Germany 2009

The Grand Tour

Day 1 by Beverley  
Hi all, at the start of our holidays we all met at Mal and Bev’s for the short ride to the ferry. Once on board we all met up.  Pre planning saw us all take onboard a picnic. Seats found we unloaded our bags; as usual we had enough food for 18 people.  Don’t think any of us were that hungry. The booze onboard ship was expensive £30 for six drinks.  Got the glasses and decided, being tight Brits we would drink our own.  Bev finished first so the Malibu came out, going well so far. Elizabeth had the lemonade, passed the glass over, to find an irate bar tender storming across saying we could not consume our own food or drinks at his bar (he had watched us eat the food for about an hour) and we must stop or go away.  Food was replaced back in bags.  Apparently it was Bev’s guilty face that gave the booze scam away.  A little while later Elizabeth and Ann went to the duty free, came back and showed us their wears.  Elizabeth had bought Vodka, as she was showing us the bar tender came back and told to stop doing that and leave his bar NOW.  Has any other NPR’ers been thrown out of a bar – we have.  Found a quite table by the front of the ferry and played the game PUSH for the next hour or so.  Please ask anyone of us how to play the game, it’s very easy.     
Day 2 by Ann
Dear Diary, It's our turn today (A&A) to write the journal.
We arranged to meet the others at 8am for breakfast.  We arrived early and guarded a table for six, the other four arrived early and guarded another table for six because unbeknown to all, there was more than one restaurant serving breakfast.
We arrived in Amsterdam in glorious sunshine, which lasted all day. The sat-nav took us to the botel but we soon discovered a library had replaced it and its whereabouts was unknown.
After an interesting tour of Amsterdam docks and ring roads we ended up in a police station where they helped us with our enquiries.  We weren’t far away as it happens and were soon booked in. The ferry service on our doorstep took us to the central station where we started our walking tour of the Sin City.  After a visit to the sex museum we took in the red light district to complete Steve’s education. We managed to steer Elizabeth past the Vodka museum only to discover (after her third giggling fit) that the liquid in the 7up bottle was that particular tipple. Well dear diary, we started the day worrying about Mal and ended the day worrying about Elizabeth, Mrs. Dale only had Jim to worry about!  
Day 3 by Elizabeth
Everybody turned up for breakfast, very surprised to see me standing and no hangover, after having a close relationship with a bottle of Vodka and the toilet bowl the night before. Left Amsterdam after breakfast for Koblenz.  Mal and Bev leading the first leg, everything going fine until the satnav started acting up. We ended up seeing the social housing of Nijmegen. Back on track with a new tour guide, Alex, with Mal bringing up the rear.  With Alex taking the lead all going well, until once again the satnav batteries ran out.  Too much rock and roll by Ann.  Stopped for lunch in a service area with Mal ordering his food first then ordering for us, there seemed to be a pattern forming as we got our food first and Mal having to wait again. 
After lunch Steven took over as tour guide, sorry can not tell you much about the rest of the journey as I fell asleep.  Arrived at hotel about 3pm.  After a quick shower and change we had a wander around the town, Alex trying to get his phone fixed: he’s not allowed to roam freely.  More of the old town tomorrow.
Day 4 by Beverley
Its our turn to write the dairy today.  9am in the morning went down for breakfast, others already down – oh no not more food!  We managed to struggle on though. After breakfast a walk was called for to see the castle – never did find it!  Back to the Alt Stadt for more drink.  Ann and Alex went to Nordsee for a fish platter (fancy going all that way for a bit of cod).  We ended up at Pizza Hut.  The theme of the conversation most of the this trip so far has been about the Red Light district in Amsterdam, thus upon hearing Ann’s comment to Alex ‘Are you keeping that out or are you putting it back in’, Alex’s reply ‘I’m keeping it out’ made my mind boggle - haven’t a clue what they were talking about, it sounded good though.
Ann and Alex have just mentioned the confluence of the Mozel and the Rhine – I’m too thick to know what they are talking about.
