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Our European Christmas
  • Katrina Parker
  • Katrina Parker

Our European Christmas

What a special trip this is to celebrate Vern’s 50th Birthday. Lue lisää
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    10. joulukuuta 2018
    Katrina ParkerOur European ChristmasKatrina Parker
    2

    Boys are away!

    10. joulukuuta 2018, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    So the boys are off with a great start in a business class seat to Tokyo. They were so excited and Vern was looking forward to a great nap! Let’s hope that works out for him. If all goes to plan they will connect with British Airways in Tokyo and arrive at Heathrow at 1.30pm on Tuesday local time.Lue lisää

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  • Katrina ParkerOur European ChristmasKatrina Parker

    Haneda Airport Tokyo

    11. joulukuuta 2018, Australia ⋅ 🌧 20 °C

    So the boys all made it safely to Tokyo! Great seats, got to love that upgrade, good food and some sleep. The best you can ever hope for. William slept 6 hours, Vern 4 hours and Lochie, well “a bit”. Not sure how lochie is going to get on for 4 hours in Haneda Airport. Perhaps Lochie might sleep better in economy on the next leg to London.

    A bit of a wait to check in and to see how the flight is looking before some brekky.

    The boys not loving the standing around but you just have to do it. Let’s see what the next leg brings.    Lue lisää

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  • Katrina ParkerOur European ChristmasKatrina Parker
    1

    Girls Are now off to London!

    12. joulukuuta 2018, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Well the boys have settled into the apartment in London after a great trip up. Business class on QF to Haneda and then economy on BA to London. That said there were heaps of spare seats on BA so they could spread out and lochie had 3 seats to sleep on.

    Vern had a window seat and said the view over northern Russia was just amazing. They then got a scenic tour over London as they tracked right up the Thames and over the Houses of Parliament. Vern was pretty excited. A trip on the Heathrow Express (train) to Paddington then a cab to the apartment. Then sleep after a great Thai dinner.

    Meanwhile Lou and I were getting ready to depart and I am writing this from our departure lounge. Pa and Helen came to see us off which was awesome and we have boarding passes and our bags are checked all the way through to London! For us staff travellers that is a awesome cause normally you have to present at the standby desk in Singapore to standby for the next leg.

    Lou and I are just so excited to be going. This is such a special trip to have a European Christmas with our German relatives. Just can’t wait to get going.    Lue lisää

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  • Katrina ParkerOur European ChristmasKatrina Parker

    First day with everybody in london

    13. joulukuuta 2018, Englanti ⋅ ⛅ 4 °C

    Lou and I made it to London after a very long journey. Sydney to Singapore was a great flight in premium economy. Great food and extra space. The next sector was a bit more of a challenge in economy but we survived. Kirrily emailed the captain to advise him we were onboard, so he came down and introduced himself and offered us a visit to the flight deck upon landing, as well as some first class amenities kits and headphones. Very generous.

    After a short ride on the Heathrow express followed by a cab ride, we were at the apartment and all back together. Lou and I decided not to nap but to push on all day.

    We met up with some friends from New Zealand, Sea and Ailsa and had a great lunch just near St Paul’s Cathedral and then we caught the train to the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. It is a lot like the Easter Show but with a Christmas theme. It was just beautiful, especially after the sun went down.

    Finished the day with pizza in the apartment and then early to bed. A great first day for me.    Lue lisää

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  • Katrina ParkerOur European ChristmasKatrina Parker
    1

    More photos from London

    14. joulukuuta 2018, Englanti ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C

    Here are a few more photo from London. The winter wonderland was great fun but even with a long sleeved shirt, a wool jumper, ski jacket, beanie and gloves, once the sun set that was no where near enough and we were all cold. Had great pizza for dinner then into bed. And no we do not have the jet lag conquered. Kids were all up at 1am again but i slept 13 hours and feel pretty good.

    We are off to get theatre tickets today but it maybe a matinee cause I don’t think the kids can stay up long enough at night to go!    Lue lisää

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  • Katrina ParkerOur European ChristmasKatrina Parker

    Leicester Sqaure, Lego and Theatre

    14. joulukuuta 2018, Englanti ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C

    Ok so the jet lag is still a big issue for the boys but hopefully tonight will be better. This morning they were up at 1am and didn’t go back to sleep!

