Total distance covered = 1916 miles.
Fuel used = 93.333 Gallons.
Average consumption = 20.5 miles/gallon.
Wednesday, 19 July 2017
Wednesday 19th July - Dover to Andover
Long and frustrating journey home. Arrived Dover 2040 Tuesday, expecting a tough trip, but went wrong right from the word go. It was like being dumped in a third world country. A20 closed. No real signs to tell you so all traffic, including hundreds of lorries, all headed out of town in that direction, only to have to do 360 at a roundabout and then come back in to town and through the town. Our four cars got split in to two pairs and we soon lost radio contact. M20 also closed. So we just joined the endless procession of vehicles trundling along on side roads. Eventually got to the M25 and started making progress. Could see flashes of lightning ahead of us. Overhead signs warned of M3 closure, to use A3 instead. Once on A3, it was also closed so all traffic dumped off at Guildford. Clearly a planned closure because of all the cones, but once in Guildford centre you were left on your own. Gridlock. Couldn't rejoin A3 at other side of Guildford either. Someone needs putting up against a wall and shooting - why can't they co-ordinate closures ?
John decided just to head out of Guildford the least congested way, towards Aldershot, mainly because my temp gauge had suddenly shot up and I needed cooling off. After a few miles of a good run, my temp gauge was not coming down so John stopped to investigate. To help matters, that's when the rain arrived.
No water appeared to have been lost, so after a cooling off period we resumed. The break allowed us to regroup back again. Somehow, we'd leapfrogged the other pair. Didn't pick up the M3 until Odiham, and as we continued westwards our group slowly split apart as each headed to their own home.
Temp problem didn't reoccur for rest of journey. Needs investigating, but could be a cooked sender/gauge as it kept swinging wildly every now and again. Or it could just have been the hard day's drive and I needed a rest.
Anyway, home now and all unpacked.
Tuesday, 18 July 2017
Tuesday 18th July- Calais.
Second long drive day. Again split in two halves, this time by The Channel.
Drive North from Warmeriville was mostly on D and a few N roads.
Wide open landscapes of endless wheat fields and windmills. Farmers very busy getting in the crop, so busy and urgently it looks like they've dragged out old combines from retirement. Combines usually only seen at vintage shows.
Very hot day again, so as we'd made good progress we have a good long lunch break in the shade. Met a lovely Daimler V8 250 saloon from Basel. On its way to Cornwall. I hope it's ok - it left a puddle and trail of oil behind.
After lunch we decide to visit La Coupole. A large concrete bunker/dome built in to the side of a quarry during the war from which the Germans planned to launch the V2 rockets against London. It never went operational. Something straight out of James Bond.
Dreaded deviation and a few route barre meant the final run in to Calais was a bit interesting, but still arrived in plenty of time. On board and just setting sail now.
Will report on UK leg of day tomorrow.
Monday 17th July - Warmeriville
A relatively early start today as a long day ahead. First we all lined up outside the auberge for a website/Facebook shot. Not the first time we've had to do this.
Then we hit the road.
A day of two halves really. The first 150 miles were along empty French D roads through forest and numerous typical French villages and towns. We were able to trundle along at quite a reasonable pace. The last 100 miles were on busy N roads competing with waggons and caravans. Luckily we skirted Rheims as it was getting close to evening rush, to find out auberge for the night.
John was faced with andoillette for dinner. He'd had a bad experience with one of these on a previous trip to France - rotten flesh held together with baler twine that had to be smothered in mustard to make it edible. However, despite the auberge owner announcing it as a 'regional specialty' with what looked like a mischievous smirk on their face, this one was very different and very tasty. As was the whole meal.
We are back to WW1 battlefield area again. We'd passed a couple of memorial's on our final approach in, and there is another in the town and a German military cemetery.
Monday, 17 July 2017
Sunday 16thJuly - Longcochon
Homeward bound starting today.
First part of the journey was a zig zag climb up to the Jaunpass. Fantastic views as always. Lots of motorbikes and sports cars out - it is Sunday. People shooting at the corners watching as if it's a spectator sport.
Drop down the other side and one more climb and we say goodbye to the Alps in our rear view mirrors.
