Our next stop: Newcastle. What a treasure! We loved it there. We stayed in a downtown hotel, an old building, but refurbished and in middle of much activity. It was a Bank Holiday ( in other words a three day weekend ). The town was buzzing with young people and beautiful they were and very fun to watch. It amazed me the groups of men together; four, six and sometimes eight at a time. Laughing, singing, reveling and just plain having a great time. Young women dressed to the nines in everything from hot pants to mini skirts ( and if you think mini skirts of the 70s were short, think again) hung out where the men were, of course. Gee, it was fun to take it all in.
We fell in love with the walkway along the River Tyne. There were five different bridges crossing the river and all of them with different architecture and one them was a double decker. The most interesting and beautiful was the newest named the Millennium Bridge that part of it rises a few times a day. Not that that is so unusual, but the way it was hinged to come up was an engineering feat. Absolutely amazing! Photos help tell about that. One whole half circle with a walkway is lifted to let boats come under this huge surface. Crowds gather to watch with big eyes and opened mouths. The city is home to two universities and several public parks. We walked about three miles to find a public market advertised in a brochure, only to find out that the market has not been at the place mentioned for about 4 years. It was okay anyway. We saw lots of dwellings and came into a big, green, lovely park that had a sweet gift shop. The park officials showed us the way back from whence we came. Also, I must mention that one of the nights we were awakened to the sound of the fire alarm. We put on our pants and grabbed our shoes ( Dan did not put his on?????). When we opened our door we could smell smoke. We followed the fire escape route and ended up in an alley where no one else was. Half asleep, we walked around to the front of the building and found the front door. We were the only ones who heeded the fire instructions. We were told that all was fine. Someone had candles lit in a bathroom and it set off the alarm. We only believed half of that story, but went back up a couple of flights of stairs and tried to go back to sleep. The next day was a Sunday and we had a good breakfast outside in the sun at The Quay restaurant where many people had the same idea.
We got in on a birthday party with some women that asked to share our table. A fun game was played and we even got the table of young darling men behind us involved. Photos tell that story somewhat as well. We'll always remember that very fun morning. It was a short stay in Newcastle, but very
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
WALES
Not trusting what might happen to travel by train, we got on an airplane and flew to Wales, then rented a car to take us to our timeshare near Prestatyn, Wales. At the time, little did we know how close we were to Holyhead where we spent many hours waiting for a ferry because we missed the scheduled one due to the train fiasco from London. We rented a car and traveled on the auto way misunderstanding how to make our way to Prestatyn. What should have been no more than a two hour drive took us four hours, so we were into the early morning of the night.....AGAIN. We arrived at the timeshare at 1:30 am and had to get the security man from his sleep to get the key and show us our unit. The timeshare had its plusses, but not many. But, we won't dwell on that. Pea foul held reign of the grounds and the buildings. It was fun to have a family of six using our porch as a resting place. Mostly, it was cold and very dark the days we were there. Very, very windy, too. But, we did go for a few nice walks. One on a trail ( just 2 miles ) from our unit to the town where we did our grocery shopping. We also walked in the other direction to another burg where a pretty waterfall held our attention in a public park. On that trek, we met some folk from London that were staying at the same timeshare that we were. We would come across them every now and then through the week. That was fun. I swam in a great pool on the premises twice and enjoyed getting into the rhythm of the crawl. Best was our trip and hike around the Cliffs of Mohor. Dan has posted some photos of this tremendous place. Also, Llindundo. A lovely village set beside the Conwy Bay on the Atlantic Ocean. We hiked up the mountain where sheep dwell all over and overcoming all kinds of dung, we were rewarded with a most fantastic panoramic view of the huge water, the villages and the surrounding mountains. Terrain was soft sod as well as rocky in many places. We had a great day there. Wore ourselves out.
Back at the timeshare, we were entertained by a singer named DEEMO, a bald headed tenor that was excellent. Tuesday and Thursdays are his time to be on stage in the lounge there and children are even allowed in. Probably the one thing, besides the pool that was worth anything. However, it is a beautiful part of Wales itself and many folks spend their holidays on the beaches and camping spots near that area.
Back at the timeshare, we were entertained by a singer named DEEMO, a bald headed tenor that was excellent. Tuesday and Thursdays are his time to be on stage in the lounge there and children are even allowed in. Probably the one thing, besides the pool that was worth anything. However, it is a beautiful part of Wales itself and many folks spend their holidays on the beaches and camping spots near that area.
Friday, August 29, 2014
pics from Scotland
Water fall in the Burks of Aberfeldy seen on a hike we took
Where Robert Burns would sit and read
The warehouse of the Aberfeldy distillery
Afternoon tea
Dewar's Distillary
Heather on the hill
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
EXIT TO IRELAND
We found our seats on the Virgin Line train, so off we started for Wales. If I thought bringing our car back in Paris was a nightmare, it was nothing compared to what lied ahead for the next 29 hours.
