MR2 Roadster Owners Club - Corfu (The Return) 2009
After last years fantastic road trip to Corfu we jumped at the opportunity to make this journey, with Nathan and the Agni Travel organisation sorting everything out once more we had no reservations about confirming our place
As my wife Anne kept a diary of our road trip I think it only fair to use her write up as the story for our adventure (what do you mean I'm lazy?)
Friday 24th April 2009
5.00pm - we started packing the car, not a mean feat!! 5.45pm - we finished phew….everything is in now!
Space left on the top right for a couple of hankies.......
Roll call (UK)
Les & Anne
Steve & Lisa
Russ & Viv
Jason & Adele
Chris & Sue
Nige (Meeting us in Corfu)
Nathan (In Corfu)
Roll call (Greece)
Eva
Christopher +1
Vagelis + Katerina
Dimitris + 1
Stefanos + 1
Marinos + Christina
Sakis + Dina
Tolis + Evi
Sordim Δημήτρης
Sikrip
Jonathan + Margarita
Les & Anne
Steve & Lisa
Russ & Viv
Jason & Adele
Chris & Sue
Nige (Meeting us in Corfu)
Nathan (In Corfu)
Roll call (Greece)
Eva
Christopher +1
Vagelis + Katerina
Dimitris + 1
Stefanos + 1
Marinos + Christina
Sakis + Dina
Tolis + Evi
Sordim Δημήτρης
Sikrip
Jonathan + Margarita
Saturday 25th April 2009
5.00am - we are awake (not cos we are excited or anything). 7.00am up and 9.30am we are off.
73152 mileage is logged as our starting point. 1.45pm arrive at Stu and Ele’s for a visit where we meet Lily and various other members. It is a busy time, so much to chat about and see….oooo and the nibbles are tempting! 5.30pm we set off for Jason and Adele’s house and arrive there at 7.15pm. We have a Chinese take-away for supper which really sets us up for long hard sleep tonight….so looking forwards to tomorrow.
Anne couldn't wait to hold the lovely Lily
Sunday 26th April 2008
12.30pm leave Jason’s for Tony’s. 3.30pm we get to Tony & Chris’s house then retire to the garden with lagers as the weather is lovely. 7.15pm Jason and Adele arrive (Jason is in a 350Z as his car is poorly) having had to turn back because they forgot their passports(!) err yes we do need them for the holiday! 8.30pm we have a fabulous dinner cooked by Chris consisting of home made pork stew and fresh fruit swiss roll with cream…oh and the odd bottle of wine is involved - burp!
Our stop over at Tony & Chris's ready for our Dover departure the next day
Monday 27th April 2009
7.00am we start for Dover….7.35am after following Jason and getting lost (we haven’t even left the country yet!) we arrive at Dover. Meet up with people who are travelling on this adventure with us. Oh dear first problem occurs………Adele’s window on the …………..is broken, so out come the tools and attempts are made to mend it. 8.15am we are on to the ferry and it departs. Couple of hours on board and at 11.00am we arrive in Dunkerque. 11.30am we arrive at Auchan and enjoy a bit of retail therapy. 12.30pm after Jason and Les mended that damn window we leave to continue the journey. 1.00pm tops down and we are well on our way, 1.35pm Belgium. * we had a urgent pee stop on this route……….hilarious vision of the blokes in a line!!!!!!!!!!!!! 4.10pm and we are in Luxembourg then to the coffee shop for refreshments. Here we had a photo opportunity of the cars all parked pretty in a line - we were popular with the other travelers around us (fame at last!). 6.15pm we enter France and at 6.35pm just after Saarbruken we get the first toll, 6.55pm Alsace, 7.10pm piage 6euros. 7.45pm we arrive at Hotel Esplanade in Strasbourg. Pleasant enough place. 8.30pm we met downstairs and set off to find an eatery. 9.15pm we found a nice restaurant just 10 minutes away and the usual chomping and drinking takes place.
