The last couple of weeks have been so full I don't even know where to start. I will keep this relatively short and will try to add more detailed stories later.

First there was Italy.

I finally got my sun. From one extreme to the other it was up around the 40's every day and often with 90 odd % humidity, but I did get warm !!!

I started off in Venice which was absolutely beautiful and met Nina who I would be travelling with for 10 days. There are a few stories around the whole Italy and Nina episode, but suffice to say, lessons where learnt and it will make for some laughs when I get back.

We then headed down to Rimini for a few days. Lots of lazing on the beach, a visit to San Marino, I went on a boat trip to view the methane gas platforms out in the ocean there .. don't know why but Nina wasn't interested

From Rimini we headed to Milan for 1 day. I have to say that it really probably needs a few days and at least a week if you want to do some serious shopping as well. Milan was really a stop over on the way to Diano Marina, another Italian Riviera resort type place. So again, some vegging and general relaxing.

Nina and I parted ways at Diano Marina and I headed down to Rome to join the 3 day Busabout tour on the Amalfi Coast. What an absolutely stunning area. Unfortunately I also encountered my first pick pocket episode on The Isle of Capri and my lovely new Olympus disappeared faster than you can blink. I definitely have a new appreciation for their skills, but I'm totally peeved that I have no photo's of the gorgeous places I saw.

After the tour I headed back to the UK for Global Gathering. My first festival and it was absolutely fantastic. I had an absolute ball. My poor Doc's will never be the same. They where 3 inches thick with mud. I loved the music, the atmosphere, the whole shebang. It did absolute wonders for my state of mind as well. It was just what I needed.

We got back on the Sunday and I again stayed at my friend Dave's in St Albans. He cooked a yummy roast for dinner and then we headed over to the pub with his housemate and played Jenga. I have never played this before but it was so funny. We where killing ourselves and I did Australia proud and got the hang of it pretty quickly.

Monday saw me back on the road and heading to Bath to catch up with Joe and family for a few days as he is heading back to Perth on Thursday. Its been a lovely few days.

I'm heading over to Bristol tomorrow to stay with Shirley and will be working my way back to London for next weekend to catch up with Jakki. We have an appointment with the vodka ice bar

Sorry it was a bit rushed and factual .. I really will have to lift my game.

Take care all and Happy Birthday to my darling Phillip.

Time Fly's when you are having fun remains copyright of the author towander, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

I've been having a veg in London and been a bit slack in keeping up with my blog.

Its been a bit of resting and sightseeing.

I went to the London Pride last Saturday with Kev, Dave and some of their friends. Went to a new friends place for a barbie on Sat at St Albans, Sunday was finally a warm day so took myself off to the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, oh and I was at 0' on Friday when I visited Greenwich.

I originally was looking for somewhere to sit for a bit .. but it proved too difficult. Everything was either very expensive or out in the boondocks.

I was going around in circles trying to decide what to do, researching lots of stuff on the net and feeling quite lost. I looked at tours and cruises, but it all seemed a bit formal or rushed. To try and put it all together myself was beginning to seem more than I felt like doing. Eventually I came across Busabout and it seemed perfect.

Its a hop on hop off bus system and also has pre selected accommodation at each point and you book the whole lot online. At the same time I had joined a web group call Companions 2 Travel and hooked up with Nina from Ireland and now we are heading to Italy on Wednesday.

Some sun and warm finally !!!! We are flying in to Venice on Wed and staying the night. Heading down to Rimini on the coast for a week. We then head to Milan for one night and on to Diano Marina on the other coast for a few days. From there I am heading down to Rome to join a Busabout trip down the Amalfi coast.

I head back to London late in the week as I have also hooked up with a new friend Dave from the C2T site and we are going to Global Gathering, which is a huge dance festival on the 28th. After that I will catch up with Joe in Bath and Helena's Mum in Bristol. It should be close to Jakki coming over then, so back to London and the Vodka Ice Bar :-)

Once all the catching up is done I shall have plenty of time to head back to Europe. I will definitely be doing the Greek Island Hopping trip and I am trying to fit in the 15 day Morocco tour.

So watch out for a lot more updates, lots of photo's and hopefully I shall be returning to a nice summer off white ...

I have invested in a .Mac account and I am in the process of copying my blog over to there and uploading all my photo's. I will put the link here as there is a heap of photo's but be warned, it is a work in progress and I haven't annotated them all yet.

.Mac Weblog and Photos

L'Italia qui vengo remains copyright of the author towander, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

I've been wandering around the countryside in search of the sun and not doing too well I tell you.

I started off visiting an old family friend in Warrington, which is somewhere between Liverpool and Manchester.

It was great to catch up and meet his lovely family. I stayed there for a few days and then headed down to Brighton.

I am looking for somewhere to stop for a month or two and just relax and I had it on good authority that Brighton and/or Eastbourne would be sunny and suit me.

For a change I booked my accommodation before I left and headed on down. I got to the B&B and oh dear !! .. my booking was for next week and there just happened to be a convention on in town and everything was booked. The girl at the B&B did a few calls around and luckily found me a bed just up the road for 2 days.

