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  • Coltrane

UK & France

A 27-day adventure by Coltrane Read more
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  • Trip start
    April 21, 2017
    ColtraneUK & FranceTraveler

    Glasgow - Day 1

    April 21, 2017 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Just set down in Glasgow, upgraded our hire car to a Merc with all the Bells and Whistles for an extra 15 pounds a day! Best option though has got to be Sat Nav that got us into our first B&B without too many arguments😊. My phone is not UK ready so couldn't contact the owner, but with some help from friendly locals at Cafe del Sara Italian Cafe got in OK! Beautiful day short walk into Byer street for Pizza Dinner and early bed!Read more

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    Glasgow Day 2

    April 22, 2017 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Early wake up Breakfast @ Cafe William - very nice! Georgia had Nutella & Banana Pancakes! Another fine day and we decide to do a walking tour of Glasgow! Start @ the dead centre of town - the Necropolis. This is one of Europe's finest Cemeteries on a hill beside the old merchant side of Town! It is an amazingly beautiful but derelict tribute to the people associated with Glasgow's heritage. A short walk took us to the Glasgow Cathedral a stunning piece of Architecture with many unravelling layers of History and Worship. Unfortunately, the Blackadder Aisle was closed for renovation! Georgia lit two candles,one for mum and one for dad! And we continued our voyage of discovery to the local markets, a poor man Brickworks, then back to the old Merchant Town for a few laps and then out looking forWest Brewery near the River Clyde! This was a long journey after much walking and we somehow managed to walk about a km past it! Anyway finally got back there for a well earned Pint of Dark and a Pint of Black! Taxi home for afternoon nap!Read more

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    Glascow > Portree - Day 3

    April 23, 2017 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C

    Left Glasgow for The Isle of Skye travelling the A82 through Loch Lamond and Loch Linnhe to Fort William where we stopped for a stroll around. Back on the Road where after lunch at Malaig we caught the ferry to Isle of Skye and another hour drive to Portree. The scenery was sparse but stunning, from great watery expanses to rugged mountains all dotted along the way with picture postcard whitewashed cottages, or cluster villages.
    A game of crib, a pint of Guinness and a chicken and leek pie in the local where we are staying finished us off!    Read more

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    Isle of Skye Day 4

    April 24, 2017 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 2 °C

    Woke up to a BIG change in the Weather! 6 degrees and snowing!!! Bloody freezing, but we brave the elements for a walk around town ! Even the locals are commenting on the cold so you can imagine how we felt! Only one thing for it, jump in the Merc and head for Talisker Distillery, an hour tour and a warming Dram. Followed this with lunch at the Oyster Farm, beautiful fresh seafood and a snowball fight with Georgia! We decide on a drive around the rugged top end, snow is thick now, the whole place has gone white and the mountains look amazing! An eventful drive with many a wrong way, close call on single lane roads, and dodging of lambing ewes! We visit some 800 year old castle, but were put off going in by the jaded Ol biddy in the gift shop! Trekked further on, took some pics of the Black Huts, visited the Skye Brewery for a pint of Black and froze our arses off taking Pics on the coast! Back to Portree that is now looking like some winter wonderland out of a fairytale, all coloured cottages and snow laden surrounds. The pub offers warming solace in the form of a coal fire, a hot pie, whiskey and a local acoustic duo! A fitting end to a perfect Scottish day!Read more

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    Pitlochry - Day 5

    April 25, 2017 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 3 °C

    Sad to leave Isle of Skye, it was short but fun! A big drive ahead and after attempting Smoked Kippers for breakfast we hit the road for Eilean Donan castle. This furnished castle was originally built in 300 AD ! It went through many changes before ending up in the hands of Clan Macrae, whose final refurbishment finished in the 1930's. It was great to see a castle looking how it might have centuries earlier, and it felt surprisingly cosy despite the exposed location. We then took a two hour windy road back down from the Highlands through more snow, feral goats and passed many sheep and the odd Highland Coow! A quick pit stop at Dalwhinnie Distillery and finally into Pitlochry a lovely traditional Scottish Village! Our accomodation for the night is in a somewhat grand old Scottish house! We had half an hour to get to Edradour our last Whisky Stop. A quick stroll down the main street and our day is done. Well almost just had to get our butts whipped by Georgia at Crib, then we all crawled off to bed!Read more

