tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269087242024-03-08T05:38:14.989+11:00Europe 2006We returned from our OS holiday on the 14th of July. I will post different aspects of our trip and will upload pictures. Once this is complete I will close off this blog and start a more general one.
I have called myself Mondo Viaggiatore as it means world traveller in Italian.Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-89917963989791383312006-12-04T13:22:00.000+11:002006-12-05T07:32:35.584+11:00Home Sweet HomeBack to Australia- hard to believe.<br /><br />Landed in Sydney at 6am tired and excited all at once. First we had to go through customs, which should have been a doddle, but at the last minute we were stopped and a large customs woman was summoned and we wondered what we had done wrong!!! After Helga arrived she asked us if we knew that carrying handcuffs was a police offence? We started to explain that they were children's ones that we had bought in Scotland, but Helga did not want to know, we offered to surrender them, however Helga declared that would not be necessary this time!!!<br /><br />We queued up for the transit bus to the domestic terminal and then finally caught the plane home. Kids slept all the way and the hosties gave them snacks for the car trip home. The children both slept in the taxi. We arrived home and had no key for the house and so spent some time breaking into our own house (again!). This was mainly done by JSR and AJR, while MLR slept on the trampoline under my red jacket. Millie dog was mad with excitement and it took her a long time to settle down.<br /><br />Our parcels that we had sent home from Scotland had arrived, so AJR and JSR went off for provisions and parcels, MLR continued to sleep, while I got serious about putting together some of the titles of this blog, to ensure that I would not forget (as if). Again no photo's, but JSR did video some of this, so there will be some pictures, eventually.<br /><br />There you have it, the whole trip from woa to go.Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-23969681073511131282006-12-01T19:22:00.000+11:002006-12-03T22:36:07.113+11:00Stage 3 Water RestrictionsWell it had to happen and a month ago they were predicting stage three water restrictions in January, so I for one am glad that we are moving to stage 3 earlier. If you check out what we are allowed to do with water in the stage 2 restrictions the restrictions are generous, we can water 3 or 4 times a week using hoses and also use sprinkler systems for upto three hours once a week, even numbered houses on Saturdays and odd numbered houses on Sundays. This is pretty generous when compared with watering on the south side of Sydney for instance, they are only allowed to water twice a week.<br /><br /><br />For the full range of the new restrictions see the link above. I still think this is generous, considering how low the dams are.<br /><br />It is of course raining in Newcastle tonight.Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-71484187001471625792006-11-14T07:58:00.001+11:002006-11-25T12:36:39.697+11:00Garden at 122<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We had a beautiful sunset last night<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />reminded me a little of the Scottish sunsets we saw not so long ago.<br /><br />I took a walk in our garden this morning and here are the photo's<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/5.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>a calistemon<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;">two of my carpet roses<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/10.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 133px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-33655040387896263472006-11-13T07:34:00.000+11:002006-11-13T07:34:36.901+11:00MLR's Learning Journey<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1679.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1679.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1677.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1677.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1678.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1678.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MLR</span> had both of us come to see her learning journey and we are sharing her journey with you.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1674.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1674.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> This is her postcard that we sent from Rome!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;">Here is the shark Project<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1672.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1672.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1675.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1675.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Where class news is put up<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1673.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1673.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> art on the board.<br /></div><br />Here is MLR's diarama of the sea <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1680.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1680.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: right;">Here is MLR's friend A<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1687.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1687.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here is MLR demonstrating the movie the teacher made of the class trip to the Canberra <a href="http://www.zooquarium.com.au/">National Zoo and Acquarium. </a> Our neice used to work here.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1683.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1683.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></div></div>Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-25072882306443675512006-11-12T17:01:00.000+11:002006-11-12T22:54:11.139+11:00Borders Canberra now open<div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: left;">We all made it to Borders today with our 20% discount voucher and the thrill of exploring a new bookstore - this one does have a coffee shop, although I wish it had someone other than Gloria Jeans. I am realiably informed (thank you) that GJ is Australian, but their coffee is mediocre, trying to emulate the star bucks (which is terrible) style coffee is just not necessary. How about a good Austro/Italian coffee maker, preferably from Melbourne where good coffee is on every corner. Here is a selection of what we purchased today, something for everyone. <br /></div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1832.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1832.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />We came away with a $10 discount on our next purchase, so we will definitely be going again. The children decided, based on the book we bought today, about Kids growing things to eat and then cooking them, to "work" on the garden, with kitchen sissors!!! Of course Millie helped too. She is great at digging, which will be useful for planting, except that they are growing things in pot plants!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1834.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1834.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-13203753786197069222006-11-07T18:44:00.000+11:002006-11-07T23:45:34.170+11:00Paris to SingaporeParis is raining on this Sunday morning. We drag all our suitcases down the tiny lift and onto the footpath. It takes three trips. Eventually we are down and we hail a cab. We drive with plenty of time to <a href="http://www.international-airport.eu/Charles_De_Gaulle_Airport.html">Charles De Gaul</a> airport. I decided long ago that I did not want to deal with Heathrow airport, not with luggage and bags and kids!!!! Next time we go this way we are thinking of going through Amsterdam and then onto <a href="http://www.humbersideairport.com/cms/38/holiday-flight-details.html?id=3&destination=costa-blanca-spain-">Humberside Airport</a> near Hull. This will enable us to head north more easily, enable us to spend time with our friends S&J, as well as avoid Heathrow. Also a great excuse to explore other parts of Europe - particularly interested in cruising down the Rhine and also cruising into St Petersburg.<br /><br />We get to the Singapore gate, but it has not opened yet. After a while it opened and we went through. We are very good at queueing now. Then we tried to get our VAT/GST back by standing in another queue and putting in our papers- in Canberra it was easy they processed it on the spot and put the money into our credit card, in Paris we had to fill in the forms have them stamped by customs and then posted them off (not sure where too now). We still have not seen that money!!<br /><br />I wanted to find the guy that lives in the airport, he has lost his identity papers and his country of origin refuses to take him back, however we did not see him. His name is <a href="http://www.geektimes.com/michael/culture/reality/merhan-nasseri/stranded.html">Merhan Karimi Nasseri.</a><br /><br />We looked for coffee next and had to walk miles through terminals and past the duty free. Into our departure lounge, where I heard one woman tell another that she thought "the coffee was through here" and then into the next departure lounge where we found the "coffee shop" - it was really an excuse for a coffee shop and was slightly worse than the coffee shop at the international train station in Ashford.