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- Montag, 4. September 2023 um 11:58
- ☁️ 17 °C
- Höhe über NN: 32 m
NeuseelandWhangarei Airport35°46’2” S 174°21’53” E
And Im heading to Auckland to meet the g

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- Montag, 4. September 2023 um 18:08
- 🌧 14 °C
- Höhe über NN: 13 m
NeuseelandAuckland International Airport37°0’23” S 174°47’2” E
Koru celebrating

Having a lovely time
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- Montag, 4. September 2023 um 15:39
- ☀️ 20 °C
- Höhe über NN: 24 m
Vereinigte Staaten von AmerikaSan Francisco International Airport37°36’52” N 122°23’18” W
Next flight getting ready for London Hea

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- Tag 1
- Montag, 4. September 2023
- ☀️ 20 °C
- Höhe über NN: 35 m
Vereinigte Staaten von AmerikaSan Francisco Airport station37°36’53” N 122°23’23” W
San Fransisco

Just transitioning thru on outside the terminal. Unusual I would of thought
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- Tag 2
- Dienstag, 5. September 2023 um 11:32
- ☀️ 25 °C
- Höhe über NN: 41 m
EnglandHeathrow51°28’18” N 0°27’29” W
Arrived!!!!!

Not a bad trip from San Fran.
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- Dienstag, 5. September 2023 um 12:23
- ☀️ 26 °C
- Höhe über NN: 11 m
EnglandNotting Barns51°30’56” N 0°13’19” W
Finding Nemo…. Our airbnb

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- Dienstag, 5. September 2023 um 13:58
- ☀️ 29 °C
- Höhe über NN: 37 m
EnglandAngel51°32’2” N 0°6’24” W
Chapel street market just down the road

32 steps up a steep stairwell to get into our accommodation and then… another 20 stairs to the upstairs bedrooms. What a mission carrying our bags up. Narrow stairwells aren’t easy to manoeuvre. Lots of laughs. Not the best accommodation in London that’s for sure.Weiterlesen

ReisenderUnfortunately the ‘photoshopped’ pictures were very well enhanced and the actual property is awful. Only 2 nights thank god and we are off to Paris today.
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- Tag 3
- Mittwoch, 6. September 2023 um 08:57
- ☀️ 19 °C
- Höhe über NN: 50 m
EnglandAngel51°32’3” N 0°6’17” W
Redemption for breakfast this morning

Up early and been out for a walk in the cool. Brekkie is on its way. Headed into ‘town’, well trying to find a TK Max to purchase a new bag for me as mine has started coming apart at the seams! Australian product!!!
Anyhow, Louise went off with her mate Mimi, and the rest of us got on the bus. after getting on a bus (we are using City Tracker) and getting off at the ‘right’ stop, started walking towards Oxford Str. turns out we were going back to where we came from 😆. And did I mention it was bloody hot at 9am? I mean 25 deg hot….
Finally got back on the bus and went back to where we originally got dropped off from. Did lots of walking thru lovely shops, but not purchases cos we have to keep our bags under 20kg for the other flights within europe. Lunch at a lovely airconditioned pub, then down to Liberty to look at all the beautiful things.Credit cards were twitching but managed to stay firmly in their place.
Dinner out a Trullo, goregous italian restuarant that Louises friends son is the Head Chef. Food was glorious…shame our ‘kitty’ currency card decided to shit itself and blocked. So out came the mastercard and sorting that out tomorrow.
A very very hot day, got to 34 and of course we are not used to that. Feet swelling, sweat pouring…. Paris tomorrow and another hot hot day to come.Weiterlesen
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- Tag 4
- Donnerstag, 7. September 2023 um 21:18
- 🌙 27 °C
- Höhe über NN: 49 m
FrankreichPlace de l'Hôtel-de-Ville - Esplanade de la Libération48°51’24” N 2°21’4” E
Paris

Wow fabulous day going on the Eurostar to Paris. Met some really nice people on the train, England supporters. Gave them a lesson in Rugby history….well Kel and Susie did, i just chimed in now and then.
St Pancras station is amazing, a few extra photos…I am having a few problems with my feet swelling in this awfully hot climate. Today got 33 deg, tomorrow is predicted to be 35. The girls are saying its gonna be very fucking hot at the game. The rest of us peasants are gonna find a bloody cool pub to watch the game.
Nearly got duped by a ringer cab guy, quoted us €95 to bring us to our airbnb, we got a ‘proper’ taxi….€41…. glad we listened to the policeman.
Our airbnb has a problem, we are moving tomorrow…. poor maintenance has resulted in a bad leak. suffice to say we are all a little pissed off. ttfnWeiterlesen

ReisenderMake sure you keep them elevated when you can. The weather looks so nice though... looking forward to the game tomorrow. I am sure it will be a great atmosphere there 🏉 Go Black! 🖤

Wow how exciting! I'll have you know that we are quite warm back at home as well - 15°

