Tristan Dummer

An 18 Hour Road Trip from the UK to Poland

The plan was simple. An 18 hour drive from Buckinghamshire to the wild hunting grounds of West Pomerania, Poland. Before Brexit, a European road trip was a rite of passage. It was a chaotic mix of motorways, questionable snacks, and the kind of freedom only found on the open road. This particular trip was for our annual hunt, a pilgrimage that required more than just packing bags. It involved a temperamental truck, a tag team of sleep deprived drivers, and a shared sense of adventure.

This was not just about getting from A to B. It was about the journey itself. The long hours on the road, the thrill of crossing borders with nothing but a flash of a passport, and the unexpected discoveries waiting in the quiet corners of Europe. We were on a mission, fuelled by coffee and the promise of the Polish wilderness, ready for whatever the road threw at us.

The Journey Begins: Four Hours On, Four Hours Off

Our strategy was a classic road trip formula. Four hours behind the wheel, then a four hour break for a power nap in the passenger seat. We set off from Buckinghamshire in our trusty, albeit noisy, truck. Every strange rattle from the engine was a reminder that this trip was as much about faith in old machinery as it was about navigation.

The first leg took us to the Channel Tunnel, a modern marvel that spits you out into Calais, France. From there, it was a blur of seamless border crossings. France bled into Belgium, which soon became the Netherlands. In those pre Brexit days, you could drive through three countries before your morning coffee got cold, a freedom we probably took for granted. The landscape shifted with each new country, from the flat, orderly fields of the Netherlands to the dense forests of Germany.

A Detour for Treasures

No proper road trip is complete without a few unscheduled stops. We were not just hunters; we were collectors of stories and oddities. Our route was peppered with spontaneous detours to local hunting shops and antique stores, each one a little treasure trove of local culture.

In a small, unassuming antiques shop in the Netherlands, tucked away on a quiet side street, we stumbled upon a truly remarkable find. Among dusty furniture and forgotten relics lay a pistol ring. It was not just any ring; this was a piece of history, intricately designed and studded with small diamonds and rubies. It was the kind of discovery that makes a journey unforgettable, a tangible piece of the adventure that you carry with you long after you have returned home. These moments, the unplanned stops and the thrill of the find, are what elevate a simple drive into a real exploration.

An Alpine Interlude

As night fell, we diverted south towards Austria for a much needed overnight rest. We had stayed in my holiday home in Kitzbuhel, Austria, a cosy wooden haven nestled in the centre of the town. Arriving in the crisp alpine air was a welcome break from the confines of the truck. The contrast was stark. One moment we were barrelling down a German autobahn, the next we were surrounded by the silent, imposing beauty of the Alps.

That evening was a celebration of European hospitality. We found a local restaurant and indulged in some of the finest cuisine the region had to offer. Hearty, traditional dishes that tasted even better after a long day of driving. It was a chance to recharge, share stories from the road, and savour the moment before the final push to Poland.

The Final Stretch to Poland

The next morning, we were back on the road, refreshed and ready for the last leg of our journey. We drove back through Germany, the landscape gradually changing as we headed east. The autobahns gave way to smaller roads, and soon we crossed the border into Poland. There was an immediate sense of arrival, a feeling that we had reached our destination.

The rolling hills and dense forests of West Pomerania were a welcome sight. This was the landscape we had driven 18 hours to see, a place where the wild still felt truly wild. The truck, despite its many complaints, had made it. We had navigated seven countries, survived on power naps and service station coffee, and collected a few stories and a pistol ring along the way.

More Than Just a Trip

Looking back, that journey was more than just a drive. It was a testament to a time when Europe felt open and accessible. It was about the camaraderie of the road, the shared responsibility of navigating through the night, and the simple joy of exploration. Hunting trips are often defined by the quiet moments in the field, but the journey to get there is just as much a part of the adventure.

At Ambulo, we believe in making these adventures easier. The paperwork and planning should not get in the way of the experience. We started this brand to solve the problems we faced on trips just like this one, to make the path to the wild a little easier to follow. If you are planning your own European adventure and need help with firearms permits, let Ambulo handle the boring bits. Read our full guide to getting a firearms permit for Europe, or check out what to pack for a Polish driven hunt. Get out there and have a damn good time. And when you’re back, log the whole trip in the game book.