Wednesday 25 April

We had a really early morning again this morning- our day started at 0450….aaagh but we were both ready to get up and get going. The sun was just coming up when we got on the road about 30 mins later.

We had our first sneak peeks at what was to come with the Swiss Alps in the distance, just before our first stop for the day at Neuschweinstein Castle- the Bavarian Castle that Walt Disney based his Sleeping Beauty Castle on…….

I can’t say anymore. Once you have seen this castle you can’t look at any other castle in the same way. It is magnificent, stunning….oh I could go on and on. It is truly breathtaking. It was so worth doing a bit of a diversion to see it…..it was SO worth it….have I said that already.

I think you get the picture lol lol. And the best thing was that there was hardly anyone else there when we got there because of getting there dead on opening time. Yay. Talk about perfect timing. We were even able to do a romantic horse and carriage ride. This castle is up such a huge mountain Pete didn’t think it was such a great idea for a pregnant woman to be walking up there but secretly he just liked the idea of a horse and carriage ride. Cute. It was good to be able to take our time and take in the scenery.

On to Salzburg….. our drive wasn’t very long today only about 5 hours, broken up, which was great. The motorways are fantastic which makes driving so much easier. Salzburg is fantastic. I have been here before but there is so much more that I think I saw this time that I don’t remember seeing last time. Not to mention the weather is so much better. Pete and I did our own little sound of music tour. We were given all of the sites to visit and because we had our own car we were able to visit more places than the tour offered.

We went to the grave yard where the final chase was held, then the main square where Maria splashed in the fountain.. we went to the gardens where they sang Do a Deer.. we went to the front gate of the abbey.

We visited the lakes district of Austria (about 30 mins out of Salzburg) which is sooooooooooo gorgeous with the little villages, this is where a lot of the country side scenes from the movie were filmed, we even got to go to the Church where Maria got Married. We are so blessed with the weather. Everyday has been perfect….. and touch wood…..our little beast is still going strong yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday 24 April

It seems like days ago since we left the Netherlands, but it was only just this morning.

Anyway today has been just one long adventure….long drive, but very rewarding. Although the street signs can be a little sus.

Tonight we are once again wild camping in the mountains of Germany, just outside Studdgart, huddled around our camp stove, after a day winding through the Rhine Valley.

We stopped at lakes, crossed a river on a car ferry (thanks to the satnav and it's back street routes), and a special find- thermal springs nestled in a Valley looking up to the pine forested mountains in this quaint little German town…..perfect.

This is also where we were finally able to take a shower, wash our hair and do all the other necessities- which I don’t need to go into depth about, lol.
We are getting used the roads here…..FAST. a bit like bats out of hell. One minute road in rear view mirror clear next second flying mercs and audi’s etc kissing our ….. well lets just say our little red beast isn’t really a match but we still love it and still leave the trucks eating our dust. Rahhhhooooo!!!!!!!!!!!

We’ll write tomorrow…. If we survive the little rodents or BIG rodents that are making noises outside our tent…. So farewell.

for all the pictures visit http://www.peterhobbssalvorock.spaces.live.com

Monday 23rd April

Today we got up early packed up and hit the road heading for Amsterdam. The cool satnav took us on little country roads through France.
Our first stop was at Dunkerque beach where we watched the sunrise. As you can tell we had a very early morning.

From here we headed to Brugge, in Belgium (our 2nd country for the day). This town was really cute, the town square had amazing architecture and a great bakery... where we had breakfast.

From here we headed to Amsterdam (3rd Country) which is where we're writing from. We have spent the afternoon checking out the city and seen the canals, the Anne Frank Museum.. Not... been past the weed cafes.. and the Hard Rock Cafe.. Then we headed off to a really nice camp site, a free wild camping site (a local park we found that was uninhabited) in a little town called Lille in the Netherlands about an hour from the German Border...

Ahh sleep... we will speak to you again tomorrow.

