Tasmanian Trek 2019
Travel Posts:
- 30/04/2019
- 01/05/2019
- 04/05/2019
- 04/05/2019
- 04/05/2019
- 05/05/2019
- 06/05/2019
- 09/05/2019
Norm’s Tasmanian Trek 2019 – Episode One
Faced with the horrendous cost of overseas travel for singles of any age and, in my case, the even more horrendous cost of travel insurance, my horizons have become a little more limited than in days of yore. Apart from visits there while I was with Woolies, the only other trip to Tasmania was a …
Continue reading "Norm’s Tasmanian Trek 2019 – Episode One"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Tasmanian TrekNorm’s Tasmanian Trek 2019 – Episode Two
Friday 8 March 2019 We all got our “tannoy” call at 5:15 am just as the Spirit of Tasmania was docking and were told that the first to disembark would be called to do so at 5:50 am. I had one of the fastest showers on record, something I have no liking for at all, …
Continue reading "Norm’s Tasmanian Trek 2019 – Episode Two"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Tasmanian TrekNorm’s Tasmanian Trek 2019 – Episode Three
The scenery improved as I got closer to Port Arthur and, for me, is much more appealing than the likes of Scamander or Bicheno. My cottage is a water-view one. And to be able to sit in the sun on the balcony with a well-earned cup of coffee and take it all in was as …
Continue reading "Norm’s Tasmanian Trek 2019 – Episode Three"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Tasmanian TrekNorm’s Tasmanian Trek 2019 – Episode Four
Friday 15 March 2019 Another slow start to the day, but this time because I was feeling the effects of all the exercise I indulged in yesterday. No, that’s not true. I just slept in. But soon after my less leisurely breakfast than yesterday, I was off again. It was a cool but not cold …
Continue reading "Norm’s Tasmanian Trek 2019 – Episode Four"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Tasmanian TrekNorm’s Tasmanian Trek 2019 – Episode Five
Sunday 17 March 2019 Another gorgeously fine day to start me off on the North Western leg of my trek. By some miracle of organisation for which I am happy to take credit, I was awake, shaved, showered, breakfasted, packed and checked out by 8:30. My first stop was New Norfolk just half an hour …
Continue reading "Norm’s Tasmanian Trek 2019 – Episode Five"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Tasmanian TrekNorm’s Tasmanian Trek 2019 – Episode Six
Tuesday 19 March 2019 An earlier start to the day than usual because I needed to check-in at Gordon River Cruises when they opened at 7:30 am and find out also what the parking arrangements were. Bushman’s doesn’t offer breakfast, so I restricted myself to my usual on-the-run one of maple syrup oat bars and, …
Continue reading "Norm’s Tasmanian Trek 2019 – Episode Six"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Tasmanian TrekNorm’s Tasmanian Trek 2019 – Episode Seven
21 March 2019 A foggy morning though not particularly cold – which I guess is why it is foggy. After another good filling breakfast to set me up for the day, I was all checked-out and off. The first 40 km or so from the Lodge was on, perhaps not too surprisingly, Cradle Mountain Road. …
Continue reading "Norm’s Tasmanian Trek 2019 – Episode Seven"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Tasmanian TrekNorm’s Tasmanian Trek 2019 – Episode Eight
24 March 2019 The Visitors’ Centre at Parliament House opens at 9:00 am. Individual tours cannot be booked ahead and as they are limited to forty and offered on a first come first serve basis, I felt I needed to be there no later than 8:30. Helped by Ingrid who took me right into the …
Continue reading "Norm’s Tasmanian Trek 2019 – Episode Eight"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Tasmanian Trek
Map View:
| Location | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Berrico, Australia |
| 2 | Macquarie Park, Australia |
| 3 | Mollymook, Australia |
| 4 | Gipsy Point, Australia |
| 5 | Sale, Australia |
| 6 | Port Melbourne, Australia |
| 7 | Devonport, Australia |
| 8 | Launceston, Australia |
| 9 | St Helens, Australia |
| 10 | Port Arthur, Australia |
| 11 | Dover, Australia |
| 12 | Hobart, Australia |
| 13 | Lake Saint Clair, Australia |
| 14 | Strahan, Australia |
| 15 | Cradle Mountain, Australia |
| 16 | Devonport, Australia |
| 17 | Port Melbourne, Australia |
| 18 | Albury, Australia |
| 19 | Canberra, Australia |
| 20 | Macquarie Park, Australia |
| 21 | Berrico, Australia |
Britain and Beyond 2017
Travel Posts:
- 16/08/2017
- 01/09/2017
- 04/09/2017
- 09/09/2017
- 12/09/2017
- 17/09/2017
- 19/09/2017
- 22/09/2017
- 26/09/2017
- 02/10/2017
Britain and beyond… 2017 – Episode One
