I have to say there was no more welcome a sight than the gate to home at about 20.00 on Saturday evening.

I had left Thezan at 10.00 the previous morning and driven the 600 miles to Ouistreham ferry-port, arriving there at about 20.00 that night.

I don't like killing time at any time, but having to do so at ferry-ports is the worst: this because it is either a delay on my departure (anticipation thwarted) or, on my return, (resignation frustrated).
On this occasion, however, it was merely an unwelcome, mid-way, hiatus as the ferry was bound for Portsmouth not Rosslare: this because of the continuing ailment of my (by now) beloved Oscar Wilde.
And, also, ferryports seem always to be located in the most dismal, god-forsaken corners of even the best cities or the most beautiful hinterlands.
(In my experience, only Roscoff breaks this rule).

So, with only time-killing in mind, I did what I assume many would do in this situation, and read and re-read my travel documents - to find that I had arrived a day early!

I was too tired to panic but I was not happy at the prospect at having to 'kill' not three but twenty seven hours in Ouistreham.

I declared my difficulty to the lady at the vehicle check-in and she assured me that there was 'pas de problem' and that I had merely to report to the company's 'bureau' for the necessary adjustment to my papers.

She was right - there was no problem - except for a supplement of €209.00.

In a different mode (and mood) I would have paid-up like a lamb, thrilled that my immediate problem was resoved, but, as I have said, I had time to kill - too much of it - so I queried, and re-queried, the basis for this 'supplement'.

And ****** (for that was her name - as expressed on her lapel) did not ball-me-out or call her superior but went deeper into her 'system' and discovered that.........god knows what she discovered......... the supplement should be just €25.00!!

I love you ****** not just for agreeing to change my ticket and reducing the supplement, but for 'killing-off' most fo the waiting period with such good humour.