tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46656926765676661742024-03-12T16:09:11.878-07:00Oolong to Earl Grey...to RieslingRobynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.comBlogger262125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-41812002130765351542016-07-15T02:24:00.000-07:002016-07-15T02:24:32.016-07:00Flashback Friday, Moments in time, 15 July 2013, A day in London.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
15 July 2013</div>
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We were well and truly settled into life in the United Kingdom. </div>
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Life in our little village was easy and we were only a quick train ride from London. </div>
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An Aussie friend I met in Shanghai was coming to England to visit family, </div>
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did I have time to pop into London for a catch up? Did I ever! </div>
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Love London, one of my favourite cities, any excuse to pop into the city!</div>
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We wandered around Covent Garden and the markets, drooled over some </div>
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delicious food...nothing says summer in London like strawberries and cream! </div>
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Well...maybe a Pimms, but was a little early for that!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwiDzAaMQLVtqgxtbT04Xm9jYIz39bemLEgDfm3gx2FLHR20kkvyUPJpt7sgEtXbGACrJMadEGLZ4wtH2QhOAw7oym2s29CnP5oYz3dZ_2aWzFObwqMgjSlXB9O6c1jb_yeBm9ATCPVQ/s1600/DSC_1371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Strawberries, Covent Garden, London, UK" border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwiDzAaMQLVtqgxtbT04Xm9jYIz39bemLEgDfm3gx2FLHR20kkvyUPJpt7sgEtXbGACrJMadEGLZ4wtH2QhOAw7oym2s29CnP5oYz3dZ_2aWzFObwqMgjSlXB9O6c1jb_yeBm9ATCPVQ/s640/DSC_1371.JPG" title="Strawberries, Covent Garden, London, UK" width="640" /></a></div>
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We walked to Harrods and chose a few goodies from the amazing food court for lunch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1DJce2dfrgOOUrvWzZHjc57A04GGoht25S_H4kfM9-EV29PDcnWlSLZPwXiUZOD1iB3bIVnSPPpZAbkpeMEZCEHIc_S3CrGSRdyNFIuwwJI-JohCnBUtNcIsRDMmrtb08117IRQiee8/s1600/DSC_1395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Harrod's Food Hall, London, England" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1DJce2dfrgOOUrvWzZHjc57A04GGoht25S_H4kfM9-EV29PDcnWlSLZPwXiUZOD1iB3bIVnSPPpZAbkpeMEZCEHIc_S3CrGSRdyNFIuwwJI-JohCnBUtNcIsRDMmrtb08117IRQiee8/s640/DSC_1395.JPG" title="Harrod's Food Hall, London, England" width="424" /></a></div>
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We walked to Hyde Park, soaking up all London has to offer on the way.</div>
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Who doesn't love a Vintage Red London Bus?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRREMvo7ZDlTYSGIva6nEWmUkrx2irENEyqil3muADlkpTuWsBm-vEz27gFC8v0QJ8xk_0jVUcSDmH1WVvQAg_oSrmJ_Q4VStxYrdYCTPvRelieC3LGAVgTqaIy9XA7RrP9_h68JI35G8/s1600/DSC_1407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="London Bus, London" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRREMvo7ZDlTYSGIva6nEWmUkrx2irENEyqil3muADlkpTuWsBm-vEz27gFC8v0QJ8xk_0jVUcSDmH1WVvQAg_oSrmJ_Q4VStxYrdYCTPvRelieC3LGAVgTqaIy9XA7RrP9_h68JI35G8/s640/DSC_1407.JPG" title="London Bus, London" width="434" /></a></div>
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Watched some local kids having horse riding lessons in Hyde Park, </div>
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what an opportunity for them!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXQTcGk_VdH_ing53xAx_l9cbAkQ58ZyC9AlVREFLPIJgd8ODtPhd7Njj3JPICQM5L_aCWiq-vDfxypRQIefedgNwijP0YpOYFTqDewL2LlBLCNDvVB272w3AXAKxFWEOkn9ogXoykmo/s1600/DSC_1413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Horse riding, Hyde Park London, England" border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXQTcGk_VdH_ing53xAx_l9cbAkQ58ZyC9AlVREFLPIJgd8ODtPhd7Njj3JPICQM5L_aCWiq-vDfxypRQIefedgNwijP0YpOYFTqDewL2LlBLCNDvVB272w3AXAKxFWEOkn9ogXoykmo/s640/DSC_1413.JPG" title="Horse riding, Hyde Park London, England" width="640" /></a></div>
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Perfect place to spend a warm Summer day and catch up with a friend.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJD8SMU9zvtSeKza9bJz820_ocAen291M8r8QOLOvlfyifTbU-It8E8-r1lyvouc8FqrESh8qqXexQ2hCD1iBwSgvPoHFpcYM-tRu4ji_1fqv-zx5b6Z7b8VPFQFD9v8tCICwu__rjlk/s1600/DSC_1422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="White Swans, Hyde Park London, England" border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJD8SMU9zvtSeKza9bJz820_ocAen291M8r8QOLOvlfyifTbU-It8E8-r1lyvouc8FqrESh8qqXexQ2hCD1iBwSgvPoHFpcYM-tRu4ji_1fqv-zx5b6Z7b8VPFQFD9v8tCICwu__rjlk/s640/DSC_1422.JPG" title="White Swans, Hyde Park London, England" width="640" /></a></div>
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We parked ourselves on some deck chairs, ate our Harrods Take Away and shared </div>
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a few glasses of bubbles...sadly out of plastic cups, not crystal flutes!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfZ1zlmTIP9z3IM2T-6LU1CkmMuAfpqdiDeEybS2eUNH4gQOAlH8DtSaboUWjY7CTiZwA05avs71RlnteFWKBG9HGMSW0ZufCn_aUWNjGgsG2_bk4iM4y_S0hRg84U_KQxtZwdm39cek/s1600/DSC_1423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Harrod's Champagne, Hyde Park, London, England" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfZ1zlmTIP9z3IM2T-6LU1CkmMuAfpqdiDeEybS2eUNH4gQOAlH8DtSaboUWjY7CTiZwA05avs71RlnteFWKBG9HGMSW0ZufCn_aUWNjGgsG2_bk4iM4y_S0hRg84U_KQxtZwdm39cek/s640/DSC_1423.jpg" title="Harrod's Champagne, Hyde Park, London, England" width="426" /></a></div>
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A great day reminiscing about Shanghai adventures and creating new memories,</div>
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in one of our world's most amazing cities on a gorgeous Summer day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyCU9f49eYExvcXAqAlXAiYS7NsWg4fRSqel2UouvhrPLKaL2LXq-mr2wY0Gvrm7G6NmVUuVHNtJTuzLjJOO86VzOmYmP1RZ5V_za3oV-DWXaSZHgDRyGdXlqvbxjtO76e1QObVH-9zQ/s1600/DSC_1449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Deck Chairs, Hyde Park, London, England" border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyCU9f49eYExvcXAqAlXAiYS7NsWg4fRSqel2UouvhrPLKaL2LXq-mr2wY0Gvrm7G6NmVUuVHNtJTuzLjJOO86VzOmYmP1RZ5V_za3oV-DWXaSZHgDRyGdXlqvbxjtO76e1QObVH-9zQ/s640/DSC_1449.jpg" title="Deck Chairs, Hyde Park, London, England" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsIa6uPj10afyhVQutC9zNtcwCKv8aNeesCqV_NhLpi68zsOsNPBukHXC0UyV7RkGznwE4G3HCy2w10DPmjYLK8zUzm23MqFt6imS3dnj0pgGbf4EpbutYIO9PzPAb_1sLo6ccwV2DF8/s1600/DSC_1464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hyde Park, London, England" border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsIa6uPj10afyhVQutC9zNtcwCKv8aNeesCqV_NhLpi68zsOsNPBukHXC0UyV7RkGznwE4G3HCy2w10DPmjYLK8zUzm23MqFt6imS3dnj0pgGbf4EpbutYIO9PzPAb_1sLo6ccwV2DF8/s640/DSC_1464.JPG" title="Hyde Park, London, England" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlruRZWKauhceJSqxvZKnAnFuHecVqA7qoD5_kcfLUNYXRIXHIzpwbyVslI6e8VUw8_J4WzhxDIIVV1YJyXTpWmG77q5fofjK7IoEnAM8vtgXvfziucDzg95DjYhIIH_jBWFQ5vMk7ho/s1600/DSC_1469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hyde Park, London, England" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlruRZWKauhceJSqxvZKnAnFuHecVqA7qoD5_kcfLUNYXRIXHIzpwbyVslI6e8VUw8_J4WzhxDIIVV1YJyXTpWmG77q5fofjK7IoEnAM8vtgXvfziucDzg95DjYhIIH_jBWFQ5vMk7ho/s640/DSC_1469.JPG" title="Hyde Park, London, England" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-20305185467113335362016-07-07T02:18:00.000-07:002016-07-07T02:49:07.838-07:00Being 'home' in Perth - six months into repatriation.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Six months ago we were in our final days of our two years in Germany, </div>
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our final days of eight years as expats. </div>
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Lots of 'last times' ...last walk in the forest, last meal with friends, </div>
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last chat with the neighbours, before the last drive to the airport. </div>
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Tears were shed but we looked forward to being 'home' to friends </div>
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and the familiar way of life, back to being Aussies in Australia, </div>
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where we wouldn't stand out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjK7S78Um5QdYcHYZ7JGQFXXS1XFcq-Bpg9cN7KPCJdr1tn7yJhcjOxv3ScIjOVqc0zgIca9mZXZvEfVazXlkGfHtdwNEXI062JQhXDgmI8HIvzXfehQzulxJiQow2COxJuoWYt8so-fw/s1600/DSC_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Swan River, Perth Western Australia" border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjK7S78Um5QdYcHYZ7JGQFXXS1XFcq-Bpg9cN7KPCJdr1tn7yJhcjOxv3ScIjOVqc0zgIca9mZXZvEfVazXlkGfHtdwNEXI062JQhXDgmI8HIvzXfehQzulxJiQow2COxJuoWYt8so-fw/s640/DSC_0276.JPG" title="Swan River, Perth Western Australia" width="640" /></a></div>
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We had been warned by other expats who had returned home, </div>
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that repatriation was the hardest move of all. </div>
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We expected it to be tough but had no idea how tough it would actually be.</div>
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The Perth we came home to was very different to the Perth we had left. </div>
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We had grown and moved on as had those we had left behind. </div>
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Some friendships had changed. The roads and rules had changed.</div>
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Suburbs had sprung up where golf courses had been when we left.</div>
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Kids had become adults, some parents, re connections were needed.</div>
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Our four years in Shanghai were some of the best years of our lives. </div>
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The girls went there as children and left as young adults. </div>
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We immersed ourselves in the culture, enjoyed the street foods and loved </div>
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everything from the back alleys to the futuristic skyline. </div>
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We adapted to what we could do and buy, the things we missed from home </div>
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became less as we discovered more in Shanghai. </div>
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Shanghai was 'home'</div>
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Many memories and friendships made, we all left a big chunk </div>
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of our hearts there.</div>
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We made fabulous friends and had many adventures in England and Germany too. </div>
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Friends were part of our every day lives, a huge support when you are so far from 'home'. </div>
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We introduced British friends to the term 'do a u-ey', learned that pants are </div>
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called trousers there and if you are 'fit' doesn't mean that you could run a half marathon. </div>
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We travelled the countryside on weekends, enjoyed local festivals and traditions.</div>
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England was 'home',</div>
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We introduced German and a few American friends</div>
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to the delights of an Aussie Pav!</div>
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We had a gorgeous German forest as our backyard.</div>
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We discovered countless castles and amazing history on our doorstep. </div>
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Germany was 'home'.</div>
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We left pieces of our hearts in England and Germany too.</div>
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We are very happy to be home in Perth, the city the girls and I were born in, </div>
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the only place we truly belong. </div>
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We still find ourselves homesick for China, ecstatic when we find familiar </div>
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foods in our local Asian shop. </div>
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Homesick for England, the history, the Pints and the Ye Olde Pubs. </div>
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Homesick for Germany, the seasons in our forest...and white asparagus season!</div>
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Friends that became family in all three!</div>
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We will get over our cultural jet lag but we did leave pieces of our hearts in </div>
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China, England and Germany, places we lovingly called home. </div>
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Home is where you make it..and where you have left bits of your heart!</div>
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Perth is a great place to call home...and we can't complain about the weather...</div>
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enjoy these photos, taken while I walked the dog on a beautiful blue sky, </div>
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sunny 18C, WINTER day!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNuPI6oHi4ZUDoAOFYBIXqBaCQur9tfRVspLU6-9RQHtEIdeUzwfqQuoFCu5O2vp7yuJV4L7rHRGhmqPKFxSfc9C4l2S1hGp_UGFEAzt_S_Xvky3ADTf1OLnKzfIxbIXCmNzqGET06Ho/s1600/DSC_0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Swan River, Perth Western Australia" border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNuPI6oHi4ZUDoAOFYBIXqBaCQur9tfRVspLU6-9RQHtEIdeUzwfqQuoFCu5O2vp7yuJV4L7rHRGhmqPKFxSfc9C4l2S1hGp_UGFEAzt_S_Xvky3ADTf1OLnKzfIxbIXCmNzqGET06Ho/s640/DSC_0304.JPG" title="Swan River, Perth Western Australia" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8QS9D_bkv4l4szHsRKaHqA9v7A2MmwcG1mk4eBrZQTKamBLLTOgf1SP7sJPH4NQ5H6n5PHFp7hhz1EcMzxv7d2KYZYxPdyC0-_-DVnKPi4-N9HrG3UTblx7aI5MbxS-_f8tffzDOs94/s1600/DSC_0362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Swan River, Perth Western Australia" border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8QS9D_bkv4l4szHsRKaHqA9v7A2MmwcG1mk4eBrZQTKamBLLTOgf1SP7sJPH4NQ5H6n5PHFp7hhz1EcMzxv7d2KYZYxPdyC0-_-DVnKPi4-N9HrG3UTblx7aI5MbxS-_f8tffzDOs94/s640/DSC_0362.JPG" title="Swan River, Perth Western Australia" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzSfeY8ZPaOnUYriFBpkK6tulQ_iH05O3y2S166REHU80zSjprO0ej4wiQKRrnmTtW1SL8lZyxtA2tVc0o4waeYHilpBjlUcwK20Ey3hElKq6gtRUnMm04IkGvlm_yv6b61tm3G0DRcU/s1600/DSC_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Swan River, Perth Western Australia" border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzSfeY8ZPaOnUYriFBpkK6tulQ_iH05O3y2S166REHU80zSjprO0ej4wiQKRrnmTtW1SL8lZyxtA2tVc0o4waeYHilpBjlUcwK20Ey3hElKq6gtRUnMm04IkGvlm_yv6b61tm3G0DRcU/s640/DSC_0389.JPG" title="Swan River, Perth Western Australia" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7poDqiB9_C78RQWFjBEmZwz053KK9u-6S78o4AO5RudkFQcuHV6Edv1cQTmEigWxNun-Lw1vY50l_GgNxjFDtBmIkWGU-nxnP7hTsW4aKxbz1aBwq0Pz1qULI6AsQgf6PXzqr-Glmhs/s1600/DSC_0397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Autumn Leaf, Perth Western Australia" border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7poDqiB9_C78RQWFjBEmZwz053KK9u-6S78o4AO5RudkFQcuHV6Edv1cQTmEigWxNun-Lw1vY50l_GgNxjFDtBmIkWGU-nxnP7hTsW4aKxbz1aBwq0Pz1qULI6AsQgf6PXzqr-Glmhs/s640/DSC_0397.JPG" title="Autumn Leaf, Perth Western Australia" width="640" /></a></div>
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There is no place like home!</div>
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Home: the timely <a href="http://www.adventuresofalondonkiwi.com/2016/07/home-expat-musings-july-travellinkup.html" target="_blank">July</a> travel link up, </div>
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<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-41846784325830391032016-06-24T02:28:00.002-07:002016-06-24T02:28:30.483-07:00Flashback Friday - A cheeky weekend in Paris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of the joys of expat life is the people you meet and </div>
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the friends you make along the way. </div>
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Expat friends become your family away from home and you get </div>
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close much quicker than you would at home.</div>
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Once we left Shanghai and lived for two years each in </div>
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England and Germany, most of our visitors were </div>
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friends from our time in Shanghai. </div>
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We caught up with lots of friends as they came to London, </div>
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English friends who were 'home for the Summer' </div>
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would join me for an adventure or two.</div>
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Friends came to stay in Germany to visit us...and a </div>
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Christmas Market ... or two....maybe a visit to the Rhine to </div>
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drink a Riesling...or two!</div>
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I received a message from a Shanghai friend who invited my family to join them in </div>
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Champagne to spend the weekend with them and drink Champagne</div>
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while they were there. Only a few hours drive from Frankfurt... </div>
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How could I say no??? Well I had to, we were off </div>
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back to England so my elder daughter could go to prom </div>
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with her old school mates that weekend. </div>
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Major bad timing...but, our friends were also going to Paris! </div>
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Maybe we could meet there...</div>
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Took a little juggling, searching for rail tickets </div>
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and a sneaky day off school for my youngest daughter, </div>
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two of us got to go to Paris for the weekend. </div>
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We got to have a fabulous weekend, </div>
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We wandered the streets, soaked up the atmosphere and ate some wonderful food.</div>
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Best of all got to spend lots of time catching up with our wonderful friends. </div>
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Sometimes these spur of the moment trips are the very best!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1OZRBpFFXRxu0YZ9K-_udvAqlQ7rWVIThU4Ec1v9fT3t1IXhSiG5Rh13s1gc_hHvmcYAtSHsI09le1P-gIyf3wPa5fyhhQMz2FF1XrZi9zyfYWF0xV6MFPOBgMoBDkzaq7VadytbEOc/s1600/DSC_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1OZRBpFFXRxu0YZ9K-_udvAqlQ7rWVIThU4Ec1v9fT3t1IXhSiG5Rh13s1gc_hHvmcYAtSHsI09le1P-gIyf3wPa5fyhhQMz2FF1XrZi9zyfYWF0xV6MFPOBgMoBDkzaq7VadytbEOc/s640/DSC_1035.JPG" width="430" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uiEK_y_uUTT-D9dOkUVnNVj96-cxwCjjvePEh90EtNaWA8TT-cdUwAls-8GKQuyy5WgqanvAYrBuFCt4EqoCneYnvcTVo-gbLVCFb3e9ypuBxPS8C_c-K0NBK-hz7nPjY3dalPJLxn4/s1600/DSC_1080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uiEK_y_uUTT-D9dOkUVnNVj96-cxwCjjvePEh90EtNaWA8TT-cdUwAls-8GKQuyy5WgqanvAYrBuFCt4EqoCneYnvcTVo-gbLVCFb3e9ypuBxPS8C_c-K0NBK-hz7nPjY3dalPJLxn4/s640/DSC_1080.JPG" width="420" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVp8bqoBoQbvdVrYbuuiXwONB7cyi7auDtUjJjtqO4_X2UNcY4R8_xTk6bhqmrwIxLj_VdkySLF96Mv1MP3-8DjYssQpeekh3LI1Ty29zWiylmsIZKYOFDLCHpdpZTegKyd78AzQpEcE/s1600/DSC_1149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVp8bqoBoQbvdVrYbuuiXwONB7cyi7auDtUjJjtqO4_X2UNcY4R8_xTk6bhqmrwIxLj_VdkySLF96Mv1MP3-8DjYssQpeekh3LI1Ty29zWiylmsIZKYOFDLCHpdpZTegKyd78AzQpEcE/s640/DSC_1149.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqXkF6jmhAQb1FXgZr7JodqcW1vr-n5vIW0yo2sfDBRenTdI_4kkgssP-mELx3ZYNoF0PVy2CFawKLRvAPsN1aF80kh3JZAeJt7KkTtSlCkTzJqxKqYpd6Grb1QltEO99Ym674x94tAI/s1600/DSC_1213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqXkF6jmhAQb1FXgZr7JodqcW1vr-n5vIW0yo2sfDBRenTdI_4kkgssP-mELx3ZYNoF0PVy2CFawKLRvAPsN1aF80kh3JZAeJt7KkTtSlCkTzJqxKqYpd6Grb1QltEO99Ym674x94tAI/s640/DSC_1213.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-25750155881025281992016-06-19T03:17:00.000-07:002016-06-19T03:34:25.032-07:00Memories of life in Shanghai four years on...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hard to believe that we left our Shanghai life four years ago this week. </div>
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We lived in Shanghai for four years so we have now been away for longer than we were there. </div>
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So much has changed, we are struggling with repatriation after eight years </div>
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as expats. Two years each in England and Germany after Shanghai. </div>
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The memories remain strong but the life we lived fades into the distance. </div>
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Barely any of our friends remain, the city has moved on, the skyline has changed, </div>
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the markets, shops and restaurants that were familiar are no more,</div>
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replaced with new places to give the next generation of expats</div>
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places to discover and explore.</div>
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Shanghai will always be special to my little family. </div>
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My husband and I really had a four year long honeymoon! </div>
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The places we went, the adventures we had, the people we met, </div>
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lifelong friends have now slowly dispersed</div>
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around this globe of ours. </div>
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We still miss Shanghai every day, such a vibrant, exciting, cultural and fun city...</div>
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come on a trip down memory lane with me...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2nmGHMCHn0n6tXI1BEI-vYleEUQbsTokNbTzMkV-vzOWDeWsgNYtKuaA7VxjK6Vx5x3W9O_l9HzTQ48f-b1Cyiit43tl1JKN3vvwJ4R0uC_OcqF2Yg7Og_LNGfpdxPThQGFatYhsIzo/s1600/Confrontation+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Recycling guy, Shanghai, China" border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2nmGHMCHn0n6tXI1BEI-vYleEUQbsTokNbTzMkV-vzOWDeWsgNYtKuaA7VxjK6Vx5x3W9O_l9HzTQ48f-b1Cyiit43tl1JKN3vvwJ4R0uC_OcqF2Yg7Og_LNGfpdxPThQGFatYhsIzo/s640/Confrontation+3.jpg" title="Recycling guy, Shanghai, China" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our friendly local recycling guy!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hb7AOEFYlWdlkC7nqdO1jczRLIewT1uA1ByoJxhTqMmJaV_Rx3xz7uJcZgqsaT91npP2H8GN3uaq9TOB9qg32uDW7ed9HjJ78O2KOO_XLX_dVlhPOqserh1hOre_Qp1Nysnpblk6PN4/s1600/Bride+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brides, Thames Town, Shanghai, China" border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hb7AOEFYlWdlkC7nqdO1jczRLIewT1uA1ByoJxhTqMmJaV_Rx3xz7uJcZgqsaT91npP2H8GN3uaq9TOB9qg32uDW7ed9HjJ78O2KOO_XLX_dVlhPOqserh1hOre_Qp1Nysnpblk6PN4/s640/Bride+14.jpg" title="Brides, Thames Town, Shanghai, China" width="640" /></a></div>
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The brides of Shanghai...having photos taken at "Thames Town"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzQEiDGYY8pz0702SqxOIcN6T-7gs0l4GupAStcsqNTaif1ovjGLRnnBQ3JOKN5-DGEAx6TVe0P8VpjcZWa5eFkALm2oofkcNJZ1cw7AogQcLnn7K4BGw9sl8IIDMg91xuM5GRi3CoIY/s1600/DSC_0852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Shanghai Skyline, Shanghai, China" border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzQEiDGYY8pz0702SqxOIcN6T-7gs0l4GupAStcsqNTaif1ovjGLRnnBQ3JOKN5-DGEAx6TVe0P8VpjcZWa5eFkALm2oofkcNJZ1cw7AogQcLnn7K4BGw9sl8IIDMg91xuM5GRi3CoIY/s640/DSC_0852.JPG" title="Shanghai Skyline, Shanghai, China" width="640" /></a></div>
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The ever changing skyline and all the comings and goings of the Bund.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCUsZaGBiqwH-QePadcEkLZ8SBS_1iJUJjC8glwCFph6Wj-I3n5UE9aypUhhW0DsUsmdHCtvokQaWA7i9RvMkA3Cu3vgI3aHxTtAKGhcnqO403Fs1hhSuuKJzfglRiW4ZZoRCpRo7ENE/s1600/DSC_0911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=" Zhenru Temple, Shanghai, China" border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCUsZaGBiqwH-QePadcEkLZ8SBS_1iJUJjC8glwCFph6Wj-I3n5UE9aypUhhW0DsUsmdHCtvokQaWA7i9RvMkA3Cu3vgI3aHxTtAKGhcnqO403Fs1hhSuuKJzfglRiW4ZZoRCpRo7ENE/s640/DSC_0911.JPG" title=" Zhenru Temple, Shanghai, China" width="640" /></a></div>
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The temples!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFOcybory7MT8XfACIK8Vaz2CaZLk3BFfpKWXyed84Inoi8flLOevVsfUSfMFOOvcAj6kOaKfm_r8SaQ56xjqgvWxGVbSE0FpQfsEk-7JmHNDqEfxZy81amuiKTZbJ6Xv_Uc5iKv9ohU/s1600/Leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Golden Leaves, Yu Garden, Shanghai, China" border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFOcybory7MT8XfACIK8Vaz2CaZLk3BFfpKWXyed84Inoi8flLOevVsfUSfMFOOvcAj6kOaKfm_r8SaQ56xjqgvWxGVbSE0FpQfsEk-7JmHNDqEfxZy81amuiKTZbJ6Xv_Uc5iKv9ohU/s640/Leaves.jpg" title="Golden Leaves, Yu Garden, Shanghai, China" width="640" /></a></div>
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The beautiful local people, the autumn colour and Yu Garden</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIWQ0QqJ0ZtuRzKqaw9KZfivYV2O-lRGDsNPE9q9sjlES9JyttgSxo9MpuRDRL3zsIazMOv6GjaPLXfjlCjIytqwxFOvRHvUux29foiM3o79U313tpw4cPOiJwxlxzjNoHjV58XGbtz8/s1600/Mao.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mao, Dongtai Lu Antique Market, Shanghai, China" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIWQ0QqJ0ZtuRzKqaw9KZfivYV2O-lRGDsNPE9q9sjlES9JyttgSxo9MpuRDRL3zsIazMOv6GjaPLXfjlCjIytqwxFOvRHvUux29foiM3o79U313tpw4cPOiJwxlxzjNoHjV58XGbtz8/s640/Mao.jpg" title="Mao, Dongtai Lu Antique Market, Shanghai, China" width="494" /></a></div>