16th August 2017 It’s a while now since I’ve put a finger to a keyboard to chronicle a trip so I thought it might help if I got in some practice before I leave. So, when am I going, where am I going and why? Well, this is when I’m going: Friday, 25th August …and, this …
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Categories My Travel JournalsTags Britain and Beyond, My Travel JournalsBritain and beyond… 2017 – Episode Two
Friday 25th August 2017 “Up, up and away…” but, on this occasion, with Rex and not TAA. A relatively early start this morning – well at least early for me – so that Carolyn and Tony, who had kindly offered to drive me, could get me to Williamtown to catch the mid-day “Rex” flight to …
Continue reading "Britain and beyond… 2017 – Episode Two"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags Britain and Beyond, My Travel JournalsBritain and beyond… 2017 – Episode Three
Friday 1st September 2017 It was with considerable regret that I bid farewell to Roger and Denise this morning. My five days with them passed just too quickly. Thank you both for making me feel so welcome and, as always, so at home. After a hearty bacon and egg breakfast, Roger drove me to Manchester …
Continue reading "Britain and beyond… 2017 – Episode Three"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags Britain and Beyond, My Travel JournalsBritain and beyond… 2017 – Episode Four
Tuesday 5th September 2017 In my haste to get Episode Three away before the Hotel Internet crashed again, I omitted to pass on any foodie news. Perhaps the reason I forgot to do so was that it didn’t rate a mention. It was as described, a fish and leek pie – and that’s about all …
Continue reading "Britain and beyond… 2017 – Episode Four"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags Britain and Beyond, My Travel JournalsBritain and beyond… 2017 – Episode Five
Friday 8th September 2017 It will come as no surprise to learn that most of today has been spent writing up what I’ve been up to over the past three days and getting Episode Four away. This wasn’t too much of a hardship, however, as today was even greyer and rainier than yesterday. Tempted by …
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Categories My Travel JournalsTags Britain and Beyond, My Travel JournalsBritain and beyond… 2017 – Episode Six
Tuesday 12th September 2017 The Waterford to Dublin train was on this occasion just fine – clean and deodorised – and with my reserved table seat and a vacant one next to me, all that I could have asked for. There was an unwanted breakdown in communication from Rideways about where the car that was …
Continue reading "Britain and beyond… 2017 – Episode Six"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags Britain and Beyond, My Travel JournalsBritain and beyond… 2017 – Episode Seven
Friday 15th September 2017 A not quite so early start for the day because today was Sark day and the ferry didn’t leave until 9:15 am for its 55 minute trip. The trip turned out to be a little longer than that because the remains of the sea conditions we experienced yesterday were still about. …
Continue reading "Britain and beyond… 2017 – Episode Seven"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags Britain and Beyond, My Travel JournalsBritain and beyond… 2017 – Episode Eight
Monday 18th September 2017 Our first outing this morning was to one place but with two attractions, The first of these was La Hougue Bie, a Neolithic passage grave or dolmen built about 6000 years ago. It is not as large as Newgrange in Ireland nor quite as sophisticated but that may be because it’s …
Continue reading "Britain and beyond… 2017 – Episode Eight"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags Britain and Beyond, My Travel JournalsBritain and beyond… 2017 – Episode Nine
Thursday 21st September 2017 This morning we were up and away for our visit to what was described by Back-Roads as one of the premier tourist attractions in France. And as it draws up to 3 million visitors a year that claim seems justified. Using the back roads on which the tour company was named, …
Continue reading "Britain and beyond… 2017 – Episode Nine"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags Britain and Beyond, My Travel JournalsBritain and beyond… 2017 – Episode Ten
Saturday 23rd September 2017 It’s with some sadness to realise that this is the last day of our tour. Sadness because what was a group of people of diverse backgrounds, ages and interest became such a cohesive one and a pleasure to travel with, is breaking up. On most tour groups I’ve travelled with there …
Continue reading "Britain and beyond… 2017 – Episode Ten"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags Britain and Beyond, My Travel Journals
