Monday 10th Austria to Germany

Today we left our plush hotel in Austria and travelled through to Germany. Stopping on the way to have a lovely picnic by the river inn. We have been out to dinner and our now sat in our hotel in Bad Tolz Germany planning our route for tomorrow. Michael is trying to find a route through the mountains form some reason...more fun apparently. (as if we haven't taken Alfie up enough mountain routes already!). Scenery will be good though. We are hoping to stop in Switzerland near lake Constance tomorrow, about a 5 hour drive. The hotel is ok but not as good as last night we were spoilt! Let's hope the hotel we have just booked for tomorrow is better. Mum I am only typing this for you now as I know you are the only one reading this. Lots of photos to upload but can't do it at the moment as Michael is using the computer....

Sunday 9th Czech Republic to Austria

We left Prague Sunday morning and took a nice relaxed drive to Austria. We stopped for a
Lovely lunch in a village called Frymbork on lake Lipmo . We then carried on to Linz where we found a lovely hotel in the centre of town.  Absolute luxury and a reasonable price too. We had a lovely dinner in the centre of town in an outdoor restaurant watching the world go by. An early night was needed as last weeks driving and shenanigans has taken its toll.

The second week...

Well after a very late night Friday we decided to chill in Prague Saturday night too. We needed a bit of a rest and thought that Alfie deserved a bit of a breather too so we paid for secure hotel parking rather than leaving him on the road. We opted for a quiet night in, meal in the hotel restaurant and a few drinks with Emily and Darren. The other 2 members of the 'B team' (beer drinkers) flew home saturday morning after selling 'the sausage car ' to one of the other teams to drive home.

Day 7 - Prague, Czech Republic

Well we made it to the Czech Republic after another long day and a further 345 miles. A great team meal and then we hit the town.  We started off in an Irish Bar then ended up on yet another session with the usual culprits at another sort of bar in Prague !!! A great night was had by all, going to bed at around 4am after a quick gamble in the hotels casino.  We have had an absolutely brilliant 7 days.  Big thanks for the Motoscape organisers for such a fantastic job.  Also HUGE thanks to Colin, Jaber. (Team Sausage in Cider) and Darren and Emily ( Team Toots and Co). You guys have made this trip extra special, such a laugh.

In total we have managed to do 12 countries in 7 days, rather than the 10 we planned. We travelled 1869 miles in total. Now time to relax before the long drive home.

Photos to follow once we have had a decent nights sleep and I get my act together to upload them from the camera

Day 7 Hungry to Czech Republic

Friday Day 7 . Today we travelled from Hungry to Czech Rebublic. We have gathered ourselves a bit of a convoy today.  Darren and Emily have been travelling with us for the last couple of days. They are driving a D reg BMW 318 with astro turf stuck to the roof and boot. A couple of lads driving a VW Scorroco painted with a stripped effect. (looks proper pimp) and a Volvo Estate. This was originally red but has been painted, with a roller, gloss yellow then  sign written.  This is being driven by the 3musthaveabeer's.  By accident we travelled through Slovakia, Typically as we are leading the convoy it was us that the police decided to pull over, obviously not due to the fact that we may have been speeding.! €100 euro fine, which could have been €300 but he reckons he let us off as we are tourists. We also hadn't bought a Vignette as we didn't realise we were going to be going through Slovakia, he let us off this but told us to buy one at the next available place. We bought one only to be out of Slovakia and into Czech within a couple of miles. The high light of the journey was stopping off in the services for a McChicken Sandwich. 

Day 6 Venice to Hungary

Thursday we travelled from Venice via Slovenia to Sopron in Hungary.  366 miles today about 7 hours driving. We travelled through the Triglav National Park taking in the Virsic Pass. This is the highest mountain pass in Slovenia, with a series of 48 hairpin bends. Alfie made it up here with no problems, got slightly hot but he did have alot of climbing to do.The views were amazing, massive cliffs and waterfalls. It was also full of Harley Davidson  motorbikes.  Never seen so many! We must have seen at least a 1000.  Bit scary going up as the Harley's came down the hairpins on the wrong side of the road.  Nearly run over a couple of mountain goats who  were wondering aimlessly around in the middle of the road. We had a lovely lunch at the top, beautiful views only slightly ruined by the constant noise of the Harley's driving by.  All the Motoscaper's had a buffet dinner at the hotel and obviously a few beers. We ordered a bottle of wine, never seen a bottle so big! Another early start tomorrow as off to Czech Rebublic. 

Day 5 - Italy

Wednesday we travelled from Lake Iseo in Italy through to Venice. The drive wasn't very exciting today as it was mainly motorways and we were keen to get to Venice. 323 miles in total. Lovely hotel, few beers on arrival then we caught the train into Venice. We had lunch along the grand canal next to the Rialto  bridge. (81 euros for 6 beers!) We then moved on and found another bar more beer and more food. We then took a stroll through the back streets to yet another bar where the boys did some blimping at the Italian ladies. Late night, train back to the hotel which was a bit touch and go as we didn't have a clue which stop was ours,  which after a few beers was quite funny. Thanks to a very kind local couple we got off at the right stop, found a pizza bar and had more food and beer. I had a lovely pizza covered in chips...

