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Lou and Col
Lou and Col

Lou and Col

traveled in 8 countries Read more
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  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler
    Walk out to Oma Forest
    Wild strawberriesOn the walkPainted forestFarmhouse on the walk

    A good day out that went bad

    May 19, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    After a leisurely breakfast we went exploring. Our first stop was to the Oma forest where an artist has painted the trunks of trees in a grove.
    Parked in a carpark adjacent to a restaurant. Quite a crowd around being a Saturday and a wedding on at the restaurant. Walk to forest was about 6 km return and quite hilly but through beautiful country side. Could not have been too hard as the locals were taking their kids and dogs for the walk. Painted forest was nice but not over exciting. Back at the cafe feeling quite weary we had a coffee and snack.
    That was the end of the nice day out!!
    Returned the car to find a broken window and our gear with passports etc inside gone from the boot of the car.. We had been robbed. After much gnashing of teeth and a few bad words we returned to the farmstay to see what we had to do to sort things out. The owners were extremely sympathetic and helpful and even came with us to Gernica to report the incident to police. The police were also very helpful, and called Canberra for us to find out where we had to go to get emergency passports. Unfortunately it was Madrid.
    On return to the farmstay we went out to dinner with a group of 4 Aussies who were also staying. This was a nice distraction and we had the most delicious serve of Monkfish and some gorgeous Rioja wine.    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler
    Farmstay
    Sheep at farmstayRoom at farmstay

    Drive to Farmstay

    May 18, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Longish drive today to the farm stay. Arrived in the late afternoon after traffic jambs getting through Bilbao. Farmstay was exquisite, perched high on the hills overlooking the valley. Hosts spoke some english and were very friendly. No food at the digs so drove over to Laida to find dinner. Pinxtos and a cider at a lovely restaurant on the bay at Laida were great. The inlets all along the Basque coastline are really something. Usually, a road skirts the waterways and the mountains skirt the roads. Makes for some interesting drops!Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler
    Crest over door to restaurant
    Old town in the mountainsMore of the old townFising boatView from castle at San Vincente

    Santanilla del Mar

    May 17, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Our day in Santillana began with breakfast at the hotel which was OK without being great. Afterwards we went into the town and had a look at the 12th century church around which the town was built.
    In the afternoon we went for a drive to a little town inland that is still as it was in the past. We returned home via San Vincente. Went for a walk up to the castle and church that overlook the town.
    We considered staying an extra night in Santillana but the hotel was booked out. After a bit of googling we decided to head back east and found a farmstay on a small vineyard back towards San Sebastian.    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler
    Ribadesella
    Col and chapelRibadasella from headlandSantillana del Mar

    Back to Santillana del Mar

    May 16, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    After our experience at Naves we decided to look for somewhere we could have a rest and get some decent food. We found a nice hotel in a place called Santillana del Mar which is back towards Santander.
    Taking the route along the coast we spent some time in Ribadasella which is a lovely seaside fishing vilage and holiday resort. Went for a long walk out to the entry to the harbour and up to a little chapel on the headland then walked a different way back into town. Wandered through the town market for a while before continuing on our drive.
    Arrived at our hotel in the mid afternon to find a nice hotel and lovely room.
    Our first task was laundry so we spent the next hour or so at the laundromat.
    Santillana is a town where Spanish nobles built their holiday homes in the 17th century. It is still pretty much intact other than the conversions for tourism which are mostly well done. The steets are all cobbled (and hard to walk on) and traffic free.
    For dinner we found a restaurant doing a menu of the day where he had a three course meal including a glass of local wine for only 17 euro each. Our first really good meal in Spain. The food and ambiance of the restaurant were first class as well.    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler

    Drive to Naves

    May 15, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Leaving Bilbao was nerveracking. When we finally left the perimeters though the scenery was dramatic, green, mountainous and lovely. We decided to head inland and then rejoin the coastal area around Naves. It was an exhausting day but truly the villages, rivers, valleys and snow clad mountains in the distance were really wonderful. Thankfully the country roads as we headed west were excellent too. Interestingly, each province of Spain will only provide info and tourist maps of their respective region. So, in the Basque tourist office they had nothing at all about the adjoining region of Cantabria and similarly for each province as we went along. When we reached Naves at about 6.30pm we were starving but it's a tiny hamlet and the only bar there had no food. We had to hit the road again and eventually paid way too much for some fish soup and fried squid in Llanes; a tourist trap on the coast. To add insult to injury, the drunken Spanairds sitting near us could be heard half way to Madrid. Not happy Jan...
    Only a picture of the car today, because the scenery could not really be captured in a photo, and I was hanging on to the steering wheel too hard on the tight and twisty roads!!    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler
    The new hairdo

