Park, Park, Park & Park

Country number 9! We've ended up in Malbun, after a glorious drive across the Alps. A picnic dinner on the mountainside followed by saunas- before the drive to France tomorrow.

Well, we finally made it to the place that the whole trip was predicated on. And the morning of our trip in, the London Times ran a travel review of Venice, which included this place for food. It was wonderful. Much better than the picture is.

After the Alps and before Verona and Venice, we spent 5 days on Lake Garda. We had our own apartment in a small complex with a pool, and a collection of other families.  One of them was an Irish crew with 4 kids.  That gave the kids new friends and the adults someone to drink Prosecco with. And we lucked out- The Italians threw an Airshow over the Lake while we were sunbathing- lots of jets skimming right over the tree tops around us, with tricolour smoke.

We rendezvoused with my parents today in Verona.  Both sides had seen the sights in the Italian Alps, and now it's time for a city break.  And what a lovely city Verona is.

After a night in Central Germany in the Efiel National Forest, we drove south- 8 hours south. To Bavaria and the foot of the Alps. We stayed in Omergamergau, where we swam at the greatest pool complex I've ever seen- several pools, great facilities, all with an Alpine backdrop- and rode alpine coasters down the mountains. Then it was on to Italy. Our drive took us across the Alps and through Insbrook, Austria (country 6). And now we're in the Dolomites region of the Italian mountains. This time we're sleeping at a working farm- an agrotourismo.  Dinner is whatever they serve you.

We'really on the road again.  This year, we're driving from London to Venice, Italy to meet my parents. Here we go... Out of the house at 5am on our way to the Dover ferry. First country: United Kingdom. Landed at Calis. Second country: France. Drove straight through the flat land of Brussels. Country three. Stopped for lunch in that little bit of Holland that hangs down- in the town of Spaubeek. Country four. After only 3 hours of Euro driving, we found our hotel in Germany: Country five.  And here we are having picnic dinner up the hill behind the small town.

Well, Erin the American nanny was a big success this summer. She handled the kids with great dexterity and maturity. And seized London in her grasp, visiting as much as she could.

Long ago, we left the hustle of Earls Court for Southfields. We sold our flat and bought a house. C was 9 months old. The people who bought from us- Jeremy and Daniel- are gracious enough to invite us back every August to their annual party. And we go every year we're in the UK. C and D have a magical time meeting people, like Sarah below. And Bells and I re-acquaint ourselves with people and places that were fundamental to when we met.

D acted in her summer camp musical production of The Wizard of Oz mashed together with Wicked. She had a few lines she delivered well and lots of dancing and singing. Unfortunately this is the only picture I managed to get afterwards.