My first real chance to update this blog comes over 20 days into the adventure. I am writing from the Bibliotek in Råå, Sweden on a sunny day, the first sunny day we can remember in over a week. Internet access is not as readily available as I had hoped while careening through Europe on a biking/camping trip.
The trip started on June 10 when we landed at Malpensa airport near Milan, Italy. We drove from Milan to Genoa, Italy to start the trip officially. Four scientists on bicycles, plus my linguist daughter Molly, my one year old grandson August and I packed neatly into the Eurocar VW Passat station wagon. We said goodbye to the warm Gulf of Genoa and headed north toward Gotenburg, Sweden.
Over the past 21 days, we have alternately camped out in tents on the side of the road (10 times), enjoyed paid camping sites (7 times) and REALLY enjoyed the 3 or 4 nights at various quality of hotels.
My focus has been to stop at tennis clubs along the way. Two great little clubs in Italy, three in Switzerland, five in Germany, zero in France (don't ask) and a few scheduled now in Sweden.
Without a doubt, my favorite tennis club experience was just outside of Lucerne, Switzerland. We were welcomed by the club president (who spoke zero English) and Jacque, who has been at this club for over 25 years running the food operation and generally keeping order.
With very good English, he showed me around the club, then invited my daughter, grandson and I to have lunch at the club. He would not take no for an answer. We gladly accepted. He brought over a liter of ice cold apple juice and a beer. He personally cooked up some pasta and sauce, plus fresh vegetables.
During and after lunch he spoke with me about the club, its operation and members. The really important thing is that he made us feel not only at home, but really glad we were at that club. I gave him my card and invited him to visit on his next trip to the U.S. I would be very pleased if he showed up at my door for a visit!
I have photos and notes from the visit with Jacque and all the other clubs. I will post them here as internet, weather and travel demands allow.