    A Day in Bilbao

    May 14, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Highlight of the day was getting a haircut for 11 euros (as opposed to the ridiculous prices we pay at home) And quite a nice cut too considering she couldn't speak English and me no Spanish. Her colleague showed me a picture and after much nodding and si si ing the tidy up began. Actually, English isn't widely spoken in the Basque Country and we have found it a bit difficult deciphering menus, directions etc even with the Spanish phrase book. Saw the Guggenheim museum building which was interesting but it is closed on Mondays. We took a tram ride around the city and spent the evening walking around the old city looking for some vegetables to eat. Many many tapas bars but something green was not easy. Eventually found a little place that had a vegetable soup. It was heaven!! We liked Bilbao because even though it's big the main parts are walkable, nice and quite distinctly different.Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler
    View from hotel window
    Hamming it up!

    Trip to Bilbao

    May 13, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    Up this morning at 5:30 to catch the flight to Bilbao. Good flight except for a few bumps coming in to Bilbao. Long queue to pick up the car but eventually got the keys to a Mercedes A200. Nice car with only 1000k on the clock. We took our time sorting out how it all worked before venturing out into the wide world on the wrong (right) side of the road. Missed a turn early on so ended up heading the wrong way. An hour or so later managed to find our way to the hotel.
    After check in a quick rest and our first pinxtos (tapas) and headed off downtown for a bit of a look. Walked to the tourist office in the city. No sooner got there than the rains came. Had to taxi back to the hotel. Ate room service for dinner, overpriced and ordinary food. Bilbao was a surprise. It's located on a tidal river and surrounded by quite steep hills. The road system is phenomenal with under/over passes, enormous and elegant bridges and tunnels. Was sort of expecting a coastal place but it's just developed from an old valley town to a mega city in a spectacular location.    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler
    View over Winchester
    Oldest house in England

    Winchester to Heathrow

    May 12, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    After a nice sleep in we packed our bags. Leaving them at the b&b we went for a walk up to St Giles hill for a view over Winchester. Picked up our bags about 1pm and went off to catch the bus to Heathrow.
    Bus ride just over an hour then a short ride on the hopper bus and we were at the Ibis Styles Hotel. Booked in then over the road to the Three Magpies Pub for dinner. Bit weird sitting in a pub on a motorway with planes roaring past in the cold and rain.
    Early night.    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler
    Winchester Cathedral, you re bringin me down...
    West window of Winchester CathedralSt SwithunsSt John's Cross alms houseMemorial at St Swithuns

    Winchester

    May 11, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    We woke to a clear but cold day in Winchester. After a juice to get us going in the morning we took off for a walk out through the water meadows to the St John's Cross Hospital about a mile away. A nice walk.
    The hospital is an alms house for old men and has been in use for 600 years. On the way there we left Winchester via an old city gate and above the gate they had built a chapel called St Swithuns (patron saint of Winchester and tutor to King Alfred) It was amazing, so peaceful,tiny and ancient. Lovely memorial plaque written about a local doctor attached. It made us laugh.
    On the way back to Town we had a look at the ruins of Wolvesly Castle. Walked back home to get ready to go to Evensong at Winchester Cathedral. Arrived about 4:45 which meant we got free entry. Enjoyed evensong and it was nice to revisit the cathedral again since our 2012 visit. It is still a fascinating and beautiful place. Had forgotten that the huge west windows had been smashed by Cromwells men around 1650 and the people of Winchester had collected all the stained glass and reassembled the pieces in an abstract way which looks like a contemporary window that could have been done this century not in 1660! Back into town for dinner at the William Walker pub. William Walker was the diver who saved the cathedral by renewing the crumbling foundations around the turn of the century. He had to work in deep water to access the foundations and it took two years. The town is a very easy place to be and it's history spans 1000 years.    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler
    Docking early at Southampton

