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EUROPE & UK 2024
  • Marnie Tiggemann
  • Marnie Tiggemann

EUROPE & UK 2024

Follow us on our epic journey. A once in a lifetime adventure 30 years in the making. Read more
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  • Marnie TiggemannEUROPE & UK 2024Traveler

    Day 73: London to Knockdown

    June 25, 2024 in England ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Caught the best UBER ever from the hotel to Heathrow. Berat our driver was a Kosovo born immigrant to London at age 16 during the Serbian war. He taught us so much and we learnt so much from him. From how to spot speed cameras to how he escaped the early 90’s war as a 16 year old. Unfortunately Graham told him to drop us at Avis when he’d booked our car through Hertz!! A few courtesy busses later and we were on our way in an upgraded hybrid Volvo. Took me 15mins to learn how to use it, start it and get out the car park. We went to Windsor Castle cos it was on our way. Beers. Drove to Reading to pick a place to stay for the night. Ended up in the classic gorgeous English Inn at Knockdown. I’m in heaven.Read more

  • Marnie TiggemannEUROPE & UK 2024Traveler

    Day 74: Knockdown to Redditch

    June 26, 2024 in England ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Woke to a wonderful home cooked English breakfast. First real bacon in 2 months. I wanted to live here. Met a Perth couple and chatted over breakfast. Two english lit teachers. Great people. Headed to Bristol and it felt great to park IN the city now we have a car not a motorhome. Walked the city monuments. Spent time in Bristol Cathedral where 30 years ago the first 32 women were ordained. Climbed Cabot tower. This has become a fave thing to do to see 360 degree views over the city. Did an op shop: the mall; castle park; the Christmas steps; street art; suspension bridge. Quick drink at Port of Call pub. I was worn out. Slept in the car (first time) then in the hotel room (sticking to pubs from now on). Drinks and bed.Read more

  • Marnie TiggemannEUROPE & UK 2024Traveler

    Day 75: Redditch to Chester

    June 27, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    The hotel wasn’t great but we had clean sheets a great sleep on a comfy bed and a hot shower. All good here. We started bolting down the freeway to Manchester before remembering we were supposed to do our Shakespeare visit to Stratford upon Avon. 15mile turnaround and we were in the quaintest little town ever. We visited Shakespeare’s birthplace; new house; and Ann Hathaways (Mrs. Shakespeare) house. Everyone was so damn friendly. There was a presenter in each room and Peter and Andrew were particularly excellent in educating us on all things Shakespeare and answering our questions. We also popped to the other Shakespeare sites, the Guild church and Holy Trinity. We tried to see Warwick castle but ran out of time as we had booked a house for the next two nights near Liverpool. On arrival it was like I was in the movie the holiday. We raced to the Ploughman but it wasn’t doing meals so ended up at the Ring O’Bells. The pubs here are bloody awesome and the hospitality brilliant.Read more

  • Marnie TiggemannEUROPE & UK 2024Traveler

    Day 76: Liverpool

    June 28, 2024 in England ⋅ 🌬 14 °C

    Big day here. Started on the Beatles magical mystery tour visiting the houses of the boys as well as Penny Lane Strawberry Fields and more. Finished at the Cavern Club where my emotions again got the better of me. Stayed here until our “ferry cross the Mersey” river cruise. We planned to have a drink and head home. Chose the Slaughterhouse pub and thank god we did. We were immediately adopted by the local Liverpudlians (scousers) who talked us into staying for the band. Well a thousand drinks later spent with new friends and an awesome band we stumbled home.Read more

  • Marnie TiggemannEUROPE & UK 2024Traveler

    Day 77: Chester to Rhosybol

    June 29, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Looked around Chester as we were told it was a cool place. They were right. The races were on and everyone was dressed immaculately for it. Mind blowing. Had brekky. Walked the city walls. Went to the old castle from medieval times. Headed to the coast and stopped for lunch at Flynt. This is the one Willy Shakespeare wrote about in Richard 2 and is the site of his abdication. Up the road was Bagilltfield which has its own “Stonehenge”. In other words 8 rocks surrounding a sacrificial stone. By now we are in Wales. Did the laundry in Towyn. Wierd Coney Island feel for bogans. People smoking weed on the street. Moved quickly to our accommodation in Rhosybol which turned out to be a converted horse float with a detached toilet and shower. So fkn cute.Read more

  • Marnie TiggemannEUROPE & UK 2024Traveler
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    Day 78: Rhosybol to Dublin

    June 30, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Left our horse float for the ferry. On the way we investigated Holyhead. The ferry was like the Sealink on steroids. Our car was double deckered above the lower level. I slept most of the ferry ride as per usual. In Dublin we went straight to the Kilmainham goal. This was one of the best presentations so far. Walking through the museum then the goal itself. The stories of the uprisings and the struggles were hard to read. We went to our accommodation which was a room in an air bnb with private bathroom before heading in for the evenings activities. These included the castle; the Taylor Swift concert; dinner and the best seafood chowder outside of New Orleans. Beers at O’Donohues and the Kennedys where Oscar Wilde used to work.Read more

