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Jayne Eckersall
Jayne Eckersall

Jayne Eckersall

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  • (No)Sunshine Break in Tenerife

    Packed and Homeward Bound 🇬🇧

    24 de março, Espanha ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    We woke up to sunshine this morning which can only mean we are going home today!! After a final lazy breakfast we packed our last few items and locked the cases. We went for a final walk discussing how few clothes we had worn after living in jeans 👖 and shirts 👕 the whole week. Honestly we would have worn more clothes on a naturist holiday 🍃 🤔🤣. We traded our towels in for tokens in order to get our €20 deposit back. As 12 o'clock and check out time approached we stored our suitcases 🧳 🧳 and headed into the My Favourite Club lounge and we watched other holidaymakers packing up their towels and books before .... yes! Once again the heavens opened 🌧 🌦 🌂
    Just an journey later we were stood outside on the wet pavement waiting for the 🚌 to take us back to the airport 🛫
    13:10 we are sat on the bus and after a couple of more pick-ups we are on our way to the airport, arriving 50 minutes later. We had heard about long delays at Tenerife's airport but fortunately these delays had been sorted and just 15 minutes later we were sat drinking coffee and eating a sandwich 🥪 in the departures lounge. By 3pm we had joined the queue to go through passport control and where a jobs worth Spanish "lady" wearing a uniform decided to shout at me for taking a photograph and pointed out the small no photo sign on the white column about 15 yards away. I wish I'd brought my binoculars or a telescope 🔭 with me... I might have seen 👀 it 🤔 😳 then!! Just as soon as we had cleared passport control we went to the departures gate onto the bus 🚌 and by 16:20 we were sat on the aircraft. 40 minutes later we were rolling back and taxiing to the queue for take off. 5 minutes later we were up and away heading home 🏡 arriving in Manchester at 21:35. Bags collected and waiting for our taxi 🚕 to arrive at the pick up spot by 22:40, arriving home 10 minutes before midnight 😴    Leia mais

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  • (No)Sunshine Break in Tenerife

    Just another (weather) manic Monday

    23 de março, Espanha ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Another cool and cloudy ⛅️ day, this morning our post breakfast walk we decided to head down towards the beach ⛱️ and the marina; an area we haven't previously explored ...... not that there was a lot to see apart from tourists heading out on boat trips.
    Later, we headed back up to the La Calleta area of Adeje to see if my shirt had arrived. But before that we stopped off for a coffee which then extended into a beer 🍺, and cheese toastie with chips 🍟 😋 😋. Arriving back at the hotel we paid the deposit for a couple of pool towels; 1st time of the holiday and we grabbed a couple of vacant sunbeds before the sun went in and the temperature went down 🌡and we have another downpour 🌧    Leia mais

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  • (No)Sunshine Break in Tenerife
    1

    Sunday Stroll

    22 de março, Espanha ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    After breakfast and during a break in the rain 🌧 showers, we decided to head back up towards the quieter and nicer part of Adeje that we had found yesterday, as there was no rain forecast until later in the day. As the sun was out we kept stopping to bask in the sunshine 🌞 and listen to the waves 🌊 crashing against the shore. We stumbled across a lovely little hidey-hole with a couple of shops, a cafe, restaurant and a quiet courtyard. After sheltering from a sudden downpour under a palm 🌴 tree we carried on walking 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️ to another little corner shopping centre that we had walked past whilst the sun was shining. This proved to be an expensive stop as Jayne bought a dress 👗 I bought a shirt 👕 and ordered another one that would arrive tomorrow 🛍. As the sun was out once again we made our way back to the hotel to grab a few precious sunrays before we headed out for our dinner 🍽 reservation.
    We arrived earlier than our allocated time but were still shown to our table within the Restaurant Amalfi. Despite not able to get a table along the side with a lovely view we ordered drinks and Bruschetta Capri (tomato, mozzarella, ham & mushrooms). After devouring our starter, the main courses arrived; Penne Corleone (mushrooms, fillet steak in a red wine sauce) for me, whilst Jayne went for the Tagliatellie. As the sun went down we both enjoyed a delicious Irish Coffee before leaving along with the sun.    Leia mais

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  • (No)Sunshine Break in Tenerife