    Southampton to Winchester

    May 10, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    The ship docked this morning at 6 am in Southampton. The end of our sea voyage. Disembarkation was leisurely and we were off the ship about 10 am.
    After getting our bags we got our bearings in Southampton then decided to go straight to Winchester where we have our b&b for the next two nights.
    The train trip took about 20 minutes and on the train we got talking to a local lass. She was very helpful in walking with us into town and geting our bearings.
    Having to fill in time before getting to our digs about 6pm we found a comfortable spot at the guildhall where we had wifi. Got some planning done for Spain.
    In the room about 6:30. Modest house but nice room, great location.
    Wandered the streets for an hour or so to find dinner then off to bed.    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler

    The Queen Day 17 At Sea

    May 9, 2018, Celtic Sea ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Our last day at sea was a quiet one. The Bay Of Biscay was kind to us though it was pretty cold out.The highlight of the day was the final show at night with Kev Orkian and the 4 Seasons show.
    Tomorrow arrive in Southampton and the next stage of the trip begins.    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler

    The Queen Day 16 At Sea

    May 8, 2018, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Skies still grey, sea grey but not too rough. Did onboard immigration clearance before brekky.
    Went to end of voyage sales where the guests scramble after goods reduced to something approaching normal prices.
    Skies clearing as day goes on but quite cold out.
    Watched the guest talent show then a quiet afternoon in the library.
    Dinner at Lido. Danced to ABBA at Yacht Club    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler

    The Queen Day 15 At Sea

    May 7, 2018, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Woke to a grey sky and sea, must be getting close to the UK.
    After breakfast joined a tour of the kitchens, then on to a talk in the theatre. Woman who rowed the Atlantic with her son in 1997. Crazy
    Quiet afternoon then dinner in the Brittania.
    Evening show was a Franky Valli and the 4 Seasons tribute band. Pretty entertaining.    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler

    The Queen Day 14 Madeira

    May 6, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Woke up this morning to see the lights of outlying islands as we approached Madeira.
    Dolphins escorted us into Funchal Harbour as the sun rose. The island looked great so we soon had brekky and made our way ashore.
    We walked down to the harbour side and bought tickets on the hop on hop off bus. Started with a quick spin around the old town then changed to the bus going out along the coast to Camara de Lobos. This is a little fishing village where Winston Churchill regularly holidayed and painted. The ride out there is through hilly, rugged contryside where the houses are all built on the edge of cliffs and with every bit of land terraced for veges and bananas. De Lobos is a nice little village on an inlet in the rocks, and with traditional fishing boats on the beach.
    Changed buses here to go out to Cabo Girao which is claimed to be the second highest sea cliff in the world. This is quite a site as there is a glass bottom viewing platform overlooking the edge. Views are incredible.
    Bus back to De Lobos and a walk around to look at the town. All very nice.
    Bus back to Funchal. Walked around to a few of the sites then lunch at a nice little cafe. Funchal is a delightfull town with ornamental pebble paving and greenery and flowers everywhere.
    Walked up into the back of the town then back to the boat. Just about the last back on, then sailed off into the sunset. Had a great day out.
    Back on board we went up on deck to watch the departure and Madeira fade into the distance.
    Got a cup of tea in the Lido and joined a man sitting on his own at a table. Got chatting and he turned out to be the new comedy act (Kev Orkian) and had just joined the ship in Madeira. Spent almost an hour hearing his stories of the entertainment industry. He finally went off to get changed for his first show and so did we.
    Went to the show and he was very very funny. Did a piano comedy act and was very good. Had us in stitches.
    Late dinner then bed.    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler

    The Queen Day 13 Teneriffe.

    May 5, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Woke this morning as the ship slid into Teneriffe harbour. Great view out our window to the island.
    Shuttled off to Santa Cruz about 9:30.
    Walked into the town then decided to get a local bus over to Puerto de la Cruz on the other side of the island. Took an hour but got to see some of the island. Walked the town. Quite nice, and stopped for lunch at a cafe. Lovely sardine baguettes and a coffee. Trip back was a lot faster (express). Teneriffe is interesting but touristy.
    Back on ship at 4 and left berth at 5    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler

    The Queen Day 12 Just about there.