The train went a short distance before we were stopped for an hour while the track was cleared of a mal-functioning train on the same track. That passed, and then we started again for a short while before we stopped because there was a death on the tracks. Backwards we went from where we came and got on another train. Good, then, we thought. But, we thought wrong. We had to join up twice at different stops, to join up and get on another train,thus putting us back a couple of hours. We then knew that we were going to miss the connection to the ferry to Ireland. Having to stay awake for the 2:40 am ferry in the ferry terminal was not a picnic. Dan beat me at two games of Cribbage. We were awake since 6:00 am the previous morning. Finally the huge ferry came and we found a place among sleeping-all-over-the-place passengers covered in blankets, sweaters, coats and what not.
In the midst of all of this, we discovered that we did not have our laptop, the carry bag it was in, and the tickets to get on the ferry, not to mention the 2000 some photos Dan had saved from our travels.
We obviously were helped to get on the ferry, but our spirits were a bit shattered.
If one has wondered why the blog has waned, we were without a computer for several days and without WiFi access and whatever else got in our way of communication.
Picking up our rented car at the terminal, we drove into the countryside to the timeshare we would have for four nights on a golf course. Exhausted, we slept the first day and missed any touring we would have done. We liked our accommodations. The weather was very cold. Dark sky ruled most of the days and wind blew continually. Undaunted, we did hike the Cliffs of Motor and found that to be great fun and a place for some good photo ops. Another outing was that of viewing and learning of a Work House built in the 1800s for the desperately poor. A story that will turn a person's stomach. This part of Ireland's history is so sad, but should be remembered and known in honor of the poor folks involved and the awful way they were treated. A third day out had us looking for a small computer and other things lost with the bag while shuffling trains.
In Ireland, cars are driven as they are in England. Learn that and how to shift with your left hand in opposite of what you may be used to in another country. Now be a passenger on the opposite side of the driver from what you are used to. Also, drive on country roads that are as narrow as a horse cart.
I feared for our lives!!!! The verges of the roads were lined with vegetation at least 8 feet tall, sometimes taller. It was akin to being in a topless tunnel. But, even at that, the countryside was beautiful and fields were sectioned off with shrubs, trees or hedges and sometimes rock walls like you see in the movies. All is green from light to dark with various shades, thereof. Wi
With white dots that are sheep happily grazing, the rolling hills and valleys are breathtaking. We wish we could have spent more time in Ireland.
The train went a short distance before we were stopped for an hour while the track was cleared of a mal-functioning train on the same track. That passed, and then we started again for a short while before we stopped because there was a death on the tracks. Backwards we went from where we came and got on another train. Good, then, we thought. But, we thought wrong. We had to join up twice at different stops, to join up and get on another train,thus putting us back a couple of hours. We then knew that we were going to miss the connection to the ferry to Ireland. Having to stay awake for the 2:40 am ferry in the ferry terminal was not a picnic. Dan beat me at two games of Cribbage. We were awake since 6:00 am the previous morning. Finally the huge ferry came and we found a place among sleeping-all-over-the-place passengers covered in blankets, sweaters, coats and what not.
In the midst of all of this, we discovered that we did not have our laptop, the carry bag it was in, and the tickets to get on the ferry, not to mention the 2000 some photos Dan had saved from our travels.
We obviously were helped to get on the ferry, but our spirits were a bit shattered.
If one has wondered why the blog has waned, we were without a computer for several days and without WiFi access and whatever else got in our way of communication.
Picking up our rented car at the terminal, we drove into the countryside to the timeshare we would have for four nights on a golf course. Exhausted, we slept the first day and missed any touring we would have done. We liked our accommodations. The weather was very cold. Dark sky ruled most of the days and wind blew continually. Undaunted, we did hike the Cliffs of Motor and found that to be great fun and a place for some good photo ops. Another outing was that of viewing and learning of a Work House built in the 1800s for the desperately poor. A story that will turn a person's stomach. This part of Ireland's history is so sad, but should be remembered and known in honor of the poor folks involved and the awful way they were treated. A third day out had us looking for a small computer and other things lost with the bag while shuffling trains.
In Ireland, cars are driven as they are in England. Learn that and how to shift with your left hand in opposite of what you may be used to in another country. Now be a passenger on the opposite side of the driver from what you are used to. Also, drive on country roads that are as narrow as a horse cart.
I feared for our lives!!!! The verges of the roads were lined with vegetation at least 8 feet tall, sometimes taller. It was akin to being in a topless tunnel. But, even at that, the countryside was beautiful and fields were sectioned off with shrubs, trees or hedges and sometimes rock walls like you see in the movies. All is green from light to dark with various shades, thereof. Wi
With white dots that are sheep happily grazing, the rolling hills and valleys are breathtaking. We wish we could have spent more time in Ireland.
