Well today we were planning on taking the Metro into Paris to see the Eiffel Tower etc - but we had a really late night last night and so slept in. We decided then it would be better to do disney land today, and Paris another day.
So we got the shuttle in and arrived at Disney Land around Lunch time - we went into the studios first as these had a lightning macqueen cars ride which Cam was buzzing out about and busting to go on! So we headed pretty much straight for that - there were big life size lighting Macqueen, Mater, Luigi and Guido (or whatever the tyre guys called) which were awesome - Col and Cam lined up for the ride and hadheaps of fun!!
After that we headed around the park - wandering around and taking in all the sites. The next thing of significant interest that we did there was went to a stunt car show - it was awesome! All the cars and motorbikes were dong wheelies and jumps etc - as you can imagine Cam Loved it!!
We went on a couple more rides on that side before heading over the the Disney Land Park side. The whole place looked really beautiful all lit up for christmas - huge christmas trees and lights were everywhere you looked! The Disney Land Castle looked beautiful all lit up.
We got home at about 9:30 or so and were all worn out!!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Sunday 21st December
Today we were heading for a place called Vignoles – which was nearly 400kms from where we were in Avignon. We set off on our journey – not particularly early as we had to wait until 9 to pay for the camping ground. So somewhere between 9:30 and 1 we headed off for what we knew would be a long trip. We drove through Lyon – which looked like a nice city from what we could see! And carried on along the motorway to where we wanted to be. I think it was about 3 when we arrived – it seems to take us ages to travel, even though most of it is along the motorway. It was pretty windy initially but that quickly died down which was good.
When we arrived at the camping ground, my conversation went something like this:
Me: “vous parlez anglais?” (do you speak English)
Him: “Non, no Anglais”
Me (thinking ahh crap! Lol, this had hardly ever happened – usually they have been able to speak a little): “ahhh, un soir….um…” hoping I was saying one night, pointing to the campervan”
Him: “wee” then rattled off what I think was asking about how many people
Me: “deux um…adults?” indicating with my hand that I meant a tall person… a person much taller than me HAHAHA, but trying to get my point across! “un….” Showing again with my hand child.
Him: “wee”
Again conversing away in French that I had no hope in hell of understanding – I thought we was asking how old cam was to which I responded “quatre” , then it became clear that he thought I meant I had 4 children with me. He kept talking, I kept looking confused trying to get the point across that there was just one child “J’ai un fils…un” (I have a son…1) LOL, desperately looking in my phase book for anything that could be useful!
In the end he got out a piece paper and drew a little picture LOL, of two big stick men and one child and pointed to them saying “mama, papa, enfant”, “wee!” I exclaimed, moments before I had been thinking I was going to have to go out and drag Col and Cam from the Campervan to get my point across! Under the child he wrote the number 4 “wee!” I exclaimed again – thinking that surely he was talking about his age, not the number of children or there would be 4 little stick children in his picture LOL.
So finally we got everything sorted out and we had somewhere to stay for the night!
When we arrived at the camping ground, my conversation went something like this:
Me: “vous parlez anglais?” (do you speak English)
Him: “Non, no Anglais”
Me (thinking ahh crap! Lol, this had hardly ever happened – usually they have been able to speak a little): “ahhh, un soir….um…” hoping I was saying one night, pointing to the campervan”
Him: “wee” then rattled off what I think was asking about how many people
Me: “deux um…adults?” indicating with my hand that I meant a tall person… a person much taller than me HAHAHA, but trying to get my point across! “un….” Showing again with my hand child.
Him: “wee”
Again conversing away in French that I had no hope in hell of understanding – I thought we was asking how old cam was to which I responded “quatre” , then it became clear that he thought I meant I had 4 children with me. He kept talking, I kept looking confused trying to get the point across that there was just one child “J’ai un fils…un” (I have a son…1) LOL, desperately looking in my phase book for anything that could be useful!
In the end he got out a piece paper and drew a little picture LOL, of two big stick men and one child and pointed to them saying “mama, papa, enfant”, “wee!” I exclaimed, moments before I had been thinking I was going to have to go out and drag Col and Cam from the Campervan to get my point across! Under the child he wrote the number 4 “wee!” I exclaimed again – thinking that surely he was talking about his age, not the number of children or there would be 4 little stick children in his picture LOL.
