Mission 5 – Get To The Checkpoint…Charlie!
Start Point: Intercontinental, Budapest
Finish Point: Hilton, Berlin
Mileage: 583.6
We wake. Early. Checkpoint CLOSES at 8.30 this morning.
I’m over the limit this morning so Dave takes the reins. Slight hitch: we need
to take all sponsors stickers off before we head out on today’s leg.
Our fingernails are worn to shreds by the time we finish. We’re soon off, in
convoy with Richard’s gorgeous blue Bentley, Jamie in the other 530d and Craig
and Rick in the Porker.! The engine’s developed a worrying rumble while idle
too.
Before long, we’re back through Slovakia towards the Czech Republic. We hit the
border and buy even more motorway tax stickers!
A bit further down the road, Fastnet makes a wrong turning. He advises via the
walkie talkie that he’ll make amends and catch us up. We maintain a steady
speed and he catches us in no time – apparently hitting warp speed along the
way!
We all need fuel, and pull in at the next services. We’re followed by a police
car and van. They park up at the end of the services area where we’re filling
up.
Furtive glances. What now? Had they monitored Fastnet’s spirited attempt to
rejoin us?? Or are they just wondering what so many foreign-reg cars are doing
in this neck of the woods? I suggest we fill up, get going, and drive steady
for a while.
We’re off, and smokie leaves well enough alone.
Pretty good fun on the drive. Lots more rain today (at one stage, the Porker
disappears in it’s own tyre spray!!) Dave’s using down-gearing effectively to
keep the car’s speed under control. About 2 hours out of Berlin, we have Sat
Nav conflict, and go our own separate ways. We lose some time to a superior
route, but eventually make it to the Hilton in Berlin.
Great news: Craig’s found a servicing centre in the basement of the hotel!
Dave’s straight down to them – we’re assured engine rumble will be sorted in
the morning. We dine in the hotel that evening, and then it’s out on the usual
drinking circuit. I surprise Charlotte at the checkpoint next morning – I’m
just getting in as other’s are heading off on the next leg at 8am. Up to the
room. Hit the hay. Dave heads down to check on servicing progress. I’m back up
3 hours later, and we wait until 1pm for the car to be ready. Everyone else has
left before 10, but Dave’s grabbed a mission pack before checkpoint closes, so
we’re still in the game….