Cross the border back in to France and the landscape soon changes to be more rolling. 30+ again, and after a brief stop near a river I get kangaroo petrol for a while.
The nights stop is at an auberge that also does horse and caravan holidays, so we have to pass a couple on the last mile or so in. Dog friendly, so there are lots of begging eyes as the evening meal of sausages prepared by the auberge is ate.
Hopefully all will have a good rest ready for the long day tomorrow.
Sunday, 16 July 2017
Saturday 15th July - St Stephen
Nothing really for us to do today except sit and look pretty amongst 400+ other Land Rovers.
John did his usual checks over me in preparation for the long days on the road starting Sunday.
John and Dave also finally wired up Jeff's DRLs. James replaced a leaking hub seal.
Anna and Kev went for a drive up in to the hills above the airfield. We could just make out them waving from below.
An afternoon drive to Gstaad. Lots of money floating around there.
VIP dinner in the evening. Over 600 people served a really good 3 course meal.
Easily the clearest night of the trip. No light pollution. Plenty of stars out, could make out the milky way and at least one shooting Star spotted. Clear night meant a cold night though.
Saturday, 15 July 2017
Friday 14th July - St Stephen
We did one of the 3 road book routes prepared for us today. Left St Stephen and after a few kn started heading up in to the hills on narrow farm roads. Relentless zig-zags took us ever higher. I did most of the climb in first gear. Stopped a couple of times. I got the dreaded vapour lock again due to the heat, but I wasn't the only one. At least John knows how to resolve it quickly now. At the second stop, well up in the mountains John went in to a lake. He had intended a swim but it was far, far too cold, so just walked in as far as he could stand.
Nice long drift back down that didn't tax the brakes too much.
Even more cars have arrived in the mean time. Mostly newer stuff all decked out in expedition kit. Series land rovers seem to be in the minority, and therefore the objects of some interest. Especially us 5 as we are among the few not being tested as museum pieces.
Finally, the genuine Swiss roll that has been transported around for a few days has been consumed.
Friday, 14 July 2017
Thursday 13th July - St. Stephen.
Left Grindelwald this morning, just as all the tourist buses were arriving. Headed through Interlaken and westwards along the south shore of Thuner See. Wasn't long before we had to stop to allow for swimming in the lake.
Onwards after a spot of lunch, leaving the Lakeside at Spiez, to trundle along the Simmental valley. Meeting various Land Rovers of varying age all heading for the same event as us.
Land Rovers of Switzerland 30 year anniversary held at the airfield at St. Stephen. Already busy and they are clearly preparing for a lot of cars as registration, parking up and camping organisation is well controlled.
Another one of Dave's chillis tonight - they just get better.
Thursday, 13 July 2017
Where's Charlie - objective 3 achieved.
I am here: 46.50228°N 7.40546°E http://maps.google.com/maps?q=46.50229%2C7.40546
Wednesday 12th July - Jungfrau
A whole day off for us cars as people declare another tourist day and do various things around Grindelwald.
Dave decides to kick back and have an easy day. Kev, Anna and Jeff go of and do various adrenalin junkie things - mostly involving plummeting down hill in various forms.
John, James and Cassie go for the trip up the Jungfrau. John's not that happy as it means setting an alarm, whilst on holiday, to get up early to catch the first train
As it happens the early start was a good move on many fronts. The train was substantially cheaper, Jungfrau was relatively empty when they got there, and the weather was the best of the day with clear skies and views. 2 hours, and a few train arrivals later and things were very different.
Worn hole opened and we were suddenly surrounded. A walk out on the snow, a bite for brunch, then a quick trip around the rest then we decided to get out of there before we got too annoyed. Nipped for the train, exit via the gift shop (of course) where John found the must ridiculous piece of tat ever. And John is a connoisseur of tat. (23CHF=23GBP).
They decided to walk down from where you have to change trains anyway. A lovely walk down through Alpine meadows filled with flowers, butterflies, cows with bells etc. Your archetypal Swiss chocolate box landscape. I think the walk was longer than they thought - a 1km vertical drop for a start.
Evening dinner was the last 'Chuck Masala' curry for the trip.
