Time out for Trigglodytes
In and around World
What began as a plan for Andrew and I to escape to Paris for a fortnight to celebrate our fortieth birthdays, evolved into an almost five month adventure for the whole family. There was talk of a trip around the world but we decided that would be rushing Europe and that we will aim for the USA in 2010 as previously planned. We have been home-schooling for the past two years and the kids have many places they want to see from their favourite subject – History. We decided to put them into school for the two weeks before we left to see how it went and lo and behold, they loved it. It looks as though we will put them all in when we return so this has also turned into a very precious block of family indoctrination time …
We have patches of the trip planned but there is a great deal of planning yet to do. I guess we will do it as we go. We hope you enjoy the journey with us as you read our blog.
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler The Trigglodites
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1
Monday 18th February 2008 : Perth to Kuala Lumpur
Finally our day of departure had arrived. Were we ready? No. Not really. But we were still going to leave. The last month or so has been a constant... Continue reading »
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2
Tuesday, 19th February : Kuala Lumpur
We woke bright and early and opened the drapes to discover that our hotel wrapped around the quarry that contains the theme park connected to... Continue reading »
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3
Wednesday 20th February : Excitement at the theme park.
We woke up bright and early with the kids itching to go to the theme park. Andrew thought a day resting at the hotel sounded better and he still ha... Continue reading »
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4
Thursday 21st Feb : More theme park
We packed up to go and headed down for breakfast. More amazing food – different hot dishes each day – today’s even less likely to be eaten by me fo... Continue reading »
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5
Friday 22nd Feb : Arrived in Paris
The flight was fine. Arrived Paris 6am. We had been thinking we might have problems as I don’t have a French visa. We weren’t sure how we could pro... Continue reading »
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6
Saturday 23rd Feb : Paris
We are still jetlagged. The children woke early and got us going. It was an overcast chilly day. We wandered up towards the Eiffel Tower. On the wa... Continue reading »
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7
Sunday 24th Feb: Paris; Louvre & Musee D'orsay
Although we are still waking up very early it seems to take forever to get away. It was one of those gorgeous brisk winter days. Clear but cold. We... Continue reading »
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8
Monday 25th Feb : Notre Dame towers, GPC & Arc de Triomphe
The kids wake early and once again work on their journals before we set out. They are really good about it. Collecting ticket stubs and brochures t... Continue reading »
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9
Tuesday 26th Feb : Paris to Passais La Conception
Up and packed. We walked through light rain to the Metro and pulled our luggage down the stairs and onto the train to the regional trains. (Invalid... Continue reading »
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10
Wednesday 27th Feb : Passais La Conception
Today Moira took Andrew and I into a nearby town and showed us the supermarkets where the locals shop. Super U and LIDLs. It is fascinating to see... Continue reading »
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11
Thursday 28th Feb : Quiet day in Passais
Home day. The kids did some schoolwork. We are very ready to have a slower pace after all that walking and this is a very restful house and town. W... Continue reading »
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12
Friday 29th Feb : Mont Saint Michel
Went from Passias to Mont St Michel. It was a slightly overcast day but the countryside was beautiful. Something different everywhere you looked. W... Continue reading »
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13
Saturday 1st March :Shopping in St Helliers
Home day in Passias La Conception. Time for the kids to catch up on their journals between forays out to visit the goat or race boats down at the s... Continue reading »
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14
Sunday 2nd March :Peace Museum in Caen and Bayeaux Tapestry
Up earlyish and drove to Caen. It was our first day with the GPS and it drove us crazy – taking us down tiny roads, having problems with satellites... Continue reading »
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15
Monday 3rd March :Passais and Domfront
Home day, kids did journals. Naomi went to return the GPS but was given a lesson in how to use it. The man kept telling me that I had to “avoir con... Continue reading »
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16
