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France 2022
  • Danielle and Co travels
  • Danielle and Co travels

France 2022

After two years of delays due to COVID we are finally getting ready to head off to France. We are combining some independent travelling with a walking tour through Southwest France. En savoir plus
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  • Danielle and Co travelsFrance 2022Voyageur
    The Moco from outside
    A rainbow appeared as we left the MocoStudio Irma, Diamond Matrix 2020Looking across to the Rijksmuseum which houses all the Dutch mastersSleeping BabyIcy & Sot, Let Her Be Free (2018)Stik, Little Friend 2013The KidBanksy, Keep It RealBeautiful lead light windowsJeff Koons, Balloon Venus 2013Kaws, Untitled (Snoopy) 2014

    MOCO Amsterdam

    9 novembre 2022, Pays-Bas ⋅ 🌧 12 °C

    We made our way back from Noord 1 on the correct ferry and jumped on a tram to head out to the area known as Museumplein, where there is a concentration of a number of museums. The Moco Museum is an independent museum with a wide range of inspiring modern, contemporary, and street art. The collection is eclectic and is housed in a wonderful old Art Deco house.En savoir plus

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  • Danielle and Co travelsFrance 2022Voyageur
    Amsterdam Centraal
    Inside Amsterdam CentraalA beautiful covered walkway we passedA couple of dudes on stilts, in costumes that glowedWe ate dinner in this areaCheers - so nice to catch upFamous bitterballen and fried cheese sticksDelicious pizza NapoliDante RestaurantChristmas lightsMore Christmas lightsMore lightsAnd more lightsAnd more lightsLovely refections of the houses on the canalFull moon helped with the reflection looking so good

    Dinner with Jake and Christmas Lights

    9 novembre 2022, Pays-Bas ⋅ 🌧 11 °C

    Someone I met when he was a consultant with Deloitte and I worked for CSIRO moved to Amsterdam 18 months ago and since I was in town I was keen to catch up? We decided to meet outside Amsterdam Centraal and then find somewhere to eat.

    It was great to see Jake and although we keep in touch on Instagram I wasn’t aware that he had left Deloitte and was working foe UBER. Anyway, he seems happy in his new tole and he is embracing life in Amsterdam and Europe.

    We walked around the city for a while which allowed me to see the wonderful Christmas lights. We ended up at a restaurant called Dante where I got to try the famous Dutch bitterballen and cheese sticks, which are snack foods or appetisers and did not disappoint.

    It was great to catch up with Jake who is really living life to the full and enjoying the opportunities presented to him.    En savoir plus

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  • Danielle and Co travelsFrance 2022Voyageur
    Hotel entrance
    Beautiful art work comprising of Deft platesView from receptionLovely places to just sit and enjoy the surroundingsBar areaBeautiful original staircasesThe key card is made of woodMy room with the most comfortable bed ever - it cuddles youCoffee cups in room were so stylishLittle sitting areaBathroom- modern, functional with everything you could wantThis is the water bottle you get in your room

    Hotel Arsenaal, Delft

    10 novembre 2022, Pays-Bas ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    We left Amsterdam fairly early to make our way to Delft, which is about an hour’s train ride south. We wanted to get to Delft fairly early to ensure we had enough time to explore the city. We arrived to blue sky and sunshine and although we knew the hotel was fairly close to the station our maps wanted to take us in the opposite direction. So after schlepping around for about 30 minutes I stopped a guy to get some assistance and sure enough our phones (both our phones) had taken us the wrong way.

    Now that we knew where we were going it didn’t take us too long to find the hotel, which is situated in a beautiful spot between two canals. The hotel is lovely and the staff very helpful, so we dropped off our bags and checked in a little later.

