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Michelle Creasy
Michelle Creasy

Michelle Creasy

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Steam train to Mallaig

    1 ottobre 2016, Scozia ⋅ 🌙 6 °C

    The line from Glasgow to Mallaig is meant to be one of the best train journeys in the world. From Fort William to Mallaig is the last part of the trip. The jacobite steam train runs this route and is the train I took.

    A large part if the attaction of the journey is the Glenfinnan viaduct, made famous in the Harry Potter movies. I didn't get any photos as my seat was by the corridor, not the window. It's one of those times you forget the camera, enjoy the experience and buy a postcard rather than spend all your time trying to get a good photo.

    I did like this train better than the Achenseebahn! It is much more comfortable.
    I can better imagine the scenes in many books in which the characters are in train carriages or in corridors. The food trolley went up and down the corridor, I could appreciate just how dark it got going through a tunnel and I learnt not to stick your head out of the window just after coming out of a tunnel.

    On the return journey it was lovely with the sun coming in the window. It was hard not to relax and have a nap as some of my carriage mates did.

    The carriage seated six and I shared it with an Irish family - a couple, her parents and grandfather. They came over just for the trip.

    Mallaig itself is quite small. I went on a wildlife cruise which was a bit of a misnomer. We saw some seals and some sheep! Beautiful scenery though, and I did see Skye.
    On the trip to Mallaig we saw two deer, they didn't have antlers.

    I had just enough time after the cruise to get some soup - prawn and scallop chowder before getting back in the train.

    Despite not having a window seat I really enjoyed it.

    Photos
    Steam train
    Scenery from train
    Mallaig harbour
    Glenfinnen viaduct
    Neptune's staircase / seven locks
    Me!    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    All about the views

    1 ottobre 2016, Scozia ⋅ 🌙 6 °C

    The day started off well with beautiful sunny weather. I went out to the Old Inverlochy Castle, unfortunately it is being restored so I could only walk around the outside. Apparently Queen Victoria wasn't very inpressed with the ruins when she visited.

    I came back into Fort William for a cruise on the loch. The captain was very informative and the cruise was great despite the weather coming in cold and windy.
    We saw seals and 2 porpoises as well as salmon and mussel farms. The mussels are naturally farmed, the only artificial part is the lines they are attached to.
    We could see the salmon jumping out of the water.

    I then took the gondola halfway up Aonach Mor, a mountain close to Ben Nevis. I still haven't seen the Ben, it has been shrouded in cloud. Apparently it has snowed up there and may have settled, it should be a clearer day tomorrow so hopefully it will be visable then.
    I still had great views.
    The commando memorial was next and again great views. I then went round to Corpach were my great grandfather was born and then followed the two lochs around back to Fort William the long way, this included a short ferry trip at Corran. I wish I had been able to properly capture the colour of the loch this afternoon, it was stunning.

    Seafood for tea - mussels and then salmon. Delicious!

    Photos
    View of Loch Linnhe
    Salmon jumping
    Seals
    View on Loch Linnhe towards Corran
    View from Aonach Mor
    Corpach train station    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Highland folk museum

    30 settembre 2016, Scozia ⋅ 🌙 6 °C

    It was a wild and windy day today. Given most of what I want to do is geared towards the outdoors I headed to the Highland Folk Museum.

    It was about an hour away towards Inverness.
    It's a great place, free (although they do ask for a donation).

    I started with the farm area, the buildings are dressed for around the 1930s although sone of the buildings are older.
    I was excited to see one of the buildings dated back to the 1850s, about the time my great grandfather and his family left the area to come to Australia.

    It had been raining on and off all morning but started coming down really heavily so I went into Newtonmore for some lunch, the cafe at the museum only sold cold food and it was a day for hot food!

    There wasn't a lot open, I got a very definite "end of season" feel to the town but I found a lovely little teashop.
    I had cullen skink - smoked fish and potato soup. It was very rich and filling but the serve was thankfully small.

    Speaking of soup, what is it with Scots and lentil soup? It's been on nearly all the menus the last couple of days.

    I went back to the museum and explored the 1700s township. There was a peat fire burning in the biggest house.
    It did highlight what a hard life it must have been.

    It was only 4pm so I decided to return via Inverness and Loch Ness. It was a nice drive, I stopped off in Fort Augustus for tea and had haggis, neeps and oatcakes (no tatties though). I liked the haggis, it is nicer than black pudding.

    Photos
    1850s farmhouse
    Inside a 1700s house with a peat fire
    On the walk to the 1700s township I found animal carvings
    1700s grand house
    Loch Ness
    Nessie    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Lochs, a ladder and lots of rain

    29 settembre 2016, Scozia ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    Time to move on again. Taking the advice given by Facebook friends I set out across the forth of firth bridge (or is it the Firth of Forth?) It wasn't as daunting as the Humber bridge, probably because I had done that bridge.

    I made my way to Kinross and was trying to find the ferry to Loch Leven Castle, the gps not being overly helpful. I found instead the Loch Leven Larder, one of those really nice places that sells all sorts of local food and products. I had breakfast there which included black sausage/pudding. While I don't hate it, I probably won't go out of my way to order it again. I've had it twice now, that's enough.

    I found the ferry and it took me across to the island where Loch Leven Castle is. I've now been on a loch.

    The ferry was a small boat and I was its only passenger. The people who had been on the island took my ferry back to the mainland so I had the island to myself. As I explored the island and the castle in which Mary Queen of Scots was incarcerated the "I have the island to myself" became "I'm all alone on the island".

    The castle is very small, as is the island. I went for a walk in the woods, it reminded me of walking in the rainforest in northern NSW/Queensland. I eventually realised it was because I could hear the rain on the leaves, not something I necessarily hear at home.

    The boat came back 45 minutes later and I headed off for Perth. There I explored the museum of The Black Watch.

    It was getting on for 4pm and I had more than two hours to drive so I set off for Fort William. The further I went the wetter it got. I had to pull over several times to let cars pass me as I was going too slow for them.

    I did stop at Pitcholry to see the fish ladder. It's there to assist the fish swimming upstream at the dam.

    I don't have much of an impression of Fort William yet as I couldn't see much between the twilight and the rain. I haven't even seen Ben Nevis!

    High winds are forecast for tomorrow so we will see what that brings.
    I suspect locals can easily tell who is a tourist around here. We are the ones carrying umbrellas. The locals just seem to where hoodies.

    Photos
    Loch Leven Castle
    "Mary's Spirit", the ferry
    Kinross House from the island
    Houses in Kinross
    Balhousie Castle, home of the Black Watch museum
    Fish ladder at Pitcholry    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    A day of history

    28 settembre 2016, Scozia ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    A bit of a late start to the day, I was trying to work out where to go next as I want to spend more time in Scotland.

    I had intended to visit the castle first but the bus I got on was going in the wrong direction so I went to the Dynamic Earth instead.
    This is an amazing place, a museum I suppose. It looks at the geology of the earth and makes it very interesting.

