An overcast day with better weather than forecast with the odd spitting and a few heavier showers demanding my cape escape its moorings on my rear rack. Quite an uneventful ride through rolling dairy country, although some may say that some of the hills are definitely not rolling. One nice descent was followed by a rumbling sound from my front wheel which was found to be a puncture. Luckily it was Read on...
Another good day although the track was very rocky and rough. These conditions mean you have to be careful with every step as its so easy to roll an ankle. As such its surprising how much more effort goes into such a day. The distance and elevation with previous days but the extra degree of concentration means today was considerably more tiring than previous days.
The landscape is changing here, Read on...
Its our last day in these southern lakes so we figured wed better spend some time locally. Firstly we set off for the Chinese Village to view the old huts and read about the Chinese history. I can only say that they were treated very badly and discriminated against when all they wanted to do was to work hard and send money back to their impoverished families in China. The houses were tiny and the Read on...
Ive just posted a list of my favourite English beers – draught bitters – on Facebook. Here is the post:
I went overseas in 1985. The best beers - by which I mean draught bitters - I drank in England up to 1985 were (in no particular order, although Bathams is my favourite): Bathams, Holdens, Doris Pardoes, Simpkiss (all from the West Midlands); Gales HSB, Fullers London Pride, Youngs, King Read on...
No problems at all. Passport stamped by the French, waved through by the British. Nobody looked even inside the motorhome, never mind checked if the gas was off, if we were carrying anything we shouldnt. Managed to get a lane number this time so headed through the docks and we were only in the queue for a few minutes before driving up the ramp. Right at the back of the ferry so we could just keep Read on...
Yesterday, we had the full day to explore, so we decided to head out in the morning for a long walk along the coast. Our Airbnb host had said that there was a nice beach km away, and that most of it could be walked along the shoreline. She said there was a river, which we could just wade at the mouth of, and some rocks that wed have to go up and behind to pass.
The day started a bit cool, especi Read on...
Patricks son joined him for the evening walk. Finn is 14 and a charming young man, he demonstrated how to make yourself bigger if across a bear, he also showed the bear spray he always carries. At the moment the bears are sleeping but they will soon be waking from their winter slumber.
Lake Louise was first conceived by the railway at the end of the 19th century, as a vacation destination to lure Read on...
Looking back to the high town of Laon, now from the southern side. The cathedral is still very visible. Terugkijkend naar de hoge stad van Laon, nu vanuit het zuiden. De kathedraal is nog erg goed zichtbaar.
Het was een aardig, wel vrij lang, stuk nog de stad van Laon uit, maar het was mooi om terug te kijken naar de hoge stad en de kathedraal. Daarna kregen we een leuk stuk van bospaden met vrij Read on...
We woke early (5:30am) to catch the sunrise and prepare for an early morning border crossing into Laos. We headed down to the breakfast area of our guesthouse (which was located on the river bank) and settled at a long thin bar table overlooking the Mekong. We helped ourselves from the Bain Marie, piling our plates with chicken, pork, fried rice and fried eggs. I also enjoyed a small bowl of ban Read on...
The Ekambareshwar (Shiva) temple, Kamakshi Amman (Parvati) temple and the Varadaraja Perumal (Vishnu) temple together are popularly known as the Mumurtivasam (Mu - Three, Murti – Idol/Deity, Vasam - Aroma.
Ekambareshwar temple – Once, Parvati was performing penance on Shiva in the form of a Prithvi Lingam, made out of sand under a mango tree, to expatiate herself from a curse. The Vegavati Ri Read on...