Dinner is served with a dash of blood.......

So what has happened since I last checked in...well....We passed through Hungary stopping off for a couple of crazy days in Budapest where we met what felt like half of Italy at the campsite.    They had a camper van rally and all decided to descend on Budapest for the Easter weekend.   Calypso was an instant hit and we conducted numerous tours of her as eager families came up to ask what we were doing.  "Really Australia, I can't believe it" must have been the most common response...quickly followed by "Wow, I would love to do that!"    The guys had a good day in town with swimming in the hot baths being the activity of choice.

Birthday celebrations for Jen

Leaving Budapest it was a rainy and rather long drive over the border into Romania.  Gone are the motorways of Western Europe and we are  immersed in a far more earthy culture....horse drawn ploughs, cows and chickens galore and some stunning scenery.   Stopping at the beautiful Turda gorge we stayed two nights allowing for a day of wandering through the gorge....a good chance to stretch the legs. Dinner, a delightful stew was served with a dash of blood...well Port, to celebrate the next destination...Sighisoara, the home of Vlad Dracul...the real life man that forms the basis for the Dracula myth.   The town has a fantastic medieval old centre that is in fact the oldest inhabited medieval citadel in Europe.

Calypso, in her "come rain or come shine" attire

Jim in the Command Centre

From Sighisoara we had to decide on which way to drive to Bucuresti.   We could either go via Bran castle, again of Dracula fame or go via Sinaia, one of Romania’s top ski spots and home to the fabulous Peles castle now museum, packed full of reminders of Romania’s rich past.   With Bran being closed until early May the decision was made for us and we set off through the stunning Transylvanian scenery for what proved to be a great castle and a fantastic day.  With bear warnings around the castle we were reminded of the still wild side of Romania.   It was then a nice easy drive into town where one of the group had a friend living....who turned into the Odyssey Bucuresti tour guide...much to every ones delight.

Pele Castle

Fun in the sun...

Oh hey hi again...  strange but I find myself updating the blog as often as I find myself doing my laundry!   So what new to report, well I can report that the smoked beer in Bamberg is to be recommended as is the lovely campsite just out of Prague..  which was reached with a quick stop at Tescos!   Yes Prague boasts numerous beautiful old sites, such as the Charles Bridge and the celestial clock but that does not mean that it lacks those facilities that make life that little bit easier... after the shocking hair photo last blog I have shaved my head and am going all monastic at the moment...

Foot long sausages in Cologne

Inside the mighty Calypso

The Odyssey internet cafe is up and running

Who said you have to rough it?  Camping with tablecloths, a classy touch!

Operation Marmalade is a goer...

Now a few days in, how many exactly... who is counting?    That is the great thing about 6 months of travel...time becomes rather elastic.  The weather has been a delight and we are all settling in well.  The discovery that we all have a real or at least a truck birthday means that there are plans afoot for numerous parties in the coming days.   The "daily routine" of moving 22 people and gear from place to place is well established and Calypso is a darling.   The camp sites have been brilliant...showers here in Bamberg have been rated as better than those at home by many of us!  In terms of sights seen...the Dom in Koeln was massive... as in really massive and climbing the 509 steps to the top helped justify the beers and foot-long wurst later consumed at a local brew house.

Camping with Calypso

Happy campers

Guys are currently out and about in the old town of Bamberg, enjoying the slow pace of the trip and beautiful sunny weather we are having!   We pop over to Prague tomorrow on our way towards Istanbul... gossip, oh yes there is but my lips are sealed... for now!

CJ (with a bit of help from Rich...)

The big day is almost here...

Come to the edge he said, but they were afraid; come to the edge he said again, still they were afraid but they came;  He pushed them off.......and they flew!

Calypso is ready and on the edge of departure so I trust everyone is ready to jump on board for a journey to remember.  We had a great few days of final preperations and Calypso is on her way to Dover ready to meet us, she will stop off on the way to get fresh supplies and be ready for us to jump on and......goooooo.   The first day will be a nice drive to a campsite in Belgium where we can start the proper nesting proccess and demonstrate the tardis-like properties of Calypso as well as getting the maps out and really whetting our appetites over the places to be visited, cultures to be experienced and landscapes to be encountered.  Any way you look at it 6 months of travel, 22 travellers and 25 countries, there are going to be some stories to tell.

For those travelling virtually via the blog, (hi Mum and Dad) sit back and enjoy the up-coming photos and exploits herein to be recounted.  For those of us travelling "in the flesh" (you know who you are) see you very soon for "Operation Marmalade" (it will all become clear).  Please have passports and kitty to hand in London so we can get the formalities out of the way, which reminds me for those out there worring that passports are still at the agents, fear not I picked them up yesterday and will reunite you as soon as we meet.  Right, am off for a read of the papers and a roast dinner, who said overlanding had to be hard.    Hatsa pronto, CJ and Jim

Calypso

Your new home for the next couple of months!

She's ready to go!

Welcome one, welcome all...

So here we go, my first blog for the soon-to-depart London to Australia Expedition.  I am sure there is some pretty frantic packing going on out there.  Two pairs of socks or three?  Which of the t-shirts to take?  Remember the old adage: pack, then take at least half of the gear out, then a bit more...and you will still be taking more than enough to get you through.  

Been the same thing happening here really, sorting of gear and more importantly sorting of the truck, Calypso, our home for the next few months.  MOT passed with flying colours, bit more mechanical stuff to do and just giving her a good clean and packing all the goodies on board, tents, very comfy camp chairs, games, books, drinks and of course loads of good food.  Nearly at the stage where the next thing on is us lot. 

I should perhaps briefly introduce myself and the other crew member.  Fear not will properly introduce ouselves, and clear up any questions when we meet in London on our way down to Dover where Pete and Kirsten, the bosses, will be waiting with Calypso.  Then over the first few days we will nest every one into the truck, sort the routine and how it all works, pull out the maps and start what promises to be a fantastic journey.  I go by the name CJ and have been driving and leading expeditions long enough for my niece to go from not being able to walk to being able to drive.  Then there is Jim, and yes he can fix it.  We have been working together for close on 10 years and are delighted to be on this expedition.  Having known/worked with Pete for over 5 years we are well into the Odyssey Overland family ethos and look forward to meeting/welcoming you in too.  

Right, I will leave it at that and see you all very soon, CJ

CJ, showing he knows what to do with the tyres

Jim, checking out Calypso's lockers

Calypso in the workshop, getting a full pre-expedition overhaul

Yep, all this fits on the truck 

Calypso on the road, where she belongs

She goes anywhere!