Greece by the sea

Having left our beautiful campsite in Bulgaria we left early heading for Greece.  As usual we passed thousands of desolate looking blocks of Communist era flats.  It is clearly going to take vast sums of money and time to put all this right. The day got hotter and hotter and the windows have now started to open on the truck.  Not too much of a problem at the border, the non EU lot had to get out at customs and talk with the officials but no problems and we were soon away.  Having entered Greece we stopped on a minor track to have some lunch and within 15 mins a truck pulled up full of teenagers and a very nice lady who said she was teaching the group English and they had heard about our amazing vehicle.  We have now arrived at our seaside campsite at Androlopolous. After 10 mins we had put up tents and all run off to the beach side bar.  Looking good. Julia just wants me to mention the late night poker night she was involved in at the campsite when she took everyone to the cleaners.

Bliss in Bulgaria

Having recovered from the 4 hour walking tour of Prague we had another early start and drove all day through Slovakia without stopping before entering Rumania. It was pretty much as you would expect, very poor and very dirty with litter everywhere.  The cattle walking through piles of litter and dogs roaming about. Having said that, we stopped overnight at a remote wild spot called the Turda Gorge.  In the morning we all set out with one group climbing in a cave while Julia and I and some others walked up the gorge and to the top which was a mamoth task as it was very steep and very hot. The next day we sey off again and drove to Bucharest.  This is a city not yet found by tourists, the main reason being it is a dump! Perhaps a bit unkind but true.  We all met up in the evening and had dinner in a nice restaurant before getting a taxi back to the campsite. Yet another early start and as I was on breakfast duty I was up at 6.00am rolling up things and setting up for the other travellers.  We then set off again for the border with Bulgaria.  As usual just before the border we stopped at a service station and all piled in to spend the last of our Li, a strange plastic note currency.  We are now experts at service stations throughout Europe.  Having got in to Bulgaria we drove up into beautiful countryside to a campsite owned by brits.  Very nice, and they do a full English breakfast!!

Internet duffers in Prague

Well, that's a great way to spend 30 minutes.  Trying to work out how to see your blog in English.

The story so far:  Met up in London and boarded a coach with a bunch of strangers and drove to Dover where we boarded a ferry.  The weather at this point was cold and as it has turned out has stayed that way until Prague.  We camped our first night in Belgium and were given our various duties which at this stage meant Julia being in charge of the valuables in the on-board safe and me on taking the luggage off when we stop to camp and back on again when we leave.  I think she got the best deal.  We have been making early starts being on the road by 0800hrs having washed, dressed eaten breakfast, packed away tents and loaded the truck! I can tell you are impressed.
Our first proper stop was Koln.  We pitched camp and then walked in.  That took just over an hour brisk walking and we then wandered around the city doing the usual tourist things before meeting up with our group at a restaurant.  We had typical German food and beer before walking around like lost sheep trying to work out the tram system to get back.
From Koln we drove to Bamberg in the old East of Germany.  A typical German Medieval City.  Some of us decided to take a bus tour of the city which was fine however, the guide spoke at length in German and the English consisted of 'there is a Church over there'.
The following day we drove all day to Prague, stopping briefly for lunch at a service station where we rummaged around for change to use the loo.  Our campsite is two tram rides from the city so much map reading and pointing has taken place.  We have now completed our 4 hour walking tour and am feeling a bit weary.  I don,t know how long we can sit in this internet cafe before being asked to leave.
Meeting up with the group at a restaurant in the city at 7pm, yes, it is hell eating your way across Europe..

We will attempt to update in a few days.  The so called internet access at the campsites has not worked so far.

Time to Go!

This is it, the day we leave Devon and head off to London to join the other mad people heading off into the unknown.  Julia and I have managed to get 6 months worth of stuff into our rucksacks, we could easily have taken twice as much but we have had to be realistic.  The house is tidy and ready for our grown up children with their children to come and visit and 'look after' our place.  It seems everyone in the village knows we are going and want to know the details so a walk around involves a lot of explanations.  We have been wined and dined by our friends and so many offers of help that it just confirms how lucky we are to live in this community.  For those of you who read this and don't know, we live in the village of Ashprington, in the South hams of Devon.  If their is a Gods Country then this is it.
Today we catch a train from Totnes and head off to London for an overnight stay at the Double Trees Hotel at Victoria and catch a coach outside at 7.30am Sunday.  Our new group then heads off for Dover before catching up with our truck, Calypso, in Belgium.
I'm just off to turn off the water and unplug the TV, hope to catch up soon.