Monday 17^th March
Received from Steve this morning
Convoyers enjoyed a well orchestrated fashion show modelled by the lovely Tina Williams (who else) and John Evans. Making their European debut were the new Hope and Aid convoy spring collection. 7.5 tonners back on the road at 8am this morning. Just moved through the Slovenia border into Croatia. The plan for today is to reach the .Montenegro border by nightfall - but we know what plans are like.

Received from Steve to night
Charles and I are aware of the situation in Kosovo and specifically the events of today in North Mitrovica. The problems today were expected, occurring as they have on the fourth anniversary of previous violence. The area affected is in the North of the country, well away from the area where we will be operating. We are constantly monitoring the situation both with the authorities in Kosovo and the media and will take any appropriate action should this become necessary.

Please be assured that no risks will be taken.

Received from Dave S
The HGVs got through the Montenegro border at 10.30 this morning and were then waiting for the short ferry crossing the bay of Kotor.
Update 10:13 PM
Stopped in a hotel in Kolasin, Montenegro. Difficult driving today on winding mountain roads, made worse with roadworks. Kosovo border at midday tomorrow (hopefully).

Sunday 16^th March
Up date from Steve this morning.
Convoy delayed about an hour on Saturday, fixing defective tyre on Alan and Hilary's truck. Spent the night in a motorway services just East of Frankfurt.
Off again at 8am - currently heading for Austria and the tunnel with the rude name!
John Evans is celebrating his birthday today with a 'run out in the country'. Invitations have been received to a party in the back of the 'two taffs' truck tonight.
All trucks and crews good and well.

From Dave S re heavy convoy.
Stayed Saturday night in Split. Went on impromptu nature ramble around the Split Peninsular and picked up some greenery.
Sunday evening, HGVs stuck on the Montenegro border. Have to wait until tomorrow for the food to be cleared by customs. Three of the crew are sleeping with the trucks at the border and the rest have gone to a hotel. Good scenery today on the drive down.

Saturday 15^th March
All trucks crossed the channel on two different ferries at 10pm last night and travelled about 40 kilometers to a service area. A little ad hoc party in the back of a truck to lift the spirits. A group of potential illegal immigrants wandered around the service area at 3am. They gained access to a commercial truck and were subsequently evicted. Not being put off easily, they climbed into the back of two of our vehicles only to be met by sleeping convoyers who were equally less welcoming and threw them out.
How ironic, if they had managed to remain undetected - only to wake up in Kosovo!!
Just pulled over after an hours drive further into France when Tom (Busby) heard a knocking on the roof. We pulled over and found an illegal immigrant hidden away behind the wind deflector. We left the young man 50 kilometers further away from the UK than when he climbed in there. The worlds most unlucky asylum seeker! Very sad that someone will go to these lengths to reach the UK.

We would like to thank SHB, Southampton, for getting us a truck, now known as "Grumpies", at very short notice.

NEWS FLASH from Charles Storer, the convoy couldn't get a ferry from Ramsgate until Saturday, so they are going to take the Dover/Calais route.

Friday 14^th March Update from Steve Walsh
Six 7.5 tonne trucks met up enroute and on the way to Ramsgate for the ferry to Ostende. New radios have been fitted and are working much better than the old CB's. Keeping in touch on the journey is very important.

For clarification, the names of the trucks which left today are:

Robin Hood - Botox - Busby - Grumpies - Toyboys - Two Taffs - Alan & Hilary

In the advance group (who left on Wednesday and are already through to Austria) are:
Nibsy - Mr Flibble - Late Entry - Peejay

Thanks to everyone that has helped to load the trucks and especially Abacus truck rental and Maidstone radio club. Special thanks to Steve Nelson for supplying the radios.

Thursday 13^th March Update from Steve Walsh
All 7.5 tonne trucks are loaded in various parts of the South East. We are already on plan 'C' to cross the channel!! Operation Stack is in force for the Dover ferries with hundreds of trucks queued on the M20. As a result, the current plan is to rendezvous on the M2 at 10am on Friday morning. Once the new radios are fitted we will head off to Ramsgate for a crossing to Ostend. Heavy trucks are already in South Germany and going well.

Wednesday 12^th March.
The 2008 Easter convoy to Kosovo is getting ready to depart this week with the heavy goods vehicles making an impact by getting on to the BBC London news!
The 40 tonners were driven onto low loaders to avoid the new emission charge within the M25 to get to their ferry at Dagenham.
Roddy, (one of the HGV drivers) flew from Edinburgh to Amsterdam and will meet up with the other HGV drivers who were getting the ferry to Vlissingen on Wednesday.


Latest entries