Week 12 (Dublin to Zurich)

Dublin airport lounge was ordinary but the flight to Zurich was good.  It just goes to show how poor the Lufthansa service was.  We were welcomed on board and given pre-flight drinks (water). My, haven’t we become fussy!  We got a full meal (lunch) that was very good, with drinks, and then we were given Swiss chocolates as we left the plane.  As we were flying with Margot and Shaun we got to find out what cattle class got - not much, but they did get the chocolates as they left the plane.

The flight itself began in cloud, but that began to clear as we crossed England.  Flying over Europe I had a good view of a river and saw many locks, interesting locations, and some sort of motor sports complex with multiple tracks.  That evening I did a Google Maps search to see what and where the motor sports complex was and after quite a while discovered that the river I had seen was the Seine and the complex was the Renault testing grounds which appear to be for Renault use only.  Who cares! Pete of Course!!  Particularly when I can get the window seat anyway and he puts his head in the way!!! For those playing along at home, the complex is at Aubevoye in France. and the best view is with the satellite view.

We stayed in an apartment about 5km from the centre of Zurich in a suburb called Oerlikon.  On one of my first walks I discovered a tower in a park, just for climbing.  Google helped me here - it is called Oerlikon Park Turm, or Oerlikon Tower which is 35mtrs high with 216 steps.  How could you not climb it?  I didn’t count the steps as I was too dizzy going round and round in circles (eight loops in all) on the way up and back.  Yes, boring as usual to watch from the ground, but it keeps him happy and out of mischief.

One of our day trips was a train to Rigi where we spent the day exploring the mountains/alps around it.  I have seen many pictures and videos of the alps, but none really do the scenery justice.  We went up to Rigi Klum which had 360 views of the alps and three lakes around it being Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug and Lake Lauerz.  The final part of the trip up the mountain was on a cog wheeled train.  I did a bit of walking while up there, as Denise and Margot said Shaun and I needed to walk to the top from the second last stop before the top.  Well that raised a sweat, but I needed a jumper on once I got to the top and stopped walking.  We also walked to the top of another peak then back to the train.  We then went down to a gondola that went up another mountain, Rigi Scheidegg.  When we got to the bottom of the gondola, the girls decided we were walking back to town.  All up, a great day with lots of exercise, something I have missed being trapped in a car driving around the UK and Ireland.  Trapped!  We let him out of the car and the wind whips his beanie off and comes back wet.  Yes, trapped for a reason!

At one stage on top of Rigi Klum I was checking out the mountains on a sign and discovered we could see the Matterhorn, but it didn’t look like the Matterhorn.  After consulting Google to find out where the Matterhorn was, Google said the it was over 100kms away, and as the mountain I was looking at was way closer than 100kms, I rechecked the sign and discovered it was Matthorn.  Missed by a few letters, and in fact it is only about 15kms away from where we were.

The ski slopes here look good, but I assume it is expensive to ski with tickets, flights, accommodation and food to think about.

Zurich, and Switzerland in general, are expensive, so as we had kitchen facilities we decided to cook meals instead of eating out.  This was a pleasant break, not only for us, but also our finances.  Salads most nights and not high carb vegetables.

EMERGENCY:  I have run out of Weetbix and couldn’t find any shops in Zurich that sold them.  I am hoping the US is educated enough to have them, or it could be a long trip.  Oh My Goodness, the sky is falling!!

Most of the time in Zurich was spent relaxing and walking places local which was great after being away for so long.  I am starting to get the hang of this travel thing (and how long has it taken) and have decided that I like scenery and experiences.  You can have your old buildings, museums and art galleries - all the things that Denise likes…so she gets to see these places while I amuse myself walking around places looking at people, looking at things.  I have taken lots of pictures and he races off for the next physical challenge.  My plan is to make photo books, so one day he may remember.

