tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44500856676050351272024-03-13T06:50:59.346-07:00Munday MusingsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-72766444945243801272017-06-22T12:29:00.001-07:002017-06-22T12:30:46.929-07:00FRANCE PARISTuesday June 20.<div>In the past we have found 'Discovery Walks' a great way to see the sights of a city with a native guide and today was no different. While we waited we watched a big group of young Spaniards shaking breadcrumbs into each other's hair then taking photos of the pigeons scratching for them. There was general hilarity and many photos. </div><div><br></div><div>We chose the walk through the area of Saint Germain and the Seine but due to excessive heat (36c), we avoided the river and stuck to shady cobbled lanes of Saint Germain. We met our guide, Eric, in his pink vest, at the front of Notre Dame and were lucky to have only one other young English couple with us which meant we could hear every thing and ask questions at will. </div><div><img id="id_990d_9a6e_a0b0_53c6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4AveB3918a4/WUwagw4E3yI/AAAAAAAAPeI/7dHwVk7R004CUquubB7VnkmVFDhXta-awCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div>The two cathedrals are representive of the original divisions of the city. On the left, Notre Dame belonging to the walled Latin Quarter where wealth and education was the norm, while on the right was the Romanesque Church of Saint Germain des Pres, (church of the fields), built in the poorer settlement outside the walls. The lower cost of living there attracted tradesmen, students, musicians and artisans.</div><div>Taxes were levied on the number and size of doors and windows, resulting in small buildings, with few windows, small doors and dark interiors.</div><div><br></div><div>Eric was a great source of local knowledge and pointed out the homes and haunts of many famous Parisiennes. Robespierre and Benjamin Franklin frequented the coffee shop below and Eric said the popular Piano Bar cabaret was an excellent, bawdier, alternative to Moulin Rouge! We planned to go until we realised it kicked off at 11pm and closed at 6am.... past our bedtime, especially after long days of sight-seeing!</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_bebd_d600_bd05_95ad" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SlR1Tex7xck/WUwag1xj_ZI/AAAAAAAAPeM/9ENPsvCWc1sF04LlVpZ2F689jrnR09bZACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div>Some interesting facts we learnt were</div><div>*Saint Germain grew up outside the walls of the Latin Quarter, where the university was sited, and was a tax-free cheaper living option which attracted artists, students, and musicians.</div><div>*cul de sac translates to 'arse of sac', a bit of a dig at gentrification!</div><div>* traditionally, the wealthy criminals were beheaded and the hoi-poli were subjected to the more painful death by hanging, until the revolution when all were guillotined. (Liberty, EQUALITY, fraternity).</div><div>*<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The cobbled streets slope towards the centre so when the 'slops' were thrown from the windows above, they would run into the centre and drain away when it rained. Before the slops were thrown it was mandatory to give three warnings to passers-by so they could move to the wall in the lee of the deluge!!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">*during the Nazi occupation, Pablo Picasso, despite being Spanish, stayed in his Paris house (below) and painted his gruesome comment on war, 'Guernica'. When a Nazi officer asked " did you do this?", his response was "No. You did!"</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_a0df_b92f_7ac0_b2f1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L25dCNvjvaE/WUwagdd1NGI/AAAAAAAAPeA/0GHfVLHBCqseJtTiFfRSexSHCnCkh-VqwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_6647_63cb_217b_35e3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GHFIDYgyYrk/WUwagqW9mjI/AAAAAAAAPeE/WB7aeaccQaYfEmdMSTepppKTsI6O_MzgACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div>As we walked, Eric drew our attention to the small theatres, many still in original condition, where old films, often black and white, are regularly shown. Paris has a huge movie audience, but the big commercial cinemas complexes, with multiple screenings are nowhere to be seen.</div><div><br></div><div>Some observations.</div><div>* lots of smokers everywhere, including restaurants.</div><div>* clean, efficient, affordable Metro system.</div><div>* mostly slim populace, walking and cycling. Electric bikes are available at convenient pick-up /drop-off points on street corners.</div><div>* electric cars and charging points everywhere.</div><div>* no road rage. Slow traffic, tolerant drivers.</div><div>*courtesy.</div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Eric pointed out the advertising booth below and told us they are gradually being replaced with modern bill-boards. He felt it was another loss of traditional character in the city.</span></div><img id="id_ff98_a73b_fd63_3898" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t1xFFmgPKpA/WUwahVXoOUI/AAAAAAAAPeQ/dzH95xpO7TICCk-k4pguqBp9Tj5Nw5JKQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wednesday June 21.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On the train there was an unpleasant incident when five railway police came through checking tickets. The young woman beside me couldn't produce a ticket and became very aggressive, shouting and gesticulating. She stood up and argued and yelled non-stop and at the next stop made a break for the door. The officers restrained her and then frog-marched her off at the next station.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We started the day with a nostalgic walk to Ile de St Louis where we stayed with the GGs in 2013, especially to take photos of Notre Dame framed with trees in summer foliage! Previous trips have been in winter so greenery is a novelty for us!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_3456_1465_222_c754" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EXFHEzI7WfU/WUwahWTY0oI/AAAAAAAAPeU/MCHmZMk9t4UNG9FNq8_E-6zp_kyO_KA0wCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_1e70_cf2a_22e4_69ae" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tEPgmXrFahA/WUwaiOnV9PI/AAAAAAAAPeY/WJ14iFalCEwJz4EMAun_TQpcC2E6EBs0QCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This little group of young students were under the shade of a bridge on the left bank of the Seine and were the first indicator of the Fete de la Musique, an annual event in Paris which encourages musicians to set up anywhere in public space to perform.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We revisited The Luxembourgh Garden too, to see it in the spring. It was cool under the big shade trees and we sat awhile watching the passing parade.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_47a7_910a_5d4d_1e40" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1FeEui9wITI/WUwajxGV3LI/AAAAAAAAPeo/ycrGx4AUF_Ms-nBLvylzgwjIRmt4-UFfgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_1fdf_a0ee_597a_9b29" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MQU9dVko_F4/WUwaiY7dVMI/AAAAAAAAPec/kzjxRFvMbyQpZcL6Z_orglbXEFEIOK6GwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was great at to be in Paris for the 'Fete de la Musique' which celebrates the Summer Solstice. It is a day and night of free gigs, of all music genres across the country. There were bands and individuals on almost every corner, park and square set up with their amphliers, watched by appreciative audiences. </span></div><div> <br></div><img id="id_932b_5abc_c741_dd07" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2eTwXJ8Z7Ik/WUwaigKJ8_I/AAAAAAAAPeg/udQ0wyBJqB8SFfl5sP1voMjYbp-0adnCwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The atmosphere was amazing, sometimes deafening when two groups were close. We ate dinner at a pavement table with a jazz band behind us and a rock band in the restaurant across the street. Beside us, in the spirit of the night, was a budding trumpeter!!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We called it a night and dragged ourselves home about 11pm.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thursday, June 22nd</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We caught the train out to The Bois-de-Boulogne, which is home to the racecourse and Roland-Garos Tennis Centre. It is also where the prostitutes set up their colourful tents and cars each morning in preparation for plying their trade.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was very hot so we didn't stay long and headed back to our favourite watering-hole for a cool ale.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Before we left there was a burst water main in our street, sending a plume of water about three storeys into the air. The local kids were having a great time cooling off there and the gutters were overflowing. When we came home it was still spouting and we were concerned we'd be without water. Gratefully it is now fixed and all is well.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><img id="id_ef9d_35c0_bde6_b778" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-la5EGrmJTEk/WUwajbtandI/AAAAAAAAPek/9wNzAFz39Cs33gP7woVUimuuITxyN2rUwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-72691493229476403862017-06-18T13:15:00.001-07:002017-06-20T12:56:38.745-07:00FRANCE - PARIS<div><br></div><div><br></div>Saturday June 17.<div>After saying our good-byes to Philippa and Alan, we packed the car and left for Paris. We stopped at a lay-by for lunch and were surprised by the large, shady area which provided toilets and lots of seating.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7fe8_377d_7cbb_497e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aHfYR5nhRHs/WUd6j1enltI/AAAAAAAAPYg/-DDOejvl1H8OKOJersIr6_zBmtPbl05SACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div>After a long hard day of driving and with a sigh of relief, we delivered the car undented to the Eurocar drop off point.</div><div><br><div>Our Paris exchange family advised us to catch the RoissyBus from the airport to the back of the Opera House building where they would meet us. After several unsuccessful attempts to ring them from the airport to let them know we had arrived, we asked a stranger what the Paris code was and, voila, we were successful. We caught the bus, a non-stop delivery to the centre of Pars, where they were waiting. They were double parked and in the midst of the mayhem led us to the car and quickly drove from the square to their home. They explained the necessary details over a cold beer, handed over the keys and headed for their house in the country, 150 kms from Paris. They are a warm and welcoming couple of our vintage.</div><div><br></div><div>The small apartment is on the 5th floor and very comfortable and central with considerable security. The nearest metro station is Voltaire.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_aa01_ef5d_79f4_39f4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NVHHjs9tbBI/WUd6klGW4hI/AAAAAAAAPYo/E_MxBOjr2T0OxpL7bxsk0Gklw6SUwDjdgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_a305_2103_2d76_ada6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Se5KddlZf4E/WUd6kvXc6vI/AAAAAAAAPYk/r3EygU6xgnMbdI9tlYT6ptVSqTTsmvIOgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div>Sunday June 18</div><div>We ventured out in the late afternoon to explore our immediate area and found the nearby parks and streets full of Parisienes relaxing and kids playing.</div></div><div>There were three basketball courts, a large playground, seats occupied by oldies watching the passing parade, kids swimming in the fountain, boule players and onlookers, sun- bakers, sleepers and lovers, all within a block of our place.</div><div>Eventually we joined a large crowd at the corner bar and relaxed with a spritz. We rate it the iconic drink of this trip!!</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_553b_c0e9_b824_7cd0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EWHcmlAJSGk/WUkM2JeoavI/AAAAAAAAPa0/i53bdthMWSorjFVU-p2lYFCiR-27raZEACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </div><div><img id="id_e32d_47e7_e1c6_c7df" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0_Pbn92xbD0/WUd6kuxL-UI/AAAAAAAAPYs/o0dbC2u1L3ksw_hToJ23jF5S2IwrczuWgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div> Monday June 19.<div>LOUVRE MUSEUM.<br><div>We walked down to the Voltaire metro station, bought tickets and caught the train directly to the Louvre Museum stop which was easy. The entrance was a sea of people entering and leaving so we squared our shoulders and went for it! We had a plan of attack and stayed with it except for a detour to see the Mona Lisa. Strangely, she hadn't aged a bit since we saw her last in 1975!</div><div><br></div> <img id="id_9d4c_384c_1555_b6fd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FwGqiKxr-WI/WUkC-BkCAQI/AAAAAAAAPZ4/zy7SDsZpwCAm3fvHRqrCD51j6c5bY95_ACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div><br></div><div>We surged in with the crowd and found our way to the Islamic Art (<a dir="ltr" href="tel:700-1800" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="telephone" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0">700-1800</a>.)</div><div>On display were ceramics, miniatures, glassware, wood panelling, carpets and ceremonial weapons. They reflected the splendour of a civilasition that extended from Spain to India.<br><div><br></div><div><img id="id_375f_9bf6_4fc5_489" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tRCGCvqxXZE/WUkEPAueTqI/AAAAAAAAPaE/49aOJN_XHeUUCgyZ0CX3fRmCySoTnaQogCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><img id="id_ae97_cd77_dc8c_9da2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QJXg90QsQ0E/WUkEPLliZkI/AAAAAAAAPaI/V9wo836U6IYdVMAdfRNFHRBvt-FQsX03ACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_a64_ad92_9b35_9b2c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cH97nJFfSzs/WUkEPJ0lyYI/AAAAAAAAPaM/kLWRv2miGiQWHeW-8SejQUUi7fPzQ5mYQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div><br></div><div><img id="id_a90_dc60_ef2b_cba8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xU0BvMUEv48/WUkEjcTBpkI/AAAAAAAAPaQ/kYW5diBj28c58oSr-XWZyWqX_-bPwL9iACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><img id="id_75b_67aa_338a_41ad" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6QgcW1E-PPU/WUkEj9BnSnI/AAAAAAAAPaU/qSKCl1G5_u0W70vGSE4DnmN7vxth1QX1ACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div>We queued from lunch which we ate on the ramparts with an expansive over the palace, the pyramid, and the triumphal arch with a view towards the Tuileries Garden. We sat at table with a Canadian couple and chatted about our shared experiences of house exchange.<div><br></div><div><img id="id_5665_f0b4_70b6_d6f9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8nibQ3Ol8lQ/WUkJtMYi6qI/AAAAAAAAPao/0O_obwIdYE8vJ-rb_f3kjNMGAiO_ebjOwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div>We were interested in the drawings, prints and engravings, pastels and watercolours from 1350-1850 which are held by the Louvre. They are the world's finest collection by renowned Eurpoean artists, but are light-sensitive and can only be presented for short periods in temporary exhibitions. We were lucky to see them.</div><img id="id_3df_1e62_7a77_aa11" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xkNsusSB1MA/WUkJs1kGNRI/AAAAAAAAPak/NdX4MN9xyw47r2nA1vezm8XFEBR7ym5mACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </div>Lastly, we saw the Spanish paintings (1400-1850) by El Greco, Ribera, Murillo and Goya.</div><div>After deciding 'enough was too much' we caught the train home. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-47189802322817551822017-06-18T08:00:00.001-07:002017-06-18T12:55:54.274-07:00FRANCE - MOHON AND JOSSELIN continued.<div><br></div>JOSSELIN BRITTANY.<div>WALKING TOUR.<br><div><br></div><div>Monday June 12 .</div><div>We decided to walk upstream from the town along the tow path beside the canal.</div><div>The scenery was beautiful with lush grasses and spring flowers everywhere. They are regularly tended by council workers who replant and water them when necessary. We stopped to watch as baskets and men were hoisted up in a cherry-picker to the strong brackets above our heads. They made adjustments to the hoses which deliver water to the baskets when needed. The beautiful flowers are a feature in almost all the towns and villages in Brittany.<br><div><br></div><div><img id="id_4948_342e_da27_cc11" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qBL8248gVLw/WUaVnXjSXiI/AAAAAAAAPVw/B6IPerUPuZ05bYoTmK9_UPnl25bda7CeACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div></div></div><div><br></div><img id="id_4abe_1be3_daf_1cfb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-97D4MSwiwco/WUaVoipj7dI/AAAAAAAAPWE/OlKwwC0yg60hLP4KRTXKmGzvbutPcd4wwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_5011_740e_9afc_21c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r0U5mKvLaHg/WUaVn9OfcJI/AAAAAAAAPV4/nZT2yjVLMFgQSCCyO0bRln6ez2kbw0NYQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div>As we came back into the town we noticed the wood piled into the fork of a tree and behind the home. There didn't seem to be the same amount of wood as saw stacked everywhere in Slovenia though.</div><div>We ended our walk in a small bar/restaurant on the canal and ordered the set menu and drinks to reward ourselves for our efforts!</div><div>Little did we realise how hugely delicious it would be for a very moderate price of €12 each. Three courses, then cheeses with drinks included and the raspberries came from the bushes behind us in the garden.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_6e70_eb0e_3c18_11a5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EVFQ-VVUUcU/WUaVnn1u94I/AAAAAAAAPV0/C5veXDS3LYUU7aowEka7ydPsBcFFbMH8QCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div><br></div><div>Tuesday June 13.</div><div><img id="id_38c3_8ee6_1f8d_2a62" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ykQL7PZkAu0/WUab1w2xYHI/AAAAAAAAPWg/sM4bfpSphJYkyWxSOEn6GwgVrFSTCMMpwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div> We enjoyed the walking tour so much we decided to hire bikes and ride the next day. </div> Only electric bikes were available ( luckily we thought!!!), so we paid our €17 for a half day and peddled off along the river, downstream with our packed lunch.<div><br></div><div><img id="id_6762_4a84_8d8c_b408" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LlUx-BlQhyA/WUaVotr_qbI/AAAAAAAAPWA/KfPSrKaGplUSMgJJE3H7d7luFRa3s32zACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div>The tow path was completely flat and easy to ride so it was no hardship to cover a fair distance.</div><div>We stopped often to look at the locks, birds, buildings and beautiful trees and an Englishman capturing the beauty on canvas.</div><div>There were a few fishermen along the banks of the canal using incredibly long poles (no attached reels) which I hadn't seen since I was a child.</div></div><div>We stopped to eat our baguettes stuffed with meat, salad and the pumpkin seeds which Herta gave us. Some of us dangled our legs over the lock wall while a younger person had a snooze in the sun! </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_c4a6_df25_d95c_7fcf" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bvk6JfLbaoE/WUaVpBMFQlI/AAAAAAAAPWI/0mdnlVBO9pAcZ1yXAZeKjDypoyAPOViwwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_bd2f_6da0_4792_b4c4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N_YsQaDzzNM/WUabQ_DVuRI/AAAAAAAAPWY/_Ko6RVQ2UVEazG5ycZ_s7ktzEQ3ycJAIACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div>It was a very relaxing last day for all of us and our last with dear friends Libby and Eric who fly home to Darwin tomorrow. Bon voyage!</div><div><br></div><div>Mohon Village.</div><div>Our gite, more than 300 years old, was a very comfortable home with three levels with exposed beams, sloping floors and low ceilings.</div><div>Our exchange hosts Alan and Philippa were next door and on the far left of the building was another small unit which they rented or exchanged as well.</div><div><br></div><div> <br></div><img id="id_f2d0_c1a3_7cce_9b41" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BFNep74LRLs/WUbNmoW2zLI/AAAAAAAAPXI/x5VugDPNCFoZdDM_Mk1BKcr65pRHl2OmwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_c62e_d8ca_82fd_155d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h3l2RflbxqM/WUbNm6w6REI/AAAAAAAAPXQ/Z57EEsHTn_QbCD7sns-F6-woZA3-doeZACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div><br></div><img id="id_3950_9a89_f6cf_ad57" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4HKmskbfbFw/WUbaxyFbtLI/AAAAAAAAPXk/RzU4G4dlGOcTvdaGCGY1Rl8YDEyj0nlwgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div> Council Chambers.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_6d4a_a8b1_1208_9e2a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-51fCKWfXUto/WUbayT0lIhI/AAAAAAAAPXs/0pofUIqnKZobzqJAsLYWO6lhZkXzFDVFgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div>On one of our walks Glenn and I saw the caravans, a man fishing and a woman hanging washing so we said hello and they invited us onto their land They were an English couple who were setting up a carp farm for sport fishing and planned to live in France. They had been successful in getting their daughter into a primary school which was essential, and they we very pleased as they considered the French school system superior to the English. They told us they paid €14,000 for a habitable house which amazed us but after talking to our exchangees, we realised that the French are happy to sell to the English who will then renovate old farm houses and they sell them very cheaply.</div><img id="id_6d2a_a545_19e2_66ea" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qWxT409n3aI/WUbayO-GJrI/AAAAAAAAPXo/X-ar7SSvjRMY1OfM7waRNZ-lH7kEMSG5ACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-55083100805160943122017-06-18T04:03:00.001-07:002017-06-18T04:03:59.376-07:00FRANCE - RENNES<div><br></div>FRANCE -RENNES <div>Wednesday June 14<br><div><br></div><div>Libby and Eric left today and caught the train from Rennes to Paris. The traffic in Rennes was a nightmare, with the station under renovation and surrounded by hoardings which made locating the entrance difficult. Although we'd allowed plenty of time, in the end we dropped them as close as we could and they did a 'bag-drag'. We rang them a bit later and were relieved to know they had caught their train. We had a great four weeks together and will miss their driving energy and happy faces.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_427b_c6e2_fe0e_76f1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ej8aIWlI-b0/WUZeGPgNP1I/AAAAAAAAPU8/J5VQVB66HVYwSvOf6i3KSUc8wK5CUrnbQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div>We parked easily in the big carpark in the centre of the town and sat and had a coffee while we waited for the Information Office to open, accompanied by 'larger-than -life nymphs' (and friend)! The office is located in the Gothic chapel built for Saint-Yves Hospital which also holds a permanent exhibition called 'Rennes, a City of Art and History'. The decor inside and out abounds in surprising sculptures of animals and large display boards are very informative.</div><div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_afd0_f22d_2aa5_728e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fr7Y8ysGOlc/WUZeGMXZb3I/AAAAAAAAPVA/ZXWwOse7BHM4ifIhxaEwU05bkxNy1DqlgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"></div><div> <br></div><div>Glenn led us into the Cathedral of Saint Peter which was restored in the second half of the 19th century and holds many treasures including a Roman high altar and an impressive organ. The cathedral has witnessed important moments in history including the coronation of dukes and duchesses of Brittany. It's interesting to note that I used to have to drag Glenn into churches and cathedrals, but now he can't walk past one without poking his head in to check out the architecture! No surprise really as they are sacred, calm spaces in our fast-paced world, where we can rest and sit in awe and wonder.</div><div><br></div><img id="id_afaa_9da3_d094_a959" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QsDtZ50LEfg/WUZeGCbUk0I/AAAAAAAAPVE/AkJghP-8DUYVheFH0AAoOP__9Wxrh3y1ACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div><br></div><div><img id="id_cc9c_292c_a36b_a14d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ITN5vRV4kjY/WUZeGvdtG-I/AAAAAAAAPVI/2SkbmYI33NIsFFDM6PUGK4IXg5uKmt0KQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div>Next on our map was The Portes Mordelaises, also called the 'Royal gate' in reference to the Dukes of Brittany, who, before being crowned in the cathedral, passed through the gate having taken an oath to defend the independence of the region. It was rebuilt in the 15th century.and has a double drawbridge. Unfortunately we caught a number of large tour groups which makes the photograph a bit difficult!</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7ff3_f266_2dee_7cb9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6DYpK9tyxdA/WUZeHSOZqqI/AAAAAAAAPVQ/TZN0jlRtDFwv--UGxMtwIcxP3AZjyKCqACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div>We walked through the Place Des Lices, a large square where one of the largest markets markets in France is held every Saturday morning. It was a former medieval jousting area that hosted Knight's tournaments. The local speciality - the galette saucisse (sausage in buckwheat pancake), was in evidence on menus everywhere.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_806b_fa65_209b_498c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DPf2a2O42ag/WUZeHVLymlI/AAAAAAAAPVM/GRg6nHvxACQTv2C-iZRkDUPj0kMmQdtYwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div>We bought ice-creams and sat on the steps of the Opera House, facing City Hall and watched the world go by. Again we became aware of the tightening of security as four heavily armed soldiers on high alert, walked through the square.</div></div></div> <div><img id="id_6b43_ca41_d109_7d1d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tCoOcwthzrc/WUZeHnJUm3I/AAAAAAAAPVU/svq8zPiV0HU1WEaG1uAsf_FTQsFCP0o4wCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-36350757508582401332017-06-16T13:41:00.001-07:002017-06-16T13:41:02.061-07:00FRANCE. MALESTROITJune Friday 16.<div>It was only twenty minutes from LIZIO to MALESTROIT, another 'little city of character', so we thought we might tick off the last village on our list.</div><div>We were pleasantly surprised by the Church of Saint Gilles, the foundations of which are one thousand years old. The church leaflet, in English, says the church "has lived in the rhythm of the city, sharing its joys and misfortunes. It stands in the heart of the town, a witness of its long history and a link between successive generations...... We hope the windows light up your visit."</div><div>The chancel of the primitive chapel was built in the 11th century. It originally housed a sacred Spring which now lies outside the walls.</div><div>The medieval animal paintings on the vault date back to the time of the Crusades which explains these unique oriental motifs in Brittany.<br><div><br></div><div><img id="id_b15_f070_2379_6e95" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vgd9ZNjbES4/WURCWzx2chI/AAAAAAAAPUI/3LHHs8x8Z3QbWZ4cUqJP_5S-R8UJGgyogCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><img id="id_435a_81f_19c6_1f0c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lA7TVFWNbT4/WURCXJp9yLI/AAAAAAAAPUM/rl1gFtksXkEEEY2KLwvJXoGhPVMMHpeTwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div><br></div><div>We were surprised to find the canal when we walked through the town and then more so when we saw the very deep lock there. Several canal boats were moored upstream beside the tow-path edging a lush parkland.</div><div><img id="id_ec20_7bc1_4300_aed6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FoTspJyqD04/WURCXAzwqDI/AAAAAAAAPUQ/6FPKSzeYpoYYApNXilUu3xcJHlSTB2TFQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </div></div><div>The sign outside the lock master's house made certain of the direction people were travelling!</div><div><br></div><img id="id_80c5_dd1b_c828_93c2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bEPIKIitKo0/WURCP74RCoI/AAAAAAAAPUE/lCeBdE9v8DoHt7OjfTE7UwbMZQP4xoHuQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-58728346239653514422017-06-16T11:23:00.001-07:002017-06-16T11:23:45.593-07:00FRANCE - LIZIO<div>LIZIO. Friday June 16</div><div><br></div><div>Today is our last full day in Brittany.</div><div><br></div><div>Libby spotted an article about this village so we drove 30 minutes or so through beautiful country-side to have a look.</div><div>Along the way were many wind-turbines, prolific in this corner of the world, quietly producing re-newable energy, without polluting the environment.</div><div>HOW HARD IS IT AUSTRALIA ?</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><img id="id_7dbc_2375_d8d4_ed93" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AuCKPkL3cPg/WUQhzjKhrkI/AAAAAAAAPTY/JELFTo53phssdJwh3Kn4MBpFPdKLPvSNwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div>The next good idea to greet us in this tiny village in rural France was a re-charging station for electric cars. </div><div>It was across the road from large, Hand-carved wooden sculptures.