[So Sad:]

So Sad:


Its a gloomy Sunday morning and the tents are being packed away





The trailers are being hitched





And our friends are all going home   

[The Demolition of Camp GB:]

The Demolition of Camp GB:


Last night, we had something that so far we had managed to avoid since the UK - and that was Heavy Rain. It had stopped now, but everything was soaking wet and not how you really want to be packing the tents away.





The guy I spotted with this little accessory would probably need it today





And slowly but surely, Camp GB was dismantled





Packing a Buggy with this much kit is a real fine art





Lee was in hysterics - Sandra had sunburn - or least pale patches where she had faded in the summer sun   





I win - first packed and ready for our next adventure   





I think Lawson`s Flag may be a little waterlogged





These guys just want to get to bed for some sleep, although I suspect Mrs Toon wants breakfast first





Do you think Allan will be carefully watching his rear view mirror all the way home ? 





Brad is going to have his work cut out keeping Gary awake





Ryan is going to follow us for part of the way, and then they are off for another dirty weekend in Amsterdam





Patrick is insisting on saying Goodbye to everyone





Which may take a while





And that will teach that little sod to tie a bit of tape to the back of Vicki`s car   





And we finally say Goodbye to Dilsen Stokkem - Really hope to be back here again one day 

[Fond Memories:]

Fond Memories:


We all made a lot of new friends this weekend, and shared some really good times 

[Petrol Stations Of Europe:]

Petrol Stations Of Europe:

Back on the road in a convoy, and ready to hit the service stations once more   





All refueled, we headed back to the Motorway towards Holland. Snoopy had seen something on the Interweb about Windmills, and there was a place in the middle of Holland where quite a few could be seen together - Sounded like a plan and we were all up for it.

After quite a drive on the Motorway, my bladder was just about at bursting point, and when I saw a sign for a set of Motorway Services, I flashed and pointed at Vicki that I needed to stop. What I should have done was waited 100 Yards and then done this, because there were two junctions next to each other (unknown to us at the time) with the first taking you on a small back road around the circumference of the services, whilst the other was the fast motorway exit into them. You can guess which one we took.

Ooops - My bad 

By the time I had jumped out, ran to the loo and returned, my car had just about come to a standstill, and we went to find the others who were now parked up.





Seems Dai was having more troubles with his car again





So with this in mind, we thought we would make it a coffee break too





Lisa and I were chatting to Ruben about Marmite, and its amazing some of the little things we take for granted that others have never tried, so we are going to send him out some - along with Vinegar to put on his chips. Honestly? How can you have never tried Vinegar on chips?





Looks like Dai`s car is nearly back together again, so its time to set off

[No, Its a Cycle track !:]

No, Its a Cycle track !:

As we leave the Motorway and through the town, we eventually turn off into a small car park, and in the distance on the other sign of the big red NO ENTRY sign we can see some windmills.





After driving through several other signs saying that cars are most definately not welcome here, we pull over to assess the situation. The markings on the signs indicate that we are on a Dutch cycle track, though the amount of very cross cyclists we were encountering told us that one. Trouble was, the windmills were still in the distance and we were too lazy to walk. So we figured we would just drive slowly along the track instead.





We eventually came to a little bridge, and whilst wide enough to get the cars across, it was unfortunately designed for the weight of a cyclist





We were now in the thick of Bank Holiday Dutch cyclists and it appeared to be rush hour, so we parked in tight formation to save space





Sure enough, we had found the windmills we were looking for.





Dave laughed, Allan`s Buggy may have been voted the best, but it looked a bit Sh!t to him 





The windmills all appeared to be working too - it was a fantastic sight to see





No Allan, I really don`t think Vanessa will clean it this time, you are on your own mate   





Lisa just cannot stop smiling, she seems to be really enjoying herself on this Road Trip   





Don`t recall ever seeing a picture of Buggies and Windmills before 





And to perfectly round things off, at the end of where we are parked is a man selling Hot Dogs and Ice creams 





Heeding the warning Ruben has given about the fine for parking here, we decide to move on to the next stop





That was pretty cool - Good choice of Venue Snoopy   

[Its the Law:]

