Post It from AZUR Camping Turmbergblick, Karlsruhe-Durlach, Baden, Germany. Thursday 18th June, 2015

Shortly after leaving the night’s stay in the Austrian Tyrol we crossed the wide River Inn and into Germany to take up the road north along the motorways. We had not decided upon a place to spend that night and had agreed to see what the day brought. I stopped at a Go Box point of sale just off the motorway to check my credit balance and to ascertain if it now needed to be switched off. I had almost 47€ remaining credit from the original 75€ and it should be just left alone and replaced by the time it was 2 years old to ensure the battery life of the machine.

As it happened it was not long before the rains started and despite heavy traffic and our restricted speeds we made good progress. We almost arrived as far as one camp site we had considered by the tie we had lunch so decided to press on for Karlsruhe where we knew there was a camp site just off the motorway.

On our way south as we circled Stuttgart by the airport we noticed ques of standing traffic heading north. Now we realised what it was as we got caught up in the volume of traffic that merges in that area from a number of motorways. I reckon we lost about an hour in the very slow moving queues although I must concede it did not actually come to a standstill for us for any length of time. What we were able to observe were the great number of drivers using their mobile telephones to nave conversations, send text messages and surf the internet, all whilst driving. We even saw on white haired man probably in his 60’s, who was visibly wealthy and in his top of the range BMW coupe, doing his office paperwork and even using a calculator as he drove!

By the time we arrived for our night’s halt we were both very tired. The camp site was signposted and easy to find with the help of the TomTom. It was basic but fine for the night, or to visit Karlsruhe where there is one of Germany’s largest Baroque Kings Palaces to visit. Just after we set up and plugged the electric in the heavens opened once again so we did not even manage to get out for a walk around to be able to tell you about the area. Luckily we had plenty of fresh water inside for our well-earned cuppa.

One small observation about pricing in different countries which was very evident in our last two camp sites was the tourist taxes charged in Austria. This camp site was basic and the full price was 35.50€ a night for the three of us. With the ACSI membership discount this came down to the maximum ACSI charge of 18€ and we paid no additional fees. The previous night’s costs were also the maximum ACSI charge of 18€ and there was no real comparison in the quality of the two camp sites but in Austria we paid an additional 6€ taxes for the one night! These high taxes were replicated at different levels at all the sites we stayed on in Austria; I wondered whether the UK charges foreign tourists a tax and how much it is? Enough of that now!

I am sorry but I only have photos of the camp site to show you but hopefully our next destination, Luxembourg, will provide some good sites to see. We telephoned ahead tonight to ensure we get a pitch as I know that this site in the City itself quickly fills up in the afternoon

Regards, Roy