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_8b3c_ad45_e6fb_aae2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QU4iieWxQII/WUQh2nUHLaI/AAAAAAAAPTg/UpqEXkvtk44ISkfy2W1HoSC_jV2VBjgMwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </div><div> </div><div>A few kilometres outside the village we located ' the world of the poetic scrapman' where he has created a surreal place of colourful dreams, with decorative Eco-homes, changing sculptures and unruly machines, many wind -powered. It is a work of 25 years at this stage.</div><div>He is known as 'the recycle King' and judging by the numbers of excited school children who had been bussed to see his fantastic world, his work is certainly appreciated!</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_ea3d_473f_a12d_7be9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aCQfSkT5s5E/WUQh0frUMJI/AAAAAAAAPTc/H4vZiOMhBIcCpTjqAQg7oQa2a3AP85-IQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div>Back in the village there were a few static exhibitions of period clothing, a class-room and a dining room.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_5699_90ef_2e78_9390" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2HJcscerbo0/WUQhyfJPWiI/AAAAAAAAPTU/WAmy0wdEAG447yB3cQBoAsySvTVtAhLKQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </div><div>We were amazed to see a baguette vending machine and as we gazed at it a man drove up, opened it and re-filled it with fresh bread. Obviously there isn't a bakery in the village but fresh bread is available at any time for 1€10. I have to say it was an incongruous, 21st.Century-touch in a medieval village!</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_f2f2_95b0_4da1_f48a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n6zQ8oqtbvY/WUQiJRFWkHI/AAAAAAAAPTo/rBwSNKKdwrwM30_LJbODHjvl92Ntoo4KACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_c2b1_e43d_9ad_1d7c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U3meuiTJcK4/WUQiHb2amSI/AAAAAAAAPTk/VPTp6aePWbgUXbffA6B9WL3tz0-tCQWdQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </div><div><br></div><div>We wandered the quiet streets and enjoyed the beautiful square and gardens and potted plants. Brittany does spring flowers very well and it seems the local councils keep them looking good.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_531e_c4e7_e8f8_cc6a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V-A9gsvhbXQ/WUQiMJ2OcLI/AAAAAAAAPTw/vRjbNcMb0Q4y0j83-a_aPRiOw59cppSvQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div>We finished with a cup of coffee under the shady umbrellas, at the only bar, small but well patronised by the local people. There is truth in the old adage - 'use it or loose it'!</div><div> <img id="id_61a1_24e3_ed48_b8de" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-812iTNN4czs/WUQiLMSq1sI/AAAAAAAAPTs/UOS1tlcXC3UzaUYMO0WW6dKmH0LNSAg8wCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-75479378940857235582017-06-15T11:38:00.001-07:002017-06-20T04:07:10.522-07:00FRANCE CARNAC<div>Thursday June 15.</div><div><br></div><div>The Carnac alignments are an exceptional Neolithic site with 7,000 year-old megaliths. The stones are found all over the region but these are the best example.</div><div>They were erected between the fifth and third millennium B.C., by sedentarised communities who raised livestock and farmed. The stone constructions form part of a landscape comprising individual and collective tombs.</div><div>The megaliths continue to represent a scientific challenge to archaeology and after various theories have fallen from favour, the long, fastidious process of decoding fragmented messages continues.</div><div>After gathering some information from the Tourist Office we bought tickets for the 40 minute tour on the open-air bus, which gave an overview of the site and a whip around the town, with an informative commentary delivered through headphones.</div><div><br></div><img id="id_842a_f1e7_752_4672" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8wqVVOC7fe0/WULUBMTifSI/AAAAAAAAPRk/kIL_Ef7grzMzsGhtBZKfBuUdio7JGfldgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_638e_4079_8b84_d3e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AgkqkHiDkSQ/WULTvDn-u9I/AAAAAAAAPRU/cRhMuYhkBZoBtTybuDkKK8z57SBuaUZKACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_5db4_2d8b_c694_3c85" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M3CyPLDvO4k/WULT-y-6C9I/AAAAAAAAPRY/1Q8BfgyUN3cWi-yMIOrCgTyP8PIGBe9-wCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_f99e_1988_b79a_5659" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FZlWJXs3SH0/WULUATqWFII/AAAAAAAAPRg/CPr_5pqbLBkLInUoYoeemtTgCrAYs8ErwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div>When we finished there we drove back through the village and down to the beach where we sat in the sand and ate our lunch baguettes. Quite a few people were severely sun-burnt and some were in the water. I waded knee-deep and think it was colder than Scotts Head in October!</div><div><br></div><div>We then drove down the peninsula towards Quiberon and stopped to watch the wind-surfers and beach buggies racing ahead of the brisk wind. A few people were enjoying the sun in the lee of the sand-hills but it was a bit chilly for us thin-blooded Aussies.</div><div><img id="id_d5a_9ca0_ee0c_12a9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ypARe9dPKgQ/WUkB3VsIx7I/AAAAAAAAPZk/_ZlrmHlJEzEi5lBdvgiuc1UL0-hnuwC_wCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div> <div>On our way back towards Carnac, we kept our eyes open for the tree sculptures Libby and Eric told us about. They really were very unusual and there were probably more than a hundred of them. Amazing really.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_cef5_ac31_a8ee_b251" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7K3MU1yOtIE/WULULgsmvAI/AAAAAAAAPRo/PIen6nl9AtA4iAuLpbciBJn5y4p_3KmiQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </div><div><br></div></div><img id="id_53eb_a1cb_a069_c641" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7kI8-lWFZWI/WUa_3xg88BI/AAAAAAAAPW4/bItOYivfPf8cpDXYyWKxoV-SK1J4ELohgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-26805635807695046222017-06-14T09:26:00.001-07:002017-06-14T09:26:59.552-07:00France BrittanyJune 8th.<div>This is reputedly the prettiest village in Brittany and we decided to go there for my birthday. Unfortunately both Libby and Eric were unwell so we headed off alone.</div><div><img id="id_34a6_ff51_145c_21eb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GB6jxqPL6eQ/WUFc6K-5z1I/AAAAAAAAPPk/HYnY5SmnkFoHVolnMmLpDU5r5FJuBZGIwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div>There were loads of people there strolling along the cobbled streets, eating and drinking in the cafes and poking through souvenir shops. We were a bit too early so had a drink and a snack and waited for the tourist office to open. We still haven't mastered the opening times here and often arrive in places just as siesta time starts! We took a map and followed the suggested walk, but found it all a bit touristy. A highlight was definitely discovering the honeyed-Apple pastry scrolls pictured below. We shared a birthday dinner with the still unwell Smiths and ate a delicious tart which Libby had bought the next night when tummies were more settled</div><div><br></div><img id="id_269c_2d05_41b1_a141" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bQ2eiGs_HFU/WUFc43x4c8I/AAAAAAAAPPg/WebDe4qr_0UFu0NiVEbEoi-NYoyTZ5HVgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_7343_5f72_ceef_4d8d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X_7nSQ4dNZA/WUFc8hZ58jI/AAAAAAAAPPo/B76kSbR9_P4i1mkMOmPqN6tV48PtD6UagCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_efd2_f88d_de11_5da6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XdPNiNlit4g/WUFj0gZfc3I/AAAAAAAAPP8/lSy2_M9SiO85Cbvfnk5S6YI1GGewP6XxQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_a39c_518b_fb10_e4d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--2U8hBjjHBQ/WUFjtRMJT9I/AAAAAAAAPP0/jLFV-ve1I8oZkThyS3XU_Br4Xk8nXChEACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_a56e_8ea1_3962_6193" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-efH5AEmCrEw/WUFjxpC5HTI/AAAAAAAAPP4/6wIYEw7iiYoXqlL0oKFAeq-XI4W8jsJjgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-58397950626487703282017-06-14T07:33:00.001-07:002017-06-14T07:33:38.768-07:00FRANCE VANNES <div>FRANCE </div><div>VANNES. </div><div>Sunday June 11.</div><div>VANNES is a walled town in the Brittany region of NW France. It's old town is characterised by narrow cobbled streets and medieval gates.</div><div>At its heart, cathedral Saint-Pierre d VANNES blends Romanesque and Gothic styles. The market square is lined with colourful timber houses.</div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We parked right in the centre of the town after doing a few laps along the canal where all the very expensive boats were moored. The harbour is busy with boats which cruise the Gulf of Morbihan, and many colourful restaurants.</span></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_17cf_e12_e17c_15a2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2ELLuzMJ7QI/WUFJQDzkDlI/AAAAAAAAPPI/4B_VDKPITOEGqijoM3sW75EIz4Tc3bCHwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div>After arranging a time to meet Libby and Eric for lunch, we headed through the the arch into the old city.</div><div>We were really surprised to see the castle and its manicured gardens open out in front of us, and even more so to see a huge marquee with crowds of people streaming in. It turned out to be a book fair but a bit disappointing as everything was in French! Each stand seemed to be manned by the author who was signing the books as they were being sold.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><img id="id_af73_6d8c_ef1d_7e99" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o1xZlAVE1eM/WUFIuZUYSjI/AAAAAAAAPO4/1uZc3YxmAIgSnjYI49Ut9vJjWarBfXxjACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_bf8b_6e40_577_fc88" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qBG7vXfy404/WUFIzlclgBI/AAAAAAAAPO8/VkqQR_SFao8fqaloEEPv_pyYrbhmge04wCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_386c_581b_7b2_1a16" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jxVZJ1ftuJs/WUFIt4RDoxI/AAAAAAAAPO0/jfPYTr86qZY5CQcZNQCkYbis4c7ZYwVagCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div>On our way out of the garden I noticed the terrific web below strung through the trees and them saw there were about six other smaller ones visible on foliage along the banks of the stream.... Such a contrast to medieval stones!</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_8aee_1021_37f7_eb1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sAeqADulKGA/WUFJDcKFjpI/AAAAAAAAPPE/qzjV8-xkNqE6pqpWGIKH5lMwDodT1QTVACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </div><div>The narrow cobbled streets led uphill past interesting small shops and buildings. Often the sign or shingle outside indicated the good displayed inside. Unfortunately, most of them were closed for the weekend. We were lucky though, to catch the tail-end of the market and see the huge dish of homemade Pate du Campagne which looked deliciously chunky!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_fffc_af2f_2442_e27b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Iumi7Y72eaU/WUFJCRJVblI/AAAAAAAAPPA/16XQ2IG2zZ4d5Ydh6kzIy3NC4LD5JRbJACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div><img id="id_dd7_b470_d4ae_b1e1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HqWcQytIbVI/WUFJQcsIbBI/AAAAAAAAPPM/UIBvf59cYHcbP-dqofmO7WrhT8j3BVz9wCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-58425077591572432182017-06-13T08:54:00.001-07:002017-06-13T08:57:15.134-07:00FRANCE. SAINT-MALOFounded in the 6th century, St-MALO became a very attractive place in the 16th century when the opening of the trade routes to Cape Horn, the East Indies, China and the Americas, launched a golden age for the city. <div>Ramparts entirely girding the town were built in two different historical periods: the 16th c and first half of 18th century and the views from them are expansive in every direction.</div><div>By the 17th century, St-MALO was the largest port in France and famous for its Corsairs. They were commissioned by the King to carry out naval warfare on his behalf and prey on the commerce of foreign ships. </div><div><div><br><div> <img id="id_68fc_cb8e_af7_cb43" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Iw1ihmfe4dQ/WT7XpxXvaGI/AAAAAAAAPMs/xNEHj9tfQZwtstpBoUII61BSmN77eE75QCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </div><img id="id_f789_baf6_dba7_f204" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4YabtuJYgg4/WUAKWyVvnvI/AAAAAAAAPNY/FfzJhN9e3cg2Y0g6MB7hlPEVXQZBDIdQACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </div><div>The drive from our village of Mohon was about one and a half hours after which Glenn skilfully guided the car through the medieval, cobble-stoned streets to a parking place at the foot of the ramparts. Our first stop was at the top of the steps at the Creperie where we had tasty buckwheat pancakes with Libby and Eric. After that, we agreed on a time to meet and went our separate ways to explore the town.</div><div><br></div><div>The Cathedral was interesting in that there were painted scenes of religions practices from many other faiths including Buddhism, Shintoism, Islam, Caodaism to name a few. The altar too was different, made of enamelled metal (brass I think).</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_3b6_2bdd_8e7c_5164" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-khgNbKbPRCY/WUAKVmzxQ2I/AAAAAAAAPNQ/sUlSnVTJ1pEmGE5ur8ph_vK32ENeOvnGwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_2434_94d9_a2b1_e891" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NyTR3hwBzvI/WUAKWlLNROI/AAAAAAAAPNU/IP2oB2BCxF49rh7ZjVrXqwleF1e5sOQWACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </div></div><div><br></div><div><div>There were lots of intrigueing goods in the tiny shops including the largest meringues I've ever seen.</div><div>I couldn't resist going into a working studio where a painter was at work on a portrait, but it was the textile art works that were particularly interesting. Most were made from tapestry pieces stitched together to form the skin of a stuffed animal.<div>The pig in the middle is a different technique utilising ruched pieces of fabric to cover the basic form of the animal.</div><div>They brought to mind all the unfinished tapestries there are on the top shelves in sewing rooms. Take note members of the Central Coast Handweavers, Spinners and Textile Arts Guild! </div><div>My sincere thanks to Celine Jegou for allowing me to photograph her beautiful work.<img id="id_2b41_7c7f_5984_8916" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E5_bl1MAhB4/WUAKZeF38yI/AAAAAAAAPNc/mhg4Rui27cYiEGdqplZcByws6z3IHQJ0ACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"> </div><div><br></div></div><div><img id="id_223e_4b7b_b86e_bcef" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SD5XFv0Wevc/WUAKo7bp0fI/AAAAAAAAPNg/9oGKmLH42WgoN1CzhIw0D8iPRstbMmLAQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div></div><img id="id_148d_6707_7d20_11a9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hEHHErCysKo/WUAKwDBpkbI/AAAAAAAAPNk/DTkzx1HNib8geOUGQ4hh8ajVJH9o_5nGgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-39198114812583495272017-06-11T09:07:00.001-07:002017-06-11T09:07:44.689-07:00GRAZ AUSTRIA. Week One<div>GRAZ, AUSTRIA</div><div>Week One.</div><div>Tuesday May 16</div><div>Breakfast was delivered at 5.30 am. on our overnight train from FLorence to Graz.</div><div>We changed trains at Bruck Am Mur for the short trip to Graz Airport. Then we took a taxi to Herta and Richard's house where we were welcomed with a very delicious breakfast and the key to our gorgeous apartment.</div><div><br></div><div>We unpacked and then went exploring. First thing was to master the transport system so we bought a weekly ticket for the very efficient tram system ( €14.90), and took ourselves into the city centre to the information centre for maps etc. </div><div>We had a typical Vienna schnitzel and beer, and a wander around the immediate area, trying to get our bearings. On the way home we shopped for basic groceries to supplement what Herta had provided for us. </div> <div>First impressions:</div><div>User friendly bike lanes everywhere ( no helmets), and people on scooters too.</div><div>No cars in many of the streets but trams moving people efficiently, regularly, quickly, quietly, cheaply and without air pollution.</div><div>Almost no graffiti.</div><div>Clean, modern mixed with heritage buildings. Pedestrian focused. Pavement restaurants.</div><div><br></div><div>After functioning on empty for too long, we hit the sack and slept for 14 hours straight.</div><div><br></div><div>Wednesday 17 May.</div><div>After our very late start, we caught the tram into town and went to the Schlossberg. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_c9f8_d265_fbfb_db00" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IirHdEM8tbA/WT1pg1O_2eI/AAAAAAAAPKU/w0f83k5K6qYgIWtZui538Qah05v5oaIGwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div> <div>We took the funicular railway to the mountain top and walked "around, around" ( Glenn), looking at the panoramic views of Graz and reading about the history of the castle/fortress. The gardens are beautiful. We stopped to rest with a beer and a salt-encrusted bagel and soaked up the history of the place.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_3f1e_18c9_381c_464a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-auyrgPUTq4c/WT1psA2ltcI/AAAAAAAAPKg/2wfIZinVSccpqqlf3udCew9FJRxsyc_owCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_aa9c_5ebe_5a09_9c5d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CqnNshVSn2E/WT1pjQ9uokI/AAAAAAAAPKY/MhA2fwrqNv4vqaH_Mmjeh5zkN95N8lP5wCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div> </div><div>We headed home, stopping to buy flowers for Herta. </div><div>After a short rest we negotiated the way to Herta and Richards's adjoining apartment, ( in the same block as ours, built over the underground corridors of a previous castle), for dinner.</div><div><br></div><div>Other guests were their son Mickey, friend Barbara and notable John Kundereri Moriarty, (OA), Indigenous Australian artist, famous as founder of the Balarinji Design Studio, responsible for the painting two Qantas jets with Aboriginal motifs. We were privileged to meet and spend time with John over the next few days.</div><div>The evening was entertaining and very enjoyable And we thank Herta and Richard for their generous hospitality.</div><div>Bed now at 11.45.</div><div><br></div><div>Thursday 18 May.</div><div>As arranged the previous night at dinner, we, together with John Moriarty, had a fabulous day out with Herta, who drove and took us to many lovely places. Before we left Graz we stopped at the Kaan factory bays to see Richard'c car restoration business. He has a particular interest/passion for porches and their restoration. </div><div>He took John for a ride in one of his favourites old cars, a 1920 Chevrolet, which he was very proud of.</div><div> <br></div><div><img id="id_2e63_9fa6_79d4_8eb8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ks-JHneSoM8/WT1poQ9IB5I/AAAAAAAAPKc/IE48fcRvClgQB8mrOdXo-hrPtq__JJ6LgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div>We headed for the famous wine country, stopping at a particularly richly decorated church in Gamlitz on the way. We had a traditional lunch with dishes recommended by Herta, at a nearby winery, where our 85 year old host joined us at the table. We chatted to the Slovenian waiter, who said wages in Austria were double those in Slovenia ( which explained why he was in Austria), but he'd been to Melbourne, loved it and was trying for a visa for his family so he could live and work there.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_17af_b54b_c241_868c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gRsAMs4zNl4/WT1p6_QMmjI/AAAAAAAAPKo/KZjYqAwGxawXXBA3dL8wCSS9NHvd6qAugCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><img id="id_fcd_4d35_2a82_6497" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zdSeIFcZNl4/WT1p6hQPQ8I/AAAAAAAAPKk/SgvuZo4itEoTaqFJhkWStk5mJmTavoDdACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div>The winery also was a wedding venue and a young couple there were checking final details for their wedding in the tunnels below. .. a phenomenal setting!</div><div><br></div><div> From there we drove into Slovenia and meandered back and forth over the border through the steepest and most beautiful wine-growing country you could ever imagine. We got out and walked beside the grape vines and soaked up the beauty surrounding us. It was like something out of a fairy-tale, especially with Herta wearing the traditional-dirndl. </div><div><br></div> <img id="id_aedf_fa94_dfba_7f6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gj4jGF85Oz4/WT1p-bW5a0I/AAAAAAAAPKs/MO21bl9bMMMZIBNJzRPChc9FO4BjJBXdACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div>Then there was more food and wine at a guesthouse, perched high with the valley falling away below. We ate local cured meats, horseradish, pickled vegetables and ended with a local sweet, a bit like a donut. (€16 for the four of us, and a beautifully wrapped 'doggie bag' of leftovers, enough for our dinner)!!!!</div><div>It was a particularly memorable day, made possible by the home-exchange system which connects us with local people and breeds tolerance and understanding and develops new friendships.</div><div> <br></div><div>Friday 19 May.</div><div>Schloss Eggenberg.</div><div>It was a leisurely start to the day, planned over breakfast. We caught the tram to the castle stop and immediately walked in the wrong direction, expecting it to be up the hill ( because castles are always on the top of the hill). Eventually, with the help of Mr. Google, we retraced our steps, downhill and found what we were looking for.</div><div><img id="id_70a_8e49_a9d6_986b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0vRjeRG-aCY/WT1qAFurrnI/AAAAAAAAPKw/LkBsSZfJ0mUSdAh6ymyj-vdhf6Xujx3HgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7145_4737_138b_820d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9p7rd0L8owQ/WT1qTdmAf9I/AAAAAAAAPK4/DmlMVj0kIZAthD6fuwjxU7G_PiuVJpgxQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div>We started with beer and cake in the beautiful cafe and then entered the palace where the second floor housed special exhibitions of furniture and art works. Libby and Eric later explored that area of the palace and were very impressed with the treasures there. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_c08e_b70e_cbfc_7f1f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Anjq6wVWVzA/WT1qSjfNJwI/AAAAAAAAPK0/I6LnijHcrwQ8a5SfRvzeh1UJSeBbGIlxgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div> Somewhat sated in the 'treasures' department after Venice and Florence, we opted to wandered through the extensive, budding gardens, enjoying the early roses, the orchard planted with heritage fruit trees, the children's play area, pond and maze. There were peacocks and squirrels and magnificent old trees, and babies in prams. It really was a beautiful place.</div><div><br></div><div>Next stop was the local Spar supermarket to shop for ingredients for a dinner of smoked salmon, mushrooms, curry and fettuccine and salad. Yum! Oh... And wine.</div><div><br></div><div>Saturday 20 May.</div><div>Glenn drove Richard and Herta's VW Golf for the first time in Austria and we met Libby and Eric at the small Graz airport, when they arrived on the 1.15 flight from Munich. It was great to see them, although they were very tired after their 32 hr flight from Darwin.</div><div>After they unpacked and revived a bit, we all walked down to the Spar grocery shop for supplies for dinner.</div><div><br></div><div>Sunday 21 May.</div><div><br></div><div>We did a return visit to the Schlossberg with Eric and Libby to show them the trams and how to buy tickets. They chose to walk up to the top and we met there for a delicious, huge lunch of roast veal with stuffing and veggies, washed down with a beer. It was very pleasant in the sun with a panoramic view overlooking the city from such a height. We walked down the steep stairs enjoying the rooftop vistas of the city below.</div><div><br></div><div>We had enjoyed Gamlitz and the vineyards so much that we revisited them with Libby and Eric too.</div><div><img id="id_d15_8cf6_f32e_77f7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cCbvWO8B4yo/WT1qUGrHvhI/AAAAAAAAPK8/uV0KUsPOJAEqAi7IqHEnaSDYnl_tQkVjACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div>Luckily, there was a crowd of people coming out of the church, milling around drinking wine and eating cake. Many of the men and boys were wearing traditional leder-hose and the women wore the decorative dirndl. We waited around enjoying the festive occasion and then realised it was a First Communion when the children appeared in white dresses and shirts. It was quite a different celebration from those of my childhood.</div><div><br></div><img id="id_673e_9097_c59f_97f2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wyhjjzB-gyY/WT1qgcg-dOI/AAAAAAAAPLA/KznrSL-CH10oVJ0SHfRpLLiiSepnd9ZywCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div><br></div><div>Monday 22 May.</div><div>The rapidly flowing river Mur is a dominant feature of the city, creating movement and green space and even the opportunity for an avid surfer to ride the pressure wave under the Hauptbrucke. The unusual and beautiful 'Murinssel' footbridge, which was designed by New York artist Vito Acconci, is a floating shell, which houses a cafe and amphitheatre, and is linked by footbridges to the banks on either side of the river Mur.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_8876_9d59_8b14_a1ef" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CUy2QPqnP0k/WT1qnvkoqCI/AAAAAAAAPLI/mmHUgRcM7cA29-x6I9nJJuyTSduiVEPBQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><img id="id_3f2d_c468_e5a6_f659" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_50fKIc3xj4/WT1qqESnQSI/AAAAAAAAPLM/U-pXzwdwmmo1-b2niQZIVZCbY_qBQjXAQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div>Map in hand, we strolled through the outstanding, historic city centre, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.</div><div>The walk was full of surprises and wound around corners into hidden alleys, romantic inner courtyards, past the ornate facades of magnificent Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings . We poked in and out of tiny shops, ate ice cream and lunched in tiny squares at sunny tables.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_e363_fa8a_73b_ff63" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NQ9mpiZmTOU/WT1qnlJXZLI/AAAAAAAAPLE/HPDAHTyGZ6km8VcgUzUMN8ZlrUcmpYLvACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div>Some highlights were The Landaus Courtyard, a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance, where the Styrian regional parliament convenes. The round arched windows dominate the space below where, at Advent, the celebrated ice nativity scene is staged.</div><div>We admired the facade of 'Painted House' and stood in Hauptplatz, the main square, facing the town hall building with the Archduke fountain at our backs.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_b606_5a9d_e1a3_1c0c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RHnkg4Pl3CQ/WT1qwtRQu9I/AAAAAAAAPLQ/OEYZz0NYzfYWnLvR0mZd99uhE3mp3UDiQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div> <br></div><div>Another of the superb buildings around Hauptplatz is Leugghaus, The Swarovski Store, which has an elaborate stucco facade with fruit and flower garlands and arcades.</div><div><img id="id_94d_f0a1_b9da_f09b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KPzrrqg8v7M/WT1qz53nu2I/AAAAAAAAPLY/kpFq-5PysGoLeVlRHZYVW9QLiPwOogIrACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div>We continued our walk following our excellent guide of the day, Eric, to the Burg and crossed the first courtyard to the double, spiral staircase (1499), which is a mastery of stone masonry from the end of the Gothic period. We walked to the top changing from the right to the left spiral at will. It was a fascinating concept, beautiful, and the curved marble handrail, cool and smooth to the touch. I really loved it.</div><div><br></div><div>We passed the Cathedral and Mausoleum and then had lunch sitting in Glockenspielplatz Square. At 11am, 3 and 6pm, two windows open and a pair of carved wooden figures in traditional costume dance around to the sound of the Glockenspeil.</div><div><img id="id_b5c6_c251_32cc_91cb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0CV_c48-_0k/WT1qxsQsCWI/AAAAAAAAPLU/SM6sAvXxTLgQBNmd-x094h51mNFW6dA3ACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div>We admired the Opera house from the corner of City Park and Libby and Eric went to get a SIM card for their phones and we headed for home, picking up essentials at our local Spar grocer.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-47910159509831435822017-06-11T08:59:00.001-07:002017-06-11T09:11:57.175-07:00Graz Week Two<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">GRAZ AUSTRIA</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">WEEK TWO</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 18.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tuesday 23 May.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We did a second walk highlighting the contrast between historic and modern Graz. We started at the Hauptplaz and walked to Franziskanerviertel, once the age-quarter for butcher shops which are still found in this area.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Apart from the Clock Tower, the most definitive landmark on the Graz skyline is probably the tower of the Franziskanerviertel church. It belongs to the oldest monastery in the city, founded in 1239. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Glenn and I opened a door which led into the cloisters of the abbey which surrounded a small garden - an oasis of calm and beauty. Another door surprisingly led into the back of the altar of magnificent Jacobean chapel. The stained-glass windows soaring above were stunning. While we were there, the organist began playing and we sat and let the beautiful music wrap around us.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 18.4px;"><img id="id_8f89_fb16_7403_f7b8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gwVm_hQFbDk/WT1maYekjMI/AAAAAAAAPJQ/2wA0RsaTHlIgj52u3UH9rRcajOU6J6dEgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We crossed the Hauptbrucke and walked along to the spectacular, new landmark of the city, the Kunsthaus, a striking avant-garde contrast to the traditional architecture.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 18.4px;"><img id="id_77b8_ca1e_8e54_4cc4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2D7lztjwOcs/WT1mt4zYJNI/AAAAAAAAPJU/tc4BHydKgzciYm1-HvgOLMbJOZoMWij1wCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After some research on the location, we topped up the depleted supply of coffee at Nespresso. Then we went to Kaiser-Joseph-market for supplies for dinner where we were seduced by bratwurst sausages, horseradish, pumpkin-seed oil, and green and white asparagus shoots as thick as a man's thumb. Eric cooked a delicious dinner with our purchases.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wednesday 24 May.</span></p><img id="id_48ad_8f85_4dee_2119" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XNBIx0exBu4/WT1m9QOkWRI/AAAAAAAAPJc/3vOA9bxCFUU94c0BsiTeVOsgJl5byz7kwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;">
