HOLIDAYS IN EUROPE

Chris and Bob have just spent just over five weeks in Europe -the itinerary included 1.5 weeks in London with Rachel, Adrian and Jamie. There was plenty of time for pub lunches and walks in the park when the weather was kindly.

walking along the Thames at Windsor

checking out the pubs at Windsor

Followed by a week in France that included - Eurostar from London to Paris, a hire car from Gare de Nord to Trepail, a week in a Gite in Trepail owned by Sylvie Gerard-Maizieres, visits to Epernay, Reims and Troyes and the champagne houses of Taitanger, Mumm and Moet & Chandon, George Maizieres and Herbert Beaufort. Sally and Graham spent a few days with us visiting the houses and sampling the brews.

A highlight of the trip was a visit to the George Maizieres champagne house and a guided tour conducted by Ms Sylvie Gerard-Maizieres , daughter of the founder, and current producer of the House (and owner of the Gite where we stayed).

The last couple of days of our stay in the champagne region were very bleak.

Followed by a week of touring in Slovenia in a small group which included one American lady born in Slovenia, a couple from Sydney and a brother/sister from Tasmania whose father was born in Slovenia, and Jon our easy going guide-driver. Highlights were the scenery from the coastal to the Alps, the food and wine and the great company.

Russian memorial to the WW2 prisioners of war that died building the road across the Vrsic Pass.

Vrsic pass through the Julian Alps at 1611m

Chris trying to communicate with a higher being.

New snow in June on the mountains to the east of Bled.