Hi All,
I am strugging with an Italian keyboard and a lingering Italian dinner..
We are in Verona and what a beautiful place. Weather is warm and a little overcast. Most of the time it has been fine, around 25C. We are getting a little rain.
The trip from London to Milan was great. Fast and comfortable. The French Alps were beautiful. We arrived in Milan around 9.30pm. Found the hotel after a little assistance and then on to Verona this morning.
Have seen the Roman theatre, Juliets balcony and our first Piazza. Absolutely wonderful.
Will be in touch when we can. Internet is scarce at this stage.
Lv Frank and Julie.
PS. Hi David, Janet is the cousin in the first two photos. I also thought Mary had a passing likeness to Janice but you be the judge.
Nice to hear from everyone.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
London swings like a Pendulum do
Arrived back in London after another challenging drive down the M1. It's difficult to maintain 70mph within a fast moving traffic jam.
We are well rested and ready for the next phase of this holiday.
On to Italy tomorrow. Have checked out the Eurostar at St Pancras and we are prepared.
Ran into Guy of Gisbourne (of Robin Hood fame) doing some acting for another British series, at the station. He didn't recognise us. That's two so far given we saw James Durie at Hampton Court. Waiting on the third...
Stay safe. We are.
Lv Julie and Frank.
We are well rested and ready for the next phase of this holiday.
On to Italy tomorrow. Have checked out the Eurostar at St Pancras and we are prepared.
Ran into Guy of Gisbourne (of Robin Hood fame) doing some acting for another British series, at the station. He didn't recognise us. That's two so far given we saw James Durie at Hampton Court. Waiting on the third...
Stay safe. We are.
Lv Julie and Frank.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Update from Donisthorpe
Hi All,
We will be on our way to London in the morning after having a lovely quiet time with Janet, David and family in Donisthorpe and visiting Mary and Gordon in Carlton on Lindrick.
We are due to catch the train to Milan on Wednesday and we will add to the blog from there. Next stop Italy.
Julie and I would love to receive any comment you have and to make it easier to leave a comment I updated the blog profile this evening.
To leave a comment just click on 'comments' at the bottom of the most recent post, type in your comments, key in the random letters shown on the screen, select 'Name/URL', type in your name, leave URL blank, and press 'publish comment'. The comment will then be added with your name at the top.
Give it a try. We would love to hear from you.
Be in touch soon.
Lv Julie and Frank.
We will be on our way to London in the morning after having a lovely quiet time with Janet, David and family in Donisthorpe and visiting Mary and Gordon in Carlton on Lindrick.
We are due to catch the train to Milan on Wednesday and we will add to the blog from there. Next stop Italy.
Julie and I would love to receive any comment you have and to make it easier to leave a comment I updated the blog profile this evening.
To leave a comment just click on 'comments' at the bottom of the most recent post, type in your comments, key in the random letters shown on the screen, select 'Name/URL', type in your name, leave URL blank, and press 'publish comment'. The comment will then be added with your name at the top.
Give it a try. We would love to hear from you.
Be in touch soon.
Lv Julie and Frank.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Back in England
Hi All,
We travelled from Dublin today via ferry and car. What a pleasure to have road signs that are meaningful and roads that can be driven on at speeds greater than 60km per hour. In fact, the limit on the motorways appear to be 120kph (70mph) but we felt like we were standing still compared to a lot of the drivers. I tried to stay with the fast traffic at one stage and gave up after reaching 90mph. This is not an admission of guilt just an observation.
Sadly we made the trip to Ashby de la Zouche (Donisthorpe) without our much esteemed travelling companions - Helen and Pete. They will be much missed as we had such a great time in Wales and Ireland but we had to start our separate tours today. Bon voyage.
T'was a sunny day today (19c) but we are expecting rain tomorrow. Will post photos if the weather permits.
Lv Julie and Frank.
We travelled from Dublin today via ferry and car. What a pleasure to have road signs that are meaningful and roads that can be driven on at speeds greater than 60km per hour. In fact, the limit on the motorways appear to be 120kph (70mph) but we felt like we were standing still compared to a lot of the drivers. I tried to stay with the fast traffic at one stage and gave up after reaching 90mph. This is not an admission of guilt just an observation.
