deb Interesting about Frankfurt. In 1985 we caught a lift from there with a English trucker, he let us stay the night in the back of his truck coz we got lost and found ourself in the dark very late at night with nowhere to go. He had had a load of celery in just unloaded and man did it smell bad. We rode with him until Stuttgart where he had to pick up a load of chocolate. We couldn't go further, he wasn't allowed if he had a load on. He was then going back to the UK...I said I would keep in touch but sadly I didn't. He was very kind. Now after reading your notes about being number 1 for freight that explains why there was such a huge overnight truck stop. I hope you enjoy France. Saw your photos...very nice. I don't remember much about our trip in 1085, only yhr bad crap. Funny that :( Keep safe Love Debz

Anne Sweeney Excellent very easy to read/ lots of detail blog! Well done dear Carol, and as Deb said, so good to hear you sounding pretty content. Would love to have been with you at the Beerfest....must be why Chris managed 3 trips there!! Take care my dear, and enjoy your last 3 weeks...what a huge adventure. What's next?! Cheers,Anne xx

deb hi Carol...congrats grandma :) xx I feel this blog was full of interesting facts, I enjoyed it more. You didn't feel as lonely and exhausted so that make me feel better for you xx I went to the Octoberfest in 1985, and yes is was very civil too. Why are there so many Germans wanting to leave there, NZ has so many living here and they hated Home, but you made it sound pretty good, strict may-be. Sometime boundaries are good. Keep safe, enjoy France. Looking forward to seeing you home again Love Debz

deb hopkins you sound much happier than you were in England. b***** about the winter clothes going home but lets hope the cool weather is just for those days and doesn't continue. I had a feeling you had been there before, wow 4 years ago, it's gone fast. I hope you have a better room mate next leg, or better still a room to yourself. Keep safe best wishes Debz

Deb I forgot to say the photos are great, nice for me to see some of the places I have not yet seen Debz

deb You sound like you are doing the same tour as mum just did, they had the same issue in Cinque Terre, we were lucky, there were crowds, but our guide was very good at rounding us up and getting us around all towns, we did boat and train. aren't the mosaics in St Pauls amazing, and did you get to see the clock across the square chime? I think Dachau Concentration Camp was the saddest, it still fills my heart with sadness when I think of it. did you notice no birds fly there, no bird sing there. I went when I was there for Octoberfest, and I didn't enjoy in at all after my visit. I am glad they recognise still it was a horrific time. Yes, there is terrible things still going on in the world, but nothing matches what they did. Enough of that, on with the tour, you will miss Chelsea. Keep safe Debz

deb I loved Venice, bu mum was there a few weeks ago and she said it is now very dirty compare to what it was. Yes tourist in Italy are very pushy. We found that in Florence last year...sad toy can't get a good photos without someone or thing jumping in your way. Love the food :) keep it coming keep safe Love Debz

deb really nice that you have Chelsea to share this part of your trip with. I have been enjoying her photos on Facebook too. I believe Prague is pretty amazing with it usual architecture, you didn't say much about it. enough said about the camps, I did them in 1985, very powerful and sad, I was left feeling very low for days after and it took to shake it off. I saw the horse of Vienna, gardens and palace but not the boys. Keep save and enjoy Debz

Anne You certainly sound and look SOO much more relaxed.....that walk sounded so tough! .... but great that you remember so many positives all the same. Cycling must be so easy compared, and plenty of great things to see and taste. Raining and cold again in NZ. All good though. Keep on having fun there and enjoy Chelsea's company. Love, Anne