Europe extras

We will close the Europe chapter with a few favourite places and photos that didn't make the cut in the quick posts on the road.

Luxembourg has a beautiful parkland around the base of the city wall. I think you could walk all day and not get bored.

My favourite photo at Mont Blanc, a highlight in more ways than one. The view from 3800 metres is breathtaking, and with the clouds drifting by you really felt out there.
From Aiguille du midi lookout at Mont Blanc, itself a spectacular (almost precarious) structure perched on a cliff top. The cable car ride up was awesome too...
Venice was a favourite of Annies. She planned out a good tour and we all loved it.
Having pizza on the Rialto bridge in Venice
The Pantheon in Rome was highly anticipated and did not disappoint. Probably of all the buildings we saw I think this was the most evocative for me.
We all looked forward to the Colosseum. The temperature was in the high 30s. This was towards the end of the day, having started in the morning at Vatican city and wandering all over the place.
The towns along the Italian coast came alive at night.
Nimes, France
Loved the French towns and villages
Some of the free motorhome parks were very pleasant. This is south of Paris
Notre Dame de Paris. By this stage we had seen that many magnificent churches we might have taken it a little casually.
Pulled over by roller blade police in Paris
The palace courtyard at the Louvre is stunning. Can't believe the size of the whole thing. What do I think of the pyramids? I couldn't imagine an addition to the palace in the existing style having the required historical integrity so why not go modern and timeless at the same time? Brilliant.
Aunty Willy & Uncle Chris, our hosts in Holland. I don't think doing a trip like this would have crossed our mind without them.

Europe #10

We have arrived home safe and well. Somehow we managed to hibernate a business, sort some schooling and head overseas for two months of touring, holidaying and visiting family, and we had a phenomenal time.

The flight was as good as a long haul flight can be, but a swim at the airport hotel pool during the 4 hour stop in Singapore was a winner.

Back in Gouda, Holland

We did a tour of Rotterdam harbour on the Spido boat
An amphibious bus tour

With Fons & Christine at the amazing storm barrier. We are actually up on a hill in the foreground so the size of it is very deceiving in this photo


Fons took me for a fascinating architectural tour of his home town.

We stayed with them for a couple of nights and had a great time.

Europe #9

Arie Willem & Hank took us for a walk through Barendrecht where they grew up
Erasmus bridge, Rotterdam, on Arie Willems tour
Jenna got to drive the water taxi. There was a bit of zig zagging, but we got there

Leuwarden, Friesland, with Dave & Sara

Chris's birthday
Hoorn had a festival during our stay
We hired bikes and Chris took us for a great ride about Wognum and the nearby villages

Europe #8

Chris & Willys birthday celebration was a day sailing on Toekomst, a beautiful 27 metre 2 mast sailing ship.
Rugging up before sailing


Under the bamboo with Huyen
Chris, Kevin and Jenna hoisting the sails. Jenna is one of Annemaries cousins that she had never met before.
It was a big day

The weather was a bit dreary one day so we headed to the beach for a walk. By the time we arrived the rain had cleared so it was very nice
Playing with some other guests at the cabins. They were German, but there are very few language barriers with kids.
Hoorn, a very nice harbour town

Raining in Amsterdam

Europe #7

If you are keeping up with these posts I have done 3 just recently so you might need to check back a couple. Don't forget that you can click on the images to see a larger photo and then just click the back button to continue the post.

We had a day out at Terschelling, an island that you take a 2 hour ferry ride to get to.
Waving farewell to the dock.
Ben and Aiden

We passed lots of sailing and fishing craft along the way.
Cycling (of course) is the main transport on the island, and we had a great time riding about.
Jenna zoomed along with me most of the way and did really well. The path first of all followed the shore on the south, then we crossed the island to the North sea, after lunch at a village in the middle. Here is some of the beautiful forests as we return the the harbour.
Willy & Huen

I can now add the North sea to my list of swims.