Beautiful Brugge

After a much-needed nights' rest in Roubaix we were up at 8am and enjoyed a French breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Of course, James had his 'usual' of croissant, yoghurt and juice. That boy is getting very used to this!

All the families were ready and on the road just before 10 am. With UD leading we headed north to Brugge, about an hour and a half away.We didn't realise that Roubaix was so close to the Belgian border and there wasn't much sign on the motorway that we had crossed the border. So no passport stamp :(

Our GPS took us to the heart of Brugge to an underground car park. Brugge is a medieval town where most of the center is for pedestrians, bicycles and horse and carriage only. Although it was Sunday morning there were still many people about. The sky was clear and blue and we all rugged up as it was chilly. Not that any of the children noticed. They were too busy running around in circles. All the kids except James were coaxed into good behaviour with lollipops bought in Lille last night. That kept them quiet! I decided that James had had quite enough sugar!

Coming into the main square I was unprepared for the beauty of beautiful Brugge. I had seen Martin's photos of course but you know how it's different when you see it for yourself the first time? The bells were ringing in the clock tower and there was such a magical atmosphere it made me teary! It was just lovely and I wanted to explore straight away! The main attraction for me was an ice-rink in the square. I was very tempted but it was more important to spend time with my family and friends. Next time! Surrounding the rink were Christmas market stalls and the yummy food smells were wafting our way! My tum was still full from two 'escargot' pastries from breakfast!

We decided to walk before the kids wore themselves out and we'd need to find lunch. Just off the main square was another square that Martin instantly recognized. It was bordered on one side by the Basilica of the Holy Blood, containing a vial of Christ's blood. The young boys were curious to see this, and Martin filled us in on some of the history. He was in his element and he commented on how much Narelle would love to be here. If you're reading this, Narelle, we really did wish you were here!

We wandered along the canals of the old town and the weather was perfect and it was a lot less crowded away from the main square. By now everyone was hungry again (what?!) so we headed back to the markets. Look at James' face in the photo with the waffle! He would only grunt at us as he ate and was like a dog with a bone! Grrrrr! I tried some mulled wine and it certainly warmed me up!

We were aware that we had to be back at Dunkerque by 5pm so we wandered back along the cobbled streets to the car park.Along the way we stopped at a chocolate shop (we were not leaving without doing so!) and everyone bought some delicious Belgian chocolates. We bought a kilo for 12 euros. And they're just divine, thank you!

So once again we drove in convoy back to the coast, a little weary by now. James fell asleep within minutes! We cleared customs and got passport stamps - yay! The sun was setting over the Channel and we all got onto the ferry glad to be able to sit and relax for a couple of hours. The kids, however, were straight back to the playrooms and didn't even ask for food! I wonder why...?

I'm not sure what time we arrived back into Dover because my time zones are all mixed up. But we got home to Windsor at 9pm and fell into bed very soon after. Can you believe that we did all that in 2 days?! We had a ball and I'll always remember my first European Christmas...

Photos are here. There is a small video clip of us here.

Lille Christmas Market

We’ve been planning a weekend trip to north France for a while now. And I’ve wanted to return to Brugge ever since my first (and only) visit back in 1994. Well – with our 6 month anniversary in the UK just gone we all decided to go this past weekend.

Our trip started with a 6:30am departure for Dover. The three families met at UD’s house. We had packed the night before but still managed to be 10 minutes late!! UD – experienced in 4WD touring – has a set of UHF radios. This makes the travelling in convoy easy. Both the lead and trailing vehicles are in radio communication.

We were catching a Norfolk Line ferry from Dover to Dunkerque. Departure time is 10am but we were advised to arrive by 9am. It’s a 1:45hr trip but as it includes the M25 we added a little leeway. As it turned out we took about 2 hours so arrived with plenty of time.

Going through passport control we were told that there were 30 knot winds in the Channel but, as the ferries have stabilisers, we should be OK. (gasp!). Boarding is straight forward – simply drive on. The difference with the Tasmanian ferry is that all the channel ferries are major transport links. So the ferry’s take on many lorries (UK term!).

We found that the ferry was modern and very accommodating. There were two decks with lounges, bars, restaurants. The kids found a play area so we basically camped outside as they ran around. Which worked out well as all the activity masked the rolling as we got underway in the Channel. There are two small video clips of our departure here and here.