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The now long gone Dongtai Lu antique market.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5osXsAssQ3cTOjzhvEFVVf_Ovz3Fj1Vou79syyk39FpKbbZiP5UaEWVqC6BuoDd9AW1x3CBfKJQRVwHPnUr2Gk3yHmAn9ljeakWLxfnH6YVBKLdNcn-rG__HwnfYTt8vAD5kmxTEbdbE/s1600/Market+4+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Street Food, Muslim Market, Shanghai, China" border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5osXsAssQ3cTOjzhvEFVVf_Ovz3Fj1Vou79syyk39FpKbbZiP5UaEWVqC6BuoDd9AW1x3CBfKJQRVwHPnUr2Gk3yHmAn9ljeakWLxfnH6YVBKLdNcn-rG__HwnfYTt8vAD5kmxTEbdbE/s640/Market+4+%25282%2529.jpg" title="Street Food, Muslim Market, Shanghai, China" width="640" /></a></div>
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The aromatic and delicious food of the Muslim Market.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJHbdYkGOMlnzFuYgzHWlSVa03hJ8ccN9OxJ3OV1crZujPUf8Opg9NhQp90uv764QUXVk8-k00rds2bGI-9QtFr5its2clKCT09MhT8Q7Cm83O9Lzk8cDOZt0pm-nmPJjswyFLy4-XTA/s1600/Recycling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Laundry and load in an alley, Shanghai, China" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJHbdYkGOMlnzFuYgzHWlSVa03hJ8ccN9OxJ3OV1crZujPUf8Opg9NhQp90uv764QUXVk8-k00rds2bGI-9QtFr5its2clKCT09MhT8Q7Cm83O9Lzk8cDOZt0pm-nmPJjswyFLy4-XTA/s640/Recycling.jpg" title="Laundry and load in an alley, Shanghai, China" width="430" /></a></div>
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The laundry and the loads.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnR_0pEd088oa1QC8qyZbNJqihvcnS5VemJJCRshJdI47FLLwNA9QYDygVDqV0asOxynAHAd8eDbQsYrn2dBVW3HhGvrilhuS-O6GzqrW_JNf4EqDW94zA8gDAilUgy6meIQhgtRHkLtU/s1600/Street+4+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birds and Seniors, Shanghai, China" border="0" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnR_0pEd088oa1QC8qyZbNJqihvcnS5VemJJCRshJdI47FLLwNA9QYDygVDqV0asOxynAHAd8eDbQsYrn2dBVW3HhGvrilhuS-O6GzqrW_JNf4EqDW94zA8gDAilUgy6meIQhgtRHkLtU/s640/Street+4+%25282%2529.jpg" title="Birds and Seniors, Shanghai, China" width="640" /></a></div>
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The senior citizens having a chat while 'airing' their birds.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-I46EN2JXiFihmLjvczgC4ORlQru0wQ8MrGCCoctHW8c-zg4p1gFIVLbg1kNZgJfN3IWbs6p2aZVR6V7asrpwDt4IFu203pZYL8uIlmk8MRmrzCJNlCy6l1ZCo_JilWBVaft_Br6MCHg/s1600/Xu+Jia+Hui+1_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Xujiahui, Shanghai, China" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-I46EN2JXiFihmLjvczgC4ORlQru0wQ8MrGCCoctHW8c-zg4p1gFIVLbg1kNZgJfN3IWbs6p2aZVR6V7asrpwDt4IFu203pZYL8uIlmk8MRmrzCJNlCy6l1ZCo_JilWBVaft_Br6MCHg/s640/Xu+Jia+Hui+1_edited-1.jpg" title="Xujiahui, Shanghai, China" width="640" /></a></div>
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My local stomping grounds, the noise, the smell...the traffic!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQPZDY8717r8fljA1Kg3Rk6W53jozjcmYFV0IN2l9jfoa20lyxS8ca0TL6WN0RQ8eXniWej8SWmy3jrj0Q554iZXZI_7hDB5r5ZpteXKjX91snW-Maf_10YT0piDrIVETVA9rMOBYFi4/s1600/Napper+2+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Robyn's Shanghai nappers, Shanghai, China" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQPZDY8717r8fljA1Kg3Rk6W53jozjcmYFV0IN2l9jfoa20lyxS8ca0TL6WN0RQ8eXniWej8SWmy3jrj0Q554iZXZI_7hDB5r5ZpteXKjX91snW-Maf_10YT0piDrIVETVA9rMOBYFi4/s640/Napper+2+%25287%2529.jpg" title="Robyn's Shanghai nappers, Shanghai, China" width="420" /></a></div>
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The nappers...how I miss my nappers!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBmLKdZ0A-KSEHYdbOWoKLpoS4etWNroX7Jn6KaJ-faGhXJ2ylFA8JT0ymQJyRH4Z74PSUBiLWno_BCRLDKwCq8ThvVbwzpemGm1iC_ukqUkUgLY86lHNh2kks9OeQSsE_0LcY4vuLGA/s1600/Adventure+Monday+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Superman dog, Shanghai, China" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBmLKdZ0A-KSEHYdbOWoKLpoS4etWNroX7Jn6KaJ-faGhXJ2ylFA8JT0ymQJyRH4Z74PSUBiLWno_BCRLDKwCq8ThvVbwzpemGm1iC_ukqUkUgLY86lHNh2kks9OeQSsE_0LcY4vuLGA/s640/Adventure+Monday+10.jpg" title="Superman dog, Shanghai, China" width="640" /></a></div>
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The dogs in clothes. </div>
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So much to miss but so many fabulous memories, happy we had the opportunity to </div>
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have such a wonderful experience. </div>
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We wouldn't change a thing!</div>
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<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-5395958493587372572016-05-12T02:40:00.001-07:002016-05-12T02:40:36.605-07:00Throwback Thursday, Moments in Time, 12 May 2016 Wiesbaden, Germany<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wiesbaden was where my husband was based just before we moved to Germany</div>
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and quickly became one of my favourite places. </div>
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A historic spa city from way back in the Roman times, </div>
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it is filled with beautiful architecture as it suffered far less damage</div>
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than Frankfurt in WWII. </div>
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Only a twenty minute drive from home, was a favourite place to shop, eat and drink.</div>
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This time last year I headed in to Wiesbaden on a gorgeous Spring day. </div>
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A gorgeous day to wander through the market square, marvel at</div>
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the gorgeous neo Gothic Marktkirche, the City Palace, a palace for the Heir to the throne</div>
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and The Heathens Wall, Wiesbaden's oldest structure from Roman Times.</div>
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Also a perfect day to buy some in season and absolutely delicious </div>
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White Asparagus and for just €1 a kilo you can have them peeled before </div>
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heading home and having a scrummy white asparagus, prawn, tomato pasta dinner.</div>
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Now feeling homesick for Germany and really, really missing White Asparagus season!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5j6AMuqYDDgIqz1HbbadXIJ_X3UGvj703cObFWx9eAn21L1x4u7pSlLaePDv0FXV6ByXrKA3D4hxReXfqprekq3_gFzn3l6I3-szobeUbUuERxFpHW_xEOuUE8D6cwtuXRhgAAvkbC4g/s1600/DSC_0658-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Marktkirche, Wiesbaden, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5j6AMuqYDDgIqz1HbbadXIJ_X3UGvj703cObFWx9eAn21L1x4u7pSlLaePDv0FXV6ByXrKA3D4hxReXfqprekq3_gFzn3l6I3-szobeUbUuERxFpHW_xEOuUE8D6cwtuXRhgAAvkbC4g/s640/DSC_0658-001.JPG" title="Marktkirche, Wiesbaden, Germany" width="448" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9r2EgLSJuG7FX6AAByMtOQl9pZbFhLFQjf0iV7gQ0u-OcdFdUJJkcuVUwsVL9dTjdsLRctXvzjkjSNRclpXwTDx9UOofJj2Edk63QA2gOiv869ibMtfkK6S-nfOoYPp2oteLwtu_zkk/s1600/DSC_0670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The City Palace, Wiesbaden, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9r2EgLSJuG7FX6AAByMtOQl9pZbFhLFQjf0iV7gQ0u-OcdFdUJJkcuVUwsVL9dTjdsLRctXvzjkjSNRclpXwTDx9UOofJj2Edk63QA2gOiv869ibMtfkK6S-nfOoYPp2oteLwtu_zkk/s640/DSC_0670.JPG" title="The City Palace, Wiesbaden, Germany" width="442" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKCvnmNPh2kDc3tWVMO97AtOBgJJV5U1wftZQ6MGdU4R8TIc6BLtbdNg36FsE62HTt94DjJjyf5y3uwrLmvQqFqcwElkQFvHPGoN2NuyS1Sx-OjZGHLCLAx6cemFOI0Tgqa8cMvsYIoU/s1600/DSC_0678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Heathens Wall, Wiesbaden, Germany" border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKCvnmNPh2kDc3tWVMO97AtOBgJJV5U1wftZQ6MGdU4R8TIc6BLtbdNg36FsE62HTt94DjJjyf5y3uwrLmvQqFqcwElkQFvHPGoN2NuyS1Sx-OjZGHLCLAx6cemFOI0Tgqa8cMvsYIoU/s640/DSC_0678.JPG" title="The Heathens Wall, Wiesbaden, Germany" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCRAZUU1XIIMC5q8L0ZeiblDrOBVnGY2e7Ue_BlmsWqf32nS-BrHCLpElu6wA2HIZ-gsq30wqwDxA1EM1SGuOYW5MD5RV7-vFnVQACi1_vJng6iV9QTfYIi_PQ_2GIHXVBx0e3tg3tNI/s1600/DSC_0703-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="White Asparagus, Wiesbaden Market, Germany" border="0" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCRAZUU1XIIMC5q8L0ZeiblDrOBVnGY2e7Ue_BlmsWqf32nS-BrHCLpElu6wA2HIZ-gsq30wqwDxA1EM1SGuOYW5MD5RV7-vFnVQACi1_vJng6iV9QTfYIi_PQ_2GIHXVBx0e3tg3tNI/s640/DSC_0703-001.jpg" title="White Asparagus, Wiesbaden Market, Germany" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQY8JFQT_sY7m87kcO0u3x1bJK85BUaMsvW9UyKYaQUYBIWGYlNl9MW_JYfXQXFbyBNiLPwbnNCr0-HFeBz26pGWcQJd1ADSQngvI41CXUTw36tPWITSkHu0Fua1QiLsW2RXuOHqB8dA/s1600/DSC_0698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="White Asparagus, Wiesbaden Market, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQY8JFQT_sY7m87kcO0u3x1bJK85BUaMsvW9UyKYaQUYBIWGYlNl9MW_JYfXQXFbyBNiLPwbnNCr0-HFeBz26pGWcQJd1ADSQngvI41CXUTw36tPWITSkHu0Fua1QiLsW2RXuOHqB8dA/s640/DSC_0698.JPG" title="White Asparagus, Wiesbaden Market, Germany" width="404" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7m-VwarVI_VLr5wcz-VwZ8xG4KkTcM_AYDzCMc8F_EGnZbeXp1Jj3OuVJtVY5j7GFQkLMT-YqZJ7oJWsslN9mypRrgEGb4hV6D4rxKjz18fo_K8SEqryp9rspnS90rPXG3tLr8SO8cAc/s1600/DSC_0691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="White Asparagus, Wiesbaden Market, Germany" border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7m-VwarVI_VLr5wcz-VwZ8xG4KkTcM_AYDzCMc8F_EGnZbeXp1Jj3OuVJtVY5j7GFQkLMT-YqZJ7oJWsslN9mypRrgEGb4hV6D4rxKjz18fo_K8SEqryp9rspnS90rPXG3tLr8SO8cAc/s640/DSC_0691.jpg" title="White Asparagus, Wiesbaden Market, Germany" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-46814087927724716372016-05-05T00:50:00.001-07:002016-05-05T00:50:59.628-07:00Throwback Thursday, Moments in Time 5 May 2012, Shanghai, China<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In May 2012, my little family was on the final countdown to the </div>
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end of our expat adventure in Shanghai.</div>
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Life was full of farewells and 'last times'. Adventures to be squeezed into our final months. </div>
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On 5 May, we headed over to Pudong to visit the Shanghai World Financial Centre or </div>
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"The Bottle Opener" to expats and locals alike. </div>
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We had watched this building being constructed while we lived in Shanghai and</div>
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wanted to go to the observation deck 474m above the ground one last time.</div>
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We looked out over the Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower and the under construction Shanghai Tower, </div>
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well before it overtook the Bottle Opener.</div>
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The magical city of Shanghai was spread out before us, though the skies </div>
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were murky...until of course we had gone back down to street level and</div>
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the skies finally cleared and were bright and blue!</div>
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The ever changing Shanghai Skyline, frozen in time, 5 May 2012, </div>
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boy has it changed since!</div>
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Hard to believe that we have now lived away from Shanghai for nearly as long as were lived there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDvDN9TuPidALFsBGQHuQKYFlH3LOkil52u3lKnM_Yvi53Tx3jmjb4W7HEkGK2fHRVedUPhiup7_pt1d7ucYY9INQ0N63I26XkTWUVdSzBmijOMzuv-sLREHPqh0cbhrJc6ZhrV58MTs/s1600/DSC_0900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Shanghai Skyline 5 May 2012" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDvDN9TuPidALFsBGQHuQKYFlH3LOkil52u3lKnM_Yvi53Tx3jmjb4W7HEkGK2fHRVedUPhiup7_pt1d7ucYY9INQ0N63I26XkTWUVdSzBmijOMzuv-sLREHPqh0cbhrJc6ZhrV58MTs/s640/DSC_0900.JPG" title="Shanghai Skyline 5 May 2012" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17CHO4V865AHfvMAQDSXPoNXvHnJGWvc-nchwqaCAShRzfoxrUhhtPAciDDYb8VWtNwYmQMKggedVzuMH11Z_eGRLfthpZ5G46Low2W2A0cPi4xV1nm5dyp9wx-huzMs6OXmXnBoWxwU/s1600/DSC_0928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Shanghai Skyline 5 May 2012" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17CHO4V865AHfvMAQDSXPoNXvHnJGWvc-nchwqaCAShRzfoxrUhhtPAciDDYb8VWtNwYmQMKggedVzuMH11Z_eGRLfthpZ5G46Low2W2A0cPi4xV1nm5dyp9wx-huzMs6OXmXnBoWxwU/s640/DSC_0928.JPG" title="Shanghai Skyline 5 May 2012" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaR2YsEuF_jr20m8F4-sBvxS2TdmtETh4RBkToNX3UBoyJyh-q43xVQcE0monNuNVB7YqcLhUBNMB_p-rPpbGlvPmCHO-Y67aNBzo6DE8J0inWlfP5UNJXfFh8dkwL4F6-muUlkWYp70/s1600/DSC_0986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Bottle Opener, Shanghai 5 May 2012" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaR2YsEuF_jr20m8F4-sBvxS2TdmtETh4RBkToNX3UBoyJyh-q43xVQcE0monNuNVB7YqcLhUBNMB_p-rPpbGlvPmCHO-Y67aNBzo6DE8J0inWlfP5UNJXfFh8dkwL4F6-muUlkWYp70/s640/DSC_0986.JPG" title="The Bottle Opener, Shanghai 5 May 2012" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlUCybHg9fh1yxtwL0uklO6Le9iU-duct7It701jFXQQ3PAUcKEAASYuc7M73cJkvmPl9UH0MLP5PO01B1OiW6ZCdka1anuHh6g31eeuBmnbCrbXr4Gm-Q8nnft7NB5JeiQ4qENZWQLU/s1600/DSC_0966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Bottle Opener, Shanghai 5 May 2012" border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlUCybHg9fh1yxtwL0uklO6Le9iU-duct7It701jFXQQ3PAUcKEAASYuc7M73cJkvmPl9UH0MLP5PO01B1OiW6ZCdka1anuHh6g31eeuBmnbCrbXr4Gm-Q8nnft7NB5JeiQ4qENZWQLU/s640/DSC_0966.JPG" title="The Bottle Opener, Shanghai 5 May 2012" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBekwJD1KZm2CHZ37m86fwFwm5MpLBfg1Y7N1mGF5uSYR7-obyMw3vcb146IyEJx58MxJIuE59e5O1aqF9u7IlScf-3N3naRQviHphFzY3t507HSajhRzVL0nlws5YN08YwH2bu7QjY8/s1600/DSC_0970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Bottle Opener, Shanghai 5 May 2012" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBekwJD1KZm2CHZ37m86fwFwm5MpLBfg1Y7N1mGF5uSYR7-obyMw3vcb146IyEJx58MxJIuE59e5O1aqF9u7IlScf-3N3naRQviHphFzY3t507HSajhRzVL0nlws5YN08YwH2bu7QjY8/s640/DSC_0970.JPG" title="The Bottle Opener, Shanghai 5 May 2012" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHx5MzHPfYIrFHwRo1pZnqzNKAgjyCl2KK01Uh0Kt2R6XQiefmoKidBHHcHxQbMSFPbEeDUkaKJRAy4A7U28ZnMeLKBfYt4Q5sUVye9L04n2gSCkEdNBt0sMdL8paUh_lkC7RXLAD6fA/s1600/DSC_0997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Bottle Opener, Shanghai 5 May 2012" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHx5MzHPfYIrFHwRo1pZnqzNKAgjyCl2KK01Uh0Kt2R6XQiefmoKidBHHcHxQbMSFPbEeDUkaKJRAy4A7U28ZnMeLKBfYt4Q5sUVye9L04n2gSCkEdNBt0sMdL8paUh_lkC7RXLAD6fA/s640/DSC_0997.JPG" title="The Bottle Opener, Shanghai 5 May 2012" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-81468376449679600622016-04-28T05:24:00.002-07:002016-04-28T05:24:34.699-07:00Throwback Thursday! Moments in Time 28 April 2013 - Waterperry Gardens, England<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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28 April 2013</div>
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Waterperry Gardens</div>
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When we lived in England, on the border of Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, </div>
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we drove by the sign for Waterperry Gardens all the time. </div>
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Spring was Springing, we had a visitor over from Australia and </div>
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despite an overcast and chilly day, I grabbed my chance to </div>
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take my little family on a garden adventure with our visitor.</div>
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<a href="http://www.waterperrygardens.co.uk/" target="_blank">Waterperry Gardens</a> is 8 acres of beautiful gardens. </div>
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A riverside walk lined with daffodils A meadow filled with</div>
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<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/329.shtml" target="_blank">Snakeshead fritillaries</a>, my absolute favourite native English wild flower. </div>
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Formal gardens, rose gardens and a herbaceous border.</div>
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Magnificent Magnolia's in bloom, Fruit trees budding</div>
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Springtime filling the air with perfume.</div>
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A lovely way to soak up the countryside in Spring, </div>
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or any time of the year, England has a flower for every season season. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUv8ei74L4STKG_sXcdqVpzrTmf9s9qchwkGU4xOKTK4OxhyphenhyphenYbgsI8UwRiy1dMsomcKeJ7GAGgFznVLCimsOL4iI3yat1oI77XDxhCa6r5wnEbvl1iJT1PaAGoOs0T6VHlyEFc8Gw9HUs/s1600/DSC_0236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Meadow filled with Snakeshead fritillaries, Waterperry Garden, England" border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUv8ei74L4STKG_sXcdqVpzrTmf9s9qchwkGU4xOKTK4OxhyphenhyphenYbgsI8UwRiy1dMsomcKeJ7GAGgFznVLCimsOL4iI3yat1oI77XDxhCa6r5wnEbvl1iJT1PaAGoOs0T6VHlyEFc8Gw9HUs/s640/DSC_0236.jpg" title="Meadow filled with Snakeshead fritillaries, Waterperry Garden, England" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEAT5Zqhif0Mlz_BssBKgPa8nvLH1pXMkbeYiuwg6YQM3JT4kzWCeeJZMXjfx929yKRe-brXe2qn1X00WuF0asyPnxRgfNMrin4vO_7udK4MPxpFROvUTPDLWRnyt4D84LSyMcoezwgU/s1600/DSC_0299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Waterlily Canal, Waterperry Gardens, Oxfordshire, England" border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEAT5Zqhif0Mlz_BssBKgPa8nvLH1pXMkbeYiuwg6YQM3JT4kzWCeeJZMXjfx929yKRe-brXe2qn1X00WuF0asyPnxRgfNMrin4vO_7udK4MPxpFROvUTPDLWRnyt4D84LSyMcoezwgU/s640/DSC_0299.JPG" title="Waterlily Canal, Waterperry Gardens, Oxfordshire, England" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ05PNX16oH6UaV22112GYPM4rgq2NDwlJgL2VELzr3vt35xs1e71WpGs5z6rpZbJIAwAVlUCTfUEDnI0c5Fwju-JJ9jV2Vswh2_r_n3KjIOqummFkljCciDWlqzOOILOCW4NcN0XBfpU/s1600/DSC_0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Riverside Daffodils, Waterperry Garden, England" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ05PNX16oH6UaV22112GYPM4rgq2NDwlJgL2VELzr3vt35xs1e71WpGs5z6rpZbJIAwAVlUCTfUEDnI0c5Fwju-JJ9jV2Vswh2_r_n3KjIOqummFkljCciDWlqzOOILOCW4NcN0XBfpU/s640/DSC_0188.JPG" title="Riverside Daffodils, Waterperry Garden, England" width="448" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiL6MPE6wOfbsiVxvDVH5QJMnTYyNK0NpMAuH0_lYuJXcZTh5W7gl_N9uY9L3FIxMtlnt08c-cWz-5CFB8ktY7uhcJv6lLF76nBW66F9SUA21FHVvGLkJujZDoOM24EGdGi7p-yvddOc/s1600/DSC_0438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Snakeshead fritillaries, Waterperry Garden, England" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiL6MPE6wOfbsiVxvDVH5QJMnTYyNK0NpMAuH0_lYuJXcZTh5W7gl_N9uY9L3FIxMtlnt08c-cWz-5CFB8ktY7uhcJv6lLF76nBW66F9SUA21FHVvGLkJujZDoOM24EGdGi7p-yvddOc/s640/DSC_0438.JPG" title="Snakeshead fritillaries, Waterperry Garden, England" width="424" /></a></div>
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Aren't these the most amazing flower, the chequerboard petals, </div>
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the bell shaped flowers nodding in the breeze. </div>
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Also known as the chequered daffodil!</div>
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They are sure to be home to the trendiest of fairies!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OPEFHn8oXLwKyWCRKHyBMjrjFx2ciBnopk3xTFI1wO9ZW6wcVivHBoBAaWAYwrfnibaB-6KNK0eL9EcW0Tmm3IfUA4GkWga4k0U_AFyi1GZZdduvEHlXnvDRWBfxCCFGOnqjXRLQi7Y/s1600/DSC_0518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Snakeshead fritillaries, Waterperry Garden, England" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OPEFHn8oXLwKyWCRKHyBMjrjFx2ciBnopk3xTFI1wO9ZW6wcVivHBoBAaWAYwrfnibaB-6KNK0eL9EcW0Tmm3IfUA4GkWga4k0U_AFyi1GZZdduvEHlXnvDRWBfxCCFGOnqjXRLQi7Y/s640/DSC_0518.JPG" title="Snakeshead fritillaries, Waterperry Garden, England" width="410" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62yNEQ7-48DtmCkGYRN2C_GyULayVw51zaeTOsrUJPrgRrYVV6mCHqo9YiiKjmG5Kl8hOFjTN8akH3Zinp3nAOW-uGHUaOuKmof6qOPB-4oXRckRg1FdX4qJEwQ8KoP8bMQ0END50OAQ/s1600/DSC_0182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Snakeshead fritillaries, Waterperry Garden, England" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62yNEQ7-48DtmCkGYRN2C_GyULayVw51zaeTOsrUJPrgRrYVV6mCHqo9YiiKjmG5Kl8hOFjTN8akH3Zinp3nAOW-uGHUaOuKmof6qOPB-4oXRckRg1FdX4qJEwQ8KoP8bMQ0END50OAQ/s640/DSC_0182.JPG" title="Snakeshead fritillaries, Waterperry Garden, England" width="450" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82HOBgFnmIe_8SiejP2Vwaw4sciMhQqbHturMY-db92qYvYSzvlnIGIk7C4DEevs4eLv6Kg6jsVo2QO-vgJALgFYGc8IM4SqkZioCUxyoVmc3l1_Bl57FLq5uDc8RfSRDYpQtK-lEx9Q/s1600/WP+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Magnolia in Bloom, Waterperry Garden, England" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82HOBgFnmIe_8SiejP2Vwaw4sciMhQqbHturMY-db92qYvYSzvlnIGIk7C4DEevs4eLv6Kg6jsVo2QO-vgJALgFYGc8IM4SqkZioCUxyoVmc3l1_Bl57FLq5uDc8RfSRDYpQtK-lEx9Q/s640/WP+1.jpg" title="Magnolia in Bloom, Waterperry Garden, England" width="404" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5kP73kLSPIPg6ATmHzF4j8DC8Jdgf2C7Uf7bzM3c5WTAgpiIFCQEdxeiGHnYru3p-m_yRJlVXtgiXFsugMpgLNG-zCjhiFtfMjYeJSW8TK5D3cfy0IKAhR5Cnjt05nJNE2bzItnoEwk/s1600/WP+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Magnolia in Bloom, Waterperry Garden, England" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5kP73kLSPIPg6ATmHzF4j8DC8Jdgf2C7Uf7bzM3c5WTAgpiIFCQEdxeiGHnYru3p-m_yRJlVXtgiXFsugMpgLNG-zCjhiFtfMjYeJSW8TK5D3cfy0IKAhR5Cnjt05nJNE2bzItnoEwk/s640/WP+2.jpg" title="Magnolia in Bloom, Waterperry Garden, England" width="484" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcr9B-uwf6t2HI4atdy5hMtAtihjFsQ-_YCGEsCEynYXHVy1LvnRL5fKxPXn65GfNyRlsJB2f9lTeMoWUYlORMnXGnhdzdkTe0kfGZsHhyphenhyphenHTCYUIXr2zzw3Wox-4lJ1oqVgpjHmMPm6E/s1600/DSC_0473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring blossoms, Waterperry Garden, England" border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcr9B-uwf6t2HI4atdy5hMtAtihjFsQ-_YCGEsCEynYXHVy1LvnRL5fKxPXn65GfNyRlsJB2f9lTeMoWUYlORMnXGnhdzdkTe0kfGZsHhyphenhyphenHTCYUIXr2zzw3Wox-4lJ1oqVgpjHmMPm6E/s640/DSC_0473.JPG" title="Spring blossoms, Waterperry Garden, England" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FrTW7pa0mdCjGaViawpkkv4JcRnFfHsVIWbI1PJN9sIukjljBRxz1ihUVnA0El2QBZGmkRuqPmI51m6KRPgLxi93LKRQA9goWD53ziMjOqlH5dl-Ee3JjuL3ehI2tu6Lc5KC2xHXkIQ/s1600/WP+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring blossoms, Waterperry Garden, England" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FrTW7pa0mdCjGaViawpkkv4JcRnFfHsVIWbI1PJN9sIukjljBRxz1ihUVnA0El2QBZGmkRuqPmI51m6KRPgLxi93LKRQA9goWD53ziMjOqlH5dl-Ee3JjuL3ehI2tu6Lc5KC2xHXkIQ/s640/WP+9.jpg" title="Spring blossoms, Waterperry Garden, England" width="434" /></a></div>
<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-54071756546245783052016-04-25T03:12:00.000-07:002016-04-25T03:14:33.914-07:00ANZAC Day 2016, Fremantle Dawn Service and Parade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We are fortunate to have had the freedom as Australians, </div>
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to live and work in China, England and Germany for the past eight years. </div>
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A freedom and way of life due to the service and sacrifice our </div>
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servicemen and sailors made for us all. </div>
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We have attended dawn services alongside fellow Australians </div>
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and New Zealanders in <a href="http://oolongtoearlgrey.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/anzac-day.html" target="_blank">Shanghai</a>. </div>
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We have laid wreaths at our village war memorial in England, held our own service </div>
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at the <a href="http://oolongtoearlgrey.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/anzac-day-2014.html" target="_blank">Neiderzwehren Commonwealth Cemetery</a> in Germany </div>
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and in a corner of a tiny cemetery in <a href="http://oolongtoearlgrey.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/anzac-day-2015.html" target="_blank">France</a>.</div>
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Today we commemorated our ANZACS on our home soil. </div>
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Stood amongst hundreds of other Australians and New Zealanders </div>
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in the misty grey light of dawn. All silent as the beat of the drum </div>
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filled the air, joined occasionally with the dawn chorus of native bird life.</div>
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An ANZAC Dawn Service is moving. </div>
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We listened as the stories of local men, who left our shores, put the lives of their comrades </div>
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and country before their own and died as heroes were read. </div>
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Descendants of those men blessed to return home, myself included, </div>
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stood together and honoured these men and women who served </div>
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and paid the ultimate sacrifice.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iv405VBlXII7ke8EiiSr8CHWTNUWh3oJnns-YjY6ymmD2-1JBdgDqbiHG-cs0MupOYN_68gMhADarMePa0I5_DatU5xPdTMufXvIcnhb-1u_KAge5ZqWarVpvm76aJtnJX21i2d9wXo/s1600/DSC_0213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ANZAC Dawn Service Fremantle 2016" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iv405VBlXII7ke8EiiSr8CHWTNUWh3oJnns-YjY6ymmD2-1JBdgDqbiHG-cs0MupOYN_68gMhADarMePa0I5_DatU5xPdTMufXvIcnhb-1u_KAge5ZqWarVpvm76aJtnJX21i2d9wXo/s640/DSC_0213.JPG" title="ANZAC Dawn Service Fremantle 2016" width="502" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6UdJUyigxT4a-_H34Dr0fK9tJz0RqM81znX28fimh3RXMBoaUtzxOZI7_AHdSnmqSqkkcWt4dPBeHNnzQEHeForJMXWjXvPc8THM2t8zsxoXlenpdaGf5qVhTUxWBtEFLgVJM3BjYxo/s1600/DSC_0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ANZAC Dawn Service Fremantle 2016" border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6UdJUyigxT4a-_H34Dr0fK9tJz0RqM81znX28fimh3RXMBoaUtzxOZI7_AHdSnmqSqkkcWt4dPBeHNnzQEHeForJMXWjXvPc8THM2t8zsxoXlenpdaGf5qVhTUxWBtEFLgVJM3BjYxo/s640/DSC_0223.JPG" title="ANZAC Dawn Service Fremantle 2016" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41lvKh5SyzY9w-wiUWn34xwTVR-YtJh3qkWRsE6ndDYcdoG4_596V9osvGfeiltuxxDdpXDUuZFy8tvyNN7k1PtyQuMj-URWx6CVqzN7K2PYP3rg0xGLEuaaZl7hh_kDf2kMA-r_V0Xs/s1600/DSC_0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ANZAC Dawn Service Fremantle 2016" border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41lvKh5SyzY9w-wiUWn34xwTVR-YtJh3qkWRsE6ndDYcdoG4_596V9osvGfeiltuxxDdpXDUuZFy8tvyNN7k1PtyQuMj-URWx6CVqzN7K2PYP3rg0xGLEuaaZl7hh_kDf2kMA-r_V0Xs/s640/DSC_0236.JPG" title="ANZAC Dawn Service Fremantle 2016" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxq9vQRDhnL616D4FMmXbsz88hhewc_K7JnOWETQn6O9bC_mwJFwN4uAkEq4DXUknCV2awpmnvmQWjEzH8zvxLg0BMRd4dg7_DLtTd40naNW4swt-bf-0zcahWQs1IH37_w0DInWhwAY/s1600/DSC_0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ANZAC Dawn Service Fremantle 2016" border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxq9vQRDhnL616D4FMmXbsz88hhewc_K7JnOWETQn6O9bC_mwJFwN4uAkEq4DXUknCV2awpmnvmQWjEzH8zvxLg0BMRd4dg7_DLtTd40naNW4swt-bf-0zcahWQs1IH37_w0DInWhwAY/s640/DSC_0255.JPG" title="ANZAC Dawn Service Fremantle 2016" width="640" /></a></div>
