George Mk2 Transit Round 2 – 7 countries in 2 weeks

[petrolhead]

You may be aware of the adventures we’ve had in my Mk2 Transit camper, I did a post last year. 

 

This year we decided to go even further, this is always a risk in a 35 year old van with a few miles on its belt, but in my opinion any good adventure needs an element of risk.  As before I’ll let the pictures do most of the talking but this holiday has certain petrolhead links to some amazing venues which may be of use if you are planning your own road trip.

 

Here’s the van, a 1978 Mk2 Transit Autosleeper in Scania Blue with 84K on the clock.  First of all BIG THANKS to Phil Martian on here who did some much needed welding for me because I ran out of time.

 

 

One of the previous owners saw fit to put a 5 speed type 9 in (superb mod) and change the low comp 72bhp Pinto for what is essentially an RS2000 pinto complete with tubular exhaust manifold, DGAV carb and K&N filter.

 

 

I had it dyno’d at HT Vulcan, the fuelling was good and it produced 96bhp and 110lbft torque.

 

I did the usual prep but this year I bought a trailer off ebay and made an opening frame for the bikes.  All in all the van was fully loaded with family and stuff and towing around an extra 200kg.

 

We started off at 6am and got to Dover in good time.  We filled up at the Dover petrol station many of you have probably been to.  On getting back in the van and turning the key it was dead – nothing, no red warning lights, no click and then my wife pointed out even the clock had stopped.   This was our first break down, “its something simple” I said before quickly delving under the bonnet with a multimeter.

 

By chance I located the problem down to the main connector (from wiring passing through the bulhead)at the back of the glove box.  The main live wire connection had oxidised.  Some sand paper was deployed and we were back on the road within 20 minutes.  Although we didn’t say anything.  It did worry us, we had nearly 2000miles to go and we had broken down before we got to the ferry!  BUT we made it with time to spare.

 

 

George was quite resplendent in his newly painted front grill and front spoiler.  I think the loading crew recognised this and let him on and off first.

 

 

We landed at Dunkirk and travelled through Belgium and France before coming to a stop at a hotel next to the one we stayed at last year.  Although prices in Luxembourg are generally higher, if you are going that way it is worth noting that petrol is 20% cheaper there.

The hotel was like the city, very hi tech and modern. 

 

Luxembourg is a weird place, its obvious billions have been spent but it always seems to me there is a startling lack of people

 

While we were chilling in the hotel George was parked outside the European Courts of Human Rights.  He showed his disdain overnight by pissing a tiny puddle of oil on the immaculate slate there (first time he has leaked!)

 

Then we were up and before long we arrived at the same campsite as last year for a few nights at a known location.  Freiburg hasn’t changed – Gothic with the Brooding Black Forest always overlooking it.  Technically the sunniest town in Germany, although you wouldn’t know it from these clouds coming over the hills

 

 

In a heavily pedestrianised town centre sometimes the old ways of delivering beer are the best

 

 

 

With the Black Forest hills beckoning I took the opportunity to do some running and mountain biking.  The trails there are amazing

 

 

What amazed me was that during our entire trip the only retro camper we came across was the Beige VW in the background and even that was British!  The Germans tend to go for mobile homes or VW T5 campers

[petrolhead]

All too soon it was on the road again, past the mighty Lake Constanz

 

 

And soon the Mighty Alps loomed on the horizon

 

 

 

to a town in Bavaria, on the German Austrian border called Fussen (the Hopfensee campsite http://www.camping-hopfensee.de/ ).  This was highly related on the internet and a german couple staying at the site said it was the best family campsite they had been to.  We weren’t disappointed, this was our view from the edge of the campsite

 

 

 

Suffice to say the roads around here are unbelievable.  I would lie in bed and occasionally hear a motorbike giving it the beans through the mountains and into Austria.  This was one of the few German bikers I saw wearing shorts, they seem to take biking much more seriously over there and always wear leathers despite the 28’c heat

 

 

When we woke up we were able to explore our surroundings for the next 7 days.  Its listed as a 5 star campsite and it is!

 

 

 

No breeze block outbuilding or timber clad portacabin.  This is the Courtyard to the facilities

 

 

It contained toilets, wash rooms, washing and drying machines, swimming pool on the first floor, sauna, massage room, kids cinema and power showers that would put most hotels to shame etc  etc

 

 

More of the area around the campsite and the nearby town

 

 

 

 

Now the really important thing about Fussen is the Neuschwanstein Castle, the original inspiration for the Disney castle.  The images of it are so amazing many people don’t think its real.  Built by a Mad King who liked to be left alone.  If you go GET THERE EARLY (all credits to the original photographer for the next one).....

