About the time we were flying over India, while Hubby, Teddy & I were sleeping, a bored Digby sought more interesting company.
What a time he had with Ree, Holly, and our Pilot !
Photos courtesy of Ree & Holly. Thank you!
London – Day 32
I’m feeling out of sorts.
I wanted to catch up with my cousin Miranda, but the timing is all off, and I haven’t even packed.
I went for a walk up Blackstock Road to be on my own and to clear my head. There are lots of lovely little homewares shops that aren’t usually open during the week.
Then I came back and acknowledged the inevitable.
It’s time to go home.
We packed, had afternoon tea & chocolate cake in the garden with A&H, then after many hugs, we waved farewell and headed for the Piccadilly line to Heathrow.
We moved through Departures swiftly, and boarded the plane. We had the very good fortune to be upgraded to Premium Economy and were seated in the Upper Deck… my favourite place.
London – Day 31
King Charles III Coronation Day
This morning we got up early and caught the Overground train to collect our little cousin so she could join us for the Coronation festivities.
We watched the BBC telecast and ate Coronation Chicken.
At 5pm, Hubby & I caught the tube to Clapham Common to have Prosecco and Pizza with my friend Dako.
We are squeezing as much in as possible.
London – Day 30
Brunch at Salt the Radish, then we both met ex-colleagues individually in town.
I had lunch at Fenwick in New Bond Street. It was wonderful to catch up about past and present experiences and contemplate the potential in our respective new futures.
Dinner (it’s called Supper here) was Thai takeaway which we had to collect from the shop and Ant & Haze got caught in the rain.
London – Day 29
Due to travel to Marlborough today, we had booked a Zip Car. When we arrived at the car, there was no way to unlock it. After 2 hours on the phone to Zip Car HQ, they finally told us that we couldn’t use our Australian phone number to use the App, even though their website had allowed us to book it using the Australian phone number. A total fiasco… 2 hours wasted.
We cancelled our plans, vented, and recovered quickly. I don’t want to waste a second of my life feeling bad.
We bussed it into town and explored Carnaby Street, Regent Street, had lunch at Il Conte (in Air Street), explored a few Oxford Street shops, then lay down in the sun in Hyde Park, where we saw a marching troupe rehearsing for the Coronation.
We then walked back along Oxford St, all the way to Tottenham Court Road, and caught a bus to Angel.
Dinner at Hoxley & Porter, Islington.
We are absorbing London as much as we can.
There is a full moon shining through the bedroom window tonight.
Copenhagen – Day 28
After only about 2 hours sleep each, we arose with melancholy to realise this is our final day in Copenhagen… our final day in Europe for this trip.
What better way to beat the blues, but to cycle our way to freedom. We cycled for nearly two hours, stopping for a coffee and a pastry on the way. Oh, and we also happened to cycle past a bike repair shop run by an Englishman and bought Danish bike locks for our bikes at home. They are brilliant! Synchronicity plus!!
Then we packed up and caught the train from Copenhagen Central Station, only about a 5 minute walk from the hotel, to the airport. Our flights included access to the lounge, so we ate lunch and relaxed.
The flight was amazing, as the plane was relatively small and we flew low enough to see the landscape. From what I could perceive, we travelled over Lolland Island where we had stayed with our friends, over Germany, then down the coast of the Netherlands and Belgium before crossing over the channel and over the mouth of the Thames towards London, and we flew over our cousins’ house, and over Emirates stadium where Arsenal play. We were held in a holding pattern for about 15 minutes over west London and flew right over the top of Windsor Castle - I didn’t get a photo of it though.
We moved through border control without too much fuss, then caught the good ole Piccadilly Line, where we were collected from the station. Hooray!
Copenhagen – Day 27
Hubby’s Birthday today. I had a little pressie for him, but no wrapping paper. So I popped it into a cloth bag and tied a bow using my pyjama pants! Ha ha! At least he had something to unwrap.
We hired bikes today so we spent a glorious day cycling around the city, taking in the atmosphere and stopping off to see museums and galleries.
We saw some interesting things, some beautiful things, and some peculiar things.
Inside the King’s Palace, there was an enormous Ivory Collection. All of the carvings are beautiful, but I do wonder about their methods in obtaining the ivory, so I found it a little unnerving seeing it en masse.
