As Fontainebleau melts in the distance I want to share a few memories:
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Polish party of 3
Leaving Poland over a month ago Polish is the last language I expect to hear; but on the second day in Fontainebleau we are lucky enough to find ourselves bouldering with a Polish couple.
Coming over from London Ada and Grzes bring their 2 month old baby daughter Nela and pushing a pram stroll into the thickest collection of boulders in France. Instantly in love with their travelling approach, we spent several days enjoying their company and generosity before the pressure of time forces us to leave Fontainebleau.
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The Irish crew
Perched on the top of my conquered boulder I look around for other climbers. Drifting up an adjacent rock face I hear the sounds of familiar accent. But which... Irish!
Exchanging a few words on the way up Jane arrives at the top, sits and rolls a smoke. From our castles in the sky we briefly chat while her companions each climb up and join her.
Standing on the top Jane, Sonia, Kevin and Seamuus look around then ask: "how do we get down?" hmm. Unfortunately this being one of the steepest boulders the traditional descent is by shimmying down with feet on one boulder and back pressed up against the other. Peering over the edge the girls are not eager and look for other possibilities. 10 minutes later and with the aid of two 'crash mats' all 4 are safely back on solid ground - No broken legs, no tears and the only comment: "I'm not going up there again!"
The day proceeds and by its end we have a BBQ invite. A quick shop for meat turns into a mission and once at the checkout we have enough food to feed a third world country not to mention sparing no expense on cocktail umbrellas and gold plated cutlery.
Arriving at the caravan park we settle in for the evening with a beer in one hand and tongs in the other. The BBQ is a fantastic success, and with full bellies and 4 pork chops still sizzling we invite our caravan park neighbours from across the way to join us. Bringing a cask of wine they accept and glass by glass wine and conversation runs rich late into the night.
Waking at a respectable hour we gather our belongings and repack the van. Waving goodbye the van grumbles and we're on our way.
Friday, 12 June 2009
Thursday, 11 June 2009
la friendly french stalker
Later while walking Guzik the stalker emerges from his car and approaches Fred. Conversation follows and upon returning Fred tells of the mysterious man. Our stalker turns out to be a extremely friendly french man working at the racecourse. Determined to always arrive at work on time he leaves home early, and arrives at the racecourse early, giving himself time to relax before his shift starts.
Our mystery man enjoys taking and as they speak he begins to glow with excitement like a child at the opportunity to learn from his new friend. Fred invites him for coffee the following morning.
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Waking late after a tiring day of climbing we realise our Frenchman has already begun his work. Opening the van door to our surprise we find that he has left us some gifts. Lying by the car wheel is a bag of jam filled baby baguettes, a bottle of orange juice, 2 beers and a bag of dog food - what an amazingly kind guy!
We promise ourselves to cook him a nice breakfast the next day.
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Unfortunately during travel plans change rapidly - that night we do not return to the racecourse campsite. We are not able to thank the Frenchman or repay his kindness in any way. We leave not even knowing his name. But we will always remember him - our kind french stalker.
Monday, 8 June 2009
Stuttgart Memories
Let me say this: Stuttgart feels very small, and as a tourist I would probably only spend an afternoon before moving on to other destinations. However, as we were staying with a local couple - Molly and Chris - we saw it through different eyes.
Located on a hill just above the city centre Molly and Chris have an ideal flat. A short stroll up the road and you'll find yourself in the middle of the forest. Surrounded by the tweeting of birds you can completely forget that you're still in the city. 15 minutes down the road and you're in the city centre with all the attractions of Stuttgart at your fingertips.
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While staying in Stuttgart I relaxed into an easy and comfortable lifestyle. Each day started with fresh tasty coffee and delicious food. Daily plans were simple and free time plentiful. I felt stress free, and my mind opened to new ideas. I thought of peoples lives, and how all individuals have great achievements in their lives. Each person follows a path of discovery and each person has a story to tell. I researched into Mind mapping techniques and prototyped how this could be used to create an individuals profile. Like many of my ideas the concept was there, but making it into something more takes time and patience, and so this idea was put on ice.
By night my creativity continued - and after tearing apart a cardboard box I managed to make my version of Settlers of Catan. Not as flashy as the original but with a personal touch this game has proven to provide a social evening for many.