Map View:
| Location | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Berrico, Australia |
| 2 | Williamtown, Australia |
| 3 | Sydney, Australia |
| 4 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| 5 | Manchester, United Kingdom |
| 6 | Dublin, Ireland |
| 7 | Waterford, Ireland |
| 8 | Dublin, Ireland |
| 9 | London, United Kingdom |
| 10 | Dorset, United Kingdom |
| 11 | Guernsey |
| 12 | Sark, Guernsey |
| 13 | Guernsey |
| 14 | Jersey |
| 15 | St-Malo, France |
| 16 | Mont Saint-Michel, France |
| 17 | Dinan, France |
| 18 | St-Malo, France |
| 19 | Fougères, France |
| 20 | Sainte-Suzanne, France |
| 21 | Laval, France |
| 22 | Chartres, France |
| 23 | Paris, France |
| 24 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| 25 | New South Wales, Australia |
| 26 | Gloucester, Australia |
| 27 | Berrico, Australia |
Britain and Brittany 2013
Travel Posts:
- 10/11/2017
- 10/11/2017
- 10/11/2017
- 10/11/2017
- 10/11/2017
Britain and Brittany 2013 – Episode One
Carol and Norm’s Britain and Brittany 16th April to 27th May 2013 Our most recent foray overseas was every bit as good as we’d hoped. As I’m not sure if we had mentioned in earlier epistles – of the paper as well as the electronic – form we took this self-drive tour at a much …
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Categories My Travel JournalsTags Britain and Brittany, My Travel JournalsBritain and Brittany 2013 – Episode Two
On the following day, we explored the North Norfolk Coast. We braved the wind and took a short walk on the beach at Hunstanton but, with the best will in the world, couldn’t persuade ourselves that it had the same appeal for us as Forster’s Main Beach. Our plan for the day also included visiting …
Continue reading "Britain and Brittany 2013 – Episode Two"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags Britain and Brittany, My Travel JournalsBritain and Brittany 2013 – Episode Three
8th May 2013 Although Norm had visited Blenheim Palace more than a few years ago, his memory of it was more than a little vague. That being the case, what else was there to do but go? For those who have been there the Palace and grounds are all you would expect from the name …
Continue reading "Britain and Brittany 2013 – Episode Three"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags Britain and Brittany, My Travel JournalsBritain and Brittany 2013 – Episode Four
12th May 2013 If we are leaving the impression we rather liked Llangollen, you’d be right. For, on the next day, we were there again. We had booked a Sunday Lunch cruise with “Jones the Boats” to cross the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct but spent the morning at “Plas Newydd”, the home of the “Ladies of Llangollen” …
Continue reading "Britain and Brittany 2013 – Episode Four"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags Britain and Brittany, My Travel JournalsBritain and Brittany 2013 – Episode Five
18th May 2013 After our not quite as early start at Manchester airport as Roger and Denise’s, we made our Air France hops to Paris – and then to Rennes. There we were met and warmly welcomed by our barge skipper and co-host, Ian Slade. The hour-long drive to Redon, where “Libje” was moored was …
Continue reading "Britain and Brittany 2013 – Episode Five"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags Britain and Brittany, My Travel Journals
Map View:
| Location | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Forster, Australia |
| 2 | Sydney, Australia |
| 3 | Tokyo, Japan |
| 4 | Paris, France |
| 5 | Manchester, United Kingdom |
| 6 | Wressle, United Kingdom |
| 7 | Norfolk, United Kingdom |
| 8 | Maesbury Marsh, United Kingdom |
| 9 | Manchester, United Kingdom |
| 10 | Paris, France |
| 11 | Rennes, France |
| 12 | Rochefort-en-Terre, France |
| 13 | Malestroit, France |
| 14 | Outreau, France |
| 15 | Saint-Servant, France |
| 16 | Josselin, France |
| 17 | La Gacilly, France |
| 18 | Lanouée, France |
| 19 | Rennes, France |
| 20 | Paris, France |
| 21 | Tokyo, Japan |
| 22 | New South Wales, Australia |
| 23 | Forster, Australia |
Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006
Travel Posts:
- 30/08/2005
- 25/09/2005
- 05/10/2005
- 15/10/2005
- 17/10/2005
- 31/10/2005
- 04/11/2005
- 11/11/2005
- 18/11/2005
- 26/11/2005
- 02/12/2005
- 07/12/2005
- 11/12/2005
- 21/12/2005
- 29/12/2005
- 11/01/2006
- 01/08/2017
- 01/08/2017
- 01/08/2017
- 03/08/2017
- 03/08/2017
- 03/08/2017
- 03/08/2017
- 03/08/2017
- 04/08/2017
- 06/08/2017
- 06/08/2017
- 06/08/2017
- 06/08/2017
- 10/08/2017
- 10/08/2017
- 10/08/2017
- 10/08/2017
- 12/08/2017
- 12/08/2017
- 13/08/2017
- 13/08/2017
- 13/08/2017
- 13/08/2017
- 13/08/2017
- 17/08/2017
- 17/08/2017
