It was a very early and frosty start from Bamberg. There was ice on the outside of the tent, and my sleeping bag was only just up to the challenge. I'm not really worried about that - they days are warm and this is the coldest part of the trip.
Bamberg is a small and typically German town which luckily saw no damage at all during the war, so it is very old with fascinating architecture. Pictures to follow. Spent a few hours walking around, looked at Bamberger Dom (Cathedral) and had a lovely tea and cake. Germany really is civilized.
It was a very long drive to Prague in the Czech Republic from Bamberg, and there was only a slight difference on crossing the border. Czech Republic is not as wealthy as Western Europe but does appear to be catching up fast.
Will compose a more detailed post when I'm not clocking up the money in a web cafe...
Friday 23 April 2010
Wednesday 21 April 2010
Sunday 18th April, day 1
London, England - Tournai, Belgium
Woke up horribly early in the Hisperia Hotel at London Victoria. I'm sure it was more confortable than the Easy Hotel which most people stayed in but a whole lot more old-fashioned for sure. Everything was brown, the room looked like scenery from a 1970s TV soap.
After breakfast we met up with the rest of the group and saw the truck for the first time. This truck will be my home-from-home for the next 6 months. (That's a long time, but it still doesn't seem real, the full extent has not yet sunk in, as I type this whilst travelling along a German autobahn).
It's just a quick run down to Dover for a Lunchtime crossing on the ferry to Calais. The ferry is very crowded, not surprising since there are no flights at all over northern Europe, courtesy of an Icelandic volcano. This has also meant 3 people not joining us at the start, but 2 of them hope to meet up with us in Belgium.
We camp that night in Tournai, Belgium, and get to experience our first camp-cooked meal. Since it's our first night, the crew are extra nice to us and cook us a meal, a very tasty spaghetti bolognese. We are going to eat very well for the next 6 months! I probably won't lose any weight. Oh well.
We are assigned camp jobs. My job between now and Baku (roughly 1/4 of the trip) is 'back locker', meaning I load and unload all the luggage. Luckily I share the job. Joy's job is 'truck wallah'. It's Indian, apparently, and roughly translated, it means 'do nothing (so far)'.
19th April - day 2
Tournai, Belgium - Cologne, Germany
A sleepness night gives way to a sunny day. I'm far too groggy from lack of sleep to appreciate the sun. Maybe the enormity of the journey is sinking in, or maybe I just don't like my Thermarest. 5cm is much too thin for a good nights sleep unless you sleep on your back in the coffin poisition.
We drive to Cologne and arrive there about 3pm, nice and early, plenty of time to set up camp and relax for the rest of the day. I have a much needed nap.
20th April - day 3
in Cologne. A Turn for the Wurst.
A day off from travelling, after a slightly better night. I have decided to buy a new matress which is thicker and wider, now I know I won't have to carry it very far. Plenty of room in the truck. The most notable thing about Cologne is the huge cathedral (dom) with its imposing twin spires. I had to take the opportunity to climb the 500-and-something steps to the top and take in the belfry and the view. In the evening we all took a turn for the Wurst and had a slap-up meal of wurst and beer in one of Cologne Brauhauses. Sausages and Saurktaut washed down with beer, you just can't go wrong.
In a bar later there was a band playing with about 4 lovely women singing German songs, and an automaton (automatic model musician with accordion) playing traditional German music. OK then, Kraftwerk. Marvellous.
London, England - Tournai, Belgium
Woke up horribly early in the Hisperia Hotel at London Victoria. I'm sure it was more confortable than the Easy Hotel which most people stayed in but a whole lot more old-fashioned for sure. Everything was brown, the room looked like scenery from a 1970s TV soap.
After breakfast we met up with the rest of the group and saw the truck for the first time. This truck will be my home-from-home for the next 6 months. (That's a long time, but it still doesn't seem real, the full extent has not yet sunk in, as I type this whilst travelling along a German autobahn).
It's just a quick run down to Dover for a Lunchtime crossing on the ferry to Calais. The ferry is very crowded, not surprising since there are no flights at all over northern Europe, courtesy of an Icelandic volcano. This has also meant 3 people not joining us at the start, but 2 of them hope to meet up with us in Belgium.
We camp that night in Tournai, Belgium, and get to experience our first camp-cooked meal. Since it's our first night, the crew are extra nice to us and cook us a meal, a very tasty spaghetti bolognese. We are going to eat very well for the next 6 months! I probably won't lose any weight. Oh well.
We are assigned camp jobs. My job between now and Baku (roughly 1/4 of the trip) is 'back locker', meaning I load and unload all the luggage. Luckily I share the job. Joy's job is 'truck wallah'. It's Indian, apparently, and roughly translated, it means 'do nothing (so far)'.
19th April - day 2
Tournai, Belgium - Cologne, Germany
A sleepness night gives way to a sunny day. I'm far too groggy from lack of sleep to appreciate the sun. Maybe the enormity of the journey is sinking in, or maybe I just don't like my Thermarest. 5cm is much too thin for a good nights sleep unless you sleep on your back in the coffin poisition.
We drive to Cologne and arrive there about 3pm, nice and early, plenty of time to set up camp and relax for the rest of the day. I have a much needed nap.
20th April - day 3
in Cologne. A Turn for the Wurst.
A day off from travelling, after a slightly better night. I have decided to buy a new matress which is thicker and wider, now I know I won't have to carry it very far. Plenty of room in the truck. The most notable thing about Cologne is the huge cathedral (dom) with its imposing twin spires. I had to take the opportunity to climb the 500-and-something steps to the top and take in the belfry and the view. In the evening we all took a turn for the Wurst and had a slap-up meal of wurst and beer in one of Cologne Brauhauses. Sausages and Saurktaut washed down with beer, you just can't go wrong.
In a bar later there was a band playing with about 4 lovely women singing German songs, and an automaton (automatic model musician with accordion) playing traditional German music. OK then, Kraftwerk. Marvellous.
Friday 16 April 2010
We have one more night at home, packing is progressing well (sort of), as is moving all our personal stuff down to the basement which is the room our house-sitters are not going to use. I had a nice lie-in this morning. I needed it because last night we had several beers at the Hobgoblin in Reading. It was a nice surprise to see that Katrina had decked the place out with balloons and a "Bon Voyage Joy and Nick" banner. Of course we just HAD to have a group photo in front of that! Just typical that if we'd waited about 5 minutes later to take the picture there's have been about twice as many people seeing us off - still it's quality and not quantity that counts. Thanks to everyone who came - it was great to see you all and we'll see you in November or December or whenever we come back.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
