SOUTHERN TURKEY

THE EDITOR HARD AT IT, IN THE BLOG OFFICE (SHED) IN OLUDENIZ

Hi all

Well its only been a few days since our last update but its 3,046 miles that we have travelled since leaving London on April 6th, we have reached a campsite at Oludeniz in southern Turkey, and have upgraded for a few pounds to a cabin with beds and en suite facilities, thought we would treat ourselves after nearly a month on the road in tented/shared accommodation we also have wifi access so its like staying at the Hilton if I get breakfast in bed then I know I have really made it (it didn't happen). We left our last campsite dripping at the edges from the constant rain but I am pleased to report that we have finally caught up with some sun and intend to make the most of it. We visited Pamukkale yesterday a place where the water coming out of the hillside leaves calcium deposits, very pleasant to walk up to the top through the different pools, apparently the water has great healing properties for all manner of conditions but I think we're stay with our try & tested red wine supplement. Tuesday night was bush camp we were quite high at 3,400 feet above sea level that probably accounted for the chilly temperatures later on. Wednesday and we stopped off and purchased a whole sheep to spit roast over the fire on Thursday night, Jan's on cooking crew so there's plenty of chance to brush up on her spit turning technique. We have spent the time here just relaxing and catching up, went for a Turkish bath probably my first & last, as much as Jan enjoyed being wrestled on to the slab by a Turkish man and thoroughly soaped washed and then massaged all over I have to say that the hairy Turkish man thing is something I will remember for a long time for very different reasons !!!, this trip was intended to take us out of our comfort zones and for me that was one of them, so in that respect we're living the dream or is it nightmare. Thursday what a day had pancakes for breakfast (shame you missed them Oliver ), then assaulted by the above incident & then the spit roast, it was excellent about 4 hours cooking time for our sheep named Albert by Doug, while we enjoyed a few beers before main course. Tomorrow we are off on the coast road to Olympos to stay in some tree houses for two nights and there we get to visit The Chimaera which is a place where flames issue out of cracks in the bare hillside and they are impossible to extinguish apparently much like the fires Green watch used to deal with back in Suffolk !!! allegedly. I have attached a few more photo's this time somecourtesy of Rob who has downloaded them on to our laptop, must dash now for dinner and to sharpen my pencils for the next instalment.

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SIMON, JAN & JANE JOGGING IN PRAUGE

ENJOYING A STRUDEL IN VIENNA

THE JOGGER IN VIENNA

THE DRYING TECHNIQUE "FLAPPING"

THE RATHER DAMP BUSH CAMP NEXT TO A STREAM, IT WAS A RIVER IN THE MORNING, ROMANIA.

GROUP AT DRACULA'S CASTLE LEFT TO RIGHT, PAUL,DOUG, CALLUM, ROB, US, LINDA, SIMON,JOHN

JUST LIKE BEING BACK AT WORK.

THE WHOLE GROUP BUSH CAMP TUKISH BORDER

ROUND THE CAMP FIRE

A CHILLY MORNING ON THE GALLIPOLI TOUR, IS JAN SMILING OR SHIVERING

JAN'S PRACTISING HER BUSH CAMP TECHNIQUE TOILET ETIQUETTE

PAMUKKALE CALCIUM DEPOSITS

SHE'S GOING IN

THIS BEATS WORKING.

JANE & JAN ON YET ANOTHER RUN

INTERNATIONAL FELIXSTOWE ROADRUNNERS

THE PANCAKE COOK BUSY AT WORK THURSDAY MORNING.

ABOUT TO FLIP ????

JAN LETTING DOUG TAKE THE STRAIN WITH THE SPIT ROAST.

