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Let loose solo in Europe 2024
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Let loose solo in Europe 2024

Interailing around Europ starting in Paris. First stop Strasbourg Read more
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  • Trip start
    September 4, 2024
  • Somewhere in EuropeLet loose solo in Europe 2024Traveler

    Strasbourg

    Sep 4–6, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Found hotel easily. Train journey long but ok. Went to Metz first, and I almost go off!! Thought we had arrived. Took another hour going backwards🤣 Hotel very basic but clean. Off out now! Doors locked at 21.00 but I have the code.......at the moment.Read more

  • Somewhere in EuropeLet loose solo in Europe 2024Traveler

    Baden Baden

    September 5, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    I t was pretty noisy overnight and could not operate earbuds properly. On the move early to find some breakfast, get tram ticket and be at Bus station for 10.50 bus to Baden Baden. Having dumped out stuff from rucksack before I left London yesterday, I now have to go shopping!!
    Shopping went OK. Will collect tonight. The bus journey to Baden Baden was uneventful. The few people about at the bus station in Strasbourg were, as usual, unhelpful to the point of indifference. However the bus arrived and all was well. I headed off in the direction of the Centre on foot only to discover it was about 5 kilometres away from the station!! Half way - see photos, I cam across a Tourist Information. They guided me to the bus stop I was saved from collapsing when I arrived.
    It is an odd place. Very renaissance buildings built on a mountain so hundreds of steps and stuffed with designer stores. I found the toilets in the Rathaus eventually - in the basement!! I decided discretion was the better part of valour and spent lots of cash on a back massage at one of the Spas. Brilliant. I was going to go native and do a roman bath and massage but it was mixed nude bathing and I hadn't had any lunch🤣
    Sat and had a non alcoholic mojito outside a church. I had climbed 67 steps to see it. It was pink stone and fabulous stained glass. On my way to the bus for the station I had a double ice cream vanilla and pistachio. Yum! The train to somewhere where I had to change was late, and, at one point, it was suggested we all change platforms. There was a great deal of loud complaint. In the event it wasn't necessary. The next excitement was at the change station. One leaves the station onto a pathway in a tunnel while traffic rushes past lower down. Up some steps, through a small park and voila a platform! Extraordinary! Returned to a torrential dowpour and prolonged thunderstorm., which is still going on
    Braved the weather and found an Italian restaurant nearby. Veal in mushroom and cream sauce washed down with s beer.
    Bonne unit!    Read more

  • Somewhere in EuropeLet loose solo in Europe 2024Traveler

    Zurich

    September 6, 2024 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Arrived on time. Zurich Station is mad! I found the lockers only to discover one cannot use cash and my Curve card refused to co-operate so hunt the contactless card. Then couldn't hold the locker door open and shove the rucksack in. Managed with help from very kind man and received a ticket with a QR code that I just put in my bag.
    Tourist office sorted me out with a map and directions, and away I went into the searing heat. The Wass Munster was closed for the day. There was a big parade and celebration for the new police who are ready to work. It was too hot to walk about too much, so I took a trip round the lake, then I visited the cathedral. A reformist Cathedral,
    with stunning stained glass windows.
    Back to the stationto hunt for the lockers. 3 floors no clue! Eventually found and after some time the night train took off!    Read more

  • Somewhere in EuropeLet loose solo in Europe 2024Traveler

    BUDAPEST

    Sep 7–11, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Shared the sleeper with 2 very interesting and fun young women. One a pulmonary consultant from Paris but working in Zurich. The other working for PWC in Zurich. Parents Brazillian and Austrian. They both left the train this morning at Vienna. The pic is of my breakfast. We could choose 8 items off the list! Very few of us for Budapest. Quite a carry on to find the luggage lockers. Informed there is no tourist information at the station!! No-one speaks English and quite rude.
    Went off on a bus to find the centre and test whether people over 65 travel free. Its true. Everywhere in Hungary. By 11.30am I was melting so I nipped into the National Museum for a cool down. The cakes were delicious. Next stop the General Market. A real foodies delight. I bought some cold meats and salad and fruit. When I went back to get my bag at station realised glasses also gone! Taxi to find optician but no help. Got totally lost and eventually made it home on the metro. My bed is on the floor- don't ask! A demain mes braves x    Read more

