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The blog is a record of our travels for ourselves, but you are welcome to follow it and get inspiration for your own trips. We love our home town of Ashburton NZ and recommend that all travelers should come to New Zealand. Meer informatie Ashburton, New Zealand
  • ReizigerEuropean Christmas 2023 /2024
    Dag 30

    Day 29 Cambridge, UK

    5 januari, Engeland ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    Wow! We have probably found our second most favourite place of the trip. After a reasonably easy and straightforward trip from Nottingham to Cambridge, we parked up to find the most beautiful city, full of history and character. The flat is perfect and walking distance to town. In one day we managed to tick off several of the 21 things recommended to be done in Cambridge. First off we stopped for brunch at Fitzbillies - a delicious and much needed sandwich/ sausage roll. We then wandered the streets, stoppping at Great St Mary’s Church to climb the 150 steps on the tower for a great view over Cambridge. We then carried on past many ornate and beautiful buildings including King’s College Chapel. There were several other churches and many gorgeous buildings, all of which were later identified and explained on our one and a half hour Hop On Hop Off bus tour around Cambridge. We were amazed at how big the city is and how the university is the absolute heart of the city with many colleges spread all around. By now it was neatly dark and very cold as we were in the open topped top storey of the bus. We got off the bus and settled into The Mitre pub for some warmth, a drink and then an early dinner. We decided then to walk around the corner to find Jack’s Gelato for a delicious ice cream for dessert. We walked it off as we made our way in darkness back through town, down some back streets and then to our flat. We can’t wait to explore further tomorrow.Meer informatie

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  • ReizigerEuropean Christmas 2023 /2024
    Dag 29

    Day 28 Nottingham, UK

    4 januari, Engeland ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C

    Nottingham will not be on my list of places in the world you must visit, but we have made the most of the day but there will be few photos! We drove here in two hours and it was a reasonably busy road, but an easy drive into the city, where our hotel is very close to the centre. It’s an old fashioned hotel but described on Google as ‘ one of the most prestigious boutique hotels in Nottingham’. We walked around town for an hour or so before finding lunch at a very average restaurant. We decided to then visit the National Justice Museum in the Lace Market area of Nottingham, England. The museum is housed in a former Victorian courtroom, prison, and police station and is therefore a historic site where an individual could be arrested, tried, sentenced and executed. Our visit began with a theatrical performance in the courtroom with some audience participation, including David as Constable Dodd. Quite funny and a good start to exploring the museum which was interesting. I did however have my second panic attack of the day as we went down into the dungeons and pits where prisoners had been incarcerated and I could not see an exit sign (my first had been when the hotel lift did not open immediately). Anyway I survived both. We wandered back but were too late to visit Nottingham castle. After a short rest we headed out to find the Thai Street Food restaurant we had found online and we were not disappointed as the food and atmosphere at Zaab was excellent. We wandered back and had a relaxing drink at a very quiet bar across the road and that too was enjoyable but we are really surprised at how quiet the city is with few people around. Nottingham is not what we expected even though it is the 9th biggest city in the UK. It generally seems very run down and the people look pretty miserable. It is the first city we have noticed to have a lot of homeless people. We are pleased to have only one night here even though the day ended nicely.Meer informatie

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  • ReizigerEuropean Christmas 2023 /2024
    Dag 28

    Day 27 York, UK

    3 januari, Engeland ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    Today more than made up for the average day yesterday. The morning was fine with the ground fog and sunlight creating a lovely scene from the back door. We left mid morning to collect some groceries from the nearby M&S Food Hall, before detouring 20 minutes to Castle Howard. Castle Howard is a private residence and has been the home of the Carlisle branch of the Howard family for more than 300 years. We paid to enter the property and view the surrounds, and it truly was beautiful, especially as it was such a clear still morning. The reflections on the large ponds were stunning as was the building itself. We left there to return our groceries before running up to the road to catch the bus which kindly waited for us. Town was completely different today as everything was open and lots of people were out, many with their dogs. We had a lovely coffee in a cafe above a bookshop before splitting up for some shopping. Alanna found a beautiful coat which was on sale and is now heading back to London with her. After two hours we met up with David and walked a short distance to the museum gardens for some serious squirrel spotting. Within 30 metres we had found three of them and they were so tame they took the nuts we had brought with us, from our hands. Further down the path there were several more and we spent ages trying to get the ultimate photo. The grounds of the museum were themselves beautiful as they are set against the stunning backdrop of the medieval ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey. We wandered back into town for our final drink in York at the The Punch Bowl that had its own very interesting history. We caught the bus home and settled in for yet another delicious ‘hunters and gatherers’ dinner. It was the end of a perfect day and we are now ready to leave tomorrow for Nottingham.Meer informatie