    When Saturday Comes ⚽️

    21 de março, Espanha ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    At breakfast this morning we were treated to a torrential downpour, which also found numerous gaps and holes 🕳 in the structure of the hotel 🏨. This meant a number of areas were cordoned off with towels, buckets 🪣 and large sponges 🧽 lying around trying to soak the water up!!. Then just as quickly as the downpour started, it stopped and the sun came out. Venturing out one of thevfirst things we saw were cows 🐄 with umbrellas 🌂...... I kid you not!!
    We carried on walking 🚶‍♀️ 🚶‍♂️ to Playa de Fanabe where the waves continued to pound along the coast, before stopping for a lovely coffee ☕️ at a more upmarket shopping centre Plaza del Duque and all it's Designer Shop's. Fortunately, we couldn't stop long as Blackpool were playing Cardiff City in a 12:30 kick off football match so we HAD to make our way back to the hotel. As look would have it, the sun came out again as the football ⚽️ started making it very hard to see 👀 the game on my phone 📲 screen. No matter where I sat all I could see was a dark screen so I had to go inside ..... on the nicest day yet of our holiday!!    Leia mais

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  • (No)Sunshine Break in Tenerife

    The rain ☔️☔️ in Spain doesn't stay....

    20 de março, Espanha ⋅ 🌧 18 °C

    .......... mainly on the plain ........ it's flaming every where.

    So what to do when it's raining... answer go shopping 🛍 . After breakfast we set off on a walk with no real destination in mind and as the clouds slowly went darker we decided to carry on and continue the 30 minute walk to the Siam Mall on the outskirts of Adeje. Unfortunately, unlike our Shopping Malls this one is open air with some covering. As the advert says "Designed to take advantage of Tenerife's year-round great weather, (🤣🤣☔️🌀🌬🌫☔️) SIAM MALL is filled with green areas, open plazas, and fountains to enhance the relaxed atmosphere." The mall’s Thai-inspired theme includes authentic statues and decorations crafted in Thailand.
    Although, in our humble opinion some of the fashion items were more of a niche market unless ripped and stained trousers 👖 were your idea of a must have fashion item!!
    Later that day we set off to look for a recommended restaurant, we found it with more than a little difficulty as it was only small and located down what can only be described as an alleyway. Unfortunately, as we hadn't booked the only available seating was outside BUT tha waiter assured us it wasn't going to rain. Not only did it not rain we also enjoyed our Tapas in (or outside) a restaurant we wouldn't have looked twice at to be honest.    Leia mais

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  • (No)Sunshine Break in Tenerife
    1

    Adeje

    19 de março, Espanha ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    Woke up this morning and looked out of the window 🪟 and thought I was back in England. It was very windy with torrential rain - then I said to myself don't be stupid Keith 🤔 ......... the weather in England is far better than this!!!!
    So, after a more than leisurely breakfast we headed up to the "My Favourite Club" for a decent'ish cup of coffee ☕️ or 3 where we chatted with a nice similar aged couple, of football following Welsh fans from Cardiff. Hopefully they will be a little despondent on Saturday afternoon after Cardiff City have been beaten by the mighty Tangerines 🍊 from Blackpool 🙏🙏🤞😄⚽️
    Booked our free 1 hour session in the hotel spa for this afternoon, but we will happily forego it if the sun decides to come and visit us 😀 🤞
    The Spa wasn't great tepid water in the pool, and packed Sauna and a steam room we didn't venture in we only stayed 20 minutes!!
    Fortunately the weather dried up .... well it stopped raining and we decided to walk out the hotel and see where looked promising for our evening meal. Looking first a nice cafe/bar we stopped off at the Dreams Hotel Jardin Tropical where we settled for a lovely relaxing drink in lovely 5 star surroundings. Some 90 minutes later we left stopping off at Harley's an American Diner for something to eat; ribs for me and Chicken 🐔 for Jayne, before heading back to our hotel 🏨, and arriving before the wind and rain!!    Leia mais

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  • (No)Sunshine Break in Tenerife

