rooster63 Posted March 7, 2023 Share Posted March 7, 2023 Some friends of ours were helping out fellow motor homers by bringing their friend’s broken down Motorhome on a trailer being towed behind their Motorhome. When they got to Caen they were a bit early for the ferry so went off for a meal. Going through Border Control both MHs were searched, apparently thoroughly. They got back to UK and proceeded to go to the garage, whilst the husband went to see the garage owner the wife got out of the MH to stretch her legs and had a sudden shock when she realise she could see a face at the window of the MH on the trailer. She quickly called her husband and the garage owner and they unlocked the MH to discover 2 south Sudanese men in their 20s who spoke very good English. They said they had sneaked in at Caen and hidden in the over cab locker. Anyway the police were called ( who were very polite and understanding) and they called Border Control. The men were whisked off in separate cars but seemed very happy to have made it to the UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simians Posted March 7, 2023 Share Posted March 7, 2023 And always the possibility that the police or Border Control may not necessarily believe an innocent migrant carrier's story. I believe the penalty has risen to £10,000. 3 years ago unbeknown to moi someone at Calais decided to hitch a lift on my motorcycle, lying hidden Valentino Rossi racing style under its weather cover. Unfortunately for him I was Spain bound 😁. Twas 100 miles south of Calais at a rest area teabreak when I discovered the culprit, he may still be there attempting a hitch lift back to Calais! Although on reflection, perhaps he was intentionally heading back to the Sub Sahara. So whichever way any motorhomer is heading, it may pay to be paranoidly vigilant 🤨 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted March 8, 2023 Share Posted March 8, 2023 There used to be a large migrants 'campsite' on the outskirts of Ouistreham (Caen) ferry-port next to the roundabout near to which a new B&B Hotel is now located. When the ferries temporarily ceased operating in 2020 as a result of COVID restrictions, all the migrants were evicted and rehoused in hostel-type accommodation (not in Ouistreham) and the 'campsite' was removed. This February 2022 article may be of interest https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/38470/in-ouistreham-invisible-migrants-wait-to-try-their-luck-getting-to-the-uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooster63 Posted March 8, 2023 Author Share Posted March 8, 2023 We are sailing to/from Santander later this year and vaguely remember something from BF saying that you could park up at the port for the day and explore the town. Not sure if that is before or after security. If outside would be concerned that a stow away would try their luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simians Posted March 8, 2023 Share Posted March 8, 2023 Over the years the residents of the so called Calais 'Jungle' at time to time suffered (if that's the word) various degrees of eviction. In 2015/16? there was a virtual 100% clearing out and dispersal of the ever hopefuls to migrant accommodation throughout France. A year later many had returned to Calais, a small patch of grassed land near the ferry terminal alone housed at least 200 small tents and the Sangatte Jungle looked to have reverted back to pre eviction size, unfortunately Cite Europe commensurately became interdit for UK reg' vehicles, the opportunist migrants wandering around at all hours became just too much hassle for the cops. I can recall plenty of 'incidents' occurring over the years in and around Cite Europe and the ferry terminal. 🤔 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted March 8, 2023 Share Posted March 8, 2023 1 hour ago, rooster63 said: We are sailing to/from Santander later this year and vaguely remember something from BF saying that you could park up at the port for the day and explore the town. Not sure if that is before or after security. If outside would be concerned that a stow away would try their luck. There is a Santander-related "Ferry Parking" TripAdvisor discussion that said As you confirmed, overnight is not possible but what the port does allow is that you can check your vehicle in at 9am and go for a look-about in Santander ..... you have to be back at your vehicle 2 hours before departure. HOWEVER, THAT INFORMATION IS 8 YEARS OLD. ................................................................................................................................. Brittany Ferries current port guide for Santander is here https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/ferry-routes/planning/ports/santander The PARKING section advises Parking is only permitted for dropping off and picking up. Passengers wishing to park for longer must use one of the paying car parks nearby. Vehicles are parked at your own risk. Please note that there are parking restrictions throughout Santander for any vehicle over 1.8m in height. There is also a section PARKING FOR MOTOR HOMES, CAMPER VANS AND CARAVANS. This says Public area in an industrial zone - Park at your own risk Address: Calle César Llamazares, 39011 Santander SOMO Motorhome service point Address: Calla Mojante 25. Somo-Suesa, Cantabria 66 caravan spaces including 10 electrical hook-ups. Price: 12 € with electrical hook-up and 9 € without (includes VAT). Maximum permitted stay is 96 hours. Other services: wifi, grey and blackwater disposal, drinking water, electricity, recreational area, bathrooms and outside showers. Supermarket and petrol station 500m away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooster63 Posted March 9, 2023 Author Share Posted March 9, 2023 Just looked at my ticket and it is on the ticket about being able to park at the port from 9am. Still not sure if that parking is after security or open to anybody chancing their luck and hiding somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yatsushiro Posted March 9, 2023 Share Posted March 9, 2023 44 minutes ago, rooster63 said: Just looked at my ticket and it is on the ticket about being able to park at the port from 9am. Still not sure if that parking is after security or open to anybody chancing their luck and hiding somewhere. The parking is after security. Essentially, you book in, get you boarding paperwork and are then directed to park in one of the boarding lanes. You leave via a security gate using your boarding card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted March 9, 2023 Share Posted March 9, 2023 The Searchforsites website has two reviews about this (2023 and 2022 - copied below) . Both confirm what is on rooster63's ticket and what Yatsushiro has advised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooster63 Posted March 9, 2023 Author Share Posted March 9, 2023 Thanks for the info. It depends where we are the night before, might try the car park at Santillana de Mare where I believe you can stay over night for a few euros Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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