Up before dawn once again ( which is before sunrise at 8.30am) and farewelled our lovely host Ron to catch a cab to Schiphol and onto our next destination – Berlin!
Scott flew in from London and we realised that the last proper family holiday we had together was at Crescent Head in the 90s.
Our penthouse apartment has countless flights of stairs and no elevator……thank goodness Scott was there to carry Mutti’s bag……and there’s no smoking or wheezing! The apartment is spacious, centrally heated and has lovely views……of yet another tower – Berlin’s Telekom tower!
We sorted the rooms and sleeping arrangements before setting out to find the Wall (Mauer). We found a lovely restaurant which served traditional German fare where we enjoyed meatballs, schnitzel and dumplings plus cucumber & dill salad like Babcia used to make. Washed down with steins of beer.
Walking, walking, walking to find the wall…..we found some sections of memorial sites with plaques and history but not the Mauer we were looking for. We ended up in Potsdam Platz and bought some essentials from the Lindt shop. We walked around and took in the scenery and typical German architecture.
Dinner was at a little Polish restaurant we discovered down the road from our apartment ( yes, it’s in Berlin but the language practice was worthwhile). The food itself was a highlight…….they brought out bread in a basket with what looked like mashed potato but turned out to be pork dripping……Michele and Scott were both introduced to a very old tradition that they realised was quite delicious! Then there were cheese pierogi (almost as good as Babcia’s), salmon pierogi in Lobster sauce, Bortcsh with dumplings, ham croquettes and Bigos. (OK……Teresa tried the Bigos and is probably over her childhood phobia about this delicacy). We enjoyed interacting with the waitress who could speak German and Polish but very little English and we entertained her with our attempts to communicate in any of these languages! Flash forward to what it will be like when we meet the family in Poland!

The sun does not rise in this country before 8:30am either. We woke up to an overcast day, although no wind or rain. Wandering the streets looking for a place to have breakfast we found that it is not a commonly offered meal at many restaurants and cafes, but we managed to stumble upon a lovely little outlet where you could buy healthy and organic produce for eat in or take away called Stach. The workers were once again extremely welcoming and friendly. We selected cups consisting of yogurt, granola, fruits and nuts and enjoyed our mandatory espressos before heading off to find Anne Frank’s house. We did not have to walk far, however, the queue was ridiculous (and we’ve seen the photos in the book) so we decided not to go in and walked to the Van Gogh museum instead. Walking the streets, it was a delight to take in the local scenery and culture, which is very different to ours back home. The buildings are tall and very narrow, and on a slight angle, with steep stairs that lead upwards and also to doors that are below street level. It is a very pretty city. The cobble stone roads open up into the more common tar roads once you get further away from the canals and we noticed that there are lanes for bikes, trams and cars going both ways, this is a city that knows how to do transport!
Once we reached the Van Gogh museum we realised that we were not going to avoid enormous queues anywhere (and we’ve seen his pictures too) so we resorted to wandering the streets and enjoying the sights. We found a place for lunch that was just magnificent in food, service and atmosphere with the added bonus of a resident pussy cat and free wifi! After a bit of shopping we found the Albert Cuyp, which are apparently the biggest and most famous markets in Amsterdam. What a treat! We walked and walked and walked and the markets seemed to stretch forever. Teresa bought a scarf but we mostly window shopped as we plan to do most of our shopping in Poland. On the way back we walked past Anne Frank’s house again but she is a very popular girl and the line had not shortened a bit! We did stop in to Stach again to treat ourselves to some gourmet chocolates and were greeted with warm and familiar helloes from our new BFFs we had made that morning.
After such a long day of walking a couple of Baileys were in order before settling in for the night.

