Articles from this Category
22 July 2024
Bibi Khanym The Jahogir put on an amazing breakfast this morning of hot items, lots of fruit and cakes/sweets. I don’t understand how the fruit here tastes so good compared to New Zealand. The nectarines and cantaloupe were dripping and super sweet. I walked to the Bibi Khanym mosque taking shade whenever it was possible […]
21 July 2024
Flying to Samarkand I was seated immediately after the exit rows on the A321 (version with only two window exits and four doors, no extra doors). I had received an email notifying that my original assigned seat was no longer available due to operational reasons (perhaps an aircraft configuration change). It turned out to be […]
18 July 2024
Above: A pretty spot in the residential area of Valognes. As sightseeing in the region had been gotten out of the way, yesterday was spent mostly on DIY at Valognes apart from a fancy lunch at Brasserie Marcel along the way, including foie gras including foie gras served in three ways: The first was perhaps […]
16 July 2024
Above: Eight missile hatches on each side visible. Chores and DIY It was a morning of chores, starting with the laundry before calling into a great hardware superstore called Leroy Merlin on the way to Valognes for more DIY. Today I started masking the attic windows for painting. It was all good until I realised […]
15 July 2024
Chateau Balleroy E had some errands to do in the morning and we did them en route to my first stop, which was Chateau Balleroy. I got dropped off in the wet weather on the road while E went to work briefly, and walked to the ticket office located in one of the two stables. […]
14 July 2024
Above: Part of Cherbourg’s breakwater barely visible from the shore. Latin Mass Staying with E on the military base, we had a hearty breakfast on site. When I talked about “café au lait” from the machine, he commented that I spoke French with no accent. But I don’t speak French! We headed to the naval […]
13 July 2024
Above: On the train to Normandy. Luxembourg to Normandy by trains Today, I’m travelling to Normandy in France, which requires a suburban bus to the station, then a train-replacement bus to Metz Ville to connect with the high speed train to Paris Gare l’Est, getting to St Lazare station for the final normal rail service […]
12 July 2024
Above: Luxembourg’s old city is built on a steep rocky outcrop. The balcony-like road on the upper level is referred to as the corniche (a name often used for an esplanade in many places). Haute Ville Despite having retired around midnight, I woke at 0515 (or 0415 UK time). I got out of bed around […]
11 July 2024
Above: Rives de Clausen area. Heathrow pick-up and drop-off hell As we had retired early last night, I woke at 0530. It was very light already. We were ready to go by around 0700 but stayed a bit longer to say good bye and make sure our morning nature calls were answered. Leaving around 7930, […]
11 July 2024
Above: Warwick Castle. We had a relaxed day with a trip to Leamington Spa, an old spa town not far away. En route, we took a look at Warwick Castle from outside its walls as parking was a hassle. And I wasn’t interested enough to pay for the entrance ticket. Parking in the UK is […]