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    Carlisle - Day 6

    April 26, 2017 in England ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C

    Well it had to happen! Things were going too well to last. After a lovely morning, with a 2 hour stroll around the Pitlochry township and surrounds, we packed the car to leave for Carlisle. Popping my phone and glasses on the car to remove my jacket and scarf for the drive, I decided to tidy up the the back seat. Of course in doing so I completely forgot I'd left two of the most crucial items of my trip on the roof. Long story short drove off and three hours later pull into a service stop for a rest. FML is allI could say! So now for the next 25 days I am partially blind and at the mercy of Janes Phone! Solution some dodgy Boots Glasses and relegation to the IPad!
    Oh well just hope my phone isn't hacked ! Carlisle looks nice but is just a pitstop really. So this post is of not much interest and I'm sure will be cause of much mirth in the future, but for now I'm just plain Pissed Off!    Read more

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    Conwy - Day 7

    April 27, 2017 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    Still seething about lost phone and glasses. Left Carlisle after we couldn't get the shower to work in B&B! So seething and stinky head down to Hadrian's wall for a look at what the Romans are up to! Well - it's a wall and its old! The countryside was nice, but you can imagine Georgia was absolutely enthralled! Leaving Hadrian in our dust we take a detour into the Lakes District anda lovely town called Kendall, all cobblestone alleyways winding up down and around the town! The countryside is a hilly patchwork of super green pastures crisscrossed with waist high rock walls. For some reason it reminds me of Wallace & Grommet! Back on the main highway we make a dash for North Wales via Chester. I make a phone call to the local Scottish constabulary, but no-one has handed in my phone! We arrive late afternoon in Conwy, which is a walled town dwarfed by its impressive castle! This is not far from Colwyn Bay where we lived 18 Years ago! We had a look at the old house which doesn't look much different!Our accommodation for the next three nights is a cosy Terrace House just outside the castle walls. Dinner at the local and a few games of pool with Georgia! Back home for a game of Cluedo under duress! - I hate that game - too much thinking and I am way too tired to think!Early bed!Read more

  • ColtraneUK & FranceTraveler
    1

    Conwy - Nth Wales Day 8

    April 28, 2017 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Up early and take a fantastic walk around the top of the Town walls! Some outstanding views. We head in to town for lunch for Crepes and I have a toasted baguette with bacon,Brie and cranberries a surprisingly delicious combination. Here we part ways. I go to golf with a couple of my old cricketing mates, and Jane and Georgia head out shopping and exploring for the day. Golf looks decidedly dodgy on arrival with a nagging drizzle threatening to ruin the day. After two holes though the rain has lifted and we can begin to enjoy this beautiful links course. Unfortunately my golf is a little erratic, and the gauze rough is unforgiving. a few lost balls interspersed with the odd par and one birdy, but I am well and truly beaten by my welsh mates! Curry from our local Indian, where we also have a good chat with a friendly young couple from South Wales! Jane and Georgia have taken lots of pictures of significant places from our past. It would seem they have a had a good girls day out together!Read more

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    Mochdre - Day 9

    April 29, 2017 in Wales ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    After a bit of a sleep in we took Georgia up to the Welsh Mountain Zoo, where I used to work. It pretty much hasn't changed in 20 years, even my old mate Jake the Gibbon is still there! We strolled about for an hour and half then took the road out to Snowdonia, stopping off at the Welsh Food Centre for lunch. We got back in time for a quick snooze before heading down to the club to watch the end of the game there, and catch up with a few of my old team mates! It's a great reunion, with a couple of the guys making a special trip in to catch up. Needless to say I probably had one Guinness too many and Jane was getting treated to double shots so we were kindly driven home. Georgia had a fun night playing pool with Gogsie's 15 YO son! Bit of a holiday spark there I think, with an exchange of Instagram addresses!!Read more

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    Conwy > Dublin Day 10

    April 30, 2017 in Wales ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Sad to leave our friends in North Wales! It was a great catch up with lots of laughs! The morning we were in a bit of disarray as we tried get packed for Ireland with hangovers! We had a big brekky then realise we hadn't cleaned out the fridge, so back to do that and off to ferry. We get almost out of Conwy and Jane realises she's left her sunnies so back for a second time and it is now looking tight for getting to the Ferry! Fortunately the rest of the trip ran smoothly and we made the ferry with 15 min to spare! An uneventful three hour trip and after nearly taking the wrong bag at the carousel we were greeted by Paddy. Back to his and Ciara's house for Curry and to meet their three lovely kids Hugo, Sophie and Tomás. After a few bottles of wine we are out to town. The place is heaving due to the May Day holiday the next day. We visit three pubs, PMac, No Name, and appropriately The Long Haul! Quite sozzled by the time we staggered back in !Read more

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    Dublin - Day 11

    May 1, 2017 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Woke up this morning feeling rather groggy! After a slow morning the Mallon's and the Leek's make it on the road for a trip out into the Mountains. The day is an absolute pearler, and we go to Powerscourt, a stunning gentry house and gardens! The kids had a ball rolling and sliding down the massive lawns and the adults enjoy the most magnificent gardens. The weather and walk significantly improve our demeanour and we then drive on to a spectacular view from Laragh. A quick pint @ Foxy Jon's and then back to the Mallon's for a BBQ dinner and just the one wine!!! Early to bed as we are on the plane to Dad's hometown of Ipswich tomorrow!Read more

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    Dublin > Woodbridge - Day 12

    May 2, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Left our friends the Mallon's in Dublin and took the 1 hr flight to Stanstead where we picked up another car for the 1.5 hr trip to Woodbridge in Suffolk. After a bit of trouble we find our B&B which we are staying in with my brother David and wife Jenny and sister Ginny and partner Andrew. A quick pint at the Bell & Steel (one of my dad's favourites) and the Mariner and then back for a late dinner.Read more

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    Ipswich - Day 13

    May 3, 2017 in England ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    So this is the whole reason for the Ashes tour! Day 13 May 3rd, the fourth anniversary of Mum's passing and the day we finally get Dads Ashes back to his hometown of Ipswich. Thanks to the efforts of our 1st cousins Ian and Andrew, and the organisational skills of my sister, we are able to get dads ashes buried in his mothers perpetual plot at Ipswich Cemetery. It is fittingly a drizzly miserable English day, and after a few words from the three siblings I place Dad in his final resting place. I feel a mix of emotions, obviously sadness, but also pride that we have honoured his last wishes and managed to do so on a day that recognised mum and their 50+ year bond. It is lovely to be surrounded by our extended family at this moment, particularly my Dads 94 year old sister, Joan, who is incredibly stoic in the circumstances. We spend the rest of the afternoon over a long lunch at where else? The Coach and Hosreman Pub! We exchange stories and I am reminded of how immediately close I feel to blood relations, despite the physical distance that normally separates us!Read more

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    Cambridge - Day 14

    May 4, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Woke up a tad groggy, but eager not to waste the day so organise to catch up with Val McKee and Ian's son Fraser, both of whom live in and around Cambridge. No satnav, but I plug in the coordinates to Google maps and way we go. We somehow end up on some country B roads on the way out, which is OK and after doing what feels like a big loop get onto the highway and arrive in Willingham about an hour late. I have a feeling I've picked up possibly my 3rd speeding fine as I try to spot up the rd we are looking for under pressure from some asshoole behind me! This could get bloody expensive! Anyway we catch up with Val, have a tour of her cute little terrace house and garden, and have lunch in the village at the local Auction house and Tea Rooms. we then head off to Cambridge to meet with Fraser who is studying law. After a nightmare drive in peak traffic, including driving the wrong way down a one way street we manage to locate Fraser. He takes us to his local college cafe and under time constraints we have a quick catch up. Unfortunately, as we try to get out of manic Cambridge traffic, we take yet another wrong turn and end up driving 45 mins north instead of East. FML!! 3 hrs later we made it home, not the greatest end to the day, and in the rush to get around we have neglected to get photos with the people we've seen!Read more

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    Woodbridge - Day 15

    May 5, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Lazy day at home for Georgia and I, and Jane has gone for some retail therapy in the local village. By mid afternoon the cousins arrive for the Last Hurrah before we all head off on our separate adventures! This is possibly the last time all of us will be in the same house together, so there is a palpable sense of joy and excitement. Ginny has bought half the local gourmet shop, Andrew English and I have loaded up with wine, and Jenny and David are on Dinner duty. There are 12 of us including, Aunty Joan and Andrew McKee's new partner Lyn. Everyone is in high sprints and as usual the conversation flows easily! We have a tremendous meal and the night transcends into raucous laughter as we reminisce about the children's show Captain Pugwash. Ian is trying to convince us that there were the characters Roger the Cabin Boy, Seaman Stains and Master Bates!
    I do some Googling to find that this is a furphy, that was reported by the Gaurdian, who were consequently sued by the developers. As a footnote they did say the Captain Pugwash came from Australian slang, so I got on to the Urban Dictionary as none of us Aussies had heard that term. For those of a curious nature and who are not easily offended, I will leave it to your own research! Suffice it to say I got to the point in definition 3, of 7 definitions where I couldn't speak I was laughing so much! What a great night, I'm going to miss these guys!    Read more

