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  • Michelle Creasy
aug. – okt. 2016

Europe

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    The desination is worth the journey

    10. oktober 2016, Wales ⋅ 🌙 6 °C

    When I decided to stay longer in Scotland and not go to the Cotswolds I didn't consider what that would do to my journey from the Peak District to Wales. I made the journey longer by staying on the east side of the Peak District and then staying in the west of Wales.

    So most of the day was spent driving.
    I went via Stoke-on-Trent as I needed to find a shop to top up my mobile. Without a U.K. card I had to go into a store. That added about an hour to my trip but is done.

    Lunch was at a farm shop somewhere in Shropshire (I think). They had a little wire haired jack russell who came and inspected each person as they got out of their car.

    The drive down through Wales was very pretty.
    I am staying at Roch Castle, a 12th century castle in Pembrokeshire. The inside has been modernised but is very luxurious.

    Before I started my trip I had a lot of lists of things to see or experience in my head. A stay in a castle was on the accommodation list but I didn't think it was realistic. I was lucky Roch castle had a vacancy for my dates.

    Photos
    Roch Castle
    Jack Russell and friend from lunch
    First view of the Irish Sea
    Cardigan bay
    Roch Castle
    View from my window    Læs mere

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    A gentle day

    11. oktober 2016, Wales ⋅ 🌙 5 °C

    I decided that I just wanted to explore the immediate area today and come back to the castle in the afternoon to enjoy amenities.

    I set off to St David's but only got to Newgale, just down the road when I took a left turn to follow the coast. It was all B roads which meant windy, skinny roads with hedges on both sides.

    I can see though why people come to Wales for holidays. I stopped at Broad Haven and took a walk along the beach. The water wasn't as cold as I was expecting (no I didn't paddle but just dipped my fingers in).
    There is a cave/tunnel at the north end of the beach, I did wonder how far in it went.

    I discovered on the beach that I finally have my sense of direction back. It may have something to do with being on the west coast. Until today I guessed where I think north is, then I know north will generally be 180 degrees from the direction I think it is. It is most disconcerting, I hadn't realised how much I rely on knowing where I am in relation to direction until I didn't have it.

    From Broad Haven I made my way along the coast to various other beaches and havens. The church at St Brides (St Bridget's) was open and I was able to go in.

    Milford Haven is where all the ships in the bay are headed/leaving. It is rather incongruous to see 5 or 6 tankers out in St Bride's Bay.
    There is an oil refinery in/near Milford Haven although the harbour was also full of yachts/boats.

    I went back the way I'd come to St David's. It was 4pm by then. I had a look at the information centre and a walk down the main street. I picked up at oggi (Welsh version of a Cornish pastie, I think there is some dispute as to which came first). It had lamb and leek in it.

    I drove back to Newgale and had my dinner on the beach.

    I came back to the castle just as everyone else seemed to be leaving for dinner so I have had the place to myself (except for the poor worker who is waiting for a late arrival) for the last couple of hours.

    The castle has been modernised so is very luxurious inside. I'm not sure what makes a shower luxurious but the shower in my room is. It is very large, with a large shower head and strong water pressure.

    I'm in the sunroom/lounge at the moment which has numerous comfy chairs and couches.

    Photos
    St Brides
    At Druidstone
    Broad Haven beach
    Broad Haven beach
    Tunnel at Broad Haven beach, the colour is natural.
    St Brides    Læs mere

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Another quiet day

    12. oktober 2016, Wales ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Another quiet day. I'm not sure whether it's travel fatigue, the long drive on Sunday or the relaxing nature of Pembrokeshire but I didn't feel like doing much today either.

    As you can imagine the breakfasts here are lovely. Yesterday I had poached eggs with potato and laverbread hash. I thought it would be the best way to have laverbread. It was nice.

    Today I had pancakes with maple syrup and bacon. It's the first time I've had it and it was weird but good.

    I went down to St Justinian's which is close to Ramsey Island and where the lifeboat is.
    I did a small part of the coastal walk which was very coastal indeed! The path is very close to the edge and I could imagine how people could be blown off in high winds.

    From there I went to Whitesands which is a lovely beach. There were plenty of dogs around. Dogs aren't allowed on the beach May - September. There was a little tent pitched on a hill nearby, crazy people!

    I came across a small woollen mill. They mostly make carpets and rugs. I was able to see the loom (automated) working and they had a good description of the process. They also have the original waterwheel running. Well I imagine all the parts have been relaxed as they mentioned the wood had rotted and they'd switched from (I think) oak to elm.

