Berlin - East.

Our plan this morning is to go East!  We set off only to be totally barracaded from the marathon which  was running through town.  Thousands of spectators, bands, whistles and clackers were cheering the runners on.  We had to weave ourselves across via underground subways and when we made it to the station a very helpful local gave us the directions we needed. 

We only had 6/7 stations to Alexandraplatz and we stepped right into 'Sunday Markets!'  BUT boy were they different, we have photos for you to see how colourful it was, and Thommo did the tourist shop and bought our Ruskie hats!  He just had to have them!!?

Sorry to say I started to get wobbly again, so while I rested Thommo took off with the video and did some valuable scenery shots.  Lovely old buildings and churches, they are also excavating the ruins off a city from the middle ages, 13th century and the beginning of Berlin just under the current cities asphalt.  Apparantly, digging foundations for a new car park exposed this historic gem.

We gently strolled, for my benefit, and when we made it to the station we  relied on Thommos common sense, hopped on a train and 'clever boy' we were on the right one.  The marathon was over so it was an easy walk back to  our hotel.  I have been sorting our stuff ready for tomorrow, feeling lousy, and Thommo discovered that our blog had been blocked, and our user password had been disconnected by google!!  It seems 'our site had been compromised.  Well he worked feverishly on this tablet, and with new code and password he has us reinstated - how good is he?!

Meanwhile I have called for a doctor again, I have to get this stomach fixed now, and get to really enjoy the rest of this  trip.  Enjoy our happy  snaps below  xoxoxoxo

Berlin bedlam!!

Up at 6am, train to catch.  I am not feeling great, bugger.   It was a 6 hour trip and we only caught quick glances of countryside and towns between rail walls, trees and more trees, sorry no photos.  The countries are so flat, towns are concrete jungles of high apartments.  Some of the trees are just starting to turn red & gold, lots of corn fields, and even some Canola.  We stepped  off at Berlin Hauptbahnhoff and stood stunned and totally bemused as hundreds of people surrounded us.  "well  where are we?" says Thommo!  Err Berlin - I said.  What now?  Find someone, we made our way to the exit, switched on the Garmin, keyed in our hotel and set for walk.  Nothing!  It was internally stalling, couldn't trace us!?  I had to go and ask (at last) .  We had travelled too far, back on the train and back 3 stations to the Zoo.  Again Thommo was determined to master the garmin, I asked a bus driver, but Thommo was convinced he was on the right track - off we treck (in the opposite direction).  Remember, I am not feeling good!  We walked approx 500mtrs. and it was heading into a cobbled track through a park, and alongside the Zoo.  I propped and Thommo said he would go ahead and check it out.  I stayed with our luggage and watched camels in their enclosure, while walkers & cyclists streamed by me.  I almost started to think Thommo was lost, but he appeared at last - "we'll get a taxi!!'  I was too tired to even laugh, so we walked back the 500mtrs, asked the taxk, and we were only 500mtrs in the other direction!! 

Into reception, only to be told 'sorry we are full tonight, but we have a room for you close by, and we have upgraded your room for the next 2 nights!!'  NOT HAPPY,  This 4 hours since we arrived in Berlin!!  Now we are in our temporary room, and Ihad to lie down.  Thommo said we have to get you fixed, I had to admit I was not doing us any help this way, luckily the hotel has a house doctor, and what a gem he was.  Yes, I have drugs, injection to combat the nausea,follow up drops for the stomach bug and real pain killers for my back.  NB.  Woke up much better tnis morning.

First mission to transfer ourselves to our original hotel (after a delightful breakfast) and getting our gear into the upgraded suite we were really keen to hit the streets.  I rang our friends son Tristan (Prasser), who is studying in Berlin with girlfriend Louise, mainly to apologies that we wouldn't meet up with them as we had planned as I am travelling rather slowly, and it would mean a train trip for us.  But Tristan had given us some invaluable tips, including to try and see Brandenburger Gate today, as there was a major marathon organised for tomorrow in town, possibly road disruption.  Note;  Triston sounded rather sleepy?  Good reason, they had been out in the Octoberfest!!