ReisenderThink it's a bit higher than that now Josh - at least 16 😉 It's actually a beautiful day!
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- Freitag, 8. September 2023 um 15:01
- ☀️ 34 °C
- Höhe über NN: 52 m
FrankreichParis 05 Ancien - Quartier Bonne-Nouvelle48°52’3” N 2°21’4” E
Moving day and fashion district living

We made the decision to find alternative accommodation (somewhat more expensive) and got in an amazing Uber…off to the 2nd Arrissement….wow wow wow, we are all swooning. Fashion houses all over the place, unfortunately, they only sell to shops!!!!! Damn. Sure there will be many more to find though.
Just along the road is a great bar, had brunch there, Caesar Salads, Croque Madame, Peasants Salad, coffee and rose was the orders for our tums. The bar owner saw us wearing our All Blacks hats so came out with his World Cup T-shirts and hung them out the front… gave us a few “viva le france” and we gave him a few All Blacks back.
Quick walk up and down one street, and back for a rest. Its 3.07pm and 33 Deg… my feet are much like balloons….. so back to the fab new apartment for a rest.
Kelly and Suzie are getting ready to go find the metro and make their way to the stadium, whilst the rest of us are going to wander 50m to either the bar in the picture or find an Irish pub which is 800m away. No wait caller, Louise is deciding on changing the plans…. update ya later.Weiterlesen

ReisenderJust up here nw to start watching the pre match coverage. Looks like such fun there!
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- Freitag, 8. September 2023 um 18:00
- ⛅ 34 °C
- Höhe über NN: 29 m
FrankreichStade de France48°55’28” N 2°21’37” E
All Blacks sad story

So the girls made the trek to watch the Live match. Louise and Beth went along to enjoy the atmosphere at the Fans Zone - amazing atmosphere everyone reports. I stayed back with. my feet in the air….
We met back up at the little bar 20m from our apartment and we watched the game amongst a group of raucous french people. One girl told me to shush when the haka started…she got the death stare believe me.
We slipped away at half time thank god, and thought we could watch back here but alas the tv did not comply with our wishes… we could hear the roars coming from the bar though and with sinking hearts watched the score tick over on the internet instead.
Kel and Susie returned at some ungodly hour and not one of us heard them come back!
A great night had by all, in the hottest temperatures you could imagine. Thank god for aircon.Weiterlesen
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- Tag 6
- Samstag, 9. September 2023 um 10:00
- ☀️ 25 °C
- Höhe über NN: 33 m
FrankreichEiffel Tower48°51’30” N 2°17’40” E
Eiffel Tower big day

After the late arrival of the two rubgy fans home, three snuck out for brekkie and came back to pick up the stragglers. Kel decided to have a relaxing day, so Susie, Beth, Louise and I went off in search of the hop on hop off bus pick up point. Only a mere 1.8km walk to the Louvre and we were on to it. What a beautiful and exciting city Paris is. Such fun on the HoHo but man the heat was pretty oppressive today. Stayed on board, even though I had said I was going up the Eiffel Tower come hook or by crook, but common sense dictated that might be for a cooler day in the future. Hopped off at Lafette and had a good nosy round the beautiful shops. Lunch at Paul and Juliennes place, smoked trout and a cheese platter. delicious.
Tonight we have been on our Seine Cruise Dinner and what an experience that was. Delicious food from the start to end, and oh my god, Paris in lights is unforgettable…. just the icing on the cake for me.
Everyone is scattering to different events tomorrow but Im sure. you will hear all about it. Time for bed, its 1.00am and Beth and I have to be up and gone by 6 xxWeiterlesen
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- Tag 7
- Sonntag, 10. September 2023 um 06:00
- 🌙 21 °C
- Höhe über NN: 45 m
FrankreichMarais48°51’38” N 2°21’43” E
Mont St Michel and others

An early early rise for Beth and I today to go on our tour to Mont St Michel. Left our apartment at 6.00am and Uber over to the Eiffel Tower again…. can you believe it came back for me to see….
Got on the bus at 7.00am and off we went. Our Tour Guide Fabio was lovely. Very informative about the region and all the surrounds. Unfortunately we thought we were going to drive through all the little towns on the way but we didn’t, straight down the motorway. Came across a 3 car smash and it looked bad!
Onwards we drove, 90 mins later stopped at a servo for wee wee stop and food. (Driver has to have a break apparently. No toilet paper, I was the t-paper courier for beth but luckily found one sans full roll. Off we go and yes a further 3 hours, was at Mont St Michel. 10 min walk from the carpark to another bus to take us almost to the castle….did I mention it was pissing with rain at this point? and beth and i are drenched…
Anyway troopers that we are, we walked through it, and then came the stairs…. I think about 2 million, I lost count, and my knees and back weren’t happy….But we reached the peak! Wow what a view… absolutely amazing place, the sun decided to come out after we got to the top… and you can see right over to Normandy.
There was a movie made at the the Mont, with Sean Connery “In the name of the Rose’ they used one of the rooms for a scene… try and find it if ya like.
Tour ended and down we had to traverse all of the stairs again…god sake! where are the escalators…
Anyhoo, had a bite to eat then back down to catch the bus back to the tour bus.
A further 5 hour trip back, traffic was bad, Sunday travellers returning to Paris, so they went through a small village off the motorway or it would of been another hours travel…. We alighted the Bus at 9.30pm. Decided a cocktail was required to get us from Eiffel tower location back to our apartment.
Kelly and Louise went Amiens to see Kels sons Dans partners parents (they are french) so good opportunity to meet up with them. By all accounts it was a hilarious trip. First of all they went to the wrong train station, and arrived later than expected. Parlez vous Francais courtesy of Louise got them through all the pleasantries and although the hosts had hangovers from a wedding the previous day, they were thrilled to see them.
Onward journey home, Kel got on the train, the doors slammed shut and uh oh Louise was on the other side…station side…. despite furious attempts to open the doors, aurevoir louise said Kel. Her train was chocka block and no seat. Lou got on the next train, she think it was business class and had a lovely time coming back…. worried someone might check her ticket.
Susie had a day to herself, we were hopeful she would be the charm….but alas her ninja shopping skills are rusty…and not a damn thing was found.
C’est la vie! We all climbed into bed damn exhausted and looking forward to Reims tomorrow.Weiterlesen
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- Tag 8
- Montag, 11. September 2023 um 17:04
- ☁️ 28 °C
- Höhe über NN: 90 m
FrankreichPlace de la République49°15’30” N 4°2’0” E
REIMS here we come!

