Meurice Hotel Calais

We awoke to the noise of trucks and early morning deliveries..Took Lucy for walk and packed van ready to hit the road again..Start? Yes!!<br><br>Breakfast at the Happy Chef opposite the Marina in Dover was very welcomed, and to be recommended. We will be checking out Uncle Sam's next time we pass through. Now down to the Ferry port for check in..<br><br>Ooh la la......<br>

So this is where it all started. We all gathered in the Restaurant, with our vehicles lined up outside.<br>The teams were all given two eggs to keep safe for the week, and a set of challenges including a bingo card to collect photos of things we might see on the way.<br><br>The Road book was handed out, along with the t shirts, and we all lined up for team photos ...

... to walk out, and me throwing up right outside!!! Not happy Ooops...<br><br>That was last night,<br><br>Today we will drive 580 + miles in our spongebob squarepants painted Volvo, to Sarnen in Switzerland. Our challenge for today is 'Picture Treasure Hunt' of 1 hot air balloon, 4 cop cars, 1 Mustang, 1 Ferrari 430 with one team member in the picture, 1 flag etc. <br><br>We got 6 out of the 8 &#8211; a fun days drive!!

We got to the campsite at about 9:30.<br><br>Then the party games began. We played putting up tents in the dark, cooking for 8 in the dark (which turned out delicious cheers logistics team), unpacking kit, blowing up airbeds - with no alcohol consummed.<br><br>Then suddenly there were some squeals ...

... due to a couple of little incidents on the way. We had a new inverter delivered yesterday morning as the original failed on Friday so I attempted to install that this morning but ran out of time. We were making good time to Dover but we needed to fill up the gas before we left the country as we had no time to get a French adaptor. The pump we found filled ...

... of Death and an emotional meltdown for me and John both, we slept in the rain. The next morning, I woke up with my eyes half-swollen shut from frisbee-related fall into some unidentifiable plant, so we went to check on our car, and pay a visit to the grocery store to get some food and benedryl. It's easy to eat healthfully here. The food is amazing and very cheap. We got a rottisserrie chicken, a loaf of French bread, orange juice and sundry other ...

... re going to be appalled at me drinking half a bottle of wine then barreling down the freeway at 140kmh, but there you go, I did it. Metz is a very interesting city - it's the capital of Lorraine, was an important Gallo-Roman city, then alternated between French and German control until it finally remained French after WW2. I stayed in a beautiful hotel in the medieval quarter, right opposite the fabulous Saint-Etienne Catedral. It has one of the most important collection ...

... our booth I tweaked my knee a little weird and it ached afterwards for the rest of the day. I took some Tylanol, (the only thing I had on me at the time), and I hoped it would be ok. Right after lunch, I spotted land out of the forward windows and I limped up to the railing to take a couple pictures of the impending France. Getting off the ferry seemingly took less time than boarding. And from the docks of Calais we started our journey east to Paris. I ...

... I dropped mine in the shower at the Amsterdam hostel, and god knows when the last time the floor was properly cleaned). So after feeling somewhat accomplished, I continued my wanderings, saw some cool city scenes; then gave up my search, choosing to go with a budget hotel instead (I did all this while dragging that god forsaken suitcase around mind you). But! They have free WiFi, so it's pretty much worth the extra 15 Euros ...

We soon climbed out of the tunnel and raced towards the train's first stop at Lille. The land was flat, bathed in sunshine and looking decidedly and strangely 'foreign' !!!<br><br>We were served with a late lunch during this section of the ride. Well cooked and well served! Also with a nice glass of champagne!!! <br>