Germany

The Race North

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Having seriously thought that we were getting the hang of our GPS, we headed out of Gouda for our next stop in Bremen. Everything going well, cruising along on track, feeling confident we knew where our campsite was (just next to the river), to be met with this:

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So we ended up on the wrong side of the river, made an interesting U-turn and eventually ended up at a lovely campsite 25 minutes walk from the old town – which was just brilliant:

Leaving Gouda
Leaving Gouda
Canal through Gouda

Before that, of course, we had to leave Gouda – the photos above show the kinds of roads our satnav insists on taking. Certainly the more scenic route!

The Musicians of Bremen

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Bremen – well worth a return visit. After the chaos of the missing campsite we had a few hours in the old town, and caught up with characters from Niki’s youth, the Musicians of Bremen. The town itself was very relaxed, and the perfect place to spend some time wandering around, and rehydrating.

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Growing ever more confident in our GPS we prepared to leave Bremen after taking on water. Our solar panel seems to be working a charm, and we’ve not had to hook-up yet. Water usage is a little more of a worry, and I’m going to need to reassess my two showers a day!

Just then, of course, the GPS spits the dummy and refuses to give any directions. Off to the nearest campervan dealers in Bremen (with the largest number of vans I’ve seen on a single lot) at  Soma Caravan Centre Bremen. The reason for  naming them is that they helped us out immediately, at no cost, and with the most welcome of smiles. Thanks guys!

Off to Denmark and our next stop in Krusa  after a big shop in Flensburg, trying to stock up a bit for the enormously expensive Norway. Managed to pack most of the stuff away, including 12 litres of wine…

Now to pack this in our little van
Brilliant homestay stop, Krusa

 

 

A Happy Gnome Story

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Some context: When Susi, Niki’s niece, together with her family, visited the week before we left Switzerland, we had some stuff that was looking for a home – we weren’t taking a flat screen TV with us! Items not on Susi’s preferred list included 2 garden gnomes, which looked to be consigned to the rubbish dump. Until their story was told …

Read on. Continue reading →