Winter is coming.....

Yes, it's becoming quite chilly here with some foggy cold evenings bringing eerie light and sparkling spider webs. Not spiders like I know spiders, small friendly ones not giant Huntsman or scary red backs. There's also no cockroaches. My friends laugh at my 'put food things away to keep the cockies at bay' antics. There are several bright spots with the chill. The first is a lovely warm, well insulated and heated apartment; the second I get to buy some winter woolies and boots and wear them; the third, well warm is only a short flight away.

Well, that's what I thought when I booked Friday's trip to Gibraltar and Spain. Another BA holiday too good to refuse. I chose the hotel because it had a lovely resort pool with deck chairs and I pictured myself with a book and a cocktail by the pool in my new bikinis. Did I mention I have no swim wear? Mine went in the bin when I realised it was well past its best as I packed. So here I am searching out cooler clothes to pack with my travel companion and friends having a laugh at my expense. There's been a bit of that all round really.

It seems the lovely pool has been closed for some time because it's cold in Gibraltar at this time of year! So while there will be no sunning in bikinis and books by the pool, there will be cocktails. Lots of cocktails and sampling gins and the like because apparently it's cheaper there than here. Anyway, I'm off to the Rock where I can wander to Spain for tapas and vino - So excited! You see I've never been to Spain. I've been to Portugal and to the border with France a long while ago and never ventured in. I love Spanish food and wine and am looking forward to people watching in a cantina while slow eating. 

It also seems there is a ferry to Morocco and there's a Spanish part to Morocco where it arrives. If time allows a ferry cruise might be another piece to this adventure. I've always wanted to visit Gibraltar after reading books where it features. I got close in 2013 with a day skipper course but other spots took my attention. The history is quite amazing and I'm looking forward to exploring, not quite sans a coat but at least a little warmer than here. 

Berlin II

One thing I didn't mention in the last post was how far we wandered - far too far for my new green boots and my little white shoes. I didn't learn from London and take my runners. Vanity is a fine thing, 10 plus kilometers each day will outweigh vanity next time. I have recovered, although apparently there were times my inner toddler came out, stamping my foot and demanding to stop, sit and have food and a beer or the flat 'no - it's not in that direction'. I was often wrong, blunt maps aye. See we'd turned off roaming on our phones so did it all without Google maps. I should know by now how hotel maps are not quite up to the task. Being misplaced did end up in more adventures of course. 

The day after the walking tour, after a relaxing evening and a lovely meal at the local Spanish tapas place, we set off to revisit some of the best walking tour sites. A time to stay a bit longer and reflect on Campbell's commentary. Zig zagging along the wall route, the river and through the parks and stopping longer for photos. Brandenburg Gate, a big highlight, was so packed with people it was not quite the best time for photos.   

Built between 1788 and 1791 by Prussian King Frederick William II, Brandenburg Gate was a key entry point into the city. It was also a symbol of the east west divide and reunification. It's an imposing structure. The sight of thousands of brown shirted stormtroopers and SS men marching through in a torchlight parade, cheered on by their notorious leaders, must have been terrifying. The history was laid out in photos at the Topography of Terror Museum. And the many marches and shows of strength were truly terrifying. The warm sun coxed us to a café for a spot of coffee, cake and people watching.

With the promise of a lighter walking day, we hit the underground and headed to Tempelhof.  The Airport Tempelhof was built between 1936 and 1941and was the biggest monument of the Nazi era. It become a symbol of freedom because of the airlift of 1948/49 where allied planes flew in supplies to beleaguered Berliners. The airport is made up of an elliptical airfield and an enormous building complex. The airfield was used to test early flying machines too, including early gas balloons. The site has a rich and varied early history, beginning with occupation by the Templar Order in the 13th century. Airport Tempelhof is unique. There was no other building of this magnitude, at least within Europe, in the 1930s and it became a thriving airport postwar.

The building is imposing, and now it's deserted with the airfield used by the community for weekend outings and exercise. It's huge and took some wandering, so much for a lighter walking day. Sitting on the runway with a cold beer watching families enjoying the warm day was a treat. There was a melting pot of families, people of Middle Eastern heritage grilling food and having big family picnics; English, German, French, Arabic, Turkish languages in use; people greeting each other; friends meeting up to go for a ride; people on bikes and skates zooming past; kids flying kites; derelict planes and artifacts from earlier days; all with a distant concert providing the backing track. The area is huge and thriving. All  this was watched on by a group of people in cabins, behind a high fence. Children playing together while a Ukrainian flag fluttered listlessly. Quite a contrast, and a topic of conversation for a group I could understand. 

