The Stena Britannica is one of the world’s biggest car ferries. Bloody huge.

Also, quite difficult to fill quickly. So, when the captain finally piped up to tell us that we’d be setting off an hour and a half later than on the timetable, our hearts sank. All due to some pesky containers that needed to be loaded.

This was like being in a floating shopping centre and food court. And the prospect of spending an hour and a half longer than necessary within it was not a great thought.

However, a man wearing a blue jacket with silver stars all over it with sticky-out teeth told us we’d still arrive on time. “They’ll just put another engine on," he told us.

This maritime expert was non other than the children’ entertainer. Sarah engaged him in conversation, during which she confirmed he was a ‘one week on, one week off’ kinda staff member.

After we finally chugged away, the grey North Sea blended very well with the grey sky.

We gorged ourselves on the picnic we’d almost prepared before setting off: Morrison’s rolls, corned beef and crisps.

A fat Brit sitting nearby in the window seat was irritating many by watching some action film on his phone with the sound turned up.

We met a Dane on board who told us he disliked Denmark and had moved to Stratford-Upon-Avon, which was lovely to hear.

I think that they were the interesting highlights of the trip. Travelling by sea is immensely civilised and un-rushed but it is dull and you need to be prepared to read books or watch boxed sets or something. Not turn up exhausted.

When we docked in Rotterdam and pulled alongside passport control, the handsome guard asked us where we were going. When we said ‘Denmark’ he laughed, looking at the avalanche of boxes and bags that were pushing the back of Sarah’s neck.

“Good luck," he said.