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After 10 months in Australia and 5 weeks in Canada, our stay back home was really very short. Despite the short time, it was once again an intense but absolutely brilliant time with family and friends. Once again, we were able to enjoy many unforgettable moments, and the time we spent together flew by far too quickly.
After Australia and Canada, it was also quite warm in Switzerland. We struggled a bit in the first few days, and at night we couldn’t sleep properly without the cool breeze from the fan. The drought was everywhere; the rivers were at extremely low levels, and in southern Europe half the countryside was already ablaze.
Despite the intense heat, we had plenty planned and on our wish list. But sometimes it takes a while for wishes to come true. As well as our Jeep, which we roused from a long winter’s slumber, Chantal had some serious doctor’s appointments and tests, which could well lead to a few changes.
No sooner was our Jeep roadworthy again than the first visits and celebrations in French-speaking Switzerland followed, followed by a meet-up with the PanAm travel group in Neckargmüd/Heidelberg. Afterwards, we took the Jeep to Pauli in the Allgäu so that it could pass its periodic vehicle inspection with flying honours. From the Allgäu we headed back to Switzerland and rounded off our first trip in our trusty vehicle with a short tour through the Alps; it was wonderful – both the tour itself and being out and about in the Jeep.
Then it was time for the periodic vehicle inspection. Unfortunately, the mechanics in the faraway Allgäu didn’t meet the Swiss inspectors’ standards and our Jeep was rejected; too many particles were being emitted through the exhaust, and major repair work is already being planned. It may well be that the German TÜV cannot be compared to the Swiss inspectors’ strict standards. Fortunately, we were granted a 30-day extension, which can be easily extended, bringing us some small relief during the holiday season.
Both the car repairs and the further medical examinations have put a damper on our planned visit to England. As well as seeing our grandchildren, we had intended to travel to Ireland afterwards, but under the current circumstances we have had to postpone this until a later date. We should still have enough time for the short trip to England before we return to Switzerland and get on with the necessary tasks.
Both on the European mainland and on the British Isles, we travelled over three days to our family reunion in Dorset, England. On the mainland, it was still very hot for the most part as we made our way to the coast, and temperatures remained high even at night. It was only on the French coast that it became a little cooler, and the British Isles welcomed us with pleasant temperatures.
Everything was now just right for our reunion: sunshine and not a cloud in sight. What more could one wish for? Our anticipation was immense; after over a year, we were finally going to see our grandchildren, daughter-in-law and son again. We were as excited as little children waiting for Father Christmas. Hopefully, there would be enough time to make up for all the moments we’d missed.
Chantal and Tom/August 2026
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