THIRD WEEK, DROWNING IN TURKEY

THIRD WEEK.
Well after the ups and downs of the weather in Europe its nice to finally reach temperatures that are consistently warm at 28 degrees, makes life so much more comfortable. Istanbul was a welcome change from our previous cities, we got overdosed on culture during our stay, taking in the Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya, Basiilica Cistern and the Topkapi Palace as I reported in the last blog, not to mention the sampling of the local brew and foods to pass the evening. We stayed at the Sultan Hostel in the Sultanahmet area of the city, very nice and comfortable but could be rather noisy at night due to all the aussies who were in town for ANZAC day on the 25th of April, those who went on space’s stag weekend in Amsterdam will know what I mean.
We left Istanbul on Wednesday in a minibus which came to pick up the 24 of us plus backpacks, we had to open the back window and pile the backpacks up to the roofline to fit us all in very cosy, he then took us out to the truck which was on the outskirts of the city because Jacko had done some minor maintenance work like an oil change and the crankcase oil seals (did I just say minor!!!) anyway all good apart from the fact that the bus driver got lost on the way out there and ended up going the wrong way around a traffic Island to get back on track and having a close encounter with a rather large truck of which I’m sure our driver was totally oblivious about, we were pleased to be reunited with our truck after an hour of the Istanbul traffic. Set off for Gallipoli arriving down here at eight in the evening, campsite quite basic but right next to the Dardanelles straits which is the stretch of water that links the Aegean sea to the Marmara sea, Bosphorus and then the Black sea so all the shipping for Istanbul and Russia goes through here very good for ship spotting from my tent door which is only 12 foot from the waters edge. Took a guided tour of the Gallipoli peninsular today (Thursday) told us all about the battle and how 30,000 allied servicemen lost their lives here in 1915, tonight we are going up to the site to get a place ready for the Anzac day dawn service at 5.30 in the morning, apparently you need to get there early as they are in excess of 20,000 people who attend the event.
Friday, what a night arrived up at the site last night, left Jacko and the truck about 1.5 kilometres from the site very strict security not allowed alcohol or camping equip into the service, managed to get some seats up in the grandstand, it was already quite full and it was only 8 oclock at night. The wind had got up and needless to say the temperature plummeted, so outcome the sleeping bags good to minus six they say and once we were in them we were just toasty even Jan who as one knows does occasionally feel the cold was warm, mind you she did have three layers, hat coat and gloves on, all you could see were the whites of her eyes good job really otherwise my life would of been hell for the next six months because she wasn’t going to go until I talked her into it. Trying to sleep in the grandstand was a tad difficult kept waking up with pains where I didn’t even know I had bits to hurt mind you it was worth it in the end they reckon the attendance was the same as done the landings back in 1915 about 20,000. Unfortunately the morning after rather let it down a bit we left the site of the service to be directed by the police and army (of whom there where many)to our truck which they all seem to reckon was up at the highest point of the Gallipoli peninsular and when your walking carrying your sleeping bag and roll mat its a long way up there, upon reaching the top you then discover that they’re no coaches up there, we have a quick scan around because you can see for miles luckily I had packed my binos (just for this very event !!!!) and there down by the sea only about ½ a mile from where we had been sitting is the truck, oh yes we were pleased the army weren’t letting any vehicles up the hill until all the different services were finished so there was nothing else for it, other than to walk all the way back down again, so five long hours after the service finished and probably five or six miles later we are reunited with the truck and our ticket out of there, well once they opened the exits and that was another 30 minutes later but for certain we will not forget it. Jan did manage to get a jog in think we’ll call it the ANZAC day marathon.
We have now crossed the Dardanelles straits by ferry from the town of Eceabat across to Canakkale onto the Asian side of Turkey, it was at the ferry crossing I noticed what looked like the old Ladder 1 from Headquarters even had Ray Leonard driving it (picture to follow in next blog), thanks Chris for your earlier comments about the truck being the old horsebox from Headquarters I think the fuel consumption is about the same but the horsebox was way more comfortable to ride in. Stopped off at the local market and brought fresh fruit and veg as I am in cook group for the next two nights, beef stroganoff tonight and a barbecue on the open fire with some chicken tomorrow we are all getting more used to cooking on the open fires no disasters yet had a overnight bush camp amongst some oak trees close to the old city of Troy and first thing in the morning we were off for a tour around its remains complete with wooden horse beautifully preserved from the period !!!!!!! the guide highlighted the nine ancient cities built one on top of another and dating back to 3000 BC, it was during the visit that yet again the weather has taken a turn for the worse the wind is still blowing but only now the temperature is akin to walking on the front at Felixstowe in January Brrrr. Visit done we are heading south for Selcuk some six hours drive away, we must find the warm weather here surely, and the temperature does improve up to a magnificent 19 degrees well its an improvement on 4 degrees anyway. Visited the ancient Roman city of Ephesus the best persevered classical city in the eastern Mediterranean they have only excavated about 15 percent of it but its very impressive, it was during this visit that it started to rain and yes 24 hours later its still raining GREAT !!!!!!! spent last night in the bar next to a huge open fire not quite what we expected in southern Turkey but we’re here to be surprised and the weathers certainly doing that. We head off eastwards tomorrow Pamukkale about six hours drive away and perhaps the sun, so must dash got to dig out my wellies and southwester as the water level is rising rapidly.