- 17/08/2017
- 18/08/2017
Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode One
And so, the Odyssey starts… Tuesday 30th August 2005 Flight with JAL via Narita (Tokyo) was every bit as good I had been led to believe it would be. While the plane to Narita was one of their “older” ones, the seat was very comfortable and service, meals – and the accompanying wine – really …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode One"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Two
Before I left Sydney I took out 12-month membership subscriptions to both the National Trust of Australia (which allows free entry to most, if not all, of the NT properties here) and the English Heritage which manages a further 400 (to which entry is free also). Regrettably, Hampton Court Palace was not one of these, …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Two"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Three
Wednesday 5th October 2005 If for no other reason than to allay whatever guilt feelings I may have had about enjoying myself too much, I fronted up to the Archives on Wednesday morning full of new-found resolve! After a frustrating morning trawling through what seemed to be a school (or is it a shoal) of …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Three"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Four
Saturday 15th October 2005 Because of the suspension of some train services from Kew over the weekend, I had to take a roundabout route to Victoria station near where I had to join the “1066” tour – and to make sure I made the necessary and, for me, unfamiliar connections, this meant rising at 5:00 …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Four"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Five
Monday 17th October 2005 My return to Manchester turned out to be a little more stressful than I’d hoped. I was booked on a 12:30 pm flight and, as is my habit, was at Heathrow soon after 10:00 am. I obtained my Boarding Pass courtesy one of those new-fangled self-check-in screens and, flushed with the …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Five"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Six
Monday 31st October 2005 On my way to Chipping Camden, I stopped in Worcester with the sole objective of visiting Worcester Cathedral which has long been on my list of must-sees – and not just because Edward Elgar is buried there. I had hoped that I might catch a concert, recital or whatever, but had …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Six"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Seven
Friday 4th November 2005 Friday – a cloudless but chilly day with a brisk breeze, wind or minor gale – marked the start of my Norfolk expedition, although my first stop was still in Cambridgeshire at Ely Cathedral, which I had visited before but which, for whatever reason, didn’t grab me. Aren’t I glad I …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Seven"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Eight
Our “Roman Holiday” Friday 11th November 2005 After some frustrating delays with our flights to and from Heathrow, we were whisked into Rome by one of those taxi-drivers whose intent seemed to be to frighten the living daylights out of his front-seat passenger – me! And he succeeded!! Our hotel, “Nazionale A Montecitorio” was central, …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Eight"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Nine
Friday 18th November 2005 Refreshed in mind and body – it was time to get back on the road again and resume the root-exploration and touring combination. So on a fine but chilly (-2°) morning, I set off for Bristol where I had planned to meet up with some of the expatriate NZ Butlers. I …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Nine"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Ten
The hotel in Portsmouth was right on the waterfront with a view of the sea, which was great – and of a tired-looking amusement centre (with the appropriate number of those small domed towers, of course) fronting the pier, which was less so! Saturday 26th November 2005 Saturday was Historic Dockyards visit day – and …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Ten"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Eleven
Friday 2nd December 2005 The blustery rain that woke me overnight was still there in the morning for my drive to Salisbury, and in earnest. While not as susceptible to cross-winds as the original VW Beetle we had, the Clio was perhaps understandably skittish with les vents latéral anglais. There was plenty of evidence of …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Eleven"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Twelve
