Touring Germany

While Craig's mum Mollie was over in Germany we did lots of little touristy excursions to show her the hotspots of the country and also for me and Craigo to say goodbye to Germany for the next couple of... months? years? (I prefer not to think about it too much).

We went on boat trips on the Rhine river and visited the Ludwig castles in Bavaria (here are some pictures of the famous Neuschwanstein Castle) and went up the 3000m high Zugspitze (using the train of course!), Germany's highest peak overlooking the Alps towards Italy, Austria and Switzerland.

It was a great way to see the best of Germany and the weather was glorious. And I think Craig's mum and my parents got to know each other fairly well (and some of Australia's and Germany's most popular folk songs). We all got along together and hopefully moving to the other side of the planet will be easier for all of us.

I would also like to add that thanks to my mum's delicious cooking and various Weissbier in Bavaria together with Schweinehaxen and a plethora of cakes has taken care of our weight loss in South America and we both put the stone we lost back on...

We are now facing the highly entertaining task of repacking all our belongings into boxes for sea transport and are trying to organise a container for the end of this month to Brisbane. Just as well my parents have such a big house as we have our belongings spread out across 4 rooms! (Thank you mum for putting up with the mess!) Once the container has left we will hopefully be able to enjoy the last month in Europe with lots of drinks with friends and my family. Naturally, we are definitely still planning to return to the UK for the appropriate farewell celebrations in November. I will be in touch!

Craig's mum visiting Europe

Craig said he would write a little report on the unbelievable story of his mum's uncle Jack - and how it came that she was able to visit Europe sponsored by the Australian government. Watch this space!

Rugby and Bordeaux Wines

We are currently spending a very relaxing two weeks in the South of France watching the Rugby and tasting wonderful Bordeaux wines! The region around Bordeaux is absolutely beautiful with lots of castles and chateaux and it is great to watch the harvesting in process. Very nice!

This is the view from St. Emillion, one of the most prestigious vine regions in France. Yum!

I know it is my duty as "Sheila girlfriend" to be interested in Rugby but I find it really difficult not to laugh when all these grown men lie in a pile on the muddy ground... mmh! But Craigo is loving it, even if it means sitting in the pouring rain for a few hours! The atmosphere is great and we made lots of Oz friends in various pubs so am not complaining! Need to work on my accent though!

We are staying in Toulouse with Vanja and Goran and little Dane and it is just bliss. I am trying to learn how to bluff without blushing in endless nightly Poker sessions - Texas Hold'em for those in the know! (Apparently another big craze we have been missing while travelling apart from umbrella songs etc.) But as most of you will know, there is no chance in the world of me ever bluffing successfully! I might suggest to play in a dark room???

I am off to Bristol on Wednesday 3 Oct and am very much looking forward to catching up with friends over there! Craig will join his mum in Belgium for a family matter before we all reunite in Frankfurt for a gathering of the Engel/Millis clans!