A Never Ending Story

So here we are several days later again, we do not have time in the evenings to blog honestly so sorry. We are either out late have no internet or just plain don't have time. So a catch up again. Since my last entry we have been to Dachau Concentration camp in Austria. Not as bad as I thought it would be but none the less how could a world at war have left so many people in the danger of so few..

After our few hours at Dachau we had beer (well I didn't but others did ) in a Munich Beer Hall. Tons of fun and we ate Sausage not so much fun.. Then into the Austrian Alps seriously mouth dropping scenery for us. We walked to King Ludwig's Castle and I mean we walked for ages like 1 and a half hours and then some of the steepest walks ever . What a day. After the walk we luged down the hill some distance away but not before we ate a wonderful lunch bought by Renae and Rolinka and prepared by a few of us. Oh and we got to be part of a German wedding, which arrived at the church while we were eating lunch. We just can't believe how things are turning out. Then after 2 nights in Austria and some serious exercise we travel to Venezia. What a city. A maze of streets, littered with Gelatia bars, (icecream) and neat little restaurants and bars along the canals. And if like us you get really lost there are some amazing little nooks and crannies to explore. We found a Venetian man making masks and watched him layer the paper in the mould and talked to him about his craft before we bought two (yep two) and we had already bought one, masks, but they are gorgeous. I also bought a Venitian glass beaded necklace beautiful, from a local lady who makes them herself so I love the story behind the buy as much as the purchase.

And so now here we are in Florence. We went straight to the David this afternoon and I really cannot believe the beauty of this statue. Adrian & I were totally blown away. He is 17ft tall and so beautiful. We had a tour of the local area tonight and then dinner at the most fantastic restaurant. What fun we had. Tomorrow we go to the Uffizi Museum and the free time to get some bargain leather I hope here in the leather city.

We haven't had the best news with little Lucas over the days though. Firstly his heart is looking great and no operation looks likely, but today we heard that he may need some lver treatment waiting to hear in the morning. Our poor little baby grandson. Oh it's hard we want to go home sometimes. On Thursday we will be meeting with Ashleigh and Danielle in Rome fantastic cannot wait. Fill you in later. Ciao

So it has been a few days since my last entry mainly because we have had no internet connection, that was working efficiently and partly because I just haven’t had time. Talk about full on, we are on the go all day from waking to literally falling on the bed at the end of the day. Since my last entry I think we have been to Amsterdam, Haarlem was where we spent the first few nights and a day trip to the drug and sex capital of the world, the big A. Not really what I expected to be honest. We did a very brief walk through the outer few streets from a boat we were on to the train station. There were a few girls in the windows but when they saw us coming and realised we were tourists and not customers they pulled the curtains. In Haarlem on our second night we got together with two other couples and went for some great Italian food. Geordine & Scott from Hawaii and Ron & Becky, from Alabahama. It was interesting really awkward at first and then after we all ordered and started to relax a little it was good fun.
After our time in Haarlem we drove to Bacharach via the Keukenhof gardens. The largest tulip gardens in the world. Beautiful, really beautiful. Bacharach is on the Rhine River and we stayed in a hotel which in part is over 700 years old. Our room was the honeymoon suite, given to us by our guide Rolinka, because Alicia gave birth to Lucas Adrian at 9pm Australian time as we were on our way there. It was a special treat for Oma and Opa how cute. The room was in a tower in what was once one of the defence buildings. It was cool. Early on the first morning, we went for a walk up the hill behind our hotel and found the Werner Chapel and its monument to the Jews killed by the Germans. A red glass window installed in the ruin of the chapel. Later that morning we went walking with Herr Jung, what a treat. He is a retired school master, German and a great story teller and historian. We then got on our bus and drove to St. Goar where we had lunch on the river and walked up to the Reinfells Castle ruin. What a hill. Then a ferry ride down the Rhine home to Bacharach. Dinner was fun that night at the Rhine Restaurant with Ron & Becky, Geordine & Scott, Stewart and Darlene, Gretchen. A few others were in another room but I hate to say I think we were the noisiest. Oops seems to be my story. It was fun though. Found out that I don’t actually want to spend too much time with Stewart, quite crude and very critical of a lot of the others here. A big drinker too and a bit of a show off.

Today we drove to Rothenburg another cute little German village. Adrian & I walked the city wall, climbed the only remaining defence tower, that is open. And the 135 steps were scary let me tell you!! We then had lunch of curry wurst and pommes, translate sausage in gravy sprinkled with curry powder and chips. Yummy!!!! We found an amazing Christmas decoration shop seriously about 4 floors deep and huge. Germans must love Christmas!!!!
We bought a couple of goodies and I got a Madrushka doll 10 pieces and so gorgeous. A stacking doll, for all the uneducated. Ha ha! I seem to be coming down with a bit of a cold not good so I am taking lots of cold tablets at the moment.

Of course our big news is little Lucas how exciting. We have been receiving pictures on Ade’s phone and he is gorgeous. They are saying he still needs to have an operation tomorrow. But we are still praying he will be healed.

