Day 13 Luxembourg Day 14/15 Berlin

After a nice wee train ride From Brussels we wound up in Luxembourg.
From the train station we walked to our hotel through one of the dodgy areas we have
Found so far, never mind, Next day we are off over the bridges to the town centre were we
get our first taste of what Luxembourg is really different for, height.
I have tried to show that in some of my photos probably unsuccessfully..
If you're not in to heights you won't enjoy Luxembourg.
There are some pretty sites and some nice shopping. Palace is lovely. And we had great weather.
After that we went to the casemates, tunnels under that 13th and 14th century town walls dug buy the Spanish.
Which was interesting it was after this however that I came up with my second revelation about Luxembourg. Looks pretty, smells like wee.
After our tripping around we went to the train station with a couple of hours to kill we thought
we might find a few things to eat..
So off Alex walked to find a supermarket or handy dairy somewhere near the Train station.
And Alex walked and walked some more after an hour of finding nothing at all but bars, Restaurants and clubs. I gave up. Also it was dodgy.
Ok off to Berlin via Liege
We had to swap trains at Liege (Belgium) handy tip if you have an hour to kill there is a hotel called Hotel De Ville where you can get a nice coffee at midnight. An Old hotel that is probably been desperately hanging on till the introduction of the Eurail.
Then on our way on a, hot and way to small sleeper train to Berlin. Didn't get much sleep...
But on arrival in Berlin we got to go to our Hostel called Singer109 which was better
Than most of the hotels we have been staying at... It was an ex soviet block type of thing done up
Really nice.
Berlin was in the end a bit surly. We had troubles with grumpy tram drivers and security guards
As I was trying to get around the far to big Museum of Deutchesland The Security guards would sort of pare at you like your about to take off with there 17th century 6 foot square painting of some aristocrat who did nothing but get dressed up as a woman in a military uniform he didn't earn.
(Good on the artist for failing to cover his larger waistline by the way).
Very interesting the delicate wording on the two wars... and I learnt a bit more about the situation that lead to the Nazi rise.
Paula had a troubling experience with a security guard to in that he was trying to explain in German for her to sit properly in a seat. With Paula's lack of understanding he made a joke of this to some other people to laugh at... It was good display of Germans not having got over there bullying ways. Considering the German situation I would have expected a bit more humility.
On our last day in Berlin, we took an u-bahn train out to the ostbahnhof station and walked towards the river. Here there is the largest and most intact section of the Berlin Wall. Paula thought it was longer than her expectations. We went around a few bends, and I expected it to stop! Paula also thought that it was shorter and a lot less substantial than in her mind. After we returned to the hostel to pick up our bags and have a cheap burger, we were onto the night train to Krakow.
Anyway I have come to the conclusion that Berlin is a big dirty city that probably isn't the real Germany. As London isn't England.
... And is just a bit surly...

LX. (and P.)

Day 11 18/09/08 (and day 12) + Pics

sitting in Brussels
So, here we are, sitting in Brussels Grand Place, drinking coffee and eating belgian waffles. It is such a hard life.

We arrived here on the Eurostar last night, and although it took longer to get through the tunnel because of the fire, we managed to get on an earlier train, all good.
We found our way to our accommodation for the night, and were given one of the friendliest welcomes I have experienced so far. We were shown to our room (the 'best room in the house') and it was up three very tight windy flights of stairs. Really fun with full back packs on... not.
Anyways, up today and exploring the city. Found a funky little tourist place that gave us a good map and hints. So, we are here in the Grand Place, that is fairly spectacular and immpressive.

Yesterday, we woke up in St Albans, north of London, and after battling traffic and silly buses, finally managed to get the car back to Stansted and onto a bus into the city. Got to meet the little man Merlin and his mum and dad, and grandma and granddad and aunty jenny. Was very cool!!!! although, the kiwis certainly looked a bit jet lagged. Including Merl. He was all a wee bit dazed, but I still got to have a cuddle and a talk. Uncle Alex even got him to giggle!

