A distance of thirty kilometres travelled on this morning found us in Metz, a town with 3,500 years of history. Each invasion that took place saw alterations of one kind or another, and sadly much of the visual history had vanished into the annals of time. Metz, the Township Commencing life as a small Celtic […]

An easy run – except for the water hose to the engine popping off a few times before Bob discovered the reason, fantastic locks. Gratis is now upon the Moselle. During our travels, we came across workers upon a barge sandblasting one of the bridges.

A late 11:30am start and an easy run: except for the water hose of the engine popping off a few times. The third saw black smoke steaming from you know whose ears. It turned out to be the result of shards from the old impeller blocking the exit, which in turn created pressure build up that […]

Well, the break is over and we are back in Nancy and online once more, after visiting the most amazing sites: yes, finally a pic of the Matterhorn – that experience just blew us away! After a day of cleaning, shopping and laundry, the car is about to be returned and the canal sojourn recommenced. […]

Gentle relaxed car drive as Bob and I returned to Nancy in order to recommence our canal sojourn. Eleven kilometres north – east of our final destination, a short side trip into Saint-Nicolas-de-Port took place: the aim to visit the church, Saint Nicholas Basilica, Bob had read about. Situated in the Meurthe Valley, the town’s […]

After a wonderful week, we returned to France this afternoon and are spending the night in Molsheim. It’s back to Gratis tomorrow.

  Another lazy start that eventually found us moseying through the Black forest for the last time: low cloud, left over from last night’s rain enshrouded the hills. Mountain wildflowers decorated the countryside – a gentle contrast to the greens – rain seemed to have brightened them. Moss decorated tree trunks, beautiful in the soft […]

  Freiburg im Briesgau is a town that ‘calls to me’, and was a place that I wished to share with Bob. Disappointingly, a chill morning in which rain fell, meant fully exploring the township of didn’t happen: we so don’t do well in the cold! The tourist on foot has the opportunity of entering […]

There was a slight chill to the air when we arose at the crack of dawn. There was method to our madness: viewing the Matterhorn in the glow of the rising sun. Bob attired in shorts, t – shirt and fleecy windcheater, and myself in leggings, skirt, sleeveless top, long sleeved top and fleecy windcheater, […]

One word for today’s travel as we headed into the Swiss Alps: Spectacular!! Tomorrow morning, a chairlift ride up to the Matterhorn!  

Next to the hotel was a dairy come stables in which cows were housed. After going into slumber to the sounds of a cow creating a combination of lowing and weird sounds – almost as though it was pushing, on the morn, we awoke to the most incredible bellow. Bob and I believe it was pregnant and […]

After a delightful night in Oberammergau (loved the buildings with their images from the fairy tales) the day was spent travelling through the exquisitely beautiful Alpenland, (taken from the car, these pics weren’t too bad) until we arrived at the Bodensee and Pfahlbau Museum in Unteruhldingen. Absolutely brilliant in its presentation!!!! This would be one of the […]

What a delightful day! A last few buildings covered in frescoes detailed nursery rhymes, fairy tales, and fables. Bob and I travelled through pasturelands and mountainous countryside where the grey rubble of landslides was a regular occurrence – an occasional cyclist wasn’t deterred. The landscape became increasingly more rugged upon entering Austria for a short […]

Well, we travelled through the most exquisite of lush green meadow lands encased by thick dark green forests, to Oberammergau: home of the Passion Play. Situated in Bavaria, Deutschland, the town has a delightful feel. Not a sound, other than the low talk of people in the evening, it was a delight to wander: a town that […]

Climbing commenced immediately upon departing Blaubeuren. Pastureland covered in corn (hand – picking in one) and grains with the great pine forests extending down to their edge. Small green & white signs meant cycling/walking paths we discovered when Bob took a wrong turn by accident and wooden barns were prevalent. Not a great deal had […]

To continue reading about our 2016 journey, click the link to our German page. www.gratisaustralis.com/category/germany/

Blaubeuren, set within the Black Forest, home of the Neanderthal and early modern man. A delightful town with its museum, caves, water mill and architecture. On to Oberammergau tomorrow.  

Today’s journey took us to Blaubeuren, Germany. Check it out on page 3 of our Germany Page. www.gratisaustralis.com/category/germany/    

Today saw us enter Germany and the Schwarzwald, land of the cuckoo clock, black forest cake and pom – pom hats. With its neat as a pin towns, white washed houses, mixed with wooden balconies, beams and flowers, Germany was so incredibly different to France. The commencement of our journey took us through cherry and […]

Click the link to take you there. Look for the dates of the 17th – 23rd to read more on our car journey. www.gratisaustralis.com/category/germany/