From Valence to Barcelona

The 550 km of the second part of the drive to Barcelona should have taken only five hours or so but because of the horrible traffic on a Saturday it took more than 9 hours. At some point the  navigation system in the cat told us to take tiny country roads because nothing was moving on the main road
This was actually very scenic and nice

Back on the Autoroute we had to stop at quite a few toll stations were we were waiting with cars from all over Europe and North Africa

The two girls on the back seat did well

When we finally reached Barcelona we headed right to the beach which was only a five minute walk from our apartment

We also had a quick dinner at the beach

In the evening Mia read a story to Larissah

Road Trip to Spain

The Rhein's wanted to add a little road trip to Barcelona, Spain to their vacation so on the first school vacation day we picked up a minivan at a car rental and hit the road.

Since the distance of 1200 km was to long to drive in one day we stopped half way in Valence France for a day

It was a very hot day when we explored the old part of the city

So the children were happy to cool of at a playground

Trip to the Black Forrest

On Sunday we me Christoph in Oberkirch, his hometown in the foothills of the Black Forrest.
First we stopped at a friend's farm to sample and buy some jam and schnaps. Then we went for lunch to the ruins of the old castle overlooking the village where a restaurant was nearby

While we were waiting for the food the children could play at a playground

 Then we explored the ruins

Then we went for  little drive. First stop was a village were they bottle mineral water

We could fill up our bottles for free

 Then we went to the All Saints waterfals

An old abbey was up the hill

A scenic road took us to a little lake high up in the mountains at 1000 m

The Rheins Come to Town

After a lot of planning the Rheins finally arrived in Heidelberg. They are staying in an apartment just around the corner from ours and Larissah will join Mia for the last ten day of school. Christoph and Shika will work in the office in Walldorf and Reyah can go to a day car,
Mia was happy to see her old fried after almost one whole year and our first stop was the Beer Garden in the hills just outside Heidelberg and the playground near it

The next day we went to the zoo after everyone had selpt in after the trip

The zoo also has nice playgrounds
 

 And the parents could have a beer

Later that week Larrisah did teach Mia some dance moves (before going to the pool)

 ..they played chess,,

..and did many other things