Neyland, Pembrokeshire, Wales: 15 July 2016
Day 15

When I awoke this morning Justin greeted me with "it's Friday!"  While that is how I have started most Friday's for the last two years, today was totally different.  Mainly because I didn't already know the day but more importantly, because I didn't need to know the day. 
Justin's fighting a cold so it was a very slow day.  The weather is rather cold and nasty so it was fine and ok to hang.  I did manage to go down to the laundromat to do our laundry.  How long has it been since I have done that?  (Uncle Harold needs to know that one regular top-loading washer costs £3 and the dryer costs 20p for 3 minutes, 45 seconds.)  I had to go to the grocery store twice and to the pharmacy once to get the correct change... I will be better prepared next time.
We went to the Neyland Yacht Center next door for dinner.  We were the only people in the dining room.  I felt like the kids were from a culinary arts class and they were practicing their newly learned serving skills.  I must add however that I've never had a view like this from a classroom or from an O'Club.

With our Apple TV connected, we are settling in to the next season of Suits.  It is so nice not to have to be worried about too much at all.  Justin and I are contemplating setting up the Green Bay house.  I have been uncertain about not having a base and I certainly have angst about spending any significant amount of time with Jordan and Chris when we are in Green Bay.  I don't want to impose.  We are also talking about the possibility of asking Jordan and Chris to build a pole-barn at the cottage and store all our Green Bay treasures there rather than in a storage unit.  We learned that the containers are roughly 7'x7'x3.5'.  We have four containers going to Green Bay and seven headed to Texas.  Of course, we also have the treasures that have been in storage in Texas since forever.  Too many decisions.

Neyland, Pembrokeshire, Wales: 14 July 2016
Day 14

After a slow start (and I am really liking that part), we went for a drive toward the town of Dale.  We did take a walk along about two miles of the Welsh Coastal Path.  We found an isolated beach where I found a few pieces of beach glass.  We also met a kid along the way who works at the nearby environmental think/study tank.  He told us that the fortifications we were seeing were Napoleonic, so actually, they were rather new.  At our rate of two miles a day, and allowing for rain, Justin figures we might get it all done by the time he is about 150 years old.

Back in the town of Dale, we were tempted to stop for an early dinner at the award winning Griffin Inn.  Drinks on the roof first and then downstairs where Justin had a fabulous lobster carbonara and I chose a more traditional steak and stout pie.  It was easy to understand why this restaurant has been named the best in Wales for two years in a row.  Dinner started with a toasted goat cheese with a beet and onion chutney and was rounded out with a chocolate knickerbocker...a decadent ice cream fancy -- yummy!

Neyland, Pembrokeshire, Wales: 13 July 2016
Day 13

The most pressing thing I needed to do today was to walk Gemma and to connect the Apple TV.  Justin and I will be here for 16 nights so we have a chance to get settled and breathe.  We really haven't had any down time since Jim left in April.
We went for a walk and explored in our new environs.  We had fish and chips for a very late lunch or very early dinner... it is nice not to be confined to the clock!  For so long, if a bell rang, I either started doing something or stopped doing it.  Then, when I left the classroom, the work never stopped because one school year just flowed into the next.  When we arrived in Neyland, for the first time since 30 June, I thought about my work email.  It kinda jumped up and caught me by surprise.  I thought about how nice it had been to be away, but now I needed to get back to my email.  I think it is because I've been looking forward to being settled here for a few weeks and perhaps I was thinking that vacation was over.  Who knows, but thankfully, it passed pretty quickly.  Maybe now I really do get a chance to learn to breathe.  And this is the perfect place to do it.  Lots of places to walk -- The Welsh Coastal path is over 140 miles of hiking trails and out view from our flat overlooks the harbor and estuary.  Justin can't wait to go check out the boats!

Neyland, Pembrokeshire, Wales: 12 July 2016

Day 12
The southward drive today from Liverpool to Pembroke was slated to be only about four hours so we chose the "shortest route" on the GPS.  Lots of twisty, turns roads that we might have avoided had we been on the "fastest route" but our scenic route led us the King Arthur's Labyrinth". Not exactly a Disneyland experience, but perhaps too close.  An old slate mine has been turned into a dark-ages-like locale full of myth, legend and tale.  I found it interesting in that there is a bit of difference in the tales of King Arthur as told by the Welsh. Next, on to Excalibur?

