For those that have followed Dragon Drascombe, ‘Luggering about in the sun’, you will be aware of my return to Wales in mid-July to visit Steph, my daughter, who had just undergone surgery for ovarian cancer. Yes, the procedure at BMI, Birmingham has gone well, but the post operational period and chemotherapy is going to be a long road. However , she is making great strides thank goodness, all thanks to the early diagnosis and prompt surgery. Andy Stringer, my son in law, is trying to raise awareness for this cause, and will be taking part in the Great North Run.
So on Monday 5th August, Clara was packed and secured on the trailer ready for the drive to Dover followed by the overland drive of 1945 miles to Nidri, via Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro and Albania, entering Greece on its northern border near the University City of Ioannina, and from there a 3 hour drive to Nidri.
Tuesday 6th August saw the drive through Luxembourg to Neunkirchen where I had arranged an overnight campsite. For those who know the issues and dangers of towing caravans or trailers, these are significant and not to be taken lightly. I’m sure everyone has come across whilst driving, caravans overturned, trailers that have lost wheels and accidents caused by caravans swerving across the highway and hitting other vehicles. I have trailed eight boats in total to Greece over the past ten years and I still find it stressful.
Wednesday was a drive through Germany to get us close to the Austrian border. Germany was a nightmare, rain all day, holiday traffic and endless road works from Karlsruhe towards Munich and cold into the bargain, even Bengy was not impressed! My organised stop-over was a campsite close to the border with Austria at Chiemsee, I’ve used it before and it’s a good stepping stone to clear the border and crack on into Slovenia and head to the northern coast of Croatia, with a welcome day’s rest.
In the next few days I will bring you up to date with our camper breakdown in Croatia and the trauma of dealing with the AA in the UK and a crooked so called garage at Zadar, not easy! However, as you will see, Clara made it to Nidri.