The last night we stayed in Callais at this very old hotel right by the port. The downstairs looked really nice but the room was the worst we have had for a while...even in the states.
We had gotten there early and had driven all around the town. We had walked to the restrauant down the street and got some wonderful wine. I can't even remember what we ate. The next morning another continental type breakfast but not nearly as nice as the others.
We dropped the car off and got on the ferry. The same routine only in reverse to Milton Keenes.
Overall, great drive about.
Friday, September 23, 2011
DRIVE ABOUT
This included Belgium, Germany and France. We took off driving taking all the two lane (I swear some were one lane) roads. It's just like on TV when you seeing them driving in the little towns that there is absolutely no room for 1 let alone 2 cars in the streets. Of course we would get lost and then found. The little towns were so much alike and yet so different from each other. I have never, never seen so many statutes and churches. Every town, regardless how small or big had their own huge church...very old, stone buildings.
Every town had as many bakeries as bars and lots of "tubac" shops. I have never tasted such wonderful crossiants. And, the coffee you would have thought would have been so strong but it was wonderful as well. Just sugar, no cream. (I kind of think not sitting in a pot on a burner helps a lot!)
We stayed over a bar one night, had some drinks and ate at a restrauant that had wonderful food. We ate at a little restrauant in the middle of nowhere and again had absolutely wonderful food.
We stayed in Rouen which we arrived while it was pouring rain right next to the river. We had eaten so late in the day that we actually went to bed without dinner. The next morning we were looking for a cafe and stopped at this little place that turned out to be the locals' coffee and tubac stop. When we asked about breakfast we got two crossiants with the coffee.
Every town had as many bakeries as bars and lots of "tubac" shops. I have never tasted such wonderful crossiants. And, the coffee you would have thought would have been so strong but it was wonderful as well. Just sugar, no cream. (I kind of think not sitting in a pot on a burner helps a lot!)
We stayed over a bar one night, had some drinks and ate at a restrauant that had wonderful food. We ate at a little restrauant in the middle of nowhere and again had absolutely wonderful food.
We stayed in Rouen which we arrived while it was pouring rain right next to the river. We had eaten so late in the day that we actually went to bed without dinner. The next morning we were looking for a cafe and stopped at this little place that turned out to be the locals' coffee and tubac stop. When we asked about breakfast we got two crossiants with the coffee.
LUXENBOURG
We arrived again in work traffic at the hotel. We stayed by the Airport area. After having a few drinks in the lobby area (Jon had picked up some really good white wine and their beers were good too, yes and the kids had their colas)we walked to the restrauant.
It had rained earlier and to and from the restrauant we all remarked how big the sluggs on the sidewalk were!!
Was an interesting dinner. We all have different things. JJ had Rossatta(Sp?), Joe and me Pizza, Joci spaghetti, Jon the dish with vegies and beef, can't think of it's name and Ron had a mixed meat plate (lamb, beef, port and HORSE). I had lobster bisque and we all shared escargo. Of couse we had bread and wine!!!
We got back to the hotel and the kids went to bed with grandpa and Jon, JJ and I sat in the lobby doing some computer updating.
The next morning we had the continenta type breakfast and we split. JJ's were planning to tour Luxembourg and Ron and I headed for Germany.
It had rained earlier and to and from the restrauant we all remarked how big the sluggs on the sidewalk were!!
Was an interesting dinner. We all have different things. JJ had Rossatta(Sp?), Joe and me Pizza, Joci spaghetti, Jon the dish with vegies and beef, can't think of it's name and Ron had a mixed meat plate (lamb, beef, port and HORSE). I had lobster bisque and we all shared escargo. Of couse we had bread and wine!!!
We got back to the hotel and the kids went to bed with grandpa and Jon, JJ and I sat in the lobby doing some computer updating.
The next morning we had the continenta type breakfast and we split. JJ's were planning to tour Luxembourg and Ron and I headed for Germany.