WOO HOO CHAMPAGNE COUNTRY HERE WE COME….
Early French breakfast today and off to the train station. Our lives were in the hands of the Uber driver, and man did he work at trying to keep us alive. Traffic galore, horns a beeping, cursing going on all over the place. Almost as bad as the Arc de Triumph roundabout!!!
We arrived at Gare de L’est and had a leisurely drink before running to find where the hell we get on the train…the platform number only came up 1 sec before we had to get on….humped 4 large bags + 3 carryon’s onto the train, and found our lush seats…. Loulou got into conversation with her fellow passenger and found out she can go from Reims straight to Charles De Gualle airport when we leave here so happy chappy she is. Her parlez vous Francais is very handy to have…I have google translate 😆 for when she is no longer travelling with us…see how that goes shall we!
Arrived in a very timely fashion to Reims train station and waited while Loulou changed yet another ticket 😵💫 she had purchased…
Got a taxi, pissed a taxi driver off in the meantime so gave him 💶 10 and that shut him up. Mind you the nutty woman who drove us, kept going on like a mad chook in french and I’m sitting in the front seat and shrugging my shoulders furiously cos I don’t know what the hell she is asking for 🥴. Arrived at our accommodation, its is fantastico…4 large bedrooms, large living room kitchen and dining, 2 bathrooms, one toilet though which with 5 women could be a challenge. One little problem….. the goddamn air-conditioning isn’t going… apparently it broke after the last people. FM! So we have contacted the man and he has bought more fans. Loulou has had a go at him when he bought them around, and was very vehement that we haven’t got what we paid for., so he needs to come to the party on compensation.
Believe it or not we had sushi for lunch, and they ran out of rose after we had one bottle! so off to the supermarket to do a stock up. Loulou found a great deal on local Champagne, and buy one get 50% off the other bottle. Quite a nice drop too.
Decided to have a ‘at home’ platters and wine instead of going out for dinner. and I was on washing duty.
PS the owner dropped off 2 fans, and 2 brand new air condition units (free standing).
Beth and I had to do another wine and food run to the local Mono Prix for supplies…
End of a great day, looking forward to tomorrowWeiterlesen
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- Tag 9
- Dienstag, 12. September 2023 um 08:00
- ⛅ 17 °C
- Höhe über NN: 112 m
FrankreichFaubourg Sainte-Anne49°14’38” N 4°3’6” E
Reims doesn’t fail to impress

