Una Casa Abruzzese, and Two Aussies - Dutch Family

30 Jun to 5 Jul, 2022 - Goes, Ellewoutsdijk, Amsterdam, Heerhugowaard, Leiden, Nieuwegen, Utrecht, Best - (The Netherlands)



The pace was far more hectic than either of us would have chosen, but trying to arrange visits with family at times which suited each household did add a difficulty factor to the planning.

A significant reason to come to NL was to bring a tiny urn of my father's ashes to his land of birth. On a cold and blustery summer morning (yes, I said it right), we reunited him with Zeeland.

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With Ronald, and Cousin Inez
Inez is the about the only cousin on my father's side of the family with whom we have any contact. We stayed with them in Goes, close to where my father was born and grew up.


Stefan and Joep
Breakfast time.


Goes


Returning my Father to Ellewoutsdijk
So, we had a very small amount of my Dad's ashes in a tiny urn, which we decided to bring to his home town of Ellewoutsdijk. In classic Zeeland fashion, the blustery wind brought some cold rain showers, adding an appropriate atmosphere to the occasion. So we left him there, on the dike, where he would have played as a child and first dreamt of taking to the sea.


Dinner, Abcoude
Dinner with Oom Jan, cousin Vera, and her kids Tessa and Dion


Cat joins an Exhausted Tessa
During our long evening, Tessa slipped off to sleep. The cat decided she would be comfortable.


Breakfast at Vera's
With Dion, Tessa, and Nick.


Street Artist Sand Sculpture
In the street, Leiden, the guy was making a most extraordinary sand sculpture. A real dog came over and sniffed a little apprehensively at it.


Leiden Waterways


Catch up with Sharon
Sharon, a friend from years ago in Melbourne. Currently living in her home country, she came to Leiden to meet us for lunch, a walk, and plenty of eating and drinking.


Leiden Canal and Windmill


Cousin Daan, with Bobbie


Utrecht Central Library
Formerly the post office, this magnificent public space was a fun place to spend an hour or so. Lots of nooks to explore, and details only noticed when looking through a room for the third or fourth time. Although the building pre dates the period, the overall feel was quite Art Deco (although some features did make me think more along the lines of Art Nouveau).


Bitterballen with Rianne
A classic Dutch accompaniment to any drink. Crumbed and fried beefy balls. So tasty.


No Denying which Country we are in.
Canal trip in Utrecht.


Pre dinner


Afghan restaurant


Tante Riet with Jo
Between eating and drinking at various establishments.


Marc, Jo, Wim
Best was our last stop for the Netherlands. We flew out of Eindhoven, back to Rome.

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Una Casa Abruzzese, and Two Aussies - German Visits

20 to 30 Jun, 2022 - Prague, Cheb, Auerbach, Erfurt, Frankfurt, Friedrichsdorf - (Czech, Germany)



With a possible return to Australia looming, it seemed that Jo's birthday was a great excuse to head out of Italy. We started with a bargain flight to Prague, and four days in Czech.

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Prague's Beautiful Astronomical Clock
This clock shows: Modern time (24 hours, set on Central European Time) Ancient Bohemian Time (24 hours from sunset every day, so changes day by day) Unequal Hours (when the day and night were divided into 12 each, meaning the length changes day by day, and is different from day to night) Position of sun and moon in sky. How much day / night to expect today, with sunrise and sunset readable. Phase of the moon. The calendar dial shows the day of the month and year, and which zodiac sign is current. And every hour, animated statues of the apostles come out.


Charles Bridge, Prague


Tower Restaurant
Restaurant Zvonice occupies the 7th and 8th floors of a historic Prague tower. A wonderfully decadent way to celebrate Jo's birthday.


Birthday Celebration Dinner


B'n'B View over Cheb


Cheb, from the Tower in Cheb Castle


Wooden Covered Bridge
A delightful bridge, over the Ohře river, in Cheb.


Cheb - Main Square
Cheb in the western part of Czech, was a convenient stop on our journey from Prague to our friends in Germany. Much less touristy than Prague, and consequently much cheaper. Still, though, it oozed charm and character. It was a great town for a night on our journey across.

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Many train journeys were appended to each other to allow us to hop across Germany. Each stop was chosen on the basis of catching up with friends. We ate, we laughed, we drank, and we reconnected.

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Kerkermeister
The Kerdermeister building. Our friends, Adam and Annett, occupy a large part of this historic building in the centre of Auerbach. Slowly, they are increasing the number of rooms available for rent in the pension. Adam runs his language school, which at times includes cooking lessons, and these happen here as well. We pray their businesses and endeavours in this building will be truly blessed.


Adam Finds his inner Villain
We hope none of the buttons really bring death and destruction. Unlikely, as it was in a disused historic part of an old brewery, but I guess you never really know. Adam and Annett brought us here on the pretence of doing a tour. What they withheld was the fact that Adam was to be our tour guide. He was contacted and asked if he would do the occasional tour in English - he jumped at the opportunity. This day, it was a private tour.


Tasting Platter of Beers
What better way to finish a brewery tour than with multiple examples of the product.


At the Top of the Church Tower
We ascended the tower for the view. Adam had arranged for us to gain access, at the same time as some of the members of the church also ascended. They set up their music stands, and they played hymns. It was so beautiful in the afternoon light, with the extensive views, with the music pouring out over the town.


