Remember your passport, driving licence, insurance, MOT, credit card and European breakdown/recovery card. Order some Euros (or buy them onboard). Ensure you get your stamped form E111 (Certificate of entitlement to benefits in kind during a stay in a member state) VERY IMPORTANT!!! Available from the Post Office. (JS has a supply).

Tell your insurance company when you are travelling - however the old green card is no longer normally required.

Remember your ticket or booking ref and have it readily available!

Check your 'International Call Barring' has been lifted on your mobile phone, and any numbers you may need to call have been stored, prefixed with +44 and minus the leading 0.

Take a ratchet operated tie down strap, the ferries can run out of them.

Don’t forget you need a ‘GB’ plate or sticker. You should also carry a spare set of bulbs and fuses (legal requirement in France).

Ramps on and off the ferry can be very slippery, as can the floor, take extra care, actively look for diesel spills.

When parking your bike on the ferry, put it on the side stand instead of the centre stand, thereby spreading the load of the bike in a triangle instead of on one spot.

Leave the bike in gear, and set your alarm / imobiliser to ‘Service’ mode. Ensure the steering lock is on. Ideally clamp the front brake on by using a bungee/cable tie/hair scrunchy/string, think ahead and take something!

When strapping the bike down put your gloves or jacket between the bike and strap to avoid scratching or damaging the bike.

When leaving the ferry remember to ride on the right and take extra caution at our first roundabout!

Above all have fun!

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