<br /><br />Andrew was called over the loud speaker and we went to the information counter, where we found that the Singapore people had processed the wrong part of his ticket and had to stick it back on and take another part. The plane was delayed by at least half an hour, then we were able to get on.<br /><br />The flight to Singapore is 12 hours. We knew how to operate all the machinery in the chair in front of us and we watched and played our way to Singapore with even less sleep than we got on our way from Singapore to Rome. MLR had a blister on her ankle which she took to the toilet and popped. She told me this when she got back. By the time we landed it had come up again.<br /><br />Last bit of soccer, I promise. Soon after we took off the Soccer World Cup Grand Final started, and despite the technology live TV was not available. When we landed in Singapore, the captain announced that Italy had won and the plane were sad and happy at the same time. In the row behind us there was a group of Australian students returning from a six month exchange in Paris and they spoke a wonderful mixture of English and French. <br /><br />We arrived at our hotel around 10am and we were given one of our rooms straight away, even though we were not due a room until 2pm. I think the sight of two sleeping children in the lobby helped them to make up their minds.<br /><br />Late that afternoon, after we had all had some sleep, I took MLR to the Dr in the hotel to get the blister checked. He was most unconcerned and said that she had probably been bitten by some bug. Don't you just love Dr's.<br />MondoMondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-20668702282622804852006-11-06T20:55:00.000+11:002006-11-08T06:27:56.808+11:00MLR photo essay no. 2MLR being ?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM0872.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM0872.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM0874.0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM0874.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM0874.jpg">\</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM0875.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM0875.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM0873.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM0873.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-73858853845613999202006-10-29T11:21:00.000+11:002006-10-30T14:39:33.306+11:00Art and Football (Parisienne Style)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/beaubour.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/beaubour.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">We visited the <a href="http://www.centrepompidou.fr/pompidou/Communication.nsf/0/EC87316EA3FB8B1FC1256E2000462116?OpenDocument&sessionM=3.4.1&L=2">Georges Pompidou Center</a>. The day we went was quiet, no crowds, so it was a good day to be there. Check out the webcams. Number two is my favourite. This is the modern art exhibition of Paris. <br /><br />The first exhibit we went to was on the ground floor, a touch and feel exhibit on heads. You could put your hands under a cloth and feel different heads. Further into the gallery were other exhibits that you could touch, one painted pictures based on heat. The kids really enjoyed this. We knew that the Pompidou Center had a fabulous view from the top, so we climbed the stairs that are in the tube (actually escalators) all the way to the top and the view was worth climbing for. There was a silver service restaurant at the top as well. We went down to the fourth floor gallery which was having an exhibition on moving images (<a href="http://www.centrepompidou.fr/Pompidou/Manifs.nsf/AllExpositions/F64415EF7EC115ECC125709900470B9D?OpenDocument&sessionM=2.1.3&L=2">Les Mouvement des images</a>). The one I liked most was a montage of scenes depicting women sleeping, waking and looking scared, creeping out of bed, moving slowly, with terrified looks on their faces to a door. Opening the door, screaming and then moving slowly back to the bed and getting back into bed. There must have been 100 actresses doing this, some quite famous. <br /><br />We went down to the ground floor for some food, but decided to go outside and find some in the area. We ate Italian (again) and then bought the children paintings from a street vendor. AJR got a dragon with Paris 2006 written on it and MLR got her name on hers.<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/2042038280040295213EARITD_th.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/2042038280040295213EARITD_th.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div>The apartment faced a main road and on two of the nights we were in Paris, France played soccer matches. On the 5th of July France played Portugal. The French won and put themselves into the final against Italy. We watched the game on TV and listened to the neighbourhood, every time France scored a goal a roar would go up - around 10.30pm the game finished and the road went wild - we have video footage which I will upload sometime. The guys across the road waved their tricolour over the balcony, the cars tooted the national anthem, one guy was leaning horizontally out the car window waving a French flag. The noise was amazing.Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-87406252358582398822006-10-27T07:27:00.000+10:002006-10-29T19:33:04.332+11:00Paris DisneyWe set off around 10 am and in true American style, started the day with McDonald's, across the road from the apartment. We caught the Metro to the nearest RER station that went to Disneyland.<br /><br />ParisDisneyland is about an hour out of the centre of Paris and we did think about staying there in one of the hotels that surround the complex. However we would have to stay a minimum of two nights and we just did not want to devote that much time to Disneyland. Arriving at the station we were confronted with Disneyland Park, Disneyland Studio's and Disneyland Village. AJR of course wanted to go to all three.<br /><br />I will let AJR tell the story for a while.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Disneyland </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">At 6am in the morning we all woke with excitement everything was done in a hurry and through the slowness of the trains and crowds of Paris we didn’t get to Disneyland resort Paris till1pm. Okay it was amazing. From the second I</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> stepped in my eyes where overwhelmed, it was impossible to describe. After</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> about 5 minutes of standing in silence dumbfounded we slowly stepped forward. The first thing that assailed my senses were the horse drawn carts heading up & down Central Street U.S.A past many restaurants.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">But in the end we selected Walt’s and took our photos with a bust of Walt Disney. The food we selected was absolutely amazing and the dessert was even better than that. Michaela’s dessert of choice was a puzzle made of white chocolate.</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> The completed puzzle was of Mickey Mouse donning a chef’s </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">hat holding a</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> wooden spoon with sauce dripping off and it came with a paintbrush and blobs of different coloured liquid chocolate to paint Mickey with. After the delicious meal we headed to the central plaza where sat a giant disc with a mosaic of</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Jiminy Cricket on it waving his wand that extended out from the mosaic.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">But sitting behind the gargantuan disc was the Disney castle from the beginning of Disney movies. That the beam shoots across which underneath was the gate to Fantasyland to our west was frontier land and adventure land to our east was discovery land. That was where we split up. Me and Dad headed for</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Adventure land we were dying to go on the pirates of the Caribbean ride,</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">It was probably the shortest line, It probably only went about 50 metres long and it took about 5 minutes yet was very enjoyable and though the line was short there was like</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> 150 metres of pirate styled caves where it was bright enough to see but too dark to see our feet</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">When we got off the ride we went to </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1599.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1599.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Captain</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Hooks cave</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> it was dark damp and the best place in parc Disney to spook your friends by jumping around</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> the corner and shouting. </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">When we made our way to the eye sockets of skull rock we noticed a guy looking very </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">relieved,</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> In fact he was the man who had ran past Dad & I only minutes ago in a hurry, with a panicked expression on his face. </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">It was odd but Dad and I soon discovered why the sudden change, because the first thing we noticed was that the place smelt of urine. Dad and I were absolutely appalled.