Saturday, August 9, 2014
CONTINUED (FRANCE)
On we went, then, from Germany into Brussels and into France. We thought it fun to have been in three different countries in one day! We finally came to Giverny where we stayed in a charming hotel near the grounds where Claude Monet lived and did his work. In this small village there are still buildings used from the middle ages. We toured the gardens where Monet is said to have had his inspiration for his paintings.
His mansion is also part of the garden grounds and Dan's photos can give you a glimpse of how absolutely beautiful is all was there. We also viewed the sight that has memorialized the graves of seven British airmen that died in a crash there during WWI. The people there are grateful to those who lost their lives to give them the freedom they have today. The world history that comes up in these places is sobering.
So, then we traveled on country roads for awhile to reach the freeway to take us to Paris so we could return our leased car. We stayed overnight in the same timeshare resort where we began our journey through Europe. We met a few Americans at a meet and greet hour, so it was fun to have some chatting with folks about their travels. It was Monday. The first Monday of the month. Most shops and restaurants were closed, but we did find a place to eat.....finally. It was good fish and chips and lamb kabob.
Tuesday morning. A nightmare! Paris is no place to be driving a car. We should be shot for doing so.
The GPS screwed us up, for one thing, and then to drive where there is a free-for-all in the downtown core would put anyone in an insane asylum. Thankfully, we arrived at the Peugeot destination and all went fine.
A cab was called for us and we loaded our luggage into this small vehicle and went back into the rat race with a very good driver at the wheel. We reached the train station in one piece and did not have to wait long before we were on the tracks to London. Hauling the luggage around can be fun if you can imagine a movie made of all the crazy things one has to do to get luggage down stairs and onto escalators. People in London were very helpful and friendly. The whole transport system in London is the best in the world. It is comprehensive and easy to use. One does have to get used to the three hundred bazillion people, however.
Thus started our week in London.
GERMANY AND FRANCE
After leaving Norway, we traveled the coastline of Sweden starting at Lokkeberg and ending at Malmo where we took a ferry into Denmark. We skirted Copenhagen and soon we were in Germany on a small island where we spent the night. Our destination the next morning was Staufenberg, Germany where we lived for several months while Dan was in the army ( 1968-1970). We parked the car and walked around this country village trying to find the house where we lived, but only touched on where we thought it might be.
In forty-five years things change and it definitely had in some respects. We saw much of new housing being under construction as we walked. We did find the big castle where we had attended a banquet those many years ago. It is now a hotel and restaurant in the same rock/brick building that we knew. From its high perch on a hillside, we could see the farmlands and the red roofed houses so familiar to us. We tried to find the bakery where we bought brown bread occasionally, but were unsuccessful with that.
Only 9K from Staufenberg is Giessen where the army base was. We rode around the city looking and trying to remember just where it was located. Knowing that the base no longer exists as it was, it was a bit difficult. A second try down one big street had us recognizing a few things. Viola! I sighted a restaurant named PIZZA PIE and we remembered eating at an establishment with that name. We parked the car.
We walked past the restaurant wondering if it could be the same one we frequented. We made our way to the corner of the block and it hit me! The very first place where Dan had to have me stay when I arrived in Germany. It was a Gasthus and I knew the spot well. Across the street were the same trees in a park-like setting and I had observed children going to school with backpacks on when I woke on my first morning from a second story window. I'll never forget that scene in my mind which has often come into my brain.
The Gasthus seems now to be apartments and a closed restaurant, but it is exactly the same structure painted now a light green. My heart pounded with excitement. We were curious about Pizza Pie, so we stopped in to ask about it and we needed to eat anyway. There on the wall was the photos of the first owners taken at their 50th year in business. A young woman, a decendant of that couple talked to us about the restaruant's history. It was the place! Of course, we had a photo taken of us there. Then we walked about a quarter mile along the street where the army base was and is now a university seeming to do with law ( from what we could read). Dan recognized some of the same buildings still in use, but most of the base is totally gone.
The young woman remembers riding her bike into the base grounds when she was a child. It confirmed our thoughts about location. This was one highlight of our trip. We had hoped to see our stomping grounds where our married life began.
In forty-five years things change and it definitely had in some respects. We saw much of new housing being under construction as we walked. We did find the big castle where we had attended a banquet those many years ago. It is now a hotel and restaurant in the same rock/brick building that we knew. From its high perch on a hillside, we could see the farmlands and the red roofed houses so familiar to us. We tried to find the bakery where we bought brown bread occasionally, but were unsuccessful with that.