Roy and Kathryn have just arrived to join us for the night.  Had a walk aroung the Alt Stadt again and stopped for some supper at an Imbiss beside where the two rivers meet.  Roy took some photos for Dave and Kath Hogan, hope to see you up and about soon Dave – just to let you know Kath, the temperature while strolling along the river was a sticky 23 degrees at 9pm.  So off to bed now, ready for the long drive to the Pan Gathering tomorrow.  Night, night.
Day 5 by Ann
It was the camera by the way, in or out of the ruck sack!  Three bikes became four as Roy and Kathryn joined the convoy for the final stage of the outward journey to Braunlage. Alex led and before leaving we went back to the Fort Konstantin to see the magnificent views (it was another cock up with the satnav).
An uneventful journey with lots of road works, which was slow and hot on the single carriage parts of the route.  Very pretty scenery as we approached the foothills of the Harz Mountains.  We all got flashed by a speed camera, thank heavens it was forward facing.
We arrived at the Hotel Maritim at 3pm, a large imposing building which is a popular place for winter sports. Our rooms were large, comfortable and fitted out to please.  Our room was especially pleasing to me as we were on the edge of the Pitch and Putt course.  However it was in need of Steven’s green keeping attention. Everyone signed in, collected the goody bags, pre-ordered polo shirts and picked up maps for the organised rides. In need of liquid refreshment we went to the bar where after a short while we met up with the NPR contingent (Jim Black, Derek Hurst, Dave Atkin, Bill Smith, Alex and Gill Terrell, Steve and Rita Fortune) and our good friends from Norfolk (Roger and Frieda, Tony and Penny, Les and Elaine).
The rest of the first evening followed with the usual meet and greet, and welcoming address.  The buffet supper and the (2 hour) happy hour rounded off the evening. Ann forgot to mention the fact that she seduced the waiter and was even offered his phone number, even though his wife worked there as well.  Alex commented that they were the oldest swingers in town.
Day 6 – by Elizabeth
After a hearty breakfast in the hotel the NPR members decided to ignore the runs provided by the Germans and do their own thing.  We left the hotel for the town of Goslar, usual NPR ride took 3 times as long to get there, as you know we don’t do straight roads, dual carriage ways or motorways.  Derek lead us there through forests and lots of bends.
Once in Goslar we headed straight for the ice-cream parlour, each ice-cream came in a pint pot sized glass, but we raised to the challenge and finished the lot.  Afterwards we had a leisurely stroll around Goslar, with dark clouds overhead, but, it did not rain!!!
Going back the hotel Mal, Bev, Roy and Kathryn set of first, then everybody else followed Derek, well almost, before we even got out of the town we had lost the last 3 bikes, including us, as back markers.  When we arrived back in Braunlage some of us went into the village centre and bought giant party poppers for the last night (will we be asked to leave this bar as well).  Back to the hotel to get washed and changed and back to the bar.  The bar was illuminated by the bright lights of Lancs (aka Roys legs)
At 7.30 we all had to gather on the grass at the rear of the hotel for a group photo.  While doing this Mal in jest said right everyone turn around now (moonie), followed by a comment from another English (southerner, pan clan) person ‘there’s always one’.
Off inside for a BBQ!   Our hosts had organised a tombola so that everyone had the chance of a prize we were restricted to 5 tickets per couple.  There were ten major prizes and 400 smaller prizes.
Results for the 10 major prizes were as follows:
Germany won 3 prizes
England won 6 prizes, 3 of which were NPR members
Norway won 1 prize
Thinking that it was all over Roy in his wisdom  tore his tickets up?  Before the prize draw.  Everybody won something.
Ann bought presents for each of use travelling together:
For Bev a woolly necker to wear on the bike.
For Mal a light to see his way.
Elizabeth – Belt to keep her trousers up, (just ask if you dare).
Steven – elephant pants – wishful thinking.
Jim – light to see his way.
Day 7 – by Beverley
Elizabeth has passed the buck over early 10.30pm; Mal is out late – normally in bed by 9pm, that Norfolk lot can talk!  I’m the one that’s flagging....... see you in the morning.
Good morning campers – breakfast was rather sedate this morning I think all the travelling has caught us up.
