Sunday - "no plan" day

This morning we said "bon voyage" to the lovely family from across the road... they are heading off for their holidays today and we are going to miss their hospitality and friendship.  They have been such a gift for us here!  Speaking of gifts, when we went to say goodbye, they gave us a key to their back gate so we can use their swimming pool for the next few days before we leave!  Wha??  How awesome are they?  Considering it has been stinkin' hot here lately (averaging 38 degrees) that will come in handy.

The bells were ringing when we pulled over to take a photo

We had no plans today, and quite honestly I am so anxious to get to Holland, so I was feeling pretty blah today.... it doesn't help that the teenagers in this area have been partying very loudly in our back yard, at the river.  They also drive around the neighbourhood in their really loud scooters and dirt bikes.  They even camped at the river this weekend and I really wish I could tell them to get lost, in not-so-nice words.  It has put a huge damper on things, and we don't want to sit outside in the backyard because they are so noisy.  And the kids are super disappointed that they can't really go to the river because of the locals... too bad, because there is a rope swing and it's deep enough in one spot for them to jump.  (They did go there one day when the rowdies hadn't arrived yet...)  ARGH!!  But what can we do, we don't live here.  Other than the noise, this home is great! I mean that, honestly. Very nice.

Okay, so back to the no plan day... we just got in the car and headed into the vineyards again, just driving with no real destination in mind.  The most interesting part of the day was when we ended up in a small town called       ... there was a sign for something that resembled "Calvary" so we started walking in that direction, up the hill by the cemetary.  It ended up being a sort of adaptation or story of the crucifixion of Jesus.  Every few steps there was a big stone "hut", and in each one was numbered from 1 - 12.  Each enclosure held a carving which told the story... so you just walked along with Jesus as he carried the cross, then was nailed to it,, and died.  At the end of the walk, at the top of the hill, were 3 huge crosses, with Jesus in the middle.  The view from there was really beautiful.  You could see all around, small towns with their church steeples and endless vineyards.  Very interesting and when I get home I will google it to see if there's any information in English somewhere to read up on it.

Stopped at a big castle and just walked around it, but didn't bother to go in.   We had already seen a pretty cool castle last week so I'm sure it was fairly similar inside.  It was still nice to view it from the outside.  

You can't really see it clearly but there was a moat around the castle... and in the moat there was a goat.  A moat goat.  And a big brown sheep and some chickens roaming around too.  So funny.

... and the sign to the bathrooms were pretty funny, so the whole visit was worth it! ;-)
 


And another photo of the cool castle ruins that we saw last week.

When we got home, we noticed two cars in the driveway of the neighbours... obviously they have given access to their pool to their friends as well.  The kids were disappointed when we told them we should wait until they leave before we go to the pool.  Bummer.. .it was so hot!!  Finally they left after dinner... we were changed and in the pool within 3 minutes.  :-)  So nice to cool off after a long, hot day.