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    Woodbridge - Day 16

    May 6, 2017 in England ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Early bustle in the morning as Ginny and Andrew leave for Carlisle, and Hadrian's Wall, Andrew and Lyn head back to Bury St Edmunds, and Dave and Jenny head off for London.Fraser's Mum Sue pops over to say hi, and I'm amazed to see how little she has changed in 20 years! Once everyone has left, the house suddenly seems huge and desolate after so much energy the day before! We have a lazy late morning reading and nodding off before a last stroll down to the river and up to the Tide Mill. This is followed by another wander of the cobbled streets, coffee and cake and a trip down to Whitby Rd to see Aunty Joan for the last time! It's a sombre time for me, as I know this will be the last time I will see her in the flesh. She is as upbeat and lively as ever, and I think she has really enjoyed having the colonials around. Big G as the 2nd cousins like to call her, is one of the loveliest ladies I have had the pleasure to meet, I will always have a soft spot for her!Read more

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    Woodbridge > Paris - Day 17

    May 7, 2017 in France ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    So it's goodbye to Suffolk for now, it's been fantastic ! We drive to Southend Airport, drop off the Hire Car, and hop on the plane for the 1hr hop over to Paris. With a little help from a passenger we locate our Taxi driver, who speaks about as much English as we speak French! He is however particularly nice and helpful, and Georgia and I are entertained by Jane and his garbled conversation on the way in! The 1 Hr ride is a real eye opener, as we depart the absolutely massive Charles De Gaulle Airport and drive past the impressive French Stadium, and through the bleak and depressing refugee tents that line the highway and cluster under the bridges for shelter. They are begging for money as the traffic stops, and I feel embarrassed to be on such an extravagant holiday when they are so helpless! Georgia is clearly upset too when the Taxi driver refuses to open the window, clearly concerned that something might get pinched. We move further on and begin to pass the magnificent architecture that dominates the centre of Paris. What a beautiful City! We arrive in Marais the district where Jane has booked our accomodation! It is funky and vibrant, and as usual she has chosen well! We are met by our afro-French contact, a lovely young man called Adonis, who is really helpful getting us settled into the appartment. Shortly after Sarah Francis arrives and we head off for some traditional French fare. We all decide on the Duck Confit with 2 Potato side dishes of truffade! It is a huge lovely meal, but very filling, so we decide to walk it off with a stroll down to the River Seine and some twilight shots of the City. It is the Presidential Election and Macron has won, there is a jubilant vibe in town, clearly the citizens are relieved!Read more

  • ColtraneUK & FranceTraveler

    Paris - Day 18

    May 8, 2017 in France ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    Not feeling 100%, but after a bit of a sleep in, I join the Mademoiselles for breakfast. Some Parisian Pastries kindly bought by Sarah hit the spot, and we head off on foot to the Notre Dame. On the way we pass an interesting Patisserie, selling bread in the shape of male genitalia! It gets a good laugh, but no-one is buying so we continue on along the river, and past the many vendors selling books paintings, and trinkets. A photo shoot at the Notre Dame Cathedral, is enough, and we wander further to the Shakespearian Bookstore, which has an amazing selection! Georgia finally finds a fidget spinner, and we contact my bro David to catch up for Coffee! After a walk to the Louvre which he and Jenny have just visited we have a drink and part ways. Georgia and I head back to the apartment whilst Jane and Sarah continue shopping. On return I open the windows to the traffic below, slip on some Miles Davis and get stuck into my novel! I'm feeling very relaxed and at home in this Parisian environment! Several hours later the shoppers return, both have bought really cool coats and don them for our next stop, the Moulin Rouge. The show is a tittilating affair, which is undoubtedly making Georgia uncomfortable, but she does enjoy the interspersing acts of strength, dexterity and grace. The rest of us enjoy the show's tight choreography and spectacular costumes, and walk away glad to have made the effort to see this iconic performance. A few happy snaps outside and we make it back home for a vino or two! It's been a good day!Read more

