tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26435910859591082292024-03-13T19:59:41.425+00:00Confessions of a coach driver!My travel diary as a coach driver and the people I meet along the wayUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-73018768695957934912015-01-03T18:26:00.001+00:002015-01-03T18:26:47.571+00:00Christmas in Cologne, Germany.<b><i>Day 1</i></b><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>We had a stupidly early start this morning but Santa was there with two of his elves (the rest were still in bed), serving hot punch and waving us off for our week in Germany over Christmas.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8pZF051rDzs/VKgzwps_XFI/AAAAAAAAQEo/nqET0DRVsYY/s640/blogger-image--2100098429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8pZF051rDzs/VKgzwps_XFI/AAAAAAAAQEo/nqET0DRVsYY/s640/blogger-image--2100098429.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At 5:45am we were on the road for Dover and I was hoping to make it in time to get on the earlier ferry. After a stop at motorway services for a 'splash and dash', we did make it to port early and were sailing across the channel 1 hour earlier than scheduled. The English Channel was a little choppy today with a bit of a swell and many of our passengers were feeling the effects. I, on the other hand, had a very good breakfast and slept until until we had docked at Calais, waking up feeling as bright as a button and ready for the 4 1/2hr drive to Cologne. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had two comfort stops on the journey, more for my benefit than anyone else's. After my alarm going off at 3:15 this morning, I wanted to keep the journey as easy as possible for myself, as well as everyone on board. We had a very clear and easy run across the motorways, then headed for the centre of cologne, which I don't mind admitting was probably the toughest drive I have ever done. I had not been into the centre of cologne before but I had been made aware of the many low bridges and one way road systems. I knew I had to approach our hotel from the North on the west side of the river in order to be able to drop off safely and unload luggage. It was dark. The road signs were poorly lit. I could see there were height restriction signs ahead of me but I could not read the height until I was committed to that route. I knew I had to turn right after crossing the river but I couldn't see the water. It was so dark. After a very slow and steady route through the city, I hadn't hit a bridge and had arrived at the hotel with all the passengers thinking I had been here before because I had made it look so easy. God only knows how that happened because 'easy' is not how I would have described it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We checked into our hotel, the Maritim Hotel Koln, and the porters delivered the luggage. I had to take the coach away to park up and walk the mile back to the hotel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When I walked into the front entrance of the hotel, I was very pleasantly surprised at what I saw. It is a very large, very classy looking hotel with shops, boutiques, restaurants and bars on the first two floors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lxSUftpTmeY/VKgzoFCqk_I/AAAAAAAAQEY/K2nn81FrxJE/s640/blogger-image--93747979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lxSUftpTmeY/VKgzoFCqk_I/AAAAAAAAQEY/K2nn81FrxJE/s640/blogger-image--93747979.jpg"></a></div><br></div>I checked in and made my way to my room, which is very spacious and I am very happy with.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wGdKRnVMWJU/VKgz5blgnHI/AAAAAAAAQE4/suS9ZLyDxbw/s640/blogger-image--393496223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wGdKRnVMWJU/VKgz5blgnHI/AAAAAAAAQE4/suS9ZLyDxbw/s640/blogger-image--393496223.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I only had 20 minutes until I was expected at dinner with my group. So after a very quick wash I change I arrived in the restaurant where we were greeted with a drinks reception of champagne before a very tasty 3 course buffet dinner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After dinner, with having had a bit of time to relax and having a full tummy, I was all of a sudden feeling incredibly tired. So I made my excuses and had the best nights sleep.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Day 2</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i><br></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After a very good nights sleep I showered and went to breakfast where there was champagne on the buffet. Seeing as I am not driving today I made the most of the opportunity and spoiled myself! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My courier, Lorraine and I met the group after breakfast at 10:15 to hand out their tickets to the chocolate museum before I walked them the 400m to it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The futuristic museum's complex, made of steel and glass, is situated right on the banks of the Rhine River, close to Cologne's Old Town. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;">In its exhibition, you can learn about the history of chocolate, from the Mayan’s chocolate “drink of the gods” to today's commercial chocolates. You can stroll through the museum's greenhouse with its cocoa trees, and find out how the cocoa bean becomes a chocolate bar from start to finish in the museum's mini-production unit. You can also taste the chocolate from the chocolate fountain.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TovehH4TjHs/VKLAgFMe5YI/AAAAAAAAQAo/h0cLPaxOxt0/s640/blogger-image--9357334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TovehH4TjHs/VKLAgFMe5YI/AAAAAAAAQAo/h0cLPaxOxt0/s640/blogger-image--9357334.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our group had a free flow tour of the museum and had the rest of the day at leisure to explore the final day of the Christmas markets.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Every year, the city centre of Cologne is touched by the magic of the festivities in the run-up to Christmas. When the Christmas markets in Cologne open their gates on the last Monday before Advent, millions of visitors from around the world delight at the goods on sale at the quaintly designed huts (or "Buden").</span></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N6NTBN7Y0ys/VKg0CC1DJaI/AAAAAAAAQFQ/htnfZykRHv0/s640/blogger-image-1693556711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N6NTBN7Y0ys/VKg0CC1DJaI/AAAAAAAAQFQ/htnfZykRHv0/s640/blogger-image-1693556711.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Christmas music, arts and crafts, toys, Christmas decorations and the scent of the Christmas bakeries create a wonderful atmosphere. It is not just children's eyes that light up when pewter pourers, wreath binders and glassblowers demonstrate their art, and the aroma of mulled wine, hot chestnuts and gingerbread fills the air.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KZIzZ5WWmWw/VKg0Ti69QyI/AAAAAAAAQFw/pE0rZKiK2No/s640/blogger-image--761426977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KZIzZ5WWmWw/VKg0Ti69QyI/AAAAAAAAQFw/pE0rZKiK2No/s640/blogger-image--761426977.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div>Lorraine and I had a very enjoyable afternoon, wandering around the market and enjoying the gluwein before heading back to the hotel for a cheeky afternoon nap to try and catch up on some sleep before dinner.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Once again, we had a very enjoyable meal before relaxing in the piano bar. I could very easily get used to this standard of living!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OhP_C_E7wFI/VKg0Y6fgi1I/AAAAAAAAQGA/RWzaDc6Uof8/s640/blogger-image-1168001851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OhP_C_E7wFI/VKg0Y6fgi1I/AAAAAAAAQGA/RWzaDc6Uof8/s640/blogger-image-1168001851.jpg"></a></div><br></div><b><i>Day 3</i></b></div><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>We had another leisurely breakfast this morning with, yes you've guessed it, more champagne, before we all met our local guide André, at 11am for a city walking tour. He gave a very interesting, informative tour of the city and I very much enjoyed looking at his peachy little bottom!</div><div><br></div><div><p class="copy--feature" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cologne (Köln) offers seemingly endless attractions, led by its famous cathedral whose filigree twin spires dominate the skyline. It’s regularly voted the country’s single most popular tourist attraction. The city’s museum landscape is especially strong when it comes to art but also has something in store for fans of chocolate, sports and even Roman history. Its people are well known for their liberalism and joie de vivre and it’s easy to have a good time right along with them year-round in the beer halls of the Altstadt (old town) or during the springtime Carnival.</span></p><p class="copy--feature" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cologne is like a 3-D textbook on history and architecture. Drifting about town you’ll stumble upon an ancient Roman wall, medieval churches galore, nondescript postwar buildings, avant-garde structures and even a new postmodern quarter right on the Rhine. Germany’s fourth-largest city was founded by the Romans in 38 BC and given the lofty name Colonia Claudia Ara Aggripinensium. It grew into a major trading centre, a tradition it solidified in the Middle Ages and continues to uphold today.</span></p><p class="copy--feature" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OF-1O5OjnyA/VKg0I3YFKzI/AAAAAAAAQFY/eKTYuuoNwcU/s640/blogger-image--70818517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OF-1O5OjnyA/VKg0I3YFKzI/AAAAAAAAQFY/eKTYuuoNwcU/s640/blogger-image--70818517.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After our tour, we had the rest of the day free. After a walk to check the coach and give it a quick clean we headed back to the beer halls of the old town. We got talking to 3 Dutch people who had been in the city for a one night stay to visit the Christmas markets and get into the festive mood. We spent the afternoon chatting with them and had a lot of fun before returning to the hotel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--MNek3DhHEk/VKf4X5JrG_I/AAAAAAAAQDo/54mgMXXqN5w/s640/blogger-image--515041702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--MNek3DhHEk/VKf4X5JrG_I/AAAAAAAAQDo/54mgMXXqN5w/s640/blogger-image--515041702.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I noticed that no one was in the pool so I took advantage of that and the sauna before getting ready for our German buffet dinner. I had Roast Goose which was absolutely delicious! We spent the rest of the evening socialising with our passengers in the Piano Bar. I was sat enjoying the good company and the flowing wine when all of a sudden, the lady on the table next to me screamed, threw her drink in the air and jumped out of her seat and stood on the table, because a mouse had just ran past her foot! I couldn't help laughing! The waitress rushed over to see what the problem was and did not seem surprised that we had seen a mouse and eventually said "yes, the mouse is a problem of the house!" After another enjoyable evening, I went to bed and had a really good nights sleep.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Christmas Day</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i><br></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had a late, leisurely breakfast this morning, once again with champagne, before going to get dressed for lunch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lorraine and I arrived at the restaurant early because our company has provided Christmas crackers and Christmas presents for our guests, so we just had to spend a minute putting crackers on the tables and hide the presents so we could hand them out at the lunch table. Our people started to arrive and some had got into the spirit with their Christmas hats.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UKEUn2lHG_A/VKg0M_R0CLI/AAAAAAAAQFg/NyI445YXQpE/s640/blogger-image-1703225030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UKEUn2lHG_A/VKg0M_R0CLI/AAAAAAAAQFg/NyI445YXQpE/s640/blogger-image-1703225030.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our company had requested a Roast Turkey dinner with stuffing. I can never quite understand why they do this. It is my opinion that if you go to Germany for Christmas, it is to embrace the German traditions and to experience the way which they do Christmas, including the food. However, the turkey was very nice but the stuffing was weird! Germans don't eat stuffing and in previous years we have had it served up with the Christmas pudding because they just don't know what to do with it! Luckily this year, the stuffing was actually inside the turkey but it was not what we would recognise to be stuffing! I can't even describe what is was, but it was quite revolting!! Other than that, the meal was very nice. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After lunch, a group of us went to the Bellevue restaurant, on the fifth floor overlooking the city, for a social glass of wine. I </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">went for a relax in the jacuzzi before we had to start eating again at this evenings dinner. We really didn't need any more food! It was an enjoyable evening though.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><i>Boxing Day</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><i><br></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Today I am happy to be getting back behind the wheel. We have our guide, André, joining us again today. Once again it was a long leisurely breakfast before I had to walk the mile up the river to where the coach was parked. I was back at the hotel to collect our passengers at 11am. André gave us a quick city tour of Cologne on board the coach, mostly to show off the city skyline, before we made our way to Maria Laach.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Maria Laach Abbey</span> is a Benedictine abbey in northwestern Germany. Picturesquely located on the wooded shores of a crater lake, Maria Laach's abbey church is a beautiful and important example of German Romanesque architecture.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P8MMxVdCjms/VKgzsz1Z80I/AAAAAAAAQEg/EHLhBEfDC8w/s640/blogger-image--1156047535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P8MMxVdCjms/VKgzsz1Z80I/AAAAAAAAQEg/EHLhBEfDC8w/s640/blogger-image--1156047535.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Abbey of Maria Laach was founded in <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">1093</span> by the Count Palatine of the Rhine Heinrich II (d.1095) and his wife Adelheid (1100). They were unable to have children and donated what would have been spent on a dowry on the foundation of a monastery across the lake from their castle. The founding document read:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The foundation was accepted and overseen by the </span><a href="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/germany/trier" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; opacity: 0.8; background-position: 0px 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Archbishop of Trier</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and the first monks came from the monastery of St. Maximin near</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/germany/trier" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; opacity: 0.8; background-position: 0px 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Trier</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. Built on the west side of the lake now known as the Laacher See, the monastery became known as the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; box-sizing: border-box;">Abbatia ad Lacum</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, "Lake Abbey."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-imc-Mgj7_wo/VKgz2LgHuzI/AAAAAAAAQEw/nMSrCw5gkB0/s640/blogger-image--1105344308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-imc-Mgj7_wo/VKgz2LgHuzI/AAAAAAAAQEw/nMSrCw5gkB0/s640/blogger-image--1105344308.jpg"></a></div><br></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In 1112, Count Palatine Siegfried of Ballenstedt, stepson of Heinrich, gave the monastery to Affligem Abbey in modern-day Belgium. Laach monastery became a Priory and its 40 monks were led by Prior <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Gilbert of Affligem</span> from 1127. In 1138, Laach became an independent abbey with Gilbert as its first abbot.</span></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Laach Abbey was dissolved on <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">August 6, 1802</span>, as part of the "Secularization" of all lands west of the Rhine under Napoleon. The abbey became the property of the occupying French, and then the Prussian state in 1815. Most of the monastic buildings were sold to private owners. The monastic buildings were badly damaged by arson in 1855, but the church was spared.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hDxKP9TP9mc/VKgz_SOIA5I/AAAAAAAAQFI/pwgSWsNPot4/s640/blogger-image-153473446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hDxKP9TP9mc/VKgz_SOIA5I/AAAAAAAAQFI/pwgSWsNPot4/s640/blogger-image-153473446.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Benedictine monks from Beuron Abbey acquired the monastery in 1892 and in 1893 Maria Laach attained abbey status once again. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The church of Maria Laach is widely considered a masterpiece of German Romanesque architecture. Its relatively short length and multitude of towers and turrets give it the appearance of a </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; box-sizing: border-box;">fairy-tale fortress</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, which is further accentuated by its scenic lakeside setting.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Abbey is just north of Koblenz, so from here we had the opportunity of a scenic drive along the bank of the Rhine to Königswinter, where we were booked in for afternoon tea at our sister hotel. We arrived to quite an impressive spread of sandwiches and cakes, and the way in which everyone was going for the food, you'd have thought they hadn't been fed for a week!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After copious amounts of tea, we got back on board the coach and made our way back towards Cologne, travelling through the centre of Bonn so that André could show us some points of interest. Personally, I think Bonn is the most boring city tour I have ever done! It is all about how they 'used to be' or 'used to have'. So there is a lot of history there, but nothing to physically be seen. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We arrived back at the hotel at about 1715. I dropped everyone off and went to park up. On the walk back, I decided I would cross the river and have a look at the skyline which André was so keen to show off this morning and even in the dark, I could see why.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XJcC4djkPH8/VKgzbjF7urI/AAAAAAAAQD4/_HldrX1y-ME/s640/blogger-image--851169581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XJcC4djkPH8/VKgzbjF7urI/AAAAAAAAQD4/_HldrX1y-ME/s640/blogger-image--851169581.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I arrived back at the hotel and had a bit of a mad dash to get myself ready for dinner. We had another enjoyable meal before moving through to the piano bar in search of the pet mouse. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Day 6</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i><br></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was indulging in champagne at breakfast again this morning before meeting the group for today's two visits. The weather was not very pleasant this morning. It was windy and trying to snow between the raindrops. The only good thing about today was that we only had a couple of short walks to get to where we were going.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After a walk across the square, feeling the the pied piper, we arrived at our first visit. Cologne Cathedral. We met our guide, Sylvia, and we were all given headsets in order to be able to hear Sylvia through her microphone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There are big celebrations in Cologne this year because this is the 850th anniversary of the relics of the Three Wise Men being housed in the Cathedral, after they were stolen from the Italians. Sorry, I mean 'acquired'!</div><br></div> Cologne Cathedral is a building of superlatives that is the centre and hallmark of this city on the Rhine. The cornerstone of this Gothic cathedral was laid on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary on 15 August 1248. The previous building was apparently no longer deemed impressive enough to house the remains of the Three Wise Men, which Archbishop Rainald von Dassel had brought to Cologne from Milan after the latter city was conquered in 1164. Because of these relics, the cathedral became one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Europe. Its two massive towers have dominated the city’s skyline since their completion in 1880. At 157.38 metres, the northern tower is 7cm taller than the southern one.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Today the cathedral is Cologne’s second-tallest structure, surpassed only by the telecommunications tower. The cathedral covers almost 8,000 square metres of floor space and can hold more than 20,000 people. Due to the building’s impressive Gothic architecture, the shrine of the Three Wise Men, the outstanding stained-glass windows and the many other important works of art, UNESCO declared Cologne Cathedral a World Heritage Site in 1996.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cKBfwGAk6Cg/VKg0WCgsnuI/AAAAAAAAQF4/N1Tr6qjc4nY/s640/blogger-image--1710728514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cKBfwGAk6Cg/VKg0WCgsnuI/AAAAAAAAQF4/N1Tr6qjc4nY/s640/blogger-image--1710728514.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The building of the Cathedral started in 1248 and was not completed until 1880. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cologne's medieval builders had planned a grand structure to house the </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliquary" title="Reliquary" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">reliquary</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> of the </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Kings" title="Three Kings" class="mw-redirect" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Three Kings</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> and fit its role as a place of worship for the </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Roman_Emperor" title="Holy Roman Emperor" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Holy Roman Emperor</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">. Despite having been left incomplete during the medieval period, Cologne Cathedral eventually became unified as "a masterpiece of exceptional intrinsic value" and "a powerful testimony to the strength and persistence of Christian belief in medieval and modern Europe".</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HZezMJWPrOE/VKgzhQUMQwI/AAAAAAAAQEI/89rjDSdiU3k/s640/blogger-image-1132045422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HZezMJWPrOE/VKgzhQUMQwI/AAAAAAAAQEI/89rjDSdiU3k/s640/blogger-image-1132045422.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Behind the high altar, the Shrine of the Three Kings rises up; the relics of Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar-the city patrons of Cologne-rest here alongside the relics of Saints Felix and Nabor and Saint Gregory of Spoleto. This impressive work of medieval gold craftsmanship surpasses all other shrines in the Western world in terms of size and grandeur.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CK5JT7Lo_rQ/VKg0QYu71RI/AAAAAAAAQFo/4obQA0uMefY/s640/blogger-image--439825244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CK5JT7Lo_rQ/VKg0QYu71RI/AAAAAAAAQFo/4obQA0uMefY/s640/blogger-image--439825244.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Shrine of the Three Kings is approximately 43 inches (110 cm) wide, 60 inches (153 cm) high, and 87 inches (220 cm) long. It is shaped like a </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica" title="Basilica" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">basilica</font></a><font color="#000000" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, </font><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">two sarcophagi stand next to each other, with the third sarcophagus resting on their roof ridges. The ends are completely covered, so there is no space visible between the sarcophagi. The basic structure is made of</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> wood</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, with</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> gold</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> silver</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">overlay decorated with</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> filigree</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">,</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> enamel</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, and over 1000</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> jewels</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and beads. The latter include a large number of cameos</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> intaglio</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> pieces, some pre-Christian.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vHFVoPCVZHc/VKgzkG3iUeI/AAAAAAAAQEQ/LA7moqFd5wA/s640/blogger-image--2101291192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vHFVoPCVZHc/VKgzkG3iUeI/AAAAAAAAQEQ/LA7moqFd5wA/s640/blogger-image--2101291192.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">Our guide was exceptionally good and very cleverly worded topics which were a little controversial. She had given a very well informed, interesting tour and Sylvia is a guide I will recommend and request again.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">After time for a quick coffee in the Dom Forum, we took the short walk to the Schnütgen Museum which is currently home to the exhibition of the Three Wise Men, which is the reason for our visit here and we have another guide to bring it to life for us.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Museum Schnütgen is celebrating the 850th anniversary of the arrival of the remains of the Magi in Cologne with a large special exhibition. The exhibition will bring together ivories, sculptures, paintings, manuscripts and works of treasury art that offer an interesting interpretation of the subject and are artistically of especially high quality. These works were created between the 5th to 16th centuries and hail from various artistic regions such as Italy, Germany or France.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">After our tour, I was all 'wise men'd out! We had the rest of the day to ourselves so Lorraine and I headed back to the skating rink where there were a few remaining market stalls and bars. We found a nice warm corner and sat enjoying gluwein and bratwurst. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CChMr3edUE4/VKgzeNlAVyI/AAAAAAAAQEA/s5rV-Gq2bXA/s640/blogger-image-1096406784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CChMr3edUE4/VKgzeNlAVyI/AAAAAAAAQEA/s5rV-Gq2bXA/s640/blogger-image-1096406784.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We returned to the hotel at about 4pm. I made use of the pool and the sauna before packing my case and dressing for dinner. I </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">had an early night after tonight's dinner. Tomorrow was going to be a long day travelling home.</span></div><br></div><div><b><i>Day 7</i></b></div><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>There was a lot of snow on the ground on our journey back across to Calais. Not enough to slow us down or cause us a problem though. Everything this morning ran very smoothly. Luggage was delivered to me on time and loaded. All bills paid, keys handed in. We stopped at P&J's Chocolate Factory near Oostende and we arrived at Calais in good time. We got on the ferry we were booked on. I was sat on board ship eating my lunch when an announcement came over that we were delayed because 4 clandestines had managed to get on board ship. Police had caught 2 and were in pursuit of the other 2. We were half an hour late leaving dock but the captain put his foot down and made up a lot of time.</div><div><br></div><div>We had an easy journey up and around the M25 and onward home. Our company director was waiting at the depot to welcome us home. It had been a successful tour and I'd had a lot of fun over the week. Nevertheless, I was looking forward to having a few days off over New Year, my first New Year off for I can't remember how many years, so I have a lot of partying to catch up on!</div><div><br></div><div>Thank you all for following me through 2014, I hope you will all keep following through 2015. Happy New Year everyone! x</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tXIx8FoTenE/VKgz8haT3eI/AAAAAAAAQFA/FjJni3tXYdk/s640/blogger-image-76479399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tXIx8FoTenE/VKgz8haT3eI/AAAAAAAAQFA/FjJni3tXYdk/s640/blogger-image-76479399.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-73505418534754660552014-12-02T15:05:00.001+00:002014-12-02T16:06:55.495+00:00School 'Meet My PenPal' Trip to Epernay, France.Apologies for the 'blogging absence' over the last six weeks. I've been having a pretty quiet time and pulling my hair out being stuck on day work and school runs, so I'm glad to be getting back out there!<div><br></div><div><b><i>Day 1</i></b></div><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>I was up early this morning, 4:30am and I have a long day ahead of me, which is going to finish tight on my hours. I arrived at the yard and packed my coach before going to get a coffee in the drivers room. My, very sleepy, boss was on duty this morning. He bought me a coffee and said I was his best [and only] female tour driver and if I were ever to leave, he wanted to clone me first! I think he's after a Christmas present!! So after coffee, I left the yard for the one hour drive to my pick up at the school.</div><div><br></div><div>I was in position before any of the group arrived so there was time for 20 minutes shut eye. Three of the teachers arrived first, then all the kids, then the group organiser! The kids are 14/15 years old and they seem to be a really nice group. The teachers seem pretty laid back but the organiser seems a little twitchy! I don't understand why she would be too worried about the trip because she ran the exact same trip 2 years ago, only with half as many students. Nevertheless, I am starting out with a good feeling about the whole thing.</div><div><br></div><div>We left the school pretty much on time and pressed on for our channel crossing on the eurotunnel. We managed to get a train 2 hours earlier than we were booked on and didn't have to waste time at the terminal building. For most of the group, it was their first time on the eurotunnel. I had been winding them up, telling them to look out for the fish! As always, the teachers were impressed at how a coach has to manoeuvre to get into that narrow little carriage! About 15 minutes of the train journey was wasted looking for fish before they realised there are no fish!</div><div><br></div><div>This evenings meal is being provided at the school by the penpals. According to the itinerary, we are to travel straight to the school in Epernay, to arrive at 19:30, to meet their penpals and eat before going to their hotel and checking in. I am booked into a hotel on the opposite side of town to the group and I need to be off the road by 21:30. I had suggested to the organiser that we press on to enable them to check in at the hotel before going to the school, which she agreed to, so that's what we did. I <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">was starting to feel tired so I appreciated an hours peace while they checked in. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">We left the hotel 10 minutes late to go to the school. We had left everywhere late all day today. Only by a few minutes, but tonight a few minutes will be the difference between me staying legal or not. So I had to lay the law down. All the teachers were aware of my driving hours but they still looked horrified when I said if they were late, I wouldn't be waiting! It's never a good thing to have to do on the first day of a tour! So ten minutes before I was due to take them back to the hotel, I went into the school and gave them their '10 minute warning'! The kids seemed to be having a great time and were really enjoying their evening and I felt awful to be the one breaking up the party. I went back to the coach. After a few minutes, the organiser came out and said they weren't ready to leave and that they would walk back. And that is why I wanted to get them into their hotel first! So I said goodnight and went to find my hotel, feeling like a zombie!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><b><i>Day 2</i></b></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><b><i><br></i></b></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The alarm went off this morning and I felt like I still needed another 3 hours sleep. It was going to be another long day, but hopefully a more enjoyable one! </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I joined the group at their hotel for breakfast before leaving 10 minutes late for today's excursion to Paris. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Last year, I was in Paris at least once a month. This year, this is my first visit there and the year is nearly done! </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">We had an easy journey into the city centre and I gave them a little bit of a tour around on the way through to the Eiffel Tower. There is quite a lot to see just from the river banks. One of the teachers on board is French, so I asked her to come on the microphone to point things out to the students. Even if I do say so myself, between us we did a pretty good job! </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">We drove in past Notre Dame where we mentioned Quasimodo and the bells! The Montparnasse Tower, one of the tallest buildings in Paris, could be seen when looking down the side streets. The impressive Hotel de Ville could be seen on the opposite bank of the river. We drove past the Musee D'Orsay, famous for housing the worlds largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist art, including pieces by Manet, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec and Van Gogh. On the opposite side of the river, the Musee de Louvre with its most iconic piece being Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa'. The Louvre is the worlds most visited museum, receiving more than 9.7 million visitors in 2012.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-T_HdlzW1RFE/VHntoN7yLMI/AAAAAAAAPWw/1VFEl1cEK8w/s640/blogger-image--1663708219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-T_HdlzW1RFE/VHntoN7yLMI/AAAAAAAAPWw/1VFEl1cEK8w/s640/blogger-image--1663708219.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The obelisk at the centre of Place de la Concorde was pointed out and the National Assembly before having a lovely view down the Esplanade to Hotel des Invalides. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jAYVAoCTG28/VHnxV92XMOI/AAAAAAAAPW8/iHp46TKkJGI/s640/blogger-image--1176830207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jAYVAoCTG28/VHnxV92XMOI/AAAAAAAAPW8/iHp46TKkJGI/s640/blogger-image--1176830207.jpg"></a></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>We came around the bend and were at the base of the Eiffel Tower where I was going to park and the group were going to the top.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Uz2aa-ifL3g/VH3VIw6BSPI/AAAAAAAAPb4/ZBYgSVQafcg/s640/blogger-image--1187647699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Uz2aa-ifL3g/VH3VIw6BSPI/AAAAAAAAPb4/ZBYgSVQafcg/s640/blogger-image--1187647699.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Unfortunately, one of our girls was pick pocketed and had her phone stolen just before the group returned to the coach. Obviously this had to be reported and so we were delayed. While we were waiting, I took the rest of the group to Trocadero for a photo opportunity. From here there is the best view of the Eiffel tour and the Champ de Mars.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ExIYCIPJ-B4/VH3UvfNhYlI/AAAAAAAAPa4/jbi0MiVm6VU/s640/blogger-image-79901581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ExIYCIPJ-B4/VH3UvfNhYlI/AAAAAAAAPa4/jbi0MiVm6VU/s640/blogger-image-79901581.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We collected the teacher and student after them reporting the phone stolen and headed up to the Sacre Coeur via the Arc de Triomphe where I had to drive twice round in order to point out the line of landmarks.</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qNxX2zQwiMo/VH3Uy87RsvI/AAAAAAAAPbA/lbtWaPqtYkQ/s640/blogger-image--1469801557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qNxX2zQwiMo/VH3Uy87RsvI/AAAAAAAAPbA/lbtWaPqtYkQ/s640/blogger-image--1469801557.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>The Grand Arch at Le Defense, the Arc de Triompe, the obelisk at Place de la Concorde and the Pyriamids at the Louvre, which all line up with each other. Driving around the Arc de Triomphe is quite an experience and is always a relief to get off without a damaged vehicle! This is one of the few places where you are not insured to drive because you are so likely to have an accident! Follow the link to see a video taken from YouTube of 'Crazy Paris Traffic' at the Arc de Triomphe. <a href="http://youtu.be/TTtsmBYIShA" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://youtu.be/TTtsmBYIShA</a></div><div><br></div><div>We drove past the infamous Moulin Rouge where every surrounding shop is a sex shop. The reaction from the students was quite funny as we were sat at the traffic lights next to a shop window full of toys, costumes and accessories!</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ghlh8yJ8zV8/VH3VFzDj_DI/AAAAAAAAPbw/pOcwqkpH2v4/s640/blogger-image--186742101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ghlh8yJ8zV8/VH3VFzDj_DI/AAAAAAAAPbw/pOcwqkpH2v4/s640/blogger-image--186742101.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>We arrived at the drop off point where the group then had to walk to the Sacre Coeur for an hour free time while I had to go and find somewhere to park up. I ended up next to where the homeless have made camp under a railway bridge by the Gare du Nord. The whole area is dirty and smelly (not surprising with the amount of people who just wee in the street, and that's not just the homeless) and undesirable. I didn't leave my coach and I was happy to only be there for less than an hour.</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Efyaq5YV2fw/VH3VLbDtN1I/AAAAAAAAPcA/4L4OYQg8W2Y/s640/blogger-image--1833423696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Efyaq5YV2fw/VH3VLbDtN1I/AAAAAAAAPcA/4L4OYQg8W2Y/s640/blogger-image--1833423696.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>I picked up the group and we made our way out of Paris and back to Epernay where we were booked in at a restaurant, Le Sardaigne, for our evening meal. The food was delicious and very reasonably priced and the service was outstanding. I really enjoyed my meal. More so because I hadn't had a proper meal yesterday. It was very well received.</div><div><br></div><div>I returned the group to their hotel and was told that I wasn't required tomorrow and that I could have a lie in in the morning. That would be lovely, thank you very much!</div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Day 3</i></b></div><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>After a long lie in and a leisurely breakfast I spent a couple of hours on the coach, cleaning and pottering, before walking into the town centre. I have visited Mercier Champagne House on the outskirts several times but never made it into the town centre. I was very pleasantly surprised at what I found.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xRd9RKl8GKo/VH3U5fxDlZI/AAAAAAAAPbQ/igLYi1HnG4Q/s640/blogger-image--645736803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xRd9RKl8GKo/VH3U5fxDlZI/AAAAAAAAPbQ/igLYi1HnG4Q/s640/blogger-image--645736803.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the central and oldest quarter of the town, the streets are narrow and irregular; the surrounding suburbs, however, are modern and more spacious, with </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Folie" title="La Folie" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">La Folie</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> to the East, for example, containing many villas belonging to rich wine merchants. The town has also spread to the right bank of the Marne.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s5gLUIHhsWM/VH3VCafrxAI/AAAAAAAAPbo/RFAtRpY2zAY/s640/blogger-image--586630365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s5gLUIHhsWM/VH3VCafrxAI/AAAAAAAAPbo/RFAtRpY2zAY/s640/blogger-image--586630365.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One of its churches retains a portal and </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stained-glass_window" title="Stained-glass window" class="mw-redirect" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">stained-glass windows</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">from the sixteenth century, but the other public buildings are of modern construction. The most famous street in Épernay is the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avenue_de_Champagne" title="Avenue de Champagne" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Avenue de Champagne</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">which features the leading</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maison_de_champagne" title="Maison de champagne" class="mw-redirect" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Champagne manufacturers</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YcHhswmYdjM/VH3U-R2XnWI/AAAAAAAAPbg/qtj9MEfvxTE/s640/blogger-image--870947181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YcHhswmYdjM/VH3U-R2XnWI/AAAAAAAAPbg/qtj9MEfvxTE/s640/blogger-image--870947181.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gg8jdCj8Cx4/VH3U3IZj1SI/AAAAAAAAPbI/5c9jhsUk7L4/s640/blogger-image--1695257894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gg8jdCj8Cx4/VH3U3IZj1SI/AAAAAAAAPbI/5c9jhsUk7L4/s640/blogger-image--1695257894.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bOuci2V826I/VH3VSWQ9K7I/AAAAAAAAPcQ/EtbolmEAHSg/s640/blogger-image--1668290043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bOuci2V826I/VH3VSWQ9K7I/AAAAAAAAPcQ/EtbolmEAHSg/s640/blogger-image--1668290043.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>After a few cheeky champagne tastings I headed back to my hotel for an afternoon nap before having a takeaway pizza for dinner in my room while watching Netflix! I'd had a nice lazy day!</div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Day 4</i></b></div><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div> It was back to work again today. Our first visit was to the Fossier biscuit factory in Reims.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zHNnHqVqqMc/VHntVEw4cDI/AAAAAAAAPWo/-Nel_zhy5C4/s640/blogger-image--922602543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zHNnHqVqqMc/VHntVEw4cDI/AAAAAAAAPWo/-Nel_zhy5C4/s640/blogger-image--922602543.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box;">Biscuits Fossier</span> is a Reims based manufacturer of </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biscuits" title="Biscuits" class="mw-redirect" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">biscuits</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">,</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gingerbread" title="Gingerbread" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">gingerbread</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">,</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> sweets and</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> marzipan</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">-based</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confectionery" title="Confectionery" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">confectionery</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Originating in </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reims" title="Reims" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Reims</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, Biscuit rose de Reims is a product of the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biscuits_Fossier" title="Biscuits Fossier" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Biscuits Fossier</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">company. It is customary to dip the biscuit in</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champagne_(wine)" title="Champagne (wine)" class="mw-redirect" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">champagne</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">or</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_wine" title="Red wine" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">red wine</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. The biscuit was created around 1690 in Reims. A baker wanted to make the most of the heat in the bread oven between the two batches, so he had the idea of creating a special dough; cooking it twice, which is where the name "biscuit" or "bis-cuit" meaning "cooked twice" in French. The biscuit initially was white. In order to add flavor to it, a pod of vanilla was introduced into the recipe. This vanilla left brown traces on the biscuit. In order to hide them, the baker decided to add a natural colour based on</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochineal" title="Cochineal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">cochineal</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, a scarlet dye, to disguise his mistake. From this sequence of events, the Biscuit Rose de Reims was born. The biscuit is oblong in shape, and is lightly sprinkled with caster sugar. Enthusiasts for the biscuit included King Charles X, Leopold II of Belgium, the Russian tzar </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and the Marquise de Polignac. It is commonly dipped in champagne.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4EEzc0oxS7Q/VH3U8Hn-FbI/AAAAAAAAPbY/cF62DCsLHKY/s640/blogger-image-1241004644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4EEzc0oxS7Q/VH3U8Hn-FbI/AAAAAAAAPbY/cF62DCsLHKY/s640/blogger-image-1241004644.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It quickly became a great success in terms of confectionery throughout France. The original recipe of the famous "Biscuit Rose" is still kept a secret by Fossier's confectioners. Despite the basic ingredients that include eggs, sugar, flour, and vanilla, the traditional French recipe demands special mastery and daintiness. The production of the biscuits is largely done by hand and therefore is described as 'artisanal'.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-A6Gxf_CoOZk/VH3UpxZ79YI/AAAAAAAAPao/kB8TSEfrFbM/s640/blogger-image--2114748634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-A6Gxf_CoOZk/VH3UpxZ79YI/AAAAAAAAPao/kB8TSEfrFbM/s640/blogger-image--2114748634.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div>After spending an hour here, we'd had a tour of the factory and time for tasting and shopping. We then made our way into Reims centre.</div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Reims played a prominent ceremonial role in </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_France" title="History of France" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">French monarchical history</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">as the traditional site of the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronation" title="Coronation" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">crowning</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">of the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_of_France" title="King of France" class="mw-redirect" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">kings of France</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. The</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre-Dame_de_Reims" title="Notre-Dame de Reims" class="mw-redirect" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Cathedral of Reims</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">(damaged by the Germans</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">during the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World_War" title="First World War" class="mw-redirect" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">First World War</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">but restored since) played the same role in France as </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westminster_Abbey" title="Westminster Abbey" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Westminster Abbey</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">has in the United Kingdom. It housed the </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Ampulla" title="Holy Ampulla" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Holy Ampulla</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">(</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box;">Sainte Ampoule</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">) containing the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box;">Saint Chrême (</span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrism" title="Chrism" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">chrism</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">), allegedly brought by a white dove (the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Spirit" title="Holy Spirit" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Holy Spirit</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">) at the baptism</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">of</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clovis_I" title="Clovis I" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Clovis</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">in 496. It was used for the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anointing" title="Anointing" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">anointing</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">, the most important part of the coronation of French kings. The cathedral became a UNESCO world heritage site in 1991.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LyLd-RZRlrI/VH3UnI--eLI/AAAAAAAAPag/7P7PxGs3qJE/s640/blogger-image-2063679086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LyLd-RZRlrI/VH3UnI--eLI/AAAAAAAAPag/7P7PxGs3qJE/s640/blogger-image-2063679086.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>After a brief visit to the cathedral, we had free time for shopping or to look around the Christmas market. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DA46lFjeoso/VH3Us58YU4I/AAAAAAAAPaw/ez0tQpbXZ7k/s640/blogger-image-526393341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DA46lFjeoso/VH3Us58YU4I/AAAAAAAAPaw/ez0tQpbXZ7k/s640/blogger-image-526393341.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Christmas Village at the Place d'Erion is made up of 125 chalets offering beautiful seasonal gifts, decorations and festive delicacies. There is much street entertainment including carol singers, jazz bands and magicians. In his special chalet, Father Christmas is also on hand each day to delight the children. Reims is where the first French Christmas celebration was reportedly held; in 496 three thousand warriors were baptised on Christmas day. The city is rich in noble heritage.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4rCYQCnhFPM/VH3VN0C2cKI/AAAAAAAAPcI/0VwXW1B3F3c/s640/blogger-image--1378031915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4rCYQCnhFPM/VH3VN0C2cKI/AAAAAAAAPcI/0VwXW1B3F3c/s640/blogger-image--1378031915.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We left Reims and headed back to Epernay, arriving back at the hotel at about 5pm. My days work was done but the students still had plenty to do to keep them out of mischief! They had 1 hour to start their packing and tidy their rooms for room inspections! Then they had to walk to school for their dinner at 7pm before going to the cinema at 8:30.</div><div><br></div><div>I went back to my hotel and parked up for the night, had a shower and decided to walk into town to the Restaurant we had eaten in on Sunday. I had just got seated and ordered a large glass of wine when my group came in. I went to join them. It turned out that there was enough money left in their kitty to eat out again tonight, so they were all happy. I was also happy to have some company.</div><div><br></div><div>After dinner, I went for an early night while the group walked to the cinema.</div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Day 5</i></b></div><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>Today was going to be a boring day. The day travelling home is always the worst day of a tour for me, I just can't wait to get it done!</div><div><br></div><div>The group surprised me this morning, for the first time all tour they were on time! We left the hotel and paid a quick visit back at the school to say goodbye to the penpals. Then we were on the road for Calais. The group wanted to visit a supermarket so in order to have the time to do it, we didn't have a comfort break and went 'express' from Epernay to Cite Europe. I've not stopped anywhere near Calais since the immigrant camps were cleared out so I was a little apprehensive of stopping there. I had heard on the grapevine that they now have security at the coach park because they were losing so much business with coaches staying away. Nevertheless, I stood on guard by my coach, broom in hand, making sure I had no stowaways!</div><div><br></div><div>Again, we left on time, with no dramas, to check in at the eurotunnel. I was offered a train 30 mins early, so we cleared customs and passport control and went straight round to board the train. We arrived back at the school one hour early. The kids had been messy all week and their time keeping was lowsy, but they are such a nice group of people and I took pleasure in telling them so and thanking them for including me in everything. I hope I have the pleasure of taking this school again. I left the school and headed for home. I knew I had been pushing my luck and only 12 miles from home, I ran out of hours and had to pull over for a 45 minute break. So frustrating! However, we were all home safe and sound at the end of another successful tour.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-j6uLWRb5Jcc/VH3YOf4LlXI/AAAAAAAAPcs/JONBM0Qd2IM/s640/blogger-image--1414645350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-j6uLWRb5Jcc/VH3YOf4LlXI/AAAAAAAAPcs/JONBM0Qd2IM/s640/blogger-image--1414645350.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-55379574481939276282014-10-01T09:45:00.001+01:002014-10-01T09:45:43.686+01:00The Romantic Rhine and Black ForestWell I'm quite excited to be doing another tour to an area I've never been to before and my first proper long haul tour for quite some time. A tour to the Rhine and the Black Forest in Germany. <div><i style="font-weight: bold;"><br></i></div><div><i style="font-weight: bold;">Day 1</i><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>This morning is the only real downside I can see of this tour and that is the ridiculously early start! I arrived at work at 4am to prepare to leave at 5am. Everything went according to plan. We collected all our passengers without a hitch and had an easy journey to Dover where I was hoping to catch an early ferry. I wasn't that lucky but we sailed out of Dover on time on our booked ferry where I had finished breakfast before we had left port and I spent the rest of the time asleep on the table!</div></div><div><br></div><div>We arrived in Calais and started the long drive to our first hotel in Germany, another 5 hours driving away. For the next 4 nights we will be staying at the Maritim Hotel, Konigswinter, on the bank of the river Rhine. We arrived shortly after 7pm (6pm UK time), unloaded luggage, parked the coach, dumped my stuff in my room and went straight to dinner, now feeling like a zombie! I don't remember what I had for dinner or whether I enjoyed it and I am now going for a well deserved sleep! Goodnight!</div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Day 2</i></b></div><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>I almost feel human again! I had a nice big breakfast with lots of strong coffee and know I'm ready to entertain the troops again.</div><div><br></div><div>This morning the group are booked on the Drachenfels Bahn which is just a short walk from our hotel and this afternoon is free. So I have a day off from driving.</div><div><br></div><div>We took the ride on Germany's oldest rack railway to the legendary Drachenfels, taking in the breathtaking views of 'the romantic Rhine valley'. Visibility wasn't at its best this morning with lots of low lying mist but the view was still beautiful.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AmzZ2_xPEos/VCmxRNfVlqI/AAAAAAAANX4/DtGbirbNJKw/s640/blogger-image-1551695588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AmzZ2_xPEos/VCmxRNfVlqI/AAAAAAAANX4/DtGbirbNJKw/s640/blogger-image-1551695588.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Since it's completion in 1883 - at the time still operating with a steam locomotive - the Drachenfels Railway has been taking tourists to the top of the 321m high mountain. Drachenfels soon became one of the most popular attractions. In 2005 the old valley station was turned into a tourist station and the mid-station was modernised following extensive restoration of Schloss Drachenburg in 2011 to offer the opportunity of a stop over visit to the castle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Schloss Drachenberg is an unusual edifice, built between 1882-84 for Stephen von Sarter, the son of a Bonn Innkeeper and is one of the most important castles erected in Germany towards the end of the 19th century. Stephen von Sarter, who commissioned the castle, attained wealth and honours as a stock market analyst. After being made a baron in 1881 he laid the foundation stone for his dream castle, which was completed, amazingly, in less than 3 years.