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Three months in Europe
  • Christine Stephenson
  • Paul Stephenson
  • Christine Stephenson
  • Paul Stephenson

Three months in Europe

We are finally doing the trip we have planned three years ago. I can’t wait for the adventures. Læs mere
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  • Three months in Europe
    Hundreds of windmills everywhere.
    On the FerryA windmill close to our night stop

    Travelling down country Germany roads

    19. juli 2025, Tyskland ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Such a pleasant drive through the little villages. It’s been lovely trying to guess the types of people that live in these amazing buildings. Some of them are huge. 4 stories high. Some of them are tiny little shoe boxes. The gardens here are not as well kept as the Danish ones.

    Passed some cherry farms. They don’t put their signs far out ahead so by the time we see them Paul can’t stop safely. We picked some cherries up at Aldi. They were super delicious.

    Highlight today was hopping on another ferry to take a short cut. The queue was quite long and we had to wait about 4 ferry loads before we were on. Cost us €28. When we got off the other side we were gobsmacked at how much longer the queue was. I would have guessed that the people at the back of the queue would have had to wait more than 10 ferry loads till they got on. There were even semi trailers waiting. The ferry was about half the size of Straddie’s.

    We pulled up at a small farm. About 2 hrs from Bards. Looking forward to the Netherlands. This will be out 7th country on the trip.    Læs mere

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  • Three months in Europe
    Kicking off my meeting in Bard's office.
    Note the woven panel the buildingLonger woven panelWhat the ceiling looks likeThe little bed chamberHeart of the homeBlue and white tea setLace makingWeaving their linenLine em upNeat and tidy toolsInside the animal barnSheepChurch in NorgTypical house in NorgBeautiful orchids in the windowsAnd the rain came down while we had dinner

    Day out with Bard and Paulina

    21.–28. jul. 2025, Holland ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    After a very intense soft launch of my project we all went out for a drive to a historic village.

    The architecture of these buildings were incredible and we spent a most enjoyable afternoon meandering through the village after a quick stop for some proffitores. Eat your heart out Alexander. ❤️

    A lovely volunteer took us through a 19th century farmhouse and it was interesting to see how they lived. The little’ bedrooms’ were very quaint.

    Walked through the town of Norg through some beautiful local streets, again admiring the architecture and pride people have in their homes.

    Finished off the day with a lovely dinner at the local. The best apple strudel!!! And now sad to be wrapping up our two days with Bard and Paulina. Looking forward to having them back in Australia in September.    Læs mere

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  • Three months in Europe
    A big canal next to our farm stay
    Paul admiring the viewPicked some blackberries for Al natural dessertWaiting for our canal cruiseFloating Chinese restaurantHouseboats and housesCanal viewLovers' lockVery ugly building with 1000 windowsUnder bridge14th Century ChurchLove how close to the water the buildings areFlower bikes all over the cityBeautiful steepleVery crooked housesInside ceiling of Amsterdam Centraal StationWindmill villageRow of windmills along the canalA duck that's well fed by tourists

    Amsterdam

    22. juli 2025, Holland ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    After a lovely night stay at a farm, we have driven into Amsterdam. Parked the car in the burbs and catching the local trains into Amsterdam Central. A great way to experience life with the locals.

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  • Three months in Europe
    Paul's relaxed now.Our friends here.Photo taken from my bunk.Too cute. Some of the signets are grey.Big boat going past our pub

    Dutch countryside

    23. juli 2025, Holland ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    We have had two amazing nights parked on a lovely little farm south of Amsterdam. Owned by a young family who are on holidays and have a caretaker looking after the place. Sounds familiar!

    We are surrounded by canals and plant nurseries and peacefulness. Just the odd plane overhead and a rooster (I hear you Sandra).

    A family of swans floated past on our first night.

    We had dinner on our first night at the best Indonesian restaurant I have ever eaten at. Authentic and delicious right down to the sambal.

    We were running out of gas so only boiling water for tea meant that we had dinner out for a second night in a row. Paul’s found someone to fill our bottle so I’ve got no excuse now for not cooking.