    This morning we set off for Leicester Square to go to the halftix office to see what was available for the theatre today. I discovered that there are no matinees on a Friday! So louise and Vern are heading out tonight to see Aladdin which was Lou’s choice. I knew the boys wouldn’t last when they were up at 1am so I will look after them.

    Vern purchased tickets online for Windsor Castle for tomorrow, only to discover you need to swap your online confirmation, for tickets at the office at victoria station. So much for buying online so you didn’t have to go to an office. So off we went to Victoria station to get out tickets and organise the train tickets as well. We had lunch in a stunning old English pub with an awesome atmosphere. I could have sat there all day but that wasn’t going to happen with the boys. Food was fantastic and chatted to a few people as well.

    It was cold today but ok whilst you were walking, it just seemed to seep into you if you stood still for too long. With no sun today, the Christmas lights were beautiful everywhere, cause the light was so low it felt light twilight, all day. I tried to take photos of the ones at Leicester Square, cause they were hanging from the tree and look magnificent, but it doesn’t show up in the photos too well.

    Louise saw some sparkly doc martins in a shop window and tried to convince me she needed them, but no I did not buy them.

    The boys absolutely loved the big LEGO store and the M & M store. Al I thought of you when I spotted the M & M Christmas onesie! Oh and Kyles, those horrible Christmas jumpers that the Americans love, are everywhere here. Stores full of them and lots of people wearing them. Saw a guy in the pub today in one with flashing Christmas lights!

    Tomorrow we are off to Windsor with our friend Pete and his son Theo.    Lue lisää

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  • Katrina ParkerOur European ChristmasKatrina Parker
    1

    Windsor Castle

    16. joulukuuta 2018, Englanti ⋅ 🌧 7 °C

    Yesterday was a big day but just awesome. The weather was forecast to deteriorate and that it did. By lunchtime it was cold, windy and raining , so that “feels like” temperature was into negative territory. That said, I layered the kids up with thermals under their clothes, giving them four layers and they all stayed warm and dry.

    We had an early lunch at Victoria station where we met our friend Pete and his son Theo and then caught two connecting trains to Windsor. Due to track work we then had to get a connecting bus for a half hour ride. Problem was the train ran a little late and the bus didn’t wait. So there was about 50 unhappy travellers standing in the freezing cold next to another bus that would not leave for another 20 mins. At least one passenger convinced the bus driver to let us get on the bus where it was warm and dry.

    Our issue was we were going to be very close to the cut off time for last entry into Windsor castle. We made it by the skin of our teeth after getting a cab to drive us up to the castle entrance. We were very wet by the time we got there, but we made it!

    The castle was so beautiful. So much more impressive than I had imagined and worth every bit of effort to get there. We did a tour through the staterooms and the went to St George’s Chapel where Prince Harry and Megan were married earlier this year. It was so much more ornate and beautiful than Westminster Abbey. Vern and I loved it!

    It was totally dark, and wet by 4pm so off to the pub for drinks and dinner. The old English pubs have so much character and are even better when beautifully decorated for Christmas. We had great food, a few drinks and wonderful company with Pete and Theo.

    An awesome day!    Lue lisää

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  • Katrina ParkerOur European ChristmasKatrina Parker

    London to Cologne

    16. joulukuuta 2018, Saksa ⋅ ⛅ 0 °C

    Well we left London this morning on the Eurostar to Brussels with a connection to Cologne. We had a great trip on the Eurostar but when we got to Brussels Midi we were told our ICE train would now be leaving from Brussels Nord. Midi is the central station and Nord is like Redfern. This was due to the schedule being out of whack due to the snow in Germany. At least that is what we were told.

    With our transit now being at Brussels Nord, I went looking for food to find most of the station shops shut down on a Sunday so we ate at an over priced take away shop and then went up to the platform. Clearly this station was in need of an upgrade. It looked like something out of East Germany in the 60’s. I have included a photo.

