Bermuda Shorts time...

Quote of the Day: “It’s a good job it’s a port day today. (My husband) needs to get his feet on the ground for a while. All these sea days are driving him crazy, which means he’s driving me crazy…”

It appears that we have survived the Atlantic crossing, with not an iceberg in sight. We weren’t swallowed up in the Bermuda Triangle, so that just leaves us with the Hurricane season to contend with over the next week or so…

Bermuda was a blast. It was a beautiful, warm, tropical day, and the first serious warmth for me for over two weeks. I had got myself very well organized for this port. Even though I hadn’t booked an excursion, I’d got ferry and bus timetables, and had thought of going to one of the larger towns on the island.

But this morning I decided I couldn’t be bothered rushing anywhere! Not that there was anything to rush for… we docked about 11am (later than scheduled), and it was a real zoo in the Atrium, as most of the passengers, and a good number of the crew, all tried to get off at the same time. Boy, did that ever bring out the worst in some people!

I got separated from my cabin by the crush (I’m not tough enough to take on a hoard of crabby Aussies jockeying for position) but got chatting with a couple of CC members, and by the time we had finished the conversation, the throng had departed. We were then able to amble ashore with no bother at all.

I spent the afternoon visiting the Maritime Museum, which showcased much of Bermuda’s early years as a penal colony, and as part of the slave trading routes. Very interesting, and all housed in the historic Governor’s House. Also took in the local craft market, glass works, and shopping centre. It might have been planned as a lazy day, but my feet still hurt with all the walking…

The CC lunch

Quote of the Day: “Yes, I know I should go to the gym. These trousers were loose when I got on board, and now they feel like they need letting out. Or maybe I’ll go walking on the deck after lunch…”

Today the lovely Cruise Critic group (aka Crazy Cruisers 2011) got together for lunch in the Venetian Dining Room. We’re the people who were chatting to each other on the Cruise Critic website before the cruise began. There were about 85 of us on the list back in May, and while some had met beforehand, most didn’t meet until onboard.

So the long-suffering restaurant had to endure another onslaught of rowdy passengers, which they did with great aplomb. We made sure we thanked all the staff involved at great length, so hopefully they will let us back en masse for the next gathering, just prior to Ft Lauderdale, when some of our number will be leaving.

I was surprised at lunch by being given a Bloody Legend Award. I had no idea that was coming. The inscription says: “Crazy Cruisers 2011 Bloody Legend Award is hereby granted to Philip for being a persistent traveler and a Bloody Crazy Cruisers Legend. (BJ complained that he wasn’t included, but I told him he didn’t count, as he was still hibernating in the suitcase at that stage.) So there – my travel exploits have been duly recognized!

Temperatures are rising, the sun is out, the clocks are going back every couple of days so every day is a sleep-in day, and the green tea supply is holding out. Life is good!

Visiting with the Captain...

Quote of the Day: “I don’t want to do that excursion. There’s no shopping at all. I just gotta go shopping.”

Today was another sea day, and the weather is still keeping us all inside. However the Captain assures us that it is all about to change, with 28C predicted for Bermuda, and 80% humidity, so it should feel like about 38C.

The men driving the ship

A real treat today: Anne from our Cruise Critic group (aka Crazy Cruisers 2011 when we don’t want to upset the senior crew) had organized a tour of the Bridge for us. This is the first time I’ve been on the Bridge – only a few people are selected for this on any cruise – so I was delighted to have the opportunity.

Security was tight. The security people had a list of names, which they checked twice against our key cards. We were then whisked through the Officers cabin area, and onto the Bridge itself. Great view from here, of course. After a quick run through the various bits of equipment, the Captain appeared and we all got the chance to have our photos taken with him (he’s the one in white!). All very cheesy, but the Captain is so friendly and welcoming, I just had to do it. OK, so I also admit to a photo with an officer’s hat on, holding the wheel, but there’s no way I’m putting that up on here!

Bridge tour talk

So our 20 minutes allocated time was over very quickly, and before we knew where we were, it was all over, and we were back in the public areas of the ship. Very enjoyable though…

Oh, and a week down the track, my hair is still looking criminally short, thanks to the scalping I got in Amsterdam. I think that’s why in the first 4 days on board I got asked 3 times if I was a member of the crew, and twice if I was part of the entertainment! I guess I don’t quite fit the demographic of this cruise…

Trophy picture!

