Belgium

                                             VIRGINIE & FREDERICK

We caught a FAST TRAIN into Belgium and went to Brussels (a 1 ½ hour trip) Then a local train to Tubize


Then on to a great little place called Oisqercq, to catch up with a lovely young lady by the name of Virginie. She was a rotary exchange student at Salisbury East High School who I taught 16 years ago. Virginie became a Vet and runs her practice from downstairs of her home. Virginie & Frederick have 2 beautiful daughters, Lucy (7 yrs) and Sarah (5 yrs) Fredrick does not speak any English, so Ali had a chance to practice her year 12 French.
 They could not do enough for us, even to the extent of use of their bed. Virginie said that she never thought that she would have one of her teachers sleeping in her bed. I said that she did in fact have 2 teachers sleeping in her bed & expressed our gratitude for them sleeping with their kids so that we could. Our stay was far too short but we needed to see the sights and then return to Paris.

I fitted in very well with the locals, I don’t think that they have realised that I am not from around here. Although I did let my guard slip a couple of times in Brussels while visiting the “Grand Place”. I was visiting the “Brewers Museum” and asked the staff who the gentleman was in the photograph on the wall. Being a keen Beer Drinker I surmised that perhaps it was the “Head Brewer” of Belgium. Got it in one, gee I’m good it was the “Head Brewer”. Over here they call him the King of Belgium. None of this “stuck up” Pommie stuff about have to be born into the position. So long as your “Home Brew” is better than anyone else…………You’re the King.

                                                     BEST HOME BREWER

                                  

The other time was just after that on the way to the railway station. The traffic was reasonably busy and I saw taxi heading in our direction so “quick as a flash” ……..out with the digit. As the car came closer and we prepared ourselves to board the conveyance I noticed that the taxi driver was wearing a uniform. It became obvious that the wage of a “Copper” in Belgium is not that good and they have to “moonlight” as taxi drivers to make ends meet. This guy wasn’t too bright though. He had forgotten to replace the POLICE sign on the side of the car with a TAXI sign. I then figured that if he was “that thick” he probably wouldn’t know how to get to the railway station and we could have ended up anywhere. A quick retraction of the digit and a polite wave to a bloke on the other side of the road fixed the problem. I did think of dobbing him in, but if he was that thick he needs all the help he can get.

TIME TO RELAX

It appears that the national past-time in Paris is to sit in café’s drinking and eating. It doesn’t matter what time of day it is they sit, eat & drink. I could get used to this life style.

The only people who work over here seem to be of African heritage and they have a fixation with miniature Tower Eiffels. They must have a great big factory somewhere in France because the little towers are in plague proportions. Even if you are visiting the “Louvre” or the “Pantheon” or the “Arc de Triomphe” someone will be there trying to sell you a miniature Tower Eiffel.

We haven’t found a Pub yet so the local Supermarket is getting a bit of a hammering in their grog department. I should suggest to them that if they stocked some good ole’ “Aussie Beer”, put a card table and a couple of deck chairs out the front of the store, supply a bit of Tasty Coon Cheese & some Jatz, my traveling companions and I would visit even more regularly. It could even become a tourism icon right in the centre of Paris, there’s nothing there at the moment. Well there is a bloody big tower, but that is going rusty.

It's Time To Catch Up On The Goss.

Sorry about being off the air of late, but have been busier than a One Legged Sydney Taxi Driver.

Lots of seeing of the sights of Paris, trying to avoiding being robbed by the "Gypsies" every time you step out of your door or catch a train and "Downing a Few Froffies" with Leo (my father in-law).

Some of what I am about to tell you may be slightly out of order but I think you will get the drift. (Don't worry if the Dates and /or Times are up the sh*t)

Bonjaw Missyours & Mudarms

We are safe and sound in Paris and my French is going well!
After enduring 12 hours with my legs unable to move, it was then time to get through the check points at Charles De Gaulle Airport. The cattle aboard the A380 Airbus were herded into a not very wide holding yard while 4 officials checked our passports for "Mad Cow Desease".
Then it's time to find the luggage!!! But lets face it, standing up is a lot better than sitting in the plane. Our Chauffer is there to meet us and we leave on the 30km ride to our place of abode in Paris.
What a great experience this is!!!! It took about an hour because we are travelling at peak hour (am) There don't seem to be any rules. So long as you keep up with everyone else (or go faster than everyone else) its easy!!!! But you must always stay in your lane, unless there is a spot over in someone elses lane that you think you might like, or, if most of the other drivers move over on the left & the right of you it is possible to make 6 lanes out of the 5 (that is of course if there are any lanes marked at all) But be careful because the motor bikes like to travel quite quickly between the cars.
Intersections are "fantastic fun" I cannot understand why we don't get the French Motoring Authority as advisors for the Brittannia Roundabout. There are no lanes, everyone wants to go in different directions and they all get there (be buggered if I can work out how they do it) Its got to be seen to be believed.
We are staying with Claire (who works for DFAT) and as you look out of the window/s (kitchen, lounge, TV room) of the 5 bedroom apartment in the Australian Compound, within a km some bugger has been using heaps of bloody Meccano Sets and has left his creation down the street. Now if you or I did that we would be arrested.
Time for a 1664 now. I can't quite work out the code but I think that 1= B, 6=E & 4=R.
Cheers, Scruff.

From Ali,
As I sit typing I look at the Meccano E tower, but I can't see the top or the bottom because we are TOO CLOSE!!
Paris is cool but clear and sunny. The sight seeing is gorgeous and it is strange to see that ordinary Paisiens just take their famous surroundings for granted. Tourists they don't much care for. Things aren't cheap but they're not as gougingly expensive as expected, so it's all good. I feel like the city is smaller than I remember from 30 years ago, but it can't be of course- I guess my awe factor has lessened over time.
I will continue to test my awe factor on the sights, food (oh, the wine and cheeses!) and experiences and let you know how it's going!!!
Alison

We made it to Singapore

Waiting at Adelaide Airport

Day one of the "Cultural Adventure" The big bird took off at about Noon, and sitting in the "Lotus Position" started just after that. Cattle Class is only designed for "Short Cattle".

The service by the "Singapore Girls" was excellent with free drinks & nibbles for the 6 hour 40 min flight. No West End Draught but Coopers was available.

Had a great Taxi driver from Changi Airport who answered our numerous questions and pointed bits on the way to the Royal Plaza Hotel in the city. Peed with rain all the way to the city and made travelling on the 5 lane freeway a bit interesting. One of the electric signs on the freeway notified drivers of a "MASSIVE JAM" ahead.

Time now to freshen up and then go for a wonder along the main strip before catching up on a bit of sleep on the "King Size" bed in our room. Cheers Scruff.

Ali says:

Ah, take off on an international flight is just so much better than domestic!!! Avatar is not too bad for an animated feature and at 160 min, takes up a lot of flight time. Steamy in Singapore, and raining. We're about to go in search of dinner- we are right in the middle of the shopping area. Au revoir.