UK / Europe

września - października 2024
  • Julia J
45-dniowa przygoda według Julia J Czytaj więcej
  • Julia J

Lista krajów

  • Irlandia Irlandia
  • Chorwacja Chorwacja
  • Włochy Włochy
  • Republika Czeska Republika Czeska
  • Niemcy Niemcy
  • Anglia Anglia
Kategorie
Brak
  • 5,5kprzejechane kilometry
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  • 36ślady stóp
  • 45dni
  • 632zdjęcia
  • 73lubi
  • Up from the Underground

    Lets Go

    3 września 2024, Anglia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Departure from NZ was interesting. Our flight leaving Auckland was turned back so as a disorderly behaved woman could be thrown off! Procedure then apparently calls for the Police to come on board and check nothing sinister has been left behind or occurred, in addition to hauling off the offender. Next on the list was to replace the wasted fuel! Once tanked up and ready to hit go, alas - another plane had spilled hydraulic fluid on the runway so now that needed to be cleaned up before we could finally lift off.
    At least this meant a shorter transfer in San Francisco.
    I was met by long time friend Rachel at Heathrow (now the 4th September) and we had a bit of a tour about, had a coffee, and dropped in to Marks and Sparks prior to settling in to my Airbnb.
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  • Easy Does It

    7 września 2024, Anglia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    The knee had been grumbling a bit so a quieter day was in order. Rachel, Scarlett and I went to the Victoria and Albert Museum. It’s quite mind blowing. We had lunch which was pretty out the gate. This is a museum after all - not Harrods. I don’t know which was more luscious, the food or the dining room!
    Rachel and I went on to see the Thin House and Mews Arch in Ennismore Gardens., strolled about Kensington/ Knightsbridge, negotiated protestors and also took a Squizz at the Royal Albert Hall. It really was by then, simply, beer o’clock. Another great day and now also sadly, time to say Cheerio to Rache.
    I had dinner at a cute little cheap n cheerful Italian on my way back and what lovely guys they were. They brought me a little bowl of Brie? (Not exactly Italian but nice!) and one of olives, ‘From us’, he said. That’s so nice, I thought. Next I was finishing my glass of red and he comes over with another - ‘On the house’ he tells me. That truely tops your day off!
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  • On the Road Again… (foot)

    8 września 2024, Anglia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    With knee sufficiently catered for, having had a half day prior, it’s back to the ground pound! I waited for London to get out of bed and open things up including Harrods. I haven’t put Harrods first in the photo line up mainly because the Graffiti Tunnel in a way was more interesting. I’ve obviously got my cultural hat on at the moment! I think I went in at least one circle but know I covered a lot of ground. A cheat/cheap way of visiting the inside of grand churches is by going to an Eversong Service and then you get the singing too! And sneak in some photos. 3/4 or an hour long. It was timely as I’d just been dumped on big time and I could sit and dry everything out. Honestly, whenever there was blue sky / it lasted about ten minutes. Sun girl could not do this. I wanted to the bar up the shard and get the view but I got so far up, it just wasn’t worth it - the weather turned to porridge. I went back down. Prior to this I’d been at Tate Museum. They had some interesting exhibitions. 26000 steps…. Czytaj więcej

  • Great Missenden

    9 września 2024, Anglia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Last day so last opportunity to get some countryside snd experience a quaint old village. I chose Great Missenden because nobody else would. Home of Roald Dahl and other well known folk! There’s a photo of Roald’s latest dwelling. The old Abbey has been converted to a Conference Facility and the Church looks well used by the community - not sure about services though! It dates back to 1400. The countryside is definitely stunning. Even in London, the plentiful number of huge, ancient trees - so many Oaks and some lovely parks. The village was closed (perfect) and school was just starting to come out when I left so suddenly there were more people about. Back on the train and … to Germany tomorrow. Czytaj więcej