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Libby and Eric went off to the Eggenberg Schloss and had a wonderful day exploring the upper floors which were very impressive. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Glenn and I, now into our fifth week away, had a day at home just catching up and relaxing. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 18.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the evening we went to an excellent portrait exhibition with Herta and her friend at the Joanneum Museum which was housed in a very impressive building. The long introduction in German was a bit difficult but the art work terrific. We spent most of the time looking at modern works and did a quick flit by the earlier portraits of mainly Stryian notables. The most interesting was one of Richard's grandfather (below) who was a civic leader.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 18.4px;"><img id="id_945a_2cfb_dff5_1dac" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ok1XCt8Pkgk/WT1nPq1eYtI/AAAAAAAAPJk/UIKf9ci-jso1WhLM5r_o49UCV07So1kpwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 18.4px;"><img id="id_b3e8_1dbc_cdd1_c1fd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hjq5pHE5KU0/WT1m8zvrb0I/AAAAAAAAPJY/gqS5v9HeuSYdK5QEbQP85mceZq8znHH1wCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> The image on the top left shows me taking a photo of the art work which changed with every new viewer. Very creative I thought. The work bottom left is called ' Chef d'Village'! Haha.</span></p><img id="id_c10f_d823_9cba_7fc7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LyQ5xhtbT7Y/WT1niXi_cZI/AAAAAAAAPJs/pfBKtTQkJzQmy7jBk81Q1V1ANhqBNtjfgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;">
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We returned home to a delicious roast chicken legs dinner prepared by Libby.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 18.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Friday 26 May </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We drove the back roads to Reigersburg, an 850 year old castle which looms over the landscape from the cliff of a volcanic rock and provides a panoramic view of the vineyards of South-eastern Styria. The inclined elevator takes up to 25 passengers 100 metres to the top in 90 seconds.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 18.4px;"><br></p><img id="id_8f98_2d71_fd11_7107" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wTHICw73QH8/WT1nMgW6OAI/AAAAAAAAPJg/wjhXBIWIo5UGZCCxfUewZ5IoYS0rs40NwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;">
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 18.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The castle houses museums devoted to women and witches with graphic illustrations of those who fell victim to the Styrian witch hunts that took place from <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 238);">1673-167</span>5. Women were accused of "bad weather sorcery", failure of crops and almost any other problem of the day. They endured such inhuman treatment as burning at the stake, The Iron Maiden and the rack.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></p><img id="id_50c5_24af_ce4a_5227" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uBpa9eF6LWA/WT1nxt0K-WI/AAAAAAAAPJ0/2VlGe8C3UJI6Q41lVI7WEhZnd1MD0m6yACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;">
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Other exhibitions of weapons and armour were interesting and this blacksmith was happy in his work! The moat protecting the castle housed a family of happy pigs, oblivious to the hardship endured by men who dug the moat by hand in Medieval times.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 18.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><img id="id_62f9_e42a_b15f_e886" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sn-ySxa12MQ/WT1ne3EhrJI/AAAAAAAAPJo/euVrwKeVcOcmiucM8uJM6WUkQlACYm8SwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;">
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 18.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Next stop was the famous chocolate factory which was on our way so we stopped to wander the aisles of delicious and expensive treats. Zotter focuses on variety and innovation and produces 100%organic and fair trade quality chocolates. Unfortunately, the box we bought for Herta melted in the car in the hot sun so Richard ate them with a spoon!</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><img id="id_7df_aed_eb05_f77a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SmXImaTCAJc/WT1n6-QEz6I/AAAAAAAAPJ4/v2K73yH6NNUoaZmz-wIRS95AuvoVTrCgACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;">
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 18.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Herta was visiting her mother in Furnitz, (voted the prettiest floral village in Stryia) and we arranged to meet her there for lunch. We ate bacon and eggs and topped off with the biggest ice-creams we've ever eaten. The gardens there were very pretty. After lunch we entered the church where Herta was baptised, made her first Communion and was married.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 18.4px;"><br></p><img id="id_dd07_ecd2_6d41_71ab" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lgcSmUrPo_E/WT1nxI-kq1I/AAAAAAAAPJw/THRxOoHlsZsr1GXC_zfZ4hcUSfGEqr17wCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;">
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 18.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Saturday 27 May</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We went shopping for a bag for Glenn at the Sunshine bargain store and then had an Italian lunch near the abbey church, explored the tunnels under the castle and coincidentally met lib and Eric on same tram heading home. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img id="id_16ae_127d_c5f7_917f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1UqVQLLWv8I/WT1oI9F-j7I/AAAAAAAAPKE/C7pGWPWTgGIOTpkbodgEuUZCrDI-TuhTQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </span><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As we walked through the city we had noticed small projects being erected and today we saw one of the finished products; a pop-up seat near the river!</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Again we saw bug houses like the first one in the Floence University Botanical Garden. They are obviously a popular idea, and a good project for the grandchildren!</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 18.4px;"><img id="id_fb3f_f649_f1ad_9161" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xl6nNiq-Mfs/WT1n8OXK0aI/AAAAAAAAPJ8/c8HPxC6F31cX9eqYxDCHLoHMwm2dhwtGQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Glenn cooked a dinner of soy chicken wings.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sunday 28 May.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Today we had a final, traditional Stryian breakfast with Herta and Richard and son Mickey. The table was laden with cold meats and cheeses, dried fruit, breads and jam and tea and coffee..... a small feast set in their stunning apartment perched above the treetops.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Well fortified, we set off on a beautiful forest walk to Mariatrost.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There were many people of all ages using the forest track for walking, bike-riding and bird-watching, and dining I the lovely restaurants that dotted the area. We walked about 5 kms to the stunning church set high above the surrounding area.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img id="id_a967_e5b1_ec_434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JyaoNm-GAZM/WT1ox6zAThI/AAAAAAAAPKQ/foSVQFFIHrcgZG4Gu7GozN0kGn1cs7DegCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 18.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Monday 29 May </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We went for a walk through the Landlord area of the city to the market and past a glass making shop which attracted Libby and I, so we went in and booked a class for the following day. We loved the beads on display and decided we'd like to indulge in a class. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 18.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tuesday 30 May</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Each of us had a very patient teacher as promised, who took us through the process step by step. Firstly, an explanation of the properties of the Murano glass sticks and then safety instructions and demonstration of the use of the gas burner and the forming of a bead.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The beads are made on a metal rod which is heated and then held in one hand and continually turned in the 'warm' zone at a distance from the 'hot zone'. Meanwhile, the other hand controls the melting of the white glass stick in the 'hot zone' until it is molten and can be put onto the turning metal rod. This process is repeated until the ball of the bead reaches the required diameter.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then the layers of colour are applied using much finer glass sticks, which are melted and added in dots until the desired result is achieved.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 18.4px;"><img id="id_e293_a0b_604b_f562" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hVBN30oEb_8/WT1owP-kn0I/AAAAAAAAPKM/JfbBkRoZykMzw0kfjimmx8mIioxcgr9bgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The intense, continuous, concentration that was required to keep both hands working on different tasks (without burning ourselves or allowing the bead to dribble off the metal rod), was exhausting but the results were really satisfying and we came away with beautiful earrings as planned, as well as an additional piece where we tried a different decorative twist on our bead.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 18.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After our class we met the boys for an Asian lunch, ate ice-cream and felt very satisfied with ourselves. I love to learn something new!</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 18.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Later that day, Herta and Richard popped down to say goodbye before leaving for a concert in Vienna. We had a drink and some nibbles and thanked them for their exceptional hospitality and great company. We will see them again in September when they will stay with us while visiting their daughter and family in Killarney Vale.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 18.4px;"><br></p><img id="id_520b_1169_cd48_9fb3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ewr-dJaTaRk/WT1oFyWcL1I/AAAAAAAAPKA/VmztpAJhBSILbGuSLcIrxTMZkDwlote6QCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;">
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-90663527619478399432017-06-10T23:54:00.001-07:002017-06-14T06:53:20.670-07:00FRANCE The Forest of Brocelaide<div><br></div><div>Legend tells of the mysterious valley close to Trehorenteuc, which is supposed to be the domain of the fairy Morgan, sister of King Arthur.</div><div>Morgan was betrayed by her lover so she put a spell on the valley so all unfaithful lovers would be imprisioned in the valley forever.</div><div><br></div><div>The church of Ste Onenne lies just outside the forest and has a bronze statue of the abbot Gillard who renovated the church in 1942. He wanted to mix the diverse beliefs of Christianity, the legends of King Arthur and and the Celtic stories.</div><div>The mosaic illustrates a white deer surrounded by 4 lions symbolic of an appearance of Lancelot.</div><div>The red door has a message above which translates to " the door lies within yourself", leaving a message for eternity.</div><div><br></div><img id="id_9e45_1b1f_782f_b566" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-57dHIHybd7w/WTzo86FG-TI/AAAAAAAAPGI/fsbxxDxCS4ARKPxaY8lMy88KuMqO8tmdwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div>The Golden Tree </div><div>In 1990 after ahuge fire devastated the "the valley without return", an artist wrapped a huge chestnut tree with gold paper as a symbol of its vulnerability, preciousness and the renewal of nature. Five other trees mark the courage of firemen.</div><div><img id="id_639e_fa9e_4b90_5d63" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wgsHKWx9uJk/WTzpD97IaqI/AAAAAAAAPGQ/Zc76baxE_EI8xLX6-zhp-SOwDmuYsKorgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </div><div>As we walked we came across several groups of young school children on excursion with teachers and parents, learning about the legends of the forest.</div><div>We walked a circuit of about 4 kms which took us over a small wooden bridge, past the Mirror Lake of the Fairies and eventually to the top where we had a view over the entire valley.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_50f9_be92_cd0f_1651" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kifgOGaVqEk/WTzpCw08LYI/AAAAAAAAPGM/Qi6VVoRCNz07sb9rjJz1Gfsvadaj4ljowCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_8a6_3285_fc32_d8a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H7Xv89U6CDc/WTzpFZVYZlI/AAAAAAAAPGU/N6Xao7iPItw1zdFt0eYBJgBqmvxQMSuKgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_dec3_e9df_dbfa_792d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zaynQow4Igw/WTzpLIN_GKI/AAAAAAAAPGY/8OQ6WWhcxxUoqG32MN9JHPh6L-C-rPujgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> The exercise was good for us and we enjoyed being in the forest after so much time spent tramping the streets of Medieval villages. I found it interesting to note that many walkers are quite elderly particularly where walking track surfaces are reasonably even.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-29619633501212203312017-06-07T04:48:00.001-07:002017-06-18T23:31:33.977-07:00France June 1-5<div>NORMANDY. FRANCE.</div><div><br></div><div>Thursday 1 June.</div><div>After lunch we spent the afternoon on a self guided walking trail around Vernon.</div><div> </div><img id="id_c4b_6d01_f544_db28" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1OWAp-u66ZA/WTfm3m-I18I/AAAAAAAAOwQ/GIGVYAWDl44sWAyTk0NYsHTegJH9aH34wCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br><img id="id_cffe_3183_2459_e54c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IuWFWLSjBT8/WTfm6TnvwdI/AAAAAAAAOwU/p5f8QgPXghoOLFUnaLgrkzO8hgjDtHMIQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"><div><img id="id_2d9f_f9b6_e49b_bf19" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HmILt33_6OI/WTfne-N-SEI/AAAAAAAAOwo/GnWVYPySq4g32m4C6kP5FkIKQ3QnTjjwwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div> <img id="id_febf_9faf_d804_be27" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r6xM4OZC6K8/WTfnYaKr6SI/AAAAAAAAOwk/SJb30WU26b4LPR4slL_kNGVA5pPBPzI_ACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div><br></div><div>Saturday 3 June. BRITTANY.</div><div>After a good buffet breakfast we drove a full day to our house exchange in Mohon in Brittany... A long drive of about 4 hours. Our hosts Philippa and Alan were there it let us in and show us the house and explain it's peculiarities. The house is very old with exposed timber beams and as Libby and Eric walk around upstairs everything creaks.</div><div><br></div><img id="id_6c0e_90e5_b99e_1810" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oR7eJnQsqyQ/WTfnDFGUu3I/AAAAAAAAOwY/JR4UkIkzXtM6_cLlF8yVwj0z9MQFELRvACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div>After settling in we went into town for a delicious lunch of buckwheat pancakes with savoury filling.</div><div>That night we were invited to have a bar-b-q dinner with Philippa and Alan, who are English. They bought a farmhouse, which we are in and which sleeps 9 people. Then they renovated the adjoining barn into a comfortable home.</div><div><br></div><div>We had an interesting time with a lot of people all living or visiting here in Brittany. One couple were working through a scheme called 'work away', which allows them to offer their services to work in exchange for bed and board, while others were living here because it was a cheap option. Many old farmhouses have fallen into disrepair and can be bought cheaply and renovated.</div><div>There is a lot of concern about how Brexit will effect their status because if Britian leaves the Euro Zone, they will lose their right to reside and move freely there. One couple who had a Scottish grandparent, have bought a property in Scotland (which they referred to as a 'Bolt Hole') which In the event of Scotland leaving the UK and staying in the ECM, will secure their residency in France. Complicated!</div><div><br></div><div>Saturday 3 June.</div><div>We all had a sleep in after our big night out at the neighbour's bar-b-q and after breakfast followed Alan and Philippa into Josselin to the weekly market. The stalls were arranged down the beautiful, medieval Main Street and into the main square and had the usual market clothing stalls. The food stalls were a different matter with homemade sausages, pates, pressed meats, bread and many sweet treats as well as fruit and vegetables locally produced.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_2e83_268c_5cd1_fec" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-APkxva_Qpxo/WTOn7vILqXI/AAAAAAAAOZg/LSXkYP-Pe6MjvQKBGPwX-1eapK8Y_cWMwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_66a8_1626_defa_229c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TdozcPbjA6w/WTO1leeFbiI/AAAAAAAAOaM/prgS6Ip6WH0WsopQYKbXSTwmi4DoumNOACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div> <br></div><div><img id="id_3806_6dd7_62a2_d93a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dvdxS2IGHy8/WTOrXXra5KI/AAAAAAAAOZw/dSasExbojTYJ1sbiiMbKkw1gsev1AU6BACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div>We bought a small hot chicken, with potatoes and onions and a couple of long baguettes and walked down to the river, past the moored canal boats to a pontoon where we sat and ate our small feast in the shadow of the Chateaux. Life is not too bad!</div><div>Before leaving Josselin we went food shopping and stocked up with enough to last us through the next two days which are public holidays.</div><div><br></div><div>Back home got some washing done and then Libby, Glenn and I went for a wander in our small village which is obviously well loved and picturesque and were surprised to find it boasts a large church and a town hall.</div><div><img id="id_abc3_d96f_69d8_2ccb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t2hNliX2Tjw/WTOrV23qYDI/AAAAAAAAOZs/IzqO4cfook8qogujIWW5HIYQSd0LkAQfQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </div><div><img id="id_e8c7_5abe_5870_35fc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EVICoH1Yycs/WTOrukOqNuI/AAAAAAAAOZ0/NFPO20kLw30JATGURJ771Y780LUkIWVhwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div>It was my turn to cook dinner but when we returned from our walk, Eric was in the kitchen chopping vegetables and listening to music with our spaghetti bolognaise well on the way. Easiest dinner I ever cooked!</div><div><br></div><div>Sunday June 4.</div><div>Philippa told us that the grounds of the Josselin castle were open to the public and suggested we take the opportunity to see them. It is a remarkable blend of medieval and Renaissance architecture and has been the home of the Rohan family for over a thousand years.</div><div>Three majestic towers dominate the Oust valley and the facade of the building overlooks a magnificent garden in the French style, with ornamental box and yew and a garden boasting 40 varieties of roses. There is also an English garden with rare species of azaleas, camellias, hydrangeas and rhododendrons, set around a babbling brook.</div><div><img id="id_7474_68d0_1fa5_1008" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B5GvkB7rPYk/WTfnr_QwDfI/AAAAAAAAOww/dF_ri3ii0jAHmRn48X_6UwFqr9nE9jcNACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div> <img id="id_3fe3_83f_1d4e_3634" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-za6rjLMDVvc/WTfnNcJ30SI/AAAAAAAAOwc/is7A7yCKiokLfn1oeH_l9_x6pXgS93g8gCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div><br></div><div><img id="id_54c4_21d_b824_ad37" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1faWdF1uOC8/WUdvxOOSoQI/AAAAAAAAPYQ/kGPGMDm3_F4Rr9ioU8ceRIqWmn7fAN_zQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div>Normandy again. MONT-SAN-MICHEL.</div><div>Monday June 5.</div><div>The four of us piled into the car to drive north for about two hours, to see Mont-San-Michel Abbey, thought to date back to 708 .</div><div>It was built as a sanctuary to honour Saint Michael the Archangel and soon became a place of pilgrimage. The Benedictines settled there in the 10th century and a village grew below its walls. It became an impregnable stronghold and a symbol of national identity.</div><div>In 1979 it was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_2622_31fe_9620_8505" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hPxXVqHMuGo/WTfnXS7VWII/AAAAAAAAOwg/5hfZoMhoC7k7mRL21BeF3Jk1WqZczM42ACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div> We parked the car and walked the 2.5 kms out along the new boardwalk (completed in 2014), to the Abbey. It's raised above the water of the River Couesnon which has been damned to control the flow and manage silt build-up. It leads to the village year-round, except for several hours a year when tide is high enough for the Mont to become an island, set in the middle of its original backdrop. The sea surges into the Mont-Saint -Michel Bay twice a day and flows out as far as 15 kms from the coast during spring tides. </div> <div>The 15th. century ramparts, built to protect the mount and abbey from the English during the Hundred Years War, wound their way upwards providing panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the shops and streets of the village within. We ate our baguettes there being buffetted by the strong winds and watching a sparrow waiting for our crumbs.</div><div><br></div><img id="id_7a7a_2c88_4a5f_d624" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JTX2lXp1FWo/WTfnnX-KFtI/AAAAAAAAOws/vq4f-ONn4twiRaWEPf5V9FeVslHqvQ10QCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div><img id="id_d755_253c_9f18_c8d5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h-28RAzlxAI/WTfn9OMD36I/AAAAAAAAOxA/1sk-IKb1XDMGk629XFbPnyCFdoNiU1J-ACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </div><div><img id="id_df3a_423b_a6b9_f35e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rZwq3lX9vbg/WTfoC22PoTI/AAAAAAAAOxE/KSGDRYOoY-UHeFEt0jmSr-Jkg0jEFVH5wCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div>Built in the early decades of the year 1000, the abbey church was constructed on the top of the rock, 80 metres above sea level, on a platform eighty metres long. The nave has an elevation on three levels: arches, galleries and tall Windows and is covered with a wood-panelled barrel vault. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Glenn standing in one of the four fireplaces in the Guest's Hall which was designed for receiving royalty and nobility.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Unfortunately the cloister was under renovation so we couldn't enter but from a viewing boardwalk could appreciate the double row of small columns, slightly out of line, which created ever-changing views of the lake. We could imagine what a beautiful green place of prayer and meditation it would be on completion.</span></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_141e_86fe_c4c2_8fb4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WxHd1xvBBIk/WTfn0_Oz_CI/AAAAAAAAOw0/jAKD-73IP4AYsJpYvkkn6Zmp2t9KeekEwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"> </div><div>The picture above shows the Saint Martin crypt from which a small passage leads to an enormous wheel. It was installed around 1820 in order to hoist provisions to the prisoners held in the abbey when it was turned into a prison and is a replica of the pulleys used for hoisting building materials in the Middle Ages.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_84c_c0b_c5de_ae2c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hPg8I7YcJb0/WTfoEuByuAI/AAAAAAAAOxI/nKpdPMZYnwAMDhdfrde4NSXrI7TzAFL7wCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </div><div><img id="id_244e_2950_654c_167a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2h0-pgisn-k/WTfn4xv8qSI/AAAAAAAAOw4/FUROqpPfWv0nlJ6rSBfyHSNHM0nsoF0UQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><img id="id_8da8_867b_7f17_807d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WJL--yQIA40/WTfn8pmUNjI/AAAAAAAAOw8/whCF8zfG3RYh4u6rxaF2AtSF-7PhAh8oQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It has been a particularly interesting day for Glenn and I, who could not help but compare our visit today, with our first when we parked our Kombi on the riverside and walked across the rough causeway to the Mount. That was 43 years ago!!</span></div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-28839096444481838602017-06-07T03:52:00.001-07:002017-06-11T09:29:10.074-07:00France - Monet's garden<div>FRANCE</div><div><br></div><div>Thursday 1 June.</div><div>At the Paris airport we picked up the car we had booked and managed to stuff our four big bags in the boot and the middle of the back seat and set off for Saint Marcel, near Vernon, our home for the next two nights while we go to see Monet's Garden at Giverny. Glenn drove, with Eric delivering Google map instructions, and we arrived at our destination, Kyriad Hotel, without mishap.</div><div>After drinks in the garden, we had dinner and an early night. So far we are finding it much more difficult to communicate here than in Austria where English was more widely spoken.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_4fef_8627_317d_e025" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Wh0biepD3zA/WTLzRhItDcI/AAAAAAAAOV0/dDMD-Y_XpLg5Gl1NLQqFvMdQNBuiPUZ7gCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Friday June 2 MONET'S GARDEN GIVERNY, France.