Week 26 - Leisurely bike ride or . . .

We needed to be out of the house for six hours on last Wednesday because a film crew was coming to film a commercial, so I dropped Ashton off at school and then took Emilee, Spencer, and Jacob on an adventure.  We drove 30 minutes to Remich and rented bikes to ride along the Moselle River.  We had a great afternoon riding on the Luxembourg side of the river and then crossed the river to the German side and rode back to Remich.  The grape orchards that filled the hills on the Luxemburg side of the river were so beautiful.  Before we crossed the river we explored a wetland reserve.  We could not find the footpaths that were pictured in the guidebook the bike rental gave us, but we still enjoyed what we saw. Before crossing the river, we bought fresh baguettes and some salami and cheese at a gas station market and had a quick lunch. We enjoyed the German side of the river a little more because the path was lined on both sides with trees so it was nice and shady.   Our three-hour bike ride was a very leisurely bike ride for the kids, but a total workout for me.  I could barely walk when we returned our bikes and my whole body ached for two days afterward.  I told Ben that I’m just getting old.  He told me that I just need to exercise more!  Driving home through Remich was my favorite part of the afternoon. It was a darling European town in the middle of grape orchards with cobble stone streets and all of the colored row-houses had flower boxes sitting on the window sills.  I definitely want to get some window boxes next summer for our Highland house.  The town felt like we stepped back in time.  I wish I had thought to take some pictures.  We picked Ashton up at 3:00 and returned home to The Barn just a half hour after the film crew had packed up and left.  The company that was filming the commercial had filmed at The Barn before we moved in, but needed to add a few scenes.  Hopefully we will get to see the commercial.  The Barn does feel like home now, even though Spencer is constantly reminding us that it is just our “temporary residence”. 

As I am typing this Ashton just asked Emilee to play Go Fish with him.  She responded by saying, “If you give me a kiss.”  He agreed and I heard Emilee say, “Should we do French kisses?”  It sounded so funny, but she was referring to how the people here kiss each check when they greet each other.  The other day I was at a grocery store checking out and an employee was just getting there.  He kissed the checks of each of cashiers (all males) and the other two employees that were stocking shelves near by.  It seemed so funny to see him greet other guys that way, but then I was thinking about it as I was driving home and decided it is so much more thoughtful and personal then entering a room and giving a general “Hello” to everyone.  Back home I doubt employees at Kohlers take the time to individually say hello to each employee.  Maybe we should start the habit.  I’d love if my kids took the time to acknowledge me with a kiss on each cheek.   We really should do “French kisses!”