Cue up the church bells, for which I wasnt ready for at 8a. But we slowly made our way down to coffee and prepare us for the train to Avignon. It was hard to leave the beautiful Nice area (French Rivera), but time to start moving towards Provence, our region of choice for the next 6 days. We walked the few blocks to the train station, found our seats in the top of the train (2 floors) and settled Read on...
Waking to a clearer and drier day we were even more grateful for having had our rest day yesterday. After a good breakie and getting our left over cheese (from last nights cheese board) and some free bread we headed back out into the trail.
At 14km and 600m it was a shortish one but involved 2hours of ascent straight out of Grasmere. Despite some huffing and puffing along the way, the climb actua Read on...
Avant de vous parler de ma journe, je voudrais vous faire part dun constat entre la Roumanie, surtout de lest, avec ces 3 jours circuler en Bulgarie. Ici jai retrouv la civilisation, que ce soit, surtout, au volant et dans les rues. Fini ce climat, agressifs de la Roumanie. Fini la mendicit belliqueuse, qui est chia. la longue. Jy ai rflchi, et fait le constat, qui nest quune hypothse, et a na p Read on...
Though its name might suggest otherwise, the French dip sandwich was invented in Los Angeles, California. The sandwich is layered with decadent slices of beef on a French roll and then doused in roasting pan juices (a French technique known as au jus). The exact restaurant at which the French dip was created has long been subject of debate. Local favorites Philippes and Coles both lay claim to the Read on...
Well no more ports of call left now on the Carnival Panorama and after 3 days of having to be on time to get to port we can get up anytime we choose as its a sea day. I was looking through the wardrobe for something I have not worn and decided to wear my new adidas blue that I bought from Macys in Portland which still had the $4.97 price tag which is amazing as its a genuine authentic product. Ac Read on...
Our seven day trip on the Emerald Isle started with a celebration of New Years Eve in Dublin. Catching the bus into the city, we headed for the area of Temple Bar and stopped for our first smooth drink of Guinness at the Wild Duck. We walked around the streets of Dublin, soaking up the hustle and bustle and enjoying the festive lights still shining from Christmas. Buskers jammed on street corners, Read on...
The city is known for its historical and architectural landmarks and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lyon was historically known as an important area for the production and weaving of silk and in modern times has developed a reputation as the capital of gastronomy in France.
In the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries Lyons silk industry was thriving, and rich merchant families from across France, Flan Read on...
Amsterdam is inseparable from its canals. It is impossible to visit Amsterdam and not encounter the canals in some way. They form concentric rings around the city, radiating out from the harbor area. The outermost canals have defined the city limits over the centuries. As the city expanded, new canals were dug. The Prinsengracht defined the city limit in the 17th century. By the 19th century, the Read on...
After the volcano hike, our next adventure was to Lake Atitln. It was about a 3 hour shuttle ride to Panajachel (Pana), the main town on the lake for transport. We were both a little grouchy and tired at this point and we still needed to find an ATM and a gift for Secret Santa. It was Christmas Eve, and the banks were generally closed and the ATMs did not work - third time was the charm thankfully Read on...
The world seemed an even bigger place in 1978. The World Cup party that had once rolled down Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough in 1966 was in full swing in Buenos Aires. I watched the television, awe inspired, as a schoolboy. What a place to watch your football. We knew little of the politics of military junta at the time. Frankly if we had, I doubt we would have cared one iota. I was watching the s Read on...