It was a clear morning, although still very dark at 7am when we left our Parisian apartment to catch a taxi to get on the train from Paris Gare du Nord station to Amsterdam Centraal. We decided that a taxi was the preferred method of transport to the station and it was another way to see Paris.
We caught the Thalys train which took us through Belgium to get to the Netherlands. Green lush countryside and lots of wind farms again. The weather became cloudier as we headed north. The train stopped at Brussels, Antwerp, Rotterdam and Schiphol before reaching our destination and we noticed that no matter where you go there is always graffiti (and the “F” word is used just as prolifically). The train ride was very comfortable and a wonderfully fuss-free way of travelling between countries (no baggage or passports checked at either end!).
When we reached Centraal Station in Amsterdam we caught a cab to our lovely little boat house. Ron, the owner, is definitely a character and we warmed to him straight away (he lives with his girlfriend in a houseboat at the rear). We got some tips from him and then headed into town to explore. First stop, lunch at the cafe Winkel, which purportedly made the best apple pie. We enjoyed baked ham and goat cheese panna cotta with parsnip chips (sorry Janelle, definitely photo- worthy but we were too busy talking to the Scottish couple next to us that we forgot), before indulging in the cafe’s signature dish, which did not disappoint. We have noticed a stark contrast in demeanour between the Dutch and French toward us as tourists. The people of The Netherlands are friendly and more than willing to speak in English to us.
We walked the streets to get our bearings. There are some beautiful big buildings in the heart of the city, which of course are owned by the big banks of the world. The Dam Square was very busy, full of tourists, buskers and cobble stones. As you walk the streets you get wafts of weed coming from the “Coffee” Shops and there are a lot of docile young men walking around. We navigated our way around, dodging bicycles, and using the multiple canals as points of reference. An ice cold Jaegermeister shot and a Cointreau was enjoyed on the water, although the ice cold breeze meant that we did not stay for too long. After taking in some more sights we then found a supermarket to buy some nibbles for dinner and headed back to our boat house on the marina. We sipped Heinekens, compliments of Ron, at our little table overlooking yet another canal before heading inside out of the cold and having a relatively quiet night in.

Decided to visit the Notre Dame by foot today but it was also time for a hair update. We found a salon on the way and both got the Paris look to take us through to our next destination.
The weather was colder and windier with some showers ( not good for new hairdos!). We walked for many kilometres past shops, hospitals and more shops until we stopped at a cafe for espressos. Here we were given the wrong directions to get to the Notre Dame and walked a kilometre in the other direction and then had to retrace our steps.
We had a lovely lunch in a quaint cafe and we have noticed that bread is always provided with meals, although there is never butter or oil served with it, and the bread is like a sourdough and generally served in a bucket-like tin. Also when drinks are served there is usually a bowl of nuts or chips to accompany them. Espressos are the norm and a glass of water is often served with the coffee. We have morphed into Parisians and enjoy our espressos very much.
When we reached Notre Dame it started to rain and we had to take cover in the crypt. Once the weather eased we went up and joined the short queue(because of the rain) to enter the cathedral. We lit a candle wishing all family members good health. It is a beautiful building and by the time we exited the weather had cleared so we could walk completely around the building and admire it’s many intricate details.
The long walk home involved dodging rain and wind and debris (smashing down onto the footpath in front of us…..hurricane Gonzalo remnants!) and we decided to buy some local wares to enjoy in the comfort of our apartment and enjoy the glittering tower. One thing we have not mentioned yet that is definitely worth doing so is the shower in our little apartment. While the cabin itself is very small and pokey, the shower rose lights up when you turn it on and proceeds to change colour as you shower. It’s perfect disco light backing for people like Michele who likes to sing in the shower!
Au revoir Paris! Next stop Amsterdam! The Parisians keep warning us not to smoke too much!

It’s only Autumn yet the sun didn’t rise until 8.25am…much later than we’re used to! We had breakfast down the road in the aptly named Eiffel cafe and then decided to brave the tower again. What a difference a day makes…..there were no where near the crowds from yesterday so we joined a queue at 9am, the tower opened at 9.30 and we reached the top of the tower on the east elevator by 9.45. We initially thought that we joined the walk up the stairs line but it was the elevator only line which ended up being the better option. Needless to say it is worth the time and effort to reach the top, the views are endless and awesome!
We then set off to see the other sights of Paris and decided to take a boat ride on the Seine. It was a good way to get a perspective of the city and where we would like to walk to next. We cruised past the Louvre, Notre Dame and a whole lot of other places that we would have known if the commentary was in English (although they seemed to be using a range of languages like Spanish, Chinese, Russian and French).
We got off the boat and headed towards the Louvre on foot and experienced some more attempted scams……this one involved a somebody spotting a ‘gold’ ring on the footpath and giving it to you but asking for money as well……Google it……it’s a common scam and Michele picked it well! This happened twice in a matter of minutes.
We admired the Louvre and surrounding buildings from outside as the crowds and queues were very very very long.
The buildings in Paris are large and imposing, they command your attention and seem to say ‘look at me, look at me, LOOK AT ME – I am successful and powerful’! Yet the architecture is so detailed and creative that it is a pleasure to view them.
Lucky that we live near the Eiffel Tower as it is easy for us to navigate back to home on foot. We probably walked at least 10 km today and decided to have some cheese, olives, salami and wine for dinner.
As the night fell, the tower lit up but then………..surprise……….it sparkled like glitter for about 5 minutes at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm. The skies were still clear and stars could be seen as well.
The weather forecast is not as good for tomorrow because of the effects of Hurricane Gonzalo moving north after hitting Bermuda!

