Turda Gorge, Romania

Romania is like another world. As soon as we crossed the border with very few hitches we had lost the motorways and were on country tracks with horse and carts.

We had an 11 hour travel day until we reached Turda Gorge where we bush camped. In the evening we walked on a track just with our torches along the edge of the gorge. It's a good job we couldn't see the huge drops.

After a night of rain I awoke early to take part in a 3 hour 'extreme walk' with some of the group, guided by 2 of the Romanian mountain rescue. Definitely was extreme as we scrambled up a vertical slope! Scary but amazing views at the top.

After a roadside lunch we arrived in Sighisoara where we were to enjoy a night in a hotel. Considering the town has a Dracula tourist attraction it's very empty of tourists but very nice for a potter down the cobbled streets. Meal out in a pizzeria with the biggest pizza for about £3.50- bargain! Think I'm going to like Romania.

Budapest, Hungary

8 hours down the motorway and a brief stop in Slovakia for a roadside lunch and we reach Budapest. The campsite just outside the city is amongst trees and it feels like proper camping! A few beers round the campsite in the evening- an excellent start to the considerably warmer Hungary.

After a lazy breakfast some of us headed into the city by bus. Really beautiful and some spectacular views from the Buda side over the river danube and the Parliament buildings. Weather is early 20's so we had a pleasant look round the city. No trip to the baths though. I didn't fancy stewing in the sun!

We have a 7am leave tomorrow as we head for a bush camp in Romania so I guess it will be early to bed and leaving the luxury.

Photos: Matthias church with the coloured roof. The parliament building. Heroes' square.

Prague, Czech Republic

So we have arrived in Prague (where I am now) after a long day of travel. Our final travel mate has joined us after being stuck in the Middle East so it's nice that everyone's together.

Weather's warm but Prague is packed with school groups so we had just wandered the streets looking at the pretty architecture. The castle buildings were impressive but the crowds put me off looking inside anywhere. Had the local chocolate with apple cake in the sun which was nice and we are off for some tea out tonight.

We are camping again, staying 10km out from the city so we are exploring the public buses and trams. It's interesting!

Would love to have more of an explore here but maybe of a rainy day in the winters. Its Friday and the stag parties are all out!

We have a long drive to Budapest tomorrow where we will spend 2 more nights. Will hopefully get some more internet and try upload some pictures in Turkey.

p.s I'm still surviving- the foods pretty good!

Bamburg, Germany

We had quite a bit of time in the World heritage town of Bamberg. I think it's the most picturesque place I've been to and I think everyone enjoyed a stroll around the streets. We went into town in the evening to try the local 'Smokey beer'. It was drinkable but you wouldn't order more than one as it tasted a little like bacon! We then went on the hunt for apple strudel. It was really yummy.

The campsite was really nice- amazing showers. However its was really cold at night and I woke up to frost on the tent. I'm not sure how I'm going to keep warm in Tibet if Ive already dug out the sleeping liner and blanket!

Cologne, Germany

So we rolled into Cologne mid afternoon on a glorious day. The campsite is on the banks of the Rhine and walking distance to the city. We spent a full day wandering around Cologne which is a small city but full of churches. Some of us went to the Chocolate museum which I enjoyed. I thought it was interesting to see where the cocoa beans came from and all the business side to chocolate production. Best though was a nose around the Lindt section of the museum where we saw all the machinery and moulding processes. We also got to taste the chocolate- not as much as we thought though.

Photos are: view from campsite, the lindt bunnies in the chocolate museum and the Dom

I also climbed the 533 steps to the top of the cathedral which nearly killed me. Beautiful views at the top if you ignore the scaffolding, chicken wire, and graffiti!

In the evening we had a group meal in a beer hall where you could buy a meter long sausage! I had frankfurter and mash which I didn't think I'd like but I did! Also was adventurous and tried Saurkraut- It was rank!
Lots of beer drunk!

Tournai, Belgium

A little late on the posts as the internet connections are hard to find. Also can't upload pictures as there's no USB plug!

So we left London as scheduled and headed for Dover to catch the channel crossing at lunch time. We all expected Dover to be manic but it wasn't and the crossing went pretty quickly as I got to know my travel companions. We rolled into Tournai in Belgium for a first night camping. Pete and crew cooked a yummy meal of mushroom soup, spag bol and then chocolate cake for Maggs' birthday so I've not had to dig out the breakfast bars yet! Everyone's really lovely, diverse range of age and back ground but everyone has the shared interest of adventure. Tomorrow to Cologne.

Packing looms!

So everything is bought and now needs to be packed as I leave for London on Saturday. I've allocated tomorrow as 'packing day' so I can pack and then repack with the intention of having a nice relaxing day before I leave...ha! I've dug out the rucksack and now everything needs to fit in it. 80L. It shouldn't be a problem, right?!

Due to the nature of this trip I'm effectively needing to pack for all climates. I have a rough packing list for a guide and I'm ensured that washing clothes will be an easy task enroute, therefore the minimal clothing is being taken. I've bought lots of new clothes as I want to leave my favourites at home and I needed some more appropriate clothing for Muslim countries and I'm also hoping that I'll see the benefits of some new microfibre fleeces :).

As we will be going over high altitude in possibly freezing temperatures in Central Asia to the humid South East Asia I've hunted around for the most suitable sleeping bag. Ive gone for a comfort range of -2 to 22 degrees so I'm hoping that will keep me cosy most nights. In addition I've a roll mat which I've yet to check whether it self inflates (I will soon find out when i go to use it) and a silk sleeping bag.

So with sleeping and clothing sorted to the minimal, I 'should' have some room for the rather large selection of shoes I've decided are necessary (walking boots, pumps, flip flops and some rather unflattering grandad sandals)and the entirety of Boots! I've decided that my Herbal Essences shampoo is a must and I've a first aid kit to cover all problems...hopefully!

Electrical stuff wise, I'm hoping my cheap and cheerful camera will survive the trip but I'm not expecting the mobile phone and it's dodgy charger to last long! Also bought a wind up head torch which will be interesting. Winding it up will keep me occupied when there's not much going on!

In my head all my stuff fits in one bag so I won't have items dangling from the outside(I'll leave that to later in the trip!), in practise though things will probably be a little more difficult. I'll soon see...