7.00am we start for Dover….7.35am after following Jason and getting lost (we haven’t even left the country yet!) we arrive at Dover. Meet up with people who are travelling on this adventure with us. Oh dear first problem occurs………Adele’s window on the …………..is broken, so out come the tools and attempts are made to mend it. 8.15am we are on to the ferry and it departs. Couple of hours on board and at 11.00am we arrive in Dunkerque. 11.30am we arrive at Auchan and enjoy a bit of retail therapy. 12.30pm after Jason and Les mended that damn window we leave to continue the journey. 1.00pm tops down and we are well on our way, 1.35pm Belgium. * we had a urgent pee stop on this route……….hilarious vision of the blokes in a line!!!!!!!!!!!!! 4.10pm and we are in Luxembourg then to the coffee shop for refreshments. Here we had a photo opportunity of the cars all parked pretty in a line - we were popular with the other travelers around us (fame at last!). 6.15pm we enter France and at 6.35pm just after Saarbruken we get the first toll, 6.55pm Alsace, 7.10pm piage 6euros. 7.45pm we arrive at Hotel Esplanade in Strasbourg. Pleasant enough place. 8.30pm we met downstairs and set off to find an eatery. 9.15pm we found a nice restaurant just 10 minutes away and the usual chomping and drinking takes place.
Tuesday 28th April 2009
8.30am we breakfast. 9.30am off we go again heading for Innsbruck unfortunately it is raining ….hey ho tops up. 12.15pm we stop for lunch by Lake Constance, Bodensee. It must be commented that Sat Navs are all going in different directions erk! 3.20pm off we go again after eating wonderful lunch. Vignettes are purchased at 4.05pm and we are now in Austria. We are now in the alps and looking at very pretty scenery all around. Tirol road toll is collected - 8.50euros. We are travelling through many tunnels ……….vroooooooooooooom! And enjoying stunning mountain scenery. 6.10pm we arrive in Innsbruck at Hotel Binders which is very good. 7.00pm down to the bar for drinks and at 9.00pm we are eating a pleasant meal at a local café.bar.
8.30am we breakfast. 9.30am off we go again heading for Innsbruck unfortunately it is raining ….hey ho tops up. 12.15pm we stop for lunch by Lake Constance, Bodensee. It must be commented that Sat Navs are all going in different directions erk! 3.20pm off we go again after eating wonderful lunch. Vignettes are purchased at 4.05pm and we are now in Austria. We are now in the alps and looking at very pretty scenery all around. Tirol road toll is collected - 8.50euros. We are travelling through many tunnels ……….vroooooooooooooom! And enjoying stunning mountain scenery. 6.10pm we arrive in Innsbruck at Hotel Binders which is very good. 7.00pm down to the bar for drinks and at 9.00pm we are eating a pleasant meal at a local café.bar.
Room with a view or what?
Wednesday 20th April 2009
8.15am we had good breakfast and at 9.00am we are off. Brenner toll 8euros paid - its sleeting! Cars coming the other way have snow on their bonnets,,,,,,,now we are driving in snow!!! Erk snow plow just went other way. 9.45am Italy and we got a pass. Toll 2.50euros. Once again the Sat navs are playing up but we sort them out! 11.00am we enter the Dolomites run………wow very pretty and the tops are down as the weather is lovely! Oooooops the police are pulling Jason over - seems they don't appreciate the sound of his exhaust.... but they let him off. 1.00pm and we stop for coffee. Pizzas in Italy - well what else can we have but that! 2.20pm off again, well almost - Viv left lights on over lunch and the car has to be jumped off with leads (ooops) which he borrowed in the village. Sat navs have difference of opinion again (getting used to this now) 3.45pm finally got back on track all agreeing having added an hour to the journey…hey ho all part of the adventure. 5.00pm toll 2.20euros. 5.20pm we arrive Venice phew. 5.25pm we are all waiting in line for the ferry hooray. 6.30pm boarding. 6.45pm meet in bar for drinks and snack and chats about the long day. 11.00pm we retire to bed.