</span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Dad and I then went on a number of fast and exhilarating rides from the slow paced Buzz Lightyear shooting game to the thrilling thunder mountain ride to the eerie phantom manor Disney land had it all at 5 pm we regrouped well</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> kinda, you see the girls were late. </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">So Dad and I decided to go on another ride, it was based on Star Wars and it was a simulation of us being in a space ship, with a panicked robot screaming in French. Then we headed back to the ice cream parlour and found the girls. </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">We had a drink and showed each other what we had bought. </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">After that we once again split up. Dad and me went to the dragons lair, which was this dark cave, in which was a lake, but that’s not important, what is important is what was in the lake. It was a </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">giant smoke spitting dragon. It was gargantuan and it literally made me feel like an ant. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">At 8pm we left because we had too, Disneyland was closing. We regrettably left the magic behind and returned to reality, </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The End!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Here is MLR with her desert.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00125.0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00125.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />MLR and I went on the cups and saucers ride and the dumbo ride, they were our favourites. We also went to Pinnochio, a favourite of MLR's for the whole trip, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/281683942_aa9bfd032e.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/281683942_aa9bfd032e.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>the Phantom Manor, Pirates of the Caribean, Swiss Family Robinson, and through the Indian reservation. Here is the map we followed <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DisneyLand.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DisneyLand.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>(in Francais of course!)JR &AJR had the one in English.We got home very late, about 10pm. The Monoprix closes at 9.50pm. I went across the street to the chinese and managed to buy seafood for us and vegetarian for AJR. We all had a fantastic day and went to bed happy.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DisneyLand.jpg"><br /></a>Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-1153203663624302532006-10-26T20:20:00.000+10:002006-10-26T20:37:22.036+10:00Tour EiffelWe caught the metro to Ile De La Cite and had lunch in an outdoor cafe, near the Sorbonne, on the Boulevard Saint Michele. It was of course much warmer than the last time I had had anything to eat on the Boulevard, as the last time it was January and freezing (and I was 14). We walked back down to the Ile DeLa Cite and tried to see the Sacre Couer. It was too busy. Then we walked along the Seine towards the Eiffel Tower.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/EiffelTwr.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/EiffelTwr.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />The Eiffel tower in Paris was inaugurated on 31 March 1889. It was the keystone of the Universal Exposition celebrating the hundredth anniversary of the French Revolution. It was built by Gustave Eiffel. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/eiffel.base.png"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/eiffel.base.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>With 2 million visitors the first year and almost 6 million people a year today, the Eiffel Tower is a real crowd pleaser. Not bad as a temporary tower that was really meant to come down after the Expo. In 2000 they called in the new century with a firework display, and today they have a light show most nights.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/prat_individ.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/prat_individ.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/prat_asc.0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 199px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/prat_asc.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/fondecran_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/fondecran_2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Parisian's are not happy with the light show, tourists of course love it. If you are interested in the facts and figures about the tower, then click on the link at the top of this page.<br /><br />It took us 45 minutes to get to the lift. Then another twenty minutes waiting for the lift and finally we rose to the second level. The second level has two stories, multiple shops, cafes and a restaurant. The views were stunning and it was not too windy. We then queued again for the lift to the third level. There was no signage that we could see to direct us to the queue, we just followed others. There were several groups of Aussie and NZers in our queue's. The top story was very crowded and made me feel a bit claustraphobic, also I was not feeling well and there was nowhere to sit down.<br /><br />Around 7pm we made our way back down to the street and caught a taxi home. J went to the Monoprix to buy supplies for tea.<br />MondoMondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-82335704557823662272006-10-25T20:47:00.000+10:002006-10-27T19:23:43.118+10:00MLR photo essay no.1No idea why you photograph your own foot!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1715.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1715.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1729.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1729.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1717.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1717.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I think it must smell??<br /></div><br />Here is what is important when you are 8.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1712.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1712.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1710.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1710.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"> It is amazing how amazing your face can look!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1708.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1708.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1718.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1718.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-68707167012810906312006-10-24T20:54:00.000+10:002006-11-08T07:33:38.294+11:00Paris Je t'adoreAt last we are in Paris, in a fourth floor apartment with a view into a courtyard from the main bedroom and a view over the Boulevard General LeClerc from the living and dining rooms. The apartment was well equiped with a dishwasher and washing machine, as well as cable TV. We were in a secure block, although we did not get the right security number to get into the building. We "borrowed" someone else's. The entrance to our building was masked somewhat with a luggage seller, who had suitcases and handbags, belts and hats set up for sale to the passing trade. Another thing we liked about where we were in Paris, was that there were few tourists, mostly workers and students.<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1593.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1593.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>Living room at night. <br />The apartment is on the Boulevard General Le Clerc which (after 3 or 4 kilometers) turns into the Boulevard Saint Michel (my favourite street in Paris) and the centre of Paris. Across the road is a chinese/asian restaurant and on every corner that we can see there is a cafe. Looking to the right about one minute's walk away is the metro station, looking to the left about one minute's walk away is another metro station, both on the same line. Less than 50 meters from the front door was the local woollies, or Monoprix where we could <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/dagvil-002.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/dagvil-002.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>get the stuff not in the Market. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1752.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1752.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Like travellers washing liquid.<br /></div><br /><br />Then there was the market - Rue Daguerre, a whole street dedicated to fresh fruit and veg, stall holders calling out their wares, housewives and workers rushing along. One thing that I did that I had not thought we would do is buy cherries in July, when I know that I buy them in December. I asked for 300 grams in my best French of the indian stall worker, who did not speak French either and took home 1kg of very yummy cherries - we had no trouble getting through them!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/daguerrefromager2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/daguerrefromager2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />There was handmade pasta, a cheese shop, bread shop and wine shop, along with Cafes and<br /><br />stores not selling food, such as the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/daguerremarche1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/daguerremarche1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />second hand bookshop that was piled to the roof with books and it was difficult to see how you could get into the shop, let alone buy anything.<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/RueDaguerreSign.0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 149px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/RueDaguerreSign.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The photo of the street sign is my favourite here as it has both our street name and the market street name on it. We were sure that we were in heaven. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: left;">After we had put our things away and explored the apartment, we went for a walk. Had a late lunch in a cafe on the corner, then walked through the market and bought fresh hand made pasta, hand made pesto and fresh cheese and walked "home" to cook it up for tea, accompanied by a bottle of red. Here is the view from our bedroom window into the courtyard.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00124.1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00124.1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-74179641113976491682006-10-22T09:24:00.000+10:002006-12-09T12:33:15.476+11:00To Ashford and ParisUp early this morning to wave S off to a field day for work and then packing up and cleaning up as we have a lunch date with Uncle S, Aunty D and Cousin A.<br /><br />Arrived late for lunch, but recognized the dove cote immediately we came round the corner. There was my Cousin standing in the drive looking for us. We sat down to a sumptuous feast, I am sure that my Aunt wanted to make sure we wouldn't starve for a few days. Kids played with the pond, taking weed out. We took photo's and video. Uncle S and Aunty D both seemed very well and Cousin A is part way through his teaching degree. Getting great results and really loving it. We discussed the amount of security they had. They had suffered from a number of burglaries, including one where they had taken a gazebo. Aunty D said it took about 10 minutes to turn everything on before going to bed or going out. They also had the ride on mower bolted down. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00123.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00123.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Aunty D is still mad about animals and the bird (sorry forgot what sort) that they had when I was a child there, had only died recently - lived to 43 and they still miss it. They also have a dog, who is easily spooked, so was locked up. The kids found it hard to see the dog and not touch it, but as we all said, wedid not want anyone to get bitten!<br /><br />Aunty D drove with us through Scunthorpe, to send us on our way south to Ashford. Thank you so much. We had a booking at the <a href="http://www.premiertravelinn.com/pti/hotelInformation.do?hotelId=23797">Premier Inn</a>, which is very close to the railway station where we will catch the train to Paris. We got in about 8pm and went straight to the Woolpack Beefeater restaurant next door. Here they had colouring in books for the kids, as well as a playground and great meals. J and I sat and talked and relaxed, it was a lovely last evening in England.<br /><br />Next day we took the car to the petrol station and filled up - the petrol station was on a very busy round about, but I am quite good at pushing in now. We parked the car in the multistory attached to the railway station and were met by a rep of Avis who took our keys and agreed with us that the set up of the handbrake was stupid. Off to the waiting area for our train. If you are interested, click on the link for more information about the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/uk/04/channel_tunnel/html/default.stm">Channel Tunnel</a>. We had premium seats, which entitled us to breakfast, not cattle and not first class. Unfortunately at Ashford station the ticket person reassigned our seats so that we had four facing each other. However those seats had been reassigned in London and had not shown up on the database at Ashford, so we spent the first 20 minutes on the train arguing about the seats. We sat in our original seats and enjoyed a great breakfast. Suddenly we were in France and the train sped up. A blurr of green, brown and blobs flew passed our windows. It is a fantastic way to travel. Before we knew it we had arrived in Paris. Stood in a long queue for the taxi, we had to be at the apartment by a certain time and we were running out of time. Eventually we got to the front of the queue, J had fended off a beggar or two and then flying through the streets of Paris. Did I mention that I love Paris? Found our apartment, but then had to get change to give the driver, so I bought an English language paper and J bought batteries. I took the tiny lift to the fourth floor and then stood there, as I was not sure which of the two doors I was looking for. Then the door on the right opened and a lovely lady welcomed me in her excellent English. Her English is most certainly better than my French. If you have not seen the <a href="http://www.eurovillas.com.au/Property.asp?PropCode=9495">apartment</a> before, then check it out here. We immediately felt at home.Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-52363943855454560212006-10-21T14:47:00.002+10:002006-10-23T20:10:49.710+10:00Brocklesby Station part 3Here is the church in Scunthorpe, where P and K got married and where <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1592.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1592.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>the art gallery 20/21 is.<div style="text-align: left;"><br />After a sleep in and a rest we drove into Scunthorpe to check out an interactive art exhibition in the art gallery called <a href="http://www.northlincs.gov.uk/NorthLincs/Leisure/arts/20-21VisualArtsCentre/Exhibitions/">20/21</a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00111.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00111.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1590.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1590.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Here the kids played with the exhibition it really was fantastic, great when kids are allowed to touch.<br /><br />We walked into the town centre for lunch and were disappointed with Scunthorpe, it was dirty and scruffy and apart from smoky pubs, there was nowhere to eat. We did walk through the market and I managed to buy some anchovy sauce for Mum. We returned to the cafe at 20/21. Kids then had a second go at the exhibition and I went off to the internet cafe for half an hour.<br /><br />We decided to go and explore the rest of the area and ended up in <a href="http://www.briggportal.co.uk/">Brigg</a> - very pretty little market town that S grew up in. We walked though the main street, which was eerily quiet. Then we realised that England were playing Portugal in the quarter finals and everyone was in the pub. We heard lots of boo's and shouts of disgust, so we assumed that England were not doing well!!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00113.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00113.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />We headed back to S and J's and had a wonderful meal with my other mum P - another late, but great night.<br /><br />The next day we headed off for York. We took the park and ride option, which makes for an easy afternoon. We had lunch at Pizza Hut, as it was the first place we saw, then we realised that there were thousands of great cafe's here. Oh well. We went to the <a href="http://www.vikingjorvik.com/">Jorvik</a> Centre after lunch - it was fascinating. We went round on a track, the cars swung us towards the exhibits, left and right. Jorvik is the actual site of a Viking Village, as you go around you are subjected to the sights, sounds and smells of an early village. Not pleasant, but very informative. We then looked at the York Minster <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00120.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00120.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>and went for a long walk that took in many streets, including the<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/streetview02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/streetview02.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <br /><br /> "Shambles". <br /><div style="text-align: right;">We saw an official haunted pub. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/02-07-06_1720.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/02-07-06_1720.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />We caught the last bus back to the park and ride and drove back to S & J's for our last night.