Florence

Actually I'm in London - just got off the plane and am in the transit lounge awaiting transfer to Singapore plane, we'll stay one night there and then it's back to Sydney.

Have had trouble accessing the internet and even more trouble getting on to my blog!!!

The Italians are very suspicious of anyone wanting to use the internet - they want to have a look at your passport and take a photocopy and then you get entered into a register, so that the polizei know who has been doing what...It all became a bit difficult.

But back to Florence - busy busy town - soooooo many churches, basilicas, statues - the Ufizzi Gallery took us a few hours to get through and we didn't see half of it. The Accademia where the statue of David by Michelangelo resides took another few hours.

We just happened to come across a Wine festival where they were having wine tastings, we all bought a wine glass and a card with 12 clips (for 12 wine samples) and sat in the Piazza getting a little silly for most of the evening .. not a bad introduction to the town - afterwards we found a lovely little restaurant and had a lovely meal - wonderful pasta, cheese, coffee and the yumiest Grappa (made from Rocket!!!)

We walked up a hill to a lovely area which had the best view all over the city - unfortunately it was the same day as their Walk for life day and there were thousands of people in orange teeshirts doing a walkathon through the town, what a squash.

Anyway a lovely restaurant at the top of the hill - with the yummiest salads (Buffalo mozzarella and tomatoes) and the best pizza !!!!!!

Venice

What an amazing place - so many monuments and fantastic old buildings that it is overwhelming. It is a maze of little streets and bridges - so easy to get lost if not careful, luckily they thought of that and put signs up on buildings with arrows pointing to the main piazzas - if you get lost these signs will direct you to a place where you can get your bearings again. The night lights in San Marco Piazza - really quite something and there seems to be some sort of concert going on there all the time.

Lugano

After spending a lovely day in Zurich exploring the old town we headed to the train for our journey through the swiss alps to Lake Lugano (the swiss riviera) Absolutely lovely scenery through the alps - luckily the mist lifted and we made the most of the trip.

Arrived in Lugano - absolutely beautiful lake gorgeous view from our balcony - we are tempted to just sit here and take in the view.

Switzerland

Met up with friends at Zurich and travelled to their place in Guttingen on LAke Konstanz. Had a lovely dinner with them and another few friends who surprised us with a visit. Had lot to catch up on as it has been 16 years. Next morning it was up early for a trip to St Gallen, and Appenzell. But first there was a long hike up a mountain (1300 mtrs above sea level) to a restaurant at the peak (walk nearly wiped me out - but I made it) and we had a lovely meal of sausages and rosti, before making the trek back down the hill. There was no cheating because walking was the only way out - there was no road.
Had a lovely day anyway and we finished off the day with a trip to Konstanz (we walked across the border to Germany for dinner)

Holland

Arrived in Amsterdam on Thursday to be greeted by Warwick. He proceeded to show me around the town and visit a few galleries The Rijks museum, Anne Franks House. Headed back to Leiden where we met Karen for dinner.
to be cont'd

In Brugge

Beautiful old town with hardly a new building in sight. Spending many an hour wandering around the winding streets and visiting endless wonderful churches with old paintings and beautiful sculptures.

Moulin Rouge

Arrived in Paris by train. Not a bad way to travel much better than hanging around airports for hours. Checked into our hotel opposite the Louvre (old hotel, tiny room - but adequate) went for a walk around the Louvre and Tuilliers gardens before getting ready and heading for the Moulin Rouge for a night of entertainment. Had a good time and headed back towards hotel - realised too far to walk so had to figure out the metro system - which actually seems to work well. Got back to Hotel quite late - slept well.

Next day - Lots of walking around Louvre, Notre Dame, Tour Eiffel, etc - still walking when I came across this internet cafe so dropped in to write a note & check emails. Off to look for a restaurant for tonight.
Tomorrow off to Brussels on the 8am train so early start.

Off to Paris

About to head off to get the train to Paris - tonight it's the Moulin Rouge!!!