So, off we went and walked the Joachimstrasse which is a major retail mecca here - cafes, shoes, clothes, shoes, coffee shops, souveniers, shoes, coffee shops, cafes by the hundreds it is unbelievable.  We checked out the Berlin Story and did a tour of an underground shelter (4 built in the post war in the event of a nuclea result in the cold war period).  Huge bunker for the preservation of 16000 people (first in first saved)!  Set up for supplies for 14 days (safe to go outside).  Of course this was not true with knowledge today, and tne living conditions would have been intolerable - but it was interesting to learn this fact.

Our next plan was to go and see the Brandenburger Gate.  We successfully negotiated the train trip, this time, we were armed with all the information.  What fun it was in the square, a local marathon was in progress, with The Gate as the finish we were able to see, cyclists and roller bladers race in cheered along by thousands of spectators.  It was great atmosphere, and we have a couple of photos at last.

We haven't planned tomorrow yet, Thommo is snoring on the couch as I am typing!!  So watch this space for more surprises!
Pics.  Me in front of The Gate.  Thommo found a Bear?!  (it is the Berlin Bear).  Me really in Berlin, and of course bicycles!

xoxoxoxo

Bongs everywhere!!

Well what a different city Amsterdam is, apart from all the water & canals, there are millions of people constantly on the move.  Millions of bicycles, and not an overweight person in sight.  They are all gazelles!  Another fine day for us and we took ourselves off to catch a bus which gave us a good idea of this busy place.  We then caught the Blue line canal bus which took us out tothe main harbour, and we saw where they built there huge ships, again amazing.  Thommo is being very patient,  I am still limping thank goodness for these tours.  We walked the streets, and alleyways, all paved and so many shops and cafes of every description. The specialty for the locals is Frommes, which is a paper cone of hot chips and a mayonnaise sauce poured over them (or any sauce of your choice).  We tried it, but sweet chilli wasn't good and too sticky!!

We chose little cafes down the alleyways, interesting and good.  Like the title you cannot believe the range and volume of bongs, and you can certainly smell the sweet M everywhere! 

Our final day here and Thommo wants to check-out the Red Light district, but we had some more sightseeing to do, and yes shopping.  Thommo was keen as the sale prices were so good!  Then we walked the Red Light district - yes we saw some girls in the windows but I didn't lose Thommo!?  We couldn't take photos here, it would upset the girls and there managers at the door!!

Lesson for today!  Stats:  550,500 bicycles in Amsterdam, 7,500 get stolen each year.  approx. 9,500 cycles through the station daily.  There are 2,500 houseboats, the authority have a freeze on new moorings.  16th century bridges in Amsterdam no. 1,250.  They plant elm trees along the canals because there roots go straight down, and there a lot of them.

Couple of snaps to follow.  Will try and get more in Berlin.  xoxoxo  Me in front of central station.  Thommo near canal.

Brussels

Leaving UK was pretty painless, the eurail was like sitting in a plane and we had a light meal during the trip.  Scenery was fleeting, very flat and we had no photos for you.  We arrived in Brussels Midi Station at 6pm and BAM chaos - people everywhere and no english!!  We stood totally bemused and Ray was anxious to find an ATM we might not have enough euro for the cab?  Errols Garmon was showing a 40 min walk to our hotel that would be 1 hour for me!!

Thommo went for walk and had no luck with ATM found 2 both out of order - Sunday?  We eventually asked a taxi how much for our fare & we had enough -phew!  Thommo has done marvels with our accommodation, our hotel is gorgeous and it was a relief to flop and have a cuppa.  Thommo went looking for an ATM but I snuggled in ready to attack the streets tomorrow.

