Beautiful Bruges

Last weekend, we visited Bruges, which lies in the north-west of Belgium, just 10km from the North Sea. The historic town centre is stunning, and has preserved it's medieval nature due to the fact that it was not damaged very much during both World Wars (unlike many other parts of Belgium). We explored the narrow, cobbled lanes and magnificent squares, and enjoyed strolling alongside the meandering canals. Our hotel "Hotel Biskajer" was wonderful - the decor was of aubergine, grey-wood panelling, and black marble tiles. The breakfast (most important meal of the day) was delicious, too. The shopping in Bruges is great - we especially enjoyed a gorgeous homeware store and the TinTin shop! We attended mass in the "Basilica of the Holy Blood" - a moving experience. This church holds one of the holiest relics in Europe - a phial containing some drops of blood and water washed from the body of Christ. After the mass, many people lined up to look at and touch the phial. On a completely different note, I do believe that during our time there we tasted the best hot chocolate known to humankind! "The Old Chocolate House" served us two large bowls of steaming hot milk, into which we placed a chocolate cup full of chocolate buds (Ale also had cream!) - the chocolate cups sank, the chocolate melted... and we indulged ourselves completely! We also shared a plate of various chocolates - white, dark, milk, each one filled with mint and strawberry and orange cremes... words cannot describe such taste sensations! OK, enough about chocolate... and I'm not even that big a fan of chocolate! We will definitely return to Bruges before we leave Belgium... of that we are certain :)

Candalla

A few weeks ago, we went to visit "Candalla", the wonderful osteria which Giulio and Massimo will be opening in May. They have been working on a total renovation of the building (a former mill) for many months now, and they are getting closer to the target each day! After eating a delicious lunch (prepared by Giulio), we explored the building and the nature surrounding the structure - the river is so clear, and there are frogs everywhere!

Easter Holidays with Jenny!

Click on the photo to see many more!

Jenny joined us for the Easter break this year! We had a great time catching up and touring around Tuscany and Liguria. Over the 10 days, Jenny had the experience of dining with 'the locals' - our family, on many occassions, as well as eating out and enjoying specialities such as cecina (chickpea pancake - delicious!), paste (many different kinds of pastries), different flavours of gelato (Italian ice-cream - simply divine!), caffe e cappuccino (Italian coffee), insalate con aceto balsamico e olio d'oliva (salad with balsamic vinegar and olive oil), and of course different types of pane (Italian bread) and pasta. We explored various places - Pisa, Lucca, Viareggio, Marina di Pisa, Cinque Terre and Firenze. We also had a few fabulous nights (until very late in the evening/morning) playing Australian MONOPOLY! (yes, no more wild nights on hard liquor!). This wedding gift from the Wray-Browns is wonderful and playing games such as this really brings out a different side to people... sharks everywhere! It was so wonderful to spend quality time with such a good friend - thanks for visiting Jen - we miss you!

P. S. Jen - if I left anything out, let me know :)

Berlin 2008

On Thursday, Feb 27, Ale and I met up in Berlin for a long weekend. I had to attend a conference during the day, but in the evenings we had a chance to be tourists. Unfortunately the conference hotel was about 1 hour from the centre, but we still managed to do a few things. On Friday evening we met up with Michael, Marta and Cord, and dined together in a fantastic Japanese restaurant. Udon with tofu for me, and chirashi-zushi (mixed sushi over rice) for Ale.

On Saturday afternoon we visited C/O Berlin
(http://www.co-berlin.info/co-neu/web/CO_Berlin/start.php) to see an exhibition entitled 'Assorted Cocktail' (http://cgi.kunde.inter.net/co-berlin/user-cgi-bin/news/inhalt_en_neu.php)
by well-known British photographer, Martin Parr (http://www.martinparr.com/index1.html). His social commentary through images is extraordinary! After the exhibition, we did a spot of shopping, and then indulged in some hearty German fare - wurst, brot, sauerkraut und salat. The waiter was shocked that we ordered water rather than beer, and I was worried that we may be asked to leave! Sunday was spent on trains, in airport lounges, and on planes... not much fun. However, all in all, it was a wonderful weekend!

Christmas in Pisa 2007

We drove from Waterloo back to Pisa - via Luxembourg, France and Switzerland! It was minus 6 when we left Waterloo, and the drive, especially through France, was a snowy one. We spent the night in Lugano, Switzerland (Ale was exhausted from driving!), and we enjoyed fantastic pizzas for dinner. Ale was surprised by everyone speaking Italian outside of Italy! By the time we arrived back in Pisa, Ale was terribly ill (I think that I'd passed on my germs from the previous week!), so we had a very quiet Christmas together - we couldn't attend any family or friend events as he was simply too ill. He eventually recovered, and we enjoyed a lovely meal with Peter, Mary, Nonna and Antonio in the newly renovated Meucci apartment - che bello! The weather over the three weeks we were together in Pisa was very cold... so we enjoyed spending time at home, curled up with a book next to a heater, or in bed watching DVDs! The hot water bottle came in handy - and thank-you to the Wray-Browns for sending us two new hot water bottles for Christmas! - they have been put to good use :)

Belgium 2007/8

Hmmm... I've discovered that if I don't work, I go a little stir-crazy! So, in October 2007, Ale and I decided that I should take a librarian job at an international school in Waterloo, Belgium. At the beginning of November, we made the long drive from Pisa to Waterloo. Setting up house was fun, though I never want to visit Ikea again in my life! For now, Ale spends most of the week in Pisa/Lucca, working hard, and we spend weekends together in Waterloo. My contract will be completed in June 2008... and then... we'll keep you posted!

Wray-Browns in Pisa 2007

In October, Jo, James, Chelsea and Matilda visited us in Pisa for a few days. We had a great time together, catching up on all the news, and exploring Pisa, Marina di Pisa, and Lucca together. Chelsea was very impressed with The Leaning Tower of Pisa - La Torre di Pisa, and vows to return one day to climb it! http://torre.duomo.pisa.it/