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  • ReizigerEuropean Christmas 2023 /2024
    Dag 27

    Day 26 York, UK

    2 januari, Engeland ⋅ 🌧 7 °C

    It was already raining when we got up this morning but Alanna still headed off for a run. On her return we decided to explore Yorkshire a bit more dispite the weather. We first visited a town full of character called Knaresborough. The town centre is above the River Nidd and its main feature is the railway viaduct which was best viewed from the medieval castle remains above it. We walked around the streets and only about half the little shops were open as it was only the 2nd of January. We drove on to the next town which was Pateley Bridge. The drive was on very narrow roads with stone walls on either side and there was a lot of surface water. Pateley Bridge was also full of character and perched on a steep hillside. We stopped into a very old fashioned pub for a pie and veggie lunch. We then moved onto Grassington which was another town on a steep hillside. The shops were interesting but very small and old fashioned and the buildings full of character. By now it was 3 pm and already getting dark so we decided to find a route home. I was driving and again it was a huge test of my skills as I negotiated many roundabouts in the dark, a lot of water on the roads, and also a huge build up of transport around the city of Harrogate and persistent rain. We were so pleased to get home and inside and relax. At 6 30pm we headed into town for a lovely pizza at an Italian restaurant. It was a dismal night with few out and all under umbrellas, including the group going by on one of the many ‘deathly dark ghost tours’ run in the city- a good night for that!Meer informatie

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  • ReizigerEuropean Christmas 2023 /2024
    Dag 26

    Day 25 York, UK

    1 januari, Engeland ⋅ 🌧 5 °C

    The first day of 2024 began with brilliant sunshine and a warmer morning. We walked the 40 minutes into town, passing rural farmland and then many lovely terraced houses. Once in town, it was a short walk to York Minster and we were very pleased to have bought tickets to go in, as it was absolutely beautiful and there was so much to see, including the underground chapel and museum. The history of its construction was fascinating as we considered it was first built in 1080 with many reconstructions since and finally being completed in 1472. We left there for the JORVIK Viking Centre which is a museum and visitor attraction in York, containing lifelike mannequins and life-size dioramas depicting Viking life in the city. We were taken through the dioramas in small carriages equipped with speakers. It was created by the York Archaeological Trust and opened in 1984. It is a truly interactive experience as the sounds and smells add to what you are viewing to give a really good picture of what life was like. We left there to find York much quieter today as many of the shops were shut for New Years Day. After a stop for a coffee we wandered around many old streets and came across the bridge over the River Ouse, which appeared high and flooding some businesses on its banks. As the bus was not running we decided to Uber back for some more relaxation and a delicious dinner of the cheeses, ham and crackers we had purchased yesterday, before playing cards. There is so much to see in York itself, but tomorrow we will venture to the East Yorkshire countryside.Meer informatie

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  • ReizigerEuropean Christmas 2023 /2024
    2
    Dag 25