    Everything about the hotel is well thought out and beautifully designed. They have incorporated much of the buildings original architecture, like wooden beams and brick work but have added a wonderful level of comfort. Thanks again to Ian’s colleague Florian for the recommendation.    En savoir plus

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  • Danielle and Co travelsFrance 2022Voyageur
    Love the architecture
    Beautiful bridges over lovely canalsCity HallCheese shop - the Dutch take their cheese very seriously!The Girl with the Pearl earring - she is everywhere as the artist was from DelftMarket in full swingWhere we had lunchCheersCheersSteakFish & ChipsCheese stallGreat BuskerHet Melkmeisje by Naar Johannes Vermeer (1632 - 1675)The New ChurchAnother beautiful canal

    Delightful Delft

    10 novembre 2022, Pays-Bas ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    On the advice of the receptionist we headed towards the centre of Delft as there is a market every Thursday of food and other stuff! It was about a 10 minute stroll into the Centrum. We passed so many beautiful houses and canals, the place has a real “fairytale” feel about it. There is a beautifully maintained city hall and a number of churches scattered about as well. In the marketplace we came upon a lovely store where they hand paint most of their products. I bought a couple of beautiful Christmas decorations and a small vase.

    After our retail therapy session we wandered around the market a bit, but decided we needed to find a restaurant for lunch as we both were feeling hungry after our early start and small breakfast. We found a lovely place called Het Konings Huys (House of the King) where Brigitte had a steak and chips and I had fish and chips with salad and we had a lovely bottle of Malbec with the meal.

    After lunch we wandered around the market a bit more, I got some delicious liquorice and then we went to a cheese man where we were able to try some delicious cheeses. Brigitte ended up buying over 3 kilos of cheese and it is all absolutely delicious. The other food item Brigitte gets from Holland is their strope waffles which are a couple of flat waffles with sugar syrup in the middle, very nice but need to eat in moderation.

    There was a very talented busker performing at the market, he had a wonderful voice, I could have stayed and listened to him for ever. We continued wandering around the lovely narrow streets, crossing over quaint bridges and enjoying the sites. Our last stop was at De Candelaar & De Blauwe Tulp Pottery where I bought a pendant and met the artist who painted it.

    We then headed back to the hotel to have a bit of down time.    En savoir plus

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  • Danielle and Co travelsFrance 2022Voyageur

    Delft Christmas Lights

    10 novembre 2022, Pays-Bas ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    As most people would know I love, love, love everything related to Christmas. As the lights and decorations were up around town I took the opportunity to stroll around Delft and see this beautiful city all a glow. I was not disappointed. I won’t label any of the photos as it is obvious they are decorations.En savoir plus

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  • Danielle and Co travelsFrance 2022Voyageur
    This lare Gothic house is the oldest stone-built house in Delft
    The Oude Kerk, Gothic Protestant Church from 1301Horn used to warn of attack2BeestenmarktFabulous cheese shopMaria van JessekirkOld house in great condtion from 1500's - had a chat to the owner

    Early morning last look at Delft

    11 novembre 2022, Pays-Bas ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    After a good nights sleep we were up pretty early. We had a delicious breakfast at the Hotel - another big tick as the options for breakfast were huge and it was all fantastic. As we had some time we thought we would do a little bit more of a wander around the town. I had discovered a few squares and areas while looking at the Christmas lights, so we returned to some of these areas and discovered some others. Next time I would like to spend at least 3 days in Delft and see it all.

    After checking out of the hotel we headed to the train station, a whopping 5 minute walk! On arrival we discover there has been an accident car vs train and so there is pandemonium as so many trains have been cancelled or delayed. Luckily Brigitte went to speak to someone who advised us to get to Rotterdam and then jump on a train to Brussels MIDI which is what we did. Our tickets seemed to work so all good.

    There was a couple sitting in front of me who was talking about getting off the train in Antwerp to see the station, but because of the accident trains were being diverted around Antwerp Centraal. I told them that this was the case and then Donny and I chatted for the next 2.5 hours whilst his husband slept. He was a lovely guy from Florida and he and his hubby are hoping to buy a place in Valencia, Spain and retire in the next 4-5 years. They were just doing a side trip to Brugge before heading back to Amsterdam and then flying to Valencia to spend a couple of weeks there to experience life in “the hood”.

    We exchanged email details so maybe one day we will catch up somewhere, I suspect that they like to have a good time.