Ian, Katy's partner, met us to welcome us to our AirBnB: our home for the next 16 nights or so.  Fresh flowers, coffee, milk and Welsh tea cakes were ready for us.  The flat is on the third and fourth floors of a quite old building.  The Neyland Yacht Club is next door and the view from the back of the flat is of Pembroke Dock on the opposite side of the estuary.  Justin and I chose this location to be close to the water.  Ian told us of several nearby restaurants and promised to bring by more information tomorrow.  Justin and I got most of our "stuff" upstairs before we headed out for a dinner of Indian food.
There was a time when we thought we'd be fine sleeping in a twin bed, but now, in a double bed, with Gemma too, there just isn't room for our arms.

Liverpool, England: 11 July 2016
Day 11
To quote Justin, we are "...off to see where the boys got their start."  We got tickets to go to The Beatles Story.  We arrived in Liverpool after about three and half hours drive.  We stopped along the way to get gas and have brunch.  Justin found a cover for his phone.  He's been carrying it around in a little travel bag of mine since we couldn't find a case yet.  One of the salespeople we talked to along the way shared that he had carried his new phone around in a sock for the first few weeks.

The Beatles Story was great.  We spent a bit under three hours looking at memorabilia from Hamburg, from the Cavern Club, the Ed Sullivan Show, and all points beyond.  The really did a good job of capturing the times as well as the story.

We had a funky little hotel room at the IBIS Styles Liverpool Center.  Everything in this city is Beatles.  I pity the poor soul who was born here but doesn't like Beatles music... but then, too bad for them.  We had dinner is a very traditional British Pub.  Both Justin and I opted for burgers rather than more traditional fare.

♫Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da...da-da-da-da, life goes on ♫ ... and isn't it grand! ♩

Motherwell, Scotland: 10 July 2016
Day 10
 

With a start to the day in the Scottish Highlands, we are ending our day just south of Glasgow.  We left our quaint hotel after a hearty Scottish breakfast (eggs, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, but no kippers for me) and headed to Culloden Battle field.  This was a sizeable museum with impressive multi-media displays.  They displayed the government views on the left side of the walls with the Jacobite views on the rights. 
I focused on the doomed Jacobites: over 1000 rebels died in The Rising while only about 300 Hanovarians met the same fate.   "Outlander" has served to heighten my awareness and my curiosity about this part of the world and this time in Scotland (1746).  

Our afternoon route  out of Scotland and back to England on The SOUTH served as a counterpoint to our journey from London to Edinburgh when we travelled on The NORTH. We travelled alongside Loch Ness and Loch Lomand.  I was driving when we spotted a castle a bit off-shore that was very reminiscent of the one used in Outlander.  Not the same one, but worthy of a photo-op nonetheless.  

Jim said for years that I wasn't worthy to go to Scotland.  Well guess what ... I am here now.

Nethybridge, Scotland: 9 July 2016
Day 9
When we woke this morning, Justin suggested that we get with it straight away and head to Edinburgh Castle before we got back on the road.  On our way to the castle we stopped for breakfast.  I had to chuckle when I heard Justin order an "English breakfast" while I ordered a "Scottish breakfast with American coffee.  Perhaps I should have ordered a French croissant as well. 
I am so glad Justin suggested we not miss the castle it was certainly worth the trip.  Claimed to be the most besieged place in Great Britain, there is evidence of civilization atop this rock that can be traced to the 2nd century with buildings on the site since about the 12th century.  Mary Queen of Scotts was imprisoned here for some time before she was beheaded.  
On the road, we saw absolutely awe-inspiring scenery.  Now I understand the idea of the Scottish mists.  Just outside of Perth, I knew that our photos would not come close to capturing these vistas.  Most of our drive was along the Highland Tourist route.  And, I am lucky enough to have a commentary that flits our locale.  Justin puts his theatre background to good use as he adopts the local accent.  He did this in Germany from time to time and more recently, I've been humored by his French rendition as well as his English and now his Scottish brogue.
Our visit to Balmoral Castle was mostly grounds and gardens since it is really still the vacation home for the Queen.  The ballroom is the only room open to the public. 

Rose Garden at Balmoral Castle

We walked the gardens in the rain.  Yep, this was more than just mist.  Gemma looked quite the sight, but it was still pleasant.  We walked through Prince Phillip's kitchen garden as well as down by the river most photographed when the royal family is fishing for salmon.  One of the caretakers explained to me that the red squirrels, for which they have a nanny-cam going on the website, are endangered and protected.  He also explained that the purple flowers we saw were heather-bell and that the real Scottish heather would be in full bloom in four week's time.
 
