Driving to Paris for the weekend

You have heard us talk about our beautiful friends Wirt & Linda Davis. They are taking very special care of us and are always spoiling us. This was a BIG SPOIL!! They drove us to Paris (about 6 hrs from where we live) and we stayed with Keith & Deborah in St Germain en Laye. Roger and I needed a break away and this was a great opportunity to be tourists and enjoy a brief visit to Paris. I don't think it ever entered my head that one day I might go to Paris. We are always thanking God for our special friends Wirt & Linda. They will be retiring back to Texas end of August '07, but we don't like to talk about that!

Just Tourists in Paris!

 

Paris from the Eiffel Tower & Notre-Dame at night

 

Arc de Triomphe

 

P A R I S - no !

Wirt spinning another yarn! I am trying to look like I believe him! 

PHOTO'S FOR ESTHER

Here's the outfit Esther! Thanks for being patient. And just where do you think these have been taken? You'll never guess, but give it a go! 

Here we are

So, what do you reckon about this? 

Schopfheim in Autumn

 

ANOTHER BICYCLE ALERT ! ! !

This blog is really for my precious children!

We heard last night that we had been personally invited by Erwin McManus to be his guests at the Conference he was speaking at for New Leaders in Basel. Not a lot of time to get organized, but also not an invitation you would not take up.

SO.......

Woke up bright and early Saturday morning and my darling husband (YOUR DAD) decides it would be best to take our bikes to the Conference (those of us who know him, know how much he likes bike riding).

SO.....

Ride to Schopfheim Bahnof, catch the train, get off at Reihen (stop before Basel), ask directions of dear lady who speaks perfect English. She looks at us AND THE BIKES, gives us good directions and then says "it is a long way up a steep hill!" (Mountain in Aussie terms).

SO.....

We set off and I try and get a "running start"! Yeh right, sure thing. I last 200m, get off the bike and walk.....and walk.....etc. It was about 4km's ALL UP. Asked a very nice policeman (complete with well behaved police dog) for further instructions and you guessed it.....KEEP GOING UP!

SO.....

We begin to strip! Jackets, gloves, scarf, back pack - that's about all really! Yes, I'm still walking and Roger is trying to be so nice, riding sometimes, walking with both bikes sometimes, walking with his bike sometimes, etc. I'm praying "please God may it be just around this bend, I can't go any further". Had to pray it several times! I'm praying "please God, I'm doing this for you, I'm doing this because I love you, please help me not to complain, please help me not to be cross with Roger!!!"

THEN.....

I start to have flashbacks of 16 years ago when we went to Japan for 3 weeks holiday and we hired a tandem bicycle and we started riding up a certain mountain that Roger had visited with his family when he was a young boy BUT in the family car! At that time I said "you're trying to kill me"! Yes..... I was certainly having flashbacks! Heart attack coming up! Nothing of the sort.

We did eventually arrive at Chrischona AND we were greeted by our friendly policeman who we had asked directions from. "So, you made it then!!" It took us 1 hour from the Bahnhof to get there.

Needless to say, after the Conference it didn't take us long to get back down ( ! ! ! ) to the Bahnhof.

Sorry, no photos of the event.

(I'll tell you about the Conference in a different post)

Autumn in Schopfheim

We couldn't resist taking the camera when we went for a walk on Wednesday. The colours of the leaves on the trees are just magnificent and we marvel at the wonder of it all and how amazing our Great Creator is. Soon most of the trees will be bare and all we will see are sticks.




 

A SPECIAL VISIT

We've had a recent visit from Peter, Narelle and 12 mth old Matthew. It's always lovely to catch up with Aussie friends. They've been living in Starnberg near Munich for 5 years. I was able to find an apartment for them to stay in for 4 nights.

F A M I L Y

Look what I received via email this morning. A picture of my niece Cherith with husband Tim and 3 beautiful boys River, Zephyr and Asher. They are currently living in Broome, Western Australia.

















MY THREE SONS ! ! ! 

PROUD OF MY GIRLS ! ! ! !

Amy and Glenda last Saturday in Melbourne

















Tom and Glenda (Glenda tells me Tom is having a haircut Tuesday!!)

















The Wedding Party. Kirk & Renee with an array of guys and dolls!!!

LIVING IN SCHOPFHEIM

You'll never guess what! I was carrying some washing to the clothes line this morning and the most delightful little old man called out "Entschuldigung" (excuse me). My immediate thought was to run to the clothes line!! It turned out he had a little van and was selling "bio" apples, so of course we just had to buy some (even though they looked worse for wear). But, I've just been eating one and they are very, very yummy.

Ah, we just love living here. There is such a community spirit and people really watch out for you and help you in every possible way. It is so very safe here and the crime rate is virtually zero. When we walk down the street people always greet you and have big smiles.

Today the sun is shining brilliantly and it is 9degrees outside! Roger has taken his bike on the train to Basel to catch up with Bernhard and go for their regular Friday run/walk. Then tonight he has Choir Practise. Did I mentioned he has joined a Choir? "English Seminar Choir" which is part of the English Dept. of Basel University with around 30 in the Choir. They are practising hard for 2 Christmas Concerts in December. Roger is loving it and of course is also getting to know new people.