Wednesday 7th December 2005 …and he did find a bed – in a small 18 room hotel, the “Mount Haven” in Marazion. Now the bed is not a four poster, but it is in a room with a balcony overlooking St Michael’s Mount. Wow! I had planned to drive to and down the western coast …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Twelve"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirteen
Sunday 11th December 2005 I must admit that my departure from Cornwall and “Mount Haven” on Sunday morning was more than a little reluctant – not least because the Plymouth hotel – even on the website – looked tired and well-used. And that how it’s turned out to be. It’s hard to believe that two …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirteen"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Fourteen
Wednesday 21st December 2005 I left Manchester on the BA shuttle flight to Heathrow on Wednesday morning to catch my flight to Boston. Although I have travelled with BA before, this was my first experience of their so-called “flat-bed” seat. On first sight the cabin looks a bit like a dodgem-car arena after the power’s …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Fourteen"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Fifteen
Thursday 29th December 2005 Thursday was an out-of-Boston day or, as it turned out, morning. Rain had been promised and the further we drove up the coast the more the promise was fulfilled. Our first stop was Salem to visit “The House of Seven Gables” rather than the Salem Witch House which, in any event, …
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Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Sixteen
Wednesday 11th January 2006 After re- packing (which really means sitting longer on the cases to compress unchanged but less well-arranged contents) in readiness for my N by WNW expedition, I had what could only be described as a dream run on a beautiful relatively clear morning. The fact that the dream run didn’t last …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Sixteen"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Seventeen
Wednesday 18th January 2006 On a bleak Wednesday morning, which was probably not good enough to do anything else, I set out for Romaldkirk, a small village, about 30 miles from Durham and at the centre of the region I want to explore. Another reason for choosing Romaldkirk is the “Rose and Crown”. Roger and …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Seventeen"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Eighteen
Monday 23rd January 2006 Any hopes I had of visiting and photographing “High Force” on my way north were well and truly fogged out, which also meant of course that my progress was painfully slow. The higher I went, of course, the worse it got until at one stage I just pulled off the road …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Eighteen"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Nineteen
Monday 30th January 2006 At -4° C, the frost was thick everywhere – and my poor little Clio didn’t escape. This meant a race to see how much of it I could scrape off the windscreen and windows before my fingers numbed completely. I won, but there wasn’t much in it. The frost did, however, …
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Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Twenty
Monday 6th February 2006 After a reluctant but fond farewell to Chris and Jan and “The Wheatsheaf”, I moseyed my way leisurely north to my Edinburgh pad – a one-bedroomed flat with parking, and within minutes of Princes Street. The flat is relatively new, well-furnished (for a rental property), spotlessly clean and has everything that …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Twenty"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Twenty-one
Tuesday 14th February 2006 First stop for the day was “Stirling Castle”. The day was overcast and pretty gloomy, which was less of a problem than it might otherwise have been because I had left the camera back at the hotel. What a magnificent place it is. Having said that, the tour of the Palace …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Twenty-one"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Twenty-two
Friday 17th February 2006 An absolutely beautiful morning, and really quite mild at 3 C° – which is the way the hotel receptionist described it. Mild or not, it was just ideal for my expedition to the “Hermitage” – a National Trust of Scotland managed property near Dunkeld about 30 minutes drive north. If I’d …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Twenty-two"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Twenty-three
