Change for the better

To start, a little background. I've had a mobile phone for around 14 years now, starting with the original phone of champions:

The Nokia 5110

Followed by...

Nokia 3210 - Sony CMD Z5 - Nokia 7650

Sony P800, P900, P910

Sony P990i - HTC TyTN II, - HTC Touch Pro 2

Google Nexus One - HTC Sensation - HTS One S

... All of them, without exception with Vodafone. 14 years with one network is more than just about anyone i know (or can think of), and in this time i've been an fair advocate of them to other people. Both my parents are on Vodafone which is pretty much how I ended up with them at the start (Dad's work phone was Voda, and cross network was expensive)

In spite of the lack of signal in my house (outside is alright) i've remained with them, I briefly flirted with T-Mobile when the first Android came out but they also had no signal so wasnt really an improvement. The Sure Signal was good, but not 100% reliable (or even 90%). Together with some pretty poor service in the shops - to the point where I ended up submitting a complaint (which was ignored), warranty issues (source my own parts, really?), and misinformation on the phone and in a couple stores. In fairness to them, the best service I got was always at the Newbury store in their HQ, but its not the easiest one to get to and really, it should be standard to expect decent service at any store.

So i decided to leave, and as a happy coincidence this was being released:

Galaxy S4

Never really considered Samsung phones before, not been impressed previously, although the recent Galaxy ones have changed my mind (evidently). So far so good. Had it for a day and it IS nice. The camera is nice, and the screen is crisp. One thing I dont understand yet is how it tracks your fingers so close to the screen without actually touching it. Its like a magic wizard lives inside and watches where my finger hovers. 

Anyway, setup was as painless less as you'd expect for an android, all the apps updated automatically, moved all my sms over and thinned some pictures from the folder (which went back to my Nexus One). 

Maybe not the most amazing review you've ever read, but then i'm not a reviewer, more a rambler. Fortunately since Orange and T-Mobile merged i finally get signal in my house, and a contract with unlimited data. Success, at least till I see how T-Mobile perform in the long term.

The end of days.

So it comes to the last event and the last full day in France. The machines are set and the club is getting ready. Roll on 7:30 for the start.

The downside is not only the 1am finish, but also barley an hour to pack up before the doors close firmly at 2.

On the plus side lunch was served by Tony Stark...

Once more into the Alps

So long Italy! Had a nice few days here relaxing after the hell of border crossing. The venue turned out to be a comic book museum (photos to come later) which was pretty awesome really.

Milan was good and the food excellent. Even if we did have a massive sharing grill platter one night after 4 days of Italian. Even the cafe at the museum was great and did stunning pizzas.

Will put something more filled out and put some photos up later once we get to France.

Caio!

One week down...

So far, this week has actually been pretty good. Right up till we got to the Italian border.

Let the following be a warning to anyone travelling through Switzerland. Question everything at every opportunity with any authorites.

For those curious about what I've been up to looking at facebook and Twitter let me give a rough round up.

Upon entering Switzerland we met some guards who explained we needed a permit to drive, like a foreigners road tax. Fair enough, seems reasonable.

After explaining the contents of the van and what it was for (competition event) he waved us on our merry way with a smile and 40chf in his till.

We drove blissfully unaware of our problem through the glorious scenery, had lunch (granted just a burger and coke) overlooking an enormous valley of winding roads we would be soon traversing. I wish I'd had my Golf :(

Anyway, we got to the Italian border and no-one could understand what we were carrying or even doing. That was 3pm yesterday.

After many hours of checks and invoices and calculations, they came up with a fine based on a poor valuation of our load and after forking over the money we went to get our papers. The local office didn't agree with this plan and was closed.

So we trudged into town, (the van was impounded) got a hotel and some expensive under satisfying pasta and came back today at 8am.

Its now 2pm and we haven't got muh further. Fortunately we ha e very nice people from WB on side and Multiplay are helping where they can. Maybe we will get out soon. Who know, stay tunes to #borderwatch on Twitter for lacklustre updates of our fate.

On the plus side I did check in to he swiss border and became mayor on foursquare. Maybe it counts for something?

Europe Day 5 - Country 4

So far we've left the UK, made into France and then Germany, something I've done a lot all told when going to the Nurburgring. Today is different, for today we head south to Austria. I've never been to Austria before, and by the looks of it, I'm only barely going there now as the Lake we're near in Bregenz is within spitting distance of Germany, Lichtenstein and Switzerland. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bregenz

On the way, during an emergency pit stop to change from jeans to shorts due to the suddenly and frankly roasting weather, I found this. 

This is a McCafe near the border of Germany ans Austria. Stocked fully with cakes and coffees in addition to a regular McDonalds serving counter.

One Milka frappe and one slab of
cake. Dux had a McFlurry

The bigger surprise when i was given the cake was the real china plate and a proper metal fork. Obviously something we couldn't be trusted with in the UK. (Feel free to correct me if they do have them, but i doubt it a lot)

The next part of the journey was about an hour, finishing with a 7.5km tunnel into Bregenz.

Once again, Superman lead the way.

As it turns out, there's a famous theatre here on the lake, most notably in Quantum of Solace. Sat at the top of the banks at sunset, Mozart started playing from the PA, despite no production being running, just for the sake of it in the evening, which was nice.

There's also a big public area between the shore and the town with a mini golf course (i shot 62, Dux got 56) and a giant chess board (haven't played yet). As well as a full size steam train in the play area for kids to muck around on. Just a tank engine and nothing like the Mallard, but still.

Free day tomorrow, must find things to do before we move on to Italy on Wednesday.

Europe Day 3

Today is the first day of the European tour with competition. The tour has taken over a cinema in the town for 10 hours.

Different to the rest of the tour in the UK, this is all played on the retail version of the game.

Setup was pretty straight forward at least, one cable needed replacing but everything else seems fine.

On the side of this is a cosplay competition for everyone to vote on. So far only one person has arrived in costume (harley quinn).

Last night was a bit strange as almost every restaurant in the town was closed. Even the hotel was closed for food, on a Friday night.

Eventually dux and I found somewhere open, Paulaner Wirsthaus. Suitably German and really good food. Stuffed schnitzel for me and goulash for dux.

The decor was interesting too...

Dux0r and Ade across Europe

Today is the first of 13 days in Europe taking the Injustice game around 3   countries with Multiplay for Warner Bros.

For the duration Superman is our co-pilot, watching over the road. Ever vigilant, his head may bobble at the slightest bump...

One ferry to France conquered, now just to defeat a string of toll roads before the sweet embrace of sleep.