Goodbye to our little room in Mayfair and off to Kings Cross St Pancras station for international rail travel……passports checked, bags scanned but no restrictions on transporting liquids so our Liquor was safe! Michele got the pat down instead of Teresa for once ( it was the most action she has had in a long time)!
We found our seats which happened to be the ones without a direct window. Thank goodness for the catering cart where we were able to buy French wine, olives and snacks while standing at a table and watching the countryside unfold.
Nord train station is a very busy place and can be confusing and overwhelming for someone who doesn’t read or speak French. Trying to buy tickets on the Paris metro is not clear and we were nearly scammed by some young boy who offered to help us (since when do 12 year olds go out of their way to help anyone?)
Finally we worked it out and dragged our luggage onto two train changes and easily found our airBnB apartment just down from bir-Hakeim station (the Eiffel Tower station). Our host, Betty, was very helpful with information to make our stay a pleasurable and comfortable one. The apartment is very small (about the same as London) but with a much better view…….pity about the giant antenna in the way!
We have absolutely been blessed with the weather (in London above average temps) and now in Paris it was 23 degrees in Autumn.
Since we are only an eight minute walk to the giant antenna, we took ourselves down to become part of a sea of people as far as the eye could see…….everyone from the world was there! It was like an ant farm….people up the tower, people below, people on the green parks, people on the monument in the distance……so NO……..not today, let’s try tomorrow and find somewhere for a bite! We realised then, that we were absolutely exhausted…..with the dragging of bags, avoiding scams, travel and everything else that we decided to lie low until tomorrow.
After a Japanese meal (restaurant down the road) we retired for a great night’s sleep!

Scott met us at our apartment and we caught the train from Oxford Circus to Victoria where we hopped off for a walk to the river and Westminster. As it turned out we took the long long way but had a wonderful walk past Sloane and then along the Thames, seeing Vauxhall and many new developments with impressive architecture. The Houses of Parliament are overwhelming! We then hopped on a boat to Greenwich. This was a really great way to see Tower Bridge and the Tower of London from the water along with commentary about historical sights plus the new financial district in Greenwich.
Lunch was in a tiny pub in Greenwich with typical pommy food such as fish and chips and ciders. We visited the Greenwich markets and then walked around some parts but apparently they now charge to stand on the Meridian so we just looked at the long queues and moved on. We then caught the driverless train back to Bank for a coffee. We walked down to Russell Square where there were more squirrels and beautiful autumn leaves and old style English buildings……very pretty!
On the way home we stopped into the Vodka Shop where the owner obviously remembered us……he greeted us with a customary eye roll. After stocking up again it was time to spruce up ready for dinner at Sketch.
What an amazing place…….It was all decked out in pink ( the owner likes to decorate with themes on a regular basis). They make awesome Martinis and the vodka is a decent drop! The food and company were superb as we met Scott’s friend, Sarah for the first time, who is delightful. The toilets in Sketch were another unique experience…..they are basically individual pods (felt like you were entering a cocoon).
What a great way to spend our last night in London!

