when we last spoke, I'd just finished a day of R&R, after a day of hell and debauchery.
onto to Monday
today we travel via train to the lovely town of Worksop in Notthinghamshire UK to pick up our van/ new home.
get to the station only to find out that our train is cancelled. of course it is.
we can take an alternate train. the catch. we get to stand for the hour and a half ride.
at this point i'm less than impressed. did I mention that I'd caved and ate a tuna sandwhich? (ewww)
get to Worksop. ate some shitty fish and chips which is likely our own fault for choosing the "deep blue restaurant" vs. the one across the street that claims to serve the "best fish and chips in town" I just got turned off by their cocky boasting.
go back and wait...meet the former owners of the Van and chit chat waiting for her to arrive.
finally. here she is!
MANKY JANE!
(she's not an easy ride, but she's a smooth one)
get in an' giver.
no power steering, side gear shift and right side drive - there is no way i'm driving this Van...EVER!
test drive it around the town, partially beacause we're looking for a gas station, partially because I can't read a map.
finally head, hit the highway for the 3 hour ride back.
Com'on Janie, you can do it.
Jane's engine is curiously located under the passengers seat which results in my legs on fire throughout the ride.
get back to London in good time
this is where things start to fall apart.
we have to take the car to a carpark overnight in Fullham since there is NO parking in London.
except for the holiday inn where you can pay 26 pound (something we turned our noses up to at first, but eventually decided to take out of sheer exhaustion and frustration - only to find out we couldn't fit in)
we have directions from google maps, but despite my blog title, we get lost.
now it's true, I can't read a map to save my life, but I still blame google maps for the hour and a half we spent driving around trying to find our way. Listing the actual street / exit names is imperative for directing! I also partially blame London itself for it's stupid one way streets, roundabouts and half assed detour routes.
we eventually find a carpark much closer to our hotel and turn in to find out we can park it overnight. hooray!
drive up to second floor skim the roof and knock of windows.
FUCK!!!
we go back down, find out we have to park in the underground with the tour buses and such
at least we'll be safe from rain until tomorrow when we fix the roof.
back to the hotel and bed.
Wake up Tuesday and wait to hear from Denzil - who is now joining us in our adventure.
breakfast and make the first trek to drop our stuff off to the car.
it's a typical summers day in London. 15, grey skies and raining
hit the streets to look for a GPS, after yesterday only electronic forms of direction will be trusted.
things that are impossible to find in London: GPS with European Maps for under 200 pounds.
get a GPS (with EU maps for 100 pound, 2 hours 5 tube trips and 8 stores later)
meet up with Denzil and arrange our ferry ride to France.
book th 10 pm depart head to the van for some roof repairs.
tape and H&M bags for a roof anyone?
make our way to Dover, 3 in the front, asses on fire....
I needed a break, pretty sure I've got swine flu.
I'll have to get to the Pykies later.
p.s. Hannover, where are you?!
onto to Monday
today we travel via train to the lovely town of Worksop in Notthinghamshire UK to pick up our van/ new home.
get to the station only to find out that our train is cancelled. of course it is.
we can take an alternate train. the catch. we get to stand for the hour and a half ride.
at this point i'm less than impressed. did I mention that I'd caved and ate a tuna sandwhich? (ewww)
get to Worksop. ate some shitty fish and chips which is likely our own fault for choosing the "deep blue restaurant" vs. the one across the street that claims to serve the "best fish and chips in town" I just got turned off by their cocky boasting.
go back and wait...meet the former owners of the Van and chit chat waiting for her to arrive.
finally. here she is!
MANKY JANE!
(she's not an easy ride, but she's a smooth one)
get in an' giver.
no power steering, side gear shift and right side drive - there is no way i'm driving this Van...EVER!
test drive it around the town, partially beacause we're looking for a gas station, partially because I can't read a map.
finally head, hit the highway for the 3 hour ride back.
Com'on Janie, you can do it.
Jane's engine is curiously located under the passengers seat which results in my legs on fire throughout the ride.
get back to London in good time
this is where things start to fall apart.
we have to take the car to a carpark overnight in Fullham since there is NO parking in London.
except for the holiday inn where you can pay 26 pound (something we turned our noses up to at first, but eventually decided to take out of sheer exhaustion and frustration - only to find out we couldn't fit in)
we have directions from google maps, but despite my blog title, we get lost.
now it's true, I can't read a map to save my life, but I still blame google maps for the hour and a half we spent driving around trying to find our way. Listing the actual street / exit names is imperative for directing! I also partially blame London itself for it's stupid one way streets, roundabouts and half assed detour routes.
we eventually find a carpark much closer to our hotel and turn in to find out we can park it overnight. hooray!
drive up to second floor skim the roof and knock of windows.
FUCK!!!
we go back down, find out we have to park in the underground with the tour buses and such
at least we'll be safe from rain until tomorrow when we fix the roof.
back to the hotel and bed.
Wake up Tuesday and wait to hear from Denzil - who is now joining us in our adventure.
breakfast and make the first trek to drop our stuff off to the car.
it's a typical summers day in London. 15, grey skies and raining
hit the streets to look for a GPS, after yesterday only electronic forms of direction will be trusted.
things that are impossible to find in London: GPS with European Maps for under 200 pounds.
get a GPS (with EU maps for 100 pound, 2 hours 5 tube trips and 8 stores later)
meet up with Denzil and arrange our ferry ride to France.
book th 10 pm depart head to the van for some roof repairs.
tape and H&M bags for a roof anyone?
make our way to Dover, 3 in the front, asses on fire....
I needed a break, pretty sure I've got swine flu.
I'll have to get to the Pykies later.
p.s. Hannover, where are you?!
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