London - Days one, two and three

London

Day 1

After a 4 hour drive and our first experience on the London Tube network and a ride in a London cab we arrived at our hotel in Earls Court called My Place Hotel.

Well this was the start of a not very pleasant experience. We were booked in for 8 nights but in two different rooms- one for 3 nights and one for 5 so that meant packing and unpacking leaving our things in a downstairs, unlocked room for the day or wasting a day hanging around the hotel. The rooms were not the cleanest and everything felt really grubby. We were offered a room with no natural air and a small window that did not open and no aircon for the 8 nights or do the change over. Not at all impressed but we had no real choice as we had prepaid and there was nothing else in our price range or a little higher available- London is a very busy city. There was one plus to the first room and that was it had a small balcony but everything in this place looked like it was going to fall down at any time.

That was day one.

View from the above balcony

Day two and three

Not knowing much about London we decided to get a ticket for the hop on hop off bus tour of the city. This had to be used in 24 hrs and included a trip down the river Thames (main river slicing through London) and a walking tour. This bus proved to be of good value as it gave us a very good overview of the city. We hopped off the bus at the Tower of London Bridge and caught the boat up to Greenwich and saw the Greenwich Tower where time is governed. 

If you look closely in the background you will see The Meridian Building, which since 1884 has been the starting point of global measurement for space and time. The red Time Ball rises every day at 13.00 hours

Upon returning we saw the bridge open, an event that hardly ever happens, as a flotilla of ships and boats had a run through for next years celebration of the Queens jubilee.

                                          

The opened Tower of London Bridge

A closeup of one of the towers

A view from the boat tour

Next day we hopped back on the bus to do another section of London.

On the way to the tour we passed Trafalgar Square and of course had to take the usual pics.

About 10am every day 2 eagles are let loose in the square to fly around and scare off the pigeons. It really works as the 4 massive bronze lions that are the corners of the statue of Napoleon are beautifully clean and of course we all know what pigeons can do to a place. Then they are called back in by their keeper until tomorrow.

One of the beautiful massive lions

This cup of coffee was only a medium. We ordered them without knowing but we do now.

 These buses have a number of different routes you can take so you can start one route hop off and join another- good way of getting around as well. Saw the changing of the Horse Guards, very different to the famous changing of the guards. 

This monument to The Women of World War was in the middle of the road next to the Changing of the Horse Guard. It was a very impressive monument.

Changing of the Horse Guards

Also went to the London Dungeon, don’t know how I got convinced to do this, as I am a woose and don’t even watch scary movies. Not as bad as first imagined and did survive to spend the day roaming London’s south bank as we just happened to be there for the River Thames Festival. A very carnival atmosphere with lots of performances, stalls of all variety, food outlets and of course drinks at the many pubs along the bank.

The London dungeon

 Stumbled back into our ‘gorgeous room’ 12 hours after leaving.

Brixham -England

Brixham

Before we could relax and enjoy all the delights of Brixham we had to endure the English road system. Driving around Europe I was constantly reminded how poor our road system is and the condition of our roads but not here in England as their roads are atrocious. We took about seven and a half hours to drive from Dover on the east coast to Brixham, a drive that would have taken about 3 in Germany or France. We encountered narrow windy roads that belong in the countryside along with stretches of two lanes (for only about 200 metres) merging into one where the traffic comes to a complete standstill – the British just don’t know how to merge. And of course the usual accident thrown in, an interesting trip and tiring to say the least.

Main highway across country with overhead canopy of trees

Also encountered on highway no.1- you can understand why it took so long to get to Brixham

Just managed to get this pic of a stone cottage virtually on the highway

After all that Brixham I must say was well worth the wait. We had booked a B&B months ago on line and it met all our expectations and more. It was called Samford House and attached to the main house was a cottage, which we had booked. It consisted of a downstairs lounge and kitchen and upstairs bedroom and large bathroom. The view was magic overlooking the Brixham harbour and the English Channel. And the sound of the sea gulls flying over was a sound that you hear in the movies, very different to our sea gulls and they are much bigger as well. It was a classic English coastal scene.

One of the picturesque views from cottage

Brixham working harbour

Downstairs in cottage and as you can see we have turned it into a drying room

Another of Brixham

Matthew and Rosie, the couple running the B&B were lovely and so helpful but, they did not help the waistline, as each morning they would take your order for a hot breakfast, if desired, as well there were all types of cereal, juices, local jams etc.  Not all of us had the cooked breakfast only some and of course I won’t mention who- not me.