</div>Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-90057644108513090562006-10-21T13:28:00.000+10:002006-10-24T05:09:08.273+10:00Brocklesby Station part 2Only 10 days until we return to Aus. Edinburgh rains, which only seems right, as we head for a packing place to send 30kg of books, coats and armour back to Monash. First place we stopped on our way south was <a href="http://www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_scotland/74/jedburghcastle.htm">Jedburgh Castle</a>. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/999-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/999-1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This was a prison built on the site of the original Jedburgh Castle. We were all desperate for the loo and so happily paid the £2 each to get in, kids free. Having done what we needed to do, the kids had fun dressing up as prisoners and gaolers.<br /><br />We headed closer to the Scottish border, as sometimes happens with us, we took the wrong road and ended up having lunch in Hawick. There were no noticable holes in the walls in Hawick, so we scrapped all our cash together to buy a very cheap meal in a bakery - 3 sausage rolls, spinach roll and iced buns, I think. We had some slightly warm soft drink in the car. <a href="http://www.touristnetuk.com/sc/BORDERS/towns/hawick.htm">Hawick</a> is a pretty market town, who's main claim to fame is cashmere garments. It was here that we noticed the return of the cars with the English flags all over them!!! We started making good progress (Edinburgh to Ulceby is a long way) until we hit Newcastle, where we took the ring road at 20 miles a hour, we saw the <a href="http://www.ukattraction.com/northumbria/angel-of-north.htm">Angel of the North</a> that we had seen on Billy Connolly's world tour of England, Wales and Ireland. After a couple of hours of crawling we made it to Durham. Next stop was "Little Chef" at Scotch Corner, for a disgusting meal, temperature in the diner was around 30 and the temperature outside was not much better. When I asked if they could turn the heating down, they just looked at me as if I was mad - probably am. Shortly after we detoured into Scunthorpe to Tesco's for a toilet stop and to stock up on some wine and beer for later. Arrived at Brocklesby around 9pm. It was great to get off the road and after some toasted cheese sandwiches and the grand tour, we settled in for a great evening of catching up.Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-26243963786029262792006-10-20T21:14:00.000+10:002006-10-23T22:21:25.467+10:00Stirling<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/103750.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/103750.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Today we went to Stirling. First to the Castle, where we </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >were able to park close to the</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" > Castle itself. Walking towards the castle is</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" > the impressive sight of a </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >statue of Robert the Bruce</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >,</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" > to</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" > the left a view over</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" > Stirling itself and of course the Wallace Monument.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/103731.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/103731.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00101.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00101.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Everyone enjoyed the castle, it was well preserved, the kids liked the Lions Den (internal courtyard) and had fun "spooking" themselves as they explored the passageways beneath the palace. We checked out the Museum of the <a href="http://www.army.mod.uk/argylls/museum.htm">Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders</a>. There were unicorns all over the castle and we tried to count them, but there were too many. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1559.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1559.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>In one part of the castle they are recreating <a href="http://www.westdean.org.uk/tapestrystudio/commissions/historicscotland.shtml">tapestries</a> of unicorns that would have been there<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1562.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1562.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> in the 16th Century.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1549.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1549.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>One of the best things we saw at Stirling Castle was the demonstration of the use of medieval weapons - mostly swords. Two guys had mock battles, discussed tactics and mucked about. They were very entertaining and funny. We talked to them afterwards and the kids got to hold some of the swords. The guy we spoke to was 23 from NZ and had been living in Scotland since he was 17, he would like to go back to NZ, but did not think it would be any time soon.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1552.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1552.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1548.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1548.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Stirling Castle towers over some of the most important battlefields in Scottish history. It was at Stirling Bridge that William Wallace defeated the English in 1297 and at Bannockburn where <a href="http://www.scottishholidays.net/articles/robert-the-bruce.html">Robert the Bruce</a> delivered another defeat in 1314.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1570.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1570.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Late in the afternoon we drove to the <a href="http://www.nationalwallacemonument.com/over_700.htm">Wallace Monument</a><br /><img src="file:///Users/john/Pictures/iPhoto%20Library/Modified/2006/Europe_1/DSC00107.JPG" alt="" /><br />Took a picture of everyone with the statue of William Wallace, who looks remarkably like Mel Gibson. We bought our tickets and then boarded the minibus up the hill. Once at the tower we climbed the 246 steps, through the three different galleries, for the magnificent view from the top. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1573.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1573.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The Wallace Monument is a fantastic building, if a bit windswept.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1571.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1571.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We had afternoon tea in the cafe and checked the visitors book. Imagine our surprise when we found that the Wallace family we had travelled across Europe with on the bus, had been at the Wallace Monument at the same time as we were at Stirling Castle.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Drove back to Edinburgh for our final evening meal. We found a nice restaurant opposite the <a href="http://www.aboutbritain.com/ScottMonument.htm">Scott Monument</a>. The Scott Monument is 200 ft. 6in high and 55ft square at the base; the highest gallery is reached by climbing a total of 287 steps. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1576.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1576.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>It was a step sort of day, although this time we chose to look at it, not climb it, food was much more interesting.<br /><br />Mondo<br /></div><br /><br /></div>Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-24563488202950089472006-10-07T19:02:00.000+10:002006-10-07T22:15:45.220+10:00Thornton, Fife<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/pic2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/pic2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Today we drove out of Edinburgh and into the countryside north of the Firth. We crossed the magnificent Forth of Firth bridge.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/pic1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/pic1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />It took about 2 hours to get to Thornton and it was an easy drive once we crossed the river. We are of course the first relatives ever to visit Thornton, to get lost. We spent half a hour driving down every street we could find, two phone calls to Helen and Alex, and still we could not find them. In the end we spotted Helen standing on a courner and we managed to get to their house. We had afternoon tea and Helen and Alex looked after us well. Alison and James <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/ShowLetter.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/ShowLetter.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>(Helen and Alex's kids), their partners and another couple soon came over to share afternoon tea and stories. Lindsey took a picture of us.