Deutsch was difficult Monday and I was despairing greatly (but then I realized so was everyone else). Last night it was so much fun and mostly in English!! Well, not really, but it is amazing how many English words they use. We were talking about days of the week and activities! Our young English friend James (19) came back to our place for a beer after the lesson. He called me the teacher's pet! Well, why not! I am the oldest in the class. HOMEWORK, HOMEWORK, I MUST DO HOMEWORK!!

It is so lovely to have the house to myself today. I love being at home! I am listening to "Swiss Classics Radio". They play beautiful music. I need my Glenda to dance me around the room!

Neil Nakamoto (Mosaic LA)

We had a fantastic but every so brief meeting with Neil Nakamoto Tuesday of last week and we were greatly encouraged by our time with him. He came to Basel by train with Derek Webster. Roger was able to give him a brief guided tour of Basel (hence the photos below!). I was to meet them at Starbucks so was there with a friend while waiting for these 3 guys to turn up. Just as well Tara and I have plenty to talk about! 

Basel Autumn Goods Fair

"Seven worlds under one roof. Sales fair with special shows".
When we met friends in Basel last week, this is what we passed on the tram. Lots of fun and children everywhere (as there was one week's school holiday). We didn't go to anything! No children to enjoy it with. It certainly looked lots of fun.























Actually, these pictures are especially for Jocelyn!

(And there would have been more but Picasa2 can't handle too many and it is driving me crazy trying to put them on my Blog). I sure do need a few more lessons in how to make my Blog more interesting. 

FEEDBACK

Okay, so who's reading my BLOG??????

I've changed the settings so you can all comment on my blog, (whether you are a blogger or not) SO PLEASE DO. I need some feedback!!!

MONDAY WALKING

Roger and I were determined to go on today's walk as we haven't been regular contenders for the last few months. It was rather brisk when we left at 8.30 this morning, BUT the sun was shining, so at least that was something. I forgot my passport, not a good idea I must say, but I wasn't checked so I'm not writing this from prison!

There were 14 on the walk (and yes, Roger was the only guy). It was great to see all the girls again and catch up on lots of news. We started from Germany, into Switzerland, walked into France, back into Switzerland and then home to Schopfheim on the train. The walk was 3.5 hours but it didn't seem that long. And I feel like the cobwebs have been blown away which is a good feeling!

It's been a beautiful day, even though it is rather chilly. The sun shining makes all the difference.

Back to Deutsch class tonight. Oops, was I suppose to be studying??????

WONDERFUL MEETING SUNDAY

God is full of surprises! I must be honest and say I was feeling a little down on the weekend and for no reason whatsoever. Get a grip Gaynor! I have SO MUCH to thank God for so why be down. Maybe it is more impatience than anything. Wanting to get our Church Plant off the ground, and NOW!

We had a great meeting yesterday afternoon, when 15 of us met together to strategize, encourage, pray, share, etc. There was a great feeling as we sat around 4 tables in a square! God, how can all these people come together from so many different backgrounds and have a real oneness. Just absolutely fabulous and truly amazing.

THEN we all headed off to Jack and Deanne's for Pizza, etc and as a little farewell to them as they head back to California tomorrow (Boo Hoo!!). There were 24 of us altogether. It was very loud. Not in German style at all.

And yes, Roger and I headed off home on our bikes, (on the train) at 9pm so very blessed and happy.

IT HAD TO HAPPEN

(For our Aussie Family and Friends)!!!

Overnight temperature -4C. Oops! Am I really here! Weren't we in short sleeves a couple of weeks ago?! It's all a bit too much for us Aussies to comprehend, but it's a reality and we'll have to get used to it, AND QUICKLY. Mind you, our little home is well heated and when we look out the window in the mornings and the sun is shining, we can't believe it is so cold outside!! I did almost slip down our front steps Thursday morning, not realizing Jack Frost had been to visit. I think he will be a regular visitor from now on. Not a good thing at all!

(For Esther in Tokyo)!!
It's nearly time for Roger to take a photo of me in the gorgeous coat I bought in Toronto and the hat I bought in Zell (a small village 3 stations from our home)! Oh, and the gloves I bought last week in Zell from the same place I bought the hat!!!!

Aussie Friends Arrive

Our friends Peter and Narelle Morgan, with 1 year old Matthew arrived for a visit from Munich on Monday. We were able to find them a nice unit to stay in whilst they visit (in Loerrach). They came and had lunch with us today. I cooked a yummy Beef Stew with lots of good vegetables in it. We had it with rice. Roger was not able to join us as he had an emergency situation with friends of ours who need his pastoral care at this time.

Tomorrow we will go on a little outing with Peter, Narelle and Matthew. It should be lots of fun. It is currently mid term break here in Germany and today was a holiday (All Soul's Day!). It sure is quiet in Schopfheim when there is a holiday.

I have lots more I would love to write about but must rush. Have a train to catch in less than half an hour and haven't had my soup yet.