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We went into Fremantle and clapped and cheered as the parade of veterans passed us by</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8kXc8qwuhwxL20RsXmgQGxNYMAGNxb41G4mpqE02exkCMnhUMKLBnTl_0EBuaBnp_MdZ2qMlHM-_slFdHd0tdb4JJXYDQmzyZW5uyJuF4hyphenhyphenkbFf8DtR6Dlr7Ds2w0G0xo2MWAjZDLAY/s1600/DSC_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ANZAC Day Parade, Fremantle 2016" border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8kXc8qwuhwxL20RsXmgQGxNYMAGNxb41G4mpqE02exkCMnhUMKLBnTl_0EBuaBnp_MdZ2qMlHM-_slFdHd0tdb4JJXYDQmzyZW5uyJuF4hyphenhyphenkbFf8DtR6Dlr7Ds2w0G0xo2MWAjZDLAY/s640/DSC_0266.JPG" title="ANZAC Day Parade, Fremantle 2016" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjNlvdlBlfowqRAi6EQhhYx0y_VNWx3n-qXk375OJiJCh-glAgd_jOUXQsnfo_TjWR40asSP8ZiIZe9SDoLHvOd1lFXZszqyir8Jtak7Ov0YpZ6Sv39JltkBDkyLnDqSqnazCYY_C1L4/s1600/DSC_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ANZAC Day Parade, Fremantle 2016" border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjNlvdlBlfowqRAi6EQhhYx0y_VNWx3n-qXk375OJiJCh-glAgd_jOUXQsnfo_TjWR40asSP8ZiIZe9SDoLHvOd1lFXZszqyir8Jtak7Ov0YpZ6Sv39JltkBDkyLnDqSqnazCYY_C1L4/s640/DSC_0277.JPG" title="ANZAC Day Parade, Fremantle 2016" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJr2nPWjCWvLS_0Yt81iryEbYIO4ENfNReZgzMvtA3LVlL21xJs3mFt9vWfO3HHea1oVqzImQ6-CUp1jaOQAt3-9fWJ4r5uCe_uaprm8tKjcJBTy8XL-A4nRqWPO9E9HFdOJou0i_0R8/s1600/DSC_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ANZAC Day Parade, Fremantle 2016" border="0" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJr2nPWjCWvLS_0Yt81iryEbYIO4ENfNReZgzMvtA3LVlL21xJs3mFt9vWfO3HHea1oVqzImQ6-CUp1jaOQAt3-9fWJ4r5uCe_uaprm8tKjcJBTy8XL-A4nRqWPO9E9HFdOJou0i_0R8/s640/DSC_0281.JPG" title="ANZAC Day Parade, Fremantle 2016" width="640" /></a></div>
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We watched with pride as a new generation of our service men and women passed by, </div>
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prepared to protect our country and way of life.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9TY6GQPpj45k_n1UjBhZ6b3i0wHTgRV0MMIJd84IZjC8hnOuXqwBzF_FeBiulOqy1SCdi-NmrVHwfjlyIiTO8zBIZeuqQrmc7fJ-I9YLSZqThuUJjvH1xHDcx_RqeLytrhkZQPW5vR8/s1600/DSC_0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ANZAC Day Parade, Fremantle 2016" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9TY6GQPpj45k_n1UjBhZ6b3i0wHTgRV0MMIJd84IZjC8hnOuXqwBzF_FeBiulOqy1SCdi-NmrVHwfjlyIiTO8zBIZeuqQrmc7fJ-I9YLSZqThuUJjvH1xHDcx_RqeLytrhkZQPW5vR8/s640/DSC_0304.JPG" title="ANZAC Day Parade, Fremantle 2016" width="326" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_ss0tkn0BVm1LxGo1LD53sftBqLNS1XrE9eClaBu0x4SW1r_QzIt8iML2prlKNYucPK0vQYGubju0x6bQz3WopO5uWvvoKw0w5hQeJNWfhe7E8zYyhIfx2Zi-zMmW9wX_OMXswpuQkk/s1600/DSC_0316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ANZAC Day Parade, Fremantle 2016" border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_ss0tkn0BVm1LxGo1LD53sftBqLNS1XrE9eClaBu0x4SW1r_QzIt8iML2prlKNYucPK0vQYGubju0x6bQz3WopO5uWvvoKw0w5hQeJNWfhe7E8zYyhIfx2Zi-zMmW9wX_OMXswpuQkk/s640/DSC_0316.JPG" title="ANZAC Day Parade, Fremantle 2016" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEAvKHZIWVFxW0oPJ3h-jYsisrV_z4R5V5NdJXnSdPyhSg5t_MsEDPto4W9eWV9VXEVDCXWyoM4ZENYaNmr38hDvujSuooPMi85fKp0JtnPtktC75HgdeEAIPi3Du2_nwgRWO_Ksg5FE/s1600/DSC_0349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEAvKHZIWVFxW0oPJ3h-jYsisrV_z4R5V5NdJXnSdPyhSg5t_MsEDPto4W9eWV9VXEVDCXWyoM4ZENYaNmr38hDvujSuooPMi85fKp0JtnPtktC75HgdeEAIPi3Du2_nwgRWO_Ksg5FE/s640/DSC_0349.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
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We were joined by thousands of others at the closing ceremony. </div>
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The ANZAC spirit doesn't diminish but grows stronger with each passing year. </div>
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Older generations passing the baton and pride to the next generations.</div>
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We will remember our fallen.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituAfnqGiNJETF4CLg1lzBOjvig3FoS2bdutNgwZ-VsvbbFhVmBne3rId_ruSdmuNqtjJtmg_1QZyoV_PzYv5GhbTqRtYCdFXtEZ27VwqrI6PamlGbqXBe8Rw6KNyJW_arJyOTzLrVPQE/s1600/DSC_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituAfnqGiNJETF4CLg1lzBOjvig3FoS2bdutNgwZ-VsvbbFhVmBne3rId_ruSdmuNqtjJtmg_1QZyoV_PzYv5GhbTqRtYCdFXtEZ27VwqrI6PamlGbqXBe8Rw6KNyJW_arJyOTzLrVPQE/s640/DSC_0354.JPG" width="220" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHrIXiC41JAak6gtXw3vXUxOTRMmPMVRzN1UGSGFFoblWnE4F9Bj_jOSW0f-a2eZCH1NL7BYEoEIONWLFE6H24Rl3RGHdIaAgdAmkdjDDRJ_SZ7OR5_HE5qU9PRUTx0L8XTdvk6a2Bds/s1600/DSC_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHrIXiC41JAak6gtXw3vXUxOTRMmPMVRzN1UGSGFFoblWnE4F9Bj_jOSW0f-a2eZCH1NL7BYEoEIONWLFE6H24Rl3RGHdIaAgdAmkdjDDRJ_SZ7OR5_HE5qU9PRUTx0L8XTdvk6a2Bds/s640/DSC_0361.JPG" width="404" /></a></div>
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Heavy rain did not dampen the spirit, our soldiers and sailors stood tall and proud.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirdD8xEooWb7xZm2Au7HQ0LLHoQ7qyqMz4tyNRr6Rf0spQ0q5l40rcCmi2enp8HET4vGTEVyrAigYK1Mg9LEkrk_39u3tUhp6O7z__qFXEg4NmYXx31RasnkqtKoPd8ivwu-ejNmSqVA/s1600/DSC_0366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirdD8xEooWb7xZm2Au7HQ0LLHoQ7qyqMz4tyNRr6Rf0spQ0q5l40rcCmi2enp8HET4vGTEVyrAigYK1Mg9LEkrk_39u3tUhp6O7z__qFXEg4NmYXx31RasnkqtKoPd8ivwu-ejNmSqVA/s640/DSC_0366.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mId5OktgryUqOP1O25uqdunyErbo-1-OD6rmWhG-_QxtWl0jB7AuO_coGJaZ4zWd-rE_1yLpZZtJLdLzYTeqHhvqDNQO8ZOj5n-bF1Hjy8uWvGpI86aWbc04Byc1fKNYWl5vpKX8HCA/s1600/DSC_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mId5OktgryUqOP1O25uqdunyErbo-1-OD6rmWhG-_QxtWl0jB7AuO_coGJaZ4zWd-rE_1yLpZZtJLdLzYTeqHhvqDNQO8ZOj5n-bF1Hjy8uWvGpI86aWbc04Byc1fKNYWl5vpKX8HCA/s640/DSC_0369.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thank you for your Service. </div>
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After eight years of ANZAC Day abroad for me, </div>
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it has been an honour to pay tribute on home soil today.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOp9wRgRW4_62qsh1pbQRvD237WuVmV5O7iq_3mmVfea67vYFIDeRp4grei48cd39qP2F3b6fmsvyqE_bMJZVewLHGyBHKIcZruoSRjSoUMP2ycxhJWjByX7Dg7B0Q7sGs-S-i8vT-G0/s1600/DSC_0384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOp9wRgRW4_62qsh1pbQRvD237WuVmV5O7iq_3mmVfea67vYFIDeRp4grei48cd39qP2F3b6fmsvyqE_bMJZVewLHGyBHKIcZruoSRjSoUMP2ycxhJWjByX7Dg7B0Q7sGs-S-i8vT-G0/s640/DSC_0384.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; </div>
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Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.</div>
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At the going down of the sun and in the morning, </div>
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We will remember them.</div>
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Lest we forget.</div>
<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-5999195969127296112016-04-14T01:20:00.001-07:002016-04-14T01:20:44.921-07:00This time last year..I was walking in my forest in Germany, soaking up Spring!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We have been home in Australia for three months today. </div>
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The girls are settled at school, we have whittled the pile of boxes to a more manageable level </div>
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and are planning a few necessary renovations on our "renovators delight" home. </div>
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The Perth lifestyle is great, a warm autumn has arrived...not to be confused with fall </div>
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as no leaves really fall in Perth, let alone change colour. </div>
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It is wonderful to be around family and friends again, to be able to go to 21st birthday</div>
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celebrations, see new babies and just hang out. </div>
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Though we still feel we are on a trip home, that we will be heading back to our </div>
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house in the German forest soon. </div>
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We have to remind ourselves "We live here now" we don't have to do everything </div>
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all at once, catch up with everyone in a rush. </div>
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Though we still feel a little like a square peg in a round hole, we don't quite fit. </div>
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Friends waiting for us to settle before catching up and</div>
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we are not sure if we will ever feel settled here again. </div>
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I am a little, well, more than a little, homesick for the European Spring.</div>
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After a long cold winter, our forest literally explodes with colour and life. </div>
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Gardens show a wave of spring blooms, snowdrops, daffodils, tulips and bluebells.</div>
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Exactly a year ago today, I went for a walk in my forest....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS072xb52al_Kse4brt908tAnySr1DPu9ekSp7f6Yt3HEbY3UYDVIDNQrKnBRoFBRdyfC-6qnUyhhpt6wGioXz8G1HS3H-KiBhQyshzaa3Sj0Vwont2JRHadiUGY2OESf8I4uNr5Etu3k/s1600/DSC_0911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring in the forest, Hofheim, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS072xb52al_Kse4brt908tAnySr1DPu9ekSp7f6Yt3HEbY3UYDVIDNQrKnBRoFBRdyfC-6qnUyhhpt6wGioXz8G1HS3H-KiBhQyshzaa3Sj0Vwont2JRHadiUGY2OESf8I4uNr5Etu3k/s640/DSC_0911.JPG" title="Spring in the forest, Hofheim, Germany" width="434" /></a></div>
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The branches, silhouetted against the sky show a green tinge as the forest wakes after Winter.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQkInaOgeRmCLeqITLQdvhvUQlQlrY8_s8tf9tfbE2y_DbWqvnHq0JehecptX5CdIFzTtfZwaDQyza4_yTLlj6dSUAB-jImk240XSG_DXWyG22BhaxG7ysFCdAcfhuO9tR9wb6ZaCL_E/s1600/DSC_0952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring in the forest, Hofheim, Germany" border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQkInaOgeRmCLeqITLQdvhvUQlQlrY8_s8tf9tfbE2y_DbWqvnHq0JehecptX5CdIFzTtfZwaDQyza4_yTLlj6dSUAB-jImk240XSG_DXWyG22BhaxG7ysFCdAcfhuO9tR9wb6ZaCL_E/s640/DSC_0952.JPG" title="Spring in the forest, Hofheim, Germany" width="640" /></a></div>
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The forest is immersed in a cast of near fluorescent green.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmQ6tUq4v-w5bA8rXmI69HtAcs9rzjrAc6N94wb7VP7UBQsvhRUblMuO6b-I-t0DE3TeRjSC6Q966fSN_2peKwUNB-s4YQaNrAa8CdVDBPmaB-LdQAsbyZexySX5J6-lT249F60jA73A/s1600/DSC_0962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring in the forest, Hofheim, Germany" border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmQ6tUq4v-w5bA8rXmI69HtAcs9rzjrAc6N94wb7VP7UBQsvhRUblMuO6b-I-t0DE3TeRjSC6Q966fSN_2peKwUNB-s4YQaNrAa8CdVDBPmaB-LdQAsbyZexySX5J6-lT249F60jA73A/s640/DSC_0962.JPG" title="Spring in the forest, Hofheim, Germany" width="640" /></a></div>
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With the warm sun casting a glow though the trees, the leaves awaken and</div>
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seemingly open right before your eyes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzhPg37VgFiDFuIHyDX679m6fKuwxsvwyOvCgtq6HOxUGiKxanPvwdrMfs3qtFBXPzVsx5NoiGFAnqqAdUA1DC6I4ZOLckfssonT0sbCqOeoYay-WKjXwV_idnlKFK1RFnEXvSR35j2o/s1600/DSC_0932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring in the forest, Hofheim, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzhPg37VgFiDFuIHyDX679m6fKuwxsvwyOvCgtq6HOxUGiKxanPvwdrMfs3qtFBXPzVsx5NoiGFAnqqAdUA1DC6I4ZOLckfssonT0sbCqOeoYay-WKjXwV_idnlKFK1RFnEXvSR35j2o/s640/DSC_0932.JPG" title="Spring in the forest, Hofheim, Germany" width="440" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjxO0HUgMbfOu2LXlgNg4DztCZgN_g1Qo6w_doi-GctRz5LBdgarIf_fkSyClPBCAncKbKJko44XtxplWQVmrRM7OwyXSeWGxiHDMIbJFz6s9ILm-urKnqRL24hdDSIEvBN0zbqaLFKM/s1600/DSC_0924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring in the forest, Hofheim, Germany" border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjxO0HUgMbfOu2LXlgNg4DztCZgN_g1Qo6w_doi-GctRz5LBdgarIf_fkSyClPBCAncKbKJko44XtxplWQVmrRM7OwyXSeWGxiHDMIbJFz6s9ILm-urKnqRL24hdDSIEvBN0zbqaLFKM/s640/DSC_0924.JPG" title="Spring in the forest, Hofheim, Germany" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOfFhnUdl0P893-HlxuE_1BULMY1Kv968LIros2rDuelXJiAsrVwaDfUonnr12avheN7F5uEtwOO-I-VzcZL_H9S84-5EB_EBHS-bGVdTfw8TmLoFJ6ZI0b76uMkUlP1ITWpdNrvM0g0/s1600/DSC_1002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherry Blossoms, Spring, Hofheim, Germany" border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOfFhnUdl0P893-HlxuE_1BULMY1Kv968LIros2rDuelXJiAsrVwaDfUonnr12avheN7F5uEtwOO-I-VzcZL_H9S84-5EB_EBHS-bGVdTfw8TmLoFJ6ZI0b76uMkUlP1ITWpdNrvM0g0/s640/DSC_1002.JPG" title="Cherry Blossoms, Spring, Hofheim, Germany" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our neighbours cherry tree was a riot of colour, wish I could see it now.</div>
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Stand under it taking photos of the blooms, after our walk in the forest, </div>
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much to my neighbours' amusement.</div>
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I am sure they miss the quirky Aussies next door and hope that nice people are in our old home.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYfE5Kq7H7WQo-FDZmVDCED8qQLekV05TaO0_-CGsL0-VPmXQlrnNjG9PUdyictS7pv1Dpj4ve22T0kpvp54be6W7P6HZWLE4vAS0SRy8gtkphs79EhKXcME0yBumK10ZVsIEjexqkS4/s1600/DSC_1014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring, Hofheim, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYfE5Kq7H7WQo-FDZmVDCED8qQLekV05TaO0_-CGsL0-VPmXQlrnNjG9PUdyictS7pv1Dpj4ve22T0kpvp54be6W7P6HZWLE4vAS0SRy8gtkphs79EhKXcME0yBumK10ZVsIEjexqkS4/s640/DSC_1014.JPG" title="Spring, Hofheim, Germany" width="632" /></a></div>
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My own garden full of colour and contrast.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrmJDqxVkbq6YH2UO9hogQ08urxcruCE4co9Tz4-w3XmQC_k3UZhzylApWpYgetclXnddD-z1c_COtsBPQBFAWD-J64ckgFW78gxnS7-RUJewBdTninKC3N64s7wlPxT9lpGzvF2MQo8/s1600/DSC_1029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherry Blossoms, Spring, Hofheim, Germany" border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrmJDqxVkbq6YH2UO9hogQ08urxcruCE4co9Tz4-w3XmQC_k3UZhzylApWpYgetclXnddD-z1c_COtsBPQBFAWD-J64ckgFW78gxnS7-RUJewBdTninKC3N64s7wlPxT9lpGzvF2MQo8/s640/DSC_1029.JPG" title="Cherry Blossoms, Spring, Hofheim, Germany" width="640" /></a></div>
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A trip to do some shopping in the village revealed cherry blossoms galore.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrn38TueDWUry3KsVBKf_9fKCgvX0YTWUPhT84QVi12asy1lVuBoSnwU0uCR5_jhMcDFCP2JYXlrbQUVyeJqkebp67S0kbicrogPUh3RonbF9r-1yoW-nkk5OgSrKFw8u4oOcLCu2yyk/s1600/DSC_1036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherry Blossoms, Spring, Hofheim, Germany" border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrn38TueDWUry3KsVBKf_9fKCgvX0YTWUPhT84QVi12asy1lVuBoSnwU0uCR5_jhMcDFCP2JYXlrbQUVyeJqkebp67S0kbicrogPUh3RonbF9r-1yoW-nkk5OgSrKFw8u4oOcLCu2yyk/s640/DSC_1036.jpg" title="Cherry Blossoms, Spring, Hofheim, Germany" width="640" /></a></div>
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The car park awash with pink petals, I spent a few minutes soaking it up, </div>
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letting the fragrance engulf me as petals rained down. </div>
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I was joined by an elderly German lady and we stood together, laughing, delighting in the moment.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH9BIaXkp0M2OgtFbibOa8mvYiFmh9Ij023eVjfezlWMWhQZM0tfZssMfBU-kKXI2XrztfqL36Me0OiDI-G8S-SP7lSM0NgnKzMRu8GVBfaLo9RYbO2ljwy7x2bJj7frIUocdTPAie_k/s1600/DSC_1053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherry Blossoms, Spring, Hofheim, Germany" border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH9BIaXkp0M2OgtFbibOa8mvYiFmh9Ij023eVjfezlWMWhQZM0tfZssMfBU-kKXI2XrztfqL36Me0OiDI-G8S-SP7lSM0NgnKzMRu8GVBfaLo9RYbO2ljwy7x2bJj7frIUocdTPAie_k/s640/DSC_1053.JPG" title="Cherry Blossoms, Spring, Hofheim, Germany" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmShD2-T2D_KG9pn77F2TJ8nVJfdPQxXR_Hc9AbzVEMsZLUaA04D0sK7Ev7QgkcKAU_gR3OmYuu-fTruMb9S4a_3ielB-ZE7mp-mlTZLmKHwZqz4QgIvl4F4cCRiobdLYiaGUoFVrmxas/s1600/DSC_1044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tulip and Cherry Blossoms, Spring, Hofheim, Germany" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmShD2-T2D_KG9pn77F2TJ8nVJfdPQxXR_Hc9AbzVEMsZLUaA04D0sK7Ev7QgkcKAU_gR3OmYuu-fTruMb9S4a_3ielB-ZE7mp-mlTZLmKHwZqz4QgIvl4F4cCRiobdLYiaGUoFVrmxas/s640/DSC_1044.JPG" title="Tulip and Cherry Blossoms, Spring, Hofheim, Germany" width="640" /></a></div>
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Bright tulips, caught the petals in a friendly embrace.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLr_ZTq87QXt5wxXZWAD7UuLHfqhoaLOXsTzq5Ds1fI28-CAoj3Da80tjprvkXcQ6Uw0jqi37PEQIrqgBsRPruaMGTbGOeNIe6GgePI_4Nu7YKHU3HxgF7UjmgBF77D3txm2AXZQE5CbY/s1600/DSC_1065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring, Hofheim, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLr_ZTq87QXt5wxXZWAD7UuLHfqhoaLOXsTzq5Ds1fI28-CAoj3Da80tjprvkXcQ6Uw0jqi37PEQIrqgBsRPruaMGTbGOeNIe6GgePI_4Nu7YKHU3HxgF7UjmgBF77D3txm2AXZQE5CbY/s640/DSC_1065.JPG" title="Spring, Hofheim, Germany" width="432" /></a></div>
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365 days on, I am sure my little village in the forest is again a riot of colour and new life. </div>
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I hope the little old lady is there to let the petals rain down on her, </div>
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that my old neighbours look at the cherry blossoms and remember the crazy Aussie taking</div>
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photos in their garden, getting the angle just right </div>
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and that my forest is once again exploding with spring colour and life. </div>
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Wonderful memories of our life in Germany!</div>
Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-48172889372461208552016-04-06T19:26:00.000-07:002016-04-06T19:26:28.686-07:00Fragrant Flashbacks, scent makes travel more vivid.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Travel escalates all of our senses to another level. We see things that astound us, </div>
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sounds create the ambience of the setting. Unfamiliar textures and tastes stimulate our minds. </div>
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Smells intensify the experience and years later, the same scent can take you back in time.</div>
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This month's travel link up is Scent, thanks for the trip down memory lane </div>
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<a href="http://www.adventuresofalondonkiwi.com/2016/04/secret-scents-of-travel-blogger-april.html" target="_blank">Emma</a>, <a href="http://www.silverspoonlondon.co.uk/" target="_blank">Angie</a>, <a href="http://www.twofeet-oneworld.com/" target="_blank">Jessie</a> and <a href="http://jetsetchick.com/" target="_blank">Sus</a>!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqwoBpKYx-4ydaYZ3C034O5poPj_kp9MWhL0Y7a-S8W8tpoO2YlTHfHV-v993X3aeLMWz_1xMFjfZaY2Ot1hQnJZQAikZrBX6w9tsufCeeAihfu4bKuisPU-1mSW3duzigQ6n6Jer9SQ/s1600/BB+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqwoBpKYx-4ydaYZ3C034O5poPj_kp9MWhL0Y7a-S8W8tpoO2YlTHfHV-v993X3aeLMWz_1xMFjfZaY2Ot1hQnJZQAikZrBX6w9tsufCeeAihfu4bKuisPU-1mSW3duzigQ6n6Jer9SQ/s640/BB+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I remember stumbling across this field of bluebells in England. </div>
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A vibrant feast for the senses, the colour and dappled light, a magical sight.</div>
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The sounds of the leaves rustling, the cool breeze on my skin...but oh the smell!</div>
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Sweet, fresh and woody. You could smell the sunshine!</div>
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I have this photo on a wall...I swear every time I walk by, </div>
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I am back in that forest and can smell the bluebells once more!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiac2IK4AbveeiLbEqHMpFlgflSoEpAb88gFoSIj9clnsHGXSJHc_NOxWXcW5JsLp0xrEcdE9cY0Wbjf4cT4KYtTGuIZXzVzmiccm1k8W2fDvZ5EYPKQK41ktZHvvGhyphenhyphenw3VBv3LaxY6elA/s1600/DSC_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiac2IK4AbveeiLbEqHMpFlgflSoEpAb88gFoSIj9clnsHGXSJHc_NOxWXcW5JsLp0xrEcdE9cY0Wbjf4cT4KYtTGuIZXzVzmiccm1k8W2fDvZ5EYPKQK41ktZHvvGhyphenhyphenw3VBv3LaxY6elA/s640/DSC_0151.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Whenever I return home to Perth from my travels, I cannot wait to walk out those airport </div>
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doors and into the loving embrace of the smell of Eucalyptus. </div>
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Forget the diesel fumes from the tour buses, smokers having a last puff at the door, </div>
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all I smell is the smell of home.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTwP2sbDbzz-96_wR_wqM54502WSLnQigCkMi0MsI_d27f3yghqjLvvmuAEaDXoCnKeUc_RW4zLSQzssZrBWYPJ2FzgL5RZgXiHv7PfrwI2mUUezFZhwJb2oQurI-tlSYQS5T9HOE6Os/s1600/DSC_0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTwP2sbDbzz-96_wR_wqM54502WSLnQigCkMi0MsI_d27f3yghqjLvvmuAEaDXoCnKeUc_RW4zLSQzssZrBWYPJ2FzgL5RZgXiHv7PfrwI2mUUezFZhwJb2oQurI-tlSYQS5T9HOE6Os/s640/DSC_0247.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The delicate sweet smell of Cherry blossoms will forever take me back to the </div>
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cherry groves in Germany.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_alcYqII3-1x8ccqhUTDVrDEzcgy-ds8KO12VzWtxQNqna-1Io12L3GCw_r1o2aM0Ul2-2s1y01aLHIGUTBFMY-eqGEg9T8zLOr6TL7ehWetu-ddEVGEnOlb3lZYkR5SQB5IO9G7PWU/s1600/DSC_0309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_alcYqII3-1x8ccqhUTDVrDEzcgy-ds8KO12VzWtxQNqna-1Io12L3GCw_r1o2aM0Ul2-2s1y01aLHIGUTBFMY-eqGEg9T8zLOr6TL7ehWetu-ddEVGEnOlb3lZYkR5SQB5IO9G7PWU/s640/DSC_0309.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The heady smell of Autumn in my German forest is in my memory bank, </div>
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ready to be reignited, though it could be a while, Perth not known for autumn colour.</div>
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I will miss the changing of the seasons and the scents they invoke...until next time!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBV_OQsRN0kz6j0qoFy58ru-NR6yMCXaoAhsoCuLodKQ8sDXQxg_SKUukxhAjhua4uwbILckdkefdk2qXeLqWK91HKDbv8wbHfF199qL5cwEo8qZCa3vbRDU5z9sMwCEb5x_AR6aAN7c/s1600/DSC_0772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBV_OQsRN0kz6j0qoFy58ru-NR6yMCXaoAhsoCuLodKQ8sDXQxg_SKUukxhAjhua4uwbILckdkefdk2qXeLqWK91HKDbv8wbHfF199qL5cwEo8qZCa3vbRDU5z9sMwCEb5x_AR6aAN7c/s640/DSC_0772.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of my favourite smells is the briny smell of the sea. </div>
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Takes me home to Perth, back to Greece and Croatia, Turkey and Sanya. </div>
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Comforting and invigorating, happy times spent in the oceans of the world. </div>
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I was walking on this beach, sea air in my lungs, sand between my toes, by a group of kids </div>
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on the sand, learning about beach safety...the smell hit me...sent me back to my own childhood</div>
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and swimming lessons at the beach...the smell of the same sunscreen took me back in time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHvyiEkIY0h29GkChsA3kBF0LFQWc52mJleXnWrb_MKAP05D11raVkec6YYNE_4rAMGrEhVwGBIJNtGrdWXAR3mr2lyHRQPEtTLV0xCkEYdVtGswa3-bG1Vkpi0SXwojpZOAV3hirHJs/s1600/DSC_1288-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHvyiEkIY0h29GkChsA3kBF0LFQWc52mJleXnWrb_MKAP05D11raVkec6YYNE_4rAMGrEhVwGBIJNtGrdWXAR3mr2lyHRQPEtTLV0xCkEYdVtGswa3-bG1Vkpi0SXwojpZOAV3hirHJs/s640/DSC_1288-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Whether my next adventure is is tiptoeing through tulips and enjoying the smell of </div>
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Springtime in <a href="http://oolongtoearlgrey.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/tip-toe-through-tulips-keukenhof.html" target="_blank">Keukenhof, The Netherlands</a>. Walking the streets of Shanghai, breathing in the smells of wet markets and street foods or discovering new destinations, the smells will be </div>
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imprinted in my memory, ready to be reignited sometime in the future.</div>
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<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-69772257697426037002016-03-28T20:53:00.001-07:002016-03-28T20:53:09.034-07:00My favourite, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There is always one sculpture that grabs your attention, stands out from the crowd. </div>
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This year the one that stood out for me was</div>
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Kakashi by Zilvinas Kempinas </div>
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who was born in Lithuania and now lives and works in New York. </div>
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Made of steel snow poles and bird repellent tape, in the colours that represent our</div>
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Surf Lifesavers, the sculpture constantly changes with the wind and the sun, </div>
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tape glistening and vibrant against the blue sky.</div>
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The shadows cast played on the soft white sand, children chased each other around the poles, interacting with the kinetic sculpture.</div>
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Kakashi was loved by many, as well as being my favourite, won both the <a href="http://sculpturebythesea.com/2016-ey-people-choice-revealed/" target="_blank">People's Choice</a> </div>
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Award and the Kid's Choice for 2016.</div>
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A worthy winner that captured the hearts and minds of the visitors </div>