Its the Law:


Buggy Ownership Law states that if there is a tunnel nearby, then you must drive though it, at least once, in a low gear, whilst flooring the throttle for maximum exhaust noise, whilst grinning like an idiot form ear to ear





I`m glad to state for the record then, that nobody broke the law whilst going through this tunnel      





In all seriousness, I wish my mate Bill had been with me on this bit, as he would have wet himself if he had heard my exhaust going through here




After this mad stretch, we seemed to get stuck in some fairly heavy traffic moving at high speeds and couldn`t quite find the right junction to exit the motorway. It did appear that for the next hour or so as if we were going round and round the Rotterdam Ring Roads. We did however find an exit, and of course a fuel station where we regrouped and said a sad farewell to Ruben, who was now in a position to head home. It was really good to see you again my friend, and we all look forward to catching up with you in due course.




Meanwhile, we need a direction to head for. Its still a good few hours before the Ferry, so its time to go and look for the Beach 

[Important Note for Future Travellers:]

Important Note for Future Travellers:


Its highly likely that in the future we will again use the Hook Of Holland as a departure point, and we will undoubtedly spend a while trying to locate a bit of beach to spend our last few hours on. Look no further - This place is as close to the mouth of the river that you can get, a mere two minutes from the port, and is absolutely stunning in its location. Don`t waste your petrol, just head here.

At the end of the beach was a small car park.





And I pulled up behind something a little interesting





I`m not that up on my Yank Motors, but this looked like a Ford Torino, and if it was, then it must be the only one in existence that is not painted red with a white stripe down the side like Starsky and Hutch.





Hold on a minute - I have just seen something that has got me very exited - study this photo carefully - what do you see?





Now if you are a real Novice at Buggy ownership, you have just spotted an immaculate Z28 Camaro - looks really cool and I don`t blame you at the first attempt at that picture if that is all you saw. Now go back and look at it again. What do you see?


Can you see that Bar and Restaurant on the Beach? Yes - That is what has got me very exited - but can you guess why? And if its becausee I`m a pig and like my food, well . . . . true, but that isn`t what I am thinking.

That Bar my friends, as surrounded by sand dunes, and if anyone is going to know if we can go and play its going to be the owner   


A few minutes later, Lee comes rushing out with a real "Del-Monte" moment . . . .


The Meester . . . . . He say YES !!   

[Beach Buggy:]

Beach Buggy:

And that was it - we were off like a shot   


























Time to go and share our gratitude with the owner I think - that was awesome   








Don`t underestimate just how soft this sand is, and how incredibly difficult it is to drive on though 





I love this picture - its a timeless classic - and we were there   

[Nice Bar:]

Nice Bar:

The Bar staff here were really good and friendly. Even though they had actually stopped serving food a while ago, they were more than happy to knock us up any quick snacks if we wanted. After letting us play on their beach it seemed rude not to.





The view out of their window was breathtaking   





Interesting plaque on the wall - I wonder what it was advertising or meant ?   





Although I have a suspicion that Lee had just found out with his first bite - maybe its time to leave   





As a landmark for future travellers, the structures at the back are actually our dock and on the other side of the river. I had also had a look about and found a place that we could get a final line up photo, and I reckoned it would be good to do a Chad style colour co-ordinated rainbow in his absence. At the end of that road ahead was a No Entry sign, so in true Road Trip tradition, we had to ignore it and drive through.





Trouble was, I was stuck - that sand is so soft, I`m now sitting on my Tow Bar

[Especially for You Chad:]

Especially for You Chad:


If you have ever been on a cruise anywhere with Chad, then yo will know that he always has his eyes open for somewhere to park up for a good photograph of the Buggies all lined up. He will then spend what frustratingly feels like many hours as he constantly rearranges us all in colour order so that the effect resembles the colours of the rainbow. To be fair to him, the pictures always come out well, and its well worth the messing about.

Well Chad had taught me well, and I spotted a big open space on the other side of another building where I reckoned we could take one.





And I bet Chad is now viewing this through frothing and gnashing teeth as his "Colour OCD" has well and truly kicked in by now. That 4th car in from the left is so out of place, and to make it worse, its a DOON.

