Stowe Gardens

Saturday 1st June 2013
On our way back from Gabby's, called into Stowe National Trust garden's. Our first visit but not our last. Then for lunch at a local country establishment. There are some lovely little villages around Milton Keynes.



Sicily Trip

Back from a wonderful break in Sicily. The weather was perfect, really hot - breakfast outside every morning. Stayed in a lovely hotel right in the centre of the island of Ortigia, part of the city of Siracusa.

The island has a rugged beauty and full of history. We got to see some of the main southern cities and their sights. Took it really easy, our friend, John Pell, took the stress of all the driving - you need to have nerves of steel to drive in the cities. It seemed cheap to eat out and really enjoyed the food.

 

  

Weekend in Cardiff

Had a lovely weekend in Cardiff. Drove down Saturday and had a walk round the Bay and the Assembly building. Then booked into our hotel, the Marriot (excellent), before going to watch Cardiff Blues v Leinster. Not the result I wanted. Then back down to the Bay for a meal.

Sunday, mass at the cathedral and to see the memorial to those who died on the Arandora Star. Peter Collins, an old friend, is Dean at the cathedral so it was wonderful meeting up again.

Then more sight seeing around Cardiff before home and work for school.

Summer Holiday

Arrived at our gite today - very pleased. (http://www.gitedanslejardin.com/) Temperature 27 degrees C - pool refreshing. Beginning to unwind.

30th Wedding Anniversary

Had a great day on Sunday (eve of anniversary). Had our closest friends over for a meal in the garden. Weather was perfect and stayed out late into the night.

Long weekend in Venice.

Had a wonderfully long weekend away, thanks to two bank holidays, Friday's for the Royal wedding and the usual May Bank Holiday.

Flew out via Zurich but was in Venice by early afternoon. The water bus, an hour and a half journey from Marco Polo Airport, was just a perfect way of starting the holiday and seeing some of the sites.

Our hotel, Starhotel Splendid, was in a fantastic location, four minute walk to St Mark's and about eight minutes to the Rialto Bridge. Room was small but very clean and stylish.

Did the usual sites, had a water taxi and of course a gondola ride, but just really enjoyed walking around and the streets (canals), soaking in the atmosphere. Even got in on a wedding reception.

The only down side to the holiday was an unplanned stay over in Frankfurt on the way home. High winds meant a runway closure and hence a missed connection. Thank goodness we were flying on a big airline, Lufthansa, they put us up in a hotel for the night. Missed work next day and as my school is used as polling station and I don't work on Fridays, it is a one day working week for me.

I would definitely go back there.

February 2011 half term break

Just back from a short break. Tunnel to France and a few days in Lille. Visited museum and art gallery but just enjoyed walking around, especially in Vieux (old) Lille, looking at the shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Then a quick trip across the boarder into Belgium on the way back for a day in Brugge. Breakfast in France; lunch in Belgium; tea in France; supper in the U.K. Not bad.

Lille


Brugge