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that connected with the sculpture.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLI4lW2pZa32OJA_KNGrsTUkjnRBqCLlIa08V4vx9BFiTLdMCM3Fz7zt4c4Dwpf5rjNgASuFqLiqKHWj3JGaU9rXkVbyoZK1X4J9_8yVLDbfxinhOinrbJGZ_yJZyORiunCRdOsK-RhM/s1600/DSC_0660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kakashi by Zilvinas Kempinas, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016 Peoples Choice Winner" border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLI4lW2pZa32OJA_KNGrsTUkjnRBqCLlIa08V4vx9BFiTLdMCM3Fz7zt4c4Dwpf5rjNgASuFqLiqKHWj3JGaU9rXkVbyoZK1X4J9_8yVLDbfxinhOinrbJGZ_yJZyORiunCRdOsK-RhM/s640/DSC_0660.JPG" title="Kakashi by Zilvinas Kempinas, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016 Peoples Choice Winner" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtn6DXGSsJUHWSYT5qtvZlIGCioDfUqRPtpxAEHa2OtUh8wlZdANIftKEX_p9sIN2VfUZ8M0S4-DibFnO9LZwyPB21xHu-gtlYKV-8UPjeGFScviHF4-yp7N5Ey-PCdz66ET8xiEC4buE/s1600/DSC_0665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kakashi by Zilvinas Kempinas, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016 Peoples Choice Winner" border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtn6DXGSsJUHWSYT5qtvZlIGCioDfUqRPtpxAEHa2OtUh8wlZdANIftKEX_p9sIN2VfUZ8M0S4-DibFnO9LZwyPB21xHu-gtlYKV-8UPjeGFScviHF4-yp7N5Ey-PCdz66ET8xiEC4buE/s640/DSC_0665.JPG" title="Kakashi by Zilvinas Kempinas, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016 Peoples Choice Winner" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNFeFu5-yN-fIslSCBdmNqOyGlHzGH_g_7K4r-3MPwKpllQ3V5M-6IY1KS7pIfwqAnwkUNjYDr88oYxCNvZl8hm1_ywj5meeXvdZ7NnpD7sQbjYyjoYtGLJsyTgNeUp00nhzS3DskMf4/s1600/DSC_0678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kakashi by Zilvinas Kempinas, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016 Peoples Choice Winner" border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNFeFu5-yN-fIslSCBdmNqOyGlHzGH_g_7K4r-3MPwKpllQ3V5M-6IY1KS7pIfwqAnwkUNjYDr88oYxCNvZl8hm1_ywj5meeXvdZ7NnpD7sQbjYyjoYtGLJsyTgNeUp00nhzS3DskMf4/s640/DSC_0678.JPG" title="Kakashi by Zilvinas Kempinas, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016 Peoples Choice Winner" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkW2QvXL_nhRLqwW_JrXDx0V6yMco7dQeTwds_Lcby4VbK38eIIQBFJQRWsdq00Y6E2qSoGDy4hOCQKq9BvfKty3hP_OsNOZMJaiR1Uey_Zfxg8XZnokMB57Jp5dOjl2k8pJd6x1IwTZA/s1600/DSC_0686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kakashi by Zilvinas Kempinas, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016 Peoples Choice Winner" border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkW2QvXL_nhRLqwW_JrXDx0V6yMco7dQeTwds_Lcby4VbK38eIIQBFJQRWsdq00Y6E2qSoGDy4hOCQKq9BvfKty3hP_OsNOZMJaiR1Uey_Zfxg8XZnokMB57Jp5dOjl2k8pJd6x1IwTZA/s640/DSC_0686.JPG" title="Kakashi by Zilvinas Kempinas, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016 Peoples Choice Winner" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32HkXstmMB0ZB0wr4Leqp_ot-_T2vhGh908iboZXa7jCgFL13fLXqda9zhlr8TuOAUm80Jx9nZTQiRExdf2ZBRtCIjIZeJvVC4Zj6zFay0VNNFIdt9dJ1itZJU2U_eElWnLTPbSx_nV4/s1600/DSC_0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Surf Recue, Cottesloe Beach, Western Australia" border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32HkXstmMB0ZB0wr4Leqp_ot-_T2vhGh908iboZXa7jCgFL13fLXqda9zhlr8TuOAUm80Jx9nZTQiRExdf2ZBRtCIjIZeJvVC4Zj6zFay0VNNFIdt9dJ1itZJU2U_eElWnLTPbSx_nV4/s640/DSC_0689.JPG" title="Surf Recue, Cottesloe Beach, Western Australia" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINgv2MR5nbJf16F64pp6zNvcnlSPXqt5RD4MvDjb11Qeqo4Y4D9Hsh-K8cnNjdBK38HvFp60BRPvzNN4dGRGEhcKCQfxhkLvA7uWkusaMC-GYf4kC75JVYwKiz9t5TFpehmmhh26Fnpo/s1600/DSC_0695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kakashi by Zilvinas Kempinas, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016 Peoples Choice Winner" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINgv2MR5nbJf16F64pp6zNvcnlSPXqt5RD4MvDjb11Qeqo4Y4D9Hsh-K8cnNjdBK38HvFp60BRPvzNN4dGRGEhcKCQfxhkLvA7uWkusaMC-GYf4kC75JVYwKiz9t5TFpehmmhh26Fnpo/s640/DSC_0695.jpg" title="Kakashi by Zilvinas Kempinas, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016 Peoples Choice Winner" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-43086198913860342492016-03-27T02:52:00.000-07:002016-03-27T02:52:28.318-07:00A little time out at Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Repatriation is hard work, settling the girls into school, job applications, so many balls in the air. </div>
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Throw in the arrival of a huge truck with 300+ boxes of belongings that have </div>
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travelled across the seas, it gets a little overwhelming. </div>
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So with mountains of boxes filling our home, waiting for the tape to be removed </div>
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and the contents revealed, memories released, homes found...</div>
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we locked the door, jumped in the car and headed off for our only opportunity to </div>
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visit one of my favourite Perth events "Sculptures by the Sea" 2016.<br />
A wonderful exhibit, this year there were 77 sculptors from 18 different countries,<br />
their works delighting thousands of visitors, myself included.</div>
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The grey clouds drifted off as we arrived, brightening our day with a </div>
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glorious blue sky, turning into the perfect day to wander among the sculptures </div>
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with sand between our toes.<br />
So many school children ran around, enjoying the sculptures and a day by the sea.<br />
We overheard international visitors saying "What a fabulous beach and amazing location for<br />
the sculptures". I was so proud to be a 'local' again.<br />
I relished a few short hours, taking some time out from unpacking and sorting to breathe the<br />
salty sea air, feel the sun on my face, gaze over my Indian Ocean and<br />
delight in the incredible sculptures by the sea.<br />
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Enjoy a few of my favourites! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvX_q4bN0yiDiqrdr4pIjT7z3MaZhoIUjaM1S718LcEdrvgqjS55RonNFrrgwL3sfnqHgXjXjtMSbSXhavkBHTyIljhVRG2ngtwnGN_Y01rE3ODneKhcyXohMyyTKrUIHPd0uzQsdnozU/s1600/DSC_0539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beacon, by KWY with Lisa Kassow, Portugal/Germany, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016" border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvX_q4bN0yiDiqrdr4pIjT7z3MaZhoIUjaM1S718LcEdrvgqjS55RonNFrrgwL3sfnqHgXjXjtMSbSXhavkBHTyIljhVRG2ngtwnGN_Y01rE3ODneKhcyXohMyyTKrUIHPd0uzQsdnozU/s640/DSC_0539.JPG" title="Beacon, by KWY with Lisa Kassow, Portugal/Germany, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016" width="640" /></a></div>
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Beacon, by <a href="http://www.sculpturebythesea.dk/en/kunstnere-2015/KWY-og-Studio-Lise-Kassow.aspx" target="_blank">KWY with Lisa Kassow</a>, Portugal/Germany</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFtLepnNBsNW2-4oUsmBYFl3ozcKOeTObO8T1K_akNMoCpwxw8ro-EUGNjANARxpgcLA7DmsCDRQwpbO44kL0lh8p1gajoHL263YWQjigGAgxfHuK1Lsp1klSA_3zl_2c6MfK8kwlznE/s1600/DSC_0542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beacon, by KWY with Lisa Kassow, Portugal/Germany, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFtLepnNBsNW2-4oUsmBYFl3ozcKOeTObO8T1K_akNMoCpwxw8ro-EUGNjANARxpgcLA7DmsCDRQwpbO44kL0lh8p1gajoHL263YWQjigGAgxfHuK1Lsp1klSA_3zl_2c6MfK8kwlznE/s640/DSC_0542.jpg" title="Beacon, by KWY with Lisa Kassow, Portugal/Germany, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016" width="502" /></a></div>
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I absolutely loved this sculpture, the light, the lines, the geometry. </div>
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It was exhibited at Sculptures by the Sea, Aarhus, Denmark, which I wanted to get to </div>
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but didn't quite manage it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIvdzd5j9jeDAdm4L0BanKWhgqp-Sqw5huYP_y6vkF3lDI33cYH8ylblAR-t4bFrvFBHM59oRc-EtvjgtKbxMWalGLkAKJAyVZSsZ0g0w_Mer2-N_dJcw9bWHIyK06CbXUlTqcvRTLdE/s1600/DSC_0560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cave, by Juliet Lea, WA, Sculptures by the Sea Cottesloe 2016" border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIvdzd5j9jeDAdm4L0BanKWhgqp-Sqw5huYP_y6vkF3lDI33cYH8ylblAR-t4bFrvFBHM59oRc-EtvjgtKbxMWalGLkAKJAyVZSsZ0g0w_Mer2-N_dJcw9bWHIyK06CbXUlTqcvRTLdE/s640/DSC_0560.JPG" title="Book Cave, by Juliet Lea, WA, Sculptures by the Sea Cottesloe 2016" width="640" /></a></div>
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Book Cave, by Juliet Lea, WA</div>
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It would have been wonderful to curl up in here and read a good book, </div>
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a heap of school kids were enjoying the cave when I was there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-IABFcrVN7hk9KzxqX-OEtBL99h0SGDIV2jRfoH8cZW4_l6TlP67Hmd62ZXOEBdklMcNJtzSqX9W0k_OEaVLxJP3SPjHr0gqRVXTL-2YGoCgA03pXG8ASxl_QM8MppqCM6JX3gU3RBM/s1600/DSC_0569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=" Skin Cube, by Louise Sparre, Denmark, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-IABFcrVN7hk9KzxqX-OEtBL99h0SGDIV2jRfoH8cZW4_l6TlP67Hmd62ZXOEBdklMcNJtzSqX9W0k_OEaVLxJP3SPjHr0gqRVXTL-2YGoCgA03pXG8ASxl_QM8MppqCM6JX3gU3RBM/s640/DSC_0569.JPG" title=" Skin Cube, by Louise Sparre, Denmark, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016" width="436" /></a></div>
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Skin Cube, by Louise Sparre, Denmark</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5GM_9K-gw9ItCvUH7_783i5yq0H8gQX6HysH4aPcF9B21QxTUEkUeB1l3-WXDfZtb2i2krY0BktawB0pAJG_bUUB_77CzzMRm_dBaF_JRm9FnhQKpWxSsmNQ3WewVmYR38X8I01MrJY/s1600/DSC_0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dust by Norton Flavel, WA, Sculptures by the Sea Cottesloe 2016" border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5GM_9K-gw9ItCvUH7_783i5yq0H8gQX6HysH4aPcF9B21QxTUEkUeB1l3-WXDfZtb2i2krY0BktawB0pAJG_bUUB_77CzzMRm_dBaF_JRm9FnhQKpWxSsmNQ3WewVmYR38X8I01MrJY/s640/DSC_0576.JPG" title="Dust by Norton Flavel, WA, Sculptures by the Sea Cottesloe 2016" width="640" /></a></div>
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Dust by Norton Flavel, WA</div>
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Striking!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iQ5xG1gUonezFqbt0R6ycJMdr21bNzk220MnQKaDJVFEE1t9dJX5D6ktweV7YAGj_JKnKClLoRtwMsaInoILf-jCJLJXdRL9RfjQy7RNfWPeAkgXtKSMXcnO0yvsSQN1RY9vUDLrBt4/s1600/DSC_0585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Xanthorrhoea and Tree Form, by the late, great West Australian artist, Robert Juniper. Sculptures by the Sea 2016" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iQ5xG1gUonezFqbt0R6ycJMdr21bNzk220MnQKaDJVFEE1t9dJX5D6ktweV7YAGj_JKnKClLoRtwMsaInoILf-jCJLJXdRL9RfjQy7RNfWPeAkgXtKSMXcnO0yvsSQN1RY9vUDLrBt4/s640/DSC_0585.JPG" title="Xanthorrhoea and Tree Form, by the late, great West Australian artist, Robert Juniper. Sculptures by the Sea 2016" width="536" /></a></div>
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Xanthorrhoea and Tree Form, by the late, great West Australian artist, Robert Juniper.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18kfVoOQWSbKl_yHMUyhLNt4lghA0ja7q51F-nVOR5aK9dUqK3ytZNcD34rtY5f-PhFu2N4Zpdv9VvX0qkyiqv15_HmeqCsohOA2ktNKHMfqV7IEZQDasBWQsOCE4UFQKbtT0BJ-QD9k/s1600/DSC_0618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=" City Dreams, by Gao Xiaowu, China, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016" border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18kfVoOQWSbKl_yHMUyhLNt4lghA0ja7q51F-nVOR5aK9dUqK3ytZNcD34rtY5f-PhFu2N4Zpdv9VvX0qkyiqv15_HmeqCsohOA2ktNKHMfqV7IEZQDasBWQsOCE4UFQKbtT0BJ-QD9k/s640/DSC_0618.jpg" title=" City Dreams, by Gao Xiaowu, China, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016" width="640" /></a></div>
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City Dreams, by Gao Xiaowu, China.<br />
This sculpture exuded joy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOOX3y4SDWtWozEXxuTY_PP35ds6mOcxeYpDd0T0cKuOFhuWVJ8pNUdcL6yBP29AjZTvBiJLtESTLQbr8zc-Z7OIMtAHvi1hNkXmKL7lChqHe5KJJ2Bexdq45CYaDlkjw7-xKSeMs5hE/s1600/DSC_0592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Manscape, by Tony Davis, WA, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOOX3y4SDWtWozEXxuTY_PP35ds6mOcxeYpDd0T0cKuOFhuWVJ8pNUdcL6yBP29AjZTvBiJLtESTLQbr8zc-Z7OIMtAHvi1hNkXmKL7lChqHe5KJJ2Bexdq45CYaDlkjw7-xKSeMs5hE/s640/DSC_0592.jpg" title="Manscape, by Tony Davis, WA, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016" width="432" /></a></div>
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Manscape, by Tony Davis, WA</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92SvTngDGO2PaLM5APGrTvIRxmC9z-YSGCaD-TOqDd8nLlclFa8D9TztULN3y-C5spvsYhINKyMU5-3ol4nCozmorCumFeXLMzCD7-mdu-v_4rqn6NMt1eFKZDgi5ylsxe9RmDi1WQeM/s1600/DSC_0612-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Memories of the Ocean, by Andrea Vinkovic, WA, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016" border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92SvTngDGO2PaLM5APGrTvIRxmC9z-YSGCaD-TOqDd8nLlclFa8D9TztULN3y-C5spvsYhINKyMU5-3ol4nCozmorCumFeXLMzCD7-mdu-v_4rqn6NMt1eFKZDgi5ylsxe9RmDi1WQeM/s640/DSC_0612-001.jpg" title="Memories of the Ocean, by Andrea Vinkovic, WA, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016" width="640" /></a></div>
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Memories of the Ocean, by Andrea Vinkovic, WA</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAvggXWcllL3fyUtxUBhcZa_Pkf5KGZtMZLoVoWsBlLlmJoQ2-p8UqiRyygbEK287SEAJ1wWgwRGME4XIZCqafjNA-BCNOL7bcTsWBgxBL28bgmTc3JwWze0sdpXlxFgyOLl2uHs-xU4/s1600/DSC_0624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bubble no.7 by Qian Sihua, China, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016" border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAvggXWcllL3fyUtxUBhcZa_Pkf5KGZtMZLoVoWsBlLlmJoQ2-p8UqiRyygbEK287SEAJ1wWgwRGME4XIZCqafjNA-BCNOL7bcTsWBgxBL28bgmTc3JwWze0sdpXlxFgyOLl2uHs-xU4/s640/DSC_0624.jpg" title="Bubble no.7 by Qian Sihua, China, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016" width="640" /></a></div>
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Bubble no.7 by Qian Sihua, China</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdNFjpAEQEwCs50RazgWiB5PjVime7G88f04VGBLwZB43vU9i948KSFswhgD7OR3gCTRfJX4c2U_ynTMP_zBSPL30VnUhdHnmE4DDBkhC0mjAQc7UmJvjqgkbKRxtlNW8I_f-FG96-V0/s1600/DSC_0629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Oushi Zokei Gate to the Beach by Keizo Ushio, Japan Sculptures by the Sea 2016" border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdNFjpAEQEwCs50RazgWiB5PjVime7G88f04VGBLwZB43vU9i948KSFswhgD7OR3gCTRfJX4c2U_ynTMP_zBSPL30VnUhdHnmE4DDBkhC0mjAQc7UmJvjqgkbKRxtlNW8I_f-FG96-V0/s640/DSC_0629.JPG" title="Oushi Zokei Gate to the Beach by Keizo Ushio, Japan Sculptures by the Sea 2016" width="640" /></a></div>
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Oushi Zokei Gate to the Beach by Keizo Ushio, Japan</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKaMxAdGPSMn46ZJAMmxkl-99JtpxtZahdzOMR1eUAzwSBE7mzk3cDoafU_uHSRVU9Q-J-i7GcQczjet9XygCkcerjAPyuZIAkQLW6SJjvuoFqlZgVxZpawhCzMWfTSfz3lDeJIrD0fo/s1600/DSC_0638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sea Sponges, Karen Macher Nesta, Sculputres by the Sea Cottesloe 2016" border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKaMxAdGPSMn46ZJAMmxkl-99JtpxtZahdzOMR1eUAzwSBE7mzk3cDoafU_uHSRVU9Q-J-i7GcQczjet9XygCkcerjAPyuZIAkQLW6SJjvuoFqlZgVxZpawhCzMWfTSfz3lDeJIrD0fo/s640/DSC_0638.JPG" title="Sea Sponges, Karen Macher Nesta, Sculputres by the Sea Cottesloe 2016" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sea Sponges by Karen Macher Nesta of Peru</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAQV5HToE8DrRRKn8fdCr-6psr4ePsDdD9B8N5rVa0hwTvkCZnpDGuzHO60jiI1BZ61aytxlcIdeKRaNJ6VnBlrOCwCL-UgKxeDZ533uzP089yeObfz3Mo607pHt2B16L9_ITQBMFn1c/s1600/DSC_0642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nobody has been here from the beginning, Masayuki Sugiyama, Sculptures by the Sea 2016" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAQV5HToE8DrRRKn8fdCr-6psr4ePsDdD9B8N5rVa0hwTvkCZnpDGuzHO60jiI1BZ61aytxlcIdeKRaNJ6VnBlrOCwCL-UgKxeDZ533uzP089yeObfz3Mo607pHt2B16L9_ITQBMFn1c/s640/DSC_0642.jpg" title="Nobody has been here from the beginning, Masayuki Sugiyama, Sculptures by the Sea 2016" width="530" /></a></div>
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Nobody has been here from the beginning, by Masyuki Sugiyama, Japan</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4FD2waH71y8Jegf-ttDHBm-Dgo5Rx07W3ceP8e3PHp9kkhMH-1LhKA23P1UO0y2VOTNU51Nes2H2ICBRYXwAP5-UryLjBioCwthncJBddhQowhuDhOHD8YBOymF-ETXl5CphgZ92SVQ/s1600/DSC_0695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=" Kakashi by Zilvinas Kempinas, Lithuania/USA, Sculptures by the Sea 2016" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4FD2waH71y8Jegf-ttDHBm-Dgo5Rx07W3ceP8e3PHp9kkhMH-1LhKA23P1UO0y2VOTNU51Nes2H2ICBRYXwAP5-UryLjBioCwthncJBddhQowhuDhOHD8YBOymF-ETXl5CphgZ92SVQ/s640/DSC_0695.jpg" title=" Kakashi by Zilvinas Kempinas, Lithuania/USA, Sculptures by the Sea 2016" width="640" /></a></div>
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Kakashi by Zilvinas Kempinas, Lithuania/USA</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQc8i-Km85HKZZO0eVk-CmVPtV5oHmJBizUs7WzeGOjWRjMOLB4So1vaRNUhZaMyNTmKhd04XQ3Wl8aQ7Y0mWkYqfyMAeGSsYNGHtx4E9pzLHHozmyHMXcbtQutCPzbfbTPwVpFkWZxog/s1600/DSC_0707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Burden, Suzie Bleach and Andrew Townsend, NSW, Sculptures by the Sea 2016" border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQc8i-Km85HKZZO0eVk-CmVPtV5oHmJBizUs7WzeGOjWRjMOLB4So1vaRNUhZaMyNTmKhd04XQ3Wl8aQ7Y0mWkYqfyMAeGSsYNGHtx4E9pzLHHozmyHMXcbtQutCPzbfbTPwVpFkWZxog/s640/DSC_0707.JPG" title="A Burden, Suzie Bleach and Andrew Townsend, NSW, Sculptures by the Sea 2016" width="640" /></a></div>
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A Burden, by Suzie Bleach and Andrew Townsend, NSW</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMI1BZU-hnZpxTlMDOIifkYlycIBQkoywUhkxGqhf4v4zZNQhD3ZKM66j0bCdySeVacMlhE7qkuPut9J-YNzBgKFhZHV2EnRf-X5gy4xvq1iuE7miu0_XMw9aUkHj3p_QOYq76lHZflBo/s1600/DSC_0716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pilgrim, by Russell Sheridan, WA, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMI1BZU-hnZpxTlMDOIifkYlycIBQkoywUhkxGqhf4v4zZNQhD3ZKM66j0bCdySeVacMlhE7qkuPut9J-YNzBgKFhZHV2EnRf-X5gy4xvq1iuE7miu0_XMw9aUkHj3p_QOYq76lHZflBo/s640/DSC_0716.jpg" title="Pilgrim, by Russell Sheridan, WA, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016" width="432" /></a></div>
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Pilgrim, by Russell Sheridan, WA</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBKj7mvw4HY7epYC4HpdDJXFynLq5jhX1WkGCxehLOhjVUiNm-c1CIHDmRLwEE89bRqY6_1LGCFsCUP9MgaXyFe4qEbdxwvRXSO9MvHpHOD3IeVxslsriVjxlKB8jXJ5OUr9bf2vCDK4/s1600/DSC_0811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Big Intentions, by Mikaela Castledine, WA, Sculptures by the Sea 2016" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBKj7mvw4HY7epYC4HpdDJXFynLq5jhX1WkGCxehLOhjVUiNm-c1CIHDmRLwEE89bRqY6_1LGCFsCUP9MgaXyFe4qEbdxwvRXSO9MvHpHOD3IeVxslsriVjxlKB8jXJ5OUr9bf2vCDK4/s640/DSC_0811.jpg" title="Big Intentions, by Mikaela Castledine, WA, Sculptures by the Sea 2016" width="640" /></a></div>
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Big Intentions, by Mikaela Castledine, WA</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPn97BIW26PQb1exTIUoI-oBV9UeUxO6CYEpTAycl9BQW2GnnQDfWBkNRBXjLpnf4HIdS9us-o4ryHT4spgJ6kzyLoNFQw8VWRfX5d7hEO6arfS90fp_OabpF3XfuO6g4iBokkRrGEWU/s1600/DSC_0723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Golden Section, by Ivan Black, England, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016" border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPn97BIW26PQb1exTIUoI-oBV9UeUxO6CYEpTAycl9BQW2GnnQDfWBkNRBXjLpnf4HIdS9us-o4ryHT4spgJ6kzyLoNFQw8VWRfX5d7hEO6arfS90fp_OabpF3XfuO6g4iBokkRrGEWU/s640/DSC_0723.JPG" title="Golden Section, by Ivan Black, England, Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016" width="640" /></a></div>
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Golden Section, by Ivan Black, England</div>
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This sculpture was mesmerising, twisting and turned as the wind blew.</div>
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The yellow so vibrant against the blue, blue sky.</div>
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<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-34217674982359800632016-03-13T00:54:00.001-08:002016-03-13T00:54:27.602-08:00Ahhh Perth, it is good to be home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When you live the expat life, there are things that you miss from your home country, </div>
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family and friends, comfort foods, local, seasonal produce, even the weather. </div>
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Things that were part of your every day life become hard to get, Skype doesn't quite make up for missing birthday and weddings. You find food substitutes, though I always</div>
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had a jar of Vegemite in the cupboard. </div>
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We arrived back in Perth eight weeks ago today. </div>
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Our first weeks were spent eating things that we had missed. </div>
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Glorious fresh Fish and Chips eaten by the water.</div>
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We have had a BBQ nearly every night, lamb, chicken and kangaroo!</div>
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We ate Red Rooster chips, Cherry Ripes, the pantry was filled with Wheat Bix.</div>
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We ate sweet, in season nectarines and plums, Cheezels and Chicken Twisties.</div>
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And then we realized...we live here now...slow down!</div>
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I am so happy to be rediscovering my home. </div>
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The sky in Perth seems bigger, more blue and far higher than anywhere.</div>
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The air so fresh, scented with salt from the sea and eucalyptus, </div>
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the river sparkling, full of dolphins and sea life. </div>
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Noisy kookaburras, magpies and cockatoos acting as the morning alarm.</div>
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The sky at night, stars are bright, the southern cross shines from the velvety black sky.</div>
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The warm, outdoor lifestyle, picnics in the park...with concerts and sunsets thrown in.</div>
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Walks around the river, swimming in the Indian Ocean, so much on our doorstep.</div>
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We will forever be "homesick" for parts of our temporary homes in </div>
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China, England and Germany...but it is good to be home in Australia.</div>
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Cheers!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpVm3px3gQfxtkOOpYWCP9OST6SMMur0nGyC-xYW0q5xHuS0s2hKiA46fOLrVyQY3OELED3uhmkx1eEqzPtzkrQxffWtfMV_jrtzI4HxFixNY9keHvKBHYlXfCMh_rPMkAe7ViaJO3Ww/s1600/DSC_0366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Perth Skyline from Kings Park, Western Australia" border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpVm3px3gQfxtkOOpYWCP9OST6SMMur0nGyC-xYW0q5xHuS0s2hKiA46fOLrVyQY3OELED3uhmkx1eEqzPtzkrQxffWtfMV_jrtzI4HxFixNY9keHvKBHYlXfCMh_rPMkAe7ViaJO3Ww/s640/DSC_0366.JPG" title="Perth Skyline from Kings Park, Western Australia" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIxbMenLPj6fabLqJiftfufCHYLaU4WbV6moPhPCG2iBLh_5yK8lwPIDZgK82JHARC8FoArIGXU02j_Uwg0vEpMwIEKMTdYxDbioTtA0_8Uf2dJwdB65xDcxj5eY9S0J3M5Tjsz1vhGU/s1600/DSC_0319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Woodman Point, Indian Ocean, Perth,Western Australia" border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIxbMenLPj6fabLqJiftfufCHYLaU4WbV6moPhPCG2iBLh_5yK8lwPIDZgK82JHARC8FoArIGXU02j_Uwg0vEpMwIEKMTdYxDbioTtA0_8Uf2dJwdB65xDcxj5eY9S0J3M5Tjsz1vhGU/s640/DSC_0319.jpg" title="Woodman Point, Indian Ocean, Perth,Western Australia" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuThah4Hrl3zrHB5l5kAO8L_F6OXByWEXuu8p-uYM4rFd3xYkN-nCwMiRN1ztop-WU9jj21hLNKiWAjA_SEtrd97o_sYJa_S51qP476jnTrvlG617K54C-blFnnR60x2m_pyV9-zBy-Q/s1600/DSC_0386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pigram Brothers Concert, Quarantine Park, Bicton. WA" border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuThah4Hrl3zrHB5l5kAO8L_F6OXByWEXuu8p-uYM4rFd3xYkN-nCwMiRN1ztop-WU9jj21hLNKiWAjA_SEtrd97o_sYJa_S51qP476jnTrvlG617K54C-blFnnR60x2m_pyV9-zBy-Q/s640/DSC_0386.JPG" title="Pigram Brothers Concert, Quarantine Park, Bicton. WA" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_eWrEsyHeWPORmoKgClzb-0nt_imVMnFckX-4-HZ5HurcCfJjwe-3BHSru0gFKsIQ5VvTa8gXIIaiAeSkf4W9-V6XtmT7PDU-FYWT58qqqoXWSwpEoeebcxep5RpsUsSwF9psdFkRJY/s1600/DSC_0469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_eWrEsyHeWPORmoKgClzb-0nt_imVMnFckX-4-HZ5HurcCfJjwe-3BHSru0gFKsIQ5VvTa8gXIIaiAeSkf4W9-V6XtmT7PDU-FYWT58qqqoXWSwpEoeebcxep5RpsUsSwF9psdFkRJY/s640/DSC_0469.JPG" width="418" /></a></div>
<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-2425318649017030172016-03-07T05:22:00.001-08:002016-03-07T05:22:52.993-08:00Expat greatest adventures...oh the places we went!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It has been nearly eight weeks since our expat adventure came to an end. </div>
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A whirlwind of repatriation, the paperwork and bureaucracy of moving home! </div>
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We are "camping" in our new home as we wait for our </div>
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belongings to land on Aussie soil, sleeping on borrowed sheets, </div>
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buying the same items that we just sold off in Germany and</div>
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unpacking boxes that were in storage for seven years longer than expected ....</div>
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wow...have I found some treasures!</div>
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Photo albums full of memories of long ago adventures... </div>
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My greatest adventure so far is marrying my long lost love, </div>
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jumping on a plane to Shanghai with my girls and beginning our new lives.</div>
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Life in Shanghai was a new adventure, we discovered the joys of our new city, </div>
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the culture, the food, the crazy traffic.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwBT6DpA0Zee_NeOfU41c50owkH4sE41-BTc-cah68vnj4iPuuXr1ujQ3UOtQB_12mYt_JaZ9TSV-fRzetD60Vb1uCY8KQcoiJi4B_IcO1Y0nzcNkdzWe8Kp5aO_FQtI-SEsJiByNHfc/s1600/431328_10150614548963881_402790158_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwBT6DpA0Zee_NeOfU41c50owkH4sE41-BTc-cah68vnj4iPuuXr1ujQ3UOtQB_12mYt_JaZ9TSV-fRzetD60Vb1uCY8KQcoiJi4B_IcO1Y0nzcNkdzWe8Kp5aO_FQtI-SEsJiByNHfc/s640/431328_10150614548963881_402790158_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We got to hang out with some Pandas.</div>