It was beautiful and sunny for the couple of days I was in Brighton and I just wandered around the beachfront, shops, pier, etc .. it definitely is an alternative type town and I do like the atmosphere.

With accommodation at a premium and only having 2 days I jumped on the bus to Eastbourne. Ha Ha , they had the International Womans Tennis Championship on so again accommodation was at a premium. I had to pay through the nose for a 2 star hotel, but better than nothing thats for sure.

I really liked Eastbourne, its clean and bright, everything is spaced out nicely and very Georgian. Unfortunately it is a retirement town and well .. boring. I'm sure the weather hasnt helped. The first day was lovely and since then its been raining and cold.

I have just got back to Brighton and its still raining, blowing and cold. I seriously have to do some washing. I didnt bring my serious cold gear as it was sunny as when I left London. My poor little black cardigan was ripe to say the least and I was trying to work out what I would wear if I washed it .. the birds made my choice easy .. out of the middle of nowhere .. I was on the main street, no trees, poles, lines or anything a big bird plop landed smack on my arm. It was into the clothes shop and a new cardigan.

Today I am catching up with the washing, internet and find any other indoor activities that are warm.

All this cold has really got me ready to head over to somewhere warm, I am researching Greece, Italy, Spain .. will see where I end up.

The Search for the Sun remains copyright of the author towander, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

I hopped on a train down to Penzance which is the last train stop in Cornwall, and yes, the local rugby club are called the Pirates

Well prepared as usual I bought my ticket on the train and popped over to the Tourist Information Centre when I got to town to find somewhere to stay.

In the end I chose a B&B which was just over a mile away but felt like about 5 with the backpack and other flotsam and jetsam I keep accumulating. I could get taxi's but I'm really trying to get used to walking and lugging my stuff.
It was a beautiful little place and had wifi, what more could I want.

Penzance is a seaside town and they have this wonderful esplanade running along the sea about 2 miles long. They have avoided the tourist trap stuff and with all that refreshing ocean air, pebble beaches, cold cold water, greenery and relaxing atmosphere I soon settled in.

For the Tuesday I booked a helicopter flight to the Isles of Scilly. Up till now I think a helicopter is one of the few airborne things I havent been in. After this trip I am now totally in love with helicopters. What a blast !!! I love the way they just go straight UP ....

Now to the Isles of Scilly. I had a choice of going to St Mary's which is the main island or to Tresco. I chose Tresco. Picture this .. a 20 minute helicopter ride, an island that at best can take a total of about 800 people, temperate climate, white sand beaches, beautiful azure blue water, no cars, little cottages, farms, lakes and an abbey with acres of gardens with plants from all over the world.

Meandering through small paths, sun shining, birds singing, no pollution, noise or otherwise, plenty of benches at strategic places, views to die for.

I was in heaven. The weather turned it on and it was a beautiful sunny day in the mid 20's. I wandered around, the whole island takes a couple of hours to walk, had a delicious lunch and then meandered through the abbey gardens. There was a beautiful patch of lawn and I lied down for a while in the sun with my book and promptly fell asleep. I woke up with such a start and had a small panic about the time, but it was fine. My flight back wasnt till 5 and I made it with plenty of time. HaHa and I who should know better had a very nice dose of sunburn. No hat or sunscreen and I'm red as a beet.

It would be an absolutely lovely place to book a cottage and just chill out for a week or so.

I had booked a mystery tour with a local operator and he was fully booked for Wed so had to make it Thursday. This left Wednesday a very good day to head down to Lands End. I got the local bus down, it takes about an hour and yuk. It is like a big theme park type thing, very touristy and expensive. The busses are an hour apart, so I did a quick walk around and eagerly awaited the next bus back. I could have gone on to visit St Ives but I was feeling pretty lethargic, I think the sun and sunburn from yesterday knocked me around. I went back into town, had some lunch and went back to my room for a lie down. Ah yes and sunburn on the sunburn. I am really going to have to get a hat.

Thursday brought yet another lovely day and Harry came to pick me up at 9.30. There was a Calfornian mum and her son and a German couple. All lovely people. Harry is a local Cornishman and his plan is no plan for the tours. My sort of person. He loves to tell tall tales and poor jokes as he rambles through the countryside and takes you to the off beat and off the beaten track places. We visited old stone circles, a celtic wishing well .. and yes I made a wish .. you had to dip cloth , well a tissue had to do, into the water, rub it over your face, make a wish and tie the cloth onto the tree hanging over the water. This has been going on since time immortal, something like the 850's, an old uncovered burial mound, old disused tin mines, a lovely pub lunch and then a sit and yak on stunning cliffs overlooking the ocean.

I got Harry to drop me off in town. I havent done any washing on this trip and my clothes were getting a 'little ripe' shall we say. Now I had two choices, spend the rest of the afternoon down the laundromat or buy some new stuff. No points for guessing which one I chose. I came back to my room, had a shower and changed. I tell you, I felt pretty damn glamorous in my new tshirt and zip up jumper, oh and the sunburn on the sunburn on the sunburn. My forehead is pretty sore .. yes, I really am going to get a hat and sunscreen. It seems absolutely silly to be carting around my wool jacket, gloves, beanie and cashmere scarf and yet a week ago I couldn't go outside without them.