<br /><br />We then went over to Alison and Lindsey's place, they live two doors away. The kids got to ride on the Harley and rev the engine, both of them caused it to backfire. The neighbours started twitching the curtains. At about 6.30pm and all six of us went down to the local chippo. I had red pudding!!! Kids had macaroni cheese and J had fish and chips. The people who ran the place were lovely and gave the kids a great scottish children's book "The broons and oor Willie". We gave them some little keepsakes of Australia. There was a lot of discussion about how the Aussie's were out of the soccer and how well they thought the French might do - no interest in what the English were doing!!!Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-20849747706855666872006-10-06T12:37:00.000+10:002006-10-24T05:12:29.509+10:00EdinburghToday I had chinese acupuncture to fix my neck. So nice to be able to move again. Then we went to Edinburgh Castle. Wow. We got to go in the fast lane for entry as we have british heritage membership.<br />Here is the entrance to the Castle.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.edinburghcastle.biz/graphics/castlepics_thumb/Edinburgh_Castle_Picture_1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.edinburghcastle.biz/graphics/castlepics_thumb/Edinburgh_Castle_Picture_1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Edinburgh Castle sits on top of what was, at one time, a volcano - a 437 feet high plug of basalt rock. It has been used as a fortification for over 2,000 years - there was a hill fort there in the time of the Romans.<br /><br />The first record of the castle being used as a royal residence occurs in the 11th century when Margaret, wife of Malcolm III died there after hearing of her husband's death at Alnwick in 1093. "Saint Margaret" (she was later canonised) was Saxon-English, a refugee from the conquest of England by the Normans under William the Conqueror. The chapel which bears her name was probably not built until the 12th century.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/Edinburgh_Castle_Picture_7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/Edinburgh_Castle_Picture_7.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Saint Margaret's Chapel</span><br /><br />It is also the home of the Scottish Crown Jewels, the oldest Royal Regalia in Britain. A major exhibition of these symbols of sovereignty uses colourful tableaux, music and models to tell their tale, including how they were buried not once, but twice.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/honours471e.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/honours471e.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We loved the crown jewels - this was the only place we found on the whole trip, where you stood on a moving walkway to view the display. I am sure I was told this happened a lot now, to keep the crowds moving.<br /><br />While here the kids were teasing each other and suddenly found one of the Guards joining in their game, much to all our amusement. We all went outside and talked to the Guard for about half an hour, while we all ate ice creams. He was very nice.<br /><br />We also saw the Stone of Destiny which was used by all the ancient Scottish Kings when they were crowned. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/stone.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/stone.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>It has a colourful history. First it was "acquired" by the English and located in Westminster for 700 years until the 1930's when it was stolen by some Scottish Noblemen. It was then "found" and returned to Westminster, when our current Queen returned it to the Scots on the 30th of November 1996.<br /><br />We had a great lunch at the Red Coats Cafe.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/Edinburgh_Castle_Picture_28.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/Edinburgh_Castle_Picture_28.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />J tried "Heather Ale" which is a made from a 4,000 year old recipe.<br /><br />We walked from the Castle down the "Royal Mile" and into the centre of Edinburgh. We passed busking pipers, lots of shops selling tartan items of every description, all sorts of Scottish "tat".<br /><br />As we made our way round Edinburgh we saw lots of cow statues. The cows were an art exhibition with a difference. All sorts of people had made and decorated these cows and they were on display on the street, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/192017405_713a5312b3_t.0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/192017405_713a5312b3_t.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>on buildings and over streets. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/170389775_18bf4e5017.0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/170389775_18bf4e5017.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>There was almost nowhere in Edinburgh that you did not see a cow. They were to be auctioned in September to raise money for charity. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/190780201_c2a267230a_t.0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/190780201_c2a267230a_t.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>In the meantime they provided a lot of fun and interest.<br /><br />We had afternoon tea in Jim Brodies Cafe, supposedly haunted by Brody, a local rogue.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/edin166.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/edin166.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Had a tour of <a href="http://www.realmarykingsclose.com/home.htm">Mary Kings Close</a>, fantastic.We actually walked a real close from 300 years ago, coverd over during redevelopment of the area, only uncovered in the 1970's. We learned how the youngest one in the household got the job of throwing out the toilet bucket first thing in the morning and again in the evening, into the street below. MLR was not impressed. We learned that all the effluent flowed down the close into Loch Norr. The loch was were all the folk from Mary King's close got their drinking water. The buildings got closer as they rose higher, the light at street level was minimal except at noon.<br /><br />We had Italian for tea, unfortunately the Vegetarian restaurant was full.Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-35483935364162423312006-10-05T09:37:00.000+10:002006-10-07T10:36:06.809+10:00Connel to Edinburgh via Glen CoeThese will be the last photo's of the sunset over Loch Etvie I promise!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1534.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1534.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />This morning we went to breakfast to find that there were no tables available. We came back half an hour later and squished onto a small table. Then we, packed up the car, collected all our things and left for a petrol station to get cash to pay for our accomodation. <br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00095.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00095.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />We started our drive north through beautiful countryside to Glen Coe. We took a detour to the village of <a href="http://www.kinlochleven.co.uk/visit.asp">Kinlochleven</a> which we had never heard of. It was so beautiful, we wished we could stay longer. We took a walk to through the woods to Grey Mare's Waterfall. The scenery was stunning.<br /><br />We drove back to the <a href="http://www.glencoe-scotland.net/">Glencoe</a> Visitors Centre for an ordinary lunch. Learned a lot more about the <a href="http://www.electricscotland.com/history/glencoe/">Massacre of Glencoe</a>, when Campbells massacred the McDonalds in their beds. Bought a beautiful map of the old clans of Scotland (including J's clan). From here on we were travelling south and for me it felt a bit like we were starting to go home! I was still ready to travel much further north, but time was against us. We are saving Inverness and Wick for next time. We crossed the country to Edinburgh and found our B&B, <a href="http://www.thealexanderguesthouse.co.uk/">Alexander Guest House</a> fairly easily after directions from the manager at McDonald's. There was plenty of room, we all had proper beds and best of all it was on the first floor. We walked to the local shopping centre, Cameron Toll, to see if we could get some physio for my neck (see earlier post <a href="http://monashact2006.blogspot.com/2006/06/sunny-scotland.html">Sunny Scotland</a> for details of this part of the trip). Later that evening we had a wonderful Indian meal, just across the road from the B&B.Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-89351840068279453582006-10-02T15:26:00.000+10:002006-10-02T16:58:29.830+10:00Scotland West CoastHere is the B&B that we stayed in at Connel, <a href="http://www.visitscotland.com/listings/Connel-BBs-Greenacre-Connel-3130573.html">Greenacre</a><br /><br />Straight across the road was the beautiful Loch Etvie.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1532.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1532.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1540.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1540.