As some may remember, a group of CS members set out on a tour of Europe. So here's my account of how the trip went. Apologies for the lateness of it all, but here goes...
Before setting off, Myself, James and Geddes travelled down to London to meet up with Genyx. It was a late arrival as i'd been at work the whole day.
Day 1 - London.
After very little sleep, Everyone woke up excited about the day we had ahead of us.
Whilst waiting for Adam's friend Chris to arrive, we set about the task of applying our trip stickers..
Eventually, he arrived. So we set off to Dover.
Because we'd set off a little earlier than expected we tried to catch the earlier ferry.
Success, they let us on 2 hours earlier than we'd booked. Result!
The time came to board the ferry, and off we went on our epic road trip.
Couple of hours passed and we arrived in Dunkirk, ready for quite a long drive to Challons-en-Champagne in the middle of France. This would be our first halt of the trip.
After a few miss-haps, and wrong turns we eventually arrived at the campsite. It was very late so we set up camp, had a beer or 2 and got some sleep.
Day 2 - France
Another night of not a huge amount of sleep, we went for a walk around the little village we were in.
After a good walk around, we went back to collect the cars so we could go in search of a supermarket for food and water.
Finding some food, we returned to the camp site and made lunch.
Later that evening, AdamP set off to join us. (He drove from the midlands to us, which was about 600 miles in 1 day)
After joining us in the small hours of the morning, we headed back to bed for the early start we had the following day.
Day 3 - France/Switzerland
Having had some sleep, everyone feeling refreshed, we packed up and set off for Switzerland.
We had a few hundred miles to cover most of which was motorway.
Hours passed and we got nearer and nearer to our destination - Lake Geneve. We turned off the motorway and came across some amazing views.
We had an epic night here, after many beers had been drank, Chris thought it would be a good idea to become a human flame thrower. Which resulted in setting himself of fire, and AdamP Falling down quite a steep hill (Haha).
Anyway, before we cause too much harm, off to sleep we went.
Sadly, i don't have any photos from the campsite in Lake Geneve.. Also, we didn't have the best of nights here. Being woken up at 6am by a police officer telling us to move on or we'd be arrested. (Apparently they don't like you camping on the national park -Whoops!)
Day 4 - Switzerland - Lenzerhiede
Being rudely awakened by the Police we packed up and set off. As we were staying in switzerland heading south, we stayed off the motorways and headed for the next camp site.
A couple of hours later, we arrived and set up camp.
After sorting out tents, we went and explored the surrounding area.
Eventually we headed back to the campsite for some food. There was a lovely restaurant literally at the entrance to the camp site, so we ate there. Geddes became fond of the waitress and invited her back to his tent haha !
Day 5 - Switzerland/Austria
Today was one of the days we'd been looking forward too. On our way to Austria we got to drive the San Bernadino Pass.
Half way up to the Start of the pass, we pulled over for a photograph. When we were astonished to see another group of people doing the same trip we were currently doing, all be it they were going in the other direction to us. We had a chat with the guys from the Subaru Legacy from, had a group photo, then went on our way to the start of the Pass.
Reaching the Top of the pass, we pulled over again for a couple of photo's and toilet stop.
Hammering down the San Bernadino was AMAZING!!! Reaching the bottom, everyones breaks on fire we stopped once more and let the cars cool down.
Today was one of the longest drives we'd have to do. So off we went again, this time towards the motorway.
Many hours passed, we had arrived in Austria. After setting up camp again, we had a few beers, food and then went to bed.
Day 6 - Austria
Today would mostly be spent exploring what was around us. Little did we know, we'd find some of the best roads we'd experience on the whole trip, right behind our campsite!
Blasting around the mountains lasted a good few hours, so we decided to head for some food in a local town.
Having had some lunch we set course back to the camp site. Re driving the awesome roads we'd been hooning about on for the last couple of hours.
Later that evening, we decided to go to the American diner that was in front of the campsite. They did amazing burgers here, they were HUGE ! Anyway, many beers were drunk and we headed back to the site. Where we set up a small camp fire.