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This was the day that we got to catch up with Scott again…..he’s been very busy with work and finally it’s time to play!
We found a cafe called Pontis where Michele and I could use some free wifi and then discovered that they had Bloody Mary’s on the menu. Coffee and BMs were thoroughly enjoyed while we blogged and the waiter (cute) explained about the free Cloud wifi in London. They actually have red telephone booths in various areas of London (e.g. Bermondsey) where you can access the cloud wifi.
Then we braved Primark – a department store like our K-mart but with more people and lots of accents and languages. People were filling their baskets with clothing like we fill ours with food in Coles.
We decided to find a city tour bus to see other sights but found it was too expensive for what we wanted to do – £25 each for a 2 hour tour. But there was this lovely big park next to the bus station so we wandered into the vast open space that turned out to be Hyde Park. It was so green and the walking tracks are well defined and easy to negotiate with delightful squirrels, magnificent ducks and elegant swans. On the other side was Knightsbridge – the home to Harrods! So we took the chance and entered a foreign land – consumerism at its best! There were handbags and diamonds, snooty staff and lots of hijabs and full burkas but definitely out of our league! Some chocolate tasting in the food court plus takeaway lunch from the multicultural offerings gave us the refuel needed for the rest of the day!
Off to meet Scott in Fenchurch street…..catch the Tube to Bank (says it all) and emerge into a world of old architecture and the first banks and monuments! You could smell the money! Scott works in a building called Plantation Place which is next to the ‘Walky Scorchy’ building famous for melting cars parked in the street because of its glass facade, sun and angles. The glass face has been modified with sun deflecting panels but its still an impressive design.
So up we go to the Accenture foyer of the Plantation Place building to wait for Scott. There are interactive glass panels on the wall which visitors are invited to try……It felt like the future of the classroom. Very much like a computer on the wall….cool!
We need to use the bathrooms once Scott finished work and Michele managed to activate the emergency alarm in the toilet which sent the security guard running in to check if she’s OK…….too funny! Scott particularly enjoyed her embarrassment……but…..there is more!
So now we are three and follow Scott to the Shard. Up we go to the 32nd floor. London is laid out before us…..the Tower of London has a carpet of red poppies along its wall to commemorate 100 years since WW1. We missed Lizzy and Phil yesterday who were visiting the poppies and they forgot to tweet us!
So with the Tower of London and Tower Bridge as our backdrop it was time to sample the cocktails and finger foods on offer……yummo! The drinks even came with ‘shards’ of glass from a large block of ice behind the bar. Sharon Stone would be in her element! So back down to earth where Scott manages to activate the alarm in the elevator and Michele delighted in his embarrassment. Teresa just thought about how ‘special’ her children are! Despite this she is still proud of them!
Time to move on, so Scott takes us to Trafalgar Square…..whoa what a place! People everywhere, statues dominate the scenery and buskers are very busy trying to earn a living. Another journey on foot continues through the various areas of London, London Bridge, the Monument built in 1667 to commemorate the Great Fire of London 1666.
Dinner at Covent Garden was superb. The Mussels and Pork were delicious.
We then walked through back streets past pubs and bars with people spilling out onto the footpaths. Scott took us to a Vodka Shop (heaven?) in Soho. We are immediately offered shots of Polish vodka which was a product made by one of the men in the store called ‘Konik’s Tail’. It was smooth and we bought 2 bottles which were autographed by the maker himself. They then topped up our shot glasses and we realised that the place was closed when others tried to enter. We were then allowed behind the counter to have photos with these crazy characters. We couldn’t stop laughing about how we always seem to end up in these crazy situations. Pleurat (the maker) also advised us that in Poland we should not buy any commercial vodka because the locals make much better products!
It was a great day!

We awoke early to find clear skies and the beginnings of a beautiful sunny day. We went down for breakfast and then headed off to the shops to find some wifi and so Teresa could get her blow dry (one must get the London look!). Next stop was M&M’s World, which you could smell before you could see it. M&M’s everywhere! You can get them in containers of all different shapes and sizes, or create your own custom mix from gigantic canisters attached to the walls. You can even order personalised M&M’s! We did not spend too much time in here, however, we were just here to pick up a bucket of M&M’s to deliver to Mikayla in Oxford (one of Teresa’s ex-students) which was to be our next destination.
Pints and pasties were our lunch at Paddington Station while we watched a number of trains to Oxford get cancelled. Once we boarded a train that was Oxford-bound it was a beautiful hour-long journey through the lush, green countryside, with views of quaint little houses and boats. Mikayla met us at Oxford Station and we caught up over coffee before embarking on a tour of the oldest university in the world. Oxford University was magnificent in every way, from the brilliant architecture to the beautifully manicured lawns. You got a real feel for the history and depth of time while walking around the grounds. It was really nice to catch up with (and meet) Mikayla, who was a wonderful host, sharing her knowledge of the local area. We stayed for a couple of hours before heading back to the maddening crowd that is London, but not before stumbling upon the local Ben & Jerry’s icecream outlet. Needless to say, Michele had to sample the wares!

We woke up to a typical cloudy London day and had our first decent shower since we left home (great water pressure for weary travellers). A continental breakfast was first up on Wednesday at the Pizzeria across the road from our room. It is part of the great deal we found for our stay here. The Mermaid Suites are small but comfortable however the best part is the location!!

Having no refrigerator means that we have had to get creative with our morning coffee – the duty free Biscotti Baileys has come in very handy as a milk substitute ( well it is evening in Coffs after all!)

Time to explore London – 4 hours of walking meant visits to Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the Thames. The architecture is breath taking and so intricate that is hard to believe that they were constructed so long ago. Of course, this part of London has a plethora of tourists (bloody foreigners…..;p) and eventually it was time to escape the crowds.

We then hopped on the Tube for an adventure and found that we were on the line to Bermondsey where Scott used to live. After a walk through a park where a couple of squirrels were frolicking in the trees much to our delight, we found a lovely little pub (the Angel) on the Thames overlooking the Tower Bridge, the Gherkin and the Shard. A well deserved Cider was consumed before tackling the Tube again and braving the crowds on Oxford street during peak hour! Everyone is very polite, including the seagulls who have a soft ‘peep’ sound compared to the squawk of Aussie seagulls!

Dinner was at a small pub around the corner from our accommodation called Bonds Mayfair where there was a 2 for £11 meal special. The Cajun Chicken Salad and Chile Sav Blanc wine went down well after all the tourism partaken on the day!