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />We went to Kilmartin. A town with a lot of Celtic history, Saxon, Pics, Vikings all were here at some point. We visited <a href="http://www.kilmartin.org/">Kilmartin House Museum</a>. Here the kids ground wheat into flour, played ancient musical instruments, and lots of press button interactive activities. There are many ancient sites in the Kilmartin valley and in the Museum there is a map that will show you where different things are, such as types of buildings or types of burial grounds. You press buttons and lights come on across the valley where these sites are located. There is also a lovely cafe looking out over the valley at one of the burial mounds. We had a snack before going for a walk around the area. <br /><br />We went to the <a href="http://www.ancient-scotland.co.uk/site.php?a=207">Kilmartin Graveyard</a>, where we saw pirate graves headstones, kids were impressed. There was also a group of medieval headstones from 11th Century to the 17th Century, propped up in an old stone room with no roof. The details were amazing. Next we walked around the corner to an open park, the kids found a football and kicked it around for a while. Then the local senior soccer team started to turn up, so we headed for the look out over the Kilmartin Valley. We drove to Oban for a late lunch of fish and chips on the front. We watched the boats go in and out to the islands, the car ferry turned up as well and then we fed the remains of our meal to the seagulls.<br /><br />Views of Oban Harbour<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00093.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00093.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00089.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00089.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00090.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00090.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />We headed back to Connel for a rest. MLR and I decided to go for drive and check out the playground situation. We were not very successful. We crossed the single lane Connel cantilever bridge across the Falls of Lora. It was built in 1903 for the railway, and is now only for cars. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/2005.05.08.connelbridge4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/2005.05.08.connelbridge4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />On the other side of the loch, there is the rest of Connel, it is much more isolated on this side. We found magnificent views across Loch Etvie. We passed someone I had seen at McTavish's the other night. Eventually we found a castle to visit.<br />Dunstaffnage castle is built on a rock in the 13th century. As it was late MLR and I had to run from place to place. MLR renamed it Bunny Castle as there were thousands of rabbits in the grounds.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/dunstaffnage01t.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/dunstaffnage01t.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/img131.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/img131.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Once we got back to the B&B we decided to have tea at the Oyster Inn, just down the road. We ordered our drinks at the table looking out across Loch Etvie. Then J had to collect the drinks from the bar. J and MLR ordered half a dozen oysters each, normally they order a dozen and share, but at the Oyster Inn they offered only a half dozen. When they arrived we knew why, they were the size of small steaks. As J tucked into his second one (au naturelle of course), MLR was tucking into her fifth one. No one can say she is afraid to try!!! If you want to try it too here is a link <a href="http://www.oysterinn.co.uk/index.html">Oyster Inn</a>, Connel.Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-57854058561212235242006-10-02T10:19:00.000+10:002006-10-02T10:21:10.661+10:00Scotland, Scotland, ScotlandShould have written it seven times as that is how many nights we spent in Scotland. I really enjoyed myself in Scotland, mainly because I expected rain and cold and it was warm and dry!. On our way north we stopped off for a feed at a Moto, about five o'clock, somewhere near the Carlisle. As we got out of the car, it became obvious there was a problem here. The whole place smelt like someone had just removed a poohey nappy. We charged into the eatery in the hope that the smell was an outdoors one - but no it was in there as well. Urgh. We then headed for Glasgow, as we wanted to get to the West Coast of Scotland. We were late getting into Glasgow, so we thought we had better stay a night rather than pushing on. Rang <a href="http://www.visitscotland.com/">Visit Scotland</a> and we were told that there were a lot of concerts on over the next two nights and that accommodation was hard to come by. We ended up at the Lyndhurst Hotel in Johnstone, a western suburb of Glasgow. This has a superb bar and restaurant, the room was large enough to swing two or three cats in. We ate Haggis Wontons in the bar, believe me they were nice. MLR ordered them and we all shared them, except, AJR who is a veggo. J had his first Scottish whiskey of the trip, this proved a daily activity. The next day we drove through the centre of town and then headed out to a large shopping complex near Johnstone. Here the kids got to ice skate on a rink in the shopping centre. I rang Visit Scotland again looking for something near Oban. We eventually got a place at Connell about five miles from Oban. We were just glad of the accommodation. The accommodation was opposite Loch Etvie. The room was very small, in fact once we put the camp bed up for AJR, we could not stand up in the room.<br /><br />That night we went to <a href="http://www.mctavishs.com/obanrestaurant.html">McTavishes</a> theatre restaurant. MLR sang and danced the night away on the dance floor. They had a <a href="http://www.mctavishs.com/scottishshow.html">floor show</a> with a guy playing bagpipes, a fiddle player and an accordion player. A woman sang some traditional Scottish songs and a young girl came on three times performing traditional Scottish dancing. MLR got her own round of applause at the end of the night. The guy at the next table was very nice and we got into a conversation about where his sister lived in Victoria, Australia and the fact that he originally came from Fife.<br /><br />At 10.30pm we took photo's of the sunset over Loch Etvie.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1524.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1524.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1515.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1515.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />We have about 30 more shots of the sunset so I will put more in tomorrow.Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-50936398256875545262006-10-01T14:15:00.000+10:002006-10-21T07:54:20.829+10:00ChesterArriving in Chester was a little complex, as there are many one way roads and junctions that are not straight forward. The worst was realising that we were driving in a bus lane, we turned left to much tooting of horns. It was then that we realised that we had turned into a one way street, the wrong way! We eventually found the Tesco's car park and parked on the roof.<br /><br />Chester is a Roman town, complete with Walls and Baths. There is a project in which they are attempting to reconstruct the Roman relics, click <a href="http://www.take27.co.uk/julianbaum/ChesterDefences/Main.html">here</a> for more information. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00085.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00085.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00084.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00084.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />MLR,AJR and Me on the Roman Wall, Old Dee Bridge and Weir with new St Mary's Church in the background.<br /><br />More information on the River <a href="http://www.bwpics.co.uk/river2.html">Dee</a>.<br /><br />The main shopping street has covered galleries, known as the <a href="http://www.bwpics.co.uk/rows.html">Rows</a>. It is an amazing feeling, walking along what is effectively a veranda all the way along the shop fronts. We stopped in the "all you can eat" Chinese restaurant on the corner, which was ordinary, but the kids loved it. How many fried spring rolls and oily prawn toasts can you eat? Lots according to my kids. On the same level we found a shop selling armour, any size you like, along with swords and other medieval memorabilia. Here is a picture of one of the armoured items we bought in Chester.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1635.0.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1635.