Hello Ludwig and Heidrun again....Goodbye Ludwig and Heidrun and Hello Holland

 Saturday 27th March, 1982                      fine and sunny and warm

Up to another lovely spring day - Heidrun tells us this is May weather - March or May we are enjoying it - barmy lazy sunny spring days.  

Camping on the Rhine at Bacharach

Walked into Bacharach along lovely old streets then off along the Rhein to Boppard - no chairlift - so on to Koblenz - stopped and filmed the Lorelei.  Lunched near the monument - the German corner - where the Mosel and Rhein meet - then went for a walk around.  Saw 2 well dressed gentlemen riding a bicycle - looks so funny.  Broke Lee up.  On along the Rhein to Remagen where we bade it goodbye and headed inland, where we became lost in the road works maze - incredible network.  A dog walker put us on the right road through Latenschoppen, Wormesdolf and Essig onto Eiskirchen - where we were greeted warmly by Ludwig and Heidrun, but we threw them into utter confusion by our numbers.  John and Sandra, Marie and Lee, Heidrun and Ludwig went out to dinner after a lot of confusion.  Sean and Brett went to town on a bike to collect McDonald's for the kids.  Good sleep after a late start.

Sunday 28th of March            overcast with no sun

Well we have had our three days of sunshine so who's complaining.  Boys left in a.m. to visit a radio station - lunched, then off to Bad Munster Eifel - better day than last overcast.  We walked around the village, crowded today - then right around the wall - home to afternoon tea.  Walk to town - Church at 6:30 p.m. and as we were having a German potato tea we brought the kids chicken and chips to eat on the way home, then when we did arrive back - late of course - Heidrun's German dish was potato fritters so the bigger kids had to force some down.

No such word as “nein” in this house.

Later in the evening an American friend of the Zopinski’s and his wife, Don and Elizabeth came over.  We had an interesting evening until Ludwig went to bed, then one by one the adults disappeared and we were left to entertain till midnight.

Monday 27th of March                       cold and raining

After breakfast, all females off to town to shop - the men minded the kids - the boys kept finding me.  Marie and Sandra tried on every pair of jeans in town - one place we marched out of!  Brought coffee sets, linen and Marie a blouse.

Had lunch in Pinocchio restaurant, house insalada - beautiful - a big salad of lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, ham and grated cheese.

Home to cuppa - walked back later for chickens in the rain.  Sandra feeling guilty offered to take all the kids - well one by one they refused till we were left with Yulia and when she realised she was the only one walking with us she took off home.  Blow me if chickens weren't ready so we had to return without dinner.  John - no he refused - the girls went and bought at other places - and after Essen had a pleasant evening talking - Heidrun likes the boys company - girls a little fed up with the fluttus - naturally the boys like it.  Bet Marie and Sandra will explode before we leave if they aren't careful.

Tuesday 30th March, 1982                       normal Germanic

Breakfast by candlelight - farewell to Ludwig - off to Evoluon - no explosion.  Ludwig woke us for 6 a.m. breakfast - farewell Ludwig.

Evoluon, Eindhoven, Netherlands

Packed up and off on road.  Stopped at Evoluon for lunch - passed by the towns of Gelder -Malsam-Beesd-Nevwegian-Ijesselmeer and Utrecht.  On the way we noticed Shetland ponies and beautiful windmills.  Hello Holland.

Arrived in Amsterdam after an afternoon at Evoluon - quite an impressive place - built like a flying saucer.  It had all technical knowledge -TV, radio, record making - and man and his problems from A.D. to now and his future re food and energy.

As soon as we arrived at the camp we all felt so free, decided to have a drink - well what a funny evening - a knock on door -"come in" says Marie.  An Englishman in gas trouble so boys fixed him - then about three drinks later another knock on door.  "Come in" cries Marie - and through the space appeared poor little fellow - half Indian, half Jew and whole Dutch "I'm alone" he says in bad English, so Marie introduces him "this is Lee Allen, John Allen, Pat Allen, Sandra Allen" well he kind of took over when he discovered Sandra could understand a little French.  His name was Bob - Allen was alone - laugh- we were in hysterics - he disappeared and bought in his family album instead of a photo of his wife as we expected -poor beggar was lonely, wanted a match and company but it was 9:30 p.m. and the kids were tired.  Well after about 1 1/2 hours we got the message through and he left, with Sandra promising him coffee in a.m.  To bed after an hysterical evening.

Was a surprise to drive in here and see so many people - tents, caravans and vans.  We usually are the only ones in the camp areas - about two dozen tents ring the area.  Spring is here the grass has riz the people are on the move!

Wednesday 31st March, 1982                  fine but windy

Slept in till 8:30 a.m., very tired, Marie, Lee and John went into town to find a diamond ring for Marie.  We took children in about 1 p.m. to meet them - walked along the red light area.  Couldn't believe it does happen.  Amsterdam is so full of punk youth - on the way home we nearly collapsed on seeing a ? girl with shaven head, dressed in a silver frosted costume like something from out of space.

