Back in Europe

Tuesday September 16, 2014

We are back in mainland Europe. To be precise we are in walking distance of Bruges in Belgium. We have been here many times before, but it's a place that is always a pleasure to visit and spend some time in. Although it is mid September, clearly other people think the same, as there are many tourists visiting. It's expensive eating and drinking here, but I think that may reflect what to expect as we move on to Germany in a few days. We paid £35 for a bowl of mussels, bread and a plate of chips, which we shared, plus 2 beers.

Reflecting on the past few months we are really happy with the great summer we have enjoyed. We are so lucky to have been able to spend so much time with Kate, Paul and Amelia. It is quite amazing that since we came back to the UK in May, and leaving again in September, we have seen Amelia walking, and now running. And every day she seems to pick up new words. She can even say multi syllable words like "caravan". I'm not joking – she really can say "GraGra and GaGa's caravan"! 

Amelia actually said "Granddad" one day, which was disappointing that she was learning so fast, but it was back to GraGra again soon. She knows most of the words for colours, but at the moment nearly everything is blue! But we have no doubt she will soon know that Peppa Pig is pink. We are learning too. Peppa's brother is George; her teacher is Mrs. Antelope; and her friends are Danny Dog, Emily Elephant (Mike's favourite), and Susie Cat – we think that's right – please correct if not. . . .

And some of the time with Kate, Paul and Amelia, and meeting up with other family, has nicely coincided with enjoying places and events in the UK: Cowes Week; visits to Mottisfont House near Romsey 





and a couple of National Trust sites in Devon; 

the Tall Ships race start in Falmouth; a trip on the ferry from Padstow to Rock; a walk on the cliffs near Bedruthan Steps, while looking at a very rough and stormy sea over the August Bank Holiday.




On the subject of some of these places, we were asked before retirement what we planned to do, and Mike's practiced answer was "to visit old and new places in Europe and similarly in the UK". And that is what we have done in the UK this summer – perhaps not as adventurous as we had thought – but there was no need, as there was so much to do anyway. Gail lived in Cornwall for 50 years, and Mike as an emmet for only 40! But neither of us had ever been to Bedruthan Steps, or crossed the River Camel to Rock.

It suddenly occurred to us the other day that we might be too late to achieve our goal of seeing old and new places in the UK. If there is a "Yes" vote in Scotland, then we have another country to visit, and the UK becomes smaller. It makes you think – in the last few days we have driven into France, crossed the border into Belgium, drifted into Holland, back into Belgium, and tomorrow will probably drive into Holland again, and out into Germany without once showing our passports. Wonder if it will be as easy if Scotland is independent. . .
And by the way – why do we get so much immigration hassle when we fly, but not when we drive, or travel by Eurostar? Answers on a postcard please!