Sunday 22 April

We stayed last night at Martyn and Karens- poor Morgy who has to give up her room every time we come to stay… she’s so devoted and cute!!!!!!!! We had a huge breakfast of pancakes, cereals and pastries yummmmmy. We sadly bid an early farewell- sniff!!!! We are going to miss you guys soooooooooooooo much. We have loved every second of our time together and it is so great that even though we don’t see each other much it is like we have been together our whole lives.

We then set off in our 'monster mobile' to catch our ferry from Dover to Calais. On the way though we made a quick stop in at Cambridge- did an exploration of the sites (mainly the university, Kings College and the gardens (which weirdly remind us of Adelaide Parks)).

We arrived in Dover with heaps of time to chill and relax and take in the white cliffs which over hung us as we were waiting in line for our ferry. The sun was beating down and for once we were stripping off instead of searching for more. Blue skies, warmth, short sleeves, thongs- what a way to start our trip to the continent and to celebrate NO MORE WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pete and I are jinxed with ferry trips. Every time we want it to be rocky and rough it is calm seas… and today was no exception.

Well we have arrived now in Calais and have set up the tent outside a little village called Guines. It is cool- great facilities- 3 swimming pools a water slide, restaurant/bar/little shop and without loads of people!!!!!

The birds are singing what more can you want… the Europeans obviously know how to camp hopefully it will get even better.

Pete and I again join up as adventure buddies and are so excited about our camping expedition for this week. Stay tuned for our overseas adventure- cross country hopping.

Saturday 21 April

Pete and I said goodbye to Uncle Paul, Aunty Chris, Sylvia and Joe this morning and set off for our week long European adventure.

Today we headed for Peterborough where we had lunch with Uncle Graham and Aunty Jean and then spent the afternoon with Dave, Linda, Marty and Karen and their kidlets We then had a combined birthday/farewell dinner with the extended family (see hot photos of our good looking family at http://peterhobbssalvorock.spaces.live.com) We had a ball and ate until we were stuffed!!!!!!!!!!!! As you can see Uncle Graham was on hand to provide family entertainment. Di and Linda.. two little angels.... and of course Peter and Martin... two little devils.

To all the Hobbs family present at that event please email me your favourite pictures so I can add them to the blog!! Look forward to hearing from you soon.

Friday 20 April

Today was great for us as it was our last days at work here in the UK!

Di came home early Friday morning from Macclesfied Hospital with the biggest smile and sigh of relief.. no more work for Di this Year!! YAY!! She's so excited about being a mum and looking forward to spending as much time with the new arrival as she can! So today she slept and got ready for her big adventure tomorrow, while I headed off to my last day at work.

Today was great I tied up all the loose ends this morning then we all went out to the Blue Bell for Lunch. It's a really great country pub in Smallwood and we all had a drink and then a feast.. I was so surprised to receive gifts, as this was the last thing I expected.

They bought me a jacket and bum bag for Europe, some money to spend and a great card which everyone signed, and of course a great Steak and Ale Pie and glasses of coke!. It was a great present!! Thanks to everyone at Newcorp, I will miss you all!!

Keep in touch and make sure you keep looking at the blog for updates on Di and the baby...

For all the photos of the last day at newcorp visit http://peterhobbssalvorock.spaces.live.com

Wednesday 18 April

The weather in England has been nothing but amazing, warm sunny days and nice light evenings. It's not really getting dark now until about 8:45pm. So most nights we have been for a walk either around our country lane walk or along the canal.

Today we went for a walk along the canal and fed the new baby ducklings... we have seen the full circle of seasons, as when we arrived we saw duckings, now we're seeing their little kiddies.

Not long now till our Hobbs family farewell get together on Saturday. Both Di and I can't wait for it!! Then on Sunday we're off to Europe. We're driving down to Dover, then across the channel to Calais.

Driving then up to Amsterdam, then down through Germany to Bavaria, then across to Austria,back through Switzerland, then back through Paris. We're looking forward to it so much.

Then we're back in Middlewich for a few days, then down on the train to London to see Alison Cowling, Les Miserable, the chief and the General... then through Heathrow to NY!!!

Stay tuned.