Photo's etc can go in here 
Croatia 09
- Thread starter Bryn
- Start date
Deleted Account 180923001
Registered user
Bryn...knew mine would be a bit lengthy (ooooh err) so just kept
it seperate.
g
it seperate.
g
I'll post a few pics here
Although the generic trip is entitled 'Croatia 09' some of us made the decision to head East rather than down into Croatia.
We all met up in Dover for a night in a guest house on 9th July, followed by an early ferry trip to Calais. A bit of a dash down to Mainz saw us at what I'd describe as the start of the trip.
It's a pretty place
We went to a nice restaurant suggested by Jim Sherry ( Drumacoon Lad) and Flash saw a photo opportunity outside
The next morning was bright ( again) and the whole group went from Mainz to Garmisch Partenkirchen, with the campers then splitting and making their way to their campsite at Mittenwald, while the lovers of luxury were lodged at Trifthof Garni.. rooms were great and the location was pretty good too... this is the view from our room...
We walked down to the town and after settling outside we were asked to 'keep the noise down' as there was some sort of play about to be re-enacted across the road beside the church... must have been heavy stuff as there were nuns in the audience
Once we moved inside I managed to take a candid shot of Hayley's Beaver
The next day those at the hotel who were heading to Trieste were waved off, and the rest of us made our way through some spectacular scenery to Berctesgaden, with the intention of arriving early enough to get up to the Eagles Nest.. Hitlers mountain retreat.
We found the hotel.. Pension Alpina and parked up the bikes
It was 2pm and the landlady informed us that the last bus for the Eagles Nest left 5 minutes ago
So it was a rapid shower and unload, then into taxi's for the trip to the bus station, which provided the coaches to take visitors up the sinewy road to the base of the mountain where Hitler had his holiday home.
By this time the group consisted of myself and Lyn, Parky and Tracey, Flash and Trassa, and Seamus and Sue ... also Stolzy who had joined us in Garmisch.
Everyone piled into the first taxi leaving Flash, Trassa, myself and Lyn to wait for another one... 10 minutes elapsed before the second one arrived, and by the time we got to the coach embarcation place Stlolzy had done a sterling job in arguing with the coach driver who wanted to go without us , and it was the last coach of the day
We got there in the nick of time and made our way up to the base of the mountain
This is the entrance to a 100 metre tunnel , which complete with blast doors, leads to the gold lift which took visitors ( and Hitler) 124 metres up the inside of the mountain to the Eagles Nest... Very impressive!
Anyway.. more later
Although the generic trip is entitled 'Croatia 09' some of us made the decision to head East rather than down into Croatia.
We all met up in Dover for a night in a guest house on 9th July, followed by an early ferry trip to Calais. A bit of a dash down to Mainz saw us at what I'd describe as the start of the trip.
It's a pretty place
We went to a nice restaurant suggested by Jim Sherry ( Drumacoon Lad) and Flash saw a photo opportunity outside
The next morning was bright ( again) and the whole group went from Mainz to Garmisch Partenkirchen, with the campers then splitting and making their way to their campsite at Mittenwald, while the lovers of luxury were lodged at Trifthof Garni.. rooms were great and the location was pretty good too... this is the view from our room...
We walked down to the town and after settling outside we were asked to 'keep the noise down' as there was some sort of play about to be re-enacted across the road beside the church... must have been heavy stuff as there were nuns in the audience
Once we moved inside I managed to take a candid shot of Hayley's Beaver
The next day those at the hotel who were heading to Trieste were waved off, and the rest of us made our way through some spectacular scenery to Berctesgaden, with the intention of arriving early enough to get up to the Eagles Nest.. Hitlers mountain retreat.
We found the hotel.. Pension Alpina and parked up the bikes
It was 2pm and the landlady informed us that the last bus for the Eagles Nest left 5 minutes ago
So it was a rapid shower and unload, then into taxi's for the trip to the bus station, which provided the coaches to take visitors up the sinewy road to the base of the mountain where Hitler had his holiday home.By this time the group consisted of myself and Lyn, Parky and Tracey, Flash and Trassa, and Seamus and Sue ... also Stolzy who had joined us in Garmisch.
