Summer Holiday. 12 July 2026

Berlin, Germany

We didn't hurry out of bed this morning, it being Sunday, and it was 10:30 before we left the WoMo. This was intentional, as we were due to meet a friend in the south of the city for lunch at noon, and the most direct way of travelling, the S25, is cut in half at the moment for engineering works. I am not sure if that is just for the weekend, or if it is more long-term; in any case, that is irrelevant. In the end, we walked up to where Line 6 of the U-bahn usually starts, but it, too, is undergoing very long-term repairs, so there is a rail replacement bus for the first five stops. 

We thought at first this was a disaster, as we just missed two buses, but a third came along within a minute, so that was all right. Of course, we had to wait for several minutes for the U-Bahn, and again when we changed on to line 7, but caught up with ourselves and it was just on noon when we met our friend who was waiting for us at the top of the steps! 

She had decided to take us to a restaurant she likes about ten minutes walk away, called Tomasa on the edge of Viktoria Park. We had to wait for a table, as our friend said it had never occurred to her that she might need to book, but they were able to seat us, and the food, when it came, was absolutely delicious. I had what was called a California Bowl, which was salmon in a sweet chilli sauce, mashed avocado, avocado chunks, pomegranate seeds, diced mango, rocket and rice.

I ate all the salmon and some of the avocado and mango, but sadly, couldn't finish it and didn't even try to tackle the rice (or the rocket, which is not my favourite salad vegetable!). 

When we had finished eating, our friend took us for a walk in Viktoria Park up to a monument from which there is apparently a lovely view over Berlin. I can imagine - I stayed at the bottom, as I am so not good at steps coming down if there is no handrail, which there wasn't, and even from there the view was fairly spectacular - it would have been more so if the trees were not so thickly in leaf! 

We then walked down to the main road and caught an M19 bus to Berlin Zoo, our friend leaving us at her nearest stop en route, and, at her recommendation, changing to a 100 bus, which goes all the way across Berlin to Alexanderplatz, passing most of the famous tourist places en route. I was lucky enough to get a front seat, although it was almost impossible to take photographs. 

Just before we got on the bus, a motorcade had passed, obviously escorting a VIP somewhere (I doubt it was the Duke of Sussex!), and in a while the bus was badly held up due to a demonstration which took forever to go past. I have no idea what it was about, but do wonder if the two were related! 

When we arrived at Alexanderplatz, we got off and made our way to the nearest coffee shop to consider our options. I didn't want coffee, so had a mint tea, which I never normally do, but really fancied it! We decided we would take the M1 tram, and then change on to a bus; it was going to take a long time, but hey. 

All went well at first, and then something went wrong with the ramp mechanism after a wheelchair user had got on, and it was taken out of service after the driver had tried to fix it, and the driver of the tram behind had also tried, but in vain. So eventually it went on with only the poor wheelchair user aboard - I hope they were able to get off where they wanted to! We, and all the other passengers from the first tram, promptly boarded the second one. 

But what we didn't realise until too late, too late, was that the M1 tram has two branches, and naturally the second tram was going on the wrong one from our point of view. So we leapt off, thinking that we must get a return tram to the junction, but a bit of work with Citymapper told us that if we walked a couple of hundred metres, we would get to a bus stop and catch a 124, which would probably take us to within walking-distance of the campsite! We had to wait 15 minutes for the next bus, but once we were on it was very straightforward, except the back doors jammed once, but the driver turned the bus off and on again, which fixed that. It was a long, hot journey, though, and then a ten-minute walk the other end, so what with one thing and another I've done over 11k steps today!

We were hot and tired, so I flaked out on the bed for a bit, and the Swan Whisperer sat out to read in the shade, and we had our supper (cold Thuringian Bratwurst with potato salad, followed by melon, followed by chocolate-covered raspberries) out of doors. I think, I though, that I shall have an early night! 

Summer Holiday, 11 July 2026

Berlin, Germany

Up early this morning, as we had a bit of a drive to Leipzig, where the Swan Whisperer wanted to parkrun. I had a breakfast yogurt to keep me going, and we set off. It was not difficult to find the car park in the Volkspark, and several other people were obviously about to parkrun, so he had no trouble finding the start line. Indeed, one man cane to say goodbye to us once it was over!

The SW wanted to see a couple of things in Leipzig, so he went off to do that, while I walked up to the local REWE and did some shopping, only I forgot bread and eggs. I

couldn't resist these rolls for our lunch, they really look quite alarmingly rude!

They also had some Tiramisu-flavoured Dickmanns cakes, which I didn't buy, but thought they would amuse some of my friends (some of the skaters have a competition after the event where they try to eat one without using their hands!).

I was glad I hadn't gone into Leipzig with the SW, as my insides decided, yet again, to misbehave. Sigh! Oh well. 

When he cane back, he had a quick coffee and then we set off for Berlin, stopping for diesel before we got to the motorway, then at the first rest stop we came to for lunch. The rolls, by the way, rude or not, were delicious, and I ate nearly all mine, quite a lot of it just dry, it was so good! We stopped once more for the SW to have coffee as he was feeling a bit sleepy, and then had to negotiate traffic jams on the Berlin ring road, but finally got here about 16:30. 

Such a nice receptionist showed us round and so on, and then I went to a very convenient Norma across the road to buy the missing bread and eggs - it is twice the size of the one in Oberstdorf, but I don't think has much more stock as the aisles are wider while the SW parked up and got us settled in.  I should have liked to have stayed in the aire at Gesundbrunnen, where we stayed last time, but it was fully booked this weekend. This campsite is extremely nice, but much further out, and the main line into town is disrupted due to Works. Oh well... 

We didn't go out again but have spent the evening on the camp site, doing a load of washing which took forever, and the SW made out Saturday sausage and mash. Thuringian Bratwürst, so delicious! 

Summer Holiday, 10 July 2026

Zwenkau, Saxony, Germany

In the end, we reverted to Plan A, as the place the Swan Whisperer thought of in Leipzig was fully booked. And I'm very glad we did! 

It has been a much better day, weather-wise. The clouds have gone, the sun is out, and the temperature has been rising. 

Our first port of call this morning was to a REWE en route to the motorway, where I did a shopping and made sure we had enough supplies to do us until Monday; however, I expect we will need milk, also fizzy water and peppers, so I must try to shop tomorrow. I also want to be able to spend time pottering round a DM and/or a Kik or Tedi! Haven't had a chance this holiday as yet, and, as we are booked in, it won't matter if we don't arrive in Berlin until later. 

Anyway, we had a long drive on the motorway - I knitted and dozed a bit - and we arrived here in Zwenkau just in time for lunch. It is a lovely aire, by a lake - in fact, I think it is part of the Yacht Club. After lunch, we relaxed a bit and then had a cup of tea before going swimming at the bathing beach, which is only a couple of hundred yards away. This was the first time I have used my water shoes, which I originally bought for the Achensee last year, and then we never swam there. 

It was lovely, although horrible getting wet! We pootled around, relaxing and swimming a bit, and either I caught a tiny fish or it caught me, not sure which! Obviously I threw it back.... 

Once we started to get cold, we called it a swim, and came back to the WoMo. I was tempted to get into my dressing-gown and sit outside, but decided I hadn't really had enough exercise today, so got back into shorts and t-shirt and then took the rubbish to the bins, and used the opportunity to have a good walk round the site and take photos of the lake and the beach. 

