Autumn

It really feels like we are drifting in to the autumn period of the trip. Not only is the weather feeling more autumn like as we head north, compared to the sweltering heat that we were experiencing in Greece, Bulgaria and the rest of Southern Europe, but there is that feeling that things are coming to an end soon. A resigned sort of feeling that the holiday is nearly over for this year and everyone will be going their separate ways. On the plus side it means that we'll be returning to loved ones back home, sleeping in permanent beds and enjoying those home luxuries that are currently missing on vehicles but may well be added for the next trip. I can't, for example, imagine doing a similar trip with only basil in my mobile herb garden. Some vehicles don't have bottle openers. I'm sure that will be fixed for next time too, along with a whole load of not exactly necessary bling I expect.

Being one day ahead of schedule in effect, due to not stopping in Austria, meant we were now looking to take in the Grand Prix and even camp in one of the big, official Nurburgring camping sites. Alas, on arriving there we found that they were only taking people for 5 days for a whopping 65 euros a head. 

Being a relatively small group now helps with flexibility though. A new, alternative site at Schuld was found, by the River Ahr. Best of all, we discovered on arrival that they had a beer vending machine, producing chilled bottles of beer for a euro. 

By 8pm we had 8 teams there, enjoying a pleasant evenings socialising. A few teams were in a hotel in Koblenz, one more in another hotel in Germany. The Swedes were heading to Denmark so Jonas could join up with the Tall Ships Race. The Swannies had arrived home after a driving marathon. The Wham Boys in their Supra had set off home via Sam's girlfriends in Switzerland. 

As for Doris the Morris ? Well, she had set off from Freiburg with Martin and Harvey, aiming for Calais and home. Martins wedding anniversary was on Friday, so he felt obliged to forego the Formula 1 in favour of flowers and romance on the home front. A text during Thursday afternoon from Martin claimed a first on behalf of Doris. They had passed through Luxembourg, being the 23rd country of the trip. Doris was therefore the first vehicle to complete a full Windy 500 tour. Quite ironic as they were, almost without fail, the last team in to just about every camp site. They deserve the recognition though for daring to take such an elderly lady on such a huge challenge. 

And so, an early start on Friday to get to the Nurburgring. Parking was organised with ruthless German efficiency and 30 euros secured us seats in the stand overlooking the first bend after the long home straight. It's a hairpin and the stand also gave a view over the next few bends. At just after 10am, cars started screaming down the straight and braking hard to get around the bend.

The noise was phenomenal. 190 mph down to 30 mph in around 70 metres. Not sure Jezebel could manage that sort of braking, even with her new pads. Then again, I'm not altogether convinced she could manage 190 mph in the first place.

You can do lots of things in Jezebel, cook, sleep, socialise and transport kit, but you can't do 190 mph. I've tried it, you can't.