Time to hit the road

Monday 22nd of March                      cold and overcast

Awoke to a dull cold day - all up to hot shower - breakfast and prepare for being on the road again.  We left about 10 a.m. - Lee is nervous - so is John I think.  We went through Calais to the super Continental - to fill the larder.  Marie and Lee were astounded at the size - we are still off on the highway to Ypres.  Had lunch on the highway.

Stopped at the border then on to Ypres where the remains of the battle in 1918 war - huge cemeteries line the side of the road - Hooge Crater cemetery seemed to be the biggest.

War cemetery at Ypres

On through Doornick, Tournai, Bernissait to then into Mons where we immediately got lost -ended up at a dead end.  Poor Lee nearly died - a good initiation into European driving.

Had a cuppa when settled then realised it was 6:45 p.m. so on went tea - then bed.

We drove through Flanders Fields-just imagine Pop riding his bike to pick the potatoes from the field - have a strong feeling Dad is on this trip with me. 

Tuesday 23rd March, 1982                       overcast and cold

On to Luxembourg - different people in charge very obliging and helpful.  Didn't eat till 9 p.m. then kids went to bed and we walked to the bar - had a pleasant two hours in warmth, Sandra and John caught up on life back home - bed but not to sleep - restless night not enough exercise.  Went through Bove Anderloaes, morning tea at Fleurus - kids roam wild then on through Wierde to Courriene where we lunched beside one of the many Fritures - hot, freshly cut chips for lunch - spoiled only by tomato sauce.  On then to Aalen and into Luxembourg -stopped at the supermarket "cactus" where we all went mad with excitement buying - Marie, Lee and Brett can't get over the size of the markets and this one was cheap - 44 Belgian francs for Kellogg's, wines and brandy ridiculously cheap - on then to find a laundromat - where the dog sat under the umbrella.

Just made it at 6:45 p.m. - finished and out to caravan Park - shower and sleep.

Wednesday 24th of March                  sunny and beautiful

Up, washed, showered on this beautiful spring day - off to town - walked 1 km to bus stop "Arret" 20 Belgian francs.  Walked the streets till we were thirsty - had a cuppa - all 10 of us in a cake and coffee shop. Sean and Brett ran off to change money - John and I to the post office then we all walked around the Ponte Adolphe et Plase de Bruxelles, down the casements.  

Wandering Luxemborg

Was a beautiful day - lots of film is taken.  Lee and Marie loved it - the twins were very good. We saw the guard at the Palace, down ancient streets - found a nice Glama bar where we took over three tables, for ham roll and wine - then on to another walk through the pedestrian walk.  Love their no car pedestrian malls - bus and home to chicken and salad.  Sandra, John, Lee and Marie went to bar.  I was exhausted so to bed.  Ice on windows in a.m.  Sean's jumper as stiff as board from frost.  Blackout in p.m. so the later showerers missed out - little tot from camp (beautiful brown eyes) attached herself to the little ones - children need no language.

Thursday 25th of March                     frosty and sunny

Up early - no showers and an early breakfast.  Whilst we packed up the hot water came on, so we showered, packed up and delivered little nomad - who came around - to her parents and off.  

Through ancient old Echtenach Senningen where we drove over line of workmen much to their anger.  Lee had to wait - before the border we drove along the Mosel with Germany one side and Luxembourg the other.  Rae had to ask at the border for stamps on our passports -our first Deutscher - stopped at Trier for morning tea quick walk around town then we were moved on - parking in disabled area in front of Rathaus.

Stopped at Riverside for lunch, kids ran wild along the river.  Troy lost his ball in the river so Lee and John took off along the other side to retrieve it.

On then to Bernkastel-Krus, a lovely river village where we stayed for a while on the Krow - no caravan Park so back to Bernkastel - no deal, so here we are at Wehlen at a caravan park no hot water but comfortable.  Troy lost his ball up a tree this time.  Went for a walk up town - the streets are so narrow we walk along like a crocodile in single file - the whole 10 - I think the locals would like to photograph us.

Going for a walk along the river I met a group of three Germans - Karl Box, his sister and her husband.  The husband was recuperating at the clinic here.  Amazed that Australians can come away for nine months.  Sandra, John, Lee and Marie walking up to hotel for a night out.

The people working in Vineyards up mountainsides look like ants.  The Mosel is beautiful not as busy as the Rhine - the villages are just as lovely - quaint buildings and churches with the spires rising high into the air.

A really beautiful spring day.

Friday 26th of March              frosty and sunny

Couldn't find the owner of camp to pay, so left 10 deutsche marks in letterbox and off to Bingen, a very good road over the mountains.  After coming through Kov and Zell - bye Mosel hello Rhine - had morning tea on side of road on a lay-by.  A beautiful sunny day - spring is really here at last.  Pansies bloom everywhere - the fruit buds are waiting to burst open and winter brownness is being replaced by new growth.  Down into Bingen to the old parkplatz and the girls took the washing to the laundromat - we had lunch in the parkplatz then shopped whilst washing dried - bought a skivie for 7 1/2 deutsche marks about three dollars then highlight of the day - boat ride across Rhein to Rudesheim.  What a magnificent sunny day -arrived Rudesheim about 4:15 p.m. and walked up to see if the cable car was running to Neiderwald monument, but you wouldn't believe it - it opens tomorrow - one day too early.  

Window shopping in Rudesheim

We walked to the Drosselgrasse - went to our old restaurant to have coffee - Best cappuccino in Germany.  The couple who entertained us before weren’t there, but gentleman playing the organ played Waltzing Matilda for us.  We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon.  We caught the boat back then continued to Bacharach where we had to ring the manager for showers - very obliging.

A hot shower and sleep by the Rhine.  Showered by candlelight - no lights.  Oh the fun we have!

 

Calais, France to Rudesheim, Germany