A touch of the green...

Quote of the day: “I wonder why none of these cafes have haggis on the menu?” (Erm… we’re in Ireland?)

Cobh main square

Our second day in Ireland was a complete contrast to our day in Dublin. Cobh is a small hillside town on the edge of the ocean. The Dawn Princess called here two years ago, and once again they put on a real show. In fact they named today Australia Day, opened the shops even though it was Sunday (and the Pubs of course!) and had a program of music playing featuring everything from Irish folk to brass.

Cathedral on the hill

I spent the day roaming around the town, and watching the entertainment. It was a bit of a climb up to the top of the hill, but worth it for the view, and to get out into the countryside for a while. On the way down, I checked out the Cathedral. Was it just me, or was it a little odd on a Sunday to have a coffin in front of the altar, with photos of the recently deceased on the top? I felt like I was intruding…

I also met the happiest shopkeeper in Cobh: the owner of the bottle shop, who had a constant stream of passengers buying up his stock. I think it was the best day of trade he’d had for a long time!

The sail away in the evening became a community event, as hundreds of people turned up to wave us off, a brass band played “Waltzing Matilda”, and the ship listed to Port as everyone on board lined the open decks to wave. All very exciting.

So now it’s five sea days across the Atlantic. Time to put my feet up and chill. Oh, and to get some serious work done on the novel I’ve started. I’ll let you know how that little project goes later in the voyage…

Dublin

Quote of the Day: “My husband didn’t come with me this year. I got him to do the Round the World with me in 2009 and 2010, so I suppose I had to let him off this year. And my daughter tells me he seems to be really happy at home by himself…”

Our lovely guide at the Castle

Dublin was the port we missed last year because of the weather. It’s also where a number of passengers were left stranded, and had to get themselves to New York to rejoin the ship. So I was delighted to find when I woke up that we were docked.

I had planned another “do it yourself” day, so grabbed an early shuttle into the city, which got me to the National Gallery just after opening time. Unfortunately the gallery is undergoing restoration, so half was closed… and half of what was left was also closed, as they were setting up a new exhibit! Bad timing. Quick stop here, then back onto the streets…

Next was Dublin Castle, where I timed it just right to get on one of their guided tours. There wasn’t a lot to see on the tour, but our guide gave a great talk about the history of the Castle, and of Dublin itself, so I really enjoyed that.

The "credit card friendly" Cathedral...

By this time, I had used up the last of my euros, so was reliant on the credit card for the rest of the day. And this is where I had a “religious experience” – quite appropriate in a city like Dublin I thought! First I visited the Anglican Cathedral, where the smiling man at the desk let me pay the 4.50 euro entry charge on the card. And I had a lovely wander around there. Next I took a brisk walk several blocks to St Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral (5.50 euro entry charge), where the grump on the desk told me I’d have to pay their minimum of 10 euro if I wanted to use the card… so I (very politely of course) told him where he could stick his Cathedral, and departed… so now I understand how the Reformation came about!

So overall a mixed day in Dublin. It wasn’t a city that excited me, and I can quite happily put it on the “been there, done that” list.

Greenock

Quote of the day: “I guess once you’ve been to the top of one mountain, they’re all pretty much the same, aren’t they?”

Today the trend of travel hiccups continued, believe it or not. Changing plans seems to be a major theme of this trip! Before I left New Zealand, I’d signed up for a private trip to Edinburgh. The nine of us met up on board, and headed off to meet the guide… only to find that there had been a mix-up, and he only had space for seven. Oh dear – so I volunteered to be one of the two who stayed behind. “Quick trip” quipped the security lady as I went back on board… Mumble, mumble…

Anyway, I did the obvious, and headed for a coffee and a wee think. I tracked down the Princess tours people, and yes, I could probably get on one of their excursions… but I couldn’t really face a busload of people today, thank you.

Instead (when I finally remembered) I reverted to my initial plan for this port, walked into town, and hopped on a train to Glasgow… well, it’s all Scotland, isn’t it??? I managed to navigate my way to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which I’d read about. Fascinating mix or art and artifacts – everything from Impressionists to stuffed animals and mummies, to a Spitfire suspended over one of the halls.

For me the art was the big attraction, of course. It was a bit like a buffet, with a little bit of everything: Renoir, Cezanne, Matisse, Pissarro, Monet etc. Well, you get the picture… And any gallery that has a Van Gogh I didn’t know about is a winner with me. This place had two!

