24th April 10:५१ - On route to Romania.

Hungary was messy. Rain was definitely what the “God of Hellfire” brought us, drenching us incessantly as we put up our tents in a beautiful high-tiered campsite. A converted tram shed on the outskirts of Budapest housed us, and we did dine on a delicious goulash soup. (It made up for the lack of tv and therefore football.)

Things went awry when they shut the bar at 10. After a welcome chat with the parents half the group retired back to the “big blue bar” (truck) whilst the rest decded to grb an early night. Collective memory is a little hazy on the next six and a half hours, but the carnage theat the truck exhbited, and the sour mood of the early-bed-section of our group (not to mention the scowls they received from the other campers during breakfast) were testament to the biggest piss-up so far.

I definitely remember shutting all windows on the truck, the truck door, and taking other measures to ensure that noise wouldn't travel. However I also remember playing the vengaboys, and others dancing, which suggests that I and others were not firing on all cylinders. Suffice to say we kept most of the campsite awake. Apparently “Up and down” was ringing out at full volume. Not good.

I do remember one thing clearly. Tim (one of the crew,) espied me prostrate over one of the seats and proceeded to give me a monumental wedgy. Hoisting up my boxers that were peeking over the tops of my jeans with all his might, with me at points dangling off the floor, they finally, and to my enormous relief, ripped. With the elastic across my nipples, and the gusset like cheese wire cutting into my bits, I declared “My revenge will be swift and terrible.” It is the lat time I will attempt to take on a 6ft 2” South African, (although I did succeed to some degree.)

Budapest the next day was understandably vague. I wandered around with Maura and Kirsten, stumbling blindly across the bridges and squinting through the rain at the beautiful domes of the parliament building. The non-drinkers had gone to the thermal baths which sounded lovely. Thankfully that has softened their mood, and after some much needed apologies from the naughty people involved, we all settled down to an early night.

Lesson learned: be more considerate. (Mental note – next time “Up and down” sounds good, stop drinking.)

Right now we're zooming towards Sighisora in Romania. Vlad Tepes, who Bram Stoker based Dracula on lived here. The sun is out in force as it seems the rain, being a wanker, only falls when we're camping. Tonight and tomorrow however we are sleepng in a hotel. This is a welcome break for many as we hve been damp, cold and muddy for nearly a week now. I'm not that fussed - it's like living in Hebden - but it will be good to stay in a bed and get some washing done as i smell like a brewery and my undies, having lost one of their number to a violent attack, are running short.