Reset search
Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019
  • Tamsin Gallie
  • Kate Saxton
  • Tamsin Gallie
  • Kate Saxton

Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

Post Cancer "Fuck it" World Trip ticking off major ticket items - Trans Mongolian Railway, Russia, Bhutan, Italy etc
Moscow, Mongolia, Manchester and everywhere in between Read more
+17
FollowInsightsInsightsCalendarCalendarPhotosPhotosShareShareBucket list
Newest first
  • Trip start
    July 2, 2019
    Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Definition of relief

    July 2, 2019 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    This is what relief looks like!!.... passports in hand and all checked in on way to Brisbane. Sad to say goodbye to NZ but excited for next few months.

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Not the best start to the morning!

    July 3, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Thank god for a morning full bladder despite a planned sleep in.
    Kate checked email.... and found out Brisbane to HongKong flight was cancelled!
    Luckily the travel agent (who we had to use after our initial cancelled flights) had rebooked us but on an earlier flight and check in was already open!! FFS!
    Mad dash to get up and get everything into the Uber.
    Anyway now all checked in and having a coffee to wake up and gather ourselves- not sure starting a trip with 2 cancelled international flights is a good omen! Thank god i don’t have to do my hair!!    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Great day in Amsterdam

    July 4, 2019 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Had a v successful day in beautiful Amsterdam. Landed at 8am after long flights from Brisbane.
    Got to accomm and then managed to get to city. Found ourselves with food canalside in the sun by 10am.
    Spent all day exploring city by foot, boat and bus. Had beer at 5pm in sun as watched the world go by.
    Just checked into room and agreed that we finally feel on holiday.... but too knackered to stay out for red light district/ night life.... we r soo old!!    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Start of the Tour de France!!

    July 6, 2019 in Belgium ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Great morning!! Positioned right at the front of the podium for the riders sign in..... little did we realise it was 11am not 9am! Got a great view of the actual yellow jersey.
    Won ugly hats by cheering in the dance off!
    Then ran down the road for the official start of the Tour de France 2019. Now off to walk to try to get best position for the finish of Day 1    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Finish of the Tour de France Day 1

    July 6, 2019 in Belgium ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Sadly didn’t make it to the finish line of the TDF as just too many people deep to be able to get a good view so settled for a great spot just before the 1kms to go banner.
    Cheered everyone in and then back to Grand Place for a couple of beers as plan tomorrow time trial viewingRead more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Tour de France Day 2- Team time trial

    July 7, 2019 in Belgium ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Another cracking day stood at the start of the Team Time Trial where the teams race over 27,6kms reaching speeds of 64kms!!!
    The winning team contained George Bennett our NZ rider from Nelson!!
    Worth standing and holding our place for 3 hours .... but didn’t take too kindly when some man asked if we could move so his little child ( who had no interest in the race) could see, 5 mins before the start, just so he could muscle in- the answer was a definitive no!!
    Meeting Kate’s friend Hendrik for a drink at a v European time... 9pm!!! On a Sunday night!! We r usually asleep by then!    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019
    41

    Bookings and Belgian Waffles

    July 8, 2019 in Belgium ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Today didn’t go quite as planned as we checked out of our Grand Place apartment and into a hastily booked new apartment...... only to find T had not realised the booking made last night was for 8th -10th.... of October!!! The lovely staff member gave us some free wifi to be able to book something necessary for tonight and tomorrow!!
    The day was made better by a “private tour” of the city by the wonderful Hendrik and Steve where we learnt the country’s National symbol is the fountain of a small fat boy peeing out of a v small penis!! Many tourists come purely to see this insignificant fountain.... we moved onto the Belgian Waffle House for waffles and beer!!! Lovely to catch up with Hendrik and meet Steve and learn random facts re the city’s history and buildings    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Atomium and Plasticarium

    July 9, 2019 in Belgium ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Amazing morning at the Atomarium built for the 1958 World Expo.
    Mind blowing visual exhibition inside called “ A circular journey”- could have spent hours watching.
    Beat any expectations.
    The design museum aka plasticarium was full of super cool furniture and domestic items.
    All of this followed by the best salad lunch in a little cafe up the road from our accommodation.    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    .... and the travel fun continues