Then we sat outside drinking, first lemon/mint cordial and then beer, and then I got supper which was the end of the ragu with a pre-prepared rice and lentil mix, and very good it was, too! And it's just beginning to get cool, so in a bit I'll go inside and read! I need to go to bed fairly early, as we must be up betimes so that the Swan Whisperer can parkrun in Leipzig tomorrow. 

Summer Holiday, 9 July 2026

Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany

It was cold in the night. The bedroom window was wide open, as was the skylight, so I ended up grabbing a rug to cover my duvet before I could sleep. I did hear my alarm, and sat up and took my pill, but then went straight back to sleep and didn't wake up until nearly 8, what time the Swan Whisperer said he was going for a run. 

I got up then, and got everything ready while he was out, and after a late breakfast we set off for Göttingen. It was a straightforward drive on the motorway, with only a couple of minor hold-ups due to roadworks, and we got here about 12:30. We had been told the aire was very popular, and were worried lest it be full, but in fact there were plenty of spaces, so once we had got water (we had emptied the grey and the loo this morning, but their water was u/s, so we just put in 11 litres from the standpipe and then filled up when we got here) and I had paid for our stay (there is an app, so easy!), I went off to the nearest bakery, just across the big car-park, to get rolls for lunch while the SW parked up and dealt with electricity and ramps and so on. When I got back, he had already got the various spreads, etc, on the table. 

We discovered it was only about a 20-minute walk into the old town centre, much of it along what is called a canal, but is only really a ditch (quite pretty, though, at this time of year),

so that's what we did. We wandered round the centre, which is rather nice - I could almost, almost have wished the SW hadn't been with me so I could investigate the lovely shops! I nearly parked him on a convenient husband bench and went to DM, but there will be other days! 

We decided to get a bus back to the aire - the bus stop is very near - but found we had got ourselves turned round, and had a bit of trouble finding the stop we wanted, which meant we very nearly missed the bus, but just caught it by the skin of our teeth. When we got back, we had a cup of tea and the SW, believe it or not, went for yet another walk as there is a lake nearby he wanted to see! I don't know where he finds the energy! He has chosen a different place for us to spend tomorrow, in Leipzig, so he can go for a parkrun! He said there is one near here, around the lake, but when I suggested staying here another night so he could, he said not. So we want to leave early-Ish tomorrow, and get to Leipzig in time to explore in the afternoon and then head on to Berlin after parkrun. That's the plan, anyway. 

There is a spa bath a couple of hundred metres away - I do wish I had the energy to enjoy its amenities, but I really don't! But after a cold, overcast day the sun has come out, and it is a lovely evening! 

Summer Holiday, 8 July 2026

Möhnesee, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

With hindsight, we should have filled up with diesel before leaving Belgium, but we assumed diesel would be cheaper in Germany. Spoiler: it wasn't! In fact, it was about 20 cents a litre dearer, and we were lucky to fill up at "only" €2.04. I don't know what has made the prices so very much higher than they were in May - they have been beginning to come down in the UK lately! 

We thought we had set the Satnav to take us up through Maastricht and into Germany from there, but it seems to have changed its mind when I added a supermarket stop en route, and we were taken the "usual way" via Aachen. However, we did not turn off towards Köln, but rather went north towards Dusseldorf. Mind you, we've done that route before, only in the opposite direction. 

Our first stop was at a REWE to shop; my breakfast had expired by then, and I was very wobbly and bad-tempered, so made the Swan Whisperer go and get rolls from the in-store bakery and we had lunch, but even still I was very wobbly in the shop. Got all I wanted, though, and some lovely ripe gooseberries to boot, which I have stewed with some sugar and had with yoghurt for supper pudding. The rest of the journey took ages due to very slow traffic on the motorway, but we got here at last. 

I am very disappointed with this aire; it was expensive and looked as though it would be lovely, but it is small, cramped and crowded! And did I say expensive? I paid for the second tier of pitches, allegedly in front of the lake, which I suppose they are, but there is an awful lot of greenery between us and it!

I should have liked to have swum, but it has been overcast and cloudy all day, and the temperature is only about 21. After the recent hot weather, it really feels rather chilly! Nobody else was swimming, so I couldn't, as it really isn't safe to swim on one's own. 

So instead I profited from the free WiFi to catch up on YouTube, and then made a large ragu, which we had with fresh tagliatelle and shaved parmesan. Followed by the end of the stewed rhubarb for the Swan Whisperer and the aforementioned gooseberries for me, both with yoghurt. 

Summer Holiday, 7 July 2026

Blegny-Mine, Wallonie, Belgium

We were woken in the small hours by celebratory car horns - we assumed Belgium had beaten the USA, as, indeed, it turned out! The Swan Whisperer went for a run this morning, before it got too hot. We were sad to say goodbye to Tournai, and hope to come back again sometime. 

After much arguing with the SatNav, we got it to drive us along the Meuse, which was not quite as 100% industrial as I remembered, but the scenic bits - between towering cliffs - were not very long, and mostly it was either residential or industrial. We stopped off at a Carrefour on the outskirts of Liege, and, as I was having a must for some chips, we went to a restaurant in the complex. I had a piece of fish in caper sauce (I don't really like capers, but scraped them off), but it was very dry and had obviously sat under the lights too long. The SW had ribs with his chips, which I think he enjoyed, but he was listening to a seminar from our financial advice team, so when I had eaten enough I went shopping and met him back at the WoMo. 

It didn't take long to get to Blegny-Mine, although the Satnav took us a rather peculiar way, we thought. But when we got there, sadliness - the aire is no longer free, but they charge you €12 per night. Only since 1 July! I did pay it, but we may not come back. 

The SW went for a walk, and I had hoped to go for onelater, but suddenly started feeling horribly sick - I wonder if it was the fish? I wasn't sick, just, and after a nap the feeling passed, but it means I haven't had a walk today, and don't really feel like doing tai chi. 

This is a photo of the car park, as it feels very spacious - some WoMos arrived, but left again when they found they were expected to pay! 

Summer Holiday, 6 July 2026

Tournai, Wallonie, Belgium

We decided to go for our explore this morning, before the heat of the day.  We had a lovely walk round the Old Town, visiting various churches and generally exploring. There will, of course, be more photos on Facebook. 

Sadly, much of the Cathedral, which is the UNESCO World Heritage site, was under wraps due to Works, and really only enough space was left open to enable public worship. 

I was flagging a bit by then, so we stopped at one of the tourist-cafés in the Grand Place for the Swan Whisperer to have coffee and I had a beer (Cristal - delicious). The coffee came with a "featherbed of whipped cream", but I didn't think to take a photo until it no longer did! 

On the way back to the WoMo we stopped at the local Carrefour Market to buy eggs and some patisseries as it is our first full day here. Also paté, but we ended up not having it in the end. 

Then there was a long, hot afternoon spent either flopped on the bed or, once there was some shade outside, sitting out. The early shade, though, was under a lime tree, and you know what that's like for shedding! Actually, we are pretty much parked underneath it, and I do not know how we are going to get the bedroom skylight's mosquito netting closed without emptying bits all over the bed.... I expect there will need to be a towel deployed! 

Anyway, we spent some time looking up an interesting route for tomorrow - the SW wants to drive along the Moselle and refuses to believe me that when we have done so in the past it has been disappointingly industrial. But there, if he wants to drive through industrial estate after industrial estate, I shall just go to sleep! We also spent time researching restaurants as we wanted to eat out and, in fact, ended up at the nearest open one, which was Moroccan, and exceptionally good! Also excellent value for money. I had couscous with a lamb skewer, and the SW had a mixed skewer, both beef and lamb. They bought everything in bowls so one could help oneself, but there was a fair bit left over, delicious though it was! 

