The passage of time in Wellington and elsewhere
Another late posting
A weekend away 2 weeks ago with EQ.
A beautiful but in parts strenuous walking trip on the mittal Rhine following part of the Rheinsteig
Very hot weather but great views of the steep valley sides.
The stay in the castle on the first night was great. Once we had found the front door!
Not so great travel experience with Frankfurt Airport and British Airways ☹️????
So an extremely late post given that I arrived back home one week ago. However, better late than never and the cycling trip does deserve to be recorded.
Richard and I dis about 370 Km over the 5 days- arriving on the periphery of Paris on day 4-taking the RER in to see the city – and cycling into the centre on the morning of Day 5 to have the bikes boxed up so we could take them in the Eurostar.
Before pedalling- above.
The first day involved cycling from Ealing via Richmond Park and Wimbledon to reach the Wandle river and the NCN 20. We then followed the ‘Avenue Verte’ route. The shorter option.
The first 2 hours involved trouble with Richard’s chain coming off four times into the gap between cassette and wheel. Not easy to remove and frustrating. The was some rain so the poncho came out of the packet on day 1.
The route to the south coast is a mixed affair in terms of terrain- with some bits more like a mountain bike track and parts of the route running next to the A23!
About 110 km later we reached Brighton about 18-30; 10.5 hours duration.
Brighton was a welcome site as was the curry and beers in the closest curry houser we could find.
A rapid trip to Newhaven for about another 20Km in the dark with a gale thankfully behind us meant we made the ferry with ease. The crossing however was relatively rough- as you felt the ship ‘fall’ into the troughs.
Day 2 was Dieppe to Forges Les Eaux- along mostly a cycling route that follows an old railway line. Good quality and a gradual up all the way.
The hotel was accommodating- even as we sat drinking out pre- dinner beers in the small foyer as the other guests checked-in.
Day 3 was longer and with more rain- on an off. The countryside was simple but beautiful with lovely bus stop resting spots and a useful cafe.
We arrived in Vexin-sur- Apte to our AirBnB- our chambre d’hotes. after two consecutive punctures for me. The gas cyclinder helped!
A lovely place, we very welcoming owners who cooked for us- which they do not usually do. Lovely 3 big dogs too.
The next day we reached Paris and did the tourist thing:
The final morning we joined the rush hour traffic to cycle to the centre to get the train. It was a day of national protest against the proposed changes to the national retirement scheme. Trains and buses on strike so lots of traffic and lots of cops and closed roads near the station.
Train home, navigating the Tube with boxed bikes and panniers. All part of the fun. Great trip.
Finally our weekend in Warsaw with K&C.
A visit to the uprising museum.
Last night at the food hall with local beer but a nice curry!
A city destroyed in WW2- history of incredible violence.
The grand place or grosse markt which which is a UNESCO world heritage site. Impressive architecture built about the same time when the previous buildings were destroyed in a battle.
We had an enjoyable weekend away. From London by train through the tunnel to Brussels. Easy to do despite some of the hold ups at St. Pancras with passport control etc. Actually more of an issue coming back- and with my brain not working well too.
The sites and views were good, the history interesting, the B&B good- rated highly and certainly comfortable and good food and service. Ideas for Shaz to incorporate.
The music experience turned out to be less enjoyable than hoped- but things happen.
A long weekend to a city that I have not previously visited. Shaz had.
We managed to find some street art. Mostly by chance and some with effort but without much of a hit rate.
Last weekend was in effect a long time in the planning.
Friday evening was spent in Lille to see Grand Corp Malade, the tickets having been bought one year before and the idea gestating long before that.
We took the Eurostar to Lille which for most of the passengers was the Disney Land express- as only two other people or so got off at Lille. The others on the train were families of different ages and compositions commonly dressed as Mickey or Minnie.
I was surprised by the number of police and soldiers before we went in and by the number of older people in the audience. I was expecting mostly young people- I was wrong.
The crowd loved him and it was a great evening.
On Saturday we moved onto Paris. We saw the ballet at the Opera House-Palais Garnier- Mayerling. This is a relatively modern ballet. It tells the story of the prince who is next in line in the Austro Hungarian empire prior to WW1. He is a nasty piece of work, unfaithful, drug addict and general abuser of people. He dies in a suicide pact. The dancing is more sexual than is typical.
Sunday was electo-jazz- never heard of it before at a cool venue- old railway station.
There were three musician of whom Théo Ceccaldi was the star and lead. A s,all venue, free entry paid for by beer etc and a whip around at the end. Great quality and skill. Great experience.
A bit of more trad jazz on Monday evening- not bad.
But an unexpected experience at the church if St. Eustache on Tuesday morning when we found, by chance, the organist practicing on the second largest organ i France. Wonderful noise!
I happened to see this on Anthony’s shelving. It is the main street in Ballycastle- the village near his uncle’s farm where we stayed in the summer of ’78.
I remember going in the bar, listening to the music and the anthem at the end of the night. The church is across the road.
A little more time in Brittany
A little of me being a ‘pseudo ‘ and house check.