After the Shetlands and now Cornwall I am really starting to relax and can feel all the tension of the last few months just disappear. Every night here I just went and sat down at the esplanade and just watched the world go by and my mind was a wonderful blank. Them there is magic in these Celtic places and a wonderful magic it is too.

Its back to London on Friday for Kev's Birthday Bash. I'm really looking forward to it. All this country air and relaxing has had me in bed early most nights, which has been excellent, but a good all nighter sounds like fun.

PS. I am having heaps of problems getting all the pics in .. they are in my main album which is linked from here. Will try again another day

The Deep Cornwall Experience remains copyright of the author towander, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

The Couchsurfing weekend over, I headed down to Cornwall to stay with Sam, who I met online.

Sam lives in a village called Calstock which is just over the Cornish border, so it was a lovely train trip down to Devon and then it should have been a short train trip from Plymouth to Calstock, but unfortunately the train was running late and I missed my connection.

I have to love the system here, because I booked an end to end journey and it was their 'fault', they put me in a taxi from Plymouth to Calstock without a blink of the eye. Being that it was a 30 min taxi ride, I assume the taxi fare cost a hell of a lot more than the £29 I paid for the entire journey. Who am I to complain :-)

So, back to the story, I arrived in Calstock eventually and Sam picked me up from the station and took me back to his place. Its a beautiful cottage at the top of the town where he lives with his mum. The first night was pretty quiet and more of a swapping stories, getting to know each other night.

On the Thursday I did some wandering. I headed to downtown Calstock which took about 5 minutes to see and then headed towards a beautiful National Trust estate a couple of miles from Calstock called Cotehele. The walk to Cotehele took me about an hour, why is everything uphill here ??? ... LOL, it was an absolutely stunning walk though and the house was magnificent. If anyone is interested in some blurb this link gives a pretty good description http://www.cornwall-calling.co.uk/national-trust/cotehele.htm

Its a huge estate and I had to stop in the barn which has been fitted out as a restaurant and partake of a yummy Cornish Tea, scones with jam and cornish clotted cream. Considering I had just walked about 2 miles (yes miles people, km just don't cut it over here) .. I figured I deserved it.

From here I headed over to the mill where they still make organic stoneground flour, and yes the scones where made from the very same flour. More walking and down to the Cotehele Quay. Time for lunch and sit down with a nice Cornish pastie.

Once I had a break I headed back to Calstock and then the biggest challenge of all, the hill home from the village. This thing is 1 mile long and pretty much straight up !! ... OMG I huffed and I puffed, I think I can, I think I can ... just near the top was a little grassed area .. I hit that grass, red as a beet and took about 10 minutes to get my breath back. All up that hill took me about 25 minutes to get up. Its going to be my test, before I leave England I have to walk up there again and see how long it takes me and how much puffing I do.

I got in and had to shower as we where heading off to the village for a classical acoustic guitar recital. It was in the arts centre there which is a converted church. Again it was stunning, do you ever get used to all these beautiful sights, I hope not. The guitarist, Alison Smith is fairly renowned in classical circles and I have to say I really enjoyed it. Her playing was passionate and she obviously loves what she does.

I decided Friday should be a minimal hill day and got the bus into Tavistock, which technically is in Devon. It was a lovely town and they have a markets there. I wandered around and enjoyed a more laid back day.
On Friday night Sam and his girlfriend Kate took me into Plymouth for a bit of a looksee. We walked around the Barbican area, which is the old wharf area, and dropped into one of the locals in full swing on a Friday night. It was so funny, there was a band playing 80's stuff, it was hot and smoky (the no smoking laws dont come in here till the end of this month) .. and pretty much reminded me of that horrible over 30's pick up joint in Northbridge .. we stayed for a drink and then , phew out into the fresh air again. Theres this great little burger place at the end of the wharf and we sat down to a burger and big mug of tea .. it was great.

It doesnt sound much but it was after 1 by the time we finished, so home to get ready for Saturday.

On Saturday morning Sam and Kate where going to look at a couple of properties as they are thinking about buying a house. It was really interesting to see whats available around here and one of them was an old church which I think would be fantastic to do up.

We got home late arvo after stopping at a few places along to way to do the tourist thing. I'm still finding it hard to believe just how wonderful and amazing the people I am meeting and how much they go out of their way to show me around and let me into their lives.

On Sat night Sam cooked a delicious dinner with lots of the ingredients out of his garden and invited one of his friends Mark along. We headed back down to the village for this interesting indie type band. As Kate and Mark werent really into that sort of music, Sam and I went over to the village hall , danced a bit to the warm up dj and watched the young uns get drunk and rowdy while the band took ages to come on. In the end we went back to the pub and by the time we got back the band was finished .. ah well .. next time ... so back to the pub for more drinking and chatting.

