Tinker and Nats

We had a 2:50pm train to Toledo, which was thankfully only a 30 minute trip. Our landlady, Mercedes, had informed us that we could leave the apartment whenever we liked, so that made it easier to do some sight-seeing without luggage. We set out in the morning to the park behind our apartment with the Egyptian temple to get some photos of Madrid and just enjoy the views from up there. It was cold, but not ridiculous. I had got by without gloves and beanie so far, and that morning was the coldest we had experienced yet. It looked like the Spanish winter was going to be a lot more forgiving than Germany. We had a short walk through another park where Kohen and I could film some scenes for our upcoming movie. (We are currently ... read more

Despite my weariness, I was awake sparrow-fart and tossed and turned until finally giving up the dream of sleeping like a normal person around 5:30am. Kohen managed to sleep longer (ahh…the blessed ability to sleep through anything that we seem to lose with adulthood). Anyway, we were all soon up and about and looking forward to checking out the Spanish capital. The apartment was nice and spacious, with everything we could want and views forever. Best of all, Kohen had his own room and a real bed (not always the case with some apartments we’ve had before). We were told at the airport that our luggage would be delivered between 2-6pm, and we would need to be at the apartment to take delivery. Major bummer – this would put a big hole in our opportunity to ... read more

Our apartment was located in Testaccio, a neighbourhood to the south of the Centro Storico. We chose the area as it was walking distance to the centre, yet hopefully would be off the normal tourist trail. It also had the added bonus of a neighbourhood square/playground which, as it turned out, proved to be a social hub for the area without tour buses, photo clicking tourists (well maybe just 3) or the crazy hustle/bustle that would otherwise define our time in Rome. Testaccio turned out to be our little oasis in the Eternal City, and provided some much needed downtime to recharge from the sensory overload that is Rome. The apartment was quite spacious and well equipped and provided all that we needed. The only downside was that Rome was still very hot, and our apartment ... read more

Sulzfeld am Main proved to be everything we expected. Beautiful narrow cobbled streets, old medieval towers in the village walls, quiet, non-touristy and authentic. This is the side of country Germany we were hoping to see without the hype and hoopla of dodgy knick-knack shops and coaches full of day-tourists. Sulzfeld didn’t have a stack of “boutique” shops, or happening night-spots, but it had charm and quaint character by the bucket-loads. On our arrival on Tuesday 7 December, we were met by the very friendly Herr and Frau Eberl who showed us the tower apartment (Jocklerturm) we would call home for the next week. The apartment is built into/onto the original town wall, which can still be seen encircling almost all of the original part of town. The base of the tower (which was circular stone) ... read more

Finally have had a chance to sit and type an entry – it’s currently Monday afternoon (day 2) and we’re in the air over Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia as we make our way from Korea to Germany. (Although who would know – the world outside is a foggy expanse of mist and late afternoon sunset). Trying to type one-handed on Nat’s iPod while listening to a bit of Black Joe Lewis (who I might add is one of the funkiest dudes around – check it out if you like some old school funk or soul tunes). Currently doing it tough – asked for another Jack Daniels but they’ve run out. Will have to slum it with the other peasants and make do with the 12 year old Chivas the lovely young lass brought instead! (Seriously folks – Korean ... read more