Gonna leave old London town

Well last day in London - yesterday hopped on a river ferry and went down to Greenwich. Unfortunately the Cutty Sark had been damaged in a fire a while back so instead of seeing a magnificent old sailing ship we were faced with a shell of a boat completely covered in canvas - couldn't see a thing. We walked through the town, visited the market (bought a nice silk scarf) and walked up the hill to the observatory (where Greenwhich mean time is calculated) quite a display of old clocks and instruments, an amazing view over the town and countryside.

Greenwich time

About to head off and explore the Greenwich area - will keep you posted. Tomorrow morning off to Paris, not sure where next internet cafe will be - au revoir till then.

Happy Anniversary!!!!!!!

Wow 32 years today - 09/09/09 thats quite a date. Wandered around the area during the day - explored around the Thames. Found a market place, the Cutty Sark was up on dry dock - impressive boat, didn't look big enough for all those sea voyages.

In the evening had tickets to see Shakespeares "As you like it" at the Globe theatre - had a fantastic night - beautiful clear evening - wandered along the Thames taking in the sights. The theatree was absolutely wonderful - glad we hired cushions as the wooden benches were a bit unforgiving. Great atmosphere, great acting - lots of hamming up which is just how it should be, a great night. Afterwards wandered back along the Thames - stopped and had a meal at Wagamama - then walked back to the apartment.

I'm in London still...

First day in London a SCORCHER (for London anyway) about 28 and with no airconditioning on the trains you really feel it way down in the bowels of the earth - especially when there are delays....
Staying in Bermonsdey which is the suburb between Tower Bridge and London Bridge (on the opposite side of the Thames from the Tower of London. Not a bad sot but we are a bit far from the station which means lots of walking to get anywhere - nevermind I needed the exercise..

The area has been regenerated in recent years and is quite a pleasant area - quite a few parks and at the corner of our street there is a square with a new trendy hotel on one side apartments on two sides and some nice restaurants/cafes on the other side. The area has tables and chairs in the open and it has been nice to go and sit outside there at night and have a meal in the open. Restaurant Del'Aziz has a moroccan feel to it so we sampled the menu and even had some Moroccan wine - which tasted okay but the next morning didn't feel so great (not sure if it was the food or the wine)

Singapore here we come...

Arrived in steamy Singapore getting on to 11pm straight to hotel booked in - wished we could go out for a walk but too tired. At check in we were treated to the old joke hello Mr Black - and you must be Mrs White ...hmmmmmmmmm, too tired.

Next morning awoke to sound of thunder, grey day, drizzling rain all day...hot and steamy. Went on a bus tour, looked around the shops, had high tea, I suggested going to the Botanical gardens Andrew wanted to stay near air conditioning. Currently at Changi Airport in Qantas lounge awaiting flight at one minute to midnight.

We should arive in London about 6am UK time..

Things go awry...

What started out to be a simple day of packing .. got more complicated as the day went on....
About half an hour before due to leave for airport a neighbour appeared at the door to inform us we had a dead possum hanging by it's tail from our guttering...further to this...it was discovered by his young daughter who's bedroom window is directly opposite. Whats more it's been there a few days and is looking rather bloated.

Can't possibly leave it for 4 weeks whilst we travel - the girl would be totally traumatised.

Andrew thinks he can possibly lean out upstairs bathroom window and dislodge it.... possum swings from side to side...doesn't budge. Next tries a long pruning saw... just slides off possum tail dislodging lots of fur... yuck! Next and final option long pruning loppers.. eek....but success, possum drops to the ground...cleaning up process begins.

Anyway the day didn't get much better.. arrived at airport to be told we weren't seated together on flight. AJ not happy as he had prebooked seats and actually had printed confirmation of the seats he had booked..........2 hours later...after much ado... we had our seats, no time for leisurely lounge, stuffed around at currency exchange.... finally get through as flight nearly fully boarded and officious woman jumps out at me and says I have to have a drug and explosives search...What!!!!!!within seconds I'm being told to open my bags.. stand with my arms spread out so she can do a PAT DOWN... turn around...one more pat down....the world has gone crazy...by the time we got on the plane we were both absolutely exhausted.

Karen Bee on Holiday

Day One

Up early - it's time to pack!!!!