Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, UK, Luxembourg - Spring '15
The start of our second European adventure! We will be meandering all over this time so instead of trying to break down entries by country let's just call this, "Spring 2015".
After much deliberation I managed to talk Pratiwi into trying to live for many months - let's not tell her, "years" 
- in a motorhome. Neither of us have tried this before, but lots of people are doing it - just search the web for more useful blogs than mine regarding the subject - so how hard can it be?
Of course the first challenge is to actually acquire said vehicle for everyday living. A little trickier than you'd think, but after much research this saw us land in Frankfurt, Germany after the usual long flight from Sydney. We are so lucky that Pratiwi has friends in the area we can catch up with and get local advice from so that's a bonus.
We started by renting a car for just a week. The plan being to visit local dealers and line up the motorhome in this time. Fortunately this worked out well and we soon decided on the model we'd like that was in stock nearby. Sadly though, things aren't quiet as efficient in Germany as you might think paperwork along with other preparations would take a further two weeks. Doh!
Not to worry, we extended the car rental by this time (or rather, were forced to return the car we had and take another one for some unknown reason) so took the opportunity to venture to Holland and see this year's Amstel Gold Race, enjoying mostly German countryside along the way.
Once we took delivery of our new 'home' the choices seemed to be, head South for some sun or take a trip to the UK to visit family & collect a few things that had been left for safekeeping in 2012. Sadly, or happily - take your pick - the later won
Once in the UK it would have been rude not to see a little of the more picturesque parts (& a much hyped bike race there) so wondered around Yorkshire and up to the Lake District. Lovely but the weather reminded me why I moved to Australia rather quickly! Brrrrrr!
This was the cue to return to the continent. Our motorhome needed a little more work too so we did that and stayed close to 'base' to enable a quick return for parts fitting when they arrived. Not that this was a hardship - we've visited some beautiful parts of Germany while waiting.
Sunday 5 April 2015
Nice view of the city & 'burbs after takeoff. See you around Sydney! And some crazy top end storm a few hours later.
Wednesday 8 April 2015
Quick look at Neustadt today. Good looking place for lunch, but we have already eaten. Doh! Let us remedy that soon!
Thursday 9 April 2015
Rhein valley in spring & fruit trees by vineyards are in blossom. We took a short walk near Gimmeldingen to enjoy 
Thursday 9 April 2015
Remember Neustadt square we vowed to luncheon in? German's aren't much on presentation, but it was so tasty! Yum!
Friday 10 April 2015
Dropped by Landau for lunch. Ended up in town square with lots of blossom on the trees this time of year. Very nice.
Friday 10 April 2015
Driving around German countryside. Vines looking a bit bare, but still lovely here. This is just above Birkweiler.
Friday 10 April 2015
Small cafe/beer garden near Birkweiler. Been ill last few days but now this is beginning to feel like a holiday! 
Saturday 11 April 2015
Passing through Speyer so stopped for quick walk. There's a huge Cathedral here but it's quite plain inside.
Saturday 11 April 2015
Grey day in Heidelberg. Very busy main street but some quiet spots to be found. Left a good impression. Will return!
Saturday 11 April 2015
Messing about in a German Ikea. Could we live in a 55m² apartment? Yes, as long as we don't have too many pillows!
Sunday 12 April 2015
Dinner at Greek restaurant in Germany. Confused & didn't know what we were ordering but was tasty when it arrived! 
Monday 13 April 2015
Lunch stop by the Rhine. Hearty German food all round - dumplings & stew. Very quiet here off season, nice for us
Monday 13 April 2015
Driving along the Rhine, castle spotting. It's pretty easy as are frequently dotted along the banks. Great history.
Monday 13 April 2015
Afternoon team in Sankt Goar. Had to put up with apple strudel in lieu of scones. It's Germany after all Yum!
Monday 13 April 2015
By evening we find ourselves by the banks of the Mosel. Suddenly vineyards & pretty little villages everywhere.
