Thursday 20^th March

All the Crews are now in Kosovo

From Steve 10:00 (7.5 ton convoy)
Steve reported that the 7.5 ton part of the convoy had had a trying two days with the bad weather making progress very difficult across the mountain pass to Kosovo. With the trucks customs sealed, Tom's underwear routine had to be pressed into service for real! One of the trucks sustained a minor bump and in the Eastern European style the driver had to be escorted to the Police Station while the technicalities were sorted out although the blame was not ours.

After all the delays the convoy safely arrived at the Customs compound at midnight last night. The long challenge of clearing Kosovan customs began again this morning but it is the hope of the convoyers to at least start some of the distribution today with the main distribution starting in earnest tomorrow.

Steve says that all the convoyers are well but very tired.
One good bit of news was that the Kosovan Ministry of Education have offered to pay all the in country insurance costs for the trucks (normal insurance won't cover Kosovo so a special payment has to be made at the border) This represents a substantial sum which will release funds for humanitarian uses.

Wednesday 19^th March
From Bill 23:33 (HGV convoy)
The journey over the mountains was made harder by Mr Flibble overheating and a rubber stamp and paperwork technicality at the border causing further delays. Clearing the warehouse in readiness to receive the aid took longer than anticipated but we managed to unload Nibsy, Peejay and Flibble. However, it was very hard work made worse by the 4 inches of wet snow on the ground.

Steve called by phone 14.00 as his blackberry battery had gone flat. He related that the main part of the convoy with the 7.5 tonners had reached the mountainous Montenegro - Kosovo border crossing. Apparently the climb to the border was held up for 2hours in deep snow and after much wheel spinning the convoy had to wait for the snow plough to come through and make the route passable. Chas's quote of the day was 'I'm starting to think this may not have been such a good idea!'
The convoy are now waiting to clear the crossing's customs formalities and enjoying a delta blue sky despite the three foot of snow that fell.

Chas had been contacted by the Sun newspaper who were fascinated by the tale of the unlucky immigrant.

Message from Linda (Flying Crew) at 19.50
One bit of good news amongst all the bad news is that the flight crew are lovely and have made close friendships already. The convoy crew have also given us a very warm welcome.

A DOPEY stowaway climbs from inside a lorry's wind deflector after trying to sneak from Calais to Britain - on a truck going the OPPOSITE way.
The man frantically banged on the cab roof when he peeked out after 50 miles and realised his mistake.
Driver Tom Conlin, 60, taking aid to Kosovo for charity hopeandaiddirect.org.uk, said: "It was a huge surprise. When we stopped the man climbed down, mumbled 'very sorry' and ran off."
The Sun 20/03/08

Wednesday 19^th March

from Bill

Today we have been through Montenegro where there were many road works and have again had many delays due to this. After Nibsy's charm we are now at a very nice hotel in Kolasin where a shower, good meal and a few beers are very welcome.
Tomorrow there is predicted snow on the mountains but we are hopeful that this will not delay us too long and that we will reach the Kosovo border around midday.

from Dave
1140
Reached the Kosovo border, Hopefully it will take less than the 18 hours spent at the Montenegrin Border. It's snowing up here on the mountain border.
1830
Cleared the Kosovan border and Customs. On way to warehouse. Had to pay €265 per truck at the border for insurance.
2219
Left the trucks parked at the customs compound whilst they finish stamping paperwork. Will start unloading tomorrow. Now checked into the hotel.

Tuesday 18^th March
from Bill
Delayed by roadwork diversion on Croatia coast road. 2 hours delay we came off the coast road with 95 kms to Dubrovnik and after 2 hours we rejoined the coast road with still 92kms to Dubrovnik.
We reached the Montenegro border and spent the next 18 hours waiting for customs inspection of the food on the 40 tonners only to find out that after paying what seemed a 80 Euro bribe to the customs doctor and the fact it was raining, the inspection was not necessary. 3 of the drivers spent the night in the trucks whilst the rest went into town to find a hotel. There were no eating or toilet facilities at the border and we survived on 1 bottle of beer and 2 tins of soup.

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