  • Somewhere in EuropeLet loose solo in Europe 2024Traveler

    Budapest Day2

    September 8, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    It's been a tricky day without my proper 'look where you are going' glasses, but I managed. My sunnies are prescription so ok for walking about, but, in the Cathedral and the National Museum, it was challenging. Taking them off to get an idea of colour and then back on for definition and reading! The pics are good though. I had planned to do the cable car, but it got very windy, so discretion became the better part of valour. Walked miles again today, so very tired. Heading off to Novi Sad tomorrow, hoping to see the optician and get new glasses by Friday. It has certainly slowed things down. I feel quite vulnerable out and about. Some pictures taken today. On the whole I have found Hungarian people abrasive almost to the point of rudeness. It is a country that is very poor. The majority of people are poor......the rest are wealthy. Still signs of the communist time here and there. At the Museum, I walked round a corner of an exhibition to be confronted with a life size statue of Stalin!! Very disconcerting briefly🤣
    Well washing up, and packing calling so catch up tomorrow. The pics are random but make of them what you can.    Read more

  • Somewhere in EuropeLet loose solo in Europe 2024Traveler

    Rodzne

    September 9, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Border checkpoint into 🇷🇸 Serbia I think it should be Rodzne 🤷‍♀️.
    Arrived roughly an hour late to a city that resembled China to some degree. Pretty chaotic. Following Google maps is always a challenge, but I just managed it. Milos was very welcoming, and gave me the room in the pics until tomorrow when I move next door.
    In indecent haste, I was propelled to the optician. Hugely entertaining. He couldn't speak English, so Milos was translating while I corrected .There is a downside to this. The Serbian glasses, as I will call them, are not varifocal. Ok for seeing, not for reading!

    I went shopping immediately the optician had been paid. It didn't go well. My 'excuse me' went unheeded until I refused to move. That got their attention. I asked for black tea. The look I got made me feel like I had asked for some drugs! I got a NO! I thought I had bought butter pats like the ones in Budapest. Nope! YEAST! The jam was certainly not jam. I hesitate to hazard a guess as to what exactly it was. Bread ...yuk, lemon flavoured green tea not too bad.
    I was feeling pretty ghastly all the way on the bus ,so when I got back from shopping, I went to bed with lemon tea and paracetamol.
    Just before I put the light out, it started to pour with rain!! Now I will have to replace my waterproof pack a mac. Night all! By the way, the photo of what looks like a gas station is the Border Control into Serbia. Had to take the shot by stealth😆    Read more

  • Somewhere in EuropeLet loose solo in Europe 2024Traveler

    Route to Novi Sad

    Sep 9–11, 2024 in Serbia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    So up at 06.45 to be booted and spurred, ready for the dash to the bus station in the Budapest rush. Felt an absolute Twit wearing my sunnies but had no choice. Change of trains at Kalvin ter and arrived at bus station around 10 to 8. Just settling to drink my hot choc when bus drew up and we (2 of us) were hustled on to the bus! In the event we were 15 minutes late leaving!🤣
    It was a pretty dreary journey not helped by lack of glasses and the rumblings of an upset stomach. We arrived at border crossing at 11.15 took 45 mins to get us all stamped out of Hungary. Then a similar amount of time to be stamped in to Serbia. 10 mins later a rest stop of 25 mins. Arrived in NS, where it was attempting to rain. Temperature about 28 v humid. Asked a few people the way with varying amounts of success but arrived exhausted only an hour late. Miles is lovely and the apartment is lovely. This one is for one night, then I move next door.

