I'm writing what is for now the last article about how we got back to the Czech Republic. The trip to Greece took us a month, back it was only about 2 days.

Borders are slowly starting to open, so we told ourselves we'd return. We have some obligations and need to get there in June. Italy is supposed to open on June 3rd, so we're thinking we'll leave after that. We want to shorten the journey by ferry to Ancona and then just drive on the highway all the way to the Czech Republic. It's the fastest and most gentle for the Iveco...and also the shortest we can have.

During our stay in the mountains, a neighbor writes that ferries between Italy and Greece might not run until the end of June, but that there's another repatriation one on June 4th. We think about it for a while, and when we calculate and consider it, this repatriation voyage comes out as the best choice for us. On Sunday evening we send an email with all documents to our embassy – it has to go through them so they can book it for us.

They respond on Monday and we know we're leaving on Thursday. We're enjoying the last few days with new friends. We grill, chat, and assure everyone that when they drive through the Czech Republic, they should let us know. We'd love to see them, or at least recommend what to visit in the Czech Republic. They promise us the same, so we know we'll meet again sometime.

Otherwise we're cleaning the Iveco, buying some souvenirs, and having our last gyros in town. On Thursday our ferry doesn't leave until sometime at night, but we're supposed to be at the port at 8. We still have time for dinner with the neighbor, which he grilled for us, we say goodbye and carefully leave the campground. We pray we'll make it to the port without another breakdown, so we'd rather not stop anywhere.

On the ship

At the port we stand in line for document control. It's the first of many lines we'll stand in during this voyage. Our German neighbor Sven is also traveling with us with his new dog that he rescued in Greece. Now he's taking him along and the poor thing is confused. First time on a ship, first time on stairs, and first time seeing mirrors! We help him a bit with it to make it easier. A long journey still awaits them, but everything needed for a new companion is already prepared at home.

We spend almost the entire voyage in the cabin. About 1.5 hours before docking they kick us out. They always do that so they have time to clean those cabins. So we wait in the seating area where you usually have coffee, and chat with Sven. We learn we have to bring some documents to reception. After standing in another line and submitting them, supposedly we can finally go. And so we head to the Iveco.

Lengthy departure

We're a bit worried about what condition it will be in and how it will start. Right by it another driver stops us saying he can't start, asking if we could help. First after a moment we start up, smoke billows out, but otherwise nothing unusual. And since our cars are nicely lined up on top of each other, we can't help him the normal way. So we open our garage and help him start from the rear battery. After several attempts it succeeds. The Italian thanks us enthusiastically and with his whole family gets back into his very old caravan and slowly turns around. The ferry gradually empties and we exit almost last.

We're already quite nervous because the whole thing took terribly long and we're just standing here with the Iveco running, wondering how long it will still like this. When we're already outside and almost leaving, one man in an orange vest stops us saying we have to park and go back on the ship to sort out something else. He stops everyone like that. We're already slightly fed up after that waiting time, so on the way back we stop at a group of crew members and ask them what else they need, that we already submitted documents. Supposedly they still have to copy our passport and give us a stamp. So we stood in another line to get a stamp on a piece of paper they stuck in our passport. Bureaucracy is still bureaucracy!

Finally outside! We managed to leave the port. We drive through Ancona wondering how far we'll still make it. After several kilometers, when someone honks at us (we're probably too slow) on the entrance to the expressway, we give it gas. Suddenly several drops of oil spurt onto the window. Oh no! Here we go. We stop as soon as it's somewhat possible and go look under the hood at what's happening again.

First hitch

Almost the entire trip the Iveco drips oil a bit. It sort of leaks from everywhere in the engine. But after the last repair it already happened once that it suddenly spurted a larger amount. So we added a PET bottle there to catch the worst of it. It's now completely full and there's still oil all around. When we pull out the dipstick, it's almost dry. For these cases we always carry enough spare oil and now we pour in 1.5 liters. For now it looks like it will be enough. The oil shows on the dipstick, so we're a bit calmer. There's still some left!

We have a quick lunch to give the Iveco some time to cool down. We decide on the highway route because it will be the calmest for us – we don't have to brake and quickly accelerate again. We're so uneasy that we manage to go through the toll gates where it doesn't give you that ticket, so at the next exit we stop and try to explain it into the microphone. The man doesn't discuss much and immediately prints a fine for not paying the toll. Italy is starting nicely for us!

Another experience with a tow truck

A bit annoyed, though mainly at ourselves, we get back on the highway. The next about 100 km we drive without problems, so we fill up a full tank. We're just telling ourselves that at this calm pace – about 80 km/h – we could make it to the Czech Republic, when there's a bang from under the hood. Leo steps on the clutch and we slowly coast to the shoulder. It died and won't start again. It looks like we've reached the end!

We call the roadside assistance again. An Italian man with a tow truck came for us, towed us to the nearest service center, and left us standing in front of the gate. They supposedly open in the morning, so we can try to arrange a repair with them. Tired, we head to bed to get a good sleep.

In the morning the insurance company calls us and together we arrange that repatriation will be the best option. This time it looks like a longer repair than a few days. We'd rather spend that time in the Czech Republic than here in Italy. During the day, gentlemen from the Czech tow truck contact us saying they'll come sometime at 2 am and bring us a car so we can get home. They say we won't fit in the cab with them. We spent the whole day finishing up some work backlogs and in the evening we even dozed off, so we'd be ready for the night drive.

Returning home

They came as promised. Meanwhile we tidied up inside a bit and packed the necessary things. Then we said goodbye, the gentlemen took a break before heading back, and we set off. It went quickly. We drove through Austria and Germany, and the only border where they checked us was the Italian-Austrian one. Otherwise the trip went without stops and major problems.

We arrived in the Czech Republic broken and really tired. Now all we have left is to wait until they bring the Iveco, and then slowly get it in shape. Now we're planning to stay here for a while and take trips just around the Czech Republic and nearby areas. But maybe some articles will come out of it too!