Everyone piled into the first taxi leaving Flash, Trassa, myself and Lyn to wait for another one... 10 minutes elapsed before the second one arrived, and by the time we got to the coach embarcation place Stlolzy had done a sterling job in arguing with the coach driver who wanted to go without us , and it was the last coach of the day
We got there in the nick of time and made our way up to the base of the mountain
This is the entrance to a 100 metre tunnel , which complete with blast doors, leads to the gold lift which took visitors ( and Hitler) 124 metres up the inside of the mountain to the Eagles Nest... Very impressive!
Anyway.. more later
"Kehlsteinhaus (1,834m / 6,017ft) - Its construction ordered by Martin Bormann, the so-called Eagle's Nest teahouse was offered to Adolf Hitler on the occasion of his 50th birthday with the aim of using it for representation purposes for official guests. The challenging construction of the Eagle's Nest was completed in some 13 months' time, including the road, Germany's highest.
The road from Obersalzberg leading up to the Eagle's Nest upper bus parking area is a unique feat of engineering seen nowhere else in the world. The great difference in elevation is reached with only one hairpin bend, thereby traversing the steep northwest face of the Kehlstein Mountain twice.
In 1952 the road was closed to the public and the special mountain buses were put into operation for the transportation of guests to this unique destination. From the Eagle's Nest upper parking area, a hand blasted tunnel takes visitors 124 meters (406ft) through the mountainside to an ornate elevator lined with shiny brass. In just 41 seconds visitors are transported another 124 meters up through the mountain and into the building itself.
Hitler himself seldom used the Eagle's Nest, finding the excursion up to the top too unnerving due to his fear of heights. After the War, thanks to Mr. Jacob, the local governor at the time, the Eagle’s Nest was spared being blown up.
There was a handy panoramic picture listing the mountain peaks viewed from the top
Hitler's dining room has now been turned into a restaurant ...
The fireplace is still impressive... Parky and Tracey posing for a photo
Still the weather was with us, affording fantastic views from the top of the mountain
The next morning we appeared to be up in the clouds, and the first part of the ride East was wet, due to spray on the road, but it soon brightened up. We were heading for a town called Svaty Jur, just North of Bratislava in Slovakia. along the way were some fantastic lakes
We pulled in for a coffee and a few photo's
The view from the bridge was pretty good
We were off again East, and the trek was quickened by a good stretch of motorway towards Vienna...We managed 100 miles in a little over an hour
The journey took us past a motorway sign that gave directions for Wien, Bratislava and Budapest... that's 3 different countries on one sign
Up to Bratislava and then off my satnav mapping to Svaty Jur, a strange place , with the hotel on a residential street just where you wouldn't expect a hotel, but it wasn't bad, with secure parking across the road through roller shutter doors
Stolzy outside the hotel
Sue cooling off outside
Food at the hotel was slow to come , and ordered at 5.30 pm was served at 7pm
Polish dumplings were ordered
Should have chosen something less 'regional'
The next day it was off again to Krakow, through Slovakia . The first stretch was along a motorway to Zilina, followed by some twisty's up towards the border with Poland. We stopped at a cafe in a non-descript village for lunch
It was pretty quaint and the bloke behind the counter spoke no Eenglish and refused to smile
The majority of us went for the Hungarian Goulash.. at around 2 euro 50 per plate. It was great
We left there still unable to elicit a smile from misery guts behind the counter
We then headed for the Polish border, where the road works started.. contraflow after contraflow, with 5 inch drops and kerbs up and down tarmac strips It was around 35 degrees by then and getting a bit hot too...The sat nav took us straight to the hotel and we parked up in the yard and slipped into something more comfortable
The road from Obersalzberg leading up to the Eagle's Nest upper bus parking area is a unique feat of engineering seen nowhere else in the world. The great difference in elevation is reached with only one hairpin bend, thereby traversing the steep northwest face of the Kehlstein Mountain twice.
In 1952 the road was closed to the public and the special mountain buses were put into operation for the transportation of guests to this unique destination. From the Eagle's Nest upper parking area, a hand blasted tunnel takes visitors 124 meters (406ft) through the mountainside to an ornate elevator lined with shiny brass. In just 41 seconds visitors are transported another 124 meters up through the mountain and into the building itself.
Hitler himself seldom used the Eagle's Nest, finding the excursion up to the top too unnerving due to his fear of heights. After the War, thanks to Mr. Jacob, the local governor at the time, the Eagle’s Nest was spared being blown up.
There was a handy panoramic picture listing the mountain peaks viewed from the top
Hitler's dining room has now been turned into a restaurant ...
The fireplace is still impressive... Parky and Tracey posing for a photo
Still the weather was with us, affording fantastic views from the top of the mountain
The next morning we appeared to be up in the clouds, and the first part of the ride East was wet, due to spray on the road, but it soon brightened up. We were heading for a town called Svaty Jur, just North of Bratislava in Slovakia. along the way were some fantastic lakes
We pulled in for a coffee and a few photo's
The view from the bridge was pretty good
We were off again East, and the trek was quickened by a good stretch of motorway towards Vienna...We managed 100 miles in a little over an hour
The journey took us past a motorway sign that gave directions for Wien, Bratislava and Budapest... that's 3 different countries on one sign
Up to Bratislava and then off my satnav mapping to Svaty Jur, a strange place , with the hotel on a residential street just where you wouldn't expect a hotel, but it wasn't bad, with secure parking across the road through roller shutter doors
Stolzy outside the hotel
Sue cooling off outside
Food at the hotel was slow to come , and ordered at 5.30 pm was served at 7pm
Polish dumplings were ordered
Should have chosen something less 'regional'The next day it was off again to Krakow, through Slovakia . The first stretch was along a motorway to Zilina, followed by some twisty's up towards the border with Poland. We stopped at a cafe in a non-descript village for lunch
It was pretty quaint and the bloke behind the counter spoke no Eenglish and refused to smile
The majority of us went for the Hungarian Goulash.. at around 2 euro 50 per plate. It was great
We left there still unable to elicit a smile from misery guts behind the counter
We then headed for the Polish border, where the road works started.. contraflow after contraflow, with 5 inch drops and kerbs up and down tarmac strips
It was around 35 degrees by then and getting a bit hot too...The sat nav took us straight to the hotel and we parked up in the yard and slipped into something more comfortable
The hotel Royal had a great bar at the side of it.. and in the bogs was a great idea that I reckon I ought to adopt at the East Midlands event this year ..
It's got 'Poppy' written all over it
With my limited skills tried a long exposure.. Wawel Castle is in the background. This view was across the road from the hotel
We stayed over for two days in Krakow, and were surprised at the number of horse drawn carriages plying for trade, and no manure in sight
It all became clear when one of the horses started to do what came naturally, and the jockey produced a net on a pole and caught it before it hit the ground 
The second day we had ordered a taxi for 8, as Stolzy was making his way back home early... we got the taxi for 600 zloty for the day, to take us to Auschwitz and Birkenau. I'd been there on the tossers eastern bloc raid in 2004 but none of the others had experienced the place. We got a guided tour which is really essential to appreciate the horrors perpetrated there.
Auschwitz 1 ( the main camp) was set up first and was commanded by Rudolf Hoess.. he was eventually Hanged at the place where he presided over life and death.
Birkenau , or Auschwitz 11 was a place 2 km or so away from the main camp, and that is where the real killing began. Its the place made infamous by the train entering through the watch tower and unloading its unfortunate passengers for 'selection'
There is a representation of the huts used as accomodation. There is only one genuine one remaining....
Each hut housed up to 800 or so men or women
Birkenau is huge.. this is the view looking back from the memorial near to Crematoria 1 and 2, towards the watch tower in the distance
It is a place I reckon everyone should visit once in their lifetime.
Back to Krakow, and no time to rest.. a golf cart ride around the Jewish quarter...
This is the square in the middle of the jewish quarter where Jews were shot by the Nazis. their furniture was piled up in the square after their homes were cleared. The chairs stand as a memorial
There is still part of the wall standing, that the Germans built to contain those in the Ghetto. They deliberately shaped the top of the wall like a Jewish gravestone.. more psychological warfare on the Jews
We also got to see the site of Oskar Schindler's factory.. made famous in 'Shindlers list'
It's got 'Poppy' written all over it
With my limited skills tried a long exposure.. Wawel Castle is in the background. This view was across the road from the hotel
We stayed over for two days in Krakow, and were surprised at the number of horse drawn carriages plying for trade, and no manure in sight
It all became clear when one of the horses started to do what came naturally, and the jockey produced a net on a pole and caught it before it hit the ground
The second day we had ordered a taxi for 8, as Stolzy was making his way back home early... we got the taxi for 600 zloty for the day, to take us to Auschwitz and Birkenau. I'd been there on the tossers eastern bloc raid in 2004 but none of the others had experienced the place. We got a guided tour which is really essential to appreciate the horrors perpetrated there.
