Embarking on the audacious ‘Project Dave’: a 3,500km+ road trip from Cyprus to the UK. Faced with exorbitant shipping costs for my dog and belongings, I opted for the open road, now dubbed Project Dave.
Leaving Cyprus at 4:45 am, the flight went smoothly. Thanks to
@cyprusairways for their support, the staff were amazing.
Arriving in Athens, the shipping company’s quirks led to a port scavenger hunt. The car, once out of customs, suffered an alternator meltdown. With gauges and power steering gone, we faced a challenge.
After garages turned me away, Ηλεκτρολογείο Αυτοκινήτων Γκίνης Χ. Γεώργιος in Keratea saved the day. We sped to Sofia, reaching our hotel at 2:30 am, only to be ousted from a supposedly ‘5*’ hotel car park.
Navigating through north Bulgaria’s unexpected mountain roads and foggy stretches, we discovered Szeged in Hungary, a hidden gem that offered much-needed rest.
Waking up to a dead battery the staff at
@sciencehotel_szeged arranged somebody to come and jump start us, thinking we left something plugged in. Little did we know, the battery was on the brink. We headed to Frankfurt.
Pit stops, a boiling battery smell, and a melted pair of jump leads later and help from some friendly Slovaks, we managed to keep the car running with a €100 fix. Onward to Frankfurt, only 1000km away. But, a call about UK rules on tapeworm treatment derailed our ferry plan. A sudden dash to Calais ensued.
Thanks to Germany’s efficiency, we made good time until Belgium’s notorious roads slowed us down. Despite being told we couldn’t make the UK ferry, we arrived just in time. A motorway mishap on the M2 added extra hours to our journey.
Finally, at 2:30 am, we reached Leeds, concluding the stress-filled leg. A 4-hour drive remained to our final destination in Scotland.
A week of unforeseen events, swift decisions, a spirited dog, language barriers, and memorable shenanigans. Project Dave was accomplished, and we celebrated with a proper meal, marking the end of an unforgettable journey. It’s a tale I’ll always remember, for all the unexpected and perhaps, the right reasons. #ProjectDave #EpicJourney #neveragain
