To Firenze 16-9-10

Today we travelled by Eurail to Florence. Love Eurail----very comfortable train and fast!! Passed through the beautiful Italian countryside. All the many fields of sunflowers were drooping and past their prime but it is easy to imagine them standing straight and so yellow.

We love out hotel here---very old world and beautiful Italian marble everywhere. My criteria for a good hotel is NOW----a lift that feels safe, Air con and a roomy room---we have all three so that's good. Also have internet at not such an expensive price so good news all around.

Rome--The Forum

Ceiling in the Vatican museum.

In Front of the Basilica---the Vatican

Throwing coins in Trevi Fountain!!

For my girls,and Wendy and Marj!!! The shops here are just soooo beautiful!! Leather bags to die for and of course leather jackets that are so soft and beautiful!!! WE went ina few shops and I wanted to bring you girls all a bag but with a price tag of 700 Euros it has to wait----sorry girls!! For Shelley---shoes here are amazing!! Will take some photos for you Shell---sooo high heels and fur on boots with such high heels and bags with fur that match!!! Of course these were only 800Euros!!!! EACH!!! This really is a fashion capital---beautifully dressed women and girls---feel really shabby in my pants and t-shirt!! NO photos yet so I'll throw in a few favourite Rome Photos that I couldn't fit in before!!

Amalfi Coast and Pompeii and Tasmanian friends---15-9-10

Yesterday we had a wonderful trip in a mini bus to the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii. It was a long ride but lovely Italian countryside to pass through. To reach the Amalfi coast you pass around mountainous roads that made me feel sick but Brenda kept saying what amazing views----just took her word for that!! WE had lunch at Positano that is a little fishing village but now home to the rich an famous. It was so beautiful with so many houses perched on cliffs and a beach at the bottom of the cliffs----pebbles and nowhere as good as Tassie beaches!! However there were thousands of people around this stunning town. All kinds of boats were in the harbour and we had lunch at a restaurant that was on the beach. Steps wound back to the road and shops wound around the steps. Bought a lovely top here that is defianately for the boat!!!

Amalfi Coast

Pompeii

Pompeii was just an amazing place. We didn;t get there until 5 and finished at 7pm!!We had the best local guide who brought it all to life!! I couldn't believe how big it all was!!
We met up with my friends from Tasmania tonight Viv and Dennis and shared a pizza and a glass of vino---then we walked them to our favourite icecream shop!! Had to finish the night with a Trevi Fountain shot!!

Sue,Viv and Den---our Tassie Friends!!

We leave for Florence tomorrow---another train trip. Cant say I'm sorry to leave this city with thousands at every corner you turn/ So much history but so many people and lines everywhere!! I'll leave you with the funniest quote when we were in the Vatican. lining up with thousands--again!!--to get in to the Basilica--two young girls---obviously backpackers---asked us why we were lining up!! I said to see the Basilica---and they said whats that!!!!! I had to tell them about St. Peters!!!! Bit funny but maybe not!!

River Thames Cruise

Tower Bridge

Trevi Fountain!!

Last night we had the best cruise down the Thames on a boat with dinner. Can really recomend this one. To see the sights of London at night was so beautiful with a lovely dinner to add to the ambiance!! This was a special way to farewell London!!  Today we headed to Rome---hate travel on a plane as you all know! But when the taxi driver dropped us off near our hotel and we were at the Trevi Fountain it all was worth while!! Our Hotel faces the Fountain---amazing!! So I am doing this blog at a window watching the thousands of people around the fountain!!! Tomorrow we are off walking Rome but tonight we had a pizza in a little side street and loved sitting outside----temp was 290!!!

Surrey,London and More

Today Angela and I walked the streets of old London town. We went to Liberty shop and had a lovely browsing time not buying browsing!!! Cant believe they had a beautiful Christmas Grotto so ooohed and aahhed over beautiful decorations even if they are a bit early!!!

We went to The National Gallery yesterday and loved the beautiful paintings. Hard to stand in front of a Constable and Reynolds and not feel overwhelmed!! Angela loved a horse painting by Stubbs and took home a souvenier of this. Unfortunately I hurt my knee in London so I am limping a bit with a support bandage but its not stopping me much---jsut slowing me down!!

Tonight Brenda and I have a last night in London and we are doing a dinner cruise on the Thames-----should be a good way to farewell London. Tomorrow we are off to Rome so I'm not sure how internet connections will go!! I found Europe was bad for internet with poor service in holtels----or most hotels----unless you wanted to pay massive ammounts for downloads!! I'll leave with some fond memories of Angela and my time in Suffrey.

Angela and Derek

Last glimpse of St.Pauls.

Germany, Lucerne and Paris!!!!!

HI all---sorry about silence on blog. I havn't had any Internet connection in Europe. It was too expensive and no wifi at Hotels we were in!! Missed it sooooo much too!! Its crazy really when I could get free wifi in the smallest of B&Bs in the Isle of Skye!! 

So this will be a brief overview of all the above countries. I am using my dear friend, Angela's, computer and we haven't worked out how to put photos on yet so just news!! I am in Surrey staying with Angela and Derek and loving this break away from the maddening crowds of Europe and big cities!!! So miss quiet little Forcett and our beautiful gum trees!!
We raced through Germany with a stop in the Black Forest to view Cuckoo clocks. Very nice but I didn't get one----can hear my family breathing a sigh of relief!! Then on to Switzerland where I went up the Alps in a Cable car and Gondola and came down in a cog wheel train. Now those of you who know me will say---no way---as my fear of heights is so great---but I have a photo to prove it!!
Love Switzerland and we had a lovely ride in the country with horses and wagons.
Then off to Paris---another marathon in the bus!! I always love Paris so this was no surprise----such a beautiful city. Loved our ride along the Seine at twilight with all the lights coming on on the bridges and buildings.Great photos here.


Then off we went back to London. Good trip but so tiring!!! Love being with Angie and Brenda is having time with her son Tony. Angie and I went off to Hampton Court today. Loved this time ----we shared many laughs and can you believe we saw over 30 deer and stag in the Park----have great photo of this that you will see one day!!!


Off playing Whisk tonight----have no idea how but I can give it a go!!! Night all!!!

Netherlands 30-8-10

Canal House

Tonight I am very tired as we have had a very big day and I have limited internet access so entry will be brief====but love to all!! Love Amstadam and its crazy cyclists, trams and cars!!! Everytime you leave the bus or cross the road you have to dodge bike riders!! Love windmills and the incredibly flat country with canals everywhere. Great time in the Netherlands!!

Sue and a windmill.

Covent Garden, Britsh Museum and Lions!! 27-8-10

Covent Garden

Today was very overcast and threatening rain so we had a "quiet" day and only walked 7 hours!!!! Cant believe I'm walking so far---fitness level has increased so much!! So we went to Covent Garden and saw the market here as well as an opera singer busking in the cafe!!  WE then walked to the  British Museum and spent some time here viewing the Egyptian Exhibition and a special African one, Loved it here so much but by this time our feet were "giving out" so we headed back to our Hotel.

British Museum

Tonight we went to see the show "The Lion King". Just loved this show and would have loved to have all my grandchildren and David. Music and costumes were so spectacular. Lovely old theatre too. A great night!! Only an  hours walk both ways too---see where the 7 hours walking adds up!!!

Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre London