Singapore 14/06 Wellington to Singapore via Auckland NZ478 8:45pm /and NZ282 dept 11:50pm 15/06 Singapore arrive 6:40am Hotel 81 Heritage, 71 Jalan Sultan, Bugis, Singapore (3 nights) 18/06 Singapore to London (NZ3318 @12:45pm/LHR 7:05pm) Oakwood B and B Heathrow, Hillingdon (2 nights) Russia /London 20/06 Heathrow to Moscow Dep 8:55am BA233 arr 14:35pm, Moscow hotel booked by Go Russia Tours (3 nights) 23/06 Overnight train to St Petersburg, St Petersburg hotel booked by Go Russia ( 3 nights) 27/06 Return to London (BA0879 depart 15:55 arr 17:25) Hour Glass Hotel, 131 Beaconsfield Road, South London (4 nights ) 1/07 Move to Ealing, London (Kew and Nat Archives), A to B Hotel, 9 Hanger Lane, Ealing Common (2 nights) England by car... read more

10 August Walked around Donegal Town, feeling slightly hungover from our Irish pub session the night before, then drove out to Slieve League Cliffs, wow, some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe and a very scenic drive out through very isolated and rugged country. Headed down to Eniskillen in County Fermanagh (crossing back into Northern Ireland again) and visited the castle in the middle of town, home of the Maguire Chieftains (my g-g mother was a Femanagh Maguire) and also to a museum. there was some interesting info about the Maguires but it didn't really helpmy ancestry investigations, assume we go back somehow though. Crossed back into Eire and down to Sligo, drove around till we found a B and B, 60 Euro, very comfy, great breakfast! Had pub grub dinner downtown, good bangers and ... read more

18 June 6am ferry to Hvar, fast ferry takes 1.5 hours, catamaran. Had breakfast and checked out a place to stay, got a great apartment, very clean and new, for 40 Euro, right near the old town, bus depot and supermarket! Walked up to Fortress for the view and around the old town, lovely town! Very hot today, and sunny. Took a bus ride around to Jelsa, via Starigrad and some small villages, bus driver was crazy! Drove so fast, even round the corners! Witnessed a German tourist v Croat bus driver dispute, very funny! Went round for a swim at the beach then back for dinner, had our ham and salad, plus potatoes, home cooked! Went to a 9:30 pm Concert at the Franciscan cloister of the old monastery - Split Minders/ Partet with Jasenka ... read more

10 June Nice day. At Sarajevo. Hostel had dining area and kitchen so able to do breakfast there. Went on a walking tour at 10 with Neno, who was a very enthusiastic guide, it was a free tour, just give a tip at the end! Got a great insight into the history, what an interesting city! Sad stuff happened in the ' 90s of course, learnt lots about that. So different and with such cultural and religious diversity - Orthodoxy, Islam, Judaism and Catholicism all co-existing together. There is a mosque, Catholic and Orthodox church and a synagogue all within the small city area. The influence of the Ottoman empire is very evident in the architecture of the city. Had lunch at a small self service place, very interesting food, we joined with a British couple ... read more

1 June Arrived at the port at Piraeus and left the boat about 7. After a coffee and snack at the train station, caught the train into the city, not sure where our hotel was, so got off at Omonia and asked a police officer! Was a couple of stops in the other direction, President Hotel. Nice hotel and a room on the 18th floor with a view over Athens. Good value as a bit out of the centre. Too early to check in, so left our bags and caught a bus to the National Archeology museum. Free internet in the foyer! Spent a few hours there, there was a huge collection of sculptures and artefacts from around Greece. Also an interesting special exhibit on the Wreck of the Akothira. Back to the hotel for a ... read more