Cold as ice

Yesterday we visited a beautiful exibition on ice-sculptures in the city of Eindhoven, not far from where we live. The various sculptures were really very pretty and made with great skills by some Chinese "ice artists". Because of the non guarantee on winterweather in this country, the exibition was an indoor event with temperatures far below zero. Luckely the hot chocolate and the apple pie with wipped cream (callories, callories) compensated a lot. After we viewed the exibition we walked through the city centre to visit the X-mas market and hear some nice atmospheric X-mas music bands.

Photo's from our Irish horse-and-wagon trip

As from today you can share our experiences with our horse and wagon in the Irish countryside. You only have to click on the "our photo albums" link on the down right place on this website to travel with us and our mighty horse "Fionn" who guided us along old castles, country pubs and many celtic crosses. We hope you enjoy the photo's!

Mountaineering photo's available

In our photo album (see link on this page) you can now view a collection of photo's that I took during my mountaineertrip to Switserland in July. I hope you enjoy them!

Cahircaveen 4-9-2007

The last 2 days were well spent along the famous Ring of Kerry. We found a beautiful campsite along an ocean inlet at the far end of the Ring close to the Skellig Islands. Yesterday was a magic day as the weather cooperated as much as possible by rewarding our effort by giving us blue skies and spectacular views including an amazing sunset at Finnan's Bay. We drove our little car around by following very narrow roads and on one spot we drove it on a big grassy field next to an ocean cliff. Somehow later we visited a holy well and here Leslie was unlucky to fall into the bog. Lucky no harm was done and she only needed a change of clothes. Thank god all our clothes were packed inside the car and nobody was around for about 3 miles at least. After some good hike to the highest point of Valentia Island we drove the Ring of Skellig before ending the day with a good pub meal and an amazing sunset on some privat property cliff in Finnan's Bay.
Today we hope to make it towards Dublin again to pick up Leslie's friend Phillis who will come over from the States for 1 week tomorrow morning. Our next aim of traveling from there will be the Newgrange area, fampous for it's neolitical tombs.

We hope you all are ok and hope to hear from you

Love

leslie and Frans

Cong 29-8-2007

We are halfway our horse and wagon trip now and it is absolutely fabulous. A very nice and quit tour with only about 10 km per day being towed by our great horse "Fionn". Everything is working out fine and we learned pretty quick how to manage the horse and deal with the traffic on the roads. We only travel about 3 hours per day giving us all afternoons off for walking, fishing, cycling and taking photo's. Right now we are in the village of Cong where we visited one of Irelands most beautifull castles wich is actually turned into a hotel right now. We had to take a taxi from our camp but it was only 15 km away from there. We will finish this week before going down South towards Kerry for a couple of days. We hope you are all doing well.

Leslie & Frans

The beauty of the Glens

This morning it drizzled a bit but from about 10 the sun appeared and made the rest of the day. We spent the day driving around in the North-East corner of Norhern island and in particular around the Antrim Glens. Just "WOW" is possobly the only thing I can write about that. A beautiful coastline with green fields, steep cliffs, psychedylic sheep (sheep of many colors) and the right thee-houses at the right spot. At the end of the day we enjoyed a good dinner in the Smugglars Inn after which we went to the giant Causeway for a last visit hoping that we could catch some kind of a sunset. Unfortionately just before that time the clouds came in so I guess there is a reason to come back here.

Bushmills-Giant Causeway 23-8-2007

Today was "excursion day". After our wake up in the morning we went to the so-called "Giant Causeway" along the Northern Irish coastline. The coastline here is owned by the National Trust and is also a Unesco World heritage site. The main attraction are the millions of pentagon shapes bassalt rocks. The storie goes that this causeway of bassalt rocks was built by a giant who wanted to walk from Ireland to Scotland to fight his competitor giant there. After he saw that the Scottish giant was a real big guy he run back to Ireland and disguised himself as the baby of the Irish giant. When the Scottish giant came over, he saw the bay and immagined how big his father would be. So in big fear he went back to Scotland braking down the causeway. Only the beginning (here in Northern Ireland) and the end (on the Island of Staffa in Scotland) can still be seen! I thought that was a good story. We hike around the coastline for more than 3 hours before commencing towards a famous rope bridge connecting the mainland with a small rocky island and swinging about 30 meters above the ocean. At the end of the day we went to the Bushmills Wiskey destillary for a tour and of course some tasting and last but not least buying the stuff as well. Our day ended on the campsite with a good self cooked dinner. The weather was very cooperative today. Only clouds, no rain.