More beer was drank then it was time for bed.
Day 7 - Austria/Germany
Today we'd be heading to germany. Originally we were supposed to go to the Sinshiem auto museum but after a few chats we decided to head straight for the 'Ring.
A few hundred miles later, we were there ! The Hotel at the 'Ring was fully booked (Even though we'd reserved our rooms months before) So we went in search of a campsite nearby. Eventually finding one, we made a big mistake. Deciding to take 2 cars to go and get some food from the supermarket. Having drove back into Adenau we realised the shops were all shut, so we made do with pizza's and kebabs, which were nice i might add.
Anyway, on returning to the campsite, we were about to turn into the junction and some idiotic German man decided to overtake us...
Resulting in a side on collision with Adam. Initially we thought This is going to be messy, but luckily the damage was only cosmetic. Ill not post pictures because i believe Adam is still in the process of sorting this out.
Day 8 - Germany
Today would be spent mostly at the 'Ring.
After a long day watching the cars, we headed back to camp.
Day 9 - Nürburgring
Today was the day we'd all have a go around the track. Whilst waiting to go on, we heard of a nasty accident involving the ring taxi, and quite a few other cars, slowly they started filtering past us on the recovery wagons.
Ill not post anymore as it's not nice!
Anyway, we'd managed to check into the Ring hotel and dumped all our stuff and headed for the track.
On our laps, there were a few crashes again which resulted in the track being closed for hours.
Back to the hotel we went to get ready for our meal in the local Italian restaurant around the corner.
Day 10 - Germany/Belgium
Another early start saw us headed for Belgium.
Arriving in Brugge. We went on the hunt for a hotel, as we'd had enough of camping. Haha.
Finding one pretty quickly, we settled in and relaxed for a short while. By this point, James had left us and headed home.
That evening, we went out for food and a few beers.
I really enjoyed Brugge. A nice place. Sadly that's all the photos i have from there as my camera died.
Brugge was our last stop, the last day would be spent travelling home. So off we went back to Dunkirk, Then home.
That's pretty much my view of the whole trip, (sorry for the long post)
Hope you enjoy the read.
Stu.
Before setting off, Myself, James and Geddes travelled down to London to meet up with Genyx. It was a late arrival as i'd been at work the whole day.
Day 1 - London.
After very little sleep, Everyone woke up excited about the day we had ahead of us.
Whilst waiting for Adam's friend Chris to arrive, we set about the task of applying our trip stickers..
Eventually, he arrived. So we set off to Dover.
Because we'd set off a little earlier than expected we tried to catch the earlier ferry.
Success, they let us on 2 hours earlier than we'd booked. Result!
The time came to board the ferry, and off we went on our epic road trip.
Couple of hours passed and we arrived in Dunkirk, ready for quite a long drive to Challons-en-Champagne in the middle of France. This would be our first halt of the trip.
After a few miss-haps, and wrong turns we eventually arrived at the campsite. It was very late so we set up camp, had a beer or 2 and got some sleep.
Day 2 - France
Another night of not a huge amount of sleep, we went for a walk around the little village we were in.
After a good walk around, we went back to collect the cars so we could go in search of a supermarket for food and water.
Finding some food, we returned to the camp site and made lunch.
Later that evening, AdamP set off to join us. (He drove from the midlands to us, which was about 600 miles in 1 day)
After joining us in the small hours of the morning, we headed back to bed for the early start we had the following day.
Day 3 - France/Switzerland
Having had some sleep, everyone feeling refreshed, we packed up and set off for Switzerland.
We had a few hundred miles to cover most of which was motorway.
Hours passed and we got nearer and nearer to our destination - Lake Geneve. We turned off the motorway and came across some amazing views.
We had an epic night here, after many beers had been drank, Chris thought it would be a good idea to become a human flame thrower. Which resulted in setting himself of fire, and AdamP Falling down quite a steep hill (Haha).
Anyway, before we cause too much harm, off to sleep we went.
Sadly, i don't have any photos from the campsite in Lake Geneve.. Also, we didn't have the best of nights here. Being woken up at 6am by a police officer telling us to move on or we'd be arrested. (Apparently they don't like you camping on the national park -Whoops!)