Morning, and Yippee we found our little cafe just down the cobbled road, in Luxemburg Square which was a busy hub of students, business suits and taxis.  We waited out a couple of heavy showers and then hopped onto the tour bus for the innercity circuit, which confirmed that Brussels is the business centre of Europe.  I am sure 22 million live here, and they run everywhere, and smoke!!

Hopefully we have some  photos to show how busy this place is, the buildings are so dense it is almost impossible to get a photo of them or the sculptures they have, both historic and new.  We hopped onto the 2nd circuit which went through the older part of the city, and the apartments were more colourful and the older style trams ran through the middle of the roads surrounded by trees.

We had our tea back at our cafe, it was an easy walk and had pleasant staff.  Panic this morning, I had set our alarm alright, but our phone was on UK time, 1 hour behind!  We did record time getting ready and made it safely to the station.  Then it was looking for our train?!  Had to ask porters who seemed to find it amusing?  We found our train in plenty of time, and here we are almost in Amsterdam. 

We have arrived, it is amazing - people, cyclists, trams and taxis and those amazing canals, there is water everywhere!!  We stepped outside the Central Amsterdam and Thommo immediately saw our hotel the Victoria, how good is that?  Just a walk across the roads of tram lines, cycle/scooter lanes and pedestrians - absolutely scarey!!  We have photos, and we checked in our luggage into the hotel and our next mission was lunch.  Ah a decent cuppa too.  Then we went over to book our bus/canal tickets, we are really keen to get onto the  canal bus because the sun is shining.  We hopped on the Red line and the tour through the canals was wonderful, although the housebouts did not look so romantic close up!  16th century bridges, warehouses (which are now converted to luxury apartments).  Rather difficult to get the top of these lovely tall buildings sitting in the canal bus.  Thommo is still shaking his head at the crazy traffic, there is so much of it and add millions of pedestrians.  Bicyles here leave Japan for dead, it is so flat and parking stations are huge apart from around all the bridges!

I have more badges at last, they are so hard to source.  Time to re-group and get  this one away for you all.  School holidays again, Kizza having fun?  Did Noah go over to Sean & Aodhan's, and trust Fergus is not missing his school routine?  Bye for now xoxoxo

UK is coming to a close!

Well folks we are on the way down.  Our stay in York was limited by my sore back, but we still had a good time.  We made the most of our social time in 'our local' and had great meals and chatted with the regulars (as I always do!)  We left York on Friday and it was pouring rain, so we stuck to the major highways and headed for Cambridge.  No pictures, it just wasn't worth it.  We arrived at our B&B at 4.30, and were delighted to have easy parking right at our own door, with a delightful garden and chooks strutting around.  The proprietor Paul was a cheeky cockney, retrenched engineer and he has taken over the B&B from his wife - and thoroughly enjoys his work, he was great fun and cooked a fab breakfast.  We drove around, through and around Cambridge in the evening, and it is all colleges, schools & universities, hundreds upon hundreds of students walking, and riding push bikes
Even in the pouring rain.  Had to check for a post office and Paul told us where the local village was, and that the po wojld be open Sat. Morn.  Thommo was not keen on the Bollywood restaurant over the road so we drove down to the village, 3km and again found another gem of pub The Sun.  Sat in the snug and had another marvelous 'home cooked' meal (tough life!)

Up and away this morning, Saturday, we are leaving Helen as she is goig to be tourist for the day before she travels home by train on Sunday.  So we gave her a lift into town, and literally tippdd her out on Kings Parade for her first tour around Kings College.  We hit the main highways again for fast track to Windsor our final destination.  We are meeting friends Rob & Jay tonight,out for tea.

NB.  Didnt meet Marion last night, she went straight home as son was home from camp, did not sound to keen to call.

We have had a very relaxing afternoon.  I had massage which was lovely, and Thommo did his bookwork.  Sorted our luggage for the nect stage which has meant No. 4 parcel is on its way Tory.  We are now all set-up for train travel, timetable ready.

