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  • Marina Issy Wigmore Caldwell

Issy & Marina

UK & Europe 2024 Read more
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  • Trip start
    April 18, 2024
  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler
    Exeter view from our room

    Exeter 5am wake up

    April 20, 2024 in England ⋅ ⛅ 4 °C

    4 degrees today but weather is nice. Was to frantic getting through Heathrow to get update. Got to Exeter fine testerday spent 12 pounds on the most revolting luke warm refried chips. We stayed at a loud pub but Marina and I were so tired after 36 hours travel that weslept. Until 2.45 this morning when a well meaning relative decided to ring Marina. down to Truro today.Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler

    Round in circles in Cornwall

    April 20, 2024 in England ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    Woke up in Exeter after passing out at our noisy pub and found a cafe being run by a lovely kiei guy. Cayght a taxi tothe airport and we picked up a Vauxhall crossland. The europcar guy recommended we head off in the wrong direction, and due to closed roads, weroads we did a zigzag ar2 ound north devon until we gave up. We sre now at Truro for the nightRead more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler

    Another Sunny day in Cornwall.

    April 21, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Wandered around the streets of Truro. They have a magnificent gothic catherdral and a really lovely pedestrianized town centre. Went on to Falmouth the port has huge dry dock sat and had hot cross buns for lunch at the port. 29 pence for 4 at Sainsbury s. !!! Thats about 70 cents Everything is so much cheaper here.
    Headed on to the Lizard and then to Polkinghorne Manor
    B ack up the stunning Atlantic coast. St Ives. Hayle. Porthowen and St Agnes Yummy Cornish Pasty for dinner.
    Question of the day. Why can't the English provide decent road signage so you can find your way around.
    Reverse gear got a thrashing today....    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler

    Chilly but Lovely Lincoln

    April 23, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Started with a trip to Lauceston the original seat of Cornwall
    I did not complete a blog yesterday as we spent most of the day on the road from Cornwall to Lincolnshire.
    Notable events include tractors on the M5 motorway and a house cut in 1/2 on 2 trucks, taking up 2 of 3 open lanes on the M6. It is amazing how many times you can go around a roundabout in search of an off ramp.
    We have been spoilt rotten by Katie Wigmore's Aunt Evelyn . Lovely People.
    Freezing day here, but n they took us for a nice wander around Lincoln Cathedral and the central town. Hung out with them and chattered. Relaxing day today, I even spoke to Katie and Royce. Off to Yorkshire tomorrow.    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler
    1

    The Gorgeous county of Yorkshire

    April 24, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    Had a slow start from Lincoln towards Middlesburgh today having had breakfast with Evelyn and Robert. Such lovely people.
    Headed off to Yorkshire and oh what an eye wateringly lovely place.
    Came over the Humber bridge which was utterly frightening for Mrs fraidy of heights. Marina snapped away while I stared at the lane in front of me, hoping not to die. We had lunch in Marlow which is a foodie town⁰ We then headed to Castle Howard and got no view of it as we did not want to pay the exorbitant admission Then over the utterly breathtaking moors. Wow. the vistas go forever over the dales and out to sea.
    Down to Whitby what a groovy little town. Classic tiny streets with a nautical vibe. All the streets the width of a cart.
    We then traveled up the coast to Middlesburgh via some wild beaches and Great Broughton village where our Great Grandma Isobells family was from.
    It was so nice to travel in a county that has road signage. woo hoo, we can travel so much more easily. Love and kisses to Yorkshire. Scotland tomorrow.    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler

    Scotland here we are

    April 25, 2024 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    . Started in Middlesburgh and Marina, and I had a tortuous time trying to escape.
    Stopped in Durham, a stunning little city, then up into Northumberland. It is such a dranatic lanscape. We had lunch in this tiny hamlet called Simons Burn in a b&b and cafe run by a girl from Portland, Oregon.
    We met a really great Scottish couple today. They live on a farm near Galasheils. We both got caught by a road closure, and he knows the area really well and took us on a track near Sunderland Manor that got us back further down the road. We followed Mike and Chistine through, and they invited us home for a cuppa. They are planning a holiday in NZ next year and were positively giddy when Marina told them she had stock on her block and they could stay When we told them that she lived in a dairying area that sealed the deal. Went through Peebles little changed, but there is a Caldwells Ice creamshop now.Managed rhe M8 right around Glasgow with no incidents, and we are now at a stunning hotel at Loch Lomond called the Tarbet HotelWestCoast of Scotland here we come tomorrow    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler
    The road into Applecross
    1

    The long and winding road...

