Highlights round-up

We were welcomed back home last night in authentic Wellington style, with an earthquake at midnight. The Last Trumpet fortissimo in one ear might have kept us awake for longer than 10 seconds. This was a measly 3.5. We vaguely registered the rattle and plunged back into sleep.

For this last blog I’ve put together a list of highlights:

1: William the Conqueror’s mighty cathedral at Bayeux.

2: The smooth, amazingly quick and comfortable high-speed trains that made so many destinations possible. ICE in Germany, TGV in France - way to go!

3; Dresden. A long way to go, but so much to see. We stayed four nights and had to leave so much out. A resurrected treasure.

4: Notre Dame de Paris. Amazing that this world-famous Gothic masterpiece came within 20 minutes of collapse five years ago. The world can thank those hundreds of brave firemen who risked their lived in the inferno to save it. And the amazing array of talented people by who have restored it to brilliance in such a short time. For once, literally - AWESOME!

5: Caen: Monument to William the Conqueror and Queen Matilda, the power couple of their age.

6: Bayeux: So much to see in this little town. You can see the astonishing cathedral and adjoining later monastery in the first photo. The Bayeux Tapestry is a drama in itself.

7: St Malo: This granite corsair sea-fortress is unique. A stunning setting as well.

8: Lyon: the Gallo-Roman Museum is the best coverage I have seen of this fascinating empire which provided so msny foundations of our own civilization. Modern and approachable.

9: Avignon: Though we wimped out on the many stairs of the huge Papal Palace, we were happy to return to the Cour du Louvre for another delicious meal.

10: Nîmes: the Roman temple known as the Maison Carrée looks like new. And the amphitheatre may be battered around the edges, but as an entertainment venue it’s still pulling in the crowds after almost 2000 years.

12: Uzès: A a picture-perfect French town. Full of charm.

13: The Pont du Gard: Roman civil engineering that still impresses after 1800 years.

14:Reims: This city had 2 million shells fired at it during World War One. The restored cathedral and amazing Basilica are UNESCO treasures which reach right back in time.

15:Le Quesnoy: Our unique monument to New Zealand courage and resource. One day was not enough to listen to all the stories. Thank you Jacob for giving up your day off.

16: Ypres: So much here to see and feel. It meant so much to acknowledge Private George Henry Hodgson by finding his grave, and laying a wreath for him at the Menin Gate. Thanks to Marijke, who could not have been more helpful. Plus her hotel recommendation - the Ariane - was easily the best of our holiday. We could happily have stayed longer.
Thanks too to the French people we met who are still grateful for the sacrifice our soldiers made. They take their history in both world wars very seriously indeed.

17: MV Leonardo da Vinci. The staff and crew looked after us so well. We left the ship heavier than we arrived! We also met folks from different countries and cultures.

18: Trier, the Rhine journey and Heidelburg were the pick of our boat trip.

20: The welcoming gate at Auckland Internationl Airport. Great to be back home!

Auf Wiedersehen and au revoir to you all.Read more