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Uc8oLcrxdq4/VCmxnWHsCKI/AAAAAAAANYQ/cjXmxvamfWM/s640/blogger-image-1833757848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Uc8oLcrxdq4/VCmxnWHsCKI/AAAAAAAANYQ/cjXmxvamfWM/s640/blogger-image-1833757848.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I really liked this castle. I can see myself living there! It wasn't overly big and the rooms inside were warm and homely, unlike so many of the castles I've seen. Plus, I would look good living here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Z4YoMEgflcs/VCs8olnyetI/AAAAAAAANZE/IKEjppJXVL0/s640/blogger-image--1725041845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Z4YoMEgflcs/VCs8olnyetI/AAAAAAAANZE/IKEjppJXVL0/s640/blogger-image--1725041845.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After a coffee we went back down to the town and had a little look around the shops on the Main Street before settling outside a riverside cafe where I enjoyed a couple of hours sitting in the sun, sipping Prosecco, watching the world go by.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-k7Qfs7fmvHk/VCu_FTVdwgI/AAAAAAAANbk/Dnnjna26yjI/s640/blogger-image-541982539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-k7Qfs7fmvHk/VCu_FTVdwgI/AAAAAAAANbk/Dnnjna26yjI/s640/blogger-image-541982539.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Day 3</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i><br></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This morning we are going for a scenic drive along the banks of the Rhine and the Mosel to the pretty little town of Cochem with its fairytale castle on the hill.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Few towns in Germany can match the charm of Cochem. Its picturesque beauty, makes it a favourite place for visitors. Legend, folklore and a rich web of history is woven into every street. Situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the Mosel river valley, between the Eifel and Hundsrück. It is surrounded by high elevations, steep vineyards and typical wine villages, offering tastings, festivals and genuine hospitality.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x0QU8p1t_pg/VCmxa0GE51I/AAAAAAAANYA/rWcXaLXHJVk/s640/blogger-image--688393619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x0QU8p1t_pg/VCmxa0GE51I/AAAAAAAANYA/rWcXaLXHJVk/s640/blogger-image--688393619.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cochem, itself, is a showpiece gem and rated as one of the prettiest villages along the Mosel. Little seems to have changed for centuries. The town has many fine buildings, quaint cottages, black & tan guild houses and winding streets. The town square, lined with its half-timbered houses, is particularly fine </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">and Cochem Castle, (Schloss Reichsburg) dramatically rises above the town. Cochem is the center of the Mosel wine trade. Fondly known for it's regional wines due to the presence of the many vineyards and small family run wineries in the nearby towns along the river.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kwHlf_tytEI/VCu-oBD32NI/AAAAAAAANbE/e-ELhBprwVI/s640/blogger-image-1900670130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kwHlf_tytEI/VCu-oBD32NI/AAAAAAAANbE/e-ELhBprwVI/s640/blogger-image-1900670130.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Early in the 19th century the first real tourists came to Cochem. Mostly English artists, they recorded the romance and beauty of the Mosel Valley, in their drawings and paintings. The development of Cochem into the first real tourist center on the Moselle came in the 1930s.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-P2g2hptNQu4/VCmxe-aXuCI/AAAAAAAANYI/UOVU78WN2JU/s640/blogger-image--148435662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-P2g2hptNQu4/VCmxe-aXuCI/AAAAAAAANYI/UOVU78WN2JU/s640/blogger-image--148435662.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>After spending long enough here to get some lunch we travelled the short journey alongside the river to the little town of Alken where we were booked in for a wine tasting at Anton Hammes Wine Estate. </div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The wine cellars of the Anton Hammes wine estate have been owned by the family for more than 150 years, and are more than 300 years old in total. They were part of the Wiltburg castle complex, owned by the former free lords of Wiltberg. Wine is matured in the traditional style in old oak barrels, in the 300-year-old vaulted cellar. Here the grapes are processed after picking, the wine is given time to rest in the old oak barrels, time to develop its incomparable bouquet, and to mature. Obviously I couldn't indulge in the tasting being 'DES' (designated driver!) but I was given a couple of bottles to take home. Personally, I am yet to come across a German wine that I enjoy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i>Day 4</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i><br></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We were in Bonn for the day today. When we arrived, we picked up our guide, Fiona, who took us on a tour of the city on the board the coach. She was very knowledgable about the city and knew her history but I don't think she had done much guiding on coaches. For one thing, she had 'mic fright'! She didn't seem at all comfortable with using the microphone and held it in the most peculiar way, mostly in her lap! Lucky my mic is sensitive enough to pick up her voice! Secondly, she was a useless navigator! Leaving it far to late to tell me to turn and she got me into a couple of really sticky situations in places that I'm not even sure we should have been! Nevertheless, the passengers enjoyed it and it all worked out well in the end. After the tour, we had the rest of he day free in the city to get some lunch and explore further.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zSOXppmRAT8/VCu-EroXUaI/AAAAAAAANac/TpekGCfhHnM/s640/blogger-image-1286863933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zSOXppmRAT8/VCu-EroXUaI/AAAAAAAANac/TpekGCfhHnM/s640/blogger-image-1286863933.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bonn's beginning dates between 13 - 9 BC when Romans began building roads, bridges, and fortresses at a location known as "Bonna." One well-documented event was the maryrdom of two Thebaean legionaries. The Thebaean Legion was an all Christian legion, which refused to worship the emperor as a god. As punishment, the Thebaean Legion's commander, Mauritius was executed in </span><a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/St._Moritz" title="St. Moritz" class="mw-redirect" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">St. Moritz</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">as were many other Thebaean legionaries including<b> </b>Cassius</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Florentius</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, Bonn's patron saints, who were martyred at the location of the present-day</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Münster</span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">basilica (above).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After the Romans left, the town had a very tumultuous history. Bonn has been destroyed and pummeled on so many occasions that it nearly became a pastime. Norman invaders were the first to burn the town to the ground in 881 and again in 892. In 1198, King Philip of Swabia and Duke Heinrich von Brabant layed siege to Bonn. In 1244 Konrad von Hochstaden, archbishop of Cologne ordered Bonn to be fortified. The reasons for fortification may have been for the Archbishop's protection as he had apparently begun fighting with Cologne's leaders and often resided in Bonn after the dispute. In 1288 under Sigfried II von Westerburg the archbishopric was transferred from Cologne to Bonn, which has since been transferred back to Cologne.</span></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In 1582 Archbishop Gebhard Truchsess von Waldburg converted to Calvinism and refused to give up his position as elector. In February of 1583 Waldburg married and was in April of the same year excommunicated by Pope Gregory XIII. After the Truschessian War Gebhard fled to Strasbourg, but not before Bonn felt the rapture of Bavarian troops, who blew up the Godesberg (the archbishop's residence) with 1,500 pounds of gun powder. While the town survived the Thirty Years war Bonn was completely destroyed in 1689 as a result of the War of the Grand Alliance.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-96y-xEP5ACE/VCu-MizmIYI/AAAAAAAANak/ugrUvs0C5Rc/s640/blogger-image-1836781487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-96y-xEP5ACE/VCu-MizmIYI/AAAAAAAANak/ugrUvs0C5Rc/s640/blogger-image-1836781487.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In December 1770 Bonn's most famous son, Ludwig van Beethoven, was born on Bonngasse. Bonn is probably best known as Beethoven's birth place and this fact is well advertised by the city despite Beethoven's vehement disgust towards his hometown. Beethoven spent some time in Vienna hoping to study with Mozart, but after his mother's death he was forced to return to Bonn for five years to raise his two younger brothers since his alcoholic father was unable to. In 1792 Beethoven returned to Vienna and never came back to Bonn.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7cgFicP5K4Q/VCmxJzZa9DI/AAAAAAAANXw/awU9G1HCd64/s640/blogger-image--140388742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7cgFicP5K4Q/VCmxJzZa9DI/AAAAAAAANXw/awU9G1HCd64/s640/blogger-image--140388742.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This evening, at dinner, we watched the most beautiful sunset over the Rhine, before having to pack our cases ready for the second stage of our holiday.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-roj6DZnpddc/VCu-38HN1DI/AAAAAAAANbU/YbZIfLp4gPc/s640/blogger-image-717499815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-roj6DZnpddc/VCu-38HN1DI/AAAAAAAANbU/YbZIfLp4gPc/s640/blogger-image-717499815.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i>Day 5</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i><br></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This morning we are leaving Konigswinter after a very pleasant stay at the Hotel Maritim. We had good food, good service and nice rooms. I hope we are as fortunate with our next hotel. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We had a lot of miles to cover today before reaching our second hotel, after having a very pleasant lunch stop in the town of Heidelberg.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4owlZxShsDg/VCu_M1RKzuI/AAAAAAAANbs/6U1oSxx09T4/s640/blogger-image-1669482756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4owlZxShsDg/VCu_M1RKzuI/AAAAAAAANbs/6U1oSxx09T4/s640/blogger-image-1669482756.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It is no secret that Heidelberg is a jewel among German travel destinations. Heidelberg is in the Neckar river valley right where the legend-rich <span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Odenwald</span> (Forest of Odes or Odin) opens up towards the plains of the Rhine Valley. Heidelberg is home to the oldest university in Germany (est. 1386). With 28,000 students, the Ruprecht-Karls-Universität (or <span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ruperto Carola</span>, the Latin equivalent of its name) is one of Germany's larger academic institutions and boasts the full spectrum of an ancient academy, from Egyptian Studies to Computer Linguistics. The faculties for Medicine, Law and Natural Sciences are considered to be among the best in Germany. The university fostered the establishment of several other world class research institutions such as the German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), the European Molecular Biological Laboratory (EMBL), Centre for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), Max Planck Institutes for Medicine, Astronomy, Nuclear Physics, among others. Generally speaking, Heidelberg is an academic city with a long and rich history and is similar in many ways to cities such as Cambridge or Oxford (Heidelberg and Cambridge, England are twinned).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-htQTyiudGts/VCu9Yj7conI/AAAAAAAANZs/htnxj_zVy5s/s640/blogger-image--38666689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-htQTyiudGts/VCu9Yj7conI/AAAAAAAANZs/htnxj_zVy5s/s640/blogger-image--38666689.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">During WWII, the city was almost completely spared allied bombings which destroyed many of Germany's larger inner cities. As a result, Heidelberg has retained its baroque charm of narrow streets, picturesque houses and of course the world-famous Schloss (castle ruins). After World War II, the US Army built large barracks at the southern end of the city. Heidelberg's 147,000 inhabitants thus include not only 28,000 students at the university but also nearly 30,000 US citizens, almost all of them soldiers and their families. With hundreds of thousands of tourists flocking to the city annually, Heidelberg is truly a culturally diverse and international destination, despite its small size.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ep6Xtgctv74/VCs8fDgrbUI/AAAAAAAANY8/vYDb18V6E8U/s640/blogger-image-1096963940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ep6Xtgctv74/VCs8fDgrbUI/AAAAAAAANY8/vYDb18V6E8U/s640/blogger-image-1096963940.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Over the years, Heidelberg has attracted numerous artists, intellectuals and academics from all over Europe and has sometimes been referred to as Germany's unofficial intellectual capital. People who have lived and worked in the city include the poets Joseph von Eichendorff, Jean Paul, Goethe and Iqbal, scientists such as Bunsen and Kirchhoff, philosophers such as the founder of the "Illuminati" order von-Knigge, atheist Ludwig Feuerbach, existentialist Karl Jaspers, political theorist Hannah Arendt, architect Albert Speer, and many more. Mark Twain wrote in '<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A Tramp Abroad':</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..."<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Out of a billowy upheaval of vivid green foliage ...rises the huge ruin of Heidelberg Castle, with empty window arches, ivy-mailed battlements, moldering towers—the Lear of inanimate nature—deserted, discrowned, beaten by the storms, but royal still, and beautiful.</span>"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RPF9-bWt5tc/VCu-SNP_bxI/AAAAAAAANas/azGzvVo4JH8/s640/blogger-image-926708690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RPF9-bWt5tc/VCu-SNP_bxI/AAAAAAAANas/azGzvVo4JH8/s640/blogger-image-926708690.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We were here for a couple of hours before having to move on to our hotel for the next 3 nights, Hotel Maritim Titisee in the Black Forest.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i>Day 6</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i><br></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Today I had another day off and I was looking forward to it! I had champagne for breakfast whilst admiring the beautiful view over lake Titisee from the restaurant of our hotel. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ltr3fjg2OuU/VCs0f2sPOxI/AAAAAAAANYs/i2XtnXB8sAw/s640/blogger-image-1990780773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ltr3fjg2OuU/VCs0f2sPOxI/AAAAAAAANYs/i2XtnXB8sAw/s640/blogger-image-1990780773.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Titisee is a relatively new town having been developed after the late 1800's following the introduction of the railways, bringing tourists to the area. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This morning we were all booked on a boat trip around the lake which was a nice relaxing way to start the day. There was a very brief commentary on board the boat but in all honesty, there is very little to talk about, just the outstanding scenery to admire.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PFl7qYaYQXs/VCu_Auw7d1I/AAAAAAAANbc/VAgW6wbEM_o/s640/blogger-image--336983554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PFl7qYaYQXs/VCu_Auw7d1I/AAAAAAAANbc/VAgW6wbEM_o/s640/blogger-image--336983554.jpg"></a></div><br></div>After a cup of coffee with some of the passengers in a lake side cafe, we were all booked on the little town land train. This wasn't something I was particular excited about and I wasn't going to bother going but I am so glad I did.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our driver was Willie. He was a continental coach driver for 25 years before starting his business with his little land train. I asked if I could drive and he was very keen for me to sit up front. Little did I know his English wasn't very good and he quite promptly handed me the microphone for me to do the commentary! It was hard work trying to understand what he was trying to tell me but I think I got the general gist of what he was saying! Even if I wasn't quite accurate, it was better than no commentary at all.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He took us out of the town and up into the hills of the Black Forest where we could see the Black Forest highest mountain, Feldburg, the Austrian Alps and the Swiss Alps. He explained how the Black Forest is maintained at 70% with 25% farmlands and just 5% of the area being towns. It was a lovely scenic hour long ride and not at all what anyone expected.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pRKsU1j9I-0/VCmxBsKRttI/AAAAAAAANXo/uA9bN8tlkpI/s640/blogger-image-936774623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pRKsU1j9I-0/VCmxBsKRttI/AAAAAAAANXo/uA9bN8tlkpI/s640/blogger-image-936774623.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I spent some time cleaning and pottering around on the coach before having a really lazy afternoon, sitting on the lakeside terrace in the sun with a couple of glasses of Prosecco!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3KUEO9md6uI/VCu9g2nHcuI/AAAAAAAANZ0/YEvssO2KOz8/s640/blogger-image-1265546459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3KUEO9md6uI/VCu9g2nHcuI/AAAAAAAANZ0/YEvssO2KOz8/s640/blogger-image-1265546459.jpg"></a></div><br></div><b><i>Day 7</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i><br></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Today is the day I had been looking forward to most of all. A very scenic day of driving around the Black Forest with a few nice stops and we had lovely weather which was the icing on the cake.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This ancient mountain range is famous for its legends and the black fir trees that cover the landscape. While not particularly high, the mountains offer a wonderful place to go hiking or mountain biking. There are a few skiing resorts as well offering average but crowded conditions. Better to head south to the Alps if you are a serious skier or boarder. The Black Forest is a mountainous terrain at about 200 - 1,500 meters above sea level, the highest point being the <span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Feldberg</span> (the <span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">field mountain</span>) at 1,493 m.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The region is famous for its cuckoo clocks, watchmaking, skiing and tourism. There is a large high-tech light engineering industry in the region stemming from the gold-mining and watchmaking days.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our hotel had arranged for us to stop at an old mill for coffee and cake, Hexonlochmuhle. It was a lovely drive to get to it and well off the beaten track. At one point I was wandering where we were being sent, but it was a lovely stop.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bUxlXwft_BA/VCu95XAtFGI/AAAAAAAANaM/CClAHKqM_3U/s640/blogger-image-853857180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bUxlXwft_BA/VCu95XAtFGI/AAAAAAAANaM/CClAHKqM_3U/s640/blogger-image-853857180.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We were served up with the most enormous pieces of Black Forest Gateaux which was absolutely delicious. From here we headed for Triberg after a couple of stops for photo opportunities. The first was just in a layby on the side of the road at the top off a hill, looking down the valley.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-goG0V0Harg8/VCu9o4mtfJI/AAAAAAAANZ8/OxWMJKMYuLo/s640/blogger-image--1086154961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-goG0V0Harg8/VCu9o4mtfJI/AAAAAAAANZ8/OxWMJKMYuLo/s640/blogger-image--1086154961.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our second photo stop was at the Cuckoo Clock which is in the Guinness book of records for being the worlds largest. We arrived just in time to see it strike 1 o'clock when there was a very un impressive, solitary, 'cuckoo'!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-w_xR5vfZvrQ/VCu-YbxZ87I/AAAAAAAANa0/4bwARpOpPXw/s640/blogger-image--937463043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-w_xR5vfZvrQ/VCu-YbxZ87I/AAAAAAAANa0/4bwARpOpPXw/s640/blogger-image--937463043.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then we moved on to Triberg, where we spent a couple of hours. This little city is famous for its waterfall and cuckoo clocks and relies completely on tourism. It is a very pretty place built on a steep hill but a few hours is a long enough time to spend here.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9yeO-SIEVu0/VCu-xVOvydI/AAAAAAAANbM/QObHBxBjCGY/s640/blogger-image-405029094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9yeO-SIEVu0/VCu-xVOvydI/AAAAAAAANbM/QObHBxBjCGY/s640/blogger-image-405029094.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We left here and headed directly back to our hotel for a couple of hours rest before getting back on the coach and going out for our traditional German meal with folk entertainment.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9gahbU8FJrg/VCu9-HplrWI/AAAAAAAANaU/iwhXqn6ahnc/s640/blogger-image-539912117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9gahbU8FJrg/VCu9-HplrWI/AAAAAAAANaU/iwhXqn6ahnc/s640/blogger-image-539912117.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We were all given silly hats to wear and there were a lot of procussion instruments handed around for us to join in with the traditional music and singing. We had a 5 course meal served which was lovely, although, apart from more Black Forest gateaux, I couldn't tell you what we ate! It was an evening of great fun which everyone got involved in and enjoyed. We got back to the hotel at about half past 10 where I sat in the bar and enjoyed a glass of beer before bed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i>Day 8</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i><br></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Well this morning we checked out of our hotel and started our long journey back to the UK, but not before visiting Freiburg and staying for some lunch. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZitKweCIm18/VCu-gFo8dXI/AAAAAAAANa8/fzdphYAmWYY/s640/blogger-image-244090932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZitKweCIm18/VCu-gFo8dXI/AAAAAAAANa8/fzdphYAmWYY/s640/blogger-image-244090932.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lying in a secluded wine-rich corner of the German state of </span><a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Baden-W%C3%BCrttemberg" title="Baden-Württemberg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Baden-Württemberg</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, Freiburg is a laid-back, beautiful university city. Known throughout Germany for Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, good weather, and vineyards, Freiburg is considered by Germans to be a desirable place to live.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Due to its secluded location at the border triangle of Germany, France, and Switzerland, and being fairly removed from any other larger German cities, locals will frequently go shopping in France and Switzerland for their respective native products and go to museums and theaters in Basel or </span><a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Z%C3%BCrich" title="Zürich" class="mw-redirect" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Zürich</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. You can find a strong local patriotism, which shows itself in the anthem of Baden (a former independent state), which can be heard more often than the national anthem.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OucSN6EOyrE/VCs8xQ7N7TI/AAAAAAAANZM/DU67ebYtb6w/s640/blogger-image-92625431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OucSN6EOyrE/VCs8xQ7N7TI/AAAAAAAANZM/DU67ebYtb6w/s640/blogger-image-92625431.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After staying long enough for some lunch, we hit the road to Metz for our overnight stay. Tomorrow we will be racing for our ferry and arriving home at about 9pm. A day purely of travelling.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In my opinion, this tour has been a great success. We have had a great group of passengers who have all got along, joined in and looked out for each other. Our hotels have been good and we've been well fed. To top it off, we've had great weather from start to finish. Another good job done!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DPZUcgbMKjQ/VCu9vNuhLII/AAAAAAAANaE/G8GzNNZvIbc/s640/blogger-image--1675049007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DPZUcgbMKjQ/VCu9vNuhLII/AAAAAAAANaE/G8GzNNZvIbc/s640/blogger-image--1675049007.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-18020371344788144592014-09-15T15:17:00.001+01:002014-09-15T17:34:11.439+01:00Irish MelodyI have just returned from my new favourite part of Ireland, County Mayo, Galway and the Connemara National Park.<div><br></div><div><b><i>Day 1</i></b></div><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>The feeder vehicles brought my passengers in ready to leave for 7am. It was nice to see so many familiar faces. We had a very straight forward day today as far as I was concerned. I had been given more than enough time to make a comfortable journey to Holyhead where we were booked on the 1350 hrs sailing of Irish Ferries,Ulysses. We were loaded on to the ship early and I had finished my lunch before we had sailed out of Port. I spent the rest of the crossing enjoying the peace and comfort of a cabin. And yes, it would have been rude to not make use of the bunk and have a little snooze!</div><div><br></div><div>We arrived in the port of Dublin at 1730 hrs and travelled the short journey to our overnight stay, the Johnstown House Hotel, Enfield, County Meath. Well! What a hotel! I do not have one bad thing to say about any aspect of our stay in this hotel.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PM5tr8akDeU/VBb0cc8ovvI/AAAAAAAAMuY/up8b-gXUVR0/s640/blogger-image-1243136373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PM5tr8akDeU/VBb0cc8ovvI/AAAAAAAAMuY/up8b-gXUVR0/s640/blogger-image-1243136373.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The rooms were large, bright and airy with large bathrooms and they are all the same so there is no chance of getting a bad room. Our evening meal was scrumptuous. We had 6 choices of each course, every dish that was served was obviously someone taking pride in their work. All the staff were extremely helpful, professional and efficient. There was not one thing that we had to chase up. It was an absolute pleasure to stay at this hotel and the bar has been raised for our hotel for the main stay of our tour! </div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Day 2</i></b></div><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>We had a nice leisurely start this morning after a lovely breakfast and it was going to be another easy day for me. We were heading to Strokestown Park, House and Garden, and Famine Museum, County Roscommon, which was only an hour and a half journey. </div><div><br></div><div>When we arrived, we were met by our guide, James, who gave a quick welcome to the park and gave us time for a quick comfort break before our introductory guided tour of the Famine Museum. And it WAS only an introduction. A very brief summary as we walked through each room. There was an awful lot of reading material throughout the museum that we weren't given time to look at. We were being rushed through and I soon realised why.</div><div><br></div><div>There were a lot of coach groups visiting here this morning and the house is quite small. Each group had a time slot for their guide around the house which was why we were rushed through the museum, to make the house at our allocated time.</div><div><br></div><div><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Great Irish famine of the 1840′s is now regarded as the single greatest social disaster of 19th century Europe. Between 1845 and 1850, when blight devastated the potato crop, in excess of two million people – almost one-quarter of the entire population – either died or emigrated.</span></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Famine Museum is located in the original Stable Yards of Strokestown Park House. It was designed to commemorate the history of the famine of Ireland and in some way to balance the history of the 'Big House'.</span></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Whereas the landlord class had the resources to leave an indelible mark on the landscape, the Irish tenants lived in poverty and nothing of a physical nature has survived to commemorate their lives. The Famine Museum uses the unique documents that were discovered in the estate office, dealing with the administration of the estate during the tenure of the Mahon family. This collection includes many haunting pleas from starving tenants on the estate and the response they received.</span></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Museum also has a strong educational focus and seeks to create a greater awareness of the horrors of contemporary famine by demonstrating the link between the causes of the Great Irish Famine of the 1840′s and the ongoing spectacle of famine in the developing world today. The Famine Museum was opened in 1994 by the then President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, and she said 'More than anything else, this Famine Museum shows us that history is not about power or triumph nearly so often as it is about suffering and vulnerability'.</span></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7mq7LMSZqt0/VBb0vmlNknI/AAAAAAAAMvA/tBCv3jo8pM0/s640/blogger-image-1334230846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7mq7LMSZqt0/VBb0vmlNknI/AAAAAAAAMvA/tBCv3jo8pM0/s640/blogger-image-1334230846.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p></div><div><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Strokestown Park was built by Thomas Mahon MP (1701-1782) on lands which had been granted to his grandfather, Nicholas, in the latter half of the 17th century for his support in the British colonial campaign. It was the family home of the Mahon family until 1979 when the house, in an advanced state of disrepair, along with what remained of the estate, was purchased by a local company, Westward Garage, who needed some extra land to expand their business.</span></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Their initial intention was to keep the few acres they needed to expand their business and to sell on the remainder of the estate to recoup their finances. At that stage Westward was a young emerging company, with limited cash resources.</span></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">However, when they spent some time in the house and saw what was there, they decided that Strokestown Park was far too important from a heritage point of view to risk losing it. They negotiated a deal with the Mahon family to ensure that virtually all of the original furnishings would remain at Strokestown Park. They also pleaded with the family to leave behind the documents that remained in the estate office. By doing so they had ensured the salvation of a huge part of the heritage of County Roscommon, particularly relating to the great famine of Ireland.</span></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OEHXDFMkaEg/VBb0tg95yyI/AAAAAAAAMu4/fF-9DbLEEvc/s640/blogger-image-1447699973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OEHXDFMkaEg/VBb0tg95yyI/AAAAAAAAMu4/fF-9DbLEEvc/s640/blogger-image-1447699973.jpg"></a></div>The first public role for the house was when it was used for the making of the film 'Anne Devlin', based on the 1798 Rising, in 1984. What then followed was a "restoration project of such enthusiasm and energy that it was to be acknowledged as the single best private restoration in the history of the state".<p></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The house was opened to the public in 1987 and is unique in that it affords visitors the opportunity to browse through the public rooms on professionally guided tours, surrounded by the original furnishings of the house. The House is unchanged from the time when the Mahons lived there, as evidenced by photographs which can be seen in the house.</span></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Personally, I thought the inside of the house was an absolute disgrace. There were holes in the furniture where the mice had got to it. The carpets were all thread bare from having so many people walking over them and the excuse for leaving them was that they were original. The same with the curtains. Every time we were taken into a room I was asked to close the door behind us and in one room, the door knob fell off in my hand! The photographer who did the promo shots on the inside of this house was very good because the place is nothing like the advertisements suggest. The whole house was dirty and smelly and an accident waiting to happen! </span></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">The famine museum is well worth a visit but do it self guided so you can take as much time as you need. I don't recommend visiting the house, nor the garden, unless you like looking at weeds! It seems to me that the owners have no interest or enthusiasm to restore the property to what it was and that so long as it funds itself, that is good enough. Quite disappointing. The cafe however, was very good!</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">We stayed long enough for lunch and to revisit the museum before we were back on the coach and making our way to Westport and the Castle Court Hotel, which would be our base for the next 4 nights.</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">I had been warned about the access and parking for the coach at this hotel but I wasn't expecting it to be quite so ridiculous! I can see it will be fun and games every day trying to get in and parked. </div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">I had a nice room in this hotel and the food was good but it is no comparison to our hotel last night! Everyone settled in quickly and enjoyed dinner before most of our group moved to the bar for the live music. Unfortunately it wasn't traditional Irish, it was American folk, but it still created a good atmosphere.</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><b><i>Day 3</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><b><i><br></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">Today is the day I have been looking forward to. We have a day of scenic driving around Connemara and Joyce Country with a visit to Kylemore Abbey and a short time in Cong. We had a lot to fit in today but we had the weather on our side, not a cloud in the sky. The views today should be outstanding.</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">We left the hotel and straight away headed for the Connemara National Park and drove the Connemara Loop, County Galway, which is part of the Wild Atlantic Way.</div><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"Follow the Loop and be taken on a journey through an ever changing landscape of majestic mountains, spectacular beaches, the wild Atlantic, mist covered lakes, pre-historic bogs and shady glens. A landscape peppered with quaint but lively villages where all the convenience of the modern day is available alongside an opportunity to step back in time to a more relaxed and friendly era."</span></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AkYrSa0ZZrQ/VBb0rat_qdI/AAAAAAAAMuw/DlToZwl5DO0/s640/blogger-image--709352318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AkYrSa0ZZrQ/VBb0rat_qdI/AAAAAAAAMuw/DlToZwl5DO0/s640/blogger-image--709352318.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">We drove around the loop in a clockwise direction in order to arrive at Kylemore Abbey at an appropriate time to also have lunch.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box;">Kylemore Abbey</span> is a </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_St._Benedict" title="Order of St. Benedict" class="mw-redirect" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Benedictine</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">monastery founded in 1920 on the grounds of Kylemore Castle.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> The abbey was founded for</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedictine" title="Benedictine" class="mw-redirect" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Benedictine Nuns</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> who fled Belgium in World War I.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Kylemore Castle was built as a private home for the family of </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitchell_Henry" title="Mitchell Henry" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Mitchell Henry</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, a wealthy doctor from London whose family was involved in textile manufacturing in</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester" title="Manchester" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Manchester</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, England. He moved to Ireland when he and his wife Margaret purchased the land around the Abbey. He became a politician, becoming an</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> MP </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">for County Galway from 1871 to 1885. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Construction first began in 1867, and took one hundred men four years to complete. There were 33 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 4 sitting rooms, a ballroom, billiard room, library, study, school room, smoking room, gun room and various offices and domestic staff residences for the butler, cook, housekeeper and other servants. Other buildings include a Gothic cathedral and family mausoleum containing the bodies of Margaret Henry, Mitchell Henry and a great grand-nephew.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Abbey remained in Henry's estate after he returned to England. The castle was sold to the Duke and Duchess of Manchester in 1909, who resided there for several years before being forced to sell the house and grounds because of gambling debts. In 1920 the Irish Benedictine Nuns purchased the Abbey castle and lands after they were forced to flee Ypres, Belgium during World War I. The nuns, who had been based in Ypres for several hundred years, had been bombed out of their Abbey during World War I. The nuns continued to offer education to Catholic girls, opening an international boarding school and establishing a day school for local girls. They were forced to close the school in June 2010.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UDzzYncSkJA/VBb00flR0aI/AAAAAAAAMvI/HuLToX_deMw/s640/blogger-image--1378656666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UDzzYncSkJA/VBb00flR0aI/AAAAAAAAMvI/HuLToX_deMw/s640/blogger-image--1378656666.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Estate includes large walled Victorian Gardens. Since the 1970s these have been open for public tours and 'nature' walks. The Benedictine community has restored the Abbey's gardens and Cathedral with donations and local artisans in order to be a self-sustaining estate. Unfortunately, I ran out of time before seeing everything, still so much more to see today!</span><p></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We had stayed here for 2 1/2hrs before more scenic driving this afternoon through Joyce Country. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Joyce Country lies west of the </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lough_Mask" title="Lough Mask" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Lough Mask</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> area, beyond the isthmus; a hilly region in the north of County Galway, extending into the southern part of County Mayo, traversed by green valleys and lonely roads which takes its name from a Welsh</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> family who settled here in the 13th century during the reign of Edward I. Many people with the name Joyce still live there. The writer </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Joyce" title="James Joyce" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">James Joyce</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> carries the family name although he was born in Dublin in 1882.</span></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8V8vjFiI-X0/VBb04yp033I/AAAAAAAAMvQ/gOz7ndDLtdU/s640/blogger-image--1407615861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8V8vjFiI-X0/VBb04yp033I/AAAAAAAAMvQ/gOz7ndDLtdU/s640/blogger-image--1407615861.jpg"></a></div><br></div>There exists a Joyce Country Mountain and Lake District which covers the area south of Lough Mask, including the communities from Clonbur to Maam, Cloghbrack and Finney. Some sources include the balance of the isthmus, extending the region to Cong, Cross and The Neale.<p></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8sY5U4hOPBI/VBb0hIxibMI/AAAAAAAAMug/rE-d1TD3EAE/s640/blogger-image-937470426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8sY5U4hOPBI/VBb0hIxibMI/AAAAAAAAMug/rE-d1TD3EAE/s640/blogger-image-937470426.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We stopped in the little town of Cong, famous for the film 'The Quiet Man'. </div>Cong is situated on an island formed by a number of streams that surround it on all sides. Cong is located on the isthmus connecting Loughs Corrib and <a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lough_Mask" title="Lough Mask" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Mask</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, near the towns of </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headford" title="Headford" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Headford</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballinrobe" title="Ballinrobe" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Ballinrobe</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> and the villages of </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neale,_County_Mayo" title="Neale, County Mayo" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Neale</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> and Cross</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</span><p></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cong is known for its underground streams that connect Lough Corrib with </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lough_Mask" title="Lough Mask" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Lough Mask</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">to the north. It was also the home of</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wilde" title="William Wilde" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Sir William Wilde</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, historian and father to prominent playwright, novelist, poet, and short story writer</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Wilde" title="Oscar Wilde" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Oscar Wilde</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XeEbrzzh0p8/VBb0jZObnZI/AAAAAAAAMuo/dYOknAaB9dk/s640/blogger-image-1081605061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XeEbrzzh0p8/VBb0jZObnZI/AAAAAAAAMuo/dYOknAaB9dk/s640/blogger-image-1081605061.jpg"></a></div><p></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cong is the home of </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashford_Castle" title="Ashford Castle" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Ashford Castle</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, one of Ireland's finest hotels, converted from a Victorian faux lakeside</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> castle</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, built by the Guinness family and is a tourist attraction in its own right. Cong also has a fine example of a ruined medieval abbey,</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Cong Abbey</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, where</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruaidr%C3%AD_Ua_Conchobair" title="Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Rory O'Connor</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, the last High King of Ireland, is buried. It also is the origin of</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_art" title="Celtic art" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Celtic art</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">in the form of a metal cross shrine called the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_of_Cong" title="Cross of Cong" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Cross of Cong</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. The 'Cross of Cong' is now held in the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_Ireland" title="National Museum of Ireland" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">National Museum of Ireland</font></a><font color="#000000" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, Dublin</span></font><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">. There is a High Cross in the village.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ozwkLFPF_6s/VBb07D1UGMI/AAAAAAAAMvY/Fat-k5o6ccc/s640/blogger-image--1275206999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ozwkLFPF_6s/VBb07D1UGMI/AAAAAAAAMvY/Fat-k5o6ccc/s640/blogger-image--1275206999.jpg"></a></div><p></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cong was the filming location for </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ford" title="John Ford" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">John Ford's</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">1952</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Oscar</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">-winning film,</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The Quiet Man</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">featuring</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> John Wayne</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">,</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maureen_O%27Hara" title="Maureen O'Hara" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Maureen O'Hara</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Fitzgerald" title="Barry Fitzgerald" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Barry Fitzgerald</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">. Much of the movie was filmed on the grounds of Ashford Castle. The town and castle area remain little changed since 1952, and Cong's connection with the movie make it a tourist attraction. (The movie is still celebrated by the local "Quiet Man Fan Club").</span></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">From Cong we travelled directly back to our hotel after a long but thoroughly enjoyable, outstandingly beautiful day.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i>Day 4</i></b></span></font></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><br></i></b></span></font></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Today is a day off for me and a free day in Westport. I was hoping to get on a boat trip today but the tides are wrong and there is nothing going until much later in the day which I'm a little disappointed about missing. I still went for a walk down to Westport Quay, following the Greenway to get there, before walking back through Westport town. It made my legs ache!</span></font></p><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></p><p id="u5009-4" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The earliest settled habitation of the Westport area was approximately 5000years ago which is reflected in the many megalithic monuments found on the Clew Bay Archeological Trail. In the 16th Century Westport or Cathair na Mart as it is known in the Irish language was an important stronghold for the O Malley Clan. An infamous Pirate Queen called Grace O Malley held control of the fortress in Westport as well as many other sites along the shores of Clew Bay.</span></p><p id="u5009-5" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p id="u5009-7" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the 17th century the Browne Family moved to Westport and built a home on the site of the O Malley Fortress. In 1730 they employed a famous German architect called Mr. Richard Cassels to design the magnificent building of Westport House and interestingly the dungeons of the old O Malley fortress can still be seen on a visit to Westport House.</span></p><p id="u5009-8" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p id="u5009-10" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The village of Westport originally consisted of thatched cabins and was situated on the front lawn of Westport House with a high street and little alleys leading down to the Carrowbeg River. In the mid 18th century Sir John Browne decided to relocate the village 1500m inland to its current position and contracted the architect William Leeson to plan the town. A proposal announcing the new town of Westport appeared in the Dublin Journal, March 1767.</span></p><p id="u5009-11" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p id="u5009-13" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In 1800 Sir John Denis Browne, Lord Sligo embarked on the ambitious plans of developing the Mall on both sides of the Carrowbeg River. It consists of 400m of tree lined boulevards, with two cascades and had three crossings of stone arched bridges. The buildings on both sides of the Mall were built in wonderful Georgian character and many remain intact to this day.</span></p><p id="u5009-13" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-otkJXQzPzZY/VBcCy5kDWoI/AAAAAAAAMvw/dj4mlNE_x1k/s640/blogger-image--1548395234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-otkJXQzPzZY/VBcCy5kDWoI/AAAAAAAAMvw/dj4mlNE_x1k/s640/blogger-image--1548395234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-otkJXQzPzZY/VBcCy5kDWoI/AAAAAAAAMvw/dj4mlNE_x1k/s640/blogger-image--1548395234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tzHc87Ipc58/VBcPtBtje-I/AAAAAAAAMyc/p448aMqou6k/s640/blogger-image-225522366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tzHc87Ipc58/VBcPtBtje-I/AAAAAAAAMyc/p448aMqou6k/s640/blogger-image-225522366.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div>Westport is the third largest town in Mayo with an urban population of 5,000. It hosts a remarkable natural and built environment combined with a vibrant, friendly resident population which enables the delivery of quality tourism products. The site of the town offers visitors an opportunity to experience a well maintained urban setting on the banks of the beautiful Carrabawn River in addition to a bustling Quay area on the shores of Clew Bay. The topography and biodiversity of the Westport’s environs provides for spectacular scenery which enables visitors to the area to capture a real sense of the heritage and landscape. The town has won numerous awards which justly reflect the efforts of local community groups.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HU9ji9iFxUs/VBcDuUolUHI/AAAAAAAAMwA/gDAj3x1Kzyo/s640/blogger-image-1264659428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HU9ji9iFxUs/VBcDuUolUHI/AAAAAAAAMwA/gDAj3x1Kzyo/s640/blogger-image-1264659428.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At lunch time I indulged myself with a glass of the black stuff! In the afternoon I took advantage of the Spa and Leisure facilities at the hotel and lounged in the jacuzzi for a while!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SSl_HyWc1kg/VBcDrdI3B1I/AAAAAAAAMv4/auiU03tAnBg/s640/blogger-image--1115545374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SSl_HyWc1kg/VBcDrdI3B1I/AAAAAAAAMv4/auiU03tAnBg/s640/blogger-image--1115545374.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Day 5</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i><br></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today we have a local guide joining us on board the coach to take us around Achill Island. We had another day of beautiful weather and breathtaking scenery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="box_container" style="margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; clear: both; width: 754px; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.235294); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><div class="box_50" style="margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; float: left; width: 369px;"></div></div></div></div><p></p><p style="text-align: start; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Achill has a long history of human settlement and there is evidence that Achill was inhabited as many as 5,000 years ago. Megalithic tombs testifying to this can be seen at Slievemore and there is a signposted walk to one of these tombs nearby McDowell's Hotel. The remains of promontory forts from the Iron Age have been found along the Atlantic Drive and on Achill Beg Island.</span></p><p style="text-align: start; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ErZx-_Cjm-8/VBcCw4Wc2SI/AAAAAAAAMvo/vxe88nhmnH4/s640/blogger-image-1822370347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ErZx-_Cjm-8/VBcCw4Wc2SI/AAAAAAAAMvo/vxe88nhmnH4/s640/blogger-image-1822370347.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p style="text-align: start; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We spent the morning on the Atlantic Drive, also part of the Wild Atlantic Way. I just can't put into words how amazingly stunning the scenery was.</span></p><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eMXrWME4guY/VBcP5pIa7AI/AAAAAAAAMys/TGlP-JaST-g/s640/blogger-image--1544091298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eMXrWME4guY/VBcP5pIa7AI/AAAAAAAAMys/TGlP-JaST-g/s640/blogger-image--1544091298.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our guide had booked us into a pub for lunch where we were all very well fed before spending the afternoon driving out to Keem Beach where we literally came to the end of the road.</span><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5_pgd9dyH84/VBcPfPkBASI/AAAAAAAAMyU/s7P5pombLiQ/s640/blogger-image--1113063821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5_pgd9dyH84/VBcPfPkBASI/AAAAAAAAMyU/s7P5pombLiQ/s640/blogger-image--1113063821.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After leaving the beach, one of our passengers requested that we visit the deserted village. </span><span style="text-align: justify; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Close by Dugort, at the base of Slievemore mountain lies the Deserted Village. The village is divided into three areas called Tuar, Tuar Riabach and Faiche, and there are approximately 80 houses in the village.</span></div></div><p></p><p style="margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p style="text-align: start; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The atmosphere of the Deserted Village is unique; it's remoteness; a feeling of almost intruding on those who lived there; a sense of the frugality of life in such a place and time and the overall air of mystery; who were they, why did they settle here, how did they survive and why did they leave?</span></p><p style="text-align: start; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The houses were built of unmortared stone, which means that no cement or mortar was used to hold the stones together. Each house consisted of just one room and this room was used as kitchen, living room, bedroom and even stable. While one or two houses may have had a small stable built on to the end of the house, most families had to share their house with the cows and other livestock, who would be brought into the house at night and tied at one end. Inside the house, a shallow channel or drain in the floor would lead in to a manure pit outside the house.</span></p><p style="text-align: start; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Pq5bpabZmMM/VBcP-_c5pjI/AAAAAAAAMy8/O8fyCOwjh8A/s640/blogger-image-610291953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Pq5bpabZmMM/VBcP-_c5pjI/AAAAAAAAMy8/O8fyCOwjh8A/s640/blogger-image-610291953.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">It had been another fantastic day today. We weren't restricted by timings anywhere and just spent as much or as little time that we wanted. County Mayo and Connemara are my new favourite areas of Ireland. </div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><b><i>Day 6</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><b><i><br></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">This morning we are leaving Westport. We stopped for a coffee in the town of Longford before today's visit at Belvedere House.</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Belvedere estate today is a very important example of cultural built heritage that has been transformed into a tourism asset of national importance for the region. Currently attracting over 160'000 visitors a year the estate is a multi faceted tourism/leisure site with a diverse range of uses throughout the year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A day visitor to Belvedere gets to explore the restored Belvedere House, Victorian Walled Garden and rolling parkland with it's numerous follies. Belvedere can be a place of quiet contemplation and also a bustling, vibrant, colourful place with the many events held here, it is a place resonant of the past but relevant to the future.