1. Italian wives always nag their husbands about how they park the motorhome. At first I would feel sorry for the poor chap but now this behaviour has become my ‘entertainment’. As soon as I see an Italian motorhome enter the campsite it’s a signal to pull up a chair, grab a beer and watch a woman verbally abuse her spouse.
2. Compared to what we Brits have to contend with at home, Europeans have no idea what heavy traffic is like.
3. Speedos (budgie smugglers) are still the preferred beach attire amongst European men.
4. European ‘pop’ music is for the most part complete drivel.
5. Chris Rea seems really popular in Croatia. Every time I enter a supermarket one of his songs seems to be playing.
6. Italian motorhomers don’t seem fussy about location. They will happily spend a week in a car park if that car park is somewhere other than their home town.
7. The English are not universally popular in Europe but the Dutch seem to like us. If you want to be popular with all nationalities cover your motorhome in Scottish flags as mine is (previous owner was Scottish). I think much of this friendly behaviour towards Scots is in the hope you are carrying large quantities of whisky.
8. The Germans, Swiss and Austrians like to live by a set of rules. The Italians on the other hand think rules are for wimps and break as many as possible.
9. It’s hard to be stressed when the sun is shining and you live next to the sea.
10. Get to like Gouda or Emmantal as it’s impossible to find extra mature cheddar.
11. Dogs are allowed to roam the streets in Poland. These are not strays as they look well groomed and have collars.
12. Whilst the Trabant is an awful car my award for ‘Shittiest Car In Europe’ has to go to any Dacia model. Whoever designs these cars should be shot. The car and the company logo have no personality whatsoever.
13. The summer toy craze of 2010 in Slovenia and Croatia seems to be 2 balls on a string that you smash together as fast as possible. It sounds like a woodpecker from a distance.
14. Smoking is still popular in Europe, certainly more so than in the UK.
15. The Croatian drinks Istra Bitters and Pelikovac are truly awful.
16. In every European town close to the sea you will find a shop selling striped sailor shirts.
17. It seems every town in Europe has a Hotel Bellevue.
18. Your GPS which has always behaved impeccably in the UK will suddenly do some strange things in Europe.
19. All Italians talk on their mobile phones whilst driving, even if they own a scooter.
20. Turkish style toilets are still quite common on some European campsites. In Italy when you do find a traditional toilet don’t expect a toilet seat or toilet paper.