After the second castle for the day, we headed to Nethybridge for our overnight stop at the Nethybridge Hotel.  This was a very traditionally Scottish experience.  Jack, the bartender at the hotel bar, treated Justin and me to a Scotch tasting experience.  He allowed us to taste at least five or six different, and mostly single malt, varieties.  Justin quite likes the Highland Park that he had purchased previously.  Remarkably, I almost like Balvenie and we both quite liked the 14 year old Oban.  I've never thought of myself as a scotch drinker, but, when in Scotland... Jim is turning over in his grave.

Edinburgh, Scotland: 8 July 2016
Day 8
We headed out this morning to join a Sandeman's Walking

Walking tour in front of St. Gile's Cathedral

Tour in old town Edinburgh.  It was great.  With a nice mix of the old an new, aka Royal Mile and Harry Potter lore, we found ourselves trapped in the lure of the city.  Gemma was the hit of the tour, of course. 
Walking along the Royal Mile, we were reminded that the Queen was in residence at Holyrood Palace.  And, me, without my hat...whatever will I wear to tea?
We napped too long this afternoon which meant Edinburgh Castle needed to wait for the next trip.  Goodness knows I needed the rest.  We hadn't slowed down at all since early May when Jim Brice left Kaiserslautern.  Greek for dinner-- yummy!  We took time to catch up on news along with soccer and Wimbleton after we packed the car in getting ready to get back on the road ... this time to the Scottish highlands.

Edinburgh, Scotland: 7 July 2016
Day 7
The proprietor made up for our room not being ready by suggesting that we travel north on The Military Road rather than the motorway.  Lots of twist and turns with great views was certainly an alternative to the expressway.  Yes, perhaps not as fast, but certainly more interesting. 
I drove into Edinburgh and straight to the Royal Yacht Britannia!  What a treat!  There was even a part at the end for Justin specifically on sailing.  Dellene would have loved being here with us.
Next we headed into town and to our little city apartment for two nights -- the Fountain Court Apartments.  I could definitely live here for three months.  They've refurbished city apartments for student and short-term rentals.  Lots more space than you'd ever get in a hotel room to include a washer-dryer combo.  I had heard from friends that the dryer component never really worked right and now I know.  After two loads, our little flat was decorated all around with drying clothes.  Fortunately the weather has been such that the clothes might even dry before we get back on the road.  Vietnamese food for dinner back at our flat.
 

Haltwhistle, England: 6 July 2016
Day 6
Early start to get us on the road... and avoid another parking ticket.  By 8:30, we are on the way north.  I got past my fear of driving when parking the car when we arrived in London so even though I was ready to take my turn today, Justin did the lion's share of the drive to Hadrian's Wall.
Our drive led us through not only the town of Nottingham, but also past Sherwood Forest.  I knew we'd hear about King Arthur lore in Wales, but I didn't realize we'd be in the thick of Robin Hood Country too.


Justin and Gemma at Hadrian's Wall


When we got to Hadrian's Wall, we certainly got our history lesson for the week.  We joined the English Heritage Society which will give us a discount on many of the other venues we planned to visit.  It is a shame I already have our tickets to Stonehenge.  The wall, started in 122 AD to mark the northern limits of the Roman Empire, runs about 80 km across the most narrow part of Britain.  After spending considerable time examining the ruins that included barracks, baths, and hospital, we walked along the remnants of the wall in a few places.  One can just imagine the idea of quelling the marauding Scots. 
Our room wasn't ready at the Ald White Craig Farm, but it was all ok.  We got an upgrade at the quaint family run business.  We went to dinner at the local pub, The Twice Brewed, while watching soccer. Tonight was Portugal against Wales.  The locals were pulling for Wales but they were disappointed by evening's end.

London, England: 5 July 2016
Day 5
First chore for the morning was to sort out paying for parking for our car.  I wasn't fast enough as the guy had just finished writing our p
arking ticket when I went outside.  Probably a pretty good trade since now I didn't have to worry about setting up the account on line or about renewing the payment every two hours during the day.  ￡40 for parking for all day is probably a steal.
Lunch in Cheapside before we popped in to St Paul's on our way to The London Museum.  This is one of my favorite museums because it is focused only on London and it  is very experiential.  It has changed significantly since I was there maybe thirty years ago, but still a fav.  After their planned revamping and expanding they will open in Smithfield in about five years.  Justin thinks we should come back then.  Do I even need to think about that at all?  NO. We spent about four hours on the two floors of the museum.  Thankfully Justin likes to read every sign in every exhibit.  It was probably a good thing nothing else was planned for the day.  We talked about going to another play, but decided instead to enjoy the moment that than chasing something else.
I bought a pair of London Tube socks as a souvenir.  Of all the crap I brought with me, I only have one pair of black socks.  Great planning, Paula...

