29/04 - Highlights Cannes, France

The Ledgers, Dolans and Mussons head off tomorrow to meet up with the the Grants such that the LDGM (Ledger, Grant, Dolan, Musson or Lets Go Drink More) Mediterranean Cruise is complete.  Here are the highlights from an action packed few days in Cannes.

26/04 - Ledgers, Dolans, Mussons meet in Cannes, France

Three components of LGDM, came together today with the Dolans, Mussons flying from Dubai after a stop over and the Ledgers arriving by train from Lake Como in northern Italy. The last component the Grants where in Paris before joining up in Venis on Saturday.

Bill and Deb were surprised when Andrew, Lisa, Gary, and Roxanne where waiting for them at Cannes train station. A short 5 min walk and we were at our home in Cannes, Villa d'Estelle, Rue Des' Belges.

After a drink to celebrate our arrival, we were off for a stroll alone the Boulevard De La Croisette on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. A nice fine afternoon greeted us with many people out doing the same
thing.

Feeling a bit peckish, we headed to the main shopping street, Rue D'Antibes and found a small pizza restaurant.

We continued down Rue D'Antibes amazed at the variety and number of shops with such well presented windows.

We were now ready for exploring Cannes by foot the next day.

16/04 - Happy Birthday Debbie

Monica provided a lovely spread for Breakfast with some gifts awaiting.  Deb got to sit in the Kings (Queen) chair to celebrate her Birthday.  Thanks to Sarah for the decoration of the chair.  Watch as we sing Happy Birthday in both English and Swiss.

Wine and nibbles with Werner & Lottie

During the day we visited Mr and Mrs Locher's (Werner & Lotti) home in Bergdietikon.  Boy, this was like visiting a Swiss Museum with a loft full of all sorts of stuff.  Lotti helped found a local museum.  They also treated us to a local wine made by their son in law in their cellar - very nice.

That night, Monical, Roland, Deb and Bill went out to
Schifflaendte Restaurant on the shores of Lake Hallwil to celebrate Deb's Birthday.

15/04 - Wildegg Castle

While the boys were off playing golf, the girls (Monica, Debbie, Sarah & Emma) went off to visit Wildegg Castle.  Wildegg Castle was built around 1200 by the Habsburgs, in order to control the strategically important location at the confluence of the rivers Bünz and Aare and to protect their core region. Today Wildegg Castle is part of the Swiss National Museum.

Unfortunately the castle was covered in scafolding for renovation but the gardens where spectacular.  Have a look at the highlights reel for the truely magnificent array of flowers.


That night saw the Lochers celebrate Bill's Birthday from the 1st with the decoration of the kings chair and a very tasty BBQ and roast vegetable dinner.  This was the 1st of three birthdays to celebrate during our stay.

Bill in the Kings chair with Emma, Sarah, Julien, Jonathan & Monica

15/04 - Golf Entfelden Switzerland

Jonathan had not had his golf fix for a while so he and Bill headed off to Entfelden Golf Course for 18 holes in the magnificent Switzerland April weather.  As in Kedleston England, the club was very welcoming and provided us with all the equipment we needed.  Amazing what a begging Aussie can achieve.

Bill scored 88 which he thought was fantastic until Jonathan told me it was just a par 66 course.

Watch the highlights of the round below.

Highlights - Belgium with the Kuipers

Stage 2 of our trip was with the Kuiper's in Belgium.  Thank you Ozziebob (Robert), Katuschka, Koen, Eva and Daphne for playing the perfect hosts and showing us a fantastic time including fun at home in Eksel and day trips to some fantastic historic cities in The Netherlands and Belgium.  Enjoy the highligh roll below!

14/04 - Train Trip to Lenzburg, Switzerland

An early morning as Ozziebob drove us to Brussels to catch the 7:33 EC train to Basel, Switzerland.  The trip was mixed with some very pretty Belgium, Luxemburg and French scenery.

Boarding the train

Farewell Ozziebob!

Monica and Sarah met us in Basel to escort us via a local train to their home in Lenzburg Switzerland.  We had a lovely paster dinner following by some hilariuos videos of times in Australia with the Locher's.  Lots of pictures of Lochers in their Birthday Suits.

