Monday September 14 2009 17:54
10°C / 17°C
What about the Ardennes, perhaps a small hotel. Here’s something near Saint Hubert: sfeervol ingerichte herberg – attractively furnished inn: that’s more like it; vlaamstalig – Flemish speaking, which rather defeats the point of going to Wallonia.
Let’s look north. Here’s a holiday home in Vlissingen just over the border in the Netherlands: achter de duinen gelegen − situated behind the dunes; U bent in vijftien minuten op het strand − you are on the beach in 15 minutes; ideaal als startpunt voor fietstochten − ideal starting point for bike trips. Not bike trips, please.
Further afield, in Menton on the Med: mooi luxe app, which sounds fine, zwembad − swimming pool, now that’s a must for my daughter; niet vrij 1ste helft aug − not free 1st half Aug, which is just when I’m on holiday; well, that knocks that idea on the head.
Here’s an interesting one: comfortabel vakantiehuis 2-6 pers, tussen wijngaarden en zonnebloemen − comfortable holiday house, between vineyards and sunflowers. It makes me want to dig out our old easel, but first I need to check the location of Eauze.
And this? Ardeche huis op boerderij met dieren − house on a farm with animals, which sounds rustic enough; 12-14 pers would mean getting some friends on board − that could be fun; wijds uitzicht, zwembadideaal rust & wandelen − broad views, “swimming pool ideal” rest and walking; does that mean there is a pool or not?
Here’s one in Umbria: landhuis met groot zwembad tot 16 pers − country house with large swimming pool up to 16 people, 7 slaapk, 5 badk – 7 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, well that should reduce morning queues; onvergetelijke ligging en uitzicht over lago − unforgettable setting and view of the lake. Sounds good but a bit far off.
I seem to be getting nowhere, but, as I close the paper, I see on the back page: Pakket “Cruise & Fly”: steeds meer Belgen gaan op cruise − ever more Belgians go on a cruise. Cruises suggest quoits and knee rugs. Am I ready for strolls on deck? Not quite. Perhaps I should leave holiday decisions for the spring.