    I started by going back in time with their time machine and then gradually came back to the present day though a series of rooms and experiences. The temperature of the room varied according to the theme of the room. I got to experience an "earthquake", I didn't realise the ground shook from side to side rather than up and down although if I'd ever given it much thought.

    If you are in Edinburgh I recommend you visit!

    I then made my way to the castle. The area outside the castle is very interesting. I detoured to see one of the buildings restored to the Georgian era.

    It was nice to see a more or less complete castle instead of a ruin! There was so much to see and I'm sure I missed bits.

    Photos
    Edinburgh castle
    In the "time machine" at Dynamic Earth
    Saber tooth tiger
    Owl on the Royal mile
    Stained glass window in St Margaret's Chapel
    Bloke playing bagpipes on the Royal mile    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Riding the buses

    27 settembre 2016, Scozia ⋅ 🌫 9 °C

    My enthusiasm for Edinburgh had waned due to my feelings over the accommodation. I find it hard to shrug things like this off, but that is my personality.

    I decided to start with a boat ride, you may have noticed I enjoy them 😀
    After a 45 minute bus ride into the city I bought a ticket for the bus/boat ride. The bus was a hop on hop off bus and the commentary intetesting. The boat tour went out to Inchcolm island, back and under the road bridge.
    We saw a number of seals but sadly no puffins. It's a bit late for them.
    A new road bridge is being built and we were able to see a section being raised, it was to join the south pillar to the middle pillar. A historic day according to the captain.

    After the tour I realised that all the tours were run by the same company so I upgraded my ticket to allow me to travel on all the buses.
    I made the ticket seller's day by giving her two plastic £5 notes. They apparently only came out last week and she was excited to see them.

    I went on two more bus tours, one out to the Royal Brittannia and one around central Edinburgh. The tours gave me a good overview.
    I just missed the bus to come back to the accommodation so I explored the M&S food hall and picked up some dinner. Eventually home at 7:30.

    Photos
    Houses in New town, note the different finishes on the stone on each floor level.
    Seals
    Abbey on Inchcolm island
    Firth rail bridge
    Raising the section on the new road bridge
    Walter Scott memorial    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Roman ruins

    26 settembre 2016, Inghilterra ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    I was sorry to leave the North York Moors. I made my way north through the Pennines to Corbridge and Chesterswhere I looked at Roman ruins.
    They were interesting and different to the medievel ruins I seen.

    Scotland is beautiful.

    I'm in a town just outside of Edinburgh. I thought I had booked an apartment in the centre of Edinburgh but the fine print had the address in Loanhead. I'm not happy about it but short of losing my money there isn't much I can do.

    Photos
    County Durham house
    Ruins at Corbridge
    Corbridge landscape
    Ruins at Chesters
    Railwaybridge in Scotland
    Scotland view    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Bloody Beck Hill, Lousy Hill Lane ...

    24 settembre 2016, Inghilterra ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    Just some of the roads I've driven on today.

    I started by checking out Goathland station, also known as Hogsmeade station. I think Grosmont is nicer.

    A short drive took me to Whitby. I was really surprised at how close it is. I started with a trip in the old lifeboat out of the harbour to a bouy in the ocean. So I've officially been out into the North Sea!

    There were a lot of families crabbing off the harbour walls. Most had little mesh bags with meat in them at the end of a hand line. Everyone seemed to be catching crabs with great regularity. They were quite small and the catching is for fun only, they throw them back.

    One if the guys on the lifeboat recommended a fish and chip shop for lunch. On the boat he was telling us as a kid they ate fish everyday and only had meat on Sundays, a bit different to mutton everyday with occasional fish for me growing up.

    The fish and chips was nice. I do find it amusing that peas are offerred/come with every meal in England. I turned down the peas, curry sauce and gravy. The tartare sauce was good though.

    Around the corner was the Captain Cook museum. There wasn't a lot of information there but it was interesting to see a shipmaster's house.

    Then up to the headland to Whitby Abbey. I do wonder what all these ruins would be like if Henry VII hadn't interfered. I am beginning to recognise the layout of an abbey now. The location is spectacular.

    Today was meant to include the whole North Yorkshire coast so Robin Hood's bay was next. It is at the top of a cliff. I tried to get down to the beach but came to a dead end about 2/3 the way down. There were lots of rocky pools and kids with nets looking for creatures.

    I could see Robin Hood's bay from Ravenscar, there isn't a lot there.

    Scarborough was interesting and I wish I could have spent much more time there. I could see signs of the magnificient spa town it must have been including a tramway and funicular to get from the top of the cliff to the beach. Robin Hood's bay could do with one of these!

    I headed back to Goathland while it was still light. Fortunately it was still light when I met a landrover on a single lane road while going uphill. I was the one who had to do the reversing.

    Tea was in the Goathland hotel (aka The Aidensfield Arms). I tried black pudding - okay but I was expecting a more salami style taste. The main of silverside of beef with yorkshire pudding produced roast beef, not what I would call silverside. It was nice with horseradish sauce.

    Photos
    Goathland station
    Whitby lighthouse
    Crab
    Whitby Abbey
    Robin Hood's bay
    Goathland Hotel    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    No words needed

    24 settembre 2016, Inghilterra ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Yorkshire is beautiful. I thought Norfolk was beautiful, and it is but Yorkshire so much more.

    I started with a look around Goathland, it gives a nod to Aidensfield without being too touristy.

    I happened upon Grosmont while the steam train was there. It is one of four stations on the Pickering - Whitby line. The other is Goathland, I forgot about it so will check it out tomorrow.
    Each of the stations has been renovated to reflect a distinct time period. Grosmont is set in the 1950s.

    From there I went to the Wheeldale Roman rd.
    I went by a rather convoluted route, going yo Cropton only to do a loop. I had lunch while I was there. I've learnt to stop at the first pub I see after 12 in order to find lunch.

    The roman road was a bit underwhelming but the route there was glorious.

    I then went to Hutton le Hole which houses the Ryedale folk museum. This was fantastic, it contains houses from various eras throughout England's history all the way back to the Iron Age. The village itself is also very picturesque.

    Next onto Rieveleux Abbey. The ruins consist of all the buildings, the church, cloisters, chapter house, day room and more. The audio guide was very informative. I was there late in the day and the light was great.

    I made my way to Sutton bank but by that time the visitor centre was closed (I was hoping it would be open until 6pm).

    Last stop was to be the RAF Danby Beacon. By now my GPS had had enough and found the shortest possible route. This included some pretty dubious lanes and what I would call a track. There was no turning around so I was committed. At 6:45 I came acrods the Lion Inn and decided to call it quits. I'm having tea here and then will head back to Goathland.

    I've seen plenty of wildlife. Yesterday a small deer ran out in front of the car in front of me.
    Lots of what I think are grouse, a rabbit, a squirrel and what I assume was a hare, it was the size of a dog.

    I could have spent the day just driving across the moors and I would have been just as happy.

