Darwin I

The first of three manned missions to set up base camp at Vitared. Sorry I've been reading Mars 1 again. I'm too old for the Mars astronaut programme, but my Swedish adventure suits me perfectly. You know? this new adventure is every bit as exciting as Nordkapp 3 years ago. "Three Steps Forward, On step Back" is a journey. I know that now.

Darwin I is the first car load to go to Vitared to equip my summer house. This time the route is across northern Europe, Two further "missions" are expected. 1 for September then maybe a third in December. We shall see. Allan and Sue waved me off around 10:15. I pulled away slowly mindful of the weight, leaving heating worries behind. I hope the heating system behaves for Mike. Seriously though, this trip started with an excellent visit to Ali and Cara in Melton, Suffolk. A beery sesh in The Anchor in Woodbridge, was a great way to catch up, and prepare to depart. I tried to be polite over dinner. I think I succeeded initially at least. Thanks to both for hosting me until 8pm Sunday and the hour transfer to Harwich and straight onto the ferry for The Hook of Holland. I'm getting to be an old hand at this. I went straight to my cabin and turned in for the night.

The intercom woke me, and after a Gypsies breakfast I went directly to Darwin and climbed into my tiny cockpit amongst my junk. I can see both wing mirrors, which is enough. On disembarkation I switched Jane on to get me clear of Rotterdam and on my way towards Utrecht. Then I let her sleep the long, boring but sunny drive onto the A1, and on towards Hamburg then Lubeck for the night. The journey went like clockwork. No problems from the huge load the little Polo is carrying. German service stations are expensive but very high quality. Salad for lunch with a capachino, then on, and on, and on. I turned Jane on a couple of times when unsure of direction changes. Maybe a total of twenty minutes, conserving her battery. 15 km before Lubeck I let her lead me in to my digs. It was easy getting to the City Ibis. Great prices and a good room for the night. I've used International Hostels in the past and really like the ethics and the people you meet. The thing is that when you are moving fast and long, you don't want to waste energy making your own bed, and cooking your own dinner and washing up.

Another Gypsy breakfast and on to the ferry at Puttgarten. The German Baltic coast is bleak and cold today. Snow hangs on in every sheltered corner. The sunshine is pleasant but weak. This long, long winter continues. I fumbled the unmanned ticket machine, but an efficient German member of staff sorted out my cock up, took my money, and let me embark. The ferry was busy with Balkan guys using vouchers to obtain cut price cigarettes and delay everyone elses breakfast until it all went cold. They get their cigarettes at the check out for the breakfast queue. Not a great system. I left my unpaid for cold coffee next to the Balkan guy with a fist full of vouchers arguing over how many he is allowed, and sauntered off. His face was a picture when he was asked to use 2.5 Euros of the money he had saved to pay for the cold coffee he just created. I have no sympathy or energy for it. I also don't look back. I went and found a quiet coffeeless corner for half an hour.

The drive up through Denmark to the bridge at Olasund (spelling?) takes a couple of hours. Denmark is as cold as Germany, and as sunny. It is a nice winters day (April 9 for God's sake!). The bridge is always impressive. I love it. It brings a smile every time, even at 35 Euros for Darwin. Once over I pull in for Korv med Brod och cafe, and indigestion. I really must leave the hot dogs alone. 3 hours to Jonkoping and the flat open landscape of Skona gives way to forest. I can almost smell the pine resin and home. I'm tired though so another coffee stop and a walk around. Swedish radio to help me stay awake as I near the end of 930 miles door to door. Onto the 26, then the 40, then the 195 and Bankeryd. My first priority is to climb into a soft bed and catch some zeds. Ernst arrived with a smile and a welcome. Good to see the big guy. I slept many hours that night. We did good.