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I spotted many a Shanghai napper, and snapping nappers became a bit of a hobby!</div>
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Watching fireworks from our apartment was always a treat.</div>
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Not a bad view from the kitchen sink!</div>
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Our adventures took us to the Chinese countryside, where we embraced the</div>
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magic, colour and culture of the Miao Minority Sister Festival.</div>
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We floated down the Li river, surrounded by astounding natural beauty.</div>
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We strolled the magnificent gardens of Suzhou, soaking up the history. </div>
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Met wonderful characters who became part of our daily lives.</div>
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Saw some pretty ridiculous loads on the roads.</div>
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Fell in love with the Xiaolongbao dumpling.....</div>
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after we discovered the art of eating them without scalding our chins</div>
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Ticked the Great Wall of China off our lifetime bucket lists.</div>
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We took our adventures to Thailand....</div>
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...and Japan!</div>
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Our one year in Shanghai...stretched out to four...</div>
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then we found ourselves living in England, </div>
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our adventures suddenly took on the incredible architecture</div>
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of Oxford and beyond.</div>
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We took day trips to spend time by the seaside.</div>
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The seasons unearthed the incredible beauty of the bluebells,</div>
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oh the divine aroma of these woods!</div>
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Just as we were getting settled in England....the opportunity of adventure in Germany </div>
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was offered...we took it...and went on many a drive through the </div>
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breathtaking forests in every season.You can't beat the colours of autumn though!</div>
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No place does Christmas like Germany...No. Place! </div>
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Christmas Markets are enchanting!</div>
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Living in central Europe is heaven for an adventure loving Aussie, </div>
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you find yourself visiting a historic bridge Mostar, Bosnia...</div>
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Swimming in the azure blue waters of Dubrovnik, Croatia...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9rWp8ihLJ_f0JRqnPUrG-xtYEg-zLGmC0b5GSiPhWV65CQvdzGcduMizNukHmGxfot4I7saBI3BozgQFQdNC5OGIOzjhzA7fO-EwxiGYN3MbqenZIDx_FtD94aAGa1cQBip5OmXKAjI/s1600/10516793_10152462089668881_7109241439421908000_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9rWp8ihLJ_f0JRqnPUrG-xtYEg-zLGmC0b5GSiPhWV65CQvdzGcduMizNukHmGxfot4I7saBI3BozgQFQdNC5OGIOzjhzA7fO-EwxiGYN3MbqenZIDx_FtD94aAGa1cQBip5OmXKAjI/s640/10516793_10152462089668881_7109241439421908000_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Wandering the canals of Utrecht, The Netherlands</div>
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even tip toeing through the tulips near Amsterdam!</div>
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So we are now back at home in Australia, not sad to leave our</div>
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amazing adventures behind (well ...maybe a little) but happy they happened at all.</div>
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Many more adventures to come, rediscovering my beautiful state </div>
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of Western Australia and thanks to <a href="http://www.anestingnomad.com/2016/03/our-engagemoon-western-australia.html" target="_blank">Rachel</a> and her wonderful adventure, </div>
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plans are afoot to hit the road soon....as soon as our stuff arrives and I have </div>
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unpacked 300 or so boxes full of memories...could take a while!</div>
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Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-49576827286601632016-02-08T04:54:00.001-08:002016-02-08T04:54:16.986-08:00Xin Nian Kuai Le! May your year of the Monkey be full of Happiness, Prosperity and Adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I always get homesick for Shanghai at Chinese New Year. </div>
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Many expats would use the break to get away from China and explore the region. </div>
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I loved being in Shanghai for Chinese New Year, watching the world's</div>
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biggest human migration take place before my eyes, the traditions unfold around me.</div>
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Then there were the fireworks, nothing like having fireworks go off all around you.</div>
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Wondrous, magical! Our apartment on the 29th floor the perfect vantage point.</div>
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Happy Year of the Fire Monkey!</div>
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Enjoy the fireworks from our apartment in 2011, the year of the Golden Rabbit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtq8UWqBN8ra2mvDQY71olWBx-sUmI9NmknrUErL7XQNTFitSBSGovqMzqLCbGC8oEWRCFhBK0tGrptr_KS24NDnMETZ48mmP8XhNNzclm7OjldZq3L6BxoX_fmIyf5zxPHvrJDm3Bb0/s1600/170590_10150101683693881_792364_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fireworks, Xujiahui, Shanghai, Chinese New Year" border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtq8UWqBN8ra2mvDQY71olWBx-sUmI9NmknrUErL7XQNTFitSBSGovqMzqLCbGC8oEWRCFhBK0tGrptr_KS24NDnMETZ48mmP8XhNNzclm7OjldZq3L6BxoX_fmIyf5zxPHvrJDm3Bb0/s640/170590_10150101683693881_792364_o.jpg" title="Fireworks, Xujiahui, Shanghai, Chinese New Year" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ObhF0enQatL6w4uTpQdTx9MxSB2ZSZSAac9_jK55Wp100M_4FqaZPrfFXAFKt6PhHcqiJoy4jqfHDTKtBPBvOCR_Vr3jFXhGvoAdAjVQvOG_12UBWSbGwgvdNwo_EzRAKspTBp2uUv8/s1600/171755_10150101562663881_879265_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fireworks, Xujiahui, Shanghai, Chinese New Year" border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ObhF0enQatL6w4uTpQdTx9MxSB2ZSZSAac9_jK55Wp100M_4FqaZPrfFXAFKt6PhHcqiJoy4jqfHDTKtBPBvOCR_Vr3jFXhGvoAdAjVQvOG_12UBWSbGwgvdNwo_EzRAKspTBp2uUv8/s640/171755_10150101562663881_879265_o.jpg" title="Fireworks, Xujiahui, Shanghai, Chinese New Year" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GXQxkOhKZeXnMBi6DZQobFK1-zmszzFfDv-FaVCrtR7AODe599pwVyJP5YfaDgbdChrNDOFrZLY-n8OQxTF1DEhyphenhyphense5x3Fzr9-yFgPaFKoKl_TluGoflVxjdu5y1dhFdb_i38ltR1vI/s1600/171755_10150101562668881_7864764_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fireworks, Xujiahui, Shanghai, Chinese New Year" border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GXQxkOhKZeXnMBi6DZQobFK1-zmszzFfDv-FaVCrtR7AODe599pwVyJP5YfaDgbdChrNDOFrZLY-n8OQxTF1DEhyphenhyphense5x3Fzr9-yFgPaFKoKl_TluGoflVxjdu5y1dhFdb_i38ltR1vI/s640/171755_10150101562668881_7864764_o.jpg" title="Fireworks, Xujiahui, Shanghai, Chinese New Year" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18wZjIp3pBjlYCbKabk0IEqEE0nJPWz76W-uW2vqgpCGEWIbxTSHd52vVWhZmtdWnRnm1rlixGns4Ng2ju8492IL8rZ8DdmNE00owERY5MH6xUQs3fv9REBAOsvpBO6cQdKYXP9u_Vr4/s1600/172413_10150101561648881_5726576_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fireworks, Xujiahui, Shanghai, Chinese New Year" border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18wZjIp3pBjlYCbKabk0IEqEE0nJPWz76W-uW2vqgpCGEWIbxTSHd52vVWhZmtdWnRnm1rlixGns4Ng2ju8492IL8rZ8DdmNE00owERY5MH6xUQs3fv9REBAOsvpBO6cQdKYXP9u_Vr4/s640/172413_10150101561648881_5726576_o.jpg" title="Fireworks, Xujiahui, Shanghai, Chinese New Year" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyxy8GHB1SgLKISwzaOQ-GmfTm6lGBh8cfIKEus_wu2oQDW8yYwlcLFtCiPlGz24rhrqiIDtYaFXJUy8fSZZNlv1_7LUBYCCV-KubB8-fXwvDeWakNKyRMAUjprCAEAKIRw1fvEDVdwc/s1600/172413_10150101561658881_5582201_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fireworks, Xujiahui, Shanghai, Chinese New Year" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyxy8GHB1SgLKISwzaOQ-GmfTm6lGBh8cfIKEus_wu2oQDW8yYwlcLFtCiPlGz24rhrqiIDtYaFXJUy8fSZZNlv1_7LUBYCCV-KubB8-fXwvDeWakNKyRMAUjprCAEAKIRw1fvEDVdwc/s640/172413_10150101561658881_5582201_o.jpg" title="Fireworks, Xujiahui, Shanghai, Chinese New Year" width="444" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_Gr5P_L1U-QIQeG84S1KWDjWZE03Gmq1aFfG3LO0wJaZn55u_bJtRnivs09gklf8cbGc2Za0UsTNMtdB00n0LpXkbV2S0fhtZaZBiEppPQ_XvbgU4CxG56jjn01sCTFdIoZINc8VDRI/s1600/1933603_10150101684653881_910778_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fireworks, Xujiahui, Shanghai, Chinese New Year" border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_Gr5P_L1U-QIQeG84S1KWDjWZE03Gmq1aFfG3LO0wJaZn55u_bJtRnivs09gklf8cbGc2Za0UsTNMtdB00n0LpXkbV2S0fhtZaZBiEppPQ_XvbgU4CxG56jjn01sCTFdIoZINc8VDRI/s640/1933603_10150101684653881_910778_o.jpg" title="Fireworks, Xujiahui, Shanghai, Chinese New Year" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNu6_jubiU5pEpKzY-iDNiNpuCnAIfJl3zkrmPWnCRvjNDdaQTjS2S_2vEx_8AHSLqWKXv6G2zXVaI2Tb7vfMUJrxDN9cvgs0qU4kXc9uuP57e7SeCsrZSo1kJuDXkSj8t_ZCxUDYj52M/s1600/170590_10150101683698881_4939225_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fireworks, Xujiahui, Shanghai, Chinese New Year" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNu6_jubiU5pEpKzY-iDNiNpuCnAIfJl3zkrmPWnCRvjNDdaQTjS2S_2vEx_8AHSLqWKXv6G2zXVaI2Tb7vfMUJrxDN9cvgs0qU4kXc9uuP57e7SeCsrZSo1kJuDXkSj8t_ZCxUDYj52M/s640/170590_10150101683698881_4939225_o.jpg" title="Fireworks, Xujiahui, Shanghai, Chinese New Year" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-53048167544525627282016-02-04T19:28:00.000-08:002016-02-04T19:29:58.293-08:00Love, the joys of repatriation, rediscovering "home"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love to travel, discover new places, cultures and foods. </div>
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The thrill of arriving in a new city, walking the streets and getting the feel of the place. </div>
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Loved living in Europe, where we could jump in the car and drive to another country for the day.</div>
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It was bittersweet, leaving our expat lives behind and returning home to </div>
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Perth, Western Australia a few weeks ago. </div>
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A jumble of emotions and chaos as we packed up our possessions, a collection of our</div>
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lives in China, England and Germany all intermingled. </div>
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Nearly eight years all packed in boxes and sent down under.</div>
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The repatriation fog is starting to lift. </div>
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The first weeks were a blur of jet lag, couch surfing and unpacking. </div>
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Our list of things to do is getting shorter, the dog is out of quarantine </div>
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and we finally have a car...and internet!</div>
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As we settle back into our lives "back home" we look around and realize that, </div>
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even though our city is the most isolated in the world, we won't be popping to another country, or another state for that matter, for lunch or a day trip...it really is a pretty special place to be!</div>
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A place where dreams are nurtured and come true.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCuXmZ2dXvfVTSZdVtJkEjR5IB_DyP5FNh0ggBQWnTaErRlIOegeqsGmWrTR6IMVGfAgKguqdUa8fGjgI3e7DciRvCWw2tD3YRgnhIWRt3GDHQhBdAJdzDnBQz2_YuyY5iNmm6B6lTTw/s1600/DSC_0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bicton Baths, Perth, Western Australia" border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCuXmZ2dXvfVTSZdVtJkEjR5IB_DyP5FNh0ggBQWnTaErRlIOegeqsGmWrTR6IMVGfAgKguqdUa8fGjgI3e7DciRvCWw2tD3YRgnhIWRt3GDHQhBdAJdzDnBQz2_YuyY5iNmm6B6lTTw/s640/DSC_0514.JPG" title="Bicton Baths, Perth, Western Australia" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our lives are supported by friends who have been around for a long time!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhnF4rD7S4NGBv9rEEjUMk7xAwsBYXbR92kYpJ81msRcsCfeM-mFlp7r18ZGZLgQmN4KOtVpFc8apiQcOLw34qfYlD9Cq68BmkwG4zjJ3j1wyQ4pyqw-pdIgty2HYW9Puu40BzYmO484/s1600/DSC_0590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fremantle Traffic Bridge, Fremantle, Western Australia" border="0" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhnF4rD7S4NGBv9rEEjUMk7xAwsBYXbR92kYpJ81msRcsCfeM-mFlp7r18ZGZLgQmN4KOtVpFc8apiQcOLw34qfYlD9Cq68BmkwG4zjJ3j1wyQ4pyqw-pdIgty2HYW9Puu40BzYmO484/s640/DSC_0590.JPG" title="Fremantle Traffic Bridge, Fremantle, Western Australia" width="640" /></a></div>
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See that red ship, on the other side of the bridge, our UK car is about to be offloaded after it's journey across the seas, just a few kilometers from home. Pretty cool to see on the school drop off!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPHEjfxsqvVCj8-3dTeq4L-yH6wb-eCAEcoTq9E3Vo_FCrC8WjBpb8qFBaNjC6Vyfnre3meU08bE655ZFbJ-P5E34KaNh4RZKRZYy3d82fHTRHeqj98j00ZeGMSAS4pujvXBWur1jfEw/s1600/DSC_0600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fremantle Traffic Bridge, Fremantle, Western Australia" border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPHEjfxsqvVCj8-3dTeq4L-yH6wb-eCAEcoTq9E3Vo_FCrC8WjBpb8qFBaNjC6Vyfnre3meU08bE655ZFbJ-P5E34KaNh4RZKRZYy3d82fHTRHeqj98j00ZeGMSAS4pujvXBWur1jfEw/s640/DSC_0600.JPG" title="Fremantle Traffic Bridge, Fremantle, Western Australia" width="640" /></a></div>
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Fabulous parks to play with the dog, overlooking the Swan River, </div>
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the city of Perth in the background. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIqUZiIXDhrzC7VGAbSjd3tpfq1gx-OVSX36y2Vvar_E0Up77IBa6DdqANAVVThYngOqsShn35OyJR2QPwadJSPW5G1sNQNJTiddwX1OEVE5A9AjoggFb6AvA7rwmoxtZJx3GvqdA3Xw/s1600/DSC_0634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dog Park, East Fremantle, Western Australia" border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIqUZiIXDhrzC7VGAbSjd3tpfq1gx-OVSX36y2Vvar_E0Up77IBa6DdqANAVVThYngOqsShn35OyJR2QPwadJSPW5G1sNQNJTiddwX1OEVE5A9AjoggFb6AvA7rwmoxtZJx3GvqdA3Xw/s640/DSC_0634.jpg" title="Dog Park, East Fremantle, Western Australia" width="640" /></a></div>
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A place where you park your car according to shade, not distance, </div>
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even the local birds "park" themselves in the shade.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTbZHgp-Ytin9U764VF5NEx_ecIPPweFmrkCsmLOawW9WGWCVixi_EnII7uWuQPV6_rR4P6VUDp6m4i7tXjLEDSbJwPH01wRg8_4GrgsTpddylm8YNLaQkAqNGAD7p6XiwHL5aSVvf5w/s1600/DSC_0613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Magpies, East Fremantle, Western Australia" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTbZHgp-Ytin9U764VF5NEx_ecIPPweFmrkCsmLOawW9WGWCVixi_EnII7uWuQPV6_rR4P6VUDp6m4i7tXjLEDSbJwPH01wRg8_4GrgsTpddylm8YNLaQkAqNGAD7p6XiwHL5aSVvf5w/s640/DSC_0613.JPG" title="Magpies, East Fremantle, Western Australia" width="640" /></a></div>
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Wonderful walks along the familiar paths of the Swan River, complete with Swans.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qLa58niVe7zHtuuIUg0u84R0gE5YwMqT-UEw1tvnD2bZkT_RWH7Kyr45uyrX9QyEMyCxsFfJh1AlEEnJwSXKqC1e9ucJAaC9LzsHd9x_JXzvNFwPyMWQ4ULp0HF5D4Fjcnss8L6ZnFc/s1600/DSC_0471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bicton Foreshore, Swan River, Western Australia" border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qLa58niVe7zHtuuIUg0u84R0gE5YwMqT-UEw1tvnD2bZkT_RWH7Kyr45uyrX9QyEMyCxsFfJh1AlEEnJwSXKqC1e9ucJAaC9LzsHd9x_JXzvNFwPyMWQ4ULp0HF5D4Fjcnss8L6ZnFc/s640/DSC_0471.JPG" title="Bicton Foreshore, Swan River, Western Australia" width="640" /></a></div>
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Refreshing water to swim in when the sun gets a bit much for those of us </div>
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who have just left a freezing, German winter.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eXFCmXOLRWXZSIubfvZxkqyBlvw71dWrGk2zX-Dimg3fDk3AhRB_WC4WL3VqYJq2VUY48h_DerJd9LzYXCpX4wOO0WPgqjRc9Hff72wfxq6KLFo7teN3cgIV1S4wEoRubgAVo02OWvw/s1600/DSC_0527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bicton Foreshore, Swan River, Western Australia" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eXFCmXOLRWXZSIubfvZxkqyBlvw71dWrGk2zX-Dimg3fDk3AhRB_WC4WL3VqYJq2VUY48h_DerJd9LzYXCpX4wOO0WPgqjRc9Hff72wfxq6KLFo7teN3cgIV1S4wEoRubgAVo02OWvw/s640/DSC_0527.JPG" title="Bicton Foreshore, Swan River, Western Australia" width="428" /></a></div>
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Rediscovering playgrounds of my children's childhood...and of my own.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJTEaks9XXFghrq0ETOwgwkkV-AUF0i7Pmg7g9H0ENNlvpElUzEI4m0ubruhiOXecM8ux68yRBToXZA4kREIZCzd0vV-ASKWSg7DKuDaANtWFFftIYAPNsTb4BAl8v4hZvF7tO9E9fcM/s1600/DSC_0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sand Bar, Point Walter, Perth, Western Australia" border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJTEaks9XXFghrq0ETOwgwkkV-AUF0i7Pmg7g9H0ENNlvpElUzEI4m0ubruhiOXecM8ux68yRBToXZA4kREIZCzd0vV-ASKWSg7DKuDaANtWFFftIYAPNsTb4BAl8v4hZvF7tO9E9fcM/s640/DSC_0689.JPG" title="Sand Bar, Point Walter, Perth, Western Australia" width="640" /></a></div>
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Many happy memories were made here, many more to come.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CLHwLZsYAk3mU3W6m3a7TP4QkClOFSHTpNlD8E6EnYsisz59JbT7M-t5p7u89RXDI5qKdOUczt8gGooFTNyDC8jrz2hyphenhyphenMSViaZoE5zRAGYtv49Yj1G5zvIoXC_DeNmWa9b_3mp7TR6k/s1600/DSC_0694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The jetty, Point Walter, Perth, Western Australia" border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CLHwLZsYAk3mU3W6m3a7TP4QkClOFSHTpNlD8E6EnYsisz59JbT7M-t5p7u89RXDI5qKdOUczt8gGooFTNyDC8jrz2hyphenhyphenMSViaZoE5zRAGYtv49Yj1G5zvIoXC_DeNmWa9b_3mp7TR6k/s640/DSC_0694.JPG" title="The jetty, Point Walter, Perth, Western Australia" width="640" /></a></div>
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We feel as though we are visiting, that it will soon be time to say our goodbyes as we head back "home" as we have done for nearly eight years living abroad.</div>
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We will forever be homesick for China, England and Germany,</div>
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but this is our true home, Perth, Western Australia. </div>
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We are back and we are going to love getting to know you again!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHzdoWoKjqHggxZ1Qh45lgCTHtJ32QbLA7ytW6Dd5UO7_kIG3U-vuQnfLHyjkLX962HYeEx066XHOYvNgyCdbd1pSQSA0vwX3LffpjRv7TcICMxs-5u6EFUgE45JpIbVfLZNjSvHsyec/s1600/DSC_0672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Attadale foreshore, Perth, Western Australia" border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHzdoWoKjqHggxZ1Qh45lgCTHtJ32QbLA7ytW6Dd5UO7_kIG3U-vuQnfLHyjkLX962HYeEx066XHOYvNgyCdbd1pSQSA0vwX3LffpjRv7TcICMxs-5u6EFUgE45JpIbVfLZNjSvHsyec/s640/DSC_0672.JPG" title="Attadale foreshore, Perth, Western Australia" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-53493555866090447182016-01-06T11:39:00.000-08:002016-01-06T11:47:23.688-08:0015 European Adventures of 2015... What will 2016 bring?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My home is a disaster zone of packing boxes, paint cans and piles of stuff to be donated or ditched. </div>
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Part of our lease is to repaint the interior of the house white before we leave. Fabulous!</div>
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Just adds to the stress of moving. Throw in Christmas, New Year, a mountain of paperwork</div>
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and a never ending to do list, nerves in our household are jangling. </div>
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In days, our life as expats comes to an end after nearly eight years and three countries.</div>
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It is time to move back home to Perth, Western Australia.</div>
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We can look back on a fabulous list of adventures over the last twelve months, 2016 will be </div>
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vastly different as we head back to live in the most isolated city on the planet. </div>
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No more driving from Germany to France for lunch!</div>
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It is going to be wonderful rediscovering our homeland, more memories to be made, </div>
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adventures to go on and exploring things that have changed.</div>
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We have certainly made the most of our time in Europe, </div>
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here are just 15 of the many adventures we went on in 2015</div>
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Belem Tower in Portugal on a gorgeous Summer day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmugTU4nqLkJ1bxmGQtCeJOM72O4SPQoqylKnR0f2xq6W8On3PC2TzhTUqdqmCer6CihU0pESiNYMaUvYSLD7J5iqemhseTSM650pmp8twLiNAe2XngIhZYNm1wPXA5ip-4mnOtrz4ic/s1600/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Belem Tower, Lisbon, Portugal" border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmugTU4nqLkJ1bxmGQtCeJOM72O4SPQoqylKnR0f2xq6W8On3PC2TzhTUqdqmCer6CihU0pESiNYMaUvYSLD7J5iqemhseTSM650pmp8twLiNAe2XngIhZYNm1wPXA5ip-4mnOtrz4ic/s640/11.JPG" title="Belem Tower, Lisbon, Portugal" width="640" /></a></div>
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We popped over to Metz in France for lunch one day...because we could.</div>
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The cathedral was one of the best I have seen.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2NCsoCSePPvGQQ1DJFFUDMgVh9GQ38NbgNwIRk8ZO_HwEKbNKtal_ZI3HMUaC5QurAE4sYKKTtyKZFEobSN_-N2RXbfaZgEdIorUWi-GNl7Nhzdum2O9iVn-fYuWTTLiB-24DGBi8BM/s1600/April+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Metz Cathedral, Metz, France" border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2NCsoCSePPvGQQ1DJFFUDMgVh9GQ38NbgNwIRk8ZO_HwEKbNKtal_ZI3HMUaC5QurAE4sYKKTtyKZFEobSN_-N2RXbfaZgEdIorUWi-GNl7Nhzdum2O9iVn-fYuWTTLiB-24DGBi8BM/s640/April+9.JPG" title="Metz Cathedral, Metz, France" width="640" /></a></div>
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We visited Mannequin Piss in Brussels.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17LHqexHiZ7oJDGakJOfKYeZlr7OM5EUPLZROMvL5LZiakQKpTU4DzLhCmFPQrAOAV5V0y0z8lblN9M2OUzJJEGkbD2D7nTqGXcIDw3aOV71TytLcjTornYfse00INHbH7WZ2sRZ9La8/s1600/Aug+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mannequin Piss in Brussels" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17LHqexHiZ7oJDGakJOfKYeZlr7OM5EUPLZROMvL5LZiakQKpTU4DzLhCmFPQrAOAV5V0y0z8lblN9M2OUzJJEGkbD2D7nTqGXcIDw3aOV71TytLcjTornYfse00INHbH7WZ2sRZ9La8/s640/Aug+10.JPG" title="Mannequin Piss in Brussels" width="466" /></a></div>
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Spent the day by the seaside in Lynmouth, Devon.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9eH1R1kS8rjQNBxxJuI_8m_O5j7s8UmI06tByyXoJCK9gi4m0e5DuQIRQMQ9xTyxF9tQnGdPqVyI3lOGS22EuMpAmn2FYASCPDxJ2hrlURrFOImqaRLZc3CRybCaNSbMH7ObBi4W8HU/s1600/DSC_0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Low tide, Lynmouth, Devon" border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9eH1R1kS8rjQNBxxJuI_8m_O5j7s8UmI06tByyXoJCK9gi4m0e5DuQIRQMQ9xTyxF9tQnGdPqVyI3lOGS22EuMpAmn2FYASCPDxJ2hrlURrFOImqaRLZc3CRybCaNSbMH7ObBi4W8HU/s640/DSC_0087.JPG" title="Low tide, Lynmouth, Devon" width="640" /></a></div>
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On a very hot Summer's day in Germany, we jumped in our air conditioned car, </div>
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went for a drive...and stumbled on this amazing castle..Eltz Castle. </div>
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A medieval castle nestled above the Moselle River.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgaXV-nhGTJI4LIXnQbJ_0OjjYUCa0kti15xHZgaEJa7gCnEp8wj1h-Ei3z-Mehmm1ObLepfgVgeCzNl0OJyh089PGCXQcUxbZJYLbSKkrD1OXo_DN4c6Qp1s1XH0sZZZjaf_r4OgvPk/s1600/DSC_0652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Eltz Castle, Germany" border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgaXV-nhGTJI4LIXnQbJ_0OjjYUCa0kti15xHZgaEJa7gCnEp8wj1h-Ei3z-Mehmm1ObLepfgVgeCzNl0OJyh089PGCXQcUxbZJYLbSKkrD1OXo_DN4c6Qp1s1XH0sZZZjaf_r4OgvPk/s640/DSC_0652.JPG" title="Eltz Castle, Germany" width="640" /></a></div>
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We popped in to Woolacombe Beach in England, voted the 13th best beach in the world! </div>
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Nice, but I can't wait to dip my toes into the Indian Ocean next week!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3UOCU1cRcQDB21CihQ7fFnYs8Gk3OYlBMToe2_KiKNXvSpZ04kPY8Zvsmogb-ChiJag4RqalWJIj5Yzzdxy9EEHFR-vQqwL0aMJo3BNrUAt-XugOVv9z2njAMgv2uGCEixqcZ8CHgZM/s1600/DSC_0728-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Woolacombe Beach, England" border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3UOCU1cRcQDB21CihQ7fFnYs8Gk3OYlBMToe2_KiKNXvSpZ04kPY8Zvsmogb-ChiJag4RqalWJIj5Yzzdxy9EEHFR-vQqwL0aMJo3BNrUAt-XugOVv9z2njAMgv2uGCEixqcZ8CHgZM/s640/DSC_0728-001.JPG" title="Woolacombe Beach, England" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another day trip, another castle! The gorgeous Heidelberg Castle.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS00zXWOGvm_Uu3DV_4NsRFXHExaZ2q1oe5UJ3YKJ0lRf29_W8gWiqzKzr2NaeyZM8elAgWc9Oi0aqNW1lvnwqaETsf2Oo6MMnh-TECmBrpGkEkW4VMSgUC3TdeYfTOUHoVWVo6oPzbR0/s1600/DSC_1059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Heidelberg Castle, Heidelberg, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS00zXWOGvm_Uu3DV_4NsRFXHExaZ2q1oe5UJ3YKJ0lRf29_W8gWiqzKzr2NaeyZM8elAgWc9Oi0aqNW1lvnwqaETsf2Oo6MMnh-TECmBrpGkEkW4VMSgUC3TdeYfTOUHoVWVo6oPzbR0/s640/DSC_1059.JPG" title="Heidelberg Castle, Heidelberg, Germany" width="430" /></a></div>
