Friday, April 29th, 2011
After just 3-4 hours of sleep I got up at 5am. After getting myself ready ,a cup of coffee and checking the papers and all I needed to take with me for the trip I talked to Chris till I had to leave at half past 6.
I walked with my Rucksack, a bag in my hand and my Handbag to Jens (just like 3-5 mins walk)
He was already outside loading the car with some empty boxes) then we picked up Janna.
Loaded the car with the sleeping bags and the camping mats. And drove off to pick up the Van.
We arrived there right when they opened.
We saw a van parking on the parking area of the renting company and we were sure it was ours because it did kinda fit what I reserved in size.
We went inside and went through the paperwork got the Keys and went outside.
There was a bloke standing there saying the Van would stand on another parking area.
We followed him with Jens's car and I got a slight shock because this Van was massive!!!
But I didn't think it was over 6 meters because I told them it MUSTN'T be over 6 meters in length! We unloaded the stuff in the car into the Van. And we decided that I would drive first to get used to the van!
So I did. I drove the first 400km and it was even fun driving it! At first I was pretty scared but the more I drove the more I enjoyed it!
In Holland about a hundred kilometers I let Jens drive because I needed a break and because I didn't want to drive onto the ferry. I was too scared doing that.
Well we arrived at the Ferry check in and the Lady there measured our Van and said it was 7,20 Meters long. She phone a bit and charged me 40€ for it being too long and said she couldn't charge me for the way back because she didn't know what Harwich would wanna do. I wasn't happy about that but glad, that we were allowed to go on the ferry. I raved a little about the rental company but calmed down pretty quickly.
We drove onto the ferry and got out the stuff we needed for the trip. I didn't remember that they lock the car deck during the drive. I was freezing so much and of course forgot my jacked in the Van... I was tempted to buy a jacked on board but I didn't in the end... i just borrowed Jens's jacked to go outside for smoking...
I rested a little because I was so tired and so did Janna and Jens. They had 4 computers with free internet access that's where I wrote my Status updates on FB.
I walked with my Rucksack, a bag in my hand and my Handbag to Jens (just like 3-5 mins walk)
He was already outside loading the car with some empty boxes) then we picked up Janna.
Loaded the car with the sleeping bags and the camping mats. And drove off to pick up the Van.
We arrived there right when they opened.
We saw a van parking on the parking area of the renting company and we were sure it was ours because it did kinda fit what I reserved in size.
We went inside and went through the paperwork got the Keys and went outside.
There was a bloke standing there saying the Van would stand on another parking area.
We followed him with Jens's car and I got a slight shock because this Van was massive!!!
But I didn't think it was over 6 meters because I told them it MUSTN'T be over 6 meters in length! We unloaded the stuff in the car into the Van. And we decided that I would drive first to get used to the van!
So I did. I drove the first 400km and it was even fun driving it! At first I was pretty scared but the more I drove the more I enjoyed it!
In Holland about a hundred kilometers I let Jens drive because I needed a break and because I didn't want to drive onto the ferry. I was too scared doing that.
Well we arrived at the Ferry check in and the Lady there measured our Van and said it was 7,20 Meters long. She phone a bit and charged me 40€ for it being too long and said she couldn't charge me for the way back because she didn't know what Harwich would wanna do. I wasn't happy about that but glad, that we were allowed to go on the ferry. I raved a little about the rental company but calmed down pretty quickly.
We drove onto the ferry and got out the stuff we needed for the trip. I didn't remember that they lock the car deck during the drive. I was freezing so much and of course forgot my jacked in the Van... I was tempted to buy a jacked on board but I didn't in the end... i just borrowed Jens's jacked to go outside for smoking...
I rested a little because I was so tired and so did Janna and Jens. They had 4 computers with free internet access that's where I wrote my Status updates on FB.
We arrived at like 8pm British time.
Jens was driving off the ferry and we had a driver change.
I set up my GPS (Navi, SatNav) to direct me to Ipswich... Well I didn't check the route - BAAAD MISTAKE!!!!
After the customs duty I followed the GPS instead of following my instincts and instead of driving direction Colchester and taking the A120 followed by the A12 it directed me through all the tiny villages with all the tiny, narrow roads...
