We started the day off right with a couple of Portuguese tarts..... and yes, that's right, they're just called 'tarts' here. Actually, they're called natas here, but that ruins the joke. Today we decided to jump on the big red bus and get a look at a bit more of the town and some of... Continue Reading →
We got up before the sun this morning, what with going to bed in the early hours of the evening last night, but it was lovely as we got to watch the sun come up behind the bridges. Porto has 6 bridges, just for a little FYI. This is the view from our balcony.... not... Continue Reading →
23 hours of travelling and we're finally in Porto, Portugal. Porto, and I'm guessing the rest of the country is one of those places where you just can't quite get your head around how old it is. How many people over 100s (and in Porto's case 1000s) of years would have meandered over the cobblestones... Continue Reading →
Well goodness me - it's been over a year since I last wrote a blog post. You were probably getting a bit sick of me anyway - I know I was, hence the break. Now I'm back on the eve of a new trip to Portugal and Spain with me Jenny and I'm sitting here... Continue Reading →
Each year, for a number of years, my parents, Jen & Col have joined (lead) the convoy of 'blonde' nomads up the coast to the idyllic beauty and warmth of Broome in the Kimberley - in the north west of WA - it averages 29 degrees & blue skies every day between June & August.... Continue Reading →
Farewell to Mary Beth and to her cozy cottage... we had a bit of rain overnight and this morning these lovely chaps came out to see us off and help us with our luggage. These were by far the biggest snails I have ever seen and their shells were quite lovely. They were being so... Continue Reading →
Early start this morning as we had to get up, get to the airport, return the hire car, wait for the shuttle to take us to the terminal for our 8.10am flight. I'll have you all know that we were there in plenty of time, which is not surprising really, because Chris is a seasoned... Continue Reading →
Day 3 in Kauai and I'm quite enjoying this lovely island. We certainly haven't had the weather you'd expect in Hawaii, but to be honest, the cloudy skies, cool breeze and softer temps have been welcomed. On this small island over the past three days we have covered Hanalei and the north shore, the south... Continue Reading →
Ever since I was 12 years old when my Mum & Dad went to LA on a trip, I've wanted to go to Universal Studios. I remember looking through their old chemist printed photos of Jaws coming out of the water and thought it was just amazing. Well this time I get to go myself....... Continue Reading →
I think you either love LA or you don't.... I've only been here once before (25 years ago!) and stayed in a lovely house with a lovely family in "The Valley". We only went into the city once to do the touristy Hollywood Boulevard to see the stars and handprints, and a drive around the... Continue Reading →
It was overcast and cloudy when we said goodbye to our lovely little San Francisco Airbnb.... the train was going to be on time - damn it! so no Chloe's Cafe croissant french toast covered in strawberries for us this morning. Our little apartment was down the right side of the house and round the... Continue Reading →
Remember my cousin, Pete, his wife, Kay and their kiddies, Noah and Wes? Well they're going to meet us in San Fran today. They're driving an RV around the US - that's a Recreational Vehicle for those not in the know. We stated our day at Chloe's Cafe just around the corner from our Airb&b.... Continue Reading →
Again, we were pulling into our destination station a few hours later than expected, but easily picked up an Uber and headed over to San Fran and to our lovely little AirB&B in the suburb of Noe Valley. The weather had turned a little chilly since we left the mountains, and San Fran wasn't looking... Continue Reading →
Because the train was late picking us up, we were also late getting into the lovely historic town of Truckee. We had a small debacle renting our car, but then we were on our way to the picturesque Lake Tahoe. I have been here once before on a trip I did about 25 years ago... Continue Reading →
Up at the crack to get to the hot springs pool as the doors are opening. I wish I'd taken a photo because this ⬇️ was how it looked this morning, but I was so eager to get in I forgot to take a photo (I know... can't you believe it?) It was absolutely glorious. The... Continue Reading →
So, we said goodbye to Denver and boarded the train to Glenwood Springs. We were waiting for the engine to be attached to the train, and they didn't appear to be any sort of hurry, so we had about an hour just sitting at the platform - lucky we got up so early! Because there... Continue Reading →
The night before my birthday we cashed in a Christmas pressie from our Ma - Our Jenny - tickets to see a concert at the Red Rock Amphitheatre in Denver, Colorado. I have to admit I hadn't heard about this place until Jodie mentioned it to me, but apparently it's one of the most famous... Continue Reading →
It's not a trip to Colorado without a tour up to the Rocky Mountain National Park, so on our first free day - that's exactly what we did. We booked with Aspire Tours and they were fabulous. Our guide, Alyce was enthusiastic and very knowledgable. A good tour guide makes all the difference to the tour... Continue Reading →
Denver's Union Station is fabulous! Built back in the day when trains were the main form of travel, the station has changed somewhat over the years. The locals know it as "Denver's Lounge Room" - rather than rows of boring seats for people to sit while waiting to catch the train, it's decked out with... Continue Reading →
I love train travel and have always wanted to travel through/across the USA via locomotive... So from Niagara we taxi'ed back to Buffalo to catch the midnight train to - not Georgia, but Chicago. It was due at midnight, but this train is notoriously late, so we didn't end up boarding until 1.30am. We were... Continue Reading →