Belfast 22-8-2007

With the most beutiful weather we left Dublin in the early morning to make our route go North. Around the border with Northern Island the sun disappeared a bit for making place for some low clouds. No rain though! We went into the city of Belfast to find our way (thank you navigator "Tom-Tom Jane") towards False Street and Swankhill Road being the frontline of the Northern Irish war between the Catholics and the Protestants for many years. Reason for us to come here was to take photo's of the very impressive murals that can be found everywhere on the side of the old houses. Luckely the tension is take away a lot since the Godd Friday agreements but this area has still an atmosphere of that it does not need a lot to explode again. We did feel not unsafe here though and it is also very clear that the government tries to upgrade the poor area as much as possible. From Belfast it was only a little bit over an hour North to end on a most beautiful campsite close to the town of Bushmill and very close to the Giant Causeway that is concidered one of Irelands nature beauties. Anyway, right now it is not sunny but there is a little wind and no rain (yet). We are gonne make dinner and tomorrow we will start exploring this area. We are actually only 300 yards from an whiskey destillary so in case of emergency......! We keep you posted.

Leslie and Frans

Dublin 20-8-2007

Hi everybody,

We made it into Dublin, Irel;and after 2 days of travelling from the Netherlands. So far we had kind of rainy days but evey last tow evenings it cleared out and right now we are walking in the Temple Bar area enjoying the late evening sunshine. We found a campsiote about 15 km out of Dublin that connects with the city centre by bus. Anyhow we hope to stay here the next 2 days and than move North towards Belfast in Northern Ireland.

We hope to hear from you all

Stay happy, healthy and .....in touch

Love

leslie and frans

Breithorn 4160 meter

Finally I made it to the top of one of the big mountains namely the Breithorn with 4160 meter in Zermatt. I did not think I could make it again so I actually sended off the group to their way to the summit but when they were halfway up I felt so frustrated that I decided to give it a try as the weather was also spectacular. I hardly ever had seen such good weather in this area of Switserland before. It took me 2 hours to make it to the top and the best thing was that the group of four still were there waiting for me as they had seen me already coming up on my own. After some great views, the necessary photos (taken by a friendly Japanese guy) we went back safe and enjoyed a couple of hours in Zermatt before going back to the campsite. Anyhow, some part of the mission was accomplished and we can go home tomorrow.

Alallinhorn up (and safe back)

This morning we started our trip to the Alallinhorn in Saas Fee at 5.45 am. Some cablecars and the mountain metro brought us up to 3400 meter. The highest rotating restaurant in the world is situated here. Marijke didn't feel good so she did not start teh climb and my foot definately is still not good. I did decide however to bring Nike, Thijs and Maarten as high as possible wich in the end was the so called Alallinjoch (sadle) at 3800 meter. From here it was only a bit more than 200 meter to the summit so I sended the tree off for their mission to reach the summit. The weather was totally spectacular. Blue skies, no clouds and spectacualr views towards some very famous mountains such as the Mont blanc, the Matterhorn, the Breithorn, Castor, Pollux and the Monte Rosa. I have selden seen these mountains in such a good weathercondition. Anyhow, the three young climbers did not disappoint me and made it to the summit. After their return to the saddle, we all climbed donw in a safe condition to be back at the cable car station at 12.30 am. Back in the valley the weather appeared to be warm and sunny so what a difference with the first couple of days of this week.

Preparations for the climb in Saas Fee

Today was our big preparation day as I had to teach our group how to get to the summit of the Allalinhorn (4058 meter). I will try to go with them as far as possible but it is very unlikely that I will make it all the way up. Anyhow, Saas Fee is a fun place. No cars allowed and it is a bit luxurious but the prices did not go bazooka although I heared that the wintertime is the real posh time here. We checked out the cable car, the weatherforecast, the route and after thee with the famous apfelstrudel we went back to the campsite just 2 kilometer outside the town. Tomorrow morning we have to leave the camoing at 5.45 am to make it to the first cablecar up at 6.30 am. I hope the weather is in our favour. Say prayers and I will keep you update.

