Perkins Bill - Counting Our Blessings: 69 Days in Europe

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Published in Australia by Sid Harta Publishers Pty Ltd,

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First published in Australia 2013

This edition published March 2013

Copyright Di and Bill Perkins 2013

Cover design, typesetting: Chameleon Print Design

The right of Di and Bill Perkins to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

Di and Bill Perkins

Counting Our Blessings 69 Days in Europe

ISBN: 9781742982984 (ePub)

Digital edition distributed by

Port Campbell Press

www.portcampbellpress.com.au

Conversion by

This book is dedicated to those who, for one reason or another, have not been able to travel may you share the journey with Bill and me.

ITALY

SLOVENIA

CROATIA

SLOVENIA

AUSTRIA

HUNGARY

CZECH REPUBLIC

GERMANY

HOLLAND

NORWAY

SWEDEN

RUSSIA

FAREWELL

Across the valley of terracotta roofs to the 13th Century San Domenico Basilica where we celebrated Mass

(2 photographs)

We give to you a rsum of missives and reflections from a self-planned holiday primarily through the old Eastern Bloc countries, Holland, Scandinavia and Russia. Our last big European venture in 2005 covered the southern part of Europe, France and Belgium, and this present holiday presumably will be our last, so we particularly savoured every aspect of the journey. During these few months, we met so many generous folk who enriched our experiences in their country and to whom we are indebted.

A selection of Bills evocative photographs has been included.

Good friends brought us to the airport in March, 2012, and partly calmed our inner concerns. Before this long holiday, considerable organisation was necessary to make and confirm bookings, to minimise the amount of clothing we packed while ensuring its sufficiency, and to maximise security of our home during our absence. The preparation of updated wills prior to our departure was necessary, though emotionally exhausting as it addressed our own mortality. Boarding the plane we braced for the thirty-hour trip, knowing that this would be our last long European trip. The excitement factor of discovery had not kicked in yet it was a matter of getting over the hurdle of the journey. In truth, leaving our girls and our two grandchildren for such a protracted time was daunting. As we walked through first class in the Qantas plane, the steward said rather officiously, Dont break stride.

Without its usual wonderful arrangements of orchids, Changi Airport looked slightly sterile so different from the terminal of which we had nurtured fond memories. We struck up a conversation with a couple from Frankfurt who come to Sydney every year to avoid the European winter; conversely, we were hoping to enjoy their snow. An English couple from the Cotswolds spoke about the wild flowers, especially bluebells that were abundant in the woods in England at this time of the year. Looking around the airport, it was easy to believe that Singapore was indeed the crossroads of the world. What a dastardly hour of midnight, after a long stopover, to be re-embarking for the long haul to London. Many young children ran around laughing happily, thankfully working off their energy before boarding for the trip to London.

Our safe arrival in London signalled the actual start of our marvellous journey and we relaxed. The third and final leg to Rome began and we almost had a spring in our step. Flying over the beautiful country in southern England, the recognisable regions and landmarks in France, and then to peer out onto the snow-capped mountains of Switzerland and northern Italy, we were now mentally prepared to embark on this fabulous holiday!

Friday, 30 March, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

We have just completed a fantastic day at the Basilica and the Sistine Chapel followed by the best Neapolitan pizza with anchovies and some tiramisu. Life is pretty tough here in Italy! No wonder the men hum and sing, the women dress so beautifully and walk tall. I have once more fallen in love with the cadence of the language, the lilting intonations and the continuous hand movements to accompany the vocals. I have refrained from asking a mother almost operatically summoning her child in the most mellifluous tones if she would mind replaying it dont want to be locked up. Cant find the apostrophe or the dash so please forgive; the iPad is too sensitive for my eager fingers.