    Photos
    View
    Shop at Goathland
    Steam train at Grosmont
    Crofter's cottage at Ryedale folk museum
    Rieveleux Abbey
    Another view    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Journey to Yorkshire

    23 settembre 2016, Inghilterra ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    It was time to move on. My basic plan is to spend 3 nights in each place and no more than 4 hours drive between each place. That gives me 2 full days to explore and a whole day to travel which leaves plenty of time for detours.

    My first detour today was to have another go at finding access to The Wash national park. The gps produced a route but after many small, winding roads it ended at a private road so I turned around and set the gps for Yorkshire.

    Next detour was to Skegness. I've heard it mentioned many time, I'm just not sure in what context. Like Great Yarmouth the beach part is very touristy and very hard to actually see the beach.

    Next I stopped at Waltham at a little pub for lunch and a look at their windmill.

    I stopped to take a look at the Humber bridge before crossing it. It is a massive bridge, fortunately they still have a person accepting tolls on the northern side of the bridge.

    Pickering is a small town on the edge of the North York Moors. I stopped at the castle ruin. I'm glad I saw Castle Rising which is mainly intact (missing the roof and some upper floor floors) as it gave me an idea of what the Pickering Castle ruin may have looked like.

    I'm staying in Goatland in the North York Moors National Park. The sun was starting to set as I made my way in but it looks stunning.

    Goatland itself is a spreadout village. It is the setting of Aidansfield, of Heartbeat fame. I've been listening to one of Nicholas Rhea's books (his Constable series inspired the tv show). I'm looking forward to exploring tomorrow.

    I had dinner in one of the pubs and had my first Pims. Not quite sure what is in it but it took quite a while to make.

    Photos
    Waltham Windmill
    The Ship's Inn, where I had lunch
    Humber bridge
    Pickering Castle
    Moors
    View from my bedroom    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Seals and birds and boats oh my!

    22 settembre 2016, Inghilterra ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    I started the day at Morston with a seal tour.
    We went out in what looked and felt like a massive lifeboat, but with a motor.
    It took us our to Blakeney point were we could get with about 2m of the shore where the seals were lolling about.
    There are two types of seals - grey and common. One type (common?) had their pups about 2 months ago so we saw babies!

    Blakeney point is a spit and the other side is the north sea. After viewing the seals we were able to land/beach/pull up/whatever it is called when a boat comes up on the beach on Blakeney point (not near the seals) and have a wander around for 45 mins. The beach is shale (smooth small stones) and I had a nice wander around although really there wasn't much there.

    From Morston I made my way around the coast to Horsey. It was such a beautiful drive, mostly on B roads I think. I hadn't gone far when I came across "Cookies", a seafood cafe/store.
    My crayfish tail salad had everything - cockles, prawns, smoked fish and tiny crayfish tails. The crayfish are about 15cm here and so the tails a bit smaller than I was expecting, although still delicious.
    The view was gorgeous with wind turbines in the distance (possibly in the ocean).

    At Horsey I went on another boat tour, of the Horsey mere and broads (I think, the terminology is a bit confusing). I saw a lot of rare birds such as marsh harrier, common crane, bitterns as well as heron, egyptian geese and swans.

    I didn't take a lot of photos as you needed a much more powerful lens than I had and I preferred to just look, use the binoculars and listen to the guide rather than wait for the perfect photo.

    From Horsey I made my way to Great Yarmouth, just because. I had a look around, the beach front is very holiday park touristy with arcades and other attractions. I did stop just north of Great Yarmouth and got to see the beach there.

    I'm currently in Drayton, just out of Norwich where I stopped for tea at a random pub. It's curry night so I had an english curry (tikka masala), another food item to check off the list.

    It's been a good day, to add local flavour I've been listening to "The Big Six" by Arthur Ransome, set in this area. I've still got about an hour to drive back to the hotel so I'll upload this while I have good wifi.

    Morston/Blakeney harbour is tidal, the cruise times depended on the tide.
    Lifeboad style tour boat
    Seals
    On Horsey mere
    Geese in flight
    Wind turbines north of Great Yarmouth    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Old churches

    21 settembre 2016, Inghilterra ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    Today I set out to explore Kings Lynn and then visit some old churches in which Creasys have been buried.

    Kings Lynn is an old town. Unfortunately I couldn't work out how to get to The Wash.

    I then followed a route from Kings Lynn to Downham Market looking at various old churches and their graveyards. Most of the gravestones I was looking at were no longer readable but it's such a nice pastime wandering around these churches and driving around the area.

    I was hoping to find an ancestor's grave in Downham but they have removed all the standing headstones and allowed the flat ones to become overgrown. While I was disappointed it has obviously given them a large grassed area and churches shoyld be for the living.
    I was happy to see one old very old church advertising Messy church.

    The area is marshland and the ploughed areas look so muddy compared to the dry paddocks of the farm. They look a lot more fertile too!

    I finished the day at Castle Rising, a medieval ruin, surprisingly small but it was used more as a hunting lodge lthan fort. I was able to climb nearly to the top.

    Photos
    Boat on river Ouse in Kings Lynn
    Inside Kings Lynn Minster
    St Edmunds church, Downham market
    Wild berries!
    Farmland
    Castle rising    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    She don't know where she are...

    19 settembre 2016, Inghilterra ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Apologies to Banjo Patterson for the barstadisation of the line from "Clancy of the Overflow"

    I'm back in the UK. I got to experience the "thrills" of Paris traffic for myself in the taxi to the train station to catch the Eurostar back to London.

    The British immigration officer is familiar with long service leave. He correctly guessed I was using my lsl (I had written "travelling" on the landing card under UK address). He remarked he has never come across anyone but Australians who have lsl.

    The trip itself was pretty uneventful, I managed to doze for a while.

    Today is the start of the UK part of my trip. The first step was to pick up my hire car from Enfield, which is in the north east region of London. I had no intention of driving in central London which is why I chose a suburban pick up location.
    A train from Kings Cross, then an overground train and then two buses got me there. As it not peak time it wasn't awkward with my luggage as the two train stations were step free.

    I had booked a ford focus or similar. I got a Vauxhall Mokka, a small SUV which is bigger than I asked for but small vehicles were at a premium. The guy serving me was very impressed with the small marks I found on the vehicle although I guess some reading this blog won't be.

    It took me a while to get used to the vehicle. The indicator and windscreen wiper levers are on the opposite sides to what I am used to. It took several hours to find the lights as they are a separate switch on the dash.

    My first stop was Norfolk so I set google maps for Cambridge and it took me right into the bloody middle of Cambridge. Once I got there it abandonded me, having done its job!

    I may or may not have driven in the bus only lane looking for somewhere to pull over but as far as I know I didn't drive down any one way streets the wrong way.
    The reason for going into Cambridge was to get a sat nav. Despite saying so Tesco didn't sell them but I found a camping store (Halfords) that did. I just bought a cheap one but it's much better than using my phone.