Had chips and coffee at McDonalds for afternoon then walked the pedestrian mall looking at the passing parade.  Home by tram.  Salad and to bed.

Have never seen so much way out youth in beautiful Amsterdam - anywhere else except of course London - we also noticed increased numbers of police cars.

John left his run too late and had a cold shower.  Aussie pair Liz and Rob (met in Rome) arrived this p.m..

Thursday 1st April, 1982                fine and sunny

Boys off to Heineken's brewery - lazy morning then lugged all the washing in green garbage bags to laundromat - what a sight Marie with two bags, San with two, Rae and I with one each -paced the 1 1/2 kilometres to the Wasserette only to find, after putting our wash through 4 x 5  kilograms we couldn't dry.  I don't think she liked us - firstly we left the door open (an old Australian custom?) Second I brought two bags and she didn't want to give me a separate change.  I could see her Dutch brain thinking of how to punish us - so she wouldn't let us use the dryers - so off we went with semi-wet clothes which were twice as heavy instead of an anticipated half and dragged ourselves home.

Then when we arrived who should be waiting for us but Sandra and Marie's friend Bob, wanting a drink - Sandra told him "no go away" hopefully he will stay away.  Laughed at Marie she walked into delicatessen and asked for Devon.

John and the boys back - washing strung around the camp.  Met Lee earlier - he had a rotten migraine so tried to sleep whilst we kept children quiet.  About 4 p.m., Lee feeling better, the girls decided to investigate a little more re diamond rings.  So the four of them went into town to window shop.  Home by 6:30 p.m. had dinner - I visited an Australian couple Jim and?  For an hour - Liz and Rob came in for drinks with Marie and Lee.  Warm night.

Friday 2nd April, 1982                       fine and sunny

Lazy morning - leisurely breakfast - John and Lee played big poppas to four young Aussies and got their van going for them - door had fallen off to begin with, then it wouldn't start.  Lots of Australians here - three Top Deck buses arrived, 2 training and one on tour.  Sandra didn't insult her little Dutchman Bob, he came over last night with a pot of water to boil - poor fellow he is lonely.  Into town for a canal ride - hot and sunny - so enjoyed it.  

Waiting for the canal ride in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Lunch at the burger and beer - and the girls walked up to Bonebakker and bought their rings -Sandra brought a lovely nine diamond .3 carat.  Looks great!  Marie brought 2 nice rings then home - sun gone - raining.  Sandra, Brett and I walked around to Ann Frank's house - very moving.  

Ann Frank House, Amsterdam

The kids had been watching a fair being erected at Stationplein and when we arrived they are on the way home, it was blowing and raining so Marie, Sandra and I took off for the camp for washing and tea.  Kids had one miserable hour there.  The lovely sunny weather has gone.

Sandra, John, Lee and Marie went into town after Lee decided he wanted to see the city by night.  They hitched a ride in with a Top Deck bus crew - walked the red light area but were a little apprehensive of the passing unsavoury crowd, so went to a bar then home.  Weren't overly impressed.

Bacharach to Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands to Bonn, Germany

Thursday, 1st October,1981                  sunny and cool

Woke to another nice day.  As the area was closing for winter everyone had to be out by 12 noon, so the camp was a bustle from early morning.  We met a busload of Aussies on a Sundowner tour.  Today we head for the main dike.

We took the wrong road which caused a tremor through the van, but then we were on our way.  Stopped at Volendam, a pretty fishing village in Maketemeer Bay where the people still dressed in their national dress - men lazed in the sun whilst the fishing boats came in and out of the bay.  One boat had discharged tubs and tubs of eels.  John had his video going to record this way of life unknown to us.  The streets were narrow, as were the houses but clean - the windows sparkle in the whole of Holland.

After wandering around we headed for Edam where we pulled up at a canal behind an Australian couple. 

Had lunch and as we couldn't go through cheese factory we headed north again.

The land is so flat and green we had to stop and take a photo.  Windmills aren't as prevalent now.  At the beginning of the dike we were held up whilst a sailing boat went through the sluice.  A remarkable piece of engineering the dike - begun in 1918 and finished in 1932.  It changed the way of life from less fishing to farming.  What was once Zuider Zee is now completely fresh water fed from the Rhine - 3 million L bottles per minute is fed into the Ijesselmeer.  We stood on the barrier dam with the North Sea to the left and the bay to the right hand. Kilometres of the dike either side for as far is you can see.  Legend has it Hans Brinker put his finger in the dike to keep Holland from being inundated with the sea.

