Cathedrals and beerhouses - Belgium and Germany

Well well, we're under way after the group meeting up in London it was a short hop across the channel through France and a chance to meet up with the Calypso at our first camp in Tournai, Belgium. General all round excitment exploring the all the nooks and crannies of Calypso before a lesson in the arts of tent construction. Everyone did well and Cher has now lost her virginity (first night under canvas that is!). 

Hot drinks, good old spag bol for supper before testing out everyone's sleeping again the chill of spring in Europe. One thing is for sure it is freezing, nice frosts every morning... and we are toughening up quick/ getting on a few more layers!

The next day was a short morning drive into Germany and our camp on the banks of the Rhine in Cologne (Koln). After lunch the group headed off on foot along the river up into town. Exploring and for some, scaling the 509 steps of the tower the Dom Cathedral. What a stunning building that is. These days we don't have the time to spend building such extravagant structures. 

Sunset over the Rhine River, the view from the campsite

The evening was spent sipping local german beer in the Sion Brauhaus from  tiny glasses much to Chris's surprise. What happened to those Octoberfest sized jugs we all see in the movies? But the service was brilliant and beers were always getting replaced with fresh new one whether you asked or not it seemed.

Our group made a fair bit of noise when it was time for the food to be carried out, never have you seen a sausage so long. Just ask Jody. A night time stint on the tram back down to camp.

Betsy and Jody

The sausages are huge...

... the beers aren't!

Shooting off the following day destination Bamberg, regarded as the prettiest town in Germany or second by others; depends who you ask. Anyway, that aside, a campsite with showers talked about the world over, making your shower at home look weak and dirty in comparison. The group have no excuse not to be clean here. Back to Bamberg, a trip down the road to the local bar called Buger Hof, which was actually a very welcoming place where cheap beer was enjoyed served by our welcoming host whose brilliant English put our German to shame, again.

Calypso and the camp, Bamberg

A tent with a view

A more relaxed start to the day for us all with no driving today, warming up our voices to wish Shelagh a Happy Birthday at breakfast before the group meandered out to tackle the sights and sounds of Bamberg. 

Meanwhile, Helen and I headed out and conquered another supermarket stocking up on some good German meats to stash until food times get a little tougher. A bit of paperwork before getting ready to celebrate the Birthday girl's day properly later.

Helen hard at work in the warmest place in camp... the foyer of the wonderful Bamberg bathrooms!

Next stop Prague, an exciting stop for us and where we'll pick up two more folk to join our bumble eastwards, Di and Nick will be flying in after being delayed back in sunny England.

Oh forgot to mention after some of the group went bin rumaging one lunch stop and turned up a fairly clean looking scarecrow,our newest mascot "Worzel". Lets see how far he can tag along for clinging to our woodbox.

Meet Worzel!

A German Fockeday keeps the doctor away...