If you ever become a wino...

I take full responsibility. 

The Coq Au Vin Jaune, with morels, would give the famous Coq Conidi a run for its money! 

If you ever become a wino...

I take full responsibility. 

The Coq Au Vin Jaune, with morels, would give the famous Coq Conidi a run for its money! 

Pretty Abois

This town is as pretty as it gets. JM took the opportunity for some sleep. 

The canal next to Louis Pasteurs place. 

Rach found an unsealed pathway to this. 

Worlds biggest open toastie. 

Jura

Left our good friends in a Dijon for Abois in the Jura today. Home of the legendarily long lived Vin Jaune (yellow wine) and one of the prettiest little towns in French wine country. 

Having to rely on our French a little more than in the bigger cities like Dijon where they speak a little English and can appreciate what you are trying to say in French. 

Lunch in the village square was interesting, and proof that no matter how lazy the chef a few slices of washed rind smelly stuff gets even the most thrown together Croque Monsieur over the line. 

A very quiet littlevillage, but sense that there is some interesting things to do besides the Louis Pasteur museum. 

As big as he's getting, still seems tiny at times. 

Pretty town square in Abois. 

Yep, only guy in France in shorts right now. 

Rockin the mobile cot- almost got the hang of it. 

3 course modem french for €26. Love regional france for food!

Dijon

Visiting our great friends Les Wilson's in Dijon always brings a feeling of home.  

All in France is so formal and propper, here we can enjoy all the lovely things of France in Aussie style. 

When asked if there was anything in particular we wanted to do on town (visit sites etc) Rach asked for the croissants and apple turnovers from the local boulangerie. Damo is a Facebook friend with the owner, and reserved them the night before. They sell out. They are that good. 

Bosch and Arden have grown in to real little men, and JM is intrigued by them both. 

Damo sacrificed a Cote De Beouf (the really big end of a Rib Eye steak on the bone) to the Webber BBQ gods today complete with vine clippings smoke, potatos from the home garden complete with Burgundy while (Macon) and Red (Santeney 1er) that matched very well. 

Thank you Jo and Dame for a lovely stay- we needed to feel at home to lose these colds and give John a great night's sleep. 

Looking forward to catching up again after our Burgundy adventure in a week's time. 

First horsey ride. A gifted rider. 

Pooj in a big boys chair- we can't use it in Oz unfortunately so will give to someone in need before we head off. 

I'm up Dad, is it not time for croissants yet?? 

As close to religious as we get. Beef, sacrificed, to the BBQ Gods. Yep, smoke courtessey of Burgundian vine clippings. Gives new meaning to Beef and Burgundy. 

There are worse places to be stuck in bed with a cold.

Made our first trip out today after a long family stint in bed with a cold. 

Strasbourg is a lovely place- ancient buildings, canals, flower boxes on every window and waiters who give you the option of trying to communicate in French rather than saying 'hello' on the approach. 

Tried some local delicacies today in 'Petit France' quarter, a local dumpling that they use like pasta, learned all about the categories of fois gras (we prefer the duck...) and found that the local biscuit is gluten free (macaroons not to be confused with macarons).  

Got our fix of choucroute in before we leave town tomorrow for our friends in Dijon. 

En route- this place always cracks me up. Anyone who knows me knows that I get hungry- the French have a word for it... 

The cathedral in Strasbourg appears our of nowhere. 

Yep. Made for the locals. (Yes I washed the shirt before wearing it again;) 

Petit John in Petit France 

They were waiting for Costar...

Picturesque Petit France, Strasbourg. 

Even John is excited by 1€ Perrier. 

Brussels

In Brussels with our Belgian family, Les Jordans. 

Yesterday was spent exploring the City separately. 

The romance of cobblestones is totally gone once you need to push a little fella or drag a 30kg bag (thank god for Ol Blue Conidi/Highams!). 

Brussels is an intereting city, especially when you cross from the Dutch to French speaking (and living) parts. 

A lovely dinner last night with E, V and R, complete with 2000 Ch Beychevelle and 

Still trying to find baby seat...

Turns out, it is tricky to find a baby seat in Brussels! 

Have driven right out in to the suburbs, seen some very ethnic areas, and getting used to driving on the wrong side of the road from the passenger seat. 

Interesting stuff! 

Rach, in case you are reading, I will still meet you at 530 at Motel One. Hopefully with a baby seat! Xx 

And the vacation begins.

Little JM loves to see himself in the mirror. 

First giggles today after a very long (and miserable) adjustment. 

This whole baby on a plane experiment might just work despite our thoughts to to contrary just last night. 

'We can always fly home' one of us said. Can't remember which one as we were so sleep deprived and doped up on Sudafed. 

But we both, for that hour, considered it a viable option. 

One of us also said that it's just like having a newborn again. JM just could make sense of it all. 

Welcome back et bienvenue a Europe! 

Off to bed with no dinner

Yup. Exhausted. And JM just had a scream. Cancelled dinner plans and everyone in bed before 7. 

Shared a pack of potato chips with t for dinner. Jmhad a bottle made with Evian- oh la la. It's cheaper than Mount Franklin here.

Arrived safe in Belgium!

Just touched down in Brussels, and making our way to the hotel by train. 

Cab was going to cost 70€.  Train is quicker at 15€. 

Have got a mobile, will send number in an email mum and dad. 

Very tired, esp JM. 

Love to all, us. 

The never ending flight to Dubai!

Thanks granny, grandad and Di for your help at the airport today. 

It made all the difference. 

Bassinet is a good idea in theory, only if your baby is normal height. 

At a squeeze, he fits, but most of the time he spent on Rachel's lap due to terbulance. 

Nothing about the air really bothered you, you just missed your normal freedoms. 

Dubai in 2 hours. 

Off we go again- with a little man and less than healthy...

We have dusted off the old blog for our next adventure- this time with John in tow! 

Will make for a little more flexibility, preparation, and no doubt fun. 

First stop, Brussels via Dubai, to catch up with our Belgian family- the Jordans. 

First thing's first though, to pack our bags. We have all been in the wars with this lurgie so we only have a small window to prepare. 

M.Sebastian's 6th birthday today will give  us an opportunity to enjoy Adelaide and all it's spring glory one last time- we are well aware that we are leaving Adelaide at its finest. 

Au revoir et a bientot (bye and see you all soon!)

Les Murphys. 

(Ps thank you Auntie Magda and Uncle Steph for sausage sitting and granny J for Mando watching!)