Coming home through Ouisterham earlier this year was the first time in 10 crossings that anyone 'searching' the van actually looked under the (fixed) bed - either inbound or outbound. They were very thorough, insisting that my floor safe was opened, and took the tops off containers of whey protein powder. They too asked if I had any illegals, but asked with a smile and the whole thing was conducted in a non-threatening manner.
There was aslo a vast X-ray truck checking the HGVs by X-raying the entire unit (with the driver away from the vehicle). Perhaps the though of receiving a very high dose may be influencing the illegals to concentrate on caravans/motorhomes instead.
On the side issure ofthe filling station near the port, it refused to accept either Visa or Mastercard when I tried it. The chap in the wineshop nearby said this was quite common and was obviously fed up with being on the receiving end of continuous complaints despite having nothing to do with the station. Someone should tell ESSO/EXXON.