What a gorgeous city, slow paced and beautiful. Loulou and Beth up early and off for a reconnaisance walk to suss the area out. They found the cathedral and how close we are to everything, and came back to tell us all about it. After a quick bite we were off, searching for coffee and looking at clothes shop, and yes we have helped the economy very slightly (baggage weight issues). Beautiful buildings everywhere, people are friendly, pleasantish temperature.
So today was Louise’s day-she wanted to do the champagne places - so she was tour director for the day 🤪.
Couldn’t believe it when we saw a place called Eden Park so of course the two rugby nuts needed a pic.
We had a superb lunch at a wee place in town -the biggest Cos Salad you have seen in your life for most of the party, I had this gorgeous ham salad on like a pastry bun, delicious. A lovely bottle of Rose went down nicely, then the rain came…. and I mean it poured for about 20 mins…. cooled the temp down rather well too.
Conductor Kiely had us catching a bus and off we went to Veuve Cliquot… no tour times available but it was a great photo opportunity.
A walk up a hill 😵💫 and along the way, we came across the most marvellous Vranken Pommery Champagne House. Wow what a place, what a story about an amazing woman Jeanne-Alexandrine Pommery who after becoming a widow at an early age, took the world by storm introducing their champagnes. She is know as a true trailblazer, the basis for luxury product promotion: the style, the brand, the communication and public relations. She invented the image of the Pommery Brand.
The vineyards are built on top of Chalk quarries/Pits and it took more than 10 years to build the exterior buildings, plant 25 hectares of vineyards and dig the 18km of interconnected galleries that link the 69 chalk pits to one another.
We went down the 116 steps to the cellar, and OMG there in front of us were all of these artworks displayed. Breathtakingly spectacular, utilising the chalk pits to highlight the art. I was gobsmacked. The temperature was amazing 30 metres underground, perfect temperature for the champagne to mature within the bottles. We all absolutely loved the experience and were so please Loulou had insisted we do it. We got a complementary glass of champagne at the end and it is quite delicious.
The walk back up the 116 steps after our goat climbing a couple of days (well for Beth and I) was challenging on the knees and back and we are paying for it.
Anyhoo we hopped back on a bus and off we went….allllll over the city… end of the work day dropping off all of the locals at their neighbourhoods and after about 30 mins we alighted and made our way home. Time for a rest then off out for a bite to eat.
Have to say so far we haven’t really had the best experience with service or food but hoping to improve.
Look up the Pommery Champagne - its bloody interesting.
Lots of photos today cos its all just so amazing…from just walking around, the pictures of nuns are from the bathroom where we had lunch - to the champagne houses… and that Art! wow…Pommery collection I will add to another post cos they won’t fitWeiterlesen
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- Tag 9
- Dienstag, 12. September 2023 um 14:00
- 🌧 23 °C
- Höhe über NN: 90 m
FrankreichPlace de la République49°15’30” N 4°2’0” E
Pommery Champagne House Art

Pics of the Artwork - deserve their own page

ReisenderThat art is just amazing! As you say, what a setting!! And glad the champagne lived up to expectations!
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- Tag 10
- Mittwoch, 13. September 2023 um 17:16
- ⛅ 23 °C
- Höhe über NN: 90 m
FrankreichPlace de la République49°15’30” N 4°2’0” E
Last day in France - temps cool YAY

Early morning for me and Beth today… just can’t sleep in at the moment.
We had a leisurely breakfast (some of us) and then off to town for cafe au lait and brekkie for Kel and Lou. Afterwards I opted to return to the apartment for some relax time, get my feet right and just have some time to myself. So the rest of this post is by Kelly…
Much cooler today, yipee! Wandered the elegant streets of Reims, it really is beautiful, clean, scented roses blooming. Traffic still a little crazy and of course we always look the wrong way, risky! We have disappointed ourselves for the lack of shopping, me not so much but I am traveling with 3 black belts so a little surprising. Visited the Reims cathedral which is incredible, 34 French kings and queens have been crowned there. Reims looks totally original to me but it was bombed badly during the 2nd world war but has been beautifully restored, so you wouldn’t even know. We visited Maison Mumm, very simple in comparison to Pommery, like Burger King to French Cafe, you could say the product is the same? We had a lunch after being turned away from a couple as they closed for food at 1.30!! It was ok but have to say the food and service is not as good as Paris. The gorgeous young things are a little scathing of us old birds. No tips for them! We had done enough for the day, we have food at home and have a V early start, so home dinner, just a platter (gourmet of course) and plenty of champagne. Tomorrow is a travelling day, we arrive in Roma late afternoon and of course the priority is finding a bar with the rugby on, we are hoping the boys will manage against Namibia, God willing. I know Roma will be 4 crazy days, a new experience for Disey who of course wants to do everything! Then to Valencia for a pool/beach holiday, relaxing, woohoo, over and out xxxxxx
Me again…some more photos of our neighbourhood. We have had some hilarious moments here…Louise doesn’t fail to surprise and gobsmack me at time, from her fantastic communications in french, to her Keilyisms of words that seem to rise up in bubbles above her head for me… Frencharony, there seems to be a ‘arony’ added to many things. Makes me laugh often.
Beth has got us on Vodka and Water - good for the waistline and I like it.
See ya in Rome, I cannot wait!Weiterlesen
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- Tag 11
- Donnerstag, 14. September 2023 um 17:25
- ☁️ 29 °C
- Höhe über NN: 43 m
ItalienPiazza Barberini41°54’12” N 12°29’11” E
Au Revoir Paris, Ciao Rome

