Tuesday 12 Sept Day 3

A bit more driving today, just 216 km into Germany and our favourite winery stop over in GAU_BICKERHEIM.  

We aim to stock up for our travels. 

N49°50'23" E8°1'19"

Monday 11th Sept day 2

We left the Canterbury Park and ride onto Dover fir our crossing with DFDS into Dunkirk. We prefer this destination as its straight into Belgium with minimal time in France. 

It's a gloriously sunny day at 22° in the UK. 

Straight into Dudelange at 32°

This is a nice little free camperstop with water, elsan and electricity. Close to the train station where all public transport is free throughout the country.

To Cyprus and more

DAY 1  Sunday September 10th 2023

Well as usual, we think we have packed everything for the trip. Then a final read of our organised tour itinerary and Allan realises that we still hadn't got any Turkish Lire  and it was cash only tolls according to our itinerary.

Luckily Asda travel money was open and I was dutifully despatched to procure toytown cash. While Allan got the van off the drive. 

OK, on our way finally to Canterbury Park and ride overnight before the ferry in the morning. Let's just hope there are no more delays.

2019 Adventure

That's it,  we have  both had enough of the news and all the politicians throwing their toys out of the pram cause then can't get their own way!  It  is time to escape the UK before the Brexit shambles implodes.

Today we are leaving via Hull, we haven't used this port before so it should be a change of view as we sail to Rotterdam.  Finally we have upgraded to an outside cabin and twin beds.  No longer attempting to climb down that awful metal ladder when half asleep to nip to the loo.  Although I admit, last time we were on the ferry, I dragged the mattress off the top bunk and put it on the floor to sleep! I am getting too old for climbing up those heights!

Tomorrow, (Thursday 5th Sept 2019) we arrive in the Netherlands to make our way on to Germany.  Our first stop though, is to the local German Lidl store.  We have 3 bags of empty cans and bottles which were bought from Germany last year and need returning and recycling.  At first I called Hubby all the tight wad names about keeping the empties for over a year. But when they were returned and I got a bottle of gin out of the proceeds I no longer complain.  It also does our bit for the planet and recycling.

I will attempt to fight technology and post daily our journey and stop over locations of people want to follow in our footsteps on tour.

tootles
Kim

It's that time again

The planning and preparing for a road trip. This time we are a bit more adventurous and are setting off on our own. We don't even have any planned meet ups along the way. At least there will be friends waiting for us when we finally get to the FICC rally in Croatia

Relaxing at Rinteln, Germany

We stopped at the Rinteln site on the way over into Poland but it was a quick overnight stay and we didnt get time to look at the town.  As the camperstop was a free site with a nominal charge for electricity and water we decided to return and explore some more.  It can be found at the coordinates N520  11' 32"  and E90 4' 42"51° 36' 25"

 The site is next to the river and over the road from an outdoor swimming and water park.

 The town is  very traditional wood based buildings and is really pretty.

Here we met the same lady with her Turkish rescue dog that we talked to at Burg and later the German van which was parked next to us at Wolfsburg parked again next to us at Rinteln.  we must all have the same routes planned!
We stayed for two night in the sunshine before we were planning heading back into the Netherlands after the weekend.

VW Autostadt, Wolfsburg, Germany

On our travels we were advised to vist the Volkswagon Autostadt in Wolfsburg.  Volkswagon have built a sort of theme park on cars.  Although we were not sure whether we were going to visit the cars or just to stay on their available motorhome camperstop for the night, it turned out to be one of the best visits of the trip.

If anyone is travelling across Germany and is heading for Berlin it is well worth the time to stop off at Wolfsburg.  Follow the VW Autostadt signs in the town and once there the Motor home night stop is signposted.  It might show on a Sat Nav POI as an amusement park.  There is free electric hook ups and water but no elsan disposal on site.  The parking only costs the same as their long stay parking which is free from 7pm to 6am and then 3E per day.  

We purchased a day pass but others went in after 4pm for a reduced rate and discounts for those over 60years and disabled. The central reception lead off to the education and renewable energy interactive section and lots of shops and restaurants.

There was a section for each make of car, this beautiful designed building housed the Porche models.

This below was a one off prototype Golf which was a mean machine for rallying

As part of the day ticket, we also had a panoramic cruise on the river boat to show the length of the manufacturing plant.  Site visits were also available

 The museum was fantastic with many old and unique vehicles.

They even have their own power plant on site!

This customised beetle had gold paint, rhinestones on the bumper and chrome and a pink damask interior.  It was definitely pimped!

Even this bike housed a V8 engine!

The view of the storage towers lit up from the camper stop.
One of the highlights is the musical water displays which the 10pm showing includes a laser light show.  Many locals head into the autostadt for an evenings entertainment.  It was definitely worth the visit.