    On Alert but Getting Our Bearings

    18 de março, Espanha ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Woke up this morning to the headlines that from today, Tenerife is on high alert waiting for the anticipated visit from Storm Therese. With recommendations from the authorities to stay indoors during periods of Strong Winds; 100 km/hour and Heavy Rain. But hey the sun is shining through small gaps in the clouds so this intrepid penguin 🐧 and his mate decided to venture out while the weather allowed. We walked 🚶‍♀️ first up the coast to Playa del Duque where we sat watching 👀 and listening to the waves crashing against the rocky shoreline whilst we bathed for a few minutes in glorious sunshine 🌞. Thinking here we are in the nice warm sun wearing tee-shirts and jeans 👖 let's go back to the hotel 🏨 and change into shorts. We arrived back just before the black clouds, so after some light refreshments we decided to venture out in the opposite direction towards Playa de Las Americas and the H10 hotel Conquistador where my mum loved to stay when she holidayed here in Tenerife. We thought it would be nice to visit and have a drink in its bar in memory of my mum ✋️ but the doorman wouldn't let us in as it is a hotel that only welcomes guests that are staying there!! So we walked across the road and went clothes shopping 🛍. Enjoying a nice leisurely stroll home when the rain started and we upped our pace so that when we reached the hotel 🏨 we weren't too drenched. After a little rest along with a coffee ☕️ etc we walked through 100 yards to the corner of the street to the Restaurant Hawai where we both settled for the Grilled fish; Salmon for Jayne and Sea Bass for me, both with vegetables and Canarian potatoes 🥔 😋.Leia mais

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  • 1st Holiday of 2025

    Adeje

    18 de março, Espanha ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Woke up this morning to the headlines that from today, Tenerife is on high alert waiting for the anticipated visit from Storm Therese. With recommendations from the authorities to stay indoors during periods of Strong Winds; 100 km/hour and Heavy Rain. But hey the sun is shining through small gaps in the clouds so this intrepid penguin 🐧 and his mate decided to venture out while the weather allowed. We walked 🚶‍♀️ first up the coast to Playa del Duque where we sat watching 👀 and listening to the waves crashing against the rocky shoreline whilst we bathed for a few minutes in glorious sunshine 🌞. Thinking here we are in the nice warm sun wearing tee-shirts and jeans 👖 let's go back to the hotel 🏨 and change into shorts. We arrived back just before the black clouds, so after some light refreshments we decided to venture out in the opposite direction towards Playa de Las Americas and the H10 hotel Conquistador where my mum loved to stay when she holidayed here in Tenerife. We thought it would be nice to visit and have a drink in its bar in memory of my mum ✋️ but the doorman wouldn't let us in as it is a hotel that only welcomes guests that are staying there!! So we walked across the road and went clothes shopping 🛍. Enjoying a nice leisurely stroll home when the rain started and we upped our pace so that when we reached the hotel 🏨 we weren't too drenched. After a little rest along with a coffee ☕️ etc we walked through 100 yards to the corner of the street to the Restaurant Hawai where we both settled for the Grilled fish; Salmon for Jayne and Sea Bass for me, both with vegetables and Canarian potatoes 🥔 😋.Leia mais

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  • (No)Sunshine Break in Tenerife

    Jetting off to the Sunshine 🛫

    17 de março, Inglaterra ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Early'ish start with a taxi 🚕 pick up at 05:45 in the morning. Less than 2 hours later we have dropped our bags 🎒 off cleared passport control and sat in the restaurant San Carlo waiting for our breakfast. By 9:00 we are at the departures gate waiting for our Airbus A321 Jet2 flight ✈️ to Tenerife. 10:17 and the wheels 🛞 are up and we are on our way..... 14:26 and we have our 1st glimpse of Tenerife and Mount Teide looking out over the clouds ⛅️. 15:39 we have cleared immigration, have our bags and waiting in the car park for our bus to turn up and transfer us to our hotel in Costa Adje. 25 minutes later we are finally on our way for an interesting transfer to our hotel stopping off at numerous hotels on the way where on one occasion no-one got off!!!
    Driving through the various resorts of Playa Los Cristianos, Playa de Las Americas and finally into Costa Adeje we came across numerous Irish bars all full of people dresses in green celebrating March 17th and St. Patrick's Day. Virtually 12 hours after leaving home we are entering our bedroom within it's own private corridor!! After unpacking we headed across the road to a restaurant called Amanda's for a pizza 🍕 and a beer 🍺 and watch a bit of football along with the resident cabaret act!!    Leia mais