    I stopped at a little pub for lunch. I am finding that little random pubs can do great food. I opted for sausages and mash. I never understood the appeal of this dish until coming to the UK. Now I like it. Every item on the menu had peas as the veg. Even the curry came with "rice, peas or half and half".
    These peas were at least garden peas and not mushy.

    While waiting for my meal I noticed all these farm implements hanging above the fireplace. It brought to mind the Torchwood episode "countrycide" where instead of find aliens being responsible for people going missing in the Welsh countryside it was a small settlement of people using implements like those on the wall. It gave me a giggle (and a small sense of unease). When I mentioned it to the landlord he was familiar with the show but didn't really get the connection. He did show me they were bolted onto the wall and couldn't be used.
    Who knows what he thought of me. Having an active imagination isn't always a good thing.

    I went into Haverfordwest to pick up some essentials and then came back to the castle to relax.

    Tea at a pub in Solva was one of the most ordinary meals I've had so far. A whopping beef rib with tasteless chips. Oh well.

    Photos
    St Justinian's lifeboat station
    Coastal walk
    Ramsey island
    Whitesands beach, nite the blue speck that is the tent
    Waterwheel at Woollen mill
    The Rising Sun Inn    Læs mere

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    A bookish day

    13. oktober 2016, Wales ⋅ 🌙 7 °C

    Before going to Sedburgh I wasn't that fussed about going to Hay-on-Wye. There are many things that would be nice to do had I unlimited time.
    However being so close and nothing else planned between Roth and Cardiff, why not?

    It would be too simple to go straight there so I went via The Brecon Beacons. The scenery wasn't as spectacular as some I've seen this trip but it was still a nice drive.

    I said something yesterday about random pubs serving good food? I found the exception to the rule today. Nothing on the menu appealed so I went with the carvery. Big mistake, although the seasoning was nice.

    Hay-on-Wye is a cute little town. It has a lot of antique shops and other independent shops.

    (For those who aren't aware Hay-on-Wye is the original book town. It has over 20 second hand book shops).

    I wasn't really expecting to buy much as I have heard the books I am interested in can be quite expensive. This was true in the two specialist children's bookshops. I'm both they had dust jacketed Chalet School books behind glass that I only looked at through the glass. The CS books on the shelves ranged £25 to £80 so imagine what the expensive ones must have been.

    I did find some good buys though and I enjoyed walking through the town.
    I wasn't impressed with the public toilet though. If I'm going to pay 20p to use the toilet I expect a toilet seat. Thank goodness for wet wipes.

    From Hay-on-Wye I made my way to Hereford where I found Elinor Brent-Dyer's house, where she ran a school and lived for many years. it was getting dark by then but I did manage a couple of photos.

    The drive to Cardiff was in the dark. There are no street lights but enough cars that you can't use high beam but not enough to not need high beam. I'm staying in the city by the central train station, I managed to join the taxi rank but once the taxi drivers realised I wasn't there to pick someone up, thus using their space illegally and instead was there by accident they helped me turn around and directed me in the right direction!

    Photos
    Books! (From the Children's Bookshop)
    Brecon Beacons
    Bookshop in Hay-on-Wye
    EBD plaque on her house
    EBD's house
    The books I bought    Læs mere

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    The Whoniverse

    14. oktober 2016, Wales ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    I can't make up my mind as to whether I like Cardiff or not. It's not a huge city - 350,000 and quite compact. I'm not sure whether the area I am staying in (by the main train station) is seedy or not but it is central.
    I started off with the hop on hop off tour. There is a stop conveniently close by.
    I got off partway at The Doctor Who Experience. I am a huge Doctor Who fan especially Doctors 9 and 10 so this was a no brainer.
    It starts with the "experience" in which you go through a journey with the twelfth Doctor. I won't say much here as they prefer it not to be spoilt but it was fun. I helped to save the universe.
    There is an exhibition of various costumes in which I had a good browse through. All up I was there for several hours.

    From there I walked across to Mermaid Quay for some lunch and took a look at the Ianto Jones memorial and the Millennium Centre. I met another Torchwood fan who was there with his friend who just didn't get it, he would rather be in the pub than look for the water tower.

    I caught the bus back and then went down St Mary st which I thought was meant to be the shopping precent but it was all bars, backpackers and not much else.
    I got back to the hotel just before five intending to go and do some washing but discovered the laundromat closed at 6 so watched a movie instead. I eventually went across the road for some dinner and have been catching up on my TripAdvisor reviews.