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The historic role of the Big House in Ireland was one of dominance and exclusion. The Houses were hidden away behind high walls designed to keep people out and were surrounded by idyllic landscaped grounds for the enjoyment of the few. Now days a big house such as Belvedere (stature not size) in public ownership the aim is for inclusion not exclusion. As well as normal tourism business Belvedere works closely with providing access to large numbers of community based projects, sports clubs, art groups and local initiatives.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IbaK6eCzNk4/VBcP8aTTLBI/AAAAAAAAMy0/jDOZvJLNVfo/s640/blogger-image-929088004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IbaK6eCzNk4/VBcP8aTTLBI/AAAAAAAAMy0/jDOZvJLNVfo/s640/blogger-image-929088004.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The house was initially built by Robert Rochfort as a retreat, having incarcerated his wife in their previous home at Gaulstown, for an alleged affair with his brother Arthur. Arthur was later put on trial and fined £20,000 which he could not pay. Arthur spent 18 years in debtors' prison in Dublin but was released upon Robert's death. Robert built the Jealous Wall after falling out with his brother George, who lived on the adjacent estate at Tudenham. His wife was only released on his death in 1774, after 31 years of being locked away.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The estate passed to his son </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Augustus_Rochfort" title="George Augustus Rochfort" class="mw-redirect" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">George Augustus Rochfort</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, the 2nd Earl. He was MP for</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westmeath_(Parliament_of_Ireland_constituency)" title="Westmeath (Parliament of Ireland constituency)" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Westmeath</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">from 1761 to 1776 and</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Sheriff_of_Westmeath" title="High Sheriff of Westmeath" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">High Sheriff of Westmeath</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> for 1762. He left for England in 1798 and died in 1814. When his widow died in 1828, Belvedere passed to her grandson Brinsley Butler, 4th Earl of Lanesborough. He rarely visited Belvedere and it was subsequently inherited on his death by his cousin Charles Brinsley Marlay in 1847.</span></div><br></div><p></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Charles moved into the house and during his time there was responsible for the alteration of the Diocletian windows on the upper façade and for the addition of the terracing. He commissioned Ninian Niven, curator of the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, to draw up plans for the Victorian walled garden.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the period following the second world war </span><a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Howard-Bury" title="Charles Howard-Bury" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Charles Howard-Bury</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, a soldier and mountaineer, restored the house and gardens. He never married and on his death in 1963 the estate was inherited by Rex Beaumont. Rex had been Howard-Bury's friend and companion for 30 years and sold the estate to Westmeath County Council in 1982. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Following a multi-million pound restoration the house and gardens have been opened to visitors.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We left here, heading for our overnight hotel, The Stillorgan Park Hotel. Another very nice, comfortable hotel which serves very good food. One thing with coming to Ireland is that you will never go hungry. There is always plenty of food!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i>Day 7</i></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i><br></i></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">An early start this morning for our early morning sailing from Dublin to Holyhead. We left the hotel at 0630 and pointed out a few of the sights as we drove across the centre of the city to the port. It was another beautiful morning and it looked like we'd be having a smooth crossing.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Pa1UkMddrV8/VBcPx2MzHQI/AAAAAAAAMyk/pVAL3b0cnec/s640/blogger-image-850027778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Pa1UkMddrV8/VBcPx2MzHQI/AAAAAAAAMyk/pVAL3b0cnec/s640/blogger-image-850027778.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had breakfast booked for the whole group on the ferry. Once again I had finished eating before we left port and I went straight back to bed! After a couple of hours sleep and a shower we were back in Holyhead and heading for home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have really enjoyed this week and would love to return to the west of Ireland. Another successful tour delivered!</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div></div><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-53085574914030863192014-08-21T13:58:00.001+01:002014-08-24T20:45:29.869+01:00Edinburgh Tattoo, 2014I'm off to Bonny Scotland for five days with the highlight of the tour being a visit to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. This will be my seventh consecutive year of taking this tour so by now, I should have it pretty much stitched up and know what I'm doing!<div><br></div><div><b><i>Day 1</i></b></div><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>We hit the road at 7:30 am with a very pleasant group of relatively young, fit and active people. We set off up the motorway and had a comfort stop at motorway services before our lunch stop at Gretna Green Old Blacksmiths Shop. For a change, it wasn't too busy with hundreds of other coaches so it was a much nicer environment to be browsing the shops and having lunch than I have seen before, although there is never a problem with coping with large numbers of people. I have written about the Old Blacksmiths Shop in previous blogs so I won't bore you with it again.</div><div><br></div><div>After lunch we hit the road again and made our way to our 'surprise' visit of the day, the Falkirk Wheel. The Falkirk Wheel is an amazing feat of engineering based on a very simple idea. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-l8ZrtqNfrB4/U_Xs6exTBsI/AAAAAAAAL2w/-Fwdlt9NJaU/s640/blogger-image--1794786781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-l8ZrtqNfrB4/U_Xs6exTBsI/AAAAAAAAL2w/-Fwdlt9NJaU/s640/blogger-image--1794786781.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="introduction"><p style="margin: 12px 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Falkirk Wheel lies at the end of a reinforced concrete aqueduct that connects, via the Roughcastle tunnel and a double staircase lock, to the Union Canal. Boats entering the Wheel's upper gondola are lowered, along with the water that they float in, to the basin below. At the same time, an equal weight rises up, lifted in the other gondola.</span></p></div><div class="pagebodytext"><p style="margin: 12px 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This works on the Archimedes principle of displacement. That is, the mass of the boat sailing into the gondola will displace an exactly proportional volume of water so that the final combination of 'boat plus water' balances the original total mass.</span></p><p style="margin: 12px 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Each gondola runs on small wheels that fit into a single curved rail fixed on the inner edge of the opening on each arm. In theory, this should be sufficient to ensure that they always remain horizontal, but any friction or sudden movement could cause the gondola to stick or tilt. To ensure that this could never happen and that the water and boats always remain perfectly level throughout the whole cycle, a series of linked cogs acts as a back up.</span></p><p style="margin: 12px 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hidden at each end, behind the arm nearest the aqueduct, are two 8m diameter cogs to which one end of each gondola is attached. A third, exactly equivalent sized cog is in the centre, attached to the main fixed upright. Two smaller cogs are fitted in the spaces between, with each cog having teeth that fit into the adjacent cog and push against each other, turning around the one fixed central one. The two gondolas, being attached to the outer cogs, will therefore turn at precisely the same speed, but in the opposite direction to the Wheel.</span></p><p style="margin: 12px 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Given the precise balancing of the gondolas and this simple but clever system of cogs, a very small amount of energy is actually then required to turn the Wheel. In fact, it is a group of ten hydraulic motors located within the central spine that provide the small amount, just 1.5kWh, of electricity to turn it.</span></p><p style="margin: 12px 0px;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Despite the magnificence of this structure, the main attraction for the majority of visitors here today, was the presence of Freddie Flintoff, promoting his fish and chips at 'Flintoff's Fish Bar'!</span></font></p><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rmJimxSsU48/U_Xs9Bp-UHI/AAAAAAAAL24/pQiEWfowrXw/s640/blogger-image-1758286892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rmJimxSsU48/U_Xs9Bp-UHI/AAAAAAAAL24/pQiEWfowrXw/s640/blogger-image-1758286892.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;">The passengers thoroughly enjoyed their surprise visit here! From here we went directly to our hotel, the Best Western Plus Keavil House Hotel.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;">On our arrival, we were met by the same manager who has been at the hotel in previous years, unfortunately, he has never got any better and all he sees to be successful in is causing chaos so, as usual, we bypassed him and dealt directly with the staff. They are all so friendly and welcoming and willing to please that in no time at all we were checked in and all cases were delivered to rooms. I was just about to park the coach up when I was called back into the reception and informed that I was being shipped out to the hotel down the road, along with the driver of the other coach which is staying here tonight. This was because, although both of us drivers are booked in stay at this hotel, they seem to think it is acceptable to sell our rooms to others and farm us out somewhere else! I was not best pleased! I used the shower facilities in the spa before dinner. We had a nice meal and a pleasant evening, then the hotel called me a taxi to my accommodation down the road.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;">I checked in and went to my room which was spacious and newly refurbished but in desperate need of a good clean. I have nicknamed the place, 'the grot hole'!</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;"><b><i>Day 2</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;"><b><i><br></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;">I had arranged to have breakfast with the other driver at the grot hole this morning before we caught a taxi back to the Keavil House. My group were taking the mick because I had had breakfast with a strange man!</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;">I had a coffee with my group while they had breakfast then went to prepare the coach for today's excursion, which was to Scone Palace.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Scone Palace has an exciting and colourful history. Fifteen hundred years ago it was the capital of the Picts. In the intervening centuries, it has been the seat of parliaments and the crowning place of the Kings of Scots, including Macbeth and Robert The Bruce. It houses an outstanding collection of antiques, paintings and rare artifacts and the grounds are renowned throughout the world.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Poised above the River Tay, Scone Palace overlooks the routes north to the Highlands and east through Strathmore to the coast. The Grampian mountains form a distant backdrop, and across the river stands the city of Perth.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We had a guided tour of the palace before time for lunch and exploring the grounds. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At 2pm we left for today's 'surprise' visit. A scenic drive around Loch Leven before stopping at the RSPB Loch Leven Reserve for a coffee stop.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">On an island in the middle of the Loch is Loch Leven Castle. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This late 14th or early 15th century tower was the setting for the most traumatic year in the life of Mary Queen of Scots. It was here in 1567 that she was imprisoned and forced to abdicate before her dramatic escape a year later.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Some of our group had been for a walk, others were very interested in the conservation of the area and had spent a lot of time talking to the rangers, while the rest sat in the cafe behind the panoramic window and took in the view of the Loch with the backdrop of the Lomond Hills. After an hour here we returned back to our hotel.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I had decided I would walk back to the grot hole to get a shower and change before getting a taxi back for dinner. Just as I started walking, the heavens opened and by the time I got back I was looking like a drowned rat! I jumped in the shower and it wasn't until I looked for the hair dryer that I realised there wasn't one! So I arrived at dinner feeling half ready with wet hair! We had another pleasant meal but to be honest, seeing as this hotel boasts an award winning restaurant, I found the menu quite boring and disappointing. Must be another menu dumbed down for a coach group. I have never been able to understand why, hotels especially, drop their standards just because they are dealing with a large group. Our food has been nice but certainly not award winning and our menu is certainly very different from that for private guests. But the thing that has been noticed most in this hotel is the extortionate prices for a drink. I don't think I know of anywhere as expensive as this.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i>Day 3</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><br></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">This morning, I checked out of the grot hole and was told that my luggage would be in my room when we returned this evening.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We have a very busy day ahead of us today in Edinburgh. We left our hotel at 11am and made our way to the centre of Edinburgh to meet our guide, Bill Hill, who would be getting on the coach and showing us the city. I've worked with Bill every time I have done this tour. He always gives an informative, enjoyable tour with the right balance of history and humour and the passengers have always thoroughly enjoyed him, today was no exception. As always he was great. He told me how he had been on the telly since I last saw him, telling the story of Greyfriars Bobby. And how he was being kept busy due to his Award of Excellence from Trip Adviser, which is well deserved.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MZHHBTqehHc/U_pAV1dDFxI/AAAAAAAAL5w/1hBnLol-khs/s640/blogger-image--140075238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MZHHBTqehHc/U_pAV1dDFxI/AAAAAAAAL5w/1hBnLol-khs/s640/blogger-image--140075238.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After our tour we had the whole afternoon free to go off and explore the city or take in some of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> world's largest arts festival with just under 50,000 performances and more than 3100 shows packed into almost 300 venues across the city. The Fringe is open to all: anyone can perform and everyone does - from students to superstars.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oB34f77cvMU/U_pAJC5XdCI/AAAAAAAAL5g/Kjyym7Bqu1U/s640/blogger-image-750732811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oB34f77cvMU/U_pAJC5XdCI/AAAAAAAAL5g/Kjyym7Bqu1U/s640/blogger-image-750732811.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Edinburgh may be the centre of the culture universe in August, hosting the world’s best artists, performers and thinkers, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it also becomes the world’s most expensive city. In fact, a lovely day can be had out in Edinburgh for very little money at all.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LvqJjf4YKIg/U_pAzuVZE_I/AAAAAAAAL6Q/6WP7yop8WZ4/s640/blogger-image-362859073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LvqJjf4YKIg/U_pAzuVZE_I/AAAAAAAAL6Q/6WP7yop8WZ4/s640/blogger-image-362859073.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There are hundreds of shows that are completely free, happening in venues all over the city. Mostly located in bars or restaurants, these are by no means lesser shows – awards are often heaped upon free events, and exploring free comedy, theatre, spoken word and burlesque is one of the archetypal Fringe experiences.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We all met up at the Princes Street Mecure Hotel where we were booked for our early evening meal before I picked up the group and drove them to where I would be parked for the tattoo. Courtesy of my company, all my passengers were given a 'Tattoo survival kit', which contained a plastic poncho, a miniature of Bells Whisky and a pack of shortbread biscuits. When I got to the castle and was looking for me seat, I was quite amused to see my whole group in their blue plastic ponchos! Then it was time for the show!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1aMzOFGWUV8/U_pAdAt4T7I/AAAAAAAAL54/xXRz9lEy80Y/s640/blogger-image-1372390054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1aMzOFGWUV8/U_pAdAt4T7I/AAAAAAAAL54/xXRz9lEy80Y/s640/blogger-image-1372390054.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">From its early days, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has been an international favourite.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Performers from over 46 countries have taken part in the Tattoo, and around 30 per cent of the 220,000 audience each year are from overseas.</span></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 621px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Each year's Tattoo is very much a 'global gathering' - showcasing the talents of musicians and performers from every corner of the globe.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 621px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MbkpJIp_YbE/U_pAP9_zMoI/AAAAAAAAL5o/fBcKoSuHFdU/s640/blogger-image--2124749190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MbkpJIp_YbE/U_pAP9_zMoI/AAAAAAAAL5o/fBcKoSuHFdU/s640/blogger-image--2124749190.jpg"></a></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 621px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p>In addition to this, the Tattoo has been televised in more than 30 countries. An annual television audience of 100 million watches the coverage worldwide.<p></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 621px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The international flavour of the Tattoo has been deliberately developed as a key element in its capacity to entertain a huge, cosmopolitan audience.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 621px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--A818h64p4k/U_pAi15kxTI/AAAAAAAAL6A/qLdceVd4ZII/s640/blogger-image-1206691824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--A818h64p4k/U_pAi15kxTI/AAAAAAAAL6A/qLdceVd4ZII/s640/blogger-image-1206691824.jpg"></a></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 621px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p>The Tattoo's unique ability to bring together thousands of people for this annual celebration of music and entertainment continues and the public's appetite for pomp and ceremony shows no sign of diminishing.<p></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 621px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The show was fantastic despite the rain, but we didn't notice that thanks to our ponchos! We arrived back at the hotel at about midnight after serving hot chocolate on the coach. I checked into my new room and was very pleasantly surprised to see that I had the suite!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 621px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><b><i>Day 4</i></b><p></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 621px;"><br></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 621px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">After a lie in and a very decent breakfast we set off for St Andrews, not a place I particularly like which has been voted number 7 in Britains top fifty crap towns! Here is an extract from Fife Today News on the subject:</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>The book names rowns 'from the dull and lifeless, to the ugly and depressing' - and St Andrews is number seven on the list!</i></span></p><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>'Crap Towns - The 50 Worst Places to Live in the UK', is the brainchild of Sam Jordinson and Dan Kiernan, both journalists working for The Idler magazine. The idea for the guide came after they wrote pieces about towns they knew well and hated, then posted them on the magazine's website.</i></span></p><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Inviting others to do the same, they received a deluge of complaints from irate citizens the length and breadth of the UK. St Andrews, which now suffers the ignominy of featuring on the 'Crap Map', was one of the places nominated most by the public on the website.</i></span></p><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Described by a contributor as being home to "thousands of nauseating toffs", the student population came in for fierce criticism as the town's biggest headache.</i></span></p><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>"So absurd is the wealth of these students and so great is the clamour to meet Wills, that rents in the town have rocketed to Kensington levels thereby pricing out regular students and the long-suffering locals," says the guide.</i></span></p><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>It continues: "Having failed getting into Oxford or Cambridge, yet desperate to cling onto their bizzare public school sub-societies, they flock to St Andrews. Worse still are those who didn't go to public school and are now desperate to get in on all the body warmer/ ridiculous accents action."</i></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Other than the university and the golf, St Andrews has little else to offer. There is the abbey ruins which is little more than a collection of stones and has an entrance fee. There is also the castle on the beach. This visit has never gone down badly with our customers but it is one I would like to see taken out of the itinery. There are so many other things we could be doing instead. While we were here today it poured with rain and few people ventured out of a cafe to see anything, which was a shame. We had a scenic drive and arrived at the hotel at 4:30pm.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We had a very uneventful evening and I went off to my room to have a long soak in the bath.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i>Day 5</i></b></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Today we are heading home. Friday of Bank Holiday weekend and the first day of the Creamfields festival and I have the joy of travelling the whole length of the M6 and I'm expected to arrive on time so I hope my crystal ball is working!</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Our first stop was at Moffat Woollen Mill where several people went for a walk into town for some Moffat Toffee and to see what was missing from the Moffat Ram.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PLq8k5oSFAw/U_pAlgQjbUI/AAAAAAAAL6I/sSNl2CQuN3E/s640/blogger-image-633619246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PLq8k5oSFAw/U_pAlgQjbUI/AAAAAAAAL6I/sSNl2CQuN3E/s640/blogger-image-633619246.jpg"></a></div><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">In 1875 the businessman William Colvin decided to present a statue of a Blackface Ram and a fountain to Moffat. The sculptor was William Brodie R.S.A. 1815-1881. Brodie also sculpted "Greyfriars Bobby", another well-known Scottish animal sculpture which stands in Edinburgh. The Ram was cast by William Brodie without ears - 'it has nae lugs' - an omission that led to a strange myth that William Brodie committed suicide from shame. However, William Colvin did die in 1881 after an illness. The Ram has stood on its sandstone fountain ever since, an attraction to the town and a memory of agricultural success.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">From here we pressed on down the motorway, stopped at a very nice garden centre for lunch, got delayed by 2 hours on the motorway, had the fastest ever 'splash and dash' at motorway services and rocked up 25 mins late. Oh well, can't be helped! Everyone's had a great time, I've enjoyed this tour and I hope it will be my tour again next year.</span></div><p></p></div><p></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-31426443403728199812014-08-15T10:31:00.001+01:002014-08-15T10:31:01.820+01:00Dublin and WicklowIt's been a few weeks since my last post and I am a little out of the habit of writing so I will apologise now if this is short and sweet! <div><br></div><div>On Friday afternoon, I had a phone call from my office, asking if I could cover a tour to Ireland as the allocated driver had been signed off sick. I agreed and was on my way out on Sunday morning after a full days work on Saturday, which left me very little time for route planning! Luckily, it looked a straight forward tour from a driving point of view and my courier for the week would be Karen, who I get along swimmingly with!</div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Day 1</i></b></div><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>It was pouring with rain this morning and as our passengers were arriving on their feeder vehicles there was a lot of complaints about the weather. We were on the road by 7:30, heading for Holyhead for our ferry to Dublin. We had too much time to go straight to the port so I had planned to stop at Beaumaris for an hour, but because the weather was so wet this morning, I was trying to think of a plan B while driving up the M6. We had a brief stop at motorway services. Everyone was dashing about, trying to get undercover. Karen and I didn't get off the coach. While we were waiting there, a man came over and said, "I've got some passengers for you!" </div><div>Karen replied, "we have enough of our own thank you, you can keep them!" </div><div>He half laughed and said, "no but seriously, I have some passengers for you."</div><div>"No seriously, they are not ours!"</div><div>"I have the paperwork I'm to meet your company here, I'll fetch it!"</div><div>So he went off and came back with his paperwork where I had to point out that we were not the company he was waiting for! With that, the coach he wanted pulled in! We had all our passengers back and so were on our way again, still trying to come up with plan B!</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I had a vague recollection of seeing signs for a factory outlet store from the A55 so I asked Karen to do a google search to see if she could find it. Bingo! We told the passengers we were taking them to Tweedmill Shopping Outlet and that neither Karen or I had been there so we didn't really know what we were throwing them into, but we guaranteed that it wouldn't be raining inside!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So we arrived and were very pleasantly surprised. The whole place was very clean and tidy. There was a good range of shopping. A very nice cafe with lots of seating. And always a bonus, the toilets were clean! Everyone enjoyed the short time here and appreciated not being out in the weather.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our next stop would now be at the ferry terminal at Holyhead Port. We checked in and sailed on time. Considering it had been forecast that we would be getting the tail end of Hurricane Bertha today, we had a very smooth crossing. I had a cabin so managed a couple of hours kip! We arrived in Dublin on time and had just a short drive to our hotel for the next 4 nights, The Esplanade Hotel in Bray.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mquKntKOar4/U-3S9kKYOBI/AAAAAAAAL0Q/RgeXkrdypi4/s640/blogger-image-284685667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mquKntKOar4/U-3S9kKYOBI/AAAAAAAAL0Q/RgeXkrdypi4/s640/blogger-image-284685667.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The hotel is in a very nice location on the southern end of the sea front and just a short walk from shops and pubs and the town centre. Check in went smoothly and our evening meal was adequate. I certainly didn't go hungry! It had been an easy day for me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><i>Day 2</i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><i><br></i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This morning we have a free morning in Bray. </span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: justify; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bray is known as the “Gateway to the Garden of Ireland”, due to its location in Northeast Wicklow, Ireland’s most scenic county. The town shares a boundary with County Dublin and enjoys easy access to Ireland’s capital city. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: justify;">Bray</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: justify;">has something for everyone from its rich heritage and splendid scenery to excellent transport links, a vibrant arts scene, a bustling Main Street and thriving industry.</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XcwXJXPp3Js/U-3S7pfsufI/AAAAAAAAL0I/T9Q_lDLLvFc/s640/blogger-image--971486808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XcwXJXPp3Js/U-3S7pfsufI/AAAAAAAAL0I/T9Q_lDLLvFc/s640/blogger-image--971486808.jpg"></a></div></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After having time for lunch we went out to Powerscourt House and Gardens, near Enniskerry. Lonely Planet and National Geographic had voted Powerscourt Gardens number 3 in the Worlds Top Ten Gardens.</span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-q0XyktVbug4/U-3S2B1rdeI/AAAAAAAAL0A/yoHIB_-rPn8/s640/blogger-image--672334028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-q0XyktVbug4/U-3S2B1rdeI/AAAAAAAAL0A/yoHIB_-rPn8/s640/blogger-image--672334028.jpg"></a></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div> Like many of these old estates, the entrance gate was ridiculously skinny and my mirrors only just squeezed through. We collected the tickets and everyone went off to enjoy the estate. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: justify; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The gardens at Powerscourt were laid out over two main periods. Many of the people involved in their creation and development never saw the gardens completed in their lifetime. When the house was rebuilt in the decade after 1731, the surrounding grounds were also remodelled. The design reflected the desire to create a garden which was part of the wider landscape. And what a view it is! To the North formal tree plantations framed the vista from the house, while a walled garden, fish pond, cascades, grottos and terraces lay to the South. Walks wound through the wooded grounds and a fine tree lined avenue was created. When you arrive at the tree lined avenue today, hundreds of beech trees will guide your visit.</span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: justify; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: justify; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Powerscourt house today offers the warmest of welcomes to visitors and some of the best views in Ireland, overlooking the breath-taking Sugarloaf Mountain. It’s a wonderful place to relax and enjoy browsing range of bespoke stores or to indulge in a coffee and dessert in the famous Avoca Terrace Café.</span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TQ331v_TGLg/U-3Sqs5AWbI/AAAAAAAALzw/aJd5fM8rDXM/s640/blogger-image-1573964408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TQ331v_TGLg/U-3Sqs5AWbI/AAAAAAAALzw/aJd5fM8rDXM/s640/blogger-image-1573964408.jpg"></a></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>We offered to run down to Powerscourt Waterfall, 6km away, for those who wanted. </span><span style="text-align: justify; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Powerscourt Waterfall is Ireland’s highest at 121m (398ft.). It is set in one of Ireland’s most beautiful parklands at the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">As you drive from the gatelodge towards the Waterfall you are surrounded by Beech, Oak, Larch and Pine trees some of which were planted over 200 years ago.</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: start;"><font color="#484848" face="helveticaregular" size="2"><span style="line-height: 18px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgb(251, 246, 223);"><br></span></font></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--qFSvxObsjw/U-3TUS6ORvI/AAAAAAAAL0w/th4itqQjkDA/s640/blogger-image-1350743446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--qFSvxObsjw/U-3TUS6ORvI/AAAAAAAAL0w/th4itqQjkDA/s640/blogger-image-1350743446.jpg"></a></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>I had called the visitor centre yesterday to check that the waterfall was accessible for coaches, which I was told it is. When we parked up at the gardens there was a local coach driver already there and he was asking where we were visiting. I mentioned we were going down to the waterfall and he said my coach wouldn't fit! He said he had only ever been there in a mini bus and it was tight in that! Then he rang his mate Paddy and asked his opinion, which was that I would fit but he wouldn't do it. It's very tight with a narrow gate and a very skinny bridge. Then we rang Seamus who said, yes no problem," I've done it with a full size coach and it's no problem!" I was then told not to believe what Seamus tells you so we rang Robbie! Robbie said you can, but I wouldn't! So now I was feeling a little worried about going there and was considering cancelling. It wasn't in our itinery, it was just a little added extra I was putting in and it wasn't something I wanted to risk damaging my coach for. Then a service bus pulled in so I went to ask that driver. He said you can and the waterfall will look magnificent with all the water from the recent rain they had, but I wouldn't! I was really undecided what to do about this. We had already offered it and I didn't really want to back out but I wasn't feeling happy about going. So we rang the visitor centre again. They said yes it's narrow, yes you need to drive slow but we do have coaches regularly and it is do able. So we went. I really don't know what all the fuss was about. Yes the entrance gate and the bridge is skinnier than skinny and it's a real squeeze through, but it's ok. I wouldn't worry about going there again. And when we saw the waterfall, it was definitely all worth it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--CiGAzfFho0/U-3TFNSqKzI/AAAAAAAAL0Y/i--_sqHTrBo/s640/blogger-image-188138729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--CiGAzfFho0/U-3TFNSqKzI/AAAAAAAAL0Y/i--_sqHTrBo/s640/blogger-image-188138729.jpg"></a></div><br></div>We took some photos and had an ice cream then went back to collect the rest of the group before heading back to Bray. Everyone had enjoyed their day and there had still been no sign of Bertha!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There was live music in the hotel tonight. Many of our group stayed to listen and it was a very enjoyable evening.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><i>Day 3</i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><i><br></i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This morning the group are travelling on the DART from Bray to Malahide with a guide, Felicity, which meant that I had a nice run, empty, up to meet the group at Malahide. I always enjoy driving empty, radio on, knocking out the tunes! It seems the guided train journey was a hit with the group. When they arrived in Malahide they were taken straight to Duffys Bar where we were booked in for a cream tea before having some free time in the town, while I had to repair the broken microphone where Karen had been too heavy handed with it!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Malahide is known to have become a persistent settlement from the coming of the Vikings, who landed in 795, and used Malahide Estuary (along with Baldoyle) as a convenient base. With the arrival of the Anglo-Normans, the last Danish King of Dublin retired to the area in 1171. From the 1180s, the history of the area is tied to that of the Talbot family of Malahide Castle, who were granted extensive lands in the area and over the centuries following developed their estate, and the small harbour settlement.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In Malahide village there are extensive retail facilities and services including fashion boutiques, hair and beauty salons, florists, food outlets, and a small shopping centre. There is a wide selection of pubs (including Gibney's, Fowler's, Duffy's and Gilbert and Wright's) and restaurants and the 150-room <span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box;">Grand Hotel</span>.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-G1lZ-Vsd-VQ/U-3TILT02KI/AAAAAAAAL0g/4ks3XdhdUEY/s640/blogger-image-1425098998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-G1lZ-Vsd-VQ/U-3TILT02KI/AAAAAAAAL0g/4ks3XdhdUEY/s640/blogger-image-1425098998.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I collected the group and we had a brief visit to Malahide Castle. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Malahide Castle, set on 250 acres of park land in the pretty seaside town of Malahide, was both a fortress and a private home for nearly 800 years and is an interesting mix of architectural styles.</span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br>The Talbot family lived here from 1185 to 1973, when the last Talbot died. The house is furnished with beautiful period furniture together with an extensive collection of Irish portrait paintings, mainly from the National Gallery.<br><br>The history of the Talbot family is recorded in the Great Hall, where portraits of generations of the family tell their own story of Ireland's stormy history. Many additions and alterations have been made to this romantic and beautiful structure, but the contours of the surrounding parklands have changed little in 800 years, retaining a sense of the past.</span><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9ctyK4bQAg8/U-3SjsTi6WI/AAAAAAAALzo/DdArIH4piaw/s640/blogger-image--1551076237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9ctyK4bQAg8/U-3SjsTi6WI/AAAAAAAALzo/DdArIH4piaw/s640/blogger-image--1551076237.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">This visit wasn't on our itinery so we weren't booked in and couldn't go inside the castle without paying admission, which I was aware of, but we did have access to the gardens and grounds, the visitor centre and cafe and the few shops on site. It was a pleasant visit and just another bit of interest to add to the day. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">From here we went for a scenic drive out around the Howth Peninsula with a photo stop at 'the summit'. Typically, the cloud came down just as we started our drive and the views from the summit weren't that clear. The group seemed to appreciate it though. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZC1KMyPRLkI/U-3Su9xnlGI/AAAAAAAALz4/CxiRuEYdVoQ/s640/blogger-image-939997436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZC1KMyPRLkI/U-3Su9xnlGI/AAAAAAAALz4/CxiRuEYdVoQ/s640/blogger-image-939997436.jpg"></a></div></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The hotel had prepared a quiz for tonight's entertainment but Karen had to be the quizmaster! We were both surprised when 24 people turned up for it! We had some fun doing it and taking the mickey out of Karens pronunciations! Gazpacho soup had been pronounced 'Gestapo!'</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><b><i>Day 4</i></b></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><b><i><br></i></b></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Today's excursion was a day in Dublin. We were booked on a Liffey River Cruise for a 1 hr round trip leaving from the Jeannie Johnson Famine Ship. I couldn't park at the jetty so couldn't go on the boat. The group were saying they'd enjoyed it and the commentary had been good.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Then we'd arranged for a blue badge guide to join us on the coach and take us around the city. Helen was very good, if a little rough around the edges, and had a great sense of humour. First, she took us around Georgian Dublin and we had a quick photo stop at St. Patricks Cathedral.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Y8pp6FYc2XA/U-3TL3cts-I/AAAAAAAAL0o/H8yv_LxLesM/s640/blogger-image--1676295087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Y8pp6FYc2XA/U-3TL3cts-I/AAAAAAAAL0o/H8yv_LxLesM/s640/blogger-image--1676295087.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Then we went to Phoenix Park where we had a half an hour comfort stop at the visitor centre before continuing on our tour, taking in the Flusie in the Jacuzzi and finishing with O'Connell Street, the Monument of Light and the GPO before dropping the group on Nassau Street for a couple of hours free time. I think we have succeeded in giving a good insight into the city.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">After dinner, Karen was feeling she needed some time out so we went to a pub up the road for half an hour. We were just heading back to the hotel for tonight's live music when we bumped into some of our group who said the music was dreary and did we want to join them at the pub, so we did.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><b><i>Day 5</i></b></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><b><i><br></i></b></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">We had a little more free time in Bray this morning before it was time to leave for our ferry home. Our hotel had been ok, not exceptional but nothing to really complain about. We checked all bills had been payed and left for Dun Laoghaire. We had only driven around the corner when I realised I had left my phone in my room! We looped back round to the hotel to pick it up but because of one way streets and low bridges it didn't just take a few minutes! So 20 minutes later we were leaving the hotel for the second time! We checked in and had a pleasant crossing, then were homeward bound with the pedal to the metal.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">It has been a successful tour and as always I have enjoyed and had a lot of fun working with Karen. I'm looking forward to coming back to Ireland next month.</font></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-25483075228087146742014-07-21T16:14:00.001+01:002014-07-21T16:14:58.985+01:00Wilderness Scotland and Panda ExperienceI've already been back from Scotland for a few days after having a really busy time, so busy that I didn't have a chance to write my blog. So forgive me if this one ends up being short and sweet, they are always better written as it happens.<div><br></div><div><b><i>Day 1</i></b></div><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>We had a relatively early start this morning to get on the road heading for Scotland. I had a feeder meeting point off route and it had also been badly timed so by the time I had picked up all my passengers I was already 40 mins behind time. Not good when we have such a distance to travel so I was starting the day already a little bit wound up!</div><div><br></div><div>We got on the road, had a coffee break at motorway services then pressed on to the Old Blacksmith's Shop at Gretna Green for lunch. When we arrived, there must have been 30 coaches there. Luckily, most of them were just on their way out. They are very well geared up to cope with large numbers of people here and I've never found a problem with lack of food, slow service or no where to sit, regardless of how busy they are.</div><div><br></div><div>There was a wedding taking place while we were here which some of my passengers enjoyed watching. After some lunch and a bit of browsing in the shops we were back on the road, next stop, our hotel.</div><div><br></div><div>We are spending the next 4 nights at the Best Western Winnock Hotel in Drymen, just 4 miles from Loch Lomond. We checked in, I had a very spacious, comfortable room with a double bed, always a bonus! There was time for a soak in the bath for dinner.</div><div><br></div><div>Our evening meal was very good but I didn't like the room we were eating in. It was far too small for the size of our group and we were squashed in like sardines. There was no air conditioning and with the low ceilings if was uncomfortably hot. I did enjoy the food though.</div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Day 2</i></b></div><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>This morning we have quite a long drive to get to our destination in North Berwick.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9eqExQsLmVc/U80uGpphrqI/AAAAAAAAK80/9TnCBKpZDYE/s640/blogger-image-2016763690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9eqExQsLmVc/U80uGpphrqI/AAAAAAAAK80/9TnCBKpZDYE/s640/blogger-image-2016763690.jpg"></a></div> We are going to the Scottish Sea Bird Centre. We arrived just before 12 and had an introductory talk before going around the Discovery Centre for an hour. We then had half an hour to grab some lunch before meeting up again at 1:30 for our trip on the privately chartered trip on the catamaran, out to Bass Rock to see the bird colonies.</div><div><br></div><div>We were just gathering together when one of the staff came and informed us that our trip would have to be delayed because the tide was out and our boat was sat on the sand! How ridiculous the skipper can't read a tide timetable! So we had another hour to do not a lot before our boat trip. It was a good thing it was a beautifully sunny day so people didn't really mind. </div><div><br></div><div>The boat trip was certainly well worth the wait. I was most fascinated by the Puffins.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xZ0OOKXivkQ/U80uE-3vbCI/AAAAAAAAK8s/Wjv-5eVhPcI/s640/blogger-image-1428773994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xZ0OOKXivkQ/U80uE-3vbCI/AAAAAAAAK8s/Wjv-5eVhPcI/s640/blogger-image-1428773994.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>(Image taken from Google)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the trip. I tried to drive the boat but the skipper was having none of it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Obviously we were now quite late in leaving and we still had the same long journey back to the hotel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We went straight in for dinner when we got back to the hotel. The meal, once again was lovely. I had an early night because we have a really early start tomorrow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Day 3</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i><br></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Breakfast this morning was at 6:30, confirmed by the hotel last night, but when we arrived the receptionist said she was expecting us at 8! The staff were then in a mad panic and it wasn't looking like we would be leaving on time at 7:30.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We left 15 minutes late for today's excursion which was another 2 hour drive away. We were going on a land rover Highland Safari near Aberfeldy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When we arrived we were split into 2 groups. The first group would go off in the land rovers while the other group met and fed the herd of Deer at the centre and met the relatively new resident Barn Owl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was in the first group so did the safari first. We went up into the hills where the weather wasn't very good and only got a glimpse of a Deer before she ran away. We didn't see any other animals but we had a lot of fun and I found out what is under a Scots mans kilt!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dI-F8iR9x9g/U80t-1W5OhI/AAAAAAAAK8U/QW-XKwficb4/s640/blogger-image--1487664691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dI-F8iR9x9g/U80t-1W5OhI/AAAAAAAAK8U/QW-XKwficb4/s640/blogger-image--1487664691.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The groups swapped over and we fed the Deer.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ElT-VfmhRG0/U80uIPx0GGI/AAAAAAAAK88/4l5gfv7gWZE/s640/blogger-image-1491651478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ElT-VfmhRG0/U80uIPx0GGI/AAAAAAAAK88/4l5gfv7gWZE/s640/blogger-image-1491651478.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And met the Barn Owl.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PTTQ0FSG68s/U80t9KpbAuI/AAAAAAAAK8M/1Sx3dhn2vjk/s640/blogger-image-457987726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PTTQ0FSG68s/U80t9KpbAuI/AAAAAAAAK8M/1Sx3dhn2vjk/s640/blogger-image-457987726.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After the second group came back in land rovers we had lunch here before a scenic drive back to the hotel. The weather on the journey back to the hotel was horrendous but not bad enough to not be able to see the dramatic scenery. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was a bit of a challenging drive although I enjoyed it. We travelled along the length of Loch Earn before heading back towards the Trossachs, passing Loch Lubnaig and Lake Menteith, the only lake in Scotland. All others are Lochs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We arrived back at the hotel at 4:30 and the weather had turned nice again. Many people took the short walk to the viewpoint where you could just see Loch Lomond.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DH9UBdqcgvQ/U80uJ4REm0I/AAAAAAAAK9E/rLbc7jsCKTg/s640/blogger-image--837211750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DH9UBdqcgvQ/U80uJ4REm0I/AAAAAAAAK9E/rLbc7jsCKTg/s640/blogger-image--837211750.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After travelling through such horrible weather today my coach was looking dirty so I gave her a quick wash before dinner so she was all sparkly and ready for another days work tomorrow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Day 3</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i><br></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had a more respectable breakfast time this morning before leaving at 9:30. I put in another scenic drive this morning, again over the Trossachs but this time up to Aberfoyle, over Dukes Pass where you get a glimpse of Loch Katrine, along Loch Drunkie, Loch Achray and Loch Venachar to Kilmahog where we stopped at the woollen mill for coffee and to meet Hamish the Highland Bull.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KxziD905Z80/U80uUFjLvVI/AAAAAAAAK9M/VIihAmpkCmA/s640/blogger-image--1714631670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KxziD905Z80/U80uUFjLvVI/AAAAAAAAK9M/VIihAmpkCmA/s640/blogger-image--1714631670.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">From here we travelled through Callender to pick up the motorway, over the Kinkardine Bridge and the Forth Road Bridge into Edinburgh where we had free time for lunch.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lMaPFFT0kzg/U80uAsZX5HI/AAAAAAAAK8c/WCBMwElBXYg/s640/blogger-image-2038098357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lMaPFFT0kzg/U80uAsZX5HI/AAAAAAAAK8c/WCBMwElBXYg/s640/blogger-image-2038098357.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>(Image taken from Google)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After a couple of hours free time we transferred to Edinburgh zoo. We had 2 hrs free time with the option of a one hour guide showing the highlights before our private viewing of the Pandas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oFCKu3Focfo/U80uCWNfmJI/AAAAAAAAK8k/dUBUgsAnMD4/s640/blogger-image--753410754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oFCKu3Focfo/U80uCWNfmJI/AAAAAAAAK8k/dUBUgsAnMD4/s640/blogger-image--753410754.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For many of the group this was the highlight of the trip and for some, the reason for booking this holiday. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We then had a private viewing of the penguins which I thought was quite disappointing. We didn't see anything any better than the general public and I was disappointed we couldn't have any interaction with them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jgMIqVEEQrw/U80uV8ELt8I/AAAAAAAAK9U/F6GZ8co1r1A/s640/blogger-image-2084855462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jgMIqVEEQrw/U80uV8ELt8I/AAAAAAAAK9U/F6GZ8co1r1A/s640/blogger-image-2084855462.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We left the zoo at 6:30 so once again, it was straight in for dinner after an exhausting day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Day 5</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i><br></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This morning we are checking out and heading home after a very busy holiday. We stopped at Moffat Woollen Mill for morning coffee before going to Carlisle for lunch. Everyone is always unsure when Carlisle is mentioned as lunch stop but it is very nice since it has been redeveloped and always goes down well. We stopped at Barton Grange Garden Centre mid afternoon before tackling the M6 traffic home. We had a horrible journey from here on and I came in half an hour late. Over the last 5 days I have driven just short of 2000km! Although it has been a busy time and hard work, I and all the passengers have thoroughly enjoyed this trip. It's been nice to do something a bit different.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-44230032603255644612014-07-10T21:39:00.001+01:002014-07-10T21:39:38.907+01:00Gardens of North DevonThis tour will be my third year with a local gardening club, who I have got to know quite well and they refer to me as 'quirky' so they have obviously got the gist of me! I generally have a good time with them, although we always have a packed itinerary over 4 days, but we are always in very nice hotels. The gardens they tend to visit are ones which are generally not open to the public and are<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> usually at someone's house in the middle of nowhere and so the driving has never been particularly easy to get to them. This years tour is to North Devon, staying at the Brend Hotel Group, The Barnstaple Hotel in Barnstaple. I've stayed at many Brend Hotels and the service is always exceptional as well as being able to rely on good food and a comfortable bedroom. However, since I saw the itinerary for this years tour back in December and having looked at where these gardens are, if I am honest, I have not been looking forward to this years tour, purely because of some of the places I am expected to get a 13m coach to. Unclassified roads are bad to take a coach at the best of times but in Devon...... You're having a laugh!!</span><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><b><i>Day 1</i></b></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><b><i><br></i></b></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I was at work at 6:30am to pack and check my coach before half the group arrived at the depot ready for a 7:45am departure. When Diane, (group organiser) and Rob, (her partner) arrived, I got a big hug and I was just as pleased to see them. We left the yard and collected the rest of the group from Ashchurch Railway Station. There are only 6 people travelling this year who I haven't met and everyone said they had been pleased to learn that I was driving them again this year, so that was nice.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">We headed South on the M5 and had a brief comfort stop at motorway services. Diane had laid down the law, no time to get coffee or go to the shops, splash and dash! After only 7mins we were back on the road and heading for our first visit of the day not far from Honiton. This was an easy garden for me to get to, just off the main road. The lady who owned the garden was on the road waiting for us. She welcomed us and showed us through to her garden.</font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xx-I9JMG8Uw/U77juVKhlRI/AAAAAAAAKXA/gNcEZcLWueM/s640/blogger-image--963786684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xx-I9JMG8Uw/U77juVKhlRI/AAAAAAAAKXA/gNcEZcLWueM/s640/blogger-image--963786684.jpg"></a></div></font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>Little Ash Bungalow is a private 1 1/2 acre garden developed since 2000 to provide year round interest and a wildlife haven. A stream runs past the bottom of the garden and feeds a shady, damp area planted with a collection of shade loving plants. This is an NGS garden and the owner was a finalist in the 2009 BBC Gardener of the Year Competition. Although the garden was lovely, my hay fever was playing me up so all I was really interested in was the free tea and cake. And the cake was delicious!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After an hour and a half we were back on the road and making our way to our next visit, RHS Gardens Rosemoor at Torrington. I have been here many times before so because it was such a beautiful day, I found a quiet spot by the lake, where I sat in the sunshine, writing my blog! I have written about Rosemoor in a previous blog.