Archive for the ‘Volvo’ Category

Little Italy

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

If you can’t make it to Europe, the next best thing is a class in the Little Italy part of downtown San Diego.  Steve and I enjoy a two hour  mental trip via “the Wines and Foods of Italy by Region”: each week a different area and 4-6 wines to sample, cheeses, polenta, pizza, and dulce.  The class enjoys videos of each region and shares their own Italian stories.

It was one year ago today that we left for Manchester on our way to Volvo and Montalcino. This week’s trip will be to the Open Air Market in Little Italy on Saturday to replenish oils, spices, and memories. Bene, molto bene.

Part III: Memories

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

Just arrived in Goteborg.  Returned the car to Volvo.  Ships out on July 4, and should be in Irvine by your early August. Weather is  fantastic.  At the same hotel we stayed at when we arrived…SAS Radisson.  We Leave Wed. AM.

We have found that familiarity breeds contentment, making a place feel like “Home” seemed to be our comfort zone, while living on the edge was not.  So our many trips to Camp Darby in Pisa, or even the other military bases were even safe zones. Returning to Goteborg and this hotel feels good. But we have done a good job of enjoying everyday as we countdown to take off.  I would not delete a day of it, and we intend to make the most of today and tomorrow (we are headed to the Spain vs Finland soccer game in an hour).

We were to have the car until tomorrow, but the GPS came across some road construction it couldn’t understand.  Our 11 minutes to our hotel was 45+ and we were still lost.  At that point, we knew we could find Volvo, and walking would be a lot less stressful the remainder of our time. They went over the car, we signed some papers, and they taxied us into town with no expense to us. They will pick us up and take us to the airport on Wed (I like being taken care of too).

The car will be fine, safe, cleaned and it will give me some time to deal with the used car lot we currently have at home!  I was sad to leave Montalcino, but I am ready to be home, be of help to Debbie Powell and Aaron’s wedding this weekend, and get my knees looked at  (and get back in shape).

cloudsSo if I always look at something in the future as a challenge, I don’t have to look backward.  Any way , any big event is 3 parts:  planning, happening, and memories.

We are just moving on to part III.

Cruising

Thursday, April 9th, 2009

cruisinwithsteveSaint Antimo is an Abbey not far from Montalcino and dates from 781 a.d.  It is a story unto itself, but I wanted to get some Steve- time in here. 

We put the top down on the Volvo and cruised from the Abbey through the vineyards and olive groves.  The weather has been awesome.  Wish you all were here!!

In Brugge

Saturday, March 28th, 2009

We had a great day today…Lucy was a little ornry first off and we traveled by the seat of our pants for awhile, but she got her act together. Brugge was awesome and we took a canal ride and had Belgium Waffles and Belgium chocolate and bought a Belgium Lace bookmark. Do I have to eat Brussel Sprouts while I am here too?

Now we are at a military hotel across from the NATO base outside of Brussels in their computer center. We have time change tomorrow, but I hope I can still sleep in.

FYI

  • The gps is Lucy
  • The itouch is Ethel
  • My kindle is Brittany
  • Steve’s kindle is Marion

The naming of the car???  It is still up for grabs.   Andy votes for a Swedish name (Gail’s delivery van is “Brutus”).

Keukenhof Gardens

Saturday, March 28th, 2009

tulippath1Once you get off  the freeways ,the quaint villages  along the way can be enjoyed! In the village of Lisse, NI, you will find Keukenhof Gardens; a veritable Garden of Eden. It  is just emerging as spring tries to warm up.

Only open two months of the year, what originally started as a competition between tulip growers has become a renown vista of incredible beauty…it just feeds the soul.  We drove with the top down in the car, speakers blaring, seat warmers on!

Only about 30% was in bloom, but you could see the potential. There is a huge greenhouse display that had everything in bloom, There were also various competitions going on  in several halls showing orchids, mums, amaryllis and many others.

We walked for miles,but never tired looking at all the beauty!

redtulips

On The Road Again (Via Water)

Thursday, March 26th, 2009
The Road Through Kiel

The Road Through Kiel

 

All-AboardWe left the Volvo dealership with only 5 miles to drive to arrive at the ship and we still got lost! We drove the car up the ramp, hopped out and went to our stateroom for a 13 hour boat trip from Gothenburg (gyoatbuhrg) Sweden to Kiel, Germany.

Once in Germany, “Lucy” had a great deal of difficulty getting used to Europe.  But we eventually found our Bed & Breakfast in Keukenhof, Netherlands and will be staying here for the next 2 days.

But let me tell you about the Autobahn…it’s raining, new car, new country, and the speed limit is 120!  We stayed to the right at a respectful 70 mph. That was fine, until 2 Smart cars passed us (we didnt count the Citroens and Mini Coopers).  We found the replica  of  “Noah’s Ark” in Dracken, and are near the flower fields which we will keep for tomorrow’s adventures.

It’s been a difficult day with being lost and everything in German or now Dutch.  Marriage is a daily commitment…we will try again tomorrow.

Here She Is

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

our-new-babyVolvo really knows how to roll out the red carpet!!  So much fun; to be greeted at the airport, a nice hotel, picked up and taken to the showroom with our name on the board.

Then there she was, wheeled into a special showroom where we were introduced.  Her color is “Vanilla Pearl.”  We signed some papers, took a test drive, and then relaxed over lunch at the headquaters.  Following lunch was a factory tour and then a test drive of a concept car that stops on its own in slow moving traffic if you are about to bump!  A FULL day!! 

Two other families were picking up cars so we ot to be great friends, swapping stories.  Then we headed to the docks to put her on the ship and head overnight to Germany and the continent. 

I didn’t sleep much from too much excitement…so it gave me more praying time.  

pearliSooooo, since we have named all the electronics we brought with us…do we name the Car???  We are taking a poll.

For larger, more detailed photos of our new baby, make sure you click on one of the thumbnail pictures on our photo page.

C70

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

The car is awesome…we have had the tour, lunch and we are waiting an hour until it is time to take the ferry. I will post when we have wifi next! But we are thrilled!!

Gothenburg City

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

We have arrived in Gothenburg, been picked up at the airport, and now are in our room on the 4th floor overlooking the lobby…very nice.  No extra charges for baggage on Ryanair, but 6 layers of clothing made for two very warm flights. More later.

PS.   Saw quite a few Volvos on the road coming in, can’t imagine why.

On The Road Again

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

We  are packing up and weighing our luggage for our flights tomorrow to Sweeden via Dublin . We hear there is quite a steep penalty for any overage and we have two legs to pay. This will be a lot like KC and J to Korea . So we ask that you shoot up a prayer as you go to bed and as we are getting up for EARLY flights…that our luggage arrives with us, doesn’t cost us a fortune, and that  we have travel mercies as the big Volvo  adventure begins!

We have had such a marvelous time here…it’s become safe haven for us, but it is time for the BIG ADVENTURE 🙂