Met at 9.30 and off to Stolberg for a coffee and to show others that haven’t been before the beautiful town.  After, we travelled to St Josephs Cross – parked at the bottom and started the walk up, my back hurt so didn’t get far, until a nice German pulled up and said we could ride up to the top.  Mal and I ‘jumped’ on the bike and up we went.  Steven said he was going to kill Derek for telling him he had to walk up (Steven doesn’t do walking, especially up hill), after an ice-cream, off we went to Thale, beautiful scenery up a cable car and had to ride on a bobcar.  Kathryn was persuaded to have ago and really enjoyed it.  Roger nearly threw his teddy in the corner as Frieda beat his time down the run.
We left Thale and Malcolm being the child he is left the main group, with permission, to play with the traffic.  However due to his ongoing good luck managed to arrive first at the petrol station but got served last (does this remind you of the food queues).
Whoops forgot to tell you about Derek’s Diversion, see photo of Elizabeth taking the lead.......
Good weather, good food and good company.  A big thank you must go to Derek who has lead us around these last two days, time to rest before the food fight starts.
Steven as always has made a beeline for the buffet – he’s always onto his seconds by the time we get there!!  Quite night at the table Roy, Steven and Mal all playing with their phones – boys and their toys.
At the end of the meal a ‘rider for health’ helmet was auctioned starting price 100 euros, Mal jumped in with a bid of 200 euros and for a while he thought he had won it, you should have seen the beads of sweat as seconds seemed like an eternity, relief as it went for 500 euros eventually.
Our waiter for the past three nights has been great so we gave him a thank you card and a tip or should I say Ann gave him the card, anything for a free drink, Oh, the drinks have been free all the time.
Gosh! 10pm and Steven and Elizabeth are going to bed before us.  Has he got more food in the room? (no we were just knackered, Elizabeth).  We are just getting our party legs, pity we only have one more night to go.  Another one bites the dust, Jim has just left the building.
Time for us to go now bye, bye.
Day 8 by Ann and Alex
Again we chose to do our own thing, separate from the organised trips.  Alex and I joined Derek and Dave for the trip to Colditz castle.  We had a very interesting outward journey, taking the cross county route through some attractive villages and open countryside.  Our best efforts to make progress were thwarted by the reconstruction programme in the former East Germany, and named ourselves ‘U turns are Us’ because of the numerous road works and dead ends, without diversion signs.  Fortunately we found the A14 heading for Dresden after Leipzig, turned off on to B roads heading to the town of Colditz.  Having reached Colditz Castle we joined a tour led by Graham Robertson, a Scots enthusiast who makes regular visits to Colditz as a part of his ongoing research into German POW camps.  Graham’s tour focussed on the individual escapees such as Pat Reid and Airey Neave.  We looked at the Castle itself and the ingenious means of escape that were developed by the multi-national inmates.  We were all left with a sense of awe and admiration at the amazing escape attempts devised by the allied prisoners. Their single mind perseverance, courage and dogged determination against all odds are a testimony to the calibre of the men who were held captive in Colditz.
Our return journey was shorter, faster and less eventful but lacked the interest of our meanderings through the countryside of Saxony that we experienced on our way to Colditz.  For me it was really worth the journey, not just a man thing but an enlightening experience about human endeavour. 
Late back to base for a welcome soak in the bath in readiness for the evening.  We joined our club members in the dining room for the gathering finale.  Party hats and mortar bomb party poppers were distributed on our table  During the closing ceremony when the flag was handed over to the Pan Clan England, and on the count of three all hell broke loose.  The NPR made the night and taught the Pan Clan how to party.
This is the last night together before we go our separate ways.  Thank you all for your friendship and all you have done to making this a memorable visit and I (we) look forward to seeing our new friends next year in Chorley, (if Alex doesn’t come I’m hitching a lift).
Over to you Elizabeth, safe journey home, see you all on the 13th for Mal’s ride.  Love to all Ann and Alex. (what the others did today)
Day 8 add on
Today we (Elizabeth, Steven, Mal, Bev and Jim) decided to spend a lazy day in and around Braunlage, we took the cable car up the Wurmberg, however, the ‘children’ decided to ‘scooter’ down the mountain.  Elizabeth and Bev decided to use their brains and had hot chocolate at the top and half way down the mountain.  We had all the keys to the bikes and arrived 45 minutes after the boys to find that Mal had gone back up the mountain looking for us, he passed us on the way.