It was an early wakeup from Susie that got us all moving at 6am. Showered dressed and packed and downstairs with the suitcases by 6.45 to wait for the arrival of 2 taxi’s at 7 to take us to the train station in Reims. Feet were getting twitchy by 10 past, we were all pissed off, so Kelly and I each ordered an uber. And wouldn’t you know it they arrived at 7.13 with one of the taxi’s turning up. He was given the short shift by all, and off we got into the Ubers. alighted at Gare Du Nord and on to the train. quick ride back to Gare du L’est in Paris and then decided rather than try and negotiate two more trains to Orly Airport we would hop into an uber…we do love the Mercedes Vans. Traffic was horrendous once again but our driver managed to get around the hoards of cars.
Orly is HUGE, sat down and finally had some breakfast and coffee. Off to catch our flight… no buso on this one though 😢 and we didn’t purchase the Speed lane, so had to line up to get on.
Nice little trip to Rome, I had an American guy sitting next to me, he thought I was Australian! Put him straight on that one.
Grabbed another Uber to take us to our apartment and along the way my heart just about lept out of my chest when I saw what I thought was the colosseum, but no thats just a little one madam, the proper one is just along here, look right when we go around the corner! WOWOW there it was. I have wanted to see it all my life. Had a few tears in my eyes I can tell you.
Finally arrived at our apartment where we were met by our host, fabulous guy, took us inside, up the lift! yay we have one, and proceeded to give us a lesson on the famous landmarks and their vicinity to our new home. funny chap but he had filled the fridge with a beer, bottle of Prosecco, milk, muffins and gluten free twisties that Beth was thrilled to see.
Its an older building but really cool too. Few little quirky things. Susie was fascinated by the cornflake dispenser so hammed it up. She has never seen one before.
Kel had told me about one place she has stayed in before that had a toilet in the shower which seemed very weird…and yep we have one here too. Its a second toilet though so we aren’t moaning. As the saying goes… you can have a shit, shave and shower…all at the same time 🤪
Had a wee rest then off out for dinner, gorgeous food, I had the oxtail stew, and it was YUM.
Ps we shopped on our way to dinner, 2 doors down from our apartment, 3 of us bought linen dresses, happy as can be.
Home now, aircons are all on, its hot again in Rome.
Tomorrow will be me exploring all the wonderful historical places I have had on my bucket list. I cannot wait. Hoho bus will be booked for us to see this beautiful city, and for an extra day for me so I can go explore the sites on my own. The other girls have been here before so the excitement for them has faded to visit them again.
Internet is a bit sketchy here so even though I tried to post it last night, I had to wait to the morning.Weiterlesen
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- Tag 12
- Freitag, 15. September 2023 um 11:00
- ☀️ 26 °C
- Höhe über NN: 26 m
ItalienBasilica s. Mariae Transpadina (former church, 1564 demolished)41°54’5” N 12°28’9” E
Highs and Lows, awesome views

The day started off fairly leisurely today. Decided to do the HOHO bus again as it’s so good to just sit and look while the heat of the day pounds down on us.
Purchased the tickets online and then went down to the kiosk not far from our building to get the ‘real ticket’…. no you get those on the buses!
So find somewhere to eat, €10 eggs (scrambled or omelete) ham and slice of cheese with little vegetable (lettuce and tom), with orange juice and a coffee. Not bad considering the price.
Off we trot to the closest pick up point and off we go. Rome does not fail to blow your mind. the intricate carvings, statues and buildings are certainly amazing. The traffic and number of tourists? are unbelievable. Hustle and bustle everywhere.
Saw all the major tourist attractions from the bus, and decided after going around the circuit once, that I would alight the bus at the Colessuem and the girls would do their thing.
We got off at a stop closest to where we got on and found somewhere with a toilet and aircon cos it was now 34 deg… ordered our lunch (I had the caprese salad) and then watched the ‘manager’ continuously berate the waiter. And I mean constantly (we thought he was new - a small Indian man) God it was awful and he had a loud obnoxious tone. Anyway we got our lunches and a lot of muttering about ‘bullying’ was had. At the end Beth got up to pay the bill and said to the little guy, “you are doing a good job” and then chatted about where we are from - he said “good cricket team”. Nice little fellow. As we went to leave Beth said to him “Good Luck” and the ‘manager’ came over and loudly asked, why you say good luck to him’ so Beth told him why. You are rude and a bully, I also chimed in with a ‘rude’ as I left. Well did he bellow. Lots of ranting and raving…we headed to the jeweller next door to get away and Kelly tried to calm him down with her quiet voice trick…nup he wasn’t having a bar of it. Apparently the little guy is a liar, he said he was experienced, today was his first day blah blah blah. FM! anyhow he decided it was me who was the culprit and still followed us up the street going on and on and wagging his finger in my face. I wanted to tell him to FO but decided the situation wasn’t getting any better LOL so just kept walking.
Anyway the girls went one way and I went back to find the bus. Off I go around the whole bloody way again, it is searingly hot, and got off at the Colosseum, hook or by crook I was going to see it, have admired it most of my life…around the whole thing I walked looking for a ticket place (and it is now 3.30) asked a guide but he said join a tour at 4.30, I replied I just wanted to walk around myself and he said no tickets left for this month!!!!! So that was that. I had tried to buy online before we left but couldn’t get any…now I know why. Didnt want to do a tour so late and wouldn’t be finished till 6pm.
So back to the bus stop I go, get off close to home and wouldn’t you know it I walk past the same bloody restaurant and he is in the doorway! pulled my hat down low and kept walking 😵💫.
Got back just as the others did too and then rested till we were off to an irish pub to watch the All Blacks. Great pub, cannelloni was delicious for me, lasagne great for Susie and Kelly and beth had nachos. Still very hot though. Few other Kiwis showed up and an aussie and fijian to watch the game. Great young people who loved to chat with the old girls. awesome day and night. Tomorrow Beth and I are off to see the Vatican and yes, we are booked on a tour!! YAYWeiterlesen
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- Tag 13
- Samstag, 16. September 2023 um 09:22
- ☁️ 21 °C
- Höhe über NN: 50 m
VatikanstadtPiazza del Forno41°54’11” N 12°27’14” E
Vatican City tour

