European Vacation Part 4

All started well and we pootled along through quaint German villages pointing out objects of interest to each other (really we were all keeping our eyes peeled for any garages, sheds or out houses with abandoned VWs inside!). As we approached Lüder, which is approximately 55km north of Wolfsburg, we all heard a bang from the rear end. Gareth swiftly pulled over and we all jumped out and rounded the Bus to assess what was up and to give our 10 pence worth of diagnosis. There was nothing visibly obvious as to what could be the culprit; it all looked fine which was slightly worrying. As a matter of precaution, everything attached to the engine was checked to ensure nothing had come loose and was clattering about, any clips were double-checked, bolts tightened etc. The dipstick was checked and the oil was worryingly on the low side, so a can of oil from the garage opposite was added. Not wanting to end up stranded with a busted Bus miles from the campsite, we ditched the idea of seeing Hamburg and did a 180 back down the road we’d just travelled along in the hope of limping back safely. Within minutes we all knew this game plan was foiled, the noise was not improving at all and