8.15am we had good breakfast and at 9.00am we are off. Brenner toll 8euros paid - its sleeting! Cars coming the other way have snow on their bonnets,,,,,,,now we are driving in snow!!! Erk snow plow just went other way. 9.45am Italy and we got a pass. Toll 2.50euros. Once again the Sat navs are playing up but we sort them out! 11.00am we enter the Dolomites run………wow very pretty and the tops are down as the weather is lovely! Oooooops the police are pulling Jason over - seems they don't appreciate the sound of his exhaust.... but they let him off. 1.00pm and we stop for coffee. Pizzas in Italy - well what else can we have but that! 2.20pm off again, well almost - Viv left lights on over lunch and the car has to be jumped off with leads (ooops) which he borrowed in the village. Sat navs have difference of opinion again (getting used to this now) 3.45pm finally got back on track all agreeing having added an hour to the journey…hey ho all part of the adventure. 5.00pm toll 2.20euros. 5.20pm we arrive Venice phew. 5.25pm we are all waiting in line for the ferry hooray. 6.30pm boarding. 6.45pm meet in bar for drinks and snack and chats about the long day. 11.00pm we retire to bed.
Making our way over the Brenner pass
Whoops!!
Time for a couple of pictures on the way
What a fabulous drive
Safe arrival at the Venice ferry
Thursday 30th April 2009
9.00am breakfast (expensive) 10.30am UNO commenced. After a long day………….bit boring but full of drinking and the odd snack or two …….. 8.30pm we docked on Greek mainland and at 10.00pm we finally dock in Corfu!!!!!!!!!! Nathan and Nigel are waiting for us and lead us off to line up on the dockside where we naturally take photos - just to prove we made it!. Off we go in a line to a taverna for drinks and nibbles - a most welcome way to arrive!! 12 midnight to our villas at last. They a really lovely and we settle in as quickly as possible.
9.00am breakfast (expensive) 10.30am UNO commenced. After a long day………….bit boring but full of drinking and the odd snack or two …….. 8.30pm we docked on Greek mainland and at 10.00pm we finally dock in Corfu!!!!!!!!!! Nathan and Nigel are waiting for us and lead us off to line up on the dockside where we naturally take photos - just to prove we made it!. Off we go in a line to a taverna for drinks and nibbles - a most welcome way to arrive!! 12 midnight to our villas at last. They a really lovely and we settle in as quickly as possible.
Friday 1st May 2009
Chill by pool for the morning and go to the supermarket for provisions - well you got to have something in to eat and drink haven‘t you?. 1.00pm we drive to Taverna Agni, on the way driving in convoy (we will be doing a lot of this!) we go to a beach for photo opportunity and Jason gets over-enthusiastic and gets his car well and truly stuck in the sand (hehe). The lads get together and dig it out and push it off. Finally we get them all lined up and take several photos - they look so lovely all lined up and gleaming in the sun Then off we go again to Kassiopi for ice cream- oh and we have to sample the odd drink or two while we are there. The afternoon is spent going to meet the Greek contingency off the ferry and driving in a massive convoy to Belle Marie where they are to stay. We
Give them time to settle in and then we all go to Stephanos for an evening of food and more drinks and at 11.30pm we go home to villa for Uno fest and night time drinks.
Chill by pool for the morning and go to the supermarket for provisions - well you got to have something in to eat and drink haven‘t you?. 1.00pm we drive to Taverna Agni, on the way driving in convoy (we will be doing a lot of this!) we go to a beach for photo opportunity and Jason gets over-enthusiastic and gets his car well and truly stuck in the sand (hehe). The lads get together and dig it out and push it off. Finally we get them all lined up and take several photos - they look so lovely all lined up and gleaming in the sun Then off we go again to Kassiopi for ice cream- oh and we have to sample the odd drink or two while we are there. The afternoon is spent going to meet the Greek contingency off the ferry and driving in a massive convoy to Belle Marie where they are to stay. We
Give them time to settle in and then we all go to Stephanos for an evening of food and more drinks and at 11.30pm we go home to villa for Uno fest and night time drinks.
