Here we are at Dover;

Due to the springs being a bit weak the rear of the 245 was sagging a fair bit, but the trailer was perfectly balanced so it didn't cause any problems.
After a stop in Calais for some fuel we set off across northern France and into Belgium. Somewhere between Ghent and Brussels we pulled into a service station for a driver swap with Andy taking over from me;

After a while spent in very heavy traffic on the Brussels ring road we finally made it to Leuven where we met Aymat. Here is his beautiful 345;

We had intended to stay for 30mins or so as we were running late due to the ferry and Brussels traffic, but 2 hours later and after a swift Duvel we set off for Deutschland with Foggy at the wheel finally arriving in Hellefeld at 11.45pm. After ein Bier we finally retired to bed at about 1.15am.
Following mornings pic of the Gasthaus;

having delvered the car to Benni and Marcus we had a few hours to kill before the DAF Club of Germany's meet so we went for a drive around the surrounding countryside including a stop at the Sorpesee (Of the Dambusters raid fame);


Andy and Foggy looking out for Lancasters;

Off to the meet with many examplesof beautiful 33's, 55's and 66's on show;



Pimptastic 70's decals;



Centre exhaust;

Only 3 front spoilers are known to exist, here's two of them;



The reason for the trip - Foggy's pile of parts;


Some other classics on show;


At about 7pm it was time to head for the Gasthaus with some of the club members for dinner. After an excellent meal of Schnitzel and a few drinks most people drifted off between 11pm and 1am. However one not so you fool, Marcus and Benni (our hosts), and three other members stayed up nattering until the small hours. At about 3am Marcus and Benni departed along with another member and myself, Stephan and Harry continued setting the world to rights over more bier and schnapps until 05.30 when I headed off to bed!
At 07.30 (OH NOES!!!) it was time to get up ready for an 8am departure to make our ferry at 3pm - needless to say I didn't drive, Foggy took that honour. A quick thrash through Holland and Belgium with a driver swap near Ghent (Andy's turn to drive) saw us reach Calais at 2.15pm in time for the 3pm check-in;

The White Cliffs of Dover;

I took over the driving as we left the ferry and managed to have our ony breakdown of the trip when the car popped its head to heater matrix hoses on the long hill climbing out of Dover. A quick stop on and Industrial Estate in Folkestone saw us looping the other heater hose around to bypass the heater and we were soon on our way again ready to contend with the heavy M25 traffic arriving at Andys at about 7.45pm. After a break for some nosh Foggy and I set off for Belper at 9pm reaching it at 11.15pm where I got out and Foggy headed for home.
A great trip with many hilarious and embarrasing moments for all of us (I'll let the others explain....) and I feel the need for something similar very soon. Luckily we made a good impression with our German friends and have been invited back next year, something I think might very well happen. Needless to say I'm shattered having had little sleep over the last 4 days, but it was well worth it.