Cousins Hitch 1,770km to Croatia from the UK to Retrace Grandfather’s Escape

Sam and Chris arrive in Brlog (Facebook)

Two British cousins have hitchhiked 1,770 kilometres from Ravenshead in the UK to the small Croatian village of Brlog in Otočac in the Lika-Senj County…

Sam and Chris Ogrizović left the UK with no map and just £25 pounds in their pocket as they set off to retrace their grandfather’s 2,415 kilometre escape from the Nazis during the war. The journey, named ‘Papa’s Journey’, will end with the pair planting a tree in honour of grandfather Nicola in Brlog and was done to also raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease.

“Nick, who grew up in Brlog, endured a 5 year journey which saw him crossing borders, living in forests, fighting the allied cause before being captured and imprisoned in a POW camp in Italy. He saw out the war there until being given the chance to come and work in the UK. Nick went on to live a wonderful life in the UK, married to Maureen, taking British citizenship and having 3 children, including Coventry City legend and FA Cup winner Steve, and 7 grandchildren. He sadly passed away in August 2014, with his family around him, having suffered from Alzheimer’s for some time,” the cousins, who raised over £5,000 so far, said.

You can check out the Ogrizović’s journey to Croatia from the UK on their official Facebook page.