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-1153203724942915142006-09-30T16:21:00.000+10:002006-07-18T16:22:04.953+10:00WalesWe headed for Wales, J's mothers side of the family came from Wales many years ago. Unfortunately we had only a short overnight stop in Wales at a Spa town called <a href="http://www.llandrindod.co.uk/">Llandrindodd Wells</a>. It was a very quiet town in the middle of nowhere. We checked our B&B guide for somewhere to stay, and finally talked to someone on a mobile in Devon, whose mother was running a B&B which he was sure had vacancies. We were told to park around the back and if we were not greeted through a second storey window, to toot the horn. As it was the lady of the house stuck her head out of the window and told us to come in the front door. The lady was basically stuck on the second floor, she was able to move, but not easily up and down stairs. She asked us if we were American! She was not happy that Andrew was vegetarian, the room was very small. We went out for dinner, driving north through the town and found nothing that was both open and inviting, in fact the place really seemed dead. Driving up round the corner found a little town next door, called Howey that had a jumping pub, that was smoke free and we asked about eating - it was very busy and we were told that it would be about an hour before we would be served. We walked across the road and got the last table at "Drovers Thai Restaurant". It used to be a pub, and it still had a snug for the guests. The food was very thai, Kedsarin, wife of the Roy who was running the place is Thai. I talked to Roy about the place and he told me that this was his semi retirement project. All in all it was an excellent feed. Back to our B&B and sleep. We had arranged a late breakfast the next morning and despite this, had to wait 30 minutes for our bacon with congeeled fat, and eggs that were a bit rubbery - maybe vegetarianism is not such a bad thing!!! Now we are heading to Scotland.Mondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-1153203702439066882006-09-27T16:21:00.000+10:002006-07-18T16:21:42.466+10:00Lake District<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1489.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1489.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />For more great pictures of this area click on the link above.<br /><br />After leaving Somerset we headed north towards the Lake District. We ended up staying at Bowness on Lake Windemere. The place we stayed in had a great family room, with a bunk bed for the kids. Breakfast was delicious and the best for me was that I had access to free Internet. We only stayed one night, but we really enjoyed it. For tea we went to the local Pizza restaurant who gave us great service and great food. While at the B&B we met some Australian's - the only ones I can remember apart from on the bus. They winged and complained about the weather and really wanted to get back home. We were really pleased that they were not staying more than a few more days. Five minutes of their company was enough for us. In the morning we went down to the Lake and talked to the tourist information people about getting a room for another night, however there was a music festival that night and everything was fully booked up. We walked and took pictures and then left the long way round the Lake, heading for Coniston. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1497.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1497.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> The Lake is always serene.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1498.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1498.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1503.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1503.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> At Coniston, which is across the lake from Bowness, we had lunch in a pub, the food was ordinary. Coniston itself was just beautiful. We also saw lots of walkers and shops with walking equipment. <br /><br /><br />It was a lot less touristy than Bowness on Windermere. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1500.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1500.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/HPIM1501.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/HPIM1501.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.lakestay.co.uk/campbell.html">Donald Campbell</a> is buried in Conniston, he died on the lake trying to set a speed record. Donald Campbell also set records in Australia. J and Andrew went to see if they could find his grave, but it is in the new cemetery, too far away.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Wildlife at Windemere.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00087.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00087.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00086.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00086.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00088.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00088.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />MondoMondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26908724.post-31245448855483799172006-09-25T22:18:00.001+10:002006-09-25T22:18:40.862+10:00SomersetWe headed from Kent across country towards Bath. I wanted to check out Wickwar on the edge of the Cotswolds, where I lived for the first two years of my life. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.wickwar.org/images/smallaerial.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.wickwar.org/images/smallaerial.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />We went through the town twice. If you ever visit we lived at 12 High Street (opposite the pub where my Mum and Dad would go for a drink in the beer garden in the summer, leaving me in a bedroom upstairs asleep). <br /><br />We had lunch in Chipping Sodbury, in an Indian restaurant, where they were keen to have us leave by 2pm. We stuffed down some very nice curry. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Centre of Chipping Sodbury</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/61/Chipping.sodbury.street.arp.750pix.jpg/120px-Chipping.sodbury.street.arp.750pix.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/61/Chipping.sodbury.street.arp.750pix.jpg/120px-Chipping.sodbury.street.arp.750pix.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/Chipping_Sodbury_1.jpg/120px-Chipping_Sodbury_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/Chipping_Sodbury_1.jpg/120px-Chipping_Sodbury_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Along the way we went past <a href="http://www.legoland.co.uk/">Legoland</a> which was on our list of places to go with the kids. When we arrived we found that it was going to cost £110 for the four of us to enter. We stood outside trying to work out how to tell the kids that it was too expensive to go in!! Then someone had collected free tickets off the back of the corn flakes packet and generously agreed to "sell" them to us for £60. The kids loved it and we all had fun.<br /><br />Here is USA meets UK with Aussie flavour - which part of the picture is made of Lego?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00076.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00076.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Having stayed at the worst Travelodge in the world (see <a href="http://monashact2006.blogspot.com/2006/08/worst-experience.html">Worst Experience</a> <a href="http://monashact2006.blogspot.com/2006/08/worst-experience.html"></a>), we headed to Bath to see what accomodation we could find, I wanted a washing machine, space and something nice. We went to the tourist information centre, and they rang 16 places for us, until we found the following place - Greyfield Farm Cottages. We stayed in the one called <a href="http://www.greyfieldfarm.com/content/view/18/33/">The Dairy</a>. We really enjoyed this place. We had free fresh farm eggs daily, a seperate spa which we used twice a day, an extensive video/dvd collection, extensive history book collection in the cottage, two bedrooms a lounge room, kitchen, picket fence garden and three TV's, really nice people running the place. I would go back tomorrow. The place is about half way between Bath and Wells. From here we went to lots of different places.<br /><br />We went to <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.876">Stonehenge</a> the day before summer solstice:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00081.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00081.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00082.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00082.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00080.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00080.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />We went to Wells where we spent time in their public library and then had sandwiches in the grounds of <a href="http://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/">Wells Cathedral</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00078.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00078.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00077.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00077.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />The statues of famous people that you may be able to see high up on the Cathedral walls were stolen over several centuries. We had a look around inside the Cathedral. The whole of Wells was picturesque, without thousands of people.<br /><br />We also went to <a href="http://www.glastonburytic.co.uk/">Glastonbury</a> where we looked at a typical kitchen from days gone by, complete with the sort of food that they would serve and the utensils they used.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/1600/DSC00083.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6196/3284/200/DSC00083.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Next few episodes will include the Lake District, Wales and Chester as we push up to Scotland.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />MondoMondo Viagiatorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07965771468340417911noreply@blogger.com0