Of all the things I had expected to change since I was in London when I was still in college, I didn't expect the London cabs to change.  Instead of all black, they are not only many colors now, but they also sport advertisements.  A candy crush London cab just doesn't seem right.

 Fish and chips for dinner at the Lord Raglan Pub.  The pub is named after Lord Raglan who lost an arm at the battle of Waterloo.  It is he for whom the raglan sleeve was named.  Well, what do you know?
Justin and Stuart took George and Gemma for a nice long walk this evening while I booked our hotel in Edinburgh and our tickets for the Royal Yacht Britannia.  But first, Hadrian's Wall.

London, England:  4 July 2916
Day 4
On the road quite early to head to the UK.  Justin wanted to go by Dieppe as he has a photo from there from many years ago.  During this little detour we saw great French countryside and incredible masonry work in many of the buildings and homes.  Yes, that put us a bit behind, but nothing compared to the wall we hit with Gemma's pet passport.  Yes, after a visit to the vet in Calais, our dear Gemma now carries a French Passport.  Instead of a ferry at noon, we departed on the 1:55pm ferry to Dover where we were able to rest for a moment before the cliffs in Dover called for a photo op.  The idea of driving on the left in a right hand drive car almost immobilized me.  Justin drove this entire day since I slept this morning and didn't help any in the afternoon.

Our AirBnb for London was in Camden Town where four-legged and furry George lives with Architect Stuart.  After a frantic drive through rush hour traffic and late arrival at Stuart's we headed to London's West End.  We left Gemma to run and play with George, a very bad terrier mix.  Sweet, but bad.
The Book of Mormon was exactly what we needed after a rather harrying day.  We both laughed and laughed at the totally disrespectful references.  A stroll through SOHO and a late Chinese dinner wrapped up the day.

Martragny, France: 3 July 2016
Day 3.
Very slow morning before we headed to the Bayeaux Tapestries. Justin worked on email and I worked on our expense log.  It was nice to be able to go at a slower pace for just a moment. 
The story of the 1066 Battle of Hastings as told in stitches on a two hundred and thirty something feet long and about 20 inches tall bit of fabric... and it has been around at least since the 1400!  Oh how I would love to be able to touch that fabric!
 The town of Bayeux was hosting their annual medieval fair.  Steph and Susie sold honey; they took turns tending their booth throughout the weekend.  Later, at home, Justin told Steph about the chicken fiasco.  Steph couldn't believe that sweet Gemma could do such a thing and asked Justin to show him.  They trekked out to the fence line together and all was well.  Steph explained that he had only two red chickens and there they were, prancing around in the backyard looking for bugs.
Not surprisingly, another great dinner this evening-- L'Assistte Normandy.  And, no, we didn't eat chicken.

Martragny, France: 2 July 2016
Day 2
Yesterday was all about art and nature and beauty.  Today was a totally different.    Gemma started her day by chasing a red chicken who she found sitting a clutch of eggs.  This is not funny when you are on a farm that makes a business of serving eggs for breakfast and selling honey.
We headed west to Mont St Michel.  We expected traffic, but not as much as we encountered.  We didn't need to speak French to figure out that we were in the middle of the bike racing world -- not just a race, but for the START of the Tour de France!  We found ourselves about 25 meters from the starting line at about 15 minutes before the ride began!  Of course we sat in all kinds of traffic afterward to get to the parking spot to go to the island, but we saw the start of the Tour de France.  We couldn't have planned that better!

 Mont St Michel, second in annual visitors in France only to the Eiffel Tower was magnificent.  Susan Hemmer gets credit for encouraging us to go to Giverny while Eileen Goff was the first to encourage us to come to this granite island that since the early 700s has been dominated by an abbey.  Our time spent on this gothic and majestic island compared sharply to our next stop at Arromanches-les-Bains.  This town marks the east end of the 54 miles of beach of the D-Day landing.  We saw significant remains of the foundation pieces of artificial harbour that Churchill envisioned.