Watching the Comedy Show - Ledgers & Lochers
Monica, Debbie, Julien, Roland, Emma, Sarah, Jonathan

13/04 - Skiing Belgium

With the Alps of Switzerland just around the corner it was time to get a bit of training in.  The Ledgers headed off to Snow Valley, an indoor ski centre at the town of Peer about 20 minutes away.  This was the first time that Jonathan had skied and I can tell you he was high as after an hour of it.  I thought he had been smoking something.  Bring on the alps he says.  I think he is in for a surprise.  Watch the video below for our form.

This was our final night with the Kuiper's and they had been absolutely fantastic hosts.  Thanks Ozziebob (Robert), Katuschka, Koen, Eva & Daphne for a fabulous time.  See you in July so we can return the hospitality.

Sausages (not fish) and Chips with the Kuipers - Thanks guys!

12/04 - Day trip to Ghent (Gent), Belgium

We had visited a typical old Dutch city.  Now it was the turn of Belgium with a day trip to Ghent (Gent).  It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of northern Europe. Today it is a busy city with a port and a university.  Enjoy some photos of the city.

Beatiful buildings.

Pancakes - A bit naughty

Another Church Jonathan!

Even a Castle



The Graslei is one of the most scenic places in Ghent's old city centre.



11/04 - Lay Day in Eksel

Waffle and Hot Chocolate
at the local cafe

Another magnificent bright sunny day in Belgium but after the late night for the men of the family, we decided to have a slow day doing nothing much. Bill and Deb braved driving to the post office and supermarket while the kids vegged out.


Ozziebob went off to work and Katuschka taxied Koen and Eva to Tennis Camp and a Tennis Comp for Koen. A great win by Koen.

Another magnificant dinner by Katuschka

Eva & Daphne playing in backyard.

10/04 - Day trip to Maastricht, The Netherlands



In front of Andre Rieu`s Castle (Home)



With Katuscha, Koen and Eva off to the Belgium Karate championships, the rest of us pilled into the car and headed off to Maastricht.  Masstricht (Click for more detail) is known for its picturesque squares, romantic streets, and historical buildings and is one of the oldest cities in The Netherlands being the first city to receive Roman City Rights and dating back to Neanderthal, Paleolithic and Celtic times.

Ozziebob, who grew up here, was the perfect tour guide.  The highlights of the day where:

• Visit to Andre Rieu castle (home) - he wasn`t home to greet us.
• The 13th-century medieval Helpoort - Hells Gate.  Oldest in the Netherlands.
• Walk through the old city with old buildings now the main shopping precint.
• Onze Lieve Vrouweplein - picturesque tree-lined square where we had lunch at the Charlemagne cafe.  Emma practiced some German with a very friendly waiter.
• The Basilica of our Lady - 11th century church.
• The Australian chocolate shop - Emma in heavan.
• Vrijthof - the best-known square in the city.
• Basilica of Saint Sevatius - Romanesque church.

Lunch at Charlemagne Cafe

Bill and Jonathan then settled down for a big night of the final round of the US Masters with two Auzzie`s Adam Scott and Jason Day just being piped by Charl Schwartzel from South Africa.



09/04 - At home in Eksel with the Kuipers

A goog game.

Decided to have a slow day at home.  Koen, being a keen tennis player challenged us to a game of tennis.  Bill drove (on the right side of the road - ahhh!) to the nearby tennis centre where Emma, Jonathan and Bill to take on the Belgium rival.

The rest of the day we just veged out around the house, riding bikes, going shopping and jumping on the trampoline.  It was a nice relaxing day.

Eva, Jonathan, Daphne & Emma jumping on the trampoline.

Highlights - Kedleston, Derbyshire, England

The 1st stage of our holiday has proved to be eventful with a mysterious tummy bug going through the family.  Despite this we have been able to pack it with plenty of activities.  Click on the following slideshow for the highlights of the many things we did.

Stage 1 - Kedleston, Derby, England

08/04 - Time to Leave for Belgium

BMI flight to Brussels

A very interesting and eventful time in England had come to an end and it was now time to head to Belgium for Stage 2 of our trip. After a short trip across the English Channel with BMI (British Midlands International) to Brussels, we were welcomed by OzzieBob Kuipers waving his Australian flag. The sun was still shining as we arrived to an excited Kuipers family after a 2 hour drive.

