Trabern's Guestbook

Have fun
It's 16 yrs since my 3 months in Sth America but it seems like last year - you will have a fantastic time. Wishing you a wonderful wonderful trip and looking fwd to hearing all about it.

Great commentary.
Thanks for the update Tracey, glad you're back - so are the 'children' too I bet! Tom and I went to Patmos from Samos [where my daughter was living back in the late '80's] and visited here as well. Isn't the history just awesome? The Greek islands certainly are very scenic. When's yr next great adventure?? I'm currently planning a trip to Cambodia next April [with Heather, Vicky & Dorisi]; after which Vicky and I are travelling on to the Holy Land via India. I have such a strong feeling that if I don't see the Holy Land soon then maybe I'll never get there. The threat of IS is soooooo menacing and real. My daughter is not happy with my decision at all; she considers the area is far too risky to visit. I'm going regardless. C u soon perhaps? Would you like to join our walking group? - Thursday usually.

Hi Steven 'siglets'
I am full of envy, your cruise is taking you to some beautiful places in the Aegean. Of course all accolades to the photographer/s; great job. Love the photo of Steven's little family; I was wondering what had happened to him [lol]. Waiting eagerly for the next phase of this wonderful adventure. Caroline

hardly snappers!
I can't imagine anyone describing you both as snappers rather than photographers, you go to much greater lengths than the average person to get your images, and are rewarded well for your efforts. Lovely pics, even the iphone one has come up well. I love the Whitby abbey photo, very atmospheric. No mention of Dracula in your blog, the Whitby folk love to play up that connection. We visited there with Jill and Trev, my aunty Ann and friend Kath in 2008 and made the same observation about that poor statue. They must clean it regularly otherwise it would be a lumpy encrusted mess by now! We were on our way to Durham to visit my cousin and family. I phoned him from that spot to make arrangements to stay that night because there were no vacancies anywhere in Whitby that night due to a festival. I had a very long conversation with a man who didn't deny being my cousin or express surprise to any of my conversation, before I realised it was a wrong number. The person just went along with everything I was saying, didn't even seem concerned that 6 people were coming to stay with him. How bizarre! Glad to hear that you have had a giant Yorkshire pudding. Too bad about the meat but as long as the yorkshire was good we wouldn't have cared. Our niece Kim can't wait to meet us over there and will be searching out Yorkshire puddings high and low throughout her visit.

Happy Birthday, Bernie!
I hope you do make it out to St. Michael's Mount, which looks so like my beloved Le Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy; it would be a proper birthday present! How lovely to get a recommendation from your lunch staff that led you over the moors--another b'day present, I suppose. Love the ponies, lambs and postbridge. Happy travels in your new year!

that scam has been going on for years
Phil and I became aware of that car rental 'offer of upgrade' scam when every time we declined we found ourselves with the same car being offered without extra cost. Sneaky! Glad to see the weather is so nice. Hope it is like that when we arrive in a couple of weeks. Getting close now and we are really looking forward to it. The plans are all coming together, everything is booked and now I am already focused on packing!

almost close encounter
I was surprised to see that our friends Andrea and Greg visited Monet's garden two days after you! How funny if you had crossed paths as fellow aussies. Missed by that much!

And hello to Greenwich
Sounds like quite the debacle, thank goodness for contingency timing! We tend to do the same given the sort of hurdles presented when travelling. We have had horrible experiences returning hire cars in non english countries at time critical moments, hence our preference to travel by trains and only hire cars for one or two days at various locations. But of course pubic transport can present its own set of problems as you have found. At least in England you will be able to ask and (hopefully) understand the response. I am keenly following your Greenwich experience given Jill and I are staying there in an apartment near Cutty Sark for 12 nights. We are really looking forward to having an extended stay in London. I can still only cope with a small dose of activity in one day so we will be able to take in the sights and experiences in a leisurely manner. So any hints will be welcomed. Scotch College in Melbourne has a library with an amazing collection of australian books and artifacts. I visited one time with the curator who was a friend in Toastmasters, Dick Briggs. He showed us some amazing items including some items from Cooks voyages and also a journal belonging to Matthew Flinders. Added to that some original Gould books with the most amazing bird illustrations and a copy of the original Ned Kelly court transcripts. I am not sure whether it is ever opened to the public but am wondering if people with a special interest in such issues may be given access. Just a thought that it may be worth contacting them on your return in case you are able to visit. Looking forward to further blogs as you continue on your way. Enjoying the armchair ride with you both. love Janet xx

You need a 'drone'.
Met a guy on Frankston beach yesterday who was playing with his 'drone'. Turns out he is a professional photographer who also takes aerial photos of properties for real estate agents. His aerial photos of the peninsula were AMAZING. The drone can be operated for up to 3 kms and goes very high to take those amazing photos. Bernie you'll just have to get one BUT I'm not sure you'd be able to take it with you o/s. Great 'boy's toy' - and I could even see myself having lots of fun with it! For instance, instead of 'invading' the vineyard you could have just sent the drone aloft to get the photos for you - no hassle!! But 'sans' drone Bernie you photos are really wonderful; and so sharp. I think you're getting better and better as a photographer every time you go away. Keep up the wonderful photos and dialogue. Caroline