Hope to have a happy snap to add before we send this blog, watch this space.  Love & hugs for the last time in UK!!  xoxoxo

Edinburgh to York.

Thursday in York and we had to let Helen do the tourist on her own!  We were on a mission, I have been nursing a sore back and it wasn't improving, so of to casualty in York hospital for us.  4 hours later confirmed it is muscular and strong pain killers for me.  Thankfully they are slowly working, so I should be more mobile soon.  Sadly we haven't seen much of York, but we did a lovely drive out to the pretty town of Harrogate, 22 miles away and we were delighted we made it, well worth the trip.

We were rather sad to leave Edinburgh yesterday, we really enjoyed and liked this city.  It is truly amazing, and the Royal Scots Club was something else, it really spoiled us.  We left under lovely blue skies and travelled along the coastline, stopping at the picturesque town of Berwick (pronounced Berrick NOT as spelt, much to Thommos confusion!)  Then we diverted to a place called Holy Island which is approached across a causeway, and luckily we were in plenty of time on the low tide.  This island has only 160 permanent residence, it is no longer home for the monks and the priory and castle are ruins.  But this is the place St Cuthbert brought christianity over to northern England, and southern Scotland, Therese will be pleased to know that!  The original catholic church is used today, and it is a very simple timber structure, with ornate pictures outside.  Thommo has this on video.

We followed the coast road and went into the town of Whitby (my interest here is because this little town is featured in one of my favourite shows Heartbeat).  Now this is another lovely, spectacular place.  We just kept saying wow, and we had a cuppa in the hotel overlooking the sea - fabulous.  Then we had to move along and get to York, narrow streets and luckily our B&B provided us with a parking permit for the car in the street.  After the opulance of the Scots Club we were a bit disappointed with our small room, however, our hostess Natalie dispelled all that with her friendly and helpful manners.  She even moved us to the ground floor when told that I had a sore back, how sweet is that?!

We woke our Richard up on skype yesterday at 5am, so we were more friendly this morning and had a chat on skype when it was 7.30pm.  But Sean still told us off for "waking Dad up at 5am!"   It was so nice to talk to them, thanks Sean and Aodhan.

Now I must get this away tonight, we are off to Cambridge in the morning and going over the Humber Bridge.  We meet up with my other school friend's daughter and family tomorrow night, looking forward to that.  Night night everyone enjoy our pics below  first one is Berwick on Tweed,  next, at pretty Whitby and last but not least our final meal in York in our 'favouritd local' The Gillygate!  xoxoxo

Tuesday in Edinburgh.

Blue skies and we are going on the tour bus again, we have to check out some monuments.  Then it was coffee and onto the No.22 bus for Leith Docks and to see the Royal Yacht Britannia!

WOW!  We had a fabulous time on this beautifully maintained little ship.  She really gives you the feeling that the royals loved being on her, and she has full maintenance crew 363 days, painting, repairing, cleaning and catering for civil functions.  The operating staff are brilliant, and offered to take photographs for us and asking if we were enjoying the visit!  So pleasant, and we had our lunch on board which is set-up in what was originally the entertainment deck with a small grand piano.  It was a special visit, even Thommo was impressed.  Although he was surprised at the Queens & Dukes single bedrooms, which were very small and rather ordinary by even our standard.  But the stately rooms impressed him!  We  took some photos on the tablet for you, but the most of the yacht is on video.  It was another big day, we hopped onto the No.22 and the driver was even good enough to call out our stop for us (must be our Assie charm)!  We collected our car from the long term car park as we can park outside on the street free until 8.30 am.  Then it is 1 pound every half hour, so you will know that Thommo will be loading the car very quickly!!

We are heading for York in the morning, and one 'must see' is the town of Whitby where my show Heartbeat is mentioned!  Lots of pretty coast to see according to Helen, so we are in for another spectacular day, what else?!

