Tue 19 Dec 2006
I realise that this is a little optimistic at this stage but it cat hurt to dream. As we all heard over many a pint in the drum, Si’s ultimate goal once Big Car was up and running was to take her on a trip to Russia. Ambitious maybe, but it sounds like a good challenge to me. Realistically, dear old Helga will probably never be the most reliable car on the road, (a lesson i learnt with Betty the Camper Van) so i have looked into a route that involves as little driving as possible.
So here’s how to get a Big Car to Russia in a few easy steps.
1. Drive up to Newcastle, approximately 330 miles, possibly with a detour to Bamburgh
2. Ferry Newcastle to Gothenburg, Sweden, journey time: 24 hours, ferry runs twice a week (currently Mon and Thurs Out, Sun and Wed Back)
3. Drive Gothenburg to Stockholm, approx 275 miles
4. Ferry Stockholm to Tallinn, Estonia, overnight, daily
5. Drive Tallinn to St Petersburg, RUSSIA! approx 290 miles
Crazy, yes. Possible, who knows.
Obviously its not a mission even the A-Team would undertake lightly. A lot more research is required on stuff likes visas, brakedown cover etc. But i wanted to show it wasn’t as unfeasible as first thought. No doubt it will be a topic of conversation over may more pints in the drum….
Alice x
December 19th, 2006 at 11:35 am
I’ll pack my huskies and distill some vodka in readiness!
Here’s an alternative route if that doesn’t work out:
Southampton – London – Dover – Calais – Paris – Brussels – Amsterdam – Berlin – Warsaw – Minsk – Moscow
That’s a 9000 mile round trip!
December 19th, 2006 at 2:56 pm
It’s a splendid plan! We’d also need to find out how to get that invite into Russia… Anyone know any friendly russians?
December 21st, 2006 at 2:24 pm
Is there perhaps a ferry that goes Stockholm to St Petersberg? I’m just looking at the map thinking that might be an even shorter drive. But anyway, sounds like a plan to me!
Though we might need a Long Way Round style support crew!