</span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EcTo35eUFVo/U72otkTrgPI/AAAAAAAAKP8/H0eO3dGFj-I/s640/blogger-image--199440655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EcTo35eUFVo/U72otkTrgPI/AAAAAAAAKP8/H0eO3dGFj-I/s640/blogger-image--199440655.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">After a couple of hours basking in the sun, I moved up to the tea room to claim my free tea and cake! At 5:30pm we made our way to our hotel.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">When we arrived, the manager was waiting outside for us and came on board the coach to welcome us to the hotel and inform us of meal arrangements. He also mentioned that we were free to use the gym and the indoor and outdoor pools but, and in his words I quote, "no skinny dipping allowed! I know what you lot are like!" Not really what I would have expected in the welcome speech at a 4* hotel! The porterage was dealt with very quickly and by the time I had parked and locked the coach I only had an hour before dinner, so my swim would have to wait for tomorrow.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The food and the service at dinner, as expected, was very good but I think the Imperial Hotel does it better. The group did try to get in the Imperial but they couldn't get the single rooms so this was their second choice of hotel but nevertheless, everyone is very happy. I am in a double room with a balcony overlooking the outdoor pool, far better than I was allocated last week and better than I've ever had at the Imperial.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">After dinner I sat down with Diane briefly so she could double check routes with me. I'd have thought, this being the third year I have done this group, she would have realised that I do my homework and know where I'm going! She does pack a tight schedule though and tends to fret a little so I suppose I will let her off! So I went back to my room and sat on the balcony reading for a while before an early night. I had forgotten that this group likes to start early!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><b><i>Day 2</i></b></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><b><i><br></i></b></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">So today is one I am not looking forward to due to the locations of all 3 of our visits. The first garden today is again a NGS garden in the pretty coastal village of Croyde. I know I can get there and I know I need to come out the same way but I don't see where I am expected to turn and park and just to make things more difficult, today is the day of the open air market in the village!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">We left the hotel slightly late just after 9am due to Mike, (it's always Mike!) being late. Rob and I went to find him and when we did, I hurried back to the coach to give Rob the opportunity to have a few stern words, which he did. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">So we were on the road. It is a nice drive out to Croyde with stunning views of the coastline and across Saunton Sands. We arrived in Croyde, the owner of the garden was waiting at the end of his lane where I dropped the group before going to find the village 'car park' which I had been booked into. I don't know what I'd been so worried about! It was easy and all down to Diane's good planning. I suppose I need to trust her a little more as well as her needing to trust me!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Langtrees is another private garden. The 1 acre garden has an eclectic selection of plants with some interesting trees and shrubs. Many Southern Hemisphere plants are grown successfully due to the mild coastal climate. It was probably all wasted on my untrained eye but I did appreciate sitting in the nice surroundings, enjoying yet another beautifully sunny day. I also enjoyed the free tea and cake!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-n7-t9HBKszY/U72mfb_jx0I/AAAAAAAAKPk/VB4KFwnuHXc/s640/blogger-image-247046954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-n7-t9HBKszY/U72mfb_jx0I/AAAAAAAAKPk/VB4KFwnuHXc/s640/blogger-image-247046954.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Our next visit today was also our lunch stop at Marwood Hill Gardens. This is another garden I have been to before but not at this time of year and certainly not in such good weather. This 20 acre garden was started by Dr Jimmy Smart VMH and since his death in 2002 has been maintained by Head Gardener Malcolm Pharoah and his team. The garden remains privately owned and all proceeds from the admission charges, plant sales and tea room go towards the running and maintenance of the garden.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I had 5 miles of unclassified roads to drive to get to this garden and luckily, I met very little traffic. There were a lot of tractors working in the fields so I think I was lucky to not meet any. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I had my priorities right and the first thing I did after parking up was to head to the tea room for free tea and cake! I had to be early because my group would fill the place later. Then I found somewhere to sit out and relax. This was my choice of view.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GgcrozEqe5w/U72rNYYQK7I/AAAAAAAAKQc/0rUSqHXvwdQ/s640/blogger-image-175764564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GgcrozEqe5w/U72rNYYQK7I/AAAAAAAAKQc/0rUSqHXvwdQ/s640/blogger-image-175764564.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The ducks were having a marvellous time chasing each other and diving in the water, making a lot of noise and the fish obviously thought I had come to feed them. Do they not know I'm just looking for some peace and quiet?!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-v5nQy-ipJqA/U72qVtTE4ZI/AAAAAAAAKQU/I-kTCiLslXg/s640/blogger-image-1851517713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-v5nQy-ipJqA/U72qVtTE4ZI/AAAAAAAAKQU/I-kTCiLslXg/s640/blogger-image-1851517713.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">We had to take the same 5 miles of country lanes when we left and then we were heading for our final visit of the day at Morthoe which is on the cliff-top heading out of Woolacombe and has uninterrupted views to Morte Point on the North Devon Coast. This was a garden that couldn't be accessed by coach. The group were dropped at the end of the Esplanade in Woolacombe and had to walk up the hill from there. The garden owner did a couple of runs in his car for those who couldn't manage the climb. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I left them to it and had to go back to the beach to park up so I missed out on the free tea and cake! Instead, I took the opportunity to have a quick kip!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Xune3jWUjp4/U72qHiU6ggI/AAAAAAAAKQM/HAU9dFbgCn8/s640/blogger-image--1631984822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Xune3jWUjp4/U72qHiU6ggI/AAAAAAAAKQM/HAU9dFbgCn8/s640/blogger-image--1631984822.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">We left Woolacombe at 5 o'clock and made the short journey back to the hotel. By 5:30 I was taking a dip in the outdoor pool and by 6:30 I was enjoying a glass of wine in the garden. We had another lovely meal this evening before I disappeared to my room and had a very restful night. And I would be needing it. Tomorrow will take a lot of concentration because tomorrow is the day of driving to stupidly narrow places!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><b><i>Day 3</i></b></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><b><i><br></i></b></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">We had an early start this morning because we had quite a distance to travel on roads that aren't the best to get to our first two of today's visits. We left at 8:30, I think they had forgotten that this is a holiday! Everybody was on the coach, even Mike and we left 5 mins early. They must all be frightened of being late!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">It was a nice, although slow drive to our first garden of the day at Buckland Monachorum, just outside of Yelverton on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. The last mile to the garden was ridiculously narrow. There wasn't even room to pass a pedestrian!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kTQSDqJglh8/U7746uXFXbI/AAAAAAAAKXs/ak-xY3UzaG4/s640/blogger-image--1202955931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kTQSDqJglh8/U7746uXFXbI/AAAAAAAAKXs/ak-xY3UzaG4/s640/blogger-image--1202955931.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I stopped in the gateway to let everyone off before I got my head around how I was going to turn this machine around and get her parked up and go and have a look at the garden.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Keith Wiley, who has appeared many times on BBC Gardeners World, was Head Gardener at The Garden House just a mile down the road, for 25 years until he decided to cut loose and build his own piece of paradise at Wildside. The garden has been sculpted from a flat Devon field over the last 10 years to create a natural landscape inspired by visits around the world. His planting seeks to work in harmony with nature allowing plants to thrive much as they would do in the wild.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_J55QJGuV7o/U72l5QqAG9I/AAAAAAAAKPc/aEXM7_SonAI/s640/blogger-image--1201445216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_J55QJGuV7o/U72l5QqAG9I/AAAAAAAAKPc/aEXM7_SonAI/s640/blogger-image--1201445216.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">When I walked in the garden my first impression was that it was a scruffy mess! But when I walked through and I could see the garden from different aspects, it was absolutely stunning. Keith was giving a guided tour but I took myself around and found a quiet spot to sit. We didn't get tea and cake here, something I have grown to expect!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9mVPe3VVfPg/U72nd1GPUXI/AAAAAAAAKPw/UJMgPmvzhv0/s640/blogger-image-1966757049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9mVPe3VVfPg/U72nd1GPUXI/AAAAAAAAKPw/UJMgPmvzhv0/s640/blogger-image-1966757049.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Lots of plants were bought again here and we are starting to get low on locker space. I hope I can squeeze all the luggage into one locker in the morning!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">We moved on to our next visit which was The Garden House, just up the road. I was a little luckier on the narrow lane this time as I didn't meet anything coming the opposite way.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The group had a pre booked lunch here and I was given a meal voucher to choose what I'd like before there was a short introductory talk by one of the gardeners.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The Garden House garden still bears the imprint of Keith Wiley's 25 year stay but subsequent Head Gardeners have also made their mark. Run by the Fortescue Garden Trust, a charity set up to ensure the survival of the garden, the 8 acre site contains many different garden styles. Personally, I don't consider this to be a patch on the previous garden, even though this garden has given me free tea and cake! It was getting really hot in the sun so I found a nice shaded seat in the 'Magic Circle'.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ahMk9qYBmMU/U77591fdnZI/AAAAAAAAKX4/HQtM-D1A3Uo/s640/blogger-image-1116303267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ahMk9qYBmMU/U77591fdnZI/AAAAAAAAKX4/HQtM-D1A3Uo/s640/blogger-image-1116303267.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We left Buckland Monorchorum and travelled back to North Devon for our final visit of the day in the tiny hamlet of Yarnscombe. This was the place I had been most concerned about coming to and Diane admitted that she was also worried about the access here but the garden owners had assured her that they regularly have full size coaches to visit, warned us to only take one specific route and had said there was plenty of room to turn and park. We came off the main road and had 5 miles to go to get to the garden. It looked ok at first. Then the hedges got taller and were coming in on me. My mirrors were just brushing the hedges on each side. We got to the village and there was one corner, just before reaching my turning area, which I only just made it round. We came round the corner and the garden owner was stood on the side of the road, directing me into the village hall car park. Well! Never in a million years has a full size coach ever got in there! I dropped the group and they went on to the garden. Rob stayed to help me. The garden owner was a very irritating little man who laughed nervously at everything that was said. He laughed when I said I wouldn't fit round and through the gate into the car park and he said that's where the coaches always go and that it must be that I can't drive it! Then he admitted that my coach was larger than anything else they've had there. And laughed again. I would have loved to smack him in the gob! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So Rob and I went for a walk down the lane to see if there was anywhere I could turn and park. There was a small junction just up ahead which seemed my only chance and with the help of Rob, I had done a 47 point turn and got parked on what wasn't much more than a farm track. Then we went for tea and cake.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I did have a quick look around the garden but I didn't actually see what I was looking at. I was so wound up that the garden owners would have a coach the size of mine down here without knowing if it would fit or not. It later became apparent that they had never had any coach of any size into this village.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I went back to fetch the coach and again, Rob came to help. I was still uncertain as to wether or not I could turn left out of the lane where I was parked but I had to try, that was the only direction I could go to get back out of the village. After several attempts we had to give up on the left turn, the coach was just too big to fit round, no matter how many shunts it took. So I had to turn right. I knew there was a crossroads a mile down the road and that was now my last chance to turn around and get out of here before I would be ringing the police for them to come and close the road behind me, for me to reverse the 5 miles back to the main road. Rob and I walked down to the crossroads first to see what the chances were. The road was even narrower but the crossroads were looking hopeful. We walked back to the coach and gave it a go. Had the lane been only 2 inches narrower, I wouldn't have fit but after what seemed like hours we had made the one mile to the crossroads. We hadn't seen any traffic at all in this village but Sod's law, cars came from every direction when we got to the crossroads. Rob spoke to each driver and it was like a puzzle with one having to reverse for me to nose up to him while the two from the other directions went up the hill and I could reverse around the corner with only one shunt before allowing the final car through and telling him that we would be following up so he could tell any traffic coming down. So I finally collected the group, who had been kicked out of the garden to wait on the roadside, nearly 40mins late. The garden owner was there and was still laughing and I just couldn't hold my tongue any longer. I let rip and I wouldn't be surprised if he put in a complaint about the way I spoke to him. I can't think how they ever thought a coach would get there, let alone turn! DON'T EVER TAKE A COACH TO THE CROFT GARDEN AT YARNSCOMBE!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I couldn't settle all evening, I was so het up about the whole thing. Diane was upset and felt responsible for putting me in that situation but she had been given the reassurance that it is a regular thing. I don't blame her. I had a large glass of wine before dinner and had a very restless night. However, the group now think I am even more wonderful! I just want to go home. 😞</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Day 4</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i><br></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hoorah! I'm going home today! But not before 4 more garden visits! I'm still not settled and I'd had very little sleep, trying to think if there was something I could have done differently. Should I have stopped when the road started to narrow and refused to go any further? I couldn't do that, I was committed on the road. Even in hind sight, I don't think I could have done anything better. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was feeling quite flat when we arrived at our first garden. This was an extra visit that had been fitted in and I don't know the name of the garden but it was another private one. I had stayed on the coach when everyone went in and I was sat enjoying my coffee when two ladies came back for their cameras and said that I really should go and have a look because it was very quirky and a lot of fun. So I went and had a look. It was the best medicine for me this morning and I had a laugh at lots of things. When you first walk into the garden there is a big plastic drum by the gate with a sign on it saying 'ok for 2 eyes but not good for 4' and when I looked inside, there were just lots of pairs of glasses at the bottom! There were lots of statues which squirted water and were activated by movement sensors and a witch who had flown into a telegraph pole.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ujoxd9DBGZQ/U72pki9DYOI/AAAAAAAAKQE/lBlMc0_XurU/s640/blogger-image-222628577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ujoxd9DBGZQ/U72pki9DYOI/AAAAAAAAKQE/lBlMc0_XurU/s640/blogger-image-222628577.jpg"></a></div><br></div>The owner had the most gorgeous dog called Noodles who was a black lab cross and I spent some time playing fetch with her while everyone else was buying more plants. It was brilliant and I was feeling a different person.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Our next visit was to Tapeley Park Garden. We had been due to have a tour of the house here but that had to be cancelled due to a ceiling falling down a few days before, hence the extra visit. There were still plenty of gardens and grounds to explore and a lovely little tea room where I had free tea and cake!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Tapeley is owned by the Christies family from Glyndebourne, Sussex, and is now run by Hector Christie, a farmer and passionate activist. The Victorian kitchen gardens provide year round, chemical free fruit and vegetables for the tea room, house and local community. There are Classic Victorian Italian terraces and a permaculture garden demonstrating a sustainable policy working with nature to produce healthy plants.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Our next visit wax Castle Hill Gardens, Filleigh, which was a very beautiful spot where we took lunch in the West Wing of the home of the Earl and Countess of Arran. The landscape surrounding the house is laid out in the 'Versailles' style and here is a walled kitchen garden, shrub garden, Millennium Garden and an extensive woodland garden. I didn't look around any of them. Instead, I stayed in the west wing for a second helping of strawberries and clotted cream!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Our final garden today was Stamford Shrubs and Holbrook Garden, Sampford Peverell. A two acre garden which has been created in a heavy clay Devon field alongside a small nursery specialising in shrubs and hardy herbaceous perennials, especially Helenium. The whole enterprise is run organically without pesticides or peat. But the best bit was the free tea and flapjacks! The little space we had left in the lockers had been eyed up and was soon filled before we hit the road for home.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">We had an easy journey home with an even quicker 'splash and dash' than we had managed on Monday. Rob and Diane we thanked and presented with a gift before I was thanked and presented with a gift. I hope it's not a plant! </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">On the whole I have enjoyed my tour with this group again and they have asked me to take them on their trip next year to Hampshire. The roads in Hampshire are far better than the roads in Devon so it should be a doddle! Once again, I have come home with some very happy people! 😊 </font></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-6595178131385283722014-07-10T20:00:00.001+01:002014-07-19T11:50:57.962+01:00Le Touquet<div><b><i>Day 1</i></b></div><div><br></div>Monday morning and I'm off on tour again. Just a little 4 day skip over to Northern France this time. I am taking an all girls school from Shrewsbury. They were picked up at 05:30 this morning and so the coach is being fed to me at Corley Services. I'm driving the monster 14.5m tri-axle this week. I've not driven it for a while so I will have to think harder all the time. Just the thought makes my brain hurt!<div><br></div><div>I arrived at Corley in plenty of time for a quick breakfast before my coach arrived. They turned up late due to the school leaving nearly half an hour late and then they got held up in rush hour traffic around Birmingham. We were booked on the channel tunnel and with the girls needing to have a comfort stop on the way, we would be cutting it fine to make our booked time. </div><div><br></div><div>The coach arrived and I introduced myself to the teachers who all seemed very pleasant although a little straight laced. They reminded me of the book 'Little Women'! Then I made them move seats with the girls so they were next to emergency exits and more evenly spread throughout the coach to keep an eye on the girls. They weren't too impressed and said that they thought that only applied in France. Simple answer to that one. It's a safety issue and strongly advised regardless of which country you are in. Now move!!</div><div><br></div><div>I introduced myself to the girls over the mic and gave them my usual spiel. "Seatbelts must be worn at all times, non negotiable. If you are caught not wearing your seat belt you will be cleaning the coach at the end of the day. There will be a competition every day of who can make the most mess around their seat and the winner will be cleaning the coach at the end of the day. If you don't like the prize, don't make a mess!" They look horrified every time!</div><div><br></div><div>So we set off and after an hour they were ready for their comfort break. They had been on the coach for nearly 3 hours. We pulled into services and had only been there for about 5 mins before the fire alarm went off and the building was evacuated. We had stopped here for the girls to have chance to get some breakfast so they waited until they were allowed back in again so they could get some food. Our 20min break had turned into 40mins and the excuse was the 5 mins that the building had been evacuated! We're not due to do anything other than go to the hotel when we arrive, but I'd like to check in in time for the train we are booked on so I can spend the afternoon on the beach! But being in time is now out of the window.</div><div><br></div><div>We continued on to Folkestone and the teacher started panicking because we were late. Then one of the girls had a message to say there were 5 hour delays at the tunnel. There was nothing I could do about it and we had to get to the check in. We queued for 40 mins to check in. The guy on the desk said he'd put us on the next train which would be at 1350. That was in an hours time. We drove around to the terminal building and again the girls had been on for 3 hours and needed a wee. Just as we pulled into the terminal car park, our letter was called to proceed to vehicle check in and loading. I told the teacher, no shops, wee only! She told the girls over the mic but I didn't think she got the message across so I reiterated what she had said with "be quick girls, if you are longer than 5 mins we will miss our train and be sat here for 5 hours!" That did the trick! We drove round to our lane for boarding where I was watching the info boards where the 1350 train was delayed to 1415. Then our letter was transferred off the 1415 and onto the 1530. Then the 1530 was delayed until 1645. When I had said we will be sat here for 5 hours I really didn't think we would be but we wouldn't be far off.</div><div><br></div><div>Emergency food parcels were being handed out and the Channel Tunnel had now been closed to anyone who wasn't already there. Apparently, a non eurotunnel train had booked to use part of the line but hadn't taken any notice of the height restriction and entered a tunnel, pulling out 250m of 25,000V electric cable. It was going to take at least 24hrs to repair and so only one tunnel was in use. </div><div><br></div><div>Eventually we were called to board and I put the monster coach on the train like a pro! We were finally on our way again but our next problem was that we weren't going to make it in time to the restaurant where we were booked for our evening meal. A phone call was made and the time of our booking couldn't be moved because the Tour de France would be in Le Touquet tomorrow and so it was really busy in town this evening. So we had to cancel. The teachers asked if I could find a macdonalds where we could stop for our evening meal. How revolting! I wasn't at all happy about maccy's for tea but that was what they wanted so that is what we did. The staff in maccy's were so quick and efficient I was amazed. There were 60 people in our group who walked in, without warning, and put in one mass order. Within 45 mins we had all eaten and were on our way again.</div><div><br></div><div>The teachers were already aware that the coach couldn't get to the hotel and I was surprised at where they had suggested to be dropped off because I think I probably could have got them a little closer but not particularly easily. But they were happy to walk so that was good for me. The coach is parked at the airport and the teachers are getting me taxis too and fro.</div><div><br></div><div>Once I'd had a quick change I went to the beach with the girls, the place I should have been 6 hours ago! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ELgFwNyFA6c/U770iXXIMeI/AAAAAAAAKXQ/UM0wJXoyPgc/s640/blogger-image--1775789118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ELgFwNyFA6c/U770iXXIMeI/AAAAAAAAKXQ/UM0wJXoyPgc/s640/blogger-image--1775789118.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I went for a walk into town to find a cashpoint and on the way back I couldn't resist an ice cream. The town was buzzing because the Tour de France is coming through here tomorrow.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ctzWdtKlDqw/U771E5pcC5I/AAAAAAAAKXg/Dy8v9whXRFE/s640/blogger-image-1565480361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ctzWdtKlDqw/U771E5pcC5I/AAAAAAAAKXg/Dy8v9whXRFE/s640/blogger-image-1565480361.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We left the beach at 10pm. I was feeling quite tired and went straight to bed. I was surprised to find I had quite a large, although tired looking room with a double bed. I'll be quite happy in here for the next 3 nights. And surely after today, things will go more smoothly.....</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tlHP21JSBOs/U770wb2kjhI/AAAAAAAAKXY/Iy8U1oC0SFI/s640/blogger-image--1221792408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tlHP21JSBOs/U770wb2kjhI/AAAAAAAAKXY/Iy8U1oC0SFI/s640/blogger-image--1221792408.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><b><i>Day 2</i></b></div><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>I didn't wake up as early as I'd wanted this morning and so I had to skip breakfast and go to fetch the coach. When I arrived at the coach park, it was chocka block with vehicles for the Tour de France. They were blocking me in. I spoke to several people who all said 'yes 2 minutes', except it wasn't. The time I was supposed to pick up my group came and went, I couldn't get a phone signal and no one was prepared to move their vehicles so I could leave. I was starting to get quite concerned because not only was I late to pick up my group but the roads would be closed soon for the Tour de France and I wouldn't be able to get in at all. Finally, the Tour de France vehicles were on the move and I eventually got round to pick up my group 45 mins late and just before the roads were closed.</div><div><br></div><div>Our first visit today was to Nausicaa at Boulogne. This is the biggest aquarium in Europe and is a fantastic visit. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It is one of the largest public aquariums of Europe.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Nausicaa is described as a center of scientific and technical discovery of the marine environment, focusing primarily on the relationship between man and the sea.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ghk0_PNiNrU/U78fxcitNRI/AAAAAAAAKY0/ncqd5BhXbBE/s640/blogger-image-994393943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ghk0_PNiNrU/U78fxcitNRI/AAAAAAAAKY0/ncqd5BhXbBE/s640/blogger-image-994393943.jpg"></a></div><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The exhibit area is currently about 5,000 square metres (54,000 sq ft), and includes the following main exhibits:</span></p><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside;"><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Shark Aquarium<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-50qlN0c1N78/U8beWFoZ8oI/AAAAAAAAKiU/6ct_n0e79rw/s640/blogger-image-1801443294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-50qlN0c1N78/U8beWFoZ8oI/AAAAAAAAKiU/6ct_n0e79rw/s640/blogger-image-1801443294.jpg"></a></div></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tropical Lagoon</span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sea Lion Reserve<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tLcpVOA3EHI/U8beTxR3BxI/AAAAAAAAKiM/y9fhgSgr7K0/s640/blogger-image-1830791512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tLcpVOA3EHI/U8beTxR3BxI/AAAAAAAAKiM/y9fhgSgr7K0/s640/blogger-image-1830791512.jpg"></a></div></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tactile Pool</span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">World Ocean<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RodO-E3McmU/U8beYJlHuSI/AAAAAAAAKic/DSDRhj86Rxs/s640/blogger-image--1205620888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RodO-E3McmU/U8beYJlHuSI/AAAAAAAAKic/DSDRhj86Rxs/s640/blogger-image--1205620888.jpg"></a></div></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Submerged Forest</span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Penguin Beach</span></li></ul></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IvuBzo66VA8/U8beZxa4aMI/AAAAAAAAKik/KiemDIxMnQU/s640/blogger-image-1214357946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></a></div></div><div>After their visit the girls had a picnic lunch in the park before we moved up to Boulogne old town for an hour. The coach park here was particularly busy. I struggled to get my monster out of the way and parked and it was an equal struggle to exit the car park back onto the road. But the girls enjoyed their time here so it was worth it.</div><div><br></div><div>Our final visit of the day was to a wheat farm where we also be having our evening meal. We had a demonstration on how to make corn dollies and decorations before we all attempted making corn dolly hearts. This is what they should look like.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RpQjVA9UTq0/U8bel_ubI5I/AAAAAAAAKjE/MeyGxRGBCw0/s640/blogger-image-295101443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RpQjVA9UTq0/U8bel_ubI5I/AAAAAAAAKjE/MeyGxRGBCw0/s640/blogger-image-295101443.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>This is what mine looked like!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-L5qXKN9caw4/U8bec3bqetI/AAAAAAAAKis/N18M5An7o6A/s640/blogger-image--1728288275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-L5qXKN9caw4/U8bec3bqetI/AAAAAAAAKis/N18M5An7o6A/s640/blogger-image--1728288275.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Well someone had to do a really bad job so that none of the girls had the worst one! Then we were moved into a barn for dinner. For starters we had eggy and ham bread and these funny cheesey shoux pastry type things. They were ok. For main course, the girls had one cheese and ham pancake, the teachers had two accompanied with a side salad. For pudding we had more eggy bread with chocolate sauce and sugar. Considering this was our main meal of the day I thought it was terrible. The teachers did ok out of it but the girls, the ones who were actually paying, should have had a more substantial meal. We left and headed back to the hotel.</div><div><br></div><div>I dropped the girls off and asked the teacher to call me a taxi for 20mins time. One hour later, no taxi. None of my phones were working so I started walking. It took me 40 mins to walk to the hotel and I wasn't a happy bunny when I got there. Also, at the hotel, the front door is locked at 8pm and you need a key fob to get in. Only one fob had been issued to the whole group and it wasn't me! Luckily there was a teacher waiting for me while everyone else was at the beach. So an hour and a half after dropping off I was in my hotel room with very sore feet because I am wearing rubbish shoes for walking. A soak in the bath calmed me but what I really wanted to do was go and find a bar and have a glass of wine but I couldn't because I didn't have a key to get into the hotel. Instead I festered in my room! Surely tomorrow has got to get better.</div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Day 3</i></b></div><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>I was awake early this morning and went down for breakfast before the girls. When I finished I asked the receptionist to call a taxi. Half an hour later it still hadn't turned up. Finally a lady driver arrived saying 'sorry for the wait, I had to get diesel', but the back seat of the car was full of shopping bags. Anyway, I got out to the coach and back to pick up just in time. I had mentioned to one of the teachers this morning that I would be handing a dust pan and brush to the girls on the back row so they could clean up the mess they had made. They were brought up to the coach early to clean the coach! I was hearing comments like 'that wasn't there yesterday' and 'we didn't do that'. It had even been mentioned that I had thrown a bag of crisps on the floor so they would have to clean! The teacher was having none of it and she wouldn't let anyone on the coach until they had cleaned it! Bonus! I only wanted them to clean their own mess but now they had cleaned the whole thing! I bet there's no mess tonight!</div><div><br></div><div>Our first visit today was to a snail farm. I found this quite interesting, I'd never visited a snail farm before. We learnt that all snails are born male and have a life span of 6 weeks. At 6 weeks old the snails turn into females and lay approximately 100 eggs each before they die from exhaustion.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Dysd29aN7xo/U8begMC7FFI/AAAAAAAAKi0/h2GhjiZ8yfY/s640/blogger-image--145517605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Dysd29aN7xo/U8begMC7FFI/AAAAAAAAKi0/h2GhjiZ8yfY/s640/blogger-image--145517605.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>At this particular farm, 300,000 snails are harvested each season, leaving a few to reproduce and keep the cycle going. The snails are harvested by hand, removed from their shells with a needle and dropped in a pot of boiling water.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lnfXiheTziM/U8bejczTaKI/AAAAAAAAKi8/tatA_oXvMkw/s640/blogger-image-1200791509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lnfXiheTziM/U8bejczTaKI/AAAAAAAAKi8/tatA_oXvMkw/s640/blogger-image-1200791509.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The most popular way of eating snails is whole, in garlic butter, individually served in a snail shaped biscuit. Most of the girls tried these but only about a third of them enjoyed it. Snails are also made into a pate with pork, served on toast. Very few of the girls liked this. Other things we were told could be done with snails is snail quiche, snail tart or snail vol au vents. I didn't try anything because it all looked horrible and I don't want the slime down my throat!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wR3C5JwSPKQ/U777hywxvuI/AAAAAAAAKYE/sVkZ18gin6Y/s640/blogger-image-1449967008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wR3C5JwSPKQ/U777hywxvuI/AAAAAAAAKYE/sVkZ18gin6Y/s640/blogger-image-1449967008.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Our next visit today was at the bee museum where we had a picnic lunch before a tour of the bees. This was of equal interest. </div><div><br></div><div>There are three different bees. The workers, who go through 3 stages in their 6 week life. When they are born they are cleaners. They spend their time cleaning the cells and disposing of dead bees. Next they feed the Queen. In the final stage of their life it is their job to collect nectar. They do this by rubbing their abdomen on the flowers and when they are back in the hive, they use their back legs to scrap the nectar off their abdomen and into the cells. All workers are female and they do not sleep so they die from exhaustion at 6 weeks.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lnpHxhz6H1E/U8pNi-u837I/AAAAAAAAKos/ePhfDgoCK0E/s640/blogger-image--305099851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lnpHxhz6H1E/U8pNi-u837I/AAAAAAAAKos/ePhfDgoCK0E/s640/blogger-image--305099851.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Then there are the drones. Drones are male bees and their sole purpose is to fertilise the Queen. Drones are bigger than workers because they never leave the hive. They just stay and eat all day and would eat the whole winter ration of food so in September there is a 'massacre' of the drones. The Queen does not lay eggs in the winter so there is no use for the drones and they are killed.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QTQLBF5DAAU/U8b215hQk4I/AAAAAAAAKjc/_Rc0u-jDOWM/s640/blogger-image-404326055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QTQLBF5DAAU/U8b215hQk4I/AAAAAAAAKjc/_Rc0u-jDOWM/s640/blogger-image-404326055.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Finally there is the Queen. They Queen is chosen by the workers when she is born and is only fed on Royal Jelly so she grows bigger and with an extended abdomen and she will live for 5 years. Her abdomen is used to store 5 years worth of sperm when she is fertilised by the drone. The Queen decides to lay male or female eggs depending on what is needed in the hive. When the hive becomes over populated, the Queen leaves the hive taking worker bees with her and starts a new colony. This is the only time you will see a swarm of bees. The workers in the hive which no longer has a Queen chooses a young bee to take her place and feeds it Royal Jelly so she grows to be Queen. So this is how the reproduction of bees works. I really enjoyed this visit.</div><div><br></div><div>Our final visit today was to a chocolate factory. We had a demonstration on how the chocolates are made and a tasting before buying in the shop. We were sampling the fresh chocolates which had just been made and they were so much nicer being fresh. We were only here for an hour then headed back to Le Touquet.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GZOquXRN_9k/U8beoVDKpfI/AAAAAAAAKjM/TgXJ8niVrfM/s640/blogger-image--1700617618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GZOquXRN_9k/U8beoVDKpfI/AAAAAAAAKjM/TgXJ8niVrfM/s640/blogger-image--1700617618.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>One of the teachers rang for my taxi on the way back and he was there waiting for me when I parked up. He took me to a restaurant in town where we were booked for our evening meal. The girls had no choice of meal, chicken and chips, although this seemed to go down very well as it was the first substantial meal they'd had since we arrived. The teachers had a choice of chicken, salmon or spaghetti bolognaise. Hand cut chips and side salads. And I didn't complain about us having bottomless carafes of wine! The food that was served up tonight was very nice. I'd had spaghetti bol which was my first proper meal of the week and I hadn't realised how much I needed it.</div><div><br></div><div>By 8 o'clock we were leaving the restaurant and I was looking forward to a relaxing evening. I had a walk along the beach but it was quite windy and chilly so I didn't go far before heading for the hotel where I just chilled with my tunes!</div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Day 4</i></b></div><div><br></div><div>Nothing really to report today. Luggage was loaded onto the coach after breakfast and I had to sit in the coach park while the group went to the market for an hour before leaving for the channel tunnel. There were more immigrants about today than I think I have ever seen. Not a problem for us as we are not stopping anywhere other than the tunnel but the girls were quite nervous of their presence. We managed to get an early train but lost the time we had made up in heavy traffic due to accident after accident on the M1. I met my feeder driver at Corley Services, told the girls how good they had been and how much I'd enjoyed the past 4 days with them but also how I'd told the feeder driver about the most mess cleaning the coach! I thanked the teachers and was on my way. The next morning, the office received a very nice email from the lead teacher thanking me and saying how marvellous I am! More happy customers! </div><div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-29115358215330469802014-06-24T13:09:00.001+01:002014-06-24T14:38:38.114+01:00Great Gardens of Cornwall<b><i>Day 1</i></b><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>I'm off on my travels again today, staying in Falmouth for 5 days. I know Cornwall quite well and very little of this weeks itinerary will be new to me so I am looking forward to an easy time. </div><div><br></div><div>A lot of the people travelling with us on this tour, I have met before. It's always nice to see some familiar faces. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We didn't leave our depot today until 10am so we are going to have to press on today so that we arrive at our hotel at a reasonable time. We had a short comfort stop at motorway services before arriving at Endsleigh Garden Centre for a late lunch. Garden Centres are always a good choice when there is little time to spare, there is always good food and at a much more reasonable price than at motorway services.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I was born and grew up in this area and my family are still local here so my parents met me here for lunch and an old school friend who I haven't seen for nearly 20 years! (Oh my god, am I really that old!) </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">From here we travelled directly to our hotel, arriving at 5 o'clock. For the next 4 nights we will be staying at the Falmouth Hotel.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5FEh3rqfBx0/U6lqPn9p0VI/AAAAAAAAJls/OgGNfMkNVfI/s640/blogger-image--833039127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5FEh3rqfBx0/U6lqPn9p0VI/AAAAAAAAJls/OgGNfMkNVfI/s640/blogger-image--833039127.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Falmouth Hotel is located in the historic harbour town of Falmouth and overlooks Falmouth Bay. It boasts beautiful period architecture and spacious interiors and claims to offer the perfect base for a holiday in Cornwall.<br><br>The 5 acres of landscaped gardens are perfect for taking time out to relax and families can enjoy the close proximity to Castle Beach. I quote, "We offer a warm welcome with excellent service, comfortable accommodation, a range of facilities and award-winning food." I don't think we received a warm welcome. Nobody came onto the coach to welcome us and give the usual spiel of thank you for coming to stay with us. The courier collected the keys from reception and we handed them out on the coach. Even as our passengers walked past the reception to their rooms there was no one there saying hello, in fact, they were ignored. None of the passengers mentioned this to me but having stayed in some very nice hotels, I notice these little things which all add to an enjoyable stay.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our evening meal was very nice but the service was a bit of a shambles. No one seemed to know what they should be doing, crockery was being dropped, but they managed to blunder their way through service in a reasonable time. There seems to have been a lack of staff training and a lack of direction from the management. Maybe I'm just getting too fussy. No one else has mentioned it and have all enjoyed their food. So long as they are happy, that is all that matters.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i>Day 2</i></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i><br></i></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I only have one criticism of breakfast this morning and that is that it was plated rather than buffet. I do like a buffet breakfast!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ok, let's get this show on the road! Today we are heading for Trebah Gardens. This beautiful Cornish valley garden has over four miles of footpath. You can explore under canopies bursting with exotic blooms and follow vibrant tunnels of colour that cascade down to their very own secluded beach on the Helford River.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qb5cZvFxL4w/U6l_BeefpOI/AAAAAAAAJmk/sElkyysPyqE/s640/blogger-image--695830418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qb5cZvFxL4w/U6l_BeefpOI/AAAAAAAAJmk/sElkyysPyqE/s640/blogger-image--695830418.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Trebah offers visitors a year round experience. In spring, Trebah comes alive with a colourful array of 100-year-old rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias; in summer, the giant gunnera is a must see for young and old. In autumn, Hydrangea Valley casts clouds of china blue and soft white across Mallard Pond and in winter, the spectacular champion trees dominate the landscape, whist plants from the southern hemisphere flower.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The group were split into two for a guided tour of the garden with two very passionate, informative guides who work here at the garden. I have done the guided tour here before so I opted to go to the beach and have an ice cream.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--E9mgYkqJ6Q/U6l-0rUsSDI/AAAAAAAAJmM/HLJOCN8cvOM/s640/blogger-image--831401493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--E9mgYkqJ6Q/U6l-0rUsSDI/AAAAAAAAJmM/HLJOCN8cvOM/s640/blogger-image--831401493.jpg"></a></font></div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font><p></p><div>We stayed for long enough to make use of the cafe for lunch before we headed back to Falmouth where the group were booked on a 2 1/2hr circular boat trip. I would have liked to do this but I couldn't park the coach and get back on time so I missed out. The route took in views of <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Falmouth Harbour (the third natural deepest waters in the world), Falmouth Docks, Pendennis & St Mawes Castles, St Anthony's Lighthouse, (from the childrens programme Fraggle Rock), Black Rock, Beaches from the sea, Castle, Gyllyngvase, Swanpool & Maenporth; Rosemullion point, The Manacles, Durgan, Trebah beach (embarkation point for American troops on D Day, Manderley House (famed by the author Daphne Du Maurier, the film and book "Rebecca"), Helford Passage, Helford Village, Port Navas, (Duchy Oyster Farm) and finally a view of Daphne Du Maurier's Frenchman's Creek and many more places of interest. Plus the Wildlife: Dolphins, Basking Sharks, Seals but no one spotted any wildlife today.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Everyone enjoyed the trip and they now had a couple of hours to relax before dinner. Dinner service was a lot better this evening but that may have had something to do with them having to cater for a school prom after we had eaten and so they had to be switched on to get it done. Dinner was a lot more pleasurable this evening.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i>Day 3</i></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i><br></i></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The garden we are visiting today is Trelissick, a tranquil,</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> varied garden in a fabulous position, with a superb collection of tender and exotic plants. On</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> its own peninsula with ever-changing views of the estuary of the River Fal, Trelissick has one of the most amazing natural settings in the country.</span></div><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Gdzi1BFUe5w/U6l-sLl8Q-I/AAAAAAAAJl8/1w4ETx1YXtI/s640/blogger-image-864049017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Gdzi1BFUe5w/U6l-sLl8Q-I/AAAAAAAAJl8/1w4ETx1YXtI/s640/blogger-image-864049017.jpg"></a></div><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p>There are more than 12 hectares (30 acres) of elevated garden to explore, with twisting paths that lead you through significant collections of hydrangeas, rhododendrons, camellias, ginger lilies and year-round exciting woodland plants.<p></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As well as the garden, the 121-hectare (300-acre) estate, with its countryside, woodlands and coast, makes for breathtaking walks.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VsR8gSv0EPk/U6l_WiynPUI/AAAAAAAAJm8/GAfUN7shjfs/s640/blogger-image-2107364125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VsR8gSv0EPk/U6l_WiynPUI/AAAAAAAAJm8/GAfUN7shjfs/s640/blogger-image-2107364125.jpg"></a></div><p></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As well as the garden and countryside Trelissick has its own renowned art gallery with a wide range of work from local Cornish artists. Crofters café offers a range of light refreshments, hot luncheons and afternoon cream teas using seasonal and local produce. Trelissick also has a gift shop, second-hand bookshop and six of the best National Trust holiday cottages located around the Trelissick estate.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After spending 4hrs here we returned to Falmouth for a free afternoon where I enjoyed a glass of wine in the sun in the hotel garden.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v4nJzjpK82Q/U6l--0eKhxI/AAAAAAAAJmc/oo8CZbueXlw/s640/blogger-image--1361834842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v4nJzjpK82Q/U6l--0eKhxI/AAAAAAAAJmc/oo8CZbueXlw/s640/blogger-image--1361834842.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Once again, the food was lovely at dinner this evening but the service was back to chaos. It was time to have a word but all the staff have disappeared!</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i>Day 4</i></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At breakfast this morning there was a familiar face. Jo, a waitress who I remember from my last stay here who was the one to resolve all our little niggles. We had a good chat, she took notes and I am confident tonight's dinner will go swimmingly!</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Today we are going to Truro for some free time. I don't think there is a Cornish tour we do where we don't visit Truro so in my opinion, for this to be in the itinerary of a gardens tour is very boring and unimaginitive. I only gave them 1 1/2 hrs here, enough time to visit the cathedral and have a coffee before we move on to do what we have come here to do, and that is to visit another garden, The Lost Gardens of Heligan.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9iyuAe5vY9o/U6l_D7MfP3I/AAAAAAAAJms/3isY-uMWzao/s640/blogger-image--1535106916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9iyuAe5vY9o/U6l_D7MfP3I/AAAAAAAAJms/3isY-uMWzao/s640/blogger-image--1535106916.jpg"></a></div><br></div><p></p><p><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The award winning Lost Gardens of Heligan, asleep for more than seventy years, are the scene of the largest garden restoration project in Europe. In the spring of 1991, the Gardens of Heligan lay under a blanket of bramble, ivy, rampant laurel and fallen timber. A year later, the restoration team opened the gardens to enable the public to share in the excitement of their discovery. In the northern gardens are two and a half miles of footpaths, an Elizabethan mount, rockeries, summer houses, a crystal grotto, an Italian garden, a fine set of bee-boles, a wishing well and a superb collection of walled gardens. Remarkably much of the original plant collection has survived, sometimes to record sizes.</font></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font>To the south lies 'Lost Valley' and 'The Jungle', a sub-tropical valley overlooking the picturesque fishing harbour of Mevagissey, and overflowing with palms, tree ferns, bamboos, gunnera and numerous exotic trees and shrubs. If </font>The Secret Garden<font> and </font>Peter Rabbit<font> captured your childhood imagination, then Heligan will not disappoint you. The story boards make the visit interesting even to the non-gardener!</font></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3idsmGSKV_Y/U6l-3nQkVuI/AAAAAAAAJmU/Z_pqcbz0KN0/s640/blogger-image-1529469055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3idsmGSKV_Y/U6l-3nQkVuI/AAAAAAAAJmU/Z_pqcbz0KN0/s640/blogger-image-1529469055.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The majority of my passengers have said that from the gardens they have visited this week, Heligan has been their favourite.</div><div><br></div><div>We returned to the hotel and as I expected, dinner ran like clockwork under the watchful eye of Jo. It's only taken them 4 days to get it right but they got there in the end! All the private guests I've spoken to have said how wonderful the hotel is so it seems that they haven't been too concerned about us because we are 'just the coach'! Which is the same attitude they had towards us the last time I stayed here.</div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Day 5</i></b></div><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>There is nothing planned for us today according to our itinerary other than to get home so today is down to me and I have a very nice day planned. I have delayed our arrival home this afternoon by one hour so that hopefully, the passengers will find today to be more comfortable and enjoyable than our day of doing nothing on departure day.</div><div><br></div><div>We left the hotel at 9:30 and travelled up to Bolventor on Bodmin Moor where we had an extended comfort stop for 45mins at Jamaica Inn, Cornwall's most famous Smugglers Inn.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Z87OHDx9k_E/U6l-utliOFI/AAAAAAAAJmE/1dnwsR0c-7g/s640/blogger-image--1887511545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Z87OHDx9k_E/U6l-utliOFI/AAAAAAAAJmE/1dnwsR0c-7g/s640/blogger-image--1887511545.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Immortalised in Daphne du Maurier's eponymous tale of smugglers, rogues and pirates, this historic coaching house has welcomed travellers crossing Bodmin Moor for nearly 300 years. Full of legend, mystery, romance and even, according to folklore, the odd friendly spirit, Jamaica Inn is set in one of the most evocative moorland locations in Britain.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Coming in at number two of the Most Haunted Pubs in Britain in the Metro, the article refers to the numerous reports of ghostly goings on at the Inn which include previous managers of the Inn hearing conversations uttered in a foreign tongue, suggested to be Olde Worlde Cornish, and the sound of horses’ hooves and the metal rims of wheels on the rough cobbles, even when the courtyard is empty. Who can be behind the uneasy footsteps heard pacing the corridors in the dead of night? Who is the strange man in a tricorne hat and cloak who appears and then walks through solid doors? To mention just a couple of the mysteries surrounding Jamaica Inn.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">From here we travelled for another hour before stopping for lunch at Exeter Quay, where I had arranged to meet my parents again.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Vrr3BMT31LQ/U6l_OaiHlxI/AAAAAAAAJm0/BKdNKBe4Swg/s640/blogger-image--2096204293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Vrr3BMT31LQ/U6l_OaiHlxI/AAAAAAAAJm0/BKdNKBe4Swg/s640/blogger-image--2096204293.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Exeter's Historic Quayside is one of the most attractive areas of the city, popular with locals and visitors alike for its fascinating history, interesting architecture and lively pubs and restaurants.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Quayside has been enhanced to provide a fascinating mix of historic and contemporary design. It is the ideal place to browse in antique shops, walk and cycle, take a relaxing boat trip or find something good to eat. Our visit here went down very well with the group. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">From here we headed home with a quick comfort stop at motorway services, rolling in on time with a lot of happy people. Although I have done very little driving this week, I have had a lot more to do and think about outside of my role as a driver, than I expected. Nevertheless, I have enjoyed the week and I am satisfied with another good job done.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-49778436678329140912014-06-09T00:39:00.000+01:002014-06-09T00:39:22.426+01:00Ireland with the Farmers!<b><i>Day 1</i></b><div><br></div><div>I've only been at home for three days after coming back from Holland and I'm on my way out again. I am going to Ireland for 8 days with a group of mostly retired farmers who I took to Lille last year, and had a great deal of fun with. We have an interesting itinerary to say the least!<div><br></div><div>The group all met at a farm just outside of Stratford which was where I picked them up. I was there for 7:30am with the intention of being on the road for 8:00. I wasn't at all surprised that we didn't actually get moving until 8:15. I remember from last year that we nearly missed our ferry because they are all so laid back and in no hurry. Once we get on our ferry today, they can be as late as they like!