We're off again!

As appears to be normal, the van was in bits the day before we left - but its now reassembled, packed, and ready to go in the morning! As we had the idea of going snowboarding, we've just finished doing everything practical to winterise the van. We've removed both fresh and grey water tanks and insulated them to the hilt; insulated all pipework we can get to - including waste pipes; and also fitted a water heater to the cold water tank which should prevent freezing. We've also added some foam backed carpet; fleece blinds, and Mel has packed her hot water bottle! Hopefully the sun will be out in Malaga and the snow will be out in the mountains! Back in January sometime!!

What a stupid idea! Madness!

When coming back from Germany, we said "We're off to Spain/Portugal next - then where?". As in Feb the weather is crap, we thought about simply going snowboarding. So started googling snowboarding, then looked on the map to see where the resorts were. "Hmm - we actually almost pass Andorra and the Pyrenees on the way back, and oh look, there is a ski resort in Sierra Nevada just a few miles from Malaga......" Only problem, is the van really isn't winterised for really sub-zero temperatures. Cue:- - Installing pipe insulation - Installing extra "loft insulation" in all the gaps - Buying "frost heaters" and tank insulation for our fresh water tank - Buying snowboarding trousers. So currently, the van is in bits, the water tank is in the dining room, and we're awaing delivery of the last lot of parts. Hmmmmm. De Ja Vous from the last trip using the 11th hour to fit extra batteries! Where do these stupid ideas come from!!?!?! So maybe this year, Christmas on the beach, and New Year snowboading..... Maybe....

Week 5 over, and almost home!!

Blimey

Getting free wifi in Germany has been a challenge.  Always doable - but not where we can whack out the laptop.  So sorry for delays to emails :(

Week 5 update is http://www.doyourdream.co.uk/trip01week5.php

Enjoy!

We're on our way home

Slowly....  Just over 600 miles to go from where we are, and we'll be taking it slow.  Back at the weekend.  5 weeks down - just the one to go :(  Sad really.  But not for long - Spain and Portugal await!!

 

We have free (if iffy) wifi where we are currently staying - and can you ******* believe it!  There is a new series of TopGear which we've missed; Long Way Down has started again; and Spooks has also started!  Blimey!  Good job we can remotely control the home PC to record this stuff - though may need to use iPlayer for the missed versions.  The joys of no TV for a while!!!

Our German has improved - we can now happily order two LARGE beers rather than the poncy small glasses the locals use, and can sort out most day to day things we need to do.  Not very well I hasten to add - but we're clearly surviving.

 

Can't wait to see the news again and see the mess we left behind......

 

Oh - and well done to Lewis Hamilton!

We're as far away as we're going to be...

We’re in sunny Dresden - well overcast actually – and as far away from home as we’re going to be on this trip.  This sadly means from hereon we’ll be heading home through central (northern) Germany then back in around 10 days or so.  We have a few exciting things lined up so its not like we’re coming straight home.

Dresden appears to be a fantastic place – we’ve only just done a quick tour today but plan a longer day out there tomorrow with a blow out meal in the square.

Wish we’d actually looked at a map beforehand – as we didn’t realise how close Prague was to here – and thats a location we really want to go and see.  Just means it’ll be an excuse to come out here again as we can’t detour as we’ve only got a short pit stop before escaping again.

Got free wifi where we are staying – so we’d better check our Lottery numbers and Premium bonds – you never know...

 

All photos so far are uploaded and we’ll finish the geotagging over the next beer, and the diary for week 4 should be updated.

 

Its been a mental and busy trip so far – we are looking forward to bumming around the beach on our next one – our legs need a rest!!

Hi from Berlin

A sunny few days in Berlin camping 10m walk from Checkpoint Charlie. Loads to see here so quite tiring. Having rest with large hot chocolate and bagel! 4 weeks gone now and next week looks to be fun, then heading home :( Hi to everyone!