Difficult finding a decent Wifi, will update the rest of our journey later. 

Iseo lake to Venice

After a quiet night last night we are heading off to Venice, today's drive should only take about three hours so should make it there for lunch in or near to St. Marks Square. Some of the teams finish today in Venice so there will be a leaving party in their honour so should be good. After yesterday's drive up and down the Stelvio Pass today's drive will only be exciting because of the Italian drivers and their total lack of driving etiquette. Certainly keeps you on your toes. More soon.

Day 4 - Liechtenstein and Italy

Short post tonight as having an early one. Been another long day ticking Leichtenstein and Itay off the list. The drive up the Stelvio Pass was amazing. Although Alfie got a little hot we made it to the top no problem. Probably the scariest road I have ever been on. Freezing up the top and lots of snow. Another long day of driving, about 8 hours in total. Now in a very plush hotel overlooking Lake Iseo. Pictures to follow tomorrow. So far since leaving home we have driven 1056 miles. Tomorrow we are off to Venice.

Day 4 - Stevio Pass

Today we are travelling to Iseo in Italy via Liechenstein.  Alfie will be put through his paces as we will be traveling up the Stevio Pass into Italy 2758 metres up around 60 hairpins.  This is the second highest paved mountain road in The Alps, then its all down hill towards Bormio before heading on to Lake Iseo to give the car a much needed rest.

Day 3 - Germany - Switzerland - Austria

After a very late night at the Wine Festival, not it has to be said drinking too much of the wine but certainly plenty of the local beer till gone 1am, the firework display was brilliant, sooo loud never heard anything like it. We were up at 6am for breakfast and briefing before setting off at 8.30.  The plan for today was to either take the direct route down the Autobahn direct to Austria, a trip of about 300 miles taking about 5 hours or the scenic route which would take about 6.5 hours.  We opted for the scenic route which took us through the Black Forest in Germany. We drove from Baden Baden to Triberg along the Black Forest Highway which was about 120km.  Ending in an expensive veiwing of the highest German Waterfall. We then drove through Switzerland to end up in Austria, ticking off another country that wasn't on our list!  This wasn't the plan the but the Sat Nav had a different idea.  This now means we will have done 11 countries by Friday rather than 10.  Todays trip was a total of 384 miles which took us about 10 hours with only a couple of stops. The views were spectacular.  Alfie is running like a dream (hoping not to jinx him) but he didn't miss a beat today.  Still getting a bit hot up some of the hills but that is soon resolved by putting the heating on and cooking  ourselves rather than the engine.

Dinner is on the Motoscape Team tonight and we are also having a disco in the hotel for us and the locals.  Another late night :-) 

Tomorrow we head to Italy with the 60 hair pins up the mountain waiting for us. May do another update later, dinner is calling.

Day 3 Castles

Koblenz Germany to Feldkirch Austria along the Rhine, some of the finest scenery
On the Rhine valley, this area has more castles than anywhere else in the world, more details later.

Day 2. - 3 more countries

Team meeting at 745, in fancy dress! The plan for today was to drive around 290 miles to Germany via Belgium and Luxembourg. We left the hotel at 10am. Rather than take the motorway all the way we opted for the scenic route. Stopping for lunch in Bastogne, Belgium. This is where the American army were surrounded by the Germans in WW2. We had lunch in Nuts restaurant which is what the American Commander said to the German Commander when he was asked to surrender. Then the back roads to Luxembourg. Alfie got a little hot going up some of the hills, hairpin bends like I have never seen before.  Good test for the Stelvio Pass in Italy on Tuesday.  I think we may be having a few pit stops on the way up for a little cool down.  All in all though a great day, with a total of 351 miles completed and one top up of cheap petrol in Luxembourg. Now back at the hotel. We are all going to a wine festival in Winningen tonight  live music and a firework display over the river, apparently it tops London Millennium fireworks so should be good.   Could end up a bit messy. After last night session we were missing 2 teams at the morning briefing, tomorrow may be a few more.  Lots more photos today but due to pictures being on the camera and only 1 wifi login per room no way of transferring them to the iPad. Tomorrow I will be better organised and use the computer to update the blog rather than the iPad.  Tomorrow we head to Austria.

Day 1

Alfie made it to Dover after a very early start 4am!
We arrived at the first meeting point at 11, everyone's cars look great. Lots of photos but having a problem uploading them at the moment.

Off to the pub at around 2 o'clock for some lunch which turned into a bit of a drinking session with some of the other Motoscaper's.  Back to the hotel around 9ish. Day 1, 2 countries down, England and France.....

Nearly Time!

Well after a very fast and busy summer Motoscape is almost upon us. Alfie is ready, we are ready (I hope) all packed up and ready to leave at 4.30 in the morning for the 7.30 ferry. Huge thanks to everyone who has donated we are about £12.00 short of our £4000 total for Naomi house which is fantastic....hopefully by the time we get home we would have exceeded our target. I can't believe that tomorrow is the day that we set off...so excited I doubt if I will sleep tonight, I think we have everything we will need, if not its too late now.