Sunday was a bit of a late lazy day and eventually we headed off for a bit of a hike and lunch. After all my complaining about hills, Sam chose a relatively flat walk which was so relaxing and peaceful .. except for my first brush with Stinging Nettles !!! I was walking across a little stone bridge type thing and my finger only slightly touched something and OWWWW ... I was so busy carrying on about my finger I nearly fell into the water .. now that would have been funny.

We finally got to the pub and would you believe we missed lunch by 10 minutes ... they finished cooking at 2 and wouldnt do anymore .. luckily Sam had packed last nights left overs just in case .. and it WAS just in case.

After a nice leisurely walk back to the car, we headed home, stocked up on junk food and hit the couch for a movie afternoon/evening. Sam and Kate are both Christians, so at 7 we headed over to the local parish for Evensong (Evening Prayer for those who don't know :P) .. it was a lovely service even though I was struggling to keep up with 2 books to read or sing out of .. but it was nice .. its the first time I've been to any service for goodness knows how long.

Seeing as I don't have to be back in London till this weekend I thought I would head down to Penzance which is the fartherest train station both South and West of Britian. I will get the bus down to Lands End and then I've been North, West and South .. just the East to go now.

So by the time you read this I will be in deep Cornwall territory. I have to say to those nay sayers I haven't seen anyone with 6 toes yet ... but I'll keep looking

Keep posted for the Cornwall Experience !

Calstock Village remains copyright of the author towander, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

On the Thursday night Lee invited a few of her friends along to the Lounge Bar. What a fantastic night we had. As luck should have it the bar itself was pretty dead, but I think we more than made up for noise. There where so many stories and lots and lots of laughter. My stomach was hurting we laughed so much. To everyones surprise they even had cranberry which I duly mixed with the local Shetlands vodka, not a bad drop at all.

It will be sad leaving here, I have enjoyed it so much. Lee has been such a wonderful friend, the island itself seems to draw me, but I also know I will be back. Next time I shall be a bit more organised and book a tour to see some of the many islands that make up the Shetlands. I will also try and get hold of the few Leisk documents floating around and try to track down a bit of history. A grandparent would be fantastic then I too can be a dual passport holder, but I have this vague notion it will be a great grandparent.

I started the journey back to London on Friday afternoon. What a hell of a trip it is going straight through. Overnight boat to Aberdeen, with a few hours uncomfortable kip on the floor, not to mention a few hours of 'unexpected movement' .. what an understatement, you could feel the boat flying in the air, hanging and then 'bang' as we bottomed out .. on the bright side I wasn't sick, so I think I can very safely now say I don't get seasick, back to the trip .. a walk over to the train station, train from Aberdeen to Edinburgh, bus to Edinburgh Airport, plane to Luton, bus to Baker Street and tube to Islington. The boat left Shetlands at 5 on Friday and I got back to Islington 5.30 Saturday, so virtually 24 hours straight travelling.

I showered, changed and jumped back on the tube for the CS BBQ. Its a long weekend in London and its wet, cold and blustery. I was tempted to stay in, but felt a bit better after cleaning up. The BBQ was great, so many people from all over, it truly was a league of all nations, but honestly I just wasnt with it. After a couple of hours, 2 plastic cups of wine and a hamburger I decided to call it a day and headed on home where I crashed.

Sundays event was a picnic at Regent Park, its still wet, cold and blustery, so after a walk around the park, which is absolutely gorgeous by the way, I grabbed a bite to eat, bought a couple of books and headed home to veg out.

So I am very well rested now .. drinking Starbucks ... ewww I know, but they seem to have taken over and its the closest wifi spot.

Tonights CS event is dinner and wine night so I think I shall be more than up for that one ....

Take Care all and speak to you soon

Happy Birthday to Me remains copyright of the author towander, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

So after my 'extra' night in Aberdeen we woke up bright and not early, I'm getting into this holiday mode very quickly. Stay up yakking half the night and sleep half the day. Its wonderful. This far north at this time of the year it doesn't really get dark and I love it, there is so much extra day. It makes our daylight saving look rather pathetic.

Now .. Chris asked if I would like to go shooting. OMG !! me who is petrified of guns .. but what the heck, this journey is for all things new and the opportunity was presenting itself.
After getting ready we piled into the Range Rover, people, dogs and guns .. and drove out to the place where they shoot.
It was a lovely day and we drove in the opposite direction to yesterday. We wandered around for an hour or two, up hill and down dale. There where a few shots taken but nothing hit. Ryan came over and asked if I would like a go, this was apparently a small rifle more used for beginners or kids to learn.
I was pretty nervous and he setup a target for me. After the instructions , BANG !! , being a small rifle I didn't get too much kick back AND I hit the target .. cool !

Some more walking around and later on I had another go and then Chris said to try his rifle. I have no idea what it is but its a tad more powerful. Lean forward, sight, pull trigger ... whoa .. that was some kickback. I have to say I really enjoyed it. I couldn't imagine I would like to shoot at anything living, but targets are fun. So one new first for the day, time for the next one.

We left the country with plenty of time to get home. I packed up which only took a few minutes and got dropped off at the terminal ready for the boat trip.

