:: strasbourg ::

Last Sunday I was very spoilt with the opportunity to visit the city of Strasbourg. I had heard enough to know that it is a beautiful city - the architecture is unique to the area and the river that flows through adds to the beauty. Each year Strasbourg is home to magical Christmas markets that fill it's centre city lanes. We were a bit early to experience this, but it was a treat to be there in the early autumn as the leaves turn into a spectrum of golden hues.

As we approached the city the silhouette of the distant cathedral was intriguing. I had heard about Strasbourg's beautiful cathedral, but had never seen a photo. Up close the detail and architecture is quite mind-blowing. How such a structure was created almost 1000 years ago. Incredible!

The cathedral has quite a special history in our family. The cousin of Eti's mother's (Catherine) father played the organ there for many years. It's an intricately crafted instrument in and of itself, so there is understandably a sense of pride that a part of this beautiful cathedral and city is close to the wider family. We took the opportunity to see the city from up high in the cathedral, climbing up 330-odd spiralling steps worn with grooves from the thousands who have gone before us. It was well worth the climb to have an almost-360 degree view of the city from high above, as you will see in the photos further down. The day was unseasonably but enjoyably warm. It was a very enjoyable visit and there were several tired but happy campers who arrived an hour or so later at the Europa Park camping ground to rest up for a full day ahead!

:: en alsace ::

We arrived home late last night after spending four days away. Three of which were in Alsace, a region in the north-east of France, for the wedding of one of Eti's cousins. It's a beautiful part of France and has always put on beautiful weather every time I've visited! We travelled up on Friday with Eti's parents - a small convoy of campervan and car - taking our time so that we could visit one of the many beautiful villages in the area.

Eti's dad picked out the village of Riquewihr for us to explore. They had been there during the winter to go one of the many Christmas market throughout the region (one of my dreams!) and remembered it as being beautiful. And it was! We arrived mid-afternoon and spent the next hour or so wandering around the cobbled streets, sharing bretzels, peering into shops and going through the most amazing year-round Christmas decoration store. Several trucks and tractors pulling numerous bins of freshly picked grapes passed us on their way to be made into wine, which this part of Alsace is well known for. Of course we couldn't leave without having a true tarte flambée and glass of pinot gris, both originating from Alsace itself. The three little people all enjoyed their "pique-y l'eau" (aka sparkling water). It was all very delicious!

The following morning we drove a little further north, past the city of Strasbourg, for the wedding. The weather was stunning, and the location was beautiful. It was great to see all of Eti's family. His mother grew up in Alsace and all of her family are there. We have always enjoyed each time we've visited with them. They are lovely, a lot of fun and great hosts. There have been some very memorable moments, including an "English evening" and an 'international' petanque competition with my brothers a few years ago when we were all on holiday in the south together! The wedding was lovely and it was a great way to catch up with everyone, though it was fleeting. With three very tired little ones to put to bed later in the evening, the time passed all too quickly. Hopefully our "next time" won't be too far away.

After camping overnight in the car park of the hall where the reception was held, we woke to a new day and a little girl with a temperature of 39.5. We've all been up and down with health over the last while and for the first couple of hours we questioned what was best to do. Thankfully after a dose of paracetamol she bounded back pretty quickly and declared that "I feel all better now, Mummy!" and was off running around and scootering outside. Our plan was to cross the border into Germany and spend the night there then the following day at Europa Park. Eti's parents offered to head off there early and get settled in so the girls could have a rest, while we went to visit the city of Strasbourg. Seeing that Amélie's temperature seemed to be responding well to the paracetamol, we decided to take up their offer and went off with Théo, Eti's brothers Nath, Tim and Fred, and Fred's fiancée to visit the city that I had heard much about and was eager to see for myself! I will give Strasbourg it's own post to save you from drowning in too many photos all at once! In the meantime, here are some more from our beautiful little afternoon in Riquewihr...