We finished the day at Cafe Vivaldi where we ate Pasta with grilled strips of beef tenderloin, creamy truffle sauce, mushrooms, watercress and parmesan.
Post Script: I think we did too much today… neither of us slept.
Copenhagen – Day 26
“Happy Anniversary baby, got you on my mi-i-ind” (Hubby sang this Little River Band song this morning… yes, it’s our 8th Anniversary!)
A decent takeaway coffee from a cafe called “ i-bagel “, while we purchased our Copenhagen Cards which cover 80+ attractions + public transport.
Brekky – scrambled eggs & bacon at Katz cafe on the Canal.
Dansk Arkitektur Center.
1-hour canal cruise.
Lunch from 7-eleven sitting by the canal.
Christiansborg Palace - beautiful Reception Rooms which are used by the royal family.
Garden & library & walking.
Tivoli Garden - a fun-park with a pretty garden.
Anniversary Dinner – Floras Restaurant – 3-course meal – prawns + Cool Woods Chardonnay, Steak + Valpolicella red, crepes. Delicious.
Knackered!
MORE PHOTOS TO COME…
Nakskov – Day 25
Sunday - Nakskov, Denmark
On a stunningly sunny day, we ate home-made Bircher Muesli for brekky, then we went to the Nakskov Sailing Club to join in the festivities to start the season. The chairman spoke, the band played, and the flag was raised. A sausage sizzle and beer were on offer, which we politely declined as it was only 10am. I purchased a T-shirt, and hubby asked if he could purchase a little flag, and the chairman replied “No! You must have one for free.”
After that, our friends took us out on the harbour on their boat named ‘Vera’, then we came home for lunch and lazed in the sun. Spring is really here.
At 4pm we set off once again, this time towards Copenhagen. The coach ride was very comfortable and we enjoyed the trip.
We booked this part of the journey very late, and we are staying in an Urban Hotel, which is part Hostel and part Hotel. We have a private room with a bathroom… it is very basic, but clean. The area surrounding isn’t great, but this is our first night and places usually look a bit scary on the first day.
Dinner was a plain hamburger each, with a shared serve of chunky chips, and a small Tuborg beer each. That cost about AU$75. We will be eating very simply over the next few days!
Nakskov – Day 24
Saturday – Nakskov, Lolland Island, Denmark
Tea outside on the terrace in the sun. The weather is stunning. The air is cold, but the sun is warming, and there is so much sky!
Brekky at home - rye bread, a boiled egg, jam.
A mini load of washing hung out on the clothes line in the sun.
A relaxing walk through one of the most beautiful, cared for Cemeteries I’ve ever seen.
Shopping & return empty bottles in the big machine that counts them and gives you a refund.
Lunch - Danish English style fish & chips at Lango Grill & Fiskebar in the fishing harbour.
A windy beach walk at Langeland Belt (Long island), then we visited the home of a man who has been collecting Tulips since he was 10 years old. Then we saw our friend’s alotment which is quite a large plot of land with a little cottage on it. Just the sort of place I could use for an art studio.
Afternoon relax and catching up on a bit of work.
Dinner at home - Real sausages, noodle salad, potatoes and focaccia.
The we all relaxed in front of Midsomer Murders - episode 100, set partly in Copenhagen!
Nakskov – Day 23
Friday - Nakskov, Lolland Island, Denmark
Hubby & I walked the few minutes into town for a coffee & heard the beautiful town clock chime 11:00am. There is a cold wind but the sun is shining and the birds are singing.
Brekky at home, and a load of washing done & hung out to dry.
Sightseeing of this island of Lolland by car.
Lunch - our friend bought us lunch at the very elegant Bandholm Hotel and we ate traditional Danish food.
We went to see Dodekalitten - 12 hand-carved statues set up in the manner of stonehenge. They have been carved by a local artist and he is yet to finish them. What a legacy for the community!
We walked through a peaceful forest, an impeccably maintained local cathedral, and a couple of nearby villages.
Dinner at home - ham & salad & foccacia & Cotes Du Rhone - and we talked well into the night.