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The spectacular city of Lisbon, a few days was not enough, I will be back..one day!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2UUK74UoHlaRme5mgKM1eNsIrGaCZpZzpVegQUGK6SrdcJgQUkwWTOot-G5E8sW0WrHP0pTbFxu3YmU3mQwE0cVqr_Rs3mvo0ajvHoGAQlM7qvl65dgljhqH8-z0kNfaQYeC1pZi95w/s1600/DSC_1423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lisbon, Portugal" border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2UUK74UoHlaRme5mgKM1eNsIrGaCZpZzpVegQUGK6SrdcJgQUkwWTOot-G5E8sW0WrHP0pTbFxu3YmU3mQwE0cVqr_Rs3mvo0ajvHoGAQlM7qvl65dgljhqH8-z0kNfaQYeC1pZi95w/s640/DSC_1423.JPG" title="Lisbon, Portugal" width="640" /></a></div>
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Enjoyed yet another <a href="http://oolongtoearlgrey.blogspot.de/2015/02/fasching-fun-wiesbaden-germany-2015.html" target="_blank">Fasching Festival in Wiesbaden</a>, so much fun!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0TuY_ryyy3h__L6XPIdi6isdI245CMqEpWVxtEtYaTLRWl1o3vx597EUQI7RYFVtCBHVpTvQWFan3bUsVx3EXauONUO7C-ujuai-FM-LGZxA-uCVSoEPIEfVVgDfgEgBNprhw637M2s/s1600/Feb+15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fasching Festival Fun, Wiesbaden, Germany" border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0TuY_ryyy3h__L6XPIdi6isdI245CMqEpWVxtEtYaTLRWl1o3vx597EUQI7RYFVtCBHVpTvQWFan3bUsVx3EXauONUO7C-ujuai-FM-LGZxA-uCVSoEPIEfVVgDfgEgBNprhw637M2s/s640/Feb+15.JPG" title="Fasching Festival Fun, Wiesbaden, Germany" width="640" /></a></div>
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We drank Bordeaux in Bordeaux and fell in love with the city, </div>
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stayed an extra day to discover more...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmPS8THKTaNpUdsnmwcxmR1qA0hqsFTQyIwBnV8xIeTum4ZerRCOWCBq6MmrYsRbJy2V8z7oaO9USsNHiLn6bV5x6M7sR2h_G60XFA7_oOUjfQ8zjNZje-uYneY98Hy9mm_DKfYo51zs/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bordeaux, France" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmPS8THKTaNpUdsnmwcxmR1qA0hqsFTQyIwBnV8xIeTum4ZerRCOWCBq6MmrYsRbJy2V8z7oaO9USsNHiLn6bV5x6M7sR2h_G60XFA7_oOUjfQ8zjNZje-uYneY98Hy9mm_DKfYo51zs/s640/4.JPG" title="Bordeaux, France" width="414" /></a></div>
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We drove through a snowstorm to visit Utrecht, The Netherlands. </div>
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So worthwhile, such beauty and the skies turned blue for us!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnNr3xRFatOZ6kqRGtZAk-Fi2l5WiVw9KsTHzpZeR3EoVGpA3KVCQ0MBI-mMvA8IHeBfHmqi499J2_ZfzRnFL8KcftUVD79cIq8KQTnajpyDvdDrDbP9mf5JwCxlT9IUQuBSVMIoo8lM/s1600/Jan+25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Utrecht, The Netherlands" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnNr3xRFatOZ6kqRGtZAk-Fi2l5WiVw9KsTHzpZeR3EoVGpA3KVCQ0MBI-mMvA8IHeBfHmqi499J2_ZfzRnFL8KcftUVD79cIq8KQTnajpyDvdDrDbP9mf5JwCxlT9IUQuBSVMIoo8lM/s640/Jan+25.JPG" title="Utrecht, The Netherlands" width="434" /></a></div>
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Baden Baden, in The Black Forest was wonderful, the Spring air so fresh and fragrant.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSCT0SEu4zFwwGU9Ae09elC47Z16g4xtdetzilREXFOFrB3VICs-jLunbIBJVW74xIFlKYhapUgzufPeKHPBxqCrp9iXyh7FoeqZne26WALnh1JeRVLwwxAaioB3zesnxAgudf-CeJuY/s1600/June+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Baden Baden, Black Forest, Germany" border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSCT0SEu4zFwwGU9Ae09elC47Z16g4xtdetzilREXFOFrB3VICs-jLunbIBJVW74xIFlKYhapUgzufPeKHPBxqCrp9iXyh7FoeqZne26WALnh1JeRVLwwxAaioB3zesnxAgudf-CeJuY/s640/June+1.JPG" title="Baden Baden, Black Forest, Germany" width="640" /></a></div>
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We spent a fabulous weekend in Prague, wandered around this beautiful city for hours!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9tqwSoEa7eDosNFvCqHJimH0QQb3mJORUYQ0NeNlOlaOuO6VojBPDGY1dzF0d4ijfw6WkoeVt8gpXMcOelXHspCaL_FH989vGZi64gn8mVO0rEunMDkAxjUDCgpyg9fVOkio15MaXY0/s1600/March+28+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Guard, Prague Castle, Prague, Czech Republic" border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9tqwSoEa7eDosNFvCqHJimH0QQb3mJORUYQ0NeNlOlaOuO6VojBPDGY1dzF0d4ijfw6WkoeVt8gpXMcOelXHspCaL_FH989vGZi64gn8mVO0rEunMDkAxjUDCgpyg9fVOkio15MaXY0/s640/March+28+2.JPG" title="Guard, Prague Castle, Prague, Czech Republic" width="640" /></a></div>
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We took in the views while walking amongst the heather in the Exmoor National Park.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsPDm_olSa5-ROGb4lMuFLcv1frfxWC0ZxdsmlOpZMjqKS-RStS2AKkSyVKzVEkZYdXpeeqcZWbvnXzbS25P1Ku9mCvbH4Ie-LhAIdqoeMRxz7FJ7LEih4Z2onvM5ZbumOcGnIAgIPGc/s1600/DSC_0545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Exmoor National Park, Devon, England" border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsPDm_olSa5-ROGb4lMuFLcv1frfxWC0ZxdsmlOpZMjqKS-RStS2AKkSyVKzVEkZYdXpeeqcZWbvnXzbS25P1Ku9mCvbH4Ie-LhAIdqoeMRxz7FJ7LEih4Z2onvM5ZbumOcGnIAgIPGc/s640/DSC_0545.JPG" title="Exmoor National Park, Devon, England" width="640" /></a></div>
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We soaked up the history in Berlin, the capital of Germany. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qo_bDayjygZ1AW8ITjmDZThmJak89E1ztsUFgiIRoQehhR15Y8QWfNSk_rpUqmh2ECBTClSAcvGBxxPVPLzQ_9c-SRKILVkOQStcKS3w_u0bHyfqY26HaDyhafCUwIDk5FJThyphenhyphentB_7w/s1600/May+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Reichstag Building, Berlin, Germany" border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qo_bDayjygZ1AW8ITjmDZThmJak89E1ztsUFgiIRoQehhR15Y8QWfNSk_rpUqmh2ECBTClSAcvGBxxPVPLzQ_9c-SRKILVkOQStcKS3w_u0bHyfqY26HaDyhafCUwIDk5FJThyphenhyphentB_7w/s640/May+16.jpg" title="Reichstag Building, Berlin, Germany" width="640" /></a></div>
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Stay tuned for some Aussie Adventures...and I will document our European adventures in more detail ... when I have a spare minute...possibly 2017!</div>
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Now....back to packing and sorting...</div>
Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-1363887814354756352015-12-22T03:29:00.000-08:002015-12-22T03:29:36.320-08:00Christmas Market Magic....Rothenburg on the Romantic Road<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Walking through the city walls into the medieval town of Rothenburg</div>
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on Germany's "Romantic Road" is like stepping back in time to the 11th Century. </div>
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Beautifully preserved buildings and cobblestoned alleys draw you in to discover </div>
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amazing architecture, meticulously carved statues and the most gorgeous </div>
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Christmas decorations imaginable.</div>
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This is literally the place of fairy tales, enchanting visitors, young and old.</div>
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The Christmas market stalls selling hand crafted gifts and decorations.</div>
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Fairy lights twinkling on real Christmas Trees lining the cobblestoned streets.</div>
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Homes and store fronts charmingly decorated, the smells of </div>
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Christmas Spices perfume the air.</div>
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The Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas Museum and store is captivating</div>
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so many special decorations and a true visual delight. </div>
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Rothenburg has been the most enchanting Christmas Market of all, the magical fairytale setting </div>
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hard to beat. The atmosphere of the old town, decorations and market captivating. </div>
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Even on a chilly Winter day it warmed our souls and it was hard to walk to the other</div>
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side of the city walls and leave the medieval town behind.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpI5rYXTY46ghpgRiFbKof7Ylo80Cpn7e2a_DFTkIeQl1nHx4D7MzY98XiJuF2NwfZehQoeHCGEsAI-zeFRD4tcWkLB3I4EmiEpB1Tv_4kctgTUT7LfLr5YHQUM9Se6hcgRNGKhecak0/s1600/DSC_1564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="City Walls, Rothenburg, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpI5rYXTY46ghpgRiFbKof7Ylo80Cpn7e2a_DFTkIeQl1nHx4D7MzY98XiJuF2NwfZehQoeHCGEsAI-zeFRD4tcWkLB3I4EmiEpB1Tv_4kctgTUT7LfLr5YHQUM9Se6hcgRNGKhecak0/s1600/DSC_1564.JPG" title="City Walls, Rothenburg, Germany" width="354" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESgFzQZhFRPQzW43EEKJvmMldopU2LvtnDP2tbbgeI_IxgHa_Ip2DZ67GSFOHBbJJGBHiTVNfRSmQtnJT_X6aylWcm0HtHmGr3ekIPs350paF2TSN-flIByQMvm-AT3U1ylestR1wDUM/s1600/DSC_1203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rothenburg, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESgFzQZhFRPQzW43EEKJvmMldopU2LvtnDP2tbbgeI_IxgHa_Ip2DZ67GSFOHBbJJGBHiTVNfRSmQtnJT_X6aylWcm0HtHmGr3ekIPs350paF2TSN-flIByQMvm-AT3U1ylestR1wDUM/s1600/DSC_1203.JPG" title="Rothenburg, Germany" width="444" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCbb_L0xIJgH_f_By_kEAngLkSVMMN1dmUqzqB_dTJ7XGHicIfYHKJHbMU-0XexuTLxt3wCUDryEhhPJCr64NttWKi1-rd9xZvcbBZh7I-XYWcLyKnTJ3dEDD1ANl9oPY5nU94p8ZMjg/s1600/DSC_1541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Half timbered house, Rothenburg, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCbb_L0xIJgH_f_By_kEAngLkSVMMN1dmUqzqB_dTJ7XGHicIfYHKJHbMU-0XexuTLxt3wCUDryEhhPJCr64NttWKi1-rd9xZvcbBZh7I-XYWcLyKnTJ3dEDD1ANl9oPY5nU94p8ZMjg/s1600/DSC_1541.JPG" title="Half timbered house, Rothenburg, Germany" width="434" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19jO5OX3zUNcab9wSx0JrhjZL2veVxZx0CNJmaThyphenhyphenoln8hAqFDKoQH1one7jkk-aDe4M8oWw6Ec4eKzOA9fEn7HzybFdjuEY4devqcGIKbKCR24VyX7U222wogYiH4RlauBBaK4Fpb7g/s1600/DSC_1273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas Store, Rothenburg, Germany" border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19jO5OX3zUNcab9wSx0JrhjZL2veVxZx0CNJmaThyphenhyphenoln8hAqFDKoQH1one7jkk-aDe4M8oWw6Ec4eKzOA9fEn7HzybFdjuEY4devqcGIKbKCR24VyX7U222wogYiH4RlauBBaK4Fpb7g/s1600/DSC_1273.JPG" title="Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas Store, Rothenburg, Germany" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHnQ_M-zZCqWKazrjCIekW5AsXEh8yAv-21SsIdm-S1WAjX12WWxor5oxR6nFFEjjvBrB0030X9X1s_Boc6-WBSVvm7ad31RZ7upZujYBxeS6arEU_kC8KWc_uvjmbgGMKZ4icsnucRQ/s1600/DSC_1276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas Store, Rothenburg, Germany" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHnQ_M-zZCqWKazrjCIekW5AsXEh8yAv-21SsIdm-S1WAjX12WWxor5oxR6nFFEjjvBrB0030X9X1s_Boc6-WBSVvm7ad31RZ7upZujYBxeS6arEU_kC8KWc_uvjmbgGMKZ4icsnucRQ/s1600/DSC_1276.JPG" title="Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas Store, Rothenburg, Germany" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5Rf7afp6zybuDgJ0xtUSgomWmscl0Fnitn08Qw58xLzFUBOcbkAOfwmPANuxlA39cw8YHMF1WHKR0YbT9W5Q6KrfQ71f4yn0V8_-8AFbH6VD0fzzfxlMaQKLkVfFKn-u22cqJ-AdQdQ/s1600/DSC_1311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas Store, Rothenburg, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5Rf7afp6zybuDgJ0xtUSgomWmscl0Fnitn08Qw58xLzFUBOcbkAOfwmPANuxlA39cw8YHMF1WHKR0YbT9W5Q6KrfQ71f4yn0V8_-8AFbH6VD0fzzfxlMaQKLkVfFKn-u22cqJ-AdQdQ/s1600/DSC_1311.JPG" title="Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas Store, Rothenburg, Germany" width="410" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhua_rZTay9Xx5-g9CufWgAyoLuMFGU3lPjyzYK7yRaSn_BNrpw1nu9HFmdB9FPKx8zRdNsWh9J6wINp6ioSnQ_jfV4ZNQopX9vAanOgchi8f5ar5TgpC2VWFF-6De2O05RNPg1JEjvQ94/s1600/DSC_1289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Markets, Rothenburg, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhua_rZTay9Xx5-g9CufWgAyoLuMFGU3lPjyzYK7yRaSn_BNrpw1nu9HFmdB9FPKx8zRdNsWh9J6wINp6ioSnQ_jfV4ZNQopX9vAanOgchi8f5ar5TgpC2VWFF-6De2O05RNPg1JEjvQ94/s640/DSC_1289.JPG" title="Christmas Markets, Rothenburg, Germany" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKSPvHmiiG7G-iLG_RhVzUll6oAF7rjJdody9DJr6E9sKmhBxa6ZtFYicbvjNd403FduxidYpmNGIV6W5R4hNzQOYRRV2ohDZKPu6qxsaR0B-eZC2pTPXy5Wd-fUXO7Gf6keJdNN8Km0/s1600/DSC_1217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Markets, Rothenburg, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKSPvHmiiG7G-iLG_RhVzUll6oAF7rjJdody9DJr6E9sKmhBxa6ZtFYicbvjNd403FduxidYpmNGIV6W5R4hNzQOYRRV2ohDZKPu6qxsaR0B-eZC2pTPXy5Wd-fUXO7Gf6keJdNN8Km0/s640/DSC_1217.JPG" title="Christmas Markets, Rothenburg, Germany" width="418" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mL9RugDecMijcpzcfILGF6cuM0Ab4627lqG-iim9ihshtDGWfl1_jZxDyNiLesMKeh0742V9YoP_dCxdoXk5mQHRlrqkaOI_oJDYKkCRNOHfHiB3mYiGT_g5NYaC_jUyagF-d2oMwOI/s1600/DSC_1231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gluhwein, Christmas Markets, Rothenburg, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mL9RugDecMijcpzcfILGF6cuM0Ab4627lqG-iim9ihshtDGWfl1_jZxDyNiLesMKeh0742V9YoP_dCxdoXk5mQHRlrqkaOI_oJDYKkCRNOHfHiB3mYiGT_g5NYaC_jUyagF-d2oMwOI/s640/DSC_1231.JPG" title="Gluhwein, Christmas Markets, Rothenburg, Germany" width="496" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpA_QQUZ_C0VcL2hTowT9E1iXaB9gp6-6MjV20UzYtQiBiUhlHsMEMTCZLk2dIb93R3mPvTrTZWNXlY3zLPyom6PXeH2X8wZ2hIR8g23P6HTieeP5sj_smp_n3nK4asbLuVaFJaGhcwRU/s1600/DSC_1245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gluhwein, Christmas Markets, Rothenburg, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpA_QQUZ_C0VcL2hTowT9E1iXaB9gp6-6MjV20UzYtQiBiUhlHsMEMTCZLk2dIb93R3mPvTrTZWNXlY3zLPyom6PXeH2X8wZ2hIR8g23P6HTieeP5sj_smp_n3nK4asbLuVaFJaGhcwRU/s640/DSC_1245.JPG" title="Gluhwein, Christmas Markets, Rothenburg, Germany" width="466" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImRx8ar32CZ3SWXX1ayFpkMkjk2jtDqNrvm9zDQ5dLgMB-hqx16mN0bXtKvLMT_sT0bJR2igtVnBQWBmu9aGaF_OMDjkOUBiT1Lbg5Fpoxe3ODqNt78hlwFyy0fAsnDuyZ1u-8UzdoW0/s1600/DSC_1250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gluhwein, Christmas Markets, Rothenburg, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImRx8ar32CZ3SWXX1ayFpkMkjk2jtDqNrvm9zDQ5dLgMB-hqx16mN0bXtKvLMT_sT0bJR2igtVnBQWBmu9aGaF_OMDjkOUBiT1Lbg5Fpoxe3ODqNt78hlwFyy0fAsnDuyZ1u-8UzdoW0/s640/DSC_1250.JPG" title="Gluhwein, Christmas Markets, Rothenburg, Germany" width="464" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqby5NiYiqtW_8Wm8J3skgsiorXXRbFHecqfD38lpIhVQ3cwwguHmqo3oFIzYcbWw6lwk-3nIocWe6peFtRwbrCyCFgAtzmn-mlAb6iFykSNisrP635WMdl_-6ZwoyxaS1UFCp7vPWarc/s1600/DSC_1284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nutcracker, Christmas Markets, Rothenburg, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqby5NiYiqtW_8Wm8J3skgsiorXXRbFHecqfD38lpIhVQ3cwwguHmqo3oFIzYcbWw6lwk-3nIocWe6peFtRwbrCyCFgAtzmn-mlAb6iFykSNisrP635WMdl_-6ZwoyxaS1UFCp7vPWarc/s640/DSC_1284.JPG" title="Nutcracker, Christmas Markets, Rothenburg, Germany" width="432" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCLNyWpTUhSR5jn57e2ZVKmPohLmMqCy1Tvf_x0JKEg15GlFW9CRxJRtj5wPVnS2-0S0KNd8x3miMqZBoAnPvcKxTASb698MNJTzzhPYa8tCkI2mNP6JW7uIiURCL6LTFThTn_2uoO2E/s1600/DSC_1445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Markets, Rothenburg, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCLNyWpTUhSR5jn57e2ZVKmPohLmMqCy1Tvf_x0JKEg15GlFW9CRxJRtj5wPVnS2-0S0KNd8x3miMqZBoAnPvcKxTASb698MNJTzzhPYa8tCkI2mNP6JW7uIiURCL6LTFThTn_2uoO2E/s1600/DSC_1445.JPG" title="Christmas Markets, Rothenburg, Germany" width="460" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavjnPhw6EE5bzBlC9f5ro74YERwyCid21z6-WYr8eQ8GEUnIS_4g4ujEjPsLkBpRUobI7voQy4c05u_JsZTuSNzWo1mc26rTeehyTtcQMAcqRzOvUIQ43mk5AlqvYdrV1D3dBg_r-t4M/s1600/DSC_1450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Markets, Rothenburg, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavjnPhw6EE5bzBlC9f5ro74YERwyCid21z6-WYr8eQ8GEUnIS_4g4ujEjPsLkBpRUobI7voQy4c05u_JsZTuSNzWo1mc26rTeehyTtcQMAcqRzOvUIQ43mk5AlqvYdrV1D3dBg_r-t4M/s1600/DSC_1450.JPG" title="Christmas Markets, Rothenburg, Germany" width="446" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8__MMvQClZc1uUBt3855u9QR_niFK2DgTyokFWtUzaH8uKywaGZYjxIIqtnSAkwlcZiE4ptBZMXq0ZCZ30xeBXoLjEJYrF5IoTmrD7tKlkd6hbq-XQ2u7_t8vP3JvqWWZsQRLaUuIcY/s1600/DSC_1518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Markets, Rothenburg, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8__MMvQClZc1uUBt3855u9QR_niFK2DgTyokFWtUzaH8uKywaGZYjxIIqtnSAkwlcZiE4ptBZMXq0ZCZ30xeBXoLjEJYrF5IoTmrD7tKlkd6hbq-XQ2u7_t8vP3JvqWWZsQRLaUuIcY/s1600/DSC_1518.JPG" title="Christmas Markets, Rothenburg, Germany" width="426" /></a></div>
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<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-8604029574508094182015-12-20T11:14:00.001-08:002015-12-22T03:37:26.925-08:00Christmas Market Magic.... Mainz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It is impossible not to be enchanted by the Christmas Market in Mainz.</div>
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The square festooned with thousands of twinkling fairy lights with the </div>
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magnificent backdrop of the Cathedral of Saint Martin, </div>
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which has watched over Mainz for over 1000 years.</div>
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So festive walking the cobblestone streets, browsing the wooden stalls selling Christmas gifts, </div>
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decorations, food and gluhwein.</div>
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When darkness fell the market was spellbinding. The lights and decorations, transforming the </div>
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already magical scene into one of fairytale proportions.</div>
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Enjoy a little of my beautiful visit to the Christmas Market in Mainz!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99Niufq2pirr74uFh3gdw3rxp459mT-nNpZjooYPx8oEOx4cPzr9CCtPBWfiZkMboj3SwgUqRTS9BQ7q8WsPshmhMazjcF2XbE74gcy_YkWnpAwwZnEm5TkY0uc3B4zn4A_BRkbeOZEM/s1600/DSC_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99Niufq2pirr74uFh3gdw3rxp459mT-nNpZjooYPx8oEOx4cPzr9CCtPBWfiZkMboj3SwgUqRTS9BQ7q8WsPshmhMazjcF2XbE74gcy_YkWnpAwwZnEm5TkY0uc3B4zn4A_BRkbeOZEM/s640/DSC_0266.JPG" title="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggk3nmlJPzCpqyjsIDuwunljqoSKaFTWKE0XvY2ioQgWr31TjjEaGNXQSS0gskW9yTomdH_cOhoxzv-qSTWFYX0U-g_kZtn6IyR1bDjMKgaDWCjMYYOx7TDtjpTOYkYWqx6VGBXSDfj-E/s1600/DSC_0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggk3nmlJPzCpqyjsIDuwunljqoSKaFTWKE0XvY2ioQgWr31TjjEaGNXQSS0gskW9yTomdH_cOhoxzv-qSTWFYX0U-g_kZtn6IyR1bDjMKgaDWCjMYYOx7TDtjpTOYkYWqx6VGBXSDfj-E/s640/DSC_0279.JPG" title="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOBFdPcGhUkV58loPTnTQsFFSfgzOGJEqRHk6cKht0goFyEFmNeV_4x3T9KjOs1m6QBIKITWbjHQ4MeFvhaFdtelZdYHABbYPjY2WggOG2txEX6h1szitPlYC1KmTwWhQnVF7ka4NDxU/s1600/DSC_0248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kartoffelpuffer, Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOBFdPcGhUkV58loPTnTQsFFSfgzOGJEqRHk6cKht0goFyEFmNeV_4x3T9KjOs1m6QBIKITWbjHQ4MeFvhaFdtelZdYHABbYPjY2WggOG2txEX6h1szitPlYC1KmTwWhQnVF7ka4NDxU/s640/DSC_0248.JPG" title="Kartoffelpuffer, Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjDIgIJA5mGmGlDsR4bzEPqONZrFjxMafV48TodiDuNvjty2DHrKPWK48lr3wRUiKCkdQNowkph9eemX_6RzkkkJQHxYvqC6YMTMvzbd_wOQClPphr41GidoConPLvc7CusRrDvlFEgU/s1600/DSC_0344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjDIgIJA5mGmGlDsR4bzEPqONZrFjxMafV48TodiDuNvjty2DHrKPWK48lr3wRUiKCkdQNowkph9eemX_6RzkkkJQHxYvqC6YMTMvzbd_wOQClPphr41GidoConPLvc7CusRrDvlFEgU/s640/DSC_0344.jpg" title="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-1fruwoNypUM1n2xmwKjhmgbUbeAIQZ8nUZVJEmJgccMd3k11ZQlyPK8g5QSM4gX1bGZSNV2UeqyoYcxHQC1-HmqKT2CXLwFx8i8KOv1rnIYeiG5y7r7gmXQF499pyGcKOwipi_pqR4/s1600/DSC_0357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-1fruwoNypUM1n2xmwKjhmgbUbeAIQZ8nUZVJEmJgccMd3k11ZQlyPK8g5QSM4gX1bGZSNV2UeqyoYcxHQC1-HmqKT2CXLwFx8i8KOv1rnIYeiG5y7r7gmXQF499pyGcKOwipi_pqR4/s640/DSC_0357.JPG" title="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjurBpPAkQpyEpJN1moFn-uhJskqSH4OZfnvXsk3pInbGG0DPeqAK8WeEEciaDa2VcAGAEegjQj6JQHOEBJibn-41xieSyX3gWI-PBd1fqCVRyryc4i0QGHlm11F34xiOXUE_abnvDs30/s1600/DSC_0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Flammkuchen, Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjurBpPAkQpyEpJN1moFn-uhJskqSH4OZfnvXsk3pInbGG0DPeqAK8WeEEciaDa2VcAGAEegjQj6JQHOEBJibn-41xieSyX3gWI-PBd1fqCVRyryc4i0QGHlm11F34xiOXUE_abnvDs30/s640/DSC_0314.JPG" title="Flammkuchen, Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxnrSxs7iyQ9p2pHqCts6k9Qh1cGaNRpI1Tjl3OmCSTSs_Agx87BS_du8dxhQVbh1QnF2MEkSqIQ9AN2gLNDGAxZNrcidXYAr82tKsOwqqp6o9XwcigLA89km4mGprzfo0mxgYdPA3NU/s1600/DSC_0370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxnrSxs7iyQ9p2pHqCts6k9Qh1cGaNRpI1Tjl3OmCSTSs_Agx87BS_du8dxhQVbh1QnF2MEkSqIQ9AN2gLNDGAxZNrcidXYAr82tKsOwqqp6o9XwcigLA89km4mGprzfo0mxgYdPA3NU/s640/DSC_0370.JPG" title="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPF38JqvA0HxsAd3X6TL4QzymcGJwdNxIFvpc5vexao_Qs6fCvrArTYXir6mjiET0-jIY9gKWbYiHveedbyoZfaTmqL-2adtXfTuaFfxAAABq8Kcpv6qdSVgc9Htn3yl3gs4JEGjXRjQ/s1600/DSC_0388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPF38JqvA0HxsAd3X6TL4QzymcGJwdNxIFvpc5vexao_Qs6fCvrArTYXir6mjiET0-jIY9gKWbYiHveedbyoZfaTmqL-2adtXfTuaFfxAAABq8Kcpv6qdSVgc9Htn3yl3gs4JEGjXRjQ/s640/DSC_0388.JPG" title="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" width="436" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOEl08xTN0ZLq4UGUmEb6n6UeEtBGO3OdFsxqQYdFN4O_dXzNCA1mER6t1YMf2UZvYnegScrBb7IN-UJ1sIqNYIBIPsXi9GiFf0U2Yqn-BIVqo3VYo4jdNMUOgd7DeZZs_ydTG0B1J2U/s1600/DSC_0398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOEl08xTN0ZLq4UGUmEb6n6UeEtBGO3OdFsxqQYdFN4O_dXzNCA1mER6t1YMf2UZvYnegScrBb7IN-UJ1sIqNYIBIPsXi9GiFf0U2Yqn-BIVqo3VYo4jdNMUOgd7DeZZs_ydTG0B1J2U/s640/DSC_0398.JPG" title="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoO9Q8nLZJPffeQKGaqpB0QlEFF3YmGboW-AP0GBVt-uuLpl1HR93ENfVzpPHVXZUTgVDXtLx1VrjfxodsvEdQ-kmnMPiWv4m2Le-K3QJnNjTDH4bLFC_aNaqzXew84QyXhIZNItzsXc/s1600/DSC_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoO9Q8nLZJPffeQKGaqpB0QlEFF3YmGboW-AP0GBVt-uuLpl1HR93ENfVzpPHVXZUTgVDXtLx1VrjfxodsvEdQ-kmnMPiWv4m2Le-K3QJnNjTDH4bLFC_aNaqzXew84QyXhIZNItzsXc/s640/DSC_0428.JPG" title="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkIGHatgNfeCqKnMy25n1bW483jWj31yHxTOeu03CbNVODTt5L3twy0UNlMNBWOsufX1gaJ6k-MIkQAL5n6C3jtP45cI-Sit_mTj3pXusN1cBzbqJ9xfoQ5NpZgm5771gBcnOBo1Fjp8/s1600/DSC_0443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkIGHatgNfeCqKnMy25n1bW483jWj31yHxTOeu03CbNVODTt5L3twy0UNlMNBWOsufX1gaJ6k-MIkQAL5n6C3jtP45cI-Sit_mTj3pXusN1cBzbqJ9xfoQ5NpZgm5771gBcnOBo1Fjp8/s640/DSC_0443.jpg" title="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbst4GoHwpvgDu8qNSQIZLTzQT6p6dcKwqUd3i8QHm52O0PIihTH9tqOCLACwrktRIJOLGalTV2jGwdoeE7VlCZW6RQiN9E1lu76SI_9Yc9Ldv9EjFMK9deFan57Dilxb95RiY3hKEak/s1600/DSC_0476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbst4GoHwpvgDu8qNSQIZLTzQT6p6dcKwqUd3i8QHm52O0PIihTH9tqOCLACwrktRIJOLGalTV2jGwdoeE7VlCZW6RQiN9E1lu76SI_9Yc9Ldv9EjFMK9deFan57Dilxb95RiY3hKEak/s640/DSC_0476.jpg" title="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DCJ2jPnXraFoiL7OpRiua9fJd_oaEs2v1kCEJipsbiCV5ZsGG2WR-4R246oWfbUy3OYboRsK9rIhCAy4Fq_xqoIr64blg5FoEMMp2xK5iiYsx6mTwUp96yvcrnglZkMCs302fc4Ne5Q/s1600/DSC_0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DCJ2jPnXraFoiL7OpRiua9fJd_oaEs2v1kCEJipsbiCV5ZsGG2WR-4R246oWfbUy3OYboRsK9rIhCAy4Fq_xqoIr64blg5FoEMMp2xK5iiYsx6mTwUp96yvcrnglZkMCs302fc4Ne5Q/s640/DSC_0490.JPG" title="Christmas Market Mainz, Germany 2015" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-21198259391879576012015-12-18T03:57:00.002-08:002015-12-19T01:15:19.428-08:00Heidelberg Christmas Market ...and 5 tips on driving in Germany <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is wonderful to have the opportunity to live in Germany at Christmas time. </div>
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So many Christmas Markets to discover and enjoy. </div>
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Heidelberg is perfect for a day trip from Frankfurt and lovely any time of the year. </div>
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The university town is magical with the Christmas Market in full swing, the </div>
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Heidelberg Castle as a stunning backdrop.</div>
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Tourists from all over the world come to Germany to experience the magic of<br />
The Christmas Markets, driving all over the country to experience as many as possible.</div>
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In our nearly two years living in Germany, we have covered many kilometres, </div>
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spent hours <a href="http://oolongtoearlgrey.blogspot.de/2014/09/europe-on-road.html" target="_blank">on the road</a> and have learnt a few lessons on the road etiquette.<br />
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Here are our top 5 tips!<br />
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1. Autobahn = unlimited speed limit! Mostly, but beware... roadworks and traffic can reduce the limit. we have had more speeding fines in 2 years in Germany than in our entire driving lives, which is quite a few years!</div>
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2. Make use of rest stops. That drive that your GPS tells you will take two hours...due to aforementioned roadworks and traffic...may take four hours crawling along. Our drive to Berlin took five hours, same drive home to Frankfurt took nine hours..and we still managed a speeding ticket!</div>
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3. Make sure you have change for the rest stops. It will cost you to spend a penny...70c in fact! You put the coins in a slot at a turnstile to get in. You get a 50c voucher to get a discount in the shop though. Bonus is the toilets are always clean.</div>
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4. Watch out for trucks, they will pull out in front of you without warning. Sunday is a great day to drive, trucks are not allowed on the road in Germany without special permit.</div>
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5. Germans love to tailgate, sorry my German friend's, but it is true. If you can, change lanes to let them pass...if you can't...just don't look in your rear view mirror.<br />
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Bonus Tip...it is against the law in Germany to run out of fuel on an Autobahn....</div>
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Now, after your lesson on driving in Germany...enjoy a little stroll around the beautiful<br />
Heidelberg Christmas Market.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWvkYmyfDZCmWSXxGxSo56DNpSOq1ozhXxK_atE5LNhJNmbycxtv_DmYEa6skRHymKDurM0Or1-8p-l6Uzyh_r930hu02tp6O-ZbER4xJAFhP-CMVDstzYchV-cZFFy8H3-HhTZqT4XQ/s1600/DSC_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Heidelberg Christmas Market 2015" border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWvkYmyfDZCmWSXxGxSo56DNpSOq1ozhXxK_atE5LNhJNmbycxtv_DmYEa6skRHymKDurM0Or1-8p-l6Uzyh_r930hu02tp6O-ZbER4xJAFhP-CMVDstzYchV-cZFFy8H3-HhTZqT4XQ/s640/DSC_0129.JPG" title="Heidelberg Christmas Market 2015" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEiXOaZjd-33nn0CESeniJb3Yglgfy2HAKAJMBuJQkI4yWSIYjK70oaWMko9_mtjMZqekjPTIXeQxKlzqrOTcCmT8ZWq-TUxIBv7ZVWBC7QISH4t_C-NKcn1X9tmzTVRDBcRJzAk0h2A/s1600/DSC_0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Heidelberg Christmas Market 2015" border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEiXOaZjd-33nn0CESeniJb3Yglgfy2HAKAJMBuJQkI4yWSIYjK70oaWMko9_mtjMZqekjPTIXeQxKlzqrOTcCmT8ZWq-TUxIBv7ZVWBC7QISH4t_C-NKcn1X9tmzTVRDBcRJzAk0h2A/s640/DSC_0088.JPG" title="Heidelberg Christmas Market 2015" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Flammkuchen is a favourite German food of mine, thin crispy base, topped with creme fraiche, </div>