Well today was the day, Beth and I both up early for our tour. Beth cooked us eggs on toast, I made the coffee and then downstairs to catch an uber to the tour office. Of course there were many others there to. You had to be there 25 minutes before the tour started at 10 and we go there at about 9.10 so told to wait outside on the street till 9.35am as there were lots of people getting organised 🤨. BTW whilst waiting this little hawker comes up and said you have to cover your shoulders and knees…. uh oh didn’t notice that on the tour information… and Beth had a sleeveless top and shorts on, I had a skirt just on my knees. Told him I don’t need anything I could pull my skirt down… Beth got stung for 2 scarves at 10 Euro each. I succumbed and bought one too. Not happy at all I tell ya, plus temp was rising and that didn’t help us at all. by 9.30 the temp was 25 and rising. got to 32 today btw
Finally we could go in and get our pink sticker, and then wait for some more. Lots of waiting in this city…. Off we trot with the tour guide Pascale following his little flag, following along like little chickens behind the mother hen.
We get into the Vatican entry point and Pascale informs us that although we booked for the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and Basilica, the Pope was having a meeting until 1.00pm and we couldn’t see the Basilica so basically they would just extend the museum visit…see where this is going? Not happy…
Anyway after a bit of delay and waiting and lining up again we get our headsets and off we go, did I tell you there are steps…lots of steps…Beth has a crook knee, my back wasn’t playing the game either so both a bit weary of stairs.
Lots of beautiful art, the marble is extraordinary, the tapestries and paintings unbelievable. So many photos, so many beautiful things to admire. But I have to say after the first hour, it was becoming rather much same same if ya know what I mean.
Loved the square, loved the ceilings throughout, they sure liked their baths the popes thats for sure and wouldn’t mind one like it at my place 🤭.
Finally we get to the Sistine chapel and the guide says the tour ends here, just go on through, sit down and take the time to enjoy the beautiful Leonardo paintings. Well that would of been good, because we no longer had a guide we were pushed through like cows in the cattle yards, prodded at every moment to keep moving. I reckon we had about 2 mins inside before being herded out. Those who still had a guide, were able to stand in the middle and admire the paint works. Throughly disappointed and the review will reflect that when I get a moment to do it.
so Beth and I have decided we aren’t doing tours together, they are always a bit of a flop!
But we can tick that off the bucket list. Wish I had seen the Basilica though, dammit!
Back to the apartment and met up with Kel and Susie, went to lunch and had Spaghetti Cabonara, delish. Home for me to put my feet up and fell asleep for 2.5 hours.
Easy night at home tonight, got into Netflix and watched a movie together with platter food for dinner.
Bed time now, its 11.40pm and feeling jaded.
Tomorrow is our last day in Rome and off to Valencia. Bit of trouble with our onward flights to London later this month, but I will tell you about it next time.
CaioWeiterlesen

ReisenderAll sounds amazing Di, few disappoints for you that’s sad, getting there and no seeing everything you wished to see damn it for you. Would have been incredible tho. Very envious of your travels. Love you. 🥰

ReisenderLoving the wardrobe drapery! But worth it for those lovely mosaics and art!!
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- Tag 14
- Sonntag, 17. September 2023 um 07:08
- ⛅ 19 °C
- Höhe über NN: 25 m
ItalienTrevi Fountain41°54’4” N 12°28’60” E
Caio Rome, made my dream come true…

Leisurely rise this morning. I was up early again, can’t sleep in no matter what I do… and the rest up shortly after. Beth cooked eggs again, so good to have breakfast in house. Nice relaxed start to the day before we walked the 700m to the Trevi Fountain. Lots of street markets and shops open so a little shopping was had. I managed to find yet another little shoulder bag, and a hat that doesn’t make me look like a flat head when it comes off 😝
Few purses, more hats and scarves purchased and then off to see the fountain.
It lived up to everything I had been told and you could here it from a fair way away, come around the corner and wow, just amazing. Lots of people there even at 10am but the girls said it would get busier. We got the obligatory pics and then just meandered on down to the Pantheon. There is a restaurant Kelly and Susie have been visiting for quite a number of years and that was going to be our lunch spot but before that lets rest and have a coffee. So sat people watching for awhile, and Kel said, we should go into the Pantheon and look at the dome. I had noticed a people on the steps who were scanning something so I said, looks like you have to buy tickets…NOOOO said the girls, we have never paid to go inside. Well YESSS they now do charge for you to look inside and the queues were mounting. Beth and I looked at each other and said no way are we doing a tour, the place will likely fall down on us given our record with tours.
Had a look see around the place then went and sat at the infamous restaurant. The very handsome Antonio served us. Great guy, looked after us well. I saw lobster on the menu and after the Tasmanian Lobster I had, this was a steal at the price 😁 We all enjoyed our meals, me lobster, Kel had veal and Beth and Susie had a prawn and melon salad. Washed down with varying liquids that hit the spot on this beautiful hot day. Ps I had the canolli, girls had tiramisu 😋
It was a looooong lunch and just what we needed. Took our time walking home, bartered on a few more hats, and finally got back to have a rest and recover before going out to watch the rugby.
Grabbed a cab outside our place, price was 6 Euro compared to the Uber of 28 Euro the other night to get to the Irish pub again to watch the Wallabies get beaten by Fiji. There were a number of Australians there, one bloke in particular was especially obnoxious (his wife told him to settle down when he lost his shit at other patrons in the way of his view). WE had thought we might support the Australians but after watching his antics decided buggar it, lets rally the Fijians. They are a good team to watch.
Home to watch Nottinghill (we are having a Julia Roberts revival) and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Its been amazing to come to a city I have longed to see for so long. Thank you girls for agreeing on including Rome in our itinerary even though you have visited many times before. ❤️
We are off to Valencia tomorrow… and we have a pool! My feet are happy just knowing that 😝.Weiterlesen
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- Tag 15
- Montag, 18. September 2023 um 19:00
- ☁️ 27 °C
- Höhe über NN: 114 m
SpanienVilanova de la Roca41°33’19” N 2°16’10” E
Valencia is a delight