Move to Saas Fee in Switserland

Because of a continuation of rain and missery we decided to leave the French alps and move over to the Swiss town of Saas Fee in Wallis. Weatherwise possible not a bad choice as the weather is definately more dry here. We found a nice campground just outside the carfree town and after pitching our tents on grass instead of mud the spirit went up again. Our hope is to be able to climb the Allalin mountain (4058 meter) in good weather but of course we have to be patient. First we heve some reconnasance top do tomorrow. It is definately more colder here at night as the campsite is siuated at 1600 meter.

The snow has come down

Last night it did not rain anymore here in the valley of Chamonix next to the Mont Blanc, but when I woke up I could see a fresh snowline much lover than yesterday (about at the same altitude than the tree-line). I made a call up to the four mountaineers in the Bellachat hut and it appeared that the hut was snowed in and for safety reasons they had to decide to come down via the direct descent to Chamonix. This is a very steep path but when it is clear of snow possibly the best option. Anyhow, we will see later waht our plans are and what is still possible, me only be able to help them prepare and support from a distance. Right now there is a little bit of sunshine in the citycentre of Chamonix making it all look a little bit more happy.

Not to the Brevent

Because yesterday and last night it was pooring rain and thunderstorm the feasability to make it up Mont blanc almost decreased till 0%. This morning the only tour that I could come up with and also is feasable in all weatherconditions was a climb to the Refuge Bellachat (the beauticul cat) at 2300 meter. So in the pooring rain we started the walk but already very soon my foot started to hurt seriously (old injury from missing the last step of the stairs at home last year). It became worse and worse and I had to quit at about 1600 meter altitude. Of course climbing with 5 made this a dilemma but I saved the day to insist on them to go on, make it to the hut and have a nice afternoon with a great night in a very nice rustique little hut. With some protests they went on when I went back to the campsite where I arrived safe in the late afternoon. We contacted each other by SMS so everybody new everybody was safe. Right now I am in an internet cafe in Chamonix and about to have some food soon. I have to change all the plans drasticly but I will try to train them on some tours that I don't have to goe with them and I hope to be able to get them on one of the 4000 + meter mountains around, maybe in Switserland where the weather might be a bit better. Anyhow, we will see how things go. I keep you posted. Tada

Chamonix in the rain

I arrived very safe in the mountain town of Chamonix in France. The drive from Holland took about 12 hours and a nice but pretty busy campsite was waiting for me to pitch a tent. The summit of Mont Blanc was very clear but also it was clear that there was a lot of snow on the lover slopes that normaly are clear of snow. Anyhow, the night was peaceful with justa little bit of rain and the morning was nice and sunny. Unfortionately this changed during the day ending this day with rain and lots of bad weather telling me that the summit was very far away yet. Anyhow, I will see how things go. Tomorrow I will try to make it to the Tete Rousse hut at 3200 meter. The higher hut (Le Gouter) is still not available for bookings so we have to see what will go on from tomorrow. We will start Monday with taking a cable car to a trainstation and from there the train will take us to Nid D'aigle at 2500 meter. From here it is a 4 hours climb to the hut, weather permitting. I will try to keep you update but that can only be done from this town. Hope to contact you safe in a couple of days.

Final preparations

Today I finished kind of the final preparations for my trip to Champonix in France. The goal to climb Mont Blanc seems very far away as I checked some webcams on the mountain today. The line of snow dramaticly came down to about 2000 meter and the view on the Grand Couloir and the rock face between the Tete Rousse Refuge and the upper Gouter hut looks horrified. Nothing but snow on the rocks so in this condition there will be no way to get up by this route (or possibly any other route for me). Anyhow, I will keep faith and first will get to the Alps in a relaxed way and see what is coming during the next days. I will try to find an internet cafe in Chamonix so I can keep you update about the adventure.

Mont Blanc

Next week I will travel to the town of Chamonix in France to make an attemt to climb the highest mountain in Western Europe, the Mont Blanc.It is very hard to say that you are gonne climb Mont Blanc as many factors play a roll here such a the weather, condition on the glaciers, conditions on the rocky parts etcetera. I have been on the summit 3 times before but also I have not been on it twice. Anyhow, I will guide a small group of 4 friends who are somewhat experienced in high mountain tours but never been up to this altitude (4800 meter). Of course I will try to combine the climbing with some photography so I hope I can share my work with you in a couple of weeks. Wish me luck in this event and "I shall return" !!