Very modern!

Bonus was a lovely organ recital over lunch. They have the organ set up in this massive atrium, high above ground level, which gives it a wonderful resonating tone. Went down well with my Cajun chicken sandwich and latte.

Back into town, wander through the pedestrian zones, quick flick through the Contemporary Art Gallery, then on the train back to the ship. Altogether another great day, even if it didn’t go to plan.

Let the cruise commence...

Quote of the day: “Norway is such a hard country to read the signs. Nothing makes sense. And then I got stung 20 euro for a cup of coffee, or whatever it was in their funny money”.

Yeah! I’m finally aboard the Dawn Princess!

Yesterday I awoke to a lovely morning, and after breakfast, I took the opportunity to walk around the edge of the harbour to check out the Bergen Castle. This was built primarily for defensive purposes, and only occupied by royalty for a short period of time. It’s not as grand as some of the other castles in Europe, but an interesting place to visit. I loved the fact that it was open all day, free to wander around the grounds and main buildings, no security screening, no lines of tourists, and you could walk on the grass! There ware no major health and safety dramas either – I loved the fact that the edges of the ramparts were just sheer drops, with just the occasional sign saying “High ramparts. Please take care”. How refreshing!

Late morning, we checked out of the hotel and took a taxi to the port. And what a relief that the Dawn Princess was there waiting for us. OK, so they didn’t exactly put the red carpet out for us, and our key cards didn’t work properly, but at least there was a sweet lady from the Purser’s office to greet us.

I’m delighted with my cabin. It’s up near the bow (that’s the pointy end in cast you’re wondering), well away from the engines, and blissfully quiet, even though it’s on the lowest passenger deck. My cabin steward is a cheerful fellow call Sumee. At least I assume that’s his name, and not a statement of his attitude should I wish to complain about anything!

My good mate BJ

So at long last I was able to let BJ out of the suitcase and stick him on to one of the mirrors. If you are new to my blog, then I should explain that BJ is a Gibraltar Ape, and my travel companion when I travel alone. Sad, I know, and I’m sure Sumee is convinced he’s got a nutter on board, but sometimes it’s just nice to have someone along to talk to…

Today was a day to catch my breath: do coffee (twice), go to the gym, finish unpacking, check out Trivia etc. We now have three port days in a row, so a busy time. An early start in the morning - I think an early night is called for.

So this is Norway then...

View from the top

Our day of emarkation turned into a day of travel - or should I say a day of waiting to travel. We only actually spent 2 hours in the air, but from the time we left the Cruise Terminal in Amsterdam, to the time we got to the hotel in Bergen, over 11 hours had elapsed.

How I looked by midnight!

Princess lived up to there reputation of being unhelpful. None of us was contacted about the sudden change of plan. So what's the point of giving them our emails and mobile numbers? The shore excursion organiser in Amsterdam pointed us in the right direction as far as booking flights to Bergen, which was great. But when we got to Bergen, we were on our own. Fortunately someone from the ship's agents was there picking up a crew member, took pity on us, and eventually pointed us in the direction of a hotel next to the airport. Apparently we have to pay for our flights and accommodation, then claim it back on our insurance... at least I knew all this from last year's Dublin fiasco, so was able to pass it on to the others!

A good night's sleep (if you can call 3 hours of semi-darkness a night) and I was rearing to go again. I hopped on the net, and sussed out another hotel in town. Four others decided to tag along with me, so we got the hotel desk to book for us, grabbed some local currency (no euro here) and hopped the bus into town. Great move! Such a wonderful city - so cute!

Bryggen

We dumped our bags and headed off to the cable car for the rather steep ride to the summit of one of the hills overlooking area. We arrived in sun, but it wasn't to last. Showers, heavy and frequent, seem to be the norm here, and today didn't disappoint! Had a lovely lunch out on the terrace in the sun, then lost the others, and ended up making my own way back to town, where I spent time along the art shop and antique area. I did a quick wander through the historic Bryggen area (old wooden buildings), then retreated to the hotel for a well earned rest.

So a bonus day in Bergen - what a treat! All I need now is for the Dawn Princess to make it into port tomorrow as scheduled, and it will be back to "Plan A". Watch this space!