  • Marnie TiggemannEUROPE & UK 2024Traveler

    Day 79: Dublin to Castlroy

    July 1, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Our main aim today was for me to take the Pilgrimage of Blessed Edmund Rice founder of the Christian Brothers and namesake of my College. We visited Kilkenny castle and ate a lovely lunch at Callan. From there we visited Westcourt the birthplace of Edmund Rice. I was disappointed I didn’t get to go inside but the place seemed deserted. From there we drove to Waterford where he opened the school for wayward Irish lads. Again I was disappointed to learn the school was being renovated until Geraldine asked me if I’d like to see his room where he died. She unlocked it for me and said she’d leave me to my thoughts. I’d spent 35 years dedicating my career teaching boys inspired by this man so yeah I was a bit emotional. I also visited the chapel. We went into the Reg in Waterford for needed beers and saw some of the Viking heritage. We stopped at the most amazing castle - the rock of Cashel before settling into our next accommodation just outside of Limerick.Read more

  • Marnie TiggemannEUROPE & UK 2024Traveler

    Day 80: Castlroy to Loughrea

    July 2, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Had a great air bnb stay then into Limerick to check it out. First up was King John’s castle. Pretty cool but could not for the life of me work out who was fighting who in the Irish history. Ate at a FANTASTIC restaurant called the Curragower. Stuffed we walked part of the street art trail and had beers at the Treaty brewery before heading to Bunratty castle. Quick pic then onto the cliffs of Moher. A gazillion people were there but it didn’t matter due to the expanse. Saw the cliffs and climbed the tower the rich landowner had built for guests. Back at the tourist centre, the interactive experience inside was well worth it. Hoofed it to Galway for a quick bite at the Barr an Chaladh pub. Live music, soccer, beers and chicken wings. No complaints. Our accommodation 40 mins out of Galway was at the pub the Auld Triangle. The room was brilliant.Read more

  • Marnie TiggemannEUROPE & UK 2024Traveler

    Day 81: Loughrea to Rostrevor

    July 3, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Had a look around this town and brekky at the bakery. Weather was naff. Plan was to slowly make our way to Rostrevor (graham surprised me by booking accommodation at the Rostrevor Inn). Stopped at a town called Athelone to discover it has the “oldest” Irish pub, Sean’s pub. It’s in the Guinness book of records. Of course we had to have a beer there. The publican was awesome and the waitress was friendly and chatty. I tried my first Guinness - not really me. Drove to the town of Moate but that was a bust. Called into Dundalk for street art and lunch at the Jockey’s bar. The steak and Guinness stew was rich and hearty. Made our way to Carlingfird on the coast via Greenore. Got on the “beach”. Followed the coast around to Rostrevor from Ireland to Northern island. Drove through the Rostrevor forest. Light dinner at the Rostrevor Inn and were delighted with the best room yet.Read more

  • Marnie TiggemannEUROPE & UK 2024Traveler

    Day 82: Rostrevor to Larne

    July 3, 2024 in Northern Ireland ⋅ 🌬 14 °C

    Rostrevor Inn started brekky at 9 but we had the Game of Thrones tour booked so they made us take away bacon sandwiches chips and fruit. So accommodating. The Game of Thrones studio tour was brilliant. Seeing all the original props and costumes including “THE throne”. Rang the kids on the way back to Rostrevor so I could visit the souvenir shop. Raced to Larne to check in to our house then straight to Belfast for the Titanic exhibition. Wow we had 2 hours but you could spend an entire day here. Checked out the city and ate at Granny Annie’s. Walking tour of the city saw us home late.Read more

  • Marnie TiggemannEUROPE & UK 2024Traveler
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    Day 83: Larne

    July 5, 2024 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Spent 2 nights at the house as we had an early boat the following day. Continued along the coastal drive visiting castles and seaside towns. Stopped to walk the rope bridge across to Carrick-a-Rede as they did in the 1700’s fishing for Salmon. Onto the Giants causeway where we were just in time for a guided tour. We loved taking pics here. She told Irish tales in the style of our Dreamtime stories about giants. This was also a set for GOT. We went to Duncluse castle which was another GOT set and finished at the Giants of Spirrin. It was a long day and I bombed early.Read more

  • Marnie TiggemannEUROPE & UK 2024Traveler

    Day 84: Larne to Glasgow

    July 6, 2024 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Extremely early start to catch the ferry over to Cairnryan, Scotland. Grah booked P&O this time for a different experience. The cooked brekky end was noisy and the line up huge so we chillaxed in the video room with Get Smart. We were blessed with a flat as ride. Spotted the Mull of Kintyre during the trip. On land we took the coast road through some towns before arriving at Culzean castle. Another example of 1 hour turning into 3! A wonderful experience. In Glasgow we went to our accommodation at the Ramada. Suffice to say we’re booking Inn’s from now on. We didn’t wanna go right into the heart of Glasgow so ended up at a local pub. No food. Eek. We met a Melbourne guy and talked ages while watching the English make the semi of the European cup. A quick stop for one of the best examples of an Indian restaurant and back to the pub for the band. They were bloody excellent. On the way home some drunk locals chatted to us. I think her words were. “I can understand us wanting to go to Australia but why the feck would you come here”. She wanted a pic with “real” Australians.Read more