One day it was suggested we go to see the Rhine Falls, so off we went on a train.  The nice man at the train station suggested another train to the one we were going to catch at half the price.  MacBarnettstein strikes again!  The falls although not high at 23mtrs had a huge volume of water flowing down so they were worth the trip.  I was surprised at how clear the water was while we were walking downstream of the falls.  On the way back we decided to go to the end of the line to a place called Rapperswil.  It is near the other end of Lake Zurich from Zurich and has a good view of the Alps.  We were only there for about 30mins as we had to catch the train back, but it is well worth a visit, as is Rhine Falls.  Both were a bit touristy, but you can do the trips on public transport and take some lunch with you.  The trip to Rapperswil can be done by train (30mins) or ferry (2hrs).  The transport costs for the whole day were CHF26 (AUD35) each.  Another Brilliant day with the loveliest of weather.

When we got back I discovered an International Hemp Fair being held just round the corner from us.  It was booked out.  What a shame, and anyone who knows me well, that would have gone over like a lead balloon!  I don’t give a toss, remember I am that Black and White girl, no grey!

While in Switzerland we have had mainly sunny days with 20+ temperatures during many of the days.  For the first time since leaving Australia in early February I have been wearing shorts.  So we can’t be blamed for all the bad weather in the UK and Ireland.  It was just normal.

It was here we must bid farewell to Margot and Shaun who are flying back to Australia for their next expedition.  Thanks for the company and good times.  My drinking buddies are leaving me and it is time for my Liver to dry out. I am easily lead.

Zurich airport lounge!  It wins so far.  You get to chose what you want to eat and they cook it for you.  You can go outside on a balcony and watch the goings on of Zurich Airport with supplied binoculars and in the background are the Swiss Alps.  I like… Yes! So, as we sit in Zurich Lounge, Rapunzel is carrying on about me not finishing the blog and that I don’t care, blah, blah, blah and yes, the things he is carrying on about has nothing to do with world peace or where I am going to get my next Vodka but life goes on.

He likes to poke fun at me about watching the planes land and take off at the airports but as I type, he has binoculars to his eyes checking out the skies!

The flight to New York lands in to Newark where we are staying overnight before heading in to NY for a week.  Denise’s first thoughts about this trip was it would take less than three hours.  I pointed out that in fact it would take nearly nine hours as the posted times are local times.  Everyone loves that person who knows everything!  Again, making fun of me but it is something I can deal with.

Let’s pick this up in New York!

Take care everyone and stay safe.

Love, hugs, and kisses to everyone.

Me and my Action Boy

xxxxxx

I was going to finish this off tomorrow in New York, but I get this feeling that we will be a little pre-occupied with another new country and new customs - tipping comes to mind.  So I have posted this from Zurich Airport before we fly out.

Week 11 (Killarney to Dublin)

Before I get into this blog I just want each and every one of you to watch the Australian Story titled Dear Emma which was aired last week on the ABC (that’s the Australian Broadcasting Corporation).  When you have watched it please ask all your friends and relatives to watch it as well.  This woman has had a lasting impression on us both after hearing her talk several years ago prior to the second Smiddy Ride I did.

The website is http://www.abc.net.au/austory/dear-emma/9643708

The week began with a weather warning for gales and rain, but quickly turned to overcast and showers before sunshine for the last two days.  How nice was that? Sometimes I really don’t know how my husband’s mind thinks!!!  Quickly turned to overcast my eye, I’m sure I was getting wet and cold but certainly we were not put off by the weather.  I’m starting to think all the places are turning on this rainy weather just so we can come back and visit again.

From Killarney we did the Ring of Kerry which is a loop around the coast and a trip to Dingle before we headed off to Waterford via Cork, on to Waterford and then to Dublin.

The Ring of Kerry is well worth doing with the first 20kms taking us 2.5hrs due to some photographers we had on board.  I have no idea what he is carrying on about.  After that it got a little better, and we eventually made it to a place out of Dingle called Ballyferriter Village.  As soon as we arrived we decided we liked this place so much we would stay two nights.  The accommodation was at Ceann Sibeal Hotel with a very personable manager, and across the road was Murhpy’s Tigh Uí Mhurchú - a fantastic chef and great bar staff.  Both nights we were there, we walked out full of good food and Guinness.