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onions and speck...delicious and best enjoyed with a warming Gluhwein...in local cup of course.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQfGWOaVMp-Zs6EUEmeiiiChdRqyDmG78pikp_yLemtGBQ5wP5_OyI7IhLY2GYLSM76iebGLhyphenhyphen6wBEMFMRY7ChJ5O_4L_FpsFQ_NwTUbVI9EbcuSwvmElUlQfpr7qGvIdqC-NINOfB-o/s1600/DSC_0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gluhwein and Flammkuchen, Heidelberg Christmas Market 2015" border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQfGWOaVMp-Zs6EUEmeiiiChdRqyDmG78pikp_yLemtGBQ5wP5_OyI7IhLY2GYLSM76iebGLhyphenhyphen6wBEMFMRY7ChJ5O_4L_FpsFQ_NwTUbVI9EbcuSwvmElUlQfpr7qGvIdqC-NINOfB-o/s640/DSC_0092.jpg" title="Gluhwein and Flammkuchen, Heidelberg Christmas Market 2015" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZGl0t8R0jB7znzekKws1-EuYgCh7mLZVEVdDEDJJgjWk-v0oPFnauHn_qZqaO4H-STSP8OHbif0LkbnQAwFnxaivQ5YU_RSzsfdOBtLFRRNCHlA1AkgcUpeIVHpJh3GRs6gOYJy-Ybw/s1600/DSC_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Heidelberg Christmas Market 2015" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZGl0t8R0jB7znzekKws1-EuYgCh7mLZVEVdDEDJJgjWk-v0oPFnauHn_qZqaO4H-STSP8OHbif0LkbnQAwFnxaivQ5YU_RSzsfdOBtLFRRNCHlA1AkgcUpeIVHpJh3GRs6gOYJy-Ybw/s640/DSC_0113.JPG" title="Heidelberg Christmas Market 2015" width="488" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1_qyvKl3cANWVX-QUelOIy15MndeTYhvI_TgPP8-h1zCc8QV3FlWUGE2VBccoUztX8D1js42mZcz1HkaGZs9hoMd7VnJ8qYJMesqfpBIsHgbL-J4kOTsKnPqyvn41myOuDmlJe15NpM/s1600/DSC_0171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lebkuchen, Heidelberg Christmas Market 2015" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1_qyvKl3cANWVX-QUelOIy15MndeTYhvI_TgPP8-h1zCc8QV3FlWUGE2VBccoUztX8D1js42mZcz1HkaGZs9hoMd7VnJ8qYJMesqfpBIsHgbL-J4kOTsKnPqyvn41myOuDmlJe15NpM/s640/DSC_0171.JPG" title="Lebkuchen, Heidelberg Christmas Market 2015" width="412" /></a></div>
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Lebkuchen/Gingerbread biscuits, decorated and found most traditionally as hearts but </div>
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you will find snowmen, Santas and lots more are a staple of most German Markets.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsanf3i8-_cSvIz5aqcJtCeXb85zzKvgbTRvwL05z9uqOlNe8G_gOt9s54JZ43A9PJTqssdhIsKqiyZLvmFJYt4b-eK-sg5jQsZFIC4OB2zyilVZiOhRM1hp4RuJ9YEdau5iD_YLaso-Y/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kartoffelpuffer, Heidelberg Christmas Market 2015" border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsanf3i8-_cSvIz5aqcJtCeXb85zzKvgbTRvwL05z9uqOlNe8G_gOt9s54JZ43A9PJTqssdhIsKqiyZLvmFJYt4b-eK-sg5jQsZFIC4OB2zyilVZiOhRM1hp4RuJ9YEdau5iD_YLaso-Y/s640/DSC_0081.JPG" title="Kartoffelpuffer, Heidelberg Christmas Market 2015" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Kartoffelpuffer.. a type of potato pancake, served with apple sauce is another </div>
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yummy, must try Christmas Market food.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwS5OItJsM3IMLEaOTcxYYoGf7uhlqR4wjhJ682yz2Q_DHGK9ju9QWmrYE4eULlIltVe7B8C5zFtczMzzWzBO7x5qzX_Ez_4DIaWLeMFmPwPoiFop0H61ss9ukLdPqwq2ZpyRV95BRsC0/s1600/DSC_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Heidelberg Christmas Market 2015" border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwS5OItJsM3IMLEaOTcxYYoGf7uhlqR4wjhJ682yz2Q_DHGK9ju9QWmrYE4eULlIltVe7B8C5zFtczMzzWzBO7x5qzX_Ez_4DIaWLeMFmPwPoiFop0H61ss9ukLdPqwq2ZpyRV95BRsC0/s640/DSC_0104.JPG" title="Heidelberg Christmas Market 2015" width="640" /></a></div>
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You can always take home some tasty liqueurs as gifts!</div>
<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-34325390334448479642015-12-13T10:45:00.000-08:002015-12-13T10:45:09.440-08:00Christmas Magic at Hever Castle in Kent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have just spent a week in England, spending time with friends and family </div>
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for the last time before heading home to Australia in January.</div>
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Emotional times as we have no idea when and where we will all meet up again.</div>
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Time was spent making precious memories.</div>
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We spent a fabulous day out at <a href="http://www.hevercastle.co.uk/visit/hever-castle/" target="_blank">Hever Castle </a>in Kent, an original medieval castle built in 1270.</div>
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In the 15th and 16th centuries it was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, </div>
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King Henry VIII's second wife.</div>
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It is lovely to walk around the beautiful, sprawling gardens, the chilly, grey day </div>
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did nothing to dampen the beauty.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDsvrZFZA95yu0oPCnMA8gU7FPyXETr-csHaDGtB_EcESep_pYrxSyCAB_HARiIaxejk73pMJ5oROb3QERILIVjLM1swzZXVH7cQxu47jNW4AjToAgVPBlLgbQ8KLZN6uYPsv2bzU7uY/s1600/DSC_1000-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hever Castle, Kent, England" border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDsvrZFZA95yu0oPCnMA8gU7FPyXETr-csHaDGtB_EcESep_pYrxSyCAB_HARiIaxejk73pMJ5oROb3QERILIVjLM1swzZXVH7cQxu47jNW4AjToAgVPBlLgbQ8KLZN6uYPsv2bzU7uY/s640/DSC_1000-001.JPG" title="Hever Castle, Kent, England" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8NUay8Ix3de0y7s6qQlTJFPMGu49pzKuZbA5M4ZGT2tll21pV57cLxyFnGR25unY3WbDDgaC_b8XdKQxsRwge0kQ33Q16j_AZ1ORvpEOLK8rRfHJkMILKrUm-DSyilaf-bsYqaA46f0/s1600/DSC_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hever Castle, Kent, England" border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8NUay8Ix3de0y7s6qQlTJFPMGu49pzKuZbA5M4ZGT2tll21pV57cLxyFnGR25unY3WbDDgaC_b8XdKQxsRwge0kQ33Q16j_AZ1ORvpEOLK8rRfHJkMILKrUm-DSyilaf-bsYqaA46f0/s640/DSC_0051.JPG" title="Hever Castle, Kent, England" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzO_1EJ7InIIoEGq-eownV0SHGLiQq8-UlapLgFH9piBh1rrtxuiIU7BGPT0Rb8-j5EK5lySUO80JgVaznpoqElhezOZBLvk60MWOzgVg-GaVv0awKmZ3qVoFofEWs3r5IaNg2wBvGsM/s1600/DSC_0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hever Castle, Kent, England" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzO_1EJ7InIIoEGq-eownV0SHGLiQq8-UlapLgFH9piBh1rrtxuiIU7BGPT0Rb8-j5EK5lySUO80JgVaznpoqElhezOZBLvk60MWOzgVg-GaVv0awKmZ3qVoFofEWs3r5IaNg2wBvGsM/s640/DSC_0068.JPG" title="Hever Castle, Kent, England" width="640" /></a></div>
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The castle itself is stunningly beautiful, log fires bringing atmosphere and warmth. </div>
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The history is interesting...if only the walls could talk.</div>
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No photos are allowed inside the castle so you will have to take my word for it.</div>
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The castle was decorated for Christmas, with countless twinkling Christmas trees throughout.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7zg_P5ztMlTG3KItfkmRV9sHw-apddNcgnAo9O5VTmEAqFs7XamG-xqhdtM-fuMIFcAACzK5JaXEUuaNrz1NTp-RRw_Tel2c406P02yU0EgMJC_Kqq3vATMA_KPAnAg3R9ElP3Ix1PY/s1600/DSC_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas at Hever Castle, Kent, England 2015" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7zg_P5ztMlTG3KItfkmRV9sHw-apddNcgnAo9O5VTmEAqFs7XamG-xqhdtM-fuMIFcAACzK5JaXEUuaNrz1NTp-RRw_Tel2c406P02yU0EgMJC_Kqq3vATMA_KPAnAg3R9ElP3Ix1PY/s640/DSC_0190.JPG" title="Christmas at Hever Castle, Kent, England 2015" width="468" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2N-TjVKqONX2FDWveXdVjAYRCHAsepd7Sn51LanqublPzFdnZOCgQ4j0QLp21L2RCOEJiEmDcjM5He9iOBG2ylz-6Bq2vmzL5syLwZQVyNjs6PXZCgUS42yU_gqm0V36nnaEiugYP9w4/s1600/DSC_0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas at Hever Castle, Kent, England 2015" border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2N-TjVKqONX2FDWveXdVjAYRCHAsepd7Sn51LanqublPzFdnZOCgQ4j0QLp21L2RCOEJiEmDcjM5He9iOBG2ylz-6Bq2vmzL5syLwZQVyNjs6PXZCgUS42yU_gqm0V36nnaEiugYP9w4/s640/DSC_0184.JPG" title="Christmas at Hever Castle, Kent, England 2015" width="640" /></a></div>
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The garden was magical with fairy lights leading the way to fairy gardens. </div>
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Along the trail we discovered stars which told us how Christmas is celebrated in different countries around the world. Was interesting learning about other cultures traditions and beliefs.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1im5MydpptpnhjAvhyphenhyphenW4R0tqa8Om3NP-RoQj_sGw0XXRUocqA5sCawxWVY-DmFy6trgFIYM4bM3T5tmhvG8vEuncJkmx6hkqwZ_NmNlgQOSnQEuR4VBBxZtZTND1fHgrnXqGJLJboDXA/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas at Hever Castle, Kent, England 2015" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1im5MydpptpnhjAvhyphenhyphenW4R0tqa8Om3NP-RoQj_sGw0XXRUocqA5sCawxWVY-DmFy6trgFIYM4bM3T5tmhvG8vEuncJkmx6hkqwZ_NmNlgQOSnQEuR4VBBxZtZTND1fHgrnXqGJLJboDXA/s640/DSC_0045.JPG" title="Christmas at Hever Castle, Kent, England 2015" width="488" /></a></div>
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Mmm..shame that we don't actually get paid in Germany!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uiU-3sBXNZjAVjgZFVnvPki3vXEX___7gUV5n9zupygrsBKh8Vro6HeIbGZX8720QtPvRO_kwZd2tFXCyhlIUnM8GAVVoGlwu-cTmqTjgYcZfXqHasgGCEkbXDCtQDKAvPO1aRJzVa8/s1600/DSC_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas at Hever Castle, Kent, England 2015" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uiU-3sBXNZjAVjgZFVnvPki3vXEX___7gUV5n9zupygrsBKh8Vro6HeIbGZX8720QtPvRO_kwZd2tFXCyhlIUnM8GAVVoGlwu-cTmqTjgYcZfXqHasgGCEkbXDCtQDKAvPO1aRJzVa8/s640/DSC_0073.JPG" title="Christmas at Hever Castle, Kent, England 2015" width="494" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8gUR8XucycJZiCO7__ao75m0L_bUADMo0rRhk45hlmZYjCwsowTPM-GuH22akCL753xe8gxdjyKs9VifaKifTGYvLtmpnZu-0wBSxom7jdi3w0-JwMtCWOdcfZ1PIqK9BxfNqsi1qWo/s1600/DSC_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas at Hever Castle, Kent, England 2015" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8gUR8XucycJZiCO7__ao75m0L_bUADMo0rRhk45hlmZYjCwsowTPM-GuH22akCL753xe8gxdjyKs9VifaKifTGYvLtmpnZu-0wBSxom7jdi3w0-JwMtCWOdcfZ1PIqK9BxfNqsi1qWo/s640/DSC_0079.JPG" title="Christmas at Hever Castle, Kent, England 2015" width="434" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvDyRfZNODoaWoKaogkHBHH6NsCL9RaXaTKGVqjmWyCaP5y2fmNlJthu05_Omn6RLbdP957x2rLx-gaVXLBqs2fAGaiMc37ZchKwfsYdws_iFon3Jo-NnlKKM9mRIevBkzccNisCX7xc/s1600/DSC_0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas at Hever Castle, Kent, England 2015" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvDyRfZNODoaWoKaogkHBHH6NsCL9RaXaTKGVqjmWyCaP5y2fmNlJthu05_Omn6RLbdP957x2rLx-gaVXLBqs2fAGaiMc37ZchKwfsYdws_iFon3Jo-NnlKKM9mRIevBkzccNisCX7xc/s640/DSC_0084.JPG" title="Christmas at Hever Castle, Kent, England 2015" width="450" /></a></div>
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Christmas stories from all around the world are told as you follow the trail.</div>
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I never knew that Babuska from Russia hosted the three wise men!</div>
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Glad I have never come across Krampus...I must be good!</div>
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I love having a real tree in Germany, the home of the Christmas Tree, </div>
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though we like to enjoy it for as long as possible and usually put it up on 1 December!</div>
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Our visit to Hever Castle, turned into a magical festive delight on top of being an interesting </div>
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historical castle...and happy memories were made!</div>
<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-43805134305573237622015-12-11T10:55:00.000-08:002015-12-11T10:55:17.321-08:00Christmas Market Magic...Rudesheim<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The countdown to Christmas is well and truly on. </div>
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The countdown for our move home to Australia is well and truly on too, </div>
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this time next month we will have said our farewells and will be </div>
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sitting on our plane waiting for take off.</div>
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When we found our time as expats was coming to an unexpected end, </div>
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we could have headed home at the end of June.</div>
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That would have meant that the girls would start school half way through a school year </div>
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and the dog, <a href="https://thelifeandtimesofralph.wordpress.com/about/" target="_blank">Ralph</a>, due to Australian Quarantine requirements would not be </div>
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able to travel until November at the earliest</div>
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...and hellooooo...Christmas and Christmas Markets in Germany...</div>
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we need one last fix before heading home. </div>
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Tickets were booked for Australia in January 2016!</div>
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The first market we visited in 2015 was Rudesheim, </div>
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a gorgeous little town full of cobblestoned alleys and half timbered buildings. </div>
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Situated in prime Riesling country between </div>
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the banks of the Rhine River and the rolling Taunus Hills. </div>
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The town is enchanting, an abundance of fairy lights decorations and </div>
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the smell of spiced Gluhwein filling the air brings on the magic of Christmas.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqFJPmN9sQYv-xfrsU0T4AkS5u5rLq811vkzARU0h-tIqXfiPz0eYN9paO5-HZkvhDNThd3SnPrmz60iheN7BgbZhy-pKOrCvJqq1NUW4fnKByfS8y-sKh6BKq9o-8Njg8ma5OUyDoCI/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Market Magic... Rudesheim Germany" border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqFJPmN9sQYv-xfrsU0T4AkS5u5rLq811vkzARU0h-tIqXfiPz0eYN9paO5-HZkvhDNThd3SnPrmz60iheN7BgbZhy-pKOrCvJqq1NUW4fnKByfS8y-sKh6BKq9o-8Njg8ma5OUyDoCI/s640/DSC_0018.JPG" title="Christmas Market Magic... Rudesheim Germany" width="640" /></a></div>
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Private residences join in the festive spirit and add to the charm.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTTA3yJ1D2WybV4w8DiGiZl36fKeOXeMipZezaps3h0vjAn39hkT8gcBwTKa6yPbxbgGkT24PMnzDSxNUKCt-UclNjDuKF1i8d9OEwO_dMrKmmmFXIHCVyYWmEMMaIoOPUPvrA8wYjrA/s1600/DSC_1542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Market Magic... Rudesheim Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTTA3yJ1D2WybV4w8DiGiZl36fKeOXeMipZezaps3h0vjAn39hkT8gcBwTKa6yPbxbgGkT24PMnzDSxNUKCt-UclNjDuKF1i8d9OEwO_dMrKmmmFXIHCVyYWmEMMaIoOPUPvrA8wYjrA/s640/DSC_1542.JPG" title="Christmas Market Magic... Rudesheim Germany" width="418" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXRMc8NAC7qZubEUVLQPfy4pWaWy9MXRvKArVVQflU7p6emCvFOs4pWuZlNBr9N5SFrpcYF2sbMP_r7u8G4yzpH8keHlDIV9RL3-RAQcLDOak13TR80_vT6FhUl7VUX13HeWWzD1UR0w/s1600/DSC_1557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Market Magic... Rudesheim Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXRMc8NAC7qZubEUVLQPfy4pWaWy9MXRvKArVVQflU7p6emCvFOs4pWuZlNBr9N5SFrpcYF2sbMP_r7u8G4yzpH8keHlDIV9RL3-RAQcLDOak13TR80_vT6FhUl7VUX13HeWWzD1UR0w/s640/DSC_1557.JPG" title="Christmas Market Magic... Rudesheim Germany" width="480" /></a></div>
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The carved woodwork on the half timbered buildings is stunning, </div>
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when you add Christmas decorations it is magical. </div>
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I loved this tree made out of local wine boxes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwFAeUJRKMOkK3BxtxIJ6SssKWLH9lTLwQYVtIldSVzv0Ge2lvSTUFMs8wxFktfkYLhnTJHID0bZlfs8tqL77Ndf2dHzfa9Fl0bvGhgNsx7PmHAwG9fW3XFP9uCx5NTtQBU4k3QEbALY/s1600/DSC_1559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Market Magic... Rudesheim Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwFAeUJRKMOkK3BxtxIJ6SssKWLH9lTLwQYVtIldSVzv0Ge2lvSTUFMs8wxFktfkYLhnTJHID0bZlfs8tqL77Ndf2dHzfa9Fl0bvGhgNsx7PmHAwG9fW3XFP9uCx5NTtQBU4k3QEbALY/s640/DSC_1559.JPG" title="Christmas Market Magic... Rudesheim Germany" width="410" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1PfE2xRWT-jHrWXrOG6Sxy0ErTKOcc93JdABVVc0_hs5XCbqs3DGZCXaC57RVY7mpMKyHEEOqz5blT94gdNz0BiA8IhsDT-YOZDPt2hyphenhyphenRMQNSUCQjatY3iWSoHhPkF4S-b1ZFMa9ScA/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Market Magic...Nativity, Rudesheim Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1PfE2xRWT-jHrWXrOG6Sxy0ErTKOcc93JdABVVc0_hs5XCbqs3DGZCXaC57RVY7mpMKyHEEOqz5blT94gdNz0BiA8IhsDT-YOZDPt2hyphenhyphenRMQNSUCQjatY3iWSoHhPkF4S-b1ZFMa9ScA/s640/DSC_0045.JPG" title="Christmas Market Magic...Nativity, Rudesheim Germany" width="432" /></a></div>
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You can take the <a href="http://www.ruedesheim.de/en/see-discover/cable-car/" target="_blank">cable car </a>up to the Niederwald Monument for a fabulous view </div>
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over the valley and vineyards for €7 return. </div>
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Money well spent even on a chilly day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLVXZTKHfk0yI5HYmkawgdrURrv-7yuma6Kk2PpPOMUJBO7ZvcJkHJH-fwBAYywYNz8xsRv9-gsPWoBpOQXQOiaqzotmAtoSbA9_mpveBBz1pdhPV6pkjRXg_Q3DrLZvqttcqtqeUmj8/s1600/DSC_1661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Market Magic...Cable car, Rudesheim Germany" border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLVXZTKHfk0yI5HYmkawgdrURrv-7yuma6Kk2PpPOMUJBO7ZvcJkHJH-fwBAYywYNz8xsRv9-gsPWoBpOQXQOiaqzotmAtoSbA9_mpveBBz1pdhPV6pkjRXg_Q3DrLZvqttcqtqeUmj8/s640/DSC_1661.JPG" title="Christmas Market Magic...Cable car, Rudesheim Germany" width="640" /></a></div>
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Even Santa took the time for a ride</div>
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It is always a joy to soak up the festive atmosphere of a German Christmas Market, </div>
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hot cup of Gluhwein warming your hands, delicious warm food to keep you going.</div>
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Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-60250206527302968082015-11-12T05:55:00.000-08:002015-11-12T05:55:36.725-08:00Nature's hourglass, measuring out the final months of our expat life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The leaves in our forest are falling at an astonishing rate, </div>
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it feels like they are timing out our last weeks in Germany. </div>
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By the time the last leaf has blended in with the earth and Autumn has well and truly </div>
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become Winter, we will be on our way home to an Australian Summer.</div>
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Mixed seasons, mixed emotions, the forest tells us that time is moving along. </div>
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Excited to be moving home to Australia, yet sad to leave Germany and Europe on our doorstep. </div>
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Every expat knows the tearing of the heartstrings when it is time to move on, </div>
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"see ya later" parties, so many "last times" to come on our horizon.</div>
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I dread that last walk in our forest, last time we go on a local adventure, last day spent with friends.</div>
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We have had our last Spring, Summer and most of our last Autumn and </div>
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we won't see the end of our last Winter.</div>
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The "To Do" list seems to get longer rather than shorter, the bureaucracy of two Government Departments on opposite sides of the planet ensure getting our dog home is not a </div>
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"walk in the forest". Shipping contracts finally signed, school enrolments both ending and beginning.</div>
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Exactly two years ago we were in the process of finding schools and a home in Germany, </div>
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working through visas and paperwork, now we find ourselves organising our departure. </div>
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As the forest becomes bare, so does our home as furniture is sold off. </div>
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Life is being pared back, ready for new beginnings.</div>
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Our girls were children when we left and now will return as young women. </div>
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After living in China, England and Germany I think repatriation may be the most difficult of all. </div>
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Along with all the arrangements involved with finishing up and moving on we will make the most of our time left. We have Christmas Markets to visit, friends to adventure with, places to discover.</div>
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By the time the last leaf in our forest has fallen, all of our arrangements should be in place. </div>
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Eight weeks today we land "back home", Perth has changed, we have changed.</div>
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Will we fit in at home, or we feel out of place like the bright red leaf on the forest floor?</div>
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As the sun sets on our time as expats we will look forward with both excitement and trepidation.</div>
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One thing is for certain, the next few months will be one hell of a roller coaster ride, </div>
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lets hope we all jump off smiling!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLRFAD5Oqk0NEsW0Gj1JpdhS2TztmLbILBubGDAhOCmy-Q6xjPBis8R93bOvmrI8DnddLRiCEhBoPmE052c4sOfVRZSqxemWNJdtxm3n-eLp38rT9ChJ_A_lI55oVvgEzY6-SjXaa2ms/s1600/DSC_1061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Autumn in the forest, Frankfurt, Germany" border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLRFAD5Oqk0NEsW0Gj1JpdhS2TztmLbILBubGDAhOCmy-Q6xjPBis8R93bOvmrI8DnddLRiCEhBoPmE052c4sOfVRZSqxemWNJdtxm3n-eLp38rT9ChJ_A_lI55oVvgEzY6-SjXaa2ms/s640/DSC_1061.JPG" title="Autumn in the forest, Frankfurt, Germany" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-92194137035026746802015-11-08T07:59:00.002-08:002015-11-08T08:31:52.038-08:00Photo a Day - The great disappearing act of October!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wow, one minute October seemed to be ticking along nicely then suddenly...</div>
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we are a week into November. </div>
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Granted we had a road trip in the middle, I was taking my photos for my Photo a Day</div>
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but time was tight and we were just too busy enjoying life to </div>
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download on the road let alone post any photos.</div>
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We arrived home and got straight into 'moving home mode'!</div>
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Here is my dismal attempt at October!</div>
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As always the prompt of the day is in <span style="color: red;">red</span>, the photo and description is my take on the prompt!</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>1</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQFj6IyY47wsvc54mxGFJHwzM5N9JxxFKId4x8O5fdIt4FM3M5pGKdT77uos8YbrWIGBnx2gbRMGrXHKJ5u5hUmFfe16lAhNiPZAKLAh4-PNSBUIwogKJypzd-xfox3IPcJ2ifT_v6DY/s1600/1+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQFj6IyY47wsvc54mxGFJHwzM5N9JxxFKId4x8O5fdIt4FM3M5pGKdT77uos8YbrWIGBnx2gbRMGrXHKJ5u5hUmFfe16lAhNiPZAKLAh4-PNSBUIwogKJypzd-xfox3IPcJ2ifT_v6DY/s640/1+view.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>View</b></span></div>
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Today is National China Day, the memorial Day for the founding of </div>
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The People's Republic of China.</div>
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I just had to use a photo of my Shanghai for the prompt, </div>
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I hung out of a hotel window for this one!</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>2</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNt5UzCMP8O5_IjsWZ3eqcqTIxqoLkXSPIDGbNX5p3wgELS6I2D8fAGiBUmC-yBHT3KuzjVwHeW2OX0a-cYbUS0tTQw58lstnkX5Kmr3bV55Ppb20_J2-ayzg9jKeTrDpxgvDGfOjM-2k/s1600/2+Basic+Needs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNt5UzCMP8O5_IjsWZ3eqcqTIxqoLkXSPIDGbNX5p3wgELS6I2D8fAGiBUmC-yBHT3KuzjVwHeW2OX0a-cYbUS0tTQw58lstnkX5Kmr3bV55Ppb20_J2-ayzg9jKeTrDpxgvDGfOjM-2k/s640/2+Basic+Needs.JPG" width="520" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Basic Needs</b></span></div>
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Ralph's needs are basic - food, water...to drink and to play in...and a ball...always a ball close by!</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>3</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4b8ob_150nia-n1is7mSMtrAQo1mTst6gIWMNKkfANfbihkQCrK64Nr3qOAlxaeERDv5Ibi80Pm-qAB6Y_S1SJ0i9MgUyPVT56YDeYKfU0uZwN8ACcMWdpZZG-A3UDJn0Vu7d7B0ctDs/s1600/3+Crossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4b8ob_150nia-n1is7mSMtrAQo1mTst6gIWMNKkfANfbihkQCrK64Nr3qOAlxaeERDv5Ibi80Pm-qAB6Y_S1SJ0i9MgUyPVT56YDeYKfU0uZwN8ACcMWdpZZG-A3UDJn0Vu7d7B0ctDs/s640/3+Crossing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Crossing</b></span></div>
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Many people will be crossing over the River Main in Frankfurt over the weekend.</div>
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Frankfurt is hosting the Celebrations for Germany Unity Day. </div>
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Many events celebrating Germany's reunification, displays, concerts and exhibitions.</div>