</div><div><br></div><div>We are booked on the 2:30pm sailing from Fishguard to Rosslare. Coaches should be checked in at least an hour and a half before sailing. The last part of the journey to Fishguard is all single carriageway roads and the tractors were out in force today, trying to get the hay in after a window of good weather. This slowed us down a little but we were only 5 mins late to check in, not bad going really!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zFiqXmrhxKY/U5BlGeIlOuI/AAAAAAAAJHk/s3EVuG0xgXc/s640/blogger-image-512313951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zFiqXmrhxKY/U5BlGeIlOuI/AAAAAAAAJHk/s3EVuG0xgXc/s640/blogger-image-512313951.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We were loaded onto the ferry and I was given a meal voucher and a cabin. I'd finished my lunch, pork in peppercorn sauce, before we set sail. I went on deck and admired the view as we sailed around the headland and out towards the Irish Sea before going down to my cabin for a couple of hours kip. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pRBIr8nf_OE/U44BcUzgrtI/AAAAAAAAI_k/louwBxGmbi4/s640/blogger-image--2089140021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pRBIr8nf_OE/U44BcUzgrtI/AAAAAAAAI_k/louwBxGmbi4/s640/blogger-image--2089140021.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The sea was like a millpond for the whole crossing and I'd got a good rest.</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zmzfWHwK95Q/U5BlYnjrg7I/AAAAAAAAJII/QUjTgF7QaCk/s640/blogger-image--2069968441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zmzfWHwK95Q/U5BlYnjrg7I/AAAAAAAAJII/QUjTgF7QaCk/s640/blogger-image--2069968441.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>I went for a coffee and went back on deck to watch us coming into port. I was starting to get excited, I'm really looking forward to this tour.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5pglateW9pw/U44BjbLPliI/AAAAAAAAI_s/kvRvQNGtPZA/s640/blogger-image--212388626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5pglateW9pw/U44BjbLPliI/AAAAAAAAI_s/kvRvQNGtPZA/s640/blogger-image--212388626.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We docked in Rosslare at 6:00pm and were on the road again by 6:20 for the 1hr journey across to Waterford, where we are spending the night at Treacy's Hotel. We checked in and learnt that 6 coaches were already here and so we were expecting the service at dinner to be very slow. However, serving dinner was like a military operation and we were seated and served very quickly and efficiently. We had a nice meal which I didn't really need after having a hot meal on the ferry, so I skipped starter but not pudding!</div><div><br></div><div>In the bar this evening there is live Irish music. I will be enjoying it one night this week, but not tonight. I, like many others of our group, went to bed almost straight after dinner. I don't know why I'm feeling so tired. It must be all the excitement!</div></div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Day 2</i></b></div><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>I was up for an early breakfast this morning because I would be loading cases while the rest of the group were eating. I had time for a short walk down the river before fetching the coach.</div><div><br></div><div><p class="Btext"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.waterfordtreasures.com/" target="_blank" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://www.waterfordtourism.com/images/logo-wmot.jpg" alt="Logo Waterford Museum of Treasures" width="130" height="101" hspace="20" border="0" align="right" longdesc="http://www.waterfordtourism.com/images/logo-wmot.jpg"></a></span><a href="http://www.waterfordtourism.com/waterford-city.htm" style="text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Waterford City</font></a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b> </b>was founded by Viking traders in 914 and it has an exciting medieval flavour and riverside bustle. <br>The </span><a href="http://www.waterfordtreasures.ie/" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Waterford Museum of Treasures</font></a><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">tells the 1000-year-story of Waterford from the treasures of Viking Waterford at </span><a href="http://www.waterfordtreasures.com/reginalds-tower/index.htm" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Reginald's Tower</font></a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, the oldest civic urban building in Ireland, to the story of Georgian Waterford at the </span><a href="http://www.waterfordtreasures.com/bishops-palace/index.htm" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Bishop's Palace</font></a><font color="#000000" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">from 1700 to 1970.</span></p><p class="Btext"><a href="http://www.waterfordvisitorcentre.com/" target="_blank" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://www.waterfordtourism.com/images/waterford-crystal-visitorcentre.jpg" alt="Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre" width="300" height="100" hspace="5" vspace="5" border="0" align="right"></a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Waterford City is the home of Waterford Crystal, a lifestyle product of exquisite craftsmanship. A visit to the House of Crystal Visitor Centre</span><a href="http://www.waterfordvisitorcentre.com/" target="_blank" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"><strong> </strong></a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">includes an opportunity to choose from the world's largest selection of Waterford Crystal. The factory tour offers first hand access to all areas of traditional crystal production.</span></p><p class="Btext"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The city has a strong maritime tradition and an estimated 500,000 people enjoyed the colourful spectacle of the 2011 </span><a href="http://www.sailtraininginternational.org/events" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Tall Ships Race</font></a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> and festival of music and culture in the city and along the river Suir Estuary to Dunmore East. I was in Waterford for the Tall Ships Festival on tour and it was brilliant!</span></p></div><div>Unfortunately we have no time in Waterford. Today is our day of farm visits. Our first destination today is www.theapplefarm.com which is not far from Clonmel.</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-22Q4fjOMI4E/U5Blp8nSmJI/AAAAAAAAJIg/l2H0r-ESJzg/s640/blogger-image--1297740942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-22Q4fjOMI4E/U5Blp8nSmJI/AAAAAAAAJIg/l2H0r-ESJzg/s640/blogger-image--1297740942.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div> We were met by one of the farmers who gave the group a guided tour. I missed that to change a lightbulb which had gone. I don't know why they design these coaches to be so fiddley to change a bulb! Once I'd done that I went to say hello to Jeannie the donkey.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mkMTuR_9Ahw/U5BlVD-L3wI/AAAAAAAAJIA/0PnWLIrUD3g/s640/blogger-image--1946841893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mkMTuR_9Ahw/U5BlVD-L3wI/AAAAAAAAJIA/0PnWLIrUD3g/s640/blogger-image--1946841893.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She kept trying to bite me! Obviously unimpressed that I had no titbits for her but with all the visitors they get here, I doubt she goes short!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-94yJVjxYQmA/U5BlCQx1tJI/AAAAAAAAJHc/kMD_0WSlWb4/s640/blogger-image--205609996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-94yJVjxYQmA/U5BlCQx1tJI/AAAAAAAAJHc/kMD_0WSlWb4/s640/blogger-image--205609996.jpg"></a></div></div></div><br></div><div>The group thoroughly enjoyed their tour. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Traas family moved from The Netherlands to Ireland in the late 1960's to grow fruit. The Traas family had been growing fruit in Holland since the 1800's, but because it was difficult to find new land there for fruit-growing, Willem and Ali decided to make a move to Ireland. They looked at a number of farms, and decided on the one where The Apple Farm is now situated, between Cahir and Clonmel on the main Limerick-Waterford road. There was an old orchard on the farm, and they judged by the good crop they saw on these trees, that apples could be grown in this area. For the first few years, as well as establishing new apple and plum orchards, the family grew tulips, dried peas, grain crops and strawberries.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Because there was no structure to enable them to sell their fruit locally, they opened a shop at the farm in the early 1970's. It is the same barn that they use to this day to sell most of what they produce from 40 acres of fruit.</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br>These days the produce on sale is quite diverse. 60 varieties of apples are grown on the farm, and about 15 types are available in the farm shop depending on when they ripen. Four varieties of strawberries, three of raspberry, four of cherry, three types of plums, and two pears compliment the range in the farm shop, again depending on when they ripen. Some of the strawberries are available as pick-your-own in the middle of summer.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br>In addition, a range of juices have been made on the farm since 1995. There is apple juice, mixtures including strawberry, raspberry, and blackcurrant juices, and some sparkling juices also. These are all made using fruits grown right there. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Fruits from the farm are also used to make jams, jelly and cider vinegar.</span></div><div><div><br></div><div>We stayed here for a picnic lunch which we'd all bought before we left Waterford this morning, before we moved on to our next visit of the day, a dairy farm just outside of Cobh.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-inF-J0xMDiI/U44Bmt0QjLI/AAAAAAAAI_4/2GQetYdYhNA/s640/blogger-image-1504073172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-inF-J0xMDiI/U44Bmt0QjLI/AAAAAAAAI_4/2GQetYdYhNA/s640/blogger-image-1504073172.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The reason for visiting this farm was because of its state of the art robotic milking technology! <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Robotic Milking is a voluntary system that allows the cow to set her own milking schedule by simply entering the machine, when she feels she needs milking. It follows an initial training period. Cows are milked with limited human interaction. Each cow on a dairy milking machine is fitted with an electronic tag. That allows the robot to identify the cow. When<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> a cow enters the machine the robot reads the ID tag and ensures it is customized to each individual. Next,</span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> the robot cleans the teets </span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and attaches the milk cups and begins the milking process. </span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When</span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> this process is finished the </span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">cups</span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> are disconnected as each quarter finishes milking and the cow exits the robot. Milking occurs</span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">throughout</span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> the day and night. It's amazing the things I learn while doing my job, I never knew milking a cow could be so interesting!</span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br></span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E_f7gut9yFk/U44AA4glVGI/AAAAAAAAI_Q/uvDfQmWXk2I/s640/blogger-image--45240191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E_f7gut9yFk/U44AA4glVGI/AAAAAAAAI_Q/uvDfQmWXk2I/s640/blogger-image--45240191.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>After being here for an hour and a half we took the short journey to our hotel, The Commodore Hotel, situated on the harbour front in Cobh. There are two large cruise liners in Cobh Harbour for the day today which had brought a lot of people into town to have a look at them. Cars were abandoned on both sides of the road for the last mile into town and I was having a job fighting through the traffic. In the end it had to come down to "I'm bigger than you, get out of my way" or we would never have got through!</div><div><br></div><div>We finally arrived at the hotel where a space had been blocked off for me except a car had snuck in the end leaving it too short. The hotel rang the Garda who came out and 'bounced' the car out of my way! If only it could be that easy everywhere we took a coach! </div><div><br></div><div>There was chaos at check in again today because this group seem to be incapable of staying on the coach when they're asked, so it became a free for all, grabbing for keys and no opportunity to tell them all the last bits of information they needed. Oh well, they're happy!</div><div><br></div><div>I was given 2 room keys and told to go and look at both rooms and decide which one I would like. The first room had a lovely view overlooking the harbour but that was the only thing going for it. It was pokey with a child sized single bed and the smallest shower cubicle I have ever seen. The receptionist had said this was the better of the 2 rooms so I was a little concerned of what I may find in the next one. This room was on the top floor and overlooked the dirty back yard of the hotel where you could watch the rats playing but the room itself, although looking a little tired, was clean and spacious. It was the double bed that sold this room to me!</div><div><br></div><div>I had a quick freshen up and change before going to the bar for a glass of wine and taking it to the roof terrace to watch the ships leave the harbour.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zGPzVCaXp2Q/U5BllkeNSFI/AAAAAAAAJIY/y15k-zU-rJg/s640/blogger-image--628985898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zGPzVCaXp2Q/U5BllkeNSFI/AAAAAAAAJIY/y15k-zU-rJg/s640/blogger-image--628985898.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Above is the Queen Victoria which has a capacity of 2,500. Below is the Ruby Princess with a capacity of 4,500.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aAuGgluy8to/U44BUPL0aSI/AAAAAAAAI_c/g91kdT-4738/s640/blogger-image-1002360033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aAuGgluy8to/U44BUPL0aSI/AAAAAAAAI_c/g91kdT-4738/s640/blogger-image-1002360033.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was quite a sight to see these huge ships sailing quite close to the shore of this pretty little town. The Captain of the Queen Victoria obviously liked his air horn because he used it to excess! It took about an hour for the two ships to sail past the town and turn onto their course for the open sea. It was now 6pm which meant I had time for a quick kip before dinner at 7:30.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hNJbFrMj1eo/U5BnHtkpf1I/AAAAAAAAJIs/3a-btrLsVPE/s640/blogger-image--1866342613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hNJbFrMj1eo/U5BnHtkpf1I/AAAAAAAAJIs/3a-btrLsVPE/s640/blogger-image--1866342613.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We ate as a group in the hotel this evening. The food was nice and there was plenty of it although the service was quite slow. I'm not sure that this hotel is used to feeding so many people at the same time. The group are relatively happy with the hotel. They don't mind that it is a little run down and they are all such sociable people that they don't notice how slow the service is because they are all so busy chatting! I know we wouldn't get away with using this hotel on one of our brochure holidays!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After dinner I went for a short walk along the front where I bumped into a couple of our group who dragged me kicking and screaming into Kelly's Bar for a drink! About 15 of our group were already there and it wasn't long before they were having a sing song! I stayed for one drink before going back to the hotel and straight to bed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Day 3</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i><br></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I woke up this morning to blue sky and beautiful sunshine. The bay was looking even nicer this morning than it was yesterday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xhNi-8Xmdm4/U5BlL8fcA_I/AAAAAAAAJHs/EdF_8G5IeLY/s640/blogger-image-1181117352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xhNi-8Xmdm4/U5BlL8fcA_I/AAAAAAAAJHs/EdF_8G5IeLY/s640/blogger-image-1181117352.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was one of the first at breakfast at about 8:15 where I found the waiting staff in a panic because they knew they were about to be descended on by 44 people all at once. I wasn't too impressed with breakfast. There wasn't a lot of choice of anything but what they did have was nice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The group have the option today of either staying in Cobh or coming with me on the coach to Cork. Either place would be nice to spend the day.</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cobh (formerly Queenstown) is a pretty seaside town in County Cork. Cobh was the departure point for 2.5 million of the six million Irish people who emigrated to North America between 1848 and 1950. These included Annie Moore and her two brothers – the first immigrants to be processed on Ellis Island in New York. On 11 April 1912 Queenstown was the final port of call for the RMS Titanic as she set out across the Atlantic on her ill-fated maiden voyage. The RMS Lusitania </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">was sunk by a German U-Boat off the Old Head of Kinsale on May 7, 1915. The survivors were brought to the town of Cobh, and over one hundred victims lie buried in the Old Church Cemetery about a mile north of the town. Famous boxer, entertainer, wrestler and playboy Jack Doyle is also buried in this cemetery.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AN0fvdCC_0Q/U44BzxTOQrI/AAAAAAAAJAA/-_ebf-w6Q90/s640/blogger-image--208854967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AN0fvdCC_0Q/U44BzxTOQrI/AAAAAAAAJAA/-_ebf-w6Q90/s640/blogger-image--208854967.jpg"></a></div></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Cobh is a pretty town built on a steep hill on Great Island in Cork Harbour. It is just 20 minutes from Cork city and there are hourly rail connections to and from the city. The town’s architecture and streetscape is distinctly Victorian. St. Colman’s Cathedral dominates the town. It’s 49-bell</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Carillon</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> is the only such instrument in Ireland and is the largest in Ireland and Britain.</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IUPVk3dGbrg/U5BldHO0CaI/AAAAAAAAJIQ/EbgDZ7gXVfI/s640/blogger-image--1302913527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IUPVk3dGbrg/U5BldHO0CaI/AAAAAAAAJIQ/EbgDZ7gXVfI/s640/blogger-image--1302913527.jpg"></a></div><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Attractions for tourists include shore and lake fishing, sailing and water sports, bird watching and countless sites of historical interest and importance. Harbour Boat trips and sea angling excursions are also available. Fota House, Gardens and Wildlife Park are located on the road to Cobh. The Titanic Trail walking tour departs daily throughout the year. The Queenstown Story Heritage centre is located in the Victorian Railway station near the town centre and next to the Cobh Cruise Liner Terminal. </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We left for Cork at 10am. Only 19 of the group decided that they would come with me to Cork but many had already made me aware of their intention to return to Cobh by train along the very scenic railway.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cork City is Ireland's third city (after Dublin and Belfast) and has<a href="http://www.cork-guide.ie/corkcity/images/00_00026.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="http://www.cork-guide.ie/corkcity/images/00_00026_small.jpg" alt="00_00026.jpg (25663 bytes)" align="right" width="125" height="93"></a> always been an important seaport. It began on an island in the swampy estuary of the River Lee (the name Corcaigh means a marsh), and gradually climbed up the steep banks on either side.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Today the river flows through Cork city in two main channels, so that you find yourself constantly crossing bridges and hence Cork City's coat of arms bears the motto 'A Safe Harbour for Ships'.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Some of the main streets are built over channels where ships nuzzled their anchor-chains a century ago. Along the </span><a href="http://www.cork-guide.ie/cork_city/southmall.html" style="text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">South Mall,</font></a><a href="http://www.cork-guide.ie/cork_city/southmall.html" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"> </a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">you will see large gateways at street level, under steps leading to a higher main door. These were once boathouses, when merchants arrived at their warehouses by water.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As the hilly streets go up and down, so do the voices of the citizens. They have a characteristic sing-song cadence, beloved of national comedians, and Corkonians are regarded as the most talkative of all the Irish.</span></p><p><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.cork-guide.ie/images/home_page/will.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="http://www.cork-guide.ie/corkcity/images/will_small.jpg" align="right" width="125" height="105"></a>St. Finbarr is the founder and patron saint. He founded a monastery in the seventh century where St. Finn Barre's Cathedral now stands, and it grew into an extensive and wealthy establishment.</span></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#000000"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KiiAPaFht2k/U5BlRLkfKFI/AAAAAAAAJH4/-lrCvFyteXU/s640/blogger-image-1932098860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KiiAPaFht2k/U5BlRLkfKFI/AAAAAAAAJH4/-lrCvFyteXU/s640/blogger-image-1932098860.jpg"></a></font></div><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It attracted the attention of the Viking sea-pirates who raided and burned the infant city, but returned in later years to settle and trade. The Anglo-Norman invasion in 1172 resulted in both the Danish lords and local McCarthy chiefs having to submit to Henry II, but Cork has always had a reputation for independence and stubborn resistance: it came to be known as "Rebel Cork".</span></p><p></p><p align="left"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The best way to see the city of Cork and sample the flavour of its life, is to walk. There is a signpost Walking Tour, so get the accompanying booklet and set off to explore the hilly streets and meet the people.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I left Cork at 3pm with only 8 people. Everyone else had caught the train. There was still time to explore a bit more of Cobh when we returned. I just enjoyed the peace and quiet on the roof terrace in the sun.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">This evening we are all booked in for dinner at Gilbert's Restaurant in the middle of the town. Gilbert's is owned by the same family that we visited at the dairy farm yesterday. We had a very, very nice meal with lots of wine flowing and I ate far too much. We left the restaurant at 11pm. I went straight back to the hotel and to bed but I know that many wouldn't have made it past Kelly's Bar without calling in for a drink!</span></p><p align="left"><b><i>Day 4</i></b></p><p align="left">We were loading cases again this morning and moving on to our next port of call which, for me, is our most exciting stay of the week. We left at 10:30am after buying picnics for lunch and travelled further west, picking up the 'West Coast Scenic Route' to Kinsale, where we had a quick coffee stop for 45 mins.</p><p align="left"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-icHbmC0jr6s/U5TXA69xdiI/AAAAAAAAJQE/_8gxENyw-DQ/s640/blogger-image--1103520633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-icHbmC0jr6s/U5TXA69xdiI/AAAAAAAAJQE/_8gxENyw-DQ/s640/blogger-image--1103520633.jpg"></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>Originally a medieval fishing port, historic Kinsale is one of the most picturesque, popular and historic towns on the south west coast of Ireland. It has been hailed as the Gourmet Capital of Ireland, with no shortage of cafes, pubs and restaurants to suit every taste and budget. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Only 18 miles from Cork, Kinsale marks the beginning of</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">scenic West Cork</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">and is ideally placed as a</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">yachting and deep-sea angling centre</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">and in recent years a world</span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </b><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">class golf destination</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.</span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br></p></div>This was a very pretty little town but I was just itching to reach today's final destination and so I didn't really appreciate this little place. <p></p><p align="left">From here we carried on along the scenic route to Timoleague. The scenery was outstanding and was made even more beautiful by the fact that it wasn't raining!</p><p align="left"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8XF9Ep96xqs/U5TXfXWIpWI/AAAAAAAAJQc/WHFQrsfV4Ek/s640/blogger-image--1574205972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8XF9Ep96xqs/U5TXfXWIpWI/AAAAAAAAJQc/WHFQrsfV4Ek/s640/blogger-image--1574205972.jpg"></a></div><p align="justify" style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font>Timoleague is a picturesque village which is situated</font></span><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> just 30 miles from Cork City on the Kinsale to Clonakilty coast road (the R600). Perched at the edge of a long sea inlet this friendly tourist village is dominated by the ruins of a 13th century Friary. The Friary</font><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> was founded by the Franciscan order in 1240 A.D., on the site of a 6th century monastic settlement founded by Saint Molaga. The name Timoleague comes from the Irish for House of Molaga (Tigh Molaga).</font></p><p align="justify" style="text-align: start;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font style="text-align: justify;">In August each year the village hosts the Timoleague Festival. </font><font style="text-align: justify;">This ten day harvest festival sees the streets thronged with locals and tourists alike trying to catch a glimpse of the many street activities which are organised for the event. Live street music, pig racing and the fancy dress competitions are among the most popular of these activities. A large marquee is also erected on the village green during the festival with many big name acts performing during the ten day period.</font></font></p><p align="left">We stopped for our picnic in Timoleague, next to the ruin of a Franciscan Friary on the river estuary.</p><p align="left"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kts6J6nvWgc/U5TzCwr_EnI/AAAAAAAAJRE/s4JTHjizcxQ/s640/blogger-image-1850517613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kts6J6nvWgc/U5TzCwr_EnI/AAAAAAAAJRE/s4JTHjizcxQ/s640/blogger-image-1850517613.jpg"></a></div><p align="left">After an hour we started on the road again. We finished driving the scenic route through Clonakilty. We followed the road through to Skibbereen where we turned off the main road for Baltimore. I drove onto the harbour pier where all the luggage was unloaded and everyone got on the little foot ferry for Sherkin Island. I went to find a quiet corner of the harbour to park the coach, then walked back to wait for the next ferry which wasn't for another 1 1/2hrs. I was now officially and legally on rest until Friday morning so while I was waiting, I went for a cheeky glass of wine in the pub! Baltimore is a very small place with 2 pubs and a little supermarket.</p><p align="left">I got on to the ferry across to Sherkin Island at 4:45pm and had to walk from there to our hotel, The Islanders Rest. I met the owner, Mark, and was told I was staying in a house down the road with 3 other couples from our group and if I could wait for 15 mins he would give me a lift. A lot of our group had settled into their rooms and were now in the bar, where I was bought another drink!</p><p align="left"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mwu1J36baNs/U5Tzp_xFChI/AAAAAAAAJSU/MKU53624XtE/s640/blogger-image--1089430337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mwu1J36baNs/U5Tzp_xFChI/AAAAAAAAJSU/MKU53624XtE/s640/blogger-image--1089430337.jpg"></a></div><p align="left"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Mark drove me up to the house where the others were already settled. It was a single carriageway road across the island with grass growing in the middle and Mark told me this was the main highway on the island! We arrived at the house which was a newly built, 5 bedroom detached house with the most glorious views looking out to Cape Clear Island. There was no sign of the others, they must have gone for a walk, so I took the opportunity to have a good look around the house and make sure I'd not been left with the duff room! All the rooms were lovely and mine had an en suite so I was happy.</span></p><p></p><p align="left">I'd had a freshen up and got changed before the others got back and it wasn't long before Mark came to collect us again to take us back to the hotel for dinner. There were 7 of us in total at the house who all needed a lift back to the hotel so Mark turned up in his van and opened the back where he had put two chairs which he'd taken from the bar! So we had 2 ladies in the front, myself and Angela on the chairs and the three men had to perch where they could! It was quite a terrifying ride! The chairs were sliding all over the place and I had white knuckles by the time we got to the hotel!</p><p align="left">Dinner was a shambles but the food was very nice and there was plenty of it. Mark had arranged for live music in the bar for us which was a great deal of fun. We were the last to leave at 1am because we had to wait for Mark to drop the musicians at the ferry before he could take us back. I really enjoyed the evening and I am soooo excited about tomorrow's activities. I just can't wait! I think I must have the best job in the world!</p><p align="left"><b><i>Day 5</i></b></p><p align="left">I woke up really early this morning after a good nights sleep. That's unlike me, especially on my day off. We were picked up for breakfast, another white knuckle ride, and found the service of breakfast to be equally as chaotic as at dinner the previous night! Nevertheless, we were in no hurry. After breakfast, there was the option of sightseeing boat trips or, for the men, going fishing. I opted to go fishing! </p><p align="left">There were about 7 or 8 of us who went out, taken by Mark on his little 3 tonne boat. I drove the boat out towards open sea before heading east to Kedge Island which has been inhabited by a colony of Gannets.</p><p align="left"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zXcJuC236_8/U5TzJCfhj3I/AAAAAAAAJRM/At62RB4KMlw/s640/blogger-image-1511241764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zXcJuC236_8/U5TzJCfhj3I/AAAAAAAAJRM/At62RB4KMlw/s640/blogger-image-1511241764.jpg"></a></div><br>We were rocking and rolling a bit with some big waves coming in but once we started fishing we didn't notice. The first hooks had only been in the water for a few minutes before we caught 3 fish on one line, all Pollock.<p></p><p align="left"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yRk1ViFBSmg/U5Ty3TvSPKI/AAAAAAAAJQ8/HlNJzrnXCoo/s640/blogger-image--838247640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yRk1ViFBSmg/U5Ty3TvSPKI/AAAAAAAAJQ8/HlNJzrnXCoo/s640/blogger-image--838247640.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And that was how it went on for the hour we were there. We'd filled our tub with fish so started throwing them back unless there was a possibility of it being biggest catch of the day. We only had enough equipment for 3 people to fish at a time, that soon became 2 when someone got a hook caught on the sea bed and lost the tackle. When we weren't fishing we were watching the Gannets diving and feeding the sea gulls.</span></div><p align="left"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XZKtURtjRco/U5TzjKMO9SI/AAAAAAAAJSE/Z5Tc_SRI2Hk/s640/blogger-image-1998598374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XZKtURtjRco/U5TzjKMO9SI/AAAAAAAAJSE/Z5Tc_SRI2Hk/s640/blogger-image-1998598374.jpg"></a></div><p align="left">The first fish I caught was a poisonous Gurney fish which was quite quickly thrown back. Then I caught a tiddler which was thrown back. Then I had a really quiet time on my line for a while until I finally got a bite. He was fighting me and I told the boys I'd got a shark! I pulled him in and sure enough, he was looking like a champ! Still only Pollock but this one was going to be the winner so he was marked and put in the tub.</p><p align="left"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sVNp_aop1CQ/U5T0Jlt3QkI/AAAAAAAAJTE/s9W-G-PbNuc/s640/blogger-image--1050689644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sVNp_aop1CQ/U5T0Jlt3QkI/AAAAAAAAJTE/s9W-G-PbNuc/s640/blogger-image--1050689644.jpg"></a></div><p></p><p align="left">We moved around to the opposite side of the island where it was a lot more sheltered, hoping to find Mackeral. We were still catching just as well but still only Pollock. There were a lot more Gannets diving and we saw a dolphin. We tried to track it and chopped some fish ready to feed it and although we had all had a good sighting of him, he didn't want to play and avoided the boat and disappeared. Another of the islanders had seen a Minky Whale on this side of the island too. Unfortunately I didn't manage any photos.</p><p align="left"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-b6j1kxYcvoU/U5TXn7YeTDI/AAAAAAAAJQs/U7FHI8dhoZU/s640/blogger-image--32555293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-b6j1kxYcvoU/U5TXn7YeTDI/AAAAAAAAJQs/U7FHI8dhoZU/s640/blogger-image--32555293.jpg"></a></div><p align="left"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After we'd given up on the dolphin, Mark took us back towards the hotel marina, completing a whole lap of the island. We were just approaching the marina when we spotted another boat just on its way out of the bay on a sightseeing trip with some of our group, so we raced them, got in front, turned sharply away splashing them and leaving them riding our waves! We all thought it was great fun, however no one on the other boat agreed! So for the second time we headed back to the marina, doing a few 'donuts' before we landed! Boys and their toys!</span></p><p></p><p align="left">We took our catch up to the hotel where a lot of our group were gathered in the bar. They were impressed with what we'd caught. The fish were taken through to the chef where they were weighed to find out who had won. The winner was to be announced at dinner tonight in front of the whole group. The chef gave us a lesson in filleting fish before he fried it up for us.</p><p align="left"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N1-K0OpnJy4/U5TzRyLIuBI/AAAAAAAAJRk/Btfdbf_A0qU/s640/blogger-image-175698062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N1-K0OpnJy4/U5TzRyLIuBI/AAAAAAAAJRk/Btfdbf_A0qU/s640/blogger-image-175698062.jpg"></a></div><p></p><p align="left">Can't get any fresher than that! I stayed for a drink in the bar. One couple travelling with us are celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary today so there was a surprise gathering for them accompanied by a few bottles of bubbly.</p><p align="left">I was on a real high after this mornings shenanigans and I was keen to go and explore the island some more. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sherkin Island (from the Irish Inis Earcáin) lies southwest of County Cork alongside other islands of Roaringwater Bay. It has an average population of 100 people and measures 3 miles long by 1.5 miles wide (5 km by 3 km). The island has a primary school, two pubs with a hotel, B&B, community centre and a church.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_aF7-fGbQfc/U5Tz0wDQRyI/AAAAAAAAJSs/HfYxMwsWMI0/s640/blogger-image-439660317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_aF7-fGbQfc/U5Tz0wDQRyI/AAAAAAAAJSs/HfYxMwsWMI0/s640/blogger-image-439660317.jpg"></a></div></div><p></p><div class="angled" style="position: relative;"><p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sherkin has its own special character. A West Cork anecdote has it that Sherkin's residents live off their art: island craft, paintings and book writing all inspired by Sherkins tranquil lifestyle. The busiest season starts with school summer holidays when people with young families visit the island. The busiest day of the year is a celebration of Sherkin Regatta, usually held on the 3rd weekend in July, but which is postponed to August if weather does not allow. On this day the island is crowded with sea rowers and their fans. Children's activities, music and food stalls are all part of this Sherkin fair.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eHmq0Qsv-bg/U5TXijT5bZI/AAAAAAAAJQk/aUYGfpyqbYU/s640/blogger-image-1625086884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eHmq0Qsv-bg/U5TXijT5bZI/AAAAAAAAJQk/aUYGfpyqbYU/s640/blogger-image-1625086884.jpg"></a></div><p></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sherkin was once a busy island and had a population of around 1,000, which started diminishing during the Great Irish Famine in the mid-19th Century. Now the population is reduced and varies greatly between the summer and the winter months, with increases in summer as people return to holiday houses and tourists arrive. People from all over the globe discovered this secluded spot and consequently settled down here, these include: Americans, Australians, Canadians, Danish, French, Germans, British and Russians.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZWu-MFVPRGI/U5TXZ6qumtI/AAAAAAAAJQU/Nf9yadh2xTI/s640/blogger-image-54928542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZWu-MFVPRGI/U5TXZ6qumtI/AAAAAAAAJQU/Nf9yadh2xTI/s640/blogger-image-54928542.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had a nice afternoon walking around the island enjoying the tranquility and keeping an eye out for that dolphin, or even better, the Minky Whale but I had no luck with that. I arrived back at the house feeling quite exhausted so I had a shower and a quick kip before having to get ready for another nail biting ride to the hotel for dinner. I can't understand why it's the same two ladies getting the front seats all the time? I think they should also have to experience Sherkins luxury travel on the dodgy seats in the boot!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had drinks before moving through to the restaurant for dinner. Once we were all seated, Edward and Tom got everyone's attention to announce the winner and present the prize for the fishing contest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"This morning, a few of us men went out to sea doing men's things and had a good couple of hours catching fish and wildlife watching. We came back and enjoyed our catch, very kindly prepared and cooked by chef, for lunch. A good time was had by all. The fish were weighed and the results are in and us men, doing men things have been........ Beaten my Nina!" Yeeeees! Girl Power!!! My prize was a fridge magnet saying 'I ❤️ Sherkin'! Catch of the Day was mine!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had another nice meal this evening and everything ran a lot smoother. There was live music again tonight but I went back to the house almost straight after dinner. I have had the most amazing day today but tomorrow is back to reality and back to work. Early night for me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Day 6</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i><br></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There was a change in the weather last night. The wind was blowing a hooley and it was pouring with rain. It was certainly looking like we had the best day yesterday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We were picked up, with our luggage, and taken to the hotel for breakfast. We had buffet breakfast this morning rather than plated and everything was much quicker. It seems that now we are leaving the hotel has got to grips with large groups!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After breakfast the van was loaded with luggage. We were split onto two ferries this morning. I went over on the first with 12 others. We loaded all the luggage onto the boat after travelling on top of it all in the back of the van down to the pier. The luggage stayed on the boat while the second group were collected, by which time I had checked the coach and moved it onto the pier in Baltimore. It was quite a rough crossing and some were looking quite queasy when they got onto the mainland. We loaded the luggage, still pouring rain and hit the road.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The intention today was to drive to Glengariff to catch the boat over to Garinish Island to visit the gardens. It was decided that because the weather was so foul and because the boats are open top, people wouldn't appreciate visiting the gardens today and so that idea was scrapped. From here on, we were winging it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We still stopped in the town of Glengariff, people were ready for a coffee by the time we arrived. From here, it was suggested to drive over the Healy Pass to Kenmare where we would stop for lunch. When people came back to the coach absolutely soaking wet, many of them expressed their wishes to go directly to our hotel in Killarney. So that is what we did.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had been driving what is known as the Wild Atlantic Way from Skibbereen up to Glengariff and on to Killarney. This road takes you over the Caha Pass and through the Turner Tunnels before dropping back down into Kenmare. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ss1q7yksaC0/U5TzUL7cRNI/AAAAAAAAJRs/fckZKaEJlaE/s640/blogger-image-2134239207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ss1q7yksaC0/U5TzUL7cRNI/AAAAAAAAJRs/fckZKaEJlaE/s640/blogger-image-2134239207.jpg"></a>Image taken from Google</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Turner Tunnels are a series of four tunnels, one long one and 3 short ones. If the height of the tunnels is marked up correctly I had 5cm to spare and I was hoping the road hadn't been resurfaced!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>I've driven this route before and I know that the views are breathtaking, but because the weather was so bad today and lots of low lying cloud, very little could be seen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Vb7LCupkmug/U5TXNdk63QI/AAAAAAAAJQM/GZRBJLxS758/s640/blogger-image-488094325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Vb7LCupkmug/U5TXNdk63QI/AAAAAAAAJQM/GZRBJLxS758/s640/blogger-image-488094325.jpg"></a>Image taken from Google</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>It is still an interesting road from Kenmare to Killarney, passing through Moll's Gap to Ladies View before skirting the edge of the Killarney lakes with views of the Macgillycuddy's Reeks mountains behind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_h7ZvRrgX4c/U5TzLVU3bjI/AAAAAAAAJRU/qEwugYjzzhc/s640/blogger-image--958169136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_h7ZvRrgX4c/U5TzLVU3bjI/AAAAAAAAJRU/qEwugYjzzhc/s640/blogger-image--958169136.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Image taken from Google</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It has been a bit of a day of nothing for the group today although I always enjoy a bit of a challenging drive. We are staying the night at the Killarney Plaza Hotel in Killarney. This is one of my favourite hotels. It's location is very central in the town. The only comments I've had about the rooms from the passengers have been to say how good and well equipped they are and the food here is outstanding. The whole hotel seems to be very well maintained and regularly decorated. It is a very nice place to be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1pj2v-3257I/U5TzY9cLltI/AAAAAAAAJR8/RYssSWHQ3PU/s640/blogger-image--1255151870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1pj2v-3257I/U5TzY9cLltI/AAAAAAAAJR8/RYssSWHQ3PU/s640/blogger-image--1255151870.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Killarney – Cill Airne – The Church of the Sloes. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Recordings of human occupation in Killarney date from the Early Bronze Age, almost 4,000 years ago when copper was first mined at Ross Castle. In early Christian times, monastic settlements provide the main evidence of occupation in the area. The most important of these was the monastery on Innisfallen founded by St. Finian the Leper which was occupied for 850 years. The Annals of Innisfallen, written there in the 11th-13th centuries, are an invaluable source of information on the early history of Ireland.</span></p><div><p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tourism in Killarney dates back to the mid 18th century, when Thomas, fourth Viscount Kenmare (Lord Kenmare), worked at attracting visitors and new residents to the town. A visit by Queen Victoria in 1861 gave the town huge international exposure.</span></p></div><div><p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Killarney was heavily involved in the Irish War of Independence. The entire county, had strong republican ties, and skirmishes with the British forces happened on a regular basis. One of the most notable events during the war was the Headford Ambush when the IRA attacked a railway train a few miles from town.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">However, divisions among former colleagues were quick to develop following the truce and treaty, and Killarney, like many other areas, suffered in the rash of increasing atrocities during the Civil War which ended in 1923.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Killarney is a very special place indeed. Brimmed full of history, heritage, activities, and world class hospitality. Killarney is populated with enthusiastic and welcoming people and has</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> over 150 years experience in welcoming guests. With Ireland's finest choice of Accommodation, Dining & Entertainment, Touring & Shopping Options, Sporting Activities galore and many nearby Blue Flag Beaches, all located in the midst of breathtaking and ever-changing beautiful landscapes.</span></p></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LGMua74s9h0/U5Tzu6PsPgI/AAAAAAAAJSk/n8Sb2ZiJX1o/s640/blogger-image--598329430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LGMua74s9h0/U5Tzu6PsPgI/AAAAAAAAJSk/n8Sb2ZiJX1o/s640/blogger-image--598329430.jpg"></a></div>I had a nice hot bath before going to the organisers room where lots of people had been invited for drinks before dinner. As expected, we had a lovely meal. There were many bars in town with live music tonight so a lot of the group went out while I went to bed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Day 7</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i><br></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This morning we are heading to Killaloe where the group are booked on an hour and a half boat trip on the River Shannon, finishing in Garrykennedy where I will meet them. Luckily the weather is better again today and the boat has a well stocked bar so everyone is happy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The twin towns of Killaloe, Co Clare and Ballina, Co Tipperary are amongst Ireland's most picturesque attractions and are linked by a 13 arch bridge, which links not only the two towns, but also the counties of Clare and Tipperary. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hAqPYekuips/U5TzV2x348I/AAAAAAAAJR0/BeeBEq-8w6w/s640/blogger-image-1768056113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hAqPYekuips/U5TzV2x348I/AAAAAAAAJR0/BeeBEq-8w6w/s640/blogger-image-1768056113.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>Situated on the banks of the River Shannon, Killaloe is well known as the birthplace of Brian Boru, High King of Ireland,(1002 - 1014). While Brian was High King, he ruled from Killaloe making it the "Capital of Ireland."</span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 14px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">St. Flannan's Cathedral, unique for its stone carving inscriptions is in Killaloe, while both villages host restaurants, galleries, pubs, and shops as well as a Sunday Farmers Market.</span></p><p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 14px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Killaloe/Ballina have all the amenities that you would expect to find in an Irish village, with a range of boutiques, health and wellness centres, historical sites, and a choice of superb hotels, B&B's and self-catering accommodations.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Garrykennedy is a village and harbour on the eastern shore of the Shannon in North Tipperary. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Garrykennedy Castle, a ruined </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_houses_in_Britain_and_Ireland" title="Tower houses in Britain and Ireland" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">tower house</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">located beside the water was once an</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O%27Kennedy" title="O'Kennedy" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">O'Kennedy</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">clan home built in the 15th Century. By the mid-17th Century the castle was already a ruin.</span></div><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_ma-MLYjUTQ/U5Tz3uv9oJI/AAAAAAAAJS0/FDAQ2e8hJwY/s640/blogger-image--1980851465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_ma-MLYjUTQ/U5Tz3uv9oJI/AAAAAAAAJS0/FDAQ2e8hJwY/s640/blogger-image--1980851465.jpg"></a></div><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The harbour was once important for transporting goods, particularly </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slate" title="Slate" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">slate</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">from nearby mines. The present</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quay" title="Quay" class="mw-redirect" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">quay</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, built about 1780 is classified as being of Architectural, Archaeological and Technical interest but is now a leisure facility with a modern marina</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">nearby. Cruisers are particularly attracted here by the local</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pub" title="Pub" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">pubs</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, known for their food and music.</span></p><p></p><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We stayed at the little pub 'Larkins' in Garrykennedy for lunch and ice creams before we were back on the road, heading for Kilkenny where we are spending our final night at the Kilkenny Riverside Court Hotel.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3GJG-ffi6gs/U5Tz9zvOaxI/AAAAAAAAJS8/kvTBupSbgbA/s640/blogger-image-1277996713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3GJG-ffi6gs/U5Tz9zvOaxI/AAAAAAAAJS8/kvTBupSbgbA/s640/blogger-image-1277996713.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Kilkenny's rich heritage is very evident in the fine historical buildings and landmarks of the city, culminating in the famous Kilkenny Castle. The city grew from a monastic settlement to a thriving Norman merchant town in the middle ages, and is now entering a new era as an important creative centre.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5d57LnY-xsw/U5TzskYjuOI/AAAAAAAAJSc/1O9UADS4psE/s640/blogger-image--326897743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5d57LnY-xsw/U5TzskYjuOI/AAAAAAAAJSc/1O9UADS4psE/s640/blogger-image--326897743.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There was another drinks party before dinner this evening. Once again, the food was of a high standard. I went to my room straight after dinner, I'm going to have a long day tomorrow.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i>Day 8</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i><br></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We have no plans today other than to catch our ferry and travel home. We had a 2 hour journey to Dun</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Laoghaire which has a purpose built port for high speed ferries. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xr4Q7ISt0cA/U5TzNaJ6orI/AAAAAAAAJRc/OgzIkbaqjSg/s640/blogger-image-1872888826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xr4Q7ISt0cA/U5TzNaJ6orI/AAAAAAAAJRc/OgzIkbaqjSg/s640/blogger-image-1872888826.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I hate travelling on this ship. The first time I travelled on her I was as sick as a dog for the whole crossing and the sea was like a millpond. Ever since, I have been a little nervous about travelling on her because I don't want to be sick again! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today there was a 2m swell at sea but I was fine. Many weren't! We had a relatively good journey home considering we were using the M6.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have had the best week this week. I've been to lots of places I've not visited before and really enjoyed the company of my farmers. I hope they ask me back next year.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SBc0yYhY-Fs/U5TzmCx-oBI/AAAAAAAAJSM/VySMwTLYOXk/s640/blogger-image--1498087304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SBc0yYhY-Fs/U5TzmCx-oBI/AAAAAAAAJSM/VySMwTLYOXk/s640/blogger-image--1498087304.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></span></div><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-42901079350997051502014-05-29T20:29:00.001+01:002014-05-29T20:29:40.941+01:00Valkenburg<b><i>DAY 1</i></b><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>This morning, I am picking up a school Hockey team and taking them to Valkenburg. Apart from the stupidly early start, it should be an easy day.</div><div><br></div><div>I was in position at the school at 5:30am to load and leave at 6. I have 16 girls on with 3 female teachers so it will be nice to do an all girl tour for a change. Everyone arrived in good time, although zombiefied, and we were ready to leave, 15 mins early. I introduced myself and told the girls about the competition I would be running each day where whoever has the most mess around their seat at the end of the day wins the prize of cleaning the whole coach! They were horrified! The only thing they liked about it was that the teachers were also entered into this competition!</div><div><br></div><div>So by 5:45am we were away. We were booked on a ferry from Dover to Calais at 11:10 but I was hoping we could make the earlier one. The motorway was quiet this morning being Sunday of bank holiday weekend and we sailed down to clacketts lane services for a quick 20min stop where 2 of our coaches turned up behind me. We have 7 coaches going out to Euro Disney today so I expected to see some of them. </div><div><br></div><div>We carried on for port. The girls started to wake up a bit when they could see the sea and when the port came into view they got really excited. The girls are aged between 11 and 14 and for most, it's their first time away from home without their parents. We checked in at port at 9:40am where we were given a space on the 10:15am ferry. So by the time we had driven around to our lane we only had to wait a few minutes before we were loaded onto the ferry. I <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">had finished my breakfast before we set sail and I spent the rest of the crossing asleep on the table!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So far so good. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My group couldn't find their way back to the coach and we were pretty much last off the ferry, but we were an hour ahead of schedule so now I could relax a little. The rest of the journey was just as easy. The roadworks around the Gent interchange which had been causing so many tailbacks was now finished and in just under 2hrs we had made it to services just before the Brussels ring road. We had a good break of 45mins. There was a big grass area with a few swings and monkey bars where the girls loosed some energy in the sun. The weather was quite different now to when we left the school in the pouring rain this morning. The sun was shining and it was about 23 C.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We set off on the final leg of the journey and arrived at the hotel at 1730 local time. One hour early. We are staying at the Hotel Schaepkens van St Fijt (don't ask me to pronounce that) in Valkenburg. The hotel is very close to the station and an easy walk to the town centre. I have a nice room with a good view on the top floor, quiet and away from the girls!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zlgjPxKIcfY/U4eKeN7NwxI/AAAAAAAAI3g/4PmImp7TWV8/s640/blogger-image--289155248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zlgjPxKIcfY/U4eKeN7NwxI/AAAAAAAAI3g/4PmImp7TWV8/s640/blogger-image--289155248.