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_bf88_183d_f13a_d4d9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WesSXI_gPHk/WTPU2pQv-ZI/AAAAAAAAOa8/MW4Pz5_nFU8HRqJYmm80AYE0CJgWKKKIwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_2519_354_4c8f_4976" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IGq949DEX48/WTPU2NHu4NI/AAAAAAAAOa4/s0WOi_jOPwgihC4OU0iywgAidNaCBDz3ACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><img id="id_c7c_7829_16e3_8a45" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5z1pF6OzKIA/WTPU41YVc9I/AAAAAAAAObE/R-fygI0rZN87moQRoSm4nRaQ1gC3_7GeQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><img id="id_7934_2f36_5324_ba6b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yJ_vjhfqhxw/WTPU4IWUW9I/AAAAAAAAObA/Qsnd6qbQsC8pOI_voMCr0Zpfzqs45QadwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><img id="id_b3a0_3b23_d052_ca88" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tdD7B8FW-5I/WTPVGzqUVvI/AAAAAAAAObI/pmG-HgM4ZYYw7_MkLv38EWYiladGg14ngCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_b613_e2f4_1cea_f2e7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tfgvkccoDHs/WTPVI9aU-sI/AAAAAAAAObQ/SIMF0jCqzLkEglkGGdRUnmYkuxzPdHgAACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><img id="id_b3c5_5572_a5dd_8bf8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lUJD55aoojM/WTPVI9QrKWI/AAAAAAAAObM/yUNnj6tMZ-sXFrpxJxAMlyWdaFF9nBMLACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div><br></div><div> </div><div> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-32510982919232591592017-05-30T13:02:00.001-07:002017-06-03T08:17:22.440-07:00FLORENCE 2017<div>FLORENCE. ITALY.</div><div>Monday may 8.</div><div>We farewelled our Slovenian hosts Mojca and Wojka who were so good to us and hope to see them in Australia as planned.</div><div>The trip to Florence was about five hours with a stop, and Glenn only frightened me once! The motorway was easy and the speed limit was 130 so the kms flew quickly under our wheels. Trucks can only use the slow lane so traffic flows swiftly and safely without the worry of trucks pulling out in front, and traffic weaving in and out. It rained most of the way and the skies were heavy so the vista was limited.</div><div>We arrived in Florence with the help of the wonderful Google Maps and returned our rental car unblemished..... always a relief!! Then we went by taxi to our accommodation; the only place not a house exchange. We waited for almost an hour for the agent to bring the keys which was annoying, especially as he wouldn't answer his phone and we were wondering if he was coming at all!</div><div>At last, full of apologies, he arrived and let us in. The unit is small but has all we need, including a very lovely lamp and a tiny balcony where we could hang our washing, with a view over terra-cotta rooftops.</div><div><img id="id_a6d5_c0ce_5970_6ed3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zpnzm7iCGJY/WS3Pg7yp6eI/AAAAAAAAOTo/gUD-Qy3fTgg2gMKrAOZDRs8bwCTwI8YtgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"></div><div>We took his advice and ate a superb meal at a nearby restaurant. We had seafood, beef cheek, chocolate cake and creme brulee with wine and liqueur. Delicioso! (The photo on the right not the left which shows rabbits for sale in a butcher shop.)</div><div><img id="id_edf5_f280_665b_7781" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QZApTBebJdw/WS3PiEgk2xI/AAAAAAAAOTs/K2aUocNh0KQQvJG5dwmIxAbnyNV77M_VgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div>Tuesday May 9</div><div>Our first full day in Florence so we started with a supermarket run and a forage for the right adaptor for our power board. Eventually Glenn deciphered the washing machine instructions, we had brunch and then started to plan our week in Florence.</div><div><br></div><div>We walked the 30 minutes to Piazza del Duomo and made our way through the crowds to the entrance to the Florence Cathedral, the city's most iconic landmark which took almost 150 years to complete.The exterior is a stunning construction a with pink, white and green marble facade, capped by Filippo Brunelleschi's red-tiled dome. Together with the graceful campanile, it dominates the medieval cityscape.</div><div>But, I was disappointed with the interior which has now been stripped of all art-work not part of the building's structure, and somehow it lacked soul. The interior is also unexpectedly secular, due in part to two immense frescos of equestrian statues portraying mercenaries, a reflection of the sizeable chunk of the cathedral not paid for by the church!</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_b5f_c902_b739_7e74" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4YsWMW3kpEA/WS3PljCTIxI/AAAAAAAAOT0/eT2RSQo1VIoPjhFAmGbuaHG6E4AG8uQ5QCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div>We walked home and had a tasty beef stew which I had prepared before we left.</div><div>We had a game of cards and then researched the other city highlights we wanted to see.</div><div><br></div><div>Wednesday May 10</div><div>After yoghurt and strawberries for breakfast, we walked the half hour down the hill to Galleria Dell'Accademia .</div><div> </div><div>We queued for an hour and a half before entering, entertained by a man on a piano-accordion and a talented artist painting black and white scenes of the cathedral. We spent the next three hours with our jaws dropped, admiring the treasures of Florence.</div><div><br></div><div>The stand-out was Michelangelo's David, beautifully situated under a glass dome with sunshine pouring down from above. The subtle detail of the sinewy arms, the leg muscles and the change in facial expression as you move around the sculpture, creates amazing realism. The sculpture weighs six tonnes, an engineering feat by Michelangelo, who cleverly channelled the immense weight down the right leg and the small pillar behind it, so that no other support was necessary.</div><div><img id="id_30e0_915a_d91b_4c93" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-92XeLRC8itc/WS3PihLODmI/AAAAAAAAOTw/q0grxwHQ0AMa3jZfSfujQimYlS9w79QVgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><img id="id_7a69_951_1e21_c441" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7r06pXwaelU/WS3P0Njjm5I/AAAAAAAAOUM/KJh3jGBKA-wBNIizlH22mOCrLHUVxnSAACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div>Adjacent rooms held Gothic religious paintings, from the 13th-14th. centuries, largely altarpieces by Andrea Orcagna, Taddeo Gaddi, Domenico Ghirlanadaio, Filippino Lippi and Sandro Botticelli.</div><div><br></div><div>The tapestry below was an historically important piece which decorated the front of the main altar in Santa Maria Noretta church in Florence. It bears the name of Jacopo Cambi, the embroiderer who stitched it. It is one of the highest quality examples of Florentine embroidery highly prized in the 1300's. How it survived until now beggars belief!</div><img id="id_6edd_28b3_ad34_fdd9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vAWzGDnApSI/WS3Pr6wmohI/AAAAAAAAOUA/4tqUi3RirTQwxVGXQbdGQOaZKg7GHccSQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div><br></div><div> <br></div><div> <br></div><div> After leaving the Galleria Dell'Accademia we treated ourselves to a spritz (yet again) and a well-earned sit down.</div> <img id="id_f43e_886e_f023_8362" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qdeFJdRLB8s/WS3Pnpu99iI/AAAAAAAAOT4/dZq0dU3Tkwsp-Uzgp4NLDNXBwV8LGg94wCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div><br></div><div>From there we walked to the central station to buy tickets for the overnight sleeper train to Graz next Monday and happily found it considerably cheaper then the on-line price!! (We love these little victories)!!</div><div>We also rang Matteo, our agent, who thankfully agreed to a late check-out, as our train leaves Florence at 9.49pm.</div><div><br></div><div>Thursday May 11. Uffizi Gallery.</div><div>We hadn't reserved tickets and were prepared for the possible 4 hour queue, but we're in in fifteen minutes.</div><div><br></div><div>We walked up the steps into the gallery where we had great views of the Ponte Di Vecchio and the river Arno below us.</div><div><img id="id_ba10_b926_2d6f_e9d1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BiLnRHzbz1g/WTLTAGeIp4I/AAAAAAAAOVU/PEZCox4D-rEsF-cOScVzWFhRAX2VYAZbwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_2d26_7d6e_707f_d2db" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1mM7261toJQ/WTLS61uLpZI/AAAAAAAAOVQ/MLalvGBJd48EbxE06BkzJRA8LqQuaQIPwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><img id="id_110f_5e0e_aff2_8cfe" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HcnRyU5zIKY/WS3Pqdri9WI/AAAAAAAAOT8/ogFCDpS9bu8t-mJBcjnVP3JOW_IM7tZegCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div><br></div><div>The Uffizi Gallery is home to the world's greatest collection of Italian Renaissance Art, bequeathed to the city by the Medici family in 1743, on condition that it never leave Florence. The u-shaped gallery was originally government offices built between 1560 and 1580, and displays in chronological order the gamut of art history from Ancient Greek sculpture to 18th century Venetian paintings, but the core is the Renaissance collection.</div><div>The first corridor featured 13th-century Sienese alter pieces by Cimabue and Giotto and then the 14th-century Annunciazione bySimone Martini.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_10fd_331d_653f_4f26" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZIfeqAvPOgQ/WS3Psil44dI/AAAAAAAAOUE/4tgoKL8vKz47ytkrHl_RjMb0HEtrRV6YQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>La Tribuna</div><div>The Medici clan stashed away their most precious masterpieces in this exquisite octagonal-shaped treasure trove...a small collection of classical statues and paintings adorn its wall, upholstered in crimson silk, and 600 mother-of-pearl shells painted with Crimson varnish encrust the domed ceiling.</div><div>After reaching saturation point, we crawled home to our little haven and gratefully collapsed into our chairs!!</div><div> <br></div><div>Friday May 12.</div><div>Today we went to the heart of Florence's university area to Chiesa Di San Marco and the 15th-century Dominican monastery where both gifted painter Fra' Angelico, ( made a saint by Pope Paul 11 in 1984), and sharp-tongued Savonarola piously served God. It was from here, after Savonarola eventually became prior, that he fanatically railed against greed, luxury and the corruption of the clergy. </div><div>From the cloister we walked into the Pilgrims' Hospital where we saw Fra' Angelico's realistic portrayal of perspective and nature in the 'Deposition of Christ', and at the top of the stairs, his most famous work, 'Annunciation'. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><img id="id_8d96_c9fe_e6f3_da17" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nk194SNZ9D0/WS3PtMYT6VI/AAAAAAAAOUI/f_uLDj11IQgK55bbzDgtQwNjQ2VcQyWDwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We strolled around the 44 monastic cells, decorated with devotional frescoes by Fra' Angelico and his fellow friars, including the spartan, undecorated rooms where Savonarola lived.</span></div><div><img id="id_d87e_8482_baf8_31ec" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rczkW5MA8ig/WS3P4upqLGI/AAAAAAAAOUQ/s_4NdgnNYtk6UoFvxsJ6xohdSJKaVRHgQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div>We were hurried out by an attendant locking up behind us because we hadn't realised closing time was 2pm!</div><div><br></div><div>The next item on our list was the shopping for Glenn's belated birthday present, the planned Italian leather wallet. We talked to a lot of people and ended up at the Papini family, leather shop, supposedly the best with an established reputation to uphold! ( hopefully he won't leave this one on the bumper-bar of the car!)</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_4669_b140_65c8_6610" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Au3hbKYvXJs/WS3P5t8vbKI/AAAAAAAAOUc/QiiOlc9NvWwh-mPL32tgn8FBhtbDvlPfgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div>We sat in Piazza della'Republica and had a cold beer while the crowd surged past endlessly. I can't imagine what peak season must be like!</div><div>On our way home we bought the makings of dinner, supplemented with some 'tip-pruned' fresh herbs from a generous roadside garden!</div><div><br></div><div>Saturday May 13</div><div>Washing day.</div><div>A slow day with a walk down to the local stadium where there was great excitement due to a big soccer match between Florence and a Roman team. There was a lot of security and the bars were full of people having a beer before entering the stadium.</div><div>We heard the next day from the man at our preferred watering hole that Florence had won 3-2.</div><div>On the walk back we bought yummy, sweet pastry treats to eat after dinner.</div><div><br></div><div>Sunday May 14.</div><div>Happy Mother's Day to all of you mothers out there. We had lovely, long phone calls from our children and grandchildren and managed to ring Glenn's mum, Laurel as well, which made our day.</div><div>Our three weeks on the go is starting to tell so we had another slow day. </div><div><br></div><div> <br></div><div>We walked down to the Botanical Garden of the Museum of Natural History of the University of Florence and smelt our way around the roses. It was interesting to see the way the garden was arranged into plant areas such as poisonous, medicinal, oriental, ferns, aquatic etc. The garden is a unique, scientific collection with many rare plants. It was a quiet green haven not far from the bustle San Marco Square, hidden behind high stone walls.</div><div>We made our way home stopping at our local bar for a couple of cool ales. </div><div><img id="id_d486_f81_b28d_880a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fchmEAoAmwU/WS3P4ry25gI/AAAAAAAAOUU/HngWV09Qkwc6lEbmT300IMqsRw4mmozTACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div>Monday May 15.</div><div>Our last day in Florence.</div><div>We went for a long walk around our local area and ate ice-cream sitting by a waterway, watching the ducks.</div><div><br></div><img id="id_c43f_2c7a_7f99_87a4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HBbBIzacrWI/WS3P5VNdTNI/AAAAAAAAOUY/pMth0EfUTssUZBn8_tcKS6sGRHXk2x7ZQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <div> Then came time to pack and give our little flat a clean before the taxi came at 8pm to take us to the railway station. We ate our packed sandwiches for dinner while watching the departure board for our train details. Eventually we boarded the train about 10 pm, found our couchette, shared with three other people, and settled down for a restless night.</div><div> <br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-82631493451215381732017-05-29T01:02:00.001-07:002017-05-29T01:02:38.376-07:00 SLOVENIA<p dir="ltr"><br>Monday May 1 .<br>Today we caught the bus from Venice to the airport and picked up the car we had booked. The process was very long as there were four people ahead of us in the queue and the paperwork was involved.<br>Eventually we found the car in the carpark and Glenn, very carefully, drove out of the city. We used Google maps on the phone to guide us to Slovenia. Most of the way was excellent freeway and the trip took us about two and a half hours, excluding a stop to explore a market along the way.</p><p dir="ltr"><img id="id_6e9_e5bc_4aaf_5333" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dfcqj6ve78I/WSiRyjsdSPI/AAAAAAAANLw/hxC_iMn8urICPvkUPWfCMFNWv7mQC304wCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 718px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_7e24_e4b2_c32d_5093" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a4Jsp-DXoB0/WSiVE6XUUGI/AAAAAAAANMg/RLp_m7zQ4pkb-2WswGON0IQaNHzyaPXOgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 718px; height: auto;"></p><p dir="ltr">We arrived in the tiny village of Svino, and after several attempts to locate our exchange place, we met our hosts Mojca and Vojko, a very welcoming and friendly couple. They immediately sat us down and shared a bottle of local rose with us on the terrace. They have a home, as well as two separate apartments which they exchange or rent. ... and a beautiful garden.</p><p dir="ltr">The surrounding countryside is lush, hilly and beyond beautiful.<img id="id_d4ca_edcc_bc50_5c99" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NTe_-WQJCF0/WSiVWxNkYGI/AAAAAAAANMk/xmxjXT9LMn4Fm6Sdfx4_gCNNy4S0hNQ3gCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 718px; height: auto;"></p><p>We settled into our lovely apartment until hunger eventually drove us into the nearby, small town of Kobarid in search of food. We chose the recommended Restavracija Kotlar and had excellent grilled squid with spinach and potatoes, followed by a traditional 'Kobariski strukelj 'dessert. Every housewife in Slovenia, it is said, prepares hers in a slightly different way and 'signs' it with her fingerprint in the middle. The ingredients are steamed dough, walnuts, cinnamon, bitter chocolate, butter, breadcrumbs and raisins. Delicious!</p><p><img id="id_9ef3_fd80_2c15_750a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xzYw6qJdKZQ/WSiVqvbRwTI/AAAAAAAANMs/mrJW3XjK0ik_p7ELW4iuRqyQSAbomHr4ACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 718px; height: auto;"> <br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p dir="ltr">Tuesday May 2.<br>Today we explored our immediate surroundings, the tiny, picturesque village of Svino.</p><p dir="ltr"><img id="id_3b7a_8bec_abc5_8b36" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oMBUC4M9DH8/WSiWFyHnStI/AAAAAAAANMw/0NdXFpbrnuwXE9wkX6CKKLTBzcAxIucAACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 718px; height: auto;"> <br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p dir="ltr">Our walk through the village and out to a swiftly running creek and waterfall was a delight. The spring flowers are just beginning to burst into life and the horses enjoyed a nose rub.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p dir="ltr"><img id="id_31bb_a2fa_18d0_24a8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pKCIlSiwuus/WSiXodarT-I/AAAAAAAANM8/qKNXirI5y5gTfh5CUFP0cR2DHMxnAspOQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 718px; height: auto;"> <br><img id="id_d37d_79f5_337f_13ea" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LwroNpRHrtY/WSkRYk0W3VI/AAAAAAAANWY/cSm17jx2l_El4GTcdk3ltvi1UsJ9A2ctACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 718px; height: auto;"> <br>We drove again to Kobarid where we went to the War Museum which has graphic photos of the first world war against the Italians, and very moving, detailed, diary documentation from soldiers of the Austrian/Hungarian empire. The conditions and extreme deprivation they endured were inhuman. There are many memorials of the conflict as this area was on the battle frontline.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MB4J0MXdpzs/WQt5JjvSh8I/AAAAAAAAL1w/-4B_BKP5k-oPkq4soK6icIC8ONdUrxEpgCHM/IMG_6338.jpg?imgmax=9999" width="1600" style="max-width: 100%; width: 733px; height: auto;" id="id_f7dd_f019_849e_682d"></div><p><img id="id_80ca_ee5c_ad56_539c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EqtbfPvG-Tw/WSkUBMb-swI/AAAAAAAANWk/SqnWqlKV-pAYvchgILScRFsKLbH2khQYACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 718px; height: auto;"> <br>We came home and indulged in another drop of local, non-preservative wine, provided by our hosts who produce quite copious quantities of the nectar! We Mundays seem to fall on our feet!.<br>Chef Glenn is again providing dinner. Rice and fresh veggies. I would cook but my free time is taken with blogging!</p><img id="id_a97d_195e_151e_e8c3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oHt1dCnlHEI/WSnitswkpzI/AAAAAAAANvk/d2_O7apL-v8IgUPtC8wwqUTcb503GWSYgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <p>Wednesday, May 3<br>Mojca, our hostess, kindly did our washing while we explored further afield. We drove to Bovec, in the heart of the Triglav NP, among the peaks of the Julian Alps where the Soca River originates. It is stunning at every turn and not surprisingly, was used as the shooting site for the Walt Disney film 'The Chronicles Of Narnia. '<br>The Bovec area is also known as the land of Slovenian superlatives because it has the highest-lying mountain road to Mangart's saddle (2072 m), the highest- lying road pass, Vrsic (1611m), and the highest-lying ski slope Kanin-Sella Nevea (2300 m), and the Boka waterfall.<br></p><p> <span style="text-align: center;"> </span><img id="id_a8d2_d951_e361_3857" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hm7FSHwj_GI/WSkYTEt8yVI/AAAAAAAANXs/qiLgDhwisDYYOiPx0YiN6LPwwQxyypFiwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 718px; height: auto;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UVnDtGROgYw/WQt5EsjG7TI/AAAAAAAAL1k/bqXr_4r4AHo8irads2T6TdILKF4TODqcwCHM/IMAG1669.jpg?imgmax=9999" width="1493" style="max-width: 100%; width: 733px; height: auto;" id="id_86d7_9ca0_21a6_acbb"></div><p dir="ltr"><br>We dipped our fingers in the blue- green water of the Soca River and were sorry we missed seeing the Polish Olympic kayak team enter the water. We saw others carrying kayaks down the steep bank to the river which has warnings everywhere about the dangers of the rapids for the inexperienced.</p><p dir="ltr"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Above the river we explored the tunnels cut by hand through the the mountain, where heavy guns were installed to protect the strategic pass below the Kluze Fortress.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m1RWD6Rt98Q/WQt5EQymHsI/AAAAAAAAL1g/XCOuxu95Go00l3KI_saR8pBjNxRLUhiCwCHM/IMG_6377.jpg?imgmax=9999" width="1600" style="max-width: 100%; width: 733px; height: auto;" id="id_f07f_6967_d7f9_ed75"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0zc_70eQbuA/WQt5CNh3gHI/AAAAAAAAL1Y/nmuYEka-TSQ6GSJBpMopHjoYb45PGGMbQCHM/IMG_6379.jpg?imgmax=9999" width="1600" style="max-width: 100%; width: 733px; height: auto;" id="id_ab94_87eb_bc8d_46c2"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C114OqHNea8/WQt5Ce8-RFI/AAAAAAAAL1c/aoTmT4QY1YUIFBT516q1574MYwlZX3zwACHM/IMG_6383.jpg?imgmax=9999" width="1600" style="max-width: 100%; width: 733px; height: auto;" id="id_760d_dcad_801b_ff23"></div><p dir="ltr">Thursday, May 4.</p><p>We awoke to steady rain so had a slow start to the day and a leisurely brunch. We finished some postcards for the family and ventured out for a coffee and a bit of shopping, and a quick foray into the town tourist information centre. It's cold today.... 10c so hope tomorrow is better as we plan a day in Ljubljana.</p><p>Friday, May 5. Ljubljana.</p><p><img id="id_e9ac_8de8_dacb_ef41" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GOyXUu5Qsac/WSsN9G5kl-I/AAAAAAAAN1Q/mglPrCTjgmIrYNTSZBF5A8ShyDyYcSyNwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </p><p>Today was a big day out starting with a 2hour drive to Ljubljana along the beautiful Soca Valley. Glenn needed all of his concentration powers for the narrow winding road which snaked its way through picture perfect villages and around hairpin bends as we climbed high over the mountains and down into the .valleys. We stopped at a bar for a coffee and a break along the way. Thanks to google maps we arrived and found the parking station without any trouble . It's centrally located so it was a few minutes walk then to the Triple bridge, Preseren Square, the park and the centre of the compact city. Almost all places of interest are within 15 minutes walking distance and buses and the bike-share system, along with the free mini electric shuttle make it easy to explore.</p><p><img id="id_128d_843c_b937_b0f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yQQFKI3wD2E/WSsOHyfhkGI/AAAAAAAAN1g/YoXkm3QH2HoUF4k8cLOlKSmTp5e7_ZvIQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></p><p>Our first stop was the bustling central city market where local fruit, vegetable, plants and handcrafts were available for sale and stall-holders prepared and cooked local, traditional dishes (and others), on the spot. There were crowds of happy people eating and drinking and the hardest thing was deciding what to eat. We chose just-roasted, suckling pig which was so... succulent, with roast potatoes and capsicum, followed (a bit later) by strawberries and creme- brulee !!!! We resisted the wine because driving in the alps on the opposite side of the road requires having all your wits about you, for driver and navigator!</p><p>We wandered through the mostly-pedestrian old town and along the riverside promenade and absorbed the sense of history, noted the calm, slow pace and the human-friendly scale of the small, graceful city. The entire population of Slovenia is only 2.8 million, compared with Sydney's 4 million.</p><p><img id="id_f1bb_5d25_de55_ad3a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RDSnfUMrAEE/WSsN8SAzr6I/AAAAAAAAN1M/HQvtMmeQu7sJT7VKxTZCVmfafuFRcHXrgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></p><p><img id="id_2561_9f7b_4fc0_ab4b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nV84nOoq2VY/WSsN9fIZ9UI/AAAAAAAAN1U/HYoDKJEgH9g4idPv9YgTPCM6kwWR0AYjACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></p><p>We then went to see the Castle in the middle of town, home to various invading forces over the centuries, now used for performances, conferences and cultural activities. We took the funicular railway to the top, watched the video, wandered through the cells and climbed the circular staircase to the top for a panoramic view of the city and surrounding countryside. </p><p><img id="id_4732_4109_e10_ef30" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-72dYKYtzCA0/WSsOEq8NfhI/AAAAAAAAN1c/FZkFvQVgPc4n40EDXYk3arSQVAVOG61aQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </p><p>Saturday May 6</p><p>We had a sleep-in and a leisurely breakfast and then drove to Bovec, about 23 kms from Svino, to get the Cable car to ski fields in Julian Alps. It's about 2,000m up the mountain, over several valleys and it took 50 minutes each way. The views were stunning and there were quite a lot people enjoying the last of the winter snow. We had lunch at the top and then Glenn trudged through the snow to the nearest chairlift and looked longingly at it, while I (the non-skier), remembered the uncomfortable boots, wet bottom, mountain of clothing to be removed for a toilet break and myriad other discomfits!!!</p><p><img id="id_b90a_9916_29c1_33d9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YAj_vdBe3SA/WSsRYE-hfaI/AAAAAAAAN14/M6faprodBk82VDYQb7yo12_oy4G6pmRxwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </p><p>We continued further up the Soca valley to Trenta, to the Juliana Alpine Garden, a beautiful terraced garden with a waterfall running alongside it. About 600 different plant species prosper in the garden, including endemics known to grow solely in Slovenia. It was a serene place we enjoyed immensely.</p><p><img id="id_361a_5f13_bb93_945c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SgE8m8JlT10/WSsOEou_6bI/AAAAAAAAN1Y/_gyg7yhYYx8b7Ia4wBYHpYJ6Nvh-KeHSQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </p><img id="id_7477_a6fa_b527_fa71" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o_RAgh0keyQ/WSsOJ-0sUzI/AAAAAAAAN1k/dIdwazsj0UEvnVql7CRTOLQyL1mL8DqXwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <p>A bit further down the valley we stopped to cross one of the many swinging bridges across the Soca river which give access to isolated houses. The power of the river, swelled by melting snow, is irrestible to the many kayakers who love the challenge of a swift and bumpy ride downstream. It is obviously training ground for Olympic teams too, as we saw several of their vehicles pulled in along the banks at access points to the rapids.</p><p><img id="id_bfea_e0a9_d210_3708" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3AXR-eDrRtQ/WSs4FCnWqbI/AAAAAAAAN5s/_qNqfqBSmkUSwZid54s1t-GRvzcPDGvEgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></p><p>Sunday May 7</p><p>This is our last full day in Slovenia.</p><p>We walked down a track from Svino village to Korabid and asked a local boy which way to go at a fork in the track. We followed the way he indicated and it took us past a small, beautiful waterfall and eventually into the town. We wandered down streets we hadn't been before and then out of town into the surrounding meadows. They are full of early spring flowers, crisscrossed with walking/bike tracks and providing benches for weary walkers. Many people walk and the pace of life is much slower than ours at home. Sometimes in our rush I think we forget to take time to smell the roses and enjoy the tranquility.</p><p><img id="id_3e91_3e61_9a61_6e58" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oBJA6uaBtK4/WSvVk59Y-zI/AAAAAAAAN-s/IQmbxpaFn1gx-togia5QKJ43c1qdzyrYwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></p><p>Through the town and out the other side we walked to the Napoleon Bridge and gazed down into the torrent of blue-green water rushing below. There are memorials there, a reminder that this area which is now so peaceful and beautiful, was once the front line between opposing forces in WWI, where many people lost their lives.</p><p><img id="id_82fb_b889_7e01_4f49" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aEN0fivE4B8/WSvVnEJrmLI/AAAAAAAAN-w/42OGKF01Qysj1TdjY-H40BnAZwWNi0h0QCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </p><p>Back in the village of Kobarid, we had a late lunch and a chat to a local man and his wife beside us in the restaurant. He is an historical author and he spoke about how much life has changed now there is no fear. The borders are blurred by the Euro Zone and people are peaceful and more prosperous.</p><p>It has been a special week.... A walk back in time to a rural community where people tend their veggie gardens and their animals and prepare wood the next winter. The country side is lush, green and extremely beautiful. It brought back memories of my childhood in a country town ... An uncomplicated time.