  • ColtraneUK & FranceTraveler

    Paris - Day 19

    May 9, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Took us all a while to get going, but we finally get out into the sunshine by 11am. We decide to explore our local district, where the ladies are enticed by the funky jewellery shops. We head down to the Jewish Quarter, where the shops seem to get more extravagant, and the cobbled streets more beautiful. Georgia can't resist the Crepes, but Jane and I indulge in the phalafel pouches famous for this area! They are amazing. Because it is such a beautiful day, we decide to wander down and walk along the banks of the River Sienne. The French are out in droves enjoying the first rays of summer. An interesting coffee there, (I never cease to be amazed how many different types of coffee I get when I ask for alatte!) and then up to the Tuileries Gardens for an ice cream, then yet more walking up to the beginning of the Champs Elyees. We are due for a 4 hr bike tour so we leave Sarah Francis to some shopping, and it is the last we'll see of her till London. The Phat Tyre Night Bike Tour of Paris is fantastic. We see the amazing highlights of Paris in all it's luminescent glory, including a one hr cruise down the river! By the time we catch the metro back home it is 1 am and we are completely exhausted!Read more

  • ColtraneUK & FranceTraveler

    Paris - Day 20

    May 10, 2017 in France ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Woke up with a glowing sunburnt face, aching legs and a sore arse from the Bike ride!!! We have covered close to 15km in the last two days and are all feeling it! Good thing all we have to do is a tour to the top of the Eiffel Tower, said no one ever ! After much groaning and moaning we negotiate the Metro yet again and find ourselves at the base of the Eiffel Tower. She is a massive awe inspiring piece of architecture and after numerous security checks, we are on our way to the top! Jane is in the middle of the lift with eyes closed, she's not real happy with heights, but once we are up the top we get a great view of the city. This puts all the great landmarks we've seen over the last few days finally into perspective. Jane eases her nerves with a champers, and Georgia is comfortable enough to pop the camera through the wire for some uninterrupted photos of the landscape! This was the big reason for us coming to Paris, as she loves this iconic tower. Thanks to our amazing tour guides we receive an interesting history lesson on it's build and indeed on the history of Paris generally. The weather is perfect again,so we take a walk to the Golden Domed Cathedral, where Napoleon is entombed in such a way as you have to bow down to see him! We continue on back over the river, to the Arch de Triumph. An hour or so lost to clothes shopping, and we finally make it back home for a well deserved beer. It's 8pm and I am totally shagged, and we haven't even had dinner yet! Paris could well be the end of me! But there could be worse places to finish up!Read more

  • ColtraneUK & FranceTraveler

    Paris - Day 21

    May 11, 2017 in France ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Another late start after a late night dinner and drinks. It's our last full day in Paris and we have already wasted half of it. We head off for a last trek around the city, and I have promised myself we must see at least one museum. After some last minute shopping and some gift buying from the street side vendors I drag the girls into the Musée d'Orsay. This is a museum filled with the great Renaissance artists such as Monet, Renoir and Degas. On entering we discover that this exhibition is huge, and Georgia is none too impressed. I leave her and Jane to their own devices and try to see what I can in the hour I have allocated. It is remarkably well laid out and subtly lit to highlight these magnificent works. The layout runs in a time line from the different periods such as impressionism and symbolism, and I am glad I have made the effort to improve my limited knowledge on these incredibly innovative artists of the time. After we catch up there is one last 30 minute trudge back home and Georgia is momentarily appeased by huge Iced Yoghurt covered in all manner of sweets, fruit and chocolate sauce. I have been without access to the camera all day so I have cheated on the shots! Au revoir Paris vous avez été magnifique!Read more

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    Paris > London - Day 22

    May 12, 2017 in England ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Another day pretty much lost to travelling ! After a short Taxi ride, we jump on the Eurostar that takes us under the channel at up to 300 clicks an hour! Just a tad under 2 Hrs and we are in London. Another short taxi takes us to Sarah Francis' apartment in East London. This will be home for the next two nights! We decide to hit Brick Lane for a curry dinner, and after a Milkshake/Beer at the All Star Lanes bowling Alley, Jane takes on the spruikers trying to entice us into their Restaurants. She gets one guy down to £11 a head for Naan, Pappadam, starter,main course and a drink! She is formidable at this bargaining thing! The food hits the spot, and the 20 min walk after, eases the bloated tummies! Georgia is delighted to discover the Burger joint she loved in Paris has outlets in London!. She has also snaffled 2 new Finger Spinners which have become her latest fad obsession! I wake up in the middle of the night to recall I have left my new jumper at the Restaurant!! I swear I'm getting dementia!Read more