Dinner at the Kuipers, Belgium

07/04 - Day Trip to Chatsworth House

Chatsworth House

Bill, Iris and Deb at The Nags Head

The 24hr bug now behind us all, we ventured out with our friend Iris from Wales for a day trip to Chatsworth House. What an amazing place. Another example of English opulence designed to entertain Kings and Queens. We could image the ladies of the day strolling through the many and varied Gardens. Truly spectacular! After a farewell stop to Aunty ‘s for a very late afternoon tea, we went to the Nags Head for dinner to farewell Iris.

06/04 - Deb and Jon go down with Bill as Nurse

The Peak District Country Side

Jonathan had a shocker of a night with Deb also waking up very ordinary. The dreaded tummy bug had managed to get us all. Bill now at about 90% stayed home to look after two very sick bunnies while Emma and Graeme went on a day trip to the Peak District where they visited Bakewell (famous for it’s Bakery), Caves and the old English town of Eyam which was ravaged by the black plaque.
That night Bill and Graeme headed into Derby to meet up with our friend Iris who had made the special effort to visit us from Wales. We met Iris in 1984 on a Trek America trip across Canada. What a blast from the past that was.

05/04 - Kedleston Hall and Golf

Kedleston Hall

Emma woke up awesome after a good night’s sleep and Bill better at about 75%. All apart from Jonathan, headed off for the Kedleston Hall visit. A 10 minute walk through the Estate to a most spectacular example of English opulence. Bill’s tour was shortened due to a game of golf at the extremely picturesque Kedleston Park Golf Club which overlooks Kedleston Hall. What a fantastic course and experience.

The Bluebell Inn

That night Auntie Daphne shouted us to Dinner at the Bluebell Inn, a small pub about halfway between Derby and Kedleston. Bad news for Jonathan as his health went downhill rapidly. He spent that night getting familiar with the porcelain as well.

Kedleston Park Golf Club

04/04 - The Peak District

This was not such a great day for Emma and Bill who were struck down by a mystery 24hr tummy bug. Their day was spent resting, as well as looking at a lot of white porcelain. Jonathan and Graeme went to check out Kedleston Hall. After tending the sick all morning and Bill feeling a bit brighter, Deb, along with Jonathan and Graeme headed to the Peak District for a look. They did a quick 4 hour trip to Buxton but didn’t have time to do much other than to take in the spectacular scenery of the landscape - many rolling hills with craggy outcrops.

03/04 - Auntie Daphne and the Burr Family Visit

The Burr Family

Bill arrived back from Norwich and met up with Deb and the kids for a Burr family get together and lunch at Auntie Daphne’s. We felt so special with such a large number including a full Burr family tree going back to 1591 (thanks Jill) – amazing. The spread was also amazing. Peter and Val’s garden was also amazing.

02/04 - Bill’s Norfolk U14/15 Cricket Team Visit

After a 24hr flight, we arrive at Birmingham ready for the English leg of our holiday.

In a spur of the moment decision, Bill decided to venture to Norwich in Norfolk, for a function by invitation from the U14/15 Norfolk Cricket Touring team. Bill helped with organising games in Brisbane and on the Sunshine coast for their Australian tour leaving in 2 days. Thanks to Rosemary, Simon and Laurence Randle for their hospitality. The bacon, eggs and pork sausage breakfast was fantastic.



The Park House

Deb, Jonathan and Emma were picked up by Graeme, our Scottish friend, who chauffeured them to Kedleston near Derby.  They settled into "The Park House" our National Trust accommodation and then headed off for a stroll around the magnificent grounds of Kedleston Hall.

01/04 - Flight Brisbane -> Dubai -> Birmingham

At Dubai Airport

Left Brisbane at 8:30pm flying Emirates heading for Dubai then Birmingham. Service was not so great but the movie screens were terrific. Movies watched Bill & Deb– The Fighter, The Next 3 Days, 127 Hours, The Social Network, The Way Back, Tron, The Tourist. Emma – Gulliver’s Travels, Yogi Bear, Wall-E, The Sound of Music. Jonathan just watched the golf channel. Emma and Jonathan didn’t sleep that well but Deb and Bill got some good shut eye in.

A 2 hr stop in Dubai and we are off to Birmingham.

The Ledgers are off - Bon Voyage

The Ledgers have packed their bags, done all the last minute preparations and we are off.  Stay tuned as our adventure unfolds.

See ya!!!