 Our day ended after a fabulous French meal in a family owned restaurant in this picturesque sea-side town-- La Ripalle translated as " The Feast."  Not surprisingly, the French know how to do escargot, au poivre sauce and here in Normandy, a fabulous Camembert sauce!

 When we got back home, Justin went to look for the red chicken.  She had found her way back to her eggs and although she appeared to be tending her clutch, she also appeared to be dead.  Justin even tossed a stick her way with no response.  We haven't figured out how to fess up yet.
 

Martragny, France:  1 July 2016
Day 1
 
On the road to Giverny we saw fabulous countryside that looked totally different from where we lived in Germany.  The hillsides were much more rolling than severe and of course, the look of the country chateaus served to prompt ooos and aahhs.  None of this compared to the majesty of Monet's Garden.  Oh my goodness!  Justin was in heaven and could easily identify many of the varieties of plants and flowers.  With all the rain we've had lately, the gardens were indeed in their splendor.  A brief rain shower while we were in the Master's house was followed by hints of sunshine thus allowing another perspective of the grounds.  I might paint too if I had inspiration such as that.
Next stop, The Giverny Museum of Impressionism.  This was particularly significant for us since one of the places Justin and I went when we first met was the Chicago Art Institute which is world renowned for its collection of Impressionist pieces.  This was a small collection with an exhibit of the works of Caillebotte who is most famous for his Rue in Paris -- the iconic picture of the couple walking in the rain.
Our AirBnb for the next three nights is La Rucher de Martragny.  It is in an old French country house owned by a French farmer/entrepreneur and his French/Vietnamese wife.  Their ten-year old son and cat met us when we arrived.  What a perfect spot -- I really like it here.

 
 

 

Kaiserslautern, Germany:  24 June 2016

We will borrow a friend's car for the first leg of summer travel.  We put that car in the shop this morning to make sure we are set.  Back to our empty house for FMO collection (refrigerator, washer and dryer, wardrobes and transformers) and the patio table (the last pick-up of all the goods we sold).  We cleared our with Herr Schinz this afternoon.  We enjoyed our Morlautern home for two years.  I doubt we will ever live in a house quite that large again.  Herr Schinz and Anne said the house looked perfect so we got all our deposit back. AND we get a €60 back from SWK!!!  Some of that can go toward the $3500 we owe from reconciliation on our Living Quarters Allowance... argh!
On to buy some cheese and snackers for an evening with friends at the Wein Hauck.  I was oh so ready to lift a glass of bubbly in celebration! 

Meaux, France: 30 June 2016
Day .5
Last day of work for DoDDS...forever.  First day of our retirement.
I tried to avoid the goodbyes.  With an empty in-box, I wrote a short note to the DSO staff and to the Kaiserslautern administrators as I headed out the door.  Justin and Gemma were waiting.  After hectic running of last minute errands and packing the car, we were on the road and in France by 4:30pm.  It was about a four hour drive to Meaux which is very near Paris Disney -- our first night on the road -- no Mickey or Minnie at all.

 

Our little hotel room at Premier Classe Chambers was funky and something out of the Jetsons.  Very small but fine for one evening.  We shared a bottle of wine and a crumbly and fragrant 12 year old cheddar.  Perfect!

After breakfast in the morning, we will head to Giverny and visit Monet's garden.  Perhaps we will see water lilies as we walk through the area that served to inspire the artist.

Kaiserslautern, Germany: 29 June, 2016

After a full day at work and a dozen errands, we are headed to dinner.  For our last night in Germany we chose to go to Spinradl.  Said to be housed in the oldest half-timbered building in Kaiserslautern, the restaurant dates back to 1509.  The last time we were here was when Harold and Charlsy visited.  Their kasespatzle is the ultimate tricked-out adult Mac and cheese ever.

Kaiserslautern, Germany:  28 June, 2016

The EOS is on its way to St Louis!  Justin scrubbed and polished and vacuumed and sweated.  We both prayed.  All our paperwork was good to go and our car passed a multiple point inspection.  This was a HUGE hurdle.   Matt Syarto, a friend from work who has lived in Germany for the better part of twenty years, said that he had never known of ANYONE who prepped their own car -- and passed!  Kudos to Justin!

Meanwhile, at work, I had a crisis because I couldn't find my ID card.  Forty minutes of panic set at bay upon rediscovery deep in the seat of Lorayne's car.  With only two days of work left, I didn't have time to even think about going to get another ID card.  I worked late while Justin ran errands.  Together we made a quick trip to Dave's and Susan's to get our "stuff" ready to go.  Still too much stuff, but we are getting close.

