The last weeks then back to Oz.. The last three weeks were perfect. But why was David cruising along a canal with a Dutch folk band - under a midnight moon? Yet another unplanned festival; this time on a lake in quaint little Giethoorn, the Venice of Holland. Got to know the band and boated back to their van for a CD. Caught up with friends in Maastricht and Koblenz and then performed the longest 40th birthday celebrations on record. While we were in the Scottish Highlands, Western Europe suffered a bleak cold snap which convinced the trees to do their autumn gig early so that by the time we arrived it was beautiful. We exited Holland for Germany and picked up the Moselle River valley in Trier; possibly Germany's oldest town and full of Roman ruins. From Trier to Koblenz is roughly 150 river kms and the locals had kindly organised no less then 14 grape picking festivals (mainly reislings) while we were there. Each town had its own wienfest and we settled on Bullay because we could camp on the river and still be in town for the festivities - and weren't there some!! Entertainment for everyone. The fireworks are embellished in our minds - the noise echoed up and down the valley as the flashes reflected off the river. Next stop: Koblenz on the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Another stunning campsite: right on the convergence looking at the forts and the statue of Kaiser Wilhelm II and watching the barges barge past. This was the base for our Rhine River cruise which left early in the morning with the valley shrouded in fog; clearing in time to see the myriad castles. A day trip to Wiesbaden followed: the full spa and massage treatment for Camilla and a lucky glimpse of large people frolicking in the thermals. What a pity I had to look after the kids and couldn't enter. The grand finale followed with a trip down the Romantische Strasse or Romantic Road, from Würzburg to "Rothenburg ob der Tauber". Absolutely wonderful towns. We stayed in a gorgeous hotel inside the walls in Rothenburg odT and loved it; and just how much money can you spend in a tourist haven like this? Bucketsful! Back in May we turned up at Lego Land Germany for Dylan's 5th birthday however it was closed on Tuesdays so I sprang my last revelation on the family with a day of looking at great big lumpy blocks. Actually it was great and we camped on site in a motorhome made of Lego. (Perhaps). The dusk of the holiday dawned upon us as we drove back to Remshalden to sell Tito the Kettle Van back to our kind friend Matthias Sprenger of MI-Mobile.de - (incredibly helpful - call him anytime when you decide to experience what we just have). This drive was truly sobering and only driving over the hills on a narrow one-lane road (the same one we took in our first day in Tito - with speeding German roadsters spearing at us) brought us briefly out of this depressing reality. We camped in the saleyard amongst the empty motorhomes and felt a little like mannequins when potential customers spotted us in our stubbies and thongs throwing prawns on the BBQ. A long flight home to steamy weather and the harsh reality of the full responsibilities that home life brings. All good but not the same as our last six months. The lovely people who looked after our home did a superb job; we certainly missed our friends but the lifestyle is completed different. Things break down or need changing - the more you have the more you have to fix! (Camilla noticed us always standing close in our large kitchen - perhaps pretending we were in the confines of Tito). It has been nice that we have influenced others; "we did it so you can to" seems to be working and some have embraced the motorhome idea for future holidays. Best to do it all now before you get to a stage where your health could fail. When I did my medical prior to returning back to work, the DAME (doctor) said: "You are seriously relaxed!" and he was spot on. The holiday changed us; we will always take the time to walk with the kids (not trying to rush ahead to get things done) and spend at least 10 minutes each day with them individually is a great motto; it doesn't sound much but it could be easy to miss. Spend each afternoon having a martini with your loved one and get about planning the next big adventure! Thanks for reading. Auf wiedersehen und sicheres Reisen. Goodbye and safe travels! Love from: David and Camilla, Macayle and Dylan