The wander back had toddler behaviour, turned out I was right to go left not right. All settled with a cold beer and cider at Murphy's once we found it. The wander back to the hotel was very slow and a bit of a bar crawl, the very best way to see sights and people watch as the evening closes in. I was sad to leave Berlin and hope to return soon. The next adventure is in the planning stage, as always!

Jewish Memorial

Visiting the Deutsche Parliament - no one home!

Trains to life

Trains to death

The vapor trail seemed appropriate as we headed to the airport

A long weekend in Berlin

Yes, Berlin! A place on my bucket list for a very long time. A place I've been fascinated by - the history, the people, the impact of war and tyranny, the stories of real people faced with adversity, the beer. Of course the beer and the curry wurst! 

Being based in the UK makes travel to Europe so easy. Good old BA came to the party this time with a package deal I couldn't refuse - flights and hotels for a very reasonable price, leaving and returning at a time that worked and a hotel located for wanders around the main sights. Add to that a good hotel and parking deal at Heathrow and we were off. I'd stayed at the hotel once before on my way to the Caymans more than 10 years ago. It hadn't changed and still had the lovely Spanish wines I appreciated so much then. 

Berlin. I was surprised how low key Berlin was. Sitting by the canal enjoying a wine and pizza I could see the community. People returning from work walking or on bikes, some with small children in carriers or carts at the front. Like an old fashioned bread delivery bike. People who greeted each other, friends enjoying the late afternoon sun at the canal side café, older people, a group of teen laughing and enjoying their pizza, families with children running up and down the path. My German is non existent, my companion can make himself understood, well enough for the wait staff to get an English speaker! 

It was also warm enough for a light jumper, and the lovely autumn weather continued for the whole weekend. Autumn, it's been a while since I experienced a true autumn and I've been enjoying the changing colours here for a few weeks. Berlin was a whole other level; fiery trees with leaves floating on the wind to the carpet of colour covering the grass. I took photos, none of which really did autumn justice. Anyhow, we were there for a whole other purpose. 

We booked a walking tour with Insider Tours to understand more about the Third Reich and the history of this place. Campbell, from Melbourne, was the best guide. With history and politics degrees, he was extremely knowledgeable and a natural storyteller. The group was small so we got to ask questions along the way as we visited key sites ending at the Topography of Terror history museum. The loo was very much needed by then, three hours of wandering with a short stop for coffee and cake. I highly recommend Insider Tours. The first day wandering Berlin we went past many of the sights, most not signposted. Checkpoint Charlie was, and Murphy's Irish Bar nearby was a much needed stopping point.

More about the museum, and the excavated area with the information boards. The history was horrifying. A story of what people can do to other people while other people watch on. Watching and not stepping in for fear of their own lives or because they agree with the dogma. This is still happening in our world today. There was much I didn't know, even though I'm well read and enjoy history. Like  the kinder transports - Jewish children sent to England to be cared for. Children only, because English politicians didn't want the 'Jewish problem' to come there. So deeply had the propaganda impacted, allowing for the atrocities. The children who went mostly survived, the children who stayed mostly didn't. A life lottery. My heart wept for the mums and dads who had to make this awful decision. 

There is an air of hopeful renewal in Berlin, of dark histories not to be revisited by this and next generations. There are a lot of empty buildings with dark histories like the Ministry of Defence  building, and hidden ones like the location of the notorious bunker. What surprised me was the extent and damage of the wall between east and west. We followed this and each day wandered both sides of this beautiful city, east and west lines drawn by men, an outcome of devastating war, affecting so many people. I'm not sure how I would have coped with being locked up like that, people risking their lives to be free. 

I took lots of phone pics and took my big camera on some of the wanders. I've not yet downloaded these so it's phone pics again. 

Canal side dining

Joys of autumn

Soviet War Memorial

Topography of Terror - Outside display

Reichstag building

London - Day two

 It was a slow start - Spanish wine meant a lie in. Plus we had to carry things. Luckily I travel light, except for my camera. Being a bit footsore after walking over 25,000 steps, a quieter day was planned. This time it was Buckingham Palace and surrounds. What a beautiful spot St James Park is. A haven after the crowds out in the street,  the push to watch what was happening after the police moved us on and closed The Mall. With all the happenings lately, that was hardly surprising. 

