I started planning this trip to find Linda and my Scottish ancestors in October 2019, but due to the Covid pandemic the trip had to be postponed from June 2020 to June 2021 to August 2021 to August 2022. Many changes were made to my original planning blog as I found out more about our Scottish ancestors. Consequently, I cancelled that planning blog and am now publishing what I hope is the final ve Read on...
During all of our travels over the last 20 years, we have always strived to do more than sightsee, and truly experience the culture of the places we are visiting. What better way to fully emersed in the local culture than by the food they eat? Today, was a day devoted to total emersion in the food of Mexico.
But first, alarms went off at 5:30, sounds early, but I had the best night of sleep since Read on...
WED, 03 AUG 2022 – Day 4: An Irish Fjord, Connemara National Park and picturesque Westport - We will ‘arise and go now through Yeats country before heading for Westport, nestled between the Carrowbeg river and in the shadow of Croagh Patrick. Connemara National Park is calling and The Lost Valley, a deserted famine village where the road literally runs out. As we plough through rugged Connemar Read on...
Well the storm forecast kept changing and making the storm later, so maybe we could of walked today and got to another hotel for the storm to in overnight, but, then we would have missed out on the amazingly special day we ended up having with Pedro and the restaurant hotel staff.
Catching the bus with Pedro to the capital Jaca, he then showed us round the city including the fort, massive cathedr Read on...
We wake to more bad COVID news from back home; another cases yesterday, and theres now talk of the lockdown being extended for at least the next two weeks. The prospect of going home and being locked up in the cold and gloom is not feeling all that attractive, so we start to discuss the possibility of extending our stay up here in the warm sunny north west of our vast land. Our credit cards are Read on...
Today, lets learn about some of our favorite adult beverages, kind of my version of a public service announcrment. India Pale Ales — better known as IPAs — were not brewed in India. In fact, back when this kind of beer was invented in the 1700s, brewers didnt have a good way to brew beer in such a hot climate. Beer had to be imported instead, and that meant that London brewers needed up with s Read on...
16km north of Patea and 12 km south of Hawera is a rest area at the bottom of the Manawapou Hill. To the left of the rest area is a locked farm gate with a stile next to it. Climb over the stile and you will find yourself on the old Ingahape Rd which closed many years ago, but is still sealed so is perfect for walking on. Follow it for 1km and you will arrive at the Manawapou Viaduct.
The viaduct Read on...
Started as a bit of a slow day. Anne and I got up and went to have coffee and read up on the area to get ideas. We knew we wanted to book parasailing, a boat tour in the caves and surfing for the kids but werent sure where to do it from. We wanted to go with a well so we werent disappointed.
After coffee we woke the kids and went to see the beach area where on surf lesson shop was located. It was Read on...
This morning I got dressed and headed across the street to a bakery.The Red Ganache. They had just taken fresh croissants and cranberry orange muffins out of the oven. The smell simply filled the air. I enjoyed talking with the owner and staff. Of course I bought the croissants, muffins, plus chocolate eclairs, and a couple pastries for us to try. We divided everything by 4 and each had a taste of Read on...
Today we drive to Arles 56 minutes by car from Avignon. Arles was once a Roman city and the old town has narrow streets and is know as a place Vincent Van Gogh lived and worked. We park near a large outdoor market. Mark buys a hat and I buy some handmade soap. We buy a museum pass and visit the Les Arenes (colosseum). The colosseum holds 12,000 spectators. We are not able to enter the colosseum be Read on...