England!

Yes, it's finally starting again! And I am very happy to take you on a little excited journey again. A salute to 21st century technology at this point!

Where do I start?

First of all, let me say that this time, my journey is something special for me. While in New Zealand and Southeast Asia, it was clear to me that this would only be a trip, this time I must say that I have fallen head over heels in love. England ... the land of wind, the history of countless castles and palaces, of vintage cars on the streets, and home to Harry Potter. The land where everyone is polite, where the men are gentlemen, where everyone gives compliments without shame. A land where everyone is a magician because everyone manages to bring a smile to your face.

Maybe you can't say it was love at first sight, as I was here in 2014 with my school class. However, it was definitely love at second sight! Today, I can't even understand how I could have been only remotely interested back then. It's incredible!

The sweater from back then is also with me again, albeit with some additions ;)

But now to my start.

In September of last year, I bought an English car - a Renault Scenic. Right-hand drive, of course. The plan was to equip it with a bed and a cooking facility and drive straight to Thailand. I even made it to the conversion last year ... only, as you all know, I didn't get to start.

Eagerly following the media, I found out that it is now possible to travel to England again without major restrictions. After the drama with my insurance was resolved, I could finally start on 08.07.20.

Side note: Please, as a foreigner, under no circumstances should you buy an English car. Buying a car is not a problem, but since Brexit, you can only insure it through English accounts. If you don't have one, you will encounter a mountain of problems. Hindsight is always 20/20. But in general, buying a car, insurance, and taxation in England is a thousand times more pleasant than in Germany, as everything can be done online and license plates do not need to be changed.

So we started from Belgium to Calais, where we booked a ferry to Dover. Till, a friend of my sister's, happened to have also converted a car and had exactly the same plan, but with a German car. That's why we started together, waiting for the circumstances.

Unfortunately, Corona has hit the UK the hardest in Europe, so many things are different here than usual.

Everything went well and without incidents until Calais.

We booked the ferry through DSDF for under 100€. It included an English breakfast, which we appreciated very much. Entry into England has been possible without a 14-day quarantine requirement since 10.07.20. You just have to apply for a free online visa on the government's website (gov.uk). There, you leave contact details and information about your own stay in the past months.

Finally... Dover! England was reached! And almost without thinking, I adapted to driving on the left. I'm used to it by now.