    I had wanted to stay in Downham Market but the accommodation didn't have any spare rooms so I set the gps for Kings Lynn. I had learnt my lesson though and once I got to the outskirts I pulled over to look for somewhere to stay.

    The first place looked a bit expensive (£100/night). The second looked better at £55/night. The address didn't have a number attached to it so I had to guess at the correct address as it gave me a chouce of 4 or 5. I guessed wrong.
    By this stage I had lost any sense direction that I had. All I did know was that I was close to Sandringham estate, having passed it.
    Putting the name of the pub into google maps brought me past Sandringham estate again and to the Ffolkes Arms.

    It's a charming place, an old staging inn. I still feel like I have no idea where I am.

    Photos
    Underground
    Clock at St Pancras
    The rest are of the Ffolkes arms - I didn't take many photos today.    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy
    1

    Montmartre

    18 settembre 2016, Francia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Today is my last day in Paris. Of course you can always stay somewhere longer but I think this has been the perfect length for me at this time.

    Sacre-Corur is the Basillica. It is a beautiful cathedral. It's at the top of a hill overlooking Paris.

    I took the funicular to the top of the hill. It was quite overcast so the views weren't great.

    The longest lines are always for security.
    Mass was being celebrated inside. It continued for about 15 minutes. Tourists were still able to walk around the edge of the cathedral. I stood with the congregation until mass was finished and then sat.

    I know God is everywhere but I do like the mood being in such surroundings produces.
    This carthedral has clean lines, the decoration is not as ornate as I had expected. I like the simpler designs.

    After about an hour I made my way to Montmarte square. There are artists painting and selling their paintings as well as doing portraits.

    I had lunch in the square. The two french dishes I had wanted to try while in France were croque monsier and an omlette.
    The restaurant I chose had omlettes on the menu. They also had frogs legs! So I had both.
    The frogs legs were okay. The were dusted in flour, fried and served with a tomato garlic mix. There is a lot of bones, more than chicken wings. I gave up trying to use a knife and fork and used my fingers.
    The omlette fines herbs was nice but I suspect it contained a lot of butter.
    I gradually made my way down the bottom of the hill.

    At all the tourist spots thetr are people selling cheap souvenirs outside the entrances. Everything is one euro. It is obviously illegal as I saw them scatter at the Eiffel tower when the police turned up. They don't hassle people, just calling one euro, one euro, one euro. On my first day, which was quite hot I bought water from one of them.
    I didn't really like seeing them at the Basillica, they were at the top but not inside the grounds.

    At the bottom of the hill there were also men playing the shell game - where there is a ball under one of three cups and you have to guess which cup. People were gambling €50. Each time I watched I was able to correctly pick the cup with the ball under it but the people handing over the money always guessed incorrectly. So I'm not sure how it is meant to work but I didn't play.

    As well as a strong police presence wherever I have been, the army has also been around. They patrol in groups of four and it is a reminder that France is under a state of emergency.

    The only other place I really wanted to see was Bastille square. Once I got there I wasn't sure why. It is just a square, not even a pretty one by French standards. So I made my way down to the river.
    I sat and watched the boats and people. A nice way to finish my time in Paris.

    Photos
    Basillica
    Main dome of the Basillica
    Montmarte
    Omelette fines herbs
    Basin de l'Arsenal - leading from Bastlle square to the Seine
    Notre Dame cathedral from the river    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy
    12

    Degas, Monet, Manet, Cezanne, Sisley ...

    17 settembre 2016, Francia ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    A late start to the day. Last night I was achingly tired. All of me was aching.
    I slept through my alarm and woke after 9. The room has blockout blinds so the light doesn't get in.
    First task was to post some stuff back to myself. Should have been simple right? It probably is if you don't have to translate the address lable and customs forms. It took about 45 minutes.

    Musee d'Orsay was on the agenda today. To get there I had to go through the Tuileries - a formal garden next door to the the Louvre. I had lunch there - a croque monsier - toasted ham and cheese sandwich with the cheese on the outside. It was okay, another french food to check off the list. There were plenty of birds around waiting for crumbs. They were quite bold.

    Across the river was the Musee d'Orsay, a museum in an old railway station. It was beautiful inside. I spent ages in the Impressionist gallery. These paintings are definitely the type I prefer. I was excited to see Edgar Degas' dancer of 14 years. I saw a documentary on it several years ago. I also liked his ballet paintings.
    I spent nearly three hours there. I only left because they were closing.

    On the way home I stopped to go shopping at Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville, a huge department store. I did some shopping and lots of window shopping. There was so much I could have bought...
    Back to the hotel for another home cooked meal - fish and veg. It's been nice to cook simple meals.

    Photos
    Tuileries
    Bird at lunch
    Love locks - people/lovers write their names on the lock, attach the lock the the bridge and throw the key in the river.
    Ballet rehearsel on the stage by Edgar Degas
    Dancer of 14 years
    Starry night by van Gough    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Reflections

    17 settembre 2016, Francia ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    A summary of my experiences

    Flights - not nearly as bad as I was expecting. The extra room/bed made all the difference

    London - so much hotter than I expected. The amount of people really shocked me.
    My favourite activity was probably The bodyguard. I also really liked Hyde Park.

    Munich - the English gardens were my favourite. I enjoyed my meal of Spatzle and ---.
    What surprised me most - the amount of potato I ate.

    Innsbruck - I wish I had spent more time in Innsbruck. Pressed to pick a favouite / the cable car to the alps.

    Achensee - there was very little not to like. Once I reached the Dripping rock I literally thought "I can go home now"
    I surprised myself with the difficulty of the walks I did.
    Half board was great.

    Dijon - I don't think I saw Dijon's full potential. Not getting the hang of the public transport contributed to that. I had some good food though!

    Languages - in each of the continental Europe countries I stayed in instructions in the hotel etc were usually given in three languages - the language of the country, english and then it varied.
    Germany had french, Austria had Italian and France had Spanish.

    Packing - what did I use most
    What didn't I use
    What surprised me

    What have I learnt

    Most useful apps    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Attractions I wasn't going to visit

    16 settembre 2016, Francia ⋅ 🌧 16 °C

    A wet and dreary morning to start. The Eiffel tower was first up on the agenda.
    Getting there was relatively simple - metro then bus. I like the metro and with the City Mapper app I haven't done too badly so far (except for yesterday's debacle).

    I was actually surprised that I wanted to go up the tower at all. In Australia I thought I'd probably be happy to see it from the ground but I really wanted to go up. Partly I think because it is iconic Paris and partly because it is such a magnificent structure.

    I had heard a lot about crowds and long line waits. I moved through the first line quickly, that was just the first security line. I had to ditch my water bottle.

    Once through security there were four ticket offices, one for each "leg" of the tower. I happened to chose the west leg and quickly bought a ticket and got into the first lift. It took us to the second floor where I then got into another lift to go to the top. The trip up was a bit disconcerting as we could see out. Not as bad as the ski jump in Innsbruck though.