Our van JUST fit into the lane... Most of the time I went over the middle line a little... I was driving slowly and carefully and let other drivers pass whenever there was a bus stop to hold.
Janna was panicking and Jens did his best to calm her down.
I was stressed but still had everything under control.
Eventually the GPS directed us to the A12 and all of us finally relaxed a little.
We planned on sleeping in the van on a Superstore parking lot, but they had signs that if you'd stay over three hours you'd have to pay a fine of 70pounds... So I walked back to the van and told Janna and Jens (who were just getting the sleeping bags and camping mat ready that we'd have to drive somewhere else... Thankfully I had a plan B.
Because we needed to grab some breakfast before the work I decided against driving to Clive right away and parking infront of his house for the night.
Because apart from a Co-op there is nothing really where you could get breakfast stuff and the Co-op is fairly expensive and doesn't have all we needed.
So I parked in the road where I stayed with my friends after I moved out of the house where I used to work as a Nanny.
Now imagine Ipswich being pretty hilly... The only free space I found where our van would fit in to wasn't the best decision to sleep...
The van was standing inclined down the front and down the left...
I would fit into the van diagonally with still about 20cm air. So I decided to sleep like that.
The whole night I was rearranging myself because I either slipped down with my feet to the wall of the van or I was rolling and sliding more and more to the front of the van... You can imagine that it was a pretty short, exhausting night.
Jens was driving off the ferry and we had a driver change.
I set up my GPS (Navi, SatNav) to direct me to Ipswich... Well I didn't check the route - BAAAD MISTAKE!!!!
After the customs duty I followed the GPS instead of following my instincts and instead of driving direction Colchester and taking the A120 followed by the A12 it directed me through all the tiny villages with all the tiny, narrow roads...
Our van JUST fit into the lane... Most of the time I went over the middle line a little... I was driving slowly and carefully and let other drivers pass whenever there was a bus stop to hold.
Janna was panicking and Jens did his best to calm her down.
I was stressed but still had everything under control.
Eventually the GPS directed us to the A12 and all of us finally relaxed a little.
We planned on sleeping in the van on a Superstore parking lot, but they had signs that if you'd stay over three hours you'd have to pay a fine of 70pounds... So I walked back to the van and told Janna and Jens (who were just getting the sleeping bags and camping mat ready that we'd have to drive somewhere else... Thankfully I had a plan B.
Because we needed to grab some breakfast before the work I decided against driving to Clive right away and parking infront of his house for the night.
Because apart from a Co-op there is nothing really where you could get breakfast stuff and the Co-op is fairly expensive and doesn't have all we needed.
So I parked in the road where I stayed with my friends after I moved out of the house where I used to work as a Nanny.
Now imagine Ipswich being pretty hilly... The only free space I found where our van would fit in to wasn't the best decision to sleep...
The van was standing inclined down the front and down the left...
I would fit into the van diagonally with still about 20cm air. So I decided to sleep like that.
The whole night I was rearranging myself because I either slipped down with my feet to the wall of the van or I was rolling and sliding more and more to the front of the van... You can imagine that it was a pretty short, exhausting night.
Saturday, April 30th, 2011
The buses drove by very fast... One of them thought it was a cool idea to drive by very close so the whole van was shaking and woke Janna and Jens up while I was deciding what to do because I woke up with a nasty headache. I got myself sorted enough to be able to drive safely to the Superstore where we brushed our teeth in the restrooms and then grabbed some cold coffee drinks and sandwiches and drove off to Clive.
While driving I emptied my first coffee drink and when we arrive I accidentally drove past Clives house and needed to drive past the house I used to live in for a year... It was an emotional moment for me. I turned the van and in the second try I found the right house number.
While Janna and Jens had their Breakfast I went inside and Clive greeted me with a big hug!
To explain to you all: He needs his back-room back and the stuff was stored there for nearly two years. He had to put pressure on me because he was desperate but that doesn't make him less of a friend or a bad person! He was patient for sooo long and of course at some point you want to use your room again! I'd never hold it against him that he set the time limit and said he'd throw my stuff away otherwise!
Well Clive and I talked a little while I went into the room where my stuff was stored. And it was a mess... some things fell over, while Clive was trying to get some stuff out (his own things)
But it was such a wonderful feeling to see my stuff being there.