The day before (16/09) we woke up in Motcombe. I enjoyed my stay when I went there for Rosie and Joe's wedding, that I thought Alex might appreciate it. Love that bnb! Any place that serves you eggs from their own chickens has got to be good!!!
We drove into Shaftesbury after breakfast and had a wee explore of the Abbey ruins there, as I never managed to do that when I was there for the wedding. Very cool!!! although, we could have done with more time there!
Onto Stonehenge after that. And I was impressed. And I think Alex's comment was that he enjoyed it more than he thought he would. Would recommend any one going there to spend the whole day in the area. There are plenty of walks you could do and exploring them all would have been fun. Never mind.

The day before (15/09) we visited the Eden Project. Unfortunately, the weather was not the best, and time was of the essence (again). I had a great time. Some very cool things there, and to think that it all used to be a mining pit! Interesting!
Right, I think we are off to explore. Maybe eat some chocolate? Drink some beer? Paula eat some moules??? mmm..... it certainly is a hard life.
Post script; 19/09 (Day 12)
Here we are sitting on a train from a day in Ypres (or wipers, or Ieper, depending on who you are and where you are).
We have started our train ticket with a short trip to look at some WW1 battle fields, which was cool. Although, we had to be cut a wee bit short due to our train timetable.. never mind. Would love to go back one day and have a real good look about there. I reckon hiring a bike and cycling about for a few days would do me. We did get to see several interesting sites though, including the NZ messines memorial. :)

So... what else have we discovered about Belgium? Hmm, some tasty beer. Kwak is one I would recommend. Also some pretty good chocolate. Mmm.... any excuse... Some good value sandwich places. Good for lunch. Umm.... I have found that most people we have asked for help or have served us have been very helpful and friendly. Gotta love that after being in London for a year!
Right.
Off on the train tonight to Luxembourg. Will add an itinery soon, hopefully.
I also hope that the wedding goes well for Matthew and Fiona this weekend. Thinking of you both! Hope it is an excellent day!!!! Love heaps!
P and LX.

The tour so far (14/09) – Day 7

So, here we are sitting in Port Issacs in Cornwall having a beer and waiting for our f n c's! Mmm, its hard being on holiday!
Well, this time last week, we were sitting in an empty flat waiting to depart at a far too early time.
So, the first point of call was Cork, at 8am in the morning on a Monday. First impressions were good, and they did improve. :) We caught a bus into town that stopped outside our hostel and we managed to off load our packs there. We then went on a walking tour of the city, with another random kiwi couple (who had been living in Cork since January). Small world! Learnt more than we ever needed to know about Cork from our guide, who was defineitely enthusiastic! Def had to concentrate to interpret the accent though!!!

We went to Cobh (pronounced 'cove') the next day. Which was fascinating. Tried to do some family research for Dad there as the Wightman's set sail (along with about 3 other million Irish people) from there. However, we didn't manage to find much. Heaps of info on convicts to Aus, but the poor kiwi Irish are under represented.

Wednesday saw us go the cheap way to Blarney Castle. That is, on the local transport bus and paying the fee in, which is half the price of a tour bus!!!! And it was very easy to do. However, this was where Alex termed the phrase 'Direland'. This was due to the immensely crap weather. It rained. Then it rained some more. Then our umbrellas and jackets starting leaking. And still it rained. But being the stingy kiwis we are, we battled on. No way I was wasting that money! And the castle was all the more authentic for the cold dampness. Really.
Back to London that night and staying in the Hilton (a splurge!). It was bad. As Alex says, just like the family. All show and no substance. Look hard and it was appauling. Less said the better.
Thursday saw us back to Stansted and trying to hire a car. WE ended up with a Seat Leon. Apparently it is just like a VUW golf. Alex reckons its more like a Fiat. All good.
Drove west towards Bath. Stayed in a LOVERLY little village of Corsham, where we had the bestest cheapest pizza ever, and a nice coffee. Also the amazing miracle of a post office with attendants at every window, and NO QUEUE!!!!!!! I was shocked to say the least!
Drove into Bath, which was easy. Parked up and walked about. Spent hours at the Roman Baths, amazing!!!!

Then we had a Sally Lunn bun for afternoon tea. Loverly.

