Tuesday, November 2, 2010

We're in Dublin, Ireland


We arrived in Dublin, Ireland yesterday evening. We had breakfast in Pitlochry, lunch in Edinburgh, and dinner in Dublin. Not bad, huh?

Enjoyed some Guinness and traditional Irish music at a pub last night and today we are exploring the big city of Dublin. We'll be here until we fly home . . . this Saturday.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Pithlochry, Scotland

We've been in Edinburgh since my last post. Enjoying the city and all it has to offer.

After a scenic train ride up to Pithlochry we arrived at our hotel yesterday evening. We're here for about a week and looking forward to going to listen to music at the Perthshire Amber Festival this weekend.

http://www.perthshireamber.com/

It is beautiful here and a much smaller town. Still much to explore and that's what we are off to do.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

In love with Edinburgh, Scotland

We just arrived today in Edinburgh, Scotland! It's beautiful. A bit like a fairy tale. We're planning on staying in Scotland until the end of October. So, far it has been a wonderful experience.

We're in a two bedroom, two bathroom, living/dinning room and kitchen space. It's like an apartment that you can rent daily. It's very nice and it has it's own . . . OH MY GOD . . . WASHER AND DRYER! It's the best thing ever. Especially since we packed for travels to warmer places and Scotland in October is NOT warmer places. We've got one outfit each that works for this climate, hence the excitement about the washer and dryer. So, until we get our kilts, stockings, and boots we'll be getting our use out of the washer and dryer.

NOTE FOR MY MOM: If you ever wanted to dress me in red plaid . . . Scotland is the place to make it happen. : )

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

London, England

We arrived in London today and are staying with a wonderful host at her home. She is a friend of a friend. It's fantastic to stay in a home after our travels. We're heading to a local favorite pub just around the corner this evening and tomorrow it's downtown London we go.

 

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Cairo, Egypt

We arrived in Cairo, Egypt yesterday. As our plane started it's decent we could see the pyramids and sand for as far as the eye could see. Egypt has been very exciting! Starting with our taxi ride from the airport to our hotel.

We are enjoying our hotel resort and as I type up this post Craig and I are enjoying a coffee and mango smoothie outside in one of the resort cafe's.

The temperature is very comfortable, at least at 9:28 in the morning. It is dry, obviously we are in desert country, and there is a nice breeze.  I think it will be warming up . . . we'll see how it is at 3 in the afternoon.  

This afternoon and evening we are going shopping at the Cairo Mall. Tomorrow we are doing a full day at the Egyptian Museum and then to Giza for the pyramids. Walk like an Egyptian . . .

Monday, October 4, 2010

In Athens, Greece

From Rome to Athens . . . our hotel is in a great location. We are a short stroll to the Acropolis,  New Acropolis Museum, and Temple of Olympian Zeus.

So, we are off to explore.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Alive and well in Rome

When posting doesn't come easy. It has been a real challenge to find Internet access while in Italy. Sorry family and friends. I did a much better job on my blog while in Newfoundland.

Where I've been . . .
Bologna
Reggio Emilia
Ferrara
Ravenna
Florence
Siena
San Gimignano
Volterra
Rome

It has been an experience. Many things good, some things not so good. What's up with small bathrooms, few and far between toilet seats, and sharing bathrooms. I know . . . spoiled American.

The food has been amazing, sights have been unreal, and fashion . . . people let me tell you we could use a bit more Italian fashion in North America. Wow! New wardrobe is on my next list of things to do.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Our last day in Newfoundland

Packing up, visiting with Dave and Marion, and maybe one more time to Mad Rocks.

Looking forward to seeing my friends and family back home.

Some pictures that I took the other day . . .


Sunday, September 5, 2010

Birthday and Jiggs Dinner

Today was a big day for Dave, it was his Birthday! Craig and I decorated the house giving Dave a nice, big surprise for when he woke up. 

I’m not too sure how this is going to work . . . Dave is not a fan of birthdays and didn’t/doesn’t want anyone to know, but I’m posting this on my blog. So, shhhhhh!

Marion made a big jiggs dinner to celebrate . . . that thing that we’re not suppose to talk about, because it’s his all-time favorite meal. For those not familiar with the Newfoundland tradition of jiggs dinner, it includes salt beef, cabbage, potato, carrot, turnip, split pea, roast turkey with dressing and gravy. Not much huh? The salt beef, cabbage, potato, carrot, turnip and split pea are all cooked (peeled and whole) in one pot and boiled with water for several hours. Then the items are removed from the pot and served up separately. The vegetarian who generally stays clear of dairy, had her own mini-jigs pot minus salt beef and it was delicious.


Our jiggs dinner was at lunch time, another Newfie-ism, and Marion’s brother Reg and his wife Shirley came over for our feast. It was a wonderful meal and visit. 


Saturday, September 4, 2010

To the Swilers Rugby Club in St. Johns

Craig and I watched the Newfoundland/Atlantic Providences rugby team, the Rock, play against the Wolf Pack from Central Canada. Both teams entered the game undefeated and were equally matched; it was a nail biter of a game and ended a home crowd pleaser with the Rock winning. In two weeks the Rock plays against who I don’t know but another Canadian team for the Canadian Championship and it will be televised on CBC (a Canadian broadcasting station).

Link to interviews after the game http://ntv.ca/video/?p=5912

Many of Craig’s former team mates/friends were in the stands watching the game. It was like he was never gone, welcomed back into the fold, picking-up were they left off. Good times were had, with many handshakes, hugs and trips down memory lane, with all too easy smirks, smiles, and laughs. The day will have to hold’em till they meet again.