We do hope the weather is not too sunny at home from the soggy Jells somewhere on the globe.

BUSH CAMP JUST BEFORE TURKİSH BORDER, THE COWS ARE COMING.DO İ LOOK SCARED

AND WHICH ONE WAS MY BED, HOSTEL IN ISTANBUL

HALF THE GROUP, DINNER IN ISTANBUL

GALLIPOLI GREAT VIEWS

A BEER ON THE EDGE OF THE DARDENELLES STRAITS

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHO THIS MAN IS, HELL OF HAIRCUT JOHN

JO & DOUG THE LONG NIGHT BEFORE GALLIPOLI DAWN SERVICE

RAY LEONARD DRIVING HQ's 1 IN SOUTHERN TURKEY

ITS LOOKS LIKE NEW EVEN TODAY !!!!!!! WEIRD BLOKE AT TOP WINDOW

LUNCH OM THE MOVE

PRESENT CAMPSITE TURKEY JUST STARTED RAİNİNG.

TURKISH THOUGHTS (HOW LONG IS THIS RAIN GOING TO GO ON FOR) EVEN THE TENNIS COURTS BEHIND ME ARE UNDER WATER.
ONE FOR CHINA SHIPPING FINGERBOB MAKING A RUN FOR IT.

TWO WEEKS IN, SMILING IN ISTANBUL

BUDAPEST "BABE"

Hi everyone

Here we are sat in the sun in the hostel bar updating our blog, finally we have constant hot weather 28 degrees and its lovely. Istanbul is a lovely city went up and viewed the Topkapi Palace this morning, used to be the home of the sultan and his four wives and many special ladies, thought it had quite a lot going for it surprisingly Jan didn't agree I did point out that it would mean there would be other wives to share getting my breakfast in the morning but this didn't seem to sway her either !!!! on second thoughts the running costs of all those women now I'm retired is probably not such a good idea after all. Anyway I digress, lets bring you up to speed with our last week escapades

Left Budapest in fine weather, really starting to warm up now a slow trip through the city which is not only huge but is also packed with traffic but plenty to see and we are both surprised at the cleanliness and impressive buildings the city has to offer. We are heading out through the Hungarian countryside about 5 hours to the border wide open farmland very green yet very empty. This is now our eighth country in 9 days and the first border where we have to produce passports, all the E.U passports are just looked at but the Americans and Australians have to get their's stamped, a chance to change our Hungarian Florins into the Romanian New leu and off we go into the depths of Romanian. Its becomes immediately obvious that this is a much poorer country with their entry into the E.U only last year, the first town/city we hit, we take the ring road which consist of a single lane road nose to tail with lorries the finish of the road is that of a farm track and the velocity and height of up and down travel increases dramatically more bump hats required please. We leave the town and head out into the countryside admiring the scenery and also the cavalier driving style of the lorry drivers, the finest example coming just before we turned off the main road in the evening, two artic lorries nose to tail overtaking us the first driver on his cb radio telling the second driver we presume, because there’s no way he can see he’s only a foot behind his mate that its all clear but unfortunately not quite clear enough because a VW passet coming the other way had to take to the verge to prevent becoming a radiator badge for the second truck, makes the M25 look like a stroll in the park no wonder they have trouble with the foreign drivers in England. We turn off and take a little track as far as we can as we head up into the hills stopped only by a narrow bridge over a stream, nobody believed me when I said to them about that famous old fire service adage “the faster you go the narrower the vehicle becomes”. So this becomes bush camp everyone gets off and throws

BUSH CAMPING IN ROMANIA

JAN BRINGING UP RED WINE SUPPLIES TO THE ROOFTOP TENT.