Pictures show the 0725 Grindelwald Grund commuters, and the tat.
Wednesday, 12 July 2017
Tuesday 11th July - Grindelwald
Left Brig refreshed and we refuelled a little bit down the road. Headed east along the Rotten Rhone valley, where we passed loads of bikes and packs of expensive cars coming the other way. Most gave a cheery wave to our little convoy. Passed through many picturesque villages to Gletch. Where we turned left and were confronted by a wall of zig-zags - the Gimselpass.
Took our time going up, quite slow but not that slow. I even overtook something - a 1930s coach trundling its way up.
Great views as we topped out at the head of the pass back down the Gimselpass, but also towards the Furkapass.
After a nice cooling down break, time to drop down the other side. Quite sweeping drops that challenged the brakes. After over a thousand miles and quite a few mountain drops I've think my brakes have finally bedded in. Possibly.
Back down to the valley floor and North side of the lake, Brienzer Zee, towards Interlaken.
People stopped to swim in the Zee, a bit cold but once in it was fine apparently. John played swim for the ball with a little dog for a while.
Pitched up at Grindelwald campsite beneath the Eiger. A walk in to town and John thought he'd fallen through a wormhole to the far East as 90% of the people were tourists bussed in. Shop fronts and even the supermarket shelves were in kanji. Prices massively inflated accordingly.
Excellent chilli made by Ethan's Grandpops (Dave) rounded a fantastic day off well.
Monday 10th July - Brig
(John spent an hour sat in me until 2AM when the rain stopped and he could mop out his leaking tent.)
They got a cable car up to the local peak, had a look around at the views and a hot chocolate. All very out of season, everything here is geared around skiing. Bit of mountain biking and extreme scooters, but that's about it.
Back down on the cable car, then tram to Villars for pizza. A bit of tat shopping and they returned.
We all then wound our way back down to the valley, brakes working overtime, then headed eastwards, through a collection of industrial estates and market gardens strung out along the river flowing through the valley. Hit one town at 5PM and it was traffic madness for half an hour. Add to that the temp of 33+ and we all struggled in one way or another. We could see dark low clouds at the end of the valley ahead of us.
Rolled into the campsite in Brig just after a storm had passed over. First impressions were not good - directly under a busy flyover, but actually the noise from the adjacent waterfall drowned out any traffic noise and the site was very clean and the attendants helpful.
First storm hit whilst John, James and Cassie had walked into town. Right above, squally wind and rain lashing down forced them in to a bar for drei bier bitte.
Another wild storm hit after returning to camp, John has learnt though and has put his tent up under the tarp shelter just in case.
Tuesday, 11 July 2017
Monday, 10 July 2017
Sunday, 9 July 2017
Thunderbolt and lightning
Not a lot do so this morning, which is just as well as it was a bit wet. Hoping the gaps between the showers would be long enough to dry the tents, but no joy.
I was packed and ready for the parade of all the Land Rovers at 11, and as nothing was due to happen in the afternoon we all decided to get on the road straight away.
I took the lead as John was considered to have 'local knowledge' having been where we were heading or a few days in 2014.
Down to lake leman at Rolle. (Swiss Rolle?) And then East along side the North shore of the lake. Short brew stop at an old village port, aiming to visit the Freddie Mercury statue and Queen museum at Montreux. Unfortunately, Montreux was heaving as it was hosting a jazz festival, so no chance of parking up.
Stopped outside Montreux to stock up on supplies before heading into the mountains and campsite. Although only 3 PM, it went as dark as 10PM as first of the evenings electric storms hit.
Extremely steep climbs up to campsite at Villars-Gyron. Especially when James freestyled it a bit and we ended up on roads through a village barely wide enough for us to squeeze through.
The town in the mountains is a typical ski resort place. Very picturesque with panoramic views all around.
Dinner was cooked in a billy can on an open fire this evening before another electric storm drove us to our tents. Thunder and lightning rattling around the mountains. John put his little festival tent up at the last minute in the dark as he's not sure how long it will stay waterproof for. Heavy rain until 2AM forecast.
