Day out in Baden Wurttemberg

We wanted to do something special whilst Annette was with us. There is a rail ticket you can buy for 29euros which up to 5 people can travel on anywhere in Baden Wurttemberg. We took the big plunge (!!) and bought the ticket. Roger, Annette, Gaynor, Amanda and Sheila set off on the train at 9.30am. We wanted to get to Lake Constance. But, of course there is beautiful towns and scenery along the way, so many oo's and ah's and of course we had to get off at Laufenberg (pictures below) which is on the Rhine River. A bridge separates Switzerland from Germany and it is the quaintest of towns and a 'must return' village! It was pretty snoozy when we arrived around 10.15am!





And my blog isn't complete without a photo of Woffie (not forgetting Amanda of course). Aaron is currently in the U.S. (Woffie's Daddy!). Woffie thoroughly enjoyed the day out and all the attention he got along the way.

THE WEEK THAT WAS

So, why hasn't Gaynor posted this past week!!! Not like me is it? I've always got plenty to talk about!

Aussie Annette from Newcastle arrived on Monday evening travelling from Paris. There is a small section at Basel SBB (Swiss railway station) devoted to French trains. The downside is you really do have to go through customs! Poor Annette has been full of hayfever and a cold since arriving and it has been most miserable for her. I know what it's like having hayfever and it really gets you down after a couple of days - BUT A WEEK! Oh my goodness, I would be beside myself.

So Tuesday we had a 'quiet' day but did manage a walk. The past week has been rather warm - high 20's, even getting to 30 one day. (Today, Monday, it is rather cold and raining, but we don't mind!!).

Wednesday we were up early to meet Derek and Mel Webster in Frick for a chat and coffee. It's always great meeting with these guys. We love them so much. Then we went into the English Centrepoint to help fold the monthly newsletter 'Horizons'. In the evening we did week 2 of the S.H.A.P.E. course the Rog and Annette went off with a friend, Christian, to walk the Fussball. I came home on the train for an 'early' night.

Thursday was washing, shopping, cooking, writing letters. You know, the usual.

Friday Annette and I went to morning tea at Centrepoint, meeting new people, which is always lots of fun, then we walked back to the Railway Station to come home.

Friday night was 'Girl's Night' with 8 of us together and it was the loveliest night. I just love these evenings of chatting together and having a meal. There were 4 German ladies and 4 English ladies, giving the German ladies an opportunity to speak and hear English.

Our Saturday adventures I will put in a separate blog!!

Juro and Roger in our back garden and canel

Juro loves our backyard and uses every opportunity he can to visit the canel.

So, what a bonus when Mrs Duck comes along. Very friendly little duck indeed!!

This is a view from our backyard to the bridge across the road. Workmen were looking at the structure of the bridge today so maybe they are going to make some repairs.

(Yeh, Glenda and Pat - I can now do photo's!!!!) See, I can get there in the end.

ROGER'S SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY

Yeh, we did it!! Actually, Wirt and Linda did it! We pulled off a surprise Birthday Party for Roger. As he's not well at the moment (bad hayfever), he obviously wasn't in the mood for asking too many questions about what we were doing, where we were going, etc, etc!! Here is Roger entering the Party. A hearty Happy Birthday is being sung by the group!

(Notice diary in hand - he's come to work!!)

I couldn't resist taking a photo of Roger with David and Laura - I mean, what a background. (Oh, by the way, we are at Wirt and Linda's magnificent home - the view is to die for!).

Yep, we're just one big happy family!!

Amanda made the yummy Birthday cake and Roger's about to blow out the candles. Christian is trying to escape from the picture!

Another lovely evening and we again say thank you to God for blessing us with such beautiful friends who really are becoming more like family to us each day.

A day in Biel (Switzerland) for Roger's Birthday

A "grill out" (we say Barbie in Australia)!! What a great team we are. This is the second time we have done this together. Look at the spot! Is this idealic or not?!! And what great mates to be with. We just love the company of Bernhard and Lorraine.