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  • 1st Holiday of 2025

    Going Home 🏡

    16 de junho de 2025, Croácia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Awake before our alarms ⏰️ this morning, cases 100% packed, hotel 🏨 bill paid and down for breakfast at the most sought after table on the terrace; for the 1st time and on our last time!!
    With a coffee ☕️ to go, we were at the pick point at the front of the hotel in plenty of time. And checking in at the airport about an hour later after driving through the hillsides narrow roads and hairpin bends to arrive about a mile down the road to get ahead of the queue of traffic that has been there constantly during our stay.
    After a coffee ☕️ at the airport and joined by another couple from our hotel who came from Stoke, we started chatting, and the wife's work life pretty much mirrored Jayne's nursing career. We took off 🛫 some 25 minutes late, and for some passengers, it would be a flight to remember as they ran out of food for this return journey, apart from chips 🍟
    Arriving at Manchester Airport 🛬 it was the busiest we had ever seen it. Firstly the plane couldn't park at the gate in Terminal 2 so we had to wait for a bus. We then had to join the queue to get into the queue for immigration and passport control. All this, though, did mean our cases 🎒 🎒 were merrily going around on the carousel in the baggage reclaim area. After which we went to meet our taxi 🚕 driver, Jordan, for our ride back home 🏡.    Leia mais

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  • 1st Holiday of 2025

    Final Time by the Pool

    15 de junho de 2025, Croácia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Woke up to our last full day and another lazy breakfast before taking a coffee ☕️ down to the pool area.
    All of a sudden, there was action as the pool attendants and towel counters; who always asked for your room number when taking a towel but not when returning it. We could be charged for a suitcase full of towels when we get home 🏡. I digress, the action going on was for the laying out multiple sunbeds, it looks 👀 as though the pool area is going to get busy!! It's was thirsty work watching 👀 these guys man-handling 👬 sunbeds, parasols, and the heavy concrete blocks, so I felt in need of a beer 🍺........ well, it is Father's Day 👩‍🍼 🤣.
    Mid afternoon we decided to take refuge on our balcony with a cup of coffee ☕️ before starting the unenviable task of trying to fit everything that we had neatly packed just 10 days ago back into our suitcases 🎒 🎒. Mission 95% accomplished we headed back down to the pool for the last couple of hours before returning once again to our room with a takeaway pizza 🍕 and beer 🍺 to watch our final Croatian 🇭🇷 sunset 🌇, before setting our alarms ⏰️ for the 1st time in 10 days ready for our early ish start in the morning.    Leia mais

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  • 1st Holiday of 2025

    No Split for Omis

    14 de junho de 2025, Croácia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    As the cruise ships 🚢 queued to dock at Split Harbour, we decided to catch a bus 🚌 in opposite direction and headed for Omis; a thousand years old town once ruled by pirates ☠️. Overlooking the sea entry into Omis is the Mirabella or Peovica a Romanesque fortress, built in the 13th century by the Kačić family. Mirabella was a reliable hideout for the Omiš pirates who used to retreat into the safety of the Cetina gorge. Legend says that in 1537, during an attack by the Turks, the defenders of Omiš confused the attackers with their shouting and shots so much that the Turks overestimated the number of defenders and fled. The climb to the top of the fortress is definitely worthwhile for the fabulous view. On coming back down, we explored a little more and stopped; for longer than we should, at a little bar full of locals with seating outside on the narrow passageway, which had a lovely cool breeze blowing through. 🍺🍺🍺
    We arrived back at the hotel 🏨 just in time to catch the sunset 🌇.    Leia mais

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  • 1st Holiday of 2025

    Deja vu again

    13 de junho de 2025, Croácia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Back in our usual morning coffee ☕️ quiet spot after breakfast, it's really surprising nobody else seems to come here - we aren't complaining, though. Then it was back down to poolside for another day of relaxation, alternated with cooling off dips in the pool. And so the day went quietly and relaxed until a group of beer swigging Australians 🇦🇺 arrived at the pool bar.
    In the evening, we returned to the Italian restaurant; Conlemani, by the hotel 🏨 for Pollo Rosemarino for Jayne and Filleto Di Manzo for me. After which, we walked for about a mile down the Promenade past little beaches and beach bars before returning to the hotel's LaVue bar for a night cap 🍷    Leia mais