Monday 20th February 2006 The weather for the drive up to Inverness this morning was very mixed in that it seemed to be trying to demonstrate that you can have all the seasons in one day – something I’m told is not too uncommon in Scotland. I had considered visiting Elgin Cathedral (ruins) on the …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Twenty-three"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Twenty-four
Monday 27th February 2006 I left the hotel at 7:30 am for the Scrabster terminal in driving rain which didn’t let up until we boarded at about 8:20 am. The “MV Hamnavoe” is a good sized ship with two decks of lounge type passenger accommodation above the cavernous vehicle deck. I must admit to being …
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Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Twenty-five
Friday 3rd March 2006 It had snowed overnight but the sky was bright and, more importantly, the road to Inverness was open. I had a good run down to Dingwall and was re-united with my now face-lifted LRC. From what I can see, Mackays did a first class job, though it didn’t take more than …
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Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Twenty-six
Thursday 9th March 2006 Oh what a difference a day makes. I’m almost sure I said that yesterday. Anyway today is another just brilliant one and ideal for my planned round trip. First leg was SW along the banks of Loch Maree which is as spectacular as I had been given to believe though I …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Twenty-six"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Twenty-seven
Thursday 16th March 2006 If nothing else, today’s drive provided most of the different weather conditions Scotland has on offer. When I left Oban just before 9:00 am, the sun was out, the sky was blue and there was not a breath of wind. By the time I got to Loch Lomond, the sun had …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Twenty-seven"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Twenty-eight
Tuesday 21st March 2006 Today was Donegal day! After checking out, I headed west via Maghera and Claudy (successfully skirting Londonderry) to Letterkenny. I have always wanted to do the circuit through Dunfanaghy and Dunglow and today managed it. I diverted once to view Doe Castle but could have saved myself the trouble because it …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Twenty-eight"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Twenty-nine
Monday 27th March 2006 I hope I don’t have another day as frustrating as today was – though I now suspect tomorrow may not be much different. I was on the door step of the National Library at opening time ready, willing and eager do whatever it took to find a record of Stephen Butler’s …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Twenty-nine"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirty
Sunday 2nd April 2006 Off to Cahir this morning on a dullish but relatively mild day – it must have been all of 9° C. Fine enough however to venture out to view first “Cahir Castle” and, later, “The Swiss Cottage” – both of which, as it turned out, have Butler connections! Cahir castle was …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirty"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirty-one
Thursday 6th April 2006 After a decent frost, I had to get back into ice-removal mode before I left this morning. It did, however, presage a “good weather” day, and that’s how it turned out – at least until early afternoon. The drive up through Wales was one of the most scenic I’ve done. It …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirty-one"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirty-two
Saturday 15th April to 1st May 2006 Our flights with Air France to Santorini via Paris and Athens ran more or less to time but still involved a full and tiring day’s travel. Our first impressions on arriving in Santorini were a bit mixed – helped not at all by a somewhat aggressive security officer …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirty-two"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirty-three
Friday 5th May 2006 A relatively early start for our trip to Bath where we were to stay for a couple of nights. Partly because of an important local Rugby Union match accommodation was hard to find. However as the result of a late cancellation, we were lucky to get a bed at “The Kennard …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirty-three"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirty-four
