NZ4ME

Dordogne (Or just on the edge, we're really in Charente - Villabois Lavalette) 25th October - 1st November We leave Najac by 9.00am and drive to Limoges to pick-up Ian Binks, our friend from the UK, who is flying in on Ryan Air. The flight is 15 minutes late and as soon as he comes through, we immediately leave for Villabois Lavalette arriving at around 2.45pm. As we approach the town it is very reminiscent of a Petit Carcassonne with a walled chateau sitting on a hill. The house we are staying in is big and a work in progress, bedrooms sorted, the afternoon is spent catching-up. In the evening, it's dinner at the the restaurant in town that has been highly recommended “Le Lavalette”. It's a winner, and our three course meal is accompanied by ... read more

Spainis an instrumental composition by jazz pianist and composer Chick Corea. It is probably Corea's most prominent piece, and some would consider it a modern jazz standard (Wikipedia) It's also, one of my favorite jazz compositions. And, with this in mind, we head South! Saturday, September 29th, 2012 – Wednesday, 17th September, 2012 It's an early rise and on the road from Lourmarin, France to Girona, Spain. It's pissing down for most of the trip, especially so on the last leg, from Perpignan to Girona. So scary, driving in heavy rain next to the enormous trucks that are all over Europe’s highways. We're booked into a hotel, the Girona Melia, about 25 minute walk from the old town. Our dinner on the first night is at a Mexican Restaurant, we've researched it in Trip Advisor and ... read more

Saturday, 8thSeptember Our friend, Ian Binks drives us to Luton Station to enable us to catch a train to London and connect with the 8.50am Eurostar to Paris. It's a breeze and Eurostar is in Paris at 12.15, then the Metro to a station around the corner from our hotel in the 11th arrondissement. The hotel is close the Bastille and we quickly settle in, walk around the immediate area, and have a meal. I mention this because, I select a charcuterie from the menu and must say it was amazing; a cornucopia of meats and cheeses. In the evening we have tickets to the Paris Opera, Richard Strauss, Capriccio. The seats are in the Premier Loge and have a pretty good view of the stage. However, we are directly behind a fussy little man that ... read more

Thursday, August 23, 2012 Arrival in London on time and the correct day. Unlike the last time I flew from Bangkok with Harrison and somehow managed to miss the plane, arriving a day late. Our friend, Ian (Wheels) was waiting to Whisk us to Woking. On getting to Casa Wheeler, we are treated to a wonderful dinner and along with a few glasses of wine it makes for an evening of memories and catch-up. Unfortunately, both I and Caroline are wasted and I hit the rack earlier than we should and I for one am awake at 5.00am. On getting up, the table is set and there are lots of goodies for breakfast. I'd like to give this place **** and recommend it to all of my friends! Wheels has a free day and we drive ... read more

It's been a 18 months since since I last published a travel blog. The date is Wednesday, May 1st, 2012 and time to head to Fiji. I think, my wife, Caroline is looking forward to having me out of the house and her hair for a month. My ticket to Fiji is with Air New Zealand and I 'm going to take the opportunity to say that I'm not impressed with their do-it-yourself approach to short-haul travel. For small hops, Air New Zealand has adopted the Ryan Air model and it's cafeteria style, luggage, food, movie , all cost extra, or you can purchase the “works” when you book,. However, if you opt for the cheapest option and want to by a snack on-board, it must be purchased with a credit card. Ugh! Enough bitching about ... read more