Saturday, 8 July 2017
Saturday 8th July - Biere
Quite a lazy day for all today, but a relatively early start. Breakfast (more cheese) then lined up to start the green lane. Up in to the hills above Biere. Mainly up through forest tracks to viewpoints overlooking lake leman. Road ran out and everyone had to walk onwards to main viewpoint at a mountain hut at 1520m where there were some alpine horns being played and a very small glass of wine served. Good panorama of the Alps, but a little hazy as looking southwards. Couldn't make out Mt. Blanc.
Jeff had a go at the horn before we all pushed onwards. Lunch of sausage and mash in another Alpine meadow, cheese for dessert was refused by some,. Then we had some more forest trails, some really quite steep, back down to Biere.
Lots of fellow series Land Rovers here. Various states, from better than new to well used/abused. Most have their own modifications to make then useful for whatever they've been used for, or just for touring around.
I had a play on the tank playground. Up and down some very steep climbs that immediately dropped off the other side. Good fun, but I got a bit hot. Spectacular forked lightning in the distance forced John to take my big aerial off, but it never arrived with us and it stayed humid. Washed down with a fire hose after play, more Opheers mud cake off with the Biere mud.
Evening spent chatting and plotting onward journey. Doesn't seem too bad to me, but I suspect there will be a fair amount of climbing involved having seen those mountains.
Friday, 7 July 2017
Friday 7th July - Biere
Left Besancon, crossed the river and immediately started climbing upwards steeply.
Down to low range fur a bit when someone coming down hill wouldn't give way so I had to stop, making it hard work to start on a step slope.
Topped out and a nice run through a high plateau and then a gentle climb to peak of at 950m. Still in France at this stage, but after a hot stop in a town for fuel we headed for the Swiss border. 30 degrees the pharmacy sign said. Creeping along in lunchtime traffic temperatures rising, kangarooed fur a bit as the petrol vaporisation problem reoccurred. Over after a few bouncy seconds and then, thankfully, road opened up, emptied and all our temperatures came down again.
After the border crossing in to Switzerland, where the guards just waved us through, a bit of gentle climbing, we stopped for a brief lunch stop by a lake. Looked inviting enough to jump in fur a swim until you looked closely. Short drop through a forest, twisty empty roads, memories of Norway, then turn a corner and suddenly, there in front is a full high Alpine panorama.
Stay up on the plateau for run in to Biere where the series land rover event is being held.
A couple of hours later and the other two cars join us, so now the team is complete. Catch up over the buffet of local specialities - mainly cheese, and odd meats.
Lots of series land rovers here. Some very smart, and a lot have been pampered and trailered here rather than make it under their own steam.
Although there will be days out, we are going to be here for a few nights so the big tents are up.
Where's Charlie? Objective 2 achieved.
I am here: 46.52229°N 6.35400°E http://maps.google.com/maps?q=46.5223%2C6.354
Thursday, 6 July 2017
Thursday 6th July - Besancon
Quick visit to local village brewery that also stocked a bewildering range of beers. Finally able to make a decision on what stock to run across the border in to Switzerland. Safely stored on board and then we put some miles behind us on the fast roads. Having to do some climbing, it's a hot day, and as soon as we wait in line for petrol temperatures start to rise.
Lunch stop on bread and cheese, then some really nice empty back roads through the countryside. Having to yield to combines at times - French seem to be having to work to get the crops in. But that's about the only other traffic.
Dropping down to Besancon, in a small village, Jeff's car, Bourneville, lost a nut off its carb, so no throttle response and drifted to a halt.
Really, really hot doing the fix. In the scorching sun tools got too hot to handle too. But soon ready to go. Unfortunately, in the mean time, whilst i'd been sat, I'd got a vapour lock and so took a bit of persuasion to get going again. Scorching.
Pulled into camp and a nice shady pitch. Bonnets up and beers poured to cool everyone down.
All of us cars got a good wash this evening to rid is of the worst of the Opheers mud. Like clay, moulded and set rock hard in every nook and cranny. We need to look our best to be let in to Switzerland.
Food cooked late once the heat had gone out the day and first taste of red wine on the trip. Very civilised.
Wednesday 5th July - Domevre Sur Durbion.
