2. FRIENDS ON THE ROAD AND A BIRTHDAY TOO!!

Yesterday we left Alain and Sabine's home in Ninove, Belgium near Brussels heading East.  We were on great multi-lane roads all day as expected.  The landscape was farm land than rolling hills the farther East we went.  After crossing the Rhine river in Germany, we knew we were well on our way to our first stop for the night.

We are sitting at a small RV park in Nurnberg, Germany at the moment after a good night's sleep.  Can't thank Alain and Sabine enough for their hospitality. They had goodies for me for my birthday too!!! He is a motorcycle mechanic.  He isn't sure how many bikes he actually owns himself.  They are stored everywhere around his home.  A World War II U.S. military Harley, vintage Norton race bikes and countless early Japanese and European models.  His '54 Norton is something to hear running. 

It was decided that the ambulance needed some changes to allow more room on the inside for a small mattress which was given to Robert by our  hosts.  Alain and his good friend Gunther fabricated Jerry can brackets for the back doors of the ambulance on the spot.  Now we have two of the four cans outside the vehicle.  Since we are carrying diesel, we are not that concerned about carrying some non-volatile diesel fuel inside the vehicle when necessary.  We have spoken to others who have done it also.  I was concerned about the safety of a spare tire being mounted in its factory bracket under the vehicle.  Well, we now have one mounted there to allow for more room in the ambulance also. 

Today our destination is Vienna, Austria.  The sky is sunny, and it is now 7:15 A.M. local time, 12:15 A.M. in Chicago.  Hope to upload this message as soon as we find a "hot spot".  (Uploading now at a McDonalds near Vienna, Austria.)  The drive today was all multi-lane highway.  Excellent roads.  Eastern Germany into Austria is beautiful rolling hills with lots of forest and crop land in its full glory. We will spend the night in the area.  Planning  to make it well into Hungary and? points East  tomorrow.  I will still be adding background information concerning the rally's history and our preparation for it as I find time.

All the best,

Norbert

                                           Channel Crossing Dover To Dunkerque

   Alain, Sabine, Gunther and Kristel.  Thanks So Much For Everything Including The Cake!!!

 

An Other One That Had To Be Left Behind.....A 1942 Model.

                                          Jerry Can Brackets Being Designed