Tuesday 14 April 2015
Great to be back on the bike in the sunny Mosel But 6 wks of travel, 1 of gastro & 1 of flu has left zero form 
Tuesday 14 April 2015
Messing about by the river Evening walk along the Mosel from a small weingut we are staying at in Ediger-Eller.
Wednesday 15 April 2015
Eltz castle, hiding in the hills. Walking down to it has one pondering how many came before in it's 850 year history.
Wednesday 15 April 2015
Sightseeing in Cochem. Beautiful little village in the heart of the Mosel.
Wednesday 15 April 2015
Currywurst for lunch. It's only sausage & chips covered in spicy (not by our standards, mind) ketchup but still yum!
Wednesday 15 April 2015
Short stroll up the hill above Cochem yields a great view
Wednesday 15 April 2015
Pratiwi suggested coffee & cake, but this is Germany so... Bitburger with our Blackforest Gateaux
Wednesday 15 April 2015
Short morning stroll to the bakery. And the prize... currant bun & some rhubarb thing. €2. Bargain!
Friday 17 April 2015
Bar 300m from 1st Belgium stop! Didn't order last menu item as feel that is cheating. One must call the beer line!
Saturday 18 April 2015
Today's ride in Belgium. Bit of pavé, bit of gravel. Cold (despite the sun) & bloody windy. Who'd have thought?!
Saturday 18 April 2015
Short afternoon stroll around Diest. Chose to stay completely at random but turned out to be very pleasant. Lucky!
Monday 20 April 2015
Plenty of freehub clicking in corridors then this at hotel reception this morning. Love how every guest has a bike
Monday 20 April 2015
Back from great ride round 50ish km of yesterday's Amstel Gold course. Lovely bergs. Sorry, no pics but imagine green hills & sunny skies
Monday 20 April 2015
Dinner at Wen Chow in Maastricht. OMG! Best crispy roast pork ever!
Tuesday 21 April 2015
Travelling by car this part of the journey. Getting quite good at packing in all the gear
Tuesday 21 April 2015
Guess who found an Asian supermarket? Indomie noodles by the case... & other goodies! Yum!
Tuesday 21 April 2015
Morning stroll in the hotel grounds. Lovely place, soooo comfortable. Don't worry - we got a great rate
Tuesday 21 April 2015
Arriving at Mertloch in the evening sunshine, spotted a church off in the distance. Just random German countryside.
Tuesday 21 April 2015
Can't beat showing up at accommodation to a wonderful welcome & place... & local beer chilling in the fridge. Cheers!
Wednesday 22 April 2015
Pratiwi: "Want any sunscreen?" Me: "Where am I not covered?!" Arctic gales on today's ride, but still fun #Painful
Thursday 23 April 2015
Short stop in Koblenz. Here's a few sights we glimpsed on a quick walk. Love the spring flowers here! #OrrrrPretty
Friday 24 April 2015
Lunch stop in Montabaur. So.. you know Great kebab, BTW, & the castle looking thing is actually a business school!
Sunday 26 April 2015
We've been spoilt rotten by our generous hosts here in Germany. Final lunch from the BBQ. Yum! Thank you so much
Tuesday 28 April 2015
Pratiwi: "Are you going cycling today?" Me: [checks weather] "F*ck that!" 
Hmmmmm... any nice pubs around here?
Tuesday 28 April 2015
Messing about by the windmills in Brugge
Tuesday 28 April 2015
The church of St Anne (or Anna?) in Brugge. Just passing by on our walk into the centre of town but still impressive.
Tuesday 28 April 2015
More random Brugges snaps. Love this place. Do you see why? ... so why is the rest of Belgium so dull?
Tuesday 28 April 2015
Late lunch/early dinner in Brugge. Flemish Stew & trappist beer. Yum! Oh... and some of Pratiwi's moule frites
Tuesday 28 April 2015
Dessert from the restaurant? Nooooo... from a counter on the street. Waffle & ice cream of course!
