There and Back Again: the Furball Run
Some say that they drive 600 miles to dress up as animals and drink beer, and that they think there is no German word for “fluffy”. All we know is, it’s called the Furball Run.
First run in 2008 under the benevolent dictatorship of Jasper and AK, who thought that organizing a road trip across Europe for a group of furries wouldn’t shorten their lives, the Furball Run is a convoy of primarily British EF attendees from the UK to Germany. Covering over 600 miles across four countries in two days, the Furball Run is the largest organized convoy to Eurofurence, with 15 vehicles and around 40 people taking part this year.
Fur, frivolity and liquor
Variable road conditions and many different types of car allow for a fun mix of driving styles: sprinters that burn up miles of autobahn in between fuel stops; a middle group that trades amusing radio message to the befuddlement of local law enforcement, and the legendary ‘Champagne Bus’, a minibus filled with fur, frivolity and liquor.
“It’s a great way to start the con,” says Blacksnip, one of the drivers on this years’ run. “Overall, it adds four more days of awesome.”
An unfortunate lack of diesel delayed AK’s departure from the UK by several hours, leaving him stranded at the side of the motorway just outside of the Eurotunnel terminal. A broken gauge was to blame, but this basic motoring fact – diesel make car go - is one that other Furballers shall take great delight in reminding him of throughout the convention.
Beer from vending machines
This year, the run stopped in Essen on the Monday night to allow for the drivers to take a break, and for their passengers to treat them to delicious German beer. A new experience – beer sold in vending machines – allowed the fun to continue late into the night, as shown in this extract from your correspondent’s diary:
Morning breaks over Essen, casting a pale light over the shattered remains of the hotel and its occupants. A Dutchman and a weasel appear outside, remarkably alert despite their four hours’ sleep. Chatter starts on the radios as drivers start their cars, and someone wearing a tail sprints across the car park.
World spins madly on towards Magdeburg.
Author: Bariki