And so back to the motor home and I am hoping our mosquito lamp will attract the insects to their demise, as I have too many bites for comfort! 

Summer Holiday, 5 July 2026

Tournai, Wallonie, Belgium

A very long day! We have spent the past week in Sussex, keeping an eye on my mother while my sister and her partner were enjoying their birthdays in Malta. However, I was preaching this morning (you can read the result here, although audio will not be posted until we are home again in a couple of weeks), so we got up early, having loaded as much as we could into the motor home the night before, and we're away shortly after 08:00. We got to the church in plenty of time, and the service went well. 

When it was over, we headed more-or-less straight off to Folkestone, stopping at a large Tesco's en route, because yesterday, at our local Tesco's, the Swan Whisperer had bought a pair of trousers and a pair of shorts, both of which he badly needed. However, he failed to get the security tag taken off them, so we went into this one to ask them to do it. Which they did, and while we were stopped we had a quick lunch - I had bought meal deals the previous day - and then headed on again. I think we were offered a crossing 30 minutes earlier than we had booked, but because it took forever to get through French passport control, we ended up on our booked 15:24 after all. 

It did feel odd not going straight to Cité Europe straight after getting off the Shuttle, but absolutely no point on a Sunday afternoon - French supermarkets are only open on Sunday mornings, if then. So we drove straight here to Tournai, only stopping when traffic jams on the A25 made that a necessity. 

The reason for Tournai is that we had always assumed that it was an industrial city like Lille, but coming home last time we noticed a sign advertising it as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. So we decided that, next time, we would explore. 

We are staying here two nights, but both of us were tired and jaded after a long day in the motor home - I had slept on the M20, but even still. So after supper - this was cold, consisting of a slice of Gala pie each, plus a sweetcorn salad, a couscous salad and some lettuce - there are times when prepared foods are very useful - we set off for a brief explore. 

We didn't want to spoil ourselves too much for tomorrow, but enjoyed walking down to the historic centre and back; there is a small supermarket a couple of minutes' walk away, which will be useful in the morning, and then we will go and do a proper explore of the old town! 

Late Spring Holiday, 28 May 2026

 Brixton, London

We were booked on the 11:50 crossing,which meant reporting to Le Shuttle no earlier than 09:50 and no later than 10:50.We decided to aim for the earliest time,and were delighted to be offered a crossing on the 10:24! We didn't actuallyy think we'd make it, but, despite queues at passport control, we did, by the skin of our teeth!  If we weren't the last vehicle on, then we were the penultimate!

So we arrived at No 6 just before noon, UK time, sadly too late to see my cousins, who had had to leave an hour earlier, but we did get to see my sister, who was going out to lunch.  She had left lunch for all of us - had I known we were going to be so early, I could have brought something, and this was leftovers from dinner with the cousins the previous evening (cold salmon with a variety of salads, yum!). 

By the time we had everything sorted out, it was already 17:00, largely because the SW had to wash the car as it was covered in bird poo. I did what I could to help, but spent a lot of the time with my mother, reading, and watching a woodpecker trying to see off some starlings which had descended on the bird feeders. About a year ago, my daughter gave them a wildlife camera, and they have been using it to record the doings of the hedgehog in their garden. I haven't seen any footage as yet, but hope to!

The journey back to London was uneventful, and then we had to spend forever unpacking - I haven't quite finished, and have one packing-cube full of t-shirts to put away, but they can wait until tomorrow! I was hot and sweaty, and enjoyed a really luxurious cool shower!  My shower is one of the few things that reconciles me to being at home - the one in the motor home is functional and gets one clean, but cannot be described as luxurious!

I haven't taken any photos today, so here is one from our week at Oberstdorf (the lower station of the Nebelhornbahn at night):

Late Spring Holiday, 27 May 2026

Calais, Hauts-de-France

We were awakened at an unearthly hour of the morning by huge crashes and bangs outside. I thought at first it was thunder, and then perhaps bin collection, but what it turned out to be, when I opened the front shutter to peer out, was a JCB doing something very noisy off the back of a skip. And meanwhile, hundreds (literally) of Muslim men, women and children were walking past, obviously on their way to worship before work and school, as it is a festival called Eid al-Adha, also known as Eid-Mubarak. We could hear their liturgy very faintly while we were having breakfast, so the mosque must have been very close by. 

We didn't linger - the aire was okay, but only okay, and it was getting busy with parked cars and so on, plus this huge lorry with the skip and the JCB, and were away by 10:00. We drove straight to Cité Europe, only stopping because of traffic jams on the motorway - we went via Lille, which was very congested, as were the approaches to Calais. Meanwhile, we were intrigued to see a sign on the motorway proclaiming Tournai a World Heritage Site, as we had assumed it was an industrial city like Lille. So we might have to go and investigerate next time we are in the area! 

When we arrived at Cité Europe, our first priority was to do a load of washing. I thought the Swan Whisperer was going to go and see whether the machines were in use, but what he had said was that he was going to go and see if he could find them! So by the time he got back, I had already started the washing (the launderette is across the car park and not exactly difficult to see!) and had begun to get lunch!

After lunch, I did a Last Shop in France, and also walked up and down the mall to see what they actually had - as far as the restaurants on the ground floor, and then back on the first floor, where Carrefour is. Once I had done that, we moved on to the Camping-Car Park, and spent some time trying to sort out the Swan Whisperer's Kindle, rather unsuccessfully (I think I can sort things for him in London), and then he went for a walk and I got supper. It is still hot, but there is a breeze, which means that it doesn't feel so bad! 

I do rather love these Moderne flats, visible from the Camping-Car park at Calais. But then, I love Moderne anyway (our block flats in Town is!). 

Late Spring Holiday, 26 May 2026

Namur, Belgium

The Swan Whisperer went for a run this morning along the Rhein, before it got too hot. He went up one bank, crossed on a bridge, then came back down the other bank and crossed on the ferry! Which, he was most indignant to find, had increased its price for foot passengers from €1.50 to €1.70!

Anyway, all this meant that breakfast was a bit late, but we got it finished by about 10.15, and set off to the local shopping centre which had a ReWe, a Kik, a DM and a Netto. I made the SW come with me into the ReWe to buy all the drink we needed - milk, fruit juice, another bottle of Hugo, two cartons of the lovely elderflower iced tea they do here and quite a lot of beer! I decided not to buy more Hugo, apart from the one bottle, as I am fairly sure it's the kind of thing one drinks on holiday and in a restaurant, but not so much at home. Still, it is very good, and might make the rather nasty French elderflower cordial bought in error last Holidays a bit more drinkable! 

I then had a good look round Kik and DM, and found my favourite moisturiser (all of €1.95 a jar), and may have gone a little mad buying shower gels of brands one can't get in the UK! Or, put it this way, that I have not seen in the UK. Then I went back to the ReWe and got the usual things for a Last Shop in Germany - coloured eggs, German sausages, prepared red cabbage, etc, plus various groceries we probably need for the week ahead. Tomorrow will be a Last Shop in France, as I'd like to get on as early a Shuttle as possible since cousins are visiting my mother and I'd love to get there before they have to leave. I do hope that will be after lunch, not after breakfast! 