    Photos
    TARDIS
    Ood
    Weeping angel - don't blink!
    Cyberman
    Mermaid Quay
    Millennium centre    Læs mere

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    The not so fun parts of travelling

    15. oktober 2016, Wales ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Well today didn't turn out quite like I'd planned.
    Washing was first up on the agenda, I have been wearing short sleeves (with a cardy and jacket) as everything has been worn one day too many as it is.

    I found the laundromat okay, the benefit of having a car I thought. Unfortunately it was full of other people doing their washing. There was another one not to far away so I went there. Much better.
    I was able to use the machines but it still took the best part of an hour and a half to two hours but it was done!

    Next was to post my books to myself. I don't really have the room to bring them back with me so just post them.
    Yeh well...
    I had discovered when I got back to the car after doing the washing that I had parked in a street that only allowed residents permit parking.
    What I didn't realise is that the main streets allow anyone to park but ALL the side streets are residents parking only and there was no parking on the main streets. I spent a very long time driving around looking for a post office with parking within a reasonable walking distance. I finally found a postal agency but they only accepted parcels of 2kg or under.

    I admit that I cried (in the car, not the shop), I also ate the piece of French chocolate I have been carting around since, well France and had been saving for an emergency.

    I went to the post office recommended by the guy at the agency and eventually found somewhere to park. I asked for the cheapest way to post the books and was quoted £99!
    I asked if splitting them into smaller parcels would be cheaper and she looked to her colleague Becky who gave me a pamphlet to look through. I discovered that by splitting them into two parcels and sending them economy international as printed papers it would be about a third of the original quote.

    Fortunately when I lined up again I got Becky and she was very helpful. The process took quite a while, I had to fit the books in the bags so they wouldn't move around, have Becky seal them, go to another window to address them, back to Becky to fill in customs and pay.
    I've just checked my receipt and with all the rigmarole I wasn't charged for the postage bags!!!!!!!!

    It was nearly 3pm by this stage and I had had enough. I hadn't had lunch which may have contributed to my mood but I couldn't be bothered to have any. I went back to my hotel and read my book (I kept one).

    At least I had a good appetite for tea. During my travels I have tried to stick to the cuisine of wherever I have been, with a few exceptions. Since being in Cardiff I've had South American, Mexican, Indian and tonight I felt like pasta. There is a Jamie's Italian close by so I thought I'd try that. Their seating policy annoys me. After being told a 20 minute wait and then 10 minutes later a 30 minute wait I decided I couldn't be bothered.

    There was another Italian place close by and I had a very nice meal with good service. Stuffed mushrooms followed by pancetta and asparagus tagliatelle.

    I saw quite a few police out tonight and it's funny - I got used to seeing them in Paris that I didn't think much of it in the end but seeing them here made me feel a bit uneasy.

    So I can't say Cardiff has been my favourite place but I don't think that is all Cardiff's fault.

    I didn't take any photos today so here are some of the inside of Roch Castle.
    Chapel windows
    Chapel
    Rampart
    The rock the castle is built on
    Stairs
    Stairs    Læs mere

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    From Cardiff to Cornwall

    16. oktober 2016, England ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    While searching the English Heritage website to decide on a route to Cornwall I realised I'd be passing by Cleeve Abbey, used by Elsie J Oxenham as the template for the abbey in her Abbey girls series.

    I knew I'd have to cross the Severn bridge so checked the details carefully, had the right amount of cash to pay the toll but when I got there discovered that the toll is only payable when going westward.
    I stopped for lunch at an old inn close to the abbey, complete with low ceilings, wood beams and an inglenook fireplace.
    The pork pie was nice.

    Unfortunately it started raining while I had lunch. Cleeve abbey is different to the other abbeys in that there is very little trace of the church left but the other buildings such as the dormitory and refectory are in good condition.
    I did find the bench dedicated to EJO. I checked every bench in the grounds only to find it by the front door.

    The drive down through Somerset and Devon was really pretty. I really like the moors landscape.
    I'm staying down near St Ives as it is the area my paternal grandmother's family (Roach and Ninnes') is from. Apparently Roach is still a common name in this area.

    Photos
    Abbey gatehouse
    Dormitory
    Abbey
    Floor tiles
    Moors
    Moors    Læs mere

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Church and the Cornish Coast

    17. oktober 2016, England ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    I started out today with the service at Towednack church. It was a lovely service, about 30 people in attendance and in an old church. The bells called us to the service.
    I was made to feel very welcome.
    After the service I was shown the list of names of those in the churchyard and so was easily able to locate those I was looking for. I haven't had a chance to compare them to the family tree but will do so.

    From the church I went into St Ives. I had read that St Ives isn't a place for cars and it isn't! They have car parks towards the outer parts and you walk/catch the bus in.
    The streets around the harbour are narrow and cobbled. It is very touristy but in a good way. The shops tended to be bakeries selling pasties or cream teas, fudge shops (apparently Cornwall is famous for its fudge), art galleries/shop and independent clothes shops.
    When I got down to the harbour the tide was very much out. The boats were beached and people walking over the sands. An hour later I saw the sand mostly covered with water. I could see the water coming in. Like waves at the beach but they didn't recede. I watched it for quite a while.
    Seeing a tide rush in/out was something I was hoping to see on my trip so I am happy.
    I went up the coast a bit, first to Godrevy and then Portreath.
    Once the tide was in and the wind blowing strongly I could see the wild Cornish coast.
    Over at Portreath the waves were high on the harbour wall and people surfing/boogy boarding a couple of metres from the shore.

    Photos
    Towednack church
    St Ives Harbour 1:45pm
    St Ives Harbour 2:55pm
    Weather coming in
    Godrevy lighthouse
    Portreath surfer    Læs mere

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    An island, a theatre and ancient stones

    18. oktober 2016, England ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Last night I wrote the blog at the pub where I had tea. It was a very friendly pub and I got talked into staying for the weekly pub quiz.
    I competed on my own and did so badly it was funny. Out of a possible 60 points I scored 20, four of those were bonus points for competing on my own. It was a fun evening.

    This morning I went to St Michael's Mount, a tidal island not too far from Penzance. At low tide the causeway is accessible and you can walk over. Today that was 10-3 so I was able to walk over and back. I was in time for a village tour which was very interesting. 9 families live and work on the island.
    I got to have a pasty for lunch so that was my must do for Cornwall done.

    From there I went to Minack Theatre. This is an open air theatre that has been carved out of the cliff side, most by a woman who was still carving bits out, bringing bags of sand up from the beach and mixing concrete into her 70s. It is really amazing and has performances throughout the summer.

    Next up was Lands End. It was a bit of an anti-climax. All the information signs have been removed and everything was shut except the bloke in charge of taking photos at the sign.

    Men-an-Tol is a set of ancient standing stones about 1.5km off the road. It was a nice walk up the track with some inquisitive cows on both sides. One of the stones is round with a hole and meant to be a fine example of ancient stones. It was about 5:30pm by this stage so I played about with the light taking photos.

    Just after I left the pub where I had my tea I saw a badger! It crossed the road in front of the car. I was going fairly slowly due to the road so I got a really good look at it. It was about the size of a wombat but more agile and with a tail.
    It is something else to cross of my "would it be nice if I saw this" list. I admit I got rather excited shouting "you're a badger! You're a badger!" at it as it crossed the road.
    Closer to the B&B I saw a black rabbit and then I thought I saw another badger in the hedge... but it was a garbage bag. I may be a bit overtired.

    Photos
    St Michaels Mount
    Minack Theatre
    Minack Theatre Gardens - Rowena Cade, the woman do made the gardens, made these concrete columns.
    First and last house at Lands End
    Men-an-Tol    Læs mere

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Dartmoor

    18. oktober 2016, England ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    I went back to St Michael's Mount this morning as I wanted to see it with the tide in. I was about 15 minutes earlier than yesterday and the difference was striking. It was bitterly cold. I hadn't bothered with my hat, scarf and jacket as I only wanted to take some photos. I was well and truly cold when I was done.

    I spent a lot of the day driving back and forth across Dartmoor, mainly because I didn't like the look of some of the roads the GPS wanted me to go.

    As soon as I crossed the cattle grid onto the moor I saw two horses. The were brown and white so not true Dartmoor ponies apparently.
    Later I did see some in a paddock that seem to be true ponies - one colour and very heavy coats. They were very inquisitive and friendly. I wanted to pat them but visitors are requested not to touch them. I did pull up some of the grass on my side of the fence and feed them that.

    Unlike the Yorkshire moors the sheep and cattle here were happy to be on the road and not in much of a hurry to move out of the way.

    I can't book into my accommodation until 8pm as they are at yoga so I had a look at the coast. There must be some super secret way of getting to the beach that only the locals know as every time I turned down a road that looked like it lead to the beach I'd get partway down to be met with a sign "no access to beach!"