Our fantastic villa (Persephone)
Taverna Agni
The must have "Beach" shots
Time for an ice-cream before meeting our Greek friends
Our Greek friends arrive so we take a few more pictures
We all meet at Stephano's
Saturday 2nd May 2009
It is our 12th wedding anniversary…..happy anniversary to us!!!! Steve has come to our villa and Jason, Les and Steve are working on it (nothing unusual there then - boys and their toys\). 11.30am we set off for Belle Mare to meet up with the Greeks and at 1.00pm we finally set off for a blat up Mount Pantokrator to the highest point on Corfu (same as we did last year). It is a lovely sight to see all the cars in a long line ahead of us. We have a fantastic drive up winding roads through the clouds and at the top we stop for refreshments. Ourselves we go into the chapel and light candles to the memory of our parents, it is very peaceful up here. We drive back down after having refreshments up there and separate for the day. On to one of the villa's where we spend the afternoon chilling and going in the pool and some of the men decide to wash Russ's car for him. The evening is spent at Taverna Anthi where we all got together and have a good meal (oh and the odd drink or two again!).
It is our 12th wedding anniversary…..happy anniversary to us!!!! Steve has come to our villa and Jason, Les and Steve are working on it (nothing unusual there then - boys and their toys\). 11.30am we set off for Belle Mare to meet up with the Greeks and at 1.00pm we finally set off for a blat up Mount Pantokrator to the highest point on Corfu (same as we did last year). It is a lovely sight to see all the cars in a long line ahead of us. We have a fantastic drive up winding roads through the clouds and at the top we stop for refreshments. Ourselves we go into the chapel and light candles to the memory of our parents, it is very peaceful up here. We drive back down after having refreshments up there and separate for the day. On to one of the villa's where we spend the afternoon chilling and going in the pool and some of the men decide to wash Russ's car for him. The evening is spent at Taverna Anthi where we all got together and have a good meal (oh and the odd drink or two again!).
Spotted this mean machine on the way to Bella Mare
Meeting up at the Bella Mare
A "Must visit" place.........Mount Pantokrator
Rear view camera on my car (driven by Jason) on the drive back down (I used his 350Z)
Video shot from the S2000 (Thanks Jonathan...love it)
A bit of pool fun in the afternoon
"Hand car washes" are nothing like this in England
Sunday 3rd May 2009
Plan for today is a road trip to Lefkada! via the Igoumenitsa ferry, Jason, Adele and us are going with Nathan and Nigel. We set off at 8.00am on board and by 11.0am we are all off the ferry ready for the driving. We are having much fantastic driving led by Nathan with occasional stops for food and drink and wandering around for photos. Oooooops we are enjoying so much we have missed the 6.30pm ferry back so we go to get food and wait for a later ferry. Would you believe it Nathan has found a ‘McDonalds’ equivalent and we can all have burgers!! We get 9.00pm ferry back to Corfu.
Plan for today is a road trip to Lefkada! via the Igoumenitsa ferry, Jason, Adele and us are going with Nathan and Nigel. We set off at 8.00am on board and by 11.0am we are all off the ferry ready for the driving. We are having much fantastic driving led by Nathan with occasional stops for food and drink and wandering around for photos. Oooooops we are enjoying so much we have missed the 6.30pm ferry back so we go to get food and wait for a later ferry. Would you believe it Nathan has found a ‘McDonalds’ equivalent and we can all have burgers!! We get 9.00pm ferry back to Corfu.
Off the ferry driving into Lefkada
A few pictures round Lefkada then a spot of lunch
Spotted on the drive back to the ferry............Restoration project anyone???
.............and what a drive back!!
Can't get enough of these Greek sunsets.......
Monday 4th May 2009
First thing we chill and then we go down and get two motor boats for the day. Very nice neat little vessles and with six of us in one and five of us in the other much fun is had blatting around - it makes a change from four wheels! We wander to Kassiopi Bay and moor up, we then walk round to a taverna where we get crepes with fresh fruit and cream (fondly remembered from last year) yummy and are joined by the Greeks for a drink. Then back to the boats and more blatting around to Ipsos where we moor up and go to get provisions for a BBQ at the others villa tonight. We then drop off some of the peeps below their villa with shopping and the rest of us get some more fun in with the boats taking them back- they go faster with less people in them! We go to the others villa and spend some time in their pool and finally spend evening together with the Greeks having a lovely BBQ with many drinks. Everyone (well nearly everyone) joins in a murder mystery game which is initiated by the Greeks and much hilarity follows.
