We've taken Berlin!

Yes we have made it, but not yet taken it! but hey its the weekend and thats to come. Gonna try and find us some dirty German techno and get all mashy until the early hours.

After picking up heater parts from Mr Schmidt at the Garage in Brhul, thanks Mr Schmidt, we continued on our journey, however we should really have learnt some German; thankfully the instruction manual has some pictures!

The journey down was one of motor ways and then lovely country side. However a couple of technical hitches. The newly added fuel filters both blocked, so replaced all fuel filters apart from one which we are getting today. Getting used to road side and car park repairs! Struggling to find gears yesterday but adjusted clutch and all seems fine now. Thank god for that manual!

What can we tell you about 500 km of German countryside? Pretty flat, but lots of wind turbines everywhere. Although, there's also more industry and power stations as well! The graffiti is amazing here and there are lots of bicycles.

When we got to Berlin, we didn't know where their low emission zone started so we parked up in a lovely tree lined street in Babelsberg, Potsdam. We got the tram in today and are currently in an internet cafe.

Off to Pakistan and Indian embassies today for visas, wish us luck but should all be ok.

We'll sign off now, but should be back soon xx

Dover, Dunkerque, Brugge, Cologne and Artweiler

Hey, blog followers!
We're currently in a beautiful part of Germany called the Eifel. Our cousins Rosemary, Hans and Thomas kindly put us up for the last few days whilst we hunted out parts for our heater. After visiting four workshops and meeting some very grumpy German mechanics we finally got the parts ordered in Brhül. Hans showed utmost patience in translating for us. We were going to get it fitted but the last quote for labour was 500 Euros a day. We're going to see if we can find some cheaper labour in Poland. Have we sold out already?!

The other technical news is that we have a stereo (after a small electrical fire - hooray for extinguishers!). Thank god we haven't got to talk to each other all the time!!

Whilst the heater parts are being dispatched we're relaxing in a beautiful wine valley which runs along the rivers Ahr, Eifel and Rhine - I think! We camped off the beaten track last night in glorious isolation with only a river, tree covered hills and rather nice German beer to keep us company.

We're hoping to pick up the parts tomorrow (wednesday) and then head for Berlin. A cosmopolitan weekend is called for. The countryside ís cool, but I'm craving city life and culture! We're also hoping to pay a productive visit to the Pakistani and Indian embassies. From there, it's full steam ahead to Poland.

PS Dad, touch wood, the van's going fine, you did a fine job!

Leaving Trowbridge

Now we really are going!

Yes, finally after many trials and tribulations we have booked the ferry. 6 am on Wednesday 22 July we shall be sailing from Dover to Dunkerque. First stop Belgium for lots of lovely beer and mussels. Then onto Cologne.

I'm smiling as I write this as I'm sure many of you will be too. I can't believe we're finally trucking off!!

Yippee!!

Lots of love to all x

So what news! have we left the country or not? the answer is no van took longer and cost more than expected. We took it on a run last week end and the front brakes disintergrated so we are now in Wiltshire at my mums awaiting spares, so frustrating! Should be gone by tomorrow to Suffolk to say goodbye to Jo's mum then hopefully the ferry to France!