So anyway, next port of call was Düren, where we got diesel. I had thought of going to Lidl while we were there, but decided I was shopped out! So we drove on a couple of kilometres and stopped for lunch in a random picnic area, and then didn't stop again until we reached this aire in Namur. It is free, which is about the only thing that can be said for it! And there are services, should we want them, but they are quite expensive, so we probably won't use them. 

The only photo I've taken today is of the Drachenfels from the ReWe car park! 

Late Spring Holiday, 25 May 2026

Niederdollendorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen

I decided I really didn't want to go for a walk this morning, but the Swan Whisperer went for a 4 km one around Aschaffenburg which he seems to have thoroughly enjoyed. 

After this, we set off, stopping first at the services (excellent - water is €1 for 100 litres, but you don't have to buy more than 10 litres at a time. Emptying was easy, as was rinsing the loo). Our next port of call was a petrol station, but we were really annoyed because both Google and our Satnav said it would be €1.87 per litre, but when we came to it, it was €2.10! The SW did not buy a full tank! We will probably find it cheaper somewhere tomorrow and can fill up before leaving Germany. 

We drove on to Niederdollendorf without further incident, stopping in an aire somewhere for lunch - we had been able to buy rolls at the petrol station. Once we had parked up and had a cup of tea, we set out to catch a train into Königswinter proper (Niederdollendorf and, indeed, Oberdollendorf, are suburbs). The plan was to catch a train and then walk back along the river. But public transport decided to hate us, and the trains promptly fell over - and we left it just a minute too late to catch a tram, and the next one wasn't for half an hour. 

So, plan B - we walked along the river into Königswinter, and got the tram back.

There wasn't really time to see anything of the town, but we have been there so many times before - the first time I went was with a school party in 1970, when we were going to visit the Passion Play in Oberammagau, and spent a week here first.

So anyway, the tram arrived on time and we were back in Niederdollendorf a few minutes later. My feet held up fairly well, but the blisters were making themselves felt underneath their plasters by the time we got back to the WoMo. All the same, it was not an unpleasant walk, even though I rather had to go at the SW's pace, which leaves me breathless - and I was really rather a damp mess by the time we got back! 

We are now sitting out listening to the dusk chorus. There's another British van here, which is unusual - we very seldom see other British motorhomers in Germany! There may have been some Hugo..... 

Late Spring Holiday, 24 May 2026

Aschaffenburg, Bavaria

No, I don't quite know how come we are back in Bavaria, having left it, as I thought, for good this visit! However, we are, and without retracing our steps, either. 

We emptied the grey water tank this morning before heading on. Payment at the aire is a bit complicated - on arrival you pay €17, and are told you are going to be issued a card, and would you like to add money to it to pay for electricity and/or water? We weren't going to need water, and the SW said the electricity was rather expensive, at 80 cents per kilowatt/hour, so we didn't. Then when you are ready to leave, you use your card to exit the barrier (having used it to get in) and then return it to the machine, which refunds you €5.00, so in fact the night only cost €12.00. Which is quite reasonable, actually! 

We half thought of having a swim this morning after breakfast, but then thought not, and headed on fairly soon after the meal. Our first port of call was Ellwangen

to buy rolls for lunch and our Pentecost cheesecake.

It turned out to be one of those extremely pretty little towns that nobody has ever heard of, so we went for a short walk round it - I had put blister plasters on and was wearing my light sandshoes, rather than sandals, and managed okay. 

We then set off for Aschaffenburg, stopping in a random Lidl car park (shops here are all closed on Sundays, so we weren't in any body's way) to have lunch, as we couldn't find a parking space along the route. I did try to log on to their WiFi, but they wouldn't let me as they were closed! Needless to say, as soon as we continued our journey we passed loads of picnic/parking areas! 

We arrived in Aschaffenburg, where we have stayed before, but decided against staying in the aire, as it costs €8, and you don't get anything for your money except dodgy WiFi. However, I have enough data to last me until I get home, so that is not really a problem. Thing is, they don't provide services there, although there are some not far away. And most people seem to park up in the Festival carpark across the way - which is exactly what we have done! We are sitting out after supper, which was rosti again, but I cooked them more successfully this time; used only half the packet and the bigger frying pan, although they still didn't stick together as much as I should have liked. Followed by hazelnut yoghurt, and washed down by beer! 

I am not quite sure where we will stay tomorrow night; we had planned to go to Königswinter, where we have stayed many times before, but it appears that they have now moved the previously free aire from opposite the station to under the motorway, and now charge you €6 for the privilege of parking there. I gather there is another, similar aire in Niederdollendorf, where I want to go anyway to do a Last Shop in Germany, but the whole point of Königswinter is the lovely walks and the little train up to the top of the mountain! I suppose one could get the tram or the train from Niederdollendorf, so not the end of the world. Can't shop tomorrow as it's a public holiday, and unlike in the UK, even Lidl will be closed. Only bakeries open in the mornings. Well, we shall see, 

I am amused by a red something that is under the tree which I can see from where I'm sitting outside. I went over to have a look, fully expecting it to be a piece of waste paper - a sweet wrapper, or similar - but found it is a rather droopy red pepper that has split open. Whatever bird or animal tried to eat it, they obviously didn't care for it!

Late Spring Holiday, 23 May 2026

Rainau, Baden Wurttemburg

It was so, so, so hard to say goodbye to Oberstdorf this morning! Our ticket didn't expire until 14:00, so we were in no rush. We worked out that we could do a Laast Shop in Germany on Tuesday morning (Monday is Whit Monday and the shops, except for a few bakeries, will be closed), so I just nipped to Norma to get one or two things, and then to Ehren's for lunch rolls and a raspberry strudel to share between us. 

We got the WoMo into travelling condition, used the services and filled up with drinking water, and set off at about 10:30. We decided not to risk the free aire we had thought of for tonight because it is a long weekend, and even the huge aire in Oberstdorf was well-nigh full. So we decided on this rather nice aire in a place called Rainau, just by a reservoir with swimming areas, boating areas, etc. There was plenty of room when we arrived, but it has filled up since. 

After a rather late lunch, we had a rest and then went out to walk round the reservoir, which was extremely pleasant,

only I have blisters on my feet. How come I could walk round Oberstdorf and Brixton in my sandals with no ill-effects (it is seriously sandals, shorts and sunhat weather}, but not here? 

I had half planned to go for a swim while the SW got supper, but I really can't walk another step! Maybe in the morning before we head on? 

Late Spring Holiday, 22 May 2026

Oberstdorf, Allgäu, Bavaria

Which numpty misread the timetable and thought that the competition started at 09:30 this morning, as it has on all the other days? Of course, it started at 10:00, and we could have lingered over breakfast another 30 minutes. Not that it actually mattered, as it meant we were able to watch the synchro teams rehearsing. And very good they were, too. One of them - a Finnish team, I think - is was made up of all men. 

The reason why we had wanted to be there first thing, rather than later in the day as we have done all week, was that we wanted to see the free dances, which were lovely. Then there were various friends skating, so we stayed to watch them. We did pop out for a leg-stretch during one resurface,

but lunch was a sandwich from the little café. During the afternoon, I also went out briefly for an ice cream, but other than that we stayed in the rink until the end of the men's masters IV and V, which was the last of what we wanted to see. And thus we called it a competition. Tomorrow we start home, but it is a long weekend, the weather is lovely, and I really hope we can find somewhere to park up for the night tomorrow and Sunday! 

Late Spring Holiday, 21 May 2026

Oberstdorf, Allgäu, Bavaria

The weather has taken a definite turn for the better, and it is positively warm. T-shirt and sandals weather, although you want another layer in the rink. 

