Franconian moments

 

Tonight we went to an ancient cellar (everything is ancient in Europe) to indulge in tasting 5 different wines. Although we were encouraged to say "Prost" 5 times I only count ed 4 wines, maybe they were hoping we wouldn't notice....but then again we were too polite to mention....

We had the wine queens to explain and serve the wines as well as Thomas who gave us all a cork when we left.

Nevertheless it was a fun night and we all managed to get back to the boat and it is now sailing onward to our next adventure.

Hazard ahead!

Cruising down the Main River (pronounced mine) is not without its hazards. Sitting enjoying the view from the top deck we suddenly had to duck for a low - and I do mean low bridge. Most of the infrastructure on the top deck has been lowered and the bridge goes up and down as needed, in one of the photos here it is right down and the captain has his head out of the sun roof!! We were sitting quietly but as the bridge got closer and closer the heart rate got faster and faster and I DUCKED!!!!!

Castle spotting

Castles,

Castles 

And more castles

Cruising and Floriade

There is such a lot of traffic along the Rhine - so many ships carrying all sorts of goods; gas, coal, containers, gravel and iron ore.

Our visit yesterday was to Floriade at Venlo in the Netherlands. First we left the Netherlands and went into Germany on the boat, then off the boat onto a bus and back to Holland - are you confused because I am. Floriade is only on every 10 years so how lucky can you be! Sample of vegetables, so yummmm and the flowers were beautiful. Obviously far better looked after than mine that grow half the size.

Canals, flowers and locks

Amsterdam, the Venice of the n orth and this morning we went on a canal and bus tour before stopping off at the floating flower market.

What fun......a safety drill, god help us all. Then the exciting journey through a couple of locks,only 67 to go

Kant maken in Brugge

Stumbled across a shop with fantastic antique Belgian lace, Just glorious. Later in the day while wandering around just happened to see this lady making lace, how skilled was she!

We zijn aangekomen in Brugge

What a delightful, small town. Everything seems to radiate from two facinating town squares. The guy at our hotel assured us we couldn't get lost in Bruges and I think he is right! Everything is so different from Paris, very low key although obviously still orientated towards the tourist.
Great train trip from Paris to Brussels but the 'provincial' railway to Bruges was a bit of a free for all. Where to put our bags, where to sit, is this the right train??? but we made it and are in love!

Dehors de Paris

Last day out and about in Paris today.

We walked through parks.

  

Looked at lots of buildings

Visited the patchwork shop

Gazed longingly in lots of windows AND yes I did have ONE macaron!!!

P.S. Took the car photos in the showroom especially for Mike and Dave

And were amazed by the spectacular views.

Mount Saint Michel

I had a very long day today, down into Normandie to see Mount Saint Michel. From Paris it is about a 5 hour journey but boy was it worth it!
The first view is breath-taking.
I will let the pictures talk for themselves.

12:45 am

Woken out of a deep sleep by what sounds like a siren - put my head out the window, nothing
out there. Open the room door and notice fire door is closed and yes the alarm in this building is going off!!!

Rouse Marie - we have to get out of here! no passport, no clothes (but I did grab my contact lens, get my priorities right here) and we are on the 6th floor! Down the stairs we go, reach the 3rd floor, people appearing from everywhere when the alarm stops. All clear! but can I go to sleep now?

False alarm however no fire brigade arrived - not really instilled with confidence in the system. Hmm wonder if I can change my room to the ground floor.....

Stop press:Thylacine sighting in Paris

While walking through the Jardin des Plantes, I was drawn to the sound of a carousel and what should I spy but ........

The carousel animals were weird and wonderful and all extinct.

Une journée à Paris

Walked over to the Île de la Cité early this morning to queue to go into Sainte Chapelle....only to find the queue quite long! It didn't take long to move though and the wait was worth it. I did visit last time I was in Paris, on the advice of MBD who said it wasn't to be missed, and just had to go again.

The second visit was to Cluny, and what a treat! Sensual overload on the most gorgeous tapestries you have ever seen. Not to be missed if you are ever in Paris.

After wandering around Paris for a while, it was back to the hotel to rest up for tonight's visit for dinner and show at Moulin Rouge!

C'est aujourd'hui tout à propos de nourriture

well when you have to be ready at 6:30am and your hotel won't give you any breakfast, is it a wonder that thoughts turn to

We visited 3 lovely chateaux today.

First was Chamborg. Then on to Chenonceau where we had this fantastic lunch - not to mention very nice local red and rose wines.
The castle at Chenonceau was very interesting - although there is no way I would live in it in winter - the wood bill would be enormous.

Amboise was our last stop - much smaller but some great features, including the long 'tunnel' out where we thought we might be banished to the dungeons forever.....

de ma fenêtre

First thing this morning I looked out my window so guess  what today's theme is!
First photo of the day is from the 6th floor of Hotel la Demeure.

Then off to Versailles!

Then Monet's garden - what a delight

Now just a few composites - not out of my window this time

Je suis à Paris en France

Arrived in Paris today at 6am after 22hrs in the air. About 8 hours to Singapore and 12 hours to Paris.
We walked and walked and walked. Stumbled across a marvellous bread fete near Notre Dame - so many apprentices doing their stuff! I? will share those photos at another time.
Today is all about signs - except for one photo I just had to add.

PS First posting email rejected so just sent one pic, will try and add the others later.

Sydney International Airport

Not my plane but how exciting, waiting to board and away I go.

Supermoon

The moon is closer to the earth than normal.

It is about 221,802 miles from Earth. That's about 15,300 miles closer than average.

I took these photos this morning about 6:30am

Then again after 7 am.

Misty morning

The view from my backyard this morning. I just love the misty hills.

It. Is. Finally. Finished.

A lot of cutting out, and re-cutting. A lot of ruling and re-ruling. A lot of sewing and re-sewing.

A bit wonky but it is FINISHED......block 4 done!