Up to now I have only been on boats when I can see the shore. I wasn't sure how I was going to handle the open ocean and particularly the North Sea which is not known to be calm, but was about to find out.

I got on the boat early and wandered about to get my bearings and then settled in for a long ride. The trip to the Shetlands leaves at 7pm and gets in at 7.30am. All in all it wasnt too bad. Bloody cold and windy outside, it was so funny walking down the corridors swaying away, you could tell the drunk ones, they were walking straight. I managed to grab a few hours sleep on one of the couches, you can get cabins, but at an extra 90 odd pounds for the trip I decided to forgo the luxury.

By 6am I was tired of swapping ends of the couch to change sides, my handbag pillow was getting hard, it was time to head up to the top deck to watch us come into the Shetlands. What a fantastic view, it was well worth the cold. Spot the Australian, 2 x Tshirts, Light Jacket and Red Wool Jacket, I looked like the Michelen (sp) woman having a bad hair day. We eventually docked and Lee and her flatmate Sara came down to greet me at 7.30 in the morning off the boat.

I am so blessed with the Couchsurfing hosts I've had so far. We got home and sat and yakked till 4ish in the morning. That was one hell of chat session. We got up somewhere around lunch time and had to get ready as Lee had organised for a friend of hers to take us for a drive. Shona and her daughter turned up and off we went.

The countryside was absolutely beautiful. So many hills and crofts and lochs. Its quite an experience on the single lane winding roads, lots of bends and crests with no idea if someone is on the other side. First off we went to this wonderful little gallery which had some designer kilts on display. Very creative and made from things like paper and plastic with handprinted lyrics or graphics. At roughly 1200 pounds a pop I'm not sure how quickly they will sell.

We then headed out the the most westerly part of the Island. Shona and Lee told me so much of the history and explained how things were like. Generations ago Shona's family ended up on the Shetlands because they became shipwrecked and the spot where we visited is where they landed. We stopped for a while and had a bit of a photo session. Lee has a funny one of Shona and I dancing around on the green grass singing .. the hills are alive with the sound of music ... yes silly buggers was the order of the day.

Time to head home and still lots more stories. What can I say, this is such a wonderful way to get an introduction at a such a close level. It just really doesn't get any better.

We got back and popped around to the Nepali around the corner to get dinner and whoops, Lee and I sat up till 4 again. Over the last couple of days there has been so many stories, so many laughs, so many commonalities, I feel like we have all known each other forever.

Monday was a bit of a recovery day, got the washing done, went for a walk down to Lerwick town centre and really just vegged. Some more yakking .. a bit earlier this time .. um 2ish I think. Lee is really interested in Thailand, Nepal, Vietnam, etc .. so I am trying to talk her into going in 6 months. It works perfectly. She has stuff she needs to finish which will take 6 months, my visa runs out in 6 months .. we shall see. I think it will be fantastic.

Tuesday I managed to get my self out of bed and ready by midday .. damn its a hard life. I headed off in the other direction and went for a long walk around to Westloch and had a wander around the Broch there. This was a village for the Picts from the Iron Age. Its built from stone obviously and absolutely amazing. They must have been so small. To get through any of the walkways you have to be totally crouched over.

I then headed on to walk around the coastline. It was blowing like mad so on the way there it was a struggle at times to walk against the wind and once it got behind me it was pushing me along. All up I think I walked for about 4 hours. My timing was perfect, as I headed up the last street home it started to rain and I just made it in. It took me a couple of hours to thaw out and now I'm busy typing this up.

I am just loving it here. Such fantastic company but more than that I really feel peaceful and calm. Its one of those things that you don't realise how long you haven't until you do. As I came into the Shetlands on the boat it just felt like I was home and its getting stronger. Its fairly isolated and I know I couldn't live here permanently, but I have no doubts I will be back.

Wednesday was yet another veg day and sitting around talking till goodness knows when. I just feel so comfortable and peaceful in Lee's house its hard to move. My bodyclock just thinks its always day, its amazing how quickly time goes when you don't have night per se.

On Thursday we are heading to one of the pubs as its the night the local musicians have a bit of a jam night. Lee is inviting a few friends and I can also cry in my vodka over yet another year passing. Where the hell do they go !!!! .. despite that, it feels like a good place to spend my birthday.

This is turning into war and peace, I shall bid farewell to all for now and update soon.

The Shetlands remains copyright of the author towander, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

I got into Aberdeen and messaged Chris who is my first couchsurfing host. He has set the bar very high. He picked me up from the station and took me to his place. Its the most gorgeous cottage in an old fishing village on the sea.

Chris, Ryan, Russell and the two dogs Milo and Max have been so welcoming and generous.

After I settled in and dropped my bags off, it was up to the main street for a bit of a wander and I also bought myself a couple of jumpers.
We headed home for a dinner of Chinese and a bottle or three of wine.
Lots of chatting, watched the English version of The Apprentice and partook of the couch.

Today we went for a run out the to west of Aberdeen. Again absolutely stunning countryside. We stopped in at Glenbruchet Castle, not huge, but very interesting. It always amazes me how the built these castles so long ago and even more so how they lived in them.