Trundle through Lorraine countryside to stay at Chris's house. Dave had met Chris and family at a previous Opheers meeting, and had organised to travel south with him and stay at theirs for the night.
Called in at the next village along, Chatel Sur Moselle, to see the WW2 pontoon bridge used to cross the Moselle. Main crossing point for vehicles, the troops had to ford it a few km down River.
John took my punctured the to the local garage where my chambre d'air was repaired so it now keeps d'air in it. 6 euro. At home the same repair cost £20.
Pizza, giant cookie and ice cream for dinner, then off to sleep in the neighbours yurt.
Many thanks tho Chris, Alix and family for their hospitality.
Wednesday, 5 July 2017
Tuesday, 4 July 2017
Tuesday 4th July - Volklingen
Nice little ride over the border in to Germany today to visit the Volklingen UNESCO world heritage site steel blast furnaces.
Huge site. The last steel was 'tapped' here 4th July 1986. Exactly 31 years ago. A lot of the site is being made visitor friendly with walkways installed and weeds and pigeons banished. Part of the site though has been left to become your typical brown field industrial wasteland with budlea thriving.
All very interesting and the scale of the works is incredible, but there is no real explanation to tell you what you are looking at or how the various parts of the site worrked together as one to take the raw materials in, feed the blast furnace and output steel. Some simple labels would help. Instead we were left trying to work stuff out from our limited schoolboy knowledge of how steel is made and looking at the machinery to imagine what it may have done. In an odd way that actually kept the interest up trying to puzzle it out for yourself. One thing is for certain though, no matter where you worked in that place it must have been like hell on earth. That's certainly the vision you get. Hard physical work in a harsh environment, something trying to harm you - either dust or heat, or great chunks of machinery flying around. This may be why they named the over grown part' paradise'.
With no shade in the car park, the land rovers all had interiors like a blast furnaces when people returned. Temperature has definitely risen today.
A run back in to France for the night at St. Avoid. All this area is very industrial,-part of the Saar valley. Campsite is green though, up on a little hill, Felsburg, away from the town. John went for a short walk in the evening in to the town and back via a shall commonwealth cemetery. Mostly ww1, but some from ww2 and memorials for forces occupying post ww2.
First curry of the trip. Made with 'Chuck Masala'. Went down very well.
Monday, 3 July 2017
Monday 3rd July - on the move
People fuelled up on porridge, and us cars fuelled up 8 km down the road. Shortly afterwards, Henry, Dave's car, lost his fuel pump. Unusual to hear Dave on the radio saying he has a problem. Very quick pit stop, considering, to fit spare fuel pump and on our way once again. Buzzards had been circling above having sensed a wounded animal.
Generally heading south we kept away from the main routes. Up and over a number of hills, long straight roads between towns. We fuelled up again on cheap petrol in Luxembourg. Town of Martelange - one side of the road is in Belgium, the other side in Luxembourg - the side with petrol stations as far as the eye could see. Take your pick of brand.
Heading for the Maginot line we successfully crossed the Tour De France line before the roads were closed and barred our way.
Arrived at the Hackenburg fort on the Maginot line in time for the tour. Two hours long, well worth the time and entrance fee. Includes two train rides through the tunnels from the ammunition stores to the gun emplacements. Huge underground complex and this was just one of many. Working turret demonstrated - raised out the ground and turned. Quite cold in the bunkers though. Too much like John's usual working environment.
Ready to leave, and I have to call everyone back when I realise I have a puncture. Again, quick pit stop to change and we are on our way to camp site. Supplies bought for Dave's Chilli en route. First self catered evening meal of the trip.
Campsite in Thionville, on the banks on the Moselle.
Day of mishaps continues when glass saucepan lid is dropped and shatters all over the wash room floor. DOH!
Sunday 2nd July - the full English
Another easy day to follow a hard day.
Full English breakfast cooked on a Sankey trailer field kitchen. Full works, including the sausages and black pudding brought over by us.