On the second day in the area it was wet and windy.  See!  In the afternoon we drove round the Atlantic coast getting buffeted by the winds.  The sheep were having their wool visibly blown around, a gull got blown backwards on a wall, the car was rocking when we were stopped (and no nothing was happening in the car), and to top it off I got out to see what was below the road and lost my prized Wolf Blass beanie (now somewhere in the Atlantic).  It was hilarious, one minute it was on his head the next it is sailing through the air on route to the ocean.   That’s two things I have lost due to misadventure on this trip, the other being my sun glass from the top of Victory Tower in Berlin.  I wonder what else I can lose and where?  It won’t be me, even though he would like that to happen when photo stops are requested.

On the way out of Ballyferriter Village we visited the Waterworld Dive Centre and met some very knowledgeable owners of the dive centre with at least three generations of divers.  If only we had discovered them earlier, this place looks like a good place to dive.  The surfing is supposed to be good as well, but the seas were a little flat on this day.  Next it was on to Finn Mac Cool’s Seat and then on to Macroom.  The accommodation we had book at the pub over beers we later discovered had some recent poor reviews, so we were a little sceptical.  Before unpacking the car, we checked out the rooms and all was fine.  Must have been somebody with a gripe.  Apparently a local who has no idea how lucky their lives are.

From Macroom we headed to Cork and on to Waterford where we did a tour of the crystal place before heading up to Carlow.  Waterford Crystal was lovely.  It was excellent watching pieces of crystal being made.  Unfortunately, too heavy to buy as I have the bag Police carrying on.  The place we stayed in Carlow, avoid at all costs unless you can sleep with noise.  The place we stayed was Charlotte’s Room.  The noises went all night including alarms, people and the hourly church bells. I have to say; the singing was ok but the volume of the people singing at 4am, was reverberating through the place.  We didn’t see much nice about Carlow so were happy to get out, even if we were all a little tired.  There was a charming child trying to give a mouthful of lip to me, that didn’t quite go his way. Oh well!

The final day in Ireland was spent travelling to Dublin via Sally Gap where we passed many cyclists who were out for a ride in the sunshine.  I practiced taking photos with my iPhone with the cyclists, must do more practice!  When we got to Dublin we went to see the Book of Kells at Trinity College followed by a tour of the Guinness Factory, where I bought a new beanie, before heading to our final hotel stay.  The roof at Trinity College almost fell in but He who thinks is boss, seemed to take it all in.

Tomorrow it’s off to the airport before heading to Zurich for a week.  We have decided to spend the whole week in Zurich as we need a break from travelling.  So, it is now today, and I have asked that man to get sorted, absolute pain in the bum sometimes.  Sometimes he is worse than the girls ever were.

The constant driving has been enjoyable, but we need a break with some home cooked meals.  I am sick of eating out every meal.  Not only is it expensive, you tend to eat more than you really should. From Mr MacBarnettstein!  I too am sick of eating out.

Observations of Ireland

This is another cyclists heaven, if you can get good weather…

We needed four weeks instead of two, and even then, we probably wouldn’t have seen everything, but we could have stayed longer in places.

I like Guinness.

So that is us for this week!

It is goodbye from him and hugs and kisses from me

The Bee’s on Safari

Week 10 (Crawley to Killarney)

It was with a sad heart that we finally left England and Scotland.  We had such a wonderful time and caught up with so many wonderful people who opened up their hearts and homes to us.  Thank you so much for sharing your lives with us and our home is always open for a return visit.  Even if we are not there, I am sure Lisa will look after you.  We have had a wonderful time.  I must say I was more on my game by the time I arrived back in West Sussex.  The cold that Peter had so kindly given me had left in a flurry, which meant I could get up to some mischief.

The week has been one where I spent two days indoors due to a cold while Denise went exploring with my sister and her husband (Margot and Shaun) again.  I went to the Titanic museum and walked around, into and if I could manage over, that too.  Shaun and I took photos at night and during the day of the Titanic Museum (I really like this structure).  We had dinner the night before in the Titanic Hotel and it had a replica room from the Titanic.  The hotel also had a gathering for dignitaries with photographers and media and press agents and here I am thinking it was for us arriving in Belfast.. We were with them in Germany if you remember.  We are spending the next few weeks with them touring Ireland and Zurich. As you can see I have jumped into the email and not read it all! Sorry!!