First thing we chill and then we go down and get two motor boats for the day. Very nice neat little vessles and with six of us in one and five of us in the other much fun is had blatting around - it makes a change from four wheels! We wander to Kassiopi Bay and moor up, we then walk round to a taverna where we get crepes with fresh fruit and cream (fondly remembered from last year) yummy and are joined by the Greeks for a drink. Then back to the boats and more blatting around to Ipsos where we moor up and go to get provisions for a BBQ at the others villa tonight. We then drop off some of the peeps below their villa with shopping and the rest of us get some more fun in with the boats taking them back- they go faster with less people in them! We go to the others villa and spend some time in their pool and finally spend evening together with the Greeks having a lovely BBQ with many drinks. Everyone (well nearly everyone) joins in a murder mystery game which is initiated by the Greeks and much hilarity follows.
Stop over in Kassiopi where our Greek friends drive round and meet us
Checking out the cars in Kassiopi
Back for a BBQ and an evening of fun
Tuesday 5th May 2009
This morning is spent chilling in the pool. Afternoon we English meet Nathan and set off for an adventure trip to Paxos by hydrofoil. It is an interesting crossing (we can’t take cars lol) and when we land Nathan tells us to walk 300m up the hill to our villas where we are to stay overnight. OK so 300m Greek style seems like a mile or so to us and its uphill all the way and its boiling hot phew. The views of Paxos below us are stunning though and the villas (when we stagger there) are lovely. We settle in and then we walk down the track - well mountain goat path - to the village. We all are very thirsty by now and hungry so we stop off a local bar for milk shakes and food. OK the milkshakes are good but very expensive (me thinks a flotilla of yachts has berthed and the prices reflect this) and the food isn’t on till tonight! So the others wander off in search of food and Jason, Adele and us walk over the road to a local taverna where we have a very nice lunch and it is very cheap - buy local eh! Only thing is I have to remove tavernas cat to sit down and then we all have to feed it tidbits - well we have usurped its place! Then we go back up to the villas to chill with a bottle of wine on the balcony overlooking the bay. We present Nathan with the crystal of his car and our painting while we are all together at the villas……..aw he seems really pleased. He has bought a Fiat up with him and plans to take us down to a village for dinner…hmmmmmmmmm How many peeps can you fit in a Fiat? WELL we got 12 peeps and even more could have fit if we had really tried!! Then being realistic we split into two groups and Nathan ferries us in the first group down to a pretty village which we wander round while he goes back for the rest of us. Then he leaves them in the village and takes us on to the final venue, and he goes back for the rest again - phew. We are all invited into the kitchen to choose what we want for our evening meal - a novel experience - and then we settle down to a very pleasant evening meal and drink. They bring out desert for free!!! Then we trot across the road to an evening of more drinking and music in a bar where Nathan knows the twin sisters in charge. We go back to the villas in a taxi to let the poor old Fiat have a rest…well its brakes have gone erk!
This morning is spent chilling in the pool. Afternoon we English meet Nathan and set off for an adventure trip to Paxos by hydrofoil. It is an interesting crossing (we can’t take cars lol) and when we land Nathan tells us to walk 300m up the hill to our villas where we are to stay overnight. OK so 300m Greek style seems like a mile or so to us and its uphill all the way and its boiling hot phew. The views of Paxos below us are stunning though and the villas (when we stagger there) are lovely. We settle in and then we walk down the track - well mountain goat path - to the village. We all are very thirsty by now and hungry so we stop off a local bar for milk shakes and food. OK the milkshakes are good but very expensive (me thinks a flotilla of yachts has berthed and the prices reflect this) and the food isn’t on till tonight! So the others wander off in search of food and Jason, Adele and us walk over the road to a local taverna where we have a very nice lunch and it is very cheap - buy local eh! Only thing is I have to remove tavernas cat to sit down and then we all have to feed it tidbits - well we have usurped its place! Then we go back up to the villas to chill with a bottle of wine on the balcony overlooking the bay. We present Nathan with the crystal of his car and our painting while we are all together at the villas……..aw he seems really pleased. He has bought a Fiat up with him and plans to take us down to a village for dinner…hmmmmmmmmm How many peeps can you fit in a Fiat? WELL we got 12 peeps and even more could have fit if we had really tried!! Then being realistic we split into two groups and Nathan ferries us in the first group down to a pretty village which we wander round while he goes back for the rest of us. Then he leaves them in the village and takes us on to the final venue, and he goes back for the rest again - phew. We are all invited into the kitchen to choose what we want for our evening meal - a novel experience - and then we settle down to a very pleasant evening meal and drink. They bring out desert for free!!! Then we trot across the road to an evening of more drinking and music in a bar where Nathan knows the twin sisters in charge. We go back to the villas in a taxi to let the poor old Fiat have a rest…well its brakes have gone erk!