PS to Garry and Joanne (who are on the Dawn, and not enjoying a bonus day in Bergen!): Tried to leave a comment on your blog but it wouldn't accept it - but looking forward to the hugs from everyone :-)

Today is 18 July, this is Amsterdam, SO WHERE THE !@#& IS MY SHIP????

Today didn't start out too well - the Wifi at the hotel was down most of the morning, it was raining quite heavily, and I had to hang around until midday to board the Dawn Princess. So when the internet finally came back up, I flicked on to the Princess webcam site, only to see it said she was heading for Bergen. Like WHAT THE !@#&?????

Hoping that was a mistake, I trudged through the rain to the cruise terminal, and sure enough, no ship... Apparently the weather was a little rough and the captain wasn't going to risk bringing her into port. Shades of Dublin last year!

So along with a dozen or so others (but not the two Americans who threw a hissy-fit, and organised themselves and their 8 pieces of luggage a direct flight back to the States) are booked to fly this evening to Bergen, via Copenhagen. There we will be put up in a hotel for tonight and tomorrow night, and then transported to the ship on Wednesday. What an adventure!

So if anyone on the ship happens to check this, sorry, I won't be there for the CC M&G tomorrow after all. Maybe sailaway on Wednesday?

Farewell to Amsterdam



 All good things must come to an end, so it's time to pack up for the final time on Part 1 of my trip, and prepare to board the Dawn Princess tomorrow afternoon for the start of Part 2.

Despite the variable weather here this visit, I've still had a great time. Amsterdam is such a fun city. And I do it drug-free, and don't even venture into the Red Light district... I probably need therapy!

What I've really enjoy this time is all the free entertainment. On Friday night there was a concert in Dam Square by Giovanni Bassano - probably the best singer/songwriter I've never heard of. I spent a couple of hours there, as every second song he did was a U2 classic. Most of the others I knew too, and it made such a pleasant break from the techno/dance music being played in all the shops. Long live acoustic music - so look the guy up on YouTube and see what you think...

Today I was back in Dam Square, where in just 2 days they had set up an arena for beach soccer - that's truckloads of sand shipped in and dumped on the paving in front of the Royal Palace, with grandstands erected around the edges. I wonder what the Queen thinks?

Then of course there's an endless assortment of buskers. A great way to dispose of that pile of coins that inevitably accumulates...

Speaking of things Royal, I did a nostalgia trip to Garry's Muffins this afternoon, which was my favourite place for coffee on my very first visit to Amsterdam, many years ago. The cafe is still there, but it's now called Royal Bagels... maybe Garry retired, or went back to New York? Either way, he must have passed on his muffin recipe to the new owners, as they are still only barely edible - but the coffee is even better than I remember!

Nothing left to say really...

Shopping was also on the agenda today, as there are sales on everywhere. And Amsterdam is one of the few places I've come across where there are as many men's clothing shops as there are women's. So all very exciting until you realise that on the main shopping street, there are probably only a dozen clothing shops - they just repeat several times along the street. Same stock, same prices. Oh well, managed to pick up a couple of bargains - just need to find space for them in my bags now!

Van Gogh - again...

For me, no visit to Amsterdam is complete without spending a considerable amount of time at the Van Gogh Museum. So today was the day. And again I had a great time there. Despite the crowd - it is Saturday after all - I just love those paintings... and it was well worth paying the extra euro to buy my ticket at the hotel, thereby missing the long queue at the Museum - smart move!

The other mission for the day was a haircut. After finally finding one of the few barbers in the centre of town, I got a serious haircut - so serious in fact that THERE SHALL BE NO PHOTOS! Now I'm wondering what the people on the cruise will think of the crim who's joining them on Monday... I'm glad my hair grows quickly!

Raining again today, but quite mild. Here's hoping the sun puts in an appearance tomorrow...

If today is Friday, then this must be Amsterdam... ja?

Happy Mr Summer got nudged over by grumpy Mr Winter for the last couple of days - cold, windy, wet... but the farmers in this part of the world really need the rain, so I'm not complaining... much!

We farewelled Berlin and blatted our way at 200km/hr to Duisburg, where we were met by old friends who live near by. We could only stay overnight with them, but we made the most of it and had a lovely time. The wine flowed freely in the evening, which seeing I rarely drink, meant that by the end my condition could best be described as "plastered". I was certainly a little under the weather the following morning, but still managed to enjoy the art show, and a lovely lunch before we headed off again.

