AUGUST 2006
SWEDEN-Vadstena
Tuesday 1st we drove alongside Lake Vattern and saw a deer and vast
fields of grain before reaching Jonkoping. We then turned
westwards in showers of very heavy rain, to stop at Boras in a very
nice camp. Wednesday
we had a rest day. During our trip, so far we have seen
100+Reindeer one Elk and several Fjord Ponies. Thursday we continued on to
Gothenborg, having made an early start to catch the 0930 ferry to
Fredrickshaven, Denmark and then northwards, in sunshine to camp at
Skagen. Friday
our northwards journey continued to the most northerly point in
Denmark, where The Kattegat and The Skagerrak meet. The final two
km was a walk along a sandy beach. We then turned south on minor
roads via Hirtshals and Lokken to Aalborg, with an unfindable
camp. On westwards to Egense for the night in a beautiful Fjord
side site.
Saturday
5th saw us travelling south
along the coast
road, then inland to Randers and south to Arhus, in time for
lunch. We camped at Arhus Sunday meant a change of
site in the camp, so we drove into Arhus for Mervyn to visit the Old
Town, followed by a drive south to Horsens, to a Fjord side camp.
Very nice, we decided to res
t on Monday. Tuesday the trip southwards
continued, crossing into Germany and camping at Schleswig. Wednesday Mervyn went into
Schleswig, while Howard worked at one of his jigsaws. Thursday saw us driving to
Lubeck. Friday
Mervyn had a look at the Old Town.
Saturday 12th was a long drive to Berlin. Sunday was wet. Mervyn went to visit some Museums and Howard continued with his jigsaw. Monday dawned fine and sunny, not raining as forecast, we both went into Berlin by bus separating at the bus terminal. Howard took the U Bahn to see Checkpoint Charlie, a part of “The Wall” and to take a stroll along The Unter Den Linden to The Brandenberger Tur. He met Mervyn, going the other way on the
Unter Den Linden. Howard returned to the
caravan for lunch, Mervyn continued his tour of the famous
buildings. Tuesday
completed the third day of rain forecast, it was showery. We
drove to Walkenried in The Harz Mountains, missing our intended camp,
Braunlage on the way. Wednesday
a nice quiet rest day. A short day on Thursday to Marburg, lots
of Deer signs, but no deer visible. Mervyn visited the Old Town
in the afternoon. On Friday
a showery day, we drove to Koblenz and 
camped at 1130 on the confluence
of the Rivers Rhine and Mosel.
Saturday 19th started dull but by the time we had found a cruise boat it had turned out hot and sunny. The cruise along The Rhine, with hot chocolate, apple cake and cream made a nice change, we arrived back in time for lunch. The afternoon, as usual, was spent relaxing. Sunday we drove up The Mosel to Trier, through beautiful scenery. On Monday Mervyn spent the day in Trier, Howard worked on his jigsaw. With an early start on Tuesday we arrived in Steinfort, Luxembourg, by mid morning. Howard phoned an old school friend who visited us in the afternoon. Wednesday we continued on to Reins, France, and on Thursday to Paris. Directions to the camp were minimal and it took some finding. Friday guess what, Mervyn visited Paris and Howard stayed in the caravan.
Saturday 26th started wet so the second trip to Paris was cancelled and we started north, ending at Perronne for the night. Sunday started cloudy, but as we continued north, the skies slowly cleared, and it was hot and sunny by the time we stopped 10km south of Ypres, in Belgium. The camp in Ypres was full for a festival. During the day we passed numerous cemeteries from the first world war. We were passing through the battlefields of the trenches. On Monday the weather was changeable, we drove west to Ardres, France, by a devious route, basically due to missing turns, and also to a deviation where there was a bridge that was too low. Tuesday was a rest day. Wednesday with an early start we arrived at Calais in time to catch the 0935 boat, we were booked on the 1105 boat. A clear sunny day gave us a fine view of the White Cliffs and a peaceful crossing. From Dover we drove westwards via Folkestone to Goudhurst arriving in time for lunch.
t on Monday. Tuesday the trip southwards
continued, crossing into Germany and camping at Schleswig. Wednesday Mervyn went into
Schleswig, while Howard worked at one of his jigsaws. Thursday saw us driving to
Lubeck. Friday
Mervyn had a look at the Old Town.Saturday 12th was a long drive to Berlin. Sunday was wet. Mervyn went to visit some Museums and Howard continued with his jigsaw. Monday dawned fine and sunny, not raining as forecast, we both went into Berlin by bus separating at the bus terminal. Howard took the U Bahn to see Checkpoint Charlie, a part of “The Wall” and to take a stroll along The Unter Den Linden to The Brandenberger Tur. He met Mervyn, going the other way on the
Unter Den Linden. Howard returned to the
caravan for lunch, Mervyn continued his tour of the famous
buildings. Tuesday
completed the third day of rain forecast, it was showery. We
drove to Walkenried in The Harz Mountains, missing our intended camp,
Braunlage on the way. Wednesday
a nice quiet rest day. A short day on Thursday to Marburg, lots
of Deer signs, but no deer visible. Mervyn visited the Old Town
in the afternoon. On Friday
a showery day, we drove to Koblenz and camped at 1130 on the confluence
of the Rivers Rhine and Mosel.Saturday 19th started dull but by the time we had found a cruise boat it had turned out hot and sunny. The cruise along The Rhine, with hot chocolate, apple cake and cream made a nice change, we arrived back in time for lunch. The afternoon, as usual, was spent relaxing. Sunday we drove up The Mosel to Trier, through beautiful scenery. On Monday Mervyn spent the day in Trier, Howard worked on his jigsaw. With an early start on Tuesday we arrived in Steinfort, Luxembourg, by mid morning. Howard phoned an old school friend who visited us in the afternoon. Wednesday we continued on to Reins, France, and on Thursday to Paris. Directions to the camp were minimal and it took some finding. Friday guess what, Mervyn visited Paris and Howard stayed in the caravan.
Saturday 26th started wet so the second trip to Paris was cancelled and we started north, ending at Perronne for the night. Sunday started cloudy, but as we continued north, the skies slowly cleared, and it was hot and sunny by the time we stopped 10km south of Ypres, in Belgium. The camp in Ypres was full for a festival. During the day we passed numerous cemeteries from the first world war. We were passing through the battlefields of the trenches. On Monday the weather was changeable, we drove west to Ardres, France, by a devious route, basically due to missing turns, and also to a deviation where there was a bridge that was too low. Tuesday was a rest day. Wednesday with an early start we arrived at Calais in time to catch the 0935 boat, we were booked on the 1105 boat. A clear sunny day gave us a fine view of the White Cliffs and a peaceful crossing. From Dover we drove westwards via Folkestone to Goudhurst arriving in time for lunch.
ENGLAND-Goudhurst