    We arrived in MIDI a little after 1.15pm and caught the train out to Ottiginies where Stef picked us up. We had a late lunch of cheese sandwiches which was great. We decided to go out to the local brasserie in Wavre where we both had steak - my first one this trip and it was fantastic and we both had an early night as we were exhausted after our week of travelling.    En savoir plus

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  • Danielle and Co travelsFrance 2022Voyageur
    Sunny Ottiginies to get my box mailed
    Nice door in WavreThe sky was so intensely blue todayBar A K2The owners Joe and KatOne happy customerAnother happy customerScampi au Chicon - so deliciousGarlic Scampi

    Last Saturday in Limal

    12 novembre 2022, Belgique ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C

    Today we are just getting a few jobs done. The most important is to box up the knives, some of the souvenirs and some of my clothes and post that back to Australia. So we purchased a box and then we went back home, filled it and completed the paperwork which was much easier than when I did it in France. So the Laguiole knives are finally on their way home!

    After that I suggested to Brigitte that we go somewhere for lunch and so we went back to Le Bar à K where I had the Scampi Chicon and Brigitte had the Scampi with garlic. The bar is a really nice, with a great vibe. Joe and Kat who are the owners are lovely and very welcoming - they use old records as place mats and play old rock and roll music. After lunch as it was such a warm day, about 19 degrees we walked through Wavre to enjoy the sunshine.

    When we got back home I started the task of packing, which went very well. A quiet night at home watching some Netflix and eating some more delicious Dutch cheese was the perfect end to a lovely day.    En savoir plus

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  • Danielle and Co travelsFrance 2022Voyageur
    Grand Place
    Colourful muralDelicious lunchChristmas lightsChristmas market under constructionChicon au GratinDelicious meal - thanks Brigitte

    One last look at Brussels

    13 novembre 2022, Belgique ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    Today I planned to head into Brussels one last time as I still needed to buy some chocolate and biscuits from House of Dandoy. Brigitte dropped me at Ottiginies and I caught the train into Brussels, it was very fast as it was express from Ottiginies to the city stops.

    The Christmas lights and decorations have gone up and the Christmas market is under construction and looks like it will be open in about a week. Obviously the decorations and lights are better at night, but with the clear days we have been having the nights have been very cold so I won’t be venturing back into the city to see the lights - I had my fill of Christmas lights in Amsterdam and Delft.

    I wandered around the city a bit which was full of scout groups who were in groups of about twenty singing songs. This was nice initially but everywhere I walked I would run into another scout group singing very loudly which did become irritating so I took refuge in my favourite Italian restaurant to have lunch. I have been there so many times this trip the waiter recognised me!

    After completing my shopping, I headed back to Brussels Central for the trip back to Ottiginies where Brigitte kindly picked me up.

    This evening Gui, Geertje and Steph are coming over for dinner. I requested Chicon Gratin a Belgium dish that comprises Chicon (witlof or chicory in English) that has been boiled and drained, it is then wrapped in ham and then placed in a baking dish, covered in bechamal and cheese and baked - absolutely delicious.

    We had a nice evening and it was nice to see Geertje and Gui again before I head home.    En savoir plus

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  • Danielle and Co travelsFrance 2022Voyageur
    The Falling Man
    Old van Concordia (1926)1Danielle and the OwlWonderful old fashioned directions to key sites across the cityLovely MuralSaint Rubold's CathedralLovely sculptures with a fabulous house in the backgroundThe Dijle River that runs through the cityBeautiful architectureVenue for lunchCheersCheersAmuse Bouche- beyond deliciousMy lunch - Smoked Salmon, omelette, shrimp and salad open sandwichBrigitte had an open sandwich of sautéed mushrooms, garlic and saladMore lovely sculpturesLovely café in the old Fish Market

    Marvelous Mechelen

    14 novembre 2022, Belgique ⋅ ⛅ 4 °C

    I am pretty well organised to start my trip home tomorrow and so Brigitte suggested we visit the city of Mechelen, about 40 kms from Limal. We have been fortunate with the weather again, although it was cold overnight (1 degree Celsius) it is sunny and will get to about 16 degrees.

    As we have to collect Emma from school today Brigitte decided to drive there, normally we would go by train. We arrived and parked near the huge and impressive Cathedral Saint Rombaut. We then headed to the Grote Markt passing several interesting sculptures and art work on the way. The whole town is very well maintained and just so beautiful.