After lunch and a look around the shops we went back to the hotel for a rest, looking forward to the nights events.
Day 9 by Elizabeth
Arranged to meet everyone for one last meal together (breakfast) before we all departed for different directions.  Some for home, others for 1 more night.  Wishing a safe journey home for everyone. After lots of hugs and kisses we set of for Hamburg via Bergen Belsen Concentration camp, to have a look around the memorial.  Before we got there Mal had an electrical problem with the bike, it just stopped, in Celle, spent the next hour at the side of the road trying to solve the problem.  I had seen a BMW dealer ‘just down the road’, 20k later we found it, but they could not help with a new battery, so we bought jump leads instead – success, the bikes moving.  While we were away a kind German stopped and offered Mal the use of his bike to go to a dealer, while he would stay with Bev and the bike, Mal said thanks but we were already looking for a bike dealer.  Carried on to Belsen, very moving place (well worth a look if you are in the area) for all concerned.  We all came away with a tear in our eyes.  Got back to the bikes and Mals bike started first time.  When we got to Hamburg, we pulled over to the side of the road to check directions, Mals bike would not start, so Steven had to push start it – knackered.
Finally found the hotel, had a quick shower and change, went to the bar for a drink.  Found a Tex Mex restaurant for tea.  In keeping with tradition of the tour so far we had a leisurely stroll along the Reapperbahn (red light district of Hamburg for those who do not know).  Back to the hotel for another drink then bed.
While in Hamburg Mal priced a new battery for the bike, take note do not let this happen to you.  Cost of battery 125 euros, delivery to hotel 150 euros.  Mal decided not to buy a battery at this time, the search continues.
Day 10 by Beverley
Good morning all, left Hamburg after breakfast- took 45 minutes to leave the city with the one way system and heavy traffic.  All was going well until Mals bike just died on the autobahn, coasted to the side of the road.  Everything off again jump started it and onward again.  As we entered the ferry at Puttgarden the bike died again.  Steven pushed started it, only to fail while waiting in the queue, once at the front Mal coasted past the ticket office ‘man not impressed shouted something in Dutch’, I explained what was happening – all was calm.  Poor Steven pushed again!
The ferry takes 45 minutes so we settled down and had some lunch.  Off the ferry and onto Copenhagen.  We phoned a Honda dealer in Copenhagen in advance to see if they had a battery in stock – success- as all of Mals electrics were out Steven led the way to Honda.  Didn’t know what was wrong but got a new battery and kept our old one just in case a jump start was needed again.  Didn’t want to abuse Stevens bike more than we had to.  We stayed at Honda while Steven and Elizabeth set off for the hotel.  1 ½ hours later we were ready to go less £230, should have searched harder in Hamburg!  Quick shower and off to Tivoli Gardens (just around the corner from the hotel), we spent six hours there, beautiful at night with all the lights.  The children (Mal and Elizabeth) enjoyed themselves on the rides while the parents (Steven and Bev) watched on.  As Mal climbed the stairs to one of the rides he became hot and flushed, after the ride Elizabeth came looking for ‘mam and dad’, Mal was unwell.  We pumped him full of sugar (candy floss, full fat coke, fruit, ice-cream), but nothing seemed to work so Elizabeth and Steven went looking for First Aid.
The nurse arrived and tool Mals blood sugar level, 4.3 lowest he’s ever been.  She gave him some Dextrose (diabetic sugar tablets) and got him some more fruit and drink.  Blood sugars rose – feeling better, first diabetic hypo Mal had ever had.  Once he was feeling better we had a slow walk back to the hotel, via the train station for Chocolate, bananas etc, anything to keep the blood sugars high.
Into bed for a good nights sleep, see you in the morning.  A big thank you to Steven and Elizabeth for all their hard work with the bike and their concern and running around when Mal took ill.  I couldn’t have coped on my own.  What good friends they are.  Thanks again.
Day 11 by Elizabeth
Awoke after a good nights sleep, well almost, worried about Mal, but, at breakfast all was well, Mal his usual self.  The Danish don’t do breakfast as well as the Germans, bread buns stodgy but edible.