Photos next, enjoy and talk to you all tomorrow xoxoxo
Thommo in the wheel house on the RY Britannia,  elegant lunch,  at the Warrant Officers bar.

Monday in Edinburgh

Cloudy skies, but fine and we (Helen, Thommo and I) made our plans for the day at breakfast in the very elegant dining room.  We had to re-locate our car as there is only 4 hour street  parking available.  So with advice from our delightful staff we found a long-term car park, and then walked to the tourist bus stop.  It is amazing how these double decker buses negotiate these narrow winding, and often cobbled streets!!  We oooed and ahhed all day, the monuments and architecture is something to see, and then it is the years we hear eg,. 1600, 1700 etc.  it is hard to believe.

We spent hours in Edinburgh Castle, it is built on a plug of a volcano which last erupted 35 million years ago?!  Whose going to argue about that, but how do they know??  The castle is a fabulous fort, and they fire the '1 o'clock Canon' every day except Sundays and Christmas day.  Did you realise that the Scottish jewels had been buried for 111  years before Cromwell found them and handed them back?  They were also hidden again during both world wars, and they are also something special to see, we have had some serious history lessons alright!!

We have some photos for you to enjoy today, luckily we took them before the heavens opened.  We hurredly scrambled onto the tour bus, and walked back to our rooms in the rain!  Don't like that!  It cleared up for us to go out and have tea at a neat place close by, plenty of eateries of every nationality in town.  Photos below xoxoxo

Thommo & I outside the Dragoon Guards museum,  We are really are here, at Edinburgh Castle,  now 'that's a view'!!

Sunday travelling.

-We left pretty Inverness in showers, and we went straight onto the highway heading for Elgin on the whiskey run along the coast.  Unfortunately Thommo cannot try  any as he is doped up with medication.  However we had plenty to think about as we had torrential rain for a while, and ghen typically it cleared away to fluffy clouds and 1 small rainbow.  We stopped for lunch in a little town called Brechen and pulled up at a place called Brechen Castle which was a garden/gift/cafe complex!  But it was a pleasant break, and then back on the highway for Edinburgh.  The highway was excellent, we were only held up 3 times behind the tractors (they are still frantically working getting the hay in).  We have only covered 300 miles today, pretty slow huh?  We were spoiled with the views again, hills, sheep, occasional cattle (no highland coos  down here),  and these strange streets of houses with no front gardens, they look so small.  Apologies we didn't get any photos on the tablet today.

We had some fun finding our hotel, it is the Royal Scots Club and very elegant too.  The staff are lovely, and Thommo has had his first experience of being in a basement - below street level which caused a laugh at  reception!

We are dashing off now to collect Helen from the airport - it is all go.  Night Night xoxo
Photo from yesterday, me and the view beside a Loch - so fabulous.

The Highlands

We were on the road at 9.30 am with blue skies, and we just had to enjoy more of those wonderful mountains.  We even had our picnic in sunshine albeit a little windy!!  We drove over the Skye Bridge - we were on the Isle of Skye, more rugged mountains, more mountain streams, more water falls AND the highland coos (cows)!  We drove to the end of highway 87 into the town of Uig, nestled in a bay - it is beautiful.  We had an equally awesome drive back again through more of the mountains, you just cannot get tired of these views.  Did I mention the heather?  Well there is plenty of that too, mad 'bevans' riding push bikes, plenty of motor bikes out today enjoying these magnificent roads and last 'but by no means least' people walking!!  It was another memorable day and we stopped in a cozy Scottish pub for tea in the town of Drumnadrochit.  Here we are back in our B&B at 8 pm.  Now to get this away to all you fans out there, we are beginning our oddysey down to Edinburgh where we will meet up with my school pal Helen.  More photos and love & hugs xoxoxo

Our picnic by a loch,  love the mountains,  the highland coo!