    Our first class compartment on the ICE was great and we really enjoyed the passing scenery. The last hour showed a dusting of snow all over the paddocks beside the train with some snow on the

    train platforms. Philipp had already sent us a picture of his backyard covered in snow this morning but it had already melted by the time we got there.

    Philipp met us on the platform and we headed to the car. From there we went to a Christmas market in a small village. Had gluehwein and currywurst for dinner and soaked up the amazing atmosphere. The lights were beautiful but it was so great to loo k at the stalls without a crowd. I bought a beautiful pair of gloves that are sooo warm.

    Not sure what the plan is for tomorrow.    Lue lisää

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  • Katrina ParkerOur European ChristmasKatrina Parker

    Cologne

    17. joulukuuta 2018, Saksa ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    Our first day in Cologne was a quiet one. Boys were a bit worn out so they spent some time with Vern going to the park and having some lunch at a local Italian restaurant. Whilst louise and I went into town to go to the bank, yes we needed more money, and did a little shopping.

    We did go past the famous Cologne Christmas markets out the front of the Dom and had the most amazing chocolate coated strawberries. There was also some amazing nougat. We are planning a evening at those markets later in the week.

    Tomorrow is Vern’s birthday, and we have a dinner out planned but he is not sure what he wants to do during the day.

    Also there is a photo showing some little hessian bags on a sting on the kids bedroom wall. This is an advent calendar for the kids that Katrin made. What a fantastic idea.    Lue lisää

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  • Katrina ParkerOur European ChristmasKatrina Parker

    Vern's 50th Birthday Begins!

    18. joulukuuta 2018, Saksa ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    Happy Birthday Vern! You made it!

    What a beautiful morning it is today with the sun shining. We had a great German breakfast and Philipp and Katrin set up a fantastic birthday table for Vern. After singing happy birthday and blowing out the candles on the “beer cake” Vern opened a gift from Philipp and Katrin. It was a beautiful book with a page for each of Vern’s trips to Germany beginning in 1973. Katrin has sourced some great old photos to create a beautiful book with awesome memories. A tear or two may have been shed. So thoughtful and beautiful.

    This afternoon we are off to a different Christmas market for more Gluhwein and food before a special dinner at a Brauhaus that Philipp has booked with the rest of the family.    Lue lisää

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  • Katrina ParkerOur European ChristmasKatrina Parker

    Vern's 50th Birthday Dinner

    18. joulukuuta 2018, Saksa ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    This afternoon Vern got a surprise when Silke (another cousin) turned up to celebrate his birthday. Karla the joined us and we headed out to a Christmas market. We had some more great Gluhwein followed by some Austrian cheese and bratwurst. Such a pretty market with beautiful stalls and a great atmosphere.

    Sonja and frank and their kids then joined us before we walked to the Brauhaus for dinner. It was a traditional Brauhaus that had brewed beer for many many years and the food was awesome. I had a fantastic goulash whilst Vern and Philipp had pork knuckle which was a huge piece of meat on a bone.

    Such a fantastic night full of so much fun and laughter! A big thank you to Philipp for organising it all. As I sit writing this back at home Philipp is pouring the Schnapps and they seem settled in for a long evening.

    A totally awesome birthday with the German relatives. You couldn’t ask for more.    Lue lisää

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  • Katrina ParkerOur European ChristmasKatrina Parker

    Ski Fitting

    19. joulukuuta 2018, Saksa ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C

    Today we did a little local shopping and a trip to the park after a sleep in. Silke (Vern’s cousin) then arrived and stayed to chat for a few hours. It was a great opportunity for Vern to get some information on other members of the family and to spend some quality time with Silke who is such a wonderfully cheerful person and such fun to have around.

    In the late afternoon we all went for our ski fitting! Oh what fun. Lochie was so excited and just beamed from ear to ear. Kids thought walking around in ski boots was very funny but lochie was thrilled that his ski boots were brand new straight out of the box. They even had boots big enough for Vern’s enormous feet. We took the helmets and stocks home and we go back on the 27th to collect the boots and skis.