    Dinner the second night was a local pub with chairs right outside a drawbridge that provides free entertainment for all the patrons. There were quite a few boats, one very big one, passing through while we were there.    Læs mere

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  • Three months in Europe
    Going through a 6.6km tunnel
    One of the last windmills in HollandA beautiful entrance in BelgiumI'd love to live on a boat here.Pretty brickwork In BurgesInside a converted churchLook at the size of Paul's drink vs mineChocolateTower looked like it was going to fall on usPretty bridge over a canalWho is looking out at me?1Chocolate anyone?A Quick Look around the square

    Burges and beyond

    25. juli 2025, Holland ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    A leisurely drive to Belgium and to the canal city of Bruges.

    A beautiful old town with lots of narrow bridges and cobble stones.

    We had a lovely Felmish lunch of rabbit and beef stew while wondering where all the people were. Every street was very quiet and although a few cars around, it was amazing for the lack of noise and people.

    Then we walked towards the Square and were overrun by tourists. As we walked out of the restaurant we literally walked into a wall of humans following their guide with the little flag above her head.

    Despite the sea of humanity we managed to step into a chocolate shop, I mean how can you not do chocolate in Belgium, and bought a couple of goodies! Sorry no presents for anyone as the chance of it melting before we get home, is very high. Better off in our stomachs here. Love you Kate. ❤️

    Popped into one place shop and couldn’t help wondering how much of it is actually made in Belgium by hand. I do love Belgian lace and did pick up an ornament for our Xmas tree.

    After walking through the square and along some beautiful canals, we are at our rest stop at another lovely farm with heifers that have the biggest bottoms I have ever seen. Botox butts!!    Læs mere

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  • Three months in Europe

    Last few days in the camper

    29. juli 2025, Frankrig ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Can’t believe it’s 7 weeks! Haven’t had much to post as we slowly make our way back to Paris.

    Paul will visit some Australian war memorials while I work. My project is now off the ground so trying to find good Internet connection is paramount!

    So apologies. Not many photographs until we get to Budapest on Thursday. That’s just two sleeps away.    Læs mere

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  • Three months in Europe
    The wall of a building in the Main Street of Bullecourt
    Bullecourt Main StreetStuff local farmers have handed in to the local Bullecourt MuseumDigger statue at Bullecourt1Just a random little cemetery we stumbled across on a back road 477 Aussie diggers hereAustralian national Memorial in Villers BretonneuxView from top of memorialJust take a minute to read and soak up the significance p1p2In WW2 it was used and suffered significant damage they left a few of the bullet holes as a memorialJust read

    Lest we forget the ultimate sacrifice

    29. juli 2025, Frankrig ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Lest we forget the ultimate sacrifice of 60,000 young Aussie diggers, in WW1 when our population was less than 5 million…
    So humbling seeing 19 year old grave stones Some numbers I didn’t know
    1. 320,000 Australians served overseas in WW1 (all volunteers)
    2. Of the 100,000 Aussies who died in overseas conflicts last century 60,000 were in WW1 ( deliberately not saying ANZAC as the NZ numbers are shocking
    3. Of the 60,000 Aussies who died in WW1, 45,000 of them were here on the western front,
    4. Of the 45,000 that died here, 10,000 of them were at the Battle for a little insignificant hill at Bullecourt where they now have a statue of a digger. (Mind you that number has been contradicted in a another plaque)
    5. Of the 45,000 that died here, 11,000 bodies have not been found or are in unmarked graves, or are unknown soldier graves…. 11,000…..
    6. Even though we have an Australian memorial with lots of relocated graves, there are over 1000 cemeteries scattered around the battlefield with Australian diggers. We were going down random roads and kept finding offical commonwealth grave sites. After a while I had to stop getting out. The first one I stopped at today only had 1 digger…. But 47 New Zealanders, the next 26 diggers and 57 kiwi’s
    I found it an extremely emotional day, and I found myself so emotional I was snapping at poor Christine over nothing…. But I am so pleased I spent the time. In the end I had to rush through the Sir John Monash centre interactive display at the National memorial site. I did also enjoy the small French museum at Bullecourt, dedicated to Anzacs… in fact the whole town had ANZAC stuff everywhere. If you go to the Australian National memorial at Villers Bretonneux, please allow yourself at least 2 hours    Læs mere

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  • Three months in Europe
    Chocolate bread for breakfast on Lot airlines
    The Hungarian spinxInside Opera houseVery old and magnificent buildingWooden tilesNational museumSt Stephen's basilicaGinormousHungarian goulash-what's left of itUtterly delicious

    Budapest Day 2

    31. juli 2025, Tyskland ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Haven’t slept well as my shoulder is getting worse.

