From Rue Rude, a Favourite of Mine

Last night I took the ferry from Dover to Calais. I was surprised not to have to go through a single passport control or even drive by a policeman. I have made this crossing a lot, and that had never happened before.
When I drove off the ship in Calais, I saw about fifty men, Asians and Africans, in weatherbeaten clothes-- dark sweaters with holes, sweatshirts with stains, crumpled jackets-- walking or standing between the two sides of the autoroute (above) as the cars and trucks from the ferry passed them by. They looked a bit dazed and I think they were illegal immigrants fresh out of a truck. I couldn't help wondering if there was some reason our documents were not checked.