    The weather has really warmed up today and we briefly hit double digits. It’s even forecast to be 14 degrees on the weekend. Compared to the 2 degrees we have had, 14 is balmy!

    Tomorrow we are off to Bonn which was the capital of west Germany prior to the reunification. Some really historically interesting things to see there.    Lue lisää

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  • Katrina ParkerOur European ChristmasKatrina Parker

    Bonn

    20. joulukuuta 2018, Saksa ⋅ 🌧 8 °C

    What a totally awesome day we had today in Bonn. Bonn was the capital of west Germany prior to the reunification. We stayed at the Haribo factory outlet shop, and boy did the kids go nuts on lollies. They have been warned that consumption will be monitored. Such fun though.

    We then went into the old town centre and it was just beautiful. Just by chance we had lunch in the Pizza Hut, which was the same one I had lunch in with mum and felicity in 1992 when I visited her.

    The Christmas markets in Bonn were the best we have been to so far. Beautiful gifts and stalls with wonderful food and carols playing. I totally over indulged in the chocolate coated strawberries. They were amazing! The best I have had so far.

    We then took a ride on the City Sky Liner which takes you up in the air then rotates so you get an awesome view of the city and the Rhine. It was really good.

    Our final stop before heading home on the autobahn was the History of Germany Museum from 1945 onwards. So much recent history and the museum was fantastic. We didn’t get to spend as much time as we would have liked due to having three children in tow, but they were pretty good and asked lots of questions.

    Tonight we are having Currywurst for dinner which is Vern’s favourite. Kids love it too.

    We are eating our way around Germany, yet again!    Lue lisää

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  • Katrina ParkerOur European ChristmasKatrina Parker

    Shopping and lunch on the Rhine

    21. joulukuuta 2018, Saksa ⋅ 🌬 11 °C

    Today louise stayed home and we took Jonathan with us to the city. We started with some shopping at H & M and I got some more soft shell jackets for the boys for only $25 each! We purchased a few more items that we needed for our week of skiing cause we will not have any washing facilities. That requires a weeks worth of underwear for everybody. Also you can buy ice skates in the department store here for just €50.

    Lunch was at a beautiful Italian restaurant by the Rhine River complete with outdoor heaters and beautiful red blankets to keep us toasty warm.

    Kids played outside a bit then we had afternoon cake at my favourite cafe next to the Dom. The cheesecake was as awesome as I remember it. Then we spent a bit of time at the Christmas market next to the Dom. This Christmas market is world famous and I can see why. The lights are just magical. The photos don’t do it justice.

    Our final stop was a luggage shop for another suitcase. As samsonite is made in Europe, they are a fair but cheaper here and we need that extra case for the shopping and snow boots!

    Tomorrow we hope to get the Christmas tree if it doesn’t rain.    Lue lisää

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  • Katrina ParkerOur European ChristmasKatrina Parker

    Raclette for Dinner!

    22. joulukuuta 2018, Saksa ⋅ 🌧 9 °C

    Last night we had the most fun and fabulous night eating Raclette together. The photos show what I am talking about but you put boiled potato on the small grill plates and top it with your favourite meat. Perhaps ham, prosciutto, venison or beef and then a special cheese, that I cannot remember the name of. Then you put it under the special grill that sits in the middle of the table. Each person does their own and you sit around and chat, or in Philipp’s case, sing! It is a really social meal and we all loved it. It is traditional Swiss, so I am told we will have it again next week in Switzerland.

    We all totally loved it and of course drank plenty of wine and then enjoyed some great music.