Auschwitz 1 ( the main camp) was set up first and was commanded by Rudolf Hoess.. he was eventually Hanged at the place where he presided over life and death.
Birkenau , or Auschwitz 11 was a place 2 km or so away from the main camp, and that is where the real killing began. Its the place made infamous by the train entering through the watch tower and unloading its unfortunate passengers for 'selection'
There is a representation of the huts used as accomodation. There is only one genuine one remaining....
Each hut housed up to 800 or so men or women
Birkenau is huge.. this is the view looking back from the memorial near to Crematoria 1 and 2, towards the watch tower in the distance
It is a place I reckon everyone should visit once in their lifetime.
Back to Krakow, and no time to rest.. a golf cart ride around the Jewish quarter...
This is the square in the middle of the jewish quarter where Jews were shot by the Nazis. their furniture was piled up in the square after their homes were cleared. The chairs stand as a memorial
There is still part of the wall standing, that the Germans built to contain those in the Ghetto. They deliberately shaped the top of the wall like a Jewish gravestone.. more psychological warfare on the Jews
We also got to see the site of Oskar Schindler's factory.. made famous in 'Shindlers list'
Then it was time for a wander into the main square in Krakow.. full of performers and bars.. a lovely atmosphere and still very warm
Someone had a sense of humour
Next day it was off into the roadworks to Prague ... first 2 hours... 50 miles
Found a place that must indeed be the armpit of Poland.. Bielsko Biala .. what a dump.....
Roads got better as we crossed into the Czech Republic, and we thought we were doing well as intrepid explorers until we came across these guys
They were on their way to China in 2CV's
Someone had a sense of humour
Next day it was off into the roadworks to Prague ... first 2 hours... 50 miles
Found a place that must indeed be the armpit of Poland.. Bielsko Biala .. what a dump.....
Roads got better as we crossed into the Czech Republic, and we thought we were doing well as intrepid explorers until we came across these guys
They were on their way to China in 2CV's
We continued into Prague, and found the Hotel Seven Days quicker than some of the party 4* luxury 5 minutes from the top end of Wenceslas square, and underground parking
Well done Parky
From the outside of the hotel you could see the museum at the top of the square
After one of the better nights sleep a walk into Prague revealed some wierd stuff like a sex toy museum
The astronomical clock and other fine views
The Charles bridge, and a cafe on the other side of it
After two very nice days, the second day we met up with Stevo and Hayley, Charlie and Ruth, Gordo and the campers.... that evening the thunder and lightning started.... we left the others to get wet while we had an early night.
Rain greeted us for the first time the next day on the ride up to Colditz, but as it was only 130 miles it wasn't that bad. I'd forgot what a strange place Colditz village is.. Saturday afternoon and deserted in the main square
We visited the castle in the background in the picture above , then got lost walking back to the hotel. One thing quite noticeable is the reaction when asking the locals for directions. They always sent us the wrong way.. must have been a relic from the war
All the blocks of flats had fag machines outside them.. a really healthy place
There was a strange roundabout that seemed to serve no purpose whatsoever except to guide cars around a courtyard of cobbles
As you probably know , the need to take photographs diminishes towards the journey's end, and I omitted to take any more on the road back to Mainz...where we stayed in the Ibis hotel for the second night. Then it was a dash up to Calais and a hop under the channel with Flash and Trassa.
A great trip, and thanks to everyone who participated, making it a raft of memories . For the guys that headed East around 2800 miles from Calais to Calais in 8 days of riding
4* luxury 5 minutes from the top end of Wenceslas square, and underground parkingWell done Parky
From the outside of the hotel you could see the museum at the top of the square
After one of the better nights sleep a walk into Prague revealed some wierd stuff like a sex toy museum
The astronomical clock and other fine views
The Charles bridge, and a cafe on the other side of it
After two very nice days, the second day we met up with Stevo and Hayley, Charlie and Ruth, Gordo and the campers.... that evening the thunder and lightning started.... we left the others to get wet while we had an early night.
Rain greeted us for the first time the next day on the ride up to Colditz, but as it was only 130 miles it wasn't that bad. I'd forgot what a strange place Colditz village is.. Saturday afternoon and deserted in the main square
We visited the castle in the background in the picture above , then got lost walking back to the hotel. One thing quite noticeable is the reaction when asking the locals for directions. They always sent us the wrong way.. must have been a relic from the war
All the blocks of flats had fag machines outside them.. a really healthy place
There was a strange roundabout that seemed to serve no purpose whatsoever except to guide cars around a courtyard of cobbles
As you probably know , the need to take photographs diminishes towards the journey's end, and I omitted to take any more on the road back to Mainz...where we stayed in the Ibis hotel for the second night. Then it was a dash up to Calais and a hop under the channel with Flash and Trassa.