Anyway next update when we find some free wifi....hopefully not too long.

The All New Alfie

Last week ended up as a very productive one.  Alfie went to the signwritters on Wednedsay and was ready for collection on Saturday morning.  A massive thank you to Scott and Ben for such an amazing job, We never dreamt that he could look so good. www.signwritestudios.com Alfie seems to have a new lease of life, or it could be that I now feel that I am driving a rally car.

The next task was to remove the balancing belt as it was making such a racket.  With that gone the engine is purring.
Stereo has been fitted today just rear speakers to sort.
All this done and the abs has decided to play up, with the light now illuminating the dash board.  So lots of jobs ticked off the 'to do' list but one to add. No problem though, we would rather have these problems now than in September.

Last night was a good night on the fund raising front.  We took Alfie down to a Charity Music Event that CSL were holding on the local village green and managed to raise £75 by letting people sign the boot of the car. We also managed to raise a further £120 through donations.

We do have more space left for advertising if anyone would like their Company Logo on the car. Or if you would just like to make a donation please visit our JustGiving Page.  www.justgiving.com/mandmmotoscape

Charity Race Night

What a night! We raised a total of £947.20 at our Race Night last night and, with another donation of £200 for advertising on the car, I have today paid over a total of £1147.20 to Naomi House via our JustGiving Page. What a great feeling. Today I feel will be a quiet one, the only thing on the agenda is a stroll to our local to collect Alf who along with lots of friends cars had a night away from home. Thank You so much to everyone for last night. Fun and Fundraising go so well together.

Back on the road.

Alf was taxed Tuesday and is now officially back on the road. However, the engine has been making a strange knocking once it's warm. We have been advised (FOC again by Adrian at AHMotorsport) that it may be one of the belt tensioners, and hopefully not the big ends. Whatever it is let's hope it goes away all by itself. Hoping to get some time next week to nip in and get the new tyres fitted. Although the ones we have are legal they have been stood for a long time and may be a but perished. We have a couple of more promises from local companies who want to buy advertising on the car and, with our first fundraising event for Naomi House tonight we should see the total on our JustGiving page increase over the next couple of weeks. So all in all we have had a productive couple of weeks. just the wrap to sort then it will be like having a brand new Alf. Will update tomorrow with the total raised tonight. Lots of people have promised to come so it should be a good night.

MOT Day

After what seemed a very long wait this morning I am pleased to be able to say A BIG 'WELL DONE' to Alf for passing his MOT with flying colours. Also a big thank you to Hartley Wintney Garages for donating the MOT costs to Naomi House. Tax on Tuesday and Alf will be out and about on the roads for the first time in 4 years. Now time to test the engine.

Ahh problems!

Calamity! Whilst trying to replace the new shock absorber we managed to inadvertently break the top housing on the sub frame that holds the shock in place, and as its made from cast aluminium it was not a easy weld. As the housing is part of the whole sub frame at the rear of the car we were in panic mode to say the least, but luckily we managed to find an man who could weld aluminium and it is now all mended again, although we did miss our Mot appointment. It is booked in again for the morning so fingers crossed all should be well.

Mot day...

Today is a very important day in the life of our Alfa as today is MOT day, we have to fit a shock absorber and then it should be all good to go. We have also had today a fabulous pledge of £500 from Rawlings Transport and Rawlings Fuels so a very heart felt thank you to all at Rawlings Transport for their generosity. We will hopefully be able to get the car wrapping underway very soon, we will keep you all posted.

Progress on Alf

New Discs and brakes now fitted with thanks to Adrian at AH Motorsport www.ahmotorsports.co.uk  for very kindly donating the parts to us and our friend Neil for fitting them. With new brake fluid too Alf should  be raring to go (or stop hopefully). Next step...MOT !! Fingers crossed he will pass with flying colours.

Why are we doing this?

Towards the end of last year we decided that we wanted to do something different in 2012 and raise money for a charity in the process.  We are now in the process of getting the Alfa ready for the Motoscape rally in September which involves travelling through 10 countries across Europe in 7 days.
http://www.motoscape-rally.co.uk/
We will be selling advertising on the car with all proceeds going to http://www.naomihouse.org.uk/

Naomi House and jacksplace are hospices for children and young adults that provide support to children and young people with conditions that mean they are unlikely to live to become adults.

The charity provides care to families and young adults living in communities across the seven counties of Berkshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Surrey, West Sussex and Wiltshire.

Alf...The Alfa

We have owned the car for about 10 years, but due to the Skyline taking preference in the day to day drive to work the Alfa has been parked up for the last 4 years, under a car cover very neglected.
This rally was the perfect time to bring him back to life. So last month March 2012 we uncovered him (Just to set the record straight, Michael would like to think that Alf should be a she, but as he has had a lady owner all these years he is obviously a he!) Anyway, in March we took off the very old faded cover and hooked up a battery.  Would you believe it, he fired up straight away.  This answered our question as to should we take Alf across Europe or buy an old banger!

We are now in April, Alf has been washed all moss and mold removed and, taken up the yard to have some much needed maintenance.