    Oh and another similarity between Vern and Philipp that I discovered is that Philipp plays the saxophone as well! Also philipp and Katrin were married the same year as Vern and I. Just a bit freaky!    Lue lisää

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  • Katrina ParkerOur European ChristmasKatrina Parker

    Cristmas Tree

    22. joulukuuta 2018, Saksa ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Today was Christmas tree day!!
    We had such a great time choosing a Christmas tree and Philipp let Vern have the honour of cutting it down. I think Philipp just didn’t want to get his jeans dirty. Kids got a ride on a beautiful old tractor back to the shed where the tree was put through a machine shaped like a jet engine to be covered I netting for transportation. On the roof racks it went for the trip home. I have included a photo of louise which was taken for The Mercedes in the background. You will see they didn’t have roof racks so they just put the tree on a blanket on the roof! Inside the Barn was beautiful and had such a great atmosphere for having hot chocolate and bratwurst. I could have sat there for hours listening to carols.Lue lisää

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  • Katrina ParkerOur European ChristmasKatrina Parker

    Phantasialand

    22. joulukuuta 2018, Saksa ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    After the Christmas tree was safely delivered home, we met up with Sonja and Maybrit and headed to phantasialand. This is the German version of Disneyland and I have to say I was really impressed. I was expecting something a step down from Disneyland but I was pleasantly surprised. I know many people say you can’t beat Disney, but for rides and atmosphere, this was right up there.

    Kids road one of the roller coasters over and over again with their German relatives and said it was the best! More food was consumed and after the fireworks we headed home.

    It was another amazing day of wonderful experiences. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.    Lue lisää

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  • Katrina ParkerOur European ChristmasKatrina Parker

    Nikolaus' 18th Birthday

    23. joulukuuta 2018, Saksa ⋅ 🌧 8 °C

    Today was Nikolaus’ 18th Birthday. As he had a party at home last night,he slept till late giving us time to prepare a few special items. Katrin prepared the birthday table and I made mars bar slice for Nikolaus.

    Roly took a long walk with Sonja and frank in the fields and the boys played.

    Karla and Gisela (Katrin’s Mum) arrived at 4pm for coffee, cake and gifts for Nikolaus. The cake Karla made was totally amazing. Nikolaus loves his gifts, then we had our usual late dinner at about 8.30pm, of pulled pork rolls. Philipp had slow cooked the pork neck under the bbq hood for 8 hours. It was amazing and came with a specially made sauce. It was so good, lochie had two pulled pork rolls for dinner!

    Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, the holy night here in Germany and we are looking forward to celebrating Christmas the German way this year. Bring it on.    Lue lisää

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  • Katrina ParkerOur European ChristmasKatrina Parker

    Christmas Eve - Frohe Weinachten

    24. joulukuuta 2018, Saksa ⋅ 🌙 0 °C

    Tonight is Christmas Eve, the holy night in Germany. We started out the day with an early (well early for our European timetable) trip to the bakery at 8am. So many wonderful treats there but my favourite is still the Laugenstangen, which is the same dough as a pretzel but in the shape of a hot dog roll. Then cover it in philly cream cheese. Just divine! Perhaps this is why my jeans are getting too tight!

    We then slowly decorated the most beautiful Christmas tree with the Karallus family and got ready for church. We walked to the Protestant/Lutheran church and the tree and choir were just beautiful. The children performed a beautiful play and musical numbers. The service went for about a hour and then Philipp arranged for us to climb up the bell tower. Wow what a magical view. The whole experience was amazing. The village was so busy and flat out until 12 noon and then everything went quiet and Christmas began.

    On return from church Philipp told the children to go straight upstairs and that the family bell would be rung when it was time for them to come downstairs. Philipp lit all the candles on the tree whilst Katrin lit all other candles around the home. The room had such a magical atmosphere complete with classical music. The bell rung, the children ran downstairs and whilst they opened gifts, us adults drank champagne whilst indulging in chocolates and cake. I could really get used to this.

    Philipp and Katrin prepared fondue for dinner. I always thought of fondue as cheese or chocolate, but I have learnt that it is actually a form of cooking. So with the oil boiling in the pot we dipped in cubes of Angus beef to cook. The meat was so soft and tender and with the beautiful sauces, was amazing. Kids thought it was great fun and lochie just loved it cause it was an all meat meal!

    With more gift unwrapping, wine, beer and music, the evening went by so quickly.

    Thank you so much to the Karallus family for sharing their German Christmas traditions with us aussies and for making it so very special.

    It is 1.30am and we are now off to bed. Frohe Weinachten. Xxxx    Lue lisää

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