Day 1 of the Road Trip.

So got up at about 5am assuming I might forget something. Didn't ang got to Dover for 7.30 for a 10am ferry. Only place open was Costa Coffee but that was fine and I treated myself (well my treats are not sophisticated) to a microwaved bacon roll. Ferry was good and I have excellent stuff to read - later in the week I'll spill the beans. No beans at Costa Coffee.

Nothing remarkable at Dover.

There was a bit of a breeze and there was no outside available. Those two comments may or may not be connected but I am a bit grumpy about it 😕. I took a picture out of the window

Not a big step of progress for humanity. Perhaps I should use AI to add a Nessie but I don't know how.

When I got out I couldn't find my passport so had brief panic until I found it on the passenger floor. Stopped in a layby to look for it. If you think we Brits can do potholes you should look at Dunkirk. They make us look like amateurs.

Also impressive road works around Antwerp. Made me homesick for Brentford.

So I did UK, France, Belgium and Germany, with a surprise bonus of the Netherlands.

At about 6pm I made my hotel. I thought it was one of those built on a motorway service station but I was sent off through some gorgeous old forests and lakes. I tried to get into the hotel and had a conversation in my perfect German with the receptionist though an intercom. For some reason she pretended not to understand me so Iread the notice to say go and see the cashier at the motorway service station as she doubles as reception. Persistence pays. It is possible I am the first person who ever stayed in this plain but immaculate room. When I was a boy I used to read Michelin Guides and I would have described this as 'Plain but Comfortable'. The rotters have changed the definitions. What people will do to annoy me.

The receptionist said the Gasthof was in the building where she sits taking petrol money. I had a drive around Ratingen the suburb where my hotel is (neither rats nor Ingens identified, and no pleasing restaurants). So looked at the main town Dusseldorf. Nothing I fancied there either, so thought a rural Gasthof would do the trick. Turned out to be Burger King. I was tempted but the only way to order was through a kiosk and they wanted me to register. I opted to a bratwurst (mustard extra) from the filling station, washed down with some vintage fizzy water from the local mineral chateau.

I have a friend at home who is known as Ned. It seems he has a reputation with the women in Belgium, because I kept seeing neon signs celebrating his speed by the roadside

Tired. More tomorrow if I can be bothered.