Saturday, August 31, 2013

Our Home for One Week...A Quaint Little Town called Malmesbury

 Malmesbury is a limestone medieval town of intimate beauty that is located on a hill and about two hours west of London.
 Alexandra is standing by the River Avon.  You can see our place in the background to the left.
We attended church at the Malmesbury Abbey, now known as St. Paul's Anglican Church.  The current church was  constructed in 1150 A.D. and replaced the original abbey which was built around 800 A.D.
\This photo was taken from our balcony and is a view of our neighbor's home which is behind the mill. 
 As you can see, there's much potential for Chuck to bump his head on our living-room/dining room ceiling.
"If I bump my head one more time I'm going to scream!"  Thankfully, he didn't bother to carry out the threat; for if he had, the police would have been knocking on our door, for sure.
Alexandra standing outside of our Malmesbury home.  Yes...this is the road you see, about 4" from her feet.  She was not allowed to go outside and play...no kidding.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

"Good-bye, Holland!"

 With Holland almost a memory, Alexandra was excited about leaving for England on Saturday.  We left our little cottage at Landal, on Friday, and traveled south, to one of my favorite Dutch cities, Maastrict, located in the province of Limburg.  We planned on staying overnight as our plane to Heathrow would be leaving on Saturday around 4:30 p.m.
 Although Alexandra enjoyed traveling to the various towns of interest, in The Netherlands, she really enjoyed the food...especially the Dutch fries.  "Oh...if only I could eat these!" 
 Chuck booked us into the most charming hotel for the night.  It was located about 8 kms. from the heart of Maastrict.  Formerly a monastary, it had been closed down, as such, in 1997.  This photo shows some of the beautiful grounds (behind me) and the patio located outside of our room.
 We weren't just a little spoiled although very much appreciative of being able to see and experience the beauty of Chateau St. Gerlach on our last evening in The Netherlands. 
 "Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma for such an coo-awesome (cool/awesome) holiday in Holland!"
 "A little rain can never spoil a great holiday."
"Yup...I'm off to "meet" the newborn prince."

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Biking and our trip to Amsterdam

 Alexandra has loads of energy and her Loopstra legs are able to help her keep pace with Grandpa.; Grandma...well...she's managing to keep up.  (Someone has to take the photographs!)
 This poor little pony, approaching Alexandra, could hardly see her for his long thick mane.  Nevertheless, he kept up his trot until he reached the electric fence.  Too bad for him that Ally wasn't able to give him a hug and a pat.  There hasn't been an animal that we have passed where Alexandra hasn't  insisted on stopping to offer soothing words.
 "Finally, Grandma, you caught up!"
 "Yes...the best part of the meal...Vla!"  Every grandchild we have taken to Holland has been introduced to the Dutch pudding/dessert called Vla (pronounced "Fla")
 "Fla-la-la-la-la-la-la!"
We took a one-hour boat ride along the canals in Amersterdam.  This (next to Vla) was a highlight for Alexandra's stay in The Netherlands.
We were all saddened by the loss of Grandpa's camera in Amsterdam...still...he was able to smile for my camera shot of he and Alexandra.  All in all it was a very good day!
  From |Amsterdam, we drove to Ouderkerk on the Ij (a river) where we met old friends whom I had met when Chuck introduced them to me on our honeymoon 43 years ago.  We are all grandparents, now; their children and our children are in their late thirties and early forties.  Between us, we have eleven grandchildren!

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

A trip to Madurodam

 "Thanks for the tea in bed, Grandpa.  Is it really 10 o'clock?"
 It was a two-hour trip to Madurodam...in the Hague.  This miniature reproduction of many parts of The Netherlands held fascination for Alexandra what with its airport, concert stadium, windmills, Amsterdam streets and much more!
 Hans Brinker is there in the background still holding his finger in the dijk.

If the shoe fits...
"What...an over-sized object in Madurodam!"
A replica of the Anne Frank house on an Amsterdam street.
"Whew!  That was one steep sand dune that I just ran down."
Our last stop of the day was in Schrool... a little beach town located between large sand dunes and the North Sea.

Monday, August 19, 2013

An afternoon of travel to the North Sea



It was the perfect day for a drive...temps. in the high teens with plenty of white cloud coverage allowing the imagination to run amuck; envisioning all kinds of gargoyle-looking creatures.  Can you find the dragon with wings?  Snow-covered mountains...appealing to the eye.  I don't want to think of snow!                      
 
   
 
We ate in the nearby town of Aalden.
"Even the French don't make fries like the Dutch."                                                                              


Alexandra shows her talent for photography here.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Alexandra's European Vacation

Alexandra smiles a broad smile for the camera (and gives a hug to Daddy) as she gets ready to say "good-bye" to the  family members who came to see her off.

 "Yes...I am one happy girl!" 
 One little glitch upset the apple cart.  Our plane took off two hours late; which meant we missed our connecting flight to Dusseldorf...which meant we had a 3-hour layover...which meant Alexandra slept whenever and wherever she could.  
 Seems her catnaps were sufficient to give Grandma a smile when she arrived at her destination at Landal, after 13 hours spent in travel time.  "Finally, a real bed under my body!"
Looking well-rested and happy, Alexandra downed a favorite drink of the other three kids who have been there,done that.  "Cheers, one and all.  Emile and Taryn, just wait until you taste Sinas!"