We arrived in Amsterdam in the middle of a storm. Fortunately our hotel wasn't too far from the station, so we picked our way between the piles of abandoned, dead umbrellas, and ended up in a fairly damp state. The dinner we had planned outside beside some canal had to be abandoned, which was a bit of a disappointment...

This morning I farewelled Jenny at Schiphol Airport, then on the way back on the train had to endure a group of 30-something Brits mouthing off about whether they were going to get drunk or stoned first when they reached town - and this was 9 o'clock in the morning! What on earth the Dutch made of it all is beyond me...

My day was spent wandering along familiar streets of the city, watching street theatre, listening to music, and generally soaking up the atmosphere. It might be 10 years since I was last here, but I only needed to consult the map once in the entire day. I just love this place. Such a mix of cultures, and most people speak English (apart from in the Supermarket - I'm sure I was served by that woman last time I was here!) Now if I told you I saw a busker playing an accordion and a didgeridoo at the same time, you'd probably think I'd been in one of the "coffeeshops" (and we're not talking Starbucks here), so here's the picture to prove it... and the sound was very strange too!

Berlin

The Reichstag

 So here we are in Berlin, in a luxurious hotel on Friedrichstrasse, with the river and its cafes at one end, and Checkpoint Charlie at the other. The Wall is gone, of course, and today its hard to believe that Berliners lived with it for so long. We've soaked up the history of the place, visited all the tourist sights, and generally had a great time. There is a certain sadness about the place though, when you start looking a little more closely at the history - some of which occurred within our memory. On the other side, the city is vibrant with youth, energy, and an anything-goes-anything's-possible buzz, even in this time of recession.

Again we did most of our exploring on foot.The museums, art galleries and the Reichstag are all within walking distance. We would have liked to go into the Reichstag, but since last year, it's not just possible to just bowl up and wander in - you have to book several days prior so you can get a security clearance. Oh well, maybe next time...

At the Brandenburg Gate



For me, there were two highlights to Berlin. The first was the Brandenburg Gate. Or to be more accurate, the Room of Silence, which forms part of the gate (yes, that's me at the gate in the photo). This small, simple room is soundproof, and so peaceful. It's a place of meditation and prayer (if you're so inclined), set apart from the hustle and bustle of the city outside. A lovely moment spent there...

The old and the new...

The second was our visit to the Jewish Museum. This Museum, which is housed in a very interesting building architectually, covers the whole history of Jewish settlement in Germany, the numerous persecutions through the ages, as well as outlining the daily lives of Jewish people here at different times in history. Yes, there is a small section dealing with the Jewish persecution under the Nazis, but this is just one chapter of a very long story...

We wined and dined very well in Berlin - in fact, a little too well! Jenny leaves for the States in a couple of days, so I might just have to go into damage control on the diet front after that. It was such fun while it lasted though!

A great side trip to Gorlitz.

Leaving Dresden, we had the choice: either straight through to Berlin, arriving late morning, or doing a side trip to Gorlitz, a town right on the border with Poland, and recommended in Rick Steves Germany. We opted for the side trip, even though it meant extra train time.

And we were very glad we did. Gorlitz is a lovely town, with all you'd expect: old churches, towers, old city walls, and quaint cafes and bars. We did the walking tour from the guide book (yes, this is becoming something of a habit, but they are just such good value!) and ended up at a huge church by the river. The photo here is of the beautiful baptismal font...

Now Gorlitz lost its eastern suburbs to Poland following the realignment of borders after WW2 - the new border being the river, which bisects the town. It's only fairly recently that free travel between the two parts has been reestablished, so we just hopped across the foot bridge into Poland for lunch (as you do!). Being Sunday, the town was very peaceful, and we thoroughly enjoyed the tourist-free atmosphere.

After racing back to the station to catch our train, we dozed our way to Berlin, found our hotel (situated in a prime location for sight-seeing), and had a late dinner on eastern Berlin's main drag. At the end of the meal, an organ-grinder took up position along side - delightful for the first 10 minutes or so, but enough to make us flee after coffee!!

Dresden - Baroque glory...

Just a couple of hours on the train took us from Prague to Dresden. And here we rediscovered the joys of the railway station locker - dump the bags and hit the streets.