After the game of swivel bowls, at which we were all knocked out in the first round, some of us went to look at the timber framed farm house Carl is restoring/rebuilding. Definitely a labour of love, and Carl has shown a lot of skills in what he has done already - oak beams replaced and restored, brickwork and plaster work. Not to mention all the clearing out of tons of crap that filled the celler and garden. No one else seems to want to keep these old buildings, preferring to knock down and build new.
People started drifting away throughout the afternoon, so just a few left for the evening and to eat up the BBQ and buffet leftovers.
Saturday 1st July - mud, frites and mayonnaise.
Green leaning day today.
Rain started at 4AM and was relentless until 6PM. Very English.
This meant all the tracks we used were muddy. A clay like wet and sticky gloopy mud. Much like Salisbury Plain chocolate goo.
Anyway, a good mixture of tracks varying from Belgian pavé to literally pushing a track through a field. Fields prepared for potatoes with their ridges and furrows. Really gave the suspension a workout.
Lunch shop was at a friteur. Big bowl of frites with good helping of Belgian style mayonnaise.
More lanes after lunch, with a few cars stuck in the sticky stuff when diffs ground out.
After a good 7 hours out on the lanes, back to campsite for big BBQ. More Belgian beer to finish the day of nicely, just as the sun comes out.
Saturday, 1 July 2017
Friday30th June- Opheers
After a very long day yesterday, glad for a test day today.
John gave me a quick check, all seems fine. Fettled around a bit to load stuff better. Then a run into the town of Heers to fill up with fuel.
John and others then walked back into town, a swift beer, and then back again in time for the buffet of local specialities. Everyone has bought some food from their home, so a large table is laden with a lot of good food. Sweet and savoury. Even a joint of roast beef freshly cooked on a BBQ.
Lovely evening, but with a bit of a chilly wind blowing. Glad of the big fire later on.
Tomorrow is a green lane trip, so back to work again for me.
Thursday, 29 June 2017
Dunkerque to Opheers
Early start, off the ferry. 5AM local. A run to the town of Ypres where an open bakery meant an early brew up and pain au chocolat. A quick look around at the rebuilt sites including the Menen Gate.
Onwards, keeping off the main routes, passing many ww1 sites including the Hooge crater caused by explosives in tunnels mined beneath German trenches. All very horrific.
Belgium very flat to start with, but as we travelled eastwards the land became more hilly and interesting. Up through forests and along straight roads lined with trees to offer shade to travelers. Windmills old and new.
Arrived Opheers 3 ish. A few spots of rain as the tents went up, but a nice evening now.
Beer tent is supplying nice Belgian beer.
Dockside at Dover
At last.
Expecting a bad journey and it exceeded expectations. M3 closed north of fleet services meant one long queue along A30 all the way to the M25. Then M20 shut, pushed on to M2, which was then also shut. So just about 5 hours, and about an extra 30 ish miles.
John meet a chap from Edinburgh who'd taken just 7.5 hours to get here. OK, a faster car, but even so. He was actually Belgian, but had a strong Scottish accent, especially when swearing.
I went off him when he told John it was about time he got on and restored me.
Time for a snooze..... Power nap more like.
Wednesday, 28 June 2017
Well I'm ready!
I'm packed, fuelled and checked. Quick run to bounce and settle the load.
(Picture for packing reference - bit of a jigsaw how it fits in.)
Stag robbed of its washer nozzles - at least a part of the Stag will now make a trip to the Alps even if John never takes the whole car. Mind, considering the amount of spares I'm carrying, he'd need a support truck for the soares he'd probably take for that.
John still hasn't packed.
T minus 12 hours
This seems appropriate at the moment...
No packing done yet. There are piles of stuff dotted around the house and garage, but nothing loaded into me yet.
And John hasn't even thought about packing his stuff - but that's about normal.
My windscreen washers are also in bits I notice.
Tuesday, 20 June 2017
Saturday, 26 July 2014
Where's Charlie?
Tuesday, 1 July 2014
Where's Charlie?
I am here (01/07/2014 09:59): 51.56562 N 1.78775 W http://maps.google.com/maps?q=51.56562,-1.78775&z=12&object=embed
Monday, 30 June 2014
Charlie's home!
Sunday, 29 June 2014
Esbjerg
Uneventful day today. Thankfully.