I forgot the time and didn't have my cellphone with me and went through some of my stuff. Janna and Jens both tried to get in contact with me... They weren't sure if they should come or not LOL
Anyway we managed to sort out some stuff which was a miracle considering the lack of space we had available in the house. We were done with sorting out and packing at around 2pm. We tried to decide what to do with the rest of the day because we didn't need to leave for the ferry till 7pm. I would have loved going into town and checking if something has changed and maybe grabbing something to eat there. But Jens had knee problems and there would have been no way to park with that van in town. We would have had to walk (I don't have a clue how the buses do drive), so we decided to grab some frozen ready meals (Clive's got a microwave YAY!) so we went to the Co-op grabbed what we needed and walked back to Clive's.
We wanted to eat it before we leave so we decided to get some napping time in and got our sleeping bags out of the van and made ourselves comfortable in the back-room.
My headache came and went and I just could get some rest so I got up an hour before the other two and talked to Clive for a long time! We had a great talk and now we are better friends than we have ever been!
The whole time we were there we were on and off talking. At least five times Clive nearly cried!
He really enjoyed our company and didn't want us to leave at all!
We will stay in contact esp. that now nothing stands in between any longer!
While driving I emptied my first coffee drink and when we arrive I accidentally drove past Clives house and needed to drive past the house I used to live in for a year... It was an emotional moment for me. I turned the van and in the second try I found the right house number.
While Janna and Jens had their Breakfast I went inside and Clive greeted me with a big hug!
To explain to you all: He needs his back-room back and the stuff was stored there for nearly two years. He had to put pressure on me because he was desperate but that doesn't make him less of a friend or a bad person! He was patient for sooo long and of course at some point you want to use your room again! I'd never hold it against him that he set the time limit and said he'd throw my stuff away otherwise!
Well Clive and I talked a little while I went into the room where my stuff was stored. And it was a mess... some things fell over, while Clive was trying to get some stuff out (his own things)
But it was such a wonderful feeling to see my stuff being there.
I forgot the time and didn't have my cellphone with me and went through some of my stuff. Janna and Jens both tried to get in contact with me... They weren't sure if they should come or not LOL
Anyway we managed to sort out some stuff which was a miracle considering the lack of space we had available in the house. We were done with sorting out and packing at around 2pm. We tried to decide what to do with the rest of the day because we didn't need to leave for the ferry till 7pm. I would have loved going into town and checking if something has changed and maybe grabbing something to eat there. But Jens had knee problems and there would have been no way to park with that van in town. We would have had to walk (I don't have a clue how the buses do drive), so we decided to grab some frozen ready meals (Clive's got a microwave YAY!) so we went to the Co-op grabbed what we needed and walked back to Clive's.
We wanted to eat it before we leave so we decided to get some napping time in and got our sleeping bags out of the van and made ourselves comfortable in the back-room.
My headache came and went and I just could get some rest so I got up an hour before the other two and talked to Clive for a long time! We had a great talk and now we are better friends than we have ever been!
The whole time we were there we were on and off talking. At least five times Clive nearly cried!
He really enjoyed our company and didn't want us to leave at all!
We will stay in contact esp. that now nothing stands in between any longer!
Anyway we made a short visit at the friends who took me in when I lost my home.
And then we drove to Harwich to catch the ferry.
And then we drove to Harwich to catch the ferry.
Ferry-Check-in-Horror part II:
We arrived at the check-in and I handed over the papers and the lady asked me why they didn't have charged me in Holland for both ways (the extra fee because the van was too long).
I explained to her what happened and she got on the phone... I listened to what she said and I got scared...
Well eventually after an eternity she asked me to pay 12 pounds and told me that I'll never be allowed to get through with this van! And that if it would have been the start of my journey they wouldn't have taken me or they'd have charged me over a thousand pounds extra!
I explained to her what happened and she got on the phone... I listened to what she said and I got scared...
Well eventually after an eternity she asked me to pay 12 pounds and told me that I'll never be allowed to get through with this van! And that if it would have been the start of my journey they wouldn't have taken me or they'd have charged me over a thousand pounds extra!