    July 10, 2019 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    The joys of travelling- 05.45am start. First train was all on time from Brussels to Cologne. Cologne to Hamburg train was 35 mins late so we missed our connecting train.
    Now have a ticket for the train in 2 hours getting to Copenhagen at 8.40pm- trains are the same the world over!! Just grateful for the onward seats.... and everyone speaking English!!Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019
    2

    Copenhagen

    July 10, 2019 in Denmark ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    15 hours later we arrive in Copenhagen!! The highlight of the day was when the train drove into the ferry, we had to disembark up to the ferry deck and then after 45 mins of sailing we all re boarded the train and off we went again!! Amazing seeing the train parked on the car deck!!!
    A quick walk and a beer and it was back to the Airbnb. Copenhagen seems full of beautiful young people on scooters and bikes... we r going to fit right in!!    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019
    1

    Copenhagen- full day

    July 11, 2019 in Denmark ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    5 hours at the National Museum learning about Viking history and also Ghengis Khan and Mongolia (a little research for later in the trip!). The museum had so many excellent exhibits we just didn’t have enough time.
    Spent a v lovely evening at Nyhavn- historical harbour area before a v expensive pizza and wine for dinner. Copenhagen is v lovely and needs more than 1 day..., and we picked up a bottle of Marlborough Sav Blanc.... with a pic of Moeraki boulders on the label!!! Too funny!!!    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019
    3
    12

    10.50pm and it's still light- Hirtshals

    July 12, 2019 in Denmark ⋅ 🌙 15 °C

    Started the day in Copenhagen with a visit to the Design Museum. Followed this with a 7 hour bus trip to Hirtshals for the sunset... and preparation for our ferry trip north tomorrow.
    Amazing sunset from our balcony although the 20 hour daylight is a bit disconcerting.... and the fact we were told we get served liquor at breakfast the old Danish way!!!Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Morning Medicine the Danish way

    July 13, 2019, North Sea ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    So the warning came true- we were met with the most amazing breakfast buffet.... and small glasses of Danish rocket fuel! Apparently it was made with yellow snare, Heather and dune rose.... and brewed with some form of pure alcohol- I will stick to coffee in future!!
    Had the longest walk from Hirtshals to the Smyril Line ferry to take us to Faroe Islands carrying all luggage And emergency food- because we were too tight to get a taxi!
    32 hours and we will be in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands- v exciting.    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019
    33

    Arrival into the Faroe Islands

    July 14, 2019 in Faroe Islands ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    After a lecture on the Faroese Language and also learning that Faroese DNA resulted in males being mainly Norwegian but female DNA were surprisingly Scottish and Irish, we sailed into Tórshavn at 10.30pm.
    That was nearly 10 hours after we excitedly sailed past the Shetlands.
    Thank god we booked a taxi as we are staying up one very long hill.
    It’s now 11.45pm and it’s finally getting slightly dark. We have a fab little apartment and just grateful we are not sharing it with 4 others!    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019
    111

    Torshavn and National Museum

    July 15, 2019 in Faroe Islands ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Had a pretty relaxed day today orientating ourselves around Tórshavn using the free local buses.
    Parliament is in grass roofed buildings in the historic area- v nice place to work.
    Several times we had to pinch ourselves in disbelief that not only were we in the Faroes but it was dry and fog free - stunning beauty and that wasn’t just Kate!!! ( she told me to write that!)
    The National Museum was excellent on everything from local history, geology and economy. It also included access to a traditional farm from the late 19th century. Today we also squeezed in a visit to the Nordic House which was a beautiful community arts space up the road from our apartment. Dinner and wine at home as a coffee costs $8/£4!!    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Driftwood

    July 15, 2019 in Faroe Islands ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    So whilst visiting the open air farmhouse museum yesterday I was admiring the beautiful wooden ceiling beams and the crafted walls.
    I asked the person in attendance “ why type of wood are these massive beams??”. I was astonished by her reply.....”driftwood”!!!!!
    Kate and I managed not to fall about laughing until we were outside when we wondered what type of leaves the Driftwood trees have and how they grow so massive to make solid 12 ft long beams!!    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Not so easy to see Nolsoy

