Mickey mouse operation

After leaving our friends we drove for four hours to get a start on our journey north. At this point the RV is really struggling, we have one rear light out, the dashboard bulbs are going, the heater smells of curry if you try to turn it on, only settings 1-3 work on the fan etc. Bit of a wreck, really, but it's done the job we rented it for.

We stayed overnight near Valence. The next day we drove for 8 hours straight, but the kids didn't mind because they knew where they were going :



Disney Magic Circus Hotel at disneyland paris ! After checking in we went to Disney to look around before our day at the park and get some tea


We chose the Rainforest Cafe




And so, to bed.

Morning at disneyland was bright and sunny


So Evie decided she would drive with the top down




The kids loved it, obviously they are getting to an age where they can enjoy a bit of excitement in their rides. They loved Pirates of the Caribbean, Buzz Lightyear (twice), Star Tours. One day, especially in high season, wasn't nearly enough to see everything.




This one was for Aunty Natalie


We returned to the hotel for an afternoon siesta so we could go back to Disney for the closing show.

The kids were tired and the rain didn't help!


But it was really worth it, we all agreed










And to bed. One more day's driving back to Amsterdam then we are home :-(

Back home!

Leaving Nice we had a supposed three and a half hour journey to montpellier where I was scheduled to give the talk.

Six hours later we arrived at the hall with 15 minutes to spare! Travelling in France at the end of August is not a good idea! 4000km driven and the last 100 were the worst.

Talk went well (at least I think so, no one left sobbing) and it was lovely to catch up with everyone. We had arranged with some friends to all camp together that night, so after the meeting we set off for Brissac.



Meal that night was a group bbq, well executed by the brothers




After a late night laughing and singing (lemon vodka!) we slept well.

The next morning we met up at the river where the kids collected creatures and we swam. It was lovely.

Lunch together






After lunch we said our goodbyes and headed north. Our little adventure is drawing to a close. But there is one nice thing left for us......

Nice company

One of our goals for the trip was to get up together to watch the sun rise. So at 6:30am myself, Clare and Isaac got out of bed to sit on the rocks in Italy and watch the morning begin. (Evie preferred her bed!)




After going back to bed and getting up at a more normal time, we left Italy behind as we headed for Nice.

We are staying with Mike and Dodi, our friends from montpellier who are now assigned to Nice English congregation.

They are living up on the hills above the city in an apartment below a mansion. The wife of the couple who own the house is a witness and they are away at the moment. But she told mike and Dodi that we could use the guest rooms while we stay. So we have luxury again!









On Friday afternoon we joined the group in Nice city centre for ministry.




After the ministry we walked along the Corniche with ice creams. It's a hard life!

Pisa pizza

OK, so heading north again now, back towards France, we decided on pizza for lunch, sorry, Pisa for lunch








We experienced our first RV related crisis here. As we drove into Pisa we started getting flashed and beeped by other drivers. When you are the slowest thing on the road you sort of become immune to that. But when we stopped we saw why:


The whole bike rack had torn away from the back of the RV. It was only held on by one screw! Imagine if it had fallen off on the motorway!





After some frantic email conversations with the owners, we agreed to dump the bikes and remove the broken rack (storing it on the roof)




Once repaired, which we are quite proud of btw, we set off again.

Camping tonight is a site actually on the beach, so we all enjoyed a sunset paddle.

Piriton piazza

After a day doing absolutely nothing we decided to head into Florence to do the city tourist thing.

We decided the best way in was a park and ride by tram as parking the RV in a city is next to impossible.


First priority for the kids was as usual food, so we found a back street Caffè used by the locals where Isaac and Evie shared a massive plate of penne carbonara.


It was market day in firenze and every stall seemed to sell the same stuff, leather, bags, jewellery. "but where are the toys?" complained Isaac.


Much needed break for gelato



And so to the Duomo, which everything in Florence seems to float around. And it is so impressive, it's hard to get over in pictures






On the entrance to the dome itself, we managed to find Jehovah's name again, which Isaac enjoyed.


Michaelangelos David



Really impressive ancient city, with history everywhere.



Lovely place to Piriton up


One of the things we have discovered on this trip is that it is difficult to help the kids to appreciate history, or beauty. One city in the heat is just like another. Where as a couple you might find it romantic to wander, the kids just want the next ice cream or rest, or drink, or toy shop. Not their fault, we just hope that the memories and pictures they see in years to come will move them to explore for themselves when they are older. Looking for Jehovah's name was one way to make the history live for them.

We have also discovered that Evie hates churches. She had to be carried out sobbing in Salzburg and wouldn't go near the Duomo in Florence. Something about the size and oppressive nature we think.

And so our tuscan break comes to an end, tomorrow we are heading north past Pisa towards France. And away from Italian mosquitos, hooray!