It was a bit of a rush home as I had to get the ferry at 6.30. On the way home we passed the dock and strange, strange .. no ferry was there. I'm starting to panic thinking I had the wrong time but we where home in a couple of minutes. I run in and check my email ... no no I had the right time ... whoops !! Chris points out I had the wrong day .. my booking is for tomorrow .. doh !
Cue blonde moment and embarrassment as I ask to borrow the couch for another night.

Ah well, thats life. I don't know how I got it wrong and I feel like a complete dill, but at least now I will double check dates with days

Ode to Aberdeen remains copyright of the author towander, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

On Saturday Kev messaged ( I got myself an el cheapo local phone) and asked if I would like to go to a party they had been invited to at a private club. Of course I did !!! ... lol so after a shoe crisis, the words private club made me think posh and I know I live in my Docs but I really thought they might not be appropriate, which resulted in moi buying a nice pair of leather boots, with heels ... I was all set to go.

The tube station near me was shut down for the weekend for maintenance, nothing new there .. just like being home, so I finally worked out the buses and got to Kings Cross to jump on the tube to meet Kev and Edwin. After much walking around we finally found the club, which was really more of a nightclub, so I could have damn well worn the Doc's ... but it was entry only by being on 'the list'. It was a friend of Kev's birthday and we had a wonderful night. I'm not sure what time we left but more walking to find the night bus and by now my feet where absolutely killing me. Lots of whinging later it was boots off and I walked the rest of the way in my stockings ... the first bus took us into the city and from there we had to get another bus out to Kev's and Eddies .. they kindly offered to let me crash as I knew there was no way I was going to find my way home. I do know that by the time we got home it was sometime after 4, so it was Macca's and sleep.

Once we woke up, we drove over to my place so I could shower and change and then it was off to the V&A to see the Kylie exhibition. I think most of you know I'm not much of a Kylie fan, but it was interesting. Exhibition done, toddle down the road and a nice lunch was had in Kensington and then home to pack.

I set my alarm for bright and early Monday morning to head off to Scotland !!
I wasnt sure about the tube and didnt want to be late so got a cab. I was booked on the 8am bus to head out to Luton and managed to make it for the 7am bus :-) ... <insert lots of boring airport stuff here> and Edinburgh here I come.

I got in and grabbed a bus into town. My couchsurfing for Edinburgh fell through, so I dropped into the tourist centre and booked a place. What a gorgeous one it is too. I'm on Royal Terrace which used to be very posh .. but what a lovely city.

The first impressions of Edinburgh are green and old. Everywhere you look there are heritage listed buildings, lots of parks and green, green, green. It is surrounded by hills and the Edinburgh Castle sits above the town looking down. It is truly impressive and majestic. For us Aussies this is like going back in time. I walked down to my hotel with backpack .. which fits really well by the way .. and UP the hill .. one thing I have learnt about the UK, the cities of stairs is that they always put the single rooms on the TOP floors .. 5 flights of stairs later I'm just a tad breathless, but I made it ... at this rate my fitness level is going to rise pretty damn quickly.

View from my hotel window

After I recovered from the stairs, settled in, I went for a wander. On the way home, just above my hotel is Carlton Hill which has a beautiful view over the city .. and for some unknown reason I decided to walk up it .. OMG !! I had to stop a couple of times on the way, but it was well and truly worth it. The view was magnificent.

View of Leith and Edinburgh from Carlton Hill

I had a nice slow start to Tues, not the least because everything hurt .. my feet have been dying anyway, but the hill got to my hips and knees .. poor old woman that I am. I did the tourist bus thing which is a good way to get a general look around. Edinburgh turned on a beautiful day, no rain, sunny and perfect for looking around.

As its so cold I've been living in my Doc's, my feet and knees where really starting to feel it, so yes, I did it .. I stopped in at Boots and got some of those slip in Orthotic things .. but phew .. they are great .. what a difference.

After sorting out the feet I got off at the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens, I can't even begin to describe how truly beautiful they are. Acres and acres of green. Trees, shrubs, flowers from all over the world, its a little slice of heaven. I visited the glasshouses, which are huge with all types of environments. LOL I didnt want to leave the tropical ones, it was nice to feel hot again.

I ventured out down the road for dinner tonight to a Nepalese restaurant, damn I miss that food. I had Dal Bhaat and laughed that it would be strange eating it with a knife and fork .. the guys there said oh oh, but you can eat it properly, so I did. It truly is the only way to eat Dal Bhaat .. mix it all up with the fingers and ho in. I thoroughly enjoyed it washed down with a glass of house red ..

Its up early tomorrow and I'm on the train to Aberdeen. I have a very kind Couchsurfer to stay with, I say this because I only messaged last night and he said no problems and is even going to pick me up from the train if he can. The next day I'm off to the Shetlands .. I can't wait .. Lee (my Lerwick Couchsurfer) has been absolutely wonderful. She is meeting me at the boat at 7.30 in the morning ... I am truly amazed at how generous people are along the way ... Stay tuned and keep the home fires burning

The Search for the Kilt remains copyright of the author towander, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

The first day I really just crashed. It was either stay awake until local bedtime or sleep through to local wakeup time. Must be old age catching up with me because for a change I did the sleep through.

