An Overnight Stay at Camping la Route Bleue, Balbigny, France

It was just a chance encounter, I should say. But it was a nice one, because Camping la Route Bleue in Balbigny, France was a great surprise for us.

How did we end up here? Because we used a popular German camping guide book that I bought for a much, much lower rate from a neighborhood travel agency. You know, just in case the navigator suddenly acts up while we are travelling with a caravan in France.

What attracted us to Camping la Route Bleue? Since we are supposed to drive more than 900 kilometers away to our next destination from Port Grimaud, France; we chose a place where we could comfortably rest for the day and still have fun camping. And the most important requirement? They should accept dogs. The second? It should be near the Autobahn (Autoroute).

Yup, we found it at Camping la Route Bleue.

Here are some photos to show you why we got lucky.

They have a swimming pool!

As I said, we wanted to rest after a long drive, but we also wanted to have fun. Thus, the swimming pool is a great way to stretch out and yes, get out of the heat! Remember, there's a heatwave in Europe at this time.

The reception area.

The reception desk is friendly and yup, English is spoken. Everything's processed after a few minutes, and we are allowed to choose our camping pitch. No numbered pitches here.

The entrance to Camping la Route Bleue

You would get a code so you could drive your vehicle through, but after 10 a.m., you need to leave your vehicle outside because the code won't function anymore. They value silence here, which is good.

Our 14th Wedding Anniversary at Ratsstube in Sinsheim

So, as usual, it's only my husband who remembered that our wedding anniversary is fast approaching, Meaning, he told us over dinner the night before :-D To the great disappointment of the girls, who always planned a surprise and wanted to shower us with gifts during this special day.

But because of too much happening around us, aside from moving into a new home and the still new experience of owning a coffeeshop and bakeshop, the girls forgave us for not giving them enough time to prepare something. They were happy to know that their Papa already know where to go for the special day.

And after a long walk in which they complained a lot (and I was grateful that I decided to change my high-heels into flats); we discovered the Ratsstube. We hesitated to enter the premises first because there was a sign that says no dogs allowed inside (arrgh!).

But because Rikki is a good girl (and maybe there's no other dogs around); they gave us a place in the spacious garden area.

And here's our dinner in photos:

Ratsstube Hotel, Restaurant and Butchery

Ratsstube

Our Aperitif: Hugo and Non-alcoholic Hugo for the girls

My Starter: Scallops with Mango

Black Forest Summer High

We've got a short break before the school starts, and here we are enjoying the sun and the water in our Black Forest camping ground.

Our dog and the girls decided to explore the river beside our pitch as soon as we arrived...

As soon as we arrived, Rikki jumped into the river to cool-off.

Yup, the silence and the coolness of the water, it's that inviting!

And then the girls joined in...

The Reason Why I Haven't Updated my Blog...

Here's the main reason why I haven't updated my blog for a long time...
yes, a new business adventure!This is the SB-Backcafe' in Sinsheim, Germany. 
It's a coffee shop, a bistro and a bakery in one!Official opening under our ownership is this Saturday, May 2.

What we offer: pretzels, danish pastries, sandwiches, bread, rolls,
muffins, donuts, salad, quiche lorraine, croissants, etc.



SB-Backcafe' Opening Hours starting this May:
Friday to Friday: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sunday: On special occasions

Easter Egg Coloring While Camping

Nobody can stop them!
Despite having very little space to move around, the girls wanted to
 do the traditional Easter egg coloring. They already colored more
than a dozen at home with their Papa, but they wanted more... so, more!

There you have them, the girls enjoying this Easter tradition on a sunny Sunday
in a camping ground in Schwarzwald.

Okay, IC was not so busy compared to her sister, but that's because she's still waiting for the boiling eggs.
It's not so easy cooking while using the camping equipment but they waited patiently, just like our dog, Rikki!

Visiting Kaltebronn, Black Forest 2015

Kaltebronn, Schwarzwald on a sunny, winter day

Ski lift, Kaltebronn

Not big, not small but enough space to have fun and even to grab a bite 

Looking for an adventure around the ski lift area

On a hill opposite the ski lift

At times like this, I really wish I could ski :-), but when I think about the possibility
of breaking bones, I'm afraid (or too lazy to move those bones).

The information table

Valentine's Day 2015

A snowy Valentine's Day spent in a Black Forest camping ground

Prosecco cooling....

