Well done for getting ready to travel again Richard, I know exactly how you felt regarding self travel after career travels. I retired early coming up to eight years ago and vowed never to travel overseas for 3 years.. It was not for the lack of the enjoyment once on the ocean or at the destination, but the hassle of getting to that point. I still absolutely hate airports, always arrive early and my wife says I automatically switch back into crew herding/management mode.. that is herding her through the airport check-in/immigration/customs.. I also miss the flying experience that used to be there in to 70's/80's/90's, flying is not the same now, even on the few occasions getting on the aircraft and turning left instead of right the "club/1st" experience is not the same. However, I still quite enjoy ferry trips ( upto a day ) and use the Plymouth - Roscoff ferry link a fair bit, nice and relaxed, easy check-in and loading and also easy out at Roscoff.. I think the only event was one particular customs officer that insisted I open the boot for him to inspect, he just did not get it that the Morgan did not have one, as a face saving episode he then asked me to open both the bonnet sides.
Thanks Dave, I see you totally understand the feeling.
The Plymouth Roscoff sounds like a good option we shall have to explore, I am actually looking forward to a trip away now, the boss is fancying the Canaries with a hire car, we don't do beach stuff.
Good to see you preparing to expand your horizons again.
Yes it will be good to get back into exploring a few more foreign parts, although still so much of our magic Isle remain unexplored.