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Written over the Atlantic - Thursday, October 25, 2012

Back home

As we head home to Canada today, we have mixed emotions.  The past 6 weeks in Europe have been very fulfilling to say the least.  The sights and sounds have now become familiar to us and we will miss them.  The constant cow bells clanging as we drove down the roads and as we tried to sleep - the fast drivers who pass  in very close quarters - the lack of stop signs - the rolling yield signs - the round abouts instead of stop lights - the hills and mountains - the flowers in the window boxes - the little 5-speed diesel Modus - the friends we have made at the farm stays - the walkers and bikers at every turn - the sun and fog at high altitude…. and more. 

We have traveled almost 400 km on our bicycles - at times they carried us up steeper grades than we should have tackled.   The new Renault Modus now has 4461 km that we have added to the odometer for the next guy who buys it as a demo.

We chose the fall season specifically to experience the harvest  and fall colors in Europe.  One thing we did not count on experiencing was the fog and colder weather.  We had 2 great weather weeks in Germany  then 2 rather depressing weeks in Switzerland then 2 great weeks in Austria.  Guess 2 out of 3 is not bad when we think of it.  Shorts and short sleeved shirts had been packed but could very well have been left at home.  Should have packed more sweaters perhaps but we survived. 

The colours of the leaves and hillsides were  spectacular especially on those days when the sun brought them to life with the snow capped mountain backgrounds and the deep blue waters of the mountain lakes.  1938 photos will help us remember each day.  Would love to share some of them with each of you -  ask us though - we do not want to bore you. 
Thanks to my brother Ken (and Martha)  for the airport trips.  A special thanks to Ed Winger for caring for the lawn back home over the last 6 weeks.  Thanks as well to neighbors Frank and Bruce for keeping an eye on each side of  our home. 

We have been blessed with good health, safety as we traveled,  and the friendships made over the past 6 weeks.  Thanks to all of you who kept in contact with us via e-mail and face book and Skype.  

It was a trip that will never be forgotten and we are thankful to have experienced it together with good health.

Gruss Gott und Auf wiedersahen

Dave & Jean