    The weather cleared by the time I got to the top. It was crowded but not too crowded. The views were fantastic. I joined the selfie takers. I don't take many selfies but this was a special occasion.

    From the top (which is open) I walked down to the next level which was enclosed. That had a lot of information with important facts such as Buffalo Bill visited the tower.

    The structure really is magnificent.

    From there I went on a cruise of the river Seine. Somebody (Sarah W?) told me not to bother and I should have heeded her advice. The commentary wasn't great and the views were better from the bus. The house boats were lovely to look at though.

    At the Eiffel tower I had heard a woman telling some tourists about the Louvre Carousel, an underground shopping centre next door to the Lourve. I went and had a look but it was all a bit upmarket for me.

    I returned to the Louvre in the evening. It is open until 10pm on Fridays. I thought I'd start with the Mona Lisa then just wander. I actually started with Louis XIV because I can't read a map. With the help of an app I found my way to the Mona Lisa. The crowd wasn't too bad and I was pleasantly surprisef by the painting. I was expecting it to be much smaller and with the help of the commentary I was able to appreciate some of the genius behind it.

    I wandered around the Italian paintings then found the way up to the French paintings. French landscapes of the second half of the 19th century seems to be my favoured style.

    I was a bit wary coming back on the metro at night but there was plenty of people about as let's face it, 10pm on a Friday night in Paris isn't that late.

    Photos:
    Eiffel tower
    View from tower
    From under the tower
    Houseboat
    Mona Lisa
    Painting by Alfred Sisley - the style I like    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy
    1

    When police close the area where you are

    15 settembre 2016, Francia ⋅ 🌧 18 °C

    Well today was interesting.
    As I mentioned in yesterday's post a strike was planned for today. I couldn't find any information online about it (except that flights had been cancelled) so I went about my day as planned.

    I caught the bus to the Marche Bastille (open air market). Now that I was finally in a market and I could buy stuff I was a bit overwhelmed. I just wanted enough to last while I'm here.

    I eventually bought some fish, chicken, veg (including chanterelles), cheese and dried sausage.

    While I was shopping I was vaguely aware of the building police presence but not that concerned as there is a large police station at the hotel end of the street. By the time I left though there would have been at least twenty police vans (with multiple officers inside) on the surrounding streets.

    At the bus stop the electronic sign said something like "no stop" so I assumed the bus drivers had joined the strike.
    Consulting my transit app showed I could use the metro. Except the station was shut.

    I still wasn't sure what was happening, just assuming it was due to the strike. I made my way back to the hotel on foot. At one place the police had blockaded the street and I had to ask an officer if I could go through. With a look of bemusement he told me I could. I realised afterwards they were keeping people out, not in.

    It had been raining through all this so even with an umbrella I was quite wet. I dried off and had a rest. I couldn't find anything online about the strike so at about 3pm I set off to do the other hop on hop off tour. The metro station was open but there were 4 stops the train passed through without stopping so I assume they were still closed.

    I felt a bit daft then for avoiding the protests.

    I made my way to the Opera metro stop and then started looking for the bus stop.
    Paris roundabouts seem to have at least 5 streets leading off them. I walked up and the streets leading off this roundabout looking for the bus stop (I'd been there yesterday so I knew what it looked like). Google maps kept saying I was 10m away but I couldn't see it.
    Eventually I realised that there was a difference between "place de l'Opera" and "avenue de l'Opera" and I found the right place.

    A bus pulled up just as I got there and I did a tour of the Monmarte district. It was nearly 4:30 by the time I got on the bus, not really the right time to be driving through central Paris.

    The traffic is crazy. There are few lane markings and traffic lights seem to be a suggestion. The tour was interesting but we spent a long time sitting in traffic.

    I came back via a different Metro line but it appeared that all the stations were open.
    Once back in the hotel I could see footage of the demonstrations this afternoon and no longer felt daft for staying away.
    I support anyone's right to protest, especially against tough labour laws but I'm glad I wasn't there. The police appeared ready for violence.

    Photos
    Police vehicles at Marche Bastille
    Marche Bastille (market)
    I think they are cucumbers
    Police barricade
    Opera house
    "The most famous red windmill in the world". Not sure I know of any more red windmills.    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy
    2

    Paris in an afternoon

    14 settembre 2016, Francia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    I'm in Paris. The trip from Dijon was about an hour and a half. I definitely prefer travelling by train.

    My check in luck abandoned me here. Up until now if I've arrived before check in time my room has been ready. I knew I was pushing it arriving at 12 but thought I'd try.
    I was able to leave my luggage so then set out to explore the local area. Around the corner was a metro stop. "Why not?" I thought? After several goes I found the entrance for those without tickets, negotiated the ticket machine and bought a 5 day ticket.
    Next hurdle was working out how to get through the entrance gate. After trying to swipe it (like those with cards did) I realised I had to feed my little piece of paper into a slot and it popped out again 20cm further up the gate.

    I was in, now where to go? There are two lines at the station so four options. Luckily the first train I got on (without consulting the map) took me to the Louvre.
    From there I was able to find the hop on hop off bus and spent a lovely 2 hours seeing the major sights of Paris.
    By the time I had completed the circle I was ready to head back to the hotel.

    Around the corner is a small supermarket, bakery, fruit and veg shop and a butchet. I picked up enough supplies to cook tea. It was nice to have a home cooked meal.
    I have vague plans for tomorrow but apparently there is a general strike planned so I will play it be ear.

    Photos
    Eiffel tower
    Countryside between Dijon and Paris
    River Seine
    Acr de Triomphe
    Louvre    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Of transport and toilets

    13 settembre 2016, Francia ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

    I had a few plans for today, they didn't quite work out but the alternatives were good.

    I started the day out at The Market. It is a fresh food market with lots of fruit and veg, cheese and meat.
    All the chickens still had their feet and heads attached. I can understand the feet but do people cook the heads as well?
    They had raw milk and raw cream!
    All I bought was a nectarine but it was delicious.
    The range of onions they had was huge.

    It was here I had my first trouble with the toilet. I didn't have to pay, which is a first for me in France but there was no toilet seat. Why do they do this?
    I couldn't work out how to flush it. It looked like the button had its cover missing but no matter how much I pushed and jiggled - no result. In the end I took the top off the cistern to try pushing down directly. In the process of all of this I pulled up on the apparatus - success! Seriously you pull up on the button to flush.

    I had planned next to take a bus to a village not to far away. I eventually found what I thought was the bus stop, near a park so I sat in the park and waited and waited. The bus was there but no driver. I eventually gave up, bought an all day ticket for Dijon public transport and got on a tram (there are only two tram lines in Dujon). I stayed on the tram until the end if the line. I was hoping it was somewhere interesting but it appeared to be a commercial area. I got off the tram, waited for it to change tracks and got back on.
    I got off at Republic square and had some lunch, a ham and cheese roll from a food van and sat in the square.

