As an understatement, this twelve week trip has turned out to be a bit of a misnoma – like the word itself? Naming this blog Greece most probably contravened all guidelines laid down by The Advertising Standards Authority. Like us, they’d give it a five out of twelve. Tell us not to broadcast before the watershed (or even behind it) and slap a fine on us of 0.01% of our yearly income.
With just two sleeps left in Beastie before La Manche, we get to add another credit into our account. Camping Hof van Eeden south west of Antwerp boosts the balance. Paradoxically nudging us towards the red.
As part of our site fee we’re issued with a chitty. Allows double entry into its man-made beach resort area. A welcome bonus when it’s tottering in the thirties. Even though we’re tottering in the sixties! We check the sand. It’s so soft. Fred the Homepride Chief Flour Grader and his team have been at work. We can truly testify that Graded Grains do make finer flour sand. It’s also very hot underfoot. Baking in fact.
The evening shadow across our pitch, perfect for our last al fresco. Mrs S never fails to magically conjure up something tasty that I’d willingly pay good money for. This evening is no exception.
For the last week we’ve been balancing our time on the road. Making sure all the numbers add up. Ensuring we don’t go overdue. Today, our last, finds us back at Sangatte, counting down the hours. Tunnel crossing due 10.20am Monday 1st July.
The temperature drop has brought us down with a bump. Our blustery prom walk warmed a little. Many wind and para surfers take advantage.
This trip has been a huge surprise. Like unwrapping a ‘pass the parcel’ only to discover every layer hides a prize. Greece was our intention. We didn’t realise we’d be on salary, plus commission, plus expenses.
By this time tomorrow we’ll have made 13 border crossings; camped in 11 different countries – on 52 different sites; covered 6,484 miles, at an average speed of around 27mph i.e. 240 hours of driving; equating to 10 Le Mans (felt like we were driving in the dark too at times)
And, according to Mary-Ann’s fit-bit, we’ll have walked – give or take the odd footprint, 1,801,326 feet or about 341 miles; about the same distance we’ve covered on Scoot and about 8 times the distance we’ve biked.
And now it’s time to stop the music. Stave off a repeat. Stop unwrapping. Time for musical chairs . . .
Thanks for reading & for being with us. Hope you’ve enjoyed our travels, just a tiny bit as much as we have.
p.s. if you’re wondering why there’s been no mention of any Beastie mishaps this time, then that’s because there hasn’t been any . . .
p.p.s. and if you believe that . . .