Saturday, 26 November 2011
Home nearly 5 months.
Can't believe we've been home nearly 5 months and it's nearly Christmas. Still enjoying showing and watching our photos.
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
The End is Nigh!
Our last 2 days dawned! Our own beds beckoned but it was still hard to think our wonderful trip was coming to an end. Wednesday again saw the Fab Four split into two. Keith and Kathy headed to Windsor Castle and they exclaimed afterwards, "that was well worth it" a statement regularly used on our holiday! Meryl and Glenn followed in Keith's footsteps and went to the War Cabinet Rooms and also enjoyed the Charles Dickens museum, the Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery. On Wednesday night our cousin and his wife who are presently living in Bonn arrived. It was great that we could finish our holiday spending time with Pete and Leigh.
On Thursday we thought we would make the most of every minute and walked all day. Rain meant some strategic time spent in the Museum of London which we all found most informative and the boys loved our young English guide! We then went to the Bank of England Museum before climbing 311 stairs to the top of The Monument for some great views. With our walking shoes on we strode to the Tower of London, walked over the Tower Bridge, past the Shakespeare Globe and all the way back home. We spent our last night feasting on delicious Indian food and talking!!
Well home we come. We had the BEST HOLIDAY EVER and we are sure we will remember it for many years to come! We hope you have enjoyed reading the Blog. We certainly have enjoyed sharing all our amazing experiences and the fantastic sights we saw with all our family and friends.
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| Windsor Castle |
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| The Monument- built to remember the London Fires |
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| View of the Tower Bridge from The Monument |
Tired of London - Never!
On the back of Glenn and Meryl's toilet door is a poster which quotes Samuel Johnson saying 'When a Man is tired of London he is tired of life'. Even after a long holiday we found we were not tired by London. Indeed we were very excited to be there and we could even read the signs! We jumped on the tube and headed to Holland Park to revisit Meryl's haunts of 30 years ago. The Norwegian YWCA where she stayed looked the same and Meryl was so excited she knocked on the door and we had a little tour and saw the very room she slept in.
It is a great thrill for us colonials to wander around Buckingham Palace, St James Park, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben which we did within a couple hours of arriving, so much to see and so little time to do it. We eventually returned to our unit in Islington after dark (which is saying something as it didn't get dark till pretty late in northern Europe).
On Monday we split up for the first time on our trip. Meryl, Glenn and Kathy went to Ditchling to see Meryl's great Uni friend David and his wife Yvonne. I (Kathy) thought Keith made a very poor choice after we were fed the most delicious duck roast and went on a lovely walk in the South Downs! It was lovely to catch up and Meryl, David and Yvonne did lots of reminiscing. Keith went to Greenwich. I (Keith) saw the Maritime Museum and a variety of other places but the best was the Observatory which marks 0 meridian so you can stand in the western and eastern hemispheres. It is very interesting.
On Tuesday we went to see the Changing of the Guard, met up with Emily Stein and had a lovely lunch in St James Park. Keith then went to the Cabinet Wars rooms which are a fascinating insight into the operation of the Second World War by the British government. Kathy and Emily walked to Trafalgar Square while Meryl and Glenn headed off to see their friends Johnny and Julie Marshall. In the evening Kathy and Keith went to a performance of Mamma Mia the musical. It was a brilliant performance by a high quality West End cast.
It is a great thrill for us colonials to wander around Buckingham Palace, St James Park, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben which we did within a couple hours of arriving, so much to see and so little time to do it. We eventually returned to our unit in Islington after dark (which is saying something as it didn't get dark till pretty late in northern Europe).
On Monday we split up for the first time on our trip. Meryl, Glenn and Kathy went to Ditchling to see Meryl's great Uni friend David and his wife Yvonne. I (Kathy) thought Keith made a very poor choice after we were fed the most delicious duck roast and went on a lovely walk in the South Downs! It was lovely to catch up and Meryl, David and Yvonne did lots of reminiscing. Keith went to Greenwich. I (Keith) saw the Maritime Museum and a variety of other places but the best was the Observatory which marks 0 meridian so you can stand in the western and eastern hemispheres. It is very interesting.
On Tuesday we went to see the Changing of the Guard, met up with Emily Stein and had a lovely lunch in St James Park. Keith then went to the Cabinet Wars rooms which are a fascinating insight into the operation of the Second World War by the British government. Kathy and Emily walked to Trafalgar Square while Meryl and Glenn headed off to see their friends Johnny and Julie Marshall. In the evening Kathy and Keith went to a performance of Mamma Mia the musical. It was a brilliant performance by a high quality West End cast.
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Biking and Boating with Bente.
Our last place to visit in Norway was Arendal to stay with Bente and her family. I also met Bente at the Norwegion Y 30 years ago. We had fabulous weather on the Friday and Roald (Bente's husband) owns a bike shop and found us all superb bikes. We rode onto an island near Arendal.
While we were on the bike ride Bente's brother Jostein and sister-in-law Bgorg came to pick us up and take us on their boat. It was lovely boating through the islands and we had a picnic dinner on a small rocky island which is a popular Norwegian pastime.