    I decided to go out to Lake Kir, a manmade lake on the outskirts. After waiting for the bus on the wrong side of the road, I crossed the road to discover the bus didn't stop at that stop, watched it go round the corner, found the right stop and waited for the next bus I got on about 30 mins after I arrived at the first stop.

    There were about 3 stops alongside the lake according to google maps. I should have gotten off at the first stop, I didn't. So I stayed on the bus until most others got off so I got off too. I think it was a residental village so I crossed the road and waited for the bus to come back. I got a strange look from the bus driver.

    This time I got off at the correct stop.
    There is a small weir which was pretty.
    On reading the signs I noted there were toilets down by the beach. I hadn't been since the flushing debacle about 5 hours earlier (you needed to know that didn't you).
    The beach was fine dirt by a part of the lake that had some kind of net to keep the algae out. People were sunbaking but no one swimming.

    Anyway, to the toilets I went. Yeh, no. They were squat toilets. I'm too old and too inflexible to start using squat toilets. I didn't need to go that badly.

    I went for a walk around the lake and found the canal that runs past it. There was a lock there so I was able to have a look. I still don't understand properly how they work but it was cool to see one.

    Back to the hotel for a rest (I had to wait 20 minutes for the bus, having missed the previous one by 2 minutes)

    I had planned to go to the hotel's other restaurant but it turns out they have two restaurants and one menu.

    So back to the same square as Sunday night. This time I sat at a skewer restaurant.
    I had sausage skewers and then duck on a skewer. The servings were huge. There's no low carb here. Both courses came with potato and they also brought bread.
    Do Perth restaurants give out complimentary bread anymore? I've had it at each meal here.

    Tomorrow I head to Paris. I have mixed feelings about it. I've said all along I know God knows how many days I have, where I am won't change that but now I need to put that faith into practise. Untested faith is easy.

    About half an hour ago 4 people rode up on 3 motorbikes, all dressed in leather and with helmets on, revving their bikes as some do. I did watch them carefully, especially the passenger. Obviously nothing happened but with the arrest of a cell in Germany it does make you think.
    I'm self catering in Paris so I don't plan on going out much at night.

    Photos:
    Lock on Burgandy canal
    Live sea snails
    Onions!
    House in random little town the bus took me to.
    Lake Kir
    Beach at lake Kir    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    The Owl's Path

    13 settembre 2016, Francia ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    Dijon is a beautiful city. I have worked out why it seems so old to me - there are no trees in the streets. They are in fenced off parks (and maybe courtyards, the walls facing the street aren't necessarily house walls but lead into courtyards that people drive into).

    There is no hop on hop off bus here, instead there is a walk called the owl's path. It takes you past many of the historical sites, following little triangles in the footpath (and with the help of a gps guided app).
    It was a nice way to see the town.
    A lot of places are shut on Mondays and those that are open seem to close 12-2pm.
    I stopped at a patisserie and picked up some rolls and an apple tart before coming back to the hotel. I ended up falling asleep. I'm finding one day a week I need half a day to relax and recharge.

    I'm eating in the hotel restaurant tonight.
    I decided to have the house aperitif which I think is a mix of a local white wine and orange perfumed ginger syrup. It is nice but like most alcohol for me, I drink it for the experience rather than the enjoyment.

    It's been interesting to compare the breakfasts in the different hotels in London, Pertisau/Insbruck and now Dijon (I self catered in Munich).

    The english breakfast was all about the hot food - two types of eggs; sausages (meat and vegetarian); bacon, lots of bacon; hash browns; baked beans and I'm sure there was more hot food. Both white and wholemeal sliced bread as well as rolls and some pastries.

    The Austrain breakfasts had multiple types of wholemeal/multigrain/rye breads (not sliced), rolls, one type of egg available and one made to order (bolied or scrambled) and sliced white bread for toast. The pastries and flavoured breads (chocolate bread covered in chocolate) range was huge.The cold meats and cheese range was huge and cut up salad items were also available.

    The french breakfast this morning had one small loaf of dark bread, the rest was types of white bread and rolls. No sliced bread. Croissants and pain au chocolat were the only pastries (I think). Small fluffy pancakes were also availabe.
    The only eggs available were scrambled and they were delicious, so light and fluffy.
    A small range of cold meats, no smoked salmon which was available in England and Austria.

    The food tonight has been exquisite. I tried to choose french foods although I did pass on the steak tartare. If it had been an entree size I may have tried it.
    I started with a ham and asparagus terrine. The ham wasn't sliced thinly but had been slow cooked and pulled off the bone. It was served with some type of foam with mustard seeds through it.
    Main was roast guinea fowl and asparagus. It was okay but a bit gamey for me taste.
    Dessert combined some of Dijon's specialities - blackcurrent sorbet and gingerbread served on a meringue. Very nice.

    I just watched the steak tartare being made at the table. At first I thought they were making a dressing for ceaser salad and putting semi dried tomatoes in it but when he started piling the dressed "tomatoes" on the plate into a large mound I realised it was the steak tartare.

    I made myself use some french phrases tonight: "table for one", "speak english", "bill please". I couldn't manage full sentences but it is a start.
    I still want to use Ja instead of oui.

    Photos
    The owl at Notre Dame Cathedral, it lacks detail because people rub it for luck.
    Owl path marker
    Dijon street
    Ducal palace
    Ham and asparagus terrine
    Dessert    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Solo travel

    11 settembre 2016, Svizzera ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    (I realise after two and a half weeks I am not an expert. These are just my thoughts),

    If it hasn't been obvious, I am travelling solo.
    Many people were surprised when they learnt that not only was I going on my own but that I wasn't doing a tour.
    I like my "alone time" as my nephew used to call it and always have. I seem to need more than the average person (or I just never learnt how to live with other people - ask my sister 😀).
    I never had any hesitation in setting off solo.

    I am a people pleaser by nature and travelling solo means I am not spending a lot of mental energy making sure the other person is having a good time, often to the detriment of myself.

    The good parts:
    The obvious one is that I set the agenda and can change plans whebever I want or need to.
    The other day after the walk to Gaisalm I had planned to go on to Scholastika to the museum but as the walk took it out of me and the timing would be tight I gave it a miss. If I'd been with someone else I would have felt pressured (by me not them) to keep going.
    Want to sit by the lake for half and hour and just look at it? No worries.
    To me spending the extra money to travel first class on the trains has been worth it, not everyone would see it that way.

    No one is there to see my stuff ups, yesterday I got on the tram for the Tirol Panorama, went two stops and realised I was going the wrong way. I go the wrong way a lot when using google maps. I now get that the sun travels across the southern sky but I still have to stop and get my bearings - if that is south then north is this way.

    There is no one to watch me take forever to get myself settled on the train. I watch other people just sit down. I put my backpack up on the shelf, then take it down again, get something out, put it up again, pull something out of my handbag, put my handbag down, pick it up again to check the ticket.

    There is no one to roll their eyes when I spend half an hour playing pokemon at Zurich train station (I had wifi and was within two pokestops that had lures).

