Padubo

This was an amazing couple of days driving trough the Julian Alps to Lake Bled, then on to Kobarid. The rainy, cool day gave a somber mood to the mountain lake watched over by Castle Bled built, like all fortress in this area, on the highest, most nonpenetrable rock they could find. On the way up the wet, cobbled path from the parking lot, I couldn't help but wonder how anyone could have made it daily wearing wooden shoes on your feet and a load of food or fuel on your back. Then it hit me: was this a 'strenuous day or a 'moderate day?' If moderate, I'm in big trouble. Our driver took all around the lake shore and Sasha pointed out the fancy hotels - one was once the private retreat of Hungary's Tito ... read more

I can't say 'back home' with Ralph and Ria because they moved clear across Belgium to the German border. For those people who asked me if I was going to Germany, "I'm sorry," I didn't think I would be passing through Germany, but I've been there three times already this week because we are so close to the border. We've been so busy every day, I thought I sent this blog out four days ago. Last Friday we went to a craft fair nearby, Saturday to the three border region where Belgium, Holland and Germany meet. Sunday, Ria and I went to Aachen across the border into Germany to walk the town that claims Charlemagne. His image is everywhere, from the gold bust in the museum to the candy in the shops. The architecture is Roman, ... read more

I finally got an appointment at the Thermae Spa for a massage and a chance to bob around in their version of the Roman Baths. This was a cold, but thankfully, dry day. My good old #1 bus got me to within a couple blocks of the spa - only which blocks? Sunday mornings in Bath are pretty quite. I wandered around the same neighborhood nearly all by myself for twenty minutes ("Alone, I'm all alone. . ." I can't get Spamalot out of my head) until I stumbled on the nondescript square that housed the spa. I really expected them to give me a prize for finding the place, instead I got a rubber bracelet that was to be my only form of identification while at the spa. The first thing you lose are your ... read more

I devoted most of Thursday to Jane Austen. I visited the center at 25 Gay Street where her family lived for a short time after her father died in 1805 and shortly before they left the area for good. The guides are all dressed in Georgian period costumes and bear name tags like "Lizzie Bennett" or "Catherine Moreland," Very knowledgeable, they led us through the Austen family, parents and children, and their links to Bath. As you may know, there is only one portrait of Jane verified to have been drawn from life - an unfinished, unflattering attempt by her sister Cassandra when Jane was about 35. But the center has obtained a wax figure likeness of Jane that does a remarkable job of bringing her to life in about her mid twenties. The rooms are ... read more

Fun time with the girls. . .... read more