Located on a hill just above the city centre Molly and Chris have an ideal flat. A short stroll up the road and you'll find yourself in the middle of the forest. Surrounded by the tweeting of birds you can completely forget that you're still in the city. 15 minutes down the road and you're in the city centre with all the attractions of Stuttgart at your fingertips.
---
While staying in Stuttgart I relaxed into an easy and comfortable lifestyle. Each day started with fresh tasty coffee and delicious food. Daily plans were simple and free time plentiful. I felt stress free, and my mind opened to new ideas. I thought of peoples lives, and how all individuals have great achievements in their lives. Each person follows a path of discovery and each person has a story to tell. I researched into Mind mapping techniques and prototyped how this could be used to create an individuals profile. Like many of my ideas the concept was there, but making it into something more takes time and patience, and so this idea was put on ice.
By night my creativity continued - and after tearing apart a cardboard box I managed to make my version of Settlers of Catan. Not as flashy as the original but with a personal touch this game has proven to provide a social evening for many.
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Catan
With time and creativity a person can build nearly anything. Like macgyver I set myself a challenge - this time to create the board game 'Settlers of Catan' from little more than a toilet roll, 5 tooth picks and 30cm of sticky tape.
This moment of inspiration came after playing the real game at Mandy's back in Dresden. Not feeling rich enough to buy the game new we crossed our fingers and ventured into the Dresden second hand market. No joy - we returned home with our heads hung low.
Unable to accept defeat and with a large cardboard box at my disposal I set about recreating the game from memory. Several hours later (3am - truth be told) the basic pieces were complete. Evolving further over a couple of days the beta release is now tried and tested.
The results, well see for yourself:
The original
Our version...
Materials and Cost:
Game board (cardboard hexagons) - FREE
Playing cards (Annotated 2 standard playing card packs) - cost 43 euro cents to buy at the Dresden market
Settlement and City objects (coloured 1cent and 10cents) - cost 180 euro cents
Roads (cardboard) - FREE
Dice - Kindly donated
Total cost: 2 euro 23 cents! :)
To find out more about the game check out:
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Dresden Memories
Its been 12 days since we started our trip, and today we are leaving Dresden. Originally a quick stepping stone on to new places - Dresden turned into something much more. Fred found a story, I found a girl.
Mandy, Mandy, Mandy... but lets not rush. Now: from the beginning.
I met Mandy a few days after arriving in Dresden. Our first chat was warm and friendly but too short. Opportunity was in my favour and the following day we met again. Days ran into one another, and what remains now is a Mosaic of magical memories. I have a lot to thank Mandy for - through her Dresden has found a special place in my heart.
A couple of moments:
Mandy takes me on a brief tour through the lost world of Dresden. Somehow we find ourselves in a small courtyard, on one side is a Murial symbolising water, the other wall one for the sun, and around the corner one for wind. Today time is short - but someday soon I'd like to return and see the rain tinkling down through the pipes; the sun blazing off the golden mirrors and the wind filling the white sails.
Over the rainbow:
The weather is not the best, but we decide to venture out on bikes. Mandy wants to show me a beautiful area along the river. From her house we ride out along the footpaths, and down rocky lane ways, We reach a castle overlooking the river. It's raining cats and dogs so we take cover in the deserted castle cafe. There's always a sense of excitement when running for cover as the thunder drums a deafening tune above.
The weather is not the best, but we decide to venture out on bikes. Mandy wants to show me a beautiful area along the river. From her house we ride out along the footpaths, and down rocky lane ways, We reach a castle overlooking the river. It's raining cats and dogs so we take cover in the deserted castle cafe. There's always a sense of excitement when running for cover as the thunder drums a deafening tune above.
While waiting we eat juicy apples. A small bird visits and without hesitation decides to share Mandy's apple.
The rain pauses, and the skies begin to clear. Dresden is shrouded in fog, and as the light begins to fade Dresden bathes in the pink twilight.
Venturing onward we ride next to the river until we come to the 'blue wonder bridge'; we cross and return via a path that weaves along the grassy rivers edge. Luck runs out and the rain begins once more to fall. We arrive back to Mandy's soaked, but happy.
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