We watched and waited - watching people on bikes stopping for traffic lights when there was no traffic was amusing - then wandered on. Turns out there was a happening happening. There were Gurkas on parade, and guardsmen and a band. Well worth the stop. After a wander through the park, there was shopping to be done. More window than anything, I really do need some winter clothes! I did find the T2 shop, much to my companion's bewilderment at my excitement. The lass behind the counter also had a giggle. I'm now the proud owner of a large bag of French Earl Grey to grace my new teapot. 

A wander through Chinatown, then it was lunch and home again via the tube. A great weekend away, one of many. The next trip was one to Northumberland and we're off to Berlin at the end of this month. It's so easy to plan trips here, a quick flight and hotel deal from BA for Berlin meant a call to the very helpful BA team. The photos are phone ones, I've not explored the ones on my camera yet. 

Fun with filters!

And it's not a day out without a beer at Mr Foggs!
 

The flags are out

St James Lake

London - Day one

The long awaited trip to London happened a couple of weeks ago. Travelling on the tube from the outskirts after parking the car. We left a bit later than planned as I had a small mishap - I misplaced my phone! Panicking just a little as I'm quite careful with my precious phone, we retraced the many steps from the station to the car to find it. I left it in the car thankfully, not along the way as I'd feared, so it was back to the station and a later tube.   

It was input input from the beginning. An interesting trip people watching as the carriage filled up along the way. Finding the hotel was also interesting, exhausting. It was much later than expected and phones don't like high buildings so we had to do it the old fashioned way via the street maps. An exercise in orienteering dark streets. It was wonderful to sit down after quite a walk - had I known the walking itinerary for the next day I just may have packed my new trainers! 

What a gorgeous day it was, cool sunshine and surprises. Where to start. Anyone who's ever travelled with me knows about the hangry me so it was a big breakfast at the local Wetherspoons; cheap, cheerful and plentiful with an okay coffee. There was also the odd snack in my bag, just in case. My guide knows London very well so regaled me with the histories of the places we visited, histories from the distant and recent pasts. 

First stop was a place I'd never been - St Katharine Docks Marina, the home of one of the Queen's boats and the Dickens Inn. The famous flowers were on their last legs as autumn approaches, although still a wonderful display. Eleven centuries of history are a bit much to cover here so the website is above. It was the perfect place to take someone like me who loves boats although walking past the Tower first was a topic for conversation - my 4 year old 'why?' came out until we arrived in the sunlit marina. 

The first thing I noticed was how peaceful the area was, quite a change from the roads and city noises on the walk there. The benches in the sun were really tempting, the moving on had to happen although I got a call in from the red phone box and some boat envy while enjoying the feel and history of the place. 

One thing I love to do is offer to take photos of people, especially when there's two or more trying to get in. Folks do tend to hand this middle aged grandma their cameras and phones - I must look trustworthy! The two lovely ladies appreciated the help and offered to return the favour so I gratefully accepted. I enjoy the small chats I have with people. Some notice I have a different accent and do the guessing thing, some seem to want to talk to someone other than their travelling companion, others find a point of connection, some see their kids smiling and smile back (middle aged grandmas have grandma written in their smile and kids know this). Some look at me like I'm a bit odd - well maybe! 

There's a such a difference wandering looking and wandering with someone who knows the place, the history and has personal stories. My travel companion has stories aplenty with a keen interest in history and knowledge of the city. Also knowledge of places I can't go on my own, like the Union Jack Club. I was very ready for a stop, a loo and a cold cider. As a bonus I got chatting with the folks seated at the next table and met Dr Cath Arnold, a renowned author and researcher in my field. What a treat to discuss her work, having read her books and shared her knowledge with others. She was on her way to a conference dinner with others in our field, names I could nod to. We've got each others contact details so will keep in touch. 

Wandering along the South Bank is always great for people watching, and people were out in force on this sunny Saturday. One thing I've really noticed is just how many people there are here, how crowded places are. Take the Borough Market. Last time I visited, admittedly in winter, I could pause and browse. Not so on this visit. People pushing and queueing and wandering eating and drinking didn't make for a pleasant time so it was a quick stop. 

