Gradually the car park at the school began to fill up with people, cases and baggage as our heroes arrived in ones and twos, and started loading the van. The last object to be loaded was placed reverently on one of the seats, with warnings to all not to sit on it.
The object in question was afforded all the respect and reverence normally reserved
for Gods and Idols, for it was the symbol of our heroes' mission to Bremen. It was
the biggest cream cake that any of them had ever set eyes on, about the circumference
of a side drum and five inches high -
There was last farewell to those long suffering hosts and friends who had come to see our heroes off (to make sure that they went, presumably), and off they went. As they powered out of Bremen towards the Autobahn, and ultimately home, it was almost possible to hear the very buildings sigh with relief at their departure!
The journey was, like all other motorway journeys, extremely tedious, although the monotony was relieved somewhat by working the mouth of the Lion, which had been carefully placed in the back window, every time a car came within range. The results varied from looks of contempt, indifference, and boredom, to stifled smiles, waving, and uncontrollable laughter. (The German Army, travelling behind in a lorry, was, predictably, not amused: 'You do not haf ways of making us laugh!').
A stop was made at a services to get rid of the last of the 'Mickey Mouse Money',
predictably spent on cream cake, sausage and beer! Then on again along the endless
Autobahn until the German -
Chapter 9: Saturday October 1st, 1977
AUF WIEDERSEHEN
As the Earlsmobile joined the lines of traffic queuing at the frontier post, the engine of the faithful van, which had taken our heroes through hell and high water, and Bremen, gave a pathetic splutter, and died. Despite Alan (I)'s frantic efforts with choke, clutch, curses etc.., it obstinately refused to start. John leapt out, opened the bonnet, and, after a thirty second inspection, gave his verdict: