Almost Home Via Helsinki

Yes you heard it right due to an impossible connection through England on our British airways flight ( a discussion with our travel agent upon our return ) we were bumped onto a FinnAir flight to Singapore through Helsinki which would have been ok if we were not in economy the entire flight!! 15 hours in total and poor Sammy is a wreck as they are the flights she dreads long haul no room to move, the girl at the counter did her best to make it as comfortable as possible by leaving a seat free next to us on both flights but when you are trying to sleep the lack of recline makes it nearly imopossible ( the reason we purchase business or premium economy seats! ) anyhoo we are now in Singapore it is around 2 in the morning and i am wide awake and decided to come down to put up our final blog.
Sammy is sleeping in the room as she has been from 7pm Singapore time so hopefully a good night sleep will help her as she is battling off a cold at present, we are happy to be coming home now so that we can all be together over the coming week, I went out to the shops last night to secure my payload of back heat patches and bought the store out, he promised to have some more in today so i will probably need a shipping container to get them back!!.
We are going to have a lazy day today as we have bought our flight forward a day to try to get some recovery time in Australia before we head down to Adelaide on Thursday,
Cant wait to see you all upon our return it has been a trip full of memories some good some not so good but that is what life is all about its how you handle both situations that makes all the difference.
Love every single one of you and cant wait to share our memories with you all ( oh no not 2000 photos again ) yes all of that as well !
Love Ralf, Sam, MM xxxx

Mountain Climbing in Florence

Hello everyone, well as we wait until we get home, and having walked throught the city centre, today we decided to explore the outskirts of the city using the hop on hop off bus tour. First we went out of the city 8km to a little town called Fiesole, which is nesttled above the hills surounding Florence. After an invigorating 10 min hike up a near vertical slope we were rewarded with stunning views of Florence. The walk down was tricky too, but as alwayys Ralf was there to support me and I lent on his shoulder all the way down.
Back into the city and we got off at the station to walk a short way to the Mercintile markets. Inside has all the fresh food that locals come to buy early in the mornings but outside there would be over 400 stalls selling, leather goods, scarves, jewellery, trinkets etc. We walked around here for about and 1 1/2 hours and then made our way back across the city where we had to sort out a glitch we have had with the bank. mmmm not so easy but working on it!! Now we are back at the hotel where Ralf spent 1hr on the phone to 'which bank'?? The chambermaid is very happy with us tonight as we have just let her in to turn down our sheets, supply fresh towels, etc (we have sent her away the other nights and she is so upset) and then we are off out to get some dinner.
Lots of love coming across from here to you all, thanks to you all for your support, we will see you soon,
Love Ralf, Sam and MM

mountain

Photos of Florence

Just some more photos of Florence... please refer to earlier blog, ciao

Hi everyone, thank you to you all for following our blog it means a lot to us, actually more than you know at the moment. It is difficult being away from home for a long period of time and at this time it is especially hard when all we want to do is be home in Adelaide with family and do whatever we can to get through a very difficult time for Ralf's side of the family. We are proud parents to talk to our two beautiful children and watch them deal with their grief, support their Nanna from Qld and our frustration of being helpless in this beautiful city.
Today we went for a walk around the city as we needed to be doing something, rather than pondering our inability to make time move faster... we saw some beautiful buildings and Ralf and I were not fit for papparatzi, so MM features. The city is very walkable and it was good to get out and help to clear our heads. Enjoy the photos of Florence over the next couple of days and a big thank you to all of you who are supporting us and the kids in so many ways, we love you all. XXXXX

Rest in peace Lothar.

Under the Tuscan Rain!!

Hello everyone I am writing this blog from possibly the most beautiful hotel room i have ever been in!! Sam is in heaven, let me try to describe it to you, firstly the entire first floor is exlusive Tuscan suites around 16 I think so you enter through a special secure door into your private lounge which has food and drink replenished all day ( we have just returned from champagne fruit and nibbles washed down with Perrier water ) you then access your suite which has a King size bed massive wardrobe and sitting area a writing desk a bureau with mini bar and TV and a fabulous bathroom with toilet and separate Bidet large bath and shower and double hand basin shelf all in marble of course, the bed has a velvet hanging pelmet over the top with lots of brass and the ceiling has the mandatory massive wooden beams ( Sandra is nagging me to say that she would like a dress made from the curtain material ) so it is exactly what she was hoping for here in Tuscony and has fulfilled her dream.
Now to tell you of our trip from Venice!! It all began well with Fabio picking us up at 7.30 and taking our bags down to the Rialto bridge where the water buses leave from, we asked the Concierge for his advice on what bus to take for our car pick up and he was magnifico!! put us about 50m from the office, now Sammy had forgotten to read the paperwork and had forgotten that we werent supposed to pick up the car until 10.30 mmmmm It is Italy and the Dude said eh itsa ok itsa ready to go now anyway!! so off we went after programming Narelle to get us to Verona and on to Juliets House, mmm we dont have an address that Narelle likes no matter just punch in Verona and away we go, oooooppss right hand side Ralfy must remember that!! got to Verona and could quite happily had a Valium and a lie down as the stress levels were in overload and the concentration required to drive the narrow city steets on the right hand side whilst listening to Narelle who im sure had as much idea as me of where we were going!
We did finally get to the little city in Verona and to her house which for me was a little dissapointing however the puppy dog look in Sammys eyes told me it was another dream come true for her, i did manage to get a handful of Juliet's right breast ( considered to give you good luck in love " Heres Hoping " ) so the trip wasnt a total bust mmm interesting choice of words.
Then onto the long trip to Florence or Firenza as it is known here, our hotel is in the middle of the old city and can only be accessed by licence ( Which the hotel gives you ) but the pathetic map we had and Narelles growing intransagence became a real problem as we got hopelessly lost and had to resort to phoning the hotel and having them talk us in, we were very stressed when we arrived but after a shower and the Champagne we are felling a little better, I have also spoken with the Concierge and i now have maps that i can follow and easy ways in and out as well as launderette details so we are about to head out into beautful Florence walk our cars route in and out of the city and find the Launderette as well as having a little dinner.
Walking day through Florence tomorrow and relaxing prior to a trip to Pisa on Wednesday, ok I know it reads like a novel but it has been very Cartharthic to write out the day, sorry if it was boring i will try to do better tomorrow!!
Love and miss you all Ralf, Sam, and MM xxx

St Marco Bacillia

Just a quick little post to show you St Marks Square it was packed!! today was 38 degrees with 100% hunidity ( Trish you would have loved it ) I basically swam everywhere today in my clothes very comfortable and then at the end of the day it rained and made it even worse!!
Still we had a great day and after our Siesta we travelled to the square and looked at the wonderful buildings and the bridge of sighs, following that we went to the Rialto bridge and there was a big festival under way where the various suburbs of Venice race their boats like Dragon boats down the canals it was very colorful and lots and lots of people there to watch, we are back at our hotel now and are watching it on TV so its obviously a big deal.
Trish will try to skype tonight ( your morning ) if you send me a text message on my phone when you are about i will boot up the putey as i have limited Wi Fi here, ok enjoy the pictures and Steph i didnt cry it is very humid here and i am sweating a lot!!
Love to you all Ralf Sam & mm xxx

Burano, Murano same same but different????

Bon Jurno from Venice! It is bellisimo. We both love the city. Where we are staying is lovely an old converted Palace and in one of the few remaining less-touristy areas. It is still fairly busy when you are out and about even here and on a Sunday. Well on the advice of our tour guide from Paris, Bruce, oh and you Lynn, we travelled by water bus to Burano Island. This one is famous for it's coloured buildings, the meaning dates back to medieval times and for it's lace making. We wandered this beutiful island for about 4hrs fascinated by the way italians were going about their normal lives while boatloads, and I do mean boatloads of tourists piled in and then piled out of the main touristy streets. We left that behind and found the fisherman, the mamas shaking tablecloths out windows and 2 weddings! To me this is what I thought Italy would be. With a few words, some gestures and friendly smiles we communicated with the people who make Burano their home. We had a local lunch of fried sea things, some that resembled bait Gerv, but tasted delicious, chips and a salad. Ralf had a gelato and I had a mint granita (slurpee). Girls we are so sorry that we keep missing you on skype and you too Steph, 8 hours time difference is really hard. Dad loved his fathers day messages Seb and Steph, and Steph you made him cry!!! Mum if you are reading this know that we are thinking of you and dad as I am sure he continues to make a good recovery. gerv is passing on any emails that you send to home through the blog to us (not sure if you can see that).
Tonmorrow we water bus it back to the airport and then pick up the car. We are a little worried about this as it is all very different but others have done it so I am sure we can. tonight after our siesta we are going to the rialto bridge and then on to St Marks Square again on Bruces recommendation as he said after dark the tourists go home and the locals come to sit, drink and listen to music, so we are going to do the same. Alex we bought a bottle of Limoncello on your recomdenation so we will enjoy that after we get back tonight. It will hopefully help us sleep as we are both missing our beds.
We were so tired last night and both a little homesick and you think that you won't be able to get up the next day and do it againn... and then you do and it is magnifico!!!
Much love to you all
Sandrino and Ralfonzo.

Venice Island Italy

Bon Journo from beautiful Venice and phew its hot!! 33 degrees today, we have had an amazing day it began at 6.30 with breakfast and off to the airport in Paris where we had a 4 hour wait for our flight with Easyjet but it was worth the wait as we booked a speedy check in we got to enter the plane first and choose our seats which were obviously the exit row and to our good fortune we got the spare seat empty son plenty of width as well as leg room Fantastic!! we then bought a water bus ticket for the trip to Venice island from Marco Polo Airport which took around 50 minutes, we were really worried about lugging our bags all the way to our hotel through the streets of Venice when at the Water Bus stop a man whon went by the name of Fabio offered to cvarry our bags on a special trolley to our hotel for 20 euro's, man that was the best 20 euro's i have spent this trip not only did he take the luggage he took us straight to our hotel and gave us some excellentb advice to boot.
After a little rest we ventured out into the streets of this beautiful city, the canals and the history of the place is amazing, we had dinner in a delightful courtyard and i had the largest beer i have ever seen in my life, with Sammys help we drank it which made getting home difficult as we got hopelessly lost, never fear a few directions from the locals got us home safe and sound where we crashed for a little Nanna nap.
Anyway no plans at yet for tomorrow probably off to Murano for a look at the glassworks and more aimless walking around the streets of Venice.
Happy Fathers Day Dad!!! Hope you are continuing to recover well, cant wait to talk to you upon our return, thanks Stephy for your message I am very proud to have raised such beautiful children, your message meant so much to me I must admit I miss my Fathers Day Photo of you!!
Well its off to bed for us as we are very tired after another big travelling day, we are both getting very homesick and for all the wonderful things we are seeing it also brings back into stark reality how important all our family and friends are to us back home, keep sending messages as we love to read what is happening with you guys as well.
We Love and Miss you all Ralf, Sam, and MM xxxx

So it's Au revoir Paree and Bon Journo Venice

Well good morning to you all home in Australia. After a slow start to our day today (after our late night), we re-packed our suitcases and made our way on the Metro to the city for us to soak up some more of Paris' charm. We both love this city, it seems to welcome visitors and say ' come share our city'. Parisians seem to be always outside and you can pick them amonst the many tourists- they are the ones who are tanned, thin, and dressed impeciably, usually they are smoking too, one of few things we dislike. We caught the Metro to Chatelle and then after finding our way outside walked about a km to Notre Darme. Very impressive, the line up to get in was huge so we strolled around the side to the garden(thanks Lynnie) and sat and cooled off briefly under the shade of a tree. Today was very hot here, about 33, and boy we really felt it. We then crossed the river and continued back the other way to the Des Champs Elysees. We looked in the sidewalk stalls (thanks Trish) and wandered along. We stopped for a drink in a Canadian Bar and watched PAris go by. Ralf had a beer and I had a Perrier!! Very refreshing. We then contined on for about 5kms with a brief stop at Museum la Dorsey for an icecream and we shared a crepe, one of two things I had put on my list for PAris. MAny photos at the Alexandria bridge for you Alex and we crossed back over to wander back to the Pyramid Metro station. We decided to have dinner at a cafe along the Rus de Rivoli. Ralf had an interesting toasted sandwich with an egg on top and I had Quiche Lorrainne and salad , they other thing on my list for today. The best things was the sit down in the shade and the cold diet coke we had. Dinner was lovely and then RAlffie the map reading genius got us back to the metro where we found our line to return to the hotel.
We have loved Paris and although we were hot today doing that walk we wouldn't trade that experience for anything. We hope you have enjoyed your taste of Paris with us and look forward to sharing Venice with you (that is after we have walked 600metres to our hotel with our bags!!!)
So Au revoir and Bonsoir from two happy and a little less weary travellers

One Night in Paris!

Wow what a day we had yesterday, i am sending this blog at around 2pm Paris time which is about an hour after getting out of bed! ( sleepy head i know! ) Let me explain yesterday we started our day with breakfast at 6.30am which meant a 5.45 wake up call we then travelled to the beautiful palace of Versaille which was magnificent and very over the top as you would expect of Royalty, following that we went to the Louvre and viewed some of the most famous artworks in history back to the hotel around 3pm for a quick shower and we had to catch the Metro ( Subway ) into Paris to meet up with our tour company for our evening exploits.
The Metro is great very similar to the London Tube and just as efficient, we had no hassles navigating the streets to the office which left us an hour just to sit and smell the roses in a beautiful park in the city, Parisians love the outdoors they eat, read, play talk, smoke ( Yuk ) outdoors they can be seen at all hours enjoying themselves outside, anyway we travelled to the Eiffel Tower for our meal on the first level it was really nice with 3 courses served in just over an hour with wine of course! followed by a lovelly cruise down the Seinne River at dusk, that was magnificent and quite romantic i may add! from there we travelled to the famous Moulin Rouge and unfortunately due to them trying to cram 1000 people in a thatre designed for 600 it was very cramped and to see the stage you had to crane around the persons head in front of you which as you can imagine caused issues with those behind you, I saw dozens of people rubbing sore necks from the awkward positions they had to assume to see!
As far as a show is concerned it was very dissapointing and take it from me normally barev breasted females gets an automatic thunbs up but the show was dull with no real cohesion and the highlights really were the in between specialty acts they had between the dancers, a ventriloquist, some acrobats and a juggler ( who was awesome ) still we have seen it now and can tick it off our to do list.
We arrived back at our hotel at 2am and went to sleep at 2.30am so please cut us a lttle slack in our little sleep in!!
Today we will take an easy Metro into the city wander aimlessly have a meal at a cafe before heading back to our hotel and resting before our morning flight to Venice, Sam has packed our bags and we are ready to go!
Look forward to talking to you from lovely Italy tomorrow till then Ciau.
Love you all and a special mention to Dad hope you are recovering well from your Op and all our love and best wishes are with you xxxx
Talk to you all soon Ralf Sam MM xxxxx

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