The next day Bente took us sightseeing around the Arendal town which is very pretty.
Afterwards Bente took us to the beach off the big island and we did a lovely walk in the bush and on the rocks.
Tusen Takk Bente, Roald, Andre and Malene for looking after us so well and giving us such a good time in Arendal.
While we were on the bike ride Bente's brother Jostein and sister-in-law Bgorg came to pick us up and take us on their boat. It was lovely boating through the islands and we had a picnic dinner on a small rocky island which is a popular Norwegian pastime.
The next day Bente took us sightseeing around the Arendal town which is very pretty.
Afterwards Bente took us to the beach off the big island and we did a lovely walk in the bush and on the rocks.
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Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Norway in Rain
We awoke to lots of rain in Bergen so a lovely leisurely start to the day with skyping family back home took most of the morning. We then put on rain gear and headed down into the historic part of Bergen. We went on a guided tour and discovered more about the Hanseatic League, Meryl remembered learning about them in school. We also found a room set up for the resistance in the war. A man told us all about what happened there and at the end told us one of the resistance group was his dad.
A quick flight then took us to Stavanger. Glenn had been excited for a long time about our walk to Pulpit Rock, this amazing flat rock sticking out over the fjord. Sadly due to the weather we couldn't walk there, far to slippery (not a cop out, people there told us it wouldn't be safe!) However all was not lost. We took a ferry along the Fjord and saw the famous rock. We sat with a couple from Guernsey and found it very interesting to hear about the island. We were thankful the rain stopped for a while and stood out on the deck and enjoyed the gorgeous scenery. Stavanger has a museum about the Norway oil industry which we found interesting and is a really attractive town.
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| Bergen old town |
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| Looking across the Bergen harbour |
A quick flight then took us to Stavanger. Glenn had been excited for a long time about our walk to Pulpit Rock, this amazing flat rock sticking out over the fjord. Sadly due to the weather we couldn't walk there, far to slippery (not a cop out, people there told us it wouldn't be safe!) However all was not lost. We took a ferry along the Fjord and saw the famous rock. We sat with a couple from Guernsey and found it very interesting to hear about the island. We were thankful the rain stopped for a while and stood out on the deck and enjoyed the gorgeous scenery. Stavanger has a museum about the Norway oil industry which we found interesting and is a really attractive town.
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| Pulpit Rock |
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Norway in a Nutshell
Your occasional correspondent returns after a long break.
We had two days in Oslo (where we had great weather and were well cared for by Meryl's very nice Norwegian friends). We got up early on the Monday morning (this being an unusual occurrence) and began our Norway in a nutshell tour with a light drizzle (what could we expect after the luck we have had all over Europe).
The bus ride took us out of Oslo and into the typical Norwegian countryside, very green grass, pine trees and silver birch.
We were dropped about an hour out of Oslo at a train station where we boarded the train which gradually took us up the mountains from 188m to about 950 m. We went past lots of lovely lakes. Near the top and after passing through a 10km tunnel the scenery changed dramatically to snow and barren rock and lakes.
Off the big train and onto the old historical train and down the mountain to Flam past spectacular waterfalls and gorges.
Finally onto an express catamaran (60kms hr) for a boat trip through the Sognefjord and around to Bergen.
Certainly Norway in a Nutshell!
We had two days in Oslo (where we had great weather and were well cared for by Meryl's very nice Norwegian friends). We got up early on the Monday morning (this being an unusual occurrence) and began our Norway in a nutshell tour with a light drizzle (what could we expect after the luck we have had all over Europe).
The bus ride took us out of Oslo and into the typical Norwegian countryside, very green grass, pine trees and silver birch.
We were dropped about an hour out of Oslo at a train station where we boarded the train which gradually took us up the mountains from 188m to about 950 m. We went past lots of lovely lakes. Near the top and after passing through a 10km tunnel the scenery changed dramatically to snow and barren rock and lakes.
Off the big train and onto the old historical train and down the mountain to Flam past spectacular waterfalls and gorges.
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| Kjosfossen Waterfalls |
Finally onto an express catamaran (60kms hr) for a boat trip through the Sognefjord and around to Bergen.
Certainly Norway in a Nutshell!
30 Years Later.
Thirty years ago I (Meryl) stayed in the Norwegian Y in London and met Ingvill. We have written to each other every Christmas since and last Friday met up again. It was very exciting. Ingvill and her husband Johnny looked after the 4 of us so well. We stayed at their house which is about 45 minutes out of Oslo. While reminiscing and finding out about life in Norway, Ingvill and Johnny showed us round Oslo. We couldn't believe the length of the days. It never really got dark. The weather was perfect, the company excellent and the food delicious. I was very sad to say goodbye to Ingvill after a delightful weekend.
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| Both days Ingvill made us a superb Norwegian breakfast on their lovely deck |
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| Watching traditional dancing at the Folk Museum. |
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| Oslo Opera House |
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| Vigelands Sculpture Park. |
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| Special Norwegian Apple Cake - delicious. |
Farewell To Switzerland
Sorry Blog readers for our delay. It is all go on this holiday!