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  • 1st Holiday of 2025

    Déjà vu 2

    12 de junho de 2025, Croácia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    We woke to another quiet, cloudless, and hot morning 🌄 and determined to break the possibility of déjà vu we took the local bus 🚌 into Split. - easier said than done. After speaking with the concierge (yes, our hotel 🏨 is that posh) who had told us we needed the number 60 bus, we trotted off full of confidence. Our confidence wained slightly when we tried to climb aboard a school bus!!! Not to look daft again, we waited patiently at the bus stop only to make a sudden dash when the minibus doors started to close with the words "Express Line No.60" stencilled on the window!!! With no more issues, we arrived in Split, knowing exactly where we were, and headed through the side gate at the green market and into the Peristil Square with the Diocletian’s Palace. Where we once again avoided the Roman Guards seeking refuge in the very ornate Cafe Luxor, where we enjoyed a couple of iced 🧊 coffees ☕️. Walking 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️ around the inner city, we explored streets we hadn't been down before and quickly needed another refreshment stop at a nice little wine bar; adorned with lovely paintings both inside and outside, and that turned out to be the art 🎨 work of the bar owners grandmother 👵. As the afternoon wore on and the temperature didn't get any cooler, we decided to venture home on the bus again. Arriving just in time to watch the sun setting from our balcony whilst eating a delicious 😋 takeaway pizza 🍕 from a nearby roadside restaurant.Leia mais

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  • 1st Holiday of 2025
    1

    Déjà vu Day

    11 de junho de 2025, Croácia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Breakfast before moving on to our quiet space for a coffee ☕️. Then, onto the sunbeds once more, alternating between sunbathing and swimming 🏊‍♀️ 🏊‍♂️
    In the evening, we headed for the hotel La Vue bar for a snack of Greek salad and wedges with the odd glass of red, a local red wine called Bura.Leia mais

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  • 1st Holiday of 2025

    Just Pool Lazy

    10 de junho de 2025, Croácia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Another sunny and calm day, a perfect day to do nothing apart from lying on a sunbed people watching 👀 and trying and thinking of something even slightly interesting to write ✍️ about 😆
    To break up the morning after yet another lazy breakfast followed by our now obligatory coffee in our quiet spot, we travelled from sunbed to cabana and back. In the afternoon, we had a break for a lovely iced 🧊 coffee ☕️.
    But, not knowing what we fancied for dinner, or where to eat it, we walked through the hotel's marina, where the ongoing conference at the hotel had commandeered the Gooshter beach club restaurant (again). So onwards again, we walked and headed for the same restaurant; the Amigos, as the previous night with tables on the beach ⛱️ and we settled for Greek salad 🥗 and a side of chips 🍟 😀 😋 and another beautiful sunset 🌇.
    Walking back through the throng of conference delegates spilt out across the walkway we stopped for a photo 📸 as the sun peeped over the hills only to be confronted by one of the mingling drinks waiters who insisted I take a beer 🍺 and Jayne a wine 🍷 😀 😉    Leia mais

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  • 1st Holiday of 2025
    2

    Sunset Dinner

    9 de junho de 2025, Croácia ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

    Picture the scene, tables, and chairs set out 🍽☁️on the beach ⛱️, relaxing music 🎶 🎵 being played from speakers 🔊 hidden in the palm trees 🌴, waves 🌊 gently rolling in along the shoreline, the sun cascading a beam of orange light across the sea as it slowly sinks downwards and hides behind the hillside 🌄. All this and a waiter constantly bring you wine 🍷, beer 🍺 and lovely food 🍲 and you have our experience of dinner for 2 at a restaurant called The Amigos, on the beach ⛱️
    Then, as the dying sunshine kept on going west, the light from the moon replaced the orange cascade on the water with its own version of a silver cascade from the opposite direction. The evening was so nice we stopped off at the hotel's bar;overlooking the marina for a night cap with Jayne having a glass of wine from the maternal side of her family, here in Croatia called Griffin Rose. They also produce a Griffin Champagne 🍾 as well.    Leia mais

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  • 1st Holiday of 2025
    1

    Diocletian's Palace

    9 de junho de 2025, Croácia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    After slipping quietly past the guards 💂‍♀️💂‍♂️ at the Golden Gate; originally built for the private use of the Roman Emperor Diocletian and his family of the Diocletian's Palace; built around the end of the third century AD. While it is referred to as a "palace" because of its intended use as the retirement residence of Diocletian, the term can be misleading as the structure is massive and more closely resembles a large fortress: about half of it was for Diocletian's personal use, and the rest housed the military garrison and today forms about half of the old town of Split.Leia mais

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  • 1st Holiday of 2025

    Follow That Ship 🚢 .....

