We started our Sunday heading out to one of Lisa and Ben’s favorite pubs for a very British Sunday lunch. I had the roast beef with mash, vegetables, and Yorkshire pudding. We then headed off to tour Audley End House, a large early 17th-century country house outside Saffron Walden, Essex, England. It was once a […]
Lisa and Ben suggested we head out to Ely to check out the cathedral. Now we’ve seen quite a few churches this trip, and weren’t sure that this would be entirely necessary, however, etiquette dictated our obeisance. Are we ever glad we did. This bad boy goes up against Strasbourg for greatness. Particularly cool, is […]
Title Picture: Dirk Driving Kiki Away on the Back of his Bicycle We loved Amsterdam, and Dirk, and Kiki, but it is quite an expensive place to stay. Dirk suggested we go to Haarlem, and we’re glad he did. Once a thriving sea port, Haarlem was founded in the 1200’s. It is filled with old buildings. […]
So Dirk, our consummate tour guide/host, decided to take us home. That is to say, his familial home. But we were not to go directly. Rather we went via the Hoge Veluwe National Park. Who would have thought that there would be national parks in the Netherlands? Well, there are. And one of the nice things, […]
Those of you who knew Derek ten years ago, when he was an AFS student living with us, may be wondering about my use of the name “Dirk.” Well, in the Netherlands, “Dirk” is pronounced almost like “Derek” is in the US. Dirk took pity on us, and just went with Derek, even though he […]
Cover Photo: Ellen posing in front of a “Trabi” or Trabant, an East German vehicle. Ellen’s Thoughts: Who Knew! Not at all what I expected! Then I am not sure what I expected.We went on a walking tour and the guide was fantastic! He was 28 years old, doing graduate school in Sociology after deciding […]
We decided to visit the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. It was set up shortly after Hitler was named Chancellor to hold political prisoners. It evolved into the concentration camp research and SS training center. After the Russians liberated it, they used it to hold their prisoners. Finally it was turned into a monument. Rather than […]
We trained from Avignon to Strasbourg through beautiful farms, vineyards, forests, and villages. The iconic red poppies are blooming all over the place. Our lodging was only about a long three blocks away, so we walked. It was an apartment/hotel, meaning that rooms were efficiencies. In this case, very efficient, as our second bed had […]
I’m not one to tout cathedrals, but we both found the Strasbourg Cathedral wonderful. And not just because it was free of charge to enter, although that helped. Unfortunately, the famous clock with the apostles was under repairs so we couldn’t see it. Here is a bit from wikipedia: Strasbourg Cathedral or the Cathedral of […]
It’s been a while, (37 years at least), since I’ve been to Avignon. All I really remembered was that I liked it, and that there were signs on the ramparts that pointed to where the different types of wine are produced. We decided we needed a layover day to catch up on emails, posts, bookings, planning, […]
I can’t believe the energy you both are still maintaining (...)
Actually we are. We've let our current hotel host book (...)
We'd be happy to coac h you through it if you want a MUCH (...)
Fun to read your posts. Thanks. Love the
Love to hear from Ellen!, Love the pictures! I am not (...)