Well in the end we escaped Berlin however, no mashy techno just mashy feet from too much city walking. I have blisters to die for! Trevor those havanah flp flops are great but not for mile after mile of city trekking! Berlin was amazing; never seen streets like it especially Karl Marx Allie, Dont be fooled we are talking four lanes wide, pavements like runways and blocks of public housing the size of Park Hill all built with ornate carvings. Unbelieveably it was all built by volunteer labour in the 50's!
We are currently in Warsaw where we have met up with Jo's mate Amanda and her friend Alli who is traveling Europe from OZ.
THE DRIVE HERE WAS INTERESTING! MORE LIKE F**KING MENTAL!
Pardon the language but there is really no other way to get my point accross. The road we took was the main trucking route (not motorway from Frank furt to Warsaw. You have no idea, i had no idea how much frieght is coming out of easten Europe. Non stop artic after artic coming down two lane highway. They leave 5ft on each side so people can move over to let others past. This means you have to be looking behind and in front of you for people overtaking. Simply think of a normal british a road with alittle extra space on either side, trucks on either side and a third overtaking in the middle! Amazing or crazy not sure which.
Stopped in camping sight within the grounds of a hotel last night in warsaw as we arrived in the dark and quite late, sorry did I say Hotel, in daylight resembled more of an old prison/car park on an industrial estate. However it did have warm shower which was just luxury will park on roads tonight to save cash now we have sussed out parking restrictions.
Dad need to suss out hook up can you remind me what the score is about polarity!
Hit a cafe today had a nice lunch, going out tonight for a drink.
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Sunday, 2 August 2009
Berlin
What a city!It feels like we've walked most of it! We've been West and East, done the Jewish museum and the parks. Sat yesterday having a beer in Karl Marx alee, overlooking the Stalinist Architecture of the old GDR. Had a curry last night in the Bohemian part of town and have been swimming in a huge outdoor pool in the East again today. The lack of water in the van propmted the swimming! We both needed a shower!
We're off in a bit to have currywurst (they say you have to try it) and then walk the canals in the East.
Tomorrow, we pick up the fuel filters, find a laundrette and then head for Poland. Stopping first in Lodz, where my great grandfather was born and then onto Warsaw to meet Amanda.
Will definitely try and upload some photos on the next posting.
Lots of love x
We're off in a bit to have currywurst (they say you have to try it) and then walk the canals in the East.
Tomorrow, we pick up the fuel filters, find a laundrette and then head for Poland. Stopping first in Lodz, where my great grandfather was born and then onto Warsaw to meet Amanda.
Will definitely try and upload some photos on the next posting.
Lots of love x
Friday, 31 July 2009
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
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
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?!
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!
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!
Monday, 20 July 2009
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
Friday, 10 July 2009
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!
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