    It's a lot cheaper, for experiences anyway. I presume the accommodation is more expensive.
    Overspending on the dinner budget because you walk into a fancy restaurant and sit down before you look at the menu is cheaper when it is only €20 more than you planned instead of €40 or more.

    I can be as cautious as I need to be without driving someone else nuts. Want to be at the train station half and hour before the train leaves even though 5 minutes is more than plenty? Go for it.

    Lastly - I'll still be talking to all my friends and family when I get home.

    The not so good parts:
    There is no one to watch my stuff so I have to take it with me.
    Trying to squeeze myself, a suitcase and backpack into a toilet cubicle is sometimes easier said than done.
    The other day at the gasthaus I had to order at the counter and give my table number. While I was inside ordering someone else sat at the table. Fortunately I was able to sit at the table next door.

    The looks you get from restaurant wait staff when you eat on your own. Usually I pull out my phone but sometimes the place is too up market for that.
    Having no one to talk to over a meal at a restaurant.

    The language. I'd probably be more confident to try out french and german if I had someone with me. I've managed to comminicate fine, even on the very few occasions the person hasn't spoken english. I haven't spoken a lot of it though.
    I did absorb more german than I realised though. Today I found myself looking for "ausgang" (exit) signs at the Dijon train station rather than "sortie".
    I also want to say "danke" instead of merci.

    The vague concerns of what if something goes wrong. One of the reasons I check in so much on facebook is so people know where I am/last was.

    So far do I regret it? No way!

    Today:
    I left Innsbruck at 7:40 this morning for Zurich. There was another train at 9:40 but that only gave me 14 minutes to change trains. We were 25 minutes late into Zurich so I am glad I played it safe.
    What I saw of Zurich was lovely. It sits on a huge lake. Makes the Achensee look tiny. I saw quite a few Swiss flags flying from buildings, not something I saw in Munich or Innsbruck.

    After two hours at Zurich train station I boarded the train for Paris. It was quite empty until we got to Basle, then the carriage filled up. I got off at Dijon and a lot of people got on. The train was non stop from Paris to Dijon.

    My first impression of Dijon? It's an old city. Innsbruck has it's Old Town but that, as beautiful as it is, has had regular maintenaince to keep it looking bright and old. Dijon's buildings (what I've seen) are old (not run down, just showing their aga).
    I'm in a gorgeous hotel not far from the centre of Dijon. My travel agent may not have been able to book train tickets but she did book good hotels. So far they have all been within walking distance of the main train station (except London but that was by the tube and buses).

    Photos:
    Austrian village
    The farms had these little sheds, at leadt one per field in some areas
    It's hard to tell but the rivers are an icy green colour
    Swiss village
    Cathedral in Dijon
    Dijon street    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Farewell to the Achensee

    11 settembre 2016, Austria ⋅ 🌫 10 °C

    I had a fantastic time in Pertisau. The Hotel Post was a great hotel. I'm in Innsbruck for the night as my train is at 7:40 in the morning.

    Last night I did the night cruise on the lake. Unfotunately I couldn't understand the musicians but they were apparently very funny. I know they made a joke about the Dutch (a high percentage of tourists of Pertisu are Dutch apparently). The music was good though, kind of a cross between folk and country.

    This morning I had a wander around Pertisau before heading down to Jenbach and then caught the train to Innsbruck. I did some washing before heading back to the same hotel I stayed in last weekend. I obviously had a room upgrade last time. My room tonight is fine but a king single instead of a double bed, no bath, a smaller chair.

    After checking in I went up to the Tirol Panorama, a museum which contains a huge painting that you stand in the middle of a round room and the painting is a continous scene all around the walls. The scene is of the battle between the Baravians and Tirolese in 1809.

    I then went to the ski jump next to the panorama, simply because I was asked I wanted to go when I bought my museum ticket.
    It was really interesting and very high up. I'm not normally too bothered by heights but whatever the pavers at the very top are laid on, they wobble when you walk on them. Most disconcerting!

    A thunderstorm came in late this afternoon, lots of thunder and lightning.

    Dinner ended up being at a very nice Italian restaurant. It was raining heavily and the restaurant was nice and close to the hotel. I do miss the half board arrangement I had at the Hotel Post!
    I had an octopus salad followed by a mushroom and chanterelle pasta, yum!

    Photos:
    Traditional chalet
    Hot air balloon over Achensee
    Tirol Panorama
    Looking down the ski jump
    Looking up at the ski jump
    View of the Inn valley from the top of the ski jump    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    The Dripping Rock and Gaisalm

    10 settembre 2016, Austria ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Today I set out to see if I could walk to the Dripping Rock and beyond to Gaisalm.
    My walk to the Barenbald alm gave me the confidence to try.
    It was a lovely morning, cool but not cold, overcast.
    The walk starts out very easy, a stroll along the path at the lake's edge. It was really pleasant. The water in the lake is so clear.
    The path started to rise and fall. In the worst parts a metal rope has been attached to the rock wall.
    The dripping rock is a spot where water comes down the mountain and crosses the path. A corrugated iron roof has been erected.
    I had a taste of the water coming off the roof - it tasted like the rusty water we would drink from the tops of rusty 44 gallon drums afte rain when we were kids.

    At the dripping rock I had to decide whether turn back to Pertisau or continue to Gaisalm. I decided to keep going as I knew I was more than half way.
    The going did get tougher but still manageable with my walking poles.

    Not far from Gaisalm is a section of loose rock that I had to walk across. I was looking for the path on the other side and saw a metal rope pegged into the wall on the other side. I nearly cried as there was no way I could pull my self up that! Fortunately there was a pathway and crisis averted. I made it to Gaisalm more than 2 hours after I left Pertisau (I'm not sure exactly when I left).
    I just had enough time for a drink before catching the boat back to Pertisau.

    Photos
    Dripping rock
    Footpath from Pertisau
    How clear the lake water is
    Part of the path
    The dreaded rope
    Gaisalm    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Half term expedition part 2

    10 settembre 2016, Austria ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    This is the second half of my Chalet journal, it covers Thursday and Friday.

    Thursday, it was one of the Chalet Girls' favourite walks, so easy even the young girls can manage easily - to Barebald alm.
    It was a warm day so Matey decreed no blazers were necessary.
    Hilda, Freda* and I set off to the base of the alp. Going up was easy, Joey was right! Although she may not have been referring to the Karwendal cable car.
    At the top I paused to watch men jumping off the mountain - paragliders. I took some snaps with my kodak.