Getting the hydrofoil for Paxos
The "short" walk up the hill.........But the views on the way.....Wow!!
Our villa.......and what a view!!
We all walk down to the village for a spot of lunch
What a setting for our evening meal.....
Wednesday 6th May 2009
A glorious morning for the ferry back to Corfu. On our return we travel in our cars back to the villas where we had a English breakfast yummy. The rest of us toured round Corfu town and had a cold English breakfast at a café (haha). We chilled all day by our pool together with Nigel who joined us for breakfast. In the evening we go to a taverna recommended by Nigel - Thomas’s Taverna. We have a lovely meal and the odd drink or two….we are presented with a local magazine from last year which has our report of last years trip in it! And are asked to send them a copy of this years write up. The other go on to a karaoke bar to meet the Greeks for an evening of general hilarity but Jason, Adele and us go back to our villa for more wine and then bed.
A glorious morning for the ferry back to Corfu. On our return we travel in our cars back to the villas where we had a English breakfast yummy. The rest of us toured round Corfu town and had a cold English breakfast at a café (haha). We chilled all day by our pool together with Nigel who joined us for breakfast. In the evening we go to a taverna recommended by Nigel - Thomas’s Taverna. We have a lovely meal and the odd drink or two….we are presented with a local magazine from last year which has our report of last years trip in it! And are asked to send them a copy of this years write up. The other go on to a karaoke bar to meet the Greeks for an evening of general hilarity but Jason, Adele and us go back to our villa for more wine and then bed.
Back to the ferry
Back at the villa I took some pictures of the birds cooling off in our pool
Our evening meal at Thomas's Taverna, another great setting
Thursday 7th May 2009
Yet another day of rest! Chilling by and in the pool. At 2.00pm after meeting at Agni Travel where
we pay our ferry money then go down to Taverna Agni to take a BIG bunch of Lilies for Nathan’s wife Heleni - to say thanks for giving him time to be with us on this trip. We have marvelous pancakes and I also have strawberries (greedy eh?) and Les has banana split yummy….and we have the odd beer too. Then we go back to our villa and we pack our cars ready for the off tomorrow - sighs. Then after more chilling round the pool and a final dip in the evening we have a goodbye BBQ at ours. There are only three Greeks left but they join us. Also Nathan, Heleni, his daughter and brother and sister-in-law join us. His daughter frolics in the pool with Nigel and much hilarity ensues. This is a good end to a marvelous holiday.
Yet another day of rest! Chilling by and in the pool. At 2.00pm after meeting at Agni Travel where
we pay our ferry money then go down to Taverna Agni to take a BIG bunch of Lilies for Nathan’s wife Heleni - to say thanks for giving him time to be with us on this trip. We have marvelous pancakes and I also have strawberries (greedy eh?) and Les has banana split yummy….and we have the odd beer too. Then we go back to our villa and we pack our cars ready for the off tomorrow - sighs. Then after more chilling round the pool and a final dip in the evening we have a goodbye BBQ at ours. There are only three Greeks left but they join us. Also Nathan, Heleni, his daughter and brother and sister-in-law join us. His daughter frolics in the pool with Nigel and much hilarity ensues. This is a good end to a marvelous holiday.