    We visited the optician, lovely man, no English so Milos translated. 166 euros later,the prescription was sorted. Ready tomorrow afternoon😵 Not feeling to good so this will continue tomorrow. A few pics to be going on with The border posts the apartment outside and inside!    Read more

  • Somewhere in EuropeLet loose solo in Europe 2024Traveler

    Novi Sad City

    September 10, 2024 in Serbia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    I was reluctant to get up this morning. Rain like stair-rods and I still felt grotty. Moved next door at 11.15 and was out and about by midday. Rain had stopped.
    Walked to the 'Promenade' shopping mall. 3 floors and wall to wall designer outlets. All I wanted was a Primark. Managed to find a long sleeved thinnish T shirt and, as I was almost back at the ranch, found a pair of long black leggings. Will be a parcel home soon!
    When I left the 'Promenade', I walked to The Strand. Its a beach area on the banks of the Danube. They charge entry! I meandered along the path. It had a running lane one side, and a cycling one the other. Nowhere could I see the river. Trees and bushes in the way. Quite cross really. Once again, following Google maps, I started for home. I went shopping again. It now feels like there is a lucky dip, and you are stuck with whatever you get. Attempted butter again and different bread. Not a vegetable in sight unless you count potatoes and the ubiquitous beetroot.
    Did find a small tiramisu and a choc éclairs. Not the best diet and not likely to help stomach situation. When I finally got back, I discovered that what I thought were potatoes in the fridge, were in fact lemons!!

    As I wandered back I spotted the Tourist Information. On the basis that they most likely didn't have much to do, I went in for a chat. Nice young man, lots of info and ideas about where to go.
    On the last half mile home, my phone died. It took almost another half hour to work out where I was🤣 Likely be hot again tomorrow so will have to find a hat!! Pics tomorrow.    Read more

  • Somewhere in EuropeLet loose solo in Europe 2024Traveler
    2

    Novi Sad Day 3

    September 11, 2024 in Serbia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Having to start again
    Feeling a bit better today. Put the washing on, did some forward planning, sorted out what was where and what might have gone missing.
    Out to the Novi Sad Catholic Cathedral that you can't go in to visit! Only peer through the wrought iron gates that have sign TOURISTS STOP.
    On from there to find the Fortress. A must do apparently, so I did.
    On the way I spotted a small Serbian Orthodox Church so popped in to have a look. It was lovely. No pics as people in and out constantly to do their kissing and prayers

    Headed off over the bridge to clamber up a very long hill to the Fortress. No.information anywhere and the National Museum, which I guess is seldom overrun with visitors, only takes cash🤬 Quite a few bad words. Wandered about, took some pics, and then staggered down to Old Novi Sad. What a pretty place. I took a couple of pics looking down. I went off piste and found the delightful yellow Church in a pretty garden, where I sat and discussed the next part of the journey with my feet. They were furious,
    to say the least. Back over the bridge and into the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral. What a disappointment. Only took one photo.
    In the interests of needing my feet to be compliant tomorrow, we went home using Google maps. Only to spoil it all when we had to go and get dinner!
    Little video of my apartment and more pics on Facebook    Read more

  • Somewhere in EuropeLet loose solo in Europe 2024Traveler
    Street near my apartment. Park at the end of the roadThe bells the bells!!