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><div><br></div><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><br>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-55939909636767801002017-05-04T14:38:00.000-07:002017-05-26T12:53:16.232-07:00VENICE<p dir="auto">2017.<br> <br>Another thank you to our son Ben for getting us to the start of this trip to Europe.<br>We had a long haul from Sydney to Venice via Bangkok and Dubai- about thirty three hours from departure to arrival! The Emirates A380 plane was really comfortable and we both sleep fairly well.<br> <br>VENICE<br> Sunday..23April<br>On arrival in Venice and following instructions from our exchange man Gianluca, we caught the bus from the airport to San Marco Square where we then bought weekly tickets for the vaporetto (boat) and met Gianluca without any problems at the appointed place on the Grand Canal. He took us to his tiny apartment and after a run-down on its peculiarities....took us on a short tour of our immediate locality to show us his favourite supermarket and restaurants so we could get our bearings...and the left us to our own devices. We ventured into the local supermarket and bought provisions and then went out for dinner at a local trattoria and had red wine and pizza... Of course!!! It is Italy you know! And we got lost.....of course!!! </p><p dir="auto"> <img id="id_1571_f137_c55e_6039" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4L95tsorD2c/WScUmlx1OlI/AAAAAAAANAE/tGznid5Arnc_TwPKyZMMPZx2geXAU75PQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br> Bed was a godsend and we slept until 10 am the following morning.<br> <br>First impressions.<br>There is amazing stillness and quiet. There is no traffic noise, barking dogs, lawn mowers, loud voices, music. The only sound I can hear now is the tolling of a church bell and the footsteps of a single passing pedestrian, the distant chirping of small birds and cooing pigeons.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p> Monday April 24<br>We set out with a plan to follow a walking tour of six hours duration. We caught the vaporetto to San Marco Sq and took the long way round so we could see the famed buildings alongThe Grand Canal from the water as they were captured in the paintings of Canaletto. </p><img id="id_1809_37ce_49c2_9f00" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UqF6wXlnTeM/WSclqV_i6WI/AAAAAAAAND8/54IVP03SZHwXxz_sKK98zCwFX75bqwEdQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p dir="ltr">We met an interesting couple from the USA and exchanged details with the view to a future exchange.<br>Then it was into the thronging millions of colourful and vibrant people taking selfies, queueing for entry into the cathedral, the camponile, food and souvenirs. From under the magic clock tower of Piazza San Marco, we left the city's centre stage to enter another world: the winding lower gut of golden consumption, the Mercerie.' The streets have always been lined with shops offering status products such as silks and spices and were the only ones originally paved with marble blocks. We poked in and out of every interesting little shop, church, nook and cranny and got thoroughly and happily lost. <br><span><br>We spoke to one artisan producing traditional ceramic and papier-mache Venetian masks and he kindly took us into the back and showed us his mounds and explained the entire process to us. We met his wife as well and talked to her about the paints, gold-leaf and varnish used to decorate the masks. It was fascinating.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><img id="id_803c_cc45_c52_a5c2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LiM8B2nTi6s/WScVCyG_rxI/AAAAAAAANAI/Efw7nryOJ8seRr7W3RXHxEdgRdIR86oVQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> Eight hours later we had only done half of our walk so bailed out and caught a vaporetto home. We dined around the corner on linguine and seafood pasta with the obligatory house red.</p><p dir="ltr">Tuesday April 25<br>We started the day with a substantial breakfast of egg, toast, yoghurt, coffee and apple. Then we had a foray into the local supermarket to stock up with goodies. We both love the challenge of attempting to decipher labels, making the currency conversions and trying the local delicacies. <br>We then met Gianluca for an aperitif at Capitan Uncino restaurant at Campo San Giacoma Dall'Orio. </p><p dir="ltr">The square is particularly lovely with tall shade trees and lots of space for children to play. It also had a community veggie patch and a water fountain and was lined with coffee shops and restaurants. We had Spritz, a pink/red, delightfully light and delicious, wine based Nth Italian drink, and herbed bread and oil and a long talk. We look forward to seeing him in Australia in November with his girlfriend.</p><p dir="ltr"><img id="id_a297_bec3_aba0_84f6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PX03jJkhTnA/WScV_RHiKWI/AAAAAAAANAU/xOhqhSICVe0LrcKG-8RG28i6hYQpvSmdwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;">After we left Gianluca we went home for lunch and researched the way to the Jewish Ghetto which he recommended as interesting. </p><p dir="ltr"><img id="id_6fab_bf13_c6c7_a04a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T197vWpOIVE/WScWwfFhmwI/AAAAAAAANAc/ysNUa4GJDgk_Vp0KSQcRjfidWwscNzhHQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> We caught a vaporetto across to the other side of the Grand Canal and walked through the maze of streets and alleyways to the Jewish Ghetto. There are several plaques on the wall in memory of Venetian Jews who were sent to Nazi concentration camps. </p><p dir="ltr">We walked further until we reached open water and could look over the Canale Delle Fondamenta Nouve to the city cemetery island of San Michelle. Venetians are buried here and after ten years their bones are removed to an ossuary so the grave site can be reused.</p><p>Eventually, we could walk no further so caught a boat home and collapsed with a hot coffee.</p><p dir="ltr">Wednesday April 26<br>We awoke to rain and a much colder day so we rugged up and headed for The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the second most visited museum in Venice after the Accademia. <br>The collection includes representative examples from the major movements of the 20th century and an entire room of Jackson Pollocks! Others include Max Ernst (whom she married), Picasso, Braque, Chagall, Mondrian, de Kooning and Surrealists Dali and De Chirico. Included were Brancusi's 'Bird in Space', and sculptures by GIacometti, both old favourites of mine. There were also some colourful, naive paintings by her daughter Pegeen, who inherited some of her mother's joie de vivre but tragically died at 42. 'It must have been this same spirit of fun that lead Mrs Guggenheim to erect something besides a palace outside on the Grand Canal - take a look at Mariano Marini's joyously obscene equestrian statue, the Angel of the Citadel!' </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p dir="ltr"><img id="id_a6de_589b_5301_76e1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I7N7L5z8Obw/WScVXYoS7JI/AAAAAAAANAM/iAm3Y3B6VEUzRJWBAxDnObt00YO2zwuYQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br>Mobiles by Calder floated above our heads as we shuffled through the packed exhibition and we were eventually spat out the other end into the beautiful back, sculpture garden where Peggy, along with several of her dogs, is buried.</p><p dir="ltr">After leaving the museum we wandered along past a shop front with wood sculptures of everyday items of clothing and accessories. The ability of the sculptor to achieve such realism amazed us.</p><p dir="ltr"><img id="id_2fd5_655a_1289_923a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ybyMk-yZ0tw/WScn9cHhXfI/AAAAAAAANEc/JCQBP0lguAY4gTDAzz4boy0UJN3Dv-F4ACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p dir="ltr">Because the weather was so wet, and we were close to St Mark's Basilica, we thought we had the chance of a small queue. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p><br></p><img id="id_d377_7312_5eac_4613" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RDXYMxD5mmI/WScws1bvtXI/AAAAAAAANFM/8xPhYUloHSIaAjZJfpjj_KB1b-_GHk8mACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <p><img id="id_658a_842b_2d13_83b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4AVcGKcFuMI/WScnJF086BI/AAAAAAAANEQ/oGU8BSb91NgS1Ld_YMZ0sk3ZOG6l3RYNwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> We were lucky and only waited about five minutes before entering. The interior was very gloomy, probably due to the heavy skies and the fact that there was repair work in progress on a large window so the gold mosaics were not so vibrant. The mosaic floors were beautiful and it is wonderful to walk over the undulations where time and and millions of footsteps have altered the surface.</p>Thursday. April 27<p dir="ltr">More rain and cold today and a late start after a well earned sleep-in.</p><p dir="ltr">Firstly we shopped for food. Then, following Gianluca's suggestion we caught the boat out to the remote Castello island of San Pietro which is surrounded by boatyards. The main purpose was to see San Pietro di Castello which was Venice's cathedral before Napoleon made San Marco the seat of Venice's patriarch.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p dir="ltr"><img id="id_474b_9035_3d1e_32b0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-47wVQGfNwk8/WSc9c6_3ztI/AAAAAAAANFo/FxKevwXOt1oz6FjnnzFauovzHjLTW1olwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br>The cathedral was extremely beautiful, light and airy. <br>We then made our way through the sea of umbrellas in San Marco Piazza,<br>called it a day and went home to thaw out. Interesting to hear that Sydney had morning temperatures of 11c too.</p><p dir="ltr">Friday. April 28<br>We returned to Castello to have a look at The Arsenale, which holds a unique place in the prehistory of the Industrial Revolution. Although Henry Ford sometimes gets credit for inventing the assembly line, the Venetians were using the same methods 500 years earlier to produce vessels which were identical as Modal T's!<br>As a result, all Venetian ships used uniform spare parts, available at all ports so ships could be quickly adapted for trade or war and all ships could be boarded by any crew who would immediately 'know the ropes'.<br>In 1423 it was said that the Arsenale employed 16,000 men and during the fighting against the Turks it cranked out a ship a day; on special occasions to impress visitors like Henry III, King of France, the arsenalati produced a beautiful galley between the antipasto and dessert courses of a state feast! <br><br><img id="id_5a3d_dddd_f4d5_5de3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K2KXl3mi7hA/WSc-gLOyEyI/AAAAAAAANF0/eYDoryRlUrQZjR0ECb00cOKB456J02K-gCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> </p><img id="id_cb17_84af_b151_7c16" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VzV-vJ5vWug/WSdAcMTriPI/AAAAAAAANGA/QicoYP5ZiAQEKks1cfF-I5UASR2-D4uXwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <p dir="ltr"><br>As we walking along the canal beside the Arsenale wall on our way out, a busker started playing his saxaphone so we stopped a while to listen to his beautiful music.</p><p dir="ltr">We ate delicious pizza for lunch nearby before going into The Naval History Museum. <br>Only the boat section of the museum was open but the interior was impressive because of its immense size and the number of very large boats on display.<br>The most ornate was The Royal Barge. <br>Despite more rain, we walked over The Rialto bridge, through the city market place and caught the vaporetto home. The rain stopped and the sun came out so we finished the day in Campo San Giacomo Dall'Orio, sipping yet another glass of Spritz, watching the kids kick a soccer ball while their parents chatted with friends. The Italians are a relaxed and social people who make good use of their public places.</p><p dir="ltr"><span>Saturday April 29.</span><br>At last we managed to catch the garbage man...... Well ... actually Glenn chased him down the alleyway in his pyjamas!!! The system here is unique.<br>Garbage is kept inside and can be taken each day before 8am and thrown in the garbage boat at our nearest vaporetto stop. (Mundays are always too late for that!)<br>OR the dustman rings the doorbell between 8.30 and 10am and you take the garbage to him. <br>Today we made a sandwich for lunch and sat on a rarely vacant bench seat under a tree in the sun to eat at nearby square and watched the world go by.<br>Eventually we decided go to the Rialto market to buy dinner and came home with salmon, prawns, asparagus, sundried tomatoes and strawberries and lemons. We really enjoyed the shopping experience where we took a ticket and waited our turn. The locals all jostled and chatted good-naturedly and chose fruit and veggies at the front of the huge stall and threw them to the vendors at the back to be weighed. We took our produce home and later prepared dinner.</p><p>We then went to the Doges Palace which <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">was very impressive.</span></p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img id="id_9da9_f45e_b9c6_c2b2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0UCWPDonq6s/WScrNmln78I/AAAAAAAANE4/8laAzfDJ_oA_RjdZxbZfBVtMNz5r4nGtACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br><img id="id_4672_2c8e_b5c9_c43d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Isi7Q1AhkJY/WSc8Ew1IKrI/AAAAAAAANFc/Pk5OVK9r934tsbhAhwfplgCm2E9GFXt7QCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> T</span>he queue was short and we were quickly inside the huge colonnaded courtyard, audio tour in hand. This grand gothic palace, the facade restored with white Istrian stone and Veronese pink marble, was the Doge's official residence for nearly seven centuries, where he lived on the first floor like a caged lion, unable to leave without permission. The lavishly decorated second floor chambers are the real highlight, and house the 22mX7m painting, 'Paradise', by Tintoretto's son Domenico.<p dir="ltr">Outstanding was Sansovino's 24-carat, gilt, stuccowork, Golden Staircase.</p><p dir="ltr">The Grand Council Hall, was the largest space in Europe without supporting pillars. Around the ceiling are portraits of 500 prominent Venitians.<br>We walked over the famed 'bridge of sighs' which prisoners crossed on their way into the dungeons, ducked our heads under low stone ceilings and tried to imagine the hellish existence of men imprisioned there. We did read that the wealthy were able to buy food and clothing to improve their lot, but the poor did not have that luxury!</p><p dir="ltr"><span>Our seafood dinner was a standout, prepared by Chef Glenn and served with a good wine.</span><br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p>April 30</p><p>This is our last full day in Venice and we are weary after so many days walking and exploring. We read a few articles and recommendations about San Simeone Piccolo, (across the Grand Canal from the railway statio), and decided to attend Mass. The 11am service was fully sung in Latin by three men; a tenor/organist, and two baritones. They were wonderful to listen to. The priest also sang. I grew up with the Latin Mass so really enjoyed the experience although the 1.5 hrs duration was a little much for Glenn!!</p><p><img id="id_a289_e291_92cf_10b5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qh2FagMweF0/WSiHAh5xjyI/AAAAAAAANK8/ORFZO3xB74oxKH2Z2E_OB82DjeJAQPlugCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"> <br></p><p>We sat in a nearby park in the sun for awhile and then bought gelato and explored the very busy railway station. In a small backstreet we bought an irresistible screen printed scene of Venice from a local artist named David Ariel. Our first souvenir.<br>We ended our week in the beautiful Campo San Giacomo Dall'Orio with a spritz! It's our favourite square (and drink), and not far away.</p><p>Highlights<br>No aggression<br>So many helping hands to assist a wheelchair person on/off the vaporetto.<br>No anti-social behaviour.<br>Daily shopping for fresh food.<br>Families in the squares relaxing and socialising.<br>No graffiti.<br>No traffic noise.<br>Church bells<br>Peace and quiet.<br>No 'nanny state' rules for kids on bikes.</p><p>Tonight at 7pm we went into a small supermarket (they are all small) to buy food for dinner. The elderly woman at the checkout handed her purse to the young man on the register. He unzipped it, took out the required amount of money, zipped it up and handed it back to her while she packed her groceries.<br>I think that is wonderful!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p><br></p><p><br></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-37601693564824501682016-08-23T16:54:00.000-07:002016-08-23T17:05:19.608-07:00Two Weeks in Singapore<p><font size="3">May 6-20th. 2016</font> <p><font size="3">Friday 6th.</font> <p><font size="3">A big thank you to our son Ben who drove us to the station before he went to work. </font> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uJshmzgjFb8/V7zd-So3dzI/AAAAAAAAJHs/Y157VaJbRNI/s1600-h/IMG_0867%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0867" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0867" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vh7UfcRe9EQ/V7zd-z8cMrI/AAAAAAAAJHw/iDLLESemDkI/IMG_0867_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="140"></a> <p><font size="3">We flew with the Singapore Airlines budget airline Scoot and were pleasantly surprised by the brand new and very comfortable Boeing Dreamliner. </font> <p><font size="3">The soft tropical night wrapped around us as we arrived in Singapore and took a taxi to Libby and Eric’s condo in Serangoon and let ourselves in. A bit later we walked down to their local hawker stall and met them for dinner after they finished work. Lots of hugs and kisses and how great it was to see them and to be back in Asia eating wonderfully tasty and inexpensive food . </font> <p><font size="3">Saturday 7th</font> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L9RsQvTBKp4/V7zd_eom2XI/AAAAAAAAJH0/GbSZjlC657Y/s1600-h/FotorCreatedsingapore%2525201%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img title="FotorCreatedsingapore 1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="FotorCreatedsingapore 1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nwpuhkVwXSE/V7zeAES6C4I/AAAAAAAAJH4/LjcrrfCmMGM/FotorCreatedsingapore%2525201_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" height="225"></a> <p><font size="3"> Lib and Eric were working so left us to our own devices.We walked past fresh flowers for sale at the corner store for Mothers Day and then went to Marina Bay on the super efficient MRT. Not only is the underground efficient,spotless and speedy, but it is also beautifully decorated with colourful tiles and mosaics. There aren’t any garbage bins either. It’s take your rubbish with you.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-spoDuOvMhW8/V7zeAseAKpI/AAAAAAAAJH8/lxVyqdXHtzA/s1600-h/s8FotorCreated%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img title="s8FotorCreated" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="s8FotorCreated" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ImF2Vp-vQ3w/V7zeBEJIvPI/AAAAAAAAJIA/MqRCTHF_qoU/s8FotorCreated_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="364"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r-qRGjbZV4E/V7zeBzdbQ5I/AAAAAAAAJIE/WNz6nICsaBo/s1600-h/s4FotorCreated%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img title="s4FotorCreated" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="s4FotorCreated" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gJ02pJXbz48/V7zeCrXNMkI/AAAAAAAAJII/3jfrgVPmywc/s4FotorCreated_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="531" height="295"></a></p> <p><font size="3">We walked over the very beautiful, double helix f</font><font size="3">ootbridge, designed by an Australian firm, to the Marina Bay Sands shopping complex. The tornado fountain was in operation so we gazed, mesmerised, as it filled and then emptied into the pool below in the centre of a restaurant area!</font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EluMLCVbIDs/V7zeDf25bUI/AAAAAAAAJIM/zpuerjeIj7Q/s1600-h/IMG_5646%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5646" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5646" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lwa-qmRYUF8/V7zeDxfvjXI/AAAAAAAAJIQ/GdpqObGlQa8/IMG_5646_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cyXGpw1pvOo/V7zeETi5J8I/AAAAAAAAJIU/VyEL3gnVDjQ/s1600-h/IMG_5649%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5649" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5649" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lVhd34FeuBU/V7zeE9xDzmI/AAAAAAAAJIY/QRX1XXKbWI0/IMG_5649_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T3u-FAySMUI/V7zeFkMk2DI/AAAAAAAAJIc/kxyLfBjoQV0/s1600-h/IMG_5650%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5650" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5650" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tpmNQg7Z0HE/V7zeF-MbEMI/AAAAAAAAJIg/3vr3DCBUUc4/IMG_5650_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="248"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ABgyBzuLxc8/V7zeGsJ-sII/AAAAAAAAJIk/EywFm0gFbKQ/s1600-h/IMG_5653%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5653" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5653" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FkZ5O4RzBP0/V7zeG6Ldx3I/AAAAAAAAJIo/HHK3gMzo3BQ/IMG_5653_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="203" height="281"></a></font></p> <p><font size="3">Following Libby’s directions we took the lift to the . 57th floor. There we had a cool ale at C’est La Vie Bar which overlooked the amazing infinity pool (for the use of hotel patrons only)!</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dUagTgHJZbk/V7zeH3KPcAI/AAAAAAAAJIs/bhaTrxjU7-0/s1600-h/IMG_5296%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5296" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5296" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nOW7JYFfSkc/V7zeINfTQ7I/AAAAAAAAJIw/08dW6DjvLjI/IMG_5296_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hVSi3RwAY0w/V7zeI4UIG-I/AAAAAAAAJI0/2VmzCP6fw9E/s1600-h/IMG_5297%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5297" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5297" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H4EBvQSn-1g/V7zeJawCHXI/AAAAAAAAJI4/vtS23nep56M/IMG_5297_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><font size="3">From that height the huge amount of land reclamation was obvious and the the city below appeared in miniature. The two climate controlled domes (The Flower Dome and The Cloud Dome) are on the left</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3kLDJdxHXIA/V7zeKelFMMI/AAAAAAAAJI8/ttGh2as04Ok/s1600-h/Fs6otorCreated%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="Fs6otorCreated" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Fs6otorCreated" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YbkgbD2CFYE/V7zeK9avL2I/AAAAAAAAJJA/yE5Xq4F51v4/Fs6otorCreated_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="364"></a></p> <p><font size="4">Sunday 8th May.</font></p> <p><font size="4">We set out early for The Gardens By The Sea and were surprised by how much the Super Trees had grown since our last visit. They towered overhead as we approached the impressive domes with their controlled climates.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g8WN3Hmzv24/V7zeLf_EksI/AAAAAAAAJJE/wzKCBMNUSO4/s1600-h/IMG_5375%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5375" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5375" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EX4JqToCMMo/V7zeMCYUkrI/AAAAAAAAJJI/BwTQNelNZPM/IMG_5375_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-udWDqmxwW3I/V7zeMwm6FuI/AAAAAAAAJJM/QmCctqAdRf0/s1600-h/IMG_5376%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5376" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5376" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Npnsw3YYzx0/V7zeNf3IOTI/AAAAAAAAJJQ/SXHoJoDyGvU/IMG_5376_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p><font size="4">The first one we entered was the Flower Dome featuring a spectacular display of tulips and crowded with visitors.The first thing I noticed after the amazing colour, was the number of striking sculptures.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9SturoN1R0Q/V7zeN2ItaGI/AAAAAAAAJJU/QS3tguN2_Io/s1600-h/s11FotorCreated%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="s11FotorCreated" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="s11FotorCreated" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7cUC5VhZ2sY/V7zeOaIGVnI/AAAAAAAAJJY/qRP0dTfTQOc/s11FotorCreated_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="364"></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kJfQbeMOuZs/V7zePcQHRdI/AAAAAAAAJJc/kKOzxUPwXqw/s1600-h/s12FotorCreated%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="s12FotorCreated" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="s12FotorCreated" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X2ft8oGWgmA/V7zeQNFuN3I/AAAAAAAAJJg/TQckIszhpFI/s12FotorCreated_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="364"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IJbqYMH8srU/V7zeQ31YFzI/AAAAAAAAJJk/IPWHoMAwdYI/s1600-h/IMAG0439%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMAG0439" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMAG0439" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-10h6JoIJmKM/V7zeRISCQ-I/AAAAAAAAJJo/cBWMnf0FIsY/IMAG0439_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="140"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y7gnjQAo1CA/V7zeR-b8cLI/AAAAAAAAJJs/EgJOIMdMOcM/s1600-h/IMG_5313%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5313" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5313" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rc9PTg85oOc/V7zeSSDYrfI/AAAAAAAAJJw/uWKtzBXSvrM/IMG_5313_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZakmVXrxuco/V7zeS8YlGQI/AAAAAAAAJJ0/z3UG1Ah5eUo/s1600-h/IMG_5314%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5314" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5314" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eyqCkEiC4L8/V7zeTSoSeAI/AAAAAAAAJJ4/N25wLAan2bM/IMG_5314_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mYYJ2Zhfp3g/V7zeUPIQ9rI/AAAAAAAAJJ8/7zkhRsTJS3s/s1600-h/IMG_5355%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5355" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5355" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TrOCYB7K4LI/V7zeUUHG-dI/AAAAAAAAJKA/CYRQV76GmXA/IMG_5355_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OnHDH03uR7g/V7zeVE9jy3I/AAAAAAAAJKE/bUCGq2Tj51U/s1600-h/IMG_5356%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5356" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5356" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8Cj-I4p94BA/V7zeVtf5scI/AAAAAAAAJKI/c46teVukHHM/IMG_5356_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_AtwWg3Oi_o/V7zewRdopXI/AAAAAAAAJKM/mVrsQvXxNaY/s1600-h/IMG_5359%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5359" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5359" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Byqs5MafC3I/V7zew_NsHnI/AAAAAAAAJKQ/4lIJ82Ic-5A/IMG_5359_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UL4oppC54A0/V7zexmbdnHI/AAAAAAAAJKU/7buHvmz1lWk/s1600-h/IMG_5360%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5360" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gR07XEBJYOA/V7zex8XQK7I/AAAAAAAAJKY/q0xpnhJdbsM/IMG_5360_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" height="243"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QM5AHnj6kwA/V7zeyp1KshI/AAAAAAAAJKc/zg0dPJHm-Fc/s1600-h/IMG_5365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5365" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5365" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XPOt4igkT6I/V7zezFdHdDI/AAAAAAAAJKg/_JcG0duxRMs/IMG_5365_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hJtvVYgRY2o/V7zez-ZPyhI/AAAAAAAAJKk/jatWx8zOmro/s1600-h/IMG_5366%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5366" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5366" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZAXXvDnJd00/V7ze0Og6AeI/AAAAAAAAJKo/Te2sBVRyv2c/IMG_5366_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bAfRhxQB7w4/V7ze0xhuQ0I/AAAAAAAAJKs/1SkiOa-jMG0/s1600-h/IMG_5367%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5367" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5367" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tOvqf7qNvI4/V7ze1s-7ipI/AAAAAAAAJKw/_qa8U224R0A/IMG_5367_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ww0KwedBqzg/V7ze2ML0IDI/AAAAAAAAJK0/f3h2gbPzxDY/s1600-h/IMG_5368%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5368" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5368" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GZmZ4hiewZE/V7ze22ZBLUI/AAAAAAAAJK4/RXaU_0EIkIg/IMG_5368_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wszvsoxpHGA/V7ze3trREEI/AAAAAAAAJK8/lXQxFXHjz30/s1600-h/IMG_5369%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5369" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5369" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aahGirsX8NQ/V7ze33sFGiI/AAAAAAAAJLA/L4ibR1pAyJI/IMG_5369_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d01AEW8kzu4/V7ze4jz-jdI/AAAAAAAAJLE/tctc8JEDtVA/s1600-h/IMG_5370%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5370" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5370" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z0WtwUfpoy0/V7ze42rlDnI/AAAAAAAAJLI/QZJJ-88CAFE/IMG_5370_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vK7Vu3Az9Us/V7ze5owMpzI/AAAAAAAAJLM/Q2BXKW5QevU/s1600-h/IMG_5371%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5371" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5371" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sKQdJB8EDnQ/V7ze582V1pI/AAAAAAAAJLQ/9On_-mYeS6E/IMG_5371_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-suV-VVBLpqM/V7ze6-pJiXI/AAAAAAAAJLU/MKccpaiz3Zs/s1600-h/IMG_5372%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5372" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5372" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iFeOOi9M7_I/V7ze7XyOZpI/AAAAAAAAJLY/XVlcv708ioQ/IMG_5372_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TFmx4E2EQ0k/V7ze99WHM8I/AAAAAAAAJLc/npou621Diig/s1600-h/IMG_5374%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5374" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5374" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v0TcVswmxik/V7zfYr2ShFI/AAAAAAAAJLk/V9o1Pk8XGnU/IMG_5374_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9d3aW4EHxIM/V7zfZIrqmbI/AAAAAAAAJLo/5qcD56beaPs/s1600-h/IMG_5343%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5343" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5343" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SadIV20YmfQ/V7zfZ5qWTSI/AAAAAAAAJLs/ifKgUzYTAEA/IMG_5343_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mXJ7BD8N2ME/V7zfadRWXJI/AAAAAAAAJLw/ouq4T6jQfgw/s1600-h/sstone%252520plantsFotorCreated%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="sstone plantsFotorCreated" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="sstone plantsFotorCreated" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x0fD0dCIj-M/V7zfa-NnMoI/AAAAAAAAJL0/L0Tt-YtQim0/sstone%252520plantsFotorCreated_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="364"></a></font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zFc59XkZmNA/V7zfbqpLwMI/AAAAAAAAJL4/zjifMCNlKeM/s1600-h/s13FotorCreated%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="s13FotorCreated" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="s13FotorCreated" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dzv30a0RZEA/V7zfcNgOUqI/AAAAAAAAJL8/XaAqaumg0TY/s13FotorCreated_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="364"></a></p> <p><font size="4">We took particular notice of the stone plants with their clever camouflage and the colourful cacti in the dry area of the Flower Dome </font><font size="4">and enjoyed the English garden where nursery- rhyme characters were hiding in the foliage.