One Man, a Dog, his pet passport and mirrored shades (but in a car, not a boat!)

Having discovered the wonders of Corfu and the Corfu Trail (thanks to the legend that is Hilary Paipeti) I decided to spend an extended period of time out in Corfu setting up my business guiding walkers along the Corfu trail. So the end of April saw me leaving my long-suffering other half (LSOH) in Wimbledon to set off in a car heavily laden with tents, camping gear, a bike, food, innumerable GRAZE boxes and a few clothes. Jammed in amongst all my gear was a rather bemused black Sprocker called Ralph (he of sunglasses, pet passport, etc etc fame).

I decided to drive down through Europe, camping as I went and then cross to Corfu by means of various ferries. Although no stranger to driving abroad I could not help feeling some trepidation about the journey and was grateful for Ralph’s company.

First stop was Dover for the ferry to Calais. On board, I met an older chap called Per, whose knowledge of all things Apple was a fine example of how you don’t have to be a teenager to be IT-savvy. At the end of the crossing, Ralph was delighted to be able to uncross his legs and go for a walk over the sand dunes near Dunkirk.

We jumped into the car and made for Germany where we stayed at a campsite near Aachen. Main memories? Great dinner of pork chops slightly marred by local oompah band giving it some welly in the pub where I was eating. Oh, and the disconcerting lack of loo roll at the campsite. Sorry, I do realise that was, as LSOH would say, too much information.