    Last day Novi Sad

    September 12, 2024 in Serbia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Due to not feeling the full ticket over the last few days, I have had a slow, lazy day. I hope my body will appreciate the rest!
    I spent most of the morning planning the next part of my route. I was intending to go Belgrade, Nis, Sofia. Instead I have opted for one train tomorrow, from Novi Sad to Podgorica in Montenegro. The other route involved trains, and a bus, and travelling for ages. Once I had booked the train, I booked the bus to Durres in Albania and a ferry from there to Bari in Italy. I shall do an overnight in Podgorica. I tried to book a taxi, but they don't have that sort of system. You have to call 10 mins before you need the taxi. I couldn't get my phone to make a call. I went down the road, to where I thought I had seen a taxi rank, and using Google translate confirmed that I could rock up in the morningcand be taken to the train station.
    I decided to visit the Contemporary Art Museum again to see if it was open. It was. Really weird. In the basement all around the walls paintings, photos etc., of deer. That's all. Upstairs was a work in progress, but there was an exhibition about the history of Serbia Croatia and Hungary. Not much in English, but enough to get the gist along with many harrowing pictures of war crimes!
    Not what I expected. At the far end of this floor was a mess. There were,
    however, a few paintings waiting to be hung and one or two already hung. You will see in the pics.
    Wandered round the little streets and the public garden and then came back. Wasted day really, but better to rest. I had seen all the interesting bits already.
    Shower tonight and packing ready for a quick getaway in the morning.

    What I forgot to say yesterday that my feet were so cross that I soaked them in very hot water, one at a time, in a big saucepan! Worked really well.🙂
    The photo of the traditional dress was taken in one of the little streets. All handmade and Yugoslavian, not Serbian, so pretty old.
    In the video at the end I finally managed to get the sound of the bells from the Orthodox Cathedral.    Read more

  • Somewhere in EuropeLet loose solo in Europe 2024Traveler

    Priboj Bosnia- Hertsagovenia

    September 13, 2024 in Montenegro ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    The train had been trundling along, stopping here and there when suddenly whilst stopped at an unpronouceable named station, my phone informed me we had just entered Bosnia- Hertzagovenia! No border here.......Read more

  • Somewhere in EuropeLet loose solo in Europe 2024Traveler

    Prodgorica Montenegro

    Sep 13–16, 2024 in Montenegro ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    Managed to negotiate taxi to NoviSad Station and pay by card. Obtaining a seat reservation for the train from the lady at the ticket desk was not so easy. I smiled and said 'dobra den' and then showed her a translation of what I required on Google translate. Lots of tutting and huffing, then with a perfect take on a Mr Hitler, said 'ticket, TICKET'!
    Still smiling through gritted teeth at 07.45am, I showed her the Interail pass with details. Unimpressed, she repeated her demand. Quick as a flash, out came the phone to say 'I HAVE A TICKET I ONLY WANT A SEAT RESERVATION' Lots of muttering...,'CARTE'. Then it wouldn't do contactless, so ' PIN' then demanded, at which point I enquired if that was a hat pin or a safety pin she wanted. Totally ignored me and finally provided me with a reserved seat. Really set me up for the day.😡
    There were directions to every platform on that station but NOT mine!
    I found a scarecrow with a railway jacket on, and he took me to the train. I thought at first he had been sleeping on the station.
    The next many hours were just boring, except when a Serbian lady started talking to me. We had a conversation neither of us understood, and even using the translator didn't help. It was hugely entertaining, and many more people joined in. All Serbian! She gave me her phone number much to the amusement of all involved.
    We had to change trains after 8 hours and be checked out and in at the Border. Absolute Chaos. Nobody would get off the train. Some had and were involved in a raucous argument on the platform. Man in blue uniform, hat, epaulettes, and 2 pistols got on the train. He had a date stamp in one hand a swipe machine in the other. He picked random travellers. Then suddenly there were 3 more. One more like him checking us out and the others checking us in Hilarious!
    The rest of the journey, yep 3 more hours, was taken up with the scenery. The pics are not brilliant, but you get the idea. This train stops running between 16th Sept and April. It's hair-raising enough now. Would be dicing with death in winter!
    Relieved to arrive, the taxi man said a card was good for payment. It was until we reached my destination. Ridiculous man kept repeating 10 dinars. I made him find an ATM and got some cash. Bleeping euros. If he had said euros, I had euros and had told him so.
    Hotel weird when you get to reception. There are odd sorts of shops along the corridor, and then suddenly it opens into reception. Booked in and immediately went out to get something to eat. Didn't feel especially safe in the dark, so I kept moving fast as if I knew exactly where I was.
    I am in now, watching all manner of indecipherable stuff on TV. My body still thinks it is on the train.🤭
    The train was travelling at considerable height with a sheer drop most of the way on my side!!    Read more