I always thought the Globe Theatre was really the original - not so it seems. There is a spot quite near where the original stood and it was great to read the plaques and learn more. Wandering past the Eye and over to the other side we arrived at Covent Garden to enjoy some street performances and a quiet lunch in a church garden. Then it was tube time and a trip to the closest station to the hotel, evidently not the one we got off at the evening before. I was completely exhausted so found a dinner place close by, the very best Spanish tapas and paella with a Spanish red at Barcelona Tapas and Bar. The service was excellent too. A treat for us after a long day. 

St Katharine's Marina

The Dickens famous flowers

ET phone home

Tower Bridge 

The Tower from South Bank

In the driver's seat!

Well that was exciting - My first drive here this trip! At least it's on the same side of the road and the car was an auto and I had Waze to guide me and I knew a bit of the countryside after being driven around for a bit and Waze spoke to me in kilometers while the car had miles so all that made it much easier than the last times. 

The times with a blunt map and no navigator and no phone at all. The times where my co pilot went into a panic because she couldn't see any speed signs so thought we might be speeding, I winged it keeping to the average speed. The times when the Stonehenge sign made me pull in despite my co pilots protests we'd be late for the football - well worth it. The time I was meeting a friend, took a wrong turn and ended up in Essex or Sussex not Wessex or some such name - dinner happened a bit later that evening. The time I got to Saffron Walden after many traffic jams and missing the odd exit only to find I had neither my friend's address or a phone to call her on and getting her number required the internet. The bloke at the pub didn't know my friend personally, thought I'd ask just in case, but let me find and call the number so I could get instructions. And that's just a few from my UK adventures!

Suffice to say, today was a breeze and I'm looking forward to more car adventures. I plan to buy a cheap and cheerful one soon, in the mean time I have a loaner. It's been an interesting time here with the Queen leaving us. The drive past Windsor on Monday was interesting with people lining the roads and a huge traffic jam. We didn't venture too close and found the jam was caused by the Queen's motorcade needing the exits and nearby roads closed. There was no traffic on the other side of the motorway, odd I thought. Next minute there was a roar of motorbikes and fast black SUVs and a car looking suspiciously like a hearse. They raced off quickly then just as quickly the traffic cleared and we were on our way to the very local pub with friends to watch the proceedings on TV, glass in hand.

This weekend I'm finally getting to London! I'm just a bit excited because I love exploring and there's plenty I haven't seen plus other favourite places. Like Borough Market. Photos and stories will follow. 

For now, it's off to celebrate a new car with one of the selection of amazing gins the pubs have here. And matching tonics. My gin friends know I'm not big on tonic - I've been converted here. A lovely rhubarb and ginger gin with a clementine tonic is on the menu. 

An aerial view of Windsor

Somerset adventures

 The last time I went to Wells it was a freezing January day and the cathedral looked forbidding. I also didn't have much time to explore so getting to go back on a warm September day was a treat. Driving from Bristol through the Cheddar Gorge was amazing. Such an interesting landscape carved through rolling Somerset countryside. The road is fun, narrow and winding with lots of blind corners. There are plans for a whole weekend there exploring, school holidays were not the best time to stop. 

I love exploring the history of this place. I've read Pillars of the Earth, that huge book about the building of a cathedral, a few times over the years and visiting similar places brings back the stories. The lives of generations of stonemasons and builders so entwined in the history, their skilled craft on show, and how they managed to make such magnificent structures with rudimentary tools. Wells Cathedral is one of those special places where the whispers of history are in every corner. The Bishops Palace next to the Cathedral is a peaceful spot with a moat surrounding gardens, ruins and buildings. 

Onwards from Wells after exploring the area, we arrived at a very special place, Nunney. It's hard to describe Nunney except to say I'd love to live in one of those picturesque cottages with gorgeous gardens beside the stream, near the ancient bridge, overlooking the Norman castle. Yes, the Norman castle. Having learned more about my family history, I have a smattering of Norman ancestry on my father's side so Norman history is suddenly interesting. After a wander over the moat and through the ruins, a Somerset cider at the local pub was needed. Another place to return for a longer visit. Stonehenge was on the way home so I click a quick pic through the window. It didn't look too bad with a filter. 