Farewelled Rome with a leisurely start, packed, repacked and tried to distribute things through carry on and big bag… hmmm and I haven’t bought anything.Our lovely host Aldo let us check out at noon so that was really great as I flights weren’t till 4.30pm, but we decided to go straight to the airport and hang out there.
We were able to check our bags through early as well, although there was a slight raising of blood pressure when the girl said, that my little backpack, which i was using as my handbag was all I had paid for, that is considered the one small bag you could have…. jesus wept. I said I have my cabin bag which she made me put in the measure thing…I tell ya I jammed that baby in … and ended up saying well I will just put my ‘handbag’ inside it. Susie had to pay for her cabin bag. The girl had said if you get to the gate with the incorrect baggage for your ticket you will pay 69 euro for it. Ryan Air your descriptions on the ticket are a; confusing and b; bullshit!
anyhoo off we go to our fast track security, boarding passes on my phone cos she wouldn’t print the bloody things, so I have to go thru pass back my phone to the next little monkey, didn’t work, had to ask for help! Blood pressure back up at that point….
Finally made it through and upstairs to the Priority Lounge that Kel and I have passes for, and we could take a guest each. Almost overflowing with people but managed to snag seats, two together and two in another part…so waving across the room was frequent. Food wasn’t much to be recommended but the coffee was good and wine seemed to be okay as well.
Decided I couldn’t fit anything else in the cabin bag, so succumbed and bought the upgrade to my ticket, just a mere 38.99 euro…bastards.
Then we go to line up and there are people getting on with backpacks, and handbags… not in the priority lane where you can have two items… that girl was probably laughing up her sleeve.
Easy trip to Valencia, little snoozes had, videos watched and books read and then we were here. Fastest landing with a huge bump on the runway but we made it.
Grabbed a cab and on our way to our absolutely delightful home for the next 8 days. We were met by Oscar our host, lovely chap, very enthusiastic of having NZ guests, and very proud of his home. Kel and Beth kept the taxi and went back to do grocery shop as we don’t think we will venture too far from here actually, its just so nice. Oscar went and picked them up after showing Susie and I the run of the house. And being the first here….we got to choose which of the 5 bedrooms we wanted 😆.
We aren’t close to Valencia, its a bus ride away, but the smaller village of L’Eliana has just as good shopping and restaurants Oscar tells us.
Did I mention the pool area?? oh my goodness it is delicious.
The girls arrived back with a truck load of food, all of which we are looking forward to eating, sausages, bacon, chicken, fruit, salads, cheeses, wine, crackers and anything else we fancied.
Everyone ecstatically happy with our new abode. Platter made, wine flowed, lemoncello shots had, and then I just had to get in that pool. 10pm swim was so delicious.
Might be a bit quiet for the next few days, book reading, relaxing and enjoying the pool is the wishlist for a little while.Weiterlesen

ReisenderIt has begun!! You look stunning and so happy. I’m in finally!!!!! 6.4 Geraldine earthquake, epicentre Mt Somers, yay we felt it!!! This is going to be wonderful. We love you ❤️❤️❤️❤️ of to Chch soon
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- Tag 17
- Mittwoch, 20. September 2023 um 10:11
- ☀️ 20 °C
- Höhe über NN: 17 m
SpanienGlorieta39°28’9” N 0°22’5” W
Easy day in Valencia shopping

