Father suggested day out to see autumn colours and recommended Bodnant Gardens just south of Conwy. They are absolutely beautiful. Roses were still blooming and turning foliage of trees stunning. Intend to go back in Spring as Laburnum walk is worth seeing. After lunch in the 16th century Groes Inn visited Conwy castle and it has to be one of the better examples of a castle in its original state. Drizzle by then did not spoil visit. [View Full Entry]

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Chance to visit Windsor, Henley and Marlow with travel club parents are members of. Particularly wanted to see Windsor Castle and renovations since 1992 fire. Good autumn days out, weather kind and coach journey as good as could be considering route down M6/M40. Based in Gerrards Cross, saw fair evidence of wealth in and around areas visited. Getting well used to boat trips! No photos taken in Marlow as a chillier day and didn't hang about (but found a local chocolate maker's shop and had a lovely hot chocolate). [View Full Entry]

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Joined Heather and family for a foray into Belgium. Had been to Brussels once before in my teens (travelling down to Strasbourg on a school trip) and remember the Grand Place and the Mannekin Pis well. Visited a lot more this time, including Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp and Mechelin. The Flemish (Dutch Belgian) and Walloon (French Belgian) split is quite distinct. There was a lot going on in Brussels this particular week, including a no car day on the Sunday when we arrived (quite weird, bit like Day of the Triffids at first, until the cyclists came out). The next weekend was [View Full Entry]

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Planned at beginning to go to France with parents. My aunt decided to come too - she ended up organising the trip as she knew France quite well and wanted to drive in Europe in her sports car. With Sarlat in the Dordogne as the base we were guaranteed beautiful scenery. Dad & Mum travelled down by train and I hired a 4 seat car for the week there. Turned out we got fantastic weather the whole week in Sarlat and had a marvellous time. Canoeing down the river Dordogne for 15 km between Vitrac and Beynac was a definate highlight. [View Full Entry]

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Kindly invited to join Gill, best friend from school, and sister and their mum for a week in Menorca. Lovely apartment in resort of Son Bou which has best beach in Menorca. Flew from Blackpool - very laid back compared to Manchester airport! Managed to hire a car for a day, which was no mean feat due to cut backs in car availability this summer. Discovered it is an easy island to get about. Beautiful coves and plenty nice wee esorts. A relaxing week including some hilarious games of knockout whist, fuelled by wine! The karate suit appreciated the beach (and [View Full Entry]

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Wanted to visit Italy and this opportunity couldn be missed - base in Bergamo to visit Italian lakes and Venice. Turned out managed to see Verona too. Got about on Regionale local and Trenitalia intercity trains. Everything I hoped - beautiful country and city landscapes, amazing architecture and art, (and of course perfect food). Bergamo is a great small city with such an interesting split between modern and old towns, connected by road and steep funicular rail. Found local Bergamo fare on the Saturday night and drank a great Lombardy cabernet from a jug in a mug! Totally no understand [View Full Entry]

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Found this in paper - ideal outing with parents. Coach trip to see the Falkirk Wheel, ride on The Waverley paddle steamer on the Clyde, the Jacobite Lord of the Isles steam engine pulling the train between Fort William - Mallaig and the Sir Walter Scott steam boat on Loch Katrine. Perfect viewing weather. Fawlty Towers base at Arrachar Hotel on Loch Long (sadly in amongst RAF mountain rescue clearing debris from that awful jet tragedy). Food was fine though. DJ on Wednesday night never got past the 1950s. Several ail biting coach rides along loch roads. V interesting and hilarious [View Full Entry]

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30 June to 4 July 09. What a city! Got deal on Monarch flight from Manc and good hotel just by harbour/La Rambla. Everything lived up to expectations - Barcelona is interesting, easy to get about and bonus of great weather. Goudi architecture has to be the highlight, which comes as no surprise to anyone who has ever visited the city. Did attempt to see most of other sightseeing venues following mandatory city open top bus tour, with help of four day bus/metro/train/tram ticket. Food will always be high on list of priorities - ate authentic Barca tapas, Gazpacho, tuna paella [View Full Entry]

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Well - Iceland is amazing! Had a great time - the horseriding was brilliant, and as expected, proved to be a wonderful way to see this bit of the island. My backside did suffer but it was worth it! The horses are real characters and the experience of ‘Tolting’ (their famous gait) across wonderful landscapes and riding through fast flowing rivers will never be forgotten (if not a tad scary at times)! Good mix of a Dane, Swedes, Germans, Icelanders, myself and one other English lady Liz in group on tour. Liz was fine company in Reykjavik too. Seigrun, the wife [View Full Entry]

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Got some fancy over the knee length biking pants that have superb 'protection' today. Fit fine under jodphurs. Not cheap but worth every penny I suspect! Starting to believe it is all happening. Browsing in Borders read up on some things to do and see in Reykjavik. If weather kind should be amazing. [View Full Entry]

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