  • Not the best of Travel Experiences

    10 września 2024, Niemcy ⋅ 🌬 18 °C

    This covers two days:
    An early rise of about 5.30 to take a bit too much of a brisk walk to the station- as maps didn’t t keep up with me and I overshot my 2nd turn by quite some distance, thus missing my planned train to Heathrow! Luckily I’d allowed for such. The upcoming tsfer at Amsterdam had been on my mind since booking months prior - a 40 min timeframe. That would be fine if the gates were close together and since I’m travelling with hand luggage only. However my gates were on either side of the airport and to make matters worse - first flight was delayed. Even if it wasn’t- this tsfer was impossible unless you had a bike. I ran my heart out (2nd time this day) hoping the next flight also would be delayed but alas. I knew there wasn’t another till hours later. So that was me assigned to the bar. The young guy next to me on the plane did all he could with directions, clearing a quick exit and running with me. So cool of him.
    By the time I reached Arne and the four legged baby Lotte at Bremen airport - it had been about 12 hrs for what is 2x 1 hr flights tail wind dependant. Got to admit - I was looking forward to flopping in to a car by this time with running round and all the London public transport but Arne says ‘Oh btw we’re on the tram.’ They’re used a lot around Bremen. We went to Arne’s office to drop bags and Lotte and have a tour of his newly refurbed offices. Arne then took me for a much needed dinner. A good end to not the best day but this is what travelling is.
    The family was all in bed when we got to the house.
    Bremen is rather lovely. Very green. Winter set in overnight apparently. The previous week to my arrival they were in the 30’s. Now dropped to 7 low / 14 high.
    We started the next day with a long walk - like I needed more haha but it was beautiful. We went as far as the river which has the city area on the other side. They use lochs here. Very watery! A power plant on the river has been converted from coal to hydro. The public are now paying for this in their power bills.
    While Arne had a couple of morning meetings I wandered Bremen. No English in sight! Not a word to be heard and not many speak it when you ask. I knew that it has become compulsory in schools so when in public the idea is head for the teenagers!
    That afternoon we walked through this beautiful park and picked up a car (company) and went to see where Arne and Franz lived (prior to Franz death when Ben was 8 weeks old). It’s been a process being here - pretty emotional at times but very good in the long run.
    I got some flowers to bring home to Clara and Arne got bits and pieces for a family dinner. So now I finally meet Clara (now wife), Mia (Clara’s daughter nrly 18) and Leo 10 (shared). Ben (born to Franz and Arne) comes down later in the week (nrly 16).
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  • Hamburg… eventually!

    12 września 2024, Niemcy ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Leaving the house in a bit if a panic as I wanted to catch the 8am bus to Hamburg for the day and realised I had no way of knowing how to pay for the trams or buses (no English and archaic systems - no contactless pay to zap on and off) so it was Uber. Well, ‘computer says no’ moment. No cars available 🙄 Thankfully Clara was still home so I ran in and got her to call me one. Arne had left earlier for a mtg in another town. Get to terminal - go to buy ticket - closed! Now I was archaic because I’m sure I could have got one online there and then (I’ve just purchased one now, for Prague). Anyway, I thought - train! Shot over there - tried to keep warm in shops etc until I could get on the train set to leave at 9.30. We sat there for an age and then they said we’d go at 10.30. A guy across the way said this was good - it could be a lot worse. At 11 they said get off! There’s a bus out front. Well the swarm two’s and froe’s around different places with no buses to be seen anywhere and there were way too many people for probably two buses. I decided to head back to Flixbus but went for train refund first - oh you have to apply, fill forms out and wait 4 wks! Took the forms and scarpered. I was just in time for the bus. However- the woman on the desk said she couldn’t give me one because I wasn’t 20 mins early. It sat there, I had no luggage. It wasn’t going yet. Again though - I’m embarrassed now that I didn’t think to buy online. Have no idea why! Anyway - back to train as I knew there was another due at 1.30. Finally - Yes!! So we set off. We stop at a few towns but I did not know that there is a Harburg as well as a Hamburg. I hear the announcement in thick German and of course jump off. And you guessed it - at Harburg! I don’t realise till I get outside and start to map out my first destination and think - that’s not right! Where am I? Look up …. mmmm. Luckily there was another train up on the board but you have to watch like an Eagle. They changed the platform to the other side of the tracks literally in the last two minutes. In this case, I was helping the local! She was confused. We dashed to the other side in the Nick of time.
    Finally I get to Hamburg and raced about … on foot again and got to see the things on my list. I’ll only put a couple of my many photos of Miniature Wunderland up. Something that from quite young, I’ve thought I’d love to see that was so special.
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  • Bremen & Blockland