I have to say, I did wake up on the Wednesday feeling pretty damn good. I put all that energy to work and again wandered around all day. After 2 years of a fairly indulgent lifestyle all this walking is knocking me out. Its early nights so far and boy am I sleeping well. Did I also mention that I forgot that London is the city of stairs .. so many friggin stairs .. yes I know, its good for me !!

Before I left Pete mentioned a book he had just read and thought I would like, I keep forgetting to write the name down but knew it was something about wind in the title and the author had a Spanish name. While I was out wandering I stopped in at a bookshop to pick up a London guide and amongst the thousands of books there something caught my eye as I was walking past .. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. Sometimes you just have to wonder about the way things happen, so book in hand I toddled off to Hyde Park, grabbed a bite and got totally immersed. Thanks Pete, it was a cracker and I couldnt put it down. I had to keep going until I finished it .. I never know if thats a good thing or a bad thing .. you are dying to get to the end to see what happens but then it goes so quick.

On Thursday I decided to do the tourist bus thing. I did it last time as well, but it was a good refresher. Its still cold and raining so I couldnt be bothered hopping off to look at anything. I am so so glad that I decided at the last minute to throw in my red wool jacket and the ever trusty Doc's are proving to be even better in this weather.

I phoned few people that I needed to catch up with on Thursday and one of them is a friend of my sisters who came over on Thursday night. We popped up the road to one of the locals for a wine or 3 (Chilean red, not too bad) and a bite to eat. It turns out he is in the building game here and has a flat in Islington that he is not really using yet. Its in an old warehouse that will eventually be units. He has been absolutely wonderful and offered me use of the place till I sort out what I'm doing.

Friday I checked out early and got myself a day ticket on the tube. I had to head down to the Mac place in Regent Street to get a new battery for my baby .. I have walked that far before, but decided I better start getting used to the tube again so did a bit of hopping around between the lines to get there. After that I did a recon mission to Islington to see how hard/easy it was going to be to get my bags here. I decided to get the tube back to Edgeware Rd and black cabbed it back here with my stuff.

I can't believe how fantastic this place is, I am right next to one of the main roads with a huge cafe strip, lots of shops, a Walkabout pub (Aussie themed pubs they have here) ... not that I'm sure I want to go but no doubt my curiosity will get the better of me and the tube station a couple of minutes walk away. I'm also not far from Camden and the big weekend markets. I can see lots of exploring coming up.

Even though its Friday night, I'm buggered .. so I caught up with my washing, went and got Indian takeaway and a bottle Grant Burge and am now firmly ensconsed in bed with my Hello Kitty flannelette jammies .. haha I bet THAT is an image very Bridget Jones ..

On Sunday I will be catching up with Kev and Eddie and I have been told that as an Aussie I have a DUTY to see the Kylie exhibition .. so Kylie here we come and I'm sure there will be other 'sights' along the way :-) I will have to get back on Sun night and get ready to head off to Scotland on Monday morning .. I don't know what it is about Scotland but I just have this feeling it will be really significant to me .. not long till I find out.

Thanks be to wonderful people along the way remains copyright of the author towander, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

Its 1pm Tuesday afternoon and I'm lying in my hotel bed typing this up in textedit.
I really wanted to keep going until a more normal bedtime here but I was absolutely shattered.

I got in at 5am this morning, baggage and customs was straight through .. oh that gold priority baggage is a blessing, got the Heathrow Express to Paddington and was at my hotel before 7am.

Unfortunately check-in isn't until 2, so I had to wander around until my room was ready.

I was sooo tired, I had been in the same clothes for over 30 hours, all I wanted was a shower and a rest. My hotel is near Marble Arch, so I re-aquainted myself with Oxford St, Regent St, Leicester Square, Carnaby Street , virtually a huge backtracking circle that I'm so good at. I managed to down 2 huge coffee's to try and keep me going.

London turned on a cold, blustery day and I only had on a summer top with a light little cardy. My good red wool coat was in my luggage, but on the bright side I think freezing my butt off was the only thing that kept me awake.

By midday I'm sure I looked like some sort of zombie tramping around, I just sort of leaned myself forward and used the momentum to keep going. I knew I was getting real tired as I kept tripping on the pavement, I was waiting to end up face first in it at some point .. thank goodness I didn't.

I decided to trudge back to my hotel to see if by some miracle the room might be ready. Someone was on my side because the miracle occurred !!! So now I am showered, have a cuppa and am lying in bed :-)

Despite how crappy I feel, its absolutely wonderful to be back in London and I'm really looking forward to spending some quality time here.

Watch out London remains copyright of the author towander, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

I really struggle with that last bit of things, but its done. Stuff is packed for storage, addresses changed, clothes and essentials are packed, alarm is set and I will be off bright and early in the morning.

This leaving has been very low key and I'm more than ready to be getting on that plane tomorrow.

