Many of the group, including us Jezebels wanted to visit Auschwitz. It's odd turning up in these car parks and spotting familiar, brightly decorated vehicles. Seems the Nightmares, team Lotus and Team Wessex Properties were there already.
It's a sobering place Auschwitz, as I'm sure you can imagine. The piles of clothes, specs and human hair began to give you some impression of the sheer numbers of people involved. Horrifying and deeply thought provoking. Chilling despite the blistering heat of the day.
Camping Smok was the expected meeting point that evening. We arrived around 6 and found the Mobster already checked in. Better still, the Swannies, Peter and Richard were also there in a room above reception. Despite the fact they had been to Amsterdam, Goslar and Prague, this was the first time we had met since the leaving do. Richard had been let down by his co driver at the last minute, so grabbed his father, bundled him in to the car and whisked him off to see Europe. We'll see them again at the next destination I'm sure.
Throughout the day I had been getting updates from our two missing teams. The Newlyweds with their new alternator were cock a hoop to be back in play. By cruising fast on the Autobahns and avoiding Czech Republic they made it to Camping Smok by evening to be met by a crate a cool Polish lager.
Not such great news from the Mobile Brothel. It seems master cylinders for Bedford vans are a bit of a rarity in the Czech Republic. After roughing it for the night in the 3 star air conditioned hotel, Marc was reporting that it seemed likely to be the end of the road for the Brothel. So, Plan B. with their van being repatriated and with Jezebel having 2 spare seats, Team Jezebel shall have 2 stowaways from tomorrow. That double bed just got a bit cosier. Those jolly nice folk at the AA are providing a hire car for them to get to Poprad whilst the disgraced pink thing gets shipped home.
Jezebel is now sporting a new yellow stripe of 'super deluxe' gaffer tape. Provided by Team Lotus to replace the standard black stuff that has been melting in the heat. It's good stuff apparently, it's what scuba divers use, I assume when they have problems with their camper van roofs. Jo even used some to gaffer tape her foot which has a sore patch from her sandals.
And so a progress report from each team.
Team 3. Just set off from Weymouth. Will see them tomorrow.
Team 5. Slow, steady progress. Suspension in the Morris Minor is a bit low but she is coping.
Team 6. Found a nice chap in Prague to fix their missing alternator bolt and fans. Kitchen functioning well. Got overtaken by disabled nun yesterday.
Team 7. Hotelling their way across the continent. No issues reported.
Team 12. Van returning home from Prague, Marc and Sarah joining Team Jezebel.
Team 14. LaDiva still running well, a few sleeping issues due to James snoring.
Team 19. Richard and Marc taking lots of photos. Minor issue on exhaust sorted with a hack saw this morning.
Team 23. Mobster going well. Steve got dragged home by his ear after excessive socialising last night.
Team 25. Wimped out by staying in a stupidly cheap hotel in Krakow last night.
Team 27. Newlyweds back in the fold with rejuvenated Olly. Big grins all round.
Team 31. Last seen cursing the idea of camping in Prague. They touch in occasionally but enjoying themselves.
Team 38. Left fridge door ajar last night. Nice cool van but flat leisure battery today. New pair of sunglasses too.
Team 41. The Swannies raving about Goslar, Prague and Krakow. Complaining of aching legs from walking on cobbles.
Team 42. The action packed Swedes. Up early, do lots, drink beer at night. No vehicle issues reported.
Team 46. Sucking much of Eastern Europe dry of fuel. Robin giggling like a schoolgirl at the prospect of the next destination.
Team 48. Setting off this afternoon from Weymouth.
So, as we approach Zakopane in the High Tatras mountains for a spot of lunch on our way to Poprad in Slovakia, all is well in the world of Jezebel.
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