We even managed to find a local family winery to buy some red wine! Shame it was only one bottle, but then we had to hike back down the gorge, so we couldn't indulge too much!!
We have many pictures of the gorge. We walked to a height of around 750, so it was a gradual uphill (except at the beginning of the walk when we had to climb many steps!!).
In this picture you will see a main white cloud. The other smaller 'clouds' are actually the Alps. We could have sat and watched this scene forever.
Then, back to the local winery for a chat and drink with the locals (though it doesn't quite look like it here!!). Thanks Bernhard and Lorraine for a special day out. We left home at 8.30am and got back rather tired at 9.20pm. Roger had a lovely Birthday and missed many phone calls from family and friends back in Australia!

Meeting Christine

I went to Luzern to meet my blogging friend Christine from Singapore. Isn't she gorgeous? Wow, I can't believe I did this. We had the loveliest time together and it was such a thrill to meet each other. So watch out other blogging friends, you could be next!!!

Daily Adventures !

Sorry for the silence. I have had a bloggers block!!

Actually, I've had too much on and I just can't seem to keep up with everything.

Have I told you how much I love living here in the Drielander region (coming together of 3 countries - Germany, Switzerland and France)? People are so friendly and helpful. We really feel like we belong here. Just the day the lady upstairs got our washing off the line as we were both out and it started to rain. It's little things like that that touch us so much and make us appreciate living here.

Today I visited a friend in Basel. She needed some love, encouragement and a listening ear, all of which I was able to give her. I also did a bit of looking around in some of the shops to see what bargains I could get when the sales start in June!! Roger is telling me I need a couple of new China mugs for my special cups of Earl Grey/Lady Grey tea!! (Only a true loose leaf tea lover would really appreciate how important the cup is!!) When I eventually found my way home at 3.15pm I arrived to a sparkling clean home. Roger had done the vacuuming, washed the floors (and polished them) and put the washing on the line. Aren't I just the luckiest lady in the world? What a gem he is. And I might add he is full of hayfever and his poor nose just keeps on running, so he's not really feeling 100%.

SABINE'S 'O' BIRTHDAY DINNER ! ! !

My friend Sabine had an intimate dinner for 6 friends and her daughter Elise on her Birthday. She lives in the most wonderful home - in the basement of this beautiful home owned by Georg and Matthew. Because it was such a balmy night we were able to sit outside, though when the sun went down it become rather chilly, hence our wraps!

It is customary here in Germany when you have an '0' Birthday to treat your friends to the celebration. Now I think that's okay when you have a partner to help, but Sabine treated us to a splendid spread and did most of the work all by herself. (You might remember in a previous blog I was making a Lumberjack Cake - well this is the special occasion and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all!).

I hope Sabine doesn't see this blog, this photo just doesn't do her justice. She is the most wonderful friend and I love her dearly.

The young lady in the photo below is her daughter Elise who lives about 7 hours drive away. She is planning to go to Canada for her University studies. She has a dual German/Canadian passport.

SABINE'S BIRTHDAY DINNER

Spending time with special friends

As I was downloading photo's on to our computer I came across these photo's of our yummy BBQ with Erik, Johanna and Juro (our little German family in Schopfheim that love looking after us). I'd forgotten all about them.

They live in an apartment block. Johanna loves to garden so they have rented a 'plot' to grow vegetables. They also have some lawn and a little place to BBQ. As you will see by one of the photo's, Erik has also constructed a shelter. Going to these plots is a very sociable thing. You also would hope that you have good surrounding 'neighbours'!!

We relaxed on a very balmy Saturday evening with beautiful friends.

BBQ with Erik, Johanna and Juro

Life goes on......

Sorry no new post for a little while. Having a difficult week and feeling a little burdened down! Not that I haven't been busy. Have been helping Fritz and Ilona get Galerie Weibel ready for our Mosaic Event "All That Jazz" Friday night and then the Galerie opening on 10 May. That has taken quite a bit of my time and energy, which I suppose has been good at this time!

Had a lovely talk to my 83yr old Dad (lives in Perth, Western Australia) today and that was good for me. He was very positive and encouraging. But when I'm feeling like this I want Mum (even at my age!!). This to will pass.

Also talked to my sister Irene and that's always a treat. She also lives in Perth and is always extremely busy selling real estate. She hurt her back last week and is now on the mend.

Hopefully I will have some photo's to share after "All That Jazz".