  • Somewhere in EuropeLet loose solo in Europe 2024Traveler

    Durres Albania

    September 14, 2024 in Albania ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    It was a most hair- raising journey today.
    I will however start at the beginning. Breakfast was part of the deal at this very curious hotel. Most of it looked pretty unappetising, but I noticed a man using a toster for his bread. I found some sort of yogurt, and asked for more bread. Bread provided, I had four slices of toast and honey with real butter. They only had mad tea so I avoided the coffee and stuck to water. Stomach is still rather delicate, and you could strip paint with the coffee.

    I then shot out in the rain having borrowed an umbrella, to find some sort of rain jacket. 79 euros later, I found one. It will just have to last forever🤭

    Taxi arrived and took me to the bus station. Pantomime ensued while all online tickets had to be printed. I ended up doing customer support. You'd lady behind the counter kept closing window when asked questions🤷
    Then we waited. A lot of waited an hour until the bus finally put in an appearance
    Luggage and passengers loaded, the driver then sat and had his lunch🤣
    I sat next to a very nice man from Singapore and we chatted on and off all the way. The bus was packed, and I felt pretty grotty. We left an hour and a half late. To say this was the most scary coach journey I have been on is no exaggeration. He threw that bus round corners and steamed along at 70mph + most of the time.
    We stopped at Tirane airport to let off 2 people after being in traffic jam for ages. We had just left the airport precincts when a woman realised she should have got off at the airport.........the bus driver went potty. I am sure there were a lot of bad words. Anyway, he let her off the bus and said she would have to walk back. All part of the entertainment for the day.
    When we got to Border Control, the driver collected our passports so we didn't all have to get off the bus. We were there for best part of an hour until he brought them back. It was clear he did not know how to redistribute them. In the end, he didn't. We got under way when a young German guy began calling nationalities out and sorted it that way. Mine was easy, I was the only Brit. on the bus!
    Finally arrived in the dark, in Durres. Set off for the ferry port but could only find a perimeter fence. Spotted a cab but no driver. As I set off againthe driver popped up and got in his taxi. I RAN into the road to stop him moving and we cut a deal. He drove me right back to where I had started. I was a bit confused. What I hadn't realised is that the Port Entry for foot passengers was through a very ordinary door next to a cigarette shop. The taxi man took me there and was very helpful. Leads to an elevated walkway into the Port area. People everywhere. Noise. Cars. More people. The desk I wanted was almost empty so I went through the doorway, past lots of people and was issued a boarding card straight away. Then queued patiently for check in. Set the alarm off in Security. No-one was remotely bothered and then joined the queue for passport control. As I am standing there I can see a sign that says Members of the Dictatorship. I mull this over for a bit and decide I am NOT a member of the Dictatorship and can therefore join a different queue. I climb over the barrier and head for the front of the queue. Wave my GB passport at him and begin to speak. He silences me for one moment, and then escorts me to the next available booth!! I felt like royalty. I was also on board and in my cabin before they had through the queue. What the signs actually said was'Museums of the Dictatorship' 🤣
    There are not many pics today. The bus was going so fast, you will see they are blurred. By the time I got to the cabin, I was too tired. There is one not very good one of the boat loading, and one of me wearing my new waterproof.
    The ship will leave Port in about a hour, but I am in bed already. Very noisy people just arrived next door. Have to find my earplugs!!
    .    Read more

