Yesterday we set sail, literally! Drove onto the first of two ferries on our way up to the beautiful country of Norway. This is a track that when I first started wasn’t running any races, but had a history with the inter services so I was always curious to drive it. Last year I made my debut there on the Europa Cup successfully, so I am always happy to go back to a track I have grown fond of.
You would probably like to think it was all plain sailing up to the point as we parked among the long line of cars ready for the long journey ahead. Well, you might want to think again. Haunting words such as ‘passport’ will eventually become one the ongoing jokes of the season.
So yes, you may have guessed it already. Her heart dropped as the ‘P’ word was mentioned and immediately realised she may have left it in her mum’s car when I had picked her up. The sudden deathly silence and pocket pat down, I instantly knew what had happened. In a series of panic calls hero Dad races to the rescue in a small VW polo and meets us at the ferry port, minutes before we have to board. It always happens to someone, and she is a firm believer it's always her! Safe to say we triple checked my other brake lady had her passport as we picked her up enroute to Harwich.
On board the first ferry from Harwich to the Netherlands we had a short 8 hours to explore and get some kip. I mean you can’t go on a ferry and not investigate what is around. Well to be honest there wasn’t much really, a bar or two, and of course those tall lit up slot machines that never seem to lure the normal person in. So, we quickly got back into the cabin for some sleep. 8 hours later we are back on the road for the next stint, a 400-mile trip across Netherlands and Germany to catch the next ferry to Gothenburg, Sweden.
Travelling vast amounts of miles is part of sport as we travel around Europe chasing the Europa and World Cup circuits. This can mean 2-3 days journey at times to reach the venue, but you accept it as part of the sport. Just make sure you have good company with you. Two brakeladies that fall asleep with in 10 minutes of the journey, could be good company if you are looking for some peace and quiet, but not if you require the passengers to be the DJ.
Onwards we go, we head to bed for the second night in another sea swaying ship and when we wake up, we head out on the last few miles, just 300 of them, to the first competition venue, Lillehammer!
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