Two Drifters

Europe2017

Ich bin ein Berliner

Well we've made it to Germany's capital. Another 190 miles drive makes it a long day. One of our correspondents suggested that such journeys were commonplace but like Robert Frost, we hope taking the road less travelled will make all the difference. So rather than 3 hours or so banging

Europe2017

Nothing to see here, move on

There really is nothing to report today. It started raining just before midnight last night and hasn't really stopped since. It did ease right off at about 9 this evening and we ventured forth as far as the local pub but on our return a few minutes ago it is

Europe2017

"Bread of Heaven" v "Bland of Hope and Glory"

When did we English lose our love of bread? When did we consider bread to be something without taste, without texture, a product of Chorleywood that balls up on the pallete and does little for our fibre-loving bowels. Here in Germany the bread has character, even the bread in supermarkets

Europe2017

Thoughts on Maschsee Fest

Tired last night so didn't really comment on Germans at play at Maschsee Fest. The Fest itself does have live music, acts for children, local radio station special events etc but the main thrust seemed to be eating and drinking with lots of stands around the lake. Food was obviously

Europe2017

George Lucas meets Sir Terry Pratchett

Today's title speaks for itself: Statues on a church in Hanover seem prescient of 20th century sci-fi. A few other architectural features but my phone doesn't really do them justice, Liz's blog hopefully has better photos So you've probably gathered we've wandered into Hanover today, an easy bus ride from

Europe2017

Objects in the mirror are faster than they appear.

Again, mainly driving; striking West to Berlin. Today's destination is Hanover where we'll take a break for a couple of days. But first the simple matter of getting there! The first problem is that Münster is in the way. This would not be a problem if the main B51 road

Europe2017

All together now, "Gelderland, Gelderland, Gelderla-a-and, GEL-DER-LAND!"

No photos today, it's a driving day. 288 km, 180 miles, getting on for 4 hours going the scenic route and taking a stop. A first this morning, showering with dirty clothing laid on the shower floor and stomping around like a Burgundian grape treader to force body-rinsed soap and

Europe2017

The bells, the bells. But no diamonds.

Now we are on the north bank of the River Schelde, just on the north-west edge of Antwerp city. Trouble is the city is in the south bank. Fortunately there's a foot tunnel about 3/4 mile from the campsite, a pleasant walk past the marina of the Royal Belgian

Site News

Disaster averted

OK, so who is Sod, and how come he got to make a law? My home blog server has been humming away (metaphorically, in reality is totally silent) for several months now, untouched by human hand. Two days into this trip and we can no longer access it! My suspicion

Europe2017

All is well with the world

And I don't understand why we had trouble finding this place. We must have known we were close, after all this is right next door: [Private family joke] And whilst I'm using this entry just as an anchor for this evening's photos how about one of my more colorful neighbours:

Europe2017

Antwerp (without beer)

As you've probably gathered from the title we're safely in Belgium. Let's take the day in order. First stop, "ghost" shopping at Tesco; after getting there early at 9:45 to "use their facilities" we wandered around in the dark looking for a USB C cable until the lights came

Europe2017

And they're off...

Europe here we come. Having only returned from Lundy ( not in the van, for a change) early hours of Wednesday morning it was a bit of a panic to organise and pack. We were so chuffed that everything was packed last night. So why was it nearly 3pm before we

Scotland2017

Clockwork Swan

A simple day today. Wander down into Barnard Castle and take a look round, go to the Bowes Museum and Castle. A slow start, partly because, surprisingly, is very hot. Up to 23° or thereabouts. Traveling in May is always so unpredictable. It was so cold at the start of

Scotland2017

Mr Dale's Diary

We had to move on from the pub, so the van is in 'traveling' mode, the weather is nice, so why not travel? We only got as far as a mile down the road before our first stop, Eggleston Hall Gardens. A nice little garden to walk around but a

Scotland2017

Thanks Unthanks

Yesterday's Zebra billy can measuring proved inconclusive. There's only one thing for it, a quick dash into Edinburgh this morning before we leave, taking the billy can's proposed container with us. Almost a Cinderella slipper fit, but with perhaps the possibility of corns or bunions (weird metaphor, perhaps I should

Scotland2017

Underground, Overground (wombling free)

Everyday the bus had gone past The Nordic Shop, Edinburgh's Scandinavian Outdoor shop. I kept meaning to get off and go take a look. Last night we were talking about cooking options in the van and Liz mentioned Zebra billy cans. We mused that The Nordic Shop might be a

Scotland2017

We were wondering ...

when we'd see real Scottish weather. It rained steadily through the night and was raining, albeit quite lightly, when we got up. A few house-keeping tasks this morning that necessitate several trips in the rain. Emptying and cleaning the loo but even worse, the loo blue chemical bottle has leaked

Scotland2017

A pig playing bagpipes

Reunited with Liz today. Apparently she's expecting to be collected just after 10am, which means I have to be offsite before 9:30. 30 mins to put the van into "on the road" mode, 30 minutes to tidy away bedding and get breakfast, 30 mins for ablutions, teeth etc. Better

Scotland2017

Arthur and the soldiers

A simple plan today. Find the park and climb Arthur's Seat. Ah, OK it is the other side of the city so alight at Prince's Street, walk along it, up North Bridge along part of the Royal Mile to Holyrood, round the corner and I'm there. Easy! The Royal Mile?

Scotland2017

Sent away by the constabulary

Before anyone gets worked up by the title, it is a reference to where the police dismissed us. Leith. As in Sunshine Over and Trainspotting. Firstly Morningside. Morningside is a suburb of S Edinburgh on the bus route from the campsite. Rewind, first the campsite. Here's a picture, automatically enhanced

Scotland2017

Memories of Mrs Slocombe

The trouble with blogging is that if you stop you fall behind. I stopped over the weekend, fell behind, caught up Tuesday night but not Tuesday's adventures themselves and them last night I got distracted. So here I am in a bar Thursday tea time three days behind. At least

Scotland2017

Parting Of The Ways

Having eaten and drank in a Hawick last night it was time to explore the town and shop. Any border town is bound to have a fascinating history. In Hawick's case it is all about the ride. Lots of the border towns around here have annual "rides" but Hawick is

Scotland2017

Aires and Places

It may only be 3 miles or so to Craster but this could well be the busiest stretch of road we've been on since leaving the M1. Craster is a nice enough turn but surely not that nice to attract so much Sunday morning traffic. And boy, is Craster expensive

Scotland2017

Review: The Cottage Inn, Dunstan, nr Craster, Northumberland

Rating: Good Firstly, believe the signs! Yes, you do turn into the small woodland gravel road that seems to head into a forest. 50m later you will turn into a clearing that is the large pub car park. Gravel/clinker but pot-hole free and fairly flat. Some bits of tall

Scotland2017

Chatting with the locals

Northumberland are playing Yorkshire at Greenfields (Alnwick Rugby Club ground) today so time to move on. Also looks like there will be a pigeon release from the top pitch. We wait in hope to catch it, but in vain. A pity, my Dad raced pigeons decades ago when we shared