So the next day we went on the Taxi mural trip around Belfast.  My goodness, what a lot I didn’t comprehended in this conflict.  The murals are a credit to the artist that did them.  The one I liked the most is the women’s quilt.  Margot and I were put in the middle between stubborn and loud.  Tick on both of these points.

Our flight to Dublin was on Ryanair and the tickets were £17 each.  The bags on the other hand cost £43, so I was wondering if we should have just booked two seats each.  The flight was on par with the Lufthansa flight to London.  To my surprise the flight attendants were selling scratchies to help Irish children.  We caught up with Margot and Shaun and hopped in the hire car and drove to Belfast.  Our accommodation was right beside the Titanic display and we ended up at the pub(Hotel) for dinner.  My first Guinness – not bad.

From Belfast we followed the Causeway Costal Route to Bushmills.  From Belfast we kept on seeing locations for Game of Thrones shoots, some of which we quite spectacular.  They were even shooting the next lot in Belfast behind were we stayed. We wandered around two habours and had a great time doing so.  The best little harbour was Ballintoy.  The area for the brother and sister in Game of Thrones.  Shaun and I took lots of photos and I thought it best not to bore you with too many photos on FB.  Also, along the way we had lunch in Cushendall.  Huge lunch for a reasonable price.

After Bushmills we continued on the Causeway Costal Route around to Londonderry were we saw the walled city, the spot where Bloody Sunday occurred and Peace Bridge.  The Bloody Sunday memorial brought back similar thoughts to what I had in Rawanda when we saw the genocide museum – very moving.  We ended up in another pub for dinner.  The morning was spent walking around the Giant’s Causeway.  Spectacular stone formations. Peter had a great time climbing all over the rocks and I took lots of photos.  The afternoon was another mural walk in Londonderry.  Just as confronting as the first.

The next morning we headed off for Doolin via Grianan Of Aileach (a stone fort just outside of Londonderry with a commanding view of the countryside, but very windy making it cold), Donegal Castle, Siya Miraya Pari (apparently where Louis Mountbatten lived before the IRA got him) point and Kilmacduagh Abbey (an old monastery from the 7^th century.  Everyone said the tower was where Rapunzel lived).  On arrival at Doonlin our host said to walk to the Cliffs of Moher now, so off we went.  Instead of paying to get in (€6 each – about $10) we walked in along the cliff line and the scenery was just amazing.  Way better that what we saw when we got to where all the tourists go.  In Donegal, Pete had to part with some money for a necklace for me and you should have seen the butterflies come out of his wallet.

The idea was to try to do the Wild Atlantic Way Route on the way to Doolin, but that would have taken way too long, particularly with people wanting to take photos every few minutes.  A lamb her, a cow there, a church somewhere else, another **** castle, or something else.  I’m sure Denise’s camera is nearly full of photos.  I have 128gig I hardly think I have got to the end yet.  Maybe by the time we get home.

Once again we ended up at the pub for dinner with Irish music this time.  Does anyone see a trend occurring?

Before dinner we went to see some more of the Atlantic and the waves were 2mtrs plus and looked rideable.  In the pub I asked if you could surf and he said only experienced surfers as it was shallow with jagged rocks.  The surf still looked good Paul…  I also asked about diving and that is something we will have to check out.  Maybe the next update.

The other author failed to do her part last night…probably one too many Guiness.  Bloody one to many Guinness’s.  Sour grapes on his part because he had to drive.

We are now in Killarney, after stopping off at Bunratty Castle.  The others were going to go in, but baulked at the €17 entry fee each (about $30).  We were going to go via Dingle, but it began raining and there were weather alerts for wind (up to 100kph) and heavy rain.  Instead we arrived early and had a nap before dinner and drinks.

So, It’s bye from us. He who wants to be boss is asleep.

Much love to all

Denise and Rapunzel (Pete)