Hamburg to Denmark - Day 22
Thursday - Train, Bus, Ferry from Hamburg to Rodby Harbour on Lolland Island.
Wake early & check out.
Taxi at 6:00am.
Happened upon a nice takeaway coffee + pretzel at the train station, and were on the train ready to leave at 6:34.
The train was virtually empty so we had a very pleasant journey to Lubeck and then walked about 500 metres to the bus station. The bus was late but it is a beautiful sunny day so it’s OK.
The coach was half-full so again, a pleasant ride and it was very relaxing watching the countryside fly by.
Getting closer to the Ferry Terminus was exciting. The bus drove on to the Ferry, then we all got off and went up on to the deck to get closer to the action. We are in the Baltic Sea !
After Passport control on the Denmark side, we were collected by our friend and driven straight to an exhibition, and then the construction site, of a large tunnel project that is being built between Germany and Denmark to carry cars & high-speed trains between the two countries.
Then we came home for a traditional Danish lunch of Rye bread, herrings and cold meats, then we explored the town on foot. The local church has a beautiful model ship hanging from the ceiling.
Dinner at home - chicken, potatoes, salad & Cotes Du Rhone, catching up on the last few years gap since we last saw each other.
Hamburg - Day 21
Not much news today. We had to go to the train station to sort out how to get to Denmark tomorrow, so that took up a lot of time. The weather is a bit sunny, and a bit windy. I almost didn’t need to wear a beanie.
We had lunch at a Paulaner pub today. The food was really nice. Hubby ordered a white sausage which came served in a bowl of water. It looked strange but tasted delicious. He gave me a bit to have with my salad. Paulaner was one of Dad’s preferred beers, so we toasted him.
Dinner at the Hotel Restaurant. We both had a cheeseburger which sounds a bit naf, but the menu is limited, and the food is really very nice here. I enjoyed a glass of the German Pinot Noir.
It’s funny to think that we are quite close to the top of the globe at the moment.
Hamburg – Day 20
Great breakfast coffee and fresh croissant at Little Tiana.
Explored the Harbour City, the New Town and the Old Town.
My special German (ARA brand) snow boots with Gortex lining have disintegrated and last night in the rain my socks got wet! Yesterday I mentioned to hubby that my boots were coming home. I didn’t mean ‘home to stay’!
Update on the shoes… I found the ARA store. They don’t have boots because it’s spring, so I bought sneakers instead. Fashion is silly. It’s cold here. They should keep a selection of boots in stock all year round.
We ate a delicious and healthy dinner in the hotel (grilled salmon and salad) accompanied by a glass of an elegant German Riesling. After dinner, we had booked a canal cruise, but we were put on a harbour cruise looking at all the shipping containers. It was interesting if you are passionate about the shipping industry, but we are not. Still, it was better than watching TV and was fun to be out and about at night in Hamburg.
Brussels to Hamburg – Day 19
We said farewell to our friends early in the morning, then took the Metro to the Gare Central, and from there a connecting train to the Brussels-Nord station. We were well in time, but had to wait on the cold platform for an hour because the train was very late. We should rightly have missed the next connection at Cologne, but thankfully THAT train was also late and it arrived 1 minute after we did. I was feeling very grateful that all worked out so beautifully, when I was given a little heart-shaped biscuit with the coffee I purchased on the train! I love synchronicities like that.
We are now in Hamburg and I’m writing this from the warm and very comfy hotel room after a delicious Italian dinner at Tavola Calda da Feri not far from the hotel, on a rainy, cold night.
Brussels – Day 18
We headed straight out to explore the town and started by spontaneously alighting the metro at a station called Schuman, which happens to be where the Head Office of the European Commission is based. This is the central hub where all the negotiations took place when I worked there!
We ate brunch at a specialty cafe called La Grand Central then walked through Parc Leopold, then up to Parc Cinquantenaire, train back to Parc de Brussels, where we saw a cute display of large sculptures of a Belgian cartoon character called Le Chat. After that, we stopped for the obligatory Belgian waffle and a coffee, then the weather turned rather wet so we spent the next few hours inside the Musee des Instruments de Musique which was very interesting indeed.
We took our sore feet back to our friends place where we re-packed, rested a little, and had home-made pizza for dinner (she is Italian!)