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8QDZm9YlQ8Y/V7zfcqeK4UI/AAAAAAAAJMA/Hf7X8VLO7NA/s1600-h/s16FotorCreated%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="s16FotorCreated" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="s16FotorCreated" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FJTCxB1VWWM/V7zfdbFMPpI/AAAAAAAAJME/yBINgiA481g/s16FotorCreated_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="364"></a></p> <p><font size="4">I was particularly impressed with the family sculptural group which was so creative.</font><font size="4"> </font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-azmCj_jZ0Hw/V7zfd287aiI/AAAAAAAAJMI/Zn3ArCTjObI/s1600-h/s14FotorCreated%25255B18%25255D.jpg"><img title="s14FotorCreated" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="s14FotorCreated" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7ci5sbBNGFs/V7zfep6NWeI/AAAAAAAAJMM/CEtRjYHjUR8/s14FotorCreated_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="364"></a></p> <p><font size="4">The nearby Cloud Dome with its cool high- altitude forest is a damp experience due to frequent misting. The viewer walks on a metal ramp spiralling upwards to the roof of the dome passing close enough to touch and view rare and beautiful plants beside, above and below. </font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bpv05eyBOw8/V7zffDPl4yI/AAAAAAAAJMQ/jYThKess0fk/s1600-h/IMG_5403%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5403" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5403" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j__r5w7OPos/V7zffo-9-5I/AAAAAAAAJMU/YG08CMo8Jco/IMG_5403_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UdXigtrWWsg/V7zfgfTwBhI/AAAAAAAAJMY/291w2qECmYc/s1600-h/IMG_5405%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5405" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5405" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-opLzBiKkquk/V7zfg4VBhJI/AAAAAAAAJMc/swxlnLJLGt8/IMG_5405_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tX8nVYp77Cc/V7zgFQqv1GI/AAAAAAAAJMk/vi5IK5hgAFA/s1600-h/IMG_5407%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5407" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5407" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OuXUKbeKrhM/V7zgGFXxqoI/AAAAAAAAJMo/DBGHUqiE3u0/IMG_5407_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5siiioU3LYI/V7zgG584VWI/AAAAAAAAJMs/kMftmEtqePU/s1600-h/IMG_5379%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5379" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5379" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kTjEauc5FtE/V7zgHXdewtI/AAAAAAAAJMw/BEfM5tcSqtI/IMG_5379_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fyz75QrxPWY/V7zgH6qsvWI/AAAAAAAAJM0/K_YlDq88Xtw/s1600-h/IMG_5381%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5381" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5381" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yFj7F-ECaTQ/V7zgIXTvl4I/AAAAAAAAJM4/XoSwwMiPbuc/IMG_5381_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FDk7z7Fl44s/V7zgI6iFdwI/AAAAAAAAJM8/J7dPfvp3MC4/s1600-h/IMG_5381%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5381" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5381" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xs-bZe2qwKg/V7zgJZyFwlI/AAAAAAAAJNA/Vy1IDKAJmDY/IMG_5381_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g7R2azEnTQU/V7zgJ2Y76wI/AAAAAAAAJNE/n5f5YJugGUs/s1600-h/IMG_5391%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5391" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5391" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--RNFf_HKdFQ/V7zgKbq281I/AAAAAAAAJNI/n6co-UIFvvs/IMG_5391_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7zgmhDi5bqg/V7zgLPYfq8I/AAAAAAAAJNM/ADnIAHYW0QE/s1600-h/IMG_5394%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5394" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5394" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gfp7JQ3ZxF0/V7zgLvJWDxI/AAAAAAAAJNQ/YxKwhxC524Y/IMG_5394_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NSvsEOauHKM/V7zgMW31OWI/AAAAAAAAJNU/9N7CwXZ-CK0/s1600-h/IMG_5397%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5397" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5397" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z16IbNsXjKs/V7zgMuK3zkI/AAAAAAAAJNY/WngYQV-bMQs/IMG_5397_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><font size="4">The day was very hot as we walked along to Satays By The Bay for a delicious lunch of satays, murtaba and sugarcane juice.</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MA747rwIOW4/V7zgNNTC11I/AAAAAAAAJNc/u3vt_I4zZ6E/s1600-h/IMAG0443%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMAG0443" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMAG0443" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2nIZHCFVNEQ/V7zgNufBuZI/AAAAAAAAJNg/I9qLOLLqyXA/IMAG0443_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="484"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4">After our big day out we joined our hosts, Peter and other colleagues for dinner</font><font size="4"> at Little Vietnam in Paya Lebar.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Monday 9th May.</font></p> <p><font size="4">The scheduled Monday walk was in The </font><font size="4">Chinese Gardens. We met the other walkers at Boon Lay MRT and managed to finish the walk before the heavens opened and we scampered for home.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qu0hbAhiCRg/V7zgORqfX2I/AAAAAAAAJNk/61OQN5ZCpcc/s1600-h/IMG_5418%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5418" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5418" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B52UyFIOg6I/V7zgO0vAe4I/AAAAAAAAJNo/WVI3JVnDVME/IMG_5418_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--g16HG2og8Y/V7zgPhVtciI/AAAAAAAAJNs/sN5P4cvwmuM/s1600-h/IMG_5428%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5428" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5428" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-veYIEufbZSA/V7zgP9bIQbI/AAAAAAAAJNw/cmmyISPqQ3s/IMG_5428_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S_pD095mrtE/V7zgQkggUwI/AAAAAAAAJN0/2FdSPfl88_w/s1600-h/IMG_5435%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5435" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5435" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n99em4g9V58/V7zgRBzQBUI/AAAAAAAAJN4/svXM06kddpE/IMG_5435_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-53Nk1DUt5BE/V7zgRnaHBGI/AAAAAAAAJN8/_ZupPy8o6r4/s1600-h/IMG_5433%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5433" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l9H69xHCRLE/V7zgSBX1MRI/AAAAAAAAJOA/UmsO4RicO9w/IMG_5433_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7CJrv8iRTkY/V7zgS6367KI/AAAAAAAAJOE/ZbgJBCGbSuY/s1600-h/IMG_5438%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5438" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5438" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0h-MErAwFcA/V7zgTdmVFDI/AAAAAAAAJOI/nyhyfp3bnY0/IMG_5438_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qEbAONonmsg/V7zgTwG0D0I/AAAAAAAAJOM/jA7qq6kUKhk/s1600-h/IMG_5440%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5440" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5440" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MFIQOzdtucE/V7zgUTfOkfI/AAAAAAAAJOQ/q-kB5WNGJ9Y/IMG_5440_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g3F7Pa-OMMg/V7zgVCP_tBI/AAAAAAAAJOU/TwDui_E-4KE/s1600-h/IMG_5444%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5444" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5444" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-as32qheaDxo/V7zgVWrHkSI/AAAAAAAAJOc/urvtgJP1Vjo/IMG_5444_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4J2qJGBpXKw/V7zgXLWeXdI/AAAAAAAAJOg/4HGg3hfKOp4/s1600-h/IMG_5431%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5431" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5431" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zOL_a0PHfpM/V7zgXZmkFMI/AAAAAAAAJOk/tGfAjQrNi3E/IMG_5431_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5-T4GUWeZQw/V7zgX_QgI7I/AAAAAAAAJOo/HFTzK1wKpUU/s1600-h/IMG_5451%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5451" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5451" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-soAlm5ufJ2w/V7zgYSDZ3EI/AAAAAAAAJOs/fymkh3wRTUs/IMG_5451_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_SG2W2x87zU/V7zgYzJgeQI/AAAAAAAAJOw/SxXZ_xb4DHo/s1600-h/IMAG0451%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMAG0451" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMAG0451" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N2NlOUyHQuY/V7zgZvjV_aI/AAAAAAAAJO0/BSbTCvEdsBM/IMAG0451_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="140" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-alkqICTj5Wk/V7zgaNaeSdI/AAAAAAAAJO4/Tsxub8mffsU/s1600-h/IMAG0459%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMAG0459" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMAG0459" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3ndht_WI11w/V7zgascoTpI/AAAAAAAAJO8/UsBMTV1Yxqo/IMAG0459_thumb%25255B22%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="140" height="244"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> <font size="4">In the afternoon Libby </font><font size="4">and I had a </font><font size="4">swim while the boys</font><font size="4"> cooked the lamb dinner(we had lugged the leg of lamb all the way from Australia) with 40 cloves which Eric had read about. We enjoyed the food immensely and had a great night.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7Dtcp1VZb60/V7zgbd_BDJI/AAAAAAAAJPA/M6EBXzKDYHM/s1600-h/IMG_5460%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5460" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5460" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VTiiALjSCmU/V7zgbjdvv7I/AAAAAAAAJPE/HPXa9RKwzeY/IMG_5460_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GDmHxOsERj4/V7zgcvOv9GI/AAAAAAAAJPI/bnxq2HpViqw/s1600-h/IMG_5462%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5462" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5462" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SiUFo88TdRQ/V7zgc6hn1OI/AAAAAAAAJPM/fz-AfgoyyRE/IMG_5462_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gGftvnfrjis/V7zgdpn22xI/AAAAAAAAJPQ/ac48Tq_16tc/s1600-h/IMG_5463%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5463" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5463" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DtnTj-X8X2o/V7zgeDq4aLI/AAAAAAAAJPU/dFjw3PwUADk/IMG_5463_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OFK7fGgZr6U/V7zgewR5KqI/AAAAAAAAJPY/D-heSoPPFNA/s1600-h/IMG_5467%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5467" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5467" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oT3FdERr4qY/V7zgfUOc-4I/AAAAAAAAJPc/7Me8muGECUs/IMG_5467_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Tuesday 10th May</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font> </p> <p><font size="4">A short walk from the condo was</font><font size="4"> Prata King on Paya Lebar, where we ate a delicious Indian breakfast of roti and murtaba. Well fortified we then did two legs of The Great Race. This needs explanation!</font></p> <p><font size="4">The great race is a tradition of Morris Allan College which is essentially a treasure hunt. Libby and Eric planned the route it would take and printed the directions for each team. The winning team had to follow directions accurately, fill in details on the form and be the first to finish in order to claim the prize.</font></p> <p><font size="4">We did several legs of the race to check the accuracy of the instructions and loved the back streets and interesting places we discovered as a result, many of them well away from the usual tourist routes.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vGpoyFy3MJU/V7zgfzMXGNI/AAAAAAAAJPg/TfZTqpyG3us/s1600-h/IMG_5474%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5474" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5474" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J32-PEOKG4M/V7zggb2YXcI/AAAAAAAAJPk/ELhwGh_tQxE/IMG_5474_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YWyW4GpmaLc/V7zghNPswlI/AAAAAAAAJPo/iBdSC5Z5qQc/s1600-h/IMG_5477%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5477" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5477" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IfbMPZYtJTM/V7zghSgrH2I/AAAAAAAAJPs/c7IIAs05Qlo/IMG_5477_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lrzbF00n2uI/V7zgiKbz00I/AAAAAAAAJPw/Ugj4nmdSm1o/s1600-h/IMAG0462%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMAG0462" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMAG0462" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ogdoxsnN2vs/V7zgipAaMtI/AAAAAAAAJP0/WgJybnwH1kc/IMAG0462_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="366"></a></p> <p><font size="4">That afternoon we met Libby and Eric and Robert</font><font size="4"> at Sque in Clarke Quay, drank cider and then checked out the nearby handbag shop. Back home we feasted on roast veg soup laced with leftover garlic. Delicious!!</font></p> <p><font size="4">Wednesday 11th may.</font></p> <p><font size="4">This was a momentous day - Libby and Eric’s 37th wedding anniversary. Congratulations to a well-matched and delightful couple we are proud to call good friends!</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rQLrCg8UMMg/V7zgjdpzsWI/AAAAAAAAJP4/6Gw0pS5NSjo/s1600-h/IMAG0467%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMAG0467" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMAG0467" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2Z_ZM5Gd4fw/V7zgjrvx3kI/AAAAAAAAJP8/xopiBseqBDo/IMAG0467_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="140"></a></p> <p><font size="4">Libby and I had a morning swim while the more energetic men walked to Japanese cemetery.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Thursday 12th May</font></p> <p><font size="4">The workers went to work</font><font size="4"> while we went to Kallang Wave Stadium hoping to buy golf shirts but to no avail. We were really impressed with the stadium and the running track outside which seemed available to anyone. The water fun park,( although closed because of the weather), looked like a child’s dream come true. Out on the bay a dragon boat crew was training hard.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DwOKhvGb-Hs/V7zgkVlPf8I/AAAAAAAAJQA/9PvdIB15F_0/s1600-h/IMG_5507%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5507" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5507" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UVsut2-6rhE/V7zgky_sw2I/AAAAAAAAJQE/BfKDIpuPzY0/IMG_5507_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a></p> <p><font size="4">The metro station was very impressive with a very long escalator and athletics related sculpture.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TVuBKHNoo8I/V7zglgZdPOI/AAAAAAAAJQI/bq-99TIqpR4/s1600-h/IMG_5500%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5500" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5500" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/---_t5E8B0io/V7zgl8ssizI/AAAAAAAAJQQ/RANWJDYbqGw/IMG_5500_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HUmKRNnp2GU/V7zgmpFeQCI/AAAAAAAAJQU/OxWpi9HwP0w/s1600-h/IMG_5501%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5501" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5501" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tcRxTP5XRjg/V7zgnH9wsnI/AAAAAAAAJQY/e5nXVQvHbDY/IMG_5501_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rg7AoKAK-tw/V7zgnvHW9XI/AAAAAAAAJQc/B2MhsHVsqbg/s1600-h/IMG_5503%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5503" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5503" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S4vPe8Y0awg/V7zgnwzDsOI/AAAAAAAAJQg/xrugutmCzLE/IMG_5503_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a></p> <p><font size="4">From there we went to Kampong Glam and bought bamboo socks ( $2 a pair) and t-shirts for Glenn in Haji Lane after Robert had told us of the specials there.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JlUy4ngXBH4/V7zgohM7i4I/AAAAAAAAJQk/RJZWUdv8_SY/s1600-h/IMG_5494%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5494" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5494" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fvWemn_GiRo/V7zgpFtXiUI/AAAAAAAAJQo/NU5wf1UXJ6s/IMG_5494_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JHD64W_UBuo/V7zgpscgGBI/AAAAAAAAJQs/QDngF1UvlfM/s1600-h/IMG_5495%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5495" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5495" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L9IvoZrqDTs/V7zgqN35qCI/AAAAAAAAJQw/_A5FE0DqKiM/IMG_5495_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IyvOT11BRWM/V7zgqv7DAPI/AAAAAAAAJQ0/eFCtsKReupY/s1600-h/IMG_5496%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5496" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5496" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JQF08sB9YzE/V7zgrHcc_7I/AAAAAAAAJQ4/9B1uDwEzthc/IMG_5496_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GHiUgQVFX74/V7zgrg2HAgI/AAAAAAAAJQ8/j51q98tyVBw/s1600-h/IMG_5497%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5497" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5497" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cjB_GJKJl_c/V7zgsOHkkpI/AAAAAAAAJRA/jzFeD1lKoxM/IMG_5497_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a></p> <p><font size="4">We ate murtaba (again) at Zam Zams where we waited out a torrential downpour. After a while it eased but we still got wet despite a very handy cheap umbrella!</font></p> <p><font size="4">For dinner we met Libby and Eric at their local hawker stalls and ate the delicious claypot chicken which I’m determined to cook when we get home.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Botanical Gardens.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6Hj3wexVkmM/V7zgs9EHcwI/AAAAAAAAJRE/iKBgZIBdLQk/s1600-h/IMG_5520%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5520" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5520" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VO3pTqrxWDw/V7zgtvada8I/AAAAAAAAJRI/GzXPitW92EA/IMG_5520_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LiIwc8eSI20/V7zguQW-8HI/AAAAAAAAJRM/UjQINCF7l5Y/s1600-h/IMG_5521%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5521" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5521" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9fvi1TJ_cdk/V7zgu_l_eNI/AAAAAAAAJRQ/EUdzu8zgIkQ/IMG_5521_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Lg0yrafGXU8/V7zgvvb0ngI/AAAAAAAAJRU/ZZegKPZhJxY/s1600-h/IMG_5522%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5522" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5522" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y6ATz5mIuXY/V7zgwKG-t5I/AAAAAAAAJRY/F7O_Zv_VaPw/IMG_5522_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jFxXGko81q0/V7zgwzL9clI/AAAAAAAAJRc/1V7Y3293OGk/s1600-h/IMG_5524%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5524" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5524" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BhH0NG1Wslg/V7zgxS-NMMI/AAAAAAAAJRg/foGi_E-32fM/IMG_5524_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c8MJhqIIfDY/V7zgyDkBspI/AAAAAAAAJRk/hNOdguNN6nM/s1600-h/IMG_5525%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5525" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5525" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nvg-d7WhG5U/V7zgykDvuUI/AAAAAAAAJRo/lxL23Jshjjo/IMG_5525_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zJC6VqOOqr4/V7zgzLeOQxI/AAAAAAAAJRs/wmlxTBWLtKo/s1600-h/IMG_5526%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5526" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5526" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MQJauV6glQ4/V7zgzvxZjII/AAAAAAAAJRw/u-UpB2PioGI/IMG_5526_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sEnqA7LzOAk/V7zg0dAYb6I/AAAAAAAAJR0/8sDEbWEbGIc/s1600-h/IMG_5527%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5527" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5527" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FZkk1N4LBAU/V7zg0mYNIQI/AAAAAAAAJR4/HZiRTt5GwAA/IMG_5527_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="311" height="267"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v_okdUkCYk8/V7zg1dTaqXI/AAAAAAAAJR8/IsRPK1XDWfU/s1600-h/IMG_5528%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5528" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5528" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ITfYj1t1d70/V7zg19AwL4I/AAAAAAAAJSA/XRn6qaUp_Bc/IMG_5528_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hz475FjvcRQ/V7zg20n41XI/AAAAAAAAJSE/UBMSBEJapXs/s1600-h/IMG_5530%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5530" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5530" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z-7O-jT9mqU/V7zg3S2IjMI/AAAAAAAAJSI/8K1gAYH2pzo/IMG_5530_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gdpt2DmWRAg/V7zg343UlmI/AAAAAAAAJSM/GMbDkqgPHSs/s1600-h/IMG_5541%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5541" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5541" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-imiIifK-_V0/V7zg4UHeUQI/AAAAAAAAJSQ/K5D8xNqh-QE/IMG_5541_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YcClr0H9b2c/V7zg5Eo9ERI/AAAAAAAAJSU/hSFvsAhCbtA/s1600-h/IMG_5546%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5546" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5546" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j4PPPmV_7KU/V7zg5hqQGZI/AAAAAAAAJSY/wTHvHurvPBc/IMG_5546_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bQur3EGzvsA/V7zg6FhyhBI/AAAAAAAAJSc/8-xn4vVq_aA/s1600-h/IMG_5552%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5552" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5552" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-86ZtUqAf-Wg/V7zg6pV5kWI/AAAAAAAAJSg/OSpX4Ko2LW4/IMG_5552_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><font size="4">Friday 13th</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WU_X4j1OEvM/V7zg7QrADkI/AAAAAAAAJSk/Fe_1uuNicBk/s1600-h/IMG_5556%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5556" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5556" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b91vbrzZ2y4/V7zg7tFbgCI/AAAAAAAAJSo/lJUpg7IEBBc/IMG_5556_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JIQJZb3iwhE/V7zg8WyfSRI/AAAAAAAAJSs/C3vTDme3sMc/s1600-h/IMG_5558%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5558" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5558" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gVRSt5YIwn0/V7zg9FLkXNI/AAAAAAAAJSw/0x0ohrqtliY/IMG_5558_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d_XxxAdxIBg/V7zg9hgy0nI/AAAAAAAAJS0/ybzivr9wdT4/s1600-h/IMG_5559%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5559" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5559" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XHnW9feQHq8/V7zg-GoXYiI/AAAAAAAAJS4/NG05Cix8rRw/IMG_5559_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XboPtM4pYCc/V7zg-1tuu3I/AAAAAAAAJS8/-CjH9GGXDR0/s1600-h/IMG_5562%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5562" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5562" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JotEX7Pmhpg/V7zg_AwP9uI/AAAAAAAAJTA/Tc0iMnYn-GQ/IMG_5562_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oeVnGYMmURg/V7zg_0JVj2I/AAAAAAAAJTE/P8sEo7eURFI/s1600-h/IMG_5563%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5563" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5563" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3ghBqOjbUBg/V7zhAHgqjCI/AAAAAAAAJTI/VKg389nTtaI/IMG_5563_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-drm81VWoqB4/V7zhAh94sKI/AAAAAAAAJTM/BkFw6OhUkgE/s1600-h/IMG_5564%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5564" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5564" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q7g_KV6HpvM/V7zhBJsLRLI/AAAAAAAAJTQ/jjX_LcETRsQ/IMG_5564_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HC-aeyAsMsM/V7zhB5N9fbI/AAAAAAAAJTU/745VrdHSbEU/s1600-h/IMG_5565%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5565" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5565" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xnDpymo7CUU/V7zhCUdyLAI/AAAAAAAAJTY/fQ3Dokz4c5o/IMG_5565_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HG_lTY_To_Q/V7zhCyG09jI/AAAAAAAAJTc/DqvJI53H0xA/s1600-h/IMG_5566%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5566" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5566" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HPUFG2qsC7M/V7zhDVPJ6WI/AAAAAAAAJTg/PvDTP6XYbqE/IMG_5566_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><font size="4">In the morning we went to see the Annie Leibovitz Women: New Portraits exhibition at Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. The impressive building was the main passenger station for passengers traveling between Singapore and Malaysia for 79 years but has only recently been open to the public again. The entrance is striking and features towering statues named Agriculture, Commerce, Transport and Industry, representing four sectors of the Malayan colonial economy. Inside the soaring main hall are six murals made from rubber tiles depicting economic activities such as tin-mining and rubber production.The scale of the interior space physically overwhelmed the small exhibition but not the powerful images. </font></p> <p><font size="4"></font> </p> <p><font size="4">After the exhibition we went to look at nearby street murals and then had lunch before the workers needed to leave.