We spent 3 days exploring the countryside and I was very happy and lucky to be able to meet up with Josh and Michelle who came down to Beer, a small town about one and a half hours from Brixham. We met them half way at the St, George and Dragon, a typical English country pub that was recommended by Matthew – very nice. It was so lovely to see them and catch up.

Catching up with Josh and Michelle at pub

We spent one day on Mez’s search for the ‘typical English country thatched roof village’.  We drove around and around the countryside coming across many villages, quaint stone bridges and mostly manicured natural hedged fields- all very interesting and well worth the experience.

manicured hedges prevailed for most of the countryside

some of the locals that we had to wait for as this is their home

typical scene from the Moors on our site seeing adventure

The only slight drawback of this day was the drive through the narrowest of roads with tall hedges bordering the road so close that at times it was hard not to scratch the sides of the car. It was like driving through a natural maze not knowing where you were and were you were going next, as you couldn’t see above or around the hedges.

These 2 pics are typical of the roads that we drove in for most of
 the day-beautiful but when you encountered an
oncoming car things did get tricky.

Another day we walked around the sites and countryside of Brixham had lunch at Brixham ‘beach’ and watched two nutters swimming in the freezing water.

View of the coastline to the north of Berry Head a few ks walk from Brixham

View across the channel from Berry Head to the north

Mez being a typical tourist at Berry Head- an army post and lookout in the past

pics above and below of Brixham Beach- not the most inviting place to swim considering also it was very chilli

The sand at the beach

Mez also had a pedicure where small fish- not sure of the type- eat the rough skin off your feet. You immerse your feet in a clear tank of water and the fish go to dinner. I couldn’t come at having fish eat my feet so I chickened out. This is extremely modern for Brixham.

Mez and the flesh eating fish

look very closely at the fish munching away(have found if you click on the pic it will enlarge, of course, all you tech heads already knew this)

All in all Brixham was a lovely part of the world to visit.

From Brixham we drove to Gatwick airport, just south of London to drop the car off and start our 8 night stay in London.

We passed this pile of rocks on our way to and from Brixham - any ideas!!!!????

love Ann

Brugge in Belgium

Hi Everyone
We spent some of our last days in Europe in a lovely city over near the west coast of Belgium called Brugge. Upon arrival, I must be honest, I thought not another old medieval walled town as we have seen a few over the past 2 months but I was wrong as there is so much more to Brugge than first meets the eye. The entire historic centre is a Unesco World Heritage site.
Our hotel was right on the canal a lovely spot.

View of the room from the other side of the canal. There is no way this room with no protection from the water would be allowed at home.

view from room early in morning down the canal.

The first full day we decided to take a tour of the city by bus just to see what it was all about. This proved to be a very good idea as we had no idea the size of Brugge and the many interesting things to see. We also obtained a book from the tourist info office which advised the reader on 3 different walking tours that explained the history and importance of the various points of interest as it guided you through the streets of Brugge. Walking tours on a couple of days were very much needed as we did indulge in some of the more fattening delights as the area is also famous for its chocolate and waffels.

Evidence of one of the reasons why we had to do a lot of walking tours of Brugge.

One of the many hundreds of chocolate shops throughout Brugge.

Another day saw us take a canal boat tour of the city to get a different perspective of the sites, not as good as the bus tour.

The type of boat used on the canal

Some of the views from the boat tour above and below

Another form of transport, of course for the tourists, are horse drawn carriages. Was not totally wrapped in the poor horses having to walk the roads but did see that they were very well looked after.

It was amazing, as with most of these types of cities, just how much is hidden behind the facades of the buildings. We stopped for a beer as you do-Brugge is also famous for its numerous different beers all of which are drunk out of a special glass made especially for it. On one of our walking tours all of a sudden the doors of a building opened up and hundreds of school kids poured out most on bikes heading home, even a couple of teachers passed us also on their bike in skirts and high heels - a very different world. We also came across a beautiful secluded garden that belongs to the Jesuit College that is also hidden to the outside world but if the door is open you are welcome to visit.

This is a Brugse Zot beer from the De Halve Mann Brewery, the last surviving working brewery in Brugge Not a very nice beer very cloudy and strong tasting.

Brugge is a city of cobble stone streets, medieval buildings, quaint bridges, numerous canals, large and imposing squares and hundreds of shops selling you anything from the touristy magnet to the most expensive rolex watch and of course at every bend loads and loads of history.