Valentine's Dinner inside our caravan, table decor courtesy of the girls...

A special Valentine's Day gift from the girls.

We hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day!

Winter Camping and Flea/Crafts Market in Bad Wildbad

And my late posts continue....

This is still a part of our Christmas camping break in Camping Kleinenzhof, Schwarzwald. Only this day, there's more snow and there's a Flea and Crafts Market in the camping grounds organized by the long staying campers.

Yes, that's what I like in this camping ground, the long staying campers always organize fun activities, remember the Halloween party?

This time, it's supposed to be a combined flea and crafts market, with some food and drinks and yes, fun, too!

Our pitch, taken during the early morning walk with the dog

Camping on a Snowy Second Christmas Day

As you might already know, Germany celebrates December 26th as the Second Christmas Day, compared to England's Boxing Day.

We were home on Christmas Eve but we decided to go Christmas camping on Christmas Day. Around 9 a.m., we were already on our way to our favorite camping area in the Black Forest.

The drive was smooth and surprise, no traffic :-D And what a nice surprise, it's beginning to look a lot like a white Christmas when we arrived!

I didn't get the chance to take photos during Christmas Day because we got busy preparing our caravan for our stay and it was really cold, brrrrr... but the next day, we got to explore! Here's the beautiful, snowy Second Christmas Day in photos!

Taken early morning, during a walk with the dog.

Snow, snow, snow

Halloween at Camping Kleinenzhof, Schwarzwald (Black Forest)

Something different this Halloween for the girls, spending it at Camping Kleinenzhof.

Halloween at Camping Kleinenzhof

IC bargained with her Papa though, begging him to drive them home late afternoon of Halloween for them to have the chance to go trick or treating in our neighborhood so they would have enough time to collect more candies around the camping ground.

Nope, no chance. Especially since they realized how big an event it would be in the camping site. They forgot about going home to collect more candies because they got busy getting ready for Halloween with their new found friends at the camp.

Our pitch 

Actually, I was also impressed by the preparation done by the long-staying campers at Kleinenzhof. They really created a Halloween atmosphere around the camping area. Aside from the fact that most campers were really ready for the invasion of the kids, too.

Here's some photos for you to enjoy!

Ready for Halloween

The kids on their way to the main meeting place while Rikki enjoys the stroll

A camping ground transformed

More Halloween decors

Getting ready for the big event

Trick or treat

The invasion of the trick or treaters

Moving around the camping grounds

The party afterwards...these kids are watching an outdoor movie

Dark and light, fire and ice

Yes, that's what's happening there... the campfire twist bread!

Candies, chocolates, gummi bears, cookies, etc.

After the trick or treating, there's Flammkuchen (tarte flambee) while the cakes and campfire twist bread were given free. There's also kiddie punch and Glühwein (mulled wine).

Well, Halloween at Camping Kleinenzhof was something to remember. 

A Photo Review: Brekers Restaurant in Callantsoog, The Netherlands

We decided to go to the Bekers Restaurant for our 12th wedding anniversary dinner during our vacation in Callantsoog this summer break.

Bekers Restaurant is located in Helmweg 9, 1759 Callantsoog, The Netherlands.

What impressed us about the restaurant? Well, I admit, seeing the restaurant's name plastered in most holiday brochures and posters around town intrigued me already. And then it was pure chance that we passed the restaurant when we were looking for the nearest grocery store.

I was impressed by the place plus the fact that they have a big porch area where costumers could enjoy dining el aire libre. Then when we stopped to check the extensive menu card, the mouthwatering items sealed the deal.

Our first mouthwatering appetizer, those dips
 are great and the fresh bread, too!

Visiting Medemblik City, The Netherlands (in photos)

Entering the city of Medemblik, The Netherlands and being welcomed by an old windmill.

The Medemblik church

The train station

A Photo Review: Bakery Museum in Medemblik, The Netherlands

The Bakery Museum is located at Nieuwstraat 8 1671 BD Medemblik, The Netherlands.
You would find it in the middle of the city center and there's enough parking area around.

You enter the museum after paying the entrance fee and receiving free cookies,
(the free cookies intended for the kids but since they offered
them generously from a cookie basket, the adults get the chance to taste them, too!)
They accept credit cards.

Cake samples located right after the entrance.

Old waffle forms and baking equipments.