Sunday, November 04, 2007
Friday 5th October
We head back to the UK, unexpectedly with the caravan. We were originally going to go back to Europe and do the old eastern block but as the weather started to get colder we decided this may not be such a great place to be during the winter. So where could we go where it will be warm?......Australia! So we arranged visas etc but on the way back to the UK we hear of a couple of job opportunities and having a modicum of sense we decide that getting employment and recouping some of our money is the best course of action. So that is it for the moment, until next time..............
Tuesday 2nd October
We decide to head for La Coupole the WW11 German V1 &V2 rocket base. It was a large underground bunker designed by the Nazis to store and launch the V2 rockets designed to destroy London. It is now a museum dedicated to the history of the German occupation and as a remembrance to all those affected and involved in the war. It was interesting and of course moving. There were however some images unsuitable for young children, but with a little bit of quick thinking and tactical steering we managed to avoid most of them.
When we return we discover one of the caravan wheels has got a puncture! The following morning I get my hair done and let Jon run around getting the tyre repaired.
Thursday 27th September
We head off to Disneyland as a birthday treat for Max. We chose to go today as the weather was the best for the week. However, when we got there, it was really cold. Luckily we had the winter woollies stored in the roof box of the car, so decked out in our gloves and woolly hats, in the middle of September, we head off to the entrance with many incredulous stares, but at least we were warm!! Well we do the Euro Disney thing and spend a small fortune and that didn’t include buying food which meant we had to re-mortgage the house, Doh we don’t have one!
Friday 28th September
We celebrate Max’s birthday in the usual style with a treasure hunt for presents, making a birthday cake and having a little party. After this we move on to a campsite near Calais and make preparations to return to the UK.
Sunday 23rd September
We head off to Paris, leaving Brussels and their Iguanodon’s firmly behind.
Wednesday 26th September
We venture into Paris. One of the first things we noticed about Paris when looking in the guidebooks is that there is so much to see here, it’s difficult to know where to start or what to miss out. We start our journey at the Arc de Triomphe, a nice tie in to the visit to Waterloo. After marvelling at this we moved onto the Eiffel Tower, you can climb the Arc de Triomphe but as we were visiting three structures with aerial views we decided to restrict ourselves to going atop the Eiffel Tower. So next stop Eiffel Tower, we get off at the Trocadero Metro stop and walk through the Trocadero gardens to get a fabulous view of the metal structure. The top level was closed so we only made it as far as the 2nd level, at 115 meters there are still far reaching views of Paris, including Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe and other great attractions. After this we stopped off at Notre Dame and enjoyed a rather bizarre folded over Pizza.
Thursday 20th September
Much to Dad’s distress we took a bus and train into Brussels in order to go to the Natural History Museum, supposedly containing 30 Iguanodon skeletons and 18 Whale models. My preparation was poor to say the least and we spent a good two hours wandering around the European Houses of Parliament trying to find this rather large building, I stupidly thought it would be well sign posted from the Metro station. We asked 10 or 12 people in the area where it was and none of them knew. When we finally gave up and returned to the caravan we found a map and realised we were very close to it.
On Saturday, after Dad went home, we went into Brussels to try again, this time we found it easily and guess what? It was closed for refurbishment until October 27th. So another wasted day dragging kids on buses and metro’s, ho hum!
Wednesday 19th September
We head off to Brugge. Every country seems to have their version of Venice and this is Belgium’s. It is a pretty town, cobbled streets, not ideal for a scooter incidentally! The market square is worth a look with many grand and ornate gothic style buildings. The Belfort and unusual octagonal tower dates from the thirteenth century and the town house dates from the late 14th Century.
Thursday 13th September
We travel to Belgium taking a slight detour to travel over the storm flood gates stretching over 1 ¾ miles connecting the three small peninsulas in Zeeland. They were originally going to close off the sea but due to demands from the populace who depended on fishing in the inland estuaries the design was changed to allow the normal ebb and flow of the North Sea. If stormy conditions threaten the gates can be closed and therefore protect the surrounding lowlands from flooding.
On arrival at the campsite we realise I have left the boys towels behind in the Netherlands, doh!
Jon picks up Dad from the airport whereupon he is greeted with the delights of shopping. Saturday we head for a town north of Brussels called Mechelen, it is famous for bell ringing and has 197 carillon bells, however, we do not see these and instead go to the toy museum, this was quite good and there were enough hands on stuff for the children to remain entertained.
Sunday we go to the Atomium, this is probably what most people associate with Brussels. It is an impressive structure representing a iron atom magnified something like 60 million times. It is definitely worth a look but the inside is not worth the entrance fee.
After the Atomium we headed into Brussels centre and had a look at the Mannequin de pis, which is a small statue of a boy in a certain pose, I’m sure you can guess what. He is currently clothed in a Chinese dragon costume, this is a tradition for visiting dignitaries and there is a museum where you can see all the costumes that have been donated through the ages. The street leading to the Mannequin is swamped with chocolate shops with chocolate fountains displayed in the window and a wonderful waffle shop. Whilst enjoying our waffles we were entertained by a group of Bolivian dancers who gyrated their way down the street in front of us.
In the opposite direction is the Grand Place housing the Hotel de Ville, a very ornate and large building facing onto a square with many other ornate and grand buildings dating from the late 1600’s. The architect who designed the Town Hall committed suicide when he realised there had been a mistake in the plans resulting in the tower and main entrance being off set, consequently the building was no longer symmetrical. We arrived in the square to be greeted by marching bands and other musicians from around the world with stalls selling their local crafts. After a time enjoying these delights we made our way through the crowds to the Park next to the Palace. There is a large play park here to entertain the kids and you also get a view of the Palace, this is similar and as interesting as Buckingham Palace.
Monday I successfully manage to break the glass worktop that covers the sink and it explodes everywhere. After a clean up session we head off to Waterloo and the Butte de Lion, as it is the best day weather wise. So in the wind and rain we trudge up the 126 steps to reach the top of the monument built in 1824 to commemorate all the men that died in the infamous battle in 1815. From here you have a view of the battlefield with a small display showing where the troops were positioned.
Saturday 8th September
We go to a little Whaling town North of Amsterdam called Hoorn. This is a pretty town with historic buildings and cobbled streets. They were celebrating their 650 years anniversary symbolised by the unicorn whereby they had several painted ones dotted around the town. This sent Cadan into a frenzy of excitement, insisting on having his photo taken with at least two.
We return to the car park and a gentleman telling us that someone had hit our car and then driven off. Luckily he lives in one of the houses and took down the registration number and called the police. There wasn’t really much damage above a couple of scratches and a broken mudguard. The police arrived took the broken headlight as evidence and took all our details, it was all very pleasant and we remained perky throughout.
Sunday we went to Ricarda and Denis’ house for lunch and the boys all had a good time playing with toys and we enjoyed some good Dutch hospitality.
Monday we went to a Polder museum showing some of the technology behind the draining of inland lakes. The Cruquis museum is housed in an old pumping station that was powered by, of all things, a large steam engine from Cornwall.
Tuesday we went to Zaanse Schans a folk museum containing most of the things for which The Netherlands is famous. Authentic buildings, working windmills, clogs and cheese being made, although not together because that would give you cheesey feet!
