Sunday 18th August 2013 Krakow

Today its a chill our day in the van. We are still at the camping Clepardia site in Krakow and as its so hot we have done the washing and planned our next stop overs and routes.

Tomorrow we leave the site early and part company with our little convoy. As we have to be back in England for that dreaded four letter word WORK.

Our friends are continuing the journey over to the Czech city of Prague before heading back up through Germany. We have to go straight into Germany on Monday so we can have time to visit places there.

The free wi-fi on the site is quite good and we have completed the planning. But now its time for a beer and a relax in the sun.

Saturday 17th August visiting the Salt mines.

After much deliberation whether to drive in the van or catch the local buses we decided to just go on the local tourist trip. At that time we found out that the trip was not really suitable for disabled access in the small bus and also with the guided tours. Doreen decided to stay and visit the local lido as it was so hot. Once we had undertaken the trip ourselves it was really not wheelchair friendly. We were so glad we didn't attempt the trip by local transport as the driver arranged everything for us. It was absolutely amazing and highly recommended for anyone in the area.

Friday 16th August 2013, Krakow old town

Off we set armed with bits of paper in English with bus and tram numbers on how to get into the historic old town centre. We cobbled together the zlotys in change needed and found the right bus stop and bus. It was lucky that the bendy bus was new with disabled facilities so we could get Doreen on easily. However when we got off the bus it was not quite so easy. We asked a local the way to the centre and were directed via a subway underpass across the main road. There were steps and what what appeared to be a step ramp for wheels. It was a challenge to get the wheelchair down and even more of a challenge to get it back up the other side. Even a small local boy had his hands over his mouth in shock waiting for a disaster.

We finally navigated our way into the the old town square. 

The buildings eere beautiful and the place was full of music traditional dancers and local handicraft stalls. 

Chuck and Doreen had great fun shopping for bargains after lunch. We searched for a birthday present and looked at the local trinkets. It was really too hot at 33 degrees to wander around the town and when we met up again it was straight back to the bus stop. 

The stop was just outside the local supermarket and a bottle of local gin was bought. Just to test it of course for quality. With a slice of lemon and two bottles of tonic later the tester bottle was given the McKelvie seal of approval, empty. Must buy more!

Thursday 15th August 2013

We set off fairly early and had a nice drive to Kracow with very little disruption.   Only when we arrived in the town centre and Doris the sat nav failed again. A local taxi driver showed us the way. We were so glad that today is classed as a public bank holiday in Poland. This meant that the main roads were really quiet and even the motorway was clear.

We arrived at the camping Clepardia site in the centre of Kracow. The lovely Lucas offered us the free wi-fi password and details in English of the local sights and bus and tram routes. As its a bank holiday everything is closed today so tomorrow we will explore as we have a few days here.

The only problem wad that John parked the van up on the chocks and then forgot to put on the handbrake. As Laine was getting the beer from the fridge, the van rolled off the chocks but luckily the van stopped as it smacked into a tree and slightly damaged the bike rack.  As you can imagine the air was blue and Laine was giving up motorhoming after all the bad luck on this
trip, but we picked up her dummy and gave her it back.
The prize for rooting out bargains for this trip must go to Chuck who managed to find some very palatable 6% beer for only 31p. We will send him shopping again. We have decided to stay on the camping Clepardia site for the weekend. Its a beautiful place close to a local open air Lido for swimming and transport. We even have free washing machines so all the laundry and bedding have been refreshed for the journey.

Wednesday 14th August

Today we set off from Slawa to make our way down Poland.  As our sat nav didn't cover the area, John took the lead followed by Chuck and we were last of our little convoy.  The tiny country lanes took longer to cover than thought as we headed for Wschowa. There we picked up a slightly better road to Leszno before heading to Wroclaw.
Once we got into Wroclaw we seemed to have difficulty with all types of navigation. Doris (John's sat nav) kept advising them to turn right into fields and do a u-turn. Eventually Laine asked a local for directions and several views of the same road in different sides eventually led us onto the toll road motorway. John had his new toll box and the barrier lifted up like magic. Chuck and I took tickets to pay at the exit.
We had planned ahead for an overnight stop at Gora Sw Anny which is  national park area. Coming off the motorway led us to a signposted little village. As we drove though the locals came out to watch three large motor homes get to the end of their little village and a dirt track! Turn around again.
Locals directed us up the next road on the right to a slightly larger village. So we set off again. We came to a road sign blocking off half the road which we were on. It looked like a no entry sign but as were not sure, John went round the barriers in any case and we all followed.

There did not seem to be anything on the road then the other side of the road disappeared. Next we came across workmen still constructing the road. It must have been the best road in Poland as we were the first traffic on it. I am sure the workmen were on the phone to each other laughing at the three English vans travelling the road still under construction.

When we finally found the site it was a lovely quiet site with excellent facilities.  

Shortly after we arrived two German vans and another MCC van arrived. We were glad we had got on first. The shower and toilet facilities were great and the host even showed us a rally room if it got cold on the evening.  The wine came out and we had a good natter before an early night. 

79th FICC rally in Slawa Poland

 This was our first FICC rally and what great fun we have had. Les and Joyce have been really helpful in sorting things out and keeping everyone updated on plans.
as usual what happens on tour stays on tour but there have been a few incidents which just have to be shared. Photos to follow in updates.
The opening parade saw everyone in national dress or our blue MCC shirts.

Northern counties group had a great representation at the rally.

Other groups put on a great show with their costumes even though it was 39 degrees.

Each group or country held a street party. Ours was a great success as we offered loads of freebies and cups of British tea. There must have been hundreds turn up as they demolished the food within half an hour. Most waited for their cup of tea rather than have a beer.

The only problem was the MCC party followed the Germany party. A few went over to Germany party and tasted the waffles and cream. There were lots of little tastes of German liquors and spirits. Of course Roger and Gordon managed to stay at the German party for over two hours drinking all the free drinks they could find. I even heard on the grapevine that one of them managed to 'claim' the little shot glasses as well. As you can imagine they were well drunk by the time they staggered back for our MCC party.

Following our party we headed off for the Turkey party. Lovely young ladies offered turkish delight. Gordon by then was the worse for drink after being topped up with a couple of Raki shots. He staggered over to a Turkish van and fell asleep in their chairs under their van awning. The poor turkish lady thought he had taken ill. Janice dragged him back to the van and he then refused to go to bed but slept under Jim and Elaine's awning.

Gordon was in no fit state to continue on to the Russian party. We all walked down but Roger staggered and giggled all the way. He even fell over into the bushes and couldn't get back up. Once we reached the Russian party we tried to steer him away from the vodka but he found it. We were worried he would pull down the awning on the Russian van he was holding and swaying. Ann was not impressed when she caught up with him. But Roger didn't care as he said he had had the best day ever.

On Saturday evening we were all invited for a typical Polish meal and free drinks in the marquee on the beach. The organisation left a lot to be desired. Cans of beer were given out and the meal consisted of a large crusty bread bun with the top cut off and filled with soup. It may sound nice but the soup had offcuts of different types of sausage and even hard boiled eggs in the soup. Not many of us ate it.

To make up for the meal we didn't like. We planned to make a plan of panacalty. Which is a traditional northern dish made from potatoes onions and corned beef. Each family has their own recipes for it. Chuck gathered the ingredients and put four pans on the hobs. Everybody kept coming round with the wholesome smell. Once it was made we put the lot into a large bucket to ensure all the lot was mixed. It was dished out and everyone enjoyed the meal. People from elsewhere in the country came for a taste. We didn't tell them that Laine  had washed her knickers out in the bucket that morning.

All the planned coach trips had been booked up so the lovely Gill and Paul from NWMNW group arranged our own MCC coach trip to Zelena Gira. This is the city which has Baccus the god of wine as a local emblem.  There were little bronze statues all over the old town. On most of the statues Baccus the god of wine was displaying his manhood!

The final closing ceremony on Tuesday had a beautiful choir. It was really good to hear that the MCC won the award for being the group with the smallest number of members and the largest percent of members attending. That's another trophy Les has to transport back to England. 

Ferry, what ferry?

Before we set off from Werner, Roger said he checked his planned journey and the sat nav snooper asked if he wanted to avoid the ferry. As we all laughed at him as we knew the journey was in the middle of the country, he shrugged and walked off.

 Set off in small groups but planning to meet up at zeilona gora campsite. The planned route was to travel through Germany down the border to avoid potential toll in Poland. We set off and had a lovely journey through villages and down to Frankfurt.

 We crossed the border into Poland it was clear the no mans land of the crossing must must have been really intimidating at the time. Loads of low whitewashed buildings obviously could hold hundreds of army troups to protect the border.  It was quite unnerving to drive through and very still.
As soon as we got through into Poland our little group stopped at the first service station for fuel.

Our sat nav then showed only a little arrow in the middle. We had not even checked that it covered Poland! From here Chuck and us were driving on paper maps only but Gordon and John had routes planned. So we had a real convoy.

Off to zeilona gora for the campsite and when we arrived we were met by Jim and Elaine. The campsite had closed two years earlier and nothing had been updated.

Should we wild camp here or find some where else.  During lunch we contacted Les Kendrick who agreed for us to turn up a day early for the rally.
Roger also had joined us by this time and our little convoy of five vans continued. John took the lead with his sat nav with Roger at the rear. This meant that us and Chuck could really be in convoy and play follow the leader.

