So we have now moved on to Germany. Bremen was our first stop. The fun and games of Germany started at breakfast on the first morning when we found that the window of our van had been smashed and a computer had been stolen. No, this was not my way of getting out of writing any more blogs, but I will be disappointed if it is replaced too quickly. So after a quick clean up and a trip to the local dealer to fit a new window (Did you know that you are given a free meal and refreshments while you wait for your car in Germany, very civilized) we were ready to leave again, when we find the window has been smashed again. Now was it the draw of that free meal that had drawn one of the team to smash it again, that we will never know, but luckily nothing had been stolen this time.

Onto the night shift, it is great, first night I ran the 12.00pm to 1.30am and it was so good. No traffic, just you and the countryside. The only disappointment is the noise of the engine from the following van lighting up your way, without that it would be so peaceful. I ran with a head torch that lit up the eyes of small animals at the side of the road. Four cats, one owl, lots of toads and many others that were too quick to identify. The ten miles disappeared in no time and it was sad to stop so soon. The following night I ran the earlier leg which meant I could watch the deer bounding through the crops with some times only there ears visible. There is this fantastic world out there that those who sit for endless hours behind a steering wheel or stuck in there city life never get to see. Nature has a great way of de-stressing you; people should use it while it is still here. The third night was different again with constant rain and lightning lighting up the sky for three members of the mellow yellow team.(Heiko is on media holiday) My mission this night was to make sure that those frogs and toads waiting patiently to cross the road did so without ending up under the wheels of the following vehicle.

It was a sad week for the mellow yellow team when our honorary member miss Coyle departed back to the States. We will miss her ever smiling face and her lovely sense of humor. (I’m sure it is the left but it depends at what angle you are looking from)? What we won’t miss is her gift of a lump of cheese that was left in our cooler over a week ago and is starting to climb out of the box. We have put it into the boot of the grey team's van; I don’t suppose they will notice now that they have stopped washing etc. First beer in the States is on you.

Well off to our next night shift with a rest day tomorrow and a well deserved massage.