  • ColtraneUK & FranceTraveler

    London - Day 23

    May 13, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Saturday morning and we have arranged to meet Ginny and Andrew at the Portobello market for Brunch. After meeting at the wrong tube we finally get to Notting-hill Station, the start of the market. The place is heaving, with stalls selling all manner of cool stuff. With Jane and Ginny stopping regularly to check stuff out the going is slow, but eventually we find a nice pub for Brekky. Andrew and I joke we should go into every menswear shop, as retribution, and I duck into the next one. 20 minutes later I walk out £160 poorer with a new leather jacket!I guess the joke is on me! We snag a table outside for food, and are entertained by a blues guitarist busking on the corner. He is followed by a groovy saxophonist, both of whom are accompanied by a clearly medicated Old Jamaican Lady, dancing to her own beat! Georgia and much of the crowd are kept amused by the antics! After our meal we discover the Portobello Gin bar has a tasting room ! Jane sorts us through most the open samples and we finally order one each from their interesting menu; the Butter Gin probably being the pick. From Portobello, we tube it to Harefield, in Zone 6. This is where Jane's friend Andrea and family live! It's a beautiful Village and we have a looong lunch at the Coy Carp, a pub overlooking the Canal that connects London to Birmingham. It's a lovely afternoon and Georgia gets to enjoy the company of their two similar aged daughters. On the way back to the station they takes us to the local cemetery that has a memorial to 50 or so fallen Anzacs from WWI. This village was where one of the Australian Hospitals was situated and they still commemorate every year! It is beautifully kept, but sobering to see just how young these poor souls were that sacrificed their lives for us! On the return tube home we are entertained by a very inebriated Jamaican guy, it is the most smiles and laughter I've ever witnessed on this usually dour mode of travelling! I bite the bullet and make the 40 min round trip to see if my lost jumper can be recovered, and Woo hoo finally a win!Read more

  • ColtraneUK & FranceTraveler

    London > Esher - Day 24

    May 14, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Got up around 10 and walked into Spittlefields Market. Miraculously, the weather is perfect again, and this only lends to a really good vibe out and about! Of all the markets I have seen and been dragged through in my life this is easily the best! The array of product on display is mindblowingly interesting, and Georgia finds some cool clothes to buy. I, yes I, could have gone to town buying hats,vinyl, books and vintage clothing! But the adults have resisted, and we negotiate our way to the end relatively unscathed. The food stalls looked awesome, and Jane managed a few samples, and we both wished we hadn't had brunch before being exposed to the temptations before us! Another 6 km walk round trip, and it is time to hit he London rail network to get out to Esher where Veronica and John now live. We arrive late afternoon and Georgia is wrapped to be with children and canine company again! John is in full host mode breaking out some fantastic wine & cheese, and then cooking dinner to boot! We are treated to some lovely NZ savvy and Pinot, but the pick is a 2012 Cali Zinfandel! We have a fun reminiscing, but unfortunately it's a school day tomorrow, and Veronica is recovering from an allnighter charity walk. We call it a night around 10:30. It's been another awesome catch-up with distanced friends! It would be nice to stay a bit longer, but it it's off to the Isle of Wight tomorrow and a rendezvous with my Aunty Pam!Read more

  • ColtraneUK & FranceTraveler

    Esher - Sandown, Isle of Wight - Day 25

    May 15, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Veronica kindly dropped us off at the station in Esher, for the train trip to the Isle of Wight. Jane has pre booked the trip from Oz before we left so she goes to the auto teller and prints off the tickets. It looks like we have a few changes along the way, so I settle in for the trip. We hop on the train to Basingstoke, and I decide to look at the train map to check our trip plan. I'm looking at our end destination which is Yarmouth! This is on the Isle of Wight, but the wrong side and there is no connecting train! Oh Bugger! Next stop we try to change the tickets, but they won't, so I ring my 86 year old Aunt and let her know not to meet us at Sandown at that we will catch the Taxi from the ferry! She insists on picking us up and meets us in Yarmouth, I take over for the 45 minute trip back, fortunately the traffic on the Island is not heavy so I am eased of mind for her making the trip initially. In fact she assures us that she in fact quite enjoyed it ! Pam has a fantastic roast chicken meal on the go and we enjoy that and catch up on all the news since we last saw her in Australia 8 years ago!Read more

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