The day began with an early bike ride by both of us and a wipe-out crash for Jane. ‘Very’ fortunately she escaped injury. Another cyclist came around a blind corner at speed and wide. Applying the brakes on pea blue metal whilst leaning into a corner has only one result … a slide … into the path of Jane who rode over his bicycle before falling and landing on him as he was under both bikes and Jane. After that bit of excitement and having Jane’s heart rate calmed we departed with Rob and Mary for a place very special to Jane, Morfa Nefyn in Wales. We met very close friends of R&M’s who were moored a little off-shore, had lunch from the “Ty Cock”, which celebrates its 50th year owned by the Webley family and ... read more

Waking to such beautiful morning, I left early by bike and cycled the stunning cycle ride that runs along a path through Wirral countryside and along the River Dee. I went for approximately 12 miles (20km) before turning around. It follows the track bed of part of the former Birkenhead Railway route from West Kirby to Hooton. I cycled past (in and out of) meadows, heathland and woodland. High stone bridges every few kilometres were passed under too. They added to the romanticism of the countryside. There was a huge variety of birdlife and numerous squirrels scurrying across or along the path. Running parallel to the cycle path is a narrow horse riding trail. It really is a unique area and offers easy access for all of the people who live along this section of the ... read more

There’s something about being back in a ‘familiar’ environment; Rob and Mary’s in Caldy, across the river from Liverpool. A relaxed, loving environment, a place to ‘put-the-feet-up’ for a little while with time to reflect on what we have experienced, seen and wondered at on these, our travels.... read more

We fulfilled one of our major aims of travelling the Iberian Peninsula by exploring the Douro River Valley. We came away tired but exhilarated by its ruggedness and extreme beauty. Our guide, Diego, picked us up in his very comfortable and smooth travelling minivan at 8.10am and we headed out of Porto full of excitement to view this wild and beautiful landscape that I had read so much about. The Douro is one of the major rivers of the Iberian Peninsula flowing across northern-central Spain and Portugal to reach the sea at Porto. The Douro (vinhateiro=winegrowing) is an area of the Valley devoted to vineyards and is primarily known for Port, a sweet wine that has been produced here for 2 000 years, along with red and white wines. The “microclimate” allows for the cultivation of ... read more

Strolling the Avenida da Liberdade.... read more