themselves into pitching tents, shower and toilet tents erected holes dug, wood gathered for the fire and the cooks set about the evening meal we have a lovely view down the valley with only a few small shacks for company, mind you shacks they may be but its amazing how 60% of them have satellite dishes probably got a 42” plasma tv fixed to the back wall as well. Slept really well up early yes me up early to start my kitchen duties first breakfast over a wood fire, kettles on saucepan of porridge prepared and 45 minutes later they all finally come to the boil might need to get up earlier next time !!! reminds of being back at work doing breakfast “now where’s that microwave gone”, anyhow all done and dusted and we break camp at 0835 only 5 minutes late perhaps I could get up a bit later after all. The weathers again deteriorated rain, rain, and yet more rain but at least we are travelling inside the truck. Lunch stop turns out to be the car park of a supermarket as Jacko’s driving hours have just run out, two storks are nesting right next to us so its gives us something to look at they are very common over here we are to see several nesting pairs on our journey through. Bush camp again tonight but weather very wet, swollen rivers and large flooded areas spread across the whole countryside bush camp turns out to be next to a stream/river the only place we can find as time is running out, we were stopped earlier by another bridge weight restriction and so had to back track over several bumpy miles through small hamlets looking for a suitable site. Damp wood and a long day leads to a difficult cooking night of which I am involved but by about 10 o’clock we are all fed and watered and ready for bed. Next morning no change more rain but we head off to Brasvo what is supposed to be one of the nicer Romanian towns, I wouldn’t want to see the not so nice ones, we have a few hours to check out the sights and take the opportunity to get a nice cup of coffee and warm up. Then off to the town of Brad and Prince Vlad Tepes castle otherwise known as Draculas castle quite a sight we manage to leave, checking we have no bites to the neck and a nasty reaction to sunlight apart from my usual affliction to sunlight that I have,

which only occurs when I have to get up in the morning. A long and aarduous journey then takes us to Bucharest arriving late at night and needing to go and get a new supply of bump hats because the bumpy road for the last hour of the journey has worn out the hats I think we might be a bit stiff in the morning arriving in camp just after 9 o’clock means a hurried evening meal of beans and pasta and then everybody crashes out.
Bucharest. What a city hustle bustle, traffic, traffic and yet more traffic on roads, pavements, and just about anywhere that you can get a car they manage it, a road designed for three lanes will quite easily have six, two being buses, we are pleased to only be here for a day, went and visited the palatal parlamentului it took four years to build 1985/89 but was unfinished when Ceausescu was overthrown during the revolution in 1989, 20,000 people and 700 architects working 24/7, 52 weeks of the year a truly impressive building and the second largest building in the world only the pentagon is bigger. We successfully managed to get lost in the city on our way back to the campsite that will teach us to stop and have a beer in the park at lunchtime, and after a couple of buses and several helpful people we finally returned for dinner at seven o’clock. We are now leaving Romania and heading for Bulgaria, spending the night in a monastery tonight a bed, our first in a fortnight we are all looking forward to it. I think most of the group are pleased to be leaving Romania, our outstanding memories of Romania are water everywhere, plastic bottles at the side of the road and the mixture of vehicles and horse and carts a country trying to get itself into the 21st century but still has a long way to go.
We have now progressed into Bulgaria same array of redundant factories but definitely warmer and drier than Romania stopped off for lunch at Veliko Tarnovo very nice but the bar we went to for lunch was full of English people who had moved out here, and all the estate agents in the village displayed everything in English, what does that tell you.The overnight stop in the monastery is welcome but different very nice, thought we were in the back of beyond until the train came rattling through only metres away in the trees, the beds were a novel idea had wooden bed frames but the mattress were more like hammocks with your backside just clearing the floor but all the same very comfortable after two weeks under canvas. We had some nice walks around the area and we discovered one that ended up at this green ladder that leads vertically up the cliff face picture attached, great views but I don’t think health & safety has quite got to this corner of Europe yet!!!! We have now moved on to within 30 kilometres of the Turkish border after a nice lunch of red wine, rolls and cheese in the supermarket car park we are now camped on the top of a hill with a lovely view over the valley to the Greek border we can see in the distance, unbeknown to us when we stopped and set up camp the farmer drives his herd of cows through here every evening on the way back to the farm so the people who’s tents were on the edge got a bit concerned that fresh milk would be available in their tent later tonight.

Sunday up really early got to get across the turkish border today could be a long day it took them 9 hours last year, we arrive took about an hour at passport control but then we hit customs, it was a bit concerning when a coach that was being delivered to a saudi prince had been detained there 24 hours and still no sign of them being released the 3 drivers were well fed up. Two dodgy looking customs officials turned up complete with compulsory turkish moustache and leather jacket didn't take to kindly about being asked for ID because they didn't haven't any uniforms on took quite an interest in our fuel and water tanks. Jacko and Jane had to go and get several forms sorted once they were done you then have to get several more forms signed and providing they've run out of forms for you to sign they finally release you so just over three hours later we are on our way passing what must be at least 5 miles of lorries queueing to get to the turkey border we wouldn't recommend a land crossing into Turkey but who knows what lies ahead at some of the more distant borders.