One of the lovely bridges that cross the canals

We did venture on the train, a 15 minute ride, to the coast. This was the the west coast of Europe and were hoping to maybe have a swim.
We got there to find that it was low tide and that means, not like we know low tide to be, that you have to walk for about 300m at least to get to water from the sand(shore). It was totally amazing to see the water so far off shore. Also even though it was warm there was hardly a sole on the 'beach' and about 2 in the water.

 

This is a view of the "beach" if you look very closely on the righthand side of pic are the waves and the left is the shore the dark lines in between are small rock breakwalls like speed humps that get submerged in high tide. Not a good pic but it was very hazy on that day.

This is the other view of the beach with row after row of ugly multi story buildings and in front of them the small sheds that you hire out for the day to get changed in-no amenity blocks like we have. 

Didnt venture in as it was just not that inviting but on returning I wished that I had but that is an opportunity missed.

We were very lucky to be in Brugge for the tail end of their summer festivals and were in the main square when one of the two best bands in Brugge came marching down the street. Apparently it is very prestigious to be a member of this band.

Brugge was a lovely way to say goodbye to Europe, except for our one night stay in Calais so that we could drop the car off and catch the ferry to Dover, England.



Calais
A town that, for me, you would only go there if you had to.
We stayed the night and sorted out everything that we had collected over the last 2 months travelling in a car. Boy did we have some stuff.
We crammed what we could into our bags and what we could carry as we had to take it onto the boat and across the Channel and then into a smaller car for our trip to the South West coast of England to a town called Brixham.
We did leave behind a large amount but plenty of time in the next month to collect more.
Trip on the boat was a bit rough, felt a bit squeamish, but seeing the white cliffs of Dover made it all worthwhile- they are beautiful. It has been overcast and wet for a fair bit of Northern Europe and we were heading into the same weather in Dover when the sun shone on the cliffs and gave us a true image of the cliffs in all their glory- just lovely.

Calais at low tide

White cliffs of Dover

Brixham - something totally different..............
love Ann

Amsterdam

Hi Everyone,
Amsterdam what an amazing place. There is a feeling that you get as soon as you arrive and you can't quite put your finger on it but the more you explore this city you come to the realisation that it is a feeling of freedom, of acceptance and of pride.
We drove here from Dinslaken, in Germany, a drive of about 2hours. You cannot easily find parking in Amsterdam and if you do you cannot afford it so they, the powers to be, have come up with a new scheme that is called park and ride(P&R). What you do is park your car in one of about 7 designated parking stations outside the city depending from what direction that you approach and then take the metro, bus or train to the city. It is really the only alternative at a cost of 8 euro a day and free public transport it is a viable alternative to a city that doesn't tolerate cars where bikes rule the roost.

We were told that bikes are everywhere here but you have no idea just how many bikes there are in one city. Pedestrians, cars, trams, buses you name it have to look out for and give way to BIKES. I have never in my life seen so many bikes and the attachments that they have so that they can perform daily chores like grocery shopping, taking the family out, carrying produce you name it a bike in this city does it. Today we watched a heavily pregnant woman ride down the road in the middle of people, trams etc with not a worry in the world another mother strapped the baby capsule to the back of the bike while the father sat the toddler on a special seat over the handle bars- no need for a car here and the weather does not deter them at all.

Wherever there is a pole or a railing you will find a bike attached

Even under bridges to keep them a bit dry but they don't mind them being out in the rain. Think they are made of sturdier stuff than ours- and they are nearly all black no need for fancy.

There are even parking stations just for bikes-just amazing.

close up view

View from the balcony of the apartment where we had the occasional glass of wine before venturing out to dinner

When deciding what days we wanted to visit Amsterdam we found it very difficult to find accommodation but were lucky enough to find an apartment(a little more than the budget but worth every cent) in a great location. The caretakers are the owners of a very popular B&B next door and they were so helpful in letting us know where and when it happens in Amsterdam.

 

The apartment building with Mez on the balcony.
The orange brick on the first floor where balcony is was the size of the apartment-quite large

Dining room of apartment with beautiful very high ceilings

Lounge area leading out to balcony

We have been here for 4 days and it has rained and thunderstormed off and on the entire time but that has not stopped us,except for hiring bikes, from enjoying and seeing lots of this city.
The special coffee shops with their very special aroma(not coffee) are everywhere and you might be interested to know that we did have coffee in one and yes it was only coffee.