I wanted to be prepared for driving on the right hand side of the road so printed out an arrow pointing to the right and stuck it in the dash where I could see it without looking down. Have to say – came in very handy! Also – thanks to Gary – we found that the high tech Zafira – with steerable headlights – can be easily configured to point the lights to the right of the road. Very handy!

Once in Dunkerque we got back in convoy and headed towards Lille. UD lead out as he was the only one with a GPS map for Satnav. Following someone made the driving much less stressful. Although immediately after our first anti-clockwise roundabout he promptly drove us into a truck parking ground that was basically gravel with huge pools of muddy water. Apparently, he didn’t have a GPS lock so wanted to pull over. Meanwhile, we had truck drivers giving us directions in French to turn around and exit…

After about 30 minutes driving we pulled off at a town called Steenvoorde. Apparently this is Dutch for “gravelled ford” recognising the Roman crossing of the river Ey Becque as they searched for a road north. We found a hotel with very friendly staff that did their best to help us order some food (baguettes with ham and cheese), coffee, and drinks for the kids. We had eaten on the ferry so I snuck out for a peek around. I quickly found a church with a large WWI memorial. Thinking of Lynne I snapped away (of course, just testing my new camera!!)

We were staying the night in Roubaix – about 15 minutes north of Lille. Thanks to the GPS (and Wimalajeewa navigation skills) we found the Ibis hotel easily arriving about 4pm. Once checked in we catch the tram directly outside the hotel that took us in to the heart of Lille.

I had read about the Lille Christmas Market. It is famous throughout Europe for its lights. The market had only just opened a few nights before so we were keen to check it out. By the time we arrived it was dusk. Walking out of the main station we were greeted by a wall of lights. It was a breathtaking sight. And there were masses of people walking the streets. We joined them (as best you can with 6 kids in tow) and soon came across one of the main squares. There we found a huge Ferris Wheel (video) with a Christmas scene at its base complete with Santa’s house, reindeer, and trees. We decided to have a quick meal and then return.

Arriving back at the Ferris Wheel the kids were so excited to take the ride. As we waited in the short queue we enjoyed carols sung in French. James and Kate ran across to Santa’s house and knocked on the door :).

Once on the ride we got a fantastic view of the lights and city (video). James loved it. As a bonus we spotted the main market in a square not far away. It was a wonderful experience. Lots of food (we all enjoyed pretzels, waffles, and mulled wine), and Christmas decorations. Its such a difference experience from a Christmas in Australia. We just enjoyed walking amongst the stalls and being part of the mass of people out and about.

We were all pretty tired so headed off about 9pm for the 30min tram ride back home to the hotel. Tomorrow… Brugge.

Photos are here.

Salisbury Cathedral

Its been a busy week on the work front. We had a 3am stint on Wednesday to pull together a tender response so I was very luch looking forward to the weekend.

Today was another crisp clear Autumn morning. About 8 degrees and deep blue sky. We'd been eyeing off a trip to Salisbury so today was the perfect day. We left about 10am and headed west on the M3.

Along the way we noticed that the leaves have turned a light yellow and most have fallen. Its so different to Australia in that most of the trees loose their leaves. So as we drove down the motorway you are flanked by rich yellows and oranges. The sun is low in the sky so even at midday there are long shadows and that sense of dusk approaching. Wierd.

We had plugged the Salisbury Park & Ride into the Satnav so after about 1.5hrs travel we arrived. I have to say these facilities are great. No hassles finding a spot. Jump on a bus and within a few minues you're in the centre of town.

We had a picnic lunch so we made our way to the Cathedral. Its probably the highlight of the town (Stonehenge has it pipped in my mind in terms of the Wiltshire highlights). Salisbury Cathedral is a 13th century cathedral and is best known for its spire. At 123m it's the tallest in Britain. Its also home to onw of four surviving original Magna Carta (1215). It even has Europe's oldest working clock; a medieval speciman dated 1386.

We found a seat under a tree (sorry Lynne - don't know the name) in the grounds of the Cathedral. Its a magnificent view with the towering West Front and, of course, the spire.

Walking in to the Cathedral you see the Nave with the valuted ceiling and large stain glass windows over the High Alter. Piano was echoing from that end of the Cathedral where we learnt a small orchestra was practicing for a Sting charity concert tonight. Damn! Wouldn't mind tickets. But at 100 GBP a ticket...

