tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49913096424371133782024-03-06T15:06:16.278+11:00Jule's HikoiA short story of my adventuresJule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.comBlogger948125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-65185208105063009302023-10-24T22:34:00.005+11:002023-10-24T22:37:56.280+11:00More Roman history<p>Jules takes me to the best places, exploring the close by and far away in UK terms. Not quite the same as in Aussie terms with the traffic making many short journeys a long term adventure, dodging the parking spots on highways, heading down very narrow lanes through bucolic countryside, stopping for a quiet one at a country pub and enjoying the lovely old homes along the way all part of the adventure. </p><p>Our Sunday drive took us to nearby Silchester and the Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum, an historically important town for over 400 years. The site was originally settled in the Iron Age and the Roman's resettled there in the first century BC prior to the major Roman settlement of England. Unlike similar settlements in places like Turkey and Jordan, there is very little left of Calleva Atrebatum, just the flint and mortar filling from inside the wall. </p><p>We had quite a discussion about that and came to a few possible conclusions. The building materials were very different. There was not easy access to marble or granite columns and large blocks of stone, more likely flint and clay and whatever stones the region had locally were the best materials available. The weather is very different, a wetter and harsher climate than the Middle East so preservation may have been more difficult. The settlements may not have been intended to be permanent, quite likely intended as stopping places for the Roman army rather than the prosperous towns they became. The local folks may have reused the materials to build new structures and strengthen old ones, as we do today when materials are already at hand. I've done no research on this, just some Sunday surmises about peoples long gone who left their mark on the land, the language and the culture of this place.</p><p>We wandered along the pathways, something I love to do here, and climbed up onto the wall enjoying the view and the sunshine. It was a beautiful day here on Sunday. The walk around the area where the town was is about 2.5ks. As always there was a lovely village church along the way. <a href="https://www.britainexpress.com/counties/hampshire/churches/silchester.htm" target="_blank">St Mary the Virgin Church</a> has been dated back to the early 12th century and is sited just outside the walls of the Roman town. The layout and size of St Mary's suggest it may have been built atop a square Romano-Celtic temple, probably in an area of the Roman city already set aside for religious buildings. </p><p>I love to wander in old churches, not just because they are old, more because they all have stories. Stories of the people interred or honored there, of the community in which they once lived and the lives they led. One visible story here is of Eleanor Baynard, daughter of Sir John Bluet (d. 1306), lord of Silchester manor. Eleanor's effigy is an example of mid to late 14th-century workmanship, in what is known as the Westminster School style. I'm not sure if Eleanor is interred there as the writing on the effigy and surrounding floor slates was faint. Thanks for the info Britain Express, the link to their site is above. </p><p>I've always loved history, and herstory too of course. The places I travel have inadvertently led me to exploring Roman history in many countries. Having read widely about Roman/Saxon/Norman history in the UK, and visiting many sites here, I'm adding to my understanding of how peoples settled new lands. A cycle repeating itself throughout history as we travel and find treasures, in whatever guise they come to us. I'm always learning and keen to know more and would love to join a dig exploring the hidden histories one day soon. </p><p>There are some ghosts in the pics below, not real one but ones where my lens cover broke and caused some interesting refractions. I suspect it broke in Antalya that day I got lost and hot and flustered and dropped my phone. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElidDxdE2I99oymf6X74NaPr8UoyYGKgxzeL-FD6rMEINffUPiwF1VxkOvmTlYUODSqo8VevkNS1xGfVtGXxBs7LM6quK8LKvaqChhsygy6qQLCmHJGRaCsOXnguKpWBGf5z5l0KHLsuchMgJd6z0vpzJuHhiFHzzZ4oPTa5DQjgFzSYyTSIgrCVnJJRa/s3832/IMG_7643.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2899" data-original-width="3832" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElidDxdE2I99oymf6X74NaPr8UoyYGKgxzeL-FD6rMEINffUPiwF1VxkOvmTlYUODSqo8VevkNS1xGfVtGXxBs7LM6quK8LKvaqChhsygy6qQLCmHJGRaCsOXnguKpWBGf5z5l0KHLsuchMgJd6z0vpzJuHhiFHzzZ4oPTa5DQjgFzSYyTSIgrCVnJJRa/w400-h303/IMG_7643.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The town map</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gFETlh9eep1rDHeeaOkzVRlbsWhFZdiOhqKV-Ap67ty4Mau3aa5jPp4X3VDy0zA-lS399De4qL-XU1BEdjW0R__nnNXPclEu07Id3zOnYQYVgb2hFYW-8leiaTQJ9ddg2SZj_wNHoBhoJNp7z7MkhDacwI7cg1OsM1gwD7ljWVpM0xaKA3X-KChs0Ru6/s3498/IMG_7656.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3498" data-original-width="2684" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gFETlh9eep1rDHeeaOkzVRlbsWhFZdiOhqKV-Ap67ty4Mau3aa5jPp4X3VDy0zA-lS399De4qL-XU1BEdjW0R__nnNXPclEu07Id3zOnYQYVgb2hFYW-8leiaTQJ9ddg2SZj_wNHoBhoJNp7z7MkhDacwI7cg1OsM1gwD7ljWVpM0xaKA3X-KChs0Ru6/w308-h400/IMG_7656.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the original wall </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYC1B4vX0q1jJ9RSmqzF6310uvPHXxoRJObTu0pt5D0XAxcK43D5FN_hBNymjn7iBfvKHtG6upSNy7p6n9CM2eCY7Zt2dUkQAIKmgN5NAFdalxVjfFoUwIYCvBB7a02LDRooOG-jyJqlVp3Zxw1c6L0_g5tQBl4SV0G6Ckv-5VQNjrkzun4VsJdPkM4ukA/s3971/IMG_7659.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2978" data-original-width="3971" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYC1B4vX0q1jJ9RSmqzF6310uvPHXxoRJObTu0pt5D0XAxcK43D5FN_hBNymjn7iBfvKHtG6upSNy7p6n9CM2eCY7Zt2dUkQAIKmgN5NAFdalxVjfFoUwIYCvBB7a02LDRooOG-jyJqlVp3Zxw1c6L0_g5tQBl4SV0G6Ckv-5VQNjrkzun4VsJdPkM4ukA/w400-h300/IMG_7659.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Mary's Church</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-adU6pRujDcBOe67B2XLiRL0L7dgHmJGQY1Hn4ZqQyu5CcjGAM8a-AoAkR5m6QEjxnkiB9ulKEqOa2x6uYKBxFi0p-iAqERPU2tiTNRXuknPR67hli96zgpikPDmTjdlzvj8o9_kjiHJ7FjgNYSdVBQ4wCSRd3_To4QkQLvWSys7ws23kfpJeEfAfxig/s3838/IMG_7660.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3838" data-original-width="2769" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-adU6pRujDcBOe67B2XLiRL0L7dgHmJGQY1Hn4ZqQyu5CcjGAM8a-AoAkR5m6QEjxnkiB9ulKEqOa2x6uYKBxFi0p-iAqERPU2tiTNRXuknPR67hli96zgpikPDmTjdlzvj8o9_kjiHJ7FjgNYSdVBQ4wCSRd3_To4QkQLvWSys7ws23kfpJeEfAfxig/w289-h400/IMG_7660.jpg" width="289" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eleanor </td></tr></tbody></table>Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-50171171060833182492023-10-22T03:12:00.009+11:002023-10-28T21:00:41.341+11:00Perge <p>A small post script following on from my last entry. I had an excuse to go to London on Thursday, one I took the train to Waterloo then the tube to Liverpool St Station to meet Ingrid. Ingrid is a person I connected with through a mutual friend and we'd not actually met in person until Thursday. We had talked via video calls so I knew what she looked like. We wandered to Borough Market via the Tower and surrounds. Once again the market was too packed to enjoy so we caught the tube back across the river to Shoreditch, an area I'd not really explored. The <a href="https://www.dishoom.com/shoreditch/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Yext&utm_content=D2-Shoreditch&y_source=1_MjMwNDkyMDQtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU=" target="_blank">Dishoom Shoreditch</a> restaurant was the best, lovely food washed down with a Kingfisher. By the time we got there we were well in need of a cold one. A lovely day of connection and wandering and the odd pic. </p><p>Back to Perge or Perga. As I shared earlier, the Antalya Archaeological Museum was a treat. Exploring the maps of the area and where the artifacts were found, alongside the stories of the people and their lives. Best of all was the gallery of statues from Perge, friend Hadrian and his contemporaries, realistically portrayed in white marble. There's also information about where the statues were found, helpful for our visit. By the time we had explored the museum we were very keen to get to Perge. Enter AirBnb experiences where we found our lovely guide Onder who's knowledge of, and passion for, this amazing place brought history to life. I love how last minute things are so often the very best of experiences. </p><p>The ancient city of Perge contains some of the most beautiful Hellenistic and Roman Ruins in Turkey. Perge is rich with history as Alexander the Great once strode through its gates, and the Apostle Paul preached there on his missionary journeys. We wandered in the searing heat checking out the massive theatre first. Third only to Ephesus and Aizanoi and built in the traditional Greco-Roman style, the theater could probably seat around 12,000 people. Standing in the middle looking up at the terraces you could almost hear the cheering crowds as they enjoyed the entertainments offered. Not in this case the gruesome kind, more likely plays and shows because of the way the theatre was built and the type of stage. </p><p>Heading into this ancient city through the gates we wandered along colonnaded streets with columns of granite and marble towering above and mosaics underfoot. The mosaics were mostly protected by matting, with some places less likely to be damaged open to view. Perge was a very prosperous place and a market for the surrounding areas as well as the travelers passing through. Spaces for shops can still be seen lining the streets. Some even have signs indicating what they might have sold, like the fish shop with the carved stone images. Did I mention it was hot? Shade was not too plentiful so we found a spot next to one of the gates and the remains of a fountain to take a break. The place looked quite familiar then I realized it was where many of the museum statues had come from. </p><p>Onder regaled us with stories from this place. Stories of peace, wealth, how the city sustained itself with artesian water and the people who both lived here and traveled through. Shutting my eyes I could hear the horses, the chatter of commerce, the odd chariot and the roars of the people watching in both the theatre and the stadium (similar to Circus Maximus). Best of all there were very few people visiting when we did so it was quiet enough to feel the atmosphere. Did I mention it was hot? Maybe that's why, sensible folks visit at more sensible times of day! </p><p>When you're in Antalya look up Onder either on Get your Guide or <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/users/show/256770574">AirBnb experiences</a>. He also shares other places in this beautiful part of the country with traveling folks so check out what else he does. You won't be disappointed. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteW-PHgKTaLZM00weJxjIs4D6QdCMRTJs4oDwPalAuMM-XP9ED-SBdwrhZtZz0abOme5ThUQ0zcdyEgw-2JuSX2tN7uGu3WWdtL3YMkb-K3eQfMtgXuZWxc95R2yf0oIr3_-kgSo1jHDbz89qYYbEC6he0NGhoppBwMnu5VxzP0O94cq8pbMHNUWm43P_/s4032/IMG_7210.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteW-PHgKTaLZM00weJxjIs4D6QdCMRTJs4oDwPalAuMM-XP9ED-SBdwrhZtZz0abOme5ThUQ0zcdyEgw-2JuSX2tN7uGu3WWdtL3YMkb-K3eQfMtgXuZWxc95R2yf0oIr3_-kgSo1jHDbz89qYYbEC6he0NGhoppBwMnu5VxzP0O94cq8pbMHNUWm43P_/w300-h400/IMG_7210.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emperor Hadrian - Antalya Archeological Museum</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5_RrmHkMh91p7zU4FdAfowfzRjPkZcdSU4pRnMh4XBNj-nJ9rYo6PLhsL3YUMq8yU4A_QwRFOnXGfe29azBZs7fePY1cNDiwYXPvzpFVkxrp6ok_v7Pp3Pwm0Bq-xUZmKKBlERm0VWxxFORbWC3Rw7qjuJwrBcwtsZ4q_tRj7zwJ_UqfDQuBrJKrpWwU/s4032/IMG_7274.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5_RrmHkMh91p7zU4FdAfowfzRjPkZcdSU4pRnMh4XBNj-nJ9rYo6PLhsL3YUMq8yU4A_QwRFOnXGfe29azBZs7fePY1cNDiwYXPvzpFVkxrp6ok_v7Pp3Pwm0Bq-xUZmKKBlERm0VWxxFORbWC3Rw7qjuJwrBcwtsZ4q_tRj7zwJ_UqfDQuBrJKrpWwU/w300-h400/IMG_7274.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nymphaion from the period of the Emperor Hadrian. From the statue laying on a base, the water flows directly below the statue into the channel running in the colonnaded street north to south.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjhg3bXOdSfQSBK5Xw8yaPeqihbu7n49dgJRlBh7oTLxqGZstQ-uSN5BSwWfd1vvdl5dWjpUJ-D52PIuNvOixj_Z2bl_zgnTOIoNJPuze8YZpkJHVIo17XJJXpfyPowjLSJsZ7ueXyLdWcZh9LVBV7rn4_6-0ock_A6xBjOUgn2iWmEaBc12GbWG3k-_b/s3881/IMG_7265.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3881" data-original-width="2910" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjhg3bXOdSfQSBK5Xw8yaPeqihbu7n49dgJRlBh7oTLxqGZstQ-uSN5BSwWfd1vvdl5dWjpUJ-D52PIuNvOixj_Z2bl_zgnTOIoNJPuze8YZpkJHVIo17XJJXpfyPowjLSJsZ7ueXyLdWcZh9LVBV7rn4_6-0ock_A6xBjOUgn2iWmEaBc12GbWG3k-_b/w300-h400/IMG_7265.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colonnaded street with granite columns, many re stood on new plinths </td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PWD46c9PvRqC9pDoouGa1PKfCIsMHaWcgIP4HM0yAnzqlL8yo3uFLvJUktTIh_VpMhohGW-Yc2lBjhj9_a1KF_KUpPZa8T9ikwa2CxJFNZsXyDbMbV91fwQ064boThyQfwL14yIIiv-_wWGaYpoG_WToPlWOT9082rod5Zv3NX3kIxhq26iEkUe0AWqR/s4032/IMG_7260.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PWD46c9PvRqC9pDoouGa1PKfCIsMHaWcgIP4HM0yAnzqlL8yo3uFLvJUktTIh_VpMhohGW-Yc2lBjhj9_a1KF_KUpPZa8T9ikwa2CxJFNZsXyDbMbV91fwQ064boThyQfwL14yIIiv-_wWGaYpoG_WToPlWOT9082rod5Zv3NX3kIxhq26iEkUe0AWqR/w300-h400/IMG_7260.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some complete with cap stones</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTC6XFHEdrerRny-GEmDIntwaCzdgjFAXL5T7286HJo4taxWZZb2GHCm-ymqul3sjCzjqa_XzDsUl06Z_dbO-Wq5iv2DksEQNx3fTLAiwDQij-Am59N0X0vqgVtbdi5AWr8WD5zjj34CfbesuEtr5xs1L6_5vHAQRc81AVAJhnDX4iPGBvmr1N8pT5-yE/s4032/IMG_7285.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTC6XFHEdrerRny-GEmDIntwaCzdgjFAXL5T7286HJo4taxWZZb2GHCm-ymqul3sjCzjqa_XzDsUl06Z_dbO-Wq5iv2DksEQNx3fTLAiwDQij-Am59N0X0vqgVtbdi5AWr8WD5zjj34CfbesuEtr5xs1L6_5vHAQRc81AVAJhnDX4iPGBvmr1N8pT5-yE/w300-h400/IMG_7285.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An area of mosaic being restored</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1uZhao2rwPSTOErSMb4JutIRklvqbyzC6NYpfUP4kCjYO0KvnC1RIqB3bUSsROBMJ_3sqyGDxiQIPt4XduwraMRMolRSlvH5jUdsLQejt4UCtQy1GSn5S8j350pqmKzDprfb7-zEqc8_KW0EY73vDezlcd9renMpCVYwQLn3Z4d8jg7pC7JTkkp7beN7/s4032/IMG_7290.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1uZhao2rwPSTOErSMb4JutIRklvqbyzC6NYpfUP4kCjYO0KvnC1RIqB3bUSsROBMJ_3sqyGDxiQIPt4XduwraMRMolRSlvH5jUdsLQejt4UCtQy1GSn5S8j350pqmKzDprfb7-zEqc8_KW0EY73vDezlcd9renMpCVYwQLn3Z4d8jg7pC7JTkkp7beN7/w300-h400/IMG_7290.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The city baths showing the heating and cooling system</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-52436077778036268702023-10-14T00:56:00.006+11:002023-10-14T01:13:56.147+11:00London let me count the ways....<p>I fell in love with London on my first ever visit. An impromptu visit when Lisa asked us to come and see her. I suspect she was a little homesick having not long arrived and we were in Calais with a rental car wondering what next. We is my now ex husband and I, on our 'we're really too broke to do this trip' adventure to Europe in 2004. We were on the tightest budget, one that saw us camping in odd spots while following the Tour de France and eating cheap with our small camping stove. Wine rule was if it's over 3 Euro its a no - that worked most of the time! </p><p>It was the best trip. One where we woke one morning to find ourselves in the midst of a Gypsy encampment. I did wonder why the women in the loos seemed to know each other and looked a bit oddly at me, and why the water was so cold. The kids on the other hand enjoyed the novelty I was and we made friends, which of course led to the mums knowing I was okay. So many stories from that time untold here, pre blogging and no proper camera. </p><p>So, Calais. The ferry was not too expensive so off we headed with no accommodation prebooked, an esky full of camping stuff, a tent, two packs and whatever else we could carry. Two grubby hobos. The customs guys on one side were okay, pleased I suspect to be handing us over to the UK. The UK ones had 20 questions, 19.5 of which we couldn't answer. A very last minute plan, and no we don't know where we're staying in England. That big place called London might have a bed or two? </p><p>I expected the journey to be longer, it wasn't and soon we were in Dover. There was a bus to the station, it cost 2 pound. We didn't have 2 pound. We didn't have 2 Euro not that it counted. And there was nowhere to get said 2 pound. A lovely young American man spotted us our fare and we were off to the station to get the train to London, which I think took longer than the ferry journey. Still loaded up with camping stuff and looking more and more like we were heading to Hyde Park to set up our tent. </p><p>Arriving in Paddington later in the evening saw us wandering and wondering where we'd stay. We asked a friendly looking person. Did I say we still looked like grubby hobos? Turns out he was Scottish and laughed at our dilemmas, thinking typical bloody kiwis I suspect. He pointed us to a cheaper part of town and we found a dodgy room in a place with a shower in the room and a loo down the corridor. Interesting place really. </p><p>The next day dawned hot and sunny and off we went to see the sights and have lunch with Lisa. Wow, all of the places I'd seen and read about over the years, from the historic times and the Romans to the current times right there. It was so exciting. I couldn't get enough. The Tower was out of our budget, it was that or food, so we wandered around it and walked over the bridge and along the South Bank. As I said I fell in love with London those days. We had a picnic lunch in Hyde Park with Lisa, bought from a shop more fancy than we'd been to before. </p><p>That was the start. My next visit was in 2010 then as often as possible since. And it never gets old. Now it's just a short train ride away and I get to wander when I please. It was my birthday wish to go to the British Museum and Greenwich. What a treat of a day with lots of wandering, eating, Pimms on the Thames, sightseeing and people watching. I've also caught up with Jenny from the Cayman days, Kate my niece and Kate from those Al Ain days there. Finding new spots to eat and drink, soaking in the pub culture. </p><p>Some of the other visits have been included in previous posts so here's a couple of pics from my happy birthday to me trip where Jules gave me a treat of a day out in my favorite city. And 22,647 steps, also typical of my London wanders! </p><p>So why did this post evolve? I was writing about our time in Antalya and my brain side tracked to comparing the British Museum to the Antalya Archeological Museum. While it was smaller the one in Antalya was much better laid out, showing the pieces that actually came from the area rather then ones taken from the places they belong. I don't have too much of an opinion on that, except that human remains should not be disturbed. Plus when we were there we discovered a place called Perge and I found links with my favorite book <i>Birds without wings </i>which I knew was set in the Antalya region. Perge had been discovered before of course. We decided we would visit, booking an Airbnb experience for the next day. The next post is about Perge.</p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeq4hindLQgxgtBaAvQcRxIPDAiZkFH2H8tMrYw0_7OLUe-EaxnnrzYhVwu8fI1bLbn77nqJyT8CIAQQSrsmRrJ9aWsfQbG0FvZZEc2WWrr_ve9fH5nT_tc0euDj5JGjhlaVoJd1DfdeLyuYAv7WwaJdzTkzv7dcs96E953wiFXgOppEB5iuHXF_zMw5u/s3633/IMG_6537.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3633" data-original-width="2725" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeq4hindLQgxgtBaAvQcRxIPDAiZkFH2H8tMrYw0_7OLUe-EaxnnrzYhVwu8fI1bLbn77nqJyT8CIAQQSrsmRrJ9aWsfQbG0FvZZEc2WWrr_ve9fH5nT_tc0euDj5JGjhlaVoJd1DfdeLyuYAv7WwaJdzTkzv7dcs96E953wiFXgOppEB5iuHXF_zMw5u/w300-h400/IMG_6537.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HBD to me! Pimms all round </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-y8evD-ZK8YjQMcw5y0anMgnmX-mlJYWDwVYFnymJAXtmVkDIaP5bo20xnEewwyU1JrfGcSsk1T7zvTyeAza510yXbgPKUZYAWZKiSEpOvEip-O66O5CthyNSkztiIlDkm84s2uUzDLvbGWIomFCnbBUDOdTzZrJsVnUINU53t8Un-15cnvHYviuOvK7/s3898/IMG_6469.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2924" data-original-width="3898" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-y8evD-ZK8YjQMcw5y0anMgnmX-mlJYWDwVYFnymJAXtmVkDIaP5bo20xnEewwyU1JrfGcSsk1T7zvTyeAza510yXbgPKUZYAWZKiSEpOvEip-O66O5CthyNSkztiIlDkm84s2uUzDLvbGWIomFCnbBUDOdTzZrJsVnUINU53t8Un-15cnvHYviuOvK7/w400-h300/IMG_6469.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greenwich from halfway up</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJO1krjw4_pw-vnEj-4D87eUlDNc-il3Ytt5PfI4j7bnzCl4tJlbf62iioEX1GDZjVPz-jZ6uoVmuNbhxosM0SJBS8u7vCDS5roo5tE0F6oyD4CvA9riCdnqGnK46sumrk2eIC9LlHLb7e6scSaLEtkyjkXAmHVPb3GIROnfRAYtEGrEYUhVAwGvBdGaiL/s4032/IMG_6495.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJO1krjw4_pw-vnEj-4D87eUlDNc-il3Ytt5PfI4j7bnzCl4tJlbf62iioEX1GDZjVPz-jZ6uoVmuNbhxosM0SJBS8u7vCDS5roo5tE0F6oyD4CvA9riCdnqGnK46sumrk2eIC9LlHLb7e6scSaLEtkyjkXAmHVPb3GIROnfRAYtEGrEYUhVAwGvBdGaiL/w400-h300/IMG_6495.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top - Quite a haul up that hill!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-ztqIivmiidFwAhOM1tJXKreQz4fcKZqIu75IpEppahcetRFmVJVbCX3oLIWIRoroMaAza_YfhL4KAlKCCh1pX6uw1ELUklgoKLofBFO6asDRxuYYUW-EuEPm8UMgT6__AFHW4JLrEdMbRdl_62JzV-V52Ke71Pj60smKcMS71O0kr5LDie7Ug_ySO6u/s4032/IMG_6496.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-ztqIivmiidFwAhOM1tJXKreQz4fcKZqIu75IpEppahcetRFmVJVbCX3oLIWIRoroMaAza_YfhL4KAlKCCh1pX6uw1ELUklgoKLofBFO6asDRxuYYUW-EuEPm8UMgT6__AFHW4JLrEdMbRdl_62JzV-V52Ke71Pj60smKcMS71O0kr5LDie7Ug_ySO6u/w400-h300/IMG_6496.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love a good ship in a bottle</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxaNtZ1junzTFuZNCCZ5IBIICiRHTz7tyMAU10YWyl0HMqreTQUR3ykmduCYDNQHsGmnVlDYuQQukvhUZ7LbP3PtQ9ej1sc7xRJs2YcCsKB2qW5vdgWyXerz2WmYeubmypQdqqY0XEEb1KcjfFGCQyY29N-5JwUtiOc7OMMO1usCbXZQWc91sr61LWy99/s4032/IMG_6497.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxaNtZ1junzTFuZNCCZ5IBIICiRHTz7tyMAU10YWyl0HMqreTQUR3ykmduCYDNQHsGmnVlDYuQQukvhUZ7LbP3PtQ9ej1sc7xRJs2YcCsKB2qW5vdgWyXerz2WmYeubmypQdqqY0XEEb1KcjfFGCQyY29N-5JwUtiOc7OMMO1usCbXZQWc91sr61LWy99/w300-h400/IMG_6497.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greenwich</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOqEZFjEoSxxymHW9h8Gxr86mdiiDN_dEYaG6k8CkCS0obfWDB_U7aNE1KGnTK-1ipoen3WiT0QcPgw2VzMOMApnVxK-WnxLLhpz3Y-lrvL67mZfxBwo_cWm3aIxUnRT9zqrpFXcw3s7jYXvhOgk-ehPt6LkiDIPwAwB2zmwqRwAD5HhJNycaK0VCbVq1/s4032/IMG_6528.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOqEZFjEoSxxymHW9h8Gxr86mdiiDN_dEYaG6k8CkCS0obfWDB_U7aNE1KGnTK-1ipoen3WiT0QcPgw2VzMOMApnVxK-WnxLLhpz3Y-lrvL67mZfxBwo_cWm3aIxUnRT9zqrpFXcw3s7jYXvhOgk-ehPt6LkiDIPwAwB2zmwqRwAD5HhJNycaK0VCbVq1/w300-h400/IMG_6528.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Ben unwrapped at last!</td></tr></tbody></table>Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-2172937393782634602023-10-05T00:30:00.005+11:002023-10-05T00:37:28.843+11:00The next adventures<p>Phew that's the cruise posts taken care of and I can move to the next adventure. With so many adventures in between like the weekend of seafood eating at Seafest Weymouth, the stop at Westminster on the way home and various day trips exploring close by. And the very biggest, most exciting and wonderful of news, the arrival of number 7 grandbaby. Raphael is a fellow Leo, like his next up cousin Lily, and he's delightful. I can't wait to meet him, I'm booked to head south again for November so will get plenty of cuddles very soon. </p><p>The next big adventure was a trip to Turkey. It's been 19 years since I was last there, far too long really. I loved my trip in 2004 when I got to stay with Di in Istanbul and travel through the country to the south. I celebrated my birthday that year in a cave hotel eating the best cake and drinking raki with white cheese and watermelon with the hotel owner. All arranged by the lovely Hayden, a wandering kiwi in Istanbul. It was the very best trip. </p><p>This time it was Antalya, a different spot from where I'd been before. I was so excited when we landed, late so needing to get to the apartment in the city quickly. We stayed right at the start of the local shopping district, a short wander from the sea and the touristy areas. I much prefer to stay a bit local, eating at local restaurants and spending money in local shops. Like the Migros under the apartment, the supplier of the essentials and chocolate. The first day we wandered to the old city, found the best seafood restaurant and people watched while acclimatizing to the heat. The food was delicious. Very fresh fish washed down with a cold Efs. </p><p>Emperor Hadrian was very busy while he reigned and I've been to many places he touched. Like here where there's a gate named in his honor. A very old gate set within the very old city walls. The worn flagstones under the gate were slippery so I kept to the rough stones as I looked for the best places to capture this amazing place. It was really hot so the nearby cafe was a good spot to rest and cool down, joined by the cutest kitten who appreciated time on my knee and the largest dog who lay next to us. </p><p><a href="https://www.purina.co.uk/find-a-pet/dog-breeds/turkish-kangal-dog" target="_blank">Kangal dogs</a> are a large, powerful, heavy-boned dog, whose size and proportions have developed naturally as a result of its continued use in Turkey as a guardian against predators. They are gorgeous although I did see a few tourists shy away from the particularly large one who befriended us. The wandering animals are treated with respect, well cared for and loved. We enjoyed the company of many of them as they received a pat and wandered with us. The restaurants welcome the animals and feed them on table scraps. </p><p>We booked an outing on a boat the next day, exploring the coast and a swim seemed easiest from a boat. Well, what an adventure that was! One where a few people had to be rescued, the last a woman who had floated off on a very strong current. Luckily there were passengers who could swim and knew how to rescue someone. The poor crew were at a loss and, despite moving the boat closer to the woman, the ropes were too short to reach her. She was exhausted when she finally got back on board, and a bit sheepish. I'd been in the water twice and the tide was so strong I decided to abandon the swim as I know I'm not a strong swimmer. It was lovely being in the warmish sea again, I've missed that. </p><p>One thing I love about Turkey is the freshness of the food and that evening dining at a local kebab restaurant I tucked into the very best salads and dips while my companion enjoyed a kebab with all the trimmings, and chai lots of chai. A couple of days of wandering in the heat left me looking for other transport options like the tram for the next day's wander to the beach via the museum. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU75rll6ZgWjY1fEbcF2_SGTHEBRuISVAKv5CFyRy0uX_3Q7YF0O7I8CaE41Fzq_74wBsovxiHkEQGOQSviinZhwPmnH_OXy-BB_58R3_JlqHvq-kmZpXVT1lzX2w43YQHN6GAL80dkU_rsyk86Z4aqB84Uft6UkRDyaYLkpwFOuK6HAIBRZJrujbVOy_V/s3931/IMG_7100.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2948" data-original-width="3931" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU75rll6ZgWjY1fEbcF2_SGTHEBRuISVAKv5CFyRy0uX_3Q7YF0O7I8CaE41Fzq_74wBsovxiHkEQGOQSviinZhwPmnH_OXy-BB_58R3_JlqHvq-kmZpXVT1lzX2w43YQHN6GAL80dkU_rsyk86Z4aqB84Uft6UkRDyaYLkpwFOuK6HAIBRZJrujbVOy_V/w400-h300/IMG_7100.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hadrian's Gate</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawl8Pbv3PVBLyLIclqlD6NPMelSLbv7NX13YoCMB0-2jBpRvZxHS_4tFByGiw5z4iDje6WAfw7y-9_SyQcjMkc6a3u7OiOP8FUQ64Kp-idTljRZ6P6VAiZQ2GjTEegNOWJyRqD6zn-ZWlMm9gTi55MqXRHEg5JzNwNqK-Sn-P5xejeJfCthl_Ej1VZmWz/s4032/IMG_7103.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawl8Pbv3PVBLyLIclqlD6NPMelSLbv7NX13YoCMB0-2jBpRvZxHS_4tFByGiw5z4iDje6WAfw7y-9_SyQcjMkc6a3u7OiOP8FUQ64Kp-idTljRZ6P6VAiZQ2GjTEegNOWJyRqD6zn-ZWlMm9gTi55MqXRHEg5JzNwNqK-Sn-P5xejeJfCthl_Ej1VZmWz/w300-h400/IMG_7103.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing detail under the arches</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIttlNaNVQnjyE-YVUcBhE6EWE1vCrQxoU51_eWj7ip1ZhdnZWYIZSqPvbDipIunzLzA40JwP3ADJly5VsLlR7JCB8rZpY5twQaH9iRp3E-6oSjLSCv2bHXJRfqZoCKBv3cE2j9iPDosIlT3ikXV0Dw1SA69qZi5omywGTs2q_g6LHqvxD9Aug2Xmy9lD/s4032/IMG_7093.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIttlNaNVQnjyE-YVUcBhE6EWE1vCrQxoU51_eWj7ip1ZhdnZWYIZSqPvbDipIunzLzA40JwP3ADJly5VsLlR7JCB8rZpY5twQaH9iRp3E-6oSjLSCv2bHXJRfqZoCKBv3cE2j9iPDosIlT3ikXV0Dw1SA69qZi5omywGTs2q_g6LHqvxD9Aug2Xmy9lD/w400-h300/IMG_7093.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did visit for a look - so tempting!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQHSJV51WrKNfswpLRgDzVR1myNaKvJU6tTua6NQNCPiz69a2EHra4l08xN7l5maMT5piF92ftVTkdQnm1RYz4yXTq5zyX0VDYcSTP-ncL8ihu_jlOenc0Yl_s3vBLqpVr2r2WtewaNeeh0Q8vHz7imIbifK86Ay-kbhudpK6vRVcMEu272En-zwpF31E/s3923/IMG_7167.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2943" data-original-width="3923" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQHSJV51WrKNfswpLRgDzVR1myNaKvJU6tTua6NQNCPiz69a2EHra4l08xN7l5maMT5piF92ftVTkdQnm1RYz4yXTq5zyX0VDYcSTP-ncL8ihu_jlOenc0Yl_s3vBLqpVr2r2WtewaNeeh0Q8vHz7imIbifK86Ay-kbhudpK6vRVcMEu272En-zwpF31E/w400-h300/IMG_7167.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful day out on the water</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nqTrACfgapXLxSdhTuT26eMnWecUPAcS3PQZAAVYpYEUxRYYm8ATKavwyaWLEnVZN7aVMWeAci56VJfhj2ouAanBBz2ssc68kk2vnSfyeKxsb8q54dPTuWz3ol-BmUfYQTiHT7UuQ1Dq69J6Ob8INY4I1pskNW_S8ijjvCYKlPHdMT2bEMQcWY-YafxT/s4032/IMG_7185.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nqTrACfgapXLxSdhTuT26eMnWecUPAcS3PQZAAVYpYEUxRYYm8ATKavwyaWLEnVZN7aVMWeAci56VJfhj2ouAanBBz2ssc68kk2vnSfyeKxsb8q54dPTuWz3ol-BmUfYQTiHT7UuQ1Dq69J6Ob8INY4I1pskNW_S8ijjvCYKlPHdMT2bEMQcWY-YafxT/w400-h300/IMG_7185.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oxBewqIjwkG_2TMkqs-xRnykcDA0-PDffDeQXbbvjswTI4Un_Xef_v1i5la1cfancQWc3EMFdkRBI4cAtc_hwNBR-O46xM-wuAJ_4ERci2MmVA2MfmyuGCwnEuU5UbubJ4OitBZrOIwfG2doCmReYyRo-qHdgZfm_LSvdRfzr3TPHCmSPKrFkZYsxfgf/s3766/IMG_7142.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2824" data-original-width="3766" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oxBewqIjwkG_2TMkqs-xRnykcDA0-PDffDeQXbbvjswTI4Un_Xef_v1i5la1cfancQWc3EMFdkRBI4cAtc_hwNBR-O46xM-wuAJ_4ERci2MmVA2MfmyuGCwnEuU5UbubJ4OitBZrOIwfG2doCmReYyRo-qHdgZfm_LSvdRfzr3TPHCmSPKrFkZYsxfgf/w400-h300/IMG_7142.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A boat is safe in the harbor. But this is not the purpose of a boat<br />Paulo Coelho</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-39191626345628526582023-10-04T02:53:00.001+11:002023-10-04T02:57:52.198+11:00Cruising - The final stop<p>The final stop was Seward. We were all packed up, breakfasted and off the ship early. What to do until our train journey to Anchorage set off? There's an aquarium with puffins and other sea life so that's where we wandered. The puffins were such clowns and seemed to enjoy playing up to the cameras. The sea lions were being fed and the other fish swimming around happily. It was a small place and the work they do preserving sea life and informing people about sea life was evident. I often find places like this are there to inform and preserve and many of their captive animals are one who would not survive back in the wild. </p><p>Seward had good coffee and food and we wandered over to the library once we were done to enjoy the warmth with a good book. The train was going later so there was a lot of time to kill. Shopping in the local supermarket to stock up for the journey I realized just how expensive it was in this isolated place. The train journey was very scenic and I got to enjoy the company of a couple of women who belong to a Facebook group I'm on - Solo travelling women. We had a great catch up. </p><p>Anchorage, well our first night was eventful. We were late arriving and when we arrived at our room there was a strong smell of smoke and other substances. A knock on the door was answered with a 'just a minute' and out came a young man in a fug of smoky smells. He looked as surprised to see us as we were to see him! It seems he was told the room was empty and he was able to sleep there. You see he was one of the many homeless in Anchorage. Down to reception and a new room, one in which one of the beds had been slept in. We remade it with clean sheets. </p><p>Morning came around too quickly, it was very late when we arrived, and the girls left me on my own as they headed off to the airport and back to Australia and New Zealand. I must confess I felt more than a bit lonely so got up and headed out for a wander and breakfast. The helpful staff gave me a suggestion, it was packed with over an hour to wait so I wandered to a less busy place. There was a four table with a couple seated at it so I asked politely to join them. We had a lovely chat, turns out she was a recently retired teacher. Then three fishermen joined me and a lively discussion about fishing from Seward ensued as endless coffee was added to my cup. Okay and much needed coffee too. <br /></p><p>Almost time for the airport, just a few souvenirs to buy. The people in Anchorage were so helpful pointing me to the free airport shuttle so off I went. Next stop Vancouver late at night, and an interesting AirBnb. At least it was warmer there!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACXAt797Z_QYOZjmCG18_MEUamuQ0tmqs4vGkA-7NOXhGNhnPJBuxic1Jqyu2EWFAWH-8_rMycHwkojm2CzhRUGiwCtS-8a89On5AnYuCcEMlopqJlLnD7ZGdFnaCc_fPy0KqMq9WJPDnLr5neIG-aDK7Op_HjpiTg6jVxoNoa4e-lfEYfjA1HzE2COWs/s4032/IMG_6194.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACXAt797Z_QYOZjmCG18_MEUamuQ0tmqs4vGkA-7NOXhGNhnPJBuxic1Jqyu2EWFAWH-8_rMycHwkojm2CzhRUGiwCtS-8a89On5AnYuCcEMlopqJlLnD7ZGdFnaCc_fPy0KqMq9WJPDnLr5neIG-aDK7Op_HjpiTg6jVxoNoa4e-lfEYfjA1HzE2COWs/w300-h400/IMG_6194.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Uo5t-3olupMgiPhJoSawDi5iXe7pnNIEw8HVrZe3naYa63u8r4h97vzFciwr-L41FzCemvrABQXSc03O_Jjq7-Ia3P2E2xbDzFE-aiWniB2iN45WjeJ5gZVGfraJKjMVj7B5rYcJ27D7ypfV4ipwgKTgOKzUqEy8LXq-1FzHvvJoxWmtP5YXYsoqB-3W/s4032/IMG_6203.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Uo5t-3olupMgiPhJoSawDi5iXe7pnNIEw8HVrZe3naYa63u8r4h97vzFciwr-L41FzCemvrABQXSc03O_Jjq7-Ia3P2E2xbDzFE-aiWniB2iN45WjeJ5gZVGfraJKjMVj7B5rYcJ27D7ypfV4ipwgKTgOKzUqEy8LXq-1FzHvvJoxWmtP5YXYsoqB-3W/w300-h400/IMG_6203.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puffin fun!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAm4cA6etAmNvIgzOF03wJ3CApfFkoFmQsWKKA1zkki8oJumqcGWDvLGhYRg4sbSnOz36douxv1rbfzswTFlsePwMnYfJZOkjKaFncA3THOmNVkG_PbRkP0zsuatiWdz6VNo1WUE9ADYXjTbJn9w-w2uui6lW9ArB7WXed-0SRnX7YL3OTv0I1avZs027L/s4032/IMG_6206.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAm4cA6etAmNvIgzOF03wJ3CApfFkoFmQsWKKA1zkki8oJumqcGWDvLGhYRg4sbSnOz36douxv1rbfzswTFlsePwMnYfJZOkjKaFncA3THOmNVkG_PbRkP0zsuatiWdz6VNo1WUE9ADYXjTbJn9w-w2uui6lW9ArB7WXed-0SRnX7YL3OTv0I1avZs027L/w300-h400/IMG_6206.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsJhTZCJ8bjrJn1e0kl3rQeNr3wMQvrM83v9qN9Yy_wfAnQA-odiOt8QWE2OS84peBGD-rba1I3T9KdTCHQnLO99pNQfFhz7fV6fmoGSUeamf6l2vxEgbs9r2H5hxoi__3PRRWzriHHPNgr1QdYof2x4L_T2PQ2anZi07HsHEy3wCZQX_bkwvZo1YzsmX/s2048/IMG_6253.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsJhTZCJ8bjrJn1e0kl3rQeNr3wMQvrM83v9qN9Yy_wfAnQA-odiOt8QWE2OS84peBGD-rba1I3T9KdTCHQnLO99pNQfFhz7fV6fmoGSUeamf6l2vxEgbs9r2H5hxoi__3PRRWzriHHPNgr1QdYof2x4L_T2PQ2anZi07HsHEy3wCZQX_bkwvZo1YzsmX/w300-h400/IMG_6253.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Glaciers everywhere</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjr8dYmtscOt5tPHSlAQmyXtjYIQJLwPJiMfilXqPcQQ57b1VC9Rrxvv9E9mf0RwEMq_3lpkIAiY-ZSMGPa2uvvTrS0QmVxCxDJsz6nIKVJ1lN0n7Xl01fHGBgP2M5dacL5SA-eMrO9Kl5Ubf05dZaZp70pQh2mEfLDC7QW4h6Urn2sHd6cZ3dPOHwRG0/s4032/IMG_6256.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjr8dYmtscOt5tPHSlAQmyXtjYIQJLwPJiMfilXqPcQQ57b1VC9Rrxvv9E9mf0RwEMq_3lpkIAiY-ZSMGPa2uvvTrS0QmVxCxDJsz6nIKVJ1lN0n7Xl01fHGBgP2M5dacL5SA-eMrO9Kl5Ubf05dZaZp70pQh2mEfLDC7QW4h6Urn2sHd6cZ3dPOHwRG0/w400-h300/IMG_6256.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A scenic journey</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-15557318023127423882023-09-13T02:08:00.002+10:002023-09-13T02:14:56.916+10:00Cruising Part 5<p>Maybe I need a better title for each of these posts. I didn't expect there to be so many! Anyhow, the evening promised an aurora borealis and I was fooled by the rainbow over the bay. False alarm. Seeing the real one meant getting up in the night and while I was all for that, the clouds closed in and we missed this chance. We were up very early to get a good place to view the Hubbard Glacier. Some from the ship went in a much smaller boat to get up very close. As I've been up close to glaciers before, even climbed up one, I preferred to stay on board where it was slightly warmer. About as warm as standing in front of an open freezer door. </p><p>Have I mentioned anywhere yet about my packing gaff? I travel light, carry on light, even for a two week adventure. I had looked at the weather, great it's summer; Vancouver looks hot, Alaska not too cold; and packed my bikinis in preference to my warm coat. Rookie mistake, at least I did pack my light rain coat and had layers and a warm pashmina so made do. It was just a bit chillier in these parts than I'd imagined, even in summer. </p><p>I waited patiently up top at a window opening to the glacier side of the ship with my big camera and long lens. What a lovely journey up Disenchantment Bay. The mist was low on the hills, mountains peeking out up higher and small ice burgs rocking in the ships wake. The best thing was the crew and their wonderful hot chocolate, topping up mine when needed with a smile. I even had an a salaam alikom from the photographer, assuming the pashmina around my head in lieu of a hat was a hijab. We had a lovely chat, he had some great travel stories, and he offered to take my photo - no thanks the selfie I took will never see the light of day!</p><p>It was amazing seeing this massive glacier, seeing the ice right up the valley and the bright spots where it has calved. The results in the water as large blocks of ice. No amount of description here can do this place justice so I'll leave it to the pics. Some are from my phone with a couple from my Canon. We sailed away once the excursion boat was back and headed for our final stop overnight to Seward. </p><p>The sky was once again amazing from the front of the ship, the sun still up until very late and a half light from there. The whales were out to play and we watched them from the warmth with cocktails in hand, the late sun lighting up the bar. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieB_NQoUltWLWvJLz4XilQiWB5ocWsBX6OSuscfLajMno5x8Mlizd_GSzuRPrzmi9hydeCgNkP7Y-puVaW7M52ZnSWyv998BPg51q_upgIrCaMxx1IhubmlEDC4hvvtwttH5HuMWvhGpYDSZJMLDk1j-gVfIiYmiOLSD81r8ncQbHi6IM474bv4eCly-a-/s4642/glacier%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3095" data-original-width="4642" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieB_NQoUltWLWvJLz4XilQiWB5ocWsBX6OSuscfLajMno5x8Mlizd_GSzuRPrzmi9hydeCgNkP7Y-puVaW7M52ZnSWyv998BPg51q_upgIrCaMxx1IhubmlEDC4hvvtwttH5HuMWvhGpYDSZJMLDk1j-gVfIiYmiOLSD81r8ncQbHi6IM474bv4eCly-a-/w400-h266/glacier%202.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTidj2lqWcLRk2lG7k693P22ZLDoI1D0JHJQ7Mv5WLrlKm4DcEBHxHlD8XVTPG3g9o6hnwCTs7pg_hCiyU3I0kPRlaPDRAFGI-kNoC4vUKSTt8ileOACjDjjsXJEg0sFKskP2VCKHET7sXC5w2oGYSfIUjZDt7qcAvPGmHlysz74zUgQCsL-sa80c4lSY/s4752/IMG_7622%204.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3168" data-original-width="4752" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTidj2lqWcLRk2lG7k693P22ZLDoI1D0JHJQ7Mv5WLrlKm4DcEBHxHlD8XVTPG3g9o6hnwCTs7pg_hCiyU3I0kPRlaPDRAFGI-kNoC4vUKSTt8ileOACjDjjsXJEg0sFKskP2VCKHET7sXC5w2oGYSfIUjZDt7qcAvPGmHlysz74zUgQCsL-sa80c4lSY/w400-h266/IMG_7622%204.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hubbard Glacier</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvRgUyv1Y-mL5xSqUrZRfdOa_ELYJzXEQ9ldWvcQ7XEUW--lL0c7eVWV42TFuSC9WQ66TzVoP5j_6DQnZfCIqaQP82u7jTdyoMfZJdlXKGA8yJR7VCp7JEG-J-N2_dmtH6jCd4avYq8GPqKrKk7lVqcf-1-dkbTHpgli3R07g66iZ5vUBcj24wL_-QfR_/s4032/IMG_6084.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvRgUyv1Y-mL5xSqUrZRfdOa_ELYJzXEQ9ldWvcQ7XEUW--lL0c7eVWV42TFuSC9WQ66TzVoP5j_6DQnZfCIqaQP82u7jTdyoMfZJdlXKGA8yJR7VCp7JEG-J-N2_dmtH6jCd4avYq8GPqKrKk7lVqcf-1-dkbTHpgli3R07g66iZ5vUBcj24wL_-QfR_/w400-h300/IMG_6084.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The excursion boat heading off</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ka71vTHS8d4XA_EI8A47s--_xSwbOPo5KgKuszDvDGTDVjV6rxRrdyxiG4_cvcj3TmVe3FPmNuh1MeCBx-CQGpD0sFeKNlx9iuBuQqSqCYa-T4B9UEPBiy-lqxTzgGb_d2fAJCvYH9XnohMZERGk6TGsi_EENbsJ4ph2d2qqYFAoEmXzSHFNt8GnGE1Q/s2048/IMG_6163.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ka71vTHS8d4XA_EI8A47s--_xSwbOPo5KgKuszDvDGTDVjV6rxRrdyxiG4_cvcj3TmVe3FPmNuh1MeCBx-CQGpD0sFeKNlx9iuBuQqSqCYa-T4B9UEPBiy-lqxTzgGb_d2fAJCvYH9XnohMZERGk6TGsi_EENbsJ4ph2d2qqYFAoEmXzSHFNt8GnGE1Q/w300-h400/IMG_6163.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late night sky</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-37759362446392682502023-09-08T20:22:00.001+10:002023-09-08T20:26:49.251+10:00Cruising Part 4<p>Drinks packages are dangerous. Or rather drinking your drinks package each day is! At least the place with good coffee was included. The evening entertainment was great. The dancers and acrobats and singers working hard to please the large crowds with bar staff bringing drinks when tops ups were needed. The Skyline lounge at the front of the ship was where much of the entertainment happened, well the entertainment involving the crowd. Like the very annoying quiz, that from me who loves a good bit of pub trivia. </p><p>One of our group is a singer. Bonnie is quite amazing, very talented and confident. Certainly better than some of the talent on display and much better than any others at karaoke, not something I took part in because I know for a 100% certainty, and have done my whole life - I can't sing! Just wish others understood that about themselves, although good on them for having a go and some were really good. Like the young man who wooed the crowd and had a serious conversation with the cruise director. </p><p>It was hard on the ship to find a quiet out of the way spot and I tried many. Outside on the deck chairs when it was really cold worked and, if one could be nabbed, in the big yellow winged chairs near the café. Not quiet given it's a café but turning the chair meant an ocean view. Wonderful reading my book while on the look out for wildlife. I saw a couple of Orca from there as well as the usual seals, dolphins and humpbacks. Such a treat. Others wanting the other chair in the pair joined me, also intent on a book and sea watching. </p><p>Skagway was our next stop and the White Pass and Yukon Route by train. Jane is the very best organizer. She chose and booked all the shore excursions and they were the very best. Bears, eagles, whales, rugged countryside, salmon to eat and alive, and trains. I love trains. I've always hankered for a model railway and ride on trains as a preference when needing transport. The White Pass train was an old one, refurbished carriages pulled by an appropriately sized engine. We needed our passports as we were heading back into Canada, a formality as an official came through the carriage and checked. Thankfully it didn't take too long as I needed the loo. Having a wee in Alaska in the morning and the next one in Canada a few hours later. Didn't think that would be a thing lol!</p><p>The train wended up the very steep and unforgiving track alongside the Skagway River, a trail used by men to access thee Klondike gold fields back in 1896-7 when gold was found. The treacherous trail of over 500 miles took the lives of many unprepared miners and sadly their pack animals. It's estimated 3000 horses died on the White Pass trail due to both the tortures of the trail and the inexperience of the stampeders, as the prospectors were called. Horrific stories of hardship, starvation and deprivation all in the pursuit of gold. To read more here's the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/klgo/learn/historyculture/white-pass-history.htm" target="_blank">National Parks Service</a> site. </p><p>The view out the windows was stark and the unforgiving landscape made me wonder at the madness caused by the cry of 'there's gold in them there hills'! I've been told I'm a bit of a risk taker but there's no way I'd brave the terrain, the weather, the bears and the madness of others on such a trek. I guess the hopeless poverty of the day played a part, a chance for a family to break the chains. Interesting thinking about the USA and how it is such a high pressure society with wealth and making wealth deciding factors in people's futures intergenerationally. </p><p>But I digress. Seems to happen when I start a post one day then pick it up the next. Where was I?</p><p>I've looked through the pics and although they don't really do the journey justice, some are below. As well as one of the yellow chair, just the perfect spot for coffee and a book. We left Skagway in a misty drizzle watching the helicopters take off showing the tourists the rugged country by air. The next highlight was Disenchantment Bay and the Hubbard Glacier.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdh4nWFoSvlKr8klOE9J8n8g-RdXHWuBzXlHmRhdZPR0o9kRK-zdaYGpHllpFQqoskI957adXyXpOh6awjUrKhGnO8haUEufQ4xYMY59jUTx6ZczVq4FxQ-HExMGuRRSWgiBtXkrvis3VD0pE3leJFZB-J-MsT6Y_pTL9nWpaPgUI0UkGYsQgnVqY_33R/s3938/IMG_5936.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3938" data-original-width="2744" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdh4nWFoSvlKr8klOE9J8n8g-RdXHWuBzXlHmRhdZPR0o9kRK-zdaYGpHllpFQqoskI957adXyXpOh6awjUrKhGnO8haUEufQ4xYMY59jUTx6ZczVq4FxQ-HExMGuRRSWgiBtXkrvis3VD0pE3leJFZB-J-MsT6Y_pTL9nWpaPgUI0UkGYsQgnVqY_33R/w279-h400/IMG_5936.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Glacial river carving through the land</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4Tf8ljP1qbtHTmlF0E3ms1qhNQEBTYdEwiXLAF8RIiJdj-GIz1ZK7rz7KiesP1HMS105aOq6IDyFcIzJ4MygJZHrfC-rIe0ipySFzI_wxEGtjaCJMRflKrTAOXNByUo5CpMqZTgGS1HmEk7VZkIMPICkNCWQVge7QqfWsO9uBcNOP4WXmOMO-Zm-qIPm/s3849/IMG_5952.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3849" data-original-width="2728" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4Tf8ljP1qbtHTmlF0E3ms1qhNQEBTYdEwiXLAF8RIiJdj-GIz1ZK7rz7KiesP1HMS105aOq6IDyFcIzJ4MygJZHrfC-rIe0ipySFzI_wxEGtjaCJMRflKrTAOXNByUo5CpMqZTgGS1HmEk7VZkIMPICkNCWQVge7QqfWsO9uBcNOP4WXmOMO-Zm-qIPm/w284-h400/IMG_5952.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Into the tunnel we go!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmv9EkUhg6MGpByjaroppZTcgruSHqAotslr02TQgDFeXGcX55LWu-Pho9D_7POS75jUjXJoryBUt9KokNrdjOCm895fYmB_kmDPoev5CP__1mwe0pDvYJDKUQo8AdWa1NaafFEnCgL9FxZsl_X8fZwkKZ_4weWg5uD2ONYZlDQNUfqnEzimE1mf6mah6/s4032/IMG_5965.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmv9EkUhg6MGpByjaroppZTcgruSHqAotslr02TQgDFeXGcX55LWu-Pho9D_7POS75jUjXJoryBUt9KokNrdjOCm895fYmB_kmDPoev5CP__1mwe0pDvYJDKUQo8AdWa1NaafFEnCgL9FxZsl_X8fZwkKZ_4weWg5uD2ONYZlDQNUfqnEzimE1mf6mah6/w300-h400/IMG_5965.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMPc51CixVNwR6O8MrRLfj_3ZO4vDj1qN2bRYG2DVRjWSVGBSxzFspFKqQjAgzJ6GzsSqWdMXG5dIMBKdqqVd9NC3SoFOPUVNssck1dgw2nN56p8yGHPAOhj6cGQaIWSPmISszh__OM57RYn6L91SbRq2MTFp8IAbYpi-fbxsswC4AGtMhAsir6Anvmhc/s1852/IMG_6033.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1852" data-original-width="1041" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMPc51CixVNwR6O8MrRLfj_3ZO4vDj1qN2bRYG2DVRjWSVGBSxzFspFKqQjAgzJ6GzsSqWdMXG5dIMBKdqqVd9NC3SoFOPUVNssck1dgw2nN56p8yGHPAOhj6cGQaIWSPmISszh__OM57RYn6L91SbRq2MTFp8IAbYpi-fbxsswC4AGtMhAsir6Anvmhc/w225-h400/IMG_6033.JPG" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p>Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-27483935876624448942023-08-25T01:57:00.004+10:002023-08-25T02:04:14.265+10:00Cruising Part 3<p>I was reflecting on my trip and realized I missed a piece about connection. At the hotel in Vancouver there was a roof terrace and we decided to end a satisfying day with a few drinks and snacks from the 7Eleven there. Enjoying the late afternoon sun. There were other folks there, two people who turned out to be New Zealanders. Jokingly I asked if they knew Diana when they said they were from Wellington. And yes they did, very well as she was a relative. Such a small world. I ended up having a couple of messages with her on Messenger and we're hoping to connect for a proper chat. Diana was one of my Wellington crew, the crew I had the best time with. There are pics here from our 2014-15 adventures. </p><p>Juneau. We had planned a lighter day here and a wander around town. The first stop was the Mendenhall Glacier. Being from New Zealand it takes a lot of glacier to impress me and I found this one a little underwhelming. It would have been lovely to have gotten closer. The wander along the track was refreshing, chatting with Mesh and enjoying the waterfalls. On the way back to town we had the best treat, a salmon bake - lots of lovely salmon. The salmon was very red and a little overcooked for me so I asked for an under done one for seconds. The lady slaving over the hot fire was delighted someone else liked salmon cooked less and we had a chat as she prepared the best salmon for me. The area around the <a href="https://www.alaska.org/detail/gold-creek-salmon-bake#:~:text=The%20Gold%20Creek%20Salmon%20Bake,in%20Alaskan%20gold%2Drush%20history." target="_blank">Gold Creek Salmon Bake</a> was lovely too as we wandered along Gold Creek to the waterfall and toasted marshmallows over the fire. </p><p>Back on the bus feeling very full, we headed to the <a href="https://www.reddogsaloon.com/" target="_blank">Red Dog Saloon</a>, an iconic venue in Juneau where duck farts were the order of the day. Duck farts are quite delicious shots layered Kahlua, Baileys and whiskey. The waitress recommended we had a go at the reindeer farts too, similar but with a minty addition. The bar was really busy with lots of historical memorabilia on the walls, hanging from the rafters, on the floor and everywhere with a flat surface. The bear hanging behind us looked fierce, sad to see his pelt stretched out on a wall. Jane booked us a whale watching trip with a local tour operator. I was feeling sleepy so not too enthused, that and I'd seen heaps of whales from my Gold Coast balcony. I was so pleased she booked it as we got to see a very special event, whales bubble net fishing. </p><p>Bubble net fishing is unique to Alaska. It's amazing to watch a pod of humpback whales lay their bubble net then leap up, mouths open, to catch the fish they captured in their net. The seagulls and seals are there for their share, dodging the wide open mouths. I got some amazing pics and I'm in the process of editing these so here's a video with an explanation instead. Much better represents this amazing spectacle. The pod we followed had 18-20 whales as was larger than the whale boat crew had seen in a while. Lovely to see the crew so engaged and enjoying this as much as we were. </p><p>We headed back to the boat big smiles on our faces. I was looking forward to checking my photos on a big screen and regretted not having my iMac at home to process these. The evening promised more entertainment, food and cocktails. It's a tough life this cruising! Next stop Skagway. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z00G0RxeSP0" width="476" youtube-src-id="z00G0RxeSP0"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJr8aoaYhu51AO65ujBQLJBDycjMUPn4EizA14_HW_iu2GJX-2MsTzC3lusOMyVSOalQ0SC5-Gao7y03sgHKGRqLZdBj7loOfjOw8tB5NgIPvwJWyP5OcIiA9zs3uRSsZiK8BMcaZt0dW0mokL1Yc-lGZOlr2yQXczfvkjDdSbeK8lunJOmxi3RjtBHrR/s3084/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3084" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJr8aoaYhu51AO65ujBQLJBDycjMUPn4EizA14_HW_iu2GJX-2MsTzC3lusOMyVSOalQ0SC5-Gao7y03sgHKGRqLZdBj7loOfjOw8tB5NgIPvwJWyP5OcIiA9zs3uRSsZiK8BMcaZt0dW0mokL1Yc-lGZOlr2yQXczfvkjDdSbeK8lunJOmxi3RjtBHrR/w393-h400/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="393" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with filters - Humpback fountain</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vk_N6ieX83JbSEhMA_zzAfrOnLFeOG5c7OpRpxyBBPc0J8MxaFg_NNfXc8Ve6AyVQ0Ng0-IRg0YABx3q9NjsJf6lESg6laDKXcwMlmpEOu-X0TfSQ0X-Y5XD6wFa3prCEDbsIh9YvsXCXgF0Fk9ipoEy_0lqeYg865haf85DfPORC_pmTufOfhbpvjya/s2016/IMG_5845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vk_N6ieX83JbSEhMA_zzAfrOnLFeOG5c7OpRpxyBBPc0J8MxaFg_NNfXc8Ve6AyVQ0Ng0-IRg0YABx3q9NjsJf6lESg6laDKXcwMlmpEOu-X0TfSQ0X-Y5XD6wFa3prCEDbsIh9YvsXCXgF0Fk9ipoEy_0lqeYg865haf85DfPORC_pmTufOfhbpvjya/w300-h400/IMG_5845.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall watching</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNb_OnZbmWr68B9uOotMNQMkRRC8HnS-imNf_zWJrJDGt5YcYXGwYo7rtWSqzPB7oNCkuvzXo5V4byyed_d8og0lK1OTwHOZeyPiiZ1Mt33Tl3tFpQ0RFuqQ-7XNuMpajj0_hwe98fJr8hFZpuEwrvn3TAVCBivw1rdSQpE7NoLJh5Kyc896tAFag3EYb/s2016/IMG_5848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNb_OnZbmWr68B9uOotMNQMkRRC8HnS-imNf_zWJrJDGt5YcYXGwYo7rtWSqzPB7oNCkuvzXo5V4byyed_d8og0lK1OTwHOZeyPiiZ1Mt33Tl3tFpQ0RFuqQ-7XNuMpajj0_hwe98fJr8hFZpuEwrvn3TAVCBivw1rdSQpE7NoLJh5Kyc896tAFag3EYb/w400-h300/IMG_5848.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mildenhall Glacier</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEH2R3zbHEZ29wkEEyIDSharW5ugKQQQAKgKaPaSZdPZmDtohCntttJGvH9ndf3U74NsIfdddKYpkORUJUohCH_u8thab3TgtFN-WTvCpv2Ci4n3S2L1TbtG3Ers9LpVy-FiAup-qxMEMBN7sNXPIU5IuVp9xplZqzE3inGEVf68nw0z0zXiAwThV_6xHh/s2016/IMG_5899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEH2R3zbHEZ29wkEEyIDSharW5ugKQQQAKgKaPaSZdPZmDtohCntttJGvH9ndf3U74NsIfdddKYpkORUJUohCH_u8thab3TgtFN-WTvCpv2Ci4n3S2L1TbtG3Ers9LpVy-FiAup-qxMEMBN7sNXPIU5IuVp9xplZqzE3inGEVf68nw0z0zXiAwThV_6xHh/w300-h400/IMG_5899.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our very large and fierce bear companion </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwED7X3Q4xS91osxiBSB-AvQgF9PmaeoTYRiMtkH75G4fG6LkCPKCr5VFM_1iHxGCgLQOosRmAK-rPgGXbRXgcI-ykbGlQyuWHf2qeXHoDKJHG3s8ATLf2az0z2qts2eqU47Y6C0Gps0Yp4MkfFcwu5zjMVtJ5tu6Kz2uxDxb7_00fk7uXhyCLGcvI8v-W/s2016/IMG_5902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwED7X3Q4xS91osxiBSB-AvQgF9PmaeoTYRiMtkH75G4fG6LkCPKCr5VFM_1iHxGCgLQOosRmAK-rPgGXbRXgcI-ykbGlQyuWHf2qeXHoDKJHG3s8ATLf2az0z2qts2eqU47Y6C0Gps0Yp4MkfFcwu5zjMVtJ5tu6Kz2uxDxb7_00fk7uXhyCLGcvI8v-W/w300-h400/IMG_5902.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duck Farts at the Red Dog<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-28921826623524827572023-08-22T18:32:00.007+10:002023-08-22T18:38:33.254+10:00Cruising Part 2After the fine dining the night before the buffet didn't quite do it for me. Being a pescatarian, a vegetarian who eats seafood, the range was a bit limited. Surprising given we were in the land of salmon, large crabs and other seafood delights. I managed quite well in the end, standing in line, chatting with folks and finishing off with the best sorbet. The evening entertainment was great with a cabaret style show followed by drinks at the front of the ship in the Skyline bar. <div><br /></div><div>Icy Strait Point and a small fishing town called Hoonah was the next stop and again it was heaving with people. We queued for the gondola and went up a small rise. Icy Point's high point was the free internet to make WhatsApp calls, something I couldn't do on the ship. There was also quite good coffee and I enjoyed it on the beach watching out over the water. Hoonah on the other hand was lovely. Hoonah is a largely Tlingit community on Chichagof Island, located in Alaska's panhandle in the southeast region of the state. It is 30 miles west of Juneau, across the Alaskan Inside Passage. Hoonah is a short wander from the commercial busyness of Icy Point and a welcome relief. I wandered there on my own taking pics along the way.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Icy Point there was great excitement as a humpback breached just offshore and played a while for the audience it attracted. Imagine my joy when another breached near me on my wander to Hoonah, scaring the group of paddlers who had the front row seats. I took lots of pics, not crowded by people, and got to hear the whale song as he leapt about. What a magical spot the canoeists had. I had considered going out with a local guide but decided staying dry and having a wander was a better idea. Bugger! </div><div><br /></div><div>I visited some local crafts folks in Hoonah and had a lovely chat about their place and New Zealand and the similarities, right down to some of the art works and media. I explored for a bit chatting with some local fishermen and wandered back to the ship along the coastal path. Apart from the whales and bears, I wanted that iconic shot of a bald eagle flying. I looked up to see one flying towards me and beginning to bank around. The quick shots I took didn't quite work as I'd hoped but I had a second chance as he flew to a nearby tree. I watched him for a while and got some good close shots then off he flew. Bald eagles are really big and my zoom missed his wing tip so the second flight pic wasn't great either. </div><div><br /></div><div>Back to the ship and onwards to the next destination. Kiwis are a bit of a tribe when out in the world and the cruise director told us there were 23 of us on board, plus one dancer. Kiwis also know each other from somewhere or are related to/friends of/live in the same town as someones mutual friend. This trip was no exception. I met Wanaka (not his real name) while getting a burger. His wife and Jane went to school together and hadn't seen each other for years. In their party was a former All Blacks coach and NZ hero and his partner a national netball player. The dancer came from Christchurch, my old city, and that was just half the NZ crew. Laughs were had with stories exchanged over cocktails. They loved my bears in the stream video so I shared it. They'd paid a lot for an excursion and hadn't yet seen a bear or eagles. </div><div><br /></div><div>We hit the casino at some point, not my thing but I borrowed a fiver off Jane and set about winning around 100USD on the pokies, very helpful to my limited budget. We watched the most amazing sunset from the Skyline bar, the sun not completely setting and providing us with the most colorful sky and shoreline. The pic below is taken after 10pm. Next stop Juneau. I was beginning to enjoy the gentle rocking of the ships as we cruised in calm waters. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIpdWwA9H4UQcE815mfZhpSvDDCh2JCOhLKtMoxj28lRrv7Vw-0h3zx-EN4dsIcJ2-c8tLdTCjKSZfvP81W1ArH9QIqfOSIu_n8I4K9MqE2eMkyTLsdI36RFmdu69dkc4JOJ6LiXrN3Zx1kZq_cqu-dyItC-pZfSQsRRDyFz-Nu-ObrZxCP5MB6lHBrCJ/s2016/IMG_5799.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIpdWwA9H4UQcE815mfZhpSvDDCh2JCOhLKtMoxj28lRrv7Vw-0h3zx-EN4dsIcJ2-c8tLdTCjKSZfvP81W1ArH9QIqfOSIu_n8I4K9MqE2eMkyTLsdI36RFmdu69dkc4JOJ6LiXrN3Zx1kZq_cqu-dyItC-pZfSQsRRDyFz-Nu-ObrZxCP5MB6lHBrCJ/w300-h400/IMG_5799.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peaceful coffee on the beach with the best outlook</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jFkWzjErUSD2pl4729LAU6qTrO6BKcbCsV318zPRgvSdaKDbanDdh0GvVcRRK3eogdjTJ8SKenTGimWc6WQJIjuN6YQBep1U461My-lPLlRcymaKJzDDkLedgyGP9tDa2kPizeVKOFrCKX6788ZKOaTTfb0Q5YPk-uzc-6CFHw8afLcPozSz4yNaJrki/s4752/IMG_6867.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3168" data-original-width="4752" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jFkWzjErUSD2pl4729LAU6qTrO6BKcbCsV318zPRgvSdaKDbanDdh0GvVcRRK3eogdjTJ8SKenTGimWc6WQJIjuN6YQBep1U461My-lPLlRcymaKJzDDkLedgyGP9tDa2kPizeVKOFrCKX6788ZKOaTTfb0Q5YPk-uzc-6CFHw8afLcPozSz4yNaJrki/w400-h266/IMG_6867.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paddlers ready for an adventure........</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsoWrSfqyYCl2pjMognOX4fZRVWdgDuJ9JU2sO-xLfW7ewzEnLjgGMEvBHaH5kC-tZIjATcaxspUNoERvec8FMO750U3-AeDOnSTzPUVQJRwb1m61upLnjVU_HVbbGtWUrJkFN5F1jDPdTLwLjXfPPMG8cUBXU4K3ZUsWYw7cNVbuwNEA7_ccsF5iObxj/s3668/IMG_6958.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2508" data-original-width="3668" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsoWrSfqyYCl2pjMognOX4fZRVWdgDuJ9JU2sO-xLfW7ewzEnLjgGMEvBHaH5kC-tZIjATcaxspUNoERvec8FMO750U3-AeDOnSTzPUVQJRwb1m61upLnjVU_HVbbGtWUrJkFN5F1jDPdTLwLjXfPPMG8cUBXU4K3ZUsWYw7cNVbuwNEA7_ccsF5iObxj/w400-h274/IMG_6958.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surprise! Humpback feeding and playing just offshore</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaZc2PQZDHUI9B-4ZW80ia9QNT16bKiaY5wceo98Wf_q0z9GlOS1rOky3uG0y40TgQ9RTSM3rs3hfPWBHJ0V15ve9E_vCVorZabIiqIP8l1mOBEXj38B04RXdvDcpNxeDfndf3K3pjxLNJZt5W3b5rV8irnCRUTGBxX8hq-B8Rad_yz8hBUsunOafCaHM/s4752/IMG_6932.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3168" data-original-width="4752" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaZc2PQZDHUI9B-4ZW80ia9QNT16bKiaY5wceo98Wf_q0z9GlOS1rOky3uG0y40TgQ9RTSM3rs3hfPWBHJ0V15ve9E_vCVorZabIiqIP8l1mOBEXj38B04RXdvDcpNxeDfndf3K3pjxLNJZt5W3b5rV8irnCRUTGBxX8hq-B8Rad_yz8hBUsunOafCaHM/w400-h266/IMG_6932.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fleet ready to go</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGalprhA5wVhvznvpbF-GA9NMK5xOQbgUVJP-rUgupoTRcOOiru3BfUZiz2yjJ4ShJa9bj8apbyVfLZ8RP1SPVZLp0RSQVGsle2kYxXHwSAFalj-y3BD9HK9SPsUPTN_vHSeeHoJokRdaGHbgLV3S9RWGVfa_MiU8DJXXatmmei4f_pUeqekYofEsq14AN/s4752/IMG_6934.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4752" data-original-width="3168" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGalprhA5wVhvznvpbF-GA9NMK5xOQbgUVJP-rUgupoTRcOOiru3BfUZiz2yjJ4ShJa9bj8apbyVfLZ8RP1SPVZLp0RSQVGsle2kYxXHwSAFalj-y3BD9HK9SPsUPTN_vHSeeHoJokRdaGHbgLV3S9RWGVfa_MiU8DJXXatmmei4f_pUeqekYofEsq14AN/w266-h400/IMG_6934.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Totem at Hoonah </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdvxhhVMdypGOUxLz3DrHA86Aj8fVrXc0cF4IiYwjP-hav3jgJyZNe-Ukt8VO8l2szkviiLI-ht3fApXv2djRA8WFijtXm2KK2DDzyOqouixaNH7D_7pZyV1QYt_kJqNicWtRKYNRAVoA-NfS21Qzqn6vD3lIUUITuluxD6GGICBwfm0FcHntnDUwM7KX/s3573/IMG_6910.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2962" data-original-width="3573" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdvxhhVMdypGOUxLz3DrHA86Aj8fVrXc0cF4IiYwjP-hav3jgJyZNe-Ukt8VO8l2szkviiLI-ht3fApXv2djRA8WFijtXm2KK2DDzyOqouixaNH7D_7pZyV1QYt_kJqNicWtRKYNRAVoA-NfS21Qzqn6vD3lIUUITuluxD6GGICBwfm0FcHntnDUwM7KX/w400-h331/IMG_6910.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My eagle friend - Still working on the flight pics</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8mBY6sCrgd34Mxs937X9YTzdB1UbIRt5CzkbY9vk9S6qlmOFVQwA75X6zDQJ_eONJwzAxadN08oqcjK-F9kRdu7meWXsfJ-Zq--UONDiaRoe9Fj6olo9unol6Pug3K3ImB3PxheKKnEC59SfGnzU9fKmrpUaaqUnyCo7RddYZomIoVytVJyB_21E4Yep/s1897/IMG_5831.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1423" data-original-width="1897" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8mBY6sCrgd34Mxs937X9YTzdB1UbIRt5CzkbY9vk9S6qlmOFVQwA75X6zDQJ_eONJwzAxadN08oqcjK-F9kRdu7meWXsfJ-Zq--UONDiaRoe9Fj6olo9unol6Pug3K3ImB3PxheKKnEC59SfGnzU9fKmrpUaaqUnyCo7RddYZomIoVytVJyB_21E4Yep/w400-h300/IMG_5831.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset from the Skyline bar</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-64101729117868944622023-08-18T03:36:00.007+10:002023-08-18T03:40:31.816+10:00Cruising Part 1 <p>Summer in England can be a little fickle and this year it has been! Since the lovely days in June following royal exploits, I've had the good fortune to enjoy the Guildford Festival listening to opera on a balcony dated back to the1600s from the cobbled street below; celebrated birthdays, mine and others; wandered canals visiting Norman castle ruins, picking blackberries and enjoying the swans and other wild life; and going on a cruise from Vancouver to Alaska. I was never sure about cruising, and have made comments about my first being when I'm 90 and in need of someone cooking and cleaning for me! I also knew this particular cruise went to places not accessible by road or rail so when Jane asked, I jumped to join.</p><p>Jane is the best travel companion and she had two friends with her this trip so I joined them exploring Vancouver and surrounds for a few days before heading to the ship. Roll back a bit to the flight over. Flying from Gatwick direct, I got a window seat for the day time flight. The view was amazing flying over Iceland, Greenland and Canada. I sat glued to the window and took a few pics of the glaciers, snowfields and ice bound seas below. Greenland was white? My seat mates were a father and son from New Zealand, now living in the UK, and they shared how they go to Canada to see their son/brother and to go mountain biking and hiking. The inability to travel lately has meant this is the first time they've gone in 3 years. Much excitement and another separated family story to add to my extensive collection. </p><p>I've added some photos from the plane window below. They are of course not the best pics through a window but I hope they give some idea of immensity of the snow and icefields. Vancouver, well I've always found expat Canadians to be the very best of peoples and getting from the airport to the hotel showed me ones at home are too. It was my first time in Canada so I relied on going by train and then wandering with a vague idea of where I needed to be and asking people. Such lovely conversations were had and I found the hotel just when I was ready to expire, it was hot you see and I was dressed for the plane! </p><p>Vancouver, what an interesting place. Jane and friends' hotel was in the central city and, while it was okay, the surrounding streets were not always. I was surprised to see so many homeless people and the open drug use in the streets. People doing meth and other drugs taking up the whole footpath and squabbling amongst themselves. Jane did some research after seeing catatonic people standing bent over and found there was a new drug which makes people into zombies? Not a good scene, and watching the poor ambulance first responders dealing with this was confronting. </p><p>On the plus side, we did an evening ghost tour and learnt about the history of the place. I didn't realize how relatively new Vancouver was as a city, not much older than some NZ cities. Getting to know Mish and Bonnie over a lovely pasta and cocktails was great, welcomed and fitting in with this group who had journeyed up the coast from San Fran to Seattle then bussed across the border. We also took a trip out to the Capilano Suspension Bridge and had a wander through the park there. What a lovely spot in the sunshine. </p><p>I've wandered alone so often I'd forgotten what it's like to have a suitcase minder, where I could wander off for food and loo without having to take my bag. This trip it was a small carry on for me but the others had bigger cases from longer trips to manage. The ghost tour made negotiating the city easier as we went past the key spots on our wanders. The busses and trains also took us where we needed. </p><p>Boarding the cruise ship was easier than boarding a plane so soon we were on board and ready for a cocktail. Apart from the four I boarded with, there were other friends on the boat, ones in for a surprise as my joining them was a well kept secret. Pina coladas all round as we caught up on all the news and enjoyed some food, buffet style with lots of choice. Then we were on the way, pulling out of the harbor along the most scenic waterway. The first evening was getting to know the ship, fine dining and hitting all the bars. Fine dining, imagine not being able to choose which starter you wanted and getting both choices delivered. Made the most of the lovely food slow dining with friends and some fine wine. </p><p>The next day was a sea day and then it was Ketchikan on Revillagigedo Island, a place only accessible by sea, to hunt for bears, salmon and eagles. 100% strike rate as we watched a mum and baby cavorting in a stream chasing the enormous king salmon coming up stream with bald eagles looking on waiting for some left overs. Wow moments after wandering through the forest and seeing bear sign on the sides.<br /> Later we got to see a large male black bear in the creek running through the middle of town. He was testing the water looking for food and had quite an audience. Unfortunately being in town meant he was a risk and the rangers had to chase him back to the wild, and if not, put him down. Sad really as we're in his space. </p><p>For a first shore excursion it was magical, except for the number of people disgorged from the ships in port. People wandering around shopping and eating, meaning this small town was packed and noisy. Cruise ships are such a big boost to the local economy and they had been missed during the stay at home period we've just had so we were very welcome. The driver shared with us how the seasonal labor market worked in these town, students coming to work the season and heading back for university or work as the winter closed in. Not sure I'd like to winter over in the cold and dark although this island didn't always get snow, in part because of it's maritime location. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZhSvmFtUOdU3OQ26aNqeItiL1Six2lkFawSHb8Rosd3ZHDW8BH0TyrO3q8g3SnKtE4QX4P9Ldanc2gh55z-uUkwhPdSEpTU7gg86GweRHT1Fbi_0rL05ugF2N5NUE97v9w9hvHtgJrzenA5UNo-CyR1rTmMN45EJEMxddtIk1LZn9R3sI8IAyQTD1aH6/s1821/IMG_5496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1821" data-original-width="1351" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZhSvmFtUOdU3OQ26aNqeItiL1Six2lkFawSHb8Rosd3ZHDW8BH0TyrO3q8g3SnKtE4QX4P9Ldanc2gh55z-uUkwhPdSEpTU7gg86GweRHT1Fbi_0rL05ugF2N5NUE97v9w9hvHtgJrzenA5UNo-CyR1rTmMN45EJEMxddtIk1LZn9R3sI8IAyQTD1aH6/w296-h400/IMG_5496.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying over Greenland</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorI9kJzgTLrynzfHOceO8io1SckgBewXZd8t7bKe5VBBFJmfFD7igSRARY_VKHOQdIThK8DwCNHVVld8Hhcz8yY9ExpE8i1ZEHe_nAYCTRhV3Jt0tScDL26ApY_iiqpvvCnr-qlQtl_t53sAT--aCy7GRUGi1jQKfGw4lKw0iaJuCGaobWWTwIhk0_BI-/s1923/IMG_5550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1923" data-original-width="1126" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorI9kJzgTLrynzfHOceO8io1SckgBewXZd8t7bKe5VBBFJmfFD7igSRARY_VKHOQdIThK8DwCNHVVld8Hhcz8yY9ExpE8i1ZEHe_nAYCTRhV3Jt0tScDL26ApY_iiqpvvCnr-qlQtl_t53sAT--aCy7GRUGi1jQKfGw4lKw0iaJuCGaobWWTwIhk0_BI-/w234-h400/IMG_5550.jpg" width="234" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steam clock - Vancouver </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOql-qc4Y6BfVHZ9kXYUx1ZaTcie9ojy6Ch63J6jlpGZAA0m6bDftU6TgAk41AbFFl19FeFz-pWp-OInk2FPfeZIJPwLtQW_Pxyy9DCl2qSMasXDLmj6c9EHj_TiZp5MzKVYA0F19Vbqtc0iuX7YzhRCEeviIF0YTUq0b7CiS6qEptdpaGJ6Lt25701qn/s2016/IMG_5649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOql-qc4Y6BfVHZ9kXYUx1ZaTcie9ojy6Ch63J6jlpGZAA0m6bDftU6TgAk41AbFFl19FeFz-pWp-OInk2FPfeZIJPwLtQW_Pxyy9DCl2qSMasXDLmj6c9EHj_TiZp5MzKVYA0F19Vbqtc0iuX7YzhRCEeviIF0YTUq0b7CiS6qEptdpaGJ6Lt25701qn/w400-h300/IMG_5649.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruise terminal - all aboard!<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VW7tRDk284UhcZkt-5a6w-TyyxkEC56Iw2hPORWVrSBwf-rvX_-XQMhCPunTBqRZpy3oD1EGOSC2nD2BqsB92-ApDFtJcEFKqMAXTIQkOL9oOhc-GQR7alj3PMRgxgRVw3nl9L7NStswXai1o_vs0udnUOaTMLl2a4bPwP34bgE-WaJfCFF1eWGiZHm3/s1920/FD1A0559-F941-4F2D-B557-6E6FA8191329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VW7tRDk284UhcZkt-5a6w-TyyxkEC56Iw2hPORWVrSBwf-rvX_-XQMhCPunTBqRZpy3oD1EGOSC2nD2BqsB92-ApDFtJcEFKqMAXTIQkOL9oOhc-GQR7alj3PMRgxgRVw3nl9L7NStswXai1o_vs0udnUOaTMLl2a4bPwP34bgE-WaJfCFF1eWGiZHm3/w225-h400/FD1A0559-F941-4F2D-B557-6E6FA8191329.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under way!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYvQjXv1l6myIhrmsFtXvCM_OwcPnKx79SXsVMG8Rnr-B_1sNN92XlGlR8389en1ojIllUM86eJlHNfKdkn2c8mJeorlVyYcMzYJzgbEpm5KCoJOCSP8HrXrAFy7wEvfiiLL0_WkZ4eSlLjpfZLl8DM5cAYsKh-ZApt4oZsnjn89H0QoixekoRPlph8om/s1286/IMG_5686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="1286" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYvQjXv1l6myIhrmsFtXvCM_OwcPnKx79SXsVMG8Rnr-B_1sNN92XlGlR8389en1ojIllUM86eJlHNfKdkn2c8mJeorlVyYcMzYJzgbEpm5KCoJOCSP8HrXrAFy7wEvfiiLL0_WkZ4eSlLjpfZLl8DM5cAYsKh-ZApt4oZsnjn89H0QoixekoRPlph8om/w320-h240/IMG_5686.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabin buddies <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iWfPXFVtHj3dUKUT7lS2V3X8bBHoU-aKZa50MTvxky3fRX6iNu2vswJAq8G4Lde0a2NfdKnjBE2AZ2KvfTfbd2YShLeeW0gAP-Yi9BR2W5JGvshTZigqGe2XExN4CWAqSHgmXhi9h5d7L7fDF_8Q9t11Y0L9qNGKIPu-usBXSwzCiPolMNvBmNMTfbnk/s4752/IMG_6737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4752" data-original-width="3168" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iWfPXFVtHj3dUKUT7lS2V3X8bBHoU-aKZa50MTvxky3fRX6iNu2vswJAq8G4Lde0a2NfdKnjBE2AZ2KvfTfbd2YShLeeW0gAP-Yi9BR2W5JGvshTZigqGe2XExN4CWAqSHgmXhi9h5d7L7fDF_8Q9t11Y0L9qNGKIPu-usBXSwzCiPolMNvBmNMTfbnk/w266-h400/IMG_6737.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rescued bald eagle </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YpEkJKkAlrvkRrW6XNIDdQuDMMcLRqpuF9eY3iCE-JG56NC8o62IzcfLpMuEkMeUmw9wCEWU3aSfef9CsXj5NaRBOAqVkGMK4yq-kyj5gvYetgrTfNJ69_RdOXowriDCuER9f7Zss3alcoNEvaJF0XLHg-aXpi-bQs_ZfbSg6JWcizpbIjhkyKlqdYmu/s4752/IMG_6762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4752" data-original-width="3168" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YpEkJKkAlrvkRrW6XNIDdQuDMMcLRqpuF9eY3iCE-JG56NC8o62IzcfLpMuEkMeUmw9wCEWU3aSfef9CsXj5NaRBOAqVkGMK4yq-kyj5gvYetgrTfNJ69_RdOXowriDCuER9f7Zss3alcoNEvaJF0XLHg-aXpi-bQs_ZfbSg6JWcizpbIjhkyKlqdYmu/w266-h400/IMG_6762.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ketchikan Stream.........</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBC1n1NM4GhGZA6L9yljzuBD9MSCPR5QiPWkU9MtWR37xXdUXLF78aESYE1JoS5grGpM9uJDFkZ7c3ZYBF5vdlPgD7xWGp0TgcVQXOGJ0iku9XMshpy4GhSQiETdbQ0ZA3Gbfj4L930waCgshTO1QLuDgGDIlsCekrRxS1lFtcyBeySIbwRLniz4zRDoJW/s4752/IMG_6766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3168" data-original-width="4752" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBC1n1NM4GhGZA6L9yljzuBD9MSCPR5QiPWkU9MtWR37xXdUXLF78aESYE1JoS5grGpM9uJDFkZ7c3ZYBF5vdlPgD7xWGp0TgcVQXOGJ0iku9XMshpy4GhSQiETdbQ0ZA3Gbfj4L930waCgshTO1QLuDgGDIlsCekrRxS1lFtcyBeySIbwRLniz4zRDoJW/w400-h266/IMG_6766.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Complete with large bear</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Apqti0zhCgGjzo8zoDzbj20XU9NKSzgc0mT1kYMlpE0mqtg_LkbfTFrCYlB8euC8Wk36z73ue_CG3k1A4LCTTZ6mNgkrWDDAowXf-wE3mxUIdOMWifPas7pqwAE9yNt9bDST8dcrwyBUNEJdGkUGxcsRHdMDHtrkgqo2XNUp4cV_E92nY3LI_FjDLHd6/s4752/IMG_6780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4752" data-original-width="3168" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Apqti0zhCgGjzo8zoDzbj20XU9NKSzgc0mT1kYMlpE0mqtg_LkbfTFrCYlB8euC8Wk36z73ue_CG3k1A4LCTTZ6mNgkrWDDAowXf-wE3mxUIdOMWifPas7pqwAE9yNt9bDST8dcrwyBUNEJdGkUGxcsRHdMDHtrkgqo2XNUp4cV_E92nY3LI_FjDLHd6/w266-h400/IMG_6780.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ketchikan village</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-23621295190869136192023-06-28T20:27:00.005+10:002023-06-28T20:33:30.175+10:00A right royal time<p>This week has been one to bottle. Royal Ascot means the royals are out and about and I had two wonderful opportunities to see them, one very much minus the crowds so I got up close. While I'm not really a true blue royal watcher, I chose not to go with the crowds and camp out on the Mall, I do love a bit of royal people watching. Well people watching in general. My lovely friend gave me two opportunities to be front row. The first the Royal Garter Ceremony at Windsor, the second the change over from cars to carriages in The Great Park. </p><p>These were both events where only a few folks get to go, all dressed up (mostly) for the occasions. Hats, bubbles and picnics were the order of both days with people out socializing and enjoying the sunshine. It's been so lovely and warm here, lovely days to venture out without the usual coat. I've even topped up my tan, important for my next adventure as bikinis will be involved. </p><p>Being in the grounds of Windsor Castle is always a highlight for me. We sat on the grass in the sun waiting for the special folks to come down the path to St George's Chapel for the ceremony. There were plenty of other important people wandering about too, including those privileged enough to go to the service in the church. The police and guardsmen were placed along the route, the Household Cavalry band marched its way to the parade ground, and then came the royals. Princes Edward and William were deep in conversation, laughing and enjoying their wander through the people. Then came the King and Camilla, smiling and acknowledging the crowd. It's hard to make it sound special really, the atmosphere was wonderful as the procession was cheered on. </p><p>It was really hot, even for me, so I was pleased to have my hat and some water. The poor guardsmen with their heavy uniforms and bear skin hats didn't fare so well in the heat. One across from us was swaying worryingly, sword raised and the ladies behind him looking concerned. He managed to stay upright, until he didn't! When the royals and others were safely in the chapel we decamped to get a better view of the carriages returning from the church to the cheers of the crowd, the loudest cheer saved for William and Kate.</p><p>Heading to The Great Park, behind those big gates and fences, was a treat. This time I had the picnic packed, plus the local royal school PTA had home made cakes and scones. There were so few people here, a real invite only crowd. The school kids were there in force and many elderly people were enjoying the day out too. Knowing where the change over happens is key and I had a front row spot, chatting to the folks who let me in. Being from New Zealand really helps on occasions like this. The carriages arrived to a murmur of excited anticipation, then the cars arrive. A procession of Rolls Royce full of royals. although not Kate and Will this time. I got some good up close pics as the King changed from the car to the carriage right in front of me. </p><p>After enjoying our picnic, we drove through Ascot and saw the carriages returning minus their royal cargo. Ascot was heaving with people and the outfits and hats were quite beautiful. The shoes, well not sure how I'd last a day in some of them. I did have shoe envy, although I increased my collection by three the previous week just so I had a fancy enough pair for this occasion. Here are some pics from The Great Park day. I was too busy enjoying Windsor to get any good ones there.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrh8QHWXvR1OuaEdq3wtPWTUJKrqQJoKgnICDkD7jzod6QM_FIWakjG1XicL4CPjBNyJ7nJXYQJga1aT8kKOzx8jtnBhYDpo1hNfXsDN_lS4fmHwqBuXVqf9QeHQcx_oxuxqmViegWwd8ZbvVvV709jyg4asT-7vOnREancsgC0kzoUAay-Df4haX1tsTa/s1818/IMG_53341.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="1818" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrh8QHWXvR1OuaEdq3wtPWTUJKrqQJoKgnICDkD7jzod6QM_FIWakjG1XicL4CPjBNyJ7nJXYQJga1aT8kKOzx8jtnBhYDpo1hNfXsDN_lS4fmHwqBuXVqf9QeHQcx_oxuxqmViegWwd8ZbvVvV709jyg4asT-7vOnREancsgC0kzoUAay-Df4haX1tsTa/w400-h330/IMG_53341.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your carriage awaits</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapra2CxakQ_YpFN1xeynK2px0aPWSa1TFWnKYjsXBLQMQjmGUWSyDqH8WZoOHLcBUQSyvp-F-8ze-6wNJCGQ9ZIkHurzszkaZdE5Krg-lfQitkatpt5w9Kh8fmlopn7T3Hl2kGfkU1IHaiQZKnWLGrPToR3v_atS23SziwYyJpQPx2TU0jwThJsix5A0_/s1854/IMG_53531.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1854" data-original-width="1264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapra2CxakQ_YpFN1xeynK2px0aPWSa1TFWnKYjsXBLQMQjmGUWSyDqH8WZoOHLcBUQSyvp-F-8ze-6wNJCGQ9ZIkHurzszkaZdE5Krg-lfQitkatpt5w9Kh8fmlopn7T3Hl2kGfkU1IHaiQZKnWLGrPToR3v_atS23SziwYyJpQPx2TU0jwThJsix5A0_/w273-h400/IMG_53531.jpeg" width="273" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here? Looks comfy!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26EklIx_jNzTi4iMdcvFWmYc6GJCKfmF9S3MGvl6G3PSSRzyNYdn2aUS_6rtMD-On9B_KKqmU7AlXq_Z6z6Ee9GmNFfr-GMFDapVnsdzIekXDpc_n7SB8phY4JqMS_4ZqWyehI48VwYBIC-ZUg6lj1lAiY6CIDiJ3mcWV8uONuJyy81jqBQ1gGiKVdCbX/s2034/IMG_53701.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1525" data-original-width="2034" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26EklIx_jNzTi4iMdcvFWmYc6GJCKfmF9S3MGvl6G3PSSRzyNYdn2aUS_6rtMD-On9B_KKqmU7AlXq_Z6z6Ee9GmNFfr-GMFDapVnsdzIekXDpc_n7SB8phY4JqMS_4ZqWyehI48VwYBIC-ZUg6lj1lAiY6CIDiJ3mcWV8uONuJyy81jqBQ1gGiKVdCbX/w400-h300/IMG_53701.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun hats on!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXiz_OKnMO6H2S_zDIdHL9ldAqzsaMJFrZsHmSB0r6TF8dDmRT2CIBRZyx2MMdHrJ8IYVYW5eWnnJRAAAw0Q9SricG9Cwn11RVf37M3SdRWf8DuctyfB2_UGiZWWCjPK3MXBvwftah4D9as2v-RSVpT-YZU7NtFLPm4vO_0jilh9RhvD6zn6XX7Dghxte/s1602/IMG_53671.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1602" data-original-width="1488" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXiz_OKnMO6H2S_zDIdHL9ldAqzsaMJFrZsHmSB0r6TF8dDmRT2CIBRZyx2MMdHrJ8IYVYW5eWnnJRAAAw0Q9SricG9Cwn11RVf37M3SdRWf8DuctyfB2_UGiZWWCjPK3MXBvwftah4D9as2v-RSVpT-YZU7NtFLPm4vO_0jilh9RhvD6zn6XX7Dghxte/w371-h400/IMG_53671.jpeg" width="371" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off we go!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0viyb_3V6esav_h7x50oXEMEmElYBrjXdBwyg5hoROKpGCv7K_a0LfUG4ZMdF8sr0Qpaq70RMMuuJmq54ce60z4ir2b7xqb7B7ouMqmaQGGBukmCPNkbZDCHrewR2HFzR_1G7WblbeeAnhSJ86H3UqwDbYK1syLMUT6mCFtnbbNeYvAKrA0CAZibS2CwM/s2048/IMG_53721.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0viyb_3V6esav_h7x50oXEMEmElYBrjXdBwyg5hoROKpGCv7K_a0LfUG4ZMdF8sr0Qpaq70RMMuuJmq54ce60z4ir2b7xqb7B7ouMqmaQGGBukmCPNkbZDCHrewR2HFzR_1G7WblbeeAnhSJ86H3UqwDbYK1syLMUT6mCFtnbbNeYvAKrA0CAZibS2CwM/w258-h400/IMG_53721.jpeg" width="258" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not Ascot without Princess Anne</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpz4IW2o50B8Ar4op7-bwdVJBpF7g3Jv_VLdfGDLDwTyNNv7bWTmtW9yCgnRuTQPKiX7aEwyhsoqjltIDuk8L99u8Jxys7AGt-HEBTi_ObC6SayBuzD7IZ90B_S8L7C3RcA8vniSDax3TzzHtMFdxRF2gvp58PvHOx8aFGcRkLAlO2D4sop26zCWBFY-WY/s2039/IMG_53831.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1292" data-original-width="2039" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpz4IW2o50B8Ar4op7-bwdVJBpF7g3Jv_VLdfGDLDwTyNNv7bWTmtW9yCgnRuTQPKiX7aEwyhsoqjltIDuk8L99u8Jxys7AGt-HEBTi_ObC6SayBuzD7IZ90B_S8L7C3RcA8vniSDax3TzzHtMFdxRF2gvp58PvHOx8aFGcRkLAlO2D4sop26zCWBFY-WY/w400-h254/IMG_53831.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The drive out - following the car with the police bikes</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-81924601550011481322023-06-16T05:09:00.001+10:002023-06-16T05:21:10.656+10:00A day out in Paris<p> Wow, just wow! I hear all sorts of things about Paris, mostly not very complimentary, but every time I go there it fills me with joy and delight. Even that time when I got soaked and it was unexpectedly chilly. Or that time I was jammed up against a fence, front row standing, watching the Tour de France riders race past after joining the Tour for a while as it wended its way through the most beautiful countryside. Or the time I got hangry in La Louvre and made my travel companion leave so I could find a baguette and some cheese, about all our budget ran to that trip! Or sitting in the Tuileries watching the world go by after an amazing trip to Musee de O'rsay. Or this trip wandering around the 3rd Arrondissement with my lovely Gold Coast friend Nicole and her daughter.</p><p>The arrondissement, called Temple is situated on the right bank of the River Seine. The arrondissement contains the northern, quieter part of the medieval district of Le Marais and is one of the oldest parts of Paris with none of the large boulevards created after the French Revolution. The oldest surviving private house of Paris, built in 1407, is to be found in the 3rd arrondissement, 52 rue de Montmorency. </p><p>The ancient Jewish quarter, the Pletzl which dates from the 13th century, begins in the eastern part of the 3rd arrondissement and extends into the 4th. It is home to the Agoudas Hakehilos synagogue designed by the architect Guimard. Although trendy boutiques are now taking up many of the storefronts, there are still landmark stores selling traditional Jewish foods. And this is where we started our walking, eating and exploring tour. </p><p>First step, find Nicole and Liv. Easier said than done, the detail I didn't take care of was the finer detail of where exactly they were! The train from Lille and negotiating the underground went well. Wandering, asking people, back on the underground, begging for wifi from a café. Resourceful. Not helpful with no internet. Manage to find them I did, at their closest underground station so we wended our way to the 3rd after much laughter and catching up. </p><p>I initially though the tour was a little on the pricey side, an opinion I changed as we wandered, explored the history of this place and enjoyed the varied cuisine. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining and he took us places we'd never find by ourselves. It was also lovely to talk with folks from all over the world as we wandered. I highly recommend this one, we booked through Get Your Guide <a href="https://www.getyourguide.com/paris-l16/paris-food-and-wine-tasting-walking-tour-in-le-marais-t412615/" target="_blank">here</a>. My favourites were the chocolates and the food in the market. And of course the wine tasting at the end. </p><p>Post tour we wandered to Place de Luxembourg, enjoying a much needed gelato while watching the people go by and the small radio controlled yachts on the pond. A beautiful spot on an increasingly hot day. My companions, one new to Paris, enjoyed spotting the <i>Emily in Paris</i> places as we talked about how amazing the long twilights are at this latitude. You see on the GC, being semi tropical, the door slams shut on the day. Instant night quickly and quite early especially through the winter months. In Paris we were still sunning ourselves near La Louvre at a time when it would be dark on the GC. </p><p>The girls headed off to continue their on-off bus adventures and an evening Seine cruise while I retraced my steps to Gar du Nord. Not too hard really. It was an adventure when I got there, foot sore and needing a sit down with a cold one. Not to be, it was madness! A long wait in a hot station heaving with people and nowhere to sit. Oh well Lille wasn't too far off when I got there. Back to Ypres and a nice cold Kriek was the order of the day. </p><p>Nicole and Liv have a few more days in Paris then head south to Carcassonne and surrounds. They head off to Lake Como and Italy after that, they even get to visit Switzerland a place I've not been as yet. I love Carcassonne, one of the rare places in the world I have a hospital story. A me in the hospital story not me taking someone else! Seems marble staircases are not to be negotiated in socks, even before having a vino. Down I went in a heap with a torn off thumb nail and dented arm bone, all the while trying to convince our hosts I hadn't been drinking. Luckily the lovely French doc and his nurses were more sympathetic to this injured kiwi and much kinder than my family. An Xray and a few sacre blus later I was in a sling, and sent on my way. Seems I have very tough bones, ones that dent not break. Thankfully. </p><p>Not sure when I'll get back to Paris. I'm on a long term promise with miss 12 to take her to Paris. It's been a dream of hers for a while, not quite sure why except knowing it's dangerous talking travel with me without having itchy feet. I have promised and I'd love to share this city with my grandies. Let's hope I get to soon, suspect I'll be back again before then. I'll keep you posted.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIPHkDAeyfXSGcQS7gBt9WN2E_AHjq5xUSXK75-74I6Ao1qLSQT5t7uOrPL433eL0rP1EfXL93OnPaiKntbsamyTXUf_BAXTXPyAwLAGh7n7ruie0KiffxXaZCRMyO2Jp6tW77e3NY0duCoZ6Uaul4e7T-DWGZhI4oPCpclOu2kxleh_iqgoiojFebQ/s2016/IMG_5069.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIPHkDAeyfXSGcQS7gBt9WN2E_AHjq5xUSXK75-74I6Ao1qLSQT5t7uOrPL433eL0rP1EfXL93OnPaiKntbsamyTXUf_BAXTXPyAwLAGh7n7ruie0KiffxXaZCRMyO2Jp6tW77e3NY0duCoZ6Uaul4e7T-DWGZhI4oPCpclOu2kxleh_iqgoiojFebQ/w400-h300/IMG_5069.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheese - lots of yummy cheese</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjUHw37bX0OIpdowrWL5BtL5fdBYQ5yhM4sbdSEot09QE1oO2yHgCSkWzo_5w1MgNJoFSXSKEeZ1IA_Im6psQ0luH2bWjQ_qo2MKSx-XfvOa0uLHKcUHHkG2UWfqZmTb49qAowIu90tooAt8YGld7WYoZM3uSFYoYwe2Ns9W59h2q8ZwXqweDD3nFAw/s2016/IMG_5089.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjUHw37bX0OIpdowrWL5BtL5fdBYQ5yhM4sbdSEot09QE1oO2yHgCSkWzo_5w1MgNJoFSXSKEeZ1IA_Im6psQ0luH2bWjQ_qo2MKSx-XfvOa0uLHKcUHHkG2UWfqZmTb49qAowIu90tooAt8YGld7WYoZM3uSFYoYwe2Ns9W59h2q8ZwXqweDD3nFAw/w400-h300/IMG_5089.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look what's behind me</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nim9J1Cs4lv2TbxDaq60mw4pMreghfNJJQ6bIO6SVwjr7rDfcy61_jcX7CxU6W9j4ASce8Zu6wo7IjcPwj6CeNGsxEZtXWw-EfPh9Mb03Va8TRRMJowGabE1oCacdYfQzrtwyLbFmbOKJ5ggXeZZKZGiQQdXY-8NVJF_z3BMrozipUbComSh8Ma3bw/s2016/IMG_5090.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nim9J1Cs4lv2TbxDaq60mw4pMreghfNJJQ6bIO6SVwjr7rDfcy61_jcX7CxU6W9j4ASce8Zu6wo7IjcPwj6CeNGsxEZtXWw-EfPh9Mb03Va8TRRMJowGabE1oCacdYfQzrtwyLbFmbOKJ5ggXeZZKZGiQQdXY-8NVJF_z3BMrozipUbComSh8Ma3bw/w400-h300/IMG_5090.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gelato in the sun</td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p>Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-36512358205379208622023-06-07T00:54:00.001+10:002023-06-07T01:06:06.467+10:00Belgium Part two<p>In Bruges is a movie set in, well, in Bruges. It was one of the reasons I first wanted to go there, that and the beauty of this place not destroyed by the war raging around it. An untouched ancient canal town with a rich history. Last time I had no spare money so my travel companion and her small child and I just wandered. This time I was determined to do a trip on the <a href="https://www.visitbruges.be/en/bruggemetdeboot" target="_blank">canals by boat</a>. The touristy thing to do. We waited in the sun for our boat soaking up the rays while enjoying the bright flowers lining the canal with a back drop of some amazing buildings. I must confess it was lovely to sit down for a bit. We'd just had the loveliest waffles, mine with cherries and chocolate and the boys with the full works, so I was a bit sleepy. </p><p>For centuries the canals of Bruges have linked the city to the sea, a guarantee of wealth and prosperity. International merchants built up Bruges into one of the largest Hanse cities. In the 15th century the city flourished as never before. Large parts of the medieval heritage remained practically intact so UNESCO designated the entire city centre as a World Heritage site. What fun the boat tour was, especially the commentary presented with dry Belgian humour. I've not been one for tours in the past and have realised how valuable they are in understanding the place and the people who live there. They also add value by bringing in tourist dollars, supporting the community and keeping the towns and cities alive. </p><p>Here's some information from the <a href="https://www.visitbruges.be/history-in-a-nutshell" target="_blank">official Bruges site</a>:</p><p><i>Although the Bruges region was already populated in Roman times, the city’s name appears for the first time in the 9th century, probably derived from the Old Germanic word ‘brugj’, which means ‘mooring’. Bruges has always had a special bond with the sea. After all, water played a crucial role in the city’s foundation. It was the place where several streams merged into a single river (the ‘Reie’), which flowed north into the coastal plain. This river was linked to the North Sea through a series of ‘tidal channels’, guaranteeing the city’s future welfare and prosperity.</i></p><p><i>During the First World War, Zeebrugge became the operational base for the German submarine fleet, coordinated from their headquarters on the Market Square in Bruges. Fortunately, both world wars left the historic city centre virtually unscathed, making Bruges increasingly appealing to visitors and culture-lovers alike. Its beauty and attraction was confirmed in 2000, when UNESCO classified the entire medieval inner city as a world heritage site. </i></p><p>I was the driver so didn't get to sample the famed Bruges beers, didn't think that one through properly! Back in Ypres it was Kreik beer all round, that delicious cherry brew I've always loved and which holds fond memories of family times in Antwerp. It was a long day of walking and exploring, although we didn't find the horse head fountain. Maps, instructions and directions were to no avail. Next time.</p><p>What to do on Thursday? The Cloth Hall museum was the first stop, a disappointing one for me. I'd been there in 2004, quite a while ago really, and remembered it having a display of the Flanders refugees displaced by war. Families moved from their destroyed homes, farms, towns. The victims of war not always acknowledged. While the museum was well done, and of course I had expected it to be updated, it was a quicker visit than expected. Then it was off to Dunkirk for lunch. Not such a highlight with a cold wind off the North Sea so we didn't stay long. I was pleased to be back in our warm apartment with hot chips, tomato sauce and an end of day beer. </p><p>And then there was my Friday treat, a trip to Paris to meet up with Nicole and Olivia friends from the Gold Coast. An entry on it's own. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWpqm9xUnPTxLqnVJcNm22-12j_7HIznQh0MWIJb2qc3eps53JNfKgJ4sl8043IKGSezrzHUvSzgfjk5FyKtM2E5lbmeqoMyfpYdMvK5tSk64rRItjB26PP3NfLfJJn6J9qut7Iws8a45BDCpJk1lVdTQQZ-RgrsyPTbNNC74TEu1d6RI0hmKQHYzaQ/s1870/IMG_4965.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1870" data-original-width="1402" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWpqm9xUnPTxLqnVJcNm22-12j_7HIznQh0MWIJb2qc3eps53JNfKgJ4sl8043IKGSezrzHUvSzgfjk5FyKtM2E5lbmeqoMyfpYdMvK5tSk64rRItjB26PP3NfLfJJn6J9qut7Iws8a45BDCpJk1lVdTQQZ-RgrsyPTbNNC74TEu1d6RI0hmKQHYzaQ/w300-h400/IMG_4965.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Waiting......</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEdU76jOfJhK8oOL96a2yw0F78NU6QSF5Fw2nrR4bZw6zubOhfXJkC1SaNTSPDQhSuzi17OpIV63llyFVF6KJS_4q6yyld7WfgFKDMyO-3BB04J7biZnKZl387PgHzdCW31y5B8ylP4GFu-fFBsTpllVzIIXd536t16l8n19yJBjbrnaYsR0rWUBiNg/s2016/IMG_4968.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEdU76jOfJhK8oOL96a2yw0F78NU6QSF5Fw2nrR4bZw6zubOhfXJkC1SaNTSPDQhSuzi17OpIV63llyFVF6KJS_4q6yyld7WfgFKDMyO-3BB04J7biZnKZl387PgHzdCW31y5B8ylP4GFu-fFBsTpllVzIIXd536t16l8n19yJBjbrnaYsR0rWUBiNg/w300-h400/IMG_4968.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">........in the sun enjoying the scene</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGbrYNbjLpzB_YyEjafO1b_Jtl6_tZNtEWM8sDua3PzP8i2uVYl4qDPIi_sfW95xY1nDUr18pUy1k982A5Htd3Ya3NEGAucagvP2XFF9ZlVhlWmeE55VCJ4mz0gBBxN2USliy5dCDupiB98kT1SusmHkiyiVo53v97rTKXbmeUy8nFJVyQ93UdI5i5Q/s1910/IMG_4971.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1910" data-original-width="1432" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGbrYNbjLpzB_YyEjafO1b_Jtl6_tZNtEWM8sDua3PzP8i2uVYl4qDPIi_sfW95xY1nDUr18pUy1k982A5Htd3Ya3NEGAucagvP2XFF9ZlVhlWmeE55VCJ4mz0gBBxN2USliy5dCDupiB98kT1SusmHkiyiVo53v97rTKXbmeUy8nFJVyQ93UdI5i5Q/w300-h400/IMG_4971.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg499SP44T4zG1vyBqMAL2cwshvhydQzc8zuaO4mOQg9PV6meja9_6hwiLhQxOEfAcd7WMJI898CNwqh3LGi8JGtZmR8ahmQWFI8e9ME3ffl7rEsTlOqLyN-db1T96dgvnCIJAZZKYJgwORh5TmMgXAKHXDHKUb7-xy5QIHREIPPjeE6ZFkUFtjj-Kjg/s2016/IMG_5004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg499SP44T4zG1vyBqMAL2cwshvhydQzc8zuaO4mOQg9PV6meja9_6hwiLhQxOEfAcd7WMJI898CNwqh3LGi8JGtZmR8ahmQWFI8e9ME3ffl7rEsTlOqLyN-db1T96dgvnCIJAZZKYJgwORh5TmMgXAKHXDHKUb7-xy5QIHREIPPjeE6ZFkUFtjj-Kjg/w300-h400/IMG_5004.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Duck!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLl6o38nWQz7g-7mUUIqk2RQD6frLJmE7wbANYLctLbl33yjp5odT_0OfTgDg7LdBNflQGR2sAdnsuYR1bQJGvv6vWBO-gePSwR-zHXZVfawsmAr_QXpj2FRBNDwJp9j1nmawlGBJ3EwZ-v7Vk3Ih6RDIPvUPfDun_6AXUCLwTXjUdcEBWTaZLzQeSEw/s2016/IMG_5008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLl6o38nWQz7g-7mUUIqk2RQD6frLJmE7wbANYLctLbl33yjp5odT_0OfTgDg7LdBNflQGR2sAdnsuYR1bQJGvv6vWBO-gePSwR-zHXZVfawsmAr_QXpj2FRBNDwJp9j1nmawlGBJ3EwZ-v7Vk3Ih6RDIPvUPfDun_6AXUCLwTXjUdcEBWTaZLzQeSEw/w300-h400/IMG_5008.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFUvzkjJ-25NowepXo_qNwG3DSmBu0kUfHxQgM7k7Jz8IzDLxh80ly1xjAnsZrfORP-yW4YkHaF5xiUiJNNqnpsIBGrWpARbQluWKXyLg1nfKg4-URntYBUAyVzasodnOVT7LIsgw56_K6PGYWGN1JxWKoqOE3oLKfqSPETwx_GyTZquXa-jjwyPXyA/s2016/IMG_5015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFUvzkjJ-25NowepXo_qNwG3DSmBu0kUfHxQgM7k7Jz8IzDLxh80ly1xjAnsZrfORP-yW4YkHaF5xiUiJNNqnpsIBGrWpARbQluWKXyLg1nfKg4-URntYBUAyVzasodnOVT7LIsgw56_K6PGYWGN1JxWKoqOE3oLKfqSPETwx_GyTZquXa-jjwyPXyA/w300-h400/IMG_5015.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-18689069877548852922023-06-07T00:10:00.001+10:002023-06-07T01:00:55.174+10:00Belgium - Part one<p>It's been a bit busy lately with trips to London to see Kate and her mum and sister over from New Zealand. A lovely reunion of family over a tasty meal and a wander around that city I enjoy so much. I find the trains and Undergound so much easier the more I use them, and the Trainline app helps with tickets and journey maps. Kate and co were heading onwards to Italy, to Venice to celebrate Kate's birthday in style. </p><p>My next trip was to check out an education fair, finding my way in a new part of London. Finding the best coffee, twice, made the day go well! Didn't quite get the footwear right, vanity over practicality, so my back and feet suffered for the next day or so. I have now purchased a pair of proper walking boots, ones suitable for the next few adventures and for summer expeditions to Wales and the moors. They make a big difference and are not ugly. I'm a bit fussy about my footwear!</p><p>Last week was one spent well in Belgium and France. Exploring transport and accommodation options for three of us rather than just me was interesting. Flying was expensive, the Eurostar was too. The Eurostar won out for sheer convenience and off we set first thing on the train to St Pancras, with the news Heathrow had computer problems and flights had been cancelled, phew good choice to train. The trip was lovely, across English and French countryside, under the channel to Lille. </p><p>Car hire at Lille was not the best. I had the wrong license and had to talk my way out of a young driver penalty as I'd not had my Aussie one long enough. Rookie mistake! Driving on the left for the first time in a while was fun, more fun for me than my passengers I suspect. Fancy giving me a car with gears as well, what were they thinking! AirBnB came to the party with the loveliest base in Ipre, Apartment Aurora. An apartment with the best outside area for late afternoon relaxation in the sun. Very much needed after days exploring, driving and being driven. There was also free parking close by. </p><p>So we were set for a week of battlefield and history tours, laying wreaths at the Menin Gate and heading off for some light entertainment in Bruges. <a href="https://www.battlefieldexperience.com/" target="_blank">Claude is the best tour guide</a> and he took us to the places we wanted to go plus a few other places as well. I'd been there before so some of it was revisiting with someone knowledgeable, other places were new to me and the stories were amazing. Personal. So many New Zealanders left behind, and so many Germans too. <a href="http://www.greatwar.co.uk/ypres-salient/cemetery-langemark.htm" target="_blank">Langemark Cemetery</a> was sobering. All the remains interred there not at rest, not welcomed for their part in the devastation of the countryside. Remains of husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, friends. A sad place, a very large place with remains sharing gravestones and interred in The Kameraden Grab (Comrades Grave) for the thousands of unidentified dead being brought into this cemetery. </p><p>We were all quiet, reflective, at the end of the day. Wandering to the Menin Gate to experience the daily commemorations was appropriate. It was freezing, emotional and packed with people watching in silence and bowing their heads as the last post rang out over the town. Wandering back we came across a fenced off piece near some excavations. It seems they uncovered an old canal and human remains so work is stopped for now. Fascinating to see what lies not too far below the surface. </p><p>Tuesday saw more exploration after a much needed sleep in. <a href="https://passchendaele.be/en/home-en/" target="_blank">The Memorial Museum Passchendaele</a> at Zonnebeke didn't disappoint. I had visited in 2013 and remembered the small girl with us was quite afraid walking through the closed in trenches. There are many soldiers and nationalities represented in this lovely old mansion with stories told of the tough war time. </p><p>The next day we were warred out so my long planned return trip to Bruges was on the agenda. Part two follows. Here are some pics. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxYp4RugYgxyfoILZJiIyR6TSrWgBDA7zrUijd58xRqWxXt5CuKWlvovzZCLbx9NzyIFAQrJIYww49FjFJU419s8O-UEfcSJaj0XbcbVAGZaOtSVbgvcbibbbGuuP_jWYMiQKGEsMl9SFn2oXoVDbPGf6XYF0iMQ19PTpwlTuGniwdcnn6ncqFMC83A/s4032/IMG_4894.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxYp4RugYgxyfoILZJiIyR6TSrWgBDA7zrUijd58xRqWxXt5CuKWlvovzZCLbx9NzyIFAQrJIYww49FjFJU419s8O-UEfcSJaj0XbcbVAGZaOtSVbgvcbibbbGuuP_jWYMiQKGEsMl9SFn2oXoVDbPGf6XYF0iMQ19PTpwlTuGniwdcnn6ncqFMC83A/w300-h400/IMG_4894.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Flanders Fields</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEist9m7iTzA02gTDKvbVKjheWIMgJLmKGOHsvlbJUXPgEHZw0LUZWl6buzznsUHyrday3gYld76cF1dZbgpHPLbNd0ugwh_8HIiQfV7mSji5M-Xjt1l2WPd7M2x6DCkpvegyywHHF5PolTjPwz3Cc77n3AYLsxWO8rsWIppVbjzZcKapqmMX0WZD2D5AA/s4032/IMG_4901.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEist9m7iTzA02gTDKvbVKjheWIMgJLmKGOHsvlbJUXPgEHZw0LUZWl6buzznsUHyrday3gYld76cF1dZbgpHPLbNd0ugwh_8HIiQfV7mSji5M-Xjt1l2WPd7M2x6DCkpvegyywHHF5PolTjPwz3Cc77n3AYLsxWO8rsWIppVbjzZcKapqmMX0WZD2D5AA/w400-h300/IMG_4901.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Langemark</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOT-W9tqSClHZP4EsS0np3GFP_Cr-jvmt32zzfgTabrfYpopW_a2pby3RSO1p8pbTcQ014r5CcmShBsdu28ScWnhoWURaE8e4R-_FrZMQZR-0JqyEFlqwoSq3VPlyJ5iwhlM0kXk-kTbTz-_JnVcP9pzo7KFxCbg3vuE7QBnQLUwzicgkm7wv7lv3PQ/s3904/IMG_4927.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3904" data-original-width="2928" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOT-W9tqSClHZP4EsS0np3GFP_Cr-jvmt32zzfgTabrfYpopW_a2pby3RSO1p8pbTcQ014r5CcmShBsdu28ScWnhoWURaE8e4R-_FrZMQZR-0JqyEFlqwoSq3VPlyJ5iwhlM0kXk-kTbTz-_JnVcP9pzo7KFxCbg3vuE7QBnQLUwzicgkm7wv7lv3PQ/w300-h400/IMG_4927.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cloth Hall Ypres</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvf9mVK-I062KvxNAAYOMYgingOTl7JJ41KJe_mIbIOGSpU7SYYal1BzBaHMcqb8yy1K5Euc7wrQ4n7EswMG2lSAS2ZWp5xKsjYgJ2RamSnQN8XlIq2EXsBkqJzkLWIXAM6swTLuTkRHobKC8YiKpeJfxkCVsmvbI9P6GtykDhDe1UdV_Rmb7jBB9VA/s4032/IMG_4931.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvf9mVK-I062KvxNAAYOMYgingOTl7JJ41KJe_mIbIOGSpU7SYYal1BzBaHMcqb8yy1K5Euc7wrQ4n7EswMG2lSAS2ZWp5xKsjYgJ2RamSnQN8XlIq2EXsBkqJzkLWIXAM6swTLuTkRHobKC8YiKpeJfxkCVsmvbI9P6GtykDhDe1UdV_Rmb7jBB9VA/w300-h400/IMG_4931.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paying respects </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-55192552620894840212023-04-17T23:04:00.004+10:002023-05-09T21:48:12.782+10:00Details details<p>Details, I'm not so good at taking care of those. I'm also the last minute queen. She'll be okay, it'll work out. I do sometimes wonder if I'm enough of a grown up to be out organizing stuff. Take this trip. A last minute booking cost more than it should have. I really didn't arrange much for the time I was places, mostly making the best use of time when with my family and friends. Details for my Dubai leg eluded me, details like school holidays, Ramadan, a sim card for internet, when and where I'd catch up with folks - see point one school holidays! I did manage to successfully visit 3 countries, take 8 flights plus my 4 long haul legs, see all my family and many of my lovely friends. </p><p>And it worked like clockwork, well except for the long delay at Nelson airport where the bar and only source of crisps shut early in the piece. The crew at the airport were not helpful, no we couldn't get something to eat from Koru Club and they didn't have anything else sorry. Except for the couple of cookies they threw to us like we were monkeys in a zoo. Suffice to say that was not the best experience except for the two fellow travelers, one the most interesting tour guide the other a regular work traveler. I was hangry when I got there finally and Jane had to wait for a few extra hours to pick me up. </p><p>Nelson was lovely. So great to see Sue and Neil and be welcomed as I always am in their lives. Megan, who I haven't seen for years, came for dinner and we had some lovely food and wine with many laughs and meaningful conversations - not so sure how much sense we made towards the end! Nelson is such a gorgeous part of New Zealand with a warmer micro climate making it a place where fruit, hops and other goodies thrive. Being by the sea meant fresh seafood too. Being in Nelson again made me realise I could enjoy living there, maybe one day. </p><p>Back in Christchurch Jane and I got some time together before I flew back to Brisbane. As always we picked up where we left off and had a fab time. A highlight was enjoying the best Italian meal and cocktails taking a tiramasu home to have for breakfast, the very best of breakfast food. It was delicious with a coffee. Back in Brisbane it was boiling hot again - I've gone soft I suspect! I spent some very sweaty hours in my storage unit unpacking, sorting, repacking and rationalising the small amount I have left there. My bike has gone to a good home and the rest is packed to ship where ever I end up next. I packed as much as I could in my suitcase, adding to the few clothes and many NZ sweets to share. It was a relief to see it on the scales at only 29kgs! </p><p>Here are some pics from some of the spots I enjoyed. Dubai requires a post of its own. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcy86Cntx943DKcL5o4jV_pWPGuZs5yJvKOeDFQiimUDsocBQBXEO1qalmxTfxbH6dTHbnjUtI4FYMMfsYUCS7CfNwyPVvkC0JX_2VHq8BnJTD-WQ-wyiSCTv_4LjcCbzul_qKRiLAh5TWBYTHfCwP3QJE7rsc1tir481dlHephxTx6DWNlSqdTaTk7Q/s1536/IMG_3999.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1397" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcy86Cntx943DKcL5o4jV_pWPGuZs5yJvKOeDFQiimUDsocBQBXEO1qalmxTfxbH6dTHbnjUtI4FYMMfsYUCS7CfNwyPVvkC0JX_2VHq8BnJTD-WQ-wyiSCTv_4LjcCbzul_qKRiLAh5TWBYTHfCwP3QJE7rsc1tir481dlHephxTx6DWNlSqdTaTk7Q/w364-h400/IMG_3999.JPEG" width="364" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trip over the southern alps never disappoints</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy78xiughMl_j5oxkuRGt2TxYAm37oODpPqgTe4CIYlVK8c6YSzAlFmWwCDSY4EnJelq4MYjIuOMOY8CxLijZFwmJk_MXqLA5zp5oDFBCAYf9XGkeu7mqAt-wAfqq0U_Yr6DCwN8Jid04RasH84SPLnTh6BePmBh1BIOuCHwbEmMCQbe0ZuQV-3b4e8g/s2048/IMG_4013.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy78xiughMl_j5oxkuRGt2TxYAm37oODpPqgTe4CIYlVK8c6YSzAlFmWwCDSY4EnJelq4MYjIuOMOY8CxLijZFwmJk_MXqLA5zp5oDFBCAYf9XGkeu7mqAt-wAfqq0U_Yr6DCwN8Jid04RasH84SPLnTh6BePmBh1BIOuCHwbEmMCQbe0ZuQV-3b4e8g/w400-h300/IMG_4013.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tasman Sea on a calm day - Hokitika</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSWOpeQrnTxHa-6phVk8wDWcdeyvshmWbsjPS8g4wKGfjC9lWR0NVkuvhLUjNTOP-JVBbSAqFfZuPRJqojB7AtnRV_JWnLa7iUBuyMwsY_8FXQrYU_BMflmGDkFsBHFgkhldJlgveatnEiGxOvOfH2GLjsx-q9EJ6J64wtiTNFdQ7HRMEGqc_Z9eyMw/s1897/IMG_4036.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="1897" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSWOpeQrnTxHa-6phVk8wDWcdeyvshmWbsjPS8g4wKGfjC9lWR0NVkuvhLUjNTOP-JVBbSAqFfZuPRJqojB7AtnRV_JWnLa7iUBuyMwsY_8FXQrYU_BMflmGDkFsBHFgkhldJlgveatnEiGxOvOfH2GLjsx-q9EJ6J64wtiTNFdQ7HRMEGqc_Z9eyMw/w400-h300/IMG_4036.JPEG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going off grid on the family land</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVx9q7VMqIG_I8laq3ZOAksB5vtGnKjLAiEHXh5fBZRdkFmbFdKywUwph9AGwbvDHg_-U1xQZdMG1tcJUydjZyD8pTmbxjWKHhkcD-Kq3a758kvgg-A3iRRlvGly6wq3-wOMEOeVimsWRC6XQMihcnygm23l418A6Au51RAC9i41wku5sZHVOq3OkNyw/s1917/IMG_4093.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1438" data-original-width="1917" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVx9q7VMqIG_I8laq3ZOAksB5vtGnKjLAiEHXh5fBZRdkFmbFdKywUwph9AGwbvDHg_-U1xQZdMG1tcJUydjZyD8pTmbxjWKHhkcD-Kq3a758kvgg-A3iRRlvGly6wq3-wOMEOeVimsWRC6XQMihcnygm23l418A6Au51RAC9i41wku5sZHVOq3OkNyw/w400-h300/IMG_4093.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lush greenery - Nelson</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDNqeknS0ZHz0tGe_wHFLZts0V1JFb3VBO2lEFxcIKew7c8FHnwfEAnAyTvP3uBpWNu8a5PdrtTm-f4FxJcyGTgvLuMsGfi_Sgo8qTRSulnnXB78KC5RAaqUTJ7y81TO-wewUPr-1ejwaU5cQS3Bak2sNJh3WT-qZLDTVdQLsJHk-e9RF3tbb_Gf2UA/s1995/IMG_4098.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1496" data-original-width="1995" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDNqeknS0ZHz0tGe_wHFLZts0V1JFb3VBO2lEFxcIKew7c8FHnwfEAnAyTvP3uBpWNu8a5PdrtTm-f4FxJcyGTgvLuMsGfi_Sgo8qTRSulnnXB78KC5RAaqUTJ7y81TO-wewUPr-1ejwaU5cQS3Bak2sNJh3WT-qZLDTVdQLsJHk-e9RF3tbb_Gf2UA/w400-h300/IMG_4098.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kaiterteri Beach - Golden Bay</div>Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-35629506267501079282023-03-30T17:20:00.002+11:002023-05-09T21:53:42.152+10:00Dubai<p>I'm on the final leg of my journey back to the UK, a week in Dubai and surrounds. Having stayed here often for work, after the years living in Al Ain, I know the main city quite well. Including how to get about easily on the metro. The metro was quite new when I was here last in 2018. I was surprised to see in my Facebook memories that was five years ago. Even more surprising, I was here at the same time, for the same days doing a piece of work on an early years project. I know from the many trips from Sydney in 2017-18 I don't really like living in a hotel for long periods of time. It's okay for a few days then it gets tiresome. </p><p>On my last visit I stayed at an apartment hotel in Deira, a lovely old part of Dubai. It was a bit shabby, cheap and cheerful and had all the amenities I needed to live comfortably. It was close to the creek and interesting places to wander of an evening. This time I chose another apartment hotel in Deira. A less shabby one with the loveliest and most helpful staff. I arrived very early in the morning after the long flight from Brisbane, the 14 plus hour one over night and into the next day. I'm not the best at sleeping on a plane. This time, after two movies, I nodded off for a bit to my latest audio book. A short bit of a proper sleep. The decision to book an extra day and early morning check in at the hotel was a very good one, it also came with a much needed breakfast. </p><p>A shower and rest were in order with nothing planned for the day. It's Ramadan here and school holidays so it's quieter than usual. I was a bit worried things would be closed, not so. It's been five years since I caught up with Rau and the lovely Maya, now a big 9 year old. Lunch at the Lime Tree Café didn't disappoint and as usual we picked up where we left off. A nice in person catch up. Most of my old peeps are in other places for the holidays. Kim and her family are still here and they are today's catch up. Heading out on their boat a bit later to catch the sunset. Then there's a car to pick up and trip to Al Ain. I may also explore the northern Emirates. It's been a while since I did that.</p><p>In the mean time, I'm heading across to the local supermarket for a few supplies then it's back on the metro to Dubai Mall to have a wander. I don't really have the space to buy anything so it will just be a window shop. Well except if I find something I really can't resist. Possibly something special from here I can't get elsewhere. Something small, handbag small!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgs6XLXW2lq1h-VDIh-ywtt0gRI1TKKwe3Wxur77yafZ-dGxPRLkXJzLfbPE6boiQj4pjMSH5ijm-wk-eG1bcPUqcEjEZznDWlYpVic7T_1JVNgoTPe_RgdO2PF48wGsFdvydFbGT6-dSBS9ORNhp6pugOBlkbPZ_tHwy5pMhtMG0m_j_lLsT9vlPx8Q/s1338/Screenshot%202023-03-30%20101818.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="1338" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgs6XLXW2lq1h-VDIh-ywtt0gRI1TKKwe3Wxur77yafZ-dGxPRLkXJzLfbPE6boiQj4pjMSH5ijm-wk-eG1bcPUqcEjEZznDWlYpVic7T_1JVNgoTPe_RgdO2PF48wGsFdvydFbGT6-dSBS9ORNhp6pugOBlkbPZ_tHwy5pMhtMG0m_j_lLsT9vlPx8Q/w400-h286/Screenshot%202023-03-30%20101818.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a bad spot to relax and read my book</td></tr></tbody></table>Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-69168179346422666322023-03-07T11:51:00.004+11:002023-05-09T22:03:45.516+10:00Of walking to school and dogs and things<p>One of my greatest joys with my school aged grandies is walking them to school. And not because they're going to be at school all day! We have the best conversations as we wander along, usually hand in hand, and fond farewells at the gate. Conversations about their lives; school; sport; their friends; what they love doing and their ambitions; what they have planned that day, that week and further into the future; and everything in between. It's a joyous time for me getting to know them well, especially when I get one on one time.</p><p>Then it's time to wander a bit further, usually with a dog in tow. Today it was Waffle, a gorgeous cuddly little dog who is not so energetic and loves to amble, rolling in the soft grass as we go and greeting people along the way.</p><p>Dogs are great for meeting people and cuddly dogs attract mums with small children. Like yesterday. Miss nearly 4 and her little sister had not had close contact with dogs so Waffle obliged, laying on her back and encouraging pats. Miss nearly 4 was delighted and played with Waffle for a while. A gentle play, unlike Waffle's boy at home. He loves rough and tumble. Mum and I had a short chat, as you do dog walking. They were out for a picnic by the lake. A perfect day for it, just before it got stifling hot. </p><p>Waffle and I waffled along to the coffee caravan and got an apricot Danish and long black to go. Foolishly really as I had to juggle hot coffee, a sticky bag, my phone and the dog lead. My phone lost and I had to stop my conversation to get us safely across the road. Did I mention it got hot? Trust me to be around for the hottest day in 2 years - 37C meant pool time. After school pick up Frankie and I enjoyed some time cooling off. Night was something else, way too hot to sleep properly and the mosquitos had me slapping the air for a bit. We were all a bit tired this morning!</p><p>Reflecting on my time with with family, I really enjoy the close bonds I form with the grandies when I stay with them. Sort of condensed time rather than the slow time when I live nearby. I've only really lived close to my Sydney now Newcastle crew, having day to day contact. That makes a difference. I saw the Brisbane girls, just over an hour away, quite a lot and they came and stayed too. Lockdowns meant long absences and I didn't cope too well with that when they were so close by. My time in New Zealand in 2014-15 was not close to my NZ family so not ideal and I didn't last long there.</p><p>This got me thinking about the different models of grandparenting. The stay put ones who are on tap for their family, often still in the family home; the less local ones who come to visit and to help when needed; the very distant ones who build relationships via Skype and FaceTime and when they come to stay; and the ones who don't really see or have time for their grandchildren. I like to think I've been the second and third type with a smattering of number 1, except for the family home. Our family home is the place I've lived for the longest time ever, around 15 years. There was nowhere like that in my childhood. We left our family home when the kids went to the city. We made a new family home for them there for a while, for the time they needed it. </p><p>I came back this side of the world, despite other offers, because my kids were having kids. I wanted to be there to support them and get to know these new little people in my life. I came back to NZ and Wellington for a short time then over to Sydney, where I worked for a bit and set up my consultancy, traveling locally and abroad with some interesting projects. A job took me north to the Gold Coast and when that ended, my consultancy kept me there as I worked on various client projects. </p><p>I was reading an article this morning where a returned traveler wrote about how people get the travel bug, and there were parts that resonated. <a href="https://thoughtcatalog.com/kellie-donnelly/2014/07/the-hardest-part-about-traveling-no-one-talks-about/?fbclid=IwAR3fqaYTpfjzHaDBp_IddIzxZMoPQiRuERM8RSDb8ZvO5VUJd8kbXXNZ7q0" target="_blank">Kellie</a> wrote about how the hardest part of traveling was going home. I've found that too. Kellie, I'm assuming, is very much younger than me and I could feel her struggles with returning, and the judgements laid at her door by people who never left. Finding fellow travelling spirits and freedom cup fillers helps, and I did in most places. I still keep in touch with many of them and visit whenever I can. </p><p>I loved these pieces from Kellie about not quite fitting in back home, not being able to share<i> 'what’s going on inside of your head. The way your dreams have changed, the way you perceive people differently, the habits you’re happy you lost, the new things that are important to you. You want everyone to recognize this and you want to share and discuss it, but there’s no way to describe the way your spirit evolves when you leave everything you know behind and force yourself to use your brain in a real capacity........This is the hardest part about traveling, and its the very reason why we all run away again.' </i></p><p>For me it's not running away. It's more about forging new adventures and adding value to the systems and people I interact with in my roles. It's about being present and open to adventures, people and places. It's about change and making this work positively for people; about being a good human in a world where others may not be. It's about making stories; taking photos; enjoying interactions and engagement with others from different places; about having different experiences; and hopefully touching the lives of others in positive and empowering ways. </p><p>Just a note on running away; well I did run away from home often from the age of two (so I've been told!) and was returned home by people who recognised me. My faithful doll Mary-Loo and I used to leave home when my mum wasn't looking, wander up to the old peoples home and entertain the elderly residents. I do remember, and still enjoy, the taste of peppermints from this time. When the staff found me, I suspect I slipped in unnoticed, I was evicted and off to the local pub I went. It was a very small town, one I revisited a few years ago and it is really small, so everyone knew this wandering child. The staff would sit me up at the bar with a raspberry and lemonade and call my harried mother to come and pick me up. And come she did, sighing. Not a great distance to travel. It was hard to keep me in, my freedom cup usually prevails. </p><p>Some grandparents are settled in their homes; some are still working; some are retired and off out seeing the world. We come in all shapes, sizes, ages, dispositions, beliefs and ways of being with our grand children. One thing I know is we love them unconditionally whatever flavor of grandparent we are. </p><p>So meandering thoughts today as I sit outside overlooking the pool soaking up the warmth of the day. Must be time for another coffee - maybe a cold one and no Danish this time!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-ex5V9shwvFnpisaHzFffH7GkoQYlye5fiQTP2B4EecOSBV-tAC2RYXzWKyD7OWvQqwB4rV12ihV8_F-G0B7csTQzafxR337S-Ptyyi2GDt9SeK9oqoxqR-fWnDATFKnQl158V3C6HoM8pvVTAEvb3TL8baiTJnQ0wpakoswHvsOrnbtCXtVZAVXcQ/s2048/IMG_3868.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-ex5V9shwvFnpisaHzFffH7GkoQYlye5fiQTP2B4EecOSBV-tAC2RYXzWKyD7OWvQqwB4rV12ihV8_F-G0B7csTQzafxR337S-Ptyyi2GDt9SeK9oqoxqR-fWnDATFKnQl158V3C6HoM8pvVTAEvb3TL8baiTJnQ0wpakoswHvsOrnbtCXtVZAVXcQ/w400-h300/IMG_3868.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fiery sunset on a stifling evening</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-29851433399343866902023-03-06T11:55:00.045+11:002023-05-10T01:29:45.405+10:00A visit to LondonOne thing about being away on holiday is having small spaces to catch up here. There are stories untold, ones of visiting Plymouth and the call of the sea. Ones of catching up with old friends and family and seeing a place I know my brother would have loved to. Battersea Power Station, his favourite bands album cover. It's changed a bit now though, it's been a few years since Pink Floyd's flying pigs. Plymouth is next, first lets venture on another trip to London town. An orienteering journey of trains and tubes and walking for miles to see two very special people. <div><br /></div><div>Taking the train from Farnborough is so very easy. It arrives without fuss at Waterloo taking between 45 mins and one hour. Then the fun begins, how do I get to Jen at Chiswick near Turnham Green? You see Jen is a lovely friend from the Cayman's. We used to sail together and have fun with sundowners after. Facebook has kept us in touch and she is one of the many friends where it's easy to pick up where we left off. She hasn't changed a bit - well we're both slightly older than in 2012-13 but who's counting! We had a coffee catch up and a wander after working out how to get to Battersea in time to see Kate during a break in her work day. We've made plans for a longer catch up next time, so looking forward to a few quiets somewhere nice.</div><div><br /></div><div>Off I went, back on the train then the tube with Kate's instructions on where to meet. Our last catch up was a pre Christmas one and she had stories of Hogmanay adventures in Edinborough and her recent trip to Lake Como. A girl after my own heart, Kate is making the most of her work to travel lifestyle, one she's going to share with her mum and little sister when they come over in April. I'm hoping I'll be back to share at least part of that. Kate's also very clever with a degree suitable for international jobs and, being of the right age, a young adult working visa for the UK. Her dad would be so proud of her, and delighted she's living near his album cover. </div><div><br /></div><div>We had the best coffee. New Zealand style in a gorgeous café. Last time we didn't get any photos, too much conversation going on, so this time I got the best couple of selfies especially for my mum. I'll print the best ones and leave them for her in a frame.
The visit to Battersea Power Station on the way to the train was quite short. I'm not a fan of malls/shopping centres so it was a quick look at what they had done to make this such an amazing space, off to Zara's for some gifts for the girls then back to the train home. </div><div><br /></div><div>Of course I cut it fine and missed the train I was meant to take. My day pass had also stopped working so the kind staff at the gates smiled and let me through when I flashed it. I was a bit tired and hungry when I sat down so ventured into my bag for some Scoobie snacks. Anyone who travels with me more than once knows I need constant feeding or I get hangry. Because I'm not so good at remembering, my lovely man had slipped a couple of chocolate bars in my bag so all was well.
I never get tired of train travel. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love being on the rails and reminded of other longer trips like the 2004 adventure in France and the 2008 adventure through Italy. We followed the Tour in 2004 so trains gave way to a rental car and a tent. So many stories from that time untold. Suffice to say it was a blast and I've got plenty of small places in France I'd love to go back to. Especially Carcassonne where the folks at the hospital were so kind and where I was in a sling for a while, all courtesy of an un-drunken marble staircase tumble. I also have the map of the route we followed, a big blunt map with scribbles all over it. There were no iPhones back then so it was all a big adventure for two not yet seasoned travelers from NZ! Italy was trains and I told some of that story here in my 2008 posts. Not the back story, just the fun bits.</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBzrVhQH_3jHCNOqvlPmlASg46VkTMDWsuXgKE4-73hPEjDj623KTvHOLQqEbqzNVBuZwUW0c11FttS-t66EZXShFBzqwt_Cp3GqyPCuLZrFGuK_XLJbKL2OfR2xzY8Gw8qH3CP0ZtQo8u_cmfA_InLgow1oSbqggphC1kR_x5VqGmeztEhNKQDxsUg/s2048/IMG_3436.JPEG" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBzrVhQH_3jHCNOqvlPmlASg46VkTMDWsuXgKE4-73hPEjDj623KTvHOLQqEbqzNVBuZwUW0c11FttS-t66EZXShFBzqwt_Cp3GqyPCuLZrFGuK_XLJbKL2OfR2xzY8Gw8qH3CP0ZtQo8u_cmfA_InLgow1oSbqggphC1kR_x5VqGmeztEhNKQDxsUg/s400/IMG_3436.JPEG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely Jen</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBWbvLYvHBSRBbq4ZFd9VYpzc-lwYEJ5x_aondeJ_SldQpvi920Si_MxVPET2k-oAKw9RgQkFEjmg3_ZWEnQB3PUj4Bw68EsGVoMXwuOADxAAlH9mhbLdETfHiNl-0_hpMmro53RxrCp8wtld9otxbIcQKqGChTd7DPe1CvCc73CV1TrDkblodVsO3A/s2048/IMG_3445.jpeg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBWbvLYvHBSRBbq4ZFd9VYpzc-lwYEJ5x_aondeJ_SldQpvi920Si_MxVPET2k-oAKw9RgQkFEjmg3_ZWEnQB3PUj4Bw68EsGVoMXwuOADxAAlH9mhbLdETfHiNl-0_hpMmro53RxrCp8wtld9otxbIcQKqGChTd7DPe1CvCc73CV1TrDkblodVsO3A/s400/IMG_3445.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the likeness?</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSv9-3p-Z9dHSKKQLb4li9EnDGWrLLBYJ69SrJatKN-owpHE_c506qUYw_UseIW6g0b4nk1DVrNL9w1Ba90f5zVbBMaC2YX_L9xo7u3dAeqbm_K6PU3mUd5ZAQe99U1tsc7VHiaMhIO9w52uyUJjGxRXXgOzOndiuQpIR7D3dt9oQoOZ7JVWLpIZ4Ng/s1996/IMG_3449.jpeg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="1497" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSv9-3p-Z9dHSKKQLb4li9EnDGWrLLBYJ69SrJatKN-owpHE_c506qUYw_UseIW6g0b4nk1DVrNL9w1Ba90f5zVbBMaC2YX_L9xo7u3dAeqbm_K6PU3mUd5ZAQe99U1tsc7VHiaMhIO9w52uyUJjGxRXXgOzOndiuQpIR7D3dt9oQoOZ7JVWLpIZ4Ng/s400/IMG_3449.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wander through Battersea Park.....</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZXj_-xZfte06D2bbfZkL6mVajPcMzkjlc9he6mP3KvWk8QWz1G3rgKbt9eHwYaio-0vHj29hRtC7amKz_qMkLNkj1HRZBVOc0g7dtebRAl6lg1LGTgk0EPxUWjeV4piH5J7TJUz5TLHTaFXsJT9B1Bp5kWWWrYKeoj6eovCaE8sIRFiUfPYJT6v8oA/s1982/IMG_3453.jpeg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="1486" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZXj_-xZfte06D2bbfZkL6mVajPcMzkjlc9he6mP3KvWk8QWz1G3rgKbt9eHwYaio-0vHj29hRtC7amKz_qMkLNkj1HRZBVOc0g7dtebRAl6lg1LGTgk0EPxUWjeV4piH5J7TJUz5TLHTaFXsJT9B1Bp5kWWWrYKeoj6eovCaE8sIRFiUfPYJT6v8oA/s400/IMG_3453.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finding my way to the big chimneys.....</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXsA4KucboSx4CcRzeycTfFVDP4MwY0b2VlFRWkMsYCVfUHeF6nycnmZQ3B9PLBDJ2hN2KNHefGQ52P2b7vruK9GYotRkKBgrBtz_Uox7OEmuMUCvtqKB633pFGbibfczCqGN3HykgcEVZ7qvFTmcW_Ny-hhNv2nDkS8Cvx6j6kuaFsXumQSYtX4E9w/s2048/IMG_3458.jpeg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXsA4KucboSx4CcRzeycTfFVDP4MwY0b2VlFRWkMsYCVfUHeF6nycnmZQ3B9PLBDJ2hN2KNHefGQ52P2b7vruK9GYotRkKBgrBtz_Uox7OEmuMUCvtqKB633pFGbibfczCqGN3HykgcEVZ7qvFTmcW_Ny-hhNv2nDkS8Cvx6j6kuaFsXumQSYtX4E9w/s400/IMG_3458.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and this spot. </td></tr></tbody></table>
</div>Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-44008127910230281012023-03-03T12:08:00.006+11:002023-05-10T01:49:28.410+10:00Back south<p>It's been lovely coming back to Australia and catching up with everyone. Enjoying some lovely sunshine and beach time. Funny to think I'm heading away again in a few weeks, brings back memories of my nomad country hopping days. As one of my family said to me, it seems odd to be doing this at my life stage. Picking up and starting again. Yet to me it seems so normal, so natural to be going on another adventure. Unencumbered with things and debt and responsibilities. It's so very freeing. Being lighter. Being open to other ways of being. </p><p>I'm really lucky because all the special people in my life are doing very well. The grandies are thriving in their schools, sporting endeavors, socially, and within their families. You see I have the very best daughter in laws as mums to my grandies. And of course my sons are the best dads too. So all is well in the southern hemisphere. I do feel privileged and grateful for this. Very grateful to have mr 4 snuggle up for the night and miss 8 (and a half) taking space on the other side of me. Very grateful to watch the Brisbane girls enjoying athletics and touch and netball and how they interact with their sporty friends. </p><p>Next stop is New Zealand. This might not be the best of stops because my mother is not doing so well. Her freedom cup has been curtailed as she is no longer able to wander outside on her own and she does do her best to escape where she is. I'm staying in the bush, off grid, on our family land at my brother's place. A bath under the stars is planned and a wander through the stand of native trees. I'm more a salty than a freshy - more beach than rivers and bush but I do like that space too. </p><p>It will also be the best of stops with mr just 13 yesterday. I can't wait. And then there's Jane and Smarty to catch up with. I usually hire a car and enjoy a road trip or two in NZ but the cost of a rental car made this unrealistic. I can't believe how expensive things are there. The conversations about interest rates and families struggling to make ends meet are common. I remember how it was in the '80s when the rates went to a staggering 20+%. We needed two incomes to cover that in a time when one income was usual. </p><p>Today sitting in the sun and enjoying my book is the plan until the kids need picking up. Then it's full on fun and quite possibly pool time. It's lovely here. </p><p>Oh loading the pics I remembered the flight. The second one I'd prefer to forget really! Over fourteen hours it's never my favorite although I've done it many times and will do it many more times. The first leg I sat next to the loveliest men; one a high school teacher, the other his brother in law. We had a lovely chat about education and different ways of working to engage kids. I got a little sleep too, my audio book providing a sleeping background over the hum of the plane. Dubai airport is always a treat and I picked up some goodies there for the family. I wandered and glanced up at the board to see my plane was boarding. Eeek I had to run for the gate! Thank goodness for the bag search before boarding.</p><p>The second leg, oh my the most interesting seat mates. One a very stressed and nervous 30+ heading to see her boyfriend in Aus. Her first flight on her own, her first long haul. When she wasn't sleeping she bounced around alternating between tears and conversation. I did feel for her as did the elderly flier sitting between us. She was a frequent flyer and yet did not know how to operate the screen. A few quick lessons and some lovely conversation later we had it up and running. I enjoyed her and she was so kind to miss 30+. I knew her age you see, because we had to help her with the forms needed. Otherwise I might have supposed her to be much younger. At least they helped make the flight entertaining, entertaining too the passengers in front and behind with miss 30+'s antics!</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFS71zgq7Qk1nVXCv1pwm9SsUeNxbc34V6LPJqLkFn-K6XMdjNFtXqEG4R3HH0n4B5M2Z1KVhZpU52AQQcv2scDs4ddtH9oeczQb0IbfCj2uVOmBdHvZTunVcZEadnAAf91PhTqEDRtnRV8msteMEOcNJrMYdqaeZ2GVHJlwFo1x3R4YUV9IephV5AA/s1920/Lily%20and%20dog.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFS71zgq7Qk1nVXCv1pwm9SsUeNxbc34V6LPJqLkFn-K6XMdjNFtXqEG4R3HH0n4B5M2Z1KVhZpU52AQQcv2scDs4ddtH9oeczQb0IbfCj2uVOmBdHvZTunVcZEadnAAf91PhTqEDRtnRV8msteMEOcNJrMYdqaeZ2GVHJlwFo1x3R4YUV9IephV5AA/w225-h400/Lily%20and%20dog.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A girl and a dog </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTTF2WBq1N60exXLdQZK8K3GBZE3h_SPqNdicwv1KKy8YBkxOOZ0xg_DE8pdeEIb5gQZ8WzJE0S1uar7GdqCJQl8ulhbbG3belEplZm1W-4S9pwiiEoLFxEE8ViQJeXl0hj_FTTSH85n-AQm1YC1eLiaYyiW9FyNUqwI2Uyj86UAt8YNVuU5DxzCxBQ/s2048/69844529359__24E9B5BB-59C2-4F1F-B5AF-BB31838CAF5F.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTTF2WBq1N60exXLdQZK8K3GBZE3h_SPqNdicwv1KKy8YBkxOOZ0xg_DE8pdeEIb5gQZ8WzJE0S1uar7GdqCJQl8ulhbbG3belEplZm1W-4S9pwiiEoLFxEE8ViQJeXl0hj_FTTSH85n-AQm1YC1eLiaYyiW9FyNUqwI2Uyj86UAt8YNVuU5DxzCxBQ/w300-h400/69844529359__24E9B5BB-59C2-4F1F-B5AF-BB31838CAF5F.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plane selfie - ready to fly!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-3275114875646015372023-02-14T01:31:00.001+11:002023-02-14T01:31:11.218+11:00Windsor<p>One thing about being a kiwi is a fascination for old stuff. Old stuff like castles and their treasures; ruins with the whispers of past peoples; tumuli (ancient burial mounds); crumbling walls; ancient standing stones. Windsor castle is one of my favourite spots and one I've visited often. Windsor is a working castle with guards changing with much pomp and ceremony. Windsor Castle is one of three official residences of The King and has been home to the Sovereign for over 900 years. The Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world and the oldest in continuous occupation. I'd never been inside before. </p><p>My Saturday treat was a guided tour! You see my lovely friend used to work at the castle protecting those inside needing protection. Wonderful because we get VIP treatment with the flash of ID. The changing of the guard was amazing from close up and I got lots of video for the little boy in Newcastle who loves tanks and soldiers. I chose a few photos here rather than the videos. </p><p>"Elite soldiers have guarded the King or Queen since the reign of Henry VII who made the Royal Body Guard a permanent institution which has spanned over 520 years of history. Guards Regiments were formed to provide a personal bodyguard for the Sovereign with the first Guards raised in 1656 to protect the exiled King Charles II. Comprised of highly-trained officers and soldiers, they are among the oldest units of the British Army and have fought with great distinction in nearly every major conflict involving soldiers of the United Kingdom since the 17th century." Information from <a href="https://www.householddivision.org.uk/changing-the-guard-origins" target="_blank">here</a>. </p><p>The changing of the guards is a ritual steeped in the history of this place, and I've seen this at Buckingham Palace as well. The precision of the soldiers is amazing and how they kept so still and expressionless is beyond me. It was also freezing so the bandsmen must have had a tough time playing with cold fingers. The music was lovely, gotta love a good military band! </p><p>We explored St George's Chapel and paid our respects where Queen Elizabeth was laid to rest. The Chapel is steeped in history with many monarchs and famous folks interred below. I always feel a bit odd walking on the memorial stones laid in the floor of churches here. There were certainly a couple of moments I felt the spirits of this place, those shivers I get sometimes. I got to stand where Megan and Harry got married and sit in the surrounding pews where more famous folks have sat, soaking in the atmosphere in quiet contemplation. </p><p>As the castle is a working castle, wandering through the rooms was to step into the lives of others. Imagining royal others dining under the view of huge painting, using the best china, crystal and cutlery. There were displays of arms everywhere as well as the armor used in combat. King Henry VIII armor was big reflecting his later stature, I could almost see him watching us. The castle is well kept and looked after a by a large group of knowledgeable volunteers. We had a stupid question discussion with a couple of them. Still the best was from my friend who was asked by an American tourist: <i>Why did they build the castle so close to the airport? </i></p><p>I'm heading back to Australia and New Zealand soon to catch up with family and friends. The trip is for about 6 weeks, maybe longer as I have a flexi ticket and I have stuff to do there. I'm so looking forward to seeing the kids and the grandies. I'm not looking so forward to that very long flight. </p><p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrafD75gIUEPgQ6iif3DmwiqzlUg_XINl-Fb4ki2CNoW0pNHhKHC_-h31OPuMKGv2rxkhJzHb2QCaFYhZZ5EgShmEnxnXeefw4R0TTJbp6GySb8s0esakzOZhgnx3FCIcGlxGOEObC9g2Jhrw1qFfHVhjuvZ03YFwT3ONqxkLJBAxdxeNZomdDhZRDg/s8961/IMG_3412.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2808" data-original-width="8961" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrafD75gIUEPgQ6iif3DmwiqzlUg_XINl-Fb4ki2CNoW0pNHhKHC_-h31OPuMKGv2rxkhJzHb2QCaFYhZZ5EgShmEnxnXeefw4R0TTJbp6GySb8s0esakzOZhgnx3FCIcGlxGOEObC9g2Jhrw1qFfHVhjuvZ03YFwT3ONqxkLJBAxdxeNZomdDhZRDg/w640-h200/IMG_3412.JPEG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pano of the Thames on the way to the Boatman for lunch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqIAOiRjRhl7hNv1aPT_2HhAIazTYOeVXZnSqeTJedNi1L9rZfpFLoD3Om0n-NWUHnKy8ypAL2crho53qKnc-c7JnOxbrC6wDOo0C2BKoUCqnD93q9cUJm4vND1ImZVgAxCs7GbuwKovRLvMl4BCxLk_Ll63ZPZPKLuAWQ8u0jkFHEqTUU1rqHSUDcg/s2048/IMG_3329.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqIAOiRjRhl7hNv1aPT_2HhAIazTYOeVXZnSqeTJedNi1L9rZfpFLoD3Om0n-NWUHnKy8ypAL2crho53qKnc-c7JnOxbrC6wDOo0C2BKoUCqnD93q9cUJm4vND1ImZVgAxCs7GbuwKovRLvMl4BCxLk_Ll63ZPZPKLuAWQ8u0jkFHEqTUU1rqHSUDcg/w300-h400/IMG_3329.JPEG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the castle and the guards below</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7q5rhdvtKes7c1_-colNgguqj1rsVs97HhlZWdV4v7msblckIa103UE9J-TxM3MGPEVl48MWD-FpFisJm8RkBmmoMbP3zJyIfEZtu7TdlSIAGCKsT9dHdr_JT2LPAWP5GJ7I9f1nDQykBoSv-DhdUMIzC1jLMgubdb1CFvodOm9Cehfqqr4txE_7Qw/s2704/IMG_3402.JPEG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="2704" data-original-width="1162" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7q5rhdvtKes7c1_-colNgguqj1rsVs97HhlZWdV4v7msblckIa103UE9J-TxM3MGPEVl48MWD-FpFisJm8RkBmmoMbP3zJyIfEZtu7TdlSIAGCKsT9dHdr_JT2LPAWP5GJ7I9f1nDQykBoSv-DhdUMIzC1jLMgubdb1CFvodOm9Cehfqqr4txE_7Qw/w173-h400/IMG_3402.JPEG" width="173" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRzXSLRvrT9Ls4wDoebRBwyYv8sLoZzhp006lmg3BmjlOV3Zx9_thYCltb6xTxDh67X6QO2stqvjLnqTngKMaBpvTIBcRupOKPXw7dY5hja8ykALX0JM7Ayl_hh-QxN-47iWIJYNlatEr76Gg3iTNi5mG8_-juYMP6uxiCJQ2f_5OOmUP-PNlvpExdQ/s2048/IMG_3389.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRzXSLRvrT9Ls4wDoebRBwyYv8sLoZzhp006lmg3BmjlOV3Zx9_thYCltb6xTxDh67X6QO2stqvjLnqTngKMaBpvTIBcRupOKPXw7dY5hja8ykALX0JM7Ayl_hh-QxN-47iWIJYNlatEr76Gg3iTNi5mG8_-juYMP6uxiCJQ2f_5OOmUP-PNlvpExdQ/w300-h400/IMG_3389.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UomFMnFOMoRuMJiY7VyVyU0aYwcEHbLestV7arSw1XacpHB_KcfzcRr1311zE589jjfX5gS2XOU0XIftWgEPU3BG2eh9Wz4IXrl2nZ5BMr0Pew8MlMvj3lm7maDEZ-3jMuKRqt4ML5IHeJLuE8yE8RRflb5a9O7nXhRqnbnraAUi_I7EwdR-2cMTIw/s2048/IMG_3373.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UomFMnFOMoRuMJiY7VyVyU0aYwcEHbLestV7arSw1XacpHB_KcfzcRr1311zE589jjfX5gS2XOU0XIftWgEPU3BG2eh9Wz4IXrl2nZ5BMr0Pew8MlMvj3lm7maDEZ-3jMuKRqt4ML5IHeJLuE8yE8RRflb5a9O7nXhRqnbnraAUi_I7EwdR-2cMTIw/w400-h300/IMG_3373.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-7371510429476979492023-01-28T02:19:00.005+11:002023-01-28T02:23:03.770+11:00Sir Lawrence<p>I posted a link to some very flash 'camping' in Wadi Ram this morning and got a reply from the lovely Sue aka Brosie who was my travel companion for most of my explorations in Jordan. The very best travel companion. Well except for the time she didn't bring her passport and we got accosted by armed blokes in the north near some tricky borders. Being kiwis we talked our way out of it, with the able help of our driver. I wrote a little about it in <a href="https://juleshikoi.blogspot.com/2010/11/jordan.html" target="_blank">November 2010</a>. Not nearly enough really as it was a very special adventure. </p><p>Sue reminded me of a couple of pics she took of me - a story in itself and one linked to my Dorset trip. She'd been watching a doco on Laurence of Arabia (Thomas Edward Lawrence) at about the same time I was visiting the place he lived, and the spot where he died. The place he lived and worked in the Arab world was very different to the place he returned to and met his death. Much too early. </p><p>A little history, thanks to the info board on site. From 1909 (aged 21) to 1914 Sir Lawrence spent a lot of time in Palestine, Syria and Jordan researching his thesis on Crusader castles and working as an archaeologist. He gaining great knowledge of Arabic language and peoples during this time. In 1916, he was posted to Hejaz, in modern Saudi Arabia, to work with the Hashemite forces. The campaign would secure him lasting fame in British popular legend. His role was to act as a liaison officer between the British Government and the Arab tribes. </p><p>Returning to England in 1918 he lobbied unsuccessfully for Arab independence. He retired to Cloud Hills, Dorset in 1935. We drove past near dusk, stopping to pay homage. The memorial pictured below is quite difficult to read now having weathered over time. It reads:</p><p><i>Near this spot Lawrence of Arabia crashed his motorcycle and was fatally injured. 13th May 1935</i>.</p><p>Sue and I visited the places in Wadi Ram where he met the Arab tribesmen, places preserved by the Jordanian people. Our Jordanian guides told us stories of how members of their families met with Sir Lawrence. They shared their thoughts on the historical and political ramifications for the mostly nomadic peoples of the area. </p><p>Brosie is one of my oldest friends. Moving as I did as a child, nomadic ways carried into adulthood, I don't have many very old friends. We discovered our paths had crossed when we were in our mid teens, reminiscing in a tent at another beach many years later. She used to visit the beach I lived at and we'd been at the same summer holiday teenage bonfire. I was the feral local surfer and Sue the city girl. We've had quite a few adventures, working together for years and exploring different places. I hope we can catch up when I'm back in NZ in March. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXnuWEYYU5NKYAyP6y6WaVQ1sHYeJ_tWsv1Ihm7mgxK7ry_vDQdZ69RbeIt7Z7AM95E-gfdHNMifUn5DzMan6_NBrR3bU18rGSLg-C4byZZKfNEtgGYkU4lnN1UvHyOGCIQ0SYJ_qnOGBiuuyquH7bPMMZJCV5_VSjQy6XtwJLsBY0f5BcwE6AJBo4A/s2048/IMG_3027%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXnuWEYYU5NKYAyP6y6WaVQ1sHYeJ_tWsv1Ihm7mgxK7ry_vDQdZ69RbeIt7Z7AM95E-gfdHNMifUn5DzMan6_NBrR3bU18rGSLg-C4byZZKfNEtgGYkU4lnN1UvHyOGCIQ0SYJ_qnOGBiuuyquH7bPMMZJCV5_VSjQy6XtwJLsBY0f5BcwE6AJBo4A/w300-h400/IMG_3027%20(1).jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The memorial for Laurence of Arabia, Dorset</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOo0NzxM8QQmnVAZFHnUDhDAE38QXEWOqY3YRqsLZxpnHGzGQHHNPlRSwqMkUjhdB32Zds9ds1hfnpI5uFx8pfVCdsoZ6tjE7n5Dm2Mtw-N_LqEv_z3kiDTnxRbXy94QcUshBKE9q70aT8XNtiUQx7u80VrRndF56i7oXfEcmQgy8epHRydOV-y8VRQw/s2048/IMG_3300%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOo0NzxM8QQmnVAZFHnUDhDAE38QXEWOqY3YRqsLZxpnHGzGQHHNPlRSwqMkUjhdB32Zds9ds1hfnpI5uFx8pfVCdsoZ6tjE7n5Dm2Mtw-N_LqEv_z3kiDTnxRbXy94QcUshBKE9q70aT8XNtiUQx7u80VrRndF56i7oXfEcmQgy8epHRydOV-y8VRQw/w400-h266/IMG_3300%20(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sue's picture of me at sunrise, Wadi Ram almost 13 years ago</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-62993931819390386512023-01-23T23:33:00.006+11:002023-01-23T23:33:53.820+11:00Dorset II<p>The return home. Wending our way from the coast along the coast exploring. The sea was still wild, the wind fiercely cold as we parked above Durdle Door admiring the amazing view. Getting out of the car was another matter, pushing the door against a gale. Coats and hats on down we went to see this iconic part of the coast. Icy puddles along the way. </p><p>Durdle Door is a UNESCO natural World Heritage site. The magnificent natural limestone arch was formed when the power of the waves eroded the rock and forged a hole through the middle. The name Durdle is derived from an old English word ‘thirl’, which means to pierce, bore or drill. Although it was too windy and cold to stay long, the sun came out and I got some great pics. The car and its heated seats were a welcome sight after a steep climb. </p><p>We back tracked along the coast to Weymouth, a lovely and popular sea side town, then out along the peninsular to Bill of Portland. The impressive Portland Bill lighthouse has been guiding ships in the hazardous English Channel waters for over 100 years. The day we were there it was clear just how treacherous the local waters are with large cross waves breaking onto the rocks and drenching anyone who got too close. I was a bit afraid of being bowled over by the wind, it was that strong, so I didn't go too near the waters edge. Exciting wander along the pathways. </p><p>I was very ready for something to eat and getting hangry so it was onwards to Poole. Parking is interesting here. Different companies have control of the parks and while some parking can be paid through apps, being in the wrong company park means lots of swearing and relocating! We finally found a park near the town centre and wandered down to the harbor. The town was like many I've been to here; quiet, lots of empty shops and in need of some TLC. </p><p>I've been hanging out for some fresh, locally caught fish. The King Charles Inn obliged with the yummiest seafood chowder. An appropriate name for the times too. The King Charles Inn is one one the oldest pubs in Poole. It became a public house around 1770 and the building dates back to around 1550. It's also listed as haunted. Legend has it a landlady who had thought her lover sailor had died at sea, hung herself from the old beams upstairs only to be found by her lover who then killed himself. There have apparently been some rather strange happenings in this pub over the years. Looking at the preserved yet original state of the place it's easy to believe it's haunted. </p><p>We got home just after sunset, planning the next adventure on the way. I'm heading back south in mid February so I don't have much time left this trip.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHNOEa33eiCX0Z2uFNf-3VcK_P4vbwQAX46B9k9rCpwqreMx_EOLxcg12YP_VcVcbOsgQAL6btwJ55D1HYP5Da5DlcwesSI8HOPTlk6ZXB64Eeqq2FoJK8x20O0QRAHdBL3OnOE4TBlZ0W8PXGnGizCuqvKZNBsxbZfs-CQqgv-EJ-9EnP8rBVTXCbA/s2048/IMG_3179.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHNOEa33eiCX0Z2uFNf-3VcK_P4vbwQAX46B9k9rCpwqreMx_EOLxcg12YP_VcVcbOsgQAL6btwJ55D1HYP5Da5DlcwesSI8HOPTlk6ZXB64Eeqq2FoJK8x20O0QRAHdBL3OnOE4TBlZ0W8PXGnGizCuqvKZNBsxbZfs-CQqgv-EJ-9EnP8rBVTXCbA/w400-h300/IMG_3179.JPEG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Durdle Door and the Jurassic Coast</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHFkrNDTOqVxT2AzefhObr3YKKkLEfjBFZgSZHHDe7wTrk9U5lHlZHmDkAGw6nom80CzvhTpte1wXo396N0nPU-jQILRdtyjXEQLhKepGLOk3K9Roq6iXgD_YXCF7RF5bLyv_ifnDRfGdViFqusmacsf9fsWIR7RA3H6r5qBlk10SU-GWn3csI8w_9w/s2048/IMG_3186.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHFkrNDTOqVxT2AzefhObr3YKKkLEfjBFZgSZHHDe7wTrk9U5lHlZHmDkAGw6nom80CzvhTpte1wXo396N0nPU-jQILRdtyjXEQLhKepGLOk3K9Roq6iXgD_YXCF7RF5bLyv_ifnDRfGdViFqusmacsf9fsWIR7RA3H6r5qBlk10SU-GWn3csI8w_9w/w300-h400/IMG_3186.JPEG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Durdle Door waves in action</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3mVZy-2GzxhGcbKhjuTK3_TkZl2W7qLHN5wchVyxNErhlYm2ekL2PYYZ3bjC9kpIrKNlQzf9RUPN_HE2Cc6OPQbR8NQLPbs08DVj64ZOvLdzs_Oto_8kQ5MuaZ6ZF6uDeD72WhhbIT_YmuyeT09JAyHRtQStlpEmPtRvVl69kn84O1Pyifrgho-IXg/s2048/IMG_3188.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3mVZy-2GzxhGcbKhjuTK3_TkZl2W7qLHN5wchVyxNErhlYm2ekL2PYYZ3bjC9kpIrKNlQzf9RUPN_HE2Cc6OPQbR8NQLPbs08DVj64ZOvLdzs_Oto_8kQ5MuaZ6ZF6uDeD72WhhbIT_YmuyeT09JAyHRtQStlpEmPtRvVl69kn84O1Pyifrgho-IXg/w300-h400/IMG_3188.JPEG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portland Bill lighthouse</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVSPAafy9AVOwGYY6pIUYIAQWOIjKT5BBtJ_UkMRMF4W5t4xbCq0eGZGE8Ts466cQ2OcHNGVHazR1xNtySbXInrYSPGftx62lL3NlrjsXIEA0S9LxijY566wFE--AH8MJIuFdGylcJvHAatBNLWCklX9Diqd3T_ajgF7MuxClnz0nNB_cYaO1UcR5hg/s2048/IMG_3200.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVSPAafy9AVOwGYY6pIUYIAQWOIjKT5BBtJ_UkMRMF4W5t4xbCq0eGZGE8Ts466cQ2OcHNGVHazR1xNtySbXInrYSPGftx62lL3NlrjsXIEA0S9LxijY566wFE--AH8MJIuFdGylcJvHAatBNLWCklX9Diqd3T_ajgF7MuxClnz0nNB_cYaO1UcR5hg/w400-h300/IMG_3200.JPEG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild coast</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIc7tmmrINYGLlYcEvKQTWb9uuU7iiabJKs3IqSWkfffJK5lUb_-T0xLLeRxMJzhYM_aTzEZOmoAcGfYyDCPYDgP6_XhZ-CRhMr28k_hdyilDa-dE7JC9nEusIPo8Z2BP7Bi_WeRub5kjjcLukW21G1gO5k1r1LYaT9HLh-bHdZ_LpmjF4-fhfTw1Yw/s2048/IMG_3286.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIc7tmmrINYGLlYcEvKQTWb9uuU7iiabJKs3IqSWkfffJK5lUb_-T0xLLeRxMJzhYM_aTzEZOmoAcGfYyDCPYDgP6_XhZ-CRhMr28k_hdyilDa-dE7JC9nEusIPo8Z2BP7Bi_WeRub5kjjcLukW21G1gO5k1r1LYaT9HLh-bHdZ_LpmjF4-fhfTw1Yw/w400-h300/IMG_3286.JPEG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farnborough sunset</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p>Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-8119650391396257732023-01-21T00:33:00.003+11:002023-01-21T00:37:47.802+11:00Dorset I<p>Last weekend we wandered to the south coast and the lovely wild scenery of Dorset. The best thing with having a local guide is the places we get to explore. Places often off the beaten track. The coast was cold, wet and windy with wild seas, just the way I like it. Well the wild seas rather than the cold and wet. The pic below shows I know how to dress to cope!</p><p>It was still light enough when we arrived to explore West Lulworth and get some much needed sea time. I suspect I'm not really designed to live inland. The pebble beach in a tight cove with a chilly sea breeze blew out the cobwebs. Watching a couple of cold water swimmer shrieking and laughing as they entered the water was hilarious - not for hot house flowers! West Lulworth is such a picturesque place with stone houses with thatched rooves and winter gardens. I quite fell in love. The Countryman hotel fitted the bill, a warm haven for a cold one and dinner. The first night folks were lovely, a couple of young lads running the place for mum and dad. The second night service was different, not quite such a friendly family affair. </p><p>Saturday dawned wet, windy and cold. A big breakfast consumed we hit the road as the weather was becoming more exploring friendly. The lanes were narrow and rough as we headed towards <a href="https://www.historic-uk.com/DestinationsUK/Tyneham-Village-Dorset/" target="_blank">Tyneham Village</a>, an eerie place stuck in 1943. Tyneham was evacuated in December 1943 during WWII and has been deserted ever since. The area was needed for military training but after the war ended, the villagers were not allowed to return. Visiting Tyneham on a misty, drizzling day was a bit spooky. Wandering through peoples homes they were forced to leave and seeing what life was like from the 14th century until 1943. The church has an amazing array of artifacts, stories of the families and a timeline of local history. </p><p>We wandered to the cove below the village as it fined up a bit. The rocky shore was wild with large waves crashing over a beach littered with pieces the storm had brought with it. Lobster pots, nets, bouys and other fishing detritus. I picked up a few stones and shells for my travel bowl and almost got caught by a surprise wave. Luckily I heard it coming and beat a hasty retreat, much to the delight of my companion laughing at me from very safe ground. </p><p>Next stop was another wonderfully historic place, <a href="https://corfecastle.co.uk/" target="_blank">Corfe Castle and village</a>. The sun had arrived and the mist cleared to wonderful views over the countryside. We explored the ruins in sunshine. Corfe Castle dates to about the 11th century and is thought to have been one of the earliest castles in England to be built partly using stone. Wandering amongst the stone towers and walls it's easy to imagine how this place withstood the sieges it was subjected to. We sat in the sun looking out over the Isle of Purbeck, enjoying the peace and beauty of the countryside. </p><p>Pub crawling historic pubs was a great end to the day. There are some lovely old pubs, ones where the doors and beams were so low even I had to duck a bit. My favorite was <a href="https://www.visit-dorset.com/listing/the-castle-inn/291485301/" target="_blank">The Castle Inn</a>. I love the thatch roof cottages although they are not practical with high levels of upkeep and being a fire hazard. While I can dream of living in one, I suspect I might not enjoy the small windows and cool interiors. I slept well after a big day wandering in the cold, warmed by a tasty Spanish red. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWN2W1kgEioeIAkpds9_7FLtXtHzP2eHCvZXfc16ZCiGFIoCqt9DLi0PxxTwplWTeEBInxoLGFOvnRqkroMJSoaXdLxZ6R0bvYFV749uvs-z8OLmuBX-G9VVxvgtpySrGDv-nPSO3qullyljFzXMy6L0gh9WS-cqvwnju-I9ve0KlPV46EPPQuvEHeqA/s2048/IMG_3054.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWN2W1kgEioeIAkpds9_7FLtXtHzP2eHCvZXfc16ZCiGFIoCqt9DLi0PxxTwplWTeEBInxoLGFOvnRqkroMJSoaXdLxZ6R0bvYFV749uvs-z8OLmuBX-G9VVxvgtpySrGDv-nPSO3qullyljFzXMy6L0gh9WS-cqvwnju-I9ve0KlPV46EPPQuvEHeqA/w300-h400/IMG_3054.JPEG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tyneham Village</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLBXPVHWRyKD_nWyDcbIdnFzJTApyEwSWRi8JvoZLm_JaNoK20FgCrGWmb0_VA8ue7FrGMJPqOVW3PFgnDqUuFhIaQh5SgCtAPs-oGPdc0VhEb5UG4Fbp6C5euz48HXIh1OMa8fW7qrGaOJr3I0JJU2TMt1fpMtq8x5qVjkrSlwXQB80t1lVhkLpfoA/s2048/IMG_3115.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLBXPVHWRyKD_nWyDcbIdnFzJTApyEwSWRi8JvoZLm_JaNoK20FgCrGWmb0_VA8ue7FrGMJPqOVW3PFgnDqUuFhIaQh5SgCtAPs-oGPdc0VhEb5UG4Fbp6C5euz48HXIh1OMa8fW7qrGaOJr3I0JJU2TMt1fpMtq8x5qVjkrSlwXQB80t1lVhkLpfoA/w400-h300/IMG_3115.JPEG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rugged coast </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCNJqtUbzLLJj-nDpAA2X6-Ozahg_MstLNLLLMlkP3YjV45DnqOacwrUKgBPI7xUVuquvPe016dbxb6D9Y1_dljLpZ7u8jOuDTbnr13k3uVT0x_PlKo8Vyl--_2sNT7J2qRzLdpupwWP4wiysFhxt0zC1r9nmt_nYexResUyBa5lqw_oKwvgTGy6-vA/s2048/IMG_3029.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCNJqtUbzLLJj-nDpAA2X6-Ozahg_MstLNLLLMlkP3YjV45DnqOacwrUKgBPI7xUVuquvPe016dbxb6D9Y1_dljLpZ7u8jOuDTbnr13k3uVT0x_PlKo8Vyl--_2sNT7J2qRzLdpupwWP4wiysFhxt0zC1r9nmt_nYexResUyBa5lqw_oKwvgTGy6-vA/w400-h300/IMG_3029.JPEG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lulworth Cove</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97kCsRGkRQ7tUhXLAQVR6wj0s5dEXFHp1zA7ozFBbhIIuKa9NcsUas31ugsdRFOWAxtYihflvO0nmmHEv2POyQeSOay4CNfQILnd0LiS_PE_fjuCfMujyArmMhprTKSWf_RX8bjDB9Js3v3JA3CSvPtggQKYQr_cHyaWsYfKgTAVrWOJWmyvh7F7BoA/s2048/IMG_3128.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97kCsRGkRQ7tUhXLAQVR6wj0s5dEXFHp1zA7ozFBbhIIuKa9NcsUas31ugsdRFOWAxtYihflvO0nmmHEv2POyQeSOay4CNfQILnd0LiS_PE_fjuCfMujyArmMhprTKSWf_RX8bjDB9Js3v3JA3CSvPtggQKYQr_cHyaWsYfKgTAVrWOJWmyvh7F7BoA/w300-h400/IMG_3128.JPEG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corfe Castle</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0QEHshQqpvnZKv8g8OIX9gJ8n8boB05DmyvwrF1gMGqbNt5318DhiAWn3QNiKqyXIIghiU9wYawFZiJsJ1DqidaOu3ndvwUYmOJb0cH_SVmz6ZBEDsaZhv3tpnmFZTvpFJP4ooT2qYNUf0IfFwO--4-he6ZilLgS_-m5yBn3_DBf3jCvEcyMQW2i_A/s2048/IMG_3143.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0QEHshQqpvnZKv8g8OIX9gJ8n8boB05DmyvwrF1gMGqbNt5318DhiAWn3QNiKqyXIIghiU9wYawFZiJsJ1DqidaOu3ndvwUYmOJb0cH_SVmz6ZBEDsaZhv3tpnmFZTvpFJP4ooT2qYNUf0IfFwO--4-he6ZilLgS_-m5yBn3_DBf3jCvEcyMQW2i_A/w300-h400/IMG_3143.JPEG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOZs0UW7deboHDfdJvr7xZuysFOr1PPTtIMH83Nsz3bBtKwaWausMQ7hzvDfaVKINbRW9ftsiPCpYZFot0Ad-qt9w8bVQenLo4cr08ZQdtJacTbkzuIWYV4YKCoC4tmA2pwsCo4kCyKj7ezUwhOlRshqCsZdUO7SFH2ZxhlRsrX5NhE6rIaxzHwGCrA/s2048/IMG_3028.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOZs0UW7deboHDfdJvr7xZuysFOr1PPTtIMH83Nsz3bBtKwaWausMQ7hzvDfaVKINbRW9ftsiPCpYZFot0Ad-qt9w8bVQenLo4cr08ZQdtJacTbkzuIWYV4YKCoC4tmA2pwsCo4kCyKj7ezUwhOlRshqCsZdUO7SFH2ZxhlRsrX5NhE6rIaxzHwGCrA/w400-h300/IMG_3028.JPEG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture perfect</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOEV8OLQNiUYgT8XYJnBEih8juaopTdThGogKHj9k_QCUvLLo4ZxyiIvakiIZTJAH2fKZ7XXn1lSUDR_oJpvZI8clAfEg-81wjbS8S13pp8vDBEDM4K5uTnVp4kmUBTJ4zsRHjVucai5up-QmiuRpJ39e3FS4O4GtfLXuezzLDPFYzy1SwXc5nyByaA/s2048/IMG_3052.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOEV8OLQNiUYgT8XYJnBEih8juaopTdThGogKHj9k_QCUvLLo4ZxyiIvakiIZTJAH2fKZ7XXn1lSUDR_oJpvZI8clAfEg-81wjbS8S13pp8vDBEDM4K5uTnVp4kmUBTJ4zsRHjVucai5up-QmiuRpJ39e3FS4O4GtfLXuezzLDPFYzy1SwXc5nyByaA/w300-h400/IMG_3052.JPEG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hat required</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-79221129127968206442023-01-20T23:17:00.002+11:002023-01-20T23:21:58.052+11:00Catch up<p>It's about time I did a catch up on the pieces not quite a full post but special. December was quiet with bright spells like catching the train to London on the only non strike day that week to see Kate. Kate's my lovely niece and is over here from New Zealand starting a new job and a new life and, like me, enjoying the lifestyle change of this place. It had snowed a couple of days earlier and the snow was still around kept there by freezing temperatures. Much colder than my last winter visit in 2018. </p><p>I wandered along both sides of the river to our meeting place, a lovely Italian restaurant near Tower Bridge. It was lovely to have NZ family time, catch up on the news and enjoy each other's stories. Kate went north to Edinburgh for Hogmanay and I can't wait to catch up again to hear all about it. Wandering back I got slightly misplaced, wandering through Borough Market to the wrong station. Luckily the help folks there pointed me in the right direction and my audio book and I departed back through the snowy countryside. </p><p>Countryside, I think that's what always surprises me here. How much countryside there is when this quite small island has such a large population. I noticed that going south to Dorset a couple of weekends ago. That's my next post. Christmas was quiet as was new year, Facetime chats with the crew down south and time out to relax. Christmas dinner was a hot one, I love mid winter Christmases. </p><p>Making the most of the time off we did some day trips. I'm surprised how many places are shut at this time of year. Places tourists like me would love to visit. One place open was the Royal Holloway University of London. Well the grounds were open for a wander. It has quite a history and the details are <a href="https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/about-us/our-history/" target="_blank">here</a>. Unveiled in 1886 by Queen Victoria, the founders building is amazing. It's one of the first places in the UK women could attend university and was a place where women's suffrage was to the fore. My photos don't quite do the place justice, it's very hard to get the whole into one photo. The website has an aerial shot much better representing the place. </p><p>Another visit was to the <a href="http://battleofbritainbunker.co.uk/" target="_blank">Battle of Britain Bunker</a>, the war room where the logistics of the battle were negotiated, where men and planes were sent to an uncertain outcome. The history enacted here is reflected in the artifacts, photos and stories. The museum and bunker are well worth a visit. </p><p>I'm quite enjoying a cold winter, my first in a while. Especially enjoying the snow, frozen puddles and heavy frosts, all from the comfort of a warm indoor space. Yesterday I went for a wander in -1 on a day with quite warm sunshine. My big coat, a 2018 UK purchase, has had good use. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSN-W5x-6nSbbrqMy_z3kM6MMTk5cg2kzGyKwvtTS8f4luvbb_80LD5d420K2pKO6Iqd80Gs9xdKd891CaO7-CaPCw7mMgZl16NVjJFK1iEHm0ZmAaXY8S2wyxiXjsSgvISyOUB-utRbDyDzrEUuKxBpbOoxw3JtAxiMffpz8KP4Wv3tlqv0GLdrQCYQ/s1916/IMG_2817.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1916" data-original-width="1640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSN-W5x-6nSbbrqMy_z3kM6MMTk5cg2kzGyKwvtTS8f4luvbb_80LD5d420K2pKO6Iqd80Gs9xdKd891CaO7-CaPCw7mMgZl16NVjJFK1iEHm0ZmAaXY8S2wyxiXjsSgvISyOUB-utRbDyDzrEUuKxBpbOoxw3JtAxiMffpz8KP4Wv3tlqv0GLdrQCYQ/w343-h400/IMG_2817.JPEG" width="343" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold driving</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1c7X4RIUr--4KGYqZBA9szXUG8EeN-4bbTtJFDeMtUD0n0Gy1Cn9tgROnU4eLrlKvP_UGNU_jycwqaMq5HXMCATuZSLBhzAy2Q3hvdMPpbdPRGZisAizUHnM7aXTlh6hS963an3PnUByX8D0a68u-qvhEre0kGcnFeMVu7R7qIDGJrUd2cnBshRH6Q/s2048/IMG_2828.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1c7X4RIUr--4KGYqZBA9szXUG8EeN-4bbTtJFDeMtUD0n0Gy1Cn9tgROnU4eLrlKvP_UGNU_jycwqaMq5HXMCATuZSLBhzAy2Q3hvdMPpbdPRGZisAizUHnM7aXTlh6hS963an3PnUByX8D0a68u-qvhEre0kGcnFeMVu7R7qIDGJrUd2cnBshRH6Q/w300-h400/IMG_2828.JPEG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Paul's from Millennium Bridge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaNMcMtJmkk2CsLjvz-sHI3icqPvBZ-05zJKsWt6FxQ5R8OaehTnggQkvMqPEoLGwBMU0OzBLu0SYR3rM1BUFS4ZyCpGIZNg_H_YfwWCrTUPOWMDIfk4NP9jcPOJY_UASt2ZwqLIpogAKqsRLlJOwn4olfTFesE4H6OZWehNTdQ4fKeUavePMhRgaTQ/s2048/IMG_2833.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaNMcMtJmkk2CsLjvz-sHI3icqPvBZ-05zJKsWt6FxQ5R8OaehTnggQkvMqPEoLGwBMU0OzBLu0SYR3rM1BUFS4ZyCpGIZNg_H_YfwWCrTUPOWMDIfk4NP9jcPOJY_UASt2ZwqLIpogAKqsRLlJOwn4olfTFesE4H6OZWehNTdQ4fKeUavePMhRgaTQ/w400-h300/IMG_2833.JPEG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy rooftop - The Globe</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYEs6akda6MkfPT6PMk_8LYKajkCfXLt5PLBzh3G5dPCCpKk4HXJCuDBp_N5geD7C14e9-xegBBpdhXYtFJjBggcaZ9hoX49C5yD0VPl84YlEq0GgL7dNTLTAjqMry7edPGvdOm3zJ-j91CJ-1tCo33XY-vhrB6zVeW4S0Cr5iXLXxTIGrsK2RO_a4A/s1919/IMG_2836.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1639" data-original-width="1919" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYEs6akda6MkfPT6PMk_8LYKajkCfXLt5PLBzh3G5dPCCpKk4HXJCuDBp_N5geD7C14e9-xegBBpdhXYtFJjBggcaZ9hoX49C5yD0VPl84YlEq0GgL7dNTLTAjqMry7edPGvdOm3zJ-j91CJ-1tCo33XY-vhrB6zVeW4S0Cr5iXLXxTIGrsK2RO_a4A/w400-h341/IMG_2836.JPEG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas market stalls</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOr62lXXStUwD59BHsk81UwFjOrBFuymZ63xn6rZbX4CKDgkKqygxZTjk66adRn9j_acBCJ7tcJO6K_YUP3fuICrNyC1Ibr0crfoHiAKgdvQgFLWHUHZvcat1SfH864xmIOaklb5WX26wgEOAeq0ZMCbGzSlceucWWSL1lQ2DHyU-xn5Sz4gBqD4XxiQ/s2048/IMG_2838.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOr62lXXStUwD59BHsk81UwFjOrBFuymZ63xn6rZbX4CKDgkKqygxZTjk66adRn9j_acBCJ7tcJO6K_YUP3fuICrNyC1Ibr0crfoHiAKgdvQgFLWHUHZvcat1SfH864xmIOaklb5WX26wgEOAeq0ZMCbGzSlceucWWSL1lQ2DHyU-xn5Sz4gBqD4XxiQ/w400-h300/IMG_2838.JPEG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining with a view</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8vRCyP_PByJfwF9_HOyjhMDRDCHCEEUB7F9WUbCwhZ9j5Ghk24HexAul-j7_Dd1-1DDEoV1EmPOoz6mSfnZyxVI23Ti1KPy5lATmQ-S_jI9orRhrJ_VpUFttoKcoOJgIdHIEjMkS4uurvLJmgySC0pWa8qZHlYWTzZt4W_TQMMRg9jC8tcnfDpQYBA/s2090/IMG_2971.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2090" data-original-width="1504" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8vRCyP_PByJfwF9_HOyjhMDRDCHCEEUB7F9WUbCwhZ9j5Ghk24HexAul-j7_Dd1-1DDEoV1EmPOoz6mSfnZyxVI23Ti1KPy5lATmQ-S_jI9orRhrJ_VpUFttoKcoOJgIdHIEjMkS4uurvLJmgySC0pWa8qZHlYWTzZt4W_TQMMRg9jC8tcnfDpQYBA/w288-h400/IMG_2971.JPEG" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Holloway</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-Z_DyhlYicoXZiju1f8ooJEEzifj96ffW11ckHHaqMzupQ6dbJhCOGZIS22M6LIhy72__cfmYQh2vk2dafXM0qEP219RoH0AzEVLNli4NFQmkPKSNVZW_UvGE0uR4y6EowrtuLWMXbMMO2_CS1fIYhamE4zLQzITZVFQuaGsAY90V7SsfbfG5jTGXQ/s2048/IMG_2976.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-Z_DyhlYicoXZiju1f8ooJEEzifj96ffW11ckHHaqMzupQ6dbJhCOGZIS22M6LIhy72__cfmYQh2vk2dafXM0qEP219RoH0AzEVLNli4NFQmkPKSNVZW_UvGE0uR4y6EowrtuLWMXbMMO2_CS1fIYhamE4zLQzITZVFQuaGsAY90V7SsfbfG5jTGXQ/w300-h400/IMG_2976.JPEG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Holloway Chapel</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991309642437113378.post-25981212508734120082023-01-03T23:21:00.005+11:002023-01-05T06:10:10.115+11:00Spain!<p>And this is a very short post because the visit over the border was very short! It was great to finally set foot in Spain, shame the day was wet and cold with a chilling wind off the Mediterranean. Not a day for a paddle in the Med I'm afraid, or an outside table for tapas and local wine sigh. I was quite disappointed really. We wandered through the streets, had a quick stop at a café then back we wandered. The pic quite possibly did do justice to the day!</p><p>Once we got back to Gib, we wandered up to visit the <a href="http://www.visitgibraltar.gi/see-and-do/military-history/the-moorish-castle-10" target="_blank">Moorish Castle</a>. Alas the way the eluded us with dead end streets and a long uphill walk with steps. When the rain started we gave up. And rain it did with the roads becoming rivers and the two of us soaked, cold and bedraggled. Thankfully there was a bus stop and a minibus with a lovely driver who took pity on us and changed her route slightly to get us closer to the hotel. What an exciting drive through narrow streets flowing from the heavy downpour. We got inside and dry and down to the bar in time to see the road outside become an impassible river. The rain was so heavy the windows of the hotel started to leak causing a bit of chaos. </p><p>Needless to say we stayed put, thank goodness because I was all walked out and ready for some spicy Prawn Pil Pil to warm me up. It was delicious as was the Spanish wine. You can tell the quality of your travel companions when there is no drama when plans change, you're soaking wet and lost. With the best ones you can have a laugh over food and wine at the end of the day. A very relaxing evening after a busy and often lost day.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgcAZ2PAmJ0QZ8Y-ZXWgscu2aRf1O9fd3un2T3BmZZEyCY74UsFy9Faz3a95drzwnUeUmyDXvK9L2RgQaTe_Vxy1ArLoBcFxo_2HqRyT3NWlCjdVjce4fSbPmahvdm45eTWFHf2XP-UxAEs7EvgO19Km66pzq41BeHZOuEHI6ipdY12e9fjoUWITuaQ/s2048/IMG_2724.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgcAZ2PAmJ0QZ8Y-ZXWgscu2aRf1O9fd3un2T3BmZZEyCY74UsFy9Faz3a95drzwnUeUmyDXvK9L2RgQaTe_Vxy1ArLoBcFxo_2HqRyT3NWlCjdVjce4fSbPmahvdm45eTWFHf2XP-UxAEs7EvgO19Km66pzq41BeHZOuEHI6ipdY12e9fjoUWITuaQ/w300-h400/IMG_2724.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the Rock was inhospitable</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oeuEsmpKD1ea_AmWpl6K63ZQWkWM2fLMLScSIUjNqycoObcOt-mJ7TTfTXvfKdJASKCIUZoVVFf7Txx0vsWZjbyHSxfHD5sk4eeDN9KDuo1dD03lm7JGhIz_aogf9cNqrJzBsbQ7ytWgxtbVpOuxXK-gw2nmj_-3pF_RGKbhWr0dYETY2ypeAsRhDw/s1996/IMG_2729.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1576" data-original-width="1996" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oeuEsmpKD1ea_AmWpl6K63ZQWkWM2fLMLScSIUjNqycoObcOt-mJ7TTfTXvfKdJASKCIUZoVVFf7Txx0vsWZjbyHSxfHD5sk4eeDN9KDuo1dD03lm7JGhIz_aogf9cNqrJzBsbQ7ytWgxtbVpOuxXK-gw2nmj_-3pF_RGKbhWr0dYETY2ypeAsRhDw/w400-h316/IMG_2729.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof I made it to Spain!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Jule's Short Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842259958614855930noreply@blogger.com0