Dresden was hard hit during the bombings of WW2, and 60 years down the track it's still rebuilding. So in the Old Town, the churches and other monuments which look hundreds of years old are in fact rebuilds. This includes the lovely palaces, with their treasure vaults, which we managed to visit without having to put up with the usual queues... good timing is everything! We did several museums and galleries in rapid succession, and limped our way to our lodgings late in the afternoon...

Our hotel was across the river in the New Town, built by the communists, and a little lacking in architectual merit. We did, however, discover some lovely cafes in small courtyards - and once again wined and dined al fresco, in the warmth of the evening. No photos today - managed to leave the camera with our bags, in the luggage locker...

Prague - a wonderful city...

I don't know what I expected Prague to be like, but it has exceeded my expectations by far. The buildings are beautiful, with elaborate facades, multicoloured, and run along narrow, winding streets. At every turn, there is another alleyway to explore, or another courtyard cafe beckoning you in... and another host waiting to pour you another beer!

Most of the people we met were friendly and helpful. Their english is good, menus are in several languages, and whilst the currency takes a little getting your head around, most places will gladly accept euros or credit cards... In a few short years, the country has gone from communist state to western chic, yet it has still retained its old world charm. Yes, there may be Starbucks and MacDonalds, but they are few and far between, and vastly outnumbered by cute outdoor eateries... and churches: there seemed to be one on every corner!

Yes, we did the tourist sights, first with a brief city tour, including a jaunt up and down the river, then on our own. It's such an easy city to get around by foot, so we walked ourselves into the ground. The old palace up on the hill (the largest palace in the world they say) had a fascinating history going back to about 2500BC, when people first lived on the site. We spent most of the day there, before heading back into town, ducking into art galleries and glass shops along the way.

So I would highly recommend a few days in Prague to anyone coming to Europe. It might be a bit off the beaten track, but it's certainly well worth the effort to come here.

Hello and goodbye Vienna - and onwards to Prague...

Central Vienna

It's been a busy couple of days. I had an easy exit from London, and a good flight to Vienna, and joining up with Jenny. Then it was out to dinner with old friends, a good nights sleep, and a quick jog around town before heading for the train to Prague. Five hours of train was just a little long, but we had a compartment all to ourselves for most of the trip, so almost like travelling 1st class!

Prague is beautiful. We're staying right in the middle of the Old Town, within easy walking distance of all the sites. This evening we wandered to the main square, and had dinner outside, with a nice glass of wine. Perfect in the warmth of a summer's evening. Exhausted though, so an early night...

Last day in London for this trip...

It's only a week since I left home, I've done a heap of stuff in London, and I'm still jetlagged... which means early starts are still not a problem.

The Courtauld Gallery

Today I tackled Rick Steves City Walk, which led me through highways and byways from Trafagar Square to London Bridge. Well that was the plan, although I abandoned it just past St Paul's - it had taken me four hours to get that far and I had other plans for the afternoon!

The real find for me on this trip was the Courtauld Gallery. I'd never heard of it, but it's a real treasure house of artworks, with examples of just about every star artist you could think of. It's also a fairly small collection, so ideal for anyone who wants a quick art fix without spending hours in a gallery... Its highlight is Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works (think Van Gogh, Manet, Cezanne, Degas, Sisley, Pissarro, Bernard) which I just drool over! Plus enough of a smattering of older stuff to make you feel virtuous for viewing it. I spent way too much time here...

Further along the road, (past St Clement Danes Church - which really does play "oranges and lemons, say the bells of St Clements". I heard it.) I wandered into St Bride's Church. Good timing here too, as there was a visiting youth choir from South Africa performing - choral music while I explored the crypt was a real treat.

After a late lunch at St Paul's cafe (I didn't go in the church as I'd done that on a previous trip) there was time for one last throw of the dice. Either back to the Briish Museum, or another round at the V&A. The V&A won out, and I'm pleased it did, as several areas that were closed on my first visit were open today. Good call!

So that's London done and dusted for this time. Six wonderful days here, and still so much I could do. I think a month in London should go on my "to do" list... But for now it's off to Vienna in the morning to meet up with Jenny, and a couple of weeks of joint holidaying - wonderful!

Mind the gap...

Griffin guarding entrance to The City

Today was a very chilled Sunday in central London. To make things interesting, several tube lines were either completely, or partially, closed for the day. So it took me 3 attempts to get to London Bridge first thing - fortunately I'm a quick learner, and it only took me one attempt to get back home!