My heart was racing and I totally forgot my fear of driving onto the Ferry... Big mistake LOL
There was a concrete ramp - build for cars - and pretty high too... It was narrow and curvy and long and high... UGH!!!
I made it without the slightest hint of a scratch! We parked the Van in the ferry got ALL the stuff out we needed in the morning (my three cold coffee drinks included - I should have bought four instead)
On the ferry we brought the stuff into our cabins (Janna and me were sharing one and Jens had the one next to us)
I must have forgotten something because we went back down to the van to get whatever I forgot... (The Ferry wasn't driving yet)
Well it was still kinda early (too early to go to sleep anyway) so we had a cigarette and then the three of us went to the computers. I chatted with Chris for a while till I wanted to go out for another Cigarette, when I tried to sign in again I didn't get any Internet connection and no cellphone signal either. So I couldn't call Chris to say good night to him right away and I knew he'd worry at some point if I couldn't get in touch with him.
Janna went to the room before me so Jens and I were talking for a bit and watched the ferry leaving my precious England.
Janna and me were watching some TV and she tried to fall asleep all of a sudden she said "Oh wow there must be big waves, I'm curious! I think I go down and have a look!"
I answered with a yawn and said I'd come with her to have our last cigarette and because I was curious too (I just didn't admit that ;-))
On deck it was pretty cold (this time I didn't forget my jacket!) and you could see the waves being pretty high! Janna looked at the little alleyway to the other side of the ship. She wanted us to go there... Well we went to the alleyway and the wind nearly blew us away - It was soooo much fun!!!
I made it without the slightest hint of a scratch! We parked the Van in the ferry got ALL the stuff out we needed in the morning (my three cold coffee drinks included - I should have bought four instead)
On the ferry we brought the stuff into our cabins (Janna and me were sharing one and Jens had the one next to us)
I must have forgotten something because we went back down to the van to get whatever I forgot... (The Ferry wasn't driving yet)
Well it was still kinda early (too early to go to sleep anyway) so we had a cigarette and then the three of us went to the computers. I chatted with Chris for a while till I wanted to go out for another Cigarette, when I tried to sign in again I didn't get any Internet connection and no cellphone signal either. So I couldn't call Chris to say good night to him right away and I knew he'd worry at some point if I couldn't get in touch with him.
Janna went to the room before me so Jens and I were talking for a bit and watched the ferry leaving my precious England.
Janna and me were watching some TV and she tried to fall asleep all of a sudden she said "Oh wow there must be big waves, I'm curious! I think I go down and have a look!"
I answered with a yawn and said I'd come with her to have our last cigarette and because I was curious too (I just didn't admit that ;-))
On deck it was pretty cold (this time I didn't forget my jacket!) and you could see the waves being pretty high! Janna looked at the little alleyway to the other side of the ship. She wanted us to go there... Well we went to the alleyway and the wind nearly blew us away - It was soooo much fun!!!
Sunday, May 1st, 2011
We set our alarms to 6:30am I just turned off the alarm when a very dutch accent sounding voice came out of the speaker right over my head - The wake up call... In two languages... English and Dutch...
Janna got up first while I was sitting in bed (of course the upper one) with a headache again and trying to decide how to survive the day.
Before Janna went to the bathroom to get herself ready I asked her to give an Ibuprofen and one of my coffee drinks...
I opened the coffee drink took the tablet and swallowed it with the whole coffee drink. Janna looked up to me and asked me befuddled if I had just drunk the whole coffee drink in one sip and I said "YES. this was soo good and soo needed"
Janna got up first while I was sitting in bed (of course the upper one) with a headache again and trying to decide how to survive the day.
Before Janna went to the bathroom to get herself ready I asked her to give an Ibuprofen and one of my coffee drinks...
I opened the coffee drink took the tablet and swallowed it with the whole coffee drink. Janna looked up to me and asked me befuddled if I had just drunk the whole coffee drink in one sip and I said "YES. this was soo good and soo needed"
We had our breakfast and then went down on deck to see the ferry already arrived and was just about to get ready.
I had my second coffee drink for breakfast with a good BLT-Sandwich and the third in the Van... I wanted more coffee but no chance for a while...