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NYeB3fLuiJ0/V7zhD2QGWoI/AAAAAAAAJTk/azw3AzPYqKg/s1600-h/IMG_5570%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5570" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5570" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KKwKFi_6rpY/V7zhEdjFOxI/AAAAAAAAJTo/Fv3PHGKX7qE/IMG_5570_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r_BNnQAMuYs/V7zhEy-K_tI/AAAAAAAAJTs/i0scLcuT9bI/s1600-h/IMG_5581%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5581" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5581" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_szSJeflaY8/V7zhFYoRq_I/AAAAAAAAJTw/ibcDVrkvXZI/IMG_5581_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7IoPMbqHMOc/V7zhF_dreKI/AAAAAAAAJT0/4s--e3h0Yck/s1600-h/IMG_5569%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5569" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5569" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TbFGJl2LWF4/V7zhGXEpMZI/AAAAAAAAJT4/oeRWaf57V7c/IMG_5569_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AtTWrQSfLcM/V7zhGwmHUUI/AAAAAAAAJT8/2c-Ghzz7YVQ/s1600-h/IMG_5571%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5571" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5571" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IEfKry3neew/V7zhHQjhKJI/AAAAAAAAJUA/TcoKa0b_zqc/IMG_5571_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4">Saturday 14th</font></p> <p><font size="4">A lazy day at home while I tried to shake a tummy bug and then a light meal at KOVAN.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Sunday 15th.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Another day at home for me while Glenn walked another leg of the Great Race. Despite Libby and Eric’s thorough research some art works which they had included were not to be found. Back to the drawing board!</font></p> <p><font size="4">That night Peter came to help with the re-working of Mr Bojangles, a special birthday song (called JOJOBangles) for Joe’s bday dinner which I missed due to a gastric bug.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Monday 16</font></p> <p><font size="4">The walk today was from Paya Lebar to Katong through the very interesting Joo Chiat district which has many beautiful buildings and Peranakan shops.</font></p> <p><font size="4">We started with a circuit of the Geylang Serai Market, and I wish I could bottle the sounds, sights, smells and industry of the people and reproduce it here. Wonderful fresh food like these bananas which are actually Plantains!</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sdfxl649Jn0/V7zhH7oQPRI/AAAAAAAAJUE/iaRj45uE-3I/s1600-h/IMG_5598%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5598" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5598" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c95t0PGgjK4/V7zhIX1uRhI/AAAAAAAAJUI/32AY20Ir_ME/IMG_5598_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rPEVreuT4GE/V7zhJO8wBzI/AAAAAAAAJUM/80iG2TSUOqI/s1600-h/IMG_5600%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5600" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5600" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oDPvl8VimDM/V7zhJY-im5I/AAAAAAAAJUQ/3DLWwCNGFTc/IMG_5600_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w7kzoE5UWWQ/V7zhJ1cRJRI/AAAAAAAAJUU/3RDyFjJSqwY/s1600-h/IMG_5601%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5601" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5601" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ezmB-WPUblI/V7zhKZPb-AI/AAAAAAAAJUY/iboEWHRL57A/IMG_5601_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zLrk8LgayRY/V7zhLN44JRI/AAAAAAAAJUc/i4FN60Nu_MA/s1600-h/IMG_5588%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5588" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5588" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JU8REyaRJ9I/V7zhLvaCK5I/AAAAAAAAJUg/VaMvDjKmQmc/IMG_5588_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i01yP6gKB4I/V7zhMJqxzNI/AAAAAAAAJUk/6aLSEBAsdYo/s1600-h/IMG_5589%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5589" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5589" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-djyZ7ok0LXg/V7zhMjJoQvI/AAAAAAAAJUo/67mmB6l8IQc/IMG_5589_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FvUYuoIk4_E/V7zhNLtWPbI/AAAAAAAAJUs/G0fHjA95jg4/s1600-h/IMG_5590%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5590" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5590" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2JC07Drndbg/V7zhN57vzMI/AAAAAAAAJUw/l_OpXufQBFE/IMG_5590_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GIrMuOB17K0/V7zhOXArbsI/AAAAAAAAJU0/Kpnad5uV9aE/s1600-h/IMG_5591%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5591" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5591" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V9zCIuVsS-E/V7zhO5BmgeI/AAAAAAAAJU4/1koA4CxwL5Q/IMG_5591_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JxJmJrFDQ84/V7zhPQzTCSI/AAAAAAAAJU8/DxaGct-hF_0/s1600-h/IMG_5592%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5592" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5592" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y_spcAEC9zM/V7zhP9Y5c3I/AAAAAAAAJVA/WEtQEIErxhg/IMG_5592_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yndgd0lmVFU/V7zhQRqgCYI/AAAAAAAAJVE/ZFYT8Od2rtQ/s1600-h/IMG_5593%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5593" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5593" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oMmlnAaSPSQ/V7zhQ5hCcMI/AAAAAAAAJVI/b0Co4pqZo9c/IMG_5593_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p><font size="4">We walked slowly, with much stopping and chattering, admiring the unique pre-war architecture. Most of the colourful two-storey shophouses and terraces, with their ornate facades, intricate motifs and ceramic tiles, have been lovingly renovated.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pLyfuY9NsCY/V7zhRaNmiiI/AAAAAAAAJVM/N9ey2fHyDqI/s1600-h/IMAG0478%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMAG0478" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMAG0478" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--zKxlBfgCCk/V7zhRpISH2I/AAAAAAAAJVQ/eUyBACoaJiw/IMAG0478_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="140" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kX_zPTh7BIs/V7zhSPngc3I/AAAAAAAAJVU/HHrdho0gSJk/s1600-h/IMAG0480%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMAG0480" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMAG0480" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k5d81pq3Gaw/V7zhSnZ47PI/AAAAAAAAJVY/Jp1BaoiXY0Q/IMAG0480_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="140" height="244"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2lhblEUyo7o/V7zhTE3zE1I/AAAAAAAAJVc/B56MmYpBKWE/s1600-h/IMG_5583%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5583" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5583" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZsXdbYMTdeI/V7zhTgbWMUI/AAAAAAAAJVg/ig4uCD3oUwo/IMG_5583_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-de8EoFGCE4w/V7zhUHr1IRI/AAAAAAAAJVk/2S5psYah05Y/s1600-h/IMG_5609%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5609" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5609" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yKWVrKksuGw/V7zhUtRI9xI/AAAAAAAAJVo/i0LVV_CQ190/IMG_5609_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7tnboixB3Kc/V7zhVKns2jI/AAAAAAAAJVs/CiL6MdSlX20/s1600-h/IMG_5613%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5613" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5613" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i9caVbhWqjM/V7zhVyGOypI/AAAAAAAAJVw/4YLtUHeiYg4/IMG_5613_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rG6523mGEXs/V7zhWZhymuI/AAAAAAAAJV0/W74wxi6YFJk/s1600-h/IMG_5617%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5617" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5617" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z1lpZ0OgXG0/V7zhWhO_NII/AAAAAAAAJV4/ocgKUkAEHhI/IMG_5617_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OacXWeytNsc/V7zhXT8xUNI/AAAAAAAAJV8/nYwpM5Az068/s1600-h/IMG_5618%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5618" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5618" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XACWUfvprBI/V7zhX3zK6EI/AAAAAAAAJWA/1XVNF_YmU0M/IMG_5618_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eFGH3IR6PX8/V7zhYVHBNDI/AAAAAAAAJWE/OAP4mWzYm9s/s1600-h/IMG_5619%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5619" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5619" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qo5a64JUJ3I/V7zhY2sL7AI/AAAAAAAAJWI/NlKlWi0JUZg/IMG_5619_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PqBUHt6E4ME/V7zhZTMOC0I/AAAAAAAAJWM/CGT_3uYGfCM/s1600-h/IMG_5584%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5584" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5584" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Wdu9uX-UbV8/V7zhZ3N9b9I/AAAAAAAAJWQ/aMWNeQT-ops/IMG_5584_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uIu9ZGgzy0Y/V7zhaYwB-VI/AAAAAAAAJWU/adoJFEPUulc/s1600-h/IMG_5603%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5603" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5603" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_nPxMQtTmwI/V7zhazB58jI/AAAAAAAAJWY/evjd3fep7hA/IMG_5603_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S1qAlOp4fgw/V7zhbZH-JMI/AAAAAAAAJWc/HhyPEaKERk4/s1600-h/IMG_5604%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5604" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5604" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-627S29aYr9k/V7zhb1v1zDI/AAAAAAAAJWg/mZc7w1xTReI/IMG_5604_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c0lHNuSlpdY/V7zhcV9S_II/AAAAAAAAJWk/nzxeHUaC0Ak/s1600-h/IMG_5606%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5606" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5606" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TTzQpv5FTak/V7zhc1W026I/AAAAAAAAJWo/cEZmEW-vI6Q/IMG_5606_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><font size="4">Lib and Eric were particularly happy to find Chiang Pow Joss-Paper Trading open so we could see the colourful funerary products spilling out onto the sidewalk. There were, all the material trappings of a good life replicated in paper and stripped bamboo, ready to accompany the deceased person to the next life. Inside the shop were bicycles, cars and planes and entire miniature houses in bright colours. Fascinating!</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font> </p> <p><font size="4"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cF9iR8wlCH4/V7zhdYoIO3I/AAAAAAAAJWs/0zxrvjh8GsE/s1600-h/IMG_5622%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5622" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5622" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kEcudPUJkn0/V7zheKLOt2I/AAAAAAAAJWw/39iv0X4fd8g/IMG_5622_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-grXrNCpvBU8/V7zhe9soL1I/AAAAAAAAJW0/VfsCicZn4a0/s1600-h/IMG_5623%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5623" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5623" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ItV_zI2qDa8/V7zhfVJ-28I/AAAAAAAAJW4/_-k8GQ3pR4s/IMG_5623_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E17zoQQeBeI/V7zhgKf2HkI/AAAAAAAAJW8/oNsW2xCLYhs/s1600-h/IMG_5624%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5624" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5624" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zYj7zZCAK_w/V7zhgcu98tI/AAAAAAAAJXA/2lSQetLMZu0/IMG_5624_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OhwKRihUA5c/V7zhhbQk3CI/AAAAAAAAJXE/dCPLiSsKNiA/s1600-h/IMG_5626%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5626" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5626" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-co5ZZcVBJQg/V7zhiBxsv5I/AAAAAAAAJXI/IVX5yW2qLn8/IMG_5626_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1d1mBaV2S9c/V7zhivc-OZI/AAAAAAAAJXM/dg3si0WxlrY/s1600-h/IMG_5627%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5627" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5627" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DilwMsO88UI/V7zhjWWmijI/AAAAAAAAJXQ/rfu8whseHwo/IMG_5627_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fxFVOPhU5TY/V7zhkHs_YcI/AAAAAAAAJXU/J8RITVyaBM4/s1600-h/IMG_5628%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5628" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5628" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xGvwqaXHZyU/V7zhkm1JbnI/AAAAAAAAJXY/7j5UAO-oYWU/IMG_5628_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pSBRBz0-hkQ/V7zhlOtoOyI/AAAAAAAAJXc/eiZcfAr5Z50/s1600-h/IMG_5629%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5629" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5629" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OYvg3AVquG4/V7zhlqG9g_I/AAAAAAAAJXg/_HG0TUbiRqU/IMG_5629_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nnq5E1I361k/V7zhmncU3fI/AAAAAAAAJXk/DUjWXm90JrE/s1600-h/IMG_5630%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5630" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5630" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iUkXMd78tT4/V7zhm_dsKoI/AAAAAAAAJXo/U3YKgrzjSGY/IMG_5630_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4">That night Eric and Glenn celebrated Jo’s birthday with other colleagues, at Blu Jazz in Bugis but Libby and I stayed home nursing our ailments. We dined on poached egg on toast, settled our stomachs with a nice glass of red and talked and talked. The boys were very late home and I worried that Eric had led Glenn astray, trolling through the underbelly of Singapore. Not so!! They had gone to visit the wine fairy in her three-storey cellar at Park View Square.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Tuesday 17</font></p> <p><font size="4">After a slow start we went to the Art Science Museum at Marina Bay Sands to see the Van Cleef and Arpels Exhibition which explored the relationship between the science of gems and the art of fine jewellery. The collection included more than 450 pieces of jewellery along with more than 250 gems and minerals from the French Natural History Museum. The pieces have adorned the necklines of Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Grace, Princess Faiza of Egypt, the wives of Indian Maharajas and the Duchess of Windsor to name just a few. </font><font size="4">Ohhh!… did we drool over those precious gems!!</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SsC68MD5be0/V7zhnjzRHiI/AAAAAAAAJXs/426a_4w0rJY/s1600-h/IMG_5668%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5668" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5668" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5HanQS5ITN4/V7zhoHCx1FI/AAAAAAAAJXw/eZe_9_XfDbU/IMG_5668_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4">We walked back along the promenade admiring the structures above us and the patterns of light and shade they created against the sky and on the pavement. </font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s32NuwWZMO4/V7zhooZEEHI/AAAAAAAAJX0/CGaEc5x74RM/s1600-h/IMAG0525%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMAG0525" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMAG0525" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GGk0btx2r3E/V7zhpRqT55I/AAAAAAAAJX4/DeYAWNG71Co/IMAG0525_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="140"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z0kdFVreXyA/V7zhp89sMYI/AAAAAAAAJX8/JoqBRhwdRjY/s1600-h/IMAG0527%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMAG0527" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMAG0527" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NuJucy8DSkM/V7zhqE7C0fI/AAAAAAAAJYA/qObYGHN8NKc/IMAG0527_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="140" height="244"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4">We had a cool drink, admired the waterlillies and enjoyed the evening breeze off the water.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9i37AAJvkUI/V7zhq9tHfXI/AAAAAAAAJYE/TB1MkwtuKqs/s1600-h/IMG_5654%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5654" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5654" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-56SWQHtC6jI/V7zhrByoUcI/AAAAAAAAJYI/IK8jjFHdSFA/IMG_5654_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r3m08bNcHRA/V7zhsDUR16I/AAAAAAAAJYM/0ZTqGNteaqU/s1600-h/IMG_5656%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5656" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5656" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OKLyQx1pfKM/V7zhsYoC8yI/AAAAAAAAJYQ/it89Bey8YOw/IMG_5656_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D7s_-yRMlCk/V7zhs8vMvVI/AAAAAAAAJYU/TZ6wDNdumoo/s1600-h/IMG_5657%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5657" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5657" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dtx3gAy3a60/V7zhtVJXXfI/AAAAAAAAJYY/0lE5Q3qQ-2Y/IMG_5657_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c4-W2fL-_Q0/V7zhuEHCIbI/AAAAAAAAJYc/JO5fU8QxzOI/s1600-h/IMG_5658%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5658" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5658" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7_QFyx4z1bk/V7zhuqibrVI/AAAAAAAAJYg/PKxhZqJEcPY/IMG_5658_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rqi6OFmraK4/V7zhvALcxbI/AAAAAAAAJYk/3qmmPSGaFZ8/s1600-h/IMG_5660%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5660" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5660" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RPTemjnwv5M/V7zhvtpuyKI/AAAAAAAAJYo/3qLuYbax34A/IMG_5660_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sunFPpezidw/V7zhwMxayaI/AAAAAAAAJYs/D4YS5gktYAE/s1600-h/IMG_5662%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5662" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5662" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cSieW6-MQH0/V7zhwdRNO3I/AAAAAAAAJYw/DDFNs8oOKHs/IMG_5662_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aPlEpO78kpo/V7zhxPn4EdI/AAAAAAAAJY4/hDrPOa_tpTc/s1600-h/IMG_5663%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5663" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5663" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xW3B5i7P130/V7zhxwHdiUI/AAAAAAAAJY8/vX5-U13HUZw/IMG_5663_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rfRvFSY-Uho/V7zhyrkr_pI/AAAAAAAAJZA/uAXZI7lqxgg/s1600-h/IMG_5664%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5664" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5664" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IHCVY5-sPQ0/V7zhzFMMH3I/AAAAAAAAJZE/qTUPwTlnvRE/IMG_5664_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a></p> <p><font size="4">Then we took a train to Ang Mo Kio and a taxi to the Zoo. W</font><font size="4">e had bought online tickets for the 7:30 pm start and were surprised by the crowd shuffling slowly towards the entrance, many people carrying hot, tired children. </font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MXnqs-qOXz4/V7zhzkEAhDI/AAAAAAAAJZI/QF1tXR440eg/s1600-h/IMG_5678%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5678" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5678" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Oa0Ftv-3m3Y/V7zh0BXgqLI/AAAAAAAAJZM/TerEHFIc5Rc/IMG_5678_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7XLiF1l4Trk/V7zh0yZQMQI/AAAAAAAAJZQ/sR7uQf8cHwg/s1600-h/IMG_5680%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5680" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5680" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_yIlYFnnldM/V7zh1YV8BjI/AAAAAAAAJZU/pYURLT8VvIA/IMG_5680_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UMvYdUtWs08/V7zh10LmtYI/AAAAAAAAJZY/SPQLIaNetmw/s1600-h/IMG_5681%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5681" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5681" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HlxYE7bQM1M/V7zh2WyOaaI/AAAAAAAAJZc/aE6bNoBgBO4/IMG_5681_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p><font size="4">Eventually we were on the tram moving quietly on rubber tyres through the warm darkness, very close to nocturnal animals which seemed unaware of our presence. Midway through we got off and walked through enclosures with lapwings and fruit bats, past lions and leopards. At the end we collapsed into a (cheap) taxi and went home.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Wednesday 18</font></p> <p><font size="4">My visit to the zoo last night which included hasty visits to all the loos, at least once, prompted me to go to Libby’s doctor this morning. I joined the queue and waited at least an hour, had a swift consultation and was soon walking home. The experience was interesting because the medication was dispensed on the premises and the entire cost was $S35 which I thought very inexpensive especially as I was a ‘foreigner’.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Back home the aroma of beef rendang wafted through the house … and beyond.. and I taught Lib our terrific 2-handed Australian Rummy card game which we play a lot in the caravan and at airports waiting for flights. We compared the differing rules we use for mahjong: dad taught me three handed navy rules while Lib plays the 13 tile Cantonese game… a four handed game which is probably more social.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Lib and Eric back at work today so we took ourselves off the the URA centre and looked at a diorama of the city and lots of architecture students’ models and some interesting furniture.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2CUlqpnIDr8/V7zh3OfaFhI/AAAAAAAAJZg/IoRAdq9-dic/s1600-h/IMG_5688%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5688" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5688" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3ZqW5MachXo/V7zh3RsnFhI/AAAAAAAAJZk/TZvwBhxgb98/IMG_5688_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zUY6dlEncOk/V7zh4AKQU7I/AAAAAAAAJZo/gEUmzmxwYgQ/s1600-h/IMG_5691%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5691" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5691" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ma4Rhfws3QA/V7zh47VYM8I/AAAAAAAAJZs/7XPMxJqneLM/IMG_5691_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7BCoO25gukk/V7zh5gGVo7I/AAAAAAAAJZw/Ipr0BVA0Muk/s1600-h/IMG_5693%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5693" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5693" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eEy8iRuc4FM/V7zh6cMPpzI/AAAAAAAAJZ0/6XzRIIgZ8tA/IMG_5693_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4">We trolled through some of the backstreets of Chinatown</font> <font size="4">and into a big department store but it was hot and we were very weary. I think the fast pace had just caught up with us! </font></p> <p><font size="4">Glenn took me to see the wine fairy at Park View Square and we sat in the cool, massive interior and ordered a cold beer. The sheer size and opulence of the bar was amazing and the spectacle of the wine fairy being hoisted ten storeys high up the face of the vertical wine cellar, then selecting the desired bottle before descending, beggars belief!!</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vAlp1zPq6MI/V7zh6qIl08I/AAAAAAAAJZ4/R9aQazCmp6A/s1600-h/IMAG0548%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMAG0548" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMAG0548" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eJm3qhUOskc/V7zh7O2ImEI/AAAAAAAAJZ8/-NEKybAR6_A/IMAG0548_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="484"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1V3kEeirFxQ/V7zh78IGIfI/AAAAAAAAJaA/P8GHB5dikrY/s1600-h/IMG_5712%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5712" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5712" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GOUKsUSAZNo/V7zh8qA_qpI/AAAAAAAAJaE/4flrwzvit_s/IMG_5712_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7xxW167dfc0/V7zh9A0wMBI/AAAAAAAAJaI/vcKyDvxXfmw/s1600-h/IMG_5718%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5718" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5718" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4_qLrgxUmMQ/V7zh9_YFUnI/AAAAAAAAJaM/kCwi-X8F2Ps/IMG_5718_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_EcCNndSlwQ/V7zh-Us7nvI/AAAAAAAAJaQ/dtnCrRlMIHU/s1600-h/IMG_5719%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5719" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5719" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wGFBeJiMufg/V7zh-61TBoI/AAAAAAAAJaU/xs0JvfSj8vE/IMG_5719_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aL9JdPTWbM8/V7zh_PtHKgI/AAAAAAAAJaY/RTxHVDs--XY/s1600-h/IMG_5722%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5722" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5722" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1YURTasEPzo/V7zh_ieMKBI/AAAAAAAAJac/Ato5v5EDLmU/IMG_5722_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a></p> <p><font size="4">We made it home just before the workers and sat down to a delicious, fragrant rendang. </font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ljR9XRWE9AI/V7ziAKgOppI/AAAAAAAAJag/bzZCilheRT4/s1600-h/IMG_5594%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5594" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5594" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nPTNgN9OPXY/V7ziAopV04I/AAAAAAAAJak/FSErhnRnniY/IMG_5594_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oxzKIPgMhL8/V7ziBA6u0zI/AAAAAAAAJao/d_p3pRsxXkE/s1600-h/IMG_5595%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5595" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5595" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OHfNhGY2v70/V7ziBhTu8QI/AAAAAAAAJas/wgRBRXuP58g/IMG_5595_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iAbb8Ya2Aag/V7ziCHaNqaI/AAAAAAAAJaw/95eUNG1nzgA/s1600-h/IMG_5596%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5596" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5596" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WHbrE_sgJYM/V7ziCy4HfYI/AAAAAAAAJa0/bW6qhW3pdsk/IMG_5596_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p><font size="4">Thursday 19</font></p> <p><font size="4">The boys went shopping again in the morning of our last day together. Glenn came home with new joggers and Eric with shorts. Lib and I played cards and she beat me at my own game!!</font></p> <p><font size="4">We decided we needed to re-visit the legendary Raffles before our departure so off we went on the train to City Hall and found ourselves in the Long Bar. The boys had beers, Libby a gin and tonic and I had a Singapore Sling for the first time. We ate the small delicious peanuts out of a hessian bag and threw the shells on the floor as tradition demands.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CFvzoRfzIuY/V7ziDgy20FI/AAAAAAAAJa4/SZuGV38sUHY/s1600-h/IMAG0551%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMAG0551" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMAG0551" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tWkNFbffaJw/V7ziELwi8xI/AAAAAAAAJa8/U2M5nWmswDo/IMAG0551_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="366"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f2xHkfDdH2o/V7ziERcOjbI/AAAAAAAAJbA/LPfEfWwUvrI/s1600-h/IMAG0553%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMAG0553" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMAG0553" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PjHp5mmO0No/V7ziFKszgHI/AAAAAAAAJbI/K15QMlQIo-U/IMAG0553_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="140" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JxRC6wjsjjI/V7ziFjOLo3I/AAAAAAAAJbM/s7OkCKUMxPM/s1600-h/IMAG0558%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMAG0558" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMAG0558" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xIVtSI8jUz4/V7ziGOEpC6I/AAAAAAAAJbQ/k4lMlqLg1s8/IMAG0558_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="140" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J-7EuocjIco/V7ziGt8zJ8I/AAAAAAAAJbU/Z2EEGRTrgVg/s1600-h/IMAG0559%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMAG0559" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMAG0559" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7nC_6lt36nQ/V7ziHNo2yQI/AAAAAAAAJbY/qtHgALja-eM/IMAG0559_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="140" height="244"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LyhR0LG_qg8/V7ziHXvkk_I/AAAAAAAAJbc/UbxQ1o_V5TA/s1600-h/IMAG0561%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMAG0561" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMAG0561" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r1kE_RNUPwQ/V7ziH7mOZMI/AAAAAAAAJbg/kgE7ZADudzM/IMAG0561_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="140" height="244"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XHz-MZWOXZ4/V7ziIXtF2yI/AAAAAAAAJbk/_CNa2kndcrs/s1600-h/IMAG0563%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMAG0563" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMAG0563" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tEqeet5pK-g/V7ziI062Q3I/AAAAAAAAJbo/_FafCtR0l-Y/IMAG0563_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="140"></a></p> <p><font size="4">The Singapore Sling was created in 1915 at Raffles Singapore by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon. At this time etiquette dictated that ladies could not consume alcohol in public so the talented Ngiam created a cocktail that looked like fruit juice. He cleverly masked the clear alcohol in pink to add a feminine touch and lead people to believe it was a socially acceptable punch for ladies!