  • Marnie TiggemannEUROPE & UK 2024Traveler

    Day 85: Glasgow to Inverness

    July 7, 2024 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Drove through Glasgow and saw a few castles before making our way north to the Scottish highlands. Stopped a couple of times at Loch Lomond and found the wonderful Falls of Falloch. Spent some time with a little girl called Ebony who was scared to put her feet in the water. Wanted to reach Fort Augustus so headed up through spectacular mountainous sights. Reached Fort William for a late lunch at the top of Loch Melfort. Did some shopping. Finally got to Fort Augustus at the base of Loch Ness to do laundry but discovered they were closing the road overnight so we hoofed to Inverness instead. Went on an “Outlander” street walk and stumbled across live music at the Highlander hotel. Apparently we were lucky to witness one of the best Scottish players/singers Calum MacPhail. Check him out. Home to wonderful digs at the Castle Court hotel.Read more

  • Marnie TiggemannEUROPE & UK 2024Traveler

    Day 86: Inverness to Stirling

    July 8, 2024 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    This morning we had to get the laundry done at a sparrow fart before our early Jacobite Loch Ness boat cruise. It was wonderful to see Urquart castle from Outlander fame from the water. Then onto further outlander sites including the battle of Culloden. It was a long drive to Doune castle of Monty Python, Outlander and GOT fame so we went hard. It was brilliant with Terry Gillian and Jamie Fraser guiding us through the castle. We ate at Woodside and stayed at Stirling. Sounds like home. In between we went to the William Wallace memorial.Read more

  • Marnie TiggemannEUROPE & UK 2024Traveler
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    Day 87: Stirling to Falkirk

    July 9, 2024 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    After a slightly over priced but good breakfast today was an outlander film site route. The weather was crappy. We drove up to Stirling castle and decided the best views were from a distance. Found a good vantage point before walking through outlander set Culross Palace and Mercat Cross. The church and Abbey ruins were interesting. Took the new bridge from Dunfermline to Blackness Castle. This was where Jamie Fraser was imprisoned. It was feckin’ freezing. Windy. Rainy. We visited the two kelpies which are spectacular. The Falkirk Wheel - an amazing feat of engineering. Mid-hope castle which is Lallybroch in Outlander. Ate a great meal in Linlithgow and got a glimpse of the palace. Ended up doubling back to Falkirk to sleep. A mere 16 miles away from last nights digs meaning a long drive tomorrow.Read more

  • Marnie TiggemannEUROPE & UK 2024Traveler

    Day 88: Falkirk to Sunderland

    July 10, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Tickets to Linlithgow Palace this morning. Did not disappoint. The last of our Outlander sites. Into Edinburgh for a Thai massage before walking around this amazing city. Castles, churches, street performers, a plethora of shops and tourists, old town was amazing. Heading to Sunderland we stopped off at Newcastle to see the Angel of the North. Checked into the Grand Hotel beach front accommodation and I felt like I was in a Clark Gable movie. The largest room we’ve had with ocean views. Walked to the nearest pub packed to the rafters to watch England make the final of the Euro Cup 2024. Atmosphere was electric. Everyone was so friendly and kept talking to us. Noel on a scholarship to the US for “footy” was a joy to talk too.Read more

  • Marnie TiggemannEUROPE & UK 2024Traveler

    Day 89: Sunderland to Nottingham.

    July 11, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Big sleep in after a big night. Bacon sarnys on the run. Wild waves for a supposed summer. First stop was Middlesbrough. Went to Captain Cooks birthplace. Huge disappointment. Moved on to the amazing York. So many people had told us to go here. Walked through the gardens and I had the opportunity to hold some owls. Walked the old town city walls and visited the Harry Potter like Shambles street and market and the beautiful cathedral. Pub drinks and accommodation booked for Nottingham. At Leeds we drove past Headingly oval where crowds were arriving to watch the women’s 20/20. Visited the amazing Cistercian monks abbey. Along the motorway I realised Sherwood Forest was a real place. Graham was astounded at me. In Nottingham we had our very first hiccup. Accomodation apparently not booked. Booking.com’s fault. They gave us an extra $50 to spend but we still had to do the groundwork. Drank at a pub with a secret cave. Ended up with an accommodation win 5kms down the road.Read more

  • Marnie TiggemannEUROPE & UK 2024Traveler
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    Day 90: Nottingham to London.

    July 12, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    After a wonderful breakfast included in our stay, we hit the road to London. Our last leg of the trip. Went to Nottingham castle and met and chatted to two New Zealand women there on a touch footy trip. They were so cool. Our only other stop was in Cambridge at the university quarter. An amazing place but can see the separation money makes. Turned up at our share rental in London. Close to transport and Michelle our host was lovely. Took the car for its last run to the obligatory Abbey Road crossing and Lords where the upper crust were spilling out after New Zealand’s bollocksing of West Indies. Drove to Heathrow airport to return the car stopping at a terrific pub the Botwell Inn on the way for dinner. Pints for 2 quid! Then it was an hour and a half in two trains back to the apartment.Read more

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