I had way more coffee then Janna did but she got a caffeine shock... She was so hyper! I have seen her in a lot of states and I have certainly seen her hyper but nothing I've seen from her the past 19 years could compare to what was going on in the Van for about an hour till she finally calmed down. She was talking extremely quick and laughing about the weirdest stuff!
It was funny LOL LOL
Shortly after the German border we made a driver change again. And i was driving till we were just about 100km away from home when Jens took over again.
We unloaded the van, brought it back and all I wanted to do was just sleeping but noooooo LOL Our parents treated Janna and me for dinner and it was shortly before Chris signed on that I came back home...
I was soooooo tired and exhausted!
Well since Sunday I unpacked a lot of stuff and apart from 4 boxes which need to go into the basement as well, my living room is free of boxes and I have my autographs and some posters hanging and sorted out my CD's and DVD's and Books!!!
It's unbelievable I'VE GOT MY STUFF BACK!!!!
I have to say that I'm kinda proud of myself... I went through all the stress prior the trip during the trip and after the trip, I was driving that big van on the narrow streets in England and I didn't freak out once!
I had my second coffee drink for breakfast with a good BLT-Sandwich and the third in the Van... I wanted more coffee but no chance for a while...
I had way more coffee then Janna did but she got a caffeine shock... She was so hyper! I have seen her in a lot of states and I have certainly seen her hyper but nothing I've seen from her the past 19 years could compare to what was going on in the Van for about an hour till she finally calmed down. She was talking extremely quick and laughing about the weirdest stuff!
It was funny LOL LOL
Shortly after the German border we made a driver change again. And i was driving till we were just about 100km away from home when Jens took over again.
We unloaded the van, brought it back and all I wanted to do was just sleeping but noooooo LOL Our parents treated Janna and me for dinner and it was shortly before Chris signed on that I came back home...
I was soooooo tired and exhausted!
Well since Sunday I unpacked a lot of stuff and apart from 4 boxes which need to go into the basement as well, my living room is free of boxes and I have my autographs and some posters hanging and sorted out my CD's and DVD's and Books!!!
It's unbelievable I'VE GOT MY STUFF BACK!!!!
I have to say that I'm kinda proud of myself... I went through all the stress prior the trip during the trip and after the trip, I was driving that big van on the narrow streets in England and I didn't freak out once!
Before you ask: I haven't gotten my kitty back... I couldn't even bear visiting her... I just simply couldn't... It hurts too much... It's nearly two years she's staying with my friend and she's able to go outside there which she couldn't here... She'd go crazy if I'd pick her up and take her out of her home just for my sake... I know she's happy and safe where she is now and that's all what matters!
I'm so very happy you got your stuff back and happy that it was more of an adventure than a nightmare, even though there were some nightmare parts of it. Now we can start planning for our future together. I'm very proud of you for the way you handled this. I couldn't be more pleased with your ability to handle the stress and do what needed to be done. I love you and have the utmost respect for you. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteCoco: What a journey! I'm so glad your stuff is with you again, and that you and your friend Clive have a better friendship, instead of hard feelings. You and Chris deserve every happiness there is, and I am glad you are one step closer to your future together. Talk about making lemonade, (maybe with a little shot of tequila thrown in - lol) out of lemons. You have so many gifts, like writing, and you share them willingly. Thank you for being you, amazing, wonderful you. Love and ((((((HUGS))))))
ReplyDeleteThank you Hase! Without you encouraging me and telling me that I can do it I probably would have lost it at some point!
ReplyDeleteA coworker (Alex) told me before the trip I should just try to see it as an adventure and a fun trip instead of stress and work! And I listened to that too. Thank you Hase your words mean the world to me! I love and adore you with all my heart!!!
Thank you Mary!!! I'm so glad and relieved!!!!
ReplyDeleteWithout Clive my stuff wouldn't be here now in any way and I probably would have lost it (mentally) while I was still in England because whenever I had spare time (when I worked as a domiciliary carer). I came to visit Clive whenever I had a break. And we always had good talks! I thought I'd have lost our friendship because of my stuff...
*blushes* my writing isn't really that good! I guess I bored a lot of people with my long post. But Thank you!!!
Your words mean the world to me too!!! Thank you Mary!!!! Love and *HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGS* right back to you :-)