    Consulting the map I determined the route, noting that the routes back down to Pertisau seemed to be marked difficult.
    Hilda, Freda and I set off at a slow trot, covering the ground reasonably easily.
    Then we came in sight of the alm! I quaked at the path leading down. Hilda and Freda quietly encouraged me all the way down.
    We eventually made it and stopped to appreciate the view. I could see across to the Sonnalpe.
    We weren't due for elevenses until we were back at the cable car so we begged a drink from the alm hutte.
    Their "alm dudler" (apple juice) went down a treat. After a short rest we went along the nice wide path that leads back to Pertisau. I was tempted to try it but my guides reminded me that many a Chalet girl has gotten into trouble choosing the easy looking path (a metaphor for life?) so I reluctantly turned back to that uphill slope. With H and F's help and ecouragement I made it up the slope with far less difficulty than I had expected.
    We made our way back to the cable car and I discovered that my watch had stopped (ie I hadn't checked the time on my phone) and it was 1pm! A stop for late elevenses was in order. Today I had it with me, a pastry left over from breakfast. H and F were maintaining there stick thin figures and went without.

    Back down the mountain we went.
    The aftetnoon's expedition was the steam railway - the Achenseebahn. I had come up to the lake via the coach road and so had not experienced this important part of Chalet life.
    H and F, having done the trip many times remained behind.

    First I caught the boat to Seespitz.
    A thought occurred to me - did the CS girls have season tickets for the boats? Maybe it was included in the fees? They seem to use them a lot, and not always planned.

    Anyway... The train was waiting at Seespitz. I hope the carriages have changed since the 1930s, or it had a luggage compartment as I can't imagine fitting all the luggage in.

    The ride down was quite jerky in places.
    The coal smoke smelt terrible. It was brown so soft coal?
    The view was good though, through towns, forrest and open country. The next trip back to Seespitz was the last trip up so I had some plum kuchen at the railway station then we made our way back up. If I thought the trip down was jerky, the trip up was more so.
    The boat was waiting as we reached Seespitz so it was an easy transfer back to the hotel.

    Yesterday it was time to tackle the Dripping rock and Gsisalm, an easy stroll apparently. H and F agreed to accompany me and I'm glad they did. It started out as any easy stroll but soon the wide flat path gave way to a narrower path of loose rock or dirt. It went up and down a fair bit. I had agreed with H and F I would turn back if it was too difficult.
    Turning the corner to see the dripping rock was amazing. I'd seen one of the iconic sights in the CS books. The narrow path doesn't encourage stopping for long although one rambler, on observing me stopping to take pictures stopped as well.

    Now, to go forward or turn around? I'm no spineless jellyfish (not suggesting anyone who did turn around is 😀) so I kept ongoing. The track got tougher but H and F kept encouraging me to lean on them, (Freda may well have a dislocated shoulder after some of those big step downs).
    But we made it! We made it to Gaisalm which has a gasthaus and nothing else.
    Just enough time to purchase a drink and then we caught the boat back.

    Time for lunch. I had not yet called in to see Herr Braun at the Kron Prinz Karl (Furstenhaus) so this was a great opportunity.
    Herr Braun has done well for himself. The hotel has been extended and is beautiful inside.
    I decided to eat in the beer garden. H and F were horrified and lay on the ground in protest.
    I didn't have the energy to translate the menu so chose frankfurters and pommes fries assuming I would get a nice sausage, no I got exactly what it said, hot dogs (without the red skin) and chips. Never the less it was fine.

    I had a dilemma. I heard a rumour at breakfast of a night cruise on the lake. But would it be suitable entertainment for a gracious lady such as myself. I was tempted to sneak out but
    a) that is not honourable
    b) I did't want Joey to have to rescue me and
    c) I didn't want bronchitis or pneumonia

    Fortunately Herr Braun advised that the entertainment would be suitable and that the rocks by Gaisalm would be lit up and it was a spectacular sight.

    Back to the hotel then for a rest. There was a strudel buffet in the restaurant but not having yet learnt the german strudel words, plus I'd need an early abendssen I gave it a miss.

    H and F declined to accompany me on the night cruise (sticks in the mud they are!)

    The cruise was lovely. I must work on my german as I couldn't understand what the musicians were saying.
    The views were lovely. I took my blazer so was able to spend a good portion of the cruise on the deck.
    Well worth it.

    Time to bid the Tiernsee goodbye.

    *Hilda and Freda were my walking poles.

    Photos:
    Another view of the Dripping Rock
    Alpenhof
    There are many of these shrines(?) all throughout the Achensee. This one is at the Barenbald alm.
    Look at the shadow of the steamtrain.
    Pertisau by night
    Rocks by Gaisalm    Leggi altro

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    The barenbald alm

    8 settembre 2016, Austria ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Today I went up to the top of Zerwolferkopf in the Karwendal cable car. It is about another 900m up. The is the spot the paragliders leave from. There is a good view of the lake and surrounds, as well across to the Rofan mountains were I was yesterday. The Barendbaldalm is a 30 minute walk from the cable car. Off I went with my trusty walking poles. I was mostly going downhill as the alm is 50m below the level of the cable car. The last 150m or so was rather steep. I appreciated my walking poles.

    I had a rest and a drink at the alm hutte but to be honest I didn't enjoy it that much as I was dreading the walk back up that steep hill. The was a path down towards Maurach that looked a gentle slope and was nice and wide but it had bee marked difficult so I turned back to the easy route.
    Getting up that hill was easier than expected and having the poles definitely made things easier.
    I was up on the mountain much longer than I exoected. I had taken some morning tea with me and ate it at 1pm before boarding the cable car for the journey back.

    Back to the hotel for a cold shower, change of clothes and a quick 10 minute lie down before heading to the lake for the boat to Seespitz.
    From there I caught the Achenseebahn down to Jenbach.
    Apart from the truck ride yesterday all these excursions are covered by my Achensee guest card. We get a basic card from the hotel which gives free bus rides and (I think discounts on the various activities) but by buying the sticker to go on the card for €63 the cable cars, boats, achenseebahn, oil museum have not cost me any extra.

    Anyway, the train is a steam train. Coal smoke stinks. The train was interesting for the first five minutes and then I got to thinking I'm glad train travel has improved as it was very jerky.
    We were in Jenbach for 45 minutes before coming back up. The engine pushed us up the steep part to Eben then moved to the front and pulled as the rest of the way.
    The scenery was interesting, I got to see into people's backyards along some of the way. Other parts were pure forrest.
    We got back to Seespitz in time to catch tne boat back to Pertisau.

    Dinner was a bit of a let down tonight. Both the service and food had been great up until now. I have a new waiter, he doesn't speak a lot of english (but more than my german).
    We get the menu at breakfast and have to choose our main meal from a choice of three then.
    Today my menu was in german. I translated the three mains as: rust roast; calf goulash; and potato and zucchini bake. I opted for the veggie bake.
    The service wasn't great.

    There won't be a CS version tonight. I am really tired. When I planned to do this blog I thought I'd be sitting in my room all by myself and it would give me something to do.
    Most nights I've written it in the lounge/bar of where I been staying, if I write it in my room it has been in bed because I am so tired (like tonight!)

    Photos:
    Paraglider
    Looking down on Pertisau
    The dreaded hill, it was a lot worse that it looks!
    Looking towards the Rofan mountains, where I was yesterday
    Achensee bahn
    Drawing if Hotel Post circa 1930    Leggi altro

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