New Polish roads confused all electronics and when John stopped worried by the sign for a large ferry and checked whether we were on the right road. The maps showed correct so on we went.

We arrived at a tiny ford. It consisted of the main road laying under the river. A small pontoon was in place with two blokes hauling cars over with two ropes on a pulley. There was  motorhome already there from Denmark. Once the men say the size of the vans and insisted there was a strict 6 ton limit. We all had to attempt a three point turn and go back. We were only about 5k from our destination but it could have been a continent away.

As Roger had already calculated the non ferry route, we made him lead. Off we set again and our five vans became six as the Denmark van joined up.

Considering we were so close to Slawa at the ferry it took another 90 minutes to drive round the lake via all the tiny villages.
It was a welcome relief to arrive at the Slawa camp site and as we all moved into the MCC area, a northern counties welcome committee waved union jacks and cheered as we arrived and the ever welcoming Les and Joyce showed us to our plot.

it seemed lots of vans had attempted the closed overnight stop and nearly went on the ferry. So at least we didnt feel so daft at our travel trials.

The journey to Poland begins..

Well finally we have wi-fi to upload the first installment of the road trip.  Five northern counties vans met up at North Shields at brewers fair for lunch on Friday 2nd August.  We were all prepared for a nice relaxing time as it was Roger's birthday.  The others had ordered lunch and were seated before Roger came rushing in panicking about missing the ferry.
Apparently as he went to lock up the house, the alarm decided at that moment to play up.  One very expensive emergency call out later, Roger had rushed out of the house still clutching his house phone.  Now we don't know whether he thought he would be able to receive his home phone calls if he brought it with him or whether it was just an oversight, but he took some jokes about it.  Lunch and a beer for his birthday seemed to have the required calming effect.

The ferry crossing was ideal and apparently there was entertainment on the ship.  We missed most of it as we kept ourselves amused with people watching.  As it was a Friday ferry, there were loads of stag and hen parties all bound for Amsterdam.  One party befriended our group and became quite attached to 'Uncle Gordon'. The groom Matty donned lipstick, a basque, tutu and fishnet stockings.  The lads had convinced him that we were part of his stag party and surely he must remember Uncle Gordon.  Poor Matty was well out of it by tea time, although the best man was 'looking after him'. Personally I think it was revenge for his own stag do.

We were one of the first vans off the ferry but had to wait a while for the others to emerge and fuel up. A convoy of the five vans headed off through Amsterdam and despite rumours, not one stopped off at a 'cafe'.   We headed for a service station for a cuppa and a bite to eat.  Suitably re-fuelled, we set off again and barely made it back on the motorway with John travelling in front of us.  All of a sudden the was an almighty bang and bits of tyre headed for our windscreen.  After a piece of swifty manouvering we missed it and Roger drove over it behind us.  Three vans stopped and checked the tyre. Luckily John has double wheels and the outside one had completely shredded on the hot roads.

We pulled into a parking area just in front and John limped along the hard shoulder.  John Roger and myself  changed  the tyre.  Well I say we three changed the tyre but John got dirty under then van aligning the jack and lifting up the van, I undid the wheel nuts and changed the tyre for the spare and Roger supervised and appeared to be praying to allah that some one could fix it!   Unfortunately, the tyre had also damaged the side of the van when it went and tore off the wheel  arch and some of the back facing. The wiring then had to be secured safely before we could all set off again.  We had to calm Laine down as by then she was ready to head back home, but it was all sorted and back on the road again within 40 minutes.

We found our first overnight stop which was all agreed on.  When we arrived slightly hot and bothered, we were greeted by two more Northern Counties vans with Eric and Jo, and Jim and Elaine.  We had our own little mini rally with seven northern counties vans and 14 visitors from europe in Germany! It was a usual Saturday night socialising for  us all with plenty of wine.

Sunday morning the church bells awaoke us and after a substantial breakfast groups of our little tour set off again for the trip to Werner for the next planned stop over. We followed Gordon who decided on the scenic route through Hamblin which made a change from motorway travel.   It was just  another long day travelling as we arrived in the afternoon to try and find our way into a site which the local council had appeared to have blocked all access with the use of bollards and one way streets.  Everybody struggled with the local roadworks and after several dead ends and U-turns (no mean feat in some vans in a residential steeet) at one point Gordon took the lead and ignored the one way system roadworks and went ahead. To which we all sheepishly followed, much to the fist shaking of local road users.  But we pleaded as ingorant English drivers who did not understand the road signs and arrived at the overnight stop.

Werner was a lovely little town and we were right next to the marina.  They even held an open air theatre production of the Rocky Horror show on across the water.  We wandered around the town and had a
delicious ice cream before agreeing that we didn't want to stay a full day in the town and would carry on as planned to the next stop.