Only 9K from Staufenberg is Giessen where the army base was. We rode around the city looking and trying to remember just where it was located. Knowing that the base no longer exists as it was, it was a bit difficult. A second try down one big street had us recognizing a few things. Viola! I sighted a restaurant named PIZZA PIE and we remembered eating at an establishment with that name. We parked the car.
We walked past the restaurant wondering if it could be the same one we frequented. We made our way to the corner of the block and it hit me! The very first place where Dan had to have me stay when I arrived in Germany. It was a Gasthus and I knew the spot well. Across the street were the same trees in a park-like setting and I had observed children going to school with backpacks on when I woke on my first morning from a second story window. I'll never forget that scene in my mind which has often come into my brain.
The Gasthus seems now to be apartments and a closed restaurant, but it is exactly the same structure painted now a light green. My heart pounded with excitement. We were curious about Pizza Pie, so we stopped in to ask about it and we needed to eat anyway. There on the wall was the photos of the first owners taken at their 50th year in business. A young woman, a decendant of that couple talked to us about the restaruant's history. It was the place! Of course, we had a photo taken of us there. Then we walked about a quarter mile along the street where the army base was and is now a university seeming to do with law ( from what we could read). Dan recognized some of the same buildings still in use, but most of the base is totally gone.
The young woman remembers riding her bike into the base grounds when she was a child. It confirmed our thoughts about location. This was one highlight of our trip. We had hoped to see our stomping grounds where our married life began.
Friday, August 8, 2014
NORWAY'S END
We departed Holsen and headed north to Lom so we could head south to Denmark. The drive was incredible on the western side of Norway. We followed the Sunnfjord for many kilometers on a narrow highway and it was a rainy morning. Low clouds hung over the mountains, but the fjord was beautiful and the mountain benches lush green. We went to Urnes to view our fourth Stave Church and it was worth the 22K drive down a one way road used by traffic in both directions. Pullovers helped when an oncoming car came into view. The church is said to be the oldest of the 28 still standing Stave Churches. We had a very interesting tour and learned much about the use of the church. Carved entrance posts ( now put on one outside wall ) are patterns used in making Viking style jewelry and have much influence from the Celts. Serpentine twists and turns seem dominant and all have meaning within the design.
Through the high mountain we drove through melting snow that made for rushing green glacial rivers. It reached a low 13C there and we saw many tents where folks were camping on what seemed like freezing ground. Even though the rugged high peaks were awesome ( in the true sense of the word), they were a bit intimidating. It was a grand experience and we won't soon forget the feeling of being there. We came to a town called Lom where lots of folks were camping. Fishing and hiking were the main interests at least for summer fun. We stayed in a log cabin hotel there and bought bread and sweet rolls from the famous bakery that has its own fame for destination. There is even a Zip-line across the massive tumbling, rushing waters that makes it way through this rustic village. It is a place for outdoors people in all seasons.
There, too, is a Stave Church. This one still used every Sunday for church services. On three sides of the church grounds is a beautiful kempt cemetery. All graves have lovely live flowers and grass was beautifully manicured. It was our fifth viewing of a church of this kind. They hold such interest as each has its own "personality"
After a good night's rest, we drove onto the eastern side of Norway which proved to be much different than the West. At times I felt like I was in Montana as the vegetation and terrain is similar. Good road conditions brought us to a small town named Asta where we stayed in a charming B&B. Hearing a different dialect and manner of speech proved to be different, too. We were told that the two sides were different. Now I wonder about the difference in the North and the South! Another trip, I guess!!
Through the high mountain we drove through melting snow that made for rushing green glacial rivers. It reached a low 13C there and we saw many tents where folks were camping on what seemed like freezing ground. Even though the rugged high peaks were awesome ( in the true sense of the word), they were a bit intimidating. It was a grand experience and we won't soon forget the feeling of being there. We came to a town called Lom where lots of folks were camping. Fishing and hiking were the main interests at least for summer fun. We stayed in a log cabin hotel there and bought bread and sweet rolls from the famous bakery that has its own fame for destination. There is even a Zip-line across the massive tumbling, rushing waters that makes it way through this rustic village. It is a place for outdoors people in all seasons.
There, too, is a Stave Church. This one still used every Sunday for church services. On three sides of the church grounds is a beautiful kempt cemetery. All graves have lovely live flowers and grass was beautifully manicured. It was our fifth viewing of a church of this kind. They hold such interest as each has its own "personality"
After a good night's rest, we drove onto the eastern side of Norway which proved to be much different than the West. At times I felt like I was in Montana as the vegetation and terrain is similar. Good road conditions brought us to a small town named Asta where we stayed in a charming B&B. Hearing a different dialect and manner of speech proved to be different, too. We were told that the two sides were different. Now I wonder about the difference in the North and the South! Another trip, I guess!!
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