    13 września 2024, Niemcy ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    The day began today with Arne’s A1 coffee coming with me in the car! We went to the huge park called Burgerpark ( not a 🍔 in sight). It is Bremen’s pride and joy - run purely on donations. It’s massive - 300 hectares.
    This is where Franz’ memorial bench seat is - in a beautiful spot. A bit of a moment visiting here but very glad to have done so.
    Following this, we headed to a most interesting place. Just out of Bremen is an intriguing area named Blockland. There are waterways everywhere, it’s tidal and I expect must run in to the Bremen river - eventually reaching the North Sea. Three hundred people live out here including farmers but there are also many little holiday batches. They lease the land from the farmers. It’s fascinating.. There are deer which can be hunted, fish, snakes, cows, frogs, nutria ( introduced from South America with fur trade in mind - big mistake) which are like beavers and they ruin the place, burrowing up the land between waterways. Arne has replaced a derelict and built a place out here. There are a limited number - new ones are not added. Land generally stays in families. One very large area, flatter than the rest, becomes an ice skating rink in winter. The water looks terribly dirty but is apparently clean - it looks this way as there is so much peat about. Some swim there in summer.
    There are some lovely country homes on the way there, many cyclists and tree lined roads. What was a massive family farm house originally, is now a function facility.
    We walked some gorgeous areas later with Ben, including along the river side which I lack photos of unfortunately. We had dinner down there with the boys, me joining them in a traditional schnitzel (pork). Was great.
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  • Bremerhaven & Schwanawede

    14 września 2024, Niemcy ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    We’re off to Bremerhaven.
    Most of the emigrating Jews left from here and the remainder from Hamburg.
    Looking out to the North Sea from the copy of the Dubai ‘Sail’ bldg - a bit smaller and much less opulent of course!
    If you’d like to purchase the old lighthouse it’s for sale for 1 Euro (apparently). Needs 1 mill Euro spent on it. It’s a bit like Pisa. Leaning a little. Cute though huh. We walked around the area and watched the loch working.
    The big air ship looking bldg is the climate experience - and next door is the Emigration Museum. All done as if you are leaving - on a ship. You go through the experience. Quite well done.
    Out front we have as Im sure you’ve guessed - one of the carriages that Jews were crammed in to and shunted off to concentration camps in.
    There is quite a lot of reference made in all areas I’ve been - to the treatment of the Jews. Good to see.
    Note the plaques on the poles. Great idea - a boat that takes folk out deep sea fishing also does trips taking people out to scatter the ashes of their loved ones. Their details and the scatter coordinates are recorded on those plaques.
    On the way back to Bremen (generally at 140 km/hr - Arne drove conservatively - plenty of cars were passing us and some areas have no limit at all), we stopped in at Schwanawede where Arne grew up - next to a forest. Pretty lovely! Thatched roofs etc around that area.
    Back in Bremen we went through the rather high end car wash. You go through on a conveyor belt. Excellent value - faultless job, totally unlike our local Z.
    I wanted to go in to the pharmacy in town and we were so glad to have done so as it was gorgeous - particularly with the quartet playing.
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  • On the Buses

    15 września 2024, Republika Czeska ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Early start - 6.30 am bus to Prague. Due to the floods I’ve emailed ahead and they assure me it’s all good. 4 people died in Romania. Pretty sad.
    Not a word of English in announcements until the very last one - arrival!
    No English spoken when we were to change buses (who knew!) Thank goodness half the Germans had no idea either or else I may have gone on to who knows where. All of a sudden some were being yelled at to get off the bus! The driver seemed to remember those ones were meant to be going on to Prague. So like a lamb, I followed!
    We arrived after 10 hrs travel, to the rain. The journey was comfortable. The time passed just fine. Thankfully, I’d made a roll and grabbed a coffee at the 1st stop because the following ones were not long enough!
    I was looking forward to booking in to the Hostel. It’s a cool place and I wanted to meet some travellers.
    Needing some exercise, I’d covered my backpack and had my rain coat on and went for it.
    Best Hostel! Gallery? Hostel… lovely and clean. Nice room mates. One in particular is interesting to talk to. All much younger of course but they don’t seem to care. Good laughs. Our room is too messy to show - maybe later. :-) There are five to our room. Two up, three down with our own bathroom. Massively high ceilings - two up are on a mezzanine floor. Super lovely girls.
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  • Wandering Prague Old Town

    16 września 2024, Republika Czeska ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Well…. I have about a trillion architecture photos…. I pretty much just wandered all day but had to buy a hat to keep warm. Hopefully enough items have been used and eaten to balance the weight of a hat to stick to my 12kg total!
    One of the young girls who doesn’t drink at home (because she lives with strict Asian Mum and Dad!) thought we should get some beer. True Hostel style! Naturally, I didn’t have to be asked twice to go get some nibbles and a drink so off we went - but of course the one thing I didn’t bring but did contemplate was a cork screw. (Bit heavy). So they had great entertainment watching me deal to that cork! I got it eventually.
    Interesting hearing about another one’s month in Peru. Her favourite trip.
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