Day 1 - Sunday August 6th
Left home early at 6am to catch the Channel Tunnel Shuttle just at 9.20.  No problems apart from the mile after mile through Kent at 50 mph because of the 'Lorry Park'!.   Pleasant and uneventful journey through France and Belgium into Luxembourg.  Arriving late afternoon around 5pm and at first unable to access the hotel in a pedestrian area.  Had a drink in the cafe and ate there later after a beer/wine in the cafe's outside terrace.  Not shown in the pictures but there was a wildly animated guy in the corner, sadly breaking up with his wife.  Shame.

Day 2 - Monday August 7th
A lovely day walking round Luxembourg.  Visited the cathedral first and then had a look at the duchal palace as well as walking round the park down by the river and seeing the local emergency services training for the next jump from the walkway over the park!  We followed this by getting a ticket for the catecombs under the high spit of land that extends into the loop of the river that snakes around the city.  We again ate in the hotel restaurant.   There was only one downside.  Steve entered tomorrows route into the SatNav which told us we needed a green sticker to enter Munich's Low Emission Zone.  Whoops!

Day 3 - Tuesday August 8th
On our way to Munich - but first we needed to get a green sticker.  Seb had kindly gone to our house and sent a photo of the Registration Document - Remember to never leave home without it! Lynette had found a convenient site on the way in Saarlouis and we found it with no problem.  No one seemed around however so we wondered into the back of the garage and had a 'chat' with the two guys there. It was not confidence inspiring but eventually they were able to issue us the ticket and apologised for not being able to charge us!  We got to Munich after a high speed journey on the Autobahn.  The hotel was great and we wondered into the 'Alt-Stadt' to check out the beer kellers - which were heaving with a brass band so had a meal at a street-side cafe.  Back to the hotel for a night-cap.

Day 4 - Wednesday August 9th
A full day in Munich.  The morning started showery and we had to take shelter once but the day cleared later and was fine.  We started off at the English Garden and watched the surfers. Then went to the Ducal Palace but the queue was too long so we gave it a miss.  We went into the Alt Stadt and visited th cathedral and several churchs.  We then went for a longer walk around the English Garden and visited the Chinese Turm and had a beer. Though not before spending an hour sat on a bench phoning round arranging care for Steve's mum with Stoke Heath.  An interesting and productive day. Polished off with a lovely meal at an Italian restaurant close to the hotel.

 Day 5 - Thursday August 10th
Back on the road travelling to Sue and Gary's chalet just south of Lake Geneva.  An interesting drive - travelling through Germany, Austria, Switzerland and France. Only challenge was the toll bridge from Austria to Switzerland and then the 40 ChF fee for using the Swiss highways for an hour or two.  Arrived at the lovely villa at 5.25 precisely - as per the spreadsheet!  Bearing much needed gifts!  Spent a leisurely evening with Gary doing the BBQ.

 Day 6 - Friday August 11th
After coffee and croissants at the nearby village, Gary took us out for a drive to a lovely town on Lake Geneva - Yvoire.  Wandered round and it was fairly warm so we all needed a beer!  Obviously a tourist spot but a nicely upmarket one.  The shops had some lovely items of local craft work and glassware. Got back to the chalet and took things easy before heading to a local Ski restaurant for dinner.  Really enjoyed it. A DIY on table BBQ with meat and cheese you cooked yourself.  Really nice evening.

 Day 7 - Saturday August 12th
Gary drove down to Lake Geneva again this time to Evian-les-Bains.  Here we caught the ferry across Lake Geneva to Lousanne.  It's quite a steep hill up to the centre of the town so we were brave and took the underground - having to pop our heads out at numerous stops to see if we were in the right place - like meerkats!  Looked round the cathedral and then had lunch outside the Registry Office where we witnessed a wedding every 5 minutes - or so it seemed.  In terms of the density of wierdos per square metre - Lousanne takes some beating! Got back to the chalet wondering if we'd be going round to the neighbours for dinner - we were so tired we were greatful that it was arranged for tomorrow.

 Day 8 - Sunday August 13th
A day for rest and relaxation.  Good idea - were it not for the chainsaw from the nearby house sprucing up (literally) their garden shed for the upcoming carnival procession.  Nonetheless a chilled out morning and in the afternoon a walk round the area including the local church.  Interesting history.  Back to the chalet and then a lovely evening with Sue and Gary's neighbours.  The picture of the church was not taken in August I guess!

 Day 9 - Monday August 14th
Our time with Sue and Gary had come to an end.  We thoroughly enjoyed it and felt we really should go back in the winter season. Our journey back was reasonably leisurely and that night we stayed in Reims.  We hadn't been expecting a lot but we just loved it.  Lovely city.  Didn't start off that way.  We struggled getting to the hotel as it was in a pedestrian area but finally found a car park and walked.  Had a stroll round and were more than impressed.  The hotel was in a perfect location.  A bustling square and full of young people in their 20's and 30's - so we fitted in perfectly! Dinner was in one of the outside restaurants by the hotel.  It absolutely poured with rain but we were under cover - just! 

 Day 10 - Tuesday August 15th
Our very last day.  We had a mid afternoon shuttle crossing so had an hour or two on our hands.  We wandered aimlessly around Reims and came across the absolutely magnificent cathedral.  Such a lovely place.  Set off north, got to the shuttle terminal and checked in with no problem apart from an expected detour towards Lille and the animated discussions about which toilet and which cafe to use! Apart from that - a straightforward end to a lovely 10 days.