Wed 31st March
From Chas Storer
The warehouse is great! Well done Mirlinda and Bob! - Its one of those round topped plastic walled structures that's stretched over a metal frame - very light and airy during the day, big enough for all the trucks and the aid, and despite all 60 tons, it still looks big. The 'big rig' guys have done a great job in setting it all up, and unloading 'Late Entry' and 'Nibsy', and with paid security guards and electricity so that Jan's Catering services can perform to usual standards, there's nothing to fret about! Jan's keeping everyone supplied with a wonderful assortment of snacks and drinks, and the real work has begun! - all trucks unloaded, except the bulk food that we had to work so hard to get here, which Dave S will use the fork lift to move for us during coming days. Help arrived from Johno and the 'Bar91' guys, and we soon had all trucks reloaded with their things for '50 or 60' families! Actually it all went really smoothly, and everyone really pulled together! Back to the Hotel Apolonija for a well earned meal and refreshments .
Message from Grumpies
Grumpies send greetings to class LC of the Harwich Community Primary School and a big hug to Elsie.The pictures show your special box en route to Mic Sokoli in Lubeqevo, Prizren, Kosovo. (Grumpie Delivery.jpg)

Tuesday 30th March
From Jill Irwin with 7.5 tonners 1030
We spent the entire day yesterday at the Serbian border. Finally got through at about 2230 and went to an hotel as trucks were sealed at border. After 2.5 hours driving we have been stopped because of a broken bridge and now have been turned round and are heading back to find the detour. Could be worse - could be raining!
Message from Bernie in Robin Hood
Excellent progress as far as Nis was marred by a one and a half hour detour because of Danube Bridge closure. A friendly Serbian guided the convoy for first 10km of the detour. Then there was an unfortunate breakdown of Grumpies truck. It is currently being investigated by Antony.... Meanwhile the rest of the crew take a break for coffee and a refuel.
Fingers crossed problem fixed, back on way to border into Kosovo. At the Border Frank entertains the troops with his 'River Dance' rendition.
From Chas Storer
We (the main convoy) arrived (finally) at about 11pm on Tuesday night, but by the time we'd gone to the Warehouse and parked the trucks for the night, it was midnight before we got to the hotel - Roddy and Dave met us at the Hotel and took us to the warehouse to park up, and then back to the hotel for a superb meal of soup followed by some excellent meat and vegetables………..a bit late to be eating, but no-one cares! Everyone in good spirits!
Message from Dave L-R in Pristina
All the 7.5 tonners have finally arrived after 1130pm local time. They are now sitting having a late night dinner at the Appolonia. Thanks go to the hotel management who have stayed on specially to supply a hot meal for the crew.

Monday 29 March 2010

A day of slow progress when Dave turned on his cab radio the first song he was greeted with was 'We're on the Road to Nowhere' by Talking Heads

Message midday
Mr Flibble has finally cleared customs at about 1000 and has started heading south through Serbia. The other HGVs have started unloading in the warehouse in Pristina.

Message mid-afternoon
The 7.5 tonners have been delayed on the Hungarian side of the border for over 5 hours,

Message from Mr Flibble about 1900 local
Just reached Serbian/Kosovo border at Merdare. There are about six other trucks in front of us.

Message from Chas at 2230 local
The 7.5 ton crews have stopped the night in a hotel just across the Serbian border at Subotica

Message from Dave Smith 2330 local
Dave and Roddy have reached Pristina, food to be inspected by Kosovo customs in the morning before they can unload. The flying crew were all in bed by the time Mr Flibble arrived.

Sunday 28 March 2010 - Evening
From Chas
We started our first aid distribution this morning at 5am; one of the two drivers of the burned out truck had leapt out of the burning cab with literally seconds to spare but he was completely naked apart from being wrapped in his sleeping bag. Apart from the fact that he had no clothes or shoes he had also lost his passport and his money. Within a few minutes we were able to provide him with an 'outfit' - not quite saville row but under the circumstances he was extremely appreciative.
Everybody managed to get about an hours sleep before a rush to the showers while Antony once again donned his overalls and set to work on a puncture to 'Grumps' front tyre.
While our group of 6 trucks has made pretty good progress today particularly enjoyable for those who took the scenic tour of Vienna taking in the magnificent Schonnbrun Palace,
Mr Flibble (Dave & Roddy) are still stuck on the Serbian border - their food samples that were taken at midnight 100km for urgent testing this morning came back at 3o'clock today with a positive outcome but with the statement that having done one test, they now required another test to be done and "you must wait until tomorrow"! (lots of calls again to the foreign office and others, but it has become evident that for the moment we are going to have to wait for the results tomorrow)

Despite all this there is some good news - "Late Entry" and "Nibsy" have arrived in Pristina, Kosovo and at last with some good fortune they just managed to squeeze under the entrance of the warehouse.

Sunday 28th March 2010
Don't Worry, all Hope and Aid Direct volunteers and trucks are OK but there was a major fire at the truck park in Regensburg, Germany, alongside where our 7.5 tonne trucks were parked overnight. Three other trucks were burnt to destruction right next to the six Hope and Aid Direct trucks, which are all ok. Needless to say they have had a sleepless night.
A puncture repair is being done on the "Grumpies" truck before setting off. They are keeping everything crossed for a better day today.
At the border with Serbia, food from the HGV's has been taken to be tested.

Saturday 27 March 2010
Message from Tom Conlin this morning.
All away at 0730 local time local time and have now cleared Brussels. We are aiming for a fry up in a couple of hours. Perfect weather today so hope to make good progress. All ok so far with only one lorry problem. The HGVs are just leaving Assathalom to cross the border into Serbia.
Tonight the HGV's have been delayed at the Serbian border with paperwork difficulties. The 7.5 convoy have stopped for the night in Germany.

Friday 26th March 2010
From Tom Conlin
The 7.5 tonne trucks met at Maidstone services on schedule this morning. They caught the 3.25 pm sailing from Dover. They have had a good day and are stopping just outside Brussels. The weather has been fine and they expect to cross Germany tomorrow getting close to the Austrian border.

From Bill Nelson
The HGV's have now stopped for the night at Assotthalom in Hungary not far short from the Serbian border. This is a stop which we have used many times previously.
Tomorrow they intend to cross into Serbia using the border crossing at Horgos.

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