    April 26, 2024 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    Woke up at Tarbet on the bonne bonnie brae of Loch Lomond as the song goes.
    We headed across to Connell and Oban, which are pretty by anyones standards, as is the Fort William.
    But as you get more remote, the real scenery starts happening
    Up to Invergarry, where we had a lovely lunch of lemon crepes from a roadside cart.
    From there to Kyle of Lochalsh, it is jaw-dropping. The road gradients are insane the quality of the roads are between potholed and badly patched to single lane nightmares but the landscape is insane . The colours are really moody every shade of grey and blue.
    As for the road into Applecross . it is 20 odd miles in 2nd gear doing between 20 and 25 mph.
    Google road to Applecross pics to get the idea
    Anyway, Applecross is so remote and so lovely. We have deer grazing on the beach, and highland cattle outside our hostel.    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler
    Oil rig in a loch. Just looks wrong
    Scary RdRudolph on the beach. They are everywhere at ApplecrossEileen donan castle

    Applecross to Glasgow So many lochs

    April 27, 2024 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    Got on the road for 7.30 and made it over the hell road in 30 minutes with no stress this time. The north of the Western Isles is so remote and rugged .Would not want to live there, but it is an amazing area to visit. We were talking to one of the residents, and the locals go over to Inverness about every 10 weeks. It's a 2 1/2 hour drive. They do a massive supermarket shop, go and see a movie, and are all good for more isolation.
    The hostel was full of motorcyclists and hikers.
    There are so many motorcycles on the road. The roads are a motorcyclists dream.
    Flew out of Glasgow and got jnto Belfast about 30 mins later. aot our car a nice little Skoda. It took us about 90 min to find our B & B. Every road in this area begins with Knock, and we did not realise that Knock Rd was also the A55. At 1 point, I went around a roundabout 3 times, searching for the correct Knock. The joys of travel. Up to the giants causeway tomorrow via the coast rd which was recommended by the lively Irish guy from rental car co.    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler

    Northern Ireland a Gentle beauty

    April 28, 2024 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    Arrived last night in Belfast. It's a lovely little city. We did a 90 min open top bus tour. So freakin cold but really interesting. Went through Falls Rd and Shankhill were so close togethor. The proddys in Shankhill show great love of the royal family with large billboards of the Queen and King in all their glory.
    came away just so sad at the memorial to another stupid conflict. There is a huge amount of murals and street art all over the city. Much sympathy is shown for the Palestinians, too.
    The couthouse was a huge old building with a 10 foot thick wall around it. During the troubles the preferred means of attack were car bombs and this prevented too much damage to the court building.
    The prison is across the road and there is an underground tunnell connecting them.
    The economy here is pretty good. There is a lot of construction going on and a vibrant central city area. I just loved it. There are not many cities I like either .
    Wethen went inland and had lunch at the village Bellymena where our ggg grandfather was born, and we found the church at Ahogill where they were married just a few miles down the road .
    Headed out to the Atlantic coast, and Scotland seems so close.Lovely drive up to the giants causeway. The riads are so much better naintained than jn England and Scotland
    The Giants' causeway was amazing and really strange. The rocks were so uniform.
    Now, at Londonderry for the night. You will all be pleased to know I went around the roundabout 3 times and needlessly over the Foyle bridge in the search for our accomodation. This happens nearky every night. See ya tomorrow. 😊    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler
    The Old Post Office B&B

    A Rainy day Londonderry to Enniskillen.

    April 29, 2024 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    We have had our first really rainy day today. Stayed at a lovely hotel, the WaterfootHotel, on the outskirts of Londonderry. It is a waled city and they are completely intact , but the place itself is a bit blah.
    The town itself is very small but has some great bridges over the river Foyle.
    We had a really exciting 90 min getting our laundry washed and dried. The laundromat is outdoor washing machines in a supermarket car park. Marina and Isat in the car and read our books and had brews.
    The drive down here to Enniskillen was slow with roadwork and rain. However, the welcome we got from our our host Sam Jennings at the Old Post office could not have been warmer. He is a true Irish host. We are staying well off the beaten track out in the country. We are off for dinner soon at the local pub .
    IDid not have any 3 trips around a roudabout today, but got lost in Enniskillen looking for the B riad that got us to this little outpost 8 mile out of Ennikillen. This is McAuley country. Our host will direct us to a spot where we can see 6 counties. Full report with photos tomorrow. ✌️ ☮️    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler
    The Old Post Office
    Enniskillen Castle FermanaghEnniskillen castleFishing on the River ErneMore fishing on the River ErneJohn Caldwellour wheels in Ireland a Skoda v nice

    Number42 Enniskillen to Galway.