Well that about brings us up to date I'm back at the bar (what else would you expect) the computers being playing up a bit here in Istanbul so it will be good to get this blog published, its our last night here Tuesday 22nd, off to Gallipoli tomorrow and then along the Turkish coast to sample some of the beaches will be nice to relax, (its amazing how busy you can be doing nothing), quite a bit on the agenda in the next few weeks before we enter Iran. One bit of bad news doesn't look like we are going to be allowed into Tibet after all, so bang goes Everest base camp and my attempt on the summit, after all my pre trip training its a big disappointment. Waiting to find out our alternitive route probably back track to Parkistan and then enter China from there but we should know for definite in the next week, back to the Iranian embassy tomorrow to pick up our passports with our visa's in (hopefully). So until our next update which I hope to do before entering Iran ,here's bye from us the now warm Jells somewhere on te Globe.

FINGERBOB AT DRACULA'S CASTLE FOR THOSE AT CHINA SHIPPING.

END OF WEEK 1

US IN PRAGUE

VIENNA
Been a good stop weather much warmer, Vienna a very nice city took a bus tour around as we only had a day very interesting especially as during the tour we were hooted by a delivery van trying to get past us, this led to our driver a rather large Austrian chap with a handlebar moustache parking the bus across the road, our driver then got out and what started as a vebal exchange ended up with the kicking of doors spitting and a Muhammad Ali style boxing match in the middle of the square, after this fraught exchange the bus driver calmly resumes his seat and the tour continues but it made for a very interesting sightseeing tour we certainly got our 16 euros worth. Back to camp life we have both been busy on truck and cook duties while in Vienna, cooking

A BEER IN VIENNA WITH JOHN & ROB

involves preparing breakfast and an evening meal much fun Jan found out when the wind got up and kept blowing out the gas needless to say dinner was a tad late about 9ish but still very nice, at least it allowed for more time in the bar. My truck duties are a lot less hassle at the moment just sweeping out truck at the end of the day and emptying the toilet when we start bush camping thats when it all starts digging the bush loo apparantly you only need to go down 40 foot, still looking for the diiger though perhaps we pick it up on route !!!!! on Tuesday my groups cooking and by then we should be on open wood fires can’t wait !!!!. Jan’s getting back into jogging went out for another run yesterday yet more broken pavements if the local authorities ever catch up with us we get one large bill. Now back on the truck heading for Budapest weaving our way through the endless wind farms that populate this side of Austria at least we have worked out that the nearer the front of the lorry you are the less bouncy the ride, only by the fact that you travel about 6” less in the air each time. The weather has again deteriorated crossing the border into Hungry its like entering Siberia (or so they tell me I’ve never been) the winds howling across the flat plains go right through, but there on the horizon a place of safety & warmth yes you’ve guessed it a Tesco’s superstore and yes we did stop and top up with the blue label provisions plus bottles of large beer at 30p a bottle and to stop Jan shaking, a 3 litre container of red wine for £3.00 that should keep her going for a couple of days (or hours). Arriving in Budapest the weathers still chilly but a nice bar and more free internet access makes for a welcoming site.

TRUCK IN CAMPSITE BUDAPEST

Spent today up in the city centre took another bus trip to see the sites as we have only one day at this place and its huge, a stroke of luck we managed to get the city tour without having to pay so real bonus, actually ended up in the middle of the Budapest marathon I know you’re all impressed Vince taking up running marathons at his tender age, I was probably moving at 10 mph ( pretty good pace for a marathon I’m told)and then the seat I was sitting on stopped because the bus couldn’t get passed the runners so we had to get off and walk, treated ourselves to a nice lunch on the money we saved on the tour. Now back at the campsite updating the blog before we start bush camping in Romania. Weather's back up in the 20's so many smiling faces lets hope it continues. Watch this space for next update as it might get more difficult from here on in.

OUR TENTS PITCHED ON THE HILLSIDE BUDAPEST.