    Day 24 York, UK

    31 december 2023, Engeland ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    The last day of 2023 and a lovely relaxing day spent in York. We all had a much needed sleep in before cooking some breakfast and then heading out to yet another farm shop and an M&S food hall to find food for the next couple of days. The drive out into the country was interesting and we saw some lovely homes. The farmland however seems very water logged and muddy. We returned to the house to catch up on a few jobs that needed sorting and then walked 200m to the bus stop. The ride was less than 15 minutes and dropped us in the centre of town. The cathedral York Minster is huge and dominates the area but the busiest area is The Shambles. The Shambles is a historic street featuring preserved medieval buildings, some dating back as far as the 14th century. The street is narrow, with cobblestones and many timber-framed buildings. It was packed with tourists like ourselves struggling to find a space to take a good photo. We wandered down many similar streets before climbing a small tower to arrive on the wall that surrounds York. York has, since Roman times, been defended by walls of one form or another. To this day, substantial portions of the walls remain, and York has more miles of intact wall than any other city in England. The view from the walls was down over the old part of the city and also into the back gardens of many homes. We left the wall for a brief look in some of the more modern shops, and then headed into a very quaint and old pub for a lovely drink. By 5 30pm it was time to locate the restaurant we had booked for dinner. The Guy Fawkes Inn was busy, with it being New Years Eve, and our meals were delicious. Alanna had the dessert of the day which was a banoffee pie which came in a small toffee tin which amazed us all. We then caught an uber which brought us home in ten minutes. After two lovely calls to Brenna and Shaun we were all off to bed by 10 30pm. It will be morning before we welcome in 2024 in York.Meer informatie

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  • ReizigerEuropean Christmas 2023 /2024
    Dag 24

    Day 23 York, UK

    30 december 2023, Engeland ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    Another long travelling day as we left our Dublin hotel at 6 30 am to catch our 9 20 am flight, only to find it delayed by two hours. We finally left Dublin at 11 45. We find Aer Lingus a very interesting airline. The flight attendant of which there were two, was at one point running down the aisle to shut the doors and then he and the other older female attendant were taking selfies behind us while waiting for the plane to start moving. Interesting that the passengers had been told not to use their phones to photograph the flight attendants! We finally arrived in Newcastle where there was no direction or path marked our for how to get into the terminal! Consequently we were then relieved to see our suitcases on the conveyer belt. To top it off we dealt with a cowboy at the rental car portacom so we’re pleased to get on the road by 1 30. The drive south was around the outside of Newcastle and Middlesbrough and then towards York. The only highlight was passing the Angel of the North . We had one stop in a lovely town called Yarm to visit a farm shop and pick up some supplies. It was an interesting place as it has a high viaduct for a train running through it. The rest of the journey was in rain with Alanna giving David very clear instructions on how to exit roundabouts in order to reach our destination, The Piglets Air B n B. It is beautiful accomodation with a rural outlook even though it is only 50 mins walk to the city and a bus runs from the gate. We have 5 days here so plenty of time to relax and also explore Yorkshire.Meer informatie

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  • ReizigerEuropean Christmas 2023 /2024
    Dag 23

    Day 22 Dublin, Ireland

    29 december 2023, Ierland ⋅ 🌬 6 °C

    David has made a miraculous recovery and just as well as today’s outings required nearly 20000 steps! We have been so lucky with the weather and again the sky was blue with the sun shining even though it was cool. We had a quick breakfast at the hotel and headed by tram to the Guinness Storehouse. After two hours there I had to remind David and Alanna that there was plenty more to see in Dublin. The Guinness Storehouse is an amazing place to visit with the icing on the cake being the free pint of Guinness with a view at Gravity Bar, Dublin’s highest bar and our faces being printed on the head of the beer. The view over the whole of Dublin is amazing as was the relaxed atmosphere (shame I don’t like beer). We left there for a walk to the centre of town and George’s Street Arcade. Along the way we came across The Molly Malone statue as well as many other beautiful and interesting buildings. We stopped for lunch at a cosy little cafe before heading up Grafton Street, the main shopping street. It was packed and there were lots of cool buskers singing at every second corner. With the beautiful Christmas lights and shop windows, it was a lovely place to be. We wondered around the corner to the Little Museum of Dublin where we went on a very amusing tour through the old Victorian house. The lady guiding us was very dramatic and funny, but also gave a very succinct story of Ireland's history. We left there at 4 30 to locate Temple Bar. There was no mistaking it as there were crowds of people everywhere and probably the best Christmas light display ( inside and out) that we have seen yet. The bar we were in was buzzing and we quickly found a gorgeous little corner to sit in and enjoy a drink and watch everyone, while listening to some great singing, which included Don’t Dream It’s Over by Crowded House. We left there to wander 200m down the street to the restaurant we had booked earlier in the day for dinner. It was our best meal yet- truly Irish with David having the Shepherds Pie and Alanna and I having the chicken Boxty. Boxty is a traditional Irish potato pancake and it was delicious. But the bread and butter dessert and Baileys cheesecake that followed was also amazing, which moved Gallagher's Boxty House Dublin to the top of our list of best meals. As if we hadn’t done enough walking, we wandered back (30 mins) along the Liffey, admiring all the light displays especially that of the the Samuel Beckett Bridge which was truly spectacular, and also a very large government building with an amazing light display projected on its facade. We loved Dublin and possibly regretted not having another day here, but instead will be heading tomorrow to the airport at 6 30 am to fly to New Castle and then drive to York.Meer informatie

