Wondering where these WALLIES are?

Hello out there in Blogging land. We are still alive, but these "Wallies" have had an interesting time over the past number of days. We have had limited internet access...so we have be out of touch and add complications with our Bronchitis to the mix and we had been out of sorts completely.

Back to where we left off in Holland and I'll bring you up to speed.

Speed...Hi-speed actually. This is where I will begin.

Hattem, the tiny medieval town we visited.
I was taking a number of pictures of this
house when I became aware of someone
waving at me from inside...the owners are
happy for us to take pictures, but it was a
little unnerving at the time.

David and I were still under the weather with this "stupid" bronchitis (diagnosed in Thailand - but more on that later!) and we still had to research, find and book our transport from Holland to Frankfurt Airport to catch our flight to Bangkok. So our dear friend Terry said she would do the research for us...and found that the Hi-speed train travels from Holland (Arnhem) to Frankfurt in 2 1/2 hours, which would be quicker than travelling ALL the way back to Amsterdam and flying out to Frankfurt. Good plan...book it Danno! (Thai TV screens the old series of Hawaii Five-O everyday...I didn't realise how much I had missed Jack Lord and Danny over the past 30 or more years! We saw a lot of Thai TV - but more on that later!)

Hoar frost close up! Amazing spectacle! It is on every
tree branch.

So, toward the end of our week in Heidebeek, I finally felt well enough to do some sight seeing (David was still not well enough to go out!) of the lovely little towns around the area. The best part of the trip was travelling along the dyke and the water frozen over, and being introduced to Hoar Frosts. Now, don't ask me what it is or how it happens (even though Terry did explain! Duh!???)...but the effect is spectacular. Every tree branch was magically transformed into an icy miracle. You will need to look at the pictures to understand...but it was stunningly beautiful and only happens under special weather circumstances. What a thrill to be there to experience this occurance. The next day it was gone...and Terry told me a few days after we left the snow was completely gone...so I think that Holland put on the snow and hoar frost just for us...what a blessing! (I love snow!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Hoar frost on the trees along the dyke. Gorgeous!

But finally it was time to leave our little (sick) nest and move onto our next adventure. With heavy hearts (amd colds) we arrived at the train station to catch our hi-speed train to Frankfurt airport. We looked at the timetable for our train and noticed that it was 15 minutes delayed...and we were there early anyway...so let's kill some time and grab a coffee. Great idea...although I said to David I would be more comfortable waiting on the platform...you just never know with these things! David mockingly said...so you think that the train that is delayed by fifteen minutes (says so on the board) would actually leave on time...without us? Duh! What was I thinking! Alright I'll relax and enjoy my tea (I don't drink coffee!)

Magical Holland!

Skaters - these people are very excited about skating in
December which is much earlier than in past years.

So, taking into consideration the 15 minute delay, we made our way up to the platform (which was an open air platform minus 2 degrees and we were coughing and spluttering everywhere!) and noticed a group of about 10 people gathered around the train attendents. Very quickly we became aware that there was no train on the platform going to Frankfurt airport. Huh??? Fortunately Terry was with us and jumped into the conversation that these people were having with the attendants...and yes, the train to Frankfurt airport LEFT ON TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I gave David one of my most SEVERE looks (scary at the best of times!) and he conceded that it might have been a good idea to be on the platform waiting for the delayed train that went on time. I KNOW ABOUT THESE THINGS...I HAVE A SIXTH SENSE! WHY DON'T PEOPLE LISTEN TO ME????????????????????????

Okay, it wasn't the end of the world because I had decided to take the earlier train anyway, we still had plenty of time to get to the Frankfurt airport. But how???

Because there were 12 of us that the train left behind...the train attendants were busy organising alternative transport. Finally it was decided that we would get a taxi from Arnhem (Holland) to Oberhaus (Germany) and then catch the necessary train from there to the airport. Hmmm! Sounds easy doesn't it?

Waiting...waiting...waiting (in the open air minus 2 coughing, spluttering!) for the taxi. An hour or so later it arrives, one taxi for the 12 of us and our luggage...squeezy! We said our goodbyes to Terry who had been patiently waiting with us and interpreting for us...and had looked after us so well along with husband Ed and kids David and Chris. It was sad to be leaving...but we were moving on again!

Taxi ride just over one hour...our last look at real snow! Goodbye SNOW! I love you!

Arrive at the station...go to information. How do we get to Frankfurt airport? Catch this train and get off and then catch the hi-speed ICE train to the airport. Sounds easy doesn't it?

Okay! David suggests that we get something to eat and go and wait on the platform. BRILLIANT IDEA!!! Although I didn't have the sense of urgency this time, but I humoured him! We get MacDonalds (we lowered ourselves to the lowest common denominator!) and got up to the platform which of course is in the open air (minus 5 by this stage). We sit down, coats, scarves, gloves, hats - battened down. How does one eat MacDonalds (by now freezing cold) with all this gear on??? Not easy..but we managed to down the solidified fatty chips and icy burgers! Yuck!

We wait and wait and wait...the 5.12pm train finally came...delayed of course! We get on and we get off at the next station...yes dragging our lugguage on and off the train and up and down stairs.

We are now waiting for the hi-speed ICE train, which has been delayed (of course!) We are again waiting on the (open air) platform, trying to discover the correct information (our German is not so good!) about the train we need to catch. We wait! The information on Platform 4 finally turns to display our train information...it's coming! It comes...we get on...we find some seats (very comfortable seats) and make ourselves at home! We are finally on our way to the Frankfurt airport...but here comes the conductor. We have tickets for a completely different train.  "You explain the situation to him" I said to David. "Why me?" "Because you didn't listen to me in the first place!" "Oh!"  A number of minutes of broken German/English, the conductor was quite happy with our story! We are on our way...in a very fast train...192 kms per hour.

Off to Bangkok to be with our host family, the Siamphukdees - Peter (Dad), Judy (Mum), Aim and Ongard. (More next blog!!!)