We also did the very touristy thing- always got to do at least one- of taking a canal boat ride. Even though it was raining it was great to get a different perspective of the many canals and waterways of Amsterdam. There are something like 252 bridges, 160 canals, 8000 heritage listed buildings and 2500 houseboats. What a way to spend your days on a house boat moored to a canal in Amsterdam.

one of the many house boats on the canals with their own garden and outdoor living area

This house boat was on a special section of the canals that once was the area of the old breweries and thus the plant decoration with green beer bottles on the deck if you look closely.

No parking signs in the waterways no need for them on land more traffic on the waterways and by bikes.

Even though it was very wet hopefully you can still see the number of house boats that line the canals.

Mez enjoying a little bit of sun on the canal cruise 

Took ourselves to the red light district last evening and it was sad to see women degrade themselves by standing behind windows inviting the needy into their den - very animalistic - disturbing. But an area that is buzzing and is part of the "freedom" of Amsterdam.

On our way and just near the red light district we came across this scene of urinals out in the open on the footpath of one of the main roads.

One of the many sights in the red light district

Another amazing thing about Amsterdam is the architecture. The buildings are beautiful and it is very hard to find any that are square. They are mostly leaning on each other or very noticeably forward, the windows in some are square but the sills and surrounds are completely out of plum. We were told today that the reason that the buildings are so tall and not very wide is the fact that way back the people were taxed not on the height of the building but on the actual land space that it occupied.

some of the many buildings that are not square

 When we arrived we were introduced to an Amsterdam stairwell but we were the lucky ones only having to go to the first floor, even still it was extremely steep and don't forget we have been on the road for 2 months and have collected all sorts of stuff so the suitcases are getting heavier by the day.

Mez at the first floor landing just outside the door to the apartment

Although we were not there in tulip season the flowers are beautiful and they have a special flower market each day, where you can buy the most exotic species. We had a quick look on one occasion.

This stall had every imaginable species of tulip bulbs and much more- a gardeners paradise 

We of course looked through all the trendy shops in the Jordaan area and Mez was told by a friend that used to live in Amsterdam that we must go to a special place and eat the apple pie the best in Amsterdam and of course we had to do this- weeks and weeks of intense gym work awaits us on our return.

If your ever in Amsterdam you have to go to this restaurant-Winkel, famous for the apple pie

We enjoyed our stay here and if you ever get the chance even for a few days it is a must see on your European travels.
Still cant get over the number of bikes.

After leaving Amsterdam we wanted to head to a rural area in Holland to see windmills and how the normal folk live so we headed to Heusden a small town about 1 hour south of Amsterdam.
We booked into a lovely little B&B that is owned by Ina who has lived here all her life.

Outside Ina's B&B

Typical of the Netherlands are the steep staircases but we were lucky this time we were on the ground floor no carrying heavy bags up flights of stairs.

We decided to hire some bikes and have a look around the area so Ina gave us a few maps and suggested that we go and see a castle a little way from here. So off we rode with maps, water and rain jackets for what we thought was going to be a short ride through the countryside. We left about 10.30 had to cross two rivers by ferry but somehow it took us a lot longer than was expected(as usual) to get to this castle.

One of the ferry crossings on the way out

The crossing on the way back. this time you had to ring a bell from the side of the river and this guy comes and picks you up. Mez tried to get him to take us back to Heusden in his boat as it was so far to ride-but no luck.

 Three and a quarter hours later of riding nonstop through rain and herds of sheep we sited the castle. We had a bite to eat- starving and raced around the castle because we knew that we had the big trek back. Return trip much shorter went a different route and this time did not make any wrong turns and arrived back at 5pm.

The castle

As you do- if there is one of these around some silly idiot is going to stick their head in it

Every castle has one

We spent five and a half hours riding bikes on dykes! all through the countryside covering about 65 ks so needless to say that certain parts of the anatomy are a little tender and sore this evening. The dykes are amazing they are of course all along the river banks and are mainly paths for bikes and walkers with the occasional one where cars can drive but only at very slow speeds, they are very safe. Thank god for the flat terrain otherwise we would have sent out an SOS and maybe still be out there.

The little bar on the right where we had to have a drink on our return

one of the many quaint homes that we passed on our travels on bikes

A great day but delirious with tiredness tonight.
Well we wanted to see windmills and we saw heaps- some of them below

We have had a lovely time in Holland and now we are driving to Belgium today to Brugges (everywhere we look this place is spelt differently)

Take care

love Ann