    May 4, 2018, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Last day today before stops in Teneriffe and Madeira
    Did the last maritime lady talk and the q&a with John McCarthy. Enjoyed them both.
    In the afternoon the ship put on a country fair charity fundraiser which was a bit of a laugh.
    Dinner at the Lido and a variety act in the theatre to end the day.    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler

    The Queen Day 11 Are we there yet?

    May 3, 2018, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    The sea has roughed up a bit as we get out of bed this morning. Not too bad though. The days at sea are flying by. One more day then Teneriffe.
    Maritime talk at 11
    Quizzes in the afternoon
    Comedy show at night. Good stuff. The acts all get off at Teneriffe and we will have some new ones for the run to Southampton.
    Another penguin suit night for those so inclined. We dressed up enough to get by.    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler

    The Queen Day 10 Still at Sea

    May 2, 2018, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Late out of bed and skipped brekky as a result of our over indulgence last night.
    Spent some time reading in the Garden Lounge then Lou gave me a table tennis lesson.
    Dinner in the Brittania Room and trivial quiz in the pub. Met another couple from NZ who have been on board since Auckland. Continually amazed at the numbers doing multiple legs. Approx 20% of passenger are doing the full world trip.Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler
    Verandah Restaurant Menu
    Verandah Restaurant Menu

    The Queen Day 9 At Sea

    May 1, 2018, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    We have booked for the Verandah Resturant tonight so are taking it a bit easier with the food today. A couple of quizzes and not much else during the day. Seas have got very calm as we cross the equator.
    Dressed up and headed off to the restaurant at 7:30
    The meal was a gastronomic and visual feast. We both enjoyed our special night out.
    Back in the room we were not enjoying it as much as we both had too much to eat and drink.    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler

    The Queen Day 8 At Sea

    April 30, 2018, South Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Bit of a sleep in this morning
    After a late breakfast headed off to the theatre to see John Mcarthy and the second part of his hostage saga story. Again a good show.
    Before lunch we tried the music trivia quiz again with the usual result. Had more success with the the pub quiz a bit later. The weather turned a bit stormy as the day went on, giving us some great sights of the rain coming across the water.
    The night was another formal so we kept to the Lido for tea then went to the Yacht club for a dance. The DJ played some good 50'6 to 70's music which we had a good jig to. However the live band was pretty ordinary so we sat them out. Off to bed with tired legs and sore feet.    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler

    The Queen Day 7 At Sea

    April 29, 2018, South Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Started the day with a Sunday sleep in then a leisurely brekky.
    Put the phone on to get the good news that the Eagles had beaten the Dockers. Made my day.
    A quiet morning with just another gem seminar. After lunch had another go at the music trivia quiz. Mr T not much help but Mrs T got a few.
    Evening show was a magic comedy show which was fun and worth seeing.
    Tonight we cross the equator and enter the northern hemisphere.    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler

    The Queen Day 6 At Sea

    April 28, 2018, South Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Today the ships clocks were set back by one hour, so we were up early for a brisk walk around the deck before breakfast. We then took the plunge and had a go at the line dancing. We actually enjoyed it and will go back for more. We followed up with ballroom dancing again but are still struggling to get it right. A bit of practice will fix it I hope. In between we attended a seminar on Tanzanite.
    After lunch we did the music trivia with another couple from Australia.
    Dinner was at the Brittania where we finally met another couple on our table. Frank and Gerry are an interesting couple from Kansas and have been on the ship from the US. He has a Salvador Dali moustache which made our first meeting a bit weird. We felt like having a good laugh but modicum prevailed and got through dinner successfully. The a la carte restaurant has been lovely. We have different tastes for brekky, me preferring porridge and Col, the full monty. Fortunately, there is always a great selection of fruit, including fresh pineapple. Yum    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler

    The Queen Day 5 At Sea

    April 27, 2018, South Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Our first day of 8 at sea before Tenerrife. After breakfast a couple of laps of the deck. Then on to the theatre to hear the celebrity lecturer, John McCarthy. This first part of his story of capture by Hezbollah was both fascinating and engrossing. Cannot wait for the next installment on Monday. Went on to dance classes next where we attempted to relearn the slow waltz. Quite good fun, but a way to go to be as good as some of the oldies on the ship. Squeezed a coulple of games of table tennis in before lunch. After lunch had a go at the Guess the Melody quiz. It was TV show themes which was not our forte. But we got 11 out of 20. Quiet afternoon of reading and a couple of laps of the deck before dinner. Black & White Ball formal night is the go but we will not be attending as we did not bring the penguin suits.
    Dinner at the Lido. Had a wander around the ship and a walk around the deck before hitting the sack. Must say the bed and shower in our cabin are fantastic and we have both slept well. I think the sea air is making us tired, especially with a full tummy. Temperature is rising each day as we approach the equator and their are many Bubbles and Desirees gracing the pool deck. We haven't had a dip yet but maybe will later in the afternoon one day. Sun protection is not an issue for some folk on board and you wonder why not!!    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler

    The Queen Day 4 Walvis Bay

    April 26, 2018 in Namibia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Woke up to find the ship already docked at Walvis Bay, Namibia. We had a tour booked so breakfast in the room then downstairs to immigration and catch the bus.
    Bus full of the usual old fogeys and then we were off on the trip. First stop was the lagoon where we saw flocks of flamingos in the shallow water of the bay. This was a fabulous sight and the lagoon is recognized as an important sanctuary for many birds.
    Next stop was Dune 7 which is supposed to be the highest sand dune in Southern Africa. Quite impressive especially the sharp contrast of the orange dune against a very azure sky. Following was a long bumpy ride out to see some rare flora that exists in the desert then on to an area which looks like a moonscape and is quite ancient and definately out of this world. Route home was a bit shorter and through Swapokmund and along the coast. More Namib Desert right up to the sea. Wind was blowing up as we headed back and the desert dust was blowing in. All a bit surreal. Overall impression of Walvis Bay area is one of extremes. How people live and function in such an inhospitable environment is a mystery. The dust storms would be reason enough to leave town.
    Glad to get back on the boat for a sense of sanctuary. Kept the balcony door shut to avoid the dust and never more grateful for a shower. Tea at the Lido again. Checked out the theatre where Mark Donoghue was playing. A full house but not to our taste. Departure delayed 2.5 hours due to the wind which meant that the ship couldn't safely negotiate the channel. Back to the room for a nightcap, a bit of T V and bed.    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler
    Bowls anyone?

    The Queen Day 3 At Sea

    April 25, 2018, South Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Started the day with breakfast in bed (decadent I know, but why not).
    Attended Anzac commemorisation at 9. Very moving and well done by the captain and crew.
    Tried our hand at the table tennis comp, but out of practise and did not last long. A good first effort though.
    A quiet afternoon of rest before a quick hit of table tennis then dressing for dinner.
    Our first attendance at the formal Brittania Restaurant. Were expecting to make up a table of 6 but we were the only ones at the table. The others must have gone to the buffet. Will have to try again. Food was very nice.
    After dinner watched a bit of the old time dancers in the main lounge then checked out the show in the main theatre. A couple of acrobats who had hung around too long and were a bit past their prime. We took the first opportunity to exit stage left.    Read more

  • Lou and ColEurope 2018Traveler

    The Queen Day 2 Departing Cape Town

    April 24, 2018 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Our first day on the Queen is in Cape Town port. After a good nights sleep in a very comfortable bed, we headed off to breakfast and then off the ship into town. Our objective was to meet people from the Iziko Museum to have a look at some Hamilton Ross items in Bertram House.
    Back to the V&A for some last minute shopping then bus to the cruise terminal, clear immigration and on board and ready to leave. Lifeboat drill at 4:30 then the ship is easing out from the dock. A quick race up stairs to watch Cape Town and the mountains behind slowly leave us behind. A great sight to see!!
    Dinner in the Lido Buffet, a quick quiz game in the English Pup bar then off to sleep.
    Disappointed that the Hamilton Ross paintings have been removed from Bertram House. The lady who showed us around though has given me her contact details and I will be able to get a digital copy once they have been retrieved from archives. I get the feeling historical records are being mismanaged a bit in SA.
    It was wonderful though to leave Cape Town by ship knowing that our Great great grandfather had done the same as crew and Captain of his own vessels. Looking back towards Table Mountain and Signal Hill it is truly a moving and beautiful view. So many sailors must have marvelled at it's uniqueness before heading either east or west into the great oceans. How brave and amazing they were. I of coarse disgraced myself by feeling queasy within a few hours.    Read more

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