Then it went pear shaped. We tried to get out of Bath. Appaarently, it is not all that easy. So, an hour later... we were on the road to Wales. Stayed in Mumbles, at a place with Harbour views. I liked Mumbles. The weather was great, Alex named it Warm Wales. We went to Oystermouth castle to have our collection of castles. It was well worth the £1 entry fee. Nothing like ruins to stumble over!

(the view from our window!!!)(the tide was out, but it was sunny and warm)
(our car on the beach at Weston-Supermare, a detour)

After that we decided to head back to England. Onto Exeter where we finally found somewhere to stay on a Saturday. Ended up being rather nice, with a bathroom bigger than some rooms I have stayed in! Sunday morning we headed about the city walking along the old Roman city wall, most of which is still intact. Again, the weather was FANTASTIC! Sunny and warm and loverly.
Finally, we headed out of the city and onto here, Port Isaac. Where you really do not want to drive a car about. The roads are TINY. I think I almost had a heart attack. And those like us (annoying tourists) meander along the road forgetting that they are actually for cars. Sigh.
Never mind.
We have a great BnB thanks to Alex. Amazing views, and breakfast bought to our room. Little seats in the window to watch the sea and the people walk by. I love it.
Well, thats all for now. Not sure when we will be able to post this, wireless internet is a little hard to come by in this little village.
See you all.
P and LX.

Catching up.

Hi all!

Well, we have been slack on the blog front, haven't we? sorry. But no' so slack on the fun stuff!

I think I will start now and work backwards.

I (Paula) have just waved goodbye to our boxes that are being shipped back to NZ. I hope they get there! While Alex has been working this week, listening to worried teachers who are just back at school, I have been organising and binning (yes, Mum, I have thrown out CLOTHES and SHOES!!!) stuff to try and get it all down to a manageable amount.

Where as last week... well... Alex and I took off on Friday the 22 August to Edinburgh. Very exciting! We met up with Mel and Tim who were there in their campervan and explored some of Edinburgh. We also had a nice beer with Richard at a book fair???? (odd) but was good to catch up!!!!

On the Saturday night Alex and I went to the grand finale of the military tattoo. Which was amazing. Absolutely amazing! All of it. Although, I do have to say that the Norwegian Kings Guard were astounding. The drill was so polished and the band was fantabulous! sigh.

Anyways, on the Sunday, Alex, Mel and myself decided to fork out the money and visit Edinburgh Castle. The queue to get in sucked, but we were amazed at how all the people disapeared when we got inside! odd. We managed to get onto one of the free tours going, and then wandered about ourselves. very fun.

We then drove our way to Dundee and got in very late at night. ops. never mind.

Monday we decided that there was more we wanted to do back in Edinburgh, so we drove back and went to Holyrood Palace. Very nice. I loved the abbey ruins that were there. and walkign through the garden!!! We then walked a wee way up the royal mile and had a cup o tea.

We headed to Perth for dinner, and decided that if we were ever going to go again, we would stay in Perth, not Dundee. Less said the better. Perth also had a Hay street that we found by accident. And on Hay street, was the Black Watch museum. Better yet, there was no entrance fee to the museum, so we donated some money and had a good look abouts. I really liked the band figurines. (If I was a little kid, I would say I want one... hehehe.)

Tuesday was Alex's birthday, and we started with heading back to Perth to look at the Blackwatch museum and then to Scone Palace. We did get diverted and ended up talking politics with a guy in a Drum shop in Perth. Never mind. :)

Scone Palace was lovely. Wish we had more time, but it was very cool none the less.

We decided to drive north towards Cruden Bay after that, where I had booked us into a hotel for the night. Apparently (if you believe the story) it was the hotel where Bram Stoker stayed and got inspiration for the castle in Dracula. Slains Castle (or, actually, New Slains) was the castle for the Earl of Erroll, a 'Hay'. So, the 'family' castle for Alex. Although it is now in ruins as the roof was removed in the 1930's (I hope I have got all that correct!!!!) and it is securely fenced off. However, when we went exploring the next day, we found the gate to be swinging open. So... in we go... :) was fun!!! although some of that castle is very precariously perched on the cliff face!!!

I'll finish with my favourite shot for now. Which is the Red phone box in the middle of nowhere. very cool!!!!!

Will finish up later. I promise!!!

Love to all!!

P.