    April 30, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    Breakfast at the Old Post Office We got talking to host Sam again about metaphysics, religion politics,and the life the universe and everything. What a nice guy. He wants to move down to Aus or NZ because he sees no future in Europe. He will teach meditation and live in a better environment.
    I have been amazed at how negative the Brits are about their society and where it is headed. One guy who has 2 kids in NZ and 2 in Britain couldn't understand why we would come here on holiday.
    The streets are full of unhappy looking people.
    Not so in Ireland people are warm, friendly, and only bugger is that it is the Emerald Isle as it rains so muchDid not fo to the high point to view anything as it is raining with no cloud.
    Enniskillen was a sweet little place where the city is on an island. We went to the castle and had a nosy around. I was fascinated with this guy fishing using a pole, not a rod, and catching fish after fish. I watched for about 15 minutes, and he caught 3. No bait, just gently lowering a fly and hook into the water and gently bobbing it.
    We bought a bit of tourist tat and then drove onto Beleek pottery, which was started by a John Caldwell. There is a Caldwell castle nearby, but it was 15 miles in another direction, so I skipped that.
    Marina bought a gorgeous lamp, which is being shipped out.
    Fermanagh is a stunningly beautiful county. The Mc Auleys came from a fine pllace.
    It was pretty crappy weather, so we just motored on down to Galway.
    We got Sat Nav going, and an Aussie chick got us straight here
    Haven't slept so well the past few nights, so I hope to crash tonught. On to Kenmare for 2 nights tomorrow ✌️ ☮️    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler
    Ciffs of MoherRing of Kerrylough at KenmareThe ladies placeSculpture at Kenmare

    Galway to Kenmore Atlantic coast

    May 1, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    Stopped the night in Galway another Blah city. Getting in last night was a nightmare. We got caught in a traffic jam, so ditched out and sat at Subway until the traffic eased.
    We left early this am and headed to the Cliffs of Moher. The photos do not do it justice. They are spectacular. Bought a bit of tat from the gift shop. 🎁
    Headed to Kenmare, our destinations and the scenery went from ordinary to shunning.
    We are based in Kenmare in a gorgeous apartment beside a beautiful river about 3 kms outside the pretty town . To get here, we drove across the top of the ring of Kerry. The scenery was gob smacking. Photos attached.
    Off to bed soon it has been a long but good day As usual, we had trouble finding our accomodation for the night. We had to ring the guy and ask him to meet to guide us to his place. Turned out , I phoned him from his driveway😤    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler
    Sculpture st Kenmare
    Sea loch at Kenmare3 tarns inland on Beara PeninsulaView fron Cara pass to Bantry BayBantry BayFleet at CastletownbareTunnel one of 3

    Kenmare a drizzly but enjoyable day

    May 2, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    When we got to Kenmare yesterday, the plan was to go around the Ring of Kerry. However, this intrepid duo managed to knock off the top end of it with the route we took on the way into Kenmare yesterday.
    We spoke to our host Nick, and he recommended the much lesser known lBeara Peninsula was better and was far less touristy. And we avoid 93 tour buses 🚌 Yay.
    Well, despite the drizzle, it was cracking good. We traveled down the upper side facing the Ring of Kerry with lits of lochs and glades and sea views to Castletownbare, which is a sizable town that has a large fishing fleet I think it may be lobster fishing, but I'm not completely sure.
    The trip back was fab. Looking across at Bantry Bay, the beaches were great, but the climb up to the Cara pass was fantastic . We could see the Atlantic for milesThere were tunnels through the black shale rock, and the road was like a good Coromandel trip.
    As usual, the pics don't capture the sheer awesomeness!!
    Got back to the lovely apartment for 4 pm. We are having a quiet evening in having only spent 4 hours traveling today.
    Off to Waterford tomorrow, and then it is our last stop in IEire of Dublin.See y'all.    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler
    1

    On to Waterford from Kenmare

    May 3, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Left lovely Kenmare totday. Before we left, we meet Willow, our hosts dog. She is adorable. This is hard to report on it is a bland arsa to travel through after the lovely west coast .
    We had a fq meal tonight. All of the pubs we have been to have had good food .
    We will go and look at Waterford crystal tomorrow and then on to Dublin    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler
    Wicklow Jail
    1Waterfront at WaterfordPub st Waterford where we had dinnerDinner