We need to write a goodbye blog to the wonderful Switzerland. Everything I had hoped for and more. Our last morning in Lauterbrunnen was spent in the Tumbleback Falls watching the water cascade down.
Hard to leave such a beautiful place but the time had come. Move on you all cry! We saw some more gorgeous lakes on our drive to Lucerne.
Lucerne, a city that nearly filled Keith's criteria of beauty- lake, mountains and snow. There wasn't much snow and we did strike some varied weather but we enjoyed walking across the famous bridge, around the lake path and looking at the sad grief stricken lion surrounded by the shape of pig (questions about why will have to be answered when we get back).
Finally to the airport we went and a sad farewell was made to the car, it did us proud. Keith and Glenn looked forward to sitting back and letting someone else get us around. Well done guys, a great job.
We need to write a goodbye blog to the wonderful Switzerland. Everything I had hoped for and more. Our last morning in Lauterbrunnen was spent in the Tumbleback Falls watching the water cascade down.
Hard to leave such a beautiful place but the time had come. Move on you all cry! We saw some more gorgeous lakes on our drive to Lucerne.
Lucerne, a city that nearly filled Keith's criteria of beauty- lake, mountains and snow. There wasn't much snow and we did strike some varied weather but we enjoyed walking across the famous bridge, around the lake path and looking at the sad grief stricken lion surrounded by the shape of pig (questions about why will have to be answered when we get back).
Finally to the airport we went and a sad farewell was made to the car, it did us proud. Keith and Glenn looked forward to sitting back and letting someone else get us around. Well done guys, a great job.
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Norway and London Itinerary
Oslo 24th - 27th June
Bergin 27th - 28th June
Stavanger 28th - 30th June
Arendal 30th June - 3rd July
London 3rd - 8th July
Home 9th July
Bergin 27th - 28th June
Stavanger 28th - 30th June
Arendal 30th June - 3rd July
London 3rd - 8th July
Home 9th July
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
The Schilthorn - A Chance to Bond!
Thanks to its panoramic cabins, the 32 minute aerial cableway journey itself promises a simply stunning experience. The trip leads past cascading waterfalls and craggy rock faces. A fantastic 360 degree panoramic spectacle of the entire alpine region greets you as you arrive on the Schiltorn! As you sit in comfort in the world's first revolving mountain restaurant, a breathtaking high alpine mountain panorama of 200 peaks glides silently and majestically past.
After I wrote these words I was shocked to find them repeated in a magazine on the Jungfrau region but I suppose when you have summed up the place so eloquently it is not surprising that others want to use your words (well actually it happened the other way round as we have stolen their words) but it is a special place. I saw it with Kiri 7 years ago covered in snow. Today it was not covered in snow but the sky was blue and the view dazzling. The place was the scene of the start of a Bond movie (the one with the boy from Queanbeyan) and they make a lot of it - even though it was made in 1968. Thus the reference to bonding in the title (you didn't think that after living together for 50 years and travelling together for 9 weeks we needed anymore bonding did you!!)
We made a lot of the breakfast. Glenn has a strong commitment to breakfast (and eating in general) so when presented with the possiblity of breakfast at the top of mountain he was keen. The breakfast was lovely and the accompanying view really topped it off.
After conquering the peaks we had one last Lauterbrunnen challenge to fulfill. The boys were reluctantly dragged from a brief respite to satisfy Meryl's lasting memory - the walk from Wengen to Lauterbrunnen. The memory was worth reliving as we wandered down the mountain gazing up the glorious valley before us. "Lauterbrunnen - a very special experience" (Kathy Joyce 2011)
After I wrote these words I was shocked to find them repeated in a magazine on the Jungfrau region but I suppose when you have summed up the place so eloquently it is not surprising that others want to use your words (well actually it happened the other way round as we have stolen their words) but it is a special place. I saw it with Kiri 7 years ago covered in snow. Today it was not covered in snow but the sky was blue and the view dazzling. The place was the scene of the start of a Bond movie (the one with the boy from Queanbeyan) and they make a lot of it - even though it was made in 1968. Thus the reference to bonding in the title (you didn't think that after living together for 50 years and travelling together for 9 weeks we needed anymore bonding did you!!)
We made a lot of the breakfast. Glenn has a strong commitment to breakfast (and eating in general) so when presented with the possiblity of breakfast at the top of mountain he was keen. The breakfast was lovely and the accompanying view really topped it off.
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| The Schilthorn Revolving Restaurant. |
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| Can you spot where we were the day before? On Jungfraujoch. |
After conquering the peaks we had one last Lauterbrunnen challenge to fulfill. The boys were reluctantly dragged from a brief respite to satisfy Meryl's lasting memory - the walk from Wengen to Lauterbrunnen. The memory was worth reliving as we wandered down the mountain gazing up the glorious valley before us. "Lauterbrunnen - a very special experience" (Kathy Joyce 2011)
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| The view from our chalet. |
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