    Photos
    St Michael's Mount before the tide is completely out.
    Dartmoor
    "Really? You want me to move?"
    They looked like ponies but they could be cows
    Ponies    Læs mere

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Corfe Caste

    20. oktober 2016, England ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    I feel I haven't done much to write about today.
    I went to Corfe Castle, both the village and the castle which is about an hour from where I am staying. As I got to the car park the serial I have been listening to on radio 4 "Man at the Helm" came on so I sat and listened to that while I wrote some postcards.

    I started with the village, it is very grey, a lot is built from scavenged castle. I visited the miniature village display, along with several classes of about 9 year olds. It was amusing to watch them discover the various hidden bits in the village. I don't know if they saw it but in the grounds of the model castle was a blue police box!
    I visited "Ginger Pop" the Enid Blyton shop. It is very small but has a wonderful collection of wartime memorabilia and games of that era as well as all of Enid Blyton's in print and a second hand collection.

    After some lunch I went up to the castle. It was apparently the inspiration for Kirran Castle in the famous five series but is not on an island. There are great views of the countryside from the castle.
    I then went down to Knoll beach which is apparently a very popular beach. There were quite a few people and dogs there, even though it was cold and overcast.

    I had some dinner in Bridport and then came back to the B&B, I'm tired and the bed is soo comfortable!

    Photos
    Corfe Castle village
    Miniature village
    Wishing Chair outside Ginger Pop
    View from castle
    Beach hits
    Knoll beach    Læs mere

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Be Still

    21. oktober 2016, England ⋅ 🌙 7 °C

    A cold and cloudy day today, I am preparing for a shock on Sunday evening.

    Today I went to Poole harbour and then to Brownsea island. The island is owned by the National Trust and is a sanctuary for the red squirrel and birds.

    I wandered around the island, the line of a hymn kept coming to mind "Be still in the presence of the Lord", as so often happens though I couldn't remember the rest.

    The autumn colours are so beautiful.
    Being still was what was required to see the wildlife. I think I also needed to just sit, listen and be still.

    I saw red squirrels, they are surprisingly noisy. The only reason I saw two of them is because I was looking for the bird that made the strange noise.
    I watched one run up a tree to the top branches and then jump or just walk to the top branches of the tree next door. It transferred across 4 or 5 trees, then climbed down and ran away.

    I also saw a deer, it seemed quite unconcerned about the people watching it.
    I heard lots of birds but only saw a few.

    I went down to the scout camp, this is where Lord Baden Powell held the first scout camp.
    Scouts from all over the world still camp there.

    The boat I planned on taking back to Poole either left early or didn't turn up, I wasn't sure so I sat in the freezing cold for half an hour to make sure I didn't miss the next. We went on a tour of the harbour before returning to the quay. The kids on board had obviously had enough as it was hard to hear the commentary over their noise.

    I went into Wareham before coming back to the the B&B.

    Photos
    Dorset countryside
    Border force boat -Poole is a busy harbour
    Brownsea island
    Heath on Brownsea island
    Deer
    Squirrel    Læs mere

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Stereotypical England

    21. oktober 2016, England ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    The last full day of my trip.
    I'm flying out of Gatwick and had to return the car here at 4pm so a leisurely drive, view some iconic attractions, clean the car and check in to the hotel by 4:30pm.

    Simple!

    I started with the Cerce giant. It was only a short distance from where I was staying and I found it easily. Two problems: it needs rechalking so is much harder to make out than the photos I've seen and it was a foggy morning so that made it even more difficult.

    Next stop was Stonehenge, but on the way I stopped at a walled garden. It was gorgeous with vegetables and autumn flowers. I spent some time walking around but had to keep moving as the tickets for Stonehenge are timed.

    If Stonehenge hadn't been on the way and free (I bought an English Heritage membership at my first Castle which gave me free entry into all their sites) and on the way I don't know if I would have gone.

    It is one of those places full of selfie sticks and their annoying users. I downloaded the audio guide last night so could use headphones instead of having to hold the device to my ear.

    I think the reason I wasn't really impressed is I couldn't sense the history as I have been able to in so many of the other places I visited. I'm not sure if that's because so little is known, the setting or that I couldn't get up close. I'm afraid it's a "been there, done that, don't need to go again" place for me.

    I left Stonehenge at 1:30, it would take me a bit over an hour and a half to get to Gatwick, leaving me time to clean the car.