    Dublin our final stop in Eire

    May 4, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    2 nights here, and we are off to Paris. We arrived in Dublin, and 80000 Irish rugby fans were off to see Leinster play Northamtonshire. at a stadium near. our hotel. The streets were packed. watched most of it on telly was a good game with a kiwi named manof the match. Leinster won, so there won't be too much carnage in the bars tonight.
    Backtracking, we spent the night in Waterford. It's a pretty town with a big crystal factory and lots of Viking stuff. Had a cheap and cheerful pub meal of sub sandwich. The B & B was run by a horse racing mad couple. Everywhere were pictures of horses TVs with horses. Just 🐎. Everywhere.
    On the road, the southeast is almost NZish with green hills and farms.
    .We have gotten used to seeing tractors. housing being moved and all sorts of vehicles on the motorways. But A WOMAN OUT WALKING HER COLLIE DOG ALONG THE MOTORWAY NO BARRIERS AND WE ARE DOING 120km per hour!!!! Some expletives fell out of my mouth.
    Moved off the motorway to the coast road and found more wind turbines in the Celtic Sea . Weird sight. Wind turbines are everywhere in the UK and Ireland.
    Stopped at Wicklow, see the jail attached very sweet village.
    Got talking to an Irish American in our hotel bar. Interesting guy, he is a materials engineer who was part of the development team for fibre. in the mid-1980s.
    I'm off to explore Dublin tomorrow. Looking forward to it.
    Full report tomorrow over and out.    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler
    The spire on O"Connell St
    Guineas distilleryGuiness storehouseBridge over the River LiffeyGate to Dublin CastleIrish JalopyCafe in St Pats parkLunch in St Patrcks park

    Dublin on a sunny Sunday

    May 5, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    The city is packed with people. We got on a hop on hop off tor bus and went to Dublin castle and sat in the park and had lunch in a balmy 16 degree C ☀️.
    We are off to find a laundromat shortly. Wow, the fun. Also, we will go to an Irish pub around the corner and listen to some Irish music tonight.Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler
    Bridge over the LiffeyLunch in aSt Pstricks park

    A sunny day in Dublin

    May 5, 2024 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    It was a beautiful day in Dublin. Hottest temps of this trip at 16 degrees.. We did a hop on hop off tour and went to Dublin cStle and then lunch in St Patricks parkBack to base and a wild couple if hours at a Laundromat and then dineer and getting packed up for Paris.Dublun is just heaving with people . The central city is so crowded it is not too lpleasant to get around.
    Off to Paris tomorrow. for 4 days.    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler
    our neighbourhood in Paris
    view from our apartment

    Paris Arrivee

    May 6, 2024 in France ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    We have just got into our aParis partment in the. Marina gas gone to the supy and we are awaiting the arrival of Centaine.
    Bit stressful on arrival we could not find the contact but we got hold of him thank goodness.
    We got public transport from Orly so quite lleased there were no problems there.
    More will be posted tomorrow    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler
    View from roof of Galleries Lafayette
    Galleries LafayetteOn top of the Gallery LafayetteInside Gallery Lafayette1Arc de Triomphedoesn't need a caption

    A lday in Paris City centre.

    May 7, 2024 in France ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    We hopped on the metro this morning, and we must have bought an AT jinx with us as we had to change trains 3 times. The driver just switched out the lights out on the train and waited for us to get off at a platform and then took off. Getting on the next train can only be described as a scrum. Anyway, we got into the 9th and discovered the lovely L"Opera building covered in huge great Chanel ads. Not very attractive. Went on to Galleries Lafayette, and they have turned the roof into a huge viewing platform. It was just beautiful up there today.
    We went on to a 2 .5 hour 1hop on hop off bus tour, which we will do again tomorrow
    We got back to the 9th at about 3.30 PM. and had a very late lunch.
    Got back to the apartment about 5.30 and everyone is really tired.
    Tomorrow, Marina Centaine and Alecks are heading to Versailles. I will be back in Paris for the hop on hop off tour again.    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler
    Rue de Fontarabie , 20th Arrondisement.
    Home Sweet home

    Quiet day in Paris

    May 8, 2024 in France ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Change of plan today. Got quite sunburnt yesterday! Looked out the windo, and it was misty and cool. Marina Centaine and and Aleks went off to Versailles and are going to the Eiffel Tower tonight.It will be nice for heer to have a day with the girls.
    I have had a really quiet day doing the laundry and relaxing at the apartment.
    Not exciting, but I am very happy for a quiet day.
    We are having dinner at a small Italian restaurant. Thank goodness Alecks is here to intepret, which is wonderful .
    see you tomorrow. 😘    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler

    Montmatre c'est Bon

    May 9, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Got off to a slow start this AM. We were up to 11.30 PM last night chatting with Centaine and Alecks. I decided to go to the Supy across the road about 9 AM, but no lifts working.
    Fortunately, the building manager popped his head out, and he phoned the repair people.
    Over 500 residents in ths complex.
    We got going at midday and gad aproblem free metro ride to Montmatre.
    We could not get into Sacre Couer today. The queues were insane It is a holiday here celebrating Christ's ascension, so we could not have chosen a worse day.
    However we went next door to the beautiful Eglise Saint Pierre and it was lovely. We lit a candle for Wiggy, too.
    We wandeed around and got a bad portrait done and bought some more tourist tat Lunch was at an creperie. Sorry, Scott.The crepes were delicious even if the french pronounce them as craps.
    I came home as my knee had had enough, and the others have gone in for a boat trip on the Seine.
    Last day in Paris off to Amsterdam tomorrow morning.    Read more

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