Avoir un poil dans la main (being lazy)
HEATSTROKE
After spending the night indoor, in a room that just fitted my height we had a long drive. We stopped in Luxembourg for fuel and a quick dinner stop. After the stop I started as usual but then I could not keep my engine running. My mechanic was all over the place, calling the Dutch road-side assistance for medical care. Calling the co-mechanic for advice. The Dutch road-side assistance did not want to help, the package for campers was not included, so they could not do anything. Probably somebody missed a briefing since his 2001 membership. So without help he diagnosed me with anything except the fact that I had a heatstroke. On my age driving full throttle on highway in hilly landscape with high temperatures are tough. In the meantime my mechanic managed to get a towing company, that took 2 hours to arrive. Just before the 2 hours elapsed I felt a lot better and was ready to go. So we went on our way, cancelled the tow-truck and up to Molsheim to spend the night.
TIME TO RELAX
The next day we had a short drive to Ribeauvillé, about 40 minutes in busy holiday traffic. It was a flat road and behind a slow truck it was an easy drive after yesterdays sweating trip. We arrived at a place were I have been before, an enjoyable place in the grass surrounded by trees. I am the only camper that is allowed to park here, probably my old age advantage. I had a nice place to myself and with a tent the three friends had plenty of room. In the following days the friends went out on cultural trips, wine tasting events and dinners, for me it was a well deserved break enjoying the fresh country side air and the sunshine (after the rain).
At night the campsite was a light festival, lighting up the whole campsite, which was unfortunately not enjoyed by everybody. But after a few wines, cheese and nuts the topic on lights was gone.
THE LONG DRIVE HOME
After four nights is was time to pack, so everybody was busy. I was loaded with the camping gear and additionally boxes of wine that were purchased locally. The way back started with a scenic tour through the Alsace vineyards, a route called Route des Vins d’Alsace. We visited a place called Obernai were I could park with some other campervans, but let’s be honest despite my age I am the most colorful one in the row. After the Obernai visit we drove back, a long drive with a fuel stop again in Luxembourg and Brussels. This time we did not had a stop as somebody was in a little stress that I would have a heatstroke again, but of course all went smoothly except that my speedometer stopped working. It was clear some thirsty weather, I drank 200 liters of the high octane spirit on the 1.900km trip. Now back on the driveway ready to share my adventures with my brothers and sisters. After some rest and fixing of some small things I am ready for some more adventure.