Wednesday 29 April 2015
Me: Let's go on deck & take silly pictures by the white cliffs of Dover.
Pratiwi: I'd rather not!
Can't think why!
Friday 1 May 2015
Sutton Bank claims to have the 'Finest View in England'. Well, it is nice, but I wouldn't go that far!
Saturday 2 May 2015
Morning stroll by the lake shore next to Castle Howard. Saying hello to some of the locals along the way... quack!
Saturday 2 May 2015
Few Tour de Yorkshire pics. I said to local reporter (asking about Aussie connection) it's not the Tour de France!
Saturday 2 May 2015
Sunday 3 May 2015
Bluebells & wild garlic in Quibell woods. I grew up 3km from here & never knew! Appreciate different things when old!
Wednesday 6 May 2015
Out walking with the olds on a typical spring day in England: cold & wet! Lots of bluebells in the woods though
Sunday 10 May 2015
Chef Pratiwi hard at work in our motorhome kitchen. Bacon is on the menu. Yum!
Sunday 10 May 2015
View from the front door & kitchen window this evening. Can't complain at this spot
Monday 11 May 2015
Walk into town deserves a treat, right? Beers & dinner in the White Lion, Ambleside. Challenging, but I managed
Tuesday 12 May 2015
Hiking on Loughrigg Fell. Challenging light for pics. Flat as a pancake... unlike the hike. Was blowing a gale too!
Tuesday 12 May 2015
Last bridge into town after our windswept outing on Loughrigg Fell. Happy days!
Tuesday 12 May 2015
Walking home after dinner. Some great light here... although it lasted but a second.
Tuesday 12 May 2015
Bridge over river Brathay on the way home. Pretty down by the water too. Turned out to be a lovely evening.
Tuesday 12 May 2015
Bluebells in the woods off Bog Lane... which didn't live up to it's name. Not boggy at all, despite all the rain!
Tuesday 12 May 2015
Almost home. Quite surreal light as the sun makes one final effort to break through & is thwarted.
Wednesday 13 May 2015
Red Screes hike. Views almost to the coast, down to Ambleside & lake Windermere. Think we were bit lucky to stay dry!
Thursday 14 May 2015
Us city slickers are amused by the most mundane country stuff: feeding chickens at Howgill Lodge campsite.
Thursday 14 May 2015
Boot net v0.1. Looks ugly but does the job
Thursday 14 May 2015
Afternoon tea in Betty's, Harrogate.
"Some cream, sir?"
"Just a little"
Ends with more cream than cake! Tragic!
Thursday 14 May 2015
Feeding ducklings at Naburn Lock campsite. The little fellas come running if they think you have food! Sooooo cute
Friday 15 May 2015
Some sights of York before lunch by the river while entertained by local wildlife. Then short stroll on walls. Nice!
Tuesday 19 May 2015
When one is in London, one must partake in dinner in Mayfair, darling. Pies & beer & silliness at The Windmill. Yum!
Wednesday 20 May 2015
Good morning London! Sadly I think this is about as sunny as it's going to get. Brrrr.
Wednesday 20 May 2015
Lunch at Royal China in Bayswater. Deep fried duck rolls. Say. No. More! Plus other goodies. Yuuuum! :P
Wednesday 20 May 2015
Flying visit to the Natural History Museum. You know... because we're cultured, like!
Thursday 21 May 2015
Catching up in London. Sydney must be expensive now as the cost of a pint in poncy City bar seemed rather reasonable!
Thursday 21 May 2015
Roaming London like a couple of backpackers In past life I would walk through Liverpool St station daily. Surreal!
Thursday 21 May 2015
Lunch stop at Borough market. Lots of goodies on offer but think I chose poorly (no picture). Oh well... next time!
