Author Topic: Journey Complete - Poland to UK  (Read 8213 times)

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danthemanic

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Journey Complete - Poland to UK
« on: July 07, 2015, 02:03:31 PM »
After a number of week of listening to my friends and family telling me I'm crazy, I finally brought my Fiat 126p back to the UK!

I flew into Poznan on Saturday night and my brother-in-law picked me up.  On Sunday morning I was ready to set off.  After moving the car out to the garage, the engine had been running for around 30 seconds.  I switched it off to check the oil and burnt my hand on the exhaust.  Not a good start.

Five minutes after leaving the heavens opened.



By around 11:30 I made my first stop at a rest area close to Berlin.

In the parking area were around 20 Polish guys who had been travelling in a minibus convoy.  They all crowd around and start taking photos and asking questions.  I tell them I'm driving to England and they all think I'm crazy too.



The temperature outside is now around 35 degrees C.  I'm driving at a maximum of 80kph and I've turned on the heater to keep the hot air off the engine, windows down full.  All good so far.

I spend a few more hours on the Autobahn waving at everyone who looks and beeps for me. Lots of love for this little car on the continent.  At one point a guy is fully leaning out of the passenger window filming me with his phone and waving.

Finally I make it to Bielefeld, half way between Hanover and Dortmund after 9 hours of driving.  Ibis Budget 41 Euros.



I'd kept my options open at this point.  I wasn't sure if the French could be trusted at Calais.  I decided to take the more expensive ferry from Hook of Holland to Harwich.  Google traffic also suggest that this would be an easier route.

A quick pit stop somewhere near Gouda / Rotterdam - sounds cheesy.  Currently getting around 350km to a full tank.


 
And I make it to the ferry at around 1pm.  Passport control and Stenaline staff all very complimentary.



Arrive in England and the roads are a nightmare.  A12 was shut last night, as was the M3, as was the A31.  I finally arrive home at 2am waking the neighbours dog.  I moved the misses's Yaris in behind over night and the Yaris feels like a monster truck by comparison.



I've taken it to my usual mechanic this morning, he's going to sort an MOT for me next week.  I'll keep you posted.
« Last Edit: July 31, 2017, 06:18:28 PM by danthemanic »
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michaelodonnell500

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Re: Journey Complete - Poland to UK
« Reply #1 on: July 07, 2015, 03:42:15 PM »
Good effort and well done!
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Gadge

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Re: Journey Complete - Poland to UK
« Reply #2 on: July 07, 2015, 05:42:31 PM »
Great work!  :D ild love to take my 126 to the Italian lakes one day but I fear it would brake lol. Glad you got back safety
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dadandlad

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Re: Journey Complete - Poland to UK
« Reply #3 on: July 07, 2015, 07:36:54 PM »
Great adventure well done


laners99

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Re: Journey Complete - Poland to UK
« Reply #4 on: July 07, 2015, 07:40:26 PM »
That's amazing, always wanted to do something like this.  Can 100% see why you chose this one. Looks excellent!

Bar Vitelli

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Re: Journey Complete - Poland to UK
« Reply #5 on: July 07, 2015, 07:48:18 PM »
Respect! Great, pictures, great story and at a great journey!  ;D
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Rusty's Uncle

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Re: Journey Complete - Poland to UK
« Reply #6 on: July 07, 2015, 09:04:24 PM »
Fancy , waking that dog you cruel man  :P
But nice one Dan & nice one  :)

1973/126

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Re: Journey Complete - Poland to UK
« Reply #7 on: July 08, 2015, 08:35:07 AM »
 I think you are crazy too ;D. Well done on getting it back though. The pictures are great :thumbup
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mintex

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Re: Journey Complete - Poland to UK
« Reply #8 on: July 12, 2015, 11:09:33 AM »
Nice one, what a great test for the car that was and i'm happy it made it with no issues  :wave
Dave

Craig126

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Re: Journey Complete - Poland to UK
« Reply #9 on: July 18, 2015, 11:50:34 AM »
Haha epic road trip, bet it was great fun. Car looks super clean too.

danthemanic

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Re: Journey Complete - Poland to UK
« Reply #10 on: July 22, 2015, 04:35:57 PM »
Thanks guys.  It was indeed an adventure.

I also learnt that a Fiat 126 was built for neither speed nor comfort, but I still like it.

Happy to say that the MOT was no problem, just the rear fog light was needed.

Also happy that the V5C arrived today from the DVLA.  Big thanks to those that posted instructions in the past, it was a big help.
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Peter777

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Re: Journey Complete - Poland to UK
« Reply #11 on: July 30, 2015, 02:51:48 PM »
Well done. I just purchased a 126 in Wroclaw and was contemplating driving it back to the UK.
As you mentioned everyone advised not to and having thought about it i ended up getting it sent over here. Picking it up tonight  ;D

Peter777

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Re: Journey Complete - Poland to UK
« Reply #12 on: July 30, 2015, 03:26:04 PM »
Im just about to go through the process of getting an MOT, V5c etc.. you couldn't give me some info on how you went about this?

pietschokkenbroek

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Re: Journey Complete - Poland to UK
« Reply #13 on: July 31, 2015, 09:35:23 AM »
Great story  :thumbup, great trip  :yahoo:, great car  :beer:!! like it!!  :good:

max

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Re: Journey Complete - Poland to UK
« Reply #14 on: August 04, 2015, 11:15:19 PM »
The previous owner of my 126, drove it all the way from Poland back to UK in the middle of winter without any problems.

Its a sign of good car!