Goodbye Glasgow

Grey, raining and windy and glad to be leaving this city.  Pleased to say we have been here, but I will not be back!  As we drove north the skies looked lighter, and we saw rainbows.   The mountains became higher and oh what scenery -eat your hearts out everyone, the highlands are spectacular.  We had to keep stopping to gaze at the scenery, and Thommo wanted to video the mountain ranges, the are just so beautiful.  Rugged rocks, water courses running down the mountains and then they become water falls into miles of fast running rivers.  The grasses are like lush velvet, and of course all those white sheep grazing.  I call them mountain goats as they are all over the mountains, and Thommo says they just couldn't run out of grass it is so lush.  They even sit on their haunches to munch!!

We met up with Loch Ness the largest loch in Scotland and followed it all the way into Inverness, and what a pretty city it is.  Lovely architecture, and the river runs through the city but much narrower than Brisbane.  Both walking and road bridges cross it and access to both sides is very easy.  Thommo found another delightful B&B for us, and as soon as we had put our luggage in our room we set off to find shops (chemist for drugs for Thommos cold, & a bite to eat).  Uh oh, we were stopped at the lights when the Volvo wagon in front decided to reverse - Thommo hit the horn just as he bumped us!  Quick check, and we drove around the corner to take details.  Luckily it was a very slight bump on our grill, & at a look there doesn't appear to be any damage but one side of the grill feels loose!  The young fellow apologised, he was in a rush to register for a pushbike race for tomorrow, and he gave us all his details.  I only hope the rental company doesn't make it expensive for him!!

We found some drugs, had a bite to eat and when we were back at our B&B we tried very unsuccessfully to get onto wifi.  Hopefully better luck tonight.  Photos attached - enjoy xoxoxo

Thommo by a memorial on the highway,  me by Loch Ness -da da!!  Thommo just loves those mountains!

Glasgow.

We only did a short walk up town then we hopped onto the tourist bus for our obligatory sightsee around the town.  There is a lot of construction happening, they are revamping and modernising.  They are also setting up for the Olympian & Paralympic Parade tomorrow, so some of our attempts at photos was made tricky.  We have to talk slowly as do the shop assistance for us, we have had some laughs!  Glasgow is rather scruffy, but so much to appreciate with their universities eg Strathclyde is the largest in Scotland.  The merchant district is undergoing major changes as Glasgow transforms from the major shipbuilding industry it once was to the insurance/retail capitol of Scotland.  They are renovating the old historic buildings into luxury apartments (they certainly don't look it from the outside!)

The lovely architecture on the older buildings is spoilt with the soot debris from its past glory days!  We had another great and I have 2 more badges.  Note - Thommo has head cold, think of me while he grumbles!!  More photos below xoxoxo

Thommo in front of border sign, and the Glasgow City Hall and me in front of the Glasgow Art Gallery.  Hopefully this will grt away on the free wifi?

Over the border!

We left our B&B under cloudy skies and travelled through more of those amazing hills, even the sheep watched us!  We have photos too, we just couldn't stop taking them, and Thommo wielded the video while he was driving!  We have voted the lakes the most magnificent scenery yet.  We left the lake district and onto the highway and as we approached the border the clouds came in and so did the rain - we were in Scotland.  We were making excellent time so we decided to check-out Dumfries which so happens to be one of the first towns across the border. 

We had to stop at Gretna Green (and if, like Thommo you have not heard of this town?), it is famous for runaway weddings since 1754, see me in front of the famous Blacksmith Shop where those marriages happened!  More history at every corner.  We drove through Dumfries, again narrow busy streets and nowhere to stop just for a quick photo.  On the highway and for our destination Glasgow in steady rain.  Big thanks to Errol for the loan of the Garmin, and the added use of the in-car GPS we were able to negotiate the crazy traffic and narrow streets to the Premier Inn, our stop for 2 nights.  Very comfortable and excellent food again, and great location right in the centre of town.  Photos below more news to follow xoxo

Wow! Wow! Wow, Windermere!