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I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to live in wonderful Germany.</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>4</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTngKIxCh9vNDoTOKR7-z6HtV4eHOMvBnrbQ2gH8-pz4J9-RqMIyCpfUuptrh0fCFKzmvT-m5BsCKOoDPrXccRCzRcxcgzrTFv7QIE6K2AMXRbOI1eZ1iUpQPDatQzX6vHfjZUdVqoL6I/s1600/4+Basket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTngKIxCh9vNDoTOKR7-z6HtV4eHOMvBnrbQ2gH8-pz4J9-RqMIyCpfUuptrh0fCFKzmvT-m5BsCKOoDPrXccRCzRcxcgzrTFv7QIE6K2AMXRbOI1eZ1iUpQPDatQzX6vHfjZUdVqoL6I/s640/4+Basket.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Basket</b></span></div>
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I have all my eggs in one basket..oops!</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>5</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6atvq917mPABMehzqkSAnJVOpM0maEOkn3El24GqomyACws1_0FiOGUKGFc6GKVaanlA7TUHQjxoyJgef5K1xoFUw0kyhuYN8a_4J7ul_upJ7PcGptp0__wfjcAWPDwZ_ywPd2P0EP4/s1600/5+Needle+in+a+haystack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6atvq917mPABMehzqkSAnJVOpM0maEOkn3El24GqomyACws1_0FiOGUKGFc6GKVaanlA7TUHQjxoyJgef5K1xoFUw0kyhuYN8a_4J7ul_upJ7PcGptp0__wfjcAWPDwZ_ywPd2P0EP4/s640/5+Needle+in+a+haystack.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Needle in a haystack</b></span></div>
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I didn't find my "needle" in my "haystack".</div>
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I went into my forest to find a red and white mushroom to use...but this was as close as I could find.</div>
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It was quite the adventure, got stuck in mud and thought I would have to leave my shoes behind!</div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">6</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_HYH7oS9DJwd7wQHQ8yqESQL_pMeOcgh9eAUYSvPJxxCtERhWh28sn87IMoVUMtVmqvyN4-sNQSsFD8bL_E6wUh-TqntVc6qyKNcxyJzXv-eBfH_lq5Got8xBMFav5lAQNEOI-VOImQ/s1600/6+Scales.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_HYH7oS9DJwd7wQHQ8yqESQL_pMeOcgh9eAUYSvPJxxCtERhWh28sn87IMoVUMtVmqvyN4-sNQSsFD8bL_E6wUh-TqntVc6qyKNcxyJzXv-eBfH_lq5Got8xBMFav5lAQNEOI-VOImQ/s640/6+Scales.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Scales</b></span></div>
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Plenty of scales here!</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>7</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLykd7v-FE7C5T9Pa0xJojaq_k9sCvKr_l9xr5Vrd-oAPjX0vFPfEAexNYiNlAWhiCk5ScRiYPQ5kvNOyp4eqZFfc3mNN6tB8YiPg072M5WKrhGGWnMLq9NN88E9AsCessJRXMt70sDs/s1600/7+Pop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLykd7v-FE7C5T9Pa0xJojaq_k9sCvKr_l9xr5Vrd-oAPjX0vFPfEAexNYiNlAWhiCk5ScRiYPQ5kvNOyp4eqZFfc3mNN6tB8YiPg072M5WKrhGGWnMLq9NN88E9AsCessJRXMt70sDs/s640/7+Pop.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Things that pop</b></span></div>
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My village is popping with colour, this was the hedge in the car park today.</div>
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Crazy busy...haven't sat down...about to pop a cork for a well deserved wine!</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>8</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5q3245BFwtcPGc0UYLeEXkhRzUgVw48rYsDROAhtrR1fzGwpz1FyL0T9v_m1cxepTggRF6b1bHpEqafgyxVUGCWkZ-wnd3Ti6J533TxLbQ-07HuuZMYva6Vh592UMPpDZZ7g1f6_PHzM/s1600/8+Out+of+the+box.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5q3245BFwtcPGc0UYLeEXkhRzUgVw48rYsDROAhtrR1fzGwpz1FyL0T9v_m1cxepTggRF6b1bHpEqafgyxVUGCWkZ-wnd3Ti6J533TxLbQ-07HuuZMYva6Vh592UMPpDZZ7g1f6_PHzM/s640/8+Out+of+the+box.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Out of the box</b></span></div>
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My treasures came out of the box when we moved to Germany...</div>
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they go back in the box in January when we move home to Australia...</div>
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hope everything makes it in one piece.</div>
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Finally quotes sorted, shipper chosen, contract signed!</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>9</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqI0BewERhAcDaPwRiVY41d6Pkqf-bZN97nLLroQxGHMsvHVDRBjCQijFBDp6uMH1MGUMUn4u2k7eqrzpWGUIEhrcqDiS_HKR5BKjK7HqSzeqxvkHete06LR0j1vPQeN7nbvlp-6Lj4lc/s1600/9+Mirror+image.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqI0BewERhAcDaPwRiVY41d6Pkqf-bZN97nLLroQxGHMsvHVDRBjCQijFBDp6uMH1MGUMUn4u2k7eqrzpWGUIEhrcqDiS_HKR5BKjK7HqSzeqxvkHete06LR0j1vPQeN7nbvlp-6Lj4lc/s640/9+Mirror+image.JPG" width="434" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Mirror image</b></span></div>
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Canals in Utrecht, The Netherlands.</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>10</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicK5y9aR77SJkSQMX9sVikUdqYbD_5yGsB6OV5nYOVjH7hz2QvnuRhwQu4qLpS1kbb_t2L2zw76Ine06eT2YyO0sRFcvLnNE9Po-4yBPH-tXn5ktkUL008BZALvpBqft6rCXrG7_FYbeI/s1600/11+Just+like+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicK5y9aR77SJkSQMX9sVikUdqYbD_5yGsB6OV5nYOVjH7hz2QvnuRhwQu4qLpS1kbb_t2L2zw76Ine06eT2YyO0sRFcvLnNE9Po-4yBPH-tXn5ktkUL008BZALvpBqft6rCXrG7_FYbeI/s640/11+Just+like+me.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Just like me</b></span></div>
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I took a photo for this prompt on the day, but I found this and it is more like me...</div>
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a bit chubby, a bit cheeky, adventurous...and...just like me...Robin!</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>11</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6CDnZ0jTWlDwMjhQTrzwDYT5TV6rnKb5Zl4HtRLSwUVZ3BBuqr4v6YpTrE8ATmTgLkS5-zlHY89AzO5PFgg4Iu88FFlOYnZALZpf4CXl_CGH0mroEm5y_dUODnzlx8tw07Uhg7ToOfI/s1600/12+Taste+of+life.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6CDnZ0jTWlDwMjhQTrzwDYT5TV6rnKb5Zl4HtRLSwUVZ3BBuqr4v6YpTrE8ATmTgLkS5-zlHY89AzO5PFgg4Iu88FFlOYnZALZpf4CXl_CGH0mroEm5y_dUODnzlx8tw07Uhg7ToOfI/s640/12+Taste+of+life.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Taste of Life</b></span></div>
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I love to travel, it gives you a taste of life in another place.</div>
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This is the beach in Christchurch, Dorset, England.</div>
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We popped down for the day when we lived in England, </div>
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an eight hour round trip...we wanted to see the sea.</div>
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We are off on another adventure ..our last European road trip </div>
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before we head home to Australia. </div>
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Ten days, four countries over 5 000 kilometres, at least 40 hours in the car!</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>12</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqODWlmKHg3dpTHbzxXG-Qsv2smn59-0dHcEh2LMJwZdU6ZsOEX-0ajLbIuGV4ldc88KgMLe-o7O2j_pYsuujGgHsa0IHiuqAeWmTRE6VOXh_bhcEfuFDzG4hoTp5IaUymjnhhyINovM/s1600/13+HDR.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqODWlmKHg3dpTHbzxXG-Qsv2smn59-0dHcEh2LMJwZdU6ZsOEX-0ajLbIuGV4ldc88KgMLe-o7O2j_pYsuujGgHsa0IHiuqAeWmTRE6VOXh_bhcEfuFDzG4hoTp5IaUymjnhhyINovM/s640/13+HDR.JPG" width="436" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>HDR</b></span></div>
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Windmill and a bright blue sky...Sweden!</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>15</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtQn1rEkBO_xFLjZ7Q-7EGdc0HV0g-doCT8wLyLonqkZZgnxlTj8ky60XcoHRyNmZaZuftRe08K6pDyM9HZV-iCCK84ZnBB2WeiY62AsgZSVybgpzx12eqlR0fTYkpcAxHVqUhXJ3YeU/s1600/11214253_10154515132153881_5409990734335204986_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtQn1rEkBO_xFLjZ7Q-7EGdc0HV0g-doCT8wLyLonqkZZgnxlTj8ky60XcoHRyNmZaZuftRe08K6pDyM9HZV-iCCK84ZnBB2WeiY62AsgZSVybgpzx12eqlR0fTYkpcAxHVqUhXJ3YeU/s640/11214253_10154515132153881_5409990734335204986_n.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Under</b></span></div>
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Under the Eiffel Tower in Paris on my birthday 15.10.15.</div>
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First stop on our European Road Trip</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>28</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MJ33MiX3WgdwWGeAYHvsK_kkTM29WjgicFlXixNqzYMVwsJtaXRvSYtnB3ox9escdiLP_eyqi7FRFvk-4m80dsM2m6mTVCyg12bTawWqrdq3KrnZxBWlqqJS9Gf8yaxfXjU9Wb6NAHw/s1600/28+Always+with+me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MJ33MiX3WgdwWGeAYHvsK_kkTM29WjgicFlXixNqzYMVwsJtaXRvSYtnB3ox9escdiLP_eyqi7FRFvk-4m80dsM2m6mTVCyg12bTawWqrdq3KrnZxBWlqqJS9Gf8yaxfXjU9Wb6NAHw/s640/28+Always+with+me.JPG" width="468" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>With me</b></span></div>
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Ralph is nearly always with me, my little shadow.</div>
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Working on getting him home to Australia is a full time job, </div>
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working with two government departments on opposite sides of the planet.</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>29</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJM8MRSiUWhlFdVmbs1q_ggAxLiGiZ5_O1IiuFAOpnW0rn5HGhp9PFacBNBVKJfptnDRwu8WqC0PVEZFZ4gb_BGYs5Hu91zPbVoZEg8FzojuTOaMWqaWQsscVFlge3iBVLBgCNI-Dpa90/s1600/New+folder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJM8MRSiUWhlFdVmbs1q_ggAxLiGiZ5_O1IiuFAOpnW0rn5HGhp9PFacBNBVKJfptnDRwu8WqC0PVEZFZ4gb_BGYs5Hu91zPbVoZEg8FzojuTOaMWqaWQsscVFlge3iBVLBgCNI-Dpa90/s640/New+folder.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Passage of Time</b></span></div>
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My forest is showing the passage of time.</div>
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First shot was taken 14 October, just before we left for our European adventure.</div>
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The second was taken just as we arrived home just ten days later.</div>
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Our passage of time in Germany is coming to an end.</div>
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The logistics of getting home are overwhelming at the moment and I </div>
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need to dedicate my time to the big move...Photo a Day</div>
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has to take a back seat for now, but will return!</div>
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<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665692676567666174.post-28158441666042942112015-11-07T07:53:00.000-08:002015-11-07T07:58:11.059-08:00Favourite things about living smack bang in the middle of Europe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of my favourite things about living smack bang in the middle of Europe..is a family road trip! </div>
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Pack the car, jump in and head off on an adventure. </div>
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We have had weekends in Prague, been to Berlin for a concert, </div>
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gone into France for Lunch and have just returned</div>
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from a fabulous ten day, 5000 kilometre, four country holiday.</div>
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I come from the most isolated city in the world, Perth, Western Australia</div>
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where it is over 1500 kilometres just to drive out of our state. </div>
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To discover other countries, cultures and food on the road is such a treat!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiRxgbdtETePUgXBK8TFceGyG24IziS0z4vx-ZAx9lT6WKgjPsM082JF1YN5a1dis6PB6M1Xx4lXOu35RDyDSthXwzn7SgOSg5yeSkFWof9Ac3LFviG98LDkYYv90fMKR5cMpCr0becQ/s1600/0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Aussies on a road trip" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiRxgbdtETePUgXBK8TFceGyG24IziS0z4vx-ZAx9lT6WKgjPsM082JF1YN5a1dis6PB6M1Xx4lXOu35RDyDSthXwzn7SgOSg5yeSkFWof9Ac3LFviG98LDkYYv90fMKR5cMpCr0becQ/s640/0.JPG" title="Aussies on a road trip" width="416" /></a></div>
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First stop was Paris, our eldest daughter had never been and we could not possibly move back to Australia without a family day in Paris.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktdRNsF3gi5o8T3kPAXElFY_TrZTz1NbgH8iaNGn69fGzucML5Zk9xO0rtUphY79B-piJ2NR443IpP96cCLwIHvIAU0BrWRzIAaLcnvfb89lNin_rPUYDslL3iPnWG3ygE0VgIZ__FNc/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Eiffel Tower, Paris, France" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktdRNsF3gi5o8T3kPAXElFY_TrZTz1NbgH8iaNGn69fGzucML5Zk9xO0rtUphY79B-piJ2NR443IpP96cCLwIHvIAU0BrWRzIAaLcnvfb89lNin_rPUYDslL3iPnWG3ygE0VgIZ__FNc/s640/1.JPG" title="Eiffel Tower, Paris, France" width="422" /></a></div>
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It was my birthday, and what better treat than Laduree Macarons under the Eiffel Tower!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4O-ARV3xSQHfF2Et_9nA2bTvCWl9D7LEjm-O-wkaqg9e-2a_HG7u1-aB-SBsmOKTNXQss3wLf9nkcqlgbCD5fJ5B9I1HpKQBDxQo0b-5-Wx5ShTPWQZpkrXTjCCsbdbvHWStNltwjkJo/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Laduree Macarons, Eiffel Tower, Paris, France" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4O-ARV3xSQHfF2Et_9nA2bTvCWl9D7LEjm-O-wkaqg9e-2a_HG7u1-aB-SBsmOKTNXQss3wLf9nkcqlgbCD5fJ5B9I1HpKQBDxQo0b-5-Wx5ShTPWQZpkrXTjCCsbdbvHWStNltwjkJo/s640/3.JPG" title="Laduree Macarons, Eiffel Tower, Paris, France" width="620" /></a></div>
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Next stop was Bordeaux, what a fantastic city which we would have missed if we had just flown to our final destination...beautiful blue skies greeted us.</div>
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We walked the streets, had a Bordeaux...or two...in Bordeaux.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWUv3taMIVScOByhHigsY5KL4-xZ8wdAB2gkNW_JU_aSYbdXs9NYUVkDELytjtKYVqF_EvKIuIsHizwffN4o_x9X0b3iVials5scNXY_qJAg_htdt9Q0J4gmwK6XGDLDjEmRBvRMHxWQ/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWUv3taMIVScOByhHigsY5KL4-xZ8wdAB2gkNW_JU_aSYbdXs9NYUVkDELytjtKYVqF_EvKIuIsHizwffN4o_x9X0b3iVials5scNXY_qJAg_htdt9Q0J4gmwK6XGDLDjEmRBvRMHxWQ/s640/4.JPG" width="414" /></a></div>
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When in France, eat macarons...the Creme Brulee macaron in Bordeaux was exceptional!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMNB8qUpmR7_BEwNR3o176ic6NLfpPT4dxlhnsLbabBTtr6EMz4RVHCGRMY5SB-BdEPaOISwUvznREHKp5otkG7FQa2f3sFMsNGtPXf3ygnnsxoKpPxhdgUD4Hbwbh4vYLTNi3vE2QJc/s1600/4a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Creme Brulee Macaron, Bordeaux, France" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMNB8qUpmR7_BEwNR3o176ic6NLfpPT4dxlhnsLbabBTtr6EMz4RVHCGRMY5SB-BdEPaOISwUvznREHKp5otkG7FQa2f3sFMsNGtPXf3ygnnsxoKpPxhdgUD4Hbwbh4vYLTNi3vE2QJc/s640/4a.JPG" title="Creme Brulee Macaron, Bordeaux, France" width="640" /></a></div>
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We discovered the Best. Market. Ever! </div>
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Marche de Quais, so much fresh, local produce, vibrant, alive.</div>
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Six freshly shucked oysters and a glass of white wine for €6...yes please.</div>
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Locals shopping for the freshest veggies, meat prepared to order, the most gorgeous seafood. </div>
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Lots of tapas, crepes and local treats on offer!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEB-qlne778gafeCYLVS0MMl8R06V7ZUC-XzIR_tm_4TwpTznDulyG8kp5kssuwcQCE3VTrvM1_WHcq1Uv5xxtbOcEknBNd9O1Nu8MaMfASWH6fuMZtXQMY9-RQxroe-YxDgzU0jGDN4/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Marche de Quais, Bordeaux, France" border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEB-qlne778gafeCYLVS0MMl8R06V7ZUC-XzIR_tm_4TwpTznDulyG8kp5kssuwcQCE3VTrvM1_WHcq1Uv5xxtbOcEknBNd9O1Nu8MaMfASWH6fuMZtXQMY9-RQxroe-YxDgzU0jGDN4/s640/6.JPG" title="Marche de Quais, Bordeaux, France" width="640" /></a></div>
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Next stop was San Sebastian, Spain!</div>
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None of us had ever been to Spain before so it was wonderful to discover a new culture together, </div>
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so lovely wandering around the old town.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJoZ_i3ARuxvQRBD0-lDvih0M02eR_29hb1fJp2ZQWU4jz0l9FmIn9CRjNKFLjusSF1-UC2eP6AKI13BQpKzp_6NkANAS4w7gDyqUTpcS-My2yiok9Mkl6gAfZPUHPzoK5GPMwghyWRQ/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="San Sebastian, Spain" border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJoZ_i3ARuxvQRBD0-lDvih0M02eR_29hb1fJp2ZQWU4jz0l9FmIn9CRjNKFLjusSF1-UC2eP6AKI13BQpKzp_6NkANAS4w7gDyqUTpcS-My2yiok9Mkl6gAfZPUHPzoK5GPMwghyWRQ/s640/7.JPG" title="San Sebastian, Spain" width="640" /></a></div>
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Stopping off at tapas bars for some taste sensations, soaking up the atmosphere.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgAkvyV0uoJvkkqLt_UDGsVatnIRxLx4JADcwMJhFJ-IjuV5Gi3HRRxzEO6WLXielunoIzK2VCndERTZoYAlYBaNFE1PV9XUW8aqcJ_hR5RdzKsJ9kWQA8X4mHzbPdQa_gkreDgf5Y3Q/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tapas heaven, San Sebastian, Spain" border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgAkvyV0uoJvkkqLt_UDGsVatnIRxLx4JADcwMJhFJ-IjuV5Gi3HRRxzEO6WLXielunoIzK2VCndERTZoYAlYBaNFE1PV9XUW8aqcJ_hR5RdzKsJ9kWQA8X4mHzbPdQa_gkreDgf5Y3Q/s640/8.JPG" title="Tapas heaven, San Sebastian, Spain" width="640" /></a></div>
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Small morsels of Pintxos/tapas to delight the taste buds!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwjNgfa3kMgVSWopCJV8Lf-NdAzesULTQOiVyQK6m-32qCYDN1e6fH0pbtNpQ26NVK5LQr5f4fd5D0NmhE2LqS9S56CTQ5QK_Ic89lVd8Kgu8t5EwpiQEmKwS_k1Z5s_HEryqPSTFIIo/s1600/8a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tapas heaven, San Sebastian, Spain" border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwjNgfa3kMgVSWopCJV8Lf-NdAzesULTQOiVyQK6m-32qCYDN1e6fH0pbtNpQ26NVK5LQr5f4fd5D0NmhE2LqS9S56CTQ5QK_Ic89lVd8Kgu8t5EwpiQEmKwS_k1Z5s_HEryqPSTFIIo/s640/8a.jpg" title="Tapas heaven, San Sebastian, Spain" width="640" /></a></div>
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A stunning place to reawaken the senses after a long drive, </div>
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there is nothing like the smell of salt in the air to make you feel alive.</div>
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San Sebastian, you have made me want to return to Spain and explore... </div>
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I will return for longer than a day next time!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDXQr-OPUBk4IHNG0EAed8f796Ya46qiyYwjtek0RwPbHEaBuyQhK2NgaCnvXpycTd_D8wPluN7GIz4PxeQQ8xaU2weAizecc6CzDAJwV9VhmWuMXwaiRvp-2cYJ0RNYw3LHSlkSL8_s/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="San Sebastian, Spain" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDXQr-OPUBk4IHNG0EAed8f796Ya46qiyYwjtek0RwPbHEaBuyQhK2NgaCnvXpycTd_D8wPluN7GIz4PxeQQ8xaU2weAizecc6CzDAJwV9VhmWuMXwaiRvp-2cYJ0RNYw3LHSlkSL8_s/s640/9.JPG" title="San Sebastian, Spain" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our final destination...Lisbon, Portugal.</div>
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Our friends had just moved there and considering both families had previously met up in six other countries, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, England, China and Germany, </div>
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we just had to add Portugal to the list.</div>
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We scored a second summer, warm days full of sunshine and blue skies.</div>
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So much rich history to discover, friendly locals.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8X4FSns0svMuLxJSEqbWGne7hYJoG8g3lipGXlnrrxx3-Zp_l8x0M4J-uBKH0MObIY8cb9rJ0_nsK7DdHEQPhiXp4HU3bbp9-pBVYrtnRpwUR1hXoWAjyedRiLd6FTs7I6w5GxhV7Yg/s1600/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Belem Tower, Lisbon, Portugal" border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8X4FSns0svMuLxJSEqbWGne7hYJoG8g3lipGXlnrrxx3-Zp_l8x0M4J-uBKH0MObIY8cb9rJ0_nsK7DdHEQPhiXp4HU3bbp9-pBVYrtnRpwUR1hXoWAjyedRiLd6FTs7I6w5GxhV7Yg/s640/11.JPG" title="Belem Tower, Lisbon, Portugal" width="640" /></a></div>
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Amazing fresh food, this still warm from the oven, Portuguese Custard Tart</div>
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was absolutely divine, I may have sampled a few of these in my time in Lisbon.</div>
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It would be rude not to!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdVojuyOZXufQANYZllIuamEMpjBLQAVpHqBPNFAcvjtV9Epfob_CPcE6DQ0qc3213FKV0qRYLiTTwfA8PnEhxLWIORk83nuG_d4L4VGuh9mocjLW1vXT7jrDCzL9x5OW1NXx54LpnrA/s1600/12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Portuguese Custard Tart, Sintra, Portugal " border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdVojuyOZXufQANYZllIuamEMpjBLQAVpHqBPNFAcvjtV9Epfob_CPcE6DQ0qc3213FKV0qRYLiTTwfA8PnEhxLWIORk83nuG_d4L4VGuh9mocjLW1vXT7jrDCzL9x5OW1NXx54LpnrA/s640/12.JPG" title="Portuguese Custard Tart, Sintra, Portugal " width="640" /></a></div>
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I may have sampled a local wine, with a view!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIx1_0Sm16kGAGt42bWk9VyiT__RNU1aaE3cpc_Xr6Aa3u3gJuRSwAAgciyAqOHLeWjlorL7qMxl_YGexBvWRv3j1GOkYhYnl-fro5i5S4auNv68kKHqCC5gdC4aypmb6MRnvCS8a1Plg/s1600/14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wine with a View, Belem, Portugal" border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIx1_0Sm16kGAGt42bWk9VyiT__RNU1aaE3cpc_Xr6Aa3u3gJuRSwAAgciyAqOHLeWjlorL7qMxl_YGexBvWRv3j1GOkYhYnl-fro5i5S4auNv68kKHqCC5gdC4aypmb6MRnvCS8a1Plg/s640/14.JPG" title="Wine with a View, Belem, Portugal" width="640" /></a></div>
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Discovered graffiti in the coastal village of Cascais.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIWQ0ROisOy4scZveOKbORkeJjqey1b9i-J1UIfBI962v7UJ-vG8HDTliAA01kF-9vJsvkp7EuUGGSJNqgGw45NCHvmO5KlsmONPVYgv589BrHSdR1xbUfe_0a7UIXb5kz7cu_L6cEc4/s1600/15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Graffiti Cascais, Portugal" border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIWQ0ROisOy4scZveOKbORkeJjqey1b9i-J1UIfBI962v7UJ-vG8HDTliAA01kF-9vJsvkp7EuUGGSJNqgGw45NCHvmO5KlsmONPVYgv589BrHSdR1xbUfe_0a7UIXb5kz7cu_L6cEc4/s640/15.JPG" title="Graffiti Cascais, Portugal" width="640" /></a></div>
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A working fishing village, it reminded me of my home town of Fremantle </div>
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but with way more history.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjts0qcpm0czxpDIGck4RwRRpVfTsJDrndSQEZkOCxnGbM4UCCL_vH79lZzL2yJWzj1-sI_ycYKFVMMqm9Tnnn2ZtNNsdR0invLMB3G52C6Vr9-VkDNmbDXsKlvhFFaEFJTbRD-vhyphenhyphenIQdw/s1600/16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Boat, Cascais, Portugal" border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjts0qcpm0czxpDIGck4RwRRpVfTsJDrndSQEZkOCxnGbM4UCCL_vH79lZzL2yJWzj1-sI_ycYKFVMMqm9Tnnn2ZtNNsdR0invLMB3G52C6Vr9-VkDNmbDXsKlvhFFaEFJTbRD-vhyphenhyphenIQdw/s640/16.JPG" title="Boat, Cascais, Portugal" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowOREJHK9ZDWlq-3uJcbjTAXqvkkZGwI31H8vn3YCrHH8SbsDqIbwFM8QOx3iQJyUOA4bCV6DnrwcBbT607NgvAPWRSc653KGmoIQpDcddbhyFl3tn7JjBZCWaygoM3V0lrj24BIomYA/s1600/17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Harbour, Cascais, Portugal" border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowOREJHK9ZDWlq-3uJcbjTAXqvkkZGwI31H8vn3YCrHH8SbsDqIbwFM8QOx3iQJyUOA4bCV6DnrwcBbT607NgvAPWRSc653KGmoIQpDcddbhyFl3tn7JjBZCWaygoM3V0lrj24BIomYA/s640/17.JPG" title="Harbour, Cascais, Portugal" width="640" /></a></div>
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We spent a wonderful day, discovering the city of Lisbon, wandering the back streets, </div>
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soaking up the history, the monuments and architecture.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqpdAO_hbEZNSU8_iUyPaIMJL_nuoNKyRv1p2_aTZPc36tndE1cgpywQ_LaXOOgeZwde-g6r4zc3o8R1SNgan7f1hY5-flxs4_xma12_A6R9ziF_WHSywzKF1TVGBLdaoXnHq7GtKTp0/s1600/18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lisbon Street, Portugal" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqpdAO_hbEZNSU8_iUyPaIMJL_nuoNKyRv1p2_aTZPc36tndE1cgpywQ_LaXOOgeZwde-g6r4zc3o8R1SNgan7f1hY5-flxs4_xma12_A6R9ziF_WHSywzKF1TVGBLdaoXnHq7GtKTp0/s640/18.JPG" title="Lisbon Street, Portugal" width="432" /></a></div>
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We discovered another castle!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_PybEDHbrJM1SCcZG2U7jPFH9Fp05SYlq_CPjHV1S59ii5buWY3OkUqk5ZPhShxlavjPnvX4P0EwptOw8yfmn6SxDgHTI_G5RAhle5pD1F6rYldXzz6-vfri1vhsYxeKxcOKIaTxs1o/s1600/19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Saint George's Castle, Lisbon, Portugal" border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_PybEDHbrJM1SCcZG2U7jPFH9Fp05SYlq_CPjHV1S59ii5buWY3OkUqk5ZPhShxlavjPnvX4P0EwptOw8yfmn6SxDgHTI_G5RAhle5pD1F6rYldXzz6-vfri1vhsYxeKxcOKIaTxs1o/s640/19.JPG" title="Saint George's Castle, Lisbon, Portugal" width="640" /></a></div>
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We enjoyed gazing over the beautiful city of Lisbon, vowed to return.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd51c4QUuCz7-aNSkbLEZatbeJwTJjYj7u00c1XqvyJHkwXFHiiqR2Q7zuCqPKLy2iApfrNoWFhWvAN1Xahu7pLWEdhbb2FwjGUVsWGyHEfmT5DNFU23n3n1jtx3o03s4zyOvF0mz7Q2c/s1600/DSC_1423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lisbon, Portugal" border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd51c4QUuCz7-aNSkbLEZatbeJwTJjYj7u00c1XqvyJHkwXFHiiqR2Q7zuCqPKLy2iApfrNoWFhWvAN1Xahu7pLWEdhbb2FwjGUVsWGyHEfmT5DNFU23n3n1jtx3o03s4zyOvF0mz7Q2c/s640/DSC_1423.JPG" title="Lisbon, Portugal" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our long drive home was awash with spectacular colour.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lYoCDEgOBD5Pn_LjSKetd0YeUIqdsMhx5cZTVQQP3iaAJM1w7XeX9cC-oZgbrlwodX4dVbvYkqf2wt05W0CVOwYDE75og40MR9MT8qReKLxSeLYelQf4c5QGuFa5Xj5RGRFvdvv24ic/s1600/20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Autumn Leaves, France" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lYoCDEgOBD5Pn_LjSKetd0YeUIqdsMhx5cZTVQQP3iaAJM1w7XeX9cC-oZgbrlwodX4dVbvYkqf2wt05W0CVOwYDE75og40MR9MT8qReKLxSeLYelQf4c5QGuFa5Xj5RGRFvdvv24ic/s640/20.JPG" title="Autumn Leaves, France" width="414" /></a></div>
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...and at the end of our drive, our favourite forest welcomed us</div>
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home with the wonderful foliage of Autumn!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdk5wVaIcsgTCVR-x6KWnHMptSR1kaPNs6yRcvk4jTW5usXv7u5-R_b-4SF0HEN2q6L2sNsTFHI7_MXujJ0vLlGe9bbMDAUrKsdoXSku43KEcqSFYoxOcACRr7xM4HFvE40V5432J-Rcs/s1600/21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Autumn Leaves, Frankfurt, Germany" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdk5wVaIcsgTCVR-x6KWnHMptSR1kaPNs6yRcvk4jTW5usXv7u5-R_b-4SF0HEN2q6L2sNsTFHI7_MXujJ0vLlGe9bbMDAUrKsdoXSku43KEcqSFYoxOcACRr7xM4HFvE40V5432J-Rcs/s640/21.JPG" title="Autumn Leaves, Frankfurt, Germany" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311812638721217915noreply@blogger.com6