This week has been one to catch up on pieces I'm needing to get completed. With the Queen passing there is an air of subdued sadness and all conversations are royals related. A time of grief and new beginnings and many stories of how the Queen has impacted people's lives. I was talking to a young friend about how he might see a queen and two kings in his lifetime. Being 23, his comment was he may see three kings. Extraordinary to think most of us have only known Queen Elizabeth, what history she has reigned through. I was at Windsor the day before she passed and it was very quiet, not so now. 

Bishops Palace Wells

Inside Nunney Castle - Couldn't resist the dog

Nunney Castle and moat

Moat action - Majestic swans and their babies

A distant Stonehenge

Time to say goodbye.....

What time to be in the UK with her Majesty the Queen passing and a country united in sadness, as it was united in joy during her 70th Jubilee. A great lady who will be missed. The news is full of stories about her and I'm learning so much I didn't know. 

One gem was when she pranked some tourists wandering on the pathways near Balmoral. They had quite a conversation about the queen with the queen and her close protection officer played along. I can imagine their surprise when someone identifies the elderly lady in the selfie they took with her. 

I wonder what these next days of official mourning and commemorations will bring. I suspect our weekend plans for a trip to London will be on hold for now. My condolences to her family. 

I have arrived

Well so much for writing on the plane! I was totally exhausted by the time I sat in that seat - physically and emotionally. Leaving is never easy, leaving those precious grandies after spending almost 9 years nearby is the hardest. Those final things to get organised took more time than I thought they would - experience tells me they always do, optimism has me believing it will be different this time. Nope. 

Long story short, I'm here! Where exactly? Farnborough in Hampshire. It's great to have a base I can come and go from, revisit places I love, and explore those places only the locals know. Like the local pub where everyone knows your name, Windsor and Wells, and some hidden gems like Nunney, Waverley Abbey and Portishead. And here I was thinking it's just a band I've always enjoyed. It's also a gorgeous spot to wander along the waterfront and canal and enjoy the best Italian food at Aqua. 

I've always been fascinated with the tidal range in different parts of the world. Portishead has the second largest range in the world according to one of the information boards, up to15 metres at high tide. Having watched the tide sweep in at Mont Saint Michel, I can imagine how fierce the tide is at Portishead. 

Next stop was the Clifton suspension bridge, an amazing feat of engineering by Brunel bridging the Avon Gorge. Clifton is a treat of a place, high on a hill with views across the countryside and the Bristol Channel. Terraced houses tumbling down steep streets. The ancient history of the area is visible  as I stood within the iron age Clifton Camp hillfort. Descending into the caves in the hillside was a treat with minerals colouring the rocks to the side. It was a squeeze even for me but the view from the platform over the gorge was worth the steps.  

The photos are only phone ones. My big camera will get and outing soon. And more stories will follow. 

Portishead Marina

Brunel's Clifton Suspension Bridge from Clifton Camp

2022 - New beginnings

Wow it's been so long since I wrote here. And so many changes since I have. My word for 2021 was Being, turns out that was being able to start a new adventure, being able to regroup after a much needed employment change and being able to rest and recover. Heading away from a job towards being self employed has worked really well for me. 2021 was a year of change, regrouping, exploring and flourishing in a different way, all from the safety of my lovely apartment. 

Like all of us, most of the change was related to the scourge alarming the world and causing grief for so many people. I don't cope well with being isolated from my family and friends and the past 18 months have been isolating with small bright spots when the windows to travel happened. I got to New Zealand once when I would usually have been 4-5 times and I'm off there again in a few weeks. It's been over a year since I saw my family there, the longest time for me. The closer ones were also unavailable, that's thankfully changed now. 

My 2022 word is Beginning. An odd one I thought as it came to me and stayed. Begin, beginnings, then I realised my 12 year cycle ended in 2021 and begins this year so it did seem appropriate after all. What a year it's been so far! New friends, new adventures, new openness to opportunities, big decisions and actions, journalling again, inviting change. And change there is.

I recently sold my lovely apartment, my container for two and a half years, and am now selling the pieces I've gathered along the way. The treasures I will store until I need them again. Making a fresh start in another country, moving once again with 30 kilos and a back pack. I'm getting too old for this shit really! 

So I'll begin a series of posts here, quite possibly beginning on the plane, as I go on this new adventure. I have to laugh at the many reactions I've had to my news, I will miss this place and my people here but, as Arnie would say, 'I'll be back!'

Autumn sunrise!