I have caught up with all the people I love, goodbyes are done .. well there will be the last goodbye with the boys tomorrow but thats to be expected.

On that note I shall also keep my last post from Perth low-key, short and sweet.

Goodbye Perth and I will write when I get to London.

Up Up and Away remains copyright of the author towander, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

Its a travellers dream. Their words are so much better than mine, so I shall quote from the website.

CouchSurfing seeks to internationally network people and places, create educational exchanges, raise collective consciousness, spread tolerance and facilitate cultural understanding.

As a community we strive to do our individual and collective parts to create world a better place, and we believe that the surfing of couches is a mean to accomplish this goal.

CouchSurfing is not about the furniture, not just about finding free accommodations around the world; it's about making connections worldwide. We make the world a better place by opening our homes, our hearts, and our lives. We open our minds and welcome the knowledge that cultural exchange makes available. We create deep and meaningful connections that cross oceans, continents and cultures. CouchSurfing wants to change not only the way we travel, but how we relate to the world!

I have already found wonderful people to host me and show me around Edinburgh and Lerwick (Shetland Islands) and suprise suprise they are having a huge 3 day gathering from all over in London the day I get back from Scotland.

I would love to encourage any of you reading this to check out the website http://www.couchsurfing.com and get involved if it appeals to you.

On the home front, I am 95% ready to roll .. despite my procrastinatic (lol is that a word) ways and counting sleeps ..

4 Sleeps to go !!!!!

CouchSurfing remains copyright of the author towander, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

I have to say despite all the fun that we've had on this project, I have been incredibly blessed twice.
Having moved across 2 teams, each time my managers have been absolutely wonderful. Nigel and Aaron, if you ever read this, Thankyou :-)
Besides just being truly wonderful people, they both trust you to do the job they are paying you for and let you get on with it.
My co-workers in both teams, what can I say ... we have all been so diverse, yet have that same vision to pull together and get things done, with a sense of humour and fun. It really has been a fantastic journey and I have learnt so much from these people on both a professional and personal level.

Heres a little peek .. unfortunately it looks like I cant embed slideshows in here, so it will have to be a link.
Disclaimer: That flash was brutal, yeah thats why I look so bad

http://www.slide.com/r/yIzDkGO2xD_J0ZrBN4KiYGaZV0AbOX9S?view=original

Now for a reality check, yes I have a million and one things to do this week and I am in diversionary plus mode. Started trying to pack yesterday and so far I have managed to make huge piles of stuff all over the place without actually achieving much.

w000t !! I am now officially unemployed remains copyright of the author towander, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

I just might get the hang of this travelling light thing yet.

For anyone that travels a lot, I recommend you have a read and give it a whirl.

I'm Amazed remains copyright of the author towander, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

I have booked flights to Scotland and planned a quick journey around the countryside.

This is what the plan looks like at the moment, but somehow I get this feeling I am going to spend all my time in the Shetlands and have to return another day.

The UK2OZ group is having a get together on the 27th May in Wimbledon and I can't miss that, hence the rather hectic timeframes.

You young'uns reading should really get your butts out there. The whole industry is geared towards the under 30's. Once you reach the ripe old age of 26 you are no longer eligible for cheap Rail Passes. It seems that over 26 you only want (read have) to travel 1st class which puts the prices way up there.
Rock on Easyjet. Because I have booked so far ahead, the fare from London to Edinburgh is .. tada .. wait .. yes just under 3 pound. Add taxes and its still under 40 pounds for return airfare, taxes and bus fare to / from London to the Airport. How ridiculously wonderful is that !!!!!!

I have also been reading up on travelling light. As anyone that knows me knows, it is not a skill I am even remotely close to achieving. I am really serious in learning how to do this, I am so tired of carting around a tonne of junk that in reality I never use.
I found this fantastic website which is putting me on the right track (http://www.onebag.com/) and I am going to follow as best as I can.
I went out and tried on backpacks today, not that we have a great selection in Perth, and found a nice one from Mainpeak which fits within the carry on baggage limits and also fits me nicely. Being very short between the hips and the shoulders makes fitting a pack extremely frustrating, so I'm glad I found such a comfortable one here.

I keep looking at it and shaking my head, I don't know how I'm going to do it, but I am determined that I WILL do it ....

To put some perspective on it, here is a shot of the new bag (blue) vs my usual bag for 2 - 3 day trips .. oh boy !!!

While I'm at it I will also put up this shot I took yesterday. I was sitting outside getting some fresh air as usual .. haha ... and decided to take a shot of the view for posterity. I couldn't believe it when I downloaded the pic, the cloud formation just made the shot.

Of Scotland and Backpacks remains copyright of the author towander, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

I thought I would roughly chronicle the destinations so far.
Quite a few of the Aussie cities I have been to more than once, but for this exercise I tried to get the rough dates for the first time I went.

I am suprised at how far I've come and yet when I look at the map all I can see is how far I still want to go ... no pleasing some people !!

All in all, considering I only started travelling in 2004, not a bad effort.

Before We Get Started remains copyright of the author towander, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs