Barbara's travels continue 2018

It was great to set off on a trip with Marco. We haven't travelled together for years, so it was very special. After a short stop at Morat, Murten, we arrived, or thought we had arrived at our destination. Marco was keeping it top secret, so I could not help much with looking for it. We drove deep into a forested area where a hotel seemed unlikely, but suddenly there we were at the Chateau de Bossy, an old monastery beautifully renovated, with a fabulous garden and a party scheduled for 400 guests! And magnificent view of the mountains in the distance, Marco in the foreground. After a long search for a restaurant for a pre- dinner drink we ended up in a little village quite close, and by then I had realised that we were close to a good friend, Fred, who had spent 3 months as a homestay in NZ. What a nice surprise, and even better to see him later in the evening after we had eaten a delicious 3- course dinner with coffee for only 20 francs per person at our wonderful hotel!  The sa

How fantastic to be home in Wales with family and hounds! Staying with Ceri and family gave me plenty of chance to also spend time with Molly and Meek. Such lovely dogs. Meek is looking unusually subdued in this picture. Usually she is as mad as a hatter! I really enjoyed getting out for walks with them. What a 'joie de vivre' they both have. The family too! Dinner at Annie's was a fun, family occasion. Ceri, Bethan and Daisy enjoying the magnificent evening sunshine and pre dinnerdrink, serenaded by the fantastic bird song all around us.  It was fabulous to sit outside for every meal during my four- day visit.  Annie has worked wonders on the garden of the church and the churchyard, with even some recent tombstones. It is somewhat unconventional, but very colourful. With the weather being so perfect, what better way to spend a Sunday than walking on the beach just past Swansea, at Rhosilli. Worm Head  is the  great name for this narrow peninsula, accessible at low tide. We

Last day of the tour. It has been fantastic as far as places visited were concerned, Andy our guide and brilliant driver, and of course meeting up with Zoe. The group was pleasant enough and we got on fine, but no deep and meaningful friendships! As we drove away fromKeswick, a last glimpse of the pretty yellow poppies which seem to grow so well in walls and crevasses! Our drive today was quite long, with two main stops. We drove towards the Pennines and over a pass through a national park, with the claim that it was amongst the ten most beautiful drives in the world! It was nice, but probably amongst the top ten in Cumbria. Perhaps I have been spoilt? The stop at the Roman Army Museum was very informative and interesting, focussing particularly on Life on Hadrian's Wall, with a great 3D film. It meant that when we arrived at Steelrigg Hadrian's Wall, it was of much more interest. Of the 80-mile wall which stretched from east to west and was for protection as well as to contro

What a day it has been. Here I sit in the late afternoon sun, listening to the birds and looking out over the local recreation park and surrounding hills whilst intermittently writing this blog. We have seen so much today and yet still had plenty of time to 'stand and stare'. I imagine Andy, our driver, will be pleased to rest up now after a pretty hard day driving along narrow, often one- lane roads with dry stone walls on each side Although at times I would love to stop more, we know we cannot do more than we do in the day and I am so thankful to be able to sit and enjoy the phenomenal scenery without worrying about the road. It is also fantastic to learn about the areas we visit, the history surrounding them and the people who lived there, all this interspersed with dry humour. First stop today was only minutes outside Keswick, the Castlerigg Standing Stones. Not only are they still in fantastic condition, but the backdrop of mountains and valleys is stunning too. Apparently

Weather still holding despite some rain forecast. Was a fabulous day. I knew I had to get going early to maximise time in York before leaving in the bus for Whitby. After a huge breakfast, it was good to have a long walk. I went up on the ramparts surrounding this very attractive medieval city centre. It was fantastic - quiet apart from the birds, lush,and giving a  marvelous insight into the properties around the city walls. This property in front of the Cathedral must be a hotel , I guess, but I loved the gardens and marvelled at how green everything is. The British do a great job with gardens and I imagine Mother Nature with her rain helps things look so healthy and lush. My destination was Jorvik Museum, but I really enjoyed the streets I passed on the way. The name shields above shops and bars are fabulous. This was somewhat macabre for the pub, The Fleece! The Jorvik museum has recently been refurbished and provides entertainment and education for all ages. The best part is undo