And now it is time for the final instalment of our Bratislava or Bust adventure.
After Croatia, we had a steady drive to Maribor in Slovenia with a mini reunion of the rally teams at the campsite and a few beers to wash away the hot day with discussions of the week, the cars and the sponsors, including our sponsors, Roofing Supplies UK.
Next morning was the final morning and began with the convoy regrouping for the final drive to Bratislava through Austria and Hungary. In Austria, we were all pulled over by a black van flashing its lights, honking the horn and the driver manically signalling for us to stop... No, not the rozzers but a man from Monster who had seen our friends in the Ken Block Focus bearing Monster stickers and had been instructed to get pictures of the convoy for the website and donate over 75 euros worth of energy drink, stickers and other merchandise to our cause. After this, we headed into Hungary to do at least one challenge... Eat goulash, turns out we like goulash. After that it was a straight drive into Slovakia and Bratislava where the finish line was across the majestic UFO bridge. At a petrol stop before Bratislava, the convoy, which at that point was the Mini leading Rodney Rover, Ken Block, Corolla, 106 and the Volvo, grew to 8 cars with the 206 and the Jungle Bus Camper van sticking to the rear. Believe me, we couldn't have led people the wrong way through the city. At the hostel, we managed to complete another challenge by hiring a Mariachi band to sing 'The Sound of Music' by use of beer, instead of the specified nun in Austria; but hey, what is the difference between the Spaniards and Austrians... Apart from the obvious thousand differences. So check in was next. This seemed the perfect time to cover the organisers car in the 1000 Monster stickers we had been given. After a night of drinking and Alan going missing because he didn't see the point in taking his phone out, and miss-timed a trip to the toilet. Not to worry though, we found a local that looks like him, no one will notice the difference. Sorry Mrs Webster.
This morning we all met up and walked round Bratislava in a pedestrian convoy containing the same groups as our driving one, and found that Slovak-Alan is identical to the original. Now we are convoying to Germany with the Focus, Rover and Volvo after a tearful goodbye to the Corolla and 106. We will miss these people and hope to see them again soon, despite not knowing their actual names, and just calling them by the car.
So, time to sum up then ladies and gentlemen. What have we learnt on this amazing holiday? Well it is possible to not know the names of good friends, the guys at Monster are very generous, roundabouts and bumps confuse iPads and everyone, no matter where you are everyone loves a Mini. Especially the Swiss... And the Slovaks... And the Italians... And the Austrians... Ok, just everyone.
One last thing, we didn't win anything, but those that did win deserved it. We don't mind that we didn't officially win because our convoy are the real winners. We had thrills, spills, laughs, saw Europe, got great memories and even greater friends. If that isn't winning, we don't know what is.
Over and out.
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