It was our plan to travel round Eastern Europe for 4 weeks during August and
early September 2007, as a shakedown for our planned Round the World trip.
Whilst things didn't turn out the way we wanted - we only managed 2 weeks before
we were hit by a truck in Slovakia - the trip provided many happy memories and
this gallery is a collection of the photographs that bring those memories to
life...
Join us, as we set off on our adventure...
|
|
|
|
Arriving in Dover, ready to catch the ferry at the start of our adventure...
|
|
|
|
1st night, in the Formule 1 at St Omer, with a cool bottle of Grolsch to sooth aching bones and tired minds...
|
|
|
|
Camping is what we like best - and this is one of our favourite sites - Charlevilles-Mezieres, France, near the Belgian border...
|
|
|
|
"Zis is ze galick..." - Paul prepares our first campsite meal...
|
|
|
|
Cheers - red wine (in a stainless mug) and spag bol, camp style!
|
|
|
|
The beautiful river by the campsite, somewhere in Germany...
|
|
|
|
Roadside stop to stretch our legs, somewhere in Germany...
|
|
|
|
Just after crossing the Czech border, stopping for a much-needed drink in the sunshine...
|
|
|
|
|
|
The beautiful campsite Na Spici at Radasov, Czech Republic
|
|
|
|
Waking to a misty morning at Na Spici
|
|
|
|
Stopping in the Czech Republic, en-route to Prague, via an unplanned detour (otherwise known as "lost")...
|
|
|
|
Vast expanses of nothing much... Czech countryside...
|
|
|
|
Huge crowds gather to watch the Astronomical Clock chime in Prague
|
|
|
|
And the band played on... Charles Bridge, Prague
|
|
|
|
A hearty meal, Czech style... (makes me feel full, just looking at it!)
|
|
|
|
Our hotel room at the Extoll Inn (recommended!)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Birthday boy... sarcastic cards as usual...
|
|
|
|
Prague... a beautiful city...
|
|
|
|
Kafka museum with some interesting statues (caught Tracy's eye...)
|
|
|
|
Prague city trams, a change from the bikes and a great way round the city...
|
|
|
|
Changing the guard at Prague castle
|
|
|
|
The beautiful castle at Cesky Krumlov in southern Czech Republic - a really jewel of a town...
|
|
|
|
The square at Cesky Krumlov
|
|
|
|
Cesky Krumlov castle, complete with dramatic sky
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Add a pinch of salt..." - Paul cooking (again!)
|
|
|
|
Returning into the Czech Republic after a short trip into Austria...
|
|
|
|
Czech countryside - a joy to ride through...
|
|
|
|
Lydia gets her new boots... from a garage in Brno...
|
|
|
|
Indoor cooking - outside was pouring with rain, but that didn't stop Paul rustling up something tasty...
|
|
|
|
Yumm... camping food - and none of the pre-packed nonsense favoured by Ewan and Charlie...
|
|
|
|
The bike park at Brno MotoGP circuit left quite a lot to be desired... good job we did the off-road skills course first!
|
|
|
|
About to enter Slovakia!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul at the Slovakian border...
|
|
|
|
Waking up after the storms, Varin campsite, Slovakia
|
|
|
|
Mala Fatra national park, Slovakia... stunning...
|
|
|
|
Paul at the top of the Vratna cable car lift
|
|
|
|
The Vratna cable car - taking hikers (and bikers) to the top...
|
|
|
|
Tracy doesn't like heights...
|
|
|
|
Typical Slovakian village
|
|
|
|
The open road, Slovakia
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tatra mountains from Eurocamping, near Velka Lomnica, Slovakia
|
|
|
|
Tracy catches up with her email, courtesy of an unsecured wi-fi network!
|
|
|
|
The delapidated hotel, Eurocamping, Slovakia...
|
|
|
|
The birthday girl opens her cards, with the Tatra mountains in the background
|
|
|
|
The Tatras as seen from our campsite
|
|
|
|
Entering the ice cave at Dobsinka, Slovakia
|
|
|
|
Dobsinka ice cave, Slovakia
|
|
|
|
Dobsinka ice cave, Slovakia
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dobsinka ice cave, Slovakia
|
|
|
|
Dobsinka ice cave, Slovakia
|
|
|
|
By the lake outside Dedinky in the Slovensky Raj, Slovakia
|
|
|
|
Dedinky, Slovakia
|
|
|
|
The beautiful town of Levoca, Slovakia
|
|
|
|
Levoca's beautiful 16th century town hall
|
|
|
|
Tracy takes shelter from the intense sun, Levoca, Slovakia
|
|
|