    I thought I'd stop in Basingstoke to clean the car but do you think I could find a car wash? Google maps let me down as none of the petrol stations it directed me to had car washes.

    So I kept going to Gatwick, at some point I got on the M25. I don't know how many crashes there were. I saw the aftermath of one, I don't know if that just had a massive knock on effect or whether there were others. It took me an hour to travel 2 miles. I wish I was exaggerating but I had 10 miles until the turn off and I watched those .1 of a mile change very very slowly in the gps. I gave up hope of returning the car by 4pm, especially since I was still inching along at 5pm. It did clear just after that and I made it to Gatwick by 5:30. By the time I filled up, found some very efficient blokes to wash the car (I had given up on DIY by then) and found the rental place on the third try (sometimes you need to ignore the GPS and follow the signs) and checked into the hotel it was 6:45pm.

    My room is large so I'll have plenty of room to spread stuff out to repackage it all and hopefully get a good night's sleep.

    Photos
    Cerne giant - I can't see him either
    Three types of kale and beans
    Autumn flowers
    Heel stone at Stonehenge
    Stonehenge
    Stonehenge    Læs mere

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  • Michelle CreasyEuropeMichelle Creasy

    Nearly home

    23. oktober 2016, Forenede Arabiske Emirater ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    My travels are nearly over. It's been everything I wished for and more. I saw much more than I expected and what I've seen has put a lot of popular culture into context.

    (As an aside - if I type the letter "C" one of the words suggested is castle).

    The flight from Gatwick to Dubai was quite uneventful, there was a large number of kids in the cabin but apart from one poor baby screaming as we descended they weren't really noisy.

    I was a bit bored though, I watched more than 10 hours of tv on the way over and the programs don't seemed to have changed. I had hoped to sleep but that didn't happen.

    Back to my trip - my favourite place was Pertisau. Even without the Chalet connection it is still a lovely place to visit. The highlight was making it to the Dripping Rock. I literally thought "I can go home now" as I saw it.
    I surprised myself with the walks I did.

    I discovered I really like train travel. I much prefer it to flying, even the long trip from Paris to Munich was good.

    The two places that I wouldn't go back to? Dijon and Cardiff. I think with Dijon I was looking for more of a village experience and that's not what Dijon gives you. Cardiff - that was partly coloured by a poor choice of hotel and the great book posting debacle. Just as well I did post them though as I posted about 6.2kg and my checked baggage weighed 34.5kg. My allowance is 40kg and I bet that extra kilo would have cost a lot more than the postage for the books.
    I'm pretty sure I had less than 20kg when I left Perth. I did buy a small suitcase to hold the stuff I bought.

    London was so much hotter than I expected and the sheer number of people was overwhelming. My favourite experience was seeing The Bodyguard, Hyde Park was also good.

    In Munich I loved the English Gardens, they were so cool and refreshing. I was surprised at the amount of potato I ate.

    Paris surprised me at how much I enjoyed it. I hadn't planned to necessarily go up the Eiffel Tower until I saw it. My favourite though was the Musee d'Orsay.

    It was interesting in that the three mainland European countries all have instructions in 3 languages: the native language, English and a third.
    In Germany it was French, in Austria Italian and in France Spanish.

    Of all the English places I visited I think Yorkshire was my favourite, especially when you consider the dales as well as the moors. In fact wherever I went if there was an opportunity to go via the moors I did.

    Scotland is beautiful, I wish I had been able to see more. I'd like to think I will go back at explore more of the highlands.

    Wales - Pembrokeshire was beautiful, by then I think I was getting a bit travel weary and only explored the immediate area and did not do it justice. I'd have liked to learn more about the birds of the area.

    I think I found the right balance between having a planned schedule and flexibility for thins that I wasn't expecting. I found planning two activities for the day usually filled the day with unplanned stuff fitting in around those activities.

    I have well and truly caught the travel bug, I hope to visit Ireland and Switzerland in two years, just need to start saving.

    The things I'm most looking forward to when I get home? Seeing my brand new backyard, seeing Edie and of course R. I've missed her, in the last 20 odd years I've never been so long between seeing her.

    Thanks to all have read, commented and enjoyed my blog. I'll probably change the settings to private in the next few weeks.

    Some photos that didn't make it in the original posts.

    River in Munich
    Wildflowers at Pertisau
    Illuminations
    Trees at Dachau Palace    Læs mere

    Se oversættelse
    Slut på rejsen
    23. oktober 2016
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