Kaiserslautern, Germany:  27 June, 2016

A seemingly typical Monday at work, but actually not so typical at all.  My inbox is well below 100.  I still need to transfer a few files of mostly pictures.  I've been shredding papers like a fool the last month or so.  I do need to pass on some of the most current info to my replacement.  We took all the pictures off the walls and all my knock-knacks home before the pack-out.  My office does look rather bleak.
Justin hit a glitch in prepping the car for shipping today -- a dead battery.  Took too much time, but he thinks we are ready for the inspection in the morning.
We had what will probably be one of our last home-cooked meals for a while -- a delicious surf-n-turf...yummy!  Three more alarm clocks! 

 

Kaiserslautern, Germany: 26 June, 2016

Sunday morning quiet hours and all the street sounds were muffled while the church bells resounded.  I love the bells and I'll miss their quarter hour chimes.  We headed to breakfast at Sanders, one of our local haunts.  With the manic of cleaning and clearing the house complete we were able to enjoy our last Sunday in Germany.  The  day promised to be rain free so we got in one last convertible ride in the Pfalz before we ship the car on Tuesday.  Some of the long-views in the area are simply astounding.  One gets a feeling of humility as you view the vastness of the landscape.
Later in the evening Justin and I made a list for the next four days.  OMG!!!  Good thing a glass of wine was readily available.  Four more alarm clocks! 

 

 

 

 

Kaiserslautern, Germany:   25 June 2016

A lazy Saturday morning that starts a time when everyday is a Saturday.  No, not yet, but oh so soon.  Four days left of employment with DoDDS.
We spent time today catching up on correspondence.  I must determine how to capture our journey, so for now, this journal.
Afternoon errands on base allowed us an opportunity to relax a bit at Dave and Susan Hemmer's house.  They have inherited all our frig and freezer treasures as well as cleaning supplies etc.  Justin Is down to one carry on and one backpack while I have a suitcase and a backpack for our UK swing.  We will come back to the Hemmer's to switch out Scotland clothes for Croatia clothes in early August.  In early September we will breeze through again to get all our stuff as well as Gemma's kennel before we fly.  We are very fortunate to have their home to store our clothes etc.  when we come back from Mons to Kaiserslautern we will be on the train -- moving will need to be swift and purposeful given train schedules.  More importantly, we are fortunate to have the Hemmer's as friends.  And, they do have a really nice backyard where Justin and I were able to put our feet up and enjoy a glass of wine after our chores were complete.  Susan used to be any Kinnick High School and we know Dave and Susan through Dave McCullough.  The DoDDS connection comes through again. 

Kaiserslautern, Germany: 23 June 2016

A day of cleaning and hopes of, soon, a day of rest.
We designed business cards, but we have no business.  We will use them to share contact information for the next few months on the road.  We truly must address the phone issue.  A new and unlocked cell phone for Justin is top of the list.  Is my cell unlocked?  And then, a provider?  Pre-paid minutes?  Contract?  Too many questions.
We did end the day with a quick shower and a stroll through our downtown Kaiserslautern neighborhood.  When we arrived in Germany in April, 2104, we stayed at the Burgshanke Hotel -- a great family-run German hotel on the outskirts of town right at the base of the Hohenecken Castle.  As we leave Kaiserslautern, I wanted the down-town experience of being able to walk to restaurants and be in the city. Did that banana split (double chocolate, hazelnut and raspberry) make up for the street noise first thing this morning?  The jury is still out. 

Kaiserslautern, Germany: 22 June 2016

Tonight is the first night in our hotel -- The Altstadt Hotel.  The house is empty; the crates are packed, sealed and on their way.  Tons of paperwork has been completed and more remains.  Gemma, miniature poodle extraordinaire, had surgery yesterday to have five teeth extracted.  She's chipper today but needs to eat chicken and rice.  That will be a challenge as we begin at least the next 90 days on the road.  She will be a big factor as we make many of our travel decisions as we fully intend to have her with us on our adventures.  It will be easy the first few months since we will stay in Europe and will be traveling by car.  We send our Volkswagon EOS on its way early next week.  We will collect it in St Louis in early September.  We have Loyane's  car for the first month as we travel through France, the U.K., up to Amsterdam and back to Mons. We will rent a car for the second leg to Prague, Kraków, Croatia and then back to Kaiserslautern in early September.  30 June is my official retirement date; the first official day of the next chapter.  A bit more to do in Kaiserslautern before we hit the road though.