Making our way out the South Transept we visited the Chapter House. It was built in the second half of the 13th century and contains the Magna Carter. Its hard to grasp this document. I guess because not only was it signed by King John and the Barons at Runeymeade (just down the road from Windsor Castle) but also because it provides the framework for many Constitutions.

We enjoyed walking the Cloisters and seeing again the Spire from a different perspective.

Oh - and just some detail. James is doing very well with toilet training. Its got the "number 1" pretty much worked out. The other, well...

Photos are here. I like them :)

Wandering Savill Garden

James and I have been suffering colds these past few days. Although James seems on the mend I think I'm a little way off. The pace at work is picking up. I'm spending some time in Nottingham - about 3 hours north roughly between Birmingham and Cambridge. I had to spend yesterday preparing for a design workshop. What probably should have taken 4 hours took twice as long.

So today we wanted to get out of the house and though that a late morning trip to Savill Garden sounded good. We've been there a few times now and enjoy seeing the gardens at different times of the year.

Its about 10 degress outside so we all rugged up. Being damp on the ground, James also donned his "wellies" (gumboots for the rest of us Aussies!). He also took his soccer ball for a kick.

As we're now late in Autumn most of the leaves are now on the ground. So an immediate difference I noticed was the skeletal trees. There were mounds of compost on the garden beds. Oh - and mole hills. Lots of them! James and Merrilyn collected various leaves and berries.

James favourite fountain in the Queen's Jubillee garden was off. Apparently they turn off all the outside fountains in winter (freezing water comes to mind). He still managed to throw a few coins in!

The gardeners have been busy pruning back most shrubs and flower beds. Hopefully we'll be here to see it next spring.

We finished off with lunch in the new visitor centre and restaurant. James was exhausted by all the walking and his cold. He's been asleep now for the past two hours. Time to wake him up.

Take a peek at the photos here.

Celebrating with Christi & Paul

Today we travelled to Birmingham for lunch with Christi and Paul. They were recently engaged - in Paris of all places. Paul and I worked together back in Melbourne and we've become good friends. So of course I was very happy when I heard the news of the engagement. And of course Paul went to extraordinary lengths in planning the trip to Paris. You can read some details on his blog.

Christi heads back to the Florida on Tuesday so we wanted to catch up with both of them before she left. Thanks to the satnav (ok - I'll stop mentioning it soon) we arrived without much hasstle on their doorstep. Only a little over two hours to cover the 100 or so miles.

Now before I go much further I have to comment on that ring. Its a solitare set in a platinum ring. And boy does it sparkle. Very nice. Take a look at this photo and you'll see the ring.

We spent a few hours at an Italian restaurant at the Mailbox catching up. After some wine, calzone, and coffee we strolled the shops at the Bullring. Christi and Paul live in an apartment pretty much in the centre of the action. These new shopping centres have everything you could need. So I'm sure we'll be back to more thoroughly check them out.

I'd rather be walking

Today, on somewhat of a whim, we decided to head to Kingston-on-Thames for some shopping. Its east of us in Sussex. We had spent a half day there when we first arrived looking at apartments. Although we settled in Windsor (very happy thanks!) we did note the area for its many shops.

The past few days have been chilly but extraordinarily clear. Not the sort of day that you want to spend in a shopping centre. So we planned for a short trip. Punching the location in the satnav we headed out... only to hit a wall of traffic about 3 mile from our destination. It took us over an hour to crawl through to the centre of town. The traffic was so congested that the queue to enter the car parks was about 0.5 mile long. As the car parks were full, cars could only enter as other left. It was a nightmare! But having made the trek we stuck at it, parked and did some shopping.

I have to confess that I was a little disillusioned by all this. So we only spent about an hour shopping, had some lunch, and then decided to visit Richmond Park. Its about 1000 hectares and borders both Kingston and Richmond.

As we entered we saw lots of people riding bikes, running, walking, and - would you believe it - elk grazing by the side of the road. James was asleep by now so we parked, bundled him in to the stroller, and set off on a walk.

It was very relaxing. There are many paths to choose and all wind through open areas and more dense forest. By about 3pm the low sun was casting its now familiar deep orange light. It is a wonderful time of the year to be out walking. We found a garden was fenced in and surrounded a pond. The trees are now well into their autumnal coats. And with the light behind them you can imagine the glow.

So not all was wasted. We may be back. But not for the shopping!