Day 4 - Switzerland - Lenzerhiede
Being rudely awakened by the Police we packed up and set off. As we were staying in switzerland heading south, we stayed off the motorways and headed for the next camp site.
A couple of hours later, we arrived and set up camp.
After sorting out tents, we went and explored the surrounding area.
Eventually we headed back to the campsite for some food. There was a lovely restaurant literally at the entrance to the camp site, so we ate there. Geddes became fond of the waitress and invited her back to his tent haha !
Day 5 - Switzerland/Austria
Today was one of the days we'd been looking forward too. On our way to Austria we got to drive the San Bernadino Pass.
Half way up to the Start of the pass, we pulled over for a photograph. When we were astonished to see another group of people doing the same trip we were currently doing, all be it they were going in the other direction to us. We had a chat with the guys from the Subaru Legacy from, had a group photo, then went on our way to the start of the Pass.
Reaching the Top of the pass, we pulled over again for a couple of photo's and toilet stop.
Hammering down the San Bernadino was AMAZING!!! Reaching the bottom, everyones breaks on fire we stopped once more and let the cars cool down.
Today was one of the longest drives we'd have to do. So off we went again, this time towards the motorway.
Many hours passed, we had arrived in Austria. After setting up camp again, we had a few beers, food and then went to bed.
Day 6 - Austria
Today would mostly be spent exploring what was around us. Little did we know, we'd find some of the best roads we'd experience on the whole trip, right behind our campsite!
Blasting around the mountains lasted a good few hours, so we decided to head for some food in a local town.
Having had some lunch we set course back to the camp site. Re driving the awesome roads we'd been hooning about on for the last couple of hours.
Later that evening, we decided to go to the American diner that was in front of the campsite. They did amazing burgers here, they were HUGE ! Anyway, many beers were drunk and we headed back to the site. Where we set up a small camp fire.
More beer was drank then it was time for bed.
Day 7 - Austria/Germany
Today we'd be heading to germany. Originally we were supposed to go to the Sinshiem auto museum but after a few chats we decided to head straight for the 'Ring.
A few hundred miles later, we were there ! The Hotel at the 'Ring was fully booked (Even though we'd reserved our rooms months before) So we went in search of a campsite nearby. Eventually finding one, we made a big mistake. Deciding to take 2 cars to go and get some food from the supermarket. Having drove back into Adenau we realised the shops were all shut, so we made do with pizza's and kebabs, which were nice i might add.
Anyway, on returning to the campsite, we were about to turn into the junction and some idiotic German man decided to overtake us...
Resulting in a side on collision with Adam. Initially we thought This is going to be messy, but luckily the damage was only cosmetic. Ill not post pictures because i believe Adam is still in the process of sorting this out.
Day 8 - Germany
Today would be spent mostly at the 'Ring.
After a long day watching the cars, we headed back to camp.
Day 9 - Nürburgring
Today was the day we'd all have a go around the track. Whilst waiting to go on, we heard of a nasty accident involving the ring taxi, and quite a few other cars, slowly they started filtering past us on the recovery wagons.
Ill not post anymore as it's not nice!
Anyway, we'd managed to check into the Ring hotel and dumped all our stuff and headed for the track.
On our laps, there were a few crashes again which resulted in the track being closed for hours.
Back to the hotel we went to get ready for our meal in the local Italian restaurant around the corner.
Day 10 - Germany/Belgium
Another early start saw us headed for Belgium.
Arriving in Brugge. We went on the hunt for a hotel, as we'd had enough of camping. Haha.
Finding one pretty quickly, we settled in and relaxed for a short while. By this point, James had left us and headed home.
That evening, we went out for food and a few beers.
I really enjoyed Brugge. A nice place. Sadly that's all the photos i have from there as my camera died.
Brugge was our last stop, the last day would be spent travelling home. So off we went back to Dunkirk, Then home.
That's pretty much my view of the whole trip, (sorry for the long post)
Hope you enjoy the read.
Stu.