Wednesday 17th May 2006 Today was a cold and miserable day that deteriorated as it went on, with wild winds that didn’t bode well for tomorrow’s ferry trip. We did however want to visit Glenluce Abbey, one of those that I failed to get into on my last trip, and if at all possible, the …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirty-four"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirty-five
Monday 29th May 2006 We caught the first ferry from Larne to Cairnryan for our return to Scotland. It was cold and raining again but the seas were calm. We stayed overnight at Lockerbie – at what has become one of our favourite hotels, Dryfesdale. We were greeted with a warm welcome – and our …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirty-five"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirty-six
Friday 9th June 2006 Unable to get accommodation near Scrabster for our ferry trip to Orkney, we (one more reluctantly than the other) skipped breakfast for a 6:00 am departure so that we could catch the 1:30 pm ferry. Having travelled this way more than once before, Norm had assured Carol that the drive up …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirty-six"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirty-seven
By popular (?) demand, brief details of what we have partaken each day will be included in a new “Foodie News” section. If there appears to be a reduction in the number of courses at dinner, and an increase in the number of salads, put that down to a marked improvement in the eating habits …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirty-seven"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirty-eight
Wednesday 21st June 2006 A wild and woolly night – weatherwise – followed by an equally wild, woolly and wet day. It was with some reluctance that we ventured out, but Stirling Castle beckoned and the prospect of a bracing walk up Castle Wynd appealed to one of us at least!! Dashing between heavy showers …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirty-eight"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirty-nine
Monday 26th June 2006 A regretful parting from Jan and Chris at “The Wheatsheaf” Hotel. We enjoyed the welcome we’d been given – and being spoiled. First stop on our way to Chollerford where we are staying tonight was “The Alnwick Garden.” Norm had visited earlier in deep winter when the only real attraction had …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Thirty-nine"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Forty
Saturday 1st July 2006 A Manchester exploration day. We caught the bus into the CBD (having bought an economical £3.00 weekly ticket), where Norm was able to purchase two pairs of much-needed shoes – and Carol a less-needed blouse for a special dinner on Monday night with Roger and Denise. We also made bookings for …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Forty"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Forty-one
Monday 10th July 2006 Nothing much to report other than that we had one of our best dinners in the UK at a local Italian restaurant called “Felicini”. Norm had char-grilled lamb cutlets with Hummus, roasted vine tomatoes and couscous. Carol had grilled Tuna steak with balsamic dressing on a bed of rocket salad, roasted …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Forty-one"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Forty-two
Sunday 16th July 2006 Today was (and not just for Norm) an aviation treat – the second day of the Royal International Air Tattoo. As we had learned about the event too late to organise tickets on-line, we knew that if we were going to get any sort of a view at all we’d have …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Forty-two"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Forty-three
Friday 21st July 2006 Today off northeast to the Cheddar Gorge and, later, Wells. The Cheddar Caves and Gorge are a nationally important nature reserve. Early humans once lived in the caves, which are now colonised by endangered “horse-shoe” bats – the name which comes from the large horseshoe-shaped noseleaf used for directing their ultrasound. …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Forty-three"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas OdysseyNorm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Forty-four… …and final
Wednesday 26th July 2006 Although the tide was not completely out, we set off for St Michael’s Mount early in an attempt to beat the mob!! We were fortunate enough to catch a ferry and be at the entrance just before it opened at 10:30 and, but for an out-of-sorts National Trust gatekeeper we might …
Continue reading "Norm’s Overseas Odyssey 2005 – 2006 Episode Forty-four… …and final"
Categories My Travel JournalsTags My Travel Journals, Overseas Odyssey