LOVEDAYS

Geoff and Emily have continuing problems with the Bus bug. Drugs and lots of rest have been required. Emily is still worse for wear. The Paris Duty Free Shop has agreed to refund our payment for the alcohol but has not transferred the euros as yet !?!?... read more

Had 6 hours sleep at the Ambassador Transit Hotel within the airport. We took a 2.5 hour free tour of the cultural highlights of Singapore - temples, the Grand Prix, the business area, the Chinese quarter, the Indian quarter - impressive !!!! Clean, compact and vibrant city on a island measuring 20km by 80km. Our Chinese tour guide was the queen of dry humour but he did put us on to a great Chinese food court in the Basement of the airport. Stopover completed then came the SHOCK,HORROR -in the security check before our last leg back to Brisbane, Singapore Customs confiscate our alcohol. The alcohol was still sealed and within the alcohol limits and was never out of the secured area of the airport ????. The officer showed us the ruling by the Australian Department ... read more

The cold/flu infection from our bus tour mates has caught up on us - drained, running noses and persistent cough. We decided to use our local metro passes instead of travelling to Versailles with queues and possible thunderstorms. First, we went to the Bastille but found a disappointing column not a prison of the French Revolution- maybe a little more research required here. Next, the beautiful Sacre Coeur church and the Art Markets of Montmartre - true Paris. We rested at a sidewalk cafe and watched the 5 minute portrait and silhouette artists apply their trade. Emily was not impressed with the coffee but the German beer was great. Next, the Moulin Rouge - a bit shabby in the daytime and in an area a bit like King's Cross. We met a school group from St ... read more

Dragged our bags to Pancras station to catch the Eurostar to Paris. 2.5 hours to Paris. Caught a taxi to Hotel Duminy Vendome. Great location just a block from the Ritz and 500m to Le Louvre (Is that male or female ????) Beautiful sunny 25C afternoon to explore the Louvre - half hour wait line, a ten deep scrum for the Mona Lisa, huge and I mean huge paintings, Venus de Milo and most of Egypt's treasures. Then off to Notre Dame - impressive but could not find a hunch back anywhere. Had a Quiche Lorraine and a glazed Strawberry pastry for tea.... read more

Visited remnants of Sherwood Forest and I mean remnants - the bus sang "Robin Hood, Robin Hood, riding through the glen....... Visited a very pleasant Stratford on Avon - Shakespeare's birthhouse, his church crypt, Anne Hathaway's house, the maul, the picturesque Avon River with the house barges. Had cream tea (scones with berry jam and clotted cream at Broadway in the Cotswolds. Visited picturesque village of Chipping Campden for photographic opportunities. Saw Coventry Cathedral which was bombed in WWII, then new Cathederal which was built beside it. Went to town square to see Lady Godiva with the Peeping Tom clock tower.... read more