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  • ReizigerEuropean Christmas 2023 /2024
    Dag 22

    Day 21 Dublin, Ireland

    28 december 2023, Ierland ⋅ 🌬 7 °C

    A long and exhausting day. David has succumbed to the cold he’s been fighting and so we headed into Westport (population 4000) at 9 am in search of breakfast and a doctor! Within a minute of ordering food at a quaint little cafe the doctor rang to say he could come right now. Alanna and I sat back and enjoyed our coffee and first scone of the trip, while he headed off thankful to be getting seen so quickly and just around the corner. He returned 45 minutes later with prescription for sinus infection and we wandered around some old fashioned shops before setting off at 11am for Dublin with me taking over the driving. The scenery was mainly uninteresting as we were on a motorway, and two hours later we detoured for lunch and a break at a terrible town called Longford- really not Ireland at it best. We went to a coffee shop which looked somewhat smart to be served cheese toasties with a side of potato chips! Back in the car the next hour or so proved stressful as I negotiated the busy road into Dublin including a 4.5 km road tunnel and 120 km speed Limit. The weather had changed dramatically and it poured with rain and had become very dark- as had our moods. We found our accomodation down by the docks which is still handy to town and dropped our bags, before driving for another 15 minutes to return our car to the city depot. We could not believe it’s unmarked back street location or the fact we had to leave again to get petrol even though we had been told not to fill it up. Finally we taxied back to the accomodation with little time to spare as we were due at our relations, Mick and Angela Griffin’s for dinner which was another 30 minutes away. The plan had been to take a bus but by now we are so tired and cross with no cash to pay for it due to the closest ATM not working, that we grabbed a taxi instead. A great idea as we were there in 30 minutes. Travelling as we are all takes so much longer than you think especially when you are in big cities. Anyway our day ended on a high note as we reunited with Mick and Angela and enjoyed a lovely dinner and much chat. Mick then drove us back into town where we fell into bed in our lovely modern apartment. We look forward to exploring Dublin some more tomorrow- but on foot!Meer informatie

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  • ReizigerEuropean Christmas 2023 /2024
    1
    Dag 21

    Day 20 Westport, Ireland

    27 december 2023, Ierland ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    A long interesting travelling day, that required quite a bit of ground to be covered. We left Killarney at 9 30 in heavy rain and drove towards The Cliffs of Moher on the Atlantic Coast. In the last 15 minutes of the 2 and a half hour drive the weather miraculously cleared and while cold and blustery, the rain stopped and there was blue sky. We joined many other tourists for the short walk to view the cliffs. The view was stunning and the seawater spouts spraying up from below added to the scene. It was all worth the detour we had made. We then drove on 9 km to Doolin, a very quaint little seaside village where we ate pizza for lunch. Because of our detour we then had to navigate a very windy and narrow road around Galway Bay, before finally making it onto the more major road south of Westport. The drive was so picturesque and led us in and out of little rural Irish villages. The land itself is characterized by its stone fences which were everywhere. There were many glimpses of the Atlantic Ocean. We arrived in Westport at 5 pm by which time it was raining here too and very dark. We ordered a taxi to get into town and spent a lovely hour or so at Matt Molloys Bar owned by Matt Malloy from the Chieftans. The music being played in the back room by five musicians playing various instruments was very entertaining and we were lucky to find seats there. We then wandered down the road for our booked dinner at JJ O’Malleys which did not disappoint. When we left it had stopped raining so we slowly made our way back through town admiring the lights, and then up the hill to our accomodation, Westport Heights.Meer informatie

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