Terschelling

Recently we went camping on one of the so-called "Waddeneilanden" (Islands on the tidal area called 'Wadden) in the North of Holland called "Terschelling. We stayed for a week on a nice campsite that was definately not yet overcrowded and enjoyed all kinds of activities from which "cycling" was the major one. We enjoyed the endless beaches, great beach cafe's, ride to the end of the island with a horse drawn wagon and not to forget the music by the islands most famous entertainer "Hessel" who performs a couple of evenings a week in his own cafe "de groene weide" (the green maedow). The weather was supurb. When we arrived it was quite windy but after a few days that went down so what was left was great blue skies and amazing views.

Spring Update

During the last 2 months we were kind of busy, mainly working. The weather in this part of the world has been fabulous. It was nice and warm (the warmest spring in the Netherlands ever recorded) and we had no rain for a period of 33 days in a row, which of course did not please the farmers and did create some fire hazards in the nature areas. We ourselves have been enjoying camping along the river Mosel in Germany at Easter for a couple of days. We found a nice campsite in the small village of “Bernkastel-Kues” from where we could explore this beautiful “wine area”. We paid visits to Kochem and Trier under most beautiful weather conditions (although it did freeze at night!). Just before we went to Germany we bought a navigator for use in the car and I admit, it was a great pleasure to have such a gismo as it makes driving around very relaxed related to navigation.

To celebrate our one-year anniversary we went to the Vondelpark in the city of Amsterdam to enjoy a great picnic for which we still had a voucher. The park was very crowded on this beautiful sunny day but that didn’t bother us at all. It seemed like everybody had the same tranquility in mind so in the end there was a very relaxed atmosphere in this city park.

Furthermore in April we also went to the Biesbosch National Park a couple of times with our little boat. Just two weeks ago we tested our new little (and very cheap) tent that we actually can put up in 3 seconds (and break down in 15) camping at the farmhouse on one of the many islands within the park. Again the weather was spectacular and we really enjoyed it a lot.

So next week is Ascension Day, which gives us a week off. We planned to go camping on one of the Dutch Northern Coast Islands called “Terschelling” where I used to work long time ago. So this might be a kind of a retro trip for me but Leslie has never been there so I am sure we are gone have some fun on this beach island. After our return we will keep you posted about our trip.

Shakira rocks!

Last night we went to the one and only concert of Shakira in the Netherlands. Even though we knew her from video's and CD's I think she was absolutely even more stuning in her live performance. The concert was done in a big soccerstadium in the city of Arnhem and as the place was packed, there must have been about 38.000 fans. We were lucky to be about 100 feet close to the stage so that gave us the perfect experience and even the possibility to take some photo's and short movies with Leslie's little camera. This evening was just one big latin dance festival!

Photo's from our travel to Greece

Finally I posted a selection of the photo's we took during our trip to Greece in October last year. There are photo's from Parga, Olympia, Mystras, Monemvasio, Nafplio, Athens, Santorini, Delphi, Mount Olympus, Meteora and the Ioaninna area so I guess these pretty cover a lot of this beautiful country. We hope you like them and please do not hesitate to give comment.

The white village of Holland

Last Sunday we went for a ride to visit the so-called "white village of Thorn" in Holland. As we recently bought a navigator for use on the European roads it was a good opportunity to test that little gimmick as wel! All went fine and with no problems we found our little town. The weather was absolutely great (the first time this year with nice and sunny temperatures) so we enjoyed our little stroll around the town, sitting on a terras and eating applepie with icecream and not to forget our visit to the beautiful abbey church with it's many old statues and paintings. We also visited a small stained glass workshop with some amazing pieces of art from wich you can see one example on this page. I think the dragonfly was very cool and I wish we could have taken the window back home! Late in the afternoon we tested our navigator by driving home by only using the backroads and that went really well. I guess it will be more difficult to get lost from now on!

Just a small update

So we are already heading towards the spring although we did not have one bit of real winter in the Netherlands this year. I know, I know, it still can happen but the signs are against it though! Leslie came back from her stay in the States last week and last weekend was carnaval here. We watched the Boxtel parade but furthermore we did not go party as we both had to work again on Monday.

Happy 2007

We wish you a magical 2007 with all the best health, happiness and laughter and of course we hope to see you again in this new year.