Train 1 hour late despite reaching speeds of 306 kph. Then a big rush to get a local train to Pasing. Late fee required if we didn't collect at arranged time. Heather amazingly directed us to the connecting train and platform at lightening speed. Then at Pasing, got a taxi to Sulzmoos. Driver thought it was a slow day, only reaching 181 kph due to traffic. I quietly insisted heather put her seat belt on.
Chatted to some Aussies who were travelling for a month- packing light, with only a day pack size bag each.
Arrived only 15 mins late for collection so all good. 1 1/2 hours signing and handover then we were left to it.
It looked a beast but still only 6 m long. Hope I don't have too many parking issues. Brand spanking new - only 13 km on the clock. Drove out of the lot and found a spot to set up the gps etc. No usb power cord packed. Terror strikes. But first dilemma resolved as a camping and motorhome store on site.
Initial thoughts were to avoid the highways and tolls and take the scenic side roads. More terror as I graunch gears and stress about lane positions on narrow roads, trying to get used to driving on the other side, the motorhome itself, manual gearbox and gps, plus a trillion roundabouts and tiny streets.
Trying hard not to scream and throw a wobbly - I just felt too overwhelmed and wanted to return the beast and abandon all plans.
Heather sat beside me making quiet reassuring sounds. We finally found somewhere to pull over, reset the gps, abandoned plans to find the local supermarket to stock up, and decided we needed to brace for the highway.
Within minutes we were in 3 lane traffic going way too fast with lots of big lorries. My strategy was to sit behind a slow truck and take my time. Less gear changes so that was a plus.
After driving for 3 or more hours we realised we were not going to reach Innsbruck as planned. We attempted several exit points to towns off the autobahn but found nowhere suitable to park. It was getting later and we were both getting tired. Despite heathers pleas to stop, I drove on until 9pm, pulled into a truck stop on the side of the road where 20 or more lorries were parked for the night and called it quits. Narrowly missing a domestic, as we realised "I" had not printed the camp sites we had researched and heather was severely stressed, feeling we had no plans clearer than what was in my head. No supplies had been purchased so shared a barroca for dinner.
Made use of the onboard shower and hit the hay. As I was still waking early (4am despite change of time zones), I eventually got up, unpacked the luggage and pottered about. back on the road and eager for breky at 6:45.
We were not far away from our planned destination, and after 45 mins back on the autobahn arrived at Innsbruck Austria ( we missed any signage that may have told us we were leaving Germany). Of course the problem with arriving into town early is nothing is open. Eventually found a cafe and supermarket, fed and stocked up then we spotted an IKEA store so had a wee shopping spree to improve our home where we would be based in for the next 6 weeks. keeping selections to under 3 euros per item of course so no major budget blowouts so far.
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