Tuesday 4th March : Passais and Domfront
Packing day – meant to leave Passais today for the Loire Valley, but we didn’t get organised enough. Stayed another night and went to a couple of i... Continue reading »
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17
Wednesday 5th March : Through the Loire to Cheverny
Left Passias at 10am. Went via Mayenne, to Angers, then along the Loire river – Chateau country. It is France’s valley of the kings and there seem... Continue reading »
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18
Thursday 6th March :Cherverny to the Rhone Alps
Our first true continental brekky. Croissants, baguettes, jam, yoghurt, juice. Coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Andrew had to ask for cereal and then... Continue reading »
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19
Friday 7th March : Settling in at Belmont
Gentle get up after a very cosy sleep. Met Gael who got the house ready for us. Very charming and helpful 28 year old Frenchman. Full of tips for w... Continue reading »
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20
Saturday 8th March : Tobogganning
Got up and levered ourselves into our ski gear. We went tobogganing at Les Plans D’Hotonnes. Awesome fun. The kids had a running competition going on... Continue reading » -
21
Sunday 9th March : Quiet day in Belmont
Quiet day at home. Explored the property with the kids. Tried out the Maynard’s quad bike. Mum made soup and a delicious beef bourginon. Lovely to coo... Continue reading » -
22
Monday 10th March : Naomi turns 40
I turned 40. Champagne breakfast and presents with wonderful homemade cards in bed. Then I had time out and read before hopping up to face the day... Continue reading »
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23
Tuesday 11th March : Quiet day in Belmont
Home day. Raining. Schoolwork. Andrew drove into Belley to do a shop. Came back with flowers and a gorgeous photo frame for Naomi. Naomi is working he... Continue reading » -
24
Wednesday 12th March : Trouble with the car
Still rainy. Planned to go to Hauteville and check out the tobogganing but the car noises began to get worse. We took the car down to the mechanics th... Continue reading » -
25
Thursday 13th March Hauteville and more tobogganning
Drove to Hauteville. Beautiful day and drive. There is an observatory on the way and the forest here is just gorgeous. Andrew thinks he recognises... Continue reading »
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26
Friday 14th March Grand Bornand skiing
Up early to go skiing. We head to Seysell where Gael lives. It is a gorgeous medieval town on the edge of a river – narrow streets and a lovely old... Continue reading »
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27
Saturday 15th March : Andrew skiing
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Andrew had to return to the ski slopes of Le Grand Bornand to retrieve the snow boots. G... Continue reading »
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28
Sunday 16th March Lyon
We went to Lyon today. It was once the capital of France and is famous for its great food and fabrics. It is lovely. The silk museum was amazing an... Continue reading »
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29
Monday 17th March
Monday March 17th, 2008
A work day. The kids got through some school work and we sorted out stick-ins... Continue reading »
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30
Tuesday March 18th : Packing up and Dinner Party
Pack up to go to Switzerland. Tess and Isaac disappeared to have a last good go around the property. They returned with memory rocks. We have to ge... Continue reading »
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31
Wednesday March 19th : To Gachnang, Switzerland
We finished cleaning up the house at Belmont Lithezieu and put directions for Gachnang, Switzerland into the GPS. What an amazing drive out and int... Continue reading »
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32
Thursday March 20th : Gachnang
Andrew loves the church bells. There are two lots we can hear from here – and if you look out the window you can see the churches too. Although Ros... Continue reading »
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33
Good Friday 21st March
Good Friday. Michael woke us to tell us late-ish to tell us that it was snowing. And so it was. It had been fairly windy through the night but it h... Continue reading »
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34
Saturday March 22nd : To the farm and beyond
Today we woke to a 1 to 2 inch blanket of snow around us. And a glorious sunny day with clear blue skies. Fr... Continue reading »
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35
Easter Sunday 23rd March : To Ernst and Franziska's place
Once again we woke to snow. This is just magical. It wasn’t very heavy but watching those flakes swirl down is pretty hypnotic... Continue reading »
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36
Monday 24th March : Quiet day at home.