  • Somewhere in EuropeLet loose solo in Europe 2024Traveler
    2

    Lecce Italy

    September 15, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Arrived safely and booked in. Bombarded with information!
    I feel I must explain the carry on this morning when the ship arrived at Bari. Man knocks on door, hurry, hurry, ship is in port! So I hurried of to join the fray. I was shoved in a small lift and we were sent to the lower 3rd deck. When we arrived they wouldn't let us out. Many people crammed in small space. Deck doors not opened. Woman literally screaming at me because I would not let her in the lift. I gently moved forwards, which caused a gentle crush, which forced people to move. As I reached my goal, I turned round and in full throttle, told this woman to STOP SCREAMING!
    We stood crammed for about 20 minutes with no air until the door finally opened. Another woman started pushing me, so I stepped backwards onto her foot! We had to weave through the vehicles to get to the bow where we waited to be freed. Once we were they were all off like rockets. I caught them up sat security and passport control. Another wait for about 15 minutes and then I was afforded total freedom. I stood and watched everyone, until I worked out the bus was a shuttle bus to the railway station. I got on it!
    It was a 15 minute walk to the accommodation but easy.

    I showered, did the washing by hand, had a coffee, dressed, and headed off to the city It is the most beautiful city I have ever visited. The photos don't really do it justice. There are churches beyond count, Roman remains narrow streets, lots of balconies.
    I kept expecting Shakespearian characters to pop up.
    I had lunch in one of the many restaurants.
    Meatballs in a garlic tomato sauce and a delicious ice cream bombe. Pistachio ice cream and almond ice cream, with almond paste and chopped nuts in the middle. See pic. wandered some more and visited the Cathedral, and yes, I managed to get a stamp in my book!!
    Have spent the evening trying to decide where to go next. In the morning I shall go and find the sea.    Read more

  • Somewhere in EuropeLet loose solo in Europe 2024Traveler

    Rimini Italy

    September 17, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Well all I can say is that I am glad I left Cenral Europe before the floods arrived. Unfortunately when I left Lecce this morning, on a 6hr journey to Rimini, it started raining. It rained for the full 6hours and was really getting into its stride when I arrived in Rimini. No ATM at the station. In fact nothing notable at the station. The taxi rank was 100 yds away!
    Soaking wet, I asked the taxi driver if he would accept card payment. He agreed until we reached my destination. He asked for cash, and I couldn't cover the fare. Talk about rude and ignorant. Huffing, puffing. In fact I decided He was related to the lady at the train station the other day.
    Rimini was one of the first resorts Brits came ti in Italy in the early 1960's. Doubt it has changed much. Not quite kiss me quick hats and fish and chips, but close.
    Changed rooms almost immediately as there was a very unsavoury smell of drains in the other one. It was also next to the lift!
    I started to unpack, took my reading glasses out of their case, and one of the arms fell off! Those who are following this saga will know all about the previous glasses fiasco.
    I had to go out, in the rain to find an optician. Very nice lady. Couldn't fix them. Found a pair of frames and put my lenses in the new frames. Brilliant! 35 euros. My trousers, socks and shoes will take days to dry out but at least I can read!!
    I had booked a ferry to Greece for tonight, but this morning, I opted out as it was going to be more stress, and uncertainty than I could manage. I requested advice about refunds, and they are refunding the full whack, so a result at last.
    Not much in the way of pics today.
    Lunch yesterday 'Bruschetta'
    Fountain in a random square in Lecce
    My train carriage for 6 hours today.
    My shoes after stuffing them with paper and a hand towel in each!    Read more

  • Somewhere in EuropeLet loose solo in Europe 2024Traveler

    Rimini in the rain!

    September 18, 2024 in Italy ⋅ 🌧 18 °C

    So I arrived in torrential rain and thus far it has not stopped! Fortunately, my shoes, which I stuffed with paper and hand towels, are now dry, as are my trousers. There has been thunder this morning, and the rain just gets worse.
    I cannot go out. In fact no-one can go out, so I am a prisoner in a very basic tourist hotel with almost nothing to do.
    Breakfast was interesting. Cold fried eggs and an assortment of tired cold cuts. Lots of cake!!
    I have, however, had two large cups of tea. I hesitate to call it tea, but it is passable.

