The Swiss. Its become apparent that the Swiss not only inhabit one of the richest countries in the world but they are also entitled to do whatever they like on the road. They own all roads and any queue that is going faster than the one they are in is the one that they will try and push in to. The maximum distance between a swiss car and another car that stands between them and the space they wish to occupy is the diameter of a walnut. They are also immune to any speed limits another country might be arrogant enough to attempt to impose on them.
The Albanians For the most part your average Albanian is helpful, engaging, erudite ( impressively in English ) and upwardly mobile. It seems a pitiful standard that ex-communist states will spawn a plethora of arrogant scum known as oligarchs, ruining what could be a fantastic country. Albanian oligarchs generally drive performance Audis and like the swiss believe they own the road. Albania is an evolving country, worth a visit but I don’t believe it has yet shaped a firm identity and subsequently often feels a little edgy. If you go, take plenty of cash as the economy does not yet support card purchases in many places. Albanian Lek and Euros are both welcome and interchangeable. When driving in Albania take spare, ball joints, wheel bearings, bottom arm, drop links, steering racks, springs, shock absorbers, other than that, car should be fine.
The Italiens Awful drivers. Genius in the kitchen.
Accomodation. Dont pay through the nose. You can get a cracking nights sleep in some quirky and wonderful places for as little as £15 a night depending in the number of people in your party. Make sure you get somewhere with AC.
On the road. In extreme heat your car will fail you. Be ready for it, the temperature on the road is always a few degress higher than the quoted teperature. Thats because the standard temperature is measured two meters above grassy ground. Dont sneer, check out your met office facts. On this trip, we have had to deal with a failing wheel bearing, a snapped power steering belt, a flat and developed play in a ball joint due to pot holes, a failed power steering pump, a failed power steering rack and possible overheating alternator diodes resulting in a failure to charge the battery. In addition, the phones cant cope with the heat. they start to shut down which means you loose satelite navigation. Take some maps so you can figure out where you are and where you need to go.
Travelling behaviour. If you travel with friends that you usually convene with in the puib. The chances are you will drink a bit too much into a stupour each time you stop for the evening., Try to avoid this. At least start with the best intentions, and when you fail, the fact that you have attempted to be sensible will make you feel better whilst rehydrating the following morning. Finally, if Simon or Paul are on point, the chances are they will disappear into the distance fairly quickly whilst they natter away with scant regard for speed or rear view mirrors. Add a couple of hours to the journey time for search and rescue.
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