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We had a very nice buffet dinner with a lot of choice. It wasn't easy though to get a glass of wine! They have a very strange system in place for buying drinks which I've not come across before. You have to buy tokens from reception and exchange tokens for a drink. If you don't have tokens you can't have a drink. You can't even book a drink to your room! We managed to confuse the young waiter whilst confusing ourselves and I ended up getting my tokens and a glass of wine, but no one has taken my tokens so I assume that was a freebie! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After we'd finished eating another waitress appeared and was asking about where we've come from and the purpose of our trip. She was interested to hear about our hockey match against a local team and she bet me a drink that the Dutch would win. I've not seen these girls play but I've got to support the English team! So we shook on it and the pressure is on! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After dinner I moved into the bar to see that the summer special was Kriek! My favourite! So I ordered a glass. I was served by the same waitress and she gave me this drink for free with a bowl of cheesey nibbles. She made the teachers pay and didn't give them any snacks. I think she fancies me!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The girls had been given an hour free time before meeting up again. The teachers had prepared a quiz for them and they were being presented with their new team hockey shirts. They were also doing a Britain's Got Talent type thing to come up with a team chant to be used on the pitch. I was one of the judges along with the teachers and had been introduced as Ninja Nina. That has now stuck. So pleased! The chant which has been chosen was the only one which was actually a chant and could be used on the pitch. However, I personally think it is unsuitable considering we are in Holland. The chant goes like this:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">2, 4, 6, 8, who do we appreciate?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Not the King, not the Queen, but the TG Hockey Team!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Holland is a very patriotic country with high respect for their monarchy. They have King's day and Queen's day. To say in a chant that we don't appreciate the king and queen could potentially cause offence. I hope it doesn't, after all it's come from the girls who don't seem to have any awareness of the culture of the Dutch. I'd have expected the teachers to know though and maybe explain to the girls how this could be inappropriate. At least I can run away if it's not received well, but I'm sure it will be fine!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Once all the shirts had been given out I went off to bed. I was feeling sleepy now and in need of some rest.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><i>DAY 2</i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><i><br></i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There was plenty of choice again this morning at breakfast and lots of strong hot coffee. The girls found some boxes of different flavoured sprinkles which you put onto bread and put it through the toaster. DIY chocolate spread. It looked revolting!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">This morning, the girls are having a 2hr hockey training session with a Dutch coach, just down the road in Maastricht. The rep, Yos, turned up just before 9am and said "you follow me in my car to the facility"! That was the only words he spoke to me! </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">He took us the long way round but we got there eventually! I couldn't park where I had dropped the girls. I'd have liked to have a look at the centre of Maastricht but I couldn't park close enough to that either and I only had a short amount of time, so I didn't get to see it.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The girls had had a successful training session and the teachers and the coach were very impressed with them. I picked them up and we went straight to the supermarket to stock up on water as the hotel will not even serve us jugs of tap water with meals! We then went back to the hotel for a quick shower and change before having the afternoon free in Valkenburg.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Gt5bMXl1xd0/U4eJlz8ZCSI/AAAAAAAAI2A/7zjncux7SJo/s640/blogger-image--531606344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Gt5bMXl1xd0/U4eJlz8ZCSI/AAAAAAAAI2A/7zjncux7SJo/s640/blogger-image--531606344.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><p align="" style="margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Valkenburg aan de Geul is a small municipality that has been a major tourist attraction for a long time. People come to visit the mines and caverns with drawings dating back to Roman times, and the castle of Valkenburg from which you can enjoy the wonderful landscape.</span></p></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9HqoE8T7OSM/U4eKG1s7YGI/AAAAAAAAI24/r3r8bR2DzoI/s640/blogger-image--883235419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9HqoE8T7OSM/U4eKG1s7YGI/AAAAAAAAI24/r3r8bR2DzoI/s640/blogger-image--883235419.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><p align="" style="margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There is much to see and do in and around Valkenburg. There are two theme parks, Familypark Valkenier and <span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">het Sprookjesbos</span> (enchanted forest), a cable car and toboggan run, underground marlstone caverns and museums, the highest castle ruins in the Netherlands, spa and wellness facilities, a casino, cycling tours aboveground and underground (in the mines), restaurants, nightlife, castles, green parks and extensive nature reserves.</span></p></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cPXCvRqIIJs/U4eJt45MMKI/AAAAAAAAI2I/vW7m5_bj69w/s640/blogger-image-820893620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cPXCvRqIIJs/U4eJt45MMKI/AAAAAAAAI2I/vW7m5_bj69w/s640/blogger-image-820893620.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Valkenburg Castle is the only hilltop castle in the Netherlands, situated on a little hill in the town. The first castle was build there in the 12th century and like most castles it was destroyed and reconstructed several times. Today it's ruined, but there's enough left so that it's interesting to visit! I found interesting that there once was a hexadecagonal tower, which was later replaced by a decagonal tower, rather unusual constructions. You'll only see a few remainders of them. There are several plates with explanations in Dutch and English, really well done.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Qx2I-gnvUo8/U4eJ0QbtCxI/AAAAAAAAI2Y/rT0TXtiz0-Y/s640/blogger-image-1393832353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Qx2I-gnvUo8/U4eJ0QbtCxI/AAAAAAAAI2Y/rT0TXtiz0-Y/s640/blogger-image-1393832353.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At 5:30pm we were leaving the hotel to travel the short journey to Meersen for our hockey match. We arrived and met the coach of the opposition and were pointed in the direction of our team changing rooms. I stayed outside and watched some of the training sessions which were going on. We were playing at a very large, quite newly built sports complex. There were 4 tennis courts, 2 full size football pitches, 2 full size rugby pitches, 2 full size hockey pitches and an 18 hole golf course and everyone cycled to get there with their equipment on their backs! It was a very impressive place and it was apparent that the Dutch took their sport seriously.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">While the girls were having their team talk, the heavens opened and there was a thunder and lightening storm. The start of the match was postponed until the thunder and lightening had passed. Eventually, half an hour late, both teams went out onto the pitch to warm up. The teachers didn't hold out much hope of their girls winning and I think the girls picked up on that before they started. It was a shame because there were some good players who really stood out from the crowd and there didn't appear to be a weak player on the team. But none of them really went out with that fighting spirit that they were going to win the match.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5vTJeK7EmNU/U4eJ7wGsuMI/AAAAAAAAI2g/kHvxWYAEdo4/s640/blogger-image-788975523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5vTJeK7EmNU/U4eJ7wGsuMI/AAAAAAAAI2g/kHvxWYAEdo4/s640/blogger-image-788975523.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The girls were all rotated on and off the pitch throughout the match to give each girl an equal amount of time on the pitch and there was no favouritism towards the better players so all the girls had the opportunity of a good match experience.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--3nTvLbr3qA/U4eKlUPRODI/AAAAAAAAI3w/kcUAlQ581NY/s640/blogger-image--1903112969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--3nTvLbr3qA/U4eKlUPRODI/AAAAAAAAI3w/kcUAlQ581NY/s640/blogger-image--1903112969.jpg"></a></div><br></div>The girls improved as they got more into the match but by half time when they were 10-0 down they we're starting to get quite disheartened. A good team talk at half time lifted their spirits and they played better in the second half with more scoring opportunities and more possession of the ball. Unfortunately, they didn't score and the final score was 13-0. They were all exhausted.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We left soon after the end of the match for our hotel. We were half an hour late for dinner. It was another very nice meal and the girls were obviously hungry because there wasn't the fussiness about food that we'd had the night before.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The girls had a bit of free time before lights out and the teachers joined me in the bar. I tried to buy the waitress a drink because I had lost our bet. She took my tokens but kept my glass full all night! More free drinks! It was about 11:30 when I finally went to bed.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i>Day 3</i></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i><br></i></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Plenty for breakfast again this morning and we would be needing it to keep our energy levels up for the day ahead, myself included.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We set off before 9am and drove across the boarder to Bruhl in Germany. It was pouring with rain. On the motorway, I was taken off by the German Police with their "customs, follow me" sign in the back window. I knew that my vehicle and paperwork were all in order and so there was nothing to worry about. The Police checked my passport and all my legal vehicle documents and sent us on our way. At 10am we arrived at Phantasialand Theme Park.</span></div><div> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UrLToiJtIe8/U4eKJHPfQsI/AAAAAAAAI3A/ES8p9Oe8-uY/s640/blogger-image--384054331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UrLToiJtIe8/U4eKJHPfQsI/AAAAAAAAI3A/ES8p9Oe8-uY/s640/blogger-image--384054331.jpg"></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'd not been to this theme park before and I was quite looking forward to it. The park was very quiet and there was no more than a 5 minute wait for any ride. The only downside was that it didn't stop raining all day. Once we were inside the park it was decided that we would all go on the Colorado Adventure as a group.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UkIhEABBzQg/U4eJw9H3tkI/AAAAAAAAI2Q/9NwJNnT53s0/s640/blogger-image-1099763714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UkIhEABBzQg/U4eJw9H3tkI/AAAAAAAAI2Q/9NwJNnT53s0/s640/blogger-image-1099763714.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That was just about my limit! It was good to see the reactions of the girls after going on the rides though. The big ride here is the Black Mamba.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tpnhQKgVqeI/U4eKBZK0f8I/AAAAAAAAI2w/5UiUbo4sGC0/s640/blogger-image--889717499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tpnhQKgVqeI/U4eKBZK0f8I/AAAAAAAAI2w/5UiUbo4sGC0/s640/blogger-image--889717499.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">All the girls went on this several times and towards the end of the day they managed to drag on one of the teachers who was not very keen. A bit of peer pressure and she was on her way without the option of backing out! When she got off the ride she was definitely a funny colour, her voice had gone from screaming so hard, she had the shakes and jelly knees. Everyone found it hilarious!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This theme park claims to have the worlds longest log flume and has a 52 degree drop.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QlH4ePLbadI/U4eKUKvfgVI/AAAAAAAAI3Y/88zqr15kwFc/s640/blogger-image--398325504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QlH4ePLbadI/U4eKUKvfgVI/AAAAAAAAI3Y/88zqr15kwFc/s640/blogger-image--398325504.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There are also river rapids which are slightly different to what I've seen before. You get in your raft as it's on the turntable, it moves out onto the water and then onto rollers to take you up a short way before putting you in a lift. When you come out, you're quite high up and there is a big whirlpool. The raft goes round in a spiral and down log flume type drops as well as white water rapids and you get drenched!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8eUmKpy52fY/U4eKgRQrc7I/AAAAAAAAI3o/VTN7K1B2Cj0/s640/blogger-image-598057918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8eUmKpy52fY/U4eKgRQrc7I/AAAAAAAAI3o/VTN7K1B2Cj0/s640/blogger-image-598057918.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Getting on towards the end of the day we were all soaked through from the rain so this was when we chose to go on these water rides. They were both great. We had all brought a change of clothes so once we were warm and dry again we got on the coach for the journey back to Valkenburg. They all slept on the way back. They'd enjoyed a really good day.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After another tasty meal and more free wine there was an awards evening for the girls. Each girl was awarded with a certificate for anything from most accident prone to player of the tour. The girls were sent upstairs and I had another evening of free wine in the bar with the teachers.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i>Day 4</i></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i><br></i></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I had a lie in this morning. I was out at the coach at 8:45am for the girls to load their luggage before they went back into Valkenburg for a couple of hours for shopping. I had breakfast after I'd put the luggage on and had a lazy morning.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We left the hotel at 11am and the teachers mentioned to me that some of the girls had received worried texts from their parents because there are riots in Calais. Basically, since the National Front party were voted in in the European elections, they had been into the migrant camps in Calais and given them notice to leave before the camps were to be bulldozed. Only 30% of the migrants moved on. The National Front had moved in this morning to clear the camps which had sparked riots. I advised the teachers to post on the twitter account that we would not be stopping within 100km of Calais and that we were driving straight into port and not to worry.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We had a brief stop at motorway services and our second stop was at P&J's Chocolate Factory just outside of Oostende, Belgium.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F3oe7r_Fn3w/U4eJ-tAMWrI/AAAAAAAAI2o/m9XdPXtwBx0/s640/blogger-image--1038641335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F3oe7r_Fn3w/U4eJ-tAMWrI/AAAAAAAAI2o/m9XdPXtwBx0/s640/blogger-image--1038641335.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The girls and the teachers alike loved it here. There were boxes of chocolates opened for us to have free samples and I should think they did very well out of the girls!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wEzevXLGFfs/U4eKLTi-8WI/AAAAAAAAI3I/_wZrI8PQrWw/s640/blogger-image--1639833477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wEzevXLGFfs/U4eKLTi-8WI/AAAAAAAAI3I/_wZrI8PQrWw/s640/blogger-image--1639833477.jpg"></a></div>Everyone got back on the coach and I took the teacher with me to do the usual checks for clandestines before starting our final leg for Calais. I was talking to the teacher about procedures at passport control and I said I was expecting the Boarder Control Agency to be extra thorough today with all of the events unfolding. That's when the girls started to ask questions. It was becoming aparent that they too were worried about what we may be driving into. So after a little explanationary chat, which had been left to me, we were on our way with the girls knowing there was nothing to be worried about and they weren't going to get killed!</div><div><br></div><div>I've been doing this job for 7 years and I regularly cross the water to Europe and I have never seen anyone at the French passport control office. They were there today. It just meant that passports had to be scanned by the French and the British before getting back on the coach and checking in. We got onto our booked ferry which sailed at 1715. We had a short break at motorway services and were due to arrive at school at 10pm. </div><div><br></div><div>We were doing really well until we were an hour from home and the motorway gantry signs started flashing up that the motorway was closed. There were cows on the road! Luckily, I'd had a phone call from my traffic office to warn me of the problem and advised finding an alternative route. Which I did. I was surprised to not hit traffic behind every one else trying to skip around the problem but it was clear, so we arrived at school just 10 mins late. Not bad considering we'd driven through 4 countries today!</div><div><br></div><div>The girls thanked me with a card and a bottle of wine. The card is quite amusing with comments like 'thank you for not crashing and killing us all!'</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ldf2i7rhZGg/U4eKRty27nI/AAAAAAAAI3Q/e02WpVIvlWI/s640/blogger-image-2137287000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ldf2i7rhZGg/U4eKRty27nI/AAAAAAAAI3Q/e02WpVIvlWI/s640/blogger-image-2137287000.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I've really enjoyed this trip and I hope they request for me to drive them again next year.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-10542595608530285962014-05-19T20:39:00.001+01:002014-05-19T20:39:50.311+01:00Hampshire Delights<b><u>Day 1</u></b><div><b><u><br></u></b></div><div>Well, what can I say! After a few exciting continental tours it was a bit of a come down to see that my next tour was 5 days in Basingstoke. Not a holiday destination which springs to mind! The good thing about touring so close to home, is no ridiculously early start on the first day. I am working with my good friend Lorraine as courier, which I'm looking forward to. </div><div><br></div><div>Our first passenger meeting point today was, as usual, at our depot. We left at 10am to meet our next group of passengers in Stratford upon Avon before heading off down the Fosse Way for our coffee stop at Stow on the Wold.</div><div>Y</div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Fosse Way was a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_road" title="Roman road" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Roman road</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">in England that linked</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exeter" title="Exeter" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Exeter</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> in</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_West_England" title="South West England" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">South West England</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">to</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln,_Lincolnshire" title="Lincoln, Lincolnshire" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Lincoln</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><font color="#000000" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> in Lincolnshire</font><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, via</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilchester" title="Ilchester" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Ilchester</font></a><font color="#000000" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, Bath</font><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">,</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirencester" title="Cirencester" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Cirencester</font></a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Leicester. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The word Fosse is derived from the Latin fossa, meaning ditch. For the first few decades after the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_invasion_of_Britain" title="Roman invasion of Britain" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Roman invasion of Britain</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> in AD 43, the Fosse Way marked the western frontier of Roman rule in</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Iron Age Britain.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> It is possible that the road began as a defensive ditch that was later filled in and converted into a road, or possibly a defensive ditch ran alongside the road for at least some of its length.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ef6Y-uzu8ck/U3hkpljDXlI/AAAAAAAAIc0/BpxQA-QciwM/s640/blogger-image--721520252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ef6Y-uzu8ck/U3hkpljDXlI/AAAAAAAAIc0/BpxQA-QciwM/s640/blogger-image--721520252.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It is remarkable for its extremely direct route: from Lincoln to Ilchester in Somerset, a distance of 182 miles (293 km), it is never more than 6 miles (10 km) from a straight line.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We arrived at Stow on the Wold at 11am where we were stopping for an hour for a coffee and a mooch around this pretty little market town in the Cotswolds.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OB3YvVihvjo/U3hklW5d5sI/AAAAAAAAIck/4djtMXKDe_E/s640/blogger-image-118165412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OB3YvVihvjo/U3hklW5d5sI/AAAAAAAAIck/4djtMXKDe_E/s640/blogger-image-118165412.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stow-on-the-Wold is situated in the north Cotswolds, all roads seem to lead to the hill-top town of Stow and it has been that way for a long time - the ancient Jurassic Way and the Salt Way met here and an Iron Age fort was built c.700 BC. The Roman Fosse Way from Cirencester to Leicester passes through Stow, although the town is mostly off to one side, reflecting its establishment as another of the planned market towns for which the Cotswolds is renowned. Because it is off the main road, the town square is large and impressive (it has known markets with over 20,000 sheep crowded there), with various houses, shops and inns around the edge, all built in the local stone. The medieval cross is a reminder of the market's heyday - placed to encourage traders to do business fairly under the sight of God. Stow had a special importance in the English Civil War; it was close by, at Donnington, that the last battle was fought in March 1646. St Edward's Church in the town centre was used as a prison for the defeated Royalist troops. At nearly 800ft, Stow is the highest of the Cotswold towns, approached uphill from all directions with beautiful avenues of trees on some of the approaches. These days Stow is famous as a centre for the antiques trade.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sjAduqU-Igw/U3U_6wnPELI/AAAAAAAAIao/Mz-MBD3eeWM/s640/blogger-image-1591333661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sjAduqU-Igw/U3U_6wnPELI/AAAAAAAAIao/Mz-MBD3eeWM/s640/blogger-image-1591333661.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div>We have a select group of just 24 people this week and it wasn't until I picked them up in Stow that I realised just how many familiar faces there were on board. I'm sure that one lady who is with us, had me as her driver on the first trip she ever did with our company to Harrogate and I miscounted before leaving and left her behind! I will ask if is was her before the end of the tour!</div><div><br></div><div>From Stow, we travelled the short but pretty route to Burford, another Cotswold town, where we were having free time to find lunch.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0QFuW2Ei99I/U3U__KZo4VI/AAAAAAAAIa0/X0YlCLWkzVU/s640/blogger-image-1103440420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0QFuW2Ei99I/U3U__KZo4VI/AAAAAAAAIa0/X0YlCLWkzVU/s640/blogger-image-1103440420.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: justify; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Approached from London and the east, Burford's steep main street leading down to the medieval bridge over the River Windrush provides the first typically Cotswold scene for many visitors. And it's an impressive welcome to the area - the town presents some of its best 17th and 18th century frontages to the High Street, with earlier buildings often visible through atmospheric alleyways and courtyards. Burford is well placed for exploring the Cotswolds and is another renowned centre for the antiques trade.</span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: justify; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: justify; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SlH4GaRpw14/U3fqfQwKrVI/AAAAAAAAIcE/epaB_Nr8t4o/s640/blogger-image--1567495698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SlH4GaRpw14/U3fqfQwKrVI/AAAAAAAAIcE/epaB_Nr8t4o/s640/blogger-image--1567495698.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: justify; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We stayed here for a couple of hours. The weather was beautiful and this was a lovely place to spend some time. We left at 2pm and travelled the scenic route, avoiding all motorways and major A roads, to our hotel.</span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: justify; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: justify; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For the next 4 nights we are staying at the Basingstoke Country Hotel. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Retaining the charm and character of a country hotel, the Basingstoke Country Hotel</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> has 100 air-conditioned and spacious bedrooms including 12 premium rooms and 8 deluxe. All rooms offer Wifi access and lovely views of the surrounding Woodland or interior Courtyard. The hotel also boasts a super Health and Leisure Club with fabulous indoor pool, gym. sauna, spa, solarium and beauty rooms with professional therapists on hand. They advertise that this really is the ideal place to stay and enjoy a relaxing, peaceful and leisurely weekend break. I'll tell you my opinion of that on day 5!</span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EQ1uO8Ljkac/U3hknuRQv-I/AAAAAAAAIcs/WeNPW4UTQ3o/s640/blogger-image--1123976371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EQ1uO8Ljkac/U3hknuRQv-I/AAAAAAAAIcs/WeNPW4UTQ3o/s640/blogger-image--1123976371.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Considering we had phoned the hotel one hour prior to our arrival, check in was a shambles! But after a swift kick up the derrière of the duty manager by Lorraine, the situation was soon dealt with and our passengers, after a complimentary cup of coffee, were soon off to their rooms. I was pleased with my room and I took the opportunity of a couple of hours to myself to have a quick kip! After all, I'd had such a hard day!</span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Dinner this evening was very tasty with a good choice of menu although the service could have been quicker. After dinner, our group started to drift through to the lounge for coffee or go for a walk, or some retired to their rooms for the night. Lorraine and I stayed chatting in the restaurant. There was a gentleman eating alone who Lorraine had been eyeing up earlier and she had noticed that he'd not been getting through his bottle of wine very quickly. She said to me, "he's still got half a bottle of wine left, we could help him with that!" He heard her and smiled. I had to tell her he'd heard and she got embarrassed, which is a rare thing for Lorraine! He still didn't offer us any of his wine though!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I went off to my room shortly after 9 and had a long soak in the bath. I'm feeling quite relaxed and I think it's going to be a good few days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><u>Day 2</u></b></div></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">The alarm went off at 7:30 this morning and I kept pressing the snooze button until 8am! Got showered and dressed in a rush because I was due at breakfast at 8:30. I was 15 mins late when I walked in the restaurant. There was no sign of Lorraine and only 3 of our passengers. This was very odd. It was nearly 9am, the busiest time for breakfast but no one was here. I went back out to the lounge to see if Lorraine had already eaten and had moved there. No sign of anyone. The news was on the TV and the time showing was 7:45. That was when I realised I'd not changed my clock since coming back from Holland last week and I was, in fact, an hour early! That's another hour I could have had in bed! Instead, I took my time over the wide variety of breakfast on offer and if I'm honest, pigged out a bit!</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Today's excursion is to Winchester. </span></font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Winchester is a historic city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire.</span><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Winchester developed from the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Britain" title="Roman Britain" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Roman</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> town of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venta_Belgarum" title="Venta Belgarum" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Venta Belgarum</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">, which developed from an </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Iron Age oppidum.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> Winchester's major landmark is </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_Cathedral" title="Winchester Cathedral" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Winchester Cathedral</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">, one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, with the distinction of having the longest nave and overall length of all Gothic cathedrals</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> in Europe. We had a guided tour of the cathedral upon our arrival in the city.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-65hLkq12Px0/U3hk4lNOxnI/AAAAAAAAIdc/OQww04yPCkk/s640/blogger-image--1939755772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-65hLkq12Px0/U3hk4lNOxnI/AAAAAAAAIdc/OQww04yPCkk/s640/blogger-image--1939755772.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dedicated to the Holy Trinity, Saint Peter, Saint Paul</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, and</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swithun" title="Swithun" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Saint Swithun</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, it is the seat of the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishop_of_Winchester" title="Bishop of Winchester" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Bishop of Winchester</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and centre of the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocese_of_Winchester" title="Diocese of Winchester" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Diocese of Winchester</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. The cathedral is a Grade I</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listed_building" title="Listed building" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">listed building</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LIDm_mUfZ3E/U3fqjCPTA-I/AAAAAAAAIcM/qLB1bB-wHCk/s640/blogger-image-955307061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LIDm_mUfZ3E/U3fqjCPTA-I/AAAAAAAAIcM/qLB1bB-wHCk/s640/blogger-image-955307061.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Swithun was an Anglo-Saxon bishop<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishop_of_Winchester" title="Bishop of Winchester" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none;"> </a></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishop_of_Winchester" title="Bishop of Winchester" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">of Winchester</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and subsequently patron saint of</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_Cathedral" title="Winchester Cathedral" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Winchester Cathedral</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. His historical importance as bishop is overshadowed by his reputation for posthumous miracle-working. According to tradition, the weather on his feast day (15 July) will continue for forty days. The precise meaning and origin of Swithin's name is unknown, but it is largely considered to mean 'Pig Man'.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Another possible meaning is "strong".</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After our tour, we had free time here for the rest of the day. After a quick shop for essentials and a caffeine fix, Lorraine and I headed for the castle. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bcGctsycLYU/U3hkjOskC0I/AAAAAAAAIcc/w5siZKJx6Xk/s640/blogger-image--1421124444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bcGctsycLYU/U3hkjOskC0I/AAAAAAAAIcc/w5siZKJx6Xk/s640/blogger-image--1421124444.jpg"></a> </div></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><br></b></span></div>Winchester Castle is a medieval building which was founded in 1067. Only the Great Hall still stands; it houses a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum" title="Museum" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">museum</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> of the history of Winchester. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Between 1222–1235, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_III_of_England" title="Henry III of England" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Henry III</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">(who was born at Winchester Castle) added the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_hall" title="Great hall" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Great Hall</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, built to a "double cube" design. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The Great Hall is built of</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flint" title="Flint" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">flint</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">with stone dressings; originally it had lower walls and a roof with dormer</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dormer_window" title="Dormer window" class="mw-redirect" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; background-image: none;"> </a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dormer_window" title="Dormer window" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">windows</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. In their place were added the tall two-light windows with early plate</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracery" title="Tracery" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">tracery</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. Extensions to the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle" title="Castle" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">castle</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">were made by</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_II_of_England" title="Edward II of England" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Edward II</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">. In 1873 the roof of the Great Hall was completely replaced.</span></div><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">An </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Round_Table#Winchester_Round_Table" title="Round Table" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">imitation Arthurian Round Table</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">hangs in the Great Hall. The table was originally constructed in the 13th century, and repainted in its present form for</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_VIII_of_England" title="Henry VIII of England" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Henry VIII</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">; around the edge of the table are the names of</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Arthur" title="King Arthur" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">King Arthur</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">'s knights.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0EzTWAqn2_w/U3hk1I5wMCI/AAAAAAAAIdU/8PA1Y7XfVxs/s640/blogger-image--765678342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0EzTWAqn2_w/U3hk1I5wMCI/AAAAAAAAIdU/8PA1Y7XfVxs/s640/blogger-image--765678342.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Behind the Great Hall is a re-creation of a medieval garden called Queen Eleanor's Garden. We walked through the small but pretty garden and out the back gate where we saw signs for the Military Museums. Neither of us knew these existed, so we went to have a look.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Winchester, once capital of ancient England, has had strong links to the military since Roman times. Peninsula Barracks houses museums of five of the British Army’s famous regiments. </span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mu9dXmdm2fY/U3hkwVbr6RI/AAAAAAAAIdE/LxfPOKHP-RY/s640/blogger-image-2012198781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mu9dXmdm2fY/U3hkwVbr6RI/AAAAAAAAIdE/LxfPOKHP-RY/s640/blogger-image-2012198781.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Westgate Museum is housed in one of the remaining medieval fortified gateways, in the care of the Winchester Museums Service, with portcullis slot and early gunports. A debtors’ prison for 150 years, with walls covered in prisoners’ graffiti. Children’s quizzes, childsize replica armour, hands-on activities and brass rubbing.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><br></p><p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571em;"><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.winchestermilitarymuseums.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/wmm_bldg.png" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-94" title="wmm_bldg" src="http://www.winchestermilitarymuseums.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/wmm_bldg.png" alt="" width="600" height="419" style="padding: 8px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571em 1.571em; border: 1px solid rgb(239, 239, 239); float: right; -webkit-box-shadow: rgb(187, 187, 187) 3px 3px 3px; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 3px 3px 3px;"></a><br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Winchester’s Military Museums is a grouping of five military museums situated within yards of each other on an historic site close to the city centre of Winchester and adjacent to the Great Hall.</span></font></p><p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The five museums are:</span></p><ul style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571em 1.571em; list-style: square;"><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.horsepowermuseum.co.uk/" target="_blank" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">HorsePower, the Regimental Museum of The King’s Royal Hussars</font></a></li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.royalhampshireregimentmuseum.co.uk/" target="_blank" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">The Royal Hampshire Regiment Museum</font></a></li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.rgjmuseum.co.uk/home.asp" target="_blank" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum</font></a></li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.thegurkhamuseum.co.uk/" target="_blank" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">The Gurkha Museum</font></a></li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.army.mod.uk/agc/6100.aspx" target="_blank" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">The Guardroom Museum, the Museum of the Adjutant-General’s Corps</font></a></li></ul><p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Each museum is separately run but there is an opportunity to visit all of them and enjoy an interesting ‘day out’.</span></p><p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xIMmjTTCYAk/U3hkr_Cu6pI/AAAAAAAAIc8/VbvWb2k8sac/s640/blogger-image--2063623308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xIMmjTTCYAk/U3hkr_Cu6pI/AAAAAAAAIc8/VbvWb2k8sac/s640/blogger-image--2063623308.jpg"></a></div><p></p><p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Additionally, there is a WMM Visitor’s Centre. There is also an information display in the same building as The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum about The Rifles, the largest infantry regiment in the British Army, formed in 2007 from a merger of The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment, The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, The Light Infantry and The Royal Green Jackets.</span></p><p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Xy1w2s8PmAc/U3pbK5cXErI/AAAAAAAAIik/JZ5qlXYko9w/s640/blogger-image-1311152102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Xy1w2s8PmAc/U3pbK5cXErI/AAAAAAAAIik/JZ5qlXYko9w/s640/blogger-image-1311152102.jpg"></a></div><p></p><p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Three of the museums – Horsepower, The Royal Green Jackets and Gurkha museums – charge for admission. The other two are free entry. Having said that, we managed free entry into them all because of 'research' purposes and we wanted to see if it would be worth while to bring a group here and because we're good at blagging it!</span></p><p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We left Winchester at 3pm and had a very pretty scenic drive back to our hotel on one of my 'B' road specials through the Hampshire countryside, which looked gorgeous in the sunshine.</span></p><p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JDT-fW5WS0A/U3hkySuzbiI/AAAAAAAAIdM/UZIBik6N--E/s640/blogger-image-103097194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JDT-fW5WS0A/U3hkySuzbiI/AAAAAAAAIdM/UZIBik6N--E/s640/blogger-image-103097194.jpg"></a></div><p></p><p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We had a pleasant though uneventful evening, until towards the end of dinner when a couple came into the restaurant. The 'lady' (I use the term loosely!) was so drunk that she had to be held upright by her partner and placed in her chair at the table. The hotel staff were embarrassed by the state of them and everyone was commenting how disgraceful it was to behave in such a manner in a 'classy' 4* hotel! We retired to the lounge and so luckily, didn't have to suffer their bad manners and dirty mouths for too long. There was a couple at a table across from us with their back to me who were moving together for a photo. I could see the camera lens between them and so I was obviously in the shot although in the background. I couldn't help myself. They got photo bombed! I'd stuck my tongue out for their picture! It wasn't long after that I disappeared to my room where I was planning to get back my hour I had lost this morning!</span></p><p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><u>Day 3</u></b></span></p><p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571em;">I had got the time right this morning so I did have a leisurely start. We left the hotel at 10am for our visit to the Jane Austin House Museum in the little village of Chawton, not far from Alton.</p><p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571em;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-otiGPPrazY4/U3pWv1riMdI/AAAAAAAAIh4/Z7WCsDigk4k/s640/blogger-image-913525749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-otiGPPrazY4/U3pWv1riMdI/AAAAAAAAIh4/Z7WCsDigk4k/s640/blogger-image-913525749.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p style="margin-top: 4px; padding-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In 1809, Mrs Austen, Cassandra, Jane and Martha Lloyd moved to Chawton. Here they lived in the former bailiff's house on the Chawton estate. The estate had been left to Jane's brother Edward, who had been adopted by a wealthy childless cousin of their father's.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 4px; padding-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was Jane's last home, where she lived with her mother and sister Cassandra from 1809 until 1817. The rooms on show include the drawing room, and the parlour where Jane wrote on the small round table. Upstairs is her bedroom with the patchwork quilt she made with her mother and sister.There are four other rooms, one of which has memorabilia of her two brothers, Frank and Charles, who both had distinguished careers in the Royal Navy. Another room houses a period costume display.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 4px; padding-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Jane Austin House Museum is housed in the charming red-brick 17th century house, listed in the National Archives as a building of historic interest Chawton House Library.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 4px; padding-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We spent an hour and a half here, moved on to a local garden centre to grab some lunch, then headed for Alton Railway Station where we were booked for a return journey on the Mid Hants Railway 'Watercress Line'.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HXtEsc4m1FU/U3pXAU1PVNI/AAAAAAAAIiI/np0Tf5mJJ-o/s640/blogger-image-34084552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HXtEsc4m1FU/U3pXAU1PVNI/AAAAAAAAIiI/np0Tf5mJJ-o/s640/blogger-image-34084552.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Watercress Line, operates steam and heritage diesel trains between the picturesque market towns of Alton and Alresford. As well as standard travel this preserved railway runs popular special events throughout the year along with Countryman and Watercress Belle dining trains and the Real Ale Train. There are no special events running today so we are just having a leisurely journey and an ice cream.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cFmCV7CUAS0/U3pTQqIr50I/AAAAAAAAIhY/wb9M-bPPm9Q/s640/blogger-image--273057241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cFmCV7CUAS0/U3pTQqIr50I/AAAAAAAAIhY/wb9M-bPPm9Q/s640/blogger-image--273057241.jpg"></a></div></span></div><p></p><p style="margin-top: 4px; padding-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px;"><a id="nav-bar-prev" data-track="prev_button" class="Butt rapidnofollow" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/davestubbings/13547589213/in/pool-31484264@N00/" tabindex="3" data-rapid_p="5" style="padding: 10px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; -webkit-appearance: none; height: auto; width: 200px; position: absolute; top: 0px; margin-top: 0px; z-index: 998; opacity: 0; -webkit-transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); text-indent: 200%; overflow: hidden; left: 0px; bottom: 41px; min-width: 200px; display: inline !important;"><span class="text" style="text-indent: 0px; height: 30px; width: 30px; background-image: url(https://s.yimg.com/pw/images/sprites/icons-retina-s72fe9bea22.png); background-clip: padding-box; background-size: 70px; position: absolute; top: 50%; margin-top: -35px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); border-style: solid; border-width: 13px 7px 14px 16px; left: 0px; -webkit-background-size: 70px; display: inline !important; background-position: 0px -1839px;"><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Newe</span></font><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Watercress Line, operates steam and heritage diesel trains between the picturesque market towns of Alton and Alresford. As well as standard travel this preserved railway runs popular special events throughout the year along with Countryman and Watercress Belle dining trains and the Real Ale Train. Today there were no special events on, we were just having a relaxing ride and an ice cream</span><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">The </font><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">No. 925 Cheltenham, retired in 1962, was famous for being the most powerful steam train of its type to run in the UK and carried around 700 people a journey as a passenger train. </font></span></a></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font>The </font><font>No. 925 Cheltenham, retired in 1962, was famous for being the most powerful steam train of its type to run in the UK and carried around 700 people a journey as a passenger train. <br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font>After an extensive 18-month restoration project,</font><font> the magnificent engine was the first Schools Class train to steam in half a century at Eastleigh Rail Works.</font><font> <br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The 67-ton monster that has capacity for six tonnes of coal, came home to Eastleigh, near Southampton after being built their in 1934.</font></p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><font style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">With its </span></font></font><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">malachite</font><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> green bodywork buffed and pistons polished, Britain's rarest steam train has been chugging back on to the rails since 2012 after 50 years.</font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><p style="margin-top: 4px; padding-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Lay-1Y52mHI/U3pW7faAPNI/AAAAAAAAIiA/8YzUr30GZn8/s640/blogger-image-1017489978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Lay-1Y52mHI/U3pW7faAPNI/AAAAAAAAIiA/8YzUr30GZn8/s640/blogger-image-1017489978.jpg"></a></font></div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></font></div><p></p><p style="margin-top: 4px; padding-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our round trip lasted 1 3/4hrs. We got back on the coach and had another B road special, scenic drive home through the countryside.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><b><u>Day 4</u></b></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><b><br></b></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;">This morning we had a slightly earlier start, leaving the hotel at 9:30am. Our first visit today was to the Basingstoke Canal where we were booked for a 2hr canal boat trip, which in such beautiful weather will be lovely.</p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uxG5oT9KFrM/U3pS8Vd35jI/AAAAAAAAIhI/kF281xVO5B8/s640/blogger-image-852472559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uxG5oT9KFrM/U3pS8Vd35jI/AAAAAAAAIhI/kF281xVO5B8/s640/blogger-image-852472559.jpg"></a></div><br></div><p></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Basingstoke Canal is a British canal, completed in 1794, built to connect </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basingstoke" title="Basingstoke" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Basingstoke</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">with the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Thames" title="River Thames" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">River Thames</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">at</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weybridge" title="Weybridge" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Weybridge</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">via the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wey_Navigation" title="Wey Navigation" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Wey Navigation</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">From Basingstoke, the canal passes through or near Greywell</span><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, </span></font><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Warnborough" title="North Warnborough" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">North Warnborough</font></a><font color="#000000" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, </span></font><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odiham" title="Odiham" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Odiham</font></a><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">, </font>Dogmersfield</span></font><font color="#000000" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, </span></font><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleet,_Hampshire" title="Fleet, Hampshire" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Fleet</font></a><font color="#000000" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, </span></font><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farnborough_Airfield" title="Farnborough Airfield" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Farnborough Airfield</font></a><font color="#000000" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">,</span></font><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldershot" title="Aldershot" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Aldershot</font></a><font color="#000000" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, </span></font><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mytchett" title="Mytchett" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Mytchett</font></a><font color="#000000" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, </span></font><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brookwood,_Surrey" title="Brookwood, Surrey" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Brookwood</font></a><font color="#000000" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, </span></font><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knaphill,_Surrey" title="Knaphill, Surrey" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Knaphill</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woking,_Surrey" title="Woking, Surrey" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Woking</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. Its eastern end is at </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byfleet" title="Byfleet" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Byfleet</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, where it connects to the Wey Navigation. This, in turn, leads to the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Thames" title="River Thames" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">River Thames</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">at</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weybridge" title="Weybridge" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Weybridge</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. Its intended purpose was to allow boats to travel from the docks in East London</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">to Basingstoke.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was never a commercial success and, from 1950, lack of maintenance allowed the canal to become increasingly derelict. After many years of neglect, restoration commenced in 1977 and on 10 May 1991 the canal was reopened as a fully navigable waterway from the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Wey" title="River Wey" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">River Wey</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">to almost as far as the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greywell_Tunnel" title="Greywell Tunnel" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Greywell Tunnel</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">. However its usage is currently still limited by low water supply and conservation issues.</span></p><p class="first-para" style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As the guardian of the Basingstoke Canal, the Basingstoke Canal Society promotes and campaigns for the sustainable future of the Canal as a navigation. Through the John Pinkerton Canal</span><font color="#000000" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none; outline: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </font><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Cruises operation</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, it also raises money which is used to fund maintenance and improvement works undertaken by Society voluntary work parties.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 4px; padding-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px;">Today, we were joining the boat at Odiham and we were going on a round trip to Odiham Castle.</p><p style="margin-top: 4px; padding-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PzeBdTrBxsk/U3pTJ_D0IgI/AAAAAAAAIhQ/NNj6-1PO9Zs/s640/blogger-image--20654200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PzeBdTrBxsk/U3pTJ_D0IgI/AAAAAAAAIhQ/NNj6-1PO9Zs/s640/blogger-image--20654200.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><p></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Odiham Castle (also known locally as </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_John_of_England" title="King John of England" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">King John</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">'s Castle) is a ruined castle situated near</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Odiham. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It is one of only three fortresses built by King John during his reign. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In 1215 it was from either Odiham or Windsor that King John rode out to Runnymede where he met the barons and signed the Magna Carta. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">A year later Odiham Castle was captured by the French after a two-week siege</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">during the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Barons%27_War" title="First Barons' War" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">First Barons' War</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">in 1216.<span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The garrison of just 13 surrendered on July 9 1216.<span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">At some point over the next 9 years the keep was completely rebuilt possibly due to the damage done to it by the French forces. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">At the same time the mound on which the keep sat was raised by 5 meters and an inner moat surrounding the keep was added to the defenses.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Odiham Castle might have become one of the most important strongholds in England. In 1238 </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_de_Montfort,_6th_Earl_of_Leicester" title="Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Simon de Montfort</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">married King John's daughter </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleanor_of_Leicester" title="Eleanor of Leicester" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Eleanor</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">just two years after she had been granted Odiham by her brother,</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_III_of_England" title="Henry III of England" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">King Henry III</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.<span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">In the following year a kitchen was added on a bridge over the inner moat and a new hall was added on the outside of the keep. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">During the same period a second building was constructed over the moat this time on the south eastern side of the keep to provide extra living space.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In 1263 De Monfort rebelled against Henry and died at the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Evesham" title="Battle of Evesham" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Battle of Evesham</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">in 1265 and Eleanor was exiled. Odiham Castle was again retained by the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Crown.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The castle was also involved in the rebellion led by the powerful </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Despenser_the_Younger" title="Hugh Despenser the Younger" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Despenser family</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">against</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Mortimer,_1st_Earl_of_March" title="Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Roger Mortimer</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and Queen</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_of_France" title="Isabella of France" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Isabella of France</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, the wife of</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_II_of_England" title="Edward II of England" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Edward II</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">During the fourteenth century Odiham hosted </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_of_the_United_Kingdom" title="Parliament of the United Kingdom" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Parliament</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. Scottish King</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_II_of_Scotland" title="David II of Scotland" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">David II</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, after his capture at the Battle</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Neville%27s_Cross" title="Battle of Neville's Cross" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"> of Neville's Cross</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">in 1346, was also imprisoned here for 11 years. However he was held under light guard and was allowed to keep a household. Using the castle as a prison seems to have been common practice during the 13th and 14th centuries with the nearby Manor of Greywell required to provide guards one night in three.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">By the 15th century Odiham was used only as a hunting-lodge. In 1605 the former royal castle was described as a ruin.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In 1792 the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basingstoke_Canal" title="Basingstoke Canal" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Basingstoke Canal</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">was built through the southern corner of the bailey.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BF9C13OL5mA/U3pap0SSUlI/AAAAAAAAIiU/IqPfz_4sxlc/s640/blogger-image-1264160249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BF9C13OL5mA/U3pap0SSUlI/AAAAAAAAIiU/IqPfz_4sxlc/s640/blogger-image-1264160249.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our next visit today was to Milestones Museum. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It is made up of a network of streets that have been recreated on those found in Victorian and 1930s Hampshire. </span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aYTU5dEhPZ0/U3pbIML1nOI/AAAAAAAAIic/zL9fs_oGQ28/s640/blogger-image--1190540813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aYTU5dEhPZ0/U3pbIML1nOI/AAAAAAAAIic/zL9fs_oGQ28/s640/blogger-image--1190540813.jpg"></a></div><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p>There is also a large collection of road vehicles, notably by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thornycroft" title="Thornycroft" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Thornycroft</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taskers_of_Andover" title="Taskers of Andover" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Taskers of Andover</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.</span><p></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yu6k5I9RDZQ/U3pbl0OZ9FI/AAAAAAAAIi0/1A5s6yjpQAQ/s640/blogger-image-2133903124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yu6k5I9RDZQ/U3pbl0OZ9FI/AAAAAAAAIi0/1A5s6yjpQAQ/s640/blogger-image-2133903124.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Personally, I think the best of this museum was outside where, today, there was a vintage MG Y-Type Salloons rally. I didn't find the museum very interesting at all but all the locals we'd spoken to had said how good it is. I spent the time sat on the grass in the sun, topping up the tan!</span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ExaWlN3Hqto/U3pWmM_g5UI/AAAAAAAAIho/6EOd2XGLiPg/s640/blogger-image-1685823865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ExaWlN3Hqto/U3pWmM_g5UI/AAAAAAAAIho/6EOd2XGLiPg/s640/blogger-image-1685823865.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We arrived back at the hotel at 3:30pm where I spent the rest of the afternoon in the pool,</span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RgY4W7elrs0/U3pc1FiNO2I/AAAAAAAAIjQ/nWoeQBClmGw/s640/blogger-image-654822698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RgY4W7elrs0/U3pc1FiNO2I/AAAAAAAAIjQ/nWoeQBClmGw/s640/blogger-image-654822698.jpg"></a></div>until the kids turned up, when I enjoyed a glass of wine on the sun lounger in the garden.<p></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-l-8LifDq_GY/U3pctudFv2I/AAAAAAAAIjI/mBSMkZeR4zA/s640/blogger-image-1330479266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-l-8LifDq_GY/U3pctudFv2I/AAAAAAAAIjI/mBSMkZeR4zA/s640/blogger-image-1330479266.jpg"></a></div><br></div>It was another uneventful evening and everyone had gone to bed even earlier than usual because they have all their packing to do, ready for going home tomorrow.</div><div style="text-align: start;"><br><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><u>Day 5</u></b></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I had all good intentions for this morning. I was going to go for a swim before breakfast but decided on having the extra half an hour in bed instead. It was another beautiful day and was forecast to be hotter here than Ibiza. </span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I loaded the luggage and we left at 10am. We had a pretty drive to Windsor where we were staying for several hours. </span></font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It is widely known as the site of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windsor_Castle" title="Windsor Castle" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Windsor Castle</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, one of the official residences of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Royal_Family" title="British Royal Family" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">British Royal Family</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It is immediately south of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Thames" title="River Thames" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">River Thames</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, which forms its boundary with Eton</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. The village of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Windsor" title="Old Windsor" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Old Windsor</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, just over 2 miles (3 km) to the south, predates what is now called Windsor by around 300 years; in the past Windsor was formally referred to as </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">New Windsor</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> to distinguish the two. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The early history of the site is unknown, although the site may have been settled many years before the medieval castle was built as there is ample evidence of Anglo<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo_Saxon" title="Anglo Saxon" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none;"> </a>Saxon settlement in the area.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-t_eD7xS1mV8/U3pWsBlvrrI/AAAAAAAAIhw/Tz4zdKkMg7c/s640/blogger-image-737624287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-t_eD7xS1mV8/U3pWsBlvrrI/AAAAAAAAIhw/Tz4zdKkMg7c/s640/blogger-image-737624287.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and the Official Residence of Her Majesty The Queen. Its rich history spans almost 1000 years.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Castle covers an area of about 5 hectares (13 acres) and contains</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">• Magnificent State Apartments furnished with treasures from the Royal Collection<br>• St George's Chapel (one of the most beautiful ecclesiastical buildings in England and the burial place of 10 monarchs)<br>• Queen Mary's Dolls House, a masterpiece in miniature<br>• The Drawings Gallery featuring an exhibition (see below for current display).</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">During the winter months an additional five rooms, known collectively as the Semi-State Rooms, are included in the visitor route. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Queen was in residence today with the Royal Standard flying. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KRV6X3qF7MU/U3pcqH02H_I/AAAAAAAAIjA/nmq6BThG1Y4/s640/blogger-image-1438650061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KRV6X3qF7MU/U3pcqH02H_I/AAAAAAAAIjA/nmq6BThG1Y4/s640/blogger-image-1438650061.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Many of our passengers went on a short 40min boat trip on the Thames, some went on the city sightseeing bus and others had a leisurely lunch and a walk around Eton and along the river.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We left Windsor at 2:30pm, homeward bound. Everyone has said how much they have enjoyed the whole trip. It's been a very relaxing few days. Another good job done! 😊</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-54546503157291314682014-05-08T22:42:00.001+01:002014-05-08T22:42:27.890+01:00Dutch Bulbfields<div><b>Day 1</b></div><div><br></div>What a ridiculous time of day to be getting up for work! My alarm was set for 3:15am but I was already awake. I never sleep very well before such an early start, I think because I'm worried about oversleeping! I arrived at work at 4am, drove round the yard and couldn't find my coach. I must have had my eyes shut because I drove past it twice before finding it on the third lap! All our passengers arrived in good time and after two more pick ups, we were on our way to Dover.<div><br></div><div>It was an easy journey down to kent with a flying visit in the services en route. We checked in at port in good time and sailed on our booked ferry at 1015 to Calais. We'd told the passengers that the most civilised way to travel on the ferry is to pay for the first class lounge or have a silver service breakfast in the brasserie, to find out once we had boarded ship, that we were on the only ship on the fleet to not have either and so they would have to suffer the riffraff!</div><div><br></div><div>It was 1pm local time when we disembarked and with a good journey, we had a 4 1/2hr drive to our hotel, just north of Amersfoort, Holland. We stopped at services for a 45min break before ploughing on again and didn't make bad time, arriving at the hotel at 1830. I was exhausted! Everyone checked in while I unloaded the luggage. Passengers disappeared off to their rooms. Then I was informed that the hotel was fully booked and they didn't have a room for me!! I wasn't impressed! After stamping my feet and making some phone calls I realised I was fighting a losing battle and had to go with it. After dinner, which was very well received, I was shipped out to a hotel a 15min drive away where I had a lovely room which I didn't appreciate because I crashed out and slept a solid 9hrs until morning!</div><div><br></div><div><b>Day 2</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>At 7:15am, a taxi, laid on by the hotel, picked me up to take me back for breakfast with my group and the hotel I would now be staying in for the duration. Everyone was pleased to see me and said they had felt sorry that I had that to deal with after such a long day driving, but I was feeling bright as a button now and ready for another day, but no one had best try to fight me today!</div><div><br></div><div>Today we are off to Keukenhof, also known as the 'Garden of Europe'<i style="font-weight: bold;">. </i>It is the worlds largest flower garden, situated near Lisse, south-west of Amsterdam. According to the official website of the park, approximately 7 million flower bulbs are planted every year, covering an area of 32 hectares.</div><div><br></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8eLeO8_HXiM/U2ukdf2qYWI/AAAAAAAAIRQ/CYblHppmBmM/s640/blogger-image--132195532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8eLeO8_HXiM/U2ukdf2qYWI/AAAAAAAAIRQ/CYblHppmBmM/s640/blogger-image--132195532.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div>Keukenhof is sited on 15th century hunting grounds. Jacqueline, Countess of Hainaut's Castle, (which is the source of the name 'Keukenhof'), used it as a source of herbs for the castle kitchens. Rich merchants took over the grounds after the death of the Countess. In the 19th century, the Baron and Baroness Van Pallandt assigned the landscape architect Jan David Zocher and his son Louis Paul, to design the grounds around the castle. The gardens were established in 1949 by the then-mayor of Lisse. The idea was to present a flower exhibit where growers from all over the Netherlands and Europe could show off their hybrids, and help the Dutch export industry (the Netherlands is the world's largest exporter of flowers). </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WAhxLlDSqRA/U2v5zjctKXI/AAAAAAAAIUA/8h1GFnn5ywU/s640/blogger-image-1283879644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WAhxLlDSqRA/U2v5zjctKXI/AAAAAAAAIUA/8h1GFnn5ywU/s640/blogger-image-1283879644.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Keukenhof features a variety of different gardens and garden styles, with many displays of individual countries and doesn't contain the picture postcard views of long fields of tulips which many visitors expect.</div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Yug1COaX_o0/U2ukTuYiZ2I/AAAAAAAAIRI/tvWj4DN5QIU/s640/blogger-image-1628181508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Yug1COaX_o0/U2ukTuYiZ2I/AAAAAAAAIRI/tvWj4DN5QIU/s640/blogger-image-1628181508.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>However, there are many tulip fields in the surrounding area and if you are lucky enough to be in the area at the time of year the tulips are showing colour before harvest (about a 10 day window), then a drive around the countryside would be well worth it. Today however, we are too late in the year to see this sight as harvest has already taken place.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wTl-dkbu5nc/U2v5_hP_hdI/AAAAAAAAIUQ/P4GkaoWc1zs/s640/blogger-image-1971024308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wTl-dkbu5nc/U2v5_hP_hdI/AAAAAAAAIUQ/P4GkaoWc1zs/s640/blogger-image-1971024308.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>This afternoon there is the Parade of Flowers and it finishes at Keukenhof. From what I understand, it is similar to our harvest festival and is a celebration of a successful flower crop. I can imagine it is quite a sight. Due to the parade, there are a ridiculous number of coaches here today, I'd hate to guess how many hundreds. You can hardly move just inside the main entrance to the garden but it eases off slightly as you go further in.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-D7xRP0NuoMw/U2ukoFDSQDI/AAAAAAAAIRg/pXk3ag1nPmk/s640/blogger-image--789736744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-D7xRP0NuoMw/U2ukoFDSQDI/AAAAAAAAIRg/pXk3ag1nPmk/s640/blogger-image--789736744.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I hate being in crowds of people like that, so after a hot dog swiftly followed by an ice cream, I went for a kip on the coach. It's going to be stupidly busy watching the parade as well and all the roads will be closed until it's finished so I hate to think how long it is going to take us to get out of here! I hope the passengers are enjoying today more than I am!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v-pdlEoFg4Q/U2ZrWQh_idI/AAAAAAAAII0/Nwyq6xPhAf0/s640/blogger-image-873202029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v-pdlEoFg4Q/U2ZrWQh_idI/AAAAAAAAII0/Nwyq6xPhAf0/s640/blogger-image-873202029.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was right! Still too many visitors at the parade! The Annual Flower Parade follows a 40km route from Noordwijk to Haarlem.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-se6G-oKMkC4/U2v6DFJ0n0I/AAAAAAAAIUY/h-3kiwGSPtU/s640/blogger-image-1862601260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-se6G-oKMkC4/U2v6DFJ0n0I/AAAAAAAAIUY/h-3kiwGSPtU/s640/blogger-image-1862601260.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">(Image taken from Google)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The parade is comprised of about 20 large floats and more than 30 decorated luxury cars, interspersed with marching bands.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jpoeqDVVIec/U2v3wICoqVI/AAAAAAAAITs/I75qosrG38s/s640/blogger-image-298584803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jpoeqDVVIec/U2v3wICoqVI/AAAAAAAAITs/I75qosrG38s/s640/blogger-image-298584803.jpg"></a></div></div>(Image taken from Google)</div><div><br></div><div>It was estimated to take about 50 mins for the parade to pass Keukenhof and I was expecting a real street party atmosphere as it came by, largely due to the high volume of spectators. This was not the case. No matter how hard the street entertainers, bands and people on the floats tried to get people involved, there was no clapping, cheering or waving. People just stood almost in silence and took some photos! It was quite disappointing really, although the floats were magnificent.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Qb0bzQ0pwBQ/U2v6If4APSI/AAAAAAAAIUo/dbtzkhBVawA/s640/blogger-image--2098468083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Qb0bzQ0pwBQ/U2v6If4APSI/AAAAAAAAIUo/dbtzkhBVawA/s640/blogger-image--2098468083.jpg"></a></div>(Image taken from Google)</div><div><br></div><div>The parade was nearing the end when everything came to a stand still while sirens went through the parade. There had been some sort of accident which had brought everything to a stop while it was dealt with. It was about 20mins before things were resumed and the last of the floats passed us by.</div><div><br></div><div>We found out there had been 60,000 visitors to Keukenhof today and the section of parking I was in had 1,000 coaches! Needless to say, we weren't quick in leaving! It took half an hour before I could even move my coach out of the bay into the queue because there was a delay in opening the roads. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zeFCpOWoXqU/U2v6F6pyaWI/AAAAAAAAIUg/VTHS90HaITM/s640/blogger-image--703000216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zeFCpOWoXqU/U2v6F6pyaWI/AAAAAAAAIUg/VTHS90HaITM/s640/blogger-image--703000216.jpg"></a></div><div>(Image taken from Google)</div><div><br></div>Once I was in the queue for the exit it took another half an hour to get onto the road! Once we were out, we had an easy journey back to the hotel, although we had to push our dinner time back by half an hour because we were so late.</div><div><br></div><div>I was relieved to be handed a room key when we arrived at the hotel along with a plate of Belgian chocolate truffles and chocolate coffee beans. I did think that they would have put my case in my room though but no, fetch your own Neen! We had a nice, although quite basic meal and I had complimentary wine from the manager as way of apology for not having a room for me the previous night. I think I should be having complimentary wine all week! <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our hotel is in a lovely position, next to a marina on a lake. It was lovely to watch the sunset from the restaurant.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dOumC5LB4Uo/U2v3ncxFYVI/AAAAAAAAITU/88TDh77dyMg/s640/blogger-image-585498884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dOumC5LB4Uo/U2v3ncxFYVI/AAAAAAAAITU/88TDh77dyMg/s640/blogger-image-585498884.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After taking a photo I went straight to my room after another very long, yet successful day.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b>Day 3</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This morning, I have let everyone have a lie in, because I want one! I got up at 8am and went for breakfast half an hour later, where I was greeted by one of our group having a tantrum because someone was sat in 'his' seat and what was I going to do about it? Nothing! I was going to do nothing! There were plenty of other seats available either with or without company and I really couldn't see what all the fuss was about!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We left the hotel at 10am, today's destination, Amsterdam. We had arranged for the group to go on a boat trip if they wanted to. I dropped them off at the end of the Daamrak and walked the 'boaters' over to the pier. The boat trips around the canals of Amsterdam is one of the best ways to see the city and the commentary is always very informative and the guides, usually, in good humour. They paid their money, got on the boat and I waved them off. Then I had to take the coach out of town to park and catch the tram back in.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Although I have been to Amsterdam before I have never been here for long enough to be able to go for a look around and neither had my courier. First we found a little street/canal side cafe where we had coffee. My courier couldn't understand the menu and I had to explain it was the cannabis and magic mushroom menu! She was horrified! That amused me! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img src="http://www.amsterdam.info/pictures/coffeeshop.jpg" alt="Coffeeshops Amsterdam" width="100" height="133" class="left noborder" style="padding: 0px; outline: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: middle; float: left; max-width: 100%; height: auto; margin: 2px 18px 10px 0px !important; border: 0px !important;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Coffeeshops in Holland are allowed to sell small amounts of cannabis and are strictly regulated and taxed. Furthermore, coffeeshops must not sell to anyone under 18 and they must not sell more than 5g to any customer. Hard drugs are strictly prohibited.</span></p></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-C2mpr2pAlUs/U2ukBkf6ZoI/AAAAAAAAIQ4/NSW2UXzOVfw/s640/blogger-image--1316552559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-C2mpr2pAlUs/U2ukBkf6ZoI/AAAAAAAAIQ4/NSW2UXzOVfw/s640/blogger-image--1316552559.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We walked on and came across the red light district. My courier was wearing stupidly high heeled shoes and was struggling to walk on the cobbles and so was looking at the ground. When I told her to look left and she saw girls in underwear in the windows of individual rooms, set out like shops, beckoning men inside and touting for business, she was dumbstruck! Her reaction was hilarious! Considering she is well travelled and supposedly quite worldly, I was surprised at how prudish she was being.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IOoifpLxR-s/U2ukg97Zv5I/AAAAAAAAIRY/MvXWnlBGBSk/s640/blogger-image--1500709664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IOoifpLxR-s/U2ukg97Zv5I/AAAAAAAAIRY/MvXWnlBGBSk/s640/blogger-image--1500709664.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Amsterdam is one of the greatest small cities in the world. From its canals to world-famous museums and historical sights, Amsterdam is one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in Europe.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Amsterdam is also a city of tolerance and diversity. It has all the advantages of a big city: culture, nightlife, international restaurants, good transport - but is quiet, and largely thanks to its extensive canals, has little road traffic. In Amsterdam your destination is never far away, but get a bike for an authentic local experience.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We had another coffee before catching the tram back to the coach and going to collect the group. We were due to be picking up at 4pm. All the pick up bays are marshalled because it gets so busy and at 3:58pm, with me missing 2 people, the Marshall told me to leave, I had been there long enough! So the courier was thrown off the coach and left to wait for our remaining passengers on the side of the street. Little did I know, the two lovely ladies I was waiting for were on a city sightseeing bus over the road but the doors had jammed and they couldn't get off! So when they saw me drive away they had several moments of panic! I drove round the block and came back to pick them up. They were so apologetic but it wasn't their fault and I had been moved on early. Some of the passengers had made them feel quite uncomfortable for being late and my lovely ladies were still fretting about it at dinner, wanting to buy me a drink for the inconvenience and worrying what others had been saying. I managed to put their mind at rest without taking a drink from them. There was no need when the hotel was still giving me free wine to try to compensate for not having a room for me!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their day, once again, and we had another nice meal. I disappeared straight after dinner and slept like a log.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b>Day 4</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Another lie in this morning and no dramas at breakfast! I drank too much coffee and was having a severe caffeine rush. Luckily it cleared before we went out at 10am for today's excursion to Volendam.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I told the group that I had arranged a visit for them this morning on the way into Volendam and that it was a surprise! I had booked them in at cheese and clogs. We arrived at the cheese farm, which is very well set up for coach groups, where we received a very warm welcome from the owner. Everyone was ushered into a room where they had a short cheese making demonstration before going through to the shop for tasting and buying!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OOzNLAB8o8o/U2v6NR0HUEI/AAAAAAAAIUw/Fp2LPaX-uAw/s640/blogger-image--383128412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OOzNLAB8o8o/U2v6NR0HUEI/AAAAAAAAIUw/Fp2LPaX-uAw/s640/blogger-image--383128412.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There were more than 20 different kinds of cow, goat and sheep cheese to try. A lot of my group were buying cheese and soon, the coach locker was half full of the stuff!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oDWBK8pUzrk/U2v34jBWUXI/AAAAAAAAIT0/mMF7aIyfRng/s640/blogger-image--1536350749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oDWBK8pUzrk/U2v34jBWUXI/AAAAAAAAIT0/mMF7aIyfRng/s640/blogger-image--1536350749.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">From there, everyone moved on into another little room for a short explanation on clog making and the opportunity to buy clogs. Some of my passengers bought clogs, I think with the intention of using them for plant pots! Everyone got back on the coach while I was taken back into the shop and given some free cheese. Very nice cow cheese with herbs, yummy!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We then moved on to the pretty little fishing village of Volendam. The sun was shining, it was a beautiful day and we were going to the right place to have a long leisurely lunch by the harbour and to sit and watch the world go by. Only problem was, the rest of holland had the same idea making it quite a challenge to drive round the harbour to the coach park, avoiding shop canopies and street side displays as well as tourists in the middle of the road who can't hear my coach 2 inches behind them!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XgxDZ4JZPPQ/U2v3pkN3jTI/AAAAAAAAITc/3ZChDGeUs-Y/s640/blogger-image--1264816773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XgxDZ4JZPPQ/U2v3pkN3jTI/AAAAAAAAITc/3ZChDGeUs-Y/s640/blogger-image--1264816773.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Volendam, the old fishing village at the IJsselmeer, offers costumes, music, and of course fish. The village is characterized by countless little houses around the small fishing port.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Rre-DAMDCk4/U2v3s6edj0I/AAAAAAAAITk/mtj_lZJOMMA/s640/blogger-image--82972902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Rre-DAMDCk4/U2v3s6edj0I/AAAAAAAAITk/mtj_lZJOMMA/s640/blogger-image--82972902.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><p align="" style="margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The first thing you should do on your trip to Volendam is to wander through the streets and enjoy the town’s lively atmosphere. Walk along the dike, churches and old center. After that, maybe have your picture taken in Dutch traditional costume. The traditional costumes are sill worn on folkloric events. Thirdly, you should ask for the Volendam ‘Palingsound' (‘eel sound’) Some of the most famous Dutch singers and musicians were born and bred in this small fishing village.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F6Do5dYk9Dc/U2ukGl-4xaI/AAAAAAAAIRA/BP-mIbqi544/s640/blogger-image-1850097778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F6Do5dYk9Dc/U2ukGl-4xaI/AAAAAAAAIRA/BP-mIbqi544/s640/blogger-image-1850097778.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Everybody had said what a beautiful little place this was and how they had enjoyed a relaxing day. On the journey home I took them for a bit of a scenic drive before arriving back at the hotel shortly after 5pm. There was a little fuel station next door to the hotel so I went to see if I could fit under the canopy and ask the owner if he minded me filling the coach. He was chuffed to bits and probably put more fuel in my tank than he had sold all week! He gave me a coffee while I was waiting and some chocolates then asked if my water tanks needed filling and gave me another coffee while I waited for him to do that. I made his day! The coach was now ready for tomorrow's journey home.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Dinner this evening was the best meal of the week, although I've enjoyed every meal which has been served. Once again I disappeared after dinner and went to bed. There is no chance of a lie in tomorrow!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b>Day 5</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We left the hotel at 8:30 this morning, homeward bound. We don't have enough time today to visit anywhere because once again, we are chasing a ferry. We had a quick stop at motorway services then for our second comfort break we called in at P&J's Chocolate Factory which is just outside of Oostende. The passengers seemed to prefer stopping here rather than another motorway service area. There is a little coffee shop and lots of Belgian chocolates were bought. I was given a free box of chocolates for taking my people in.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DMAlxp9qa5E/U2v52h7p4nI/AAAAAAAAIUI/ENKT78Cg87w/s640/blogger-image-1462420720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DMAlxp9qa5E/U2v52h7p4nI/AAAAAAAAIUI/ENKT78Cg87w/s640/blogger-image-1462420720.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our next stop was Calais Port. We were the only coach at passport control so we sailed through that very quickly and checked in on time for our booked sailing at 1520hrs. We were driving past the French customs area where you don't usually see a soul, and a man jumped out in front of me and told me to park at the side. Then he saw my passengers in the front few rows and said, "you have all old people?" To which the answer was yes, although I prefer to say 'further progressed in years' than old! The French official quickly changed his mind and sent us on our way, we weren't going to be searched after all!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g6MbDF4OfsA/U2v6QPI6x-I/AAAAAAAAIU4/frF8YPs8Pr4/s640/blogger-image--1072388125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g6MbDF4OfsA/U2v6QPI6x-I/AAAAAAAAIU4/frF8YPs8Pr4/s640/blogger-image--1072388125.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We had a smooth sailing on the most modern ship on the fleet, 'Spirit of France' and arrived back in the UK. We had a relatively easy journey back to the midlands and arrived half an hour before schedule at 2030hrs.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I have thoroughly enjoyed this tour, as well as all the group. My passengers have been lovely and I have enjoyed working with this particular courier again. I can't pick out one day as being any better than the others, it has been brilliant from start to finish, although a bit hectic and tiring at times. In my opinion, this tour has been a complete success and I have brought home some very happy people.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-2386128094459384802014-04-19T22:29:00.001+01:002014-04-22T15:40:35.373+01:00Easter in Bruges<div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><b><i>Day 1</i></b></font></div><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>Today I am off to Bruges. The alarm went off at 5am and an hour later I was on my way to work. I had a lot to do this morning before the passengers turned up. Because it's Easter, all of our passengers are given an Easter egg from the company, so I had to fetch them from the office and hide them on the coach, along with the hot cross buns which we would serve for breakfast on our way to meet the ferry, as well as loading all my usual kit and doing the various vehicle checks. For this tour I am working with Sharon. I've not worked with her before but when she arrived at the coach, we hit it off straight away.</div><div><br></div><div>The first of our passengers started arriving on feeders at 0630. I didn't really see any of them because I had my head in the locker loading luggage. We were early to leave the yard and went to pick up the remainder of our passengers from the second meeting point, before setting off down the motorway for Dover.</div><div><br></div><div>We were booked on the 1255 ferry. We had a lot of time in hand and I was hoping to get an early ferry. Sharon started making coffees and after about 10 cups, the coffee machine packed up! I hadn't even had my coffee! The most important person on the coach and I'm deprived!! Although a lot of people weren't able to have a drink, the hot cross buns went down well and it wasn't long before we stopped at motorway services for a comfort break where my caffeine levels were brought back to normal! I rang the mechanic to ask how to fix the coffee machine but I just didn't have the time to do what he was telling me. It was more important to get to port and on a ferry.</div><div><br></div><div>Back on the road and having an easy journey until, 3 miles from port, we came to a stand still. It took over an hour to do those last 3 miles! We didn't know at the time but one of the trains on the channel tunnel had broken down and so the freight were being transferred onto the ferries from Dover. Operation stack should have been put into action but it wasn't, resulting in trucks in both lanes who couldn't get into port, meaning no one else could either!</div><div><br></div><div>We checked in 10 mins before our booked ferry was due to sail which meant we had missed it with the cut off point 30 mins before sailing. So we were on the 1355, one hour later than planned. I wasn't too concerned. We should still be in our hotel for 6pm local time. There was only a short drive on to Bruges from Calais.</div><div><br></div><div>So while we were on dockside I actually had the chance to talk to the passengers and see who we had on board. We have 45 on and I'd say about 20 of them have travelled with me before and of them, there are about 10 who I know quite well. It's always nice seeing familiar faces. Finally we see our ship coming in to dock, 'Spirit of Britain'. They are quick to unload and equally as quick to send on the police and an ambulance! This wasn't good! There had been an 'accident' which had to be dealt with before loading too many vehicles. The coaches were the last vehicles to load and they packed us in like sardines. Now feeling hungry, we went straight to the drivers room for lunch. I had pork steak. It wasn't until I had finished my lunch that I realised that we still hadn't moved out of port. Finally, we set sail an hour late, so we were now 2 hours behind schedule. What should have been an easy day was turning into a long stressful one! We now weren't due to our hotel until 7pm.</div><div><br></div><div>We landed in Calais, got back on the coach and pedal to the metal all the way to Bruges! Sharon has been very good today at turning negative situations into positive ones. When she had to say the coffee machine wasn't working it was followed up with "but we have hot cross buns and we'll be stopping soon!" And when we were just getting off the ferry at the time we should have been checked in and in our rooms at our hotel she said "we are running later than planned but we're all safe and we will get there!" It's enough to make people just stop and think before complaining and keep the mood on the coach very happy and relaxed.</div><div><br></div><div>We arrived at Bruges. Coaches are usually banned from the centre of Bruges in an attempt to preserve it, which is even more important with it being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so it was my first time to drive into the city. We checked into the hotel and Sharon very kindly took my luggage while I took the coach to park for the night.</div><div><br></div><div>I parked up and had a quick check down the coach to find a very nasty surprise! Coach toilets are only for weeing! Not only had someone done more than a wee, they hadn't managed to flush either! After I'd gained control of myself and stopped wretching, the offensive matter was dumped at the toilet drop before parking for a second time and walking back to the hotel.</div><div><br></div><div>We had a set menu dinner in the hotel this evening, which was good considering how late we had arrived, it meant that people didn't have to go looking for food in a strange city they hadn't become acquainted with yet. The menu was basic but the food that was served was very nice. The complimentary Kia aperitifs went down very well, as did the included wine!</div><div><br></div><div>After an early start, no one stayed around for long after dinner and had an early night. I've got a nice big bed to myself so I slept diagonally across it all night so as not to waste it!</div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Day 2</i></b></div><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>After a really good nights sleep, I got up late and appeared for breakfast shortly after 9am. I was quite surprised to see that not many of our passengers had been to breakfast yet. After breakfast I went down to the coach park to attempt to repair the coffee machine.</div><div><br></div><div>I spent 2 hours checking fuses, swapping pipes to feed through a different pump and getting soaking wet in the process! I did get it working although not as it should! The water from the handbasin in the toilet needs to be running in order to get water running from the tap of the coffee machine! A bit of a gymnastics act is needed to do this and I don't envy Sharon trying to serve drinks from it on the way home on Monday! But it's better than nothing! </div><div><br></div><div>An English driver from another company was parked next to me. He was a proper know all! He came over interfering, trying to tell me what was wrong with the coffee machine and how to fix it, until I told him I had to feed through the other pump. He obviously had no idea and disappeared! </div><div><br></div><div>At 1pm I went to pick up my passengers. This afternoon, we were booked on the paddle steamer from Bruges to Damme.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GlH3LES514o/U1Z-XzGBFWI/AAAAAAAAH8U/fCbLRA4ClOg/s640/blogger-image-1464856523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GlH3LES514o/U1Z-XzGBFWI/AAAAAAAAH8U/fCbLRA4ClOg/s640/blogger-image-1464856523.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was only a short 35 min cruise up the canal but it was a lovely day and everyone seemed to really enjoy it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Rm1kij4Z58c/U1Z-R7Tmo-I/AAAAAAAAH8M/sW0q7D8Xu5w/s640/blogger-image--2146655559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Rm1kij4Z58c/U1Z-R7Tmo-I/AAAAAAAAH8M/sW0q7D8Xu5w/s640/blogger-image--2146655559.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I had to drive to Damme to pick the group up, but first they had an hour in this pretty, tiny village before heading back to Bruges.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hHHXCIojyqA/U1Z-K3j1XyI/AAAAAAAAH8E/4MOXESy95Ok/s640/blogger-image-499489834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hHHXCIojyqA/U1Z-K3j1XyI/AAAAAAAAH8E/4MOXESy95Ok/s640/blogger-image-499489834.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There wasn't a lot in Damme, but especially with the weather being good, it was a nice place to sit out and enjoy a drink.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-04omfr2XOWA/U1Z99KtfiBI/AAAAAAAAH70/gU1ihZ7_6OE/s640/blogger-image--1549847653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-04omfr2XOWA/U1Z99KtfiBI/AAAAAAAAH70/gU1ihZ7_6OE/s640/blogger-image--1549847653.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I did come across a random statue. There was no plaque, or anything to say its relevance or reason for being there!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dhZrHlDIE7w/U1Z-hg1wXlI/AAAAAAAAH8k/MFcBo9OGCKU/s640/blogger-image-1957988888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dhZrHlDIE7w/U1Z-hg1wXlI/AAAAAAAAH8k/MFcBo9OGCKU/s640/blogger-image-1957988888.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We headed back to Bruges, driving through the suburbs and seeing where the 'normal' people lived. It was a nice relaxing afternoon. I parked the coach then Sharon and I had a beer before getting changed for dinner. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We met up again at 7pm and headed off aimlessly for somewhere to eat. We ended up in a very nice little restaurant, sat on the street side under heat lamps on Burg Square. Firstly we ordered a medium Kriek each, these were a little larger than I remembered!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-D9o8HThwGf8/U1Z-t1d6n8I/AAAAAAAAH80/4q59qjVmrrg/s640/blogger-image-680500473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-D9o8HThwGf8/U1Z-t1d6n8I/AAAAAAAAH80/4q59qjVmrrg/s640/blogger-image-680500473.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sharon ordered Moules Provençal and I had schnitzel! Then Sharon forced me into having pudding! I had Damme Blanche (vanilla ice cream with hot chocolate sauce and cream) while Sharon had a big fat chocolate waffle!</div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pKM8vTmYgVA/U1Z9zkwvR7I/AAAAAAAAH7s/te3fdtA8lCw/s640/blogger-image--611983958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pKM8vTmYgVA/U1Z9zkwvR7I/AAAAAAAAH7s/te3fdtA8lCw/s640/blogger-image--611983958.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></div>By the time we payed the bill it was dark. We had a nice walk back to the hotel. The city looks a different place at night time, all lit up. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9RmmFK9s9UA/U1Z-D25_J1I/AAAAAAAAH78/i0B0QRqvyPI/s640/blogger-image-364598486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9RmmFK9s9UA/U1Z-D25_J1I/AAAAAAAAH78/i0B0QRqvyPI/s640/blogger-image-364598486.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UNdUxFZ80U0/U1Z9iz9ji7I/AAAAAAAAH7M/DWA8py7gnIw/s640/blogger-image-1447280039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UNdUxFZ80U0/U1Z9iz9ji7I/AAAAAAAAH7M/DWA8py7gnIw/s640/blogger-image-1447280039.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>By the time we got back to the hotel, with a full tummy, I was feeling tired. I was off to bed. All in all, it had been a good day.</div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Day 3</i></b></div><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div>This morning I had to be up early. I had breakfast and walked down to the coach where I had Easter Eggs to put on the seats for the passengers. After feeding the parking meter with €25 worth of shrapnel to be able to exit the car park, I went to fetch the group. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Everyone was pleasantly surprised by their eggs and some were quite excited!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Today's excursion is to Brussels. It's not a city I enjoy driving around. I find it difficult to get my bearings here with no river or landmark to navigate by. Also Brussels is full of tunnels. Some a coach can fit through others are too low, but none are height marked so you just don't use them! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I dropped everyone off by the central station which is close to the cathedral and the Grand Place.</span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EWBj5xJcPPg/U1Z9mKEqvSI/AAAAAAAAH7U/Csi9KnPGwRg/s640/blogger-image--1668549376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EWBj5xJcPPg/U1Z9mKEqvSI/AAAAAAAAH7U/Csi9KnPGwRg/s640/blogger-image--1668549376.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">Sharon and I went for a walk and after she had spent so long on the coach talking about the Manneken Pis, I had to take her to see the Jeanekke Pis! </div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jM-mKDr4rz4/U1Z-aYUz5wI/AAAAAAAAH8c/YHaszdq-7DE/s640/blogger-image-1299669570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jM-mKDr4rz4/U1Z-aYUz5wI/AAAAAAAAH8c/YHaszdq-7DE/s640/blogger-image-1299669570.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">Then we went and sat on the Grand Place and had a coffee. I really wanted a beer! It's not the same sitting in a street side cafe in Europe drinking coffee! It should be beer!</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">After coffee I was dragged into the Musee de Ville, which is a museum of Brussels through history, tapestries and paintings, and the outfits of the Manneken Pis. </div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-osPcv-_jaa0/U1Z9r8XnvCI/AAAAAAAAH7k/YkCQWy0MDng/s640/blogger-image--559594897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-osPcv-_jaa0/U1Z9r8XnvCI/AAAAAAAAH7k/YkCQWy0MDng/s640/blogger-image--559594897.jpg"></a></div><p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Embassies, tourist offices, but also workers, sportsmen, artists, bon vivants, associations,... wish to honor Manneken Pis with a suit or costume. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It was worth going in just to see the costumes!</span><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HjGsMrkQKfI/U1Z9cJjHKWI/AAAAAAAAH7E/W6Hlf6XHu84/s640/blogger-image-1455939456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HjGsMrkQKfI/U1Z9cJjHKWI/AAAAAAAAH7E/W6Hlf6XHu84/s640/blogger-image-1455939456.jpg"></a></p></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">When we came out, we took a walk down to the Mannekin Pis, then found a frituur and sat on a wall with our chips like classy English birds do! We went back to the coach and had an hour quiet before the passengers would be returning.</div></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">We left the centre of Brussels and Sharon had asked if we could have a drive by the Atomium.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DtLCLFaHrKE/U1Z9W_2rTkI/AAAAAAAAH60/GVY0jb97vFM/s640/blogger-image-462718844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DtLCLFaHrKE/U1Z9W_2rTkI/AAAAAAAAH60/GVY0jb97vFM/s640/blogger-image-462718844.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><ol style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><div class="xpdbox vk_c kno-inline xpdopen" jsaction="kx.e" data-kxi="1" style="position: relative; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px;"><div data-ved="0CCoQ_xc"><div class="kno-card" style="margin-left: 24px;"><li class="mod" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; list-style: none; clear: none;"><div class="_tq kno-fb-ctx" data-hveid="66" data-ved="0CEIQziAoADAE" style="overflow: hidden; margin: 10px 24px 0px 0px; padding-bottom: 18px;"><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Atomium is a building in Brussels originally constructed for Expo '58, the 1958 Brussels World's Fair. Designed by the engineer André Waterkeyn and architects André and Jean Polak, it stands 102 m tall.</span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So being the helpful driver I am (snigger!) I changed my route so we could drive past the Atomium and the Royal Palace.</span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rGRD-bP201Y/U1Z9oGIOnYI/AAAAAAAAH7c/TnrUO6gYmzE/s640/blogger-image--1178601729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rGRD-bP201Y/U1Z9oGIOnYI/AAAAAAAAH7c/TnrUO6gYmzE/s640/blogger-image--1178601729.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We were only 2 miles from the motorway when we came across a road closure with diversion. Panic! Where is this going to take me? Will it put me in a tunnel? Sharon! This is your fault! Aaaaargh! It all turned out fine and we were back on track within a few minutes. More luck than judgement! </span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On the motorway on the way back to Bruges, there was a duck with a least 10 ducklings running around the middle lane. Cars were braking and swerving all over the place, I don't know how there wasn't an accident. Sharon got quite distressed about it so now wasn't the time to joke that all the cars stopped on the hard shoulder, which there were many, had pulled over to remove dead duckling from their radiator grills!</span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We got back to Bruges, dropped everyone off, then the rest of the evening was our own. </span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We went for dinner in a nice little Italian I know just off the main market square.</span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lZXjnB48WOs/U1Z-muSix4I/AAAAAAAAH8s/ZohObdCiavg/s640/blogger-image--2035490020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lZXjnB48WOs/U1Z-muSix4I/AAAAAAAAH8s/ZohObdCiavg/s640/blogger-image--2035490020.jpg"></a></div><br></div>After we'd eaten we went for a drink in the Druids Cellar Irish Bar and then onto another pub just off the market square, in search of chouffe coffee. We couldn't find anyone who'd heard of it let alone served it, so we made do with Kriek! I had a fit of the sneezes and told Sharon that the hops in beer can bring on hay fever and that's why I was sneezing! She believed me! Beer can cause hay fever! Haha!</span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We went back to the hotel quite early, it had been a long day and I was feeling tired. I need a good nights rest tonight because we have another long day tomorrow.</span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i>Day 4</i></b></span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i><br></i></b></span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Today we are heading home so the luggage needed loading onto the coach. On the way back to Calais today we are due to go to Ieper and I thought it would be a nice idea on the way to call in to Tyne Cot Cemetry. There are a lot of people on the coach who have not been to Ieper before and so I assume they've not been to war graves either.</span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YyMFMpOxmqg/U1Z9aUciUPI/AAAAAAAAH68/qXSlXO1uzag/s640/blogger-image--313137774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YyMFMpOxmqg/U1Z9aUciUPI/AAAAAAAAH68/qXSlXO1uzag/s640/blogger-image--313137774.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A few people got very emotional at this visit because of close family involvement in the Great War. It is a very moving experience to visit these places and it gets me every time. Tyne Cot is a memorial to 12,000 men, 8,000 of which are unknown. I'm not going to say any more about it as I have spoke of Tyne Cot in a previous blog. Everyone appreciated our visit here. Another of my brilliant ideas well received!</span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We moved down the road to Ieper. I told the passengers of the brilliant little bookshop to visit, where I went to buy another poppy badge, and the best chocolate shop in town. It's the best because it gives me presents!</span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The weather today was gorgeous. We sat in a street side cafe for coffee before going to buy ice cream. None of our passengers saw us having coffee but they all saw us with big fat ice creams! We went and bought our chocolates and went back to the coach to catch up on our neglected paperwork for the weekend.</span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We left for Calais and got on our booked ferry. Another of our drivers was on the same ferry and he said there had been no squashed ducklings on the motorway, so Sharon was happy! The drive from Dover to Henley is the longest ever on the way home, it never seems to end! All our feeders were in place waiting for us and our passengers went safely onward home. </span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="kno-rdesc"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I've had a brilliant weekend and I've really enjoyed working with Sharon and I'm looking forward to our next one together. The end of yet another successful tour! </span></div></div></li></div></div></div></ol></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Bruges Bruges51.202361 3.227064tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-85037707008572949342014-04-14T14:19:00.000+01:002014-04-14T14:19:58.704+01:00Mechelen and Oostende - Day 2 Feeling fresh and ready for another day, I was the first to breakfast. I had a good intake of coffee and enjoyed the walk in the sunshine to fetch the coach. 🌞<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today we are going to Brussels. We have a nice leisurely start, leaving the hotel at 10am. Was anyone surprised when 'Sparkles' wasn't on the coach in time? Not really! And we left him behind! 😊 (I love doing that!)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've just realised that I've not introduced Sparkles! The lad who had left his passport behind and chased the coach to Folkestone, Ben, thinks he looks like the hot guy from Twilight! So, mates being mates, his mates have nicknamed him, much to his disgust, Sparkles, because Vampires sparkle in the sunlight!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our first visit was to Duval Chocolate Factory which, from the outside, just looked like another house in a row of terraced houses. I had to double park to drop the group off and then go away to park, so I didn't get to go in. The only good thing was they were only having a tour and so I wasn't missing out on making my own chocolate! 🍫 Bless him though, Doug thought of me and brought me some chocolate 😋</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our next visit was a brewery which specialises in making sour beers and was on the other side of the city, definitely not at the posh end! 😧 I struggled to get the coach through and we didn't fit up the road to the brewery, although they had put cones out for the coach to park! There was nowhere to pull over to let the group off safely so I did what everyone else seemed to be doing and just stopped, blocking the road, telling everyone "2 minutes" and waved, when they honked their horns!🙋 Very unprofessional, I know!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