    9 de junho de 2025, Croácia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Last night, we watched 👀 a cruise 🛳 ship 🚢 departing Split, and this morning, another cruise ship took its place.
    After another leisurely breakfast, we ordered an Uber taxi 🚕 to take us into Split for our first look around this ancient city. Although the beginnings of Split are traditionally associated with the construction of Diocletian's Palace in 305, the city was founded several centuries earlier as the Greek colony of Aspálathos, or Spálathos. It is thought the city was founded around the 3rd or 2nd century BC.
    Having been dropped off on Livanjska, we made our way downhill towards the sea front, pausing to have photos taken touching for luck the feet of the Sculpture by Ivan Meštrović, a gargantuan statue of the 10th-century Croatian bishop; Grgur Ninski, who fought for the right to use old Croatian in liturgical services instead of Latin. It is said that rubbing the toe brings good luck and guarantees that you’ll come back to Split. (although I don't think anyone would want to touch my big toe and come back to Blackpool!!. 🤣
    After having a refreshing drink watching the world go by sat by the Croatian National Water Revival Waterfront or the more commonly known RIVA, we saw the cruise ship 🚢 that had arrived a couple of hours before us.
    Refreshed, we set off on another mission; after suitcase 🎒 buying in New Zealand 🇳🇿 / Australia 🇦🇺, warm clothes 🧥🧣🧤 buying in Prague, Czech Republic 🇨🇿 . I now need to buy a new sun hat 👒 in Croatia 🇭🇷 after my new old one survived Australia 🇦🇺 to UK 🇬🇧 via Dubai 🇦🇪, but didn't survive UK to Croatia!! 😭    Leia mais

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  • 1st Holiday of 2025

    Relaxation Sunday

    8 de junho de 2025, Croácia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    We woke up to what looks to be another warm and relaxing Sunday. Even the traffic going past our hotel 🏨 has taken the day off. So I was able to photograph 📸 the murals painted on the wall on the main road near our hotel. We managed to get our "own" table for breakfast this morning in the shade on the terrace. After breakfast, we had our first chance to chat with our Tui representative, but he wasn't much help by saying most tours start from Split!!! So, slightly none the wiser we made our way back to the sunbeds.
    Later in the day and after thinking the mid-day sun was cooling, we set off on a walk 🚶‍♂️ 🚶‍♀️ around the bay towards Stobreč, and it's marina we can see from our hotel. Unfortunately, after about a mile, the heat 🥵 beat us, and we retreated back to our sunbeds, but not before I managed to get my mum a postcard. The next goal is to buy a stamp!!
    As the sun started it's decent and we were dressed for the evening. we headed for the Lav Marina for a pizza 🍕 at Conlemanis. Before walking on further around our local bay in search of other restaurants to try during our stay.    Leia mais

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  • 1st Holiday of 2025
    1

    1st Full Day

    7 de junho de 2025, Croácia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Woke up to a beautiful sunny and quiet Saturday morning around the hotel and on the sea front. Well, quiet until we went for breakfast looking and for a nice outside but shaded table. As there wasn't one free we (unwittingly) stole somebody elses, after I saw a table being cleaned. As Jayne and I merrily ate our breakfast, the original occupants came back to retrieve a phone hidden under a placemat and sat at another table - oprosti ! (sorry!).
    After breakfast, we took our lives in our hands walking 🚶‍♂️ 🚶‍♀️ along the side of a busy road (one side at a standstill 🚗 🚗 🚗) to the local supermarket for a couple of hotel room essentials 🍷🍷🍻.
    Back at the hotel, we changed and found a couple of sun loungers for a spot of serious relaxation.
    After a swim 🏊‍♂️ 🏊‍♀️ in the pool followed by the obligatory lie in the sun to get dry we went for a walk down the Promenade and stopped off at the beach restaurant of the Hotel San Antonio for a lovely Greek Salad 🥗 over looking the waterfront. (Photo #8).
    After walking back to our hotel 🏨 and our sun beds, we remained there for the rest of the afternoon until it was time to get changed for our dinner reservation at the restaurant Port 74.
    As the sun went down Jayne and I enjoyed a lovely fish 🐟 meal of Oven Baked Sliced Sea Bass Fillet for Jayne; accompanied by Eggplant Salad & Grilled Shrimp, whilst I had the Grilled Brill Fish Fillet with Sea Asparagus, Spinach, spring Onion, Tomatoes and Glazed Carrots in a lemon butter sauce 😋    Leia mais