 

 

 

After a good time relaxing at this campsite for 5 days the real test for George came – Climbing up the monstrous Alps into Austria, into Italy and then across into Switzerland and back.  I did the prep, muttered a silent prayer, left the trailer at the campsite and got on with it.  This was 4 countries in 8 hours of driving and one of those days in your life you will never forget......

 

 

 

 

 

I watched the temperature gauge and ammeter like a hawk, but the old Pinto just kept pulling us to better and better places

 

 

 

 

We drove through miles of tunnels carved through stone, tackled hairpin after hairpin winding up mountain faces to get to Resia Rescham Am See in Northern Italy close where the three countries  meet.  This was without doubt the most beautiful picnic location I had ever been to.

 

 

 

For reference, this is an hour away from the Stelvio Pass (voted by Top Gear as one of the best roads in the world).  We didn’t manage to get there (next time), that would have been too much driving for the kids.  Back to the campsite for a proper meal and a good drink.

After the campsite the trip back home was supposed to be pretty uneventful, my wife planned the route back via two motels for 2 overnight stops but by outrageous good luck.  We passed by Hockenheimring.

 

Of course I had to have a look, I expected an empty F1 track but sweet talked the Security Guard who was an ex-porsche engineer and we got invited into the paddocks for a Kawasaki Track n Test day, RESULT!

 

 

 

 

 

And the next day (and I promise I didn’t plan this) we saw signs to the Nurburgring.   We took the turning off the motorway and as I was driving I was wondering how I could deceive my wife by telling her we had to go on a Toll Road to go on the Ring (but actually pay to take George around the Green Hell). 

 

The decision was taken out of my hands.  By luck it was a GT3 6 hour Endurance race, the atmosphere was fantastic

 

 

 

I tried to explain that loud is good

 

 

Always exciting to see a million pound car argue with Armco

 

 

Then on the home stretch to Calais stopping off at Ypres (4^th time I’ve been, if you’ve never been then go) its less than 2 hours from the Port.

 

 

One of the reasons is the AMAZING steak at The Anker, second closest restaurant to the cloth hall.  If you’ve just come off the ferry this is just the ticket.

 

 

My wife went for the steak I went for the Belgian Beef stew and we had half portions of each.

 

Then I recommend you go to the ice cream place by the fountains, with 48 flavours of sin

 

It would be sacrilege to go to Ypres without paying your respects at the Menin Gate, 55000 engraved names of the ones who were never found fighting around this area.

 

I’m always bemused by the Far Right moaning on about “What have they ever done for us?”.  Stand beneath the hundreds of Asian names and dare to utter that question

 

Then back to sweet Dover, enshrouded in a weird magical fog at 6pm

 

So overall it was approx 1800miles, one breakdown, 7 countries, 2 race tracks (we passed Spa too but couldn’t stop) and a number of other sights.  The old van did well and averaged exactly 25.5mpg lugging a trailer, sitting in traffic and going over mountains.  The Germans seemed to really like the old van, lots of friendly beeps, thumbs up and even a few people taking pictures.

 

 

 

 

I’m thinking Scandinavia for the next trip........

[sidpf1972]

I found that post really educating ,loved the pics,looks like all had a great time

[frankthefencer]

Top trip!!! People seem to forget that Ford build vehicles to be used and not to sit in garages. I use my mk1 escort alot and even she had a run to Le Mans this year and that's on a 2.1 pinto on twin 48's !!!

[aardvark101]

Great read, my missus would never go for that, likes her home comforts too much.

The running in the forest short is a corker (kudos to the boss ?)

[Mk2Jo]

Fantastic photos and a great report ... took me right back to when we drove out to Malta .. the scenery out in Austria and Italy is stunning isn't it. Thanks for sharing :D:D:D

[zetecmk2]

that was great!!! you gotta love a transit!!!

[Vista]

Great write up . I've been to that castle too, it was also the one used in the filming of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

[petrolhead]

Thank you all, I found this video of the 6 hour endurance race on the day we were there.  Literally 1min 59secs, we were there! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R4RqTXb6Ag