BRUSSELS
We arrived in Brussels right at work traffic and it was unreal. They have tunnels in the middle of the streets that you avoid traffic lights and moves fast. We arrived at the WHITE Hotel right after JJ's. The Hotel was very "Coperhaggan" looking and was very white. Rooms were big and this was Joe's night with us. We walked to this small restrauant. I think there were only about three people working there. Very nice...Reminded me a lot of Chuck Lehn, for those of you who know him. The food was very good. Ron had rabbit in Beer. It was very good considerating it was rabbit. Had my mom fixed it in beer, etc. it probably would have been a lot better while growing up!
We taught him how to make gimblets (lime and vodka) and they were great. The kids have hamburgers (without the buns) and were not impressed but the meat was pretty good. We had a great time, however, we found out after the meal that they did not take credit cards so we used up a lot of cash. Had to replemish the next day.
Had a good night's sleep and the next morning had a very European breakfast. Mostly the only meat is ham with lots of fruits, breads, Nuttella, and cheeses. It turned out to be a very good continental type breakfast.
We then droved to the Square which was magnificant. A huge square with huge buildings all around it. Lots of shops and all streets of course leading to it. We all walked to the famous status of the boy peeing. We all got a lot of laughs over this the next few days. Of course chocolate everywhere and the kids even got chocolates of the statue. They do a pretty good pose as well.
We left Brussels heading for Luxenbourg.
We taught him how to make gimblets (lime and vodka) and they were great. The kids have hamburgers (without the buns) and were not impressed but the meat was pretty good. We had a great time, however, we found out after the meal that they did not take credit cards so we used up a lot of cash. Had to replemish the next day.
Had a good night's sleep and the next morning had a very European breakfast. Mostly the only meat is ham with lots of fruits, breads, Nuttella, and cheeses. It turned out to be a very good continental type breakfast.
We then droved to the Square which was magnificant. A huge square with huge buildings all around it. Lots of shops and all streets of course leading to it. We all walked to the famous status of the boy peeing. We all got a lot of laughs over this the next few days. Of course chocolate everywhere and the kids even got chocolates of the statue. They do a pretty good pose as well.
We left Brussels heading for Luxenbourg.
BRUGG
I am so glad we went to London with JJ because when we started our trip to the continent we started with the train from Milton Keenes to London, the underground (subway) to the other side of London and than the train to Dover Privy. We took the ferry to Callais and picked up the car (a really small Fiat) and took off for Brugg. JJ's were leaving Milton Keenes after the kids got out of school and were driving.
We drove around Brugg a bit and located the hotel and ate. The kids got in late. Jocie got to stay the first night of the trip with us. We had two rooms with one little one in each.
For those of you who have been to Vegas and have been at the Paris or Venician you understand wile you are inside the buildings and looking up from the aisles it's like looking up at the sky outside the buildings.
In Brugg we went to the Centre of Town and that is exactly like it was. The streets were tiny and all ran to the centre circle coble stone street. Buildings were so old and all of stone. Lots of history. While Ron and Jon did beer tastings, JJ, Joe and Joci and I went for a carriage ride around the city. Sooooo neat. We ate on the circle and Ron and Jen were very excited about the mussels they had.
We drove around Brugg a bit and located the hotel and ate. The kids got in late. Jocie got to stay the first night of the trip with us. We had two rooms with one little one in each.
For those of you who have been to Vegas and have been at the Paris or Venician you understand wile you are inside the buildings and looking up from the aisles it's like looking up at the sky outside the buildings.