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  • 1st Holiday of 2025

    Travel Day

    6 de junho de 2025, Croácia ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    Our 1st holiday of 2025, yes, this is our 3rd trip abroad, but the big trip in January wasn't a relaxing holiday as there was too much to see and do! Prague last month was really a city break long weekend away, so again, not a relaxing holiday!! 😀
    So here we are in Croatia 🇭🇷 at the hotel Le Meridien Lav in Podstrana on the outskirts of Split.
    The day started well with our ride 🚕 to the airport 🛫 arriving early. At 01:45 am as you would expect the roads were extremely quiet and so by 02:50 we had checked our bags in and were heading through security and onto the departures area where the San Marco was about to open. After a leisurely "full" English breakfast with a coffee ☕️ chaser, we left about 90 minutes later. At 05:30, our gate number was announced, and by 06:50, we were taking off, leaving the rain 🌧 and Manchester behind as we jetted to the sunshine 🌞 and split. Bags 🎒 🎒 collected and transport found we arrived at the hotel 45 minutes later and yes Croatia has Friday traffic as well. 🚗 🚗 🚗
    Fortunately, our room was ready; some 4 1/2 hrs before the formal check-in time. So unpack, check out the pool, and by midday, we are enjoying our first Croatian beers 🍻 🍺 🍺
    After a bite to eat, we relaxed for the rest of the afternoon on the stony beach, treading gingerly to the waters edge for a cool down.
    Apart from what looked like a church on fire on the hillside, the day ended with a lovely sunset 🌇
    Footnote: we later found out that the church wasn't on fire but actually taking part in a religious ceremony of burning frankincense resin a well-known practice; unless you are not Croatian 🇭🇷, Where it's used for its aroma and believed to purify the air. Burning frankincense involves heating the resin, typically on charcoal or on a censer, which releases a fragrant smoke.    Leia mais

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  • Prague

    On The Way Home 🏡

    19 de maio de 2025, República Checa ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    After breakfast, we checked out, leaving our bags behind the reception desk ready for our 1:00 pm taxi 🚕 back to the airport. Not wandering too far from the hotel, we came across one of the oldest brewery's in Prague. Soon enough, it was time to head back and onwards to the airport 🛫 for our flight home. Which all went extremely smoothly, and by 18:50 that evening we were on our train heading out of Manchester Airport bound for Poulton-le-Fylde.Leia mais

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  • Prague

    I Spy 👁

    18 de maio de 2025, República Checa ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    After lunch at the Hotel Jalta, Ian and I went on the Cold War Museum tour in a bunker within the foundations of the Hotel Jalta.
    In 1989 a fallout shelter was discovered under Jalta`s basement. It is spread over two floors with a capacity to accommodate 150 people. Intended to be used as a headquarters for the Warsaw Pact countries, it is believed that the Jalta hotel was purposefully built as a disguise to hide the bunker. The shelter was later used by the Secret Police to spy on hotel guests and foreign dignitaries. Now converted into a Cold War Museum.Leia mais

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  • Prague

    A Step Back in Time

    18 de maio de 2025, República Checa ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    After breakfast and with less than an hour remaining on our Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour, we jumped on the next bus, getting off at the stop near the Dancing House. 1st point of interest was the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius where in 1942, during World War II, the cathedral was the scene of a last stand made by SOE-trained Czech and Slovak agents involved in the assassination of SS-Obergruppenführer Reinhard Heydrich. SS-Brigadeführer Karl Fischer von Treuenfeld commanded the Waffen-SS forces that stormed the church on 18 June 1942. After a fierce gun battle, two of the Czechoslovaks were killed, and the rest committed suicide to avoid capture. There is a museum in the church crypt dedicated to them as national heroes.
    After a coffee in the Dancing House cafe and a quick saunter in the next street to see the extensive architecture we headed off to Wenceslas Square, one of the main city squares and where many historical events have occurred, a traditional setting for demonstrations, celebrations, and other public gatherings. At the top of the square is the National Museum; a sandstone building pittered with repaired bullet holes in from the 20th August 1968 failed uprising against Soviet led communism that resulted in a brutal invasion by East German, Polish and Bulgarian military that swiftly bringing any chances of reform to an end.    Leia mais

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  • Prague

    Walking up an Appetite

    17 de maio de 2025, República Checa ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Walking back to the hotel, we came across more works of art and for friends Ian and Christine, a local delicacy, ice cream 🍦 chimneys. Later that evening, we walked back towards Charles Bridge to a lovely little restaurant 🍽 we had come across the previous day, and the food was well worth the day and a trip back in time.Leia mais

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