We were rather slow getting up this morning, and didn't hurry up to the rink. I did a quick dash to Norma for bread and tomatoes, and got some jam doughnuts for lunch pudding - we made sandwiches to take to the rink with us. 

Once at the rink, we watched the various classes we wanted to see, and then I went for a walk around the town, part sightseeing

and part shopping (I bought a new fleece for myself, and some more tissues to throw for people as I am getting very low on "tossies" and have almost run out of soap for people. 

When we got to the rink, I realised I'd left my cushion behind and even when I called in at the WoMo to put labels on the packets of tissues saying who they were from, I still forgot it. And got quite terribly sore and stiff. The SW went out to buy filled rolls for supper and kindly brought both it and my pills back for me. 

I had hoped to stay all evening, but was aching in places I didn't know one could ache, and so have come back to the WoMo and taken paracetamol,. I am now watching the rest of the evening on livestream! 

Late Spring Holiday, 20 May 2026

Oberstdorf, Allgäu, Bavaria

The weather at the moment seems to be a fine day followed by a wet one! And today was the wet one, although more showery than really wet. Mind you, there were some really heavy showers, but they didn't last long.

I went over to Norma to do a bit of shopping, and was amused to see that they don't sell non-alcoholic elderflower, but they do sell the alcoholic kind! I contented myself with beer today, though, as we had run out, and also got some cherries, as well as eggs, and rolls for lunch. The SW likes to buy the unpasteurised milk you can get here, so he went to get that, but the morning was mainly taken up with doing a load of washing, and then drying it.

I was a bit tired, so didn't go for a walk today, but in the afternoon the SW went for a 17 km walk that he seems to have enjoyed. He did get wet, though! I managed to avoid the showers when I went up to the rink at about 17:30, and he joined me there, but as the competition was running a bit late, he went back to the WoMo for a quick cup of tea and got back before the skaters we wanted to see had started.

We stayed in the rink for the rest of the evening, but went up to Zorans, the restaurant above the rink, to have our supper - the SW had pasta with salmon and spinach, and I had dorade (sea bream?). Which had a delicious sauce, but except for the potatoes, the vegetables it came with were half raw. Not nice. The fish was lovely, though.

It was the pattern dances this evening - my first love. The Bronze dancers had been set the Willow Waltz and the Fiesta Tango, both of which we have competed in our time. I wish they had been ISU dances back in the day; we could perhaps have danced them here. And come last but that bit wouldn't have mattered. Someone has to, after all!

Anyway, we had fun critiquing the dancers, although most of the dances were ones we couldn't have done other than in a dumbed-down version. One poor Silver couple had a nasty fall in the warm-up, and the man got very nasty ice burn on his face, and I think bent his glasses. They still competed, though, and in fact came second. Bet they'll be stiff in the morning, though! 

The Masters were very impressive, with a Ravensburger Waltz and a Cha-cha Congelado. Those, we admired rather than critiqued! 

It was noticeable though, that the audience for the dances was a lot smaller and slightly less exuberant than during the free and artistic events, although the "old Oberstdorf hands" who are known and loved still got huge cheers. 

And so, as Pepys famously said, to bed. Still two more days of competition to go, and the weather forecast for tomorrow is lovely, 

Late Spring Holiday, 19 May 2026

Oberstdorf, Allgäu, Bavaria

Woke up to clear blue skies and brilliant sunshine! And then we both went back to sleep again! But we got up eventually and enjoyed the rolls from last night for our breakfast. I had half with peanut butter and half with cream cheese and Marmite, and a tomato. Didn't fancy an egg this morning.

After breakfast I went to Lidl - rather more of an expedition than it is at home - as I had coupons for a meal deal of a ready meal, a drink and a pastry. So I got sausages with lentils and noodles (which we had once before in a restaurant in Koblenz), a "chausson de pommes" and a bottle of water. 30% off - not bad! We shared the chausson for lunch pudding, and the ready-meal was tonight's supper. I also got some asparagus which was reduced. I will have to go back....

I didn't walk back to the WoMo but got the bus - they have changed the buses round and made them much more complicated, but they are still free with the tourist pass. We had lunch very punctually and then went to the rink to watch our friends in the Silver Women IV class. After which I went for another walk into the town, mostly window-shopping, and then back to the WoMo for a rest. I did take the bus just one stop up the hill....

Then back to the rink to watch the second half of Silver Women III, and back to the WoMo for supper. The SW had a meeting, so I holed up in the bedroom to watch the skating on livestream. No photos today, but... 

Late Spring Holiday, 18 May 2026

Oberstdorf, Allgau, Bavaria

The weather in the Alps in May is changeable, to say the least! It was bitterly cold on Saturday, when we arrived, and all the skaters froze at the welcome party. Then yesterday was really lovely, mostly sunny and very warm, and today - this afternoon, really - it has been very wet indeed. It wouldn't really be Oberstdorf without a picture like this:

Anyway, the Swan Whisperer went for a run this morning before breakfast, but I found myself really tired - I seem to have overdone it rather over the past few days! I did get up when he came in and, after breafast, contemplated going into town to visit the local Lidl, but realised that this was simply Not On, so contented myself with going to Norma, which is even nearer to the Wohnmobilstellplatz than Lidl is to home! 

I went up to the rink to see at least one skater that I wanted to see, but found I was very tired, so when she had skated I went back to the WoMo and lay down for a bit before lunch, missing another skater I should have liked to have seen. After lunch, I again lay down and rested for awhile, but headed up to the rink (in the pouring rain) for 5:30 to watch pretty much continuously from then until the close of play. Zorans seems to be closed on Mondays (although I'm not actually sure that it was tonight - but perhaps it doesn't when there is An Event on), so we went out to a local take-away called "Zur Currywurst" and got ourselves the eponymous sausage and a portion of chips to take away. Which was delicious, and I ate all my sausage and pretty much my fair share of chips, too! We hadn't realised the sausages would come with rolls, so we decided to keep them and have them for breakfast tomorrow. 

We saw all the women skaters we wanted to see in Gold V Free, Silver II Artistic; and Gold III Artistic which was very frustrating - two friends were lying first and second in the class (only 5 skaters in it), when the fifth skater pipped both of them and (deservedly) won the class! My friend who came 2nd was very frustrated as she said that is the 8th time she has come second, and never yet won! 

I was very stiff by the time the skating finished - ice rinks are not comfortable places to sit for hours, and I ended up with serious chapelbottom! I had the inflatable cushion for my back, but the flat cushion I like to sit on is fabric, and there wasn't room to stuff it in my bag, and it was too wet to just carry it, so I left it back in the WoMo. I must manage things better tomorrow, but I hope it won't be quite so cold and wet. This being Oberstdorf, it will probably snow.... And despite everything, I have still done almost 7k steps today! 

Late Spring Holiday, 17 May 2026

Oberstdorf, Allgäu, Bavaria

I woke up really early and needed to visit the sanitary block; on my way back I grabbed my phone as the early morning sun hitting the snow-covered mountains was so spectacular! 

We didn't actually leave the motor home in the morning, as we were watching the livestream from the competition, and then our church service (quality not at all bad), and then we had lunchI, During the early part of the morning, the Swan Whisperer changed our sheets and towels, as we are half-way through the holiday. After lunch he went for a walk which he later described as "Very long, very strenuous, very enjoyable!" 

