Are we there yet? Are you getting up yet ? We have a long ride ahead of us We felt a bit awkward this morning trying to put off telling Sion that we were not there yet nor were we going to have a long ride ahead of us . We had avoided the awkward discussion with the sheep about the intended trip to France . Phone calls to Eurotunnel had been done under cover of darkness when little ears were no Read on...
Belgians Ive met have said Brussels is surprisingly sketchy and thats certainly the impression I had venturing out from Midi Station. It didnt seem fitting for the capital of the EU, though I suppose some would claim it is fitting.
But once in the city center the scene shifts to a high concentration of waffle stands, chocolate shops and Delirium umbrellas. And architecture that rivals the other g Read on...
Tuesday - another day and another house. Another town too. Wrexham . What would I if I were a visitor think of Wrexham? As we drove through I thought it shabby, unloved with many empty shops. Devoid of any character . It was not the town I remembered fondly of as a child. Then it was an hive of activity with bustling shops, markets and people . So many in to do their weekly shop. We passed the Lem Read on...
This morning, at 9:30 AM and 83 degrees (and it seemed like 100% humidity), we put Satellite Beach in our rear view mirror and headed for the panhandle of Florida. For anyone who has made this trip, you know well that it is less than interesting and largely boring. We crossed the state to and drove up to and west to Panama City Beach. We had expected to hit a lot of rain, remnants of Nicholas, b Read on...
After an early morning landing in Madrid we taxied from the airport to the Hotel Catalonia Atocha located within walking distance of the famous Plaza Mayor. Our hotel is located in the historic Literary Quarter where Spains great literary giants once lived and roamed the streets. The remains of Miguel Cervantes and Lope de Vega are said to rest in this area.
We were met in the hotel lobby by love Read on...
Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney were the first stops in Australia on Valenes 1964 South Pacific trip. Im afraid I have few memories of the large cities of Australia, aside from the Shrine of Remembrance (War Memorial) in Melbourne, a scenic overlook of Canberra and visit to the Australian parliament building there and Sydney with the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, then under construction. In Sydn Read on...
We must have been pretty tired woke at 8.30am SA time (1.5hrs ahead of WA). Admittedly, there were a couple of awake periods due Jane says me snoring. I never snore, however I do have a little head cold that probably contributed to the roar. We have a quiet, secluded, away from everyone camp spot. The wind is up and hasnt eased at all. Initially cold, however it has warmed considerably.
We f Read on...
The Observers Book of Birds was my first bird book. I still have it – minus the but carefully wrapped in brown paper. It has been with me since May 1964. I know this because I wrote dates in the index, next to the birds names, and the earliest dates are from May 1964 - for example: Nuthatch 20/5/64.
I used to pore over the pictures in this little book and dream of seeing one of the rarities de Read on...
Tuesday. We were rousted from our sleep a little after 5:00 a.m. at the campsite where we had slept onshore. When I pulled my boots on (they had been outside the tent overnight) and stood up, my back went out. It was so painful I could barely walk but I managed to help break the tent down and repack it. Back on board I immediately took a couple of ibuprofen. A special breakfast had been prepared f Read on...
Recently, to pass the time, I have been posting on Facebook photos of traditional English pub signs, by facts about the names.
I have always been fascinated by English pubs. While still at primary school, I used to wander round my native Reading writing down the names of pubs. Later, when CAMRA began, I learned to appreciate the taste of good beer and wandered round the country sampling real ales Read on...