Travelling around

So it has been a few days since my last entry mainly because we have had no internet connection, that was working efficiently and partly because I just haven’t had time. Talk about full on, we are on the go all day from waking to literally falling on the bed at the end of the day. Since my last entry I think we have been to Amsterdam, Haarlem was where we spent the first few nights and a day trip to the drug and sex capital of the world, the big A. Not really what I expected to be honest. We did a very brief walk through the outer few streets from a boat we were on to the train station. There were a few girls in the windows but when they saw us coming and realised we were tourists and not customers they pulled the curtains. In Haarlem on our second night we got together with two other couples and went for some great Italian food. Geordine & Scott from Hawaii and Ron & Becky, from Alabahama. It was interesting really awkward at first and then after we all ordered and started to relax a little it was good fun.
After our time in Haarlem we drove to Bacharach via the Keukenhof gardens. The largest tulip gardens in the world. Beautiful, really beautiful. Bacharach is on the Rhine River and we stayed in a hotel which in part is over 700 years old. Our room was the honeymoon suite, given to us by our guide Rolinka, because Alicia gave birth to Lucas Adrian at 9pm Australian time as we were on our way there. It was a special treat for Oma and Opa how cute. The room was in a tower in what was once one of the defence buildings. It was cool. Early on the first morning, we went for a walk up the hill behind our hotel and found the Werner Chapel and its monument to the Jews killed by the Germans. A red glass window installed in the ruin of the chapel. Later that morning we went walking with Herr Jung, what a treat. He is a retired school master, German and a great story teller and historian. We then got on our bus and drove to St. Goar where we had lunch on the river and walked up to the Reinfells Castle ruin. What a hill. Then a ferry ride down the Rhine home to Bacharach. Dinner was fun that night at the Rhine Restaurant with Ron & Becky, Geordine & Scott, Stewart and Darlene, Gretchen. A few others were in another room but I hate to say I think we were the noisiest. Oops seems to be my story. It was fun though. Found out that I don’t actually want to spend too much time with Stewart, quite crude and very critical of a lot of the others here. A big drinker too and a bit of a show off.

Today we drove to Rothenburg another cute little German village. Adrian & I walked the city wall, climbed the only remaining defence tower, that is open. And the 135 steps were scary let me tell you!! We then had lunch of curry wurst and pommes, translate sausage in gravy sprinkled with curry powder and chips. Yummy!!!! We found an amazing Christmas decoration shop seriously about 4 floors deep and huge. Germans must love Christmas!!!!
We bought a couple of goodies and I got a Madrushka doll 10 pieces and so gorgeous. A stacking doll, for all the uneducated. Ha ha! I seem to be coming down with a bit of a cold not good so I am taking lots of cold tablets at the moment.

Of course our big news is little Lucas how exciting. We have been receiving pictures on Ade’s phone and he is gorgeous. They are saying he still needs to have an operation tomorrow. But we are still praying he will be healed.

Canals, hidden churches, red lights and boats

Amsterdam the Capital of the Netherlands, what a mix of a place. From the canals, to the red light district, from the coffee shops to cafes, hidden churches to house boats. Here life is a bike ride in any direction you want. A wander along the lanes of the red light district, sad, actually, and yet we found right next door the one door/window a kindergarten with a picture of the Queen in the window, kind of funny when it was pointed out to us that all the women in the windows along side the kindy could be bought. I didn't like it, I found it uncomfortable and I hope we never get anywhere near this in Australia.

A tiny hidden church that the new protestant church of the Netherlands let the oustedcatholic church have on the quiet set amongst the trendy fashion stores. So beauiful inside with the most amazing wood work carvings and stained glass windows. Feits...pushbikes rule the roads here and the constant jingle bells means that once again we mere mortals are on their territory, the road. A little hard to get used to actually. Bikes new old, rusty and abandoned litter the roadsides everywhere. Outside every train and bus station is a long row of bikes. Everyone rides here and they have rule of the roads.

Many many boats lived in all along athe canals, some so old and some so large. Some with grass growing on the roof of the boat and all with some sort of garden in pots on the decks. A never ending drift of petals falling from the trees that line the canals. Like a spring snowfall..lovely.

Lunch overlooking the sky line of Amsterdam city and a wonderful dinner of pasta with 2 other couples in Haarlem at the end of a long long day.

2 hours spent roaming the Rijksmuseum gaping at Rembrandts and other masters. I never thought I would fall so in love with these amazing art works, So amazing I have never seen anything like it.

Anne Franks house and to think that these two families spent two years hidden in the annexe of their business until they were betrayed into Nazi hands. How did they do it. How brave of those that helped them. What an amazing and sad story. What a story of heroes in our midst.

This is Amsterdam..... rude, beautiful, drugged, heroic,artistic, amazing challenging, wonderful.

Amsterdam, the best chips ever.......

Well today we left behind London and its non British speaking people, for the totally unspeakable and unreadable language of the Nederlands. Don't believe me?..... Then decipher this if you will..

