificates. (my italics)

So expect lots of petulant, cycle riding teenagers called Sebastian and India followed up by mummy and daddy in BMW X5 and Volvo XC60's clogging the last 100kms in future.

I assume it's all a part of a push for the British to visit mainland Europe before the pain of divorce kicks in and we're forever banned.

I can only offer my sincere apologies to you all.

(The above was written with tongue only partially in cheek)

 

[Tia Valeria]

They are sending them to the northern routes too............. but at least they are wearing boots

 

[FLEUR]

Fellow Pilgrims, I feel I should alert you to a new advertising campaign launched by Brittany Ferries who ply their trade between the UK and France/Spain.

The campaign is called "10 Spanish adventures to have with your children" (I sense rising concern in you already).

Associated with an image of two, trainer shod, pairs of feet (one in pink the other blue with yellow trim) standing on the familiar sun-burst shell icon the copy then goes on to say:

Cycle the Camino

While a one-month pilgrimage route from the French border to Camino de Santiago (sic) might not sound practical with kids, there's also a shorter, family-friendly version. Camino Ways (caminoways.com) offer a simple, self-guided, six-night, 62 mile cycling route. Starting in Sarria, you'll meet plenty of interesting characters along the way, and, when you reach the tomb of St James in Santiago's dramatic cathedral, you can collect your pilgrim certificates. (my italics)

So expect lots of petulant, cycle riding teenagers called Sebastian and India followed up by mummy and daddy in BMW X5 and Volvo XC60's clogging the last 100kms in future.

I assume it's all a part of a push for the British to visit mainland Europe before the pain of divorce kicks in and we're forever banned.

I can only offer my sincere sorry to you all.

(The above was written with tongue only partially in cheek)

Oh no! but Camino ways have been walking their groups along the Camino for some years. We met some of their group and the leader on the Sarria section. They were all pleasant people and their leader advised us to get the the cathedral by 18.00 to make sure we got a seat for the mass at 19.30. We were glad of her advice

 

[Deleted member 73526]

"you'll meet plenty of interesting characters along the way,"

Do they mean us? I think they do ...

 

[VNwalking]

Share and share alike.
Maybe one of those petulant teens will wake up somewhere between Sarria and Santiago and end up changing the world as a result. Who knows? Crazier things have happened.
And yes. We will definitely continue to need patience on that stretch of the Frances. But, hey - what's a pilgrimage for?

 

[Deleted member 29041]

Well, it's close to being false advertising, as you need to do at least 200 km to get the certificate, if you're on a bicycle.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Well, it's close to being false advertising, as you need to do at least 200 km to get the certificate, if you're on a bicycle.

Not really false advertising, more sloppy copywriting!

 

[Dorpie]

10 miles cycling a day??? Even for a child that sounds like a tiny amount. What would you do for the other 23 hours in the day?

 

[Jeff Crawley]

10 miles cycling a day??? Even for a child that sounds like a tiny amount. What would you do for the other 23 hours in the day?

Exactly! There's Tumblr, Facebook, Instagram and moping. Lots and lots of moping

"These are my people and this is my crowd" - fortunately my two grew into rather pleasant adults so it's not all bad!

 

[FLEUR]

@Jeff Crawley
Is that "peasant" or pleasant?

 

[Jeff Crawley]

@Jeff Crawley
Is that "peasant" or pleasant?

Bless you Fleur - in spite of their mixed Anglo-Irish-Polish blood they're more pleasant than peasant!

 

[FLEUR]

 

[Isca-camigo]

So expect lots of petulant, cycle riding teenagers called Sebastian and India followed up by mummy and daddy in BMW X5 and Volvo XC60's

(The above was written with tongue only partially in cheek)

That boat has already sailed. In July 2012 when I caught the ferry to Plymouth there were many groups,families and individuals all making their way home with their bikes and the scallop shells. All BF has done is recognize that and try to maintain and possibly increase those numbers.

 

[Kieran Kenneally]

Brittany Ferries are opening up the same route from Ireland in April to Santander I have always wanted to bring my bicycle this could be my opportunity

 

[Tia Valeria]

We have used Brittany Ferries each time for our pilgrimage transport to Spain and latterly for our further visits along the Camino but with our car. Each time we have seen other walking pilgrims in the waiting area in Plymouth and also on our return. I think this year it is just that Brittany Ferries are advertising this more, although their 'holiday itineraries' have included Santiago for some years.
Bookings made for 2018......

 

[JabbaPapa]

Fellow Pilgrims, I feel I should alert you to a new advertising campaign launched by Brittany Ferries who ply their trade between the UK and France/Spain.

The campaign is called "10 Spanish adventures to have with your children" (I sense rising concern in you already).

...

I assume it's all a part of a push for the British to visit mainland Europe before the pain of divorce kicks in and we're forever banned.

This whole advertising campaign is related to the new ferry link between Cork in Ireland and Santander.

http://www.brittanyferries.ie/ferry-routes/new-direct-ireland-spain-route

Cool thing now is that Irish pilgrims who wanted to do so could start walking or cycling from home or their Parish, then get to Santiago by surface route.

 

[Tia Valeria]

Thanks for the link @JabbaPapa as this is not on the '.uk' site.
The page itself is actually rather misleading as the ferry times look really fast when in fact they are all over 24 hours. Brittany Ferries have put the departure day but not the arrival day except for Friday* which is given as a *2 night crossing in the notes.

 

[Tim Greig]

Brittany Ferries do a good job transporting foot pilgrims from England over to Spain and France. They have been a part of the Camino for years and, personally the more people who experience the Camino the better without prejudice to age, race, wealth or gender.

 

[FLEUR]

I am a big fan of Brittany Ferries. If you are lucky enough to return to U.K. (and now new route Ireland!) via their routes it's a great way to gently adjust after your Camino walk.