Avignon to Brussels – Day 17
Depart Hotel 6:30 am > Train Avignon Centre to Avignon TGV station 6:44 am > TGV Avignon to Brussels departed 7:15 am.
Note: This distance between Avignon and Brussels is approximately the same distance as from Sydney to Melbourne. The train trip takes 5 hours. The flight time, allowing for to & from airport, is 5 hours. I would much rather take the train. We need a super-fast train in Australia!
After arriving in Brussels and navigating the public transport system, we had lunch with our lovely friends at their home, then headed out to explore the city.
The Cathedral of St Michael & St Gudula was breathtaking and I particularly like the statue of St Gudula. I think she is beautiful.
The city is nice but I find it a bit drab and pokey. The paving is cobblestone, like Edinburgh, so one has to watch where one is stepping. We took respite from a short period of rain by wandering through the ornate Galeries Royale shopping arcade, then had a small afternoon beer at Brasserie Le Lombard. They had about 15 Belgian beers to choose from.
Dinner with friends at La Maison des Gourmands and ate the classic Belgian dish ‘Moules Frites’ (Mussels and chips). This was the biggest pot of mussels I’ve ever seen… I think they were reproducing in the bottom of the pot as I ate. The night was fun and it was great to catch up with friends I worked with in Smith Square during the Br&#*t saga!
Lurs to Avignon – Day 16
Brekky at our friends’ place - bread, butter, confiture & coffee. There are no restaurants here nor supermarkets. The town is a little isolated.
We drove to Forcalquier to explore the old town, and walked up to the Citadel on the top of the hill. Immense views across the Luberon.
Lunch - veggie burger and limonade - in the sun at La Source Boulangerie. A healthy bakery.
Waved farewell to our friends and returned to Avignon to return the car.
The petrol stations here are self-service - one pays first at the pump, then fills up. There are no staff to help. When we arrived at the pump, there is the price on the display of the previous purchase, so it feels as though we were paying for that. I guess this is the way of the future.
After returning the car, which took all of about 5 minutes, Yay, we trudged to the hotel.
Please can I rest a while?
No. We have to do some washing. After a few trips back & forth to the laundrette, we are now completely knackered.
Dinner at the restaurant right next to the hotel - Brasserie Le Cintra - a Salad Nicoise each - then one last trudge to the Monoprix for a couple of supplies (particularly Vittel water for me because I love it so much), then returned to the hotel to pack, as we have an early start tomorrow.
Thank you feet, for your support. Now, let’s rest. 💜
Avignon to Lurs – Day 15
Coffee at La Tulipe.
Pack a few overnight things.
Drive to Lurs. Stopping at the town of Apt for a Perrier + Pee.
Lurs is a medieval village on the top of a hill with views that extend as far as the eye can see over the Luberon Valley on one side, and the Alps over the other side.
Classic french lunch at our friends’ home, of vegetable soup with bread and cheese, a coffee & chocolate.
Bergamote Concept Store, Lurs - shopping!
Walk the mountain path to the ridge to see the views that go forever, and where I thought we might be lost in the forest forever! (obviously though, we are fine).
Our friends drove us to dinner at a town further north at the base of the Alps called Sisteron. We walked through the old town which has a fortress on the mountain built by Napoleon to ward off invaders. It is dark. It is cold. One can feel the snow from the mountain caps in the air. It is majestically beautiful.
Slept in bunk beds in a sweet little Gites D’etape (hostel for pilgrims). Cold, damp, dark, but clean and spacious. We are on an adventure.
Avignon – Day 14
Cereal in a cup in the hotel, great Melbourne-style coffee at La Tulipe, 7 Rue Des Trois Faucons, then we collected the car without too much stress. Andrew got the hang of driving on a different side relatively quickly!
We explored the Palais de Papes today. It’s difficult to describe how big this building is. Hopefully the photos do it some justice.
This is the view from the top!
Sur le pont d'Avignon, L'on y danse, l'on y danse, Sur le pont d'Avignon L'on y danse tout en rond.
Dinner at Restaurant L’ardoise, 30 Rue du Vieux Sextier. Magret de Canard with proper veggies + Tartes Tartin. Yum, oh yum.