The second half of our European adventure saw us heading further West on Monday through Czechia into Moravia, and after a couple of false starts (or stops) at proposed nightstops, we arrived just before dark at a campsite in Ceska Skalice, which was possibly the cheapest nightstop thus far, (excluding the free ones of course..) which cost CZK 316 (approximately £12.) It probably looks better in the summer, but it seemed very dated. The facilities were adequate but clean, and the onsite bar served a very nice local pilsner at £1.80 a pint, and the pizza was good too!
Tuesday we crossed back into Germany, and stayed at a stellplatz in the grounds of a country hotel in Neuhermsdorf, which was a lovely setting, and very peaceful. There were lots of walks in the area, and the hotel itself sits adjacent to a disused railway line that is now a footpath.
Wednesday we drove a short distance to Colditz Castle, which was famously used to house Allied POWs during the war, especially those who had escaped (and been recaptured) from other POW camps, as the Germans believed that it was impossible to escape from Colditz. Despite that, the Allies achieved numerous 'home runs' from Colditz, the British alone scoring 11 successful and 209 unsuccessful home runs. Notable British escapees were Airey Neave and Pat Reid. Douglas Bader, the famous RAF pilot was also housed at Colditz. Wednesday's nightstop cost a staggering €5, and was next to a country park at Geisetalsee with lots of wildlife, that had been open-cast coalmines and were now beautiful lakes.
Thursday's plan was to drive to the Harz mountains, and take the heritage steam train from Wernigerode to the summit of the Brocken and return. I had done this trip some years ago, and it is well worth doing. The plan unravelled for 2 reasons: The cost, (€56 rtn for me, €16 rtn for the dog) - I thought that it was a bit excessive, but the second reason was that the dog would need a muzzle to travel on the train. I didn't have one, and I wasn't about to get him one, as he'd probably freak out wearing it, so the decision was pretty much made for us! We carried on to Blankenburg, where we nightstopped at a stellplatz near the castle, which was spectacularly lit up at night.
On Friday we headed north to Bremen, to spend a couple of days catching up with friends. We stayed at the stellplatz at Kuhhirten, which is an easy 15-20 walk to the Altstadt area of Bremen.
Sunday's nightstop is at the stellplatz overlooking the Möhnesee, famous as the 1st dam successfully breached 80 years ago by 617 Squadron, the Dambusters. The stellplatz is roughly 1 mile (as the bomb bounces) East from the wall that was breached, and if the weather plays ball tomorrow, (it's raining whilst I write this,) I'm hoping to get some photos to include in the next journal entry. Total miles driven since leaving UK: 2,775.
Tuesday we crossed back into Germany, and stayed at a stellplatz in the grounds of a country hotel in Neuhermsdorf, which was a lovely setting, and very peaceful. There were lots of walks in the area, and the hotel itself sits adjacent to a disused railway line that is now a footpath.
Wednesday we drove a short distance to Colditz Castle, which was famously used to house Allied POWs during the war, especially those who had escaped (and been recaptured) from other POW camps, as the Germans believed that it was impossible to escape from Colditz. Despite that, the Allies achieved numerous 'home runs' from Colditz, the British alone scoring 11 successful and 209 unsuccessful home runs. Notable British escapees were Airey Neave and Pat Reid. Douglas Bader, the famous RAF pilot was also housed at Colditz. Wednesday's nightstop cost a staggering €5, and was next to a country park at Geisetalsee with lots of wildlife, that had been open-cast coalmines and were now beautiful lakes.
Thursday's plan was to drive to the Harz mountains, and take the heritage steam train from Wernigerode to the summit of the Brocken and return. I had done this trip some years ago, and it is well worth doing. The plan unravelled for 2 reasons: The cost, (€56 rtn for me, €16 rtn for the dog) - I thought that it was a bit excessive, but the second reason was that the dog would need a muzzle to travel on the train. I didn't have one, and I wasn't about to get him one, as he'd probably freak out wearing it, so the decision was pretty much made for us! We carried on to Blankenburg, where we nightstopped at a stellplatz near the castle, which was spectacularly lit up at night.
On Friday we headed north to Bremen, to spend a couple of days catching up with friends. We stayed at the stellplatz at Kuhhirten, which is an easy 15-20 walk to the Altstadt area of Bremen.
Sunday's nightstop is at the stellplatz overlooking the Möhnesee, famous as the 1st dam successfully breached 80 years ago by 617 Squadron, the Dambusters. The stellplatz is roughly 1 mile (as the bomb bounces) East from the wall that was breached, and if the weather plays ball tomorrow, (it's raining whilst I write this,) I'm hoping to get some photos to include in the next journal entry. Total miles driven since leaving UK: 2,775.