Sadly we made the trip to Ashby de la Zouche (Donisthorpe) without our much esteemed travelling companions - Helen and Pete. They will be much missed as we had such a great time in Wales and Ireland but we had to start our separate tours today. Bon voyage.
T'was a sunny day today (19c) but we are expecting rain tomorrow. Will post photos if the weather permits.
Lv Julie and Frank.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Photo Notes
Hi All,
As you can see from the photos we have seen some interesting sights.
The Polar Bear was in Ireland somewhere near Cork.
The Black Lion was our favorite pub in Wales.
The White Hart was also a favorite pub - served beer, so it qualified.
The picture from the ferry is our first glimpse of Ireland.
The castles are Killkenny and Blarney respectfully.
All is good. Weather is wet. we are in Galway enjoying the Man Uts / Chelsea Champions League playoff. Galway is jumping tonight.
Stay Safe.
Lv Pete, Helen, Julie and Frank.
As you can see from the photos we have seen some interesting sights.
The Polar Bear was in Ireland somewhere near Cork.
The Black Lion was our favorite pub in Wales.
The White Hart was also a favorite pub - served beer, so it qualified.
The picture from the ferry is our first glimpse of Ireland.
The castles are Killkenny and Blarney respectfully.
All is good. Weather is wet. we are in Galway enjoying the Man Uts / Chelsea Champions League playoff. Galway is jumping tonight.
Stay Safe.
Lv Pete, Helen, Julie and Frank.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Response to Michelle and Charlotte.
Great to hear from you. Yes the laughs are thick and fast, although we were sad to hand back our boat. Since then we have travelled by cab, train, ferry and hire car. I'm in IRELAND! and it's soooo! cool. I love it. All is going well, David Rachel and Teah included. Yay for holidays!
Love to all. Holiday Julie.
Love to all. Holiday Julie.
Update from Killkee
Hi All,
A quick update.
We are in the pub at Killkee having been through Dingle today. The road through Connor Pass was awesome. There are a lot of one way sections with little guidance on speed and length. We survived.
We are heading to Galway tomorrow and then on to Dublin. Our trip to Ireland is almost over. Has been terrific.
Photos soon.
Cheers
Pete, Helen, Julie and Frank.
A quick update.
We are in the pub at Killkee having been through Dingle today. The road through Connor Pass was awesome. There are a lot of one way sections with little guidance on speed and length. We survived.
We are heading to Galway tomorrow and then on to Dublin. Our trip to Ireland is almost over. Has been terrific.
Photos soon.
Cheers
Pete, Helen, Julie and Frank.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Messages from Ireland
Hi All,
We have left the canals of Wales and England and are now in the sunny valleys of Ireland.
The weather in Wales was superb but on the last day we had rain. Never mind we were in the marina with a glass of red packing for the next leg of the trip.
Pete's organisation has been great. We left the marina by taxi (curtesy of Chris) caught the train to Holyhead, the ferry to Dublin and picked up a car from Dan Dooley - all very straight forward.
We then travelled through the moors to Glendalough to the nicest B&B, hosted by Carmel. We are now in Mallow with a trip to Cork and Kinsale this afternoon. We have seen castles and rolling hills. All very pretty.
All are well and well fed even though Ireland is expensive. Lunch averages $15, beers are $8 which is ok for a pint but basic pub meals are around $25. Accomodation is good at the B&B's. Around $120 per couple and including cooked breakfast.
The weather is good today - 16 degrees and warm enough to take off the jumper.
The internet in this cafe is very slow. I will post some photos soon.
Take care.
Cheers Pete, Helen, Julie and Frank.
Waether was dull when we first arrived in Ireland
We have left the canals of Wales and England and are now in the sunny valleys of Ireland.
The weather in Wales was superb but on the last day we had rain. Never mind we were in the marina with a glass of red packing for the next leg of the trip.
Pete's organisation has been great. We left the marina by taxi (curtesy of Chris) caught the train to Holyhead, the ferry to Dublin and picked up a car from Dan Dooley - all very straight forward.
We then travelled through the moors to Glendalough to the nicest B&B, hosted by Carmel. We are now in Mallow with a trip to Cork and Kinsale this afternoon. We have seen castles and rolling hills. All very pretty.
All are well and well fed even though Ireland is expensive. Lunch averages $15, beers are $8 which is ok for a pint but basic pub meals are around $25. Accomodation is good at the B&B's. Around $120 per couple and including cooked breakfast.