</font></p> <p><font size="4">I can personally vouch for for its suitability. At $S35 each, one was enough.</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yoDAdDhp73o/V7ziJtAUz6I/AAAAAAAAJbs/d5vBvOg_xvs/s1600-h/IMG_5699%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5699" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5699" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dQXClBZL6Y8/V7ziKAsICtI/AAAAAAAAJbw/xd1H8uxPayU/IMG_5699_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q79og7s5Bi4/V7ziK08lyfI/AAAAAAAAJb0/ujy1qYKtZUw/s1600-h/IMG_5700%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5700" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5700" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_xNVy2eelWE/V7ziLcD6EpI/AAAAAAAAJb4/4xq7qIv5abM/IMG_5700_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fQdaQcszz3M/V7ziMI0BeGI/AAAAAAAAJb8/InM-ANWAjJA/s1600-h/IMG_5701%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5701" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5701" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hR9YZ8f8LJg/V7ziMv--WeI/AAAAAAAAJcA/DeelbowvmRA/IMG_5701_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p><font size="4">We had a quick lunch together in the Marketplace under Raffles city and Lib and Eric went to work. We poked around for a while and then headed home to pack. We joined Peter, Lib and Eric for our last meal together at the local hawker across the road, and then called a taxi and left for the airport for our 1.45am flight home.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Libby and Eric were once again the most generous and loving friends and we treasure them.</font></p> <p><font size="4">I also have to thank you Libby for giving me permission to take great chunks of your blog and make it my own after I managed to wipe the entire tale of our visit off my ipad with one obliterating swipe of the screen!</font></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4"></font> </p> <p><font size="4"></font> </p> <p><font size="4"></font> </p> <p><font size="4"></font></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-18319051667536718722014-09-02T07:42:00.001-07:002014-09-02T07:42:13.655-07:00WARIALDA - INVERELL - GLEN INNES 21.8.14<p>We drove to Warialda and wandered the streets of the lovely town looking at the wonderful old buildings. The lady in the information centre loaded us up with local attractions as well as local pecans. They were available in tasty varieties like honey and ginger, chilli and several others.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7O7SHCpNxZ4/VAXWNgfVTJI/AAAAAAAAE9Q/XS3Rmp_8Sl0/s1024/2014%2525201%25253A54%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7O7SHCpNxZ4/VAXWNgfVTJI/AAAAAAAAE9Q/XS3Rmp_8Sl0/s500/2014%2525201%25253A54%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1409668931331.9658" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">From there we went to Cranky Rock, so called because of a cranky Chinaman who supposedly jumped off and drowned in the creek below in an effort to escape police. He was wanted for attacking a woman. The walk crossed the creek on a suspended bridge.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lbiIo0Fzbus/VAXWSYesMeI/AAAAAAAAE9Y/xU1FEToPlTU/s1024/2014%2525203%25253A30%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lbiIo0Fzbus/VAXWSYesMeI/AAAAAAAAE9Y/xU1FEToPlTU/s500/2014%2525203%25253A30%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1409668931270.516" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Then it was an easy walk to the lookout at the top of the rock where the view was wonderful. We sat for a long time and internalised the stillness and sense of timelessness of the place.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7doAsYbjYeU/VAXWV1EvsAI/AAAAAAAAE9g/SHgJZL27gFk/s1024/2014%2525203%25253A36%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7doAsYbjYeU/VAXWV1EvsAI/AAAAAAAAE9g/SHgJZL27gFk/s500/2014%2525203%25253A36%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1409668931265.3662" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Kwr45Sy4uec/VAXWaCTbydI/AAAAAAAAE9o/xgjYf4hcc34/s1024/2014%2525203%25253A36%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Kwr45Sy4uec/VAXWaCTbydI/AAAAAAAAE9o/xgjYf4hcc34/s500/2014%2525203%25253A36%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1409668931322.384" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Vt5hIIUBze0/VAXWidiPe1I/AAAAAAAAE94/0DabT-iG1VU/s1024/2014%2525203%25253A49%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Vt5hIIUBze0/VAXWidiPe1I/AAAAAAAAE94/0DabT-iG1VU/s500/2014%2525203%25253A49%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1409668931264.124" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VlecYOcdzUc/VAXWl5zFxkI/AAAAAAAAE-A/HvhGYUIxhfY/s1024/2014%2525203%25253A50%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VlecYOcdzUc/VAXWl5zFxkI/AAAAAAAAE-A/HvhGYUIxhfY/s500/2014%2525203%25253A50%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1409668931275.9712" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Our reptilian local.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BiOgoOjXbhg/VAXWp_F1sAI/AAAAAAAAE-I/afOG24MOST8/s1024/2014%2525204%25253A05%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BiOgoOjXbhg/VAXWp_F1sAI/AAAAAAAAE-I/afOG24MOST8/s500/2014%2525204%25253A05%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1409668931345.1516" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> Inverell was a delightful town with beautiful old buildings and a welcoming feel to it. We had lunch in the bakery, had some retail therapy in a wonderful gift shop and St Vinnies and then walked the streets in the sunshine. At the information centre the woman told us about Fraser Creek fossicking area and how to find it and we found a beautiful spot above the creek where we dug again for the elusive sapphires!</div>
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<p>At Glen INNES, the lady at the tourist office was a fund of information and steered us to the Railway Hotel where the counter lunch was delicious. We ate in front of an open fire in a restaurant which was full of people. Obviously, the place to be!</p>
<p>We did some fossicking on the creek at Glencoe without success. It was bitterly cold as well, so we packed up and went into town.</p>
<p>The publican of the Red Lion offered us space in his yard beside the pub with showers and toilets which was generous of him. We had a few drinks, a very good dinner, and watched Parramatta beat the pants off Manly! We met some of the locals too, including a young guy who does fossicking tours. He showed us a lot of gem stones he'd found and gave us his card for future reference. It's too cold here to be fossicking at this time of the year and you need sunshine as well.</p>
<p>Walcha was our next town. There were a lot of wonderful woodcarvings around the town, particularly totem pole sculptures. Also, a home on the Uralla side of town with wood-shingled roofing which is a rare sight.</p>
<p>The countryside is lovely with areas of lush green, and many small creeks. The skies are leaden and heavy with rain but it is mostly dry.</p>
<p>Our last night before reaching home was spent beside the Manning River at Bretti Reserve, about 40 Kms north of Gloucester. Nanette and I walked along the river bank where a few others were camped. It was an ideal place, with green grass, flat ground and fresh water suitable for swimming. We cooked a pot roast lamb dinner on the fire despite light rain.</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">The following day we drove through the magnificent Hunter Valley to Dungog, lunched with friends Dorothy and Barry, collected my textiles which had been on exhibition in Dungog, and headed for home after another great Aussie trip with family members for company. How lucky are we!</div>
<p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-22095497604081467682014-09-02T06:39:00.001-07:002014-09-02T06:39:27.372-07:00CARNARVON GORGE 14.8.14.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">We booked into Takarakka Resort campground and set up in the afternoon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Lots of busy hands had picked up the needles and wool available for any interested knitter on the deck at the office and produced the colourful wrapping on the trees. It looked beautiful.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">We found Carnarvon Gorge much as it had been on our last visit about twelve years ago, except that the first part of the gorge track had been destroyed by flood water and then rebuilt on higher ground. That meant the track was not along the creek and as a result, it was not as pretty.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">On the first day we walked a short distance along the main track and then along the nature walk before dark.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">On the second day we tackled the long walk out to the Cathedral Gorge in overcast weather which worsened as the day wore on. The walking was lovely in the cool morning weather and the plants beautiful.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">We did about twelve creek crossings each way, mostly without mishap!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Glenn thought this burl looked lake a dugong and the one below reminded him of a turtle.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Raining now.... Gently at first. Then the raincoats were called into service!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Cathedral Gorge</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Art gallery.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Pouring now!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">The following day we had cranky knees due to the cold and wet of the day before, and it was pouring all day so there was no walking until the next day when we went to the Moss Garden .... A cool green beautiful oasis with a waterfall.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Loo with a view!</div>
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<p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-66737102188414349962014-08-19T04:50:00.001-07:002014-08-19T15:02:53.576-07:00 Carnarvon Gorge - Roma - Moree <p>We left Takarakka campground at Carnarvon Gorge after Nanette's washing dried enough to fold up. We passed through Injune and free-camped off road in a huge truck stop, well off the road with others dotted about us. We lit a fire and enjoyed cooking and eating under the stars.</p>
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<p>Next morning was a short drive to Roma where we refuelled and did some grocery shopping. Then onto Surat where Ken's brother Peter used to live. At St. George we stayed at the Top Tourist C'van park, because there were no signs to the Beardmore Dam where we planned to camp.<br>
</p>
<p>We crossed the border into NSW at Mungindi and had lunch at Garah. There, we had a change of plans and will now follow the Gwdyr Hwy to the New England Plateau after Moree instead of continuing south to Narrabri.</p>
<p>On the Moree Plains, we passed open irrigation channels and fields of broad acre farming of cotton and wheat. There were enormous storage sheds along the way and herds of cattle grazing the 'long paddock'. As we drove, pieces of blown cotton scrim were snagged on dry grasses and the skies were heavy with rain clouds which met the land as it disappeared over the horizon.</p>
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<p> At Moree we slipped our bodies into the wonderful warmth of the hot spring baths. They have a large complex with three outdoor, covered pools, one of which is Olympic sized, with others inside the building. It's a terrific resource for the local people and obviously well patronised.</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">After leaving Moree we drove to Gravesend, just before Warialda and camped on the town recreation area. </div>
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<p> </p>
<p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-19311934477654152672014-08-19T01:56:00.001-07:002014-08-19T01:56:42.261-07:00Willows gemfields to Carnarvon gorge. 13.8.14<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vhMnufg5_dQ/U_MQIYdyNCI/AAAAAAAAEyY/cOTgGcaoxtY/s1024/2014%2525202%25253A08%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vhMnufg5_dQ/U_MQIYdyNCI/AAAAAAAAEyY/cOTgGcaoxtY/s500/2014%2525202%25253A08%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1408438595463.89" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p>On the morning we left Willows, we photographed some of the gear made by a man who had been fossicking for about thirty years. He was very helpful and shared his knowledge generously.</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">It was very interesting to see the number of jade plants thriving in the dry earth where nothing much survived. The fossicking was<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "> a lot of fun and we enjoy it. We have met people from all over the country and all walks of life who spend the winter months up here fossicking and relaxing. There is a real community feeling amongst people who have come year after year and are happy to share their knowledge of stones and places where they are found.</span></div>
<p>After leaving Willows we ate Sapote in the car. It is a tropical fruit and has the appearance and texture of strap licorice and is sticky. It tastes a bit like licorice but sweeter with a hint coconut and sarsaparilla. It becomes quite glutenous as it is chewed. The fruit is a bit like a large pumpkin in shape. The woman I bought it from in the Mossman market had wonderful dried tropical fruits Her business email, if you'd like to try some is<br>
</p>
<p>springcreektropical@gmail.com</p>
<p>We also bought delicious dukkah and dried coconut from this lady.</p>
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<p>We stayed the night just east of Springsure at Mt Zamia and Virgin rock rest area which had floodlights highlighting the rocks in the early evening. We lit a fire which attracted six near neighbours and had a pleasant happy hour chat before dinner, under the gum trees. ( Nanette and Ken made enough delicious apricot chicken for the four of us so we had a night off!) These free camps, which usually have toilet facilities, are great for travellers just wanting an overnight stop. Many travellers are self contained and and don't want to pay ever-increasing costs for facilities they don't need in crowded caravan parks.</p>
<p>I've noticed that the several Christmas Creek crossings we've made, have coloured tinsel decorating the signs. I wonder who stops to do that, and to incidentally brighten a traveller's day!</p>
<p>The travelling is faster now as we head south towards Carnavron Gorge. The way is tarred and fairly straight and tall gums line the road. There is still the odd 'Oversize' vehicle with a front runner escort to watch out for, but otherwise it's relaxing driving.</p>
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<p>Now that we are pointed in the right direction, we are all experiencing the "sniff of home" syndrome.</p>
<p>We stopped for lunch at Fairbairn Dam and filled our water tanks with some difficulty because we didn't have the right fitting for the tap. The dam is enormous but a long way from full.</p>
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<p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-27638766512297918682014-08-12T03:33:00.001-07:002014-08-12T03:33:15.942-07:00QUEENSLAND GEM FIELDS.. Rubyvale - Willows. 8. 8. 2014.<p>From Airlie Beach, we drove to Mackay and then spent the night at The Retreat Hotel. It was a free camp with hot showers, washing machines, and a friendly atmosphere. As the patrons hoped, we had dinner in the pub and bought a number of beers which we drank as we sat around huge wood fires on the covered verandah. There were a lot of fellow travellers taking advantage of the free camp and spending lots of dollars in the pub. What clever entrepreneurs we thought!</p>
<p>West of Nebo there was extensive coal mining and mountains of slag heaps, along with volcanic plugs dotted along the skyline. Good roads though, which deteriorated as we left the mining areas and travelled south west through Claremont to Rubyvale. There has been some water under the bridge since we stayed at the Rubyvale Caravan park and fossicked nearby, and we intended staying there again, but it was booked out. We decided to go to Willows which was recommended by someone we met at Pat's Gems, where we bought a bucket of wash. Lucky Nanette found a substantial sapphire which has been sent away to be assessed.</p>
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<p>This little fellow stood on the bar and was so flexible his legs could be rearranged, and often were, by the miners who had lodgings in dongas out the back!! </p>
<p>RUBYVALE.</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Learning the trade at Pat's Gems in Rubyvale.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">WILLOWS.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">We stayed in the Gem-Air Caravan park, small and friendly but so dry. They have not had rain for two years and have to buy their water from Sapphire. The rinse water from the washing machines is collected so fossickers have water for washing stones. There is no grass and only the toughest trees and bushed of jade have survived. The lady over the back fence of the van park feeds the kangaroos and birds every day and needless to say, is very popular with the wildlife!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Nothing in that lot!!</div>
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<p>There are holes in the ground everywhere you look. The area is a designated fossicking area and all you need is an inexpensive fossickers licence, a few sieves, a pick, shovel and a bucket of water. Take lunch, splash on the sunscreen and hat and you can make your fortune in a day...... Or so we've heard!</p>
<p>ANAKIE<br>
</p>
<p>We spent a full day in ANAKIE for Gemfest which is on for three days. It is basically an expo for people involved in the gem trade, who have stalls selling and advertising all kinds of gems, and related products. The raffle prizes were extremely generous and numerous, many donated by local businesses. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y7yPF3murUo/U-ntYjDjDRI/AAAAAAAAEyI/5eqRTKwZ1P0/s1024/2014%2525207%25253A03%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y7yPF3murUo/U-ntYjDjDRI/AAAAAAAAEyI/5eqRTKwZ1P0/s500/2014%2525207%25253A03%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1407839589474.8667" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div>
<p>All up we have spent three and a half days fossicking here at Willows with no success. That's why sapphires are so expensive......... They are VERY hard to find. We have met a wonderful group of people from all round the country. Most of them spend three months in this caravan park to escape the southern winter and some of them have been coming for twenty years!! They fossick in the morning and have a range of activities such as playing golf, patchwork, darts, cards, markets, Gemfest, happy hour every afternoon around the fire pit and lots more. They are a very friendly and welcoming community, happy to share their expertise and local knowledge.</p>
<p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">It's a lot of fun and we have enjoyed it.</p>
<p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Next stop is Carnavon Gorge.</p>
<p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450085667605035127.post-4317623119385501992014-08-06T05:18:00.001-07:002014-08-06T05:18:48.487-07:00CARDWELL - Bowling Green NP -Airlie Beach.<p> <span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Cardwell, a beautiful, tropical town was devasted by cyclone Yasi but the re-built waterfront is absolutely stunning. It Looks out beyond the long jetty, to Hinchinbrook Island. It is small and serene and Ken has fond memories of fishing trips in this area, in his younger days.</span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9UipWJHl0kc/U-IbqQM3mzI/AAAAAAAAEtE/K7PIH5mMRY0/s1024/2014%2525203%25253A48%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9UipWJHl0kc/U-IbqQM3mzI/AAAAAAAAEtE/K7PIH5mMRY0/s500/2014%2525203%25253A48%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1407327521033.23" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Jfqq5dbRigg/U-IbyHYBCnI/AAAAAAAAEtU/F4xRgfUtEtQ/s1024/2014%2525204%25253A25%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Jfqq5dbRigg/U-IbyHYBCnI/AAAAAAAAEtU/F4xRgfUtEtQ/s500/2014%2525204%25253A25%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1407327521104.3662" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">We arrived in time for the Saturday market and had bacon and egg sandwiches and coffee. We all bought fruit and I bought a female choko with detailed instructions on how to successfully grow it ...AND protect it form the possums.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">The scenery was lush as we headed south along the coast.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DQ6nPyu83PQ/U-Ib2EHwwkI/AAAAAAAAEtc/U2JgoIAp4ww/s1024/2014%2525205%25253A01%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DQ6nPyu83PQ/U-Ib2EHwwkI/AAAAAAAAEtc/U2JgoIAp4ww/s500/2014%2525205%25253A01%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1407327521111.1575" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XOYCm3sWj14/U-Ib699vrGI/AAAAAAAAEtk/2fLdg3AIazM/s1024/2014%2525205%25253A01%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XOYCm3sWj14/U-Ib699vrGI/AAAAAAAAEtk/2fLdg3AIazM/s500/2014%2525205%25253A01%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1407327521094.0037" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">We by-passed Rockhampton, a big sprawling place and ended up in The Alligator Creek campground in the Bowling Green NAtional Park...an intimate and lovely place designed for small vehicles. So small in fact that we had trouble squeezing our vans onto the sites. Last time Qld. National Parks said 'small sites' we could have parked a road train in the space!!</span><br>
</p>
<p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ztzVaOPQFWA/U-Ib-veKztI/AAAAAAAAEts/FeQ1yilcTT4/s1024/2014%2525201%25253A21%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ztzVaOPQFWA/U-Ib-veKztI/AAAAAAAAEts/FeQ1yilcTT4/s500/2014%2525201%25253A21%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1407327521115.6868" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></p>
<p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "> We had an exceptional night being entertained by Phil and Trudy Edgeley, a couple who have featured at Lizottes in Kincumber and Newcastle just to name a few venues and played at many music festivals.Their music was beautiful to listen too and both of them have terrific voices and amazing guitar skills. </p>
<p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">It was a special night with the possums coming to listen as well. Wildlife abounds here and we have seen the pretty face wallabies and Rufous Bettong which are tiny wallaby like creatures with long dark floppy tails. The creek runs along the side of the campground and there is a canopy of leafy trees, cold showers and loos. Just beautiful.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B-zYviTGonM/U-IcDdzzRrI/AAAAAAAAEt0/9tARAFJGD2E/s1024/2014%2525202%25253A11%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B-zYviTGonM/U-IcDdzzRrI/AAAAAAAAEt0/9tARAFJGD2E/s500/2014%2525202%25253A11%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1407327521098.7896" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_uImvhCDMzU/U-IcIPcD2MI/AAAAAAAAEt8/elVZ1Bn5vSo/s1024/2014%2525202%25253A12%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_uImvhCDMzU/U-IcIPcD2MI/AAAAAAAAEt8/elVZ1Bn5vSo/s500/2014%2525202%25253A12%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1407327521103.2463" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "> AND .. There are brush turkeys and, those of you who know of my long-running campaign to rid my garden of these creatures, will be surprised to see one featured here.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9L6QPn-hXT0/U-IcM4lAcvI/AAAAAAAAEuE/aE4Tzt7jegI/s1024/2014%2525202%25253A12%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9L6QPn-hXT0/U-IcM4lAcvI/AAAAAAAAEuE/aE4Tzt7jegI/s500/2014%2525202%25253A12%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1407327521115.2468" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">We moved on the next day and shared the bridge at Ayr <span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">with a sugar train.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XKzIU0MI3KY/U-IcQ3qN7HI/AAAAAAAAEuM/e9sqwscGF9Y/s1024/2014%2525204%25253A06%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XKzIU0MI3KY/U-IcQ3qN7HI/AAAAAAAAEuM/e9sqwscGF9Y/s500/2014%2525204%25253A06%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1407327521109.357" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AncyO7w72Cw/U-IcUe4eDBI/AAAAAAAAEuU/z-o6_c9EqLI/s1024/2014%2525204%25253A07%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AncyO7w72Cw/U-IcUe4eDBI/AAAAAAAAEuU/z-o6_c9EqLI/s500/2014%2525204%25253A07%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1407327521120.9834" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a><br>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Wide rivers, irrigation channels and flat country were the order of the day as we continued south towards Airlie Beach. At Bowen we saw the Big Mango. Amazing .. or Not?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wIJAyFCx75Q/U-IcZUi-2tI/AAAAAAAAEuc/dDKHbPqmDYk/s1024/2014%2525206%25253A07%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wIJAyFCx75Q/U-IcZUi-2tI/AAAAAAAAEuc/dDKHbPqmDYk/s500/2014%2525206%25253A07%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1407327521066.6152" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> </div>
<p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">AIRLIE BEACH</p>
<p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">What met our eyes was beautiful waterfront with curving walkways following the beach, a stunning swimming pool, free and open to all, and extensive views out into the Whitsunday islands. We stayed in the pleasant Flametree caravan park for two nights but windy weather and then rain put paid to our snorkelling plans again.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EsFHHcqUJ4U/U-IceJM5lMI/AAAAAAAAEuk/KtLBxOtFAsE/s1024/2014%2525202%25253A33%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EsFHHcqUJ4U/U-IceJM5lMI/AAAAAAAAEuk/KtLBxOtFAsE/s500/2014%2525202%25253A33%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1407327521141.043" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-soMeokmso_A/U-Ic9rmxSuI/AAAAAAAAEvU/aXqA4X31YW4/s1024/2014%2525202%25253A42%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-soMeokmso_A/U-Ic9rmxSuI/AAAAAAAAEvU/aXqA4X31YW4/s500/2014%2525202%25253A42%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1407327521061.7258" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Dugong sculptures on the waterfront.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0loyMo7KpLc/U-IdC6x1pdI/AAAAAAAAEvc/tlIRqhxXpx0/s1024/2014%2525202%25253A46%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0loyMo7KpLc/U-IdC6x1pdI/AAAAAAAAEvc/tlIRqhxXpx0/s500/2014%2525202%25253A46%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1407327521069.3594" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NSslXNMuTcw/U-IdH4NhjmI/AAAAAAAAEvk/sEDcCl3d1W0/s1024/2014%2525202%25253A52%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NSslXNMuTcw/U-IdH4NhjmI/AAAAAAAAEvk/sEDcCl3d1W0/s500/2014%2525202%25253A52%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1407327521118.9963" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">This sand creature was created as an entry in the Reef Festival in Airlie beach. He was a fire-breathing dragon.</div>
<p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">The creeks were full of water as we drove south to Mackay. Some of the truckies hassled us because we slowed them down and their language was pretty ordinary. We told them that the ignorant few were giving the rest a bad name and thought that if their work place conditions stressed them, they might consider changing jobs, a move that would probably make the roads safer for all of us! </p>
<p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Our overnight stop was a free one at the Retreat Hotel. We had a great pub dinner (rissoles with mash, gravy and very good veggies) and a few wines as we sat around the roaring fireplaces with about forty others. Some were travellers, others miners and a few locals, all enjoying the ambience. The nights are cooler as we move inland and south. Next stop the gem fields of Sapphire, Rubyvale and Emerald, which we approach with high expectations.</p>
<p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "> </p>
<p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02812742355271388648noreply@blogger.com0