Saturday 23 May 2015
Menin Gate, Ypres. 54,896 names with unknown graves. And these are just the Commonwealth ones! #LestWeForget
Saturday 23 May 2015
A very quick, grey & chilly stroll in Ypres before dinner.
Saturday 23 May 2015
Belgium dinner: Trappist beer & Flemish Stew. Soooo good! Was absolutely stuffed after this... & half of Pratiwi's
Saturday 23 May 2015
Dusk remembrance ceremony at Menin Gate. Not a special date. A daily scene. Yet wars still rage. Why?! #LestWeForget
Sunday 24 May 2015
Poelcapelle British Cemetery. There simply are no words. #LestWeForget
Sunday 24 May 2015
Langemark German cemetery. 24,917 bodies lie in a mass grave here. Over 44,000 total. Incomprehensible. #LestWeForget
Sunday 24 May 2015
Had a short trundle into Tournai on the bikes. Pretty nice in the centre here. And I'd say busy for a Sunday night!
Tuesday 26 May 2015
Typical post-ride chaos. Get some snacks, beer & tune in to whatever bike race is on at the time. Nice way to relax!
Wednesday 27 May 2015
This morning we woke at this beautiful little spot right by the river in Hotton. So peaceful here.
Wednesday 27 May 2015
Just relaxing in the lounge Love the comfy recliner chairs. My feet are up on the sofa but you can't see that
Saturday 30 May 2015
Just driving along enjoying views of the Luxembourg countryside. Here's a random sample, it's nice here!
Saturday 30 May 2015
Lunch stop in Vianden. Nice little village almost right on German border. So long Luxembourg!
Sunday 31 May 2015
Short walk to Irrel 'waterfalls'. Pretty little river in the woods but hardly a waterfall. Rapids maybe? Still nice.
Tuesday 2 June 2015
Walked into the to centre of Trier. Really rather lovely here, although the outskirts we passed aren't much to see.
Tuesday 2 June 2015
Trier Dom. Sort of 2 part cathedral & wow! Complete contrast to the utilitarian basilica (where I didn't take pics).
Tuesday 2 June 2015
Pratiwi & I have an understanding post sightseeing: she gets coffee & cake & I get beer... & some of her cake!
Tuesday 2 June 2015
Nestled between strip clubs & sex shops, Radsport Bebelaar in Trier seems everything a boutique bike shop should be!
Friday 5 June 2015
At last! Blue skies & warm in Europe! No thermal required! Today's ride back in Mosel region a cracker. #GoodTimes
Friday 5 June 2015
It's someone's birthday, so off to the bright lights of Bernkastel-Kues we go. Whole town seems out in celebration!
Friday 5 June 2015
Sat by the Mosel at Bernkastel-Kues. Because it's a beautiful evening. And, you know, there's a free hotspot here
Sunday 7 June 2015
Couple of nice shots of this heron in next to our site today. It's always easy to entertain yourself with a camera.
Sunday 7 June 2015
Few random scenes from Bullay, by the Mosel. Soooo quiet here
Wednesday 10 June 2015
Out riding in Germany it's hard to find tap in public, so had to stop at bakery & ask for water. Tragic, really
Thursday 11 June 2015
More feathered friends! Gaggle of geese walk/doze right by our spot on the Rhine. Young still a tiny bit 'fluffy'.
Saturday 13 June 2015
Popped out to grab a six pack This place claims to have 1,300 beers to choose from & I can believe it. Cheers!
Saturday 13 June 2015
Great spot tonight, between the vines just South of Frankfurt. Lovely evening too so can see the city to the North.
Sunday 14 June 2015
Post ride beer. In a vineyard. Feels a little wrong, but, meh! Top beer recommendation BTW. Lot of variety here
Wednesday 17 June 2015
Today's ride was here in the Odenwald region of Germany. Lots of quiet roads & rolling hills. Beautiful stuff
Thursday 18 June 2015
Tonight we find ourselves in the beautiful courtyard of an old German weingut. I'm rather enjoying the randomness