    July 16, 2019 in Faroe Islands ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Well today we headed out early for an easy 6 hour walk in the eastern island of Nólsoy.
    We got off the ferry to fog which was expected and managed to pick up a Danish student who wanted to walk with us.
    To cut a v long story short despite being experienced walkers none of us could find a track, followed what we thought was the track and ended up hanging onto the side of a hill admiring some v small headed sheep.... to save looking at the steep drop down!!
    Danish student scrambled up and off into the fog whilst Kate and i decided to head down, where we found a v obvious track once we got back to the start 3 hours and less fog later!!
    Went for a life celebrating waffle and rhubarb jam before heading off for a track in the opposite direction. This then also forked off so when we saw a ferry steaming in we decided to run like loons back through the village and jumped in the ferry with 30 secs to go.... slightly over shitly signposted walks!
    Only 3 days more of walked planned- god knows where we will end up by Friday!!!    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019
    1151

    Puffins 1-0 waterproof gear

    July 17, 2019 in Faroe Islands ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    Writing this sitting in a downstairs cellar with 30 other dripping wet people all waiting 3 hours for the ferry from Mykines to Sørvágor.
    Had a fabulous ferry trip passing the impressive sea cliffs of Mykines to see the puffins..... and see the puffins we did, just not as many as expected.
    The weather blew in so bad the 4hr track to the lighthouse was closed and our puffin spotting reduced to a very very wet and windy 90 mins on the cliff tops. However we did get some great photos on the cameras just not so great on phone sadly    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019
    217

    Klaksvik to Hattarvik

    July 18, 2019 in Faroe Islands ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    A very relaxed day after getting 4 buses and a return ferry trip to the far north east islands.
    Started the day off in the town of Klaksvík before sailing for 2 hours puffin spotting and enjoying the sheer cliffs of the northern isles. Being party to the local ferry transporting everything from dogs to BBQs was fascinating- talk about isolated communities. It was ghostly how the houses emerged out of the dense fog as we sailed right upon them.
    Had time for a Faroese brewed beer before the last bus back to Tórshavn
    It was also a little reunion day with our friend “Ken” from Hong kong and Alberta the Danish student who didn’t die after we left her on Nólsoy on Tuesday!! The joys of cheap public transport!!    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Last day in Faroes- Sandur and fish soup

    July 19, 2019 in Faroe Islands ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Cracking last day on 4 buses and 2 ferries to Sandur and back.
    Sandur is a v historic village where legend says there lived 2 witches. Anyway for some reason the locals have covered a huge rock in the most fabulous knitted mural. I couldn’t get kate to stand too close due to any confusion it may cause.
    After walking and exploring we had a traditional Faroese fish soup with a twist for lunch.... it contained peaches!!! But by god it was delicious-who knew fish soup with peaches could be so amazing??!!    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    See u Faroe Islands- its been fab

    July 19, 2019 in Faroe Islands ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    Few last bits and pieces we have missed
    - they grow a lot of rhubarb
    -puffins are not designed for flying
    - faroe’s has 2 of the most amazing undersea tunnels which cost 4 billion krona
    - they r currently building 2 more!
    - their walking tracks are not always well marked
    - there is fog at least every 30 mins
    - very few of the buses and ferries connect
    - they don’t print out bus timetables!
    -they cook the best lamb in the world but at $100 we decided to wait until we come home
    - there are 1000’s of roadside waterfalls
    -the population is only 50,000
    - they can’t use the sheep wool so they burn it!!!
    - we have loved it here and would love to come back    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019
    4

    ? Too old to be sleeping in airports!

    July 20, 2019 in Denmark ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    After a foggy farewell to the Faroes we had a v comfy flight back to Copenhagen with Atlantic Airlines.
    Sadly the Faroes were so blanketed in fog we didn’t get an aerial view which was a shame.
    Descending into Copenhagen we were welcomed with the most amazing blood moon (photo really doesn’t do it justice!)
    To cut a long night short we made a mistake by finding a seat for sleeping too near the departure board. Settled down at 1am but people started checking in at 3am for their 6am flights and weirdly just stood right by our heads whilst checking out the flight board !!! We moved to a less busy spot but gave in at 5am and got re-packed for the Ryanair strict luggage allowance.
    Arrived late to Brussels so had to do a runner for our bus to Ghent but made the last 2 seats. And so started our week at the Ghent Festival Miromiro with our fabulous guides Hendrik and Steve    Read more

  • 2026© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About us
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Help Center
  • Legal notice