Burg, Germany a bit of peace and quiet

As we couldn't wait to leave the big city behind we planned our next stop in a tiny village off the motorway heading east. Burg was quite small  but they had a lovely stellplatz in a restaurant guesthouse. We explored the village and stayed at the pension stellplatz on Thursday 22nd August.

We liked this town as it had its very own Adria Cafe.  It made us feel at home from our Adria van.

it may only have been the local post office but it was an impressive building.

Our own personal parking space! peace and quiet at last.  Well it was peaceful until we heard and tracked down the woodpecker in a tree!

Later another little van turned up with a lady who was touring with her dog. The dog was a lovely black shaggy thing which took a liking to Allan and refused to move from his feet after being petted up. We were told it was a rescue dog from Turkey; it obviously ignored instructions in every language.

Up to Berlin, Germany

We left our little convoy on Monday 19th August in Krakow.  John and Chuck still have another few weeks to spare but we have to get back to the UK and our ferry was booked.  They were wandering off to the Czech Republic but we decided to head off alone back into Germany.  I think we needed time to learn the ropes and adjust to the touring lifestyle by ourselves.  Our main task was to get out of Poland without a working sat nav, but we we were heading straight up the motorway toll roads it wasn't too difficult.  I was wondering what other drivers were moaning about the state of the roads in Poland until I took the main motorway.  The road north was new with obvious rest places built and gantries for tolls.  However on the southbound side, the road was in original distressed concrete blocks with weeds and holes every metre.  No wonder everyone was complaining.  we had found a few unusual road surfaces in our travels from brand new under construction roads, to ones with 2m x 3m holes down 4inches to the bedrock but not coned off so drivers were having to try and swerve around the extreme potholes.

 Our first stop was just over the border in Germany in a little village of Dobern.  We had found the site in the Bord Atlas at co-ordinates N51° 36' 25" and E14°  36' 43" this turned out to be a lovely little stellplatz where we were the only one parking there.  The small site had electricity water and showers and a very friendly owner of the village guesthouse who made us very welcome all for 8Euros.

After relaxing there for the night we set off again the next morning for Berlin.  our first impression was not good.  As we dropped off the motorway into the centre of the city to find the stellplatz, half a dozen young men jumped out at the traffic lights and squirted a liquid at the van.  They smeared the liquid over the screen in the pretence of washing the windscreen.  They banged on the windows and tried the cab and habitation door handles to try and get in demanding money.  After all the journey through Poland where people were warning of incidents we had no problems and were made welcome.  Only in Berlin were we accosted.  We tried to find the site recommended in the centre Mitte but as all the roads were dug up with major building works and one way systems were in place we soon gave up and headed off for the next overnight stop at Spandau.  What a bleak site that was! as they were charging 15Euro per night there were very little facilities and they charged extra for the showers and water.

The local M45 bus took us into the centre of Berlin into the Zoo Gardens bus station and from there we boarded the sightseeing bus tour.  While the tour was interesting and there were some lovely historical buildings, we really didn't like Berlin and couldn't wait to get out of the big city.

 The last Russian border

 remnants of the Berlin wall showing the East side Gallery of world renowned artists

 The Brandenburg gate

 ...and finally after putting up with the sights of Berlin, a hard earned beer or two  in the local beer garden.  Well if that was Berlin we have seen it and its time to go.... other places to see.

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.