    Got work out of the way early and Paul started us off with yummy croissants for breakfast.

    Paul’s booked us on a 9hr tour tomorrow so today was spent going for a looooong walk with no particular destination.

    Wore out quickly so came back to our hotel for a nap.

    Having dinner at a very nice local restaurant. One of the top 10 recommendations by Trip Advisor.    Læs mere

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  • Three months in Europe
    Bascillica Esztergom
    Maria bridge. We are actually in Slovakia.Another view of Maria's bridgeDid you know I dont like my picture taken - Paul!!!On the Maria bridge back to HungaryBasílica is growing on us.And it's getting biggerView from the basilica grounds.Those pillars are really bigA castle in ruin. View from our lunch stopSlovenia in the other side of the DanubeVery pretty steps at the Artisans villageOn the Danube. Ferry back home.Very talented musician. Should've had my Uke with me.

    Day Tour on the Danube Bend.

    2. august 2025, Slovakiet ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Booked a tour to the Danube bend. Thankfully a small group tour of 16 people. That was big enough for me.

    It was lovely to be out in the countryside again and drove through a few villages.

    Our tour guide must be 80! Incredibly beautiful woman and very knowledgeable of her country’s history. She barely stopped talking the whole trip. She would have lived through the communist era and it’s no surprise she’s still working at her age. Clara! Tipped her very generously too! Paul still wants to know why I gave her $60! Aud.

    The Basílica was the highlight of the trip. It was built in Estzergom was an ancient capital of Hungary as the Italian king was not liked by the locals. He did not want to be in Budapest. John Paul II celebrated Mass there and the cardinal of Hungary lives there. There is another Basilica in Pest. St Stephen’s is equally impressive but a little smaller.

    We stopped for a simple lunch and then got dropped off at an artisans village. Another name for tourist trap.

    The trip back home was on a local ferry which took an hour on the Danube to get back to Budapest. Lovely way to experience the Danube. Paul says that’s my Danube cruise done. We definitely don’t need to pay for a Viking cruise. 😜

    Lovely day out.    Læs mere

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  • Three months in Europe
    St Mathias
    The squareInside St Mathias.Very colourful wallsView across the river to Parliament HouseAncient doorMore views.In front of the restored riding schoolWe paid far too much to go downhillWas a nice viewStart of dinner cruiseDusk on the cruiseMagicAfter we were moved upstairsBridge view

    Last night in Budapest

    3. august 2025, Tyrkiet ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Went out early to miss the crowds in Buda. This is the old part of Budapest. Had a lovely breakfast at a local cafe. Everything was home made.

    Catching the local buses has been a breeze. We were dropped right in the middle of the Buda square and in front of the most beautiful church. As it was Sunday, entrance was free as long as you stayed for Mass. Mathias Chrurch

    What an experience that turned out to be. We had an amazing Organisit who also sang in the most beautiful voice. Just his music alone made it a very special service.

    Don’t mind the old biddy beside me who go upset with me because I was searching on my phone for the Liturgy so I could follow the service in English.

    We spent a lovely morning walking through the Buda castle area and enjoyed the spectacular views across the river.

    Parliament House was simply stupendous in its beauty.

    A short disappointing trip to the Central Market. Most of the stalls were closed as they don’t work Sunday. The only stalls open were souvenir shops.

    A quick nap and then off to our dinner cruise on the river. Boy or boy! We asked if we could be moved closer to the side of the boat and they ended up moving us to to the top! We had such stunning views of the river on both sides. This was such a highlight for us.    Læs mere

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  • Three months in Europe
    Note the few blue tiles inside the mosque
    Facing MeccaOstrich eggs to keep the spiders awayLeaving the mosqueThe one piece obeliskA cauldron used to sit atop the there intertwined snakesInside the Haiga SofiaWe are only allowed in the top galleryInscriptions in the lace workNames of the sultanThe incredible domeLeft over gold mosaicLeft over from when this was a cathedralJesus, emperor and empressThese were hidden behind plaster1The cisternLots of coinsSpookyAn upside down medusaNew art

    Istanbul

    4. august 2025, Tyrkiet ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    One of my favourite cities in the world.

