DirtyWeekenders going to Ukraine October 2011

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The day started early, meeting Alan and Pauline, June & Phil in Braintree at 4.30. Alan & June are driving the lead vehicle, Princess, with us in Victory following close behind. We found we needed to call into the docks at Ramsgate to collect the Customs paperwork, and then on to Dover. This seems to be a preferred option, as collecting paperwork at Dover can take longer. The trip to the coast went like clockwork, and we boarded the 8.00 a.m. ferry as planned. On board the ferry, I began to hunt for my tablets, which I knew I had packed, but were not in any of the places that I tried. So we decided to go on to get breakfast and see if they turned up later, with me hoping that I didn't flake out! The Channel crossing was calm and pleasant, went very quickly, and back in the van, the tablets turned up, but my phone went missing! I'm hoping this won't be a theme! We drove through France and were in Belgium by 10.00 a.m., stopping in Holland to refuel, and stretch our legs. Derek and Alan ended up stretching their legs for longer, with a long walk back to the coffee shop from the parking spaces they had managed to find at the end of the line of lorries. Alan reported that he had lost the back of his door mirror when one of the lorries had clipped it on the way past, after moaning at him for blocking the road.
Making good time, we made it to Lauenau, where we had hotel rooms booked. Dinner at 6.30 in the bar/restaurant a short walk away, where we all enjoyed either a schnitzel or a steak, washed down with a variety of beer or wine (only one glass each, except for Derek of course!). Here, I was able to help with interpreting, as the waitress didn't speak any English! A stroll through the on-site shop followed, where Derek decided to finish the night off buying a Jaegermeister to drink in the room. Having had such an early start, we wrote the blog and decided to get some shut eye, ready for a leisurely 6.00 a.m. start tomorrow! If you want to see some photos, they will be uploaded later, when I am a bit more awake!

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