We literally raced along the highway today, cruising at 100mph, and we were still being passed!  Thommo is loving the handling of the car, it sticks like glue and cornering is a breeze (and there are plenty of those here).

Our B&B is great, 4 poster bed & all!  Just a pleasant stroll down a decent sloping street and there was the lake Windermere in all its beauty even under clouds, with the odd showers.  Crowds of people, lots of people craft on the lake, and tour buses full - crazy.  We had our cuppa overlooking the lake, then on our stroll back up the hill we found my badge, rather 2 = 1 x Lake District, 1 x Windermere (don't think Tory has these?!)

Then it was in our snazy Mercedes and off to explore and WOW did we travel along the most amazing, awesome, beautiful and breathtaking roads.  We have a couple of photos for you all, but of course they do not do the views justice.  I think you will here "amazing"a few times.  I keep trying to capture the rock walls, they weave across the countryside so much - I love the look of them, and all the sheep!  The are so white and scramble over the mountains like goats, so cute.

There are people walking all over these mountains, and around the lakes (Errol, you would be in your element!)  It was just fabulous driving through this scenery, we travelled along a narrow winding road and this is where I tried to get close to those sheep, but they ran away, and passed waterfalls cascading down the mountains on both sides - it was breathtaking.  We have had another memorable  day, enjoy our pic below.  Off to Glasgow in the morning, rain predicted.

Photos.  Thommo loves the mountains,  me trying to get close to the sheep, more mountains, look carefully see the wall, and of course a lake.  xoxoxo 
Scotland here we come!!

It' Tudor everywhere.

Another amazing day, we walked our little legs off!  We had to do the laundrette visit first thing this morning, just around the block (everything is just around the corner), at least 3 convenience stores, butcher, deli, florist, shoe repair, the post office - another parcel is on the way Tory!! Not to forget  the pubs in between the shops and on  each street corner.  We have just walked back from our local The Faulkner having had a fab tea - stuffed!

We explored this amazing tudor town and yes you will have pictures.  The Cathedral is magnificent, built by the Romans, then the Benedictine monks added their cloisters and then after Henry V111 it was protected by the monks.  They hold daily services and all celebrations are enjoyed in this glorious building.  We had our picnic lunch in the memorial gardens, along with quite few of the locals.  It is Monday, a work day?  Crowds, people everywhere, shopping is huge, and Thommo reckons the Buskers are nuts - some are just hobos singing for coins, but there was a couple of old guys sax & electric organ, they were good.

The tudor style buildings blew us away, and we followed the wall as much as possible, and we drove around Chester checking out the university, court houses and even the newer housing blocks, very neat.

Now it is time to pack up, leave for Windermere, Lakes District in the morning.  Stat. we have travelled 2,200 miles.

Photos:  me in front of the Cathedral,  Tudor town,  lovely buildings,  finally the Town Hall.   xoxoxo

Where I was born!

Fine day and Thommo decided that Sunday was the best day to commute by train.  Peak time is unreal over here.  We asked our B & B staff for details and after trying to skype the Bradfords we headed off.  We walked to the local station (approx. 1 km) and caught the train for Liverpool and even though it was Sunday it was unbelievably busy.  Liverpool has fantastic buildings, and lucky for you we took some photos on this tablet for your pleasure!

We had a great time walking these old streets, and had our picnic in St Johns Park with memorials to WW units.  Again signs were typically difficult, so it was up to asking the locals for definate directions.  So we headed for the Docks - to find a badge and to catch 'the ferry across the Mersey'!!  We found my badge yippee, and then time for a cuppa before we boarded Snowdrop, our ferry.  What a great trip it was, a lighthouse at the mouth of the dock built in Nelsons honour!  A six face clock tower erected for seaman to check their time since Ww1.  Thommo keeps saying "it's old".  The only difference is old and older!!