Sorry mate - Couldn`t resist   























Time to go and catch the Ferry





But Karl doesn`t want to come - He wants to stay and play some more   





Come on Karl, the dunes will still be here next year for you to play on . . . .   

[Ferry Home:]

Ferry Home:


Our timing, as ever, had been impeccable - we all pulled out of the beach resort just as a Police van was pulling in   





Back across the level crossing that had caused a few problems on our way in





We sat and queued for the Ferry





These 3-wheekers are following us - they were with us last year too 





Passport Control - I should think they are glad to see the back of us   





Another queue, and or Ferry, the Stena Britannica is now in sight





Very rare Fiat 500 Deluxe being taken back to the UK for restoration





Weary travelers are now on the Ferry once more





Sat Nav unplugged and time to head upstairs for tea because we haven`t eaten for at least an hour   





After a nice hot shower in the cabin, we retire to the restaurant for a really good meal, and then to the lounge, where we sit, drink and reflect on what has been a truly awesome Road Trip. Lisa and I turn in pretty early though, as I know there is a 05:30am wake up call, and we are still 1 hour ahead on the clocks.

[Harwich:]

Harwich:


Its an early wake up call, and we find our way down to the car deck. Dave Dream cannot fathom how Hazel has got lost, but sure enough, around ten minutes later she appears. And slowly we disembark into the Port of Harwich.





We regroup in the Morrissons Car Park, and this time they have obviously learned a lesson, because the place is open. Its Breakfast time. 





Lisa and I however, are travelling back a different way to go and see my Brother in Milton Keynes. It was a little too early for us to eat and we didn`t fancy hanging around for an hour whilst the others stuffed their faces, so for those that were still milling around outside, we bade our farewells and set off through the depths of Essex. Sorry that we didn`t get a chance to say goodbye to everybody though. As my sat nav became increasingly lost and took us down varied farm tracks where the middle of the road was ripe with vegetation, I jokingly said to Lisa that we would probably meet the others at some point soon. A few miles later, much to everyones amusement, we did just that and had another few miles of cruising once more before turning off.

[Meanwhile:]

Meanwhile:

I`m also pleased to report that the Northern Crew have safely made it home





Utterly Shattered





Good Luck and Best Wishes with your new home guys, and remember never to be a stranger on the forum

Who knows - a Road Trip to Sweden may be on the cards one day   

[Thank You:]

Thank You:

It was great to see some old friends in Europe, especially Ruben, who once again acted as our guide and led us into trouble as ever 

We also made some great new friends this weekend, both abroad, and also from those that came with us from the UK. We could not have had a better crowd of people travelling with us and Lisa and I would like to extend our thanks to everybody who made this such an awesome weekend. This is exactly what the Buggy Community is all about, and hopefully these pictures may inspire you to come and join us on some of our other travels next time.

To everybody in those pictures, those taking the pictures, and those whose photobucket accounts I have blatantly hacked - Thank You. 

With Lisa`s medical condition the way it is, I was unsure if we would even make this trip, and it was so reassuring to hear the little voices of "Are you ok?" from everyone looking out for her as she stumbled across the campsite. She felt really "looked after" and it meant she could enjoy it even more. Dave Doon even got her dancing, and we did not even think that would be possible - Thanks mate, that really put a big smile on her face.

And of course, where would we be without that Krazy Guy from Belgium, Patrick, and his long suffering wife Sabrina. Together with Toon, Arno, and the small team that they had put together they put on one hell of a show. Hopefully Arno will still be smiling when he gets his next phone bill, but thank you for finding me my new friend and brilliant welder called Eric. The International Buggy Weekend of 2015 will go down in History as one of the best yet.

A big Thank You to Everybody  - That was epic !

And sadly, its now all over, and that is the end of my story . . . . . 

Hope you enjoyed reading 

[International Buggy Weekend 2016 Dusseldorf - Germany]

Glad you enjoyed it Boys and Girls - See you next year





International Buggy Weekend 2016
Dusseldorf - Germany


Details to follow