start the unraveling

    We are now settled on our truck called Calypso and our thoroughly enjoying ourselves. CJ, our guide and Jim our driver have made us very comfortable. We have a group of 22 travellers who are getting along very well considering that we are so new to each other. We are entertaining each other with stories from work or travel - some have travelled alot  and others this is their first trip. We are made up of a few different nationalities - British, Irish, Scottish, New Zealand, Aussies and an American and us the Canadians. On our previous trips we were the oldest now we have 11 over 55 and the rest are 26 - 38.

                                               loading Calypso

                                                         White Cliffs  of Dover

                                                               Dom Cathedral

Paddlock bridge   in Colgne lovers would throw the keys in the river to show their true love

    We took the ferry from England, leaving the white cliffs of Dover to Calais, France. Calypso is more the turtle going down the road -   the highest speed so far 96 km down hill. We stayed the first night in Belgium. It was a slow start getting started that we didn't accomplish the distance but did leave France behind. That evening a group of us went looking for a Belgium Pub - for the proverbial Belgium beer - but as it was Sunday evening it ended up being a great walk. Next day was Cologne (Koln) to visit the cathedrals. We hiked up the 533 steps of the Dom Cathedral which made for a superb view. Glad to see the sturdy fencing all around as the height factor was there. This was the only cathedral not bombed during the war. But had been rebuilt many times through the centuries - each time a little larger and more ornate. We all went our for a group supper in downtown Cologne beside the waiter being very brisk with us they only served the beer in 200 ml. glasses - what not a stein a beer in Germany!!! Maybe it is more famous for their colognes than the beer. What's with this place.

     Next city was Bamberg, which is also a world heritage site and the home of smoked beer. We kind of wondered at first but you have to try it and we liked it!!! Plus the beer came in pint sizes so definitely was a winner.
     Truck lore: teaching the newbies how to squat a pee in the bush (without mishap) - rather than pay 0.70 cents (euro) to pay for the priviledge to use indoor facilities. I'm sure the bystanders watching had a good laugh!!!