Short run from campsite to Esbjerg. Continued down the scenic coastal route. Today in sunshine, so different to yesterday. Flat as a pancake.
Plenty of time to kill in Esbjerg, but it was all shut. As it happened the queue for the ferry took ages anyway.
I'm safely on board, parked up in exactly the same spot as on outbound voyage. Time for a rest.
Not quite so calm a crossing as before, but not too bad. Which is good news for the others as they've just stuffed their faces at the on board buffet
Where's Charlie?
I am here (29/06/2014 16:46): 55.46204 N 8.43886 E http://maps.google.com/maps?q=55.46205,8.43886&z=12&object=embed
Hvinde Sande - Denmark
He soon had the gear stick welded up and it is a superb job. It won't be replaced with a new one.
Back to hotel and they had it all back together in no time. Quick test drive then on our way. We'd been told to take the scenic coastal route, which included a 20km stretch along a beach.
Part way along the beach, like a mirage, through the drizzle, a group of land rovers, headlamps blazing, appeared in the distance. I don't know which group was more surprised to see the other. A local group outing who had just decided to go along the beach too. A stop for a chat and then we were on our way as the weather wasn't very conducive to standing around. It was cold and pissing it down.
We trundled onwards, and then a dash to catch a little ferry. We were told at a petrol station that we had 20 minutes to make it 24km, or we'd have to wait 2 hours for the next. We made it but were denied as it was stuffed full of camper vans. Luckily, we had less time to wait than we feared for it to return. Not happy with the docking. I was right at front of ferry and when they opened the doors a few minutes before docking it felt like I was hanging out over the sea.
With the crossing the weather improved massively, and we had an hours drive in the sunshine to the chosen campsite. Close to the beach, behind the dunes. On a narrow spit of land between the sea and a lake.
Because of the scenic route I've done a lot more miles than I was expecting to, but thankfully Denmark is flat so not too much effort required.
Saturday, 28 June 2014
Where's Charlie?
I am here (28/06/2014 18:43): 55.98689 N 8.13281 E http://maps.google.com/maps?q=55.9869,8.13281&z=12&object=embed
Friday, 27 June 2014
Larvik to Hirtshals
We had the whole day to do a shortish distance to catch the ferry to Denmark today. So rather than sit on the boring main route we decided to take the slow road.
None of us knew just how slow it would become.
Lovely twisty turny roads up and down low hills running alongside rivers. Coming up to a bend, John went to change down to third and my gearstick snapped off at the root. John managed to yell 'big problem' on the CB to the others and then quickly pulled in to a very handy layby.
Stick had brittle snapped right at base, slightly inside the ball of the selector so it meant there was no way of attaching anything temporary to either get it out of third or to use to drive further.
Needed to take all front floor, transmission tunnel, and bell housing cover off so selector mechanism could be removed. This allowed us to select 2nd gear, and we would have the bits loose should we find some one who could weld the stick back together again.
Floor back in the car and I then had to do the next 50 miles in 2nd. Luckily, with my range rover diffs still in place I could trundle along at about 35mph, but I still held up plenty of traffic. Unfortunately not many camper vans were held up - that would have been some payback.
We decided to just head for the ferry. If we saw something promising on route we would stop. Sure enough, James spotted a series 2 in someone's garden, (he has an uncanny knack of spotting series land rovers) we stopped but they were out.
Fortunately the road was easy, reasonably level, and I didn't have too many roundabouts to deal with until I hit Larvic. There I'm afraid I just bombed it across a few not being very courteous. I had to stop at a pedestrian crossing for two old people though, one with sticks, the other with a trolley. I suspect they were waiting for me.
Made it on to the ferry, and with some help from the 'home team' ( Cassie) I have a welder to go and see in Hirtshals tomorrow morning.
Getting away from the ferry terminal was a bit of a problem in Hirtshals. In first gear you can't go very fast down a dual carriageway. Found a pull off, stopped and got into second gear. Hotel only 5 miles down the road, safe and sound for the night.
Where's Charlie?
I am here (27/06/2014 22:16): 57.55561 N 9.93288 E http://maps.google.com/maps?q=57.55561,9.93288&z=12&object=embed
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