Just a little update. We got up and left at 10am to try and find a shopping outlet superstore…taxi driver took us to main shopping area in Valencia…lots of wooden coathanger stores. Kelly and Beth went off in search of a market, Susie and I opted for a shopping centre. Neither were a success. Our department store housed electrical goods, kitchen appliances and furniture. Their market turned out to be a food place, so we hot footed it over to meet them. It was like a train station that had been converted.
Kel was having paella and did NOT recommend it at all, so I had a quesidilla and Susie a Salmon and Avocado roll thing.
Looked in all the designer shop, decided that E495 brogues and E595 tote was not really our thing, so taxied back, swam, relaxed, swam again… love our place…
Dinner is lasagne and salad at our place. Just a lovely thing to end the day.
I managed to get us onto Skygo yesterday with Josh’s help with a VPN but today the bastard isn’t playing the game…so can’t watch the rugby, damn it.
Maybe the replay will work.
tomorrow is Paella cooking, looking forward to that.
Ps forgot to add the thunderstorm we had last night. Amazing lightning ⚡️Weiterlesen

ReisenderWhat beautiful days! And just perfect for your poolside stay 🏊♀️😎 Enjoy your cooking tomorrow - sounds like such a fun thing to do 😊
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- Tag 18
- Donnerstag, 21. September 2023 um 11:00
- ☁️ 22 °C
- Höhe über NN: 114 m
SpanienL'Eliana39°33’22” N 0°30’56” W
Paella, chicken, rabbit & snails

Woo hoo today was the day. Downloaded the app for the local taxi, put in our address and waited. Showing the taxi only 9 mins away. Then a phone call, lady I am at address…ahh nope ya aren’t. What address, I read it out to him, “I no understand, I am at the address you put in….” ahhh nope ya aren’t. “Lady, look at me” Nope can’t see ya…
Seems the app did not put the address I put into it, put something completely different. Had to send him a photo of the sign on the street and he said I will be 10 mins. We are now down to 25 mins till the start of the cooking class!!!!!!!!!!
We showed each other our screens when he finally arrived and yes totally different address. Told him his app is crap, he agreed. We chatted for awhile and then he mentioned NZ Cricket, so told him I know Tim Southees father and Trent Bolts mother (sort of do ya know) WELL was he happy, started talking cricket and Kel could chime in with some cricket greats… all was well with the world. He got us to the venue in time. We met up with the group and Jose took us through the history of Paella. Did you know Paella means a pan… and they kept saying we are very simple in Valencia, the home of Paella (not Barcelona as everyone thinks) we use words for multiple things.
The Mercado de Ruzafa was amazing. Veges galore, fish, meat, cheese, olives and gastro delight.
They went through the ingredients we would need and as we were in the Chicken,Rabbit and Snail Paella group we went around getting ingredients (not that we selected them) they had them back at the restaurant. The seafood Paella group had two types of prawns, cuttlefish, mussels.
So off we walked to the restaurant… just a little jaunt around the city.
Christina (the guide for the other group) and Anna the chef were waiting for us all. Anna was a vivacious Spanish woman, loud and fun. They made Sangria and gave us all a glass and told us how to do ‘cheers’ in Spanish. Salute! They had made Tapas of Potata Bravas, Mussels (cooked deliciously and we have the recipe) Manchingo Cheese, Serano Ham (related to prosciutto) and pickled Olives. OMG it was delicious. We could keep on eating them and drinking the Sangria.
So the process began, god they cooked the hell out of the chicken and rabbit (we thought) Beans were fried and kept in as well for the whole time. When anything was added the added salt too. Gees it was salty when they got us to do a taste of the stock.
We will definitely be jazzwardoing it up. At the end of the cooking, and it took quite some time, they gave us a shot of Cervero (just like Zambuca) and did another traditional ‘cheers’. She was a good drop I tell ya. Beth and I LOVED it. Another one would of been great. I quite like that Sangria, so had a few whilst the cooking was happening. Beth kept putting her glass down cos it was getting ‘dangerous’ as it was so delicious. Susie and Kel weren’t fussed on it though.
Lunch was served. No you can’t have both types of Paella, you have the one your group cooked. Damn! So on the plate is 3 snails….oooooo not too sure about that, but anyway I ate them, Beth too, Susie only ate 1 and Kel 0… who are the gastronomic delights huh?
To be fair the chicken was as dry as BoBo Faulkners Armpit, and would love to have added some other flavour, yes Josh we all will bastardise the recipe.
3 hours later our Paella Cooking class was finished. We had a fabulous time and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Off to the supermarket to restock our pantry and home to lie about the pool, read books and basically just loll about.
Easy dinner tonight, garlic bread, cheese in the oven and other delights Kel is pulling together. Beth has converted me to Vodka, lime lemon mint and water… Susie and Kel having a Sauv Blanc.
another successful day. 💕Weiterlesen
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- Tag 18
- Donnerstag, 21. September 2023 um 11:00
- ☁️ 22 °C
- Höhe über NN: 109 m
SpanienL'Eliana39°33’22” N 0°30’56” W
A day of doing nothing

Beth and I got up and went for a short walk this morning but her knee was giving her jip so back to the house. By tacit agreement all 4 decided that a day in the sun and swimming was gonna be the order of the day, so that is exactly what we did.
Lounging about, reading, chatting. Pure bliss.
Louise arrives tonight and we are looking forward to hearing about her adventures.
Might be another chillaxing day tomorrow too 😜Weiterlesen
ReisenderEnjoy!!
ReisenderHave loads of fun