Upside was that I stumbled across the Monument (at Monument!) and discovered that it commemorates the Great Fire of London... I always wondered where that station got its name from, and now I know :-)

A tavern here for 800 years!

Rick Steves guide book led me on a very pleasant early morning stroll along the South Bank, ending up at the Tate Modern. I love that place. The audacity of some of the works makes me chuckle:

"These detritus piles
  We come pay homage to
  In temples wrought of glass

  We who believe may be deceived
  As those who ply their wares
  All lost, indeed chastise"

Picasso - a favorite

Oh well, whatever rocks your boat! My limit is about 90 minutes of the stuff, so fortunately I had arranged to meet Dean and Sarah-Jane for lunch. We had a great time catching up again, dining on a terrace overlooking the Thames.

From South Bank I zoomed across to Covant Garden, where I loitered for some considerable time. Great music, interesting street performers, slightly off-key opera singers, and huge crowds - a great atmosphere indeed!

Stonehenge... erm... rocks!

Today I took a trip to the country, visiting Bath and Stonehenge. I did it the easy way - I took a bus trip, along with a group of fellow tourists.Now maybe Saturday in summer wasn't such a great choice of times to go, but even with the crowds, I had a great day. And while I love the city, it was a pleasant break to see a bit of rural scenery for a few hours. It's remarkably like New Zealand actually...

The drive was just under two hours each way, but it didn't really seem that long. The two American ladies in front of me ate and drank all the way, reminding me of cruise passengers. They were the only ones on the bus who had ordered the optional lunch!

The Roman baths were fascinating. I particularly liked the way the Romans decided that the bubbling hot spring must mean that there was a god living down there, and so built a temple to the god up above. Great way of explaining things you don't understand... and the resulting complex must have been so impressive when it was built.

Stonehenge is one of those places everyone should see if they get the chance. It's the age of it - over 4000 years old - and the achievement of the ancients in getting those huge slabs of rocks to the site, and then lifting them into place, that leaves you shaking your head in wonder - and wondering why they bothered in the first place! Theories abound, and like any good mystery, the clues are gradually emerging over time...

Bonus for me: there was very little walking involved, so my feet got a chance to recover.

Victoria and Albert and all that jazz...

Took in the V&A today - amazing place, which seems to have grown in size since I was last there. My guidebook says there are over 12 miles of corridors, and I believe it! But it's sensory overload territory: the jewellery section alone sets the head reeling... must go back there again too!

From there I explored Hyde Park. It always seems rather odd to me that the British neatly fence off all the grassy areas so that no-one will walk on them - not something that would happen in Kiwiland. Had a giggle at the sign beside the Princess Diana fountain (which looks nothing like a fountain) saying that no-one is permitted to walk in the water. Yeah right! Someone forgot the 100+ youngsters who were having a ball in it on a lovely summers day...

Trawled up and down Oxford Street, checked out the sales, and bought nothing. By then the day was shot and so were my poor feet! No photos today - need new batteries. Maybe tomorrow...

Another busy day in London

The Great Court, British Museum

After a good night's sleep I was on the go a little later today - in fact by the time I hit the British Museum it was already noon. Problems on the Tube slowed me down a little, as the station I intended getting off at was closed - something to do with overcrowding, so the announcement said.

Today I just did the major stuff downstairs: Egypt, Assyria and Greece. Some rooms were closed, so that gives me a good excuse to go back again another day. The place was a bit crowded today as most schools were closed due to a strike. A sign of tough economic times here in the UK...

Westminster Bridge

From there I zoomed down to Westminster, and did a walk from Rick Steves back up to Trafalgar Square. Most of that route was closed to traffic - all to do with the protest march happening today. There was a very large Police presence, especially around Downing Street - in fact the Police seemed to outnumber the protesters... strange thing was that even though Westminster Bridge was closed to traffic, 90% of pedestrians still walked on the footpaths (I walked down the middle of the road of course!). Just shows how strong our conditioning is...

London Eye

From there I wandered in to the National Portrait Gallery, and rummaged amongst the Kings and Queens of England for an hour or so, before scooting through the modern section at a high rate of knots. Discovery of the day was that LS Lowry, famous UK artist, worked for over 40 years as a rent collector - but kept that a secret so that he wasn't labelled as a part-time artist. This only became known after his death - very strange...

Next stop was meeting Stuart and Anne for early Pub grub (a definite cultural experience) and a catch up on all the gossip. Great fun!