Monday 24th March
Last night after we went to bed, Nora the cat came into Andrew’s and my room.... Continue reading »
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37
Tuesday 25th March Gachnang to Belmont
We got going earlyish and all headed out to return the Maynard’s car to France. Our original plan was to have Andrew do this on his own but it was... Continue reading »
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38
Wednesday 26th March Back to Gachnang
It didn’t take long to tidy up at the Maynards as we had brought our own sheets etc and we headed out to the shops. One benefit of us joining Andre... Continue reading »
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39
March 27th to April 2nd Tummy bug in Gachnang
Thursday 27th March
Fortunately we had a quiet day planned because Michael had a vomiting bug.... Continue reading »
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40
Thursday April 3rd Liechtenstein
Went to Liechtenstein, via Lake Constance (bodensee), into the main town of Vaduz. Walked through a lot of tourist shops before the Stamp Museum op... Continue reading »
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41
Friday April 4th Rhinefalls
Naomi had a day of writing, while Andrew took the kids for the afternoon to see the Rhinefalls, first from the West side, then off to the town’s an... Continue reading »
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42
Saturday 5th April Zurich and animal park
Went into Zurich today and planned to have a look around and visit the main museum. Being a Saturday, the town was terribly busy and we were unable... Continue reading »
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43
Sunday 6th April Appenzell cheese factory
Visited with Ernst and Franziska and family. Went to the Appenzel Cheese factory, and saw cheese being made. Had a great movie about the region and... Continue reading »
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44
Monday 7th April Montreaux - Chillon Castle
Returned to France to pick up the Espace. On the way, we stopped in at Bern to see the bears and amazing old town centre. It is a lovely town but t... Continue reading »
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45
Tuesday 8th April Belmont to Gachnang
Rainy instead of glorious sunshine. We picked up our fixed up car at about 11am from the garage. Very good. Even cost about 200 Euros less than we had... Continue reading » -
46
9th & 10th April Getting ready to go
Down day – cleaned the house, Naomi stalked the towns op shops (Brocki’s), and we tried to make arrangements for a motor home with Michael van Woud... Continue reading »
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47
Friday 11th April
Dinner at Hauptwil with Schiess’s. Visited Old Mr & Mrs Schiess in nursing home. Mrs Schiess is bed-bound now but Mr Schiess is as chirpy and f... Continue reading »
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48
Saturday April 12th Lucerne
Off to Luzern with its lovely lake and covered bridges. What the kids really loved though was the Transport Museum. It was so much fun. Very well s... Continue reading »
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49
Monday 14th April Bad Walsee to Salzberg
Off to Bad Walsee, Germany to pick up Motor Home. Crossed Lake Konstance on a ferry. Took an hour to go through handover. The van is great – bunks... Continue reading »
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50
Tuesday April 15th Salzberg
Slept in. Got to Dave & Jo’s hotel around 11:45 am. Took them to the train station, where they were off to Milan for the furniture Expo. Took b... Continue reading »
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51
Wednesday 16th April Drive across Austria
Toured the old town of Salzburg, and the main town castle. Did a tour of the castle using head phones. Amazing ride up to the castle on cable car. At... Continue reading » -
52
17th & 18th April Pack and to Munich
Thurs April 17
Had breakfast with Terry and Charmaine, then they left for Holland. We continued with packing up and cleaning the house in pre... Continue reading »
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53
Saturday 19th April Munich
Had an amazing breakfast, fruit salads, eggs, toast, cereals, fresh OJ, tea, coffee, hot chocolate. We thought they had put it on especially for us... Continue reading »
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54
Sunday 20th April Walking and Brie in Munich
All of us went for a walk in the nearby Englisher Garten. It is an incredible parkland on M & T’s doorstep. It has a river running through it, can... Continue reading » -
55
Monday 21st April Swarovski Crystals and Lake of Garda
Left Munich. Stopped at Wattens where there is the Swarovski Crystal Factory to see the Krystal Cave. It was excellent. The kids loved all the artw... Continue reading »
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56
Tuesday 22nd April Verona, Treviso, Venice
Left Garda and headed towards Verona, to see Juliet’s balcony. But could not find anywhere to park. Found a rather impressive cemetery instead. Went o... Continue reading » -
57
Wednesday 23rd April Venice
Left for Venice on the 9.00am ferry. Great way to get onto the Island. Trekked across the Island in search of a tourist info booth. Venisce truly i... Continue reading »
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58
Thursday 24th April Venice
Back into Venice today. Went straight out to Murano where we watched a man doing glass blowing. He made a horse and a vase. Pretty impressive. He s... Continue reading »
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59
Friday 25th April Venice - Florence
Made another trip into Venice, meandered up and down the canal footpaths, had gelati, each of the kids bought themselves a souvenir. Isaac, Michael... Continue reading »
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60
Saturday 26th April Florence
No problem parking where we did overnight. Got up early and headed into Florence via walk and bus. Did you know that 60% of the worlds most importa... Continue reading »
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61
Sunday 27th April Florence- Assisi - Pompeii
We left Florence around 9:30am, and headed for Assisi, where we toured the town made famous by St Francis of…..Assisi. He is the guy who wrote the... Continue reading »
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62
Monday 28th April Pompeii - Rome
Naomi was up early and walked into town. There is a beautiful church there and she went in to a beautiful mass. In Latin or old Italian – she wasn’... Continue reading »
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63
Tuesday 29th April Kate turns eight in Rome
Happy Birthday to our beautiful little girl Kate, who turns 8 today. We had fun opening presents and playing pass the parcel. We saved the treasure... Continue reading »
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64
Wednesday 30th April Rome
Rome : took the bus all over town. It has a great running commentary and as the buses we are on are ‘Roma Christiana” we get a spiel about many Chr... Continue reading »
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65
Thursday 1st May Collodi and Pisa
Went to Pinocchio Park in the town of Collodi. It is the town where the author was born. It is one of those stunning medieval places that sits high... Continue reading »
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66
Friday 2nd May Cinque Terre, Monaco and Nice
Made our way via Cinque Terra National Park – beautiful scenery. Scary windy roads, made a height of 550m with the ocean a very close but steep dro... Continue reading »
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67
Friday 3rd May Nice and Grasse
Woke up after a night being swayed by the passing traffic. The city is active 24 hours it seems. Walked across the road and spent the morning swimm... Continue reading »
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68
Sunday 4th May Provence to Turin
Spent the morning at the campsite just relaxing. The kids had a ball in the pool and we met some of the other campers. One Dutch couple pulled in and... Continue reading » -
69
Monday 5th May Turin to Gachnang
We drove into beautiful Turin. They call themselves the design capital of the world and wewre the hosts to the 2006 Olympics. Not sure about all th... Continue reading »
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70
Tuesday 6th May
A down day. Kate says they are the best of all. We hung out at the Maiers’ place and did some washing. Andrew mowed the lawn, I visited the council... Continue reading »
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71
Wednesday 7th May Gachnang
We spent the morning with the kids working on their journals and school books. In between they did the odd fish for salamanders in the pond and run... Continue reading »
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72
Thursday 8th May A new camper and to Munich
We said goodbye to Gachnang and headed for Bad Waldsee where we packed the Espace to the gills with our gear and then went to Isny for a new van. A... Continue reading »
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73
Friday 9th May Legoland
We left Munich and headed for Legoland – about an hour and a half away. Wow! What a day. So many rides and so much lego. We went on the first few r... Continue reading »
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74
Saturday 10th May To Heidelburg
Hah ha! Andrew can no longer gloat about being in his thirties. Happy birthday to him! We woke and had presents – he got one of the two things we b... Continue reading »
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75
Ooops
Hah ha! Andrew can no longer gloat about being in his thirties. Happy birthday to him! We woke and had presents – he got one of the two things we b... Continue reading »
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76
Sunday 11th May
We had a good look at the castle and along the river. Glorious day and a beautiful city. Found an internet café for some essential connecting with... Continue reading »
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77
Monday 12th May Luxemburg - Paris
Up in time for the kids to have a good go of both the indoor and outdoor playgrounds as well as a wander through the neighbouring forest and Maze.O... Continue reading »
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78
Monday 12th May Luxemburg - Paris
Up in time for the kids to have a good go of both the indoor and outdoor playgrounds as well as a wander through the neighbouring forest and Maze.O... Continue reading »
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79
Tuesday 13th May DISNEYLAND!!
No problem getting the kids out of bed today. They were all raring to go and had already examined the map in great detail and discussed which rides... Continue reading »
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80
Wednesday 14th May Paris - Brussels
Naomi had a rotten sleep. As we left the park yesterday, Naomi ran back for a bit and as she caught up to the others she was approached by two wome... Continue reading »
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81
Thursday 15th May Brussels, Mini-Europe to Antwerp
We drove a short way and Andrew and I saw the biggest cow we had ever seen. It was about the right height but seemed between half a meter to a mete... Continue reading »
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82
Friday 16th May Antwerp- Holland
Antwerp is right on the water with tunnels, bridges etc with an interesting castle on the waterfront and an incredible market Square. We had seen t... Continue reading »
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83
Saturday 17th May
Had a bit of a sleep in and then headed for the shops. It was our first go in a proper big shopping centre since KL. It was fun to look in all the... Continue reading »
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84
Sunday 18th May Michael turns five!
Michael turned five today. Tess made us all French toast for brekky – which is totally wrong seeing as we are in HOLLAND – I wonder what their vari... Continue reading »
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85
Monday 19th May
Up on time – we find it helps if we leave the blinds open – but still took a while to get away from the campsite. Stopped in at Magriete and Wim’s... Continue reading »
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86
Tuesday 20th May Ouddorp-Delft-Zuidlaren
All the kids woke early with the promise of a swim in the campground's indoor swimming pool. Straight after breakfast, they rushed off, only to fin... Continue reading »
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