We arrived back at our B & B just to leave our backpack, and we set off again to find somewhere to eat.  It wasn't hard, apart from hotels on every corner, there are cafes, take-aways and restaurants in just about every other hotel!  We chose The Faulkner, and what a little gem it was, great food, great atmosphere and most importantly 'reasonable'.

We bought provisions on the way back (convenience stores open 'til 11pm) and now here we are back at the B & B enjoying a cuppa.  We plan to explore Chester tomorrow, it looks awesome and the picnic is packed.  So folks enjoy our pics and think of us trudging around these old roman streets!!  xoxoxo

Photos:  me with the Liver building in background; me in front of fountain and Liverpool Museum; Thommo on the ferry, we got off at Birkenhead dock the town I was born just 65 years ago!!  What a day!!

NB:  Eat your heart out Scott we were in Beatle fan heaven!!

Cheers

Time for a drink!!!  oxoxox

CYMRU!!

Goodbye Linda & Duncan, and we slept in!  After big hugs and clever instructions for Thommo from Dunc we were on the highway at 10 am.  We left Somerset and we were heading for the Midlands along the A430 and spectacular scenery - sorry no pics on the tablet you will all have to wait for our slide-show night!!

First stop Cardiff Castle, and here is where I trace my history - followed my Nanna's footsteps through the castle where she started her working life 'in service' cleaning the fire grates for the Marquise of Bute.  The castle, grounds and fortress are brilliant, again no pics on this tablet.  Something to look forward too?  We (rather me) found lots of souveniers, Thommo is still groaning, Ikeep getting "no more"!! 

We left Cardiff at 2 pm on the highway through the beautiful Welsh hills, dual language signs now (Cymru = Wales).  Nothing easy to pronounce Caerfilli, Llandefaelog he he!!  The scenery blows you away, we had some very slow stretches following a hourse float then a tractor - Thommo had to be patient to find a straight bit so he could his foot to the floor.  We had tea on the road in - guess what Tory?  The Little Chef!  Very nice too, and Thommo was pleased to find a quickcar wash in the same spot, so the Merc had a scrub as well.  We have arrived at our verynice B &B  'Chester Stone Villa'  
It has been luxury all the way for us so far.

Sightseeing tomorrow, will try and get some good photos for you.  Stats for today = 242 miles @ 50.9 mpg average speed 45 mph varying from 20mph to 90 mph!!  Now we are on our own, more surprises ahead xoxoxo

Bath - awesome!!

We are on the train today.  2nd cousin Emma cleverly recommended this following our experience yesterday.  Dunc gave us a lift to Taunton Station and made sure we safely on the train.  What took us over 1 hour by car took 1/2 hour today!!  Bath city is an amazing Roman city, however there are no signs to tell you where you are or how to get to points of interest.  Hence we had to keep asking, apparantly the reason for no signs is to keep the authenticity of the heritage city - they are renovating madly and building new facades on all the shops with the local sandstone, and in the roman style -brilliant.  Our pics will not do it justice - shame, but I have a badge!!  We did a topless bus tour and then into the famous baths and pump rooms wow 17 AD!!  Walked the narrow streets, again people everywhere.  We have the Bath Abbey in the background, very impressive but no time for a look inside.  Doing this blog onthe train, very convenient as we will make the most of our last night with Linda and Dunc.  We leave for Chester in the morning via Cardiff and hope to see the castle.  Bye for now, here come the photos.

Stonehenge!!

We had big ambitions today but fell very short because we kept going the wrong way!!!  We used the roundabouts for our U Turns!!  We were on the highways today as we wanted to get to Stonehenge (henge means hang) hence hang stones is stone-henge.  3000 BC before the romans?  Mind boggling, we are walking in history!!  We travelled into Bath but due to poor navigation (me panicking) and traffic, narrow streets and nowhere to park - we are re-tracing our trip tomorrow, so watch this space!  Photos attached.

Thatched cottage, the stones, me with Linda and Dunc, the country road note the walls!  xoxoxo