    I have remonstrated politely with the management about my room, and I am trying to negotiate for a better one, especially as I am going to be trapped for several days! On top of all that, there is a rail strike in Italy on Friday🤣. You couldn't make it up..........plans scuppered again.
    I do have my kindle, so I can read. I have a TV all in Italian. Living the dream🙂
    Sometime around 11.30am, it stopped raining. Then it started again but not much and then stopped. The sky was brighter, so booted and spurred, I set off to get cash and seek an umbrella. It rained a bit while I was on this expedition. The ATM talked to me! Unfortunately, I didn't follow quickly enough, so it went back to messages. Extracted quantities of money and then trudged about looking for an umbrella. I paid 10 euros in the end. It's very nice, maroon with cream edges, and a bag. Naturally, it will get lost pretty soon. It is a push button , so I am likely to take off or poke someone's eye out when I open it. As I paid for it, the sun came out🤣
    I had a good walk round the streets, and then went in search of the sea. On the way I found a supermarket. I bought milk, gluten -free madeleines, and much needed water.
    The walk along the 'seafront' is very pleasant. The beach is quite something else. Wall to wall umbrellas and sun beds as far as the eye could see in both directions. Horrible!! I walked to the waters edge and took a few pics, and then hunted down some food.

    I opted for a pizza, not my favourite food, but it is ubiquitous here, as you can imagine. As you can see from the pic, it was huge. I only ate half of it.

    I have made sufficient fuss that I now have a superior room with kettle, fridge, armchairs, and room for a pony🤣.
    I will leave you with a few pics.    Read more

  • Somewhere in EuropeLet loose solo in Europe 2024Traveler

    Still raining in Rimini

    September 19, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Woke this morning to the delightful noise of lots more rain! I stayed in bed until 08.30 and then trotted off to breakfast. It's not a happy event. The few people who rock up look really fed up, and the offerings for breakfast appear to have given up attempting to be appetising. Cold fried eggs are really not.....
    After a breakfast of boiled egg rolls and some sort of collapsing cake, I gave up and came back to have a shower and put clean clothes on. I spent a while researching where to go next without encountering any alarms and excursions caused by Storm Boris! Not easy. I had planned to visit Ravenna on Saturday, but it is flooded out, so not a chance.
    I did discover there is a roman surgeon's house and other buildings in this terrible place. There are lots of mosaic to see, so I will hunt it down tomorrow or Saturday.
    Around 12.30 the rain stopped, so on with the anorak and off I went.
    I walked away from Rimini along the coast road, mostly with umbrella up as it started raining again. I persevered and eventually came across a pleasant restaurant where I didnt have to eat pizza. I had chicken escalope and chips!!🤣
    I continued on my way, but as there was no end to this road, I crossed to the 'esplanade' and started the walk back. A more pleasant choice, as you can see from the pics. In all, I walked for about 2.5 hours. It only started raining again as I got back to the hotel.
    I have spent ages sorting out where next, but I shall keep it as a surprise. I will most likely be more surprised if it all works.
    It must be time now for a cup of coffee and some chocolate before bed.
    I hope you like the video. The church you can see is closed up. I'm not sure if it's being renovated inside, but I can't get in!
    You can see me all ready for a brisk walk along the Adriatic coast. A mad woman with pigeons on her head, arms etc.
    The rest are self-explanatory    Read more

  • Somewhere in EuropeLet loose solo in Europe 2024Traveler

    Rimini with sun!