    There are a number of art and music schools located in the city and it is reflected in the abundance of artistic and cultural activities.

    We spent a couple of hours walking around and then found a lovely restaurant for lunch Huis Van Hoof, where we both had their open sandwiches, Brigitte had sautéed mushrooms and garlic and I chose smoked salmon, omelette and shrimps. Both were delicious. We were also given the most divine amuse bouche of marscqpone, basil, walnut, peppers, fig and tomato - I had to go and thank the chef who was very chuffed with the feedback.

    After lunch we wandered around a little more, we found the site of the old fish market, the music conservatory, the artistic precinct and a stunning sculpture garden, which unfortunately isn’t open on a Monday, but we could see through the gate.

    We made it back in time to collect Emma and then Luc dropped in to say goodbye as did Gui with Pablo. I also got to see Steph when he collected Emma and Luc ended up staying for dinner which was nice.

    I have done 95% of my packing with just a few things still to go in my suitcases. So the journey home begins tomorrow but I am spending a night in London and flying home on Wednesday.

    I have had a wonderful time and as the holiday was so much fun it has whetted my appetite for more travel. Bring on 2024 and more wonderful adventures.    En savoir plus

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  • Danielle and Co travelsFrance 2022Voyageur
    Last stroll around the garden
    Large flock of birds flew overEurostar EntranceHappy to be heading homeI had four seats to myself for the journeyHeading under the channelSt. Pancras stationMy room at the SofitelI think a long soak in the bath is in order

    Brussels to London

    15 novembre 2022, Belgique ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    So today I am starting my journey home. The weather in Brussels was quite pleasant and I had a last stroll around Brigitte’s garden and was lucky to see a large flock of birds fly over. My taxi arrived a little early and we had a great run into Brussels MIDI where I would catch the Eurostar to London.

    When I went through I was asked if I would be willing to be transferred to an earlier train, which I agreed to. So I ended up arriving in London a couple of hours earlier than first scheduled. At St. Pancras I made my way to the Piccadilly line to catch the Underground to Heathrow. On the way there I ran into a couple of Canadians (mother and daughter) who were a little lost so they travelled out to Heathrow with me.

    I then headed over to the Sofitel to check in and just relax and take it easy and repack my bags in preparation for the final few legs of my journey home. I had put in for an upgrade to Business Class and was advised when I checked in on line this afternoon that my request was successful 😀This makes the change to my flight from Perth to Melbourne and the 3 hour wait (instead of 45 minutes) a little more bearable.    En savoir plus

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  • Danielle and Co travelsFrance 2022Voyageur
    Terminal 3 Heathrow
    Sunshine in London too!Business LoungeGreat coffee at last!QANTAS Business LoungeMy seat for the flight homeHappy to be in BCSamosa was deliciousEntree of prawns, chorizo and chickpeas - delicious

    Homeward Bound

    16 novembre 2022, Angleterre ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    The good thing about staying out at Heathrow the night before your flight means you have a nice relaxing start to jour journey home. The Sofitel was fabulous- had a lovely soak in the bath, ordered room service and just had a relaxing evening.

    After breakfast, I walked across to Terminal 5 where I caught the Heathrow Express to Heathrow Central where Terminal 3 is located and checked in. All went very smoothly and so I had time for some duty free shopping before heading to the QANTAS lounge to wait my departure.

    As I got an upgrade to Business Class I was a very happy camper. Flight home was uneventful, I got about 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep plus a couple of smaller “naps” and arrived in Perth feeling very good. The flight to Perth took 16 hours and I watched a couple of good movies - Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris and Where the Crawdads Sing and was well looked after by the fabulous James.

    Unfortunately I had a 3 hour wait in Perth for my connecting flight home, but by the time you clear customs, collect you luggage and schlepp over to the domestic terminal and check in your bags and get through security we only had about a 90 minute wait before we boarded for the final leg. As we had already cleared customs in Perth it was a fairly quick exit from Tullamarine. A big thanks to my sister for picking me up. I was home by 10.45pm and in bed a couple of hours later. I even unpacked my bags as soon as I got home.    En savoir plus

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    Fin du voyage
    17 novembre 2022