    Not only do I like the old buildings and the food, I also love Turkish people. This is one of my soul cities. ❤️

    We were pretty tired yesterday when we got in so didn’t do much other than a nap and a wander after dinner.

    Today we booked a lovely lady to take us on a tour. We are really close to the Blue mosque and Haiga Sofia so we didn’t wander too far away but managed to speed nearly 5 hrs with our guide. When you come to a place with so much history, having your own guide is a lovely treat.

    I was last in Istanbul exactly 15 years ago just before we came home from Dubai. I deliberately saved some sites for when Paul was with me so I could see something for the first time with him. Mind you I so enjoyed doing the Blue mosque and Haiga Sofia with Paul as the whole process of visiting these buildings is new.

    We spent a lot of time learning about the obelisks in the old hippodrome in between the mosque and Haiga Sofia. You would guess the significance just walking past.

    My highlight today was the cistern. Pity it was so crowded.    Læs mere

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  • Three months in Europe
    Having my tiles packed
    There really are lots of mosquesTopkapi palaceCity viewWhere the cruise ships berthLamb shanks for lunchPaul had a yummy meatball soup

    Slow and relaxing in Istanbul

    7. august 2025, Tyrkiet ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Loving being able to just take things slowly in Istanbul.

    Yesterday was a trip out to the Grand Bazaar where we finally got the tiles for our fireplace.

    Then we had a booking for the Hammam which was quite close to our hotel. It was such a nice experience to have someone else look after you. I absolutely enjoyed my soap massage and having my hair washed.

    Came back to the hotel for a nap and then a short walk out for a light dinner.

    Today, after a few meetings, we headed out to catch a tram and ferry to the Asian side of Istanbul. A lovely way to see where the locals live. The ferry ride there and back gave us great views of Topkapi palace, Haiga Sophia and the Blue mosque. Much cheaper than going on a paid cruise.

    Stopped off at the Spice Bazaar. Not much different to the Grand Bazzar so don’t quite know what all the fuss is about. Bought a whole pile of souvenirs for my friends!

    Had a light dinner tonight and looking forward to the Topkapi Palace in the morning.    Læs mere

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  • Three months in Europe
    Beautiful fireplaces everywhere
    Inside the HaremThe black eunuch's loungeKitchen storageBeautiful tile work throughoutMore beautiful tiles.The Harem kitchenThe treasury with jewelA beautiful daggerBeautiful Jade bowlAlex is into Jade right now1These were BIg men.An ancient tiffin boxThe main kitchens. Cooked for 10000!Beautiful ceramicsMind bogglingRoof of the kitchenLunch theatre. Our casserole was cooked in clayBeautiful glass lampsSunset tonight

    Topkapi Palace

    8. august 2025, Tyrkiet ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    It’s incredible how much has changed since I was last at the palace. It was so lovely to be back again and see how much the museum has invested in making the space so much more interactive.

    I think Paul enjoyed it too. My feet are sore but very happy to have gone again.Læs mere

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  • Three months in Europe

    Holiday is over!!

    9. august 2025, Tyrkiet ⋅ 🌬 29 °C

    Sorry folks. This is my last post here. We flew into Abu Dhabi this morning. Woke at 3am to catch the 7:30 flight.

    After a terrible flight with kids kicking my chair the whole way…we finally checked into our hotel.

    Had to ask for a room change from smoking to non-smoking and waited o er an hour to get a new room.

    Hopefully that’s the end of the dramas for this trip. We are in a lovely room.

    Went to Lulu’s shopping for groceries. Used to be my goto supermarket when we lived in Dubai. It didn’t disappoint. Bought hot food for dinner and stocked up my pantry. It’s very difficult for breakfast these days as my protein intolerance has got worse. So lots of tummy friendly meals.

    Paul will now head to India on Wednesday and slowly make his way home. Will land on the 28th.    Læs mere

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