    September 20, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    During the night, rain fell in buckets, so I was not expecting much today. In the event, I woke to blue skies and fluffy clouds.
    Decided on a slow start, which involved no breakfast. I did some washing, but there are things that require a washing machine...soon!
    I went in search of the shopping mall, in the vain hope of finding some lightweight jeans and a thin jumper. It took an hour and a half to find this shopping mall, walking!
    Imagine my dismay when there were only designer outlets. All the parts of Europe I have tangled with so far are obsessed with designer gear. Beyond me! Suffice it to say it was a pointless waste of effort, and my feet have not yet stopped complaining.
    After walking all that way, I felt I deserved a treat. The ice cream is pistachio, and crema. Didn't go much on the crema, but it was very welcome.
    Once back at the hotel, I changed into my sun tanning beach kit. I was given a special card which allowed me to go to section 45 of the beach where I could pay for a lounger or a lounger and an umbrella! At special rates. The beach is divided up into about 100 plots.

    One can go on the beach and walk about for nothing. One can sit on the sand for nothing but if you want a lounger, it's 6 euros whatever time of day you go. If you feel the need for an umbrella, resist, it costs 20 euros. Bleeping rip off!
    Two hours later, I did the French marching up and down the beach for half an hour and then left.
    This evening, I had risotto a la pescara and 1/4 litre of fizz. The food was delicious, and the fizz went down very well!
    It's time now for a cup of coffee and a bit of a read before bed.
    Market day tomorrow. Might find a bargain!🤣
    Relatively uninteresting pics and not many.    Read more

  • Somewhere in EuropeLet loose solo in Europe 2024Traveler

    Rimini culture day

    September 21, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    The sun is still shining!
    Discovered there is a museum and an important archaeological site in Rimini. Set off at 10am. It was a long walk, punctuated by a detour to the Saturday Market.
    I found the amphitheatre built by Hadrian, ruins, no access, and all info in Italian on the boards!
    Found the museum and had a look around the middle ages section, and the Roman finds from the surgeon's house. The excavations are in the piazza outside the museum. You can see from the pics that most of the mosaic floors are in tact. Dates to 2nd century. The building is very similar to the one in Perigord. They have used glass walls and the walkways above the excavations. I took many pics but have only added a few here. Perhaps I should mention, the skeletons are medieval and were found as they lay.
    I left there to walk down the last bit of the Appian Way, at least, that's what I was told it was, to find the Tiberius Bridge. Quite astonishing feat of engineering. It was built and has never collapsed or been in need of repair. Built 2nd century.
    Down river leads to the sea. Up river is a beautiful park that covers 20 kilometres and goes as far as Ravenna.

    I walked along the river back to the sea front. Everywhere was teeming with people. They run at midday. They play beach volleyball at midday. They lay in the sun ALL day!
    I came back to have a siesta, which meant my feet could stop complaining.
    Went out again around 7pm to get more cash and buy some fruit and water.

    Breakfast was a revelation today. We had all been on short rations as there were hardly any of us. With a sudden influx of guests, there was fruit, biscuits, the toaster was on and everything! The tea was still awful.    Read more

  • Somewhere in EuropeLet loose solo in Europe 2024Traveler

    Last day in Rimini

    September 22, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Not quite so very hot today. I tangled with my forward planning again this morning, which meant a late breakfast.
    I had a shower and dried my hair properly. First time since I left home, I think.
    I faffed about for a while, then got myself sorted out and went for a walk.
    There was no-one about. I had the street to myself and made uninterrupted progress to my favourite gelato shop. Today I had chocolate and cheesecake in a tub. I wasn't keen on the chocolate, but the cheesecake was yummy!
    Made my slow way along the 'boardwalks with ease. I think most people were either, eating, sleeping, or just at home. I sat for a while here and there. I thought about my sister a lot today, and John. It is a really unhappy situation. Julia is so brave. I just need to see her and hold her and let her know I'm holding her hand. Very difficult being far away, even though I can't fix it.
    I bought some croissants on the way back to the hotel, which I plan to have later with a banana.
    Finalised my accommodation for the last few legs of my trip. No mean feat, I can tell you!
    I have almost finished packing, and I think I will manage ok.
    Quiet evening, resting feet, legs, and back in readiness for tomorrow.
    I don't know who that man is in the pic. I never saw him when I took the shot🤣    Read more

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