Descending
Coming down the St Laurentius tower.


Breakfast, Kerkermeister Style


Lake Excursion, with Adam and Annett


Adam's Office
Adam's office, workspace, and classroom. Another beautiful space in the Kerkermeister building.


Krämerbrücke, Erfurt
Known as the Merchant's bridge, it is billed as the "longest series of inhabited buildings on a bridge, in Europe'. Make of that what you will.


Jo in Markt
Frankfurt.


Frankfurt Dinner
Pork Knuckle and a Schnitzel. That;s the food, not our nick names…


Frankfurt Square
Römerberg timber houses to the left. Frankfurter Römer to the right. Alte Nikolaikirche behind. Fountain of Justice in the middle.


Enjoying a Stein
Town square, Frankfurt, with an afternoon beer. Perfect.


Late
This is what you end up with when you leave taking a photo until it is too dark. With Marlene and Dirk in Friedrichsdorf.

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Una Casa Abruzzese, and Two Aussies - Involvement

14 May to 19 Jun, 2022 - Bomba (and surrounds), Vasto, Pennadomo, Scanno, Roccascalegna - (Italy)



Kristy came to visit for almost a week. With no agenda, and no particular list of places to go, we were able to squeeze in a number of local highlights and show some of the best of the area. It was a very pleasant way to host a guest. Kristy lived with us for some time a number of years ago in Richmond, and we also spent a couple weeks on the road with her in Paraguay and Brasil at one point.

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Kristy and Jo, Vasto
Vasto is a nice city, with a great old town feel, good dining options, and a cool breeze from high on the hill above the ocean.


From Pennadomo
On the rock peak, above Pennadomo. Looking back at Bomba and its lake.


Obligatory Stop
We do have such a fondness of this spot with this wonderful angle of the castle of Roccascalegna. Every visitor must expect we will come to this bend in the road!


Kristy and Jo at Lago di Scanno
A selfie for the two girls with the heart of Lake Scanno. For a little while it seemed they were not going to make it, as they came from the wrong direction and doggedly had to make their way through the undergrowth.

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Over the top of this, life continued to tick over in Bomba.

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San Mauro
San Mauro is carried from the church in Bomba to the sanctuary below. This is the weekend of the feast of San Mauro.


The Faithful
Many walk ahead of the saint, while the stronger and able bodied men walk alongside the saint, swapping every few hundred metres to share the load.


Bringing San Mauro into the Sanctuary


Another Community Day
Held at the next town around, a day to collect rubbish from the lake shores.


Visiting Roccascalegna


Designs on the Streets


Roccascalegna Flower Festival
Images on the streets made predominantly with flower petals.

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Una Casa Abruzzese, and Two Aussies - Pink

19 Apr to 13 May, 2022 - Bomba (and surrounds), Torino - (Italy)

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Another Day, Another Photo of Maiella


A Mural for Bomba, Courtesy of Perry
This fantastic portrait of former Bomba resident Silvio Spaventa was completed just in time for his 200th birthday. Current Bomba resident, Perry Sullivan, worked hard to ensure it was ready. I really like the style he has used to honour this former politician and journalist.

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It seems there is a clear divide with few taking the middle ground. There are those who are jealous we went to Eurovision, and those who scratch their heads in bewilderment. When it first dawned on us that going to Eurovision was a real possibility, with Italy hosting it for 2022, we investigated. We assumed the opportunity had been missed. We thought we had left it too late. No, we registered, and then forgot. Suddenly, out of the blue, we received an email announcing ticket sales were coming up. On the designated morning, at the prescribed time, the two of us were madly clicking in and out of screens, using multiple devices, watching tickets disappear as soon as we selected them. Obviously thousands of others were doing likewise, as tickets which were all gone came back and then went away again. Suddenly, Jo had two tickets held. A countdown kept us on our toes, with a time required to complete registration, payment, authorisation codes sent to phones and emails, but we did it.

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Our Reason for Coming to Turin
Getting tickets was no mean feat. I was in queues on multiple devices, and suddenly Jo had luck on her computer, and we didn't have long to think about if we were happy with the seating or that performance, we just knew if we turned them down, we would be unlikely to get another pair.


Waiting for the Show to Begin
In our seats, Eurovision styled.


We were Rapt with our Seats
Only a few rows back, behind the "green room" on the floor of the arena. Eurovision was an experience so much fuller than any broadcast version could possibly be.


Aussie Aussie Aussie
Sheldon Riley performing, representing Australia in Eurovision. We were astounded at the amount of Australian representation in the crowd. Everywhere we looked, we could pick out Aussie flags. So awesome to see so many out there supporting our entry.


We Loved the Eurovision Staging

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While in town, a bit of sight seeing was certainly not out of the question.

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Typical Turin


Pink is the New Black
It is hard, sometimes, being such a trend setter.


Mole Antonelliana
The iconic 19th century landmark building of Turin.


Espresso Jo
Taking a break during our visit to the Lavazza Coffee museum.


Lunching on Local Specialities
We found a great atmosphere at a restaurant along a portico. We had come armed with a list of "must try" foods, that a Bomba friend had equipped Jo with. OK, so we didn't try them all, but three of them did find their way on to our table for subsequent demolishing.


Piazza San Carlo in Torino
An atmospheric historical square, surrounded by 17th century Baroque buildings.

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