Holland reminds me of my schooldays - fancy dress balls and clogs - happy days.  Not long after leaving the dike we decided to find a park and rest for the night.  Found a closed caravan park at Workum, a park right on the bay.  Walked around the waters edge- it was like glass.  Can't believe we're actually beside the Zuider Zee.  Amazes me the cycle lanes everywhere city and country.

Friday, 2nd October, 1981

Awoke at Workum Warkum by the old Zuider Zee to a bleak and overcast day.  Breakfast and then off on the highway again.  There wasn't anyone on duty when we arrived the night before but on going out we were caught at the gate.  Didn't mind as the showers were hot and the spiders were tame.  We passed through Lemmer a town situated on the Meer.  Had morning tea just outside the town as boats were plowing up and down the canals.  The countryside is lush so green, windmills dating from1700s on the side of road and out in the never never - a huge lock with lots of activity.

Passing windmills built in 1706-1849 brought great pleasure.  Then down south through Emmaford, Kampen where we had morning tea by the canal.  On to Zwolle, a large town with the biggest Centrum pedestrian area we have seen.  Filled our larder with lots of goodies from a department store at Nymegen, which reminded me of David Jones with all continental counters.

We parked along the highway for lunch.  Roads and cycle lanes ran side-by-side.  A small town on the canals had many thatched cottages - made me homesick for Britain.  All along the highway a cow manure smell pervaded the van, they cover the heaps with plastic and tyres along the roadside.

The country has changed and now as we approach the German border, hills gently rise on the horizon, the forests thicken as we passed through Arnhem on to Nymegen a large town where we had difficulty finding the caravan park.  Here we found the supermarket, but took longer with a park.  After dusk we pulled in, showered and were preparing tea when the attendant arrived.  Park closed but we could stay overnight so we had a cheap night's accommodation -two guilders for showers.  It was raining so we were comfortable in the van.  Played 500 then on to bed.  Cars are at a minimum here- every one - old and young- used pushbikes

Saturday, 3rd October, 1981                       raining but fine later

Left Nymegen after breakfast, said goodbye to the river Waal and hello to River Maas.  Today we are just cruising down the highway towards Venlo.  The countryside is changing, more bush and drier fields.  The Rivers run alongside the highway.  Holland is such a clean country, all houses sparkle, driveways, gardens and roads are devoid of leaves.  Haven't found a grotty house or village.

Crops have appeared again, the canals have been replaced by the River Maas.  Outside of Venlo we found a huge hypermarket.  We had already filled the larder but we walk through admiring which stimulated taste buds, all the goodies.  John couldn't resist - brought Dutch biscuits.  We brought bread and had lunch in the car park.  As it is near the German border there were lots of Germans.  English (from NATO forces) in the hypermarket.

We drove on along the river Roer to Roemond a large town on the river once again the scenery changing.  Beside corn, acres of tulips are almost ready to burst into bloom.  The people are not as friendly here.  We went through a small village and it was perfect, not a leaf on the ground gardens pruned perfectly.  This we found everywhere in Holland.  Big cities are spotless.  Through a spotless village of Echt to the camping area.  Very friendly people in charge.  We washed all our clothes, hot showered, washed hairs played a game of 500 and to bed.  Perfect night for sleeping but awoke to rain.

Sunday, 4th October, 1981                       rain that cleared

We are on our way to Germany today.  Leisurely breakfast, warmer clothes with the nip in the air.  Off towards the border through Oosbech, Heerlem where we spotted 2 huge stone elephants outside a stone village.  As we neared the border we pooled coins and John called into a service station for three guilders of petrol.  On to the autobahn and to the German border - creeping in the car towards checkpoint.  Through at last - no trouble, we change some money my guilders into deutsche marks $.40= one deutsche mark.  Then on into Aachen, where we found a park near the market.

Aachen, Germany

In the main market is the Dom - the Cathedral that Charlemagne had built in AD800 on similar lines to Romans.  A 2-storey ambulatory circles the octagon at whose Centre hangs a magnificent bronze chandelier lit by candles.  A statue of Virgin Mary stands near one of the pillars, it is said to be miraculous.  The pulpit is made from bronze decorated with precious stones. Charlemagne's marble throne stands undamaged.  Charles the Great as he was known brought together tribes into the Holy Roman Empire.  In the Domschatzkammer -  the Cathedral Treasury is one of Germany's richest treasures from the year 990.  Gold busts, silver and precious stone encrusted crucifix pure gold treasures from the Carolingian era.

We had our first German espresso, very strong, in a dear little Hotel “the red house".  Then on through Duren, Euskichen towards Bonn, a very windy day.

The houses are Bavarian - small white with high gables.  We noticed some Bavarian dress amongst the people.

In Bonn looking for camp.  Bonn is a large city with mostly modern buildings, tram cars run through streets.  The river Rhine divides Bonn.  Barges plough up and down the river till late at night.

Amsterdam, Netherlands to Bonn, Germany