Day 2 – to Würzburg, Germany

Searching for that ‘highway of diamonds with nobody on it’..

Nevene was a good place to stay, at its sports centre. There is even an electric hook up available for those who want it, coin operated. There was one other van there, but I didn’t see the owners, it wasn’t that sort of night, sleety snow and a string north easterly.

The guy running the sports centre came over and had a chat, offered me access to water, and even a hot shower. Had it been for the morning I would have jumped at the opportunity, but I had my mind fixed on a La Chouffe at the bar over the river footbridge..

This morning I woke to a covering of snow, and less wind, but colder.

After a stock up at the local Carrefour, I headed south around Brussels and had researched a place to have a wander at the Arboretum Van Heverleebos. I was lucky to get a weather window, just light snow, and the place was ideal, deserted except for some training Army Cadets.

Then the weather set in. The snow became heavier and accumulated. Driving was easier of the main E40 due to the weight of traffic, on smaller roads it would have accumulated more. I was unsure at first of how far to drive south, but with the weather as it was, and decent radio on (last Kermode Film Review show) I decided to drive.

German fuel is the most expensive in Western Europe at the moment, and on the motorway I braced myself for the cost of a fill up. But my bracing was insufficient for my shock… €2.61 a litre, so €156 to fill the tank… oh my word, best forgotten, though I have learnt to find a supermarket from now on..

As the afternoon grew into evening the temperature dropped, and the roads became more difficult. I decided to stop at Würzburg, and am set up at a campervan parking place by an outdoor sports complex by the River Main, just before town. After a beer at the sports bar nextdoor, it was into the heat for Sale Saracens.

Just a note for anyone looking to pick up tips or advice. There had been some rumour that data roaming rates would be much more expensive from 1st March following Brexit. Initially one company decided not to do this, and a month later it was followed by the others. Internet is useful to me when travelling; blog writing, research, radio and TV. I use pay as you go top ups, as pointless to have a contract living in the Lakes where there is no signal. I use GiffGaff in my cell phone, £15 for 20GB (monthly) data and calls, texts. In the router I use EE, £30 for 100GB (monthly) data. EE is the best, as they allow top up from anywhere in the world for as much time as necessary. GiffGaff only allows 2 months top up when outside UK.