From here we went into the centre of Brussels for free time. I planned my route to use the major looking roads on the map but OMG! There must have been an easier way! Nevertheless, the group were dropped off and went to explore with their maps of good pubs in their hands and the coach was parked, still straight! 😄</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I went for a little walk. I have only been into Brussels once before and that was about 6 years ago, so I was behaving like a tourist! 📷</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vQ_wBXj4d6E/U0vfhxNOf1I/AAAAAAAAH0I/64OOP20XLrI/s640/blogger-image--719184333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vQ_wBXj4d6E/U0vfhxNOf1I/AAAAAAAAH0I/64OOP20XLrI/s640/blogger-image--719184333.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Yu-ltyY4F98/U0vf-uHjLzI/AAAAAAAAH0g/TSCCgavByWg/s640/blogger-image-1650908431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Yu-ltyY4F98/U0vf-uHjLzI/AAAAAAAAH0g/TSCCgavByWg/s640/blogger-image-1650908431.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
All of these photos were taken in the Grand Place before heading off in search of the 'Jeanneke Pis'. Everyone has seen statues of the peeing boy. Well apparently, the original 'peeing boy', the Mannekene Pis is in Brussels and it came about when, hundreds of years ago, the king visited Brussels and a little boy needed to wee, so he did, in front of the king! The 'Jeanneke Pis' is the little girl version!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SQUD4iakZis/U0veKJcEpgI/AAAAAAAAHz0/hAKm_wQKwkU/s640/blogger-image-809737185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SQUD4iakZis/U0veKJcEpgI/AAAAAAAAHz0/hAKm_wQKwkU/s640/blogger-image-809737185.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
By now I had met up with the lads. We had a snack in the friterie, chips! Then headed for the Delerium Village! Delerium is a very popular, large Belgian brewery and we went to the Delerium Tap House where they have 14 real ales on tap and 2500 in bottles! Yes, 2500!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7I5SdpNF6Bw/U0veRwiRobI/AAAAAAAAHz8/FcET5mVilAY/s640/blogger-image--113450945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7I5SdpNF6Bw/U0veRwiRobI/AAAAAAAAHz8/FcET5mVilAY/s640/blogger-image--113450945.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Each floor had a different style bar, notice the 500 tequilas on the menu!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9L4HBYQ1WrY/U0vf7yQ19PI/AAAAAAAAH0Y/D7gokmglm40/s640/blogger-image-1641216250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9L4HBYQ1WrY/U0vf7yQ19PI/AAAAAAAAH0Y/D7gokmglm40/s640/blogger-image-1641216250.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I'd like to come to Brussels when I'm not working. I've been introduced to all these wicked bars and beers and I think it would be a lot of fun with a group of friends. It's still a pig of a place to drive round though!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-K-Z7qMiLNDc/U0vgDc6tmWI/AAAAAAAAH0o/Ij3mauGh3PA/s640/blogger-image--327436251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-K-Z7qMiLNDc/U0vgDc6tmWI/AAAAAAAAH0o/Ij3mauGh3PA/s640/blogger-image--327436251.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
At 10pm we were due to be leaving. Sparkles and his mates had been told they'd be left behind if they were late! They were cutting it fine but they weren't last. We were missing one of the older couples who had never been late and so we were hoping they were just lost and nothing more serious. They weren't answering their phone and there was no sign of them. At 1015, a lady on a push bike came over to the coach and said, "are you waiting for Pam and Ken? They are lost! I told them I'd let you know they are on their way and now I'm going back to get them!" I'm not sure you'd come across such a helpful random person in London! So after a few more minutes we were relieved to see them come round the corner and we would soon be on our way. Why is it though, when people come back late, instead of getting on the coach and rushing to their seats so we can go, they have to stand at the door and tell you a really long winded story of why they are late! "Yeah alright! Get on!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The journey back to Mechelen was very quiet. Most were having a quick kip so they were ready to go to the pub when we got back! I parked the coach and joined them for a drink. Doug was drunk! Paul had unknowingly bought an 11% beer for Doug which definitely had an effect! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
After a couple of beers I headed back to the hotel and had another really good nights sleep. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-67500239965399732792014-04-12T22:29:00.001+01:002014-04-12T22:29:45.138+01:00Mechelen and Oostende - Day 1Wahoo! The touring season has started! And I'm off to Belgium with a group who I took last year and have requested for me again. Must be gluttons for punishment!<div><br></div><div>The group are all members of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and the purpose of this trip every year is to sample the Belgian beers, so I'm in good company!🍻🍻</div><div><br></div><div>I had an early start this morning, leaving the depot at 0445hrs to travel to Northampton and take a break before picking up the first few of the group at 0700hrs. 😴 I was met here by the group organiser, Doug, his lovely lady friend, Janet, and his two sons, Kevin and Carl. Seven o'clock came and I was told we were just waiting for the third son, Michael, who I hadn't met before. I was told Michael was always late and if you wanted him there at 7, you had to tell him quarter to! Nevertheless, they told him 7! So when he turned up at 0708hrs he said, "did you notice I'm 7 minutes early? If you'd wanted me here at 7 you'd have told me quarter to!" That's when he was told if he was late again, he'd be finding his own way! So we left 10 mins late and set off to collect the rest of the group.</div><div><br></div><div>We arrived at the next pick up to learn that 2 of the younger lads had woke up late, rushed to the pick up point and realised they hadn't brought their passports, so they rushed home with the intention of catching up with the coach at the first services.🏃🏃💨 When I did the safety announcement I also asked that everyone could put their hands on their passports. It's always been a rule with this group, if you forget your passport, you don't come, because it's not fair to hold up 40 people on the return journey while 1 struggles to get back into the country without a passport. At this point, Michael, who had made us late from the first pick up point, came and asked to get his luggage out to check for his passport! He didn't have it! So he was left behind, again with the intention of catching up with the coach, after someone had delivered his passport!</div><div><br></div><div>So finally, we were on our way, 25 mins late, with a train to catch! We had an easy journey down to the M20, with no sign of the lads chasing us, although they were in contact on the phone. 🚌 We had to go to the Eurostar station to meet them so they didn't have to pay extortionate parking prices for the weekend. I disagreed with us doing this. It meant our crossing time was being jeopardised because we were not going to be arriving at the channel tunnel terminal until 30mins before our crossing. That's cutting it a bit fine for my liking! It also meant that the group would not have time to use the services to get coffee and breakfast before getting on the train and so we would have to stop as soon as we arrived in France. And I was in serious need of a caffeine fix! ☕️☕️☕️ </div><div><br></div><div>But we did make our 1120 crossing to France, 🚇 unfortunately without Michael! From here on, it should be smooth sailing.......she says!</div><div><br></div><div>We stopped at the services after getting off the train and I got my free coffee and breakfast! ☕️🍳🍞☕️ Then we got on the road, heading for our first brewery visit in Ninove, Belgium. The journey should have taken just under 2 hours but the traffic was horrendous and it took us nearly 3 🚗🚛🚙🚕🚌🚕🚗🚗🚛🚚🚌🚗🚗🚑 Despite us arriving so late, the owner of the brewery was very welcoming and hospitable, telling the group not to leave thirsty! They had a bit of a guided tour and lots of sampling 🍻🍻🍻 while I tried to get a quick kip 💤💤 After an hour and a half we were on the road again for the final time today, to check into our hotel, which for the next 2 nights is the Holiday Inn Express Mechelen. It is on the square in the very centre of the city. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-X8fRW2LzWOw/U0j3lXI_MVI/AAAAAAAAHmo/NkgjwFRvSr0/s640/blogger-image--1062677661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-X8fRW2LzWOw/U0j3lXI_MVI/AAAAAAAAHmo/NkgjwFRvSr0/s640/blogger-image--1062677661.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>It is a 10 minute walk back to the hotel from where the coach is parked for the night and on my way back, I bumped into Doug with about 8 others and was invited to join them for a drink. Well it would be rude not to! A lot of research is done before this trip, into where the best bars are with the largest beer menus, so I was quite surprised at the relatively low choice of beer at the first bar we went to with only about 50 to choose from! It was a funny little place. Everywhere you looked was chickens! Whether they were ceramic, plastic, cuddly toy or dead and stuffed, they were everywhere! 🐓🐔 There was even Cock Art!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4RjSlvV_69Q/U0j3yqVA_JI/AAAAAAAAHmw/vuXSPoNptmI/s640/blogger-image-1399006627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4RjSlvV_69Q/U0j3yqVA_JI/AAAAAAAAHmw/vuXSPoNptmI/s640/blogger-image-1399006627.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We stayed there for a short time before moving on to the next bar where we would be having dinner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A lot of our group were already here eating when we arrived and the place didn't seem to be as 'quirky' as the bar before. The girl came to take our order and I very quickly ordered a bottle of Kriek (cherry beer) and steak and chips, which pushed the rest of them to hurry up and make a decision! I was starving!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">While we were waiting for our food, I was looking around and there was a really cool chandelier made from green wine bottles. Apart from that, there was nothing about the place that really caught my eye. The rest of the group were more than happy with about 100 beers on the menu though!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hRmwsKbmVXQ/U0mwRcL-ZyI/AAAAAAAAHnA/RrJxd3Jc3gI/s640/blogger-image-931195614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hRmwsKbmVXQ/U0mwRcL-ZyI/AAAAAAAAHnA/RrJxd3Jc3gI/s640/blogger-image-931195614.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My dinner was lovely and the beer went down very nicely but it was now getting on for 10pm (9pm British time) and I had been up for nearly 19 hours. Now that my tummy was satisfied I was really starting to feel tired, so I left the group and went back to the hotel where I slept for a solid 9 hrs!</div>😴😴⏰</div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-45435168545217580182013-11-10T19:12:00.001+00:002013-11-12T09:09:19.857+00:00Kent Castles - Day 4I had the biggest breakfast ever this morning so it was a good job that the porter was keen to do all the luggage handling, with me just counting and telling him where to load it all! <div><br></div><div>We had a slightly earlier start this morning, leaving the hotel at 0930hrs. We avoided the motorway on our scenic journey through to west Kent on this very clear, fresh, sunny autumn morning to our destination, Hever Castle.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QriVHlIIuD4/Un_1uGAdSOI/AAAAAAAAFGU/CPHMj0gCmCQ/s640/blogger-image-1706240736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QriVHlIIuD4/Un_1uGAdSOI/AAAAAAAAFGU/CPHMj0gCmCQ/s640/blogger-image-1706240736.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There have been three main periods in the construction of this historic castle. The oldest part of the castle dates to 1270 and consisted of the gatehouse and a walled bailey. In the early 1500s the Bullen family bought the castle and added a Tudor dwelling within the walls and so it became the childhood home of its most famous inhabitant, Anne Boleyn. It later passed into the ownership of Henry’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. From 1557 onwards the Castle was owned by a number of families including the Waldegraves, the Humfreys and the Meade Waldos. Finally, in 1903, William Waldorf Astor invested time, money and imagination in restoring the Castle, building the ’Tudor Village’ and creating the gardens and lake.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hever Castle is now a tourist attraction, drawing on its links to Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, its mazes, gardens and lake.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CD0hx0p7qA0/Un_yNtwFK2I/AAAAAAAAFF4/1RctB7DpI8c/s640/blogger-image-1944441514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CD0hx0p7qA0/Un_yNtwFK2I/AAAAAAAAFF4/1RctB7DpI8c/s640/blogger-image-1944441514.jpg"></a></div><p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p>There is an annual events programme with assorted events including jousting tournaments and archery displays in the summer months and an annual patchwork and quilting exhibition in September. The castle has also become the venue for a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triathlon" title="Triathlon" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">triathlon</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Castles to Country Houses</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">exhibition contains a collection of 1/12 scale model houses ranging from the medieval to Victorian periods.</span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font><p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The castle offers three floors containing antique furniture, Anne Boleyn's prayer books, instruments of torture, and a large collection of Tudor paintings. There is also a museum of the Kent Yeomanry. The remains of the original country house timbers can still be seen within the stone walls of the fortification, while the gatehouse is the only original part of the castle. It has the oldest working original portcullis in England.</span></p><p></p><p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fHc08dCxueE/Un_yPrtCMYI/AAAAAAAAFGA/JDQVsx42pd0/s640/blogger-image-1846724495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fHc08dCxueE/Un_yPrtCMYI/AAAAAAAAFGA/JDQVsx42pd0/s640/blogger-image-1846724495.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The grounds of the castle include a yew maze</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, planted in 1904. There is also a water maze, opened in 1999, the object of which is to get to the folly at the centre without getting wet, while in the children's adventure playground there is a tower maze. The castle gardens contain a wide range of features including an Italianate garden, rose gardens, a herb garden, and</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topiary" title="Topiary" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">topiary</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_YWLpWzHypA/Un_yR1oIHgI/AAAAAAAAFGI/FrmwzrnEZ8M/s640/blogger-image--1309324474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_YWLpWzHypA/Un_yR1oIHgI/AAAAAAAAFGI/FrmwzrnEZ8M/s640/blogger-image--1309324474.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p></div><div>When we walked through the entrance, down the drive through the trees and around the corner to the sight of the castle standing proud in glorious sunshine with a back drop of the blue sky and surrounded by trees in their autumn colours, I can only describe it as being like a Fairytale. It is a very impressive building in a stunning setting, which was the climax at the end of a successful tour.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-69BDXA1Xlhs/Un_1z0GswEI/AAAAAAAAFGc/L_VxhpaPwus/s640/blogger-image-1298851217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-69BDXA1Xlhs/Un_1z0GswEI/AAAAAAAAFGc/L_VxhpaPwus/s640/blogger-image-1298851217.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We had an easy journey home, all of our feeder vehicles were in position and waiting for us when we pulled in the yard. The transfer of luggage went smoothly and before many minutes, all passengers were in the back of a mini bus and on their way home. I have had a very enjoyable few days and I am not looking forward to the mundane day to day work of school runs and university sports until I next go on tour, which as far as I know, will be at Christmas. So this is me signing off until then. Keep safe everyone. x</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-36813724437203087882013-11-10T06:30:00.001+00:002013-11-10T06:30:48.574+00:00Kent Castles - Day 2I arrived for breakfast at 0830 hrs this morning where they had laid on a very good spread. We left the hotel at 1000hrs, destination Leeds Castle.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WhrFS4-x7t4/Un8n87gM-0I/AAAAAAAAFD4/wv_cYS58tf0/s640/blogger-image-1031051079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WhrFS4-x7t4/Un8n87gM-0I/AAAAAAAAFD4/wv_cYS58tf0/s640/blogger-image-1031051079.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Leeds Castle is in Kent, 5 miles (8 km) southeast of Maidstone. A castle has been on the site since 1119. In the 13th century it came into the hands of King Edward I, for whom it became a favourite residence; in the 16th century, Henry VIII used it as a residence for his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. The castle today dates mostly from the 19th century and is built on islands in a lake formed by the River Len, to the east of the village of Leeds.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The last private owner of the castle was the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Olive_Baillie" title="Lady Olive Baillie" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Hon. Olive, Lady Baillie</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, daughter of</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almeric_Paget,_1st_Baron_Queenborough" title="Almeric Paget, 1st Baron Queenborough" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Almeric Paget, 1st Baron Queenborough</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and his first wife,</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauline_Payne_Whitney" title="Pauline Payne Whitney" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Pauline Payne Whitney</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, an American heiress. Lady Baillie bought the castle in 1926. She redecorated the interior, first working with the French architect and designer Armand-Albert Rateau, who oversaw exterior alterations and added interior features such as a 16th-century-style carved-oak staircase), then with the Paris decorator</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St%C3%A9phane_Boudin" title="Stéphane Boudin" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Stéphane Boudin</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. During the early part of</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II" title="World War II" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">World War II</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">the castle was used as a hospital where Lady Baillie and her daughters hosted burned Commonwealth airmen as part of their recovery. Survivors remember the experience with fondness. Upon her death in 1974, Lady Baillie left the castle to the Leeds Castle Foundation, a private charitable trust whose aim is to preserve the castle and grounds for the benefit of the public.<span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The castle was opened to the public in 1976.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YhhesmJC9uk/Un8oDO9MySI/AAAAAAAAFEQ/WlGr6PkyJ5w/s640/blogger-image-643557025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YhhesmJC9uk/Un8oDO9MySI/AAAAAAAAFEQ/WlGr6PkyJ5w/s640/blogger-image-643557025.jpg"></a></div><i>IMAGE TAKEN FROM WIKIPEDIA</i></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><i><br></i></span></div><div><p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">An aviary was added in 1980 and by 2011 it contained over 100 species, but it was decided to close it in October 2012 as it was felt the foundation could make better use of the £200,000 a year it cost to keep the aviary running.<span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span>The castle and its grounds are a major leisure destination with a maze, a grotto, a golf course and what may be the world's only museum of dog collars.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It is a Grade I </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listed_building" title="Listed building" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">listed building</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">(first listed in 1952)<span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and recognised as an internationally important structure.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">In 1998 Leeds Castle was one of 57 heritage sites in England to receive more than 200,000 visitors.<span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">According to figures released by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, nearly 560,000 people visited the castle in 2010.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The castle was a location for the 1949 film Kind Hearts and Coronets</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">where it stood in for "Chalfont", the ancestral home of the aristocratic d'Ascoyne family.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was the set for the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Who" title="Doctor Who" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Doctor Who</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">episode</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> The Androids of Tara.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Lorraine and I had planned to go to Tenterden from here, just to stop for an hour to try and add a little more interest to the day, but only two days ago, there was a major fire in the centre of the high street. It is only a small place and so this devastation would have taken out half the village so that idea was scrapped. Instead we stayed at the castle all day but offered an early return to the hotel for those who wanted it because it is only 5 minutes down the road.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After we had done the first run back to the hotel we went straight back to the castle and went into the maze and the grotto. The grotto was amazing. The highlight of the day for me! </span></p><p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0_qeuJkSr6s/Un8oA0ZzMwI/AAAAAAAAFEI/deLnKeC8Zpk/s640/blogger-image-20815001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0_qeuJkSr6s/Un8oA0ZzMwI/AAAAAAAAFEI/deLnKeC8Zpk/s640/blogger-image-20815001.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p></div><div><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You descend into the grotto at Leeds after finding your way through the yew tree maze, down a dark flight of steps, your feet gingerly feeling for the next flight down as your eyes take in the rather impressive underworld. The world you find is submarine rather than subterranean, an undersea cave decorated with shells and corals and Nereids, sea nymphs, stand in niches along the walls.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fo7CJdrAFSk/Un8n-y8kEII/AAAAAAAAFEA/fIwwqAuTkjs/s640/blogger-image-1671789269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fo7CJdrAFSk/Un8n-y8kEII/AAAAAAAAFEA/fIwwqAuTkjs/s640/blogger-image-1671789269.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>A tape loop (or the modern digital equivalent) plays the sounds of the sea - waves, wind, seabirds – and a fruity, actorly voice intones ‘The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner’. Ariel’s song from “The Tempest” seems more appropriate:<p></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Full fathom five thy father lies;<br>Of his bones are coral made;<br>Those are pearls that were his eyes;<br>Nothing of him that does fade,<br>But doth suffer a sea-change<br>Into something rich and strange.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QIV9UPe35AQ/Un8oFnPRDtI/AAAAAAAAFEY/2IhRXC1j8ok/s640/blogger-image-405350429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QIV9UPe35AQ/Un8oFnPRDtI/AAAAAAAAFEY/2IhRXC1j8ok/s640/blogger-image-405350429.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We took the remainder of our group back to the hotel at 1600hrs. Plenty of time for a jacuzzi before dinner. Our meal this evening, once again was very tasty and it seems I am not the only one enjoying the food. After dinner I briefly chatted to some of our group before making my excuses and disappearing off to bed. Sleep well everyone. Goodnight x</span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-40032283978357474862013-11-10T06:28:00.001+00:002013-11-11T11:12:40.456+00:00Kent Castles - Day 3I am loving the breakfast in this hotel! After filling my tummy and a couple of cups of good strong coffee, we set off for Canterbury.<div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Canterbury is a popular tourist destination: consistently one of the most-visited cities in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom" title="United Kingdom" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">United Kingdom</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">,</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">the city's economy is heavily reliant upon tourism. There is also a substantial student population, brought about by the presence of three universities. Canterbury is, however, a relatively small city, when compared with other British cities.</span><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></font></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Parts of the city have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Many historical structures remain, including a</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_wall" title="Defensive wall" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">city wall</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">founded in</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ancient_Rome-related_topics" title="List of Ancient Rome-related topics" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Roman times</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and rebuilt in the 14th century, the ruins of</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Augustine%27s_Abbey" title="St Augustine's Abbey" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">St Augustine's Abbey</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and a Norman</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canterbury_Castle" title="Canterbury Castle" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">castle</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, and perhaps the oldest school in England,</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The King's School.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Modern additions include the University of Kent, Canterbury Christ Church University,</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_College_for_the_Creative_Arts_at_Canterbury,_Epsom,_Farnham,_Maidstone_and_Rochester" title="University College for the Creative Arts at Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">University College for the Creative Arts</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlowe_Theatre" title="Marlowe Theatre" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Marlowe Theatre</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, and the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Lawrence_Ground" title="St Lawrence Ground" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">St Lawrence Ground</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, home to</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kent_County_Cricket_Club" title="Kent County Cricket Club" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Kent County Cricket Club</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. The city lies at the heart of the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Canterbury" title="City of Canterbury" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">City of Canterbury</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">, a local government district.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pCeBd-7HuVs/Un8nlefHy-I/AAAAAAAAFDw/6uFo3T6Jrnc/s640/blogger-image-1645619686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pCeBd-7HuVs/Un8nlefHy-I/AAAAAAAAFDw/6uFo3T6Jrnc/s640/blogger-image-1645619686.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Once I had dropped everyone off I was a little bit naughty and dashed for a photo of the cathedral before taking the coach to the coach park a little out of town.</span></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We hadn't been here for long before the heavens opened and it poured with rain. The rain didn't stop until we left. We were parked at the back of Starbucks so I gave Lorraine an umbrella and we went for coffee. </span></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">While I was locking the coach, Lorraine was struggling with her umbrella. She thought she had it sorted and was stood waiting for me. Once I'd locked up, I looked at her and just as I was going to say 'you're umbrella doesn't look fully open', it closed around her head! She was stood in the pouring rain with an umbrella stuck on her head and I couldn't stand up straight for laughing! It was just like something you'd see in a comic strip and once again, I didn't have my camera handy. It gave me an enormous amount of entertainment for the rest of the day and I am still having fits of giggles at the thought of it!</span></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We went to pick everyone up at 1430 and were expecting to see a line of drowned rats stood waiting for us but they were all surprisingly dry. They had all found things to interest them and keep them out of the weather, whether it was one of the many museums, the cathedral or one of the other UNESCO sites, or the Canterbury Tales. They were certainly not wet, cold and miserable like we had expected and had all enjoyed their time.</span></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Next, we set off for the Medway for a short visit to Rochester. Lorraine and I had decided to add this to the itinery so everyone was pleasantly surprised to learn we were making an extra visit today. </span></font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A city steeped in history, dominated by a fine Norman Castle and Cathedral, bounded by the maritime traditions and spirit of past British naval dominance on the River Medway.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgb(228, 235, 237); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgb(228, 235, 237); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-liWTlzjcqC4/Un8tNQmSksI/AAAAAAAAFEo/MXkeaFj8zl0/s640/blogger-image-1280505421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-liWTlzjcqC4/Un8tNQmSksI/AAAAAAAAFEo/MXkeaFj8zl0/s640/blogger-image-1280505421.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The town was for many years the favourite of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Dickens" title="Charles Dickens" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Charles Dickens</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, who lived nearby at</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gads_Hill_Place" title="Gads Hill Place" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Gads Hill Place</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">,</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higham,_Kent" title="Higham, Kent" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Higham</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, and who based many of his novels in the area. The</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocese_of_Rochester" title="Diocese of Rochester" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Diocese of Rochester</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, the second oldest in England, is based at</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochester_Cathedral" title="Rochester Cathedral" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Rochester Cathedral</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, and was responsible for the founding of</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_School,_Rochester" title="King's School, Rochester" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">King's School</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">in 604 AD, which is the second</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_oldest_schools_in_the_world" title="List of the oldest schools in the world" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">oldest school in the world</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochester_Castle" title="Rochester Castle" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Rochester Castle</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, built by</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gundulf_of_Rochester" title="Gundulf of Rochester" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Gundulf of Rochester</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, has one of the best preserved keeps in England or France, and during the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Barons%27_War" title="First Barons' War" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">First Barons' War</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">(1215–1217) in King</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John,_King_of_England" title="John, King of England" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">John's</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">reign, baronial forces captured the castle from Archbishop</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Langton" title="Stephen Langton" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Stephen Langton</font></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> and held it against the king, who then besieged it.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4gQMO25Aog8/Un8uhB0IiHI/AAAAAAAAFFg/BRVNCoiOeI8/s640/blogger-image-1804100325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4gQMO25Aog8/Un8uhB0IiHI/AAAAAAAAFFg/BRVNCoiOeI8/s640/blogger-image-1804100325.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>This was the first time I had visited Rochester and I liked it very much. It is only one small high street but everything you find there is independent, individual and in keeping with it's surroundings. We were only here for just over an hour which, for us today, was long enough. Although it had stopped raining it was getting bitterly cold and would soon be dark. </div><div><br></div><div>We arrived back at the hotel at 1700hrs. Just in time to get layered up to stand out on the golf course to watch the firework display from Leeds Castle. We were told we would have the best free view and that the fireworks would fill the valley. Everyone was a little disappointed to find that we couldn't see the fireworks but I did see a hare, an owl and found a very haunted looking cabin in the woods! Needless to say, I didn't explore that one!</div><div><br></div><div>Our menu this evening was disappointing although I did enjoy the food that was served. The majority of our people have disappeared straight after dinner to pack their cases because tomorrow we are heading home. That left an empty bar for Lorraine and I to enjoy a glass of wine in peace before I disappeared to watch the X factor on +1! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-36615029829897205772013-11-08T16:15:00.001+00:002013-11-09T09:31:27.816+00:00Kent Castles - Day 1After a few weeks of not touring I'm finally back on tour. It's been a long few weeks without it! I'm only away for the next 4 days so just a short one, but once again, I am working with my good friend Lorraine so I know it will be fun.<div><br></div><div>We set off at 0830hrs heading south and before we even got on the motorway there was a good buzz on the coach. Lorraine and I were chatting and laughing which filtered through to everyone and created a really good atmosphere.</div><div><br></div><div>Our lunch stop today was at the Pantiles in the town of Royal Tunbridge Wells. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The town came into being as a spa in Georgian times and had its heyday as a tourist resort under Beau Nash when the Pantiles and its chalybeate spring attracted visitors who wished to take the waters. Though its popularity waned with the advent of sea bathing, the town remains popular and derives some 30% of its income from the tourist industry.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jKYRpKIueuQ/Un4A7G91dzI/AAAAAAAAFDc/-M4R57tKKsw/s640/blogger-image--1184138217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jKYRpKIueuQ/Un4A7G91dzI/AAAAAAAAFDc/-M4R57tKKsw/s640/blogger-image--1184138217.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The Pantiles is host to many cafés, restaurants and bars as well as an abundance of independent shops. We stayed here for 2 1/2 hrs. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their time here and were spoilt for choice with where to have lunch. </div><div><br></div><div>We had just under an hour of travelling left before we arrived at our hotel. We are based for our few days at the Marriott Tudor Park Hotel Golf and Country Club. As we were driving in to the hotel, there was a man walking across the car park, just where I needed to put the nose of the coach before backing up to the reception. The man looked up at me as I very gingerly turned toward him, not wanting to cause him to panic. The look on his face when he looked up to see there was a woman driving this 13m coach was one of total horror! It was priceless, I wish I'd had my camera handy! Both Lorraine and I were in a fit of giggles. When I first started driving, the look of horror was one I saw regularly, but over the past few years it has become far more common to see women driving large vehicles and it was a look I had forgotten! </div><div><br></div><div>My room is very comfortable, there is a pool, gym and spa available to hotel guests and our meal this evening was very nice. Lamb steak for main course, my favourite! The only criticism I would have of the hotel so far is that the red wine that is served by the glass, of which there are 4 choices, is cheap and nasty. I would have expected a lot nicer wine to be served, especially at the prices they are charging. Even so, I suffered a glass with my meal before disappearing off to my room to have some time to myself :-)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-49390296144843618012013-10-18T11:59:00.001+01:002013-10-18T11:59:13.420+01:00Bournemouth Tour - Day 5Today we are visiting Kingston Lacy NT which isn't far out of Wimbourne Minster. We set off at 10am again today and travelled through the pretty little villages of Hurn and Parley Cross with their lovely little thatched cottages.<div><br></div><div><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Kingston Lacy is a lavish family home built to resemble an Italian Palace.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WV1fNVPJNPI/UmEUfubVf3I/AAAAAAAAEns/GfTE_GyKYVE/s640/blogger-image--571421176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WV1fNVPJNPI/UmEUfubVf3I/AAAAAAAAEns/GfTE_GyKYVE/s640/blogger-image--571421176.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There’s plenty to see, from grand, beautifully detailed carvings, to intimate family souvenirs and even strange curiosities such as an ‘I owe you’ note from a king.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It is an art lover’s dream. You can take a look at rooms teeming with paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck, Titian and Brueghel. In the Egyptian Room you can discover the largest private collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the UK.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Outside, it has a terrace with urns and vases overlooking a vast lawn. There is also a Victorian fernery, a cedar walk, a lime avenue and a sunken garden which was made in 1906.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Xn93vRNVVKo/UmEUdzYoumI/AAAAAAAAEnk/1VkKrY0Dypc/s640/blogger-image--231924781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Xn93vRNVVKo/UmEUdzYoumI/AAAAAAAAEnk/1VkKrY0Dypc/s640/blogger-image--231924781.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><div>Once again today, the weather was on our side, so many of our group enjoyed one of the free garden tours. I took myself off on the woodland walk and found a little, 2ft high door in a tree trunk. Feeling like Alice in Wonderland, I opened it to find absolutely nothing. Just the tree trunk! I was disappointed!</div><div><br></div><div>Everyone really enjoyed this visit. A few people said how there is so much here that it can't all be done in a day. No matter what your interest, you will find something here to enjoy.</div><div><br></div><div>At 2:30 we left and travelled back to Wimborne Minster where we were booked in for a cream tea at the model village. I couldn't go in here because there is no parking for me, but everyone took great pleasure in letting me know what I had missed. The most gorgeous cream tea with scones fresh from the oven and lashings of jam and cream. The model village itself, they weren't too impressed with. The general opinion was that it was all a bit tired looking and in need of a lick of paint. </div><div><br></div><div>We arrived back at our hotel just before 5 and had a couple of hours to relax before dinner. Our meal this evening I think was the best of the week. I had mushrooms in blue cheese sauce topped with bacon for starter, followed by medallions of lamb in garlic and rosemary which was absolutely delicious. It's going to be a shock tomorrow night when I'm back at home and having cheese on toast!</div><div><br></div><div>There was a pianist performing in the lounge this evening, which was very pleasant, but not many of our group stayed to listen because we are leaving in the morning so they have all gone to pack. It was warm enough tonight to sit on the terrace for a short while before I retired for the night.</div><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: 1.7em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: 1.7em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: 1.7em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-61708287941720383602013-10-16T15:34:00.001+01:002013-10-17T17:15:04.784+01:00Bournemouth Tour - Day 4The weather folklore of the moon halo is correct. I woke up this morning to the sound of heavy rain, strong wind and a crashing sea. So after breakfast I headed out to try for some good stormy weather photographs. All I managed was rain on the lens! So I gave up on that idea and went to clean my coach.<div><br></div><div>Today is a free day. Karen has her man friend coming to visit her. He must be keen, he's had a three hour drive to get here and he's only staying for a day. Good for her, I say. Especially at her age!</div><div><br></div><div>Once the coach was spick and span I went to do a rekki on a hotel over on West Cliff. The hotel in question had been suggested to the MD but he sounded unsure of the place and has asked me to check it out while I'm here. I don't think it's up to our standard to say the least. </div><div><br></div><div>After a very wet walk to get there and back, the sun came out. Typical! So I decided on a glass of wine on the terrace. </div><div><br></div><div>Since I was last in this hotel in July, a shed has appeared on the lawn with a large mirror ball mounted on the top, which is a product of this years Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival. It is described as being 'conceived as both a sculptural work on the outside and a working observatory on the inside, it reflects and magically inverts the silent world using beautifully simple technology of the mirror and the lens. Based on a typical Bournemouth style beach hut, but sitting atop is an enormous, shining ball of stainless steel. Inside, the hut has a tardis of sensations - with familiar daylight transformed into a coloured haze as steps lead to the interior of the dome. Three lenses are installed inside the sphere, which, acting together, create a 360-degree <i>camera obscura</i>, delivering an inverted vision of the world outdoors.' </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MF5EK6hWNNs/Ul6j2SgzDHI/AAAAAAAAEls/sCquAa8aTfc/s640/blogger-image--977432824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MF5EK6hWNNs/Ul6j2SgzDHI/AAAAAAAAEls/sCquAa8aTfc/s640/blogger-image--977432824.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The receptionist laughed and told me off when I asked if I could go in the shed. 'Its not a shed!' It gave an interesting view and also distorted sound. </div><div><br></div><div>I spent the rest of the afternoon watching the world go by. Several of our group have visited the Russell Cotes Museum and Art Gallery and have all said how good it is and how much they've enjoyed it.</div><div><br></div><div>Another very good meal this evening. I think I need to employ a chef at home!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-24161665578068122042013-10-16T14:54:00.001+01:002013-10-17T17:09:19.555+01:00Bournemouth Tour - Day 3Our destination this morning was the New Forest. We drove the scenic route to Lyndhurst, where we met our guide for the next 2 hours, Phil. I have worked with Phil before. I wouldn't describe him as the best guide I've worked with but he does give some good points of interest. The route he takes us on, I think could be better. We could do so much more in the time we have, hence the scenic drive to meet him.<div><br></div><div>However, we could be lucky because today is the day of the 'drift'. The pony round up. It is quite a sight and I was hopeful of a glimpse for my group to see this event. The drift is when all the ponies in the new forest are rounded up so they can have a general health check and this years foals are branded for proof of ownership. Lots of riders on horse back with hounds and a few quad bikes head out into the forest to herd up all the ponies. The ponies get quite unsettled by this activity and being flight animals, the drift moves at quite a pace. Once they are herded into their enclosure they are left for about an hour to settle and for the foals to find their mares. Foals are branded, all ponies are wormed, de-loused, feet checked and trimmed, teeth checked and rasped, before being released back out onto the forest.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QkttLGYXaz4/Ul6am9ZBSGI/AAAAAAAAElc/gxOt-UDg7rk/s640/blogger-image--45666540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QkttLGYXaz4/Ul6am9ZBSGI/AAAAAAAAElc/gxOt-UDg7rk/s640/blogger-image--45666540.jpg"></a><i>(image taken from the New Forest Equine Directory)</i></div><br></div><div>When we drove across the forest, we did see a few riders with hounds but we think they were preparing to start. The ponies were looking calm and relaxed and we were unfortunately a little early to see any of the action.</div><div><br></div><div>The other thing that happens in the forest at this time of year is that the pigs are released. This is so that they can 'clean up' the forest floor. The main purpose of the pigs, is to eat the green acorns which are poisonous to the ponies. The pigs are only in the forest for the length of time that the green acorns are there, then they are rounded up and taken back to wherever they came from. We did see quite a lot of pigs. All of which looked to be enjoying their feast.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rorGYj9IzBw/Ul6ajYP74tI/AAAAAAAAElM/bHuU9TLyM44/s640/blogger-image--20385347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rorGYj9IzBw/Ul6ajYP74tI/AAAAAAAAElM/bHuU9TLyM44/s640/blogger-image--20385347.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Our tour finished back in Lyndhurst where there was time for lunch before this afternoons visit to Highcliffe Castle.</div><div><br></div><div>The castle itself wasn't particularly exciting. It looks good from the outside, but inside is little more than a ruin. However, there is some interesting art work displayed. There is a very nice tea room with an abundance of outdoor seating. It's a gentle walk down the zig zag to the beach where The Needles were clearly visible, seven miles away. The weather today has been glorious. It would have been quite a different day for us today had the weather been bad but we must have been good kids to have the sun shining on us.</div><div><br></div><div>Another lovely meal this evening followed by a glass of wine on the terrace. I was quite excited by the moon halo in the sky. I'm a bit of a geek about the weather! According to weather folklore, the sighting of a moon halo means there is a storm on the way. I hope that's wrong!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LyZjUYSauko/Ul6alYqrzgI/AAAAAAAAElQ/sbWbWuRSdvE/s640/blogger-image-152027147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LyZjUYSauko/Ul6alYqrzgI/AAAAAAAAElQ/sbWbWuRSdvE/s640/blogger-image-152027147.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Karen was coming out with little comments about her experiences of getting old. 'You can't lose weight when you get older you know, it's so much more difficult'. I spose it would be when you're staying in nice hotels with good food and you eat everything that's put in front of you and more! Then she pulls a fan out of her bag saying, 'I'm having a private summer!' Then she's telling me about how because she's getting older, she keeps finding hairs sprouting from places they shouldn't be sprouting from! She made me laugh and it's some good ammunition for mickey taking!</div><div><br></div><div>After admiring the moon halo one last time I went off to my room to be greeted by the sound of the man in the room next door, farting like a trooper! Nice! Goodnight x</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643591085959108229.post-37505682634187393282013-10-14T23:23:00.001+01:002013-10-17T16:59:53.831+01:00Bournemouth Tour - Day 2I'm getting really used to these slow, lazy starts to the day and a good breakfast.<div><br></div><div>I meandered out to the coach at 9:30 this morning to find one of the hotel porters stood admiring it, which is a bit of a worry because he will probably grow up to be a coach spotter! After a quick chat with him about my 'good looking machine' I collected my passengers for today's excursion.</div><div><br></div><div>It is a lovely morning, quite different to yesterday. The sun is out, the sky is blue and everyone was looking forward to our trip just up the road to Christchurch.</div><div><br></div><div>It was a bit difficult to drop off today because it is market day and so there are road closures in place to accommodate it. But it's a nice bit of added interest for everyone. I parked the coach down by the harbour and before anything else I had a few phone calls to make. One of which was to our own products manager back in the depot about an idea I've had. It's a bit of a long shot and would need a lot of thought and consideration but the initial response I've had was positive. Next step, write it all down and present it to the MD. I'm excited about this but I'm sorry, at the moment it is top secret and if I tell you I will have to kill you.</div><div><br></div><div>So once the coach was locked and safe I headed back to town to find Karen. I tried to phone her to find out where she was but she wasn't answering. It didn't matter though, I heard her before I saw her, even over a bustling market! She was having so much of a good time with two of our gentlemen passengers that she hadn't heard the phone. I was bought a coffee before going to explore.</div><div><br></div><div>I had left all of my 7 toothbrushes at home so I had to buy another. I also had a finger nail disaster the night we before we came away so that needed a quick fix. So after the important things were taken care of, we had a mooch through the market before heading for the Priory.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-j3ZCgpKr31Y/Ulxu7RXP1PI/AAAAAAAAEkI/txx5RVN7sqk/s640/blogger-image--1184258518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-j3ZCgpKr31Y/Ulxu7RXP1PI/AAAAAAAAEkI/txx5RVN7sqk/s640/blogger-image--1184258518.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The Priory is very impressive looking and the architecture of churches and cathedrals etc always amazes me. I just can't get my head around how these structures were built, at the time they were built, without the use of machinery. They are always so detailed and intricate and it always impresses me.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NgqsJrqATE4/Ulxtlx2mTFI/AAAAAAAAEjI/ub_fNCtFRLI/s640/blogger-image--1541665657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NgqsJrqATE4/Ulxtlx2mTFI/AAAAAAAAEjI/ub_fNCtFRLI/s640/blogger-image--1541665657.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We went for a quick look inside where we were greeted by a lady in a robe who was very keen to tell us about 'the miraculous beam'. I left Karen stuck with her while I went for a quick look. Karen didn't take long to catch up. We found the story of 'the miraculous beam', and the beam itself. The short version is that during<span style="text-align: center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> the construction of the Norman priory, a beam was cut, ready for installation, however, once hoisted into place, it was found to be too short for the purpose, as this was at the end of the working day, the embarrassed workers went home, intending to work out a solution the next day.</span></div><p class="Normal-2-P" style="text-align: start; margin: 5.3pt 0pt;"><span class="Normal-2-C" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On returning to work the next morning, it was found that the beam was now 1 foot longer than needed. Installation was completed, with no hitch.</span></p><p class="Normal-2-P" style="text-align: start; margin: 5.3pt 0pt;"><span class="Normal-2-C" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As the priory was being dedicated to Christ, it was assumed that Christ had intervened, and extended the beam.</span></p><p class="Normal-2-P" style="text-align: start; margin: 5.3pt 0pt;"><span class="Normal-2-C" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The original Town of Thuinam, was renamed Christchurch in honour of this event.</span></p><p class="Normal-2-P" style="text-align: start; margin: 5.3pt 0pt;"><br></p><p class="Normal-2-P" style="text-align: start; margin: 5.3pt 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s4Bo9CkL5uw/Ulxu5NXhBeI/AAAAAAAAEkA/UwtlRBbAMco/s640/blogger-image-933505746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s4Bo9CkL5uw/Ulxu5NXhBeI/AAAAAAAAEkA/UwtlRBbAMco/s640/blogger-image-933505746.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p class="Normal-2-P" style="text-align: start; margin: 5.3pt 0pt;">Whilst we were in the church, I sinned. It was a slip of the tongue and I really didn't mean to but I swore. I was told to wash my mouth with holy water!</p><p class="Normal-2-P" style="text-align: start; margin: 5.3pt 0pt;"><br></p><p class="Normal-2-P" style="text-align: start; margin: 5.3pt 0pt;">We left the Priory, walked past the castle ruins and down to the harbour, where we had a bite to eat before picking up the troops and returning to the hotel for afternoon tea. </p><p class="Normal-2-P" style="text-align: start; margin: 5.3pt 0pt;"><br></p><p class="Normal-2-P" style="text-align: start; margin: 5.3pt 0pt;">The hotel was very busy when we arrived. There was a wake and the WI book club monthly lunch. I didn't have space to park, someone had removed the cones which was reserving my space so I had to block about 10 cars in while I got my passengers off. One very snooty lady approached me and said, 'you're blocking me in, you're in my way, are you going to move?' To which I replied, 'actually, had you not parked in my clearly marked reserved space, I wouldn't be in your way!' and continued to help my passengers off. So with a huff, the unpleasant lady stomped off to sit in her car and wait! Bad manners irritate me. Don't be rude to me and I won't be rude back!</p><p class="Normal-2-P" style="text-align: start; margin: 5.3pt 0pt;"><br></p><p class="Normal-2-P" style="text-align: start; margin: 5.3pt 0pt;">Once the coach was parked for the night Karen and I went off to town, trying to find out if the dotty train was still running at this time of year. We found no information at the train stop, so we went to the cocktail bar instead! It was the first time I have been to a cocktail bar and drank coffee!</p><p class="Normal-2-P" style="text-align: start; margin: 5.3pt 0pt;"><br></p><p class="Normal-2-P" style="text-align: start; margin: 5.3pt 0pt;">We had another very nice meal this evening except that we have had to swap table with 2 of our passengers because they weren't happy with where their table was positioned. So we are now slap bang in the middle of our group with eyes on us from all directions. Lots of our group were interrupting our meal to talk to us and we didn't get a moments peace. So after dinner I disappeared for some 'me' time and chilled in front of the telly.</p><p class="Normal-2-P" style="text-align: start; margin: 5.3pt 0pt;"><br></p><p class="Normal-2-P" style="text-align: start; margin: 5.3pt 0pt;">The end of a successful day. Everyone has enjoyed themselves and there is some good banter going within our group. It's a good feeling when everybody's happy and part of that is down to you. Goodnight.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0