A great trip, and thanks to everyone who participated, making it a raft of memories . For the guys that headed East around 2800 miles from Calais to Calais in 8 days of riding
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Lars1974
Registered user
colditz is always like this...empty...
at least now its a bit more colorful - you should have seen the place in eastern time!!! i grew up in Borna - only about 25km away...
i see you took the photo just outside the little cafe...did you go in and have some icecream? they are good there....
i also see that they still have that stupid roundabout...that has been there now for over 1 year...
my fellow countryman are slacking....not very efficient...(i may have to go over and shoot them with my little tank...)
i take it you visited the castle too...
great photos and the nice report...
thx Lars
at least now its a bit more colorful - you should have seen the place in eastern time!!! i grew up in Borna - only about 25km away...
i see you took the photo just outside the little cafe...did you go in and have some icecream? they are good there....
i also see that they still have that stupid roundabout...that has been there now for over 1 year...
my fellow countryman are slacking....not very efficient...(i may have to go over and shoot them with my little tank...)
i take it you visited the castle too...
great photos and the nice report...
thx Lars
Thanks for the comments Lars Yes we did go into the cafe... the only sign of life in the whole place
Had Crepes, should have had the ice cream Did the castle.. hadn't changed a bit in the 5 years since I last visited 
Yes we did go into the cafe... the only sign of life in the whole place Had Crepes, should have had the ice cream
Did the castle.. hadn't changed a bit in the 5 years since I last visited Lars1974
Registered user
Thanks for the comments Lars
Had Crepes, should have had the ice cream
i have been in the castle 3 times now...once in 94, 98 and 2 yrs ago when i rode over on my R1100s...
Deleted Account 180923001
Registered user
Great photos and write up, Bryn.
Stevo, Haych and I also went into the Schloss Cafe in Colditz.
They both got tucked into Tiramsoo cake whilst I
had a small salad !!!
gordo'
Stevo, Haych and I also went into the Schloss Cafe in Colditz.
They both got tucked into Tiramsoo cake whilst I
had a small salad !!!
gordo'
I think they could make a little more of it.. over here an attraction like that would be a gold mine
Well done Bryn, a fun, interesting and thought provoking tour. 
flash of the gap
Registered user
nice one bryn iv,e a head like a cabbage patch doll in the last pic
iv,e a head like a cabbage patch doll in the last pic Lars1974
Registered user
I think they could make a little more of it.. over here an attraction like that would be a gold mine
yeah, i hear you...but its really only the british who are coming to visit...
when i grew up there we were not tought about colditz as a prisoner camp at all....my dad knew about it, but that was it...
I know they could make so much more of it...and since my first visit it has changed for the better too...but Colditz being deep in Eastern Germany (i nearly said the middle of nowhere...
) i dont know how many tourist come there at all...the country roads along the river Mulde are great for bikes...but its not like the Harz or the Alps.
anyway, glad a few of you guys have been to my homeland...
I will ride my new aquired Buell Uly over there in August / September and we will tour around a bit too...
thx Lars
casperfelix
Registered user
Nice one Bryn.
Having done the full trip to Croatia without incident: I was 25 miles from Calais and parked safely in a garage waiting for my companions to get petrol when this dear lady in her huge new Mercedes (with parking sensors) reversed into my bike for no good reason! (Bike had been put upright by Charlie and Eddie when I took the pic).
Fortunately no damage was done - bike was tipped over and there is a scratch to the rocker cover.
Great trip which I really enjoyed - and very good company.
Having done the full trip to Croatia without incident: I was 25 miles from Calais and parked safely in a garage waiting for my companions to get petrol when this dear lady in her huge new Mercedes (with parking sensors) reversed into my bike for no good reason! (Bike had been put upright by Charlie and Eddie when I took the pic).
Fortunately no damage was done - bike was tipped over and there is a scratch to the rocker cover.
Great trip which I really enjoyed - and very good company.
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Looking at the picture I'd imagine her rear view was obscured by the hair do
Glad everyone enjoyed the trip
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