After breakfast we made our way into the heart of Copenhagen, had a leisurely stroll through the streets, then took an open top bus tour of the city, except the top wasn't down and the driver would not open it as there was alot of American OAPs on board and he did not want them to get cold!  After the bus tour concluded we went on a ride on a canal boat to see some more sites.  By this time the wind had picked up and my legs were almost blue (I had put shorts on that morning, I borrowed Bevs jacket to wrap around my legs, until she needed it back, thanks Bev).
After we walked back to the hotel to change and warm me up, then we went out again.  We had a quick drink in the hotel and then went out to the city, had a ride on ‘the big wheel’ and what a view from the top.  After some window shopping and a trip to McDonalds for tea we headed back to the hotel for an early night.
Day 12 by Elizabeth
Well last day of the holiday bar the travelling.  We got up early for breakfast for an early start, we need to be at the ferry port by 4pm, thats when the rain started, its one long road to Ersberg – boring – or so we thought.  After driving along we stopped to put on our waterproofs, its getting heavier.  Off again.  About 10k  down the road Mals electrical problem started again, so we push started it, the charged lasted about 3kms, pushed again, stopped again after another 6kms.  By this time Mals decided ‘enough is enough’ and phoned the breakdown company.

• Rang breakdown using motorway phone.
• They rang him back on the mobile and said he had to ring the English insurance company direct.
• Rang them, got annoyed, pouring down with rain and needed to get out from under the bridge we used for shelter.  He had to give them all his details again.  The man on the phone asked if Steven and Elizabeth could take Bev on their bike!!!??? 
• Said they would send someone .

It was decided that we would carry on to the ferry port in case we all missed the ferry home.
We arrived at the ferry port about 1pm and found a quiet, indoor waiting area to wait for the others to arrive -  we had hot dog and chips for lunch.
In the meantime Mal and Bev waited under the bridge for the breakdown truck to arrive.  When it finally did they were informed that the driver would only be taking them ½ way and they would have to wait for another truck to continue the journey.  As it happened, due to an accident on the motorway he had to bring them all the way to the ferry port, slowly!!  They arrived just in time to check in.  You're not allowed on the ferry if you cannot drive your vehicle on, so we hooked the two bikes together with the jump leads to charge the battery enough to get on board.  Mal pushed the bike through passport control and around to departure point, not going to risk it.
After a quick shower, off to find something to eat, Mal and Bev have had nothing to eat all day.  Not a lot to do on this crossing
Decided to pay to watch the film channels in one of the cabins (Mal paid, thanks).  By this time the weather was getting worse, it's like being on a roller coaster, except you can not get off.  After watching a film we retired to bed, sleep came easily for some, not so for others.
During the night everything fell from the bedside cabinet and ended up at the other end of the cabin, going to the toilet was a real adventure!
Day 13 by Elizabeth
Due to land at 12 noon (GMT).  The weather has improved a little.  We all went down to breakfast, Steven a little seasick, Bev a lot.
The ship rolled so much that some people fell of their chairs!!  After a light breakfast (could not face eating much), we all retired back to our cabins, it was a long night and we had a nap.  Awoke at lunch time, still at sea, Bev still not feeling well.  Had a bag of crisps and chocolate for lunch, not expecting to need to have lunch on board.  Steven and I watched the childrens magic show, performed by a Manuel look a like (from Faulty Towers).
Went back to the cabins, Bevs feeling better, packed the bags ready for the off.  Finally docked at 3pm (GMT) three hours late!!
Said our good byes to each other as we are riding home and Mal and Bev are going in a truck (saved money on petrol)
We arrived home about 8.30, after stopping for some tea and hitting rush hour around the cities.  Steven rang Mal to see how far they had come, they were at the Ferrybridge Service, had to stop as the bike had almost fallen from the truck.  It had not been tied on properly, the only thing stopping it falling completely was the fact that the crash pod was caught on the side of the truck!  The whole handle bar being ripped off by pure force, Insurance job from haulage firm I think.   Finally arrived home at 11pm, it had been a long day.

The end of a good holiday as usual when NPR’ers get together. (Will Mal’s luck ever change!).