2014/2 The Road to Sardinia

An early start – 8am! Off to see Dover castle. It has been on the agenda for years but usually too much of  a rush to catch the ferry or travel weary on the way back. Well it was interesting and varied – medieval castles to WW2 bunkers. But not my favourite. Another quick, efficient trip to Calais, blowing a gale but no seasickness. Sadly all Joanna’s shopping plans were dashed because we had forgotten that France closes down on a Sunday and Monday morning. Never  mind, next day we were into it, haircuts, Lidl, Carrefour, Zara,  and of course the ubiquitous Moules frites in the town square, before setting off on the long haul south to Genoa. All 1500 kms of it on Belgium and French free motorways – via Switzerland.

Switzerland destination Interlaken, beside the lakes in the tourist ‘Jungfrau’ land.  No we didn't go up the Yungfraujoch railway (expense and variable weather). From the campsite (oh so incredibly clean, cloths left by every stainless steel basin, afraid to leave a spec of dirt) we used the free buses to get around.  Walked up one valley past the site of a canyoning accident in 1999 which killed 19 people including 2   Kiwis.  Have to admire the Swiss with their substantial alpine huts high in the valley next to a patch of near vertical meadow.  In the valleys their houses are sprinkled all over, all the same chalet style – no scope for architects here!. Up to Lauterbrunnen for a night with a mountain walk to Murren, high up with stunning views of the Eiger and Jungfrau.

To leave Switzerland to the South is not so easy this time of year with most passes not opening before June.  However with their tunnels the Swiss go alongside lakes, under mountains etc etc, all lengths, up to one at 19 km. Through to Genoa and the docks – well what a performance getting on the ferry – all in the best Italian style, no information, when loading some had tickets some did not. However, no one got upset – more like a resigned indifference. Lots tried to cheat and push in. Oh dear. We became very English at that point. Although one of the first to line up we were next to last to load –by reversing up the ramp  (it did make us first off). A marked contrast with the slick efficiency of Dover and Calais. Had booked a cabin and what a pleasure beds, shower etc.

Arrival in Oblio northern Sardinia this morning in sunshine and a temperature 10 or more degrees warmer than recent weeks in Northern Europe.  Not sure about the access to the Internet here so glad to find a shopping centre with one straight away and hence thought we would sent a blog while we can. Son Nick  had a bad leg break and dislocated ankle at rugby last Saturday, now in Timaru hospital awaiting an operation Wednesday afternoon. So good to be able to Skype Katie and catch up with news. You feel a bit helpless when so far away, but he has some great friends down there taking care of him, and his brother and sister are onto it. Now off to a beachside campsite, anywhere will do.

2014/1 En Route

  Straight through via Hong Kong to a  UK with brilliant sunshine for the May Holiday weekend in Hastings  - fish for supper, kippers for breakfast. Stan the van had suffered from a very very wet but mild winter with green growth to be washed off as the first job.   It was ‘Jack in the Green’ (look it up) weekend in Hastings, the Old Town teeming with Morris dancers, ‘clackerty’ boots with bells, green or very fancy dress, hop skipping and jumping with squeeze box music, pubs crowded.  Bank holiday Monday, Jack leading the procession with drum band music reverberating in the narrow streets.  Up on the hill a crowd sat on the grass to taste the local brew and watch the dance teams. 

 

However not to be outdone, Monday was also the motorbike rally with over 10,000 bikes (the paper says 30,000) in town creating a constant background roar. All car parks, verges and centre reserves filled with every sort of 2 and 3 wheel machines. All this with sunshine and the pebble beach backed by amusement parks etc – all go as I imagine the good old Hastings heydays.

Of course the weather couldn't continue and we set off to the end of Sussex over the South Downs  to lunch with David’s old friends with whom he shared a house many moons ago.  Thence a two day visit to some fine country houses and gardens all part of the National Trust (entry free with our NZ Historic Places card).  Spring in the gardens and on the Oh so narrow roads (driving Stan’s  left hand drive as close as possible to the hedge).  The fresh green leaves (well a green/lime in fact) with sun and rain – beautiful. There is so much unspoiled wood and  pasture in the South of England.  A night parked on the harbour at Bosham and back to Hastings.   Final preparations to fit a new house battery and a new skylight with gale force winds in Hastings, lets hope the Channel is calmer tomorrow. Final Stan check up, fill up with water, load up the clothes ( why do we keep bringing clothes etc over and leaving more here – will we ever learn?)  Joanna picked up her Spec Savers specs (so much cheaper here) and to the supermarket  to stock up with UK specials and David to load up the bikes.

Have to have one last visit to a pub for a drink (or two) and another comfortable night and shower in Maureen’s house. We should be off in the morning (Sunday the 10th May) via Dover castle to catch the ferry.  Joanna has planned a route south via Lille, Belgium and Switzerland to Genoa – we shall see.

Note David has a new UK phone (old number deceased) new one 00447437191507 but only use if urgent and preferably with text message, we will access email when WiFi available.