Switzerland. A side trip

One day on our side trip to Switzerland we decided to take the ski lift, which was right beside our chalet, up to the peak and have a picnic lunch on the long walk down.

The view at lunch time. It changed every few minutes as the clouds came swirling up the valley.

The chalet – we had the unit in the middle.

At the top the view was awe inspiring and air so fresh – actually a little too fresh.

There is always someone who has to go higher..

We however decided to take a more sedate route down.

A picnic in an alpine meadow. I think the Trap family lived around here somewhere.

THE FETE AT ANTOIGN

While staying in Perrone getting Deerste ready we did all our shopping in the nearby village of Antoign. We often admired the chateau in the centre of the village through cracks in the perimeter wall but could only ever get a tantalizing glimpse on what lay beyond. We were really pleased when we read that it would be open to the public on the day of the village fete.

It was a lot of fun with many of the villages dressing up, especially the young, who dressed in Gothic style. Lots of freshly shaved heads, food and medieval activities to keep us amused. many of the stalls were set up in the chateau grounds along with various games and demonstrations. Our favourite were the birds of prey.

The village square.

The main gate to the chateau.

Always a hard decision the food or the drink. This time the drink won.

Ummm nice ------.

Roelans Boatyard

Oh she is at it again!!!

This year our boat was left in Roleans Boatyard. The yard is run by Majory Roleans, she helped her father run for many years and then took it over several years ago. She and her stepmother do all the work, welding, painting, turning up the odd propeller shaft and taking the boats in and out of the water. The equipment is all antiquated, and as one regular client said - “ I always take a walk when they take my boat out for the winter, it is too nerve raking to watch.”

Nothing has changed much since Dickens times and yet it somehow manages to function. We loved both the yard and Majory and stayed there nearly two weeks after arriving in Belgium.

I hope the following photographs capture some of the feeling for this wonderful place.

Lynda with guess who??
Does she look like a person who could rebuild a 5 litre boat motor?

A very late posting for the first blog. We have been in the sticks and this is only our second internet access in 5 weeks. It will be a bit rough as I am rushed for time in the local council internet site.
We are now down near the mouth of the Somme and will be off to Switzerland for a week on monday to spend some time with friends there. Hopefully better internet so I can post a few more blogs.



The view from the kitchen sink so no one minds doing the dishes when the view changes every day

Deerste in the lake where she spent the winter. On arrival she was all green like her neighbour.

Mornings are for work and afternoons for exploring. Time out for a drink after a long ride thru a forest and along the canal.

We love the long evenings. Great for walking. Our half hour walks always seem to take atlest an hour. this photo was taken at 10.30 pm.

No flower is safe when Lynda is out walking.

Pre Trip 2010

We are off again on June 15th. This year we plan to spend most of our time in Belgium with a side trip down the River Somme in NE France. People who have travelled this river all say it is very picturesque and rate it as one of their favorites.

Our trip has been delayed a little this year for a very good reason, Amelia Elizabeth now 5 weeks old.