Friday 8th May 2009
Hey ho its up and away on our travels home…sobs. By 5.30am we set off in convoy to catch the ferry for Venice. Nathan and Nigel are with us to see us off. The ferry arrives a tad late at 7.00am and then we board - bye-bye Corfu!. Off to our cabins (ours is lovely with outside view and free refreshments). We have salad and chips for lunch (expensive but good) and the usual drinks are involved. We then adjourn to the bar where Uno commences and we chill and chat and reminisce about what a great time we have had until bed time.
Hey ho its up and away on our travels home…sobs. By 5.30am we set off in convoy to catch the ferry for Venice. Nathan and Nigel are with us to see us off. The ferry arrives a tad late at 7.00am and then we board - bye-bye Corfu!. Off to our cabins (ours is lovely with outside view and free refreshments). We have salad and chips for lunch (expensive but good) and the usual drinks are involved. We then adjourn to the bar where Uno commences and we chill and chat and reminisce about what a great time we have had until bed time.
Saturday 9th May 2009
Up at 5.30am to shower and pack and then at 7.30am off the ferry into Venice. After driving around for ten minutes looking for a car park we are finally shown where to go by a very nice van driver. We then go by local bus (hehe) it is a boat…to St Marks Square. We walk round doing the touristy bit and get something to eat and drink on our feet because it costs twice as much to sit down! In fact we find that you are not allowed to sit or lay(!) anywhere in Venice, you have to pay for something to drink and sit down….grrrrrrrrrrrrrr. So having seen enough (for us anyways) we go back by boat to the stop off place for the car park. There we find a very nice café where we have a fabulous pizza, deserts and drinks to our joy. Then we go to local park and chill for an hour. At 2.45pm all the others are still walking round Venice so we set off alone for Innsbruck. 3.10 pm we get a toll ticket and 3.15pm pay 2.30 euros toll. 4.00pm we are on the Dolomites run again, they are ahead shrouded in mist but we have a fabulous sunny run with lovely views. At 4.45pm it is starting to rain and the Sat nav is going mad - its says we are on the other side of the river der there is not even a road along there! 5.20pm we get ticket for toll to Brenner Pass. 7.30pm we pay toll 2.50 euros and at 8.00pm we stop off for a motorway meal with a fabulous view. 8.30pm we are off again and we pay a toll 8 euros The signs say 13k to Innsbruck. It is boiling hot weather as we drive along.
Up at 5.30am to shower and pack and then at 7.30am off the ferry into Venice. After driving around for ten minutes looking for a car park we are finally shown where to go by a very nice van driver. We then go by local bus (hehe) it is a boat…to St Marks Square. We walk round doing the touristy bit and get something to eat and drink on our feet because it costs twice as much to sit down! In fact we find that you are not allowed to sit or lay(!) anywhere in Venice, you have to pay for something to drink and sit down….grrrrrrrrrrrrrr. So having seen enough (for us anyways) we go back by boat to the stop off place for the car park. There we find a very nice café where we have a fabulous pizza, deserts and drinks to our joy. Then we go to local park and chill for an hour. At 2.45pm all the others are still walking round Venice so we set off alone for Innsbruck. 3.10 pm we get a toll ticket and 3.15pm pay 2.30 euros toll. 4.00pm we are on the Dolomites run again, they are ahead shrouded in mist but we have a fabulous sunny run with lovely views. At 4.45pm it is starting to rain and the Sat nav is going mad - its says we are on the other side of the river der there is not even a road along there! 5.20pm we get ticket for toll to Brenner Pass. 7.30pm we pay toll 2.50 euros and at 8.00pm we stop off for a motorway meal with a fabulous view. 8.30pm we are off again and we pay a toll 8 euros The signs say 13k to Innsbruck. It is boiling hot weather as we drive along.
A few Venice pictures
This was near to where we parked the cars
Our lone trip to Innsbruck and the stunning scenery (Even a wedding)
Sunday 10th May 2009
Breakfast and some of the others are leaving early to go to Strasbourg sightseeing, we toddle along at a slower pace and go via a route which is toll free and much prettier! We start off at 10.30am and we give Jason and Adele another chance to drive the roadster. At 12.00noon we stop for lunch at an alpine lodge where it is very nice scenery snuggled in the mountains all around, we have icecreams and beers. 12.45pm we set off again back in our own car. 3.05pm we stop for photo shoot above Lake Constance - oh wow it is a diragible! 3.45pm we go to a McDonalds for a meal (yes they have them everywhere!) and 4.00pm we are on our way again. 6.30pm we arrive at Strasbourg and check into the hotel. 8.30pm we go for a walk to the square and meet the others for a snack and beer in a bar near the cathedral. It is an amazing building and the square is fascinating. I have bread and cheese to eat shared with Adele and we really enjoy it and I drink a stein of beer! We wander back to hotel and say goodbye to all the others as they are leaving earlier the us, Jason and Adele in the morning. Sad to see them the last time but no doubt we will meet again. 11.00pm bed.
Breakfast and some of the others are leaving early to go to Strasbourg sightseeing, we toddle along at a slower pace and go via a route which is toll free and much prettier! We start off at 10.30am and we give Jason and Adele another chance to drive the roadster. At 12.00noon we stop for lunch at an alpine lodge where it is very nice scenery snuggled in the mountains all around, we have icecreams and beers. 12.45pm we set off again back in our own car. 3.05pm we stop for photo shoot above Lake Constance - oh wow it is a diragible! 3.45pm we go to a McDonalds for a meal (yes they have them everywhere!) and 4.00pm we are on our way again. 6.30pm we arrive at Strasbourg and check into the hotel. 8.30pm we go for a walk to the square and meet the others for a snack and beer in a bar near the cathedral. It is an amazing building and the square is fascinating. I have bread and cheese to eat shared with Adele and we really enjoy it and I drink a stein of beer! We wander back to hotel and say goodbye to all the others as they are leaving earlier the us, Jason and Adele in the morning. Sad to see them the last time but no doubt we will meet again. 11.00pm bed.
Leaving Innsbruck
Monday 11th May 2009
9.00am we have a very nice breakfast and 9.15am we go to the cars. 9.40am on our way on the last leg and at noon we are entering Luxembourg - all going well. 12.30pm now in Belgium 3.00pm we enter France. 4.00pm we arrive at Auchan and go get a shed load of wine because it is so cheap! Every square inch of the car is packed with bottles!! 5.40pm we last four amigos board the ferry for Dover and put our watches back to English time. 7.15pm we dock at Dover and disembark having said our fond farewells to Jason and Adele till next time. 10.00pm and we are well on the way home……………..Midnight and we are finally home!
THE END OF A FABULOUS HOLIDAY...................
9.00am we have a very nice breakfast and 9.15am we go to the cars. 9.40am on our way on the last leg and at noon we are entering Luxembourg - all going well. 12.30pm now in Belgium 3.00pm we enter France. 4.00pm we arrive at Auchan and go get a shed load of wine because it is so cheap! Every square inch of the car is packed with bottles!! 5.40pm we last four amigos board the ferry for Dover and put our watches back to English time. 7.15pm we dock at Dover and disembark having said our fond farewells to Jason and Adele till next time. 10.00pm and we are well on the way home……………..Midnight and we are finally home!
THE END OF A FABULOUS HOLIDAY...................
My Thoughts
Yet another fantastic road trip to Corfu with friends old and new, I hope I never tire of these amazing continental trips and look forwards to wherever the next one will be.
Once again my thanks go to Nathan and all at Agni Travel for the time and effort put into making this another successful-enjoyable-superb never to be forgotten holiday and thanks again to all my Greek friends for the warm, friendly hospitality you have given to us.....Yamas!!
Yet another fantastic road trip to Corfu with friends old and new, I hope I never tire of these amazing continental trips and look forwards to wherever the next one will be.
Once again my thanks go to Nathan and all at Agni Travel for the time and effort put into making this another successful-enjoyable-superb never to be forgotten holiday and thanks again to all my Greek friends for the warm, friendly hospitality you have given to us.....Yamas!!