FOUR DAYS IN

FIRST DAY

Well woke up to snow, not quite a blizzard but in London on a April morning still quite a surprise, bags packed and down to reception in search of the lorry, 15 mins later and after not much help from the receptionist on directions on how to find the coach park, we end up in the carpark which is only 2 metres in height so no way is a 4 metre high lorry going to get in there, back up the lifts and another circuit of stairs, lift and an even more unhelpful receptionist we finally stumble upon the large orange truck hidden behind two coaches just outside the front doors. Everybody’s present and in remarkable good spirits considering it’s snowing and we could well be camping in snow on our first night!
Fully loaded we set off 40 minutes early through the blizzard conditions of the London back streets after much winding of back streets Jacko our driver comes across a low bridge which rather suddenly halts our progress which means that at 9 0’clock in the morning the time we should have left the hotel we are now repassing it in the other direction, is this goings to be a 7 month tour of London ending up at a aussie bar on the last day we wonder. It was at this point that it also became quite noticeable that there is no heating on the truck and the outside temp coupled with the wind-chill factor makes for an interesting survival ride luckily we had seats in the rear of the vehicle where it was a good half a degree warmer. Now I’ve never been on a 6 wheel drive off road vehicle before but I didn’t realise that suspension is one of the optional extras that this vehicle didn’t have, safety helmets might well have to be worn to prevent any damage to the roof of the vehicle it reminds me of those slimming machines of the early eighties where a belt went round your rear and the vibrating knocked off the pounds I think by next week I’ll be 8 stone in weight.
Ferry crossing was delightful chance to warm up and thaw out those frozen toes then off through France and Belgium arriving at our campsite 8 o’clock at night and a temperature of 7 degrees feels like a positive heat wave. Camp kitchen assembled and sweet & sour pork on the go we intrepid campers make camp and settle back to a nice hot meal shame we have no tokens for the shower so no hot water a well never mind, sleeping at night we soon realise the temperature is plummeting and are not surprised to find a hard frost in the morning thank goodness we got sleeping bags that are good to minus 7, but we didn’t expect to be testing them out quite so early. Breakfast consisted of cereals and trying to get the circulation back into the fingers it was at this point that Jan thought that going to work would be a good idea.
Now we are back on the road heading across Germany towards Prague, overnight bush camp tonight in Germany this could be fun wood fires and digging toilets let’s hope the temperature picks up by about 20 degrees would be nice

2ND DAY.

Well what a bonus that was, after leaving Belgium in the morning under clear skies & sunshine thinking the weather was improving we soon drove into yet more snow which was not what the members of this trip wanted to see, the stop for lunch consisted of hot soup and thawing the joints with the wonder of just how long will this last, the discussions of pitching tents in snow was the main topic of conversation. Soon after lunch the snow abated and we were all relieved to see it was just cold, we spent a little while hunting down a potential bush camp amongst the boggy conditions that surrounded us, it was at this point that things took a turn for the better, we had stumbled upon an out of season restaurant that allowed us to camp next to their tennis courts and use the wonderful facilities that was hot and cold running water (showers) sheer luxury, this coupled with the fact the place had a bar and also distilled its own liquer made for a very warm and cosy night but alas for Jan no red wine she’s still shaking this morning . Now back on the road no snow but still cold heading for the cezh border and Prague looking forward to it.
PRAUGE
Wonderful city after a couple of tours of the outskirts and a picnic on the forecourt of a petrol station because jacko had run out of driving hours while we tried to find the campsite, it was at this point that Jan took the opportunity to remove her boots and warm her feet up on the metal tank lids on the forecourt, the sun was now shining and the cabin warming up we arrived to camp next to the river, a brisk stroll up to the centre, good to stretch the legs out after two days driving and view the sights coupled with good beer and hot food we are looking forward to seeing the sights of Prague and a day’s rest from travelling. Pitching our tents in warmer weather is definitely better than the cold after a good night’s sleep we were all raring to go, some more than others Jan got her first 3 mile jog pounding the streets of Prague with two other members of the group, hope we don’t get the bill for the broken pavements (see Elaine she does jog occasionally). Now back on the road 9 hours to Vienna where we have wifi on the campsite so hopefully we can update the blog please excuse any mistakes trying to type in the back of the lorry whilst bouncing up and down is still an art I’m still trying to perfect hopefully by Sydney I would have mastered it.

Just arrived in Vienna and finally mastered the wi-fi connection so here's the post to bring you all up to date, weathers great 20 degrees now at last, hope white watch have a couple of quiet nights glad I'm not there well thats all for now now folks hope all is well with you all at home, dinner and a beer now beckons so must dash catch up next time.