In Brugg we went to the Centre of Town and that is exactly like it was. The streets were tiny and all ran to the centre circle coble stone street. Buildings were so old and all of stone. Lots of history. While Ron and Jon did beer tastings, JJ, Joe and Joci and I went for a carriage ride around the city. Sooooo neat. We ate on the circle and Ron and Jen were very excited about the mussels they had.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
LONDON
WOW. London is amazing and huge, must bigger than I thought it would be. I almost hurt my neck turning all directions. We took a cab to the train station in Milton Keynes. Train to London and then the underground. And I mean underground. The subway is wayyyyyyy down. Lots of steps and really long escalators and very crowded. Lots of people use the underground. We made our way to the Green Park. The parks here are huge and beautiful. Very well groomed and used. Lots of people laying around and playing. We got onto a double decker open bus. Great idea as you are high and able to see more. However, I can not believe how CLOSE the vehicles and people come to each other And they pull out in front of each other as well. Kind of getting use to the left side driving.
The buildings are unreal. Huge, and I mean huge and right on the street. Just enough room for a small sidewalk and then there's the street Lots and lots of stone. Newer buildings are more of glass and silver (some blue) looking.
The churches are magnificant. The Tower of England...WOW... Next visit will be a tour of that for sure.
We had fish and chips which were good. Their pubs are just like on TV...usually downstairs, dark, cozy. Very nice people.
Also got to go in and look around, we had already eaten...darn it...the Cavair place. Might be worth a trip back. They were a bit snotty but everything inside the store looked great.
Next to the underground and the train. We did not take the "bullet" back so had lots of stops. It was about 8-8:30 when we got back to JJ's. Very tired.
MORE TO COME
The buildings are unreal. Huge, and I mean huge and right on the street. Just enough room for a small sidewalk and then there's the street Lots and lots of stone. Newer buildings are more of glass and silver (some blue) looking.
The churches are magnificant. The Tower of England...WOW... Next visit will be a tour of that for sure.
We had fish and chips which were good. Their pubs are just like on TV...usually downstairs, dark, cozy. Very nice people.
Also got to go in and look around, we had already eaten...darn it...the Cavair place. Might be worth a trip back. They were a bit snotty but everything inside the store looked great.
Next to the underground and the train. We did not take the "bullet" back so had lots of stops. It was about 8-8:30 when we got back to JJ's. Very tired.
MORE TO COME
Friday, September 9, 2011
Adventure - of course continued
So Jon and JJ had some errands and the kids and Ron and I ordered in Pizza with American Sausage!!! It was pretty good. Maybe we were just hungry, but all in all, pretty good. So we are watching Dr. Who...ask Joe, he knows all about it!!
Their house is just like in Harry Potter. I will have to get a photo and put up. Small but very nice. I don't know how anyone gets their cars (which are all really small) into them. The patio is very nice. Just like on House Hunter International...refrigerators small, bathrooms small, no laundry rooms. I am very surprised about the lack of storage. Maybe that is why the garages are so small...can't get car inside so use as storage.
I have been called LOVE by three people...mostly store people. JJ has on her bog English to English. It is funny the words they use to explain/describe same things as us. You will have to check it out as I have had her add more.
They say Hi-ya in meeting and Cherry in leaving. So far pretty easy to understand. I'm sure they think we talk weird!
I seem to be all over in the blog but want to say so much.
Going to the Market tomorrow morning. Not just foods but all kinds of items. Even hair cutters/barbers. Will take more time and look around.
More to come.....
Their house is just like in Harry Potter. I will have to get a photo and put up. Small but very nice. I don't know how anyone gets their cars (which are all really small) into them. The patio is very nice. Just like on House Hunter International...refrigerators small, bathrooms small, no laundry rooms. I am very surprised about the lack of storage. Maybe that is why the garages are so small...can't get car inside so use as storage.
I have been called LOVE by three people...mostly store people. JJ has on her bog English to English. It is funny the words they use to explain/describe same things as us. You will have to check it out as I have had her add more.
They say Hi-ya in meeting and Cherry in leaving. So far pretty easy to understand. I'm sure they think we talk weird!
I seem to be all over in the blog but want to say so much.
Going to the Market tomorrow morning. Not just foods but all kinds of items. Even hair cutters/barbers. Will take more time and look around.
More to come.....
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