2nd – 21stNovember 2014 This was a short three week hop over to Spain, to check the house (it’s been nearly 18mths since we were last here!), catch up with old friends and do some walking. We got some friends to book us on the Field Club walks, as they would have been fully booked had we waited until we arrived.! Which begs the question - maybe there should be more walks, but there always appears to be a shortage of people to lead and organise them. We are always happy to lead walks but the walk programmes are done at least 6 months in advance, so difficult for us to say exactly when we will be here....... The house was fine on arrival – just a bit musty! A few minor repairs needed on the ... read more

Sun 15thSept Peschiera, Lake Garda to Menaggio, Lake Como 108miles No thunderstorm but it was hazy cloud the next morning and a bit brighter so drove in early to Sirmione which is a peninsula that juts out 4km into Lake Garda. Greeted by an impressive turreted C13th castle and moat, and then walked out to the end of the peninsula, past the hot bubbling sulphur springs in the lake. The peninsula used to be a Roman settlement, set within ancient olive groves and Cyprus trees so it made a very pleasant stroll around! Massive queue of cars trying to get to the head of the peninsula as we were leaving so I’m glad we went early! By now it had clouded over and rain was threatening so we got onto the A4-E70 motorway until Bergamo and ... read more

MOUNTAINS! Austria, Germany and Slovenia Sat 7th Sept Innsbruck to Berchtesgaden 110 miles Heard the church bells chime at 5.00am, then loads of church bells at 6.00am, then cow bells from the cows along the lane at 7.00am so gave up and got up!! A beautiful morning after the heavy thunderstorm we had yesterday evening. After breakfast, opened my Birthday cards and presents including special nail varnish, earings and a kitch musical snow globe of Neuschwanstein Castle .......mmmmm. We carried along the valley on the B171 to Worgl. Such beautiful scenery with mountains both sides, huge massive peaks in the distance and lovely wooden chalet type homes and hotels with masses of coloured geraniums and petunias! Turned on to the 178 towards St Johann, steadily climbing all the time. Chris thought that the brakes felt a ... read more

Monday 2ndSept Cologne to Pommern, Mosel Valley 96 miles RHINE & MOSELLE VALLEY Left the campsite at 9.15am and drove via Bruhl, Wesseling and Bonn (all very built up and quite horrible drive with a congloberation of motorways!!) and eventually got to Konigswinter, which in comparison was surprisingly quite pretty! Found the cog train comparatively easily, considering the lack of signs and paid the 10 euros for the return journey to the ruins of Kongswinter castle. Fantastic views of the Upper Rhine although still a little hazy in the distance. Not much of the old ruined castle left but still good to see! Drove through Linz and had our lunch stop at Bad Honnigen which also proved to be a pretty little village that went right down to the waters edge. Lots of old half timbered ... read more

31st May 2013 – 7thJune 2013 This is not our usual sort of trip and as it’s all organised I’m not sure there will be too much to write about but we are off on a P & O Cruise to Norway on Oceana for 7 nights! It’s our first trip away for quite a while and I’m quite excited, and just thankful to be able to get away at long last! We haven’t ever been on a cruise before and have never been to Norway – so a couple of ‘firsts’! Ok..............I’m quite impressed!! The journey down to Southampton was fine, finding Terminal 4, no problem, check in was amazingly efficient – you drive in, unload your luggage, a guy appears and takes your luggage away and then you just drive your car into one ... read more