I, meanwhile, went up to the rink and sat with some friends to watch other friends skate. When there was a gap in my interest, I decided to go for a walk in the village. Either I have done too much over the past ten days or I'm not quite as adjusted to the altitude as I thought I was, but I found it rather hard going towards the end, and had to force myself nnot to take the bus back fr just one stop! Eventually I did >10.5k steps over the course of the day. 

When the SW got back from his walk, we had a cup of tea, and he went up to the rink as he couldn't make the livestream work - I think it did go down for a while there - but I decided to stay put and read. I'm reading Julia Boyd's "A Village under the Nazis", which is about Oberstdorf, and is very interesting. 

We had arranged to join some other ice dancers (after all, that is what we were) for a meal at Zum Wilde Männle, in town, which was most enjoyable, both the company and the food! I had the trout with asparagus and new potatoes, which was lovely, although I couldn't eat the potatoes and the SW had to help me with the trout! He had roast pork, which looked very good. I had yet another Hugo (I gather that traditionally it is not made with gin, just elderflower, mint and prosecco; the gin is a modern addition). 

When we had finished eating, we went back to the rink where we had hoped to watch the rest of the day's competitions, Unfortunately, they were running rather late, and I started flaking out, so we came back to the WoMo and I went to bed and watched the remaining skaters on the livestream! Didn't have the mental energy to blog, though. 

Late Spring Holiday, 16 May 2026

Oberstdorf, Allgaü, Bavaria

We have had it relatively easy compared to the stories we are hearing of mislaid luggage (including, disastrously, ice skates), trains up the creek, and generally awful journeys. However, our own day was not without its problems. We got up early, and set off before breakfast to get to the parkrun in Ulm, but, alas, when we got there the car park we needed to use was closed for an event of some kind or other, and we were waved away. So no parkrun for the poor Swan Whisperer. We found somewhere to park, but far too far away to get back in time, and had breakfast, and then headed straight to Oberstdorf, arriving about 11:30.

I went over to Norma and got a few things, and after lunch and a bit of a rest, we went up to the rink where we met loads of friends, hugged many, chatted to a few. Then back down to the Wohnmobilestellplatz to register and pay - he still only takes cash, so the SW dashed into the village to get some. The man did say we could pay tomorrow, but easier to get it over and done with. This year, we can get our Kurkarte online, so we did, but I haven't yet tried to use it. 

We went back to the rink for the opening ceremonies, during which the SW was presented with a badge, as he is one of the few skaters who took part in the first competition - and this is the 20th!

He skated with someone else that first year. We came to watch the 5th year, and actually competed the 10th.Then we have been coming every year since 2017, except last year when the dates simply didn't work for us. 

The competition starts tomorrow, and I'm sure we will be in and out of the rink - too many classes have skaters we don't really know just now. But there's lots to do in Oberstdorf even without watching skating (and there is always the livestream if you want to watch just one skater!). I see the Oberstdorf Therme has reopened after about 20 years, so may well see if anybody else wants to go with me.....

Late Spring Holiday, 15 May 2026

Weilheim an der Teck, Baden-Württemberg

We are only just not in Bavaria! But still, I understand, in Baden-Württemberg. 

After breakfast and tidying up, we drove the short distance to the Schwartzwald-Center and parked up. I expect the Swan Whisperer had coffee and did various things, while I thoroughly enjoyed myself in the shopping mall. There was a big shoe shop but, perhaps it is as well, the trainers I really loved didn't come in my size (and were expensive). There was a C&A (I do miss that!) but I did not yield to temptation. Just. Then there was a huge Müller, and I did buy some travel-sized shower gels which smelt absolutely lush! 

Then downstairs to the REWE, where I really only bought such groceries as we needed for today, and tomorrow. A banana, as I want a peanut butter and banana sandwich for my breakfast, and a rather large granola yoghurt for the SW to have after his parkrun. And various other bits and bobs. 

Then it was time to head on, and we drove down here to Weilheim an der Teck. I was pleased to find that it was easy to pay with the app, and of course it was less than half what we paid for last night. But no WiFi, alas. 

Then a much-needed lunch (I do wish I could manage a whole one of those delicious German rolls) which I included a delicious patisserie, which was a layer of raspberries in jelly, a layer of some kind of 

yoghurt concoction, and a layer of sponge, the whole surrounded by a protective coating of chocolate. I forgot to take a photo until it was too late! I should really have only had half of it, but it really was too good to resist! After which, I flopped on the bed and went to sleep for a bit, and when I woke up we had a cup of tea, and then set out to explore the town. 

At first, we thought it would be disappointing, as it seemed to be rather nondescript residential housing, and a ReWe/Aldi/Tedi complex, but we walked a little further and found ourselves in the old town, which really was rather nice.

I was not really enjoying the walk, as we had come down a rather steep hill, and I was not looking forward to the climb back up! Imagine my surprise, then, when I found we were back at the aire, and it hadn't at all felt uphill! I would have enjoyed the walk so much more had I realised that was going to happen! 

On or way back, we stopped at a random Netto and bought some pink fizz and a couple of cans of Hugo. When we got back, we decided the sun was over the yardarm, and I had one of the tins, while the SW had a beer. The Hugo was lovely, and didn't taste a bit alcoholic - but I noticed, too late, too late, that it was 6.9% ABV! I am well aware that I have drink taken..... 

Late Spring Holiday, 14 May 2026

Freudenstadt, Baden-Wurtenburg, Germany 

We left Strasbourg about 10:30, having used the services and made our farewells - I expect we will return to that campsite again, probably on our visit to the Christmas markets. Our first port of call was to have been the Esso garage in Kehl, but we missed the entrance, and ended up going all round the houses until we found diesel which, while horribly expensive, was about 25 cents a litre than it is in France. 

All went smoothly for awhile, but the Satnav suddenly told us to turn left instead of following the signs to Freudenstadt, and we decided we knew better than it. So we stayed on the main road which was probably a Big Mistake, as it went over the mountains (Black Forest) and round lots of hairpin bends. The Satnav probably knew an easier route! Oh well, we got there in the end and the bends, while horrible and sick-making, weren't too scary because at least there was armco and stuff to stop you going over the edge. The SW wanted to stop for coffee, but I begged him not to on the grounds that the sooner we got the drive over and done with, the better! 

So, anyway, we arrived at Freudenstadt only to discover that where we normally parked up is no longer the motorhome aire, but instead they have laid out a shiny new aire with marked pitches, services, electricity and even WiFi - for a fee!

Electricity and water are extra, but we can do without them, and the WiFi is included. It wouldn't be quite so bad if they didn't charge tourist tax, which made the price of the night half as much again. Plus it is further from both the swimming-pool and the big Schwarzwald shopping centre, which I am looking forward to exploring in the morning. No point today, as it is Ascension Day and the shops are shut! 

We thought about going swimming, but the reviews said it was always packed out on public holidays, so we decided against it. The SW went for a walk, and as there have been several showers, and even a crack or two of thunder, he got a bit wet! 

Supper was a bit of a disaster. I had bought delicious rösti from Lidl, and decided to cook one with a mushroom and cream cheese sauce (garlic and herb cream cheese), pureed broccoli and asparagus. The veg were all right, although the broccoli took a LOT of puréeing, but the rösti were very difficult to cook - I should have used the larger pan, as really we ended up with brown-ish shards of cooked potato that didn't hold together at all. Oh well, they tasted fairly good, and there is about 1/3 left, as it was far more than I thought. So, as we have no fresh bread for the morning, we might fry what's left up again and also a tomato to go with our fried eggs. 

After supper, I did some of the tai chi form as I'd had no exercise today, and feel a great deal better for it! 

Late Spring Holiday, 13 May

Strasbourg, Grand-Est

Today is our last full day in Strasbourg; we will have to move on tomorrow. I should have liked to have stayed another night, but the campsite is full for the long weekend, so we'll head on. I would then have liked to have gone to our next scheduled stop, and arrive in Oberstdorf on Friday rather than Saturday, but himself wants to do the Ulm parkrun, so we can't. We think we'll stop over in Freudenstadt, on our route, where we have stopped a couple of times before. Of course, the shopping complex there will be closed tomorrow, as it is Ascension Day, but they'll be open again on Friday morning, and I'm sure I'll have time to shop then. 

But to return to today. We had thought to take the bus to Etoile-Bourse and then change on to a D tram, but in the end we got off a couple of stops earlier and walked up along the river, to the Barrage Vauban, which was having Works done to it, so covered in scaffolding, and so into Petite France.

I hadn't known that, back in the day, it was the main port for Strasbourg, and the area where the more noisome trades were kept, and the poorest people lived. Nowadays, of course, it is seriously touristy! 

We were delighted to find the local Methodist Church, although it was locked so we couldn't go in; however we could, and did, go into St Thomas' church, which is also Protestant. The SW said it was too highly decorated to be Protestant, but I pointed out that it was restrained compared to some Anglo-Catholic churches we know! There was an exhibition of modern sculptures taking place, which were rather lovely. 

We walked on up to Homme de Fer, and then to Place Kléber and looked round the market there; then on to Les Halles, where there was a shopping centre but it wasn't very exciting. So we came away. I was beginning to have had enough by then, so
 we walked back down the road to a restaurant I'd seen yesterday and thought looked good. It was called Le Bouillon Pharamond, and is a homage to the traditional "bouillons", or workman's cafés, of Paris. 

It was very good. I had snails (and because I wanted a main course, I goody didn't sop up the delicious garlic butter with the bread provided) followed by steak and chips, which was not such a huge helping I couldn't eat it all - plus I was hungry after all that walking. I washed it down with Diabolo, that delicious mint cordial that I would never drink at home. The SW had egg mayonnaise followed by boeuf bourginon with coquillettes, washed down with apple juice. 

We then lazily took the tram one stop back to Homme de Fer, where we changed to an F, which took us to Comte Station, where there is a Lidl. I bought one or two things for tomorrow's food, and we walked back to the campsite down rather a lovely path which takes us past the old Jewish cemetery and through a public park. 

Whereupon I flopped on the bed and went to sleep for a bit, and the SW did a load of laundry. And in a bit, we will have croque-monsieurs for supper. At least, ham and cheese toasties because we probably can't be bothered to make béchamel sauce! 

Photospam, needless to say, on Facebook. 

Late Spring holiday, 12 May 2026

Strasbourg, Grand-Est, France

Today, we went to Germany. Yes, I know we will be going there on Thursday, but, among other things, we wanted to see whether diesel was any cheaper across the Rhine. It is, quite significantly, although it is still eye-wateringly expensive! 

Anyway, the SW went for a run first thing, while I got breakfast (scrambled eggs on a lovely fresh baguette), and then we set off. I thought we had decided to go up to Comte tram stop, which is where the local Lidl is, to locate it and to see a part of the town we hadn't yet seen, but the SW misunderstood and thought we were walking towards the central station - as if, it's much easier to go by public transport! So once that was sorted out, we found we were one tram stop nearer to town. We changed at Homme de Fer (no, I don't know why Iron Man, either!), and it was an uneventful run to Kehl Rathaus. 

We wandered up the main drag, with me telling myself firmly that I could go to both Müller and Woolworth's when we get to Oberstdorf, and then turned down towards the Edeka Center (sic), where I parked the SW with a cup of coffee, and went to DM (I do like their moisturiser and their shampoo bars, only they didn't have the moisturiser I like) and to Tedi, where I didn't buy anything, and so to Edeka, where I got fresh milk for the SW, and a few goodies you can get in Germany but not in France or the UK. 

The SW had kindly bought me a coffee, which was getting cold, but still drinkable, and although it was 13:00, I felt I could last out until we got back to the WoMo before eating anything. So we walked back to Kehl Bahnhof, getting the view of the mosque in the distance,

and got on the tram there. Which, unfortunately, broke down! In a place where there was no convenient alternative, and I knew I couldn't walk another 20 minutes at that stage. So we had to wait until a mechanic came, who seems to have waved a magic wand over the tram, as it promptly started off at full speed and then had to brake rather hard at a red signal. The driver apologised! 

We got to Etoile-Bourse without further incident, and there was a C1 bus almost straight away, and so back to the campsite. I had bought rolls for lunch, and they were as delicious as always, even though I couldn't manage a whole one. 

I had hoped to go out again this afternoon, but it just couldn't be done, alas. I did go for a leg-stretch up to the main block to refill my water bottles, but that's as far as it went. The SW did go out for a short explore, but mostly to see where a path went before we go out tomorrow. And I have done nearly 8K steps today, as I did yesterday, which is a lot for me! 

Late Spring Holiday, 11 May 2026

Strasbourg, Alsace, France

It has been a very wet day, although really just showers - more-or-less continuous showers, with a few breaks in between! And, of course, it is Monday, so all the museums and many restaurants are closed. 

However, we did not let this deter us too much, and set off about 10:30 to visit the European Parliament. We bought ourselves 72-hour tickets, which are excellent value for money, and will do us until we leave on Thursday (and if we end up in Kehl, which we might, we can always buy another 24-hour ticket, should we need to). I wished - as I did all day - that I had put a sweatshirt on under my jacket, as I was totally not warm enough! And I was wearing my mid-season jacket, too, not my light one! 

There is a bus stop just outside the campsite, and we caught the second bus that came along - a no 2, as it happens - because its route goes more through the city centre than the other bus, the C1, does. We eventually changed on to a tram, which took us out to the European Parliament. 

I don't think we'd really planned what we'd do when we got there, but we found out that one could visit the building, so of course we did. It is free to visit, but there is strict security. You start off by showing your passport at the entrance, and then you are directed downstairs where there is an airport-style conveyor belt and metal detector. Then you scan your passport and the machine issues you a badge, which you show at the entrance to the main area, and wear attached to your person for the rest of the visit. 

The visit takes you past all sorts of exhibitions about the main movers and shakers of the European Union (the historical ones, I mean), and at the heart of it all you enter the main debating chamber. Parliament was not in session, so we were able to take photographs. There may have been a tear or two on my part at the thought that my stupid country voluntarily took itself out of all this. Photospam on Facebook. 

Anyway, the visitor trail - clearly signed, and you couldn't wander off the beaten track - took us back down and past more exhibitions (one on Simone Veil) and so out of the site. You had to remove the plastic clip from your badge and return it to a container designed for the purpose, and then scan the badge itself before you could get out. 

There was a tram back to the city centre, and we decided to lunch at the restaurant we first went to in 2018, and at least once later on. But, alas, as is the way of restaurants, it is no longer there, and had been replaced by a Lebanese one, which we could go to at home. So we walked down to the Cathedral, and ended up in a random restaurant where the SW ordered a Flammekeuchen, which he had been longing for. I got put off them in Lübeck when we had one and the taste lingered all afternoon! So I had a "Salade de jarret de porc", which was pulled pork knuckle on a bed of lettuce and potato salad, with a hard-boiled egg and tomato. Very delicious, but I don't eat much these days and could barely manage half of it! 

We then walked down to L'Etoile and caught a C1 back to the campsite, where I threw on more clothes, and even the SW put on a sweater. We spent what was left of the afternoon reading - and it has to be said, dozing - on the bed, while the rain hammered on the roof (incidentally cleaning much of the owl poo off the skylight!) and now we are about to have soup and bread and cheese for supper! 

Late spring holiday, 10 May 2026

Strasbourg, Alsace

It is raining. The forecast was for this to happen, but as none of the apps I use seemed quite sure when it was going to start, so we decided to leave our lovely little aire in Argonne fairly early. We could not, of course, check in to the campsite until 14:00, but we wanted to stop and listen to our church service - sadly, it took forever for it to come up, and we were only able to join for the second half of Gordon 's sermon. But what we did hear was excellent.

We drove mostly on the excellent N4 and its tributaries, going through Bar-Le-Duc, among other places. We didn't think we'd been there before, despite having seen lots of signs for it over the years. It looks lovely. The Satnav got very confused, though, as they have changed the road layout and it didn't know about it, so it paid us back by taking us to the back gate of the campsite! Still, we got here in the end. Warm welcome, but the WiFi is a bit far away.

We are here until Thursday, but the weather forecast is a bit pants - and the museums are closed tomorrow! I think we will have to visit lots of churches instead. 

Late Spring holiday, 9 May 2026

Givry-en-Argonne, Grand Est, France

Still no services this morning, and Camping-Car Park haven't replied to my email, so I am not pleased with them. They are usually far more efficient than that. We put a notice on the services saying "En Panne", but you would have thought they would have done that, and provided an alternate source of water - if only a bowser, or directions to a nearby standpipe! 

Anyway, after breakfast I went round to Lidl to get another free baguette on my points, and also found some merguez reduced for quick sale, so I'll make a couscous tomorrow. Tonight is our traditional Saturday sausage and mash. I also bought some strawberries, but didn't buy asparagus as it was rather expensive. Later I wished I had, as it was even more expensive in Auchan. Anyway, once I had done that, there was little to keep us, so we headed on, 

First port of call was an Auchan for fresh milk, which Lidl doesn't sell, and I couldn't resist some fromage frais with raspberries. The SW had coffee while I was doing this, and then we joined the A26, on which we stayed until just before Reims. We stopped at a random picnic area for lunch, which was really rather pleasant.

At Reims, we came off the motorway, and went on progressively slower roads, ending up on the D70, which brought us to a very nice free aire in this little hamlet. 

We are behind a small Carrefour, in which you can buy a token for either 10 minutes of water or 2 hours' electricity, so we did that, and emptied the loo and put some more water in the tank, plus a containerful for the SW to wash the windscreen. We had driven through a swarm of flying insects, and it was covered! I popped in a few minutes later to get some scrubbers, as we'd left ours at home, and although we do have a washing-up brush, it is less effective on tea stains in mugs! I then did some of the tai chi form, and when the SW had finished cleaning the windscreen, he went off to see if there is anywhere he can go for a run in the morning (probably only a short one) and I did some crochetinig in front of YouTube. I hope the SW will get supper soon. 

The birdsong here is exceptional! Ranging from cockerels to cuckoos, and anything in between! The SW has a wonderful list from his walk, and says there are frogs, too. 

But I am sad this evening, as news came through that a contemporary of mine has died very suddenly of a massive stroke. I didn't know her well, as she was in the parallel class and a different House, but all the same.... It is sad. 

Late Spring Holiday, 8 May 2026

Saint-Omer, Pas-de-Calais

We were horribly low on water this morning, so did not shower but made do with a "possible wash" in the basin (you know - you wash down as far as possible, then you wash up as far as possible, and then you wash possible). 

The Swan Whisperer went out to buy croissants and, incidentally, to look at the local cemetery in case it had a tap so we could get water - CCP still haven't fixed the services, and I gather they have been out of use for several days. Unlike them to be so inefficient, but they haven't even put a notice on them saying "En Panne", far less produced a bowser of water! I have emailed them to complain - not that it will do any good - and will write them a bad review when the time comes.

So after breakfast we drove up to the cemetery and filled our water tank. We didn't quite like to connect our hose to the cemetery tap, so the SW filled our 11-litre watering can several times. We think we have enough to do us, certainly for the morning and, hopefully, as far as Strasbourg on Sunday.

When we got back to the CCP, I went out to Lidl, which is only marginally further away than it is at home, and which doesn't observe public holidays (which today is, but in France). When I got back, the SW was busy mending the bedroom door, which broke again yesterday. We badly need a new latch for it, but he has made a sort of Heath Robinson arrangement with a spider clip. Then it was lunch-time, and after that we flopped on the bed for what was supposed to be half an hour, but the SW went sound asleep, and it was about 90 minutes later when I woke him to suggest we had a cup of tea before heading out for our walk.

We had a lovely walk along the canal for a bit, and then past the ruins of St Bertin's Abbey,

and then past the Church of Saint-Denis. 

 It said there was a fountain, but it was not an ornamental one, rather it was some kind of historic standpipe or something. The church, disappointingly, was locked. We walked back to the campsite past a Carrefour City, as the SW wanted milk and he doesn't like UHT stuff, but it was closed. So back to the WoMo - he went on a little further to look at the marshy area beyond, but I didn't join him. Then he nipped out for some more beer, as we only had a smallish bottle in the fridge, and now it is supper time. Photospam on Facebook. 

Late Spring Holiday, 7 May 2026

Saint-Omer, Pas-de-Calais

The Swan Whisperer had to get up at 05:30 this morning to open up the Youth Club to be a polling station. I had had every intention of getting up then, but I must have fallen asleep straight away, as it was 06:45 next time I looked at my clock! This meant, of course, that it was after 08:30 before we got away, and we didn't get to Sussex until nearly 11:00. 

We decided it wasn't worth filling up with water, as we would have services this evening, so only put a few litres in, to get us there. Spoiler alert: Big Mistake. 

We made good time to Folkestone, stopping at Clackett Lane services to eat our sandwiches, and were pleased to be offered a crossing at 16:16 rather than the 16:46 we had been booked on. I discovered I had forgotten to enter our API, and had a bit of trouble finding out how to do it, although the man in the customer services seemed to think it wasn't necessary (I don't think he was right. Plus he gave me some extremely dubious information about what to do next time. I do think customer service reps ought to know what they are talking about; they very often don't, though!). Anyway, I found the correct login in the end, and was able to enter the info before we went through passport control. 

We were well on time for our crossing, but they suddenly said the next crossing was at 16:46 and they apologised for the delay, which wasn't very nice of them. I do wish they wouldn't do that! I don't at all mind going on our booked crossing; I do mind when they muck us about. 

Anyway, once we got going, that was fine. We stopped at the Cité Europe for me to shop and the SW to get diesel, which was horrendously expensive. And then a smooth run to Saint-Omer. 

But the services have broken down! We tried and tried to get them to work, but they wouldn't, and when the SW rang up they told him there was a fault and "they were working on it", but couldn't tell him when they would be mended. So we have almost no water, and I have no idea where we can get some. And we have booked here for two nights; I assume they will refund me if we can't stay the second night! They would have need to! 

There is a cemetery up the road, and that may well have running water; they often do. Otherwise we'll have to buy water from the local Lidl, which is just round the corner. 

I had made a big vegetable stew for supper, which we had with rice and an egg poached in it, but it wasn't very nice.... 

We have, by and large, had better starts to our holiday!