Photos from Gallingen

Saturday 25th June

 Well yesterday was full on. Maria was off to the hairdresser early and I had to paint my toe nails and pack our overnight bag. It was essential that everything needed for the wedding was on board as the wedding venue and our accommodation were about an hour away. We went to the venue in Gailling first to drop off the pavlovas  then to the Rhinegold Hotel about 3 kms away. We drove over a beautiful old covered bridge between the two sites. Our hotel was really comfortable and very reasonably priced because it is across the Rhine in Germany.

We just had time to change and then off to the weddimg. The weather has been a source of some anxiety because rain and storms had been forecast. However even if Lea and Michael couldn't have an outdoor service on the bank of the river the venue was well set up for undercover events.

By the time we arrived the decision had been made for an undercover event. The reception area had been divided by curtains and all the tables were behind them adjacent to the open servery kitchen area. Seating was arranged inside because even though it wasn't raining at that time it was evident that it would be soon. The service was a bit different for us because we couldn't understand a word. Also I thought the lady reverend  talked for a bit too long before getting down to the important business. However Lea and family were happy with how it went. 

It was raining by the time we went over to a nearby marquee  for drinks, hordouves and some entertaining competitions intended to while away the interlude. Fortunately we were well equipped with umbrellas and it wasn't heavy. The food was delicious and was four courses but widely spaced so by 9pm we had only eaten our salad  then soup. The soup was a local specialty  - White wine Soup. It was very unusual but delicious. When the main course came it was beef and veal with plenty of vegetables.  Desert and the cutting of the two pavlovas was at 11. 30pm. In the periods between courses Lea and Michael's friends had arranged entertainment with video presentations which were about their personal histories and humourous depictions of the events of their courtship. Roland gave the traditional Father of the Bride speach but Michael's father used the audio visual medium which he obviously found easier.

After the desert and coffee etc we had a bit of a wait until the Bridal Whaltz. This was a little different in that it was a well rehearsed dance by Lea and Michael. By then it was after 1am and long past Bob and my bedtime. We gathered up Michael's mother who was also wilting and took the first shuttle bus home to the hotel. Maria and Roland kicked on till 2am and fhe young people danced on till 3am.

Bullach Thursday.

 Well tomorrow is Michael and Lea's big day. This morning Lea called in to collect one of her parents cars to use for the weeding day as it is bigger than hers. Maria and I went over to their vegetable allotment to pick red currents and rasberries.  The rasberries are destined to decorate a pavlova which Lea has decreed for their wedding cake. An Aussie friend of Michal's arrived here from Munich in time for lunch enroute to participate in Michael's bucks night. He is the official Pavlova cook as it is his spacialty while he is in Europe.  Chris is a  sociable man who has fallen on his feet over here. He was working in Australian television when COVID  caused his hours to be progressively reduced. He began  part time in work programming electronic control of television booms.  This landed him a position in the Australian team at  the Eurovision  Contest. Now he has the possibility of a contract of work with a Danish firm which has so much work on they  are using him as a contractor and flying him all around Europe to help out on productions who want to use the technology.  

Bye for now I am going to see how the pavlova is progressing.

Bullach Activities

Yesterday was more relaxed. We had a late breakfast and before I had realised it Maria had loaded our washing into her machine and it was ready to hang in the drying room. I did manage to help hang it up and bring it in later. We had a trip back to the Airport which is 12 kms away. Here we could exchange money, look around a huge Migros supermarket and stop in to Maria's favourite restaurant for  a drink. Along the way we went for a walk around a forest walk trail that has been developed adjacent to the airport  which is accessed by a small funicula  rail. Not the last we will use before we leave I am sure.

We also purchased a Rail/chair lift/ ferry tourist concession card which Maria assures us will save us lots and a local sim card to use for the month. It was very interesting while  we were in the restaurant drinking tea. At a large table next to us were some "beautiful " people  celebrating a wedding and drinking shampagne. The outfits were fascinating including a guy who had combed his beard into ringlets. There were women in long dresses, one in a very elegant off the shoulder dress but it had slipped down a bit and had the hanging straps peeking out. Quite entertaining.

We were still fairly early to bed but feel a lot more rested. More later.

Zurich

 We arrived exactly on scedule and Maia and Roland were there to meet us.  They took us home to a delicious breakfast of interesting bread and croisants. We thoroughly enjoyed it despite having eaten a substantial airline breakfast. We had had a more comfortable flight in Premium Economy but still didn't sleep much.

Caught up on the Swiss  Family news. This included the fact that in Switzerland there is a civil marriage ceremony prior to the religious ceremony. So Lea actually became Mrs Good last Saturday. The religious ceremony is on Friday at a beautiful location on the bank of the Rhine. Weather permitting there will be an outside ceremony followed  by what sounds like quite a party in a specially designed venue.

Yesterday it was 33c so quite a change from our 18c at home. We went for a walk out to a traditional Swiss farm on the outskirts of Bulach the village where Maria and Roland live. It is rather different to Aussie broad acres farms, An intensively cultivated 55 hectares. The farmer worked in the local semi volunteer fire service with Roland and also did contract harvesting for others to suppliment  the family income though he is now retired. The walk took us through beautiful Beech and fir forrest which is still harvested for firewood by the local Forrest Service.. Roland and Maria's  camper is very similar to ours with slightly fewer of the gadgets but with precision German construction. Bob was most impressed.

Last night we fell into bed and were asleep immediately. Today will be a relaxed day.

Now it is Singapore

 Hi,

I don't know what happened when  I started this post but we really are in Singapore now. We had a fairly good flight with SIA in that we departed on time and arrived on time. We have both been a bit spaced out today having to be at the airport at 3am and then not sleeping much on the flight. Fortunately our first experience with Uber went very well but our anxiety as to whether it was going to be successful meant we were at the Perth airport very early. It seems that being Saturday night there were plenty of drivers working which was in our favour. We will know better next time.

We spent the early afternoon exploring the Changi Jewel extension of the airport. It is huge with 8 levels filled with shops, entertainments  and all manner of restaurants.  Being Sunday it was fairly bustling with locals as well as travellers. The indoor waterfall and rainforest vegetation are a huge focal point and interest. We found the food hall  and had a tastly lunch and were able to check in to our hotel just after 2pm.  It was definately nap time then. Afterwards we had to head down to the Supermarket to buy milk so we could have a decent cup of tea.  After another saunter around the levels we have had a  delicious  light dinner and a are  now settling into our room for the night. 

SINGAPORE

 Hello ,

Just a week until we fly out to Switzerland via Singapore. We will be with our friends Roland and Maria and attending their daughter Lea's wedding to Michael. After that we are going to be based in Lucerne and exploring Switzerland with our hosts who have just semi retired and are looking forward to being our tour guides. I will be blogging regularly as this is my online diary.  Talk soon- after the 19th. G