"Heeft u na het lezen van de mappen toch nog een vraag, onze receptiemedewerkers staan 24 uur per dag voor u klaar en helpen u graag verder."

Yep that is actually a language, It actually says "please don't hesitate to ask anyone of our receptionists for more details. The are present 24 hours a day and are willing to hep you with anything.... So you can see we are in trouble..

But look at the pictures and you can see it is really pretty, beautiful little streets lined with plants and honestly the best hot chips I have ever had. Served in a paper cone and topped with any sort of mayo you could want. Yum Yum YUM!!!

We roamed around for a while and then met the group we will tour with for the next 21 days. Hmm it will be interesting. I will withhold all comments at this time as it I may be sorry later. Time will tell. The entire tour except Adrian and I are American and the guide is a Dutch girl who now lives on the French/Spanish border she seems great. Rolinka is her name. The others I am sure that over time will all take up some space here, for you to meet and decide for yourselves.

We also had an interesting trip here this morning we sat on the tarmac for nearly an hour while the airline checked that we had the correct luggage on board and then when we finally did take it off it honestly took about 35 mins to fly to Amsterdam. Amazing so quick. Just as we were getting through customs to board we got a message from Paul saying that a drunk driver had hit him and Alicia on the passenger side of their car and totalled it. Well you can imagine the state that I was in hearing that and not being able to get in touch with them for over and hour and half. Eventually we rang when we landed here and I was very glad to hear that all was ok. Alicia is going to spend 24 hrs in the hospital in case anything happens to the bub or her and then she is due to be induced on Tuesday morning at 5am. Like I have said before anything for a bit of drama.

So lets see how the next 3 weeks pan out and hopefully there will be tales to tell.

Camden Markets & Portobello Road

Ok so this is a two in one entry, Yesterday we went to the Camden Markets....oh my goodness. Set on a Lock with boats cruising in and out and in an old horse stables this place is amazing. The pub called ''The Worlds End' sits on one corner and all along the streets and down the seething alleyways are the wildest shops you can imagine. Goth, punk, retro, vintage, modern, shoes, piercings , tattoos, food jewellery you think of it and it's there. The people, tall, tattooed, mohawked, shaved, painted, pierced, goth, punk, every colour every tribe every tongue. What a melting pot. Then today Portobello Road markets. You know you really can become just too famous. You could not literally swing a cat in there. Streets filled to over flowing with people just jostling along. You couldn't really shop because you couldn't get in the shop fronts and if you stopped in the way of anyone you just get shoved and well you just have to keep going. A shame really because there were some really beautiful antiques and jewellery. Leather handbags sooooooo cheap from the middle east somewhere, pashmina's silk scarves, cashmere scarves, silver ware, antique signs and china, really aladdins cave.

Then we went to the Kensington High Street and came across the Whole Foods store. Shopping in England is so different to Australia. The stores are so inviting. You walk into the front of this store and the smell of freshly baked bread hits you smack in the face. Stand after stand of baquettes, panini's rolls, cakes, scones, meringues, breads...then the fresh fruits, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, salads, pre cooked foods, cheeses, hundreds really hundreds of cheeses. Soft, hard, goat, buffalo, bries camemberts, oh so yummy. Rounds of waxed and coated cheeses stand next to fridges of olives, tomatoes, wines and breads. I just want to wander around for ages. Shopping here is an experience not just something you do because you have to.

But I am tired, my feet are sore, I have blisters under my toe. how does that happen. I am tired of walking for 15 minutes in the wrong direction and then having to walk back only to find that had we gone left and not right we would have been where we wanted to go about an hour ago. It was fun in the beginning and now I am sooooooo over getting lost. But I have to say London and its outer suburbs, Kensington, Camden, Holland Park all these little places are quite beautiful. The parks at this time of year so different to when we were here at Christmas. Everyone goes to the park. They sunbathe in their togs, they throw frizz bees, kick soccer balls, eat, read, lay on deck chairs, sleep, kiss, play with their children. We have the beach and the Brits have their parks. Wonder what we will find in Europe.

Rocking in the Real World

So today we headed out to Kensington Palace spent a couple of hours wandering through the old place, what a house, wouldn't want to clean that one that's for sure. Beautiful display of Di's dresses though.

Next we went to Trafalgar Square looking for Covent Gardens. When we were walking past the square we found out that T Mobile thebig mobile company here was going to film an add at 6pm so we went to have a look. We'd seen another T Mobile add on the Youtube and it was so much fun we really wanted tobe in this one if we could. We got handed microphones and they started playing songs with the words on a huge screen. We all sang and there were about 10 thousand people there. What a hoot. At one point Pink the rock singer just appeared out of the crowd and started singing everyone went wild. Now I'm not a big rock band follower but how can you not get involved in this it was so much fun. I've posted the video just laugh we were like kids again soooo funny.

Ade bought a really nice cashmere scarf at the markets and a neat black & white photo for framing. We had a good day and we're exhausted again.