The weather is good today - 16 degrees and warm enough to take off the jumper.
The internet in this cafe is very slow. I will post some photos soon.
Take care.
Cheers Pete, Helen, Julie and Frank.
Waether was dull when we first arrived in Ireland
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Update from the Black Lion
Yes we did leave the pub but have returned. Needed another drink.
Since yesterday we have been through 2 locks and seen a 'stairway' lock, turned the boat around without using ropes and rasied and lowered many bridges. It's nearly beer oclock..
We will head back to Llangolan tomorrow and attempt to get the canal boat all the way to the end of the canal. There are places on the way that only one boat can navigate and they are as long as 500m or 634 yards or both. We will do our best and hope not to get into too much trouble.
All still are well.
Be in touch soon.
Frank and Julie, Pete and Helen.
Since yesterday we have been through 2 locks and seen a 'stairway' lock, turned the boat around without using ropes and rasied and lowered many bridges. It's nearly beer oclock..
We will head back to Llangolan tomorrow and attempt to get the canal boat all the way to the end of the canal. There are places on the way that only one boat can navigate and they are as long as 500m or 634 yards or both. We will do our best and hope not to get into too much trouble.
All still are well.
Be in touch soon.
Frank and Julie, Pete and Helen.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Hi From Ellesmere Black Lion
Hi All,
We have been on the canal boat for 3 days. What a hoot. Have been over the aquaduct, through the half mile tunnel, down through a couple of lock and around the bends. Under numerous narrow bridges and past many many meadows, cows and sheep.
We have discovered that 57ft and 3 ton of barge is not that steerable. The captian has to plan at least 30sec ahead to start the turn and then immediately react to ensure the barge doesn't hit the other side of the canal. We have to pass other peole doing the same things, with the same skills, and although we have had some nervous moments we have had no serious incident. We have, however; seen others try to destroy bridges and canal banks. 3 ton at 4 mph do not make good bumper boats.
We still have 4 days to go and will be heading back toward Llangolan tomorrow morning from Whitchurch.
Hope all are well. I will add some photos is a seperate post.
Lv Frank, Julie, Helen and Pete.
We have been on the canal boat for 3 days. What a hoot. Have been over the aquaduct, through the half mile tunnel, down through a couple of lock and around the bends. Under numerous narrow bridges and past many many meadows, cows and sheep.
We have discovered that 57ft and 3 ton of barge is not that steerable. The captian has to plan at least 30sec ahead to start the turn and then immediately react to ensure the barge doesn't hit the other side of the canal. We have to pass other peole doing the same things, with the same skills, and although we have had some nervous moments we have had no serious incident. We have, however; seen others try to destroy bridges and canal banks. 3 ton at 4 mph do not make good bumper boats.
We still have 4 days to go and will be heading back toward Llangolan tomorrow morning from Whitchurch.
Hope all are well. I will add some photos is a seperate post.
Lv Frank, Julie, Helen and Pete.
Friday, May 9, 2008
First Post from Downtown London
Hi All,We are in to our 4th day in London. We have seen all the mandatory sights. Best of all was our visit to Lords where I touch the hallowed turf and we were able to watch part of a local game.
The weather has been terrific, approx 25C everyday. It is really interesting to see how many Poms get out in the sunshine, at every chance, and how many are now sunburnt.
We were at Hampton
Court Palace yesterday. The largest castle in the UK. Set on 60 acres with an inbuilt golf course.We have come to grips with the Undergound and use it like the experienced travellers we are. And, after the efforts of the day we have also mastered the art of ordering a pint or two..
Don't drink the English beer though. It's not good for you.
Tomorrow we go Barge Arsing from Chirk and will be touch soon.
Some photos for your interest...
Lv Frank, Julie, Pete and Helen
Monday, May 5, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Saturday prior to departure
Well it's been another big day at home. Packing, vets, visiting the relatives, organising the dog and generally stressing out.
It's time to go but the airline says NO. Monday at 3.00pm is the earliest we can depart and we will be there.
Will be in touch when we settle in London. Bye 4 now.
Frank and Julie.
It's time to go but the airline says NO. Monday at 3.00pm is the earliest we can depart and we will be there.
Will be in touch when we settle in London. Bye 4 now.
Frank and Julie.
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