So finally we got everything sorted out and we had somewhere to stay for the night!
Saturday 20th December
Today was mainly spent milling around the camping ground – we caught up on washing etc and mucked around, chilling out - knowing that over the next couple of days we are planning some pretty intense driving time. In the evening we wandered back over inside the castle walls to the village to have a Kebab for dinner – we sat next to the Christmas markets and soaked up the atmosphere of Avignon for one last time. It is a really endearing little town – bustling with people in it’s narrow streets!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Friday 19th December
We went for a walk into the village again today and had a look at the bit castle walls and in an amazingly beautiful church. It had terrific artwork all through it – on the ceilings and walls. And in every little alcove there were awesome statues and candles etc.
We kept wandering around the area and before long it was getting late (well not really – about 4:30, but it starts to get dark so it’s usually when we head back LOL) so we came home, feeding the ducks on the Rhone river on the way!
We kept wandering around the area and before long it was getting late (well not really – about 4:30, but it starts to get dark so it’s usually when we head back LOL) so we came home, feeding the ducks on the Rhone river on the way!
Thursday 18th December
Today we are in a place called Avignon – it’s south of Lyon. We were planning o going further west and up through Cassosone (sp) and Toulouesse – mainly because I wanted to see Cassasone. But upon investigation there were no camping grounds open in the area so we decided to shoot up the middle of France and save a bit of travel time and petrol costs (this thing is a gas Guzzler which isn’t cool when you’re going thousands of KMs!). So we headed to place with an open camping ground – Avignon. We arrived here, and found an awesome town inside castle walls – exactly what I wanted to see in Cassasone so it was a nice surprise!
We chilled out in the campervan then went for a walk over the bridge and into the village. There was the most beautiful Christmas market with awesome fairy lights and Christmas carols etc. We stopped for dinner then carried on back to on campervan for the night.
We chilled out in the campervan then went for a walk over the bridge and into the village. There was the most beautiful Christmas market with awesome fairy lights and Christmas carols etc. We stopped for dinner then carried on back to on campervan for the night.
Tuesday 16th December
Well we’re in France! We didn’t mean to be LOL but we couldn’t find our first camping ground and shot straight passed the motorway exit for the next one! So next stop….France!!
We are in a small place about 10kms out of Nice – we arrived here at about 2pm or so after leaving at about 7am – we were so relieved to find a camping ground that we would have stayed just about anywhere! But it’s a nice camping ground – and there are other people! Something that we haven’t seen much of for awhile! So this afternoon was mainly spent playing outside and just chilling out.
We are in a small place about 10kms out of Nice – we arrived here at about 2pm or so after leaving at about 7am – we were so relieved to find a camping ground that we would have stayed just about anywhere! But it’s a nice camping ground – and there are other people! Something that we haven’t seen much of for awhile! So this afternoon was mainly spent playing outside and just chilling out.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Sunday December 14th
Today Cam and I just mucked round in the campervan, Col went back over to Venice to pick us up some supplies…when we got over there he found it totally flooded! I will let him explain!
Well what a adventure, I trotted off to the ferry and noticed that the mooring point was up quite high and being the expert sailor I am I realized the tide must be in (or to that effect) as we were getting closer to the city Venice I was saying to myself ‘huh the water from this angle looks as if it is lapping at the door steps of the shops’ I didn’t pay any more attention to it until we hoped of the boat and had to get off the mooring onto the foot path, and to my surprise and disbelief the foot path was covered with water - there is a café about 15 meters from the waters edge, the locals were sitting down on the outside furniture sipping away on their coffees with their gumboots on completely unfazed by the water lapping at their feet.
Now I had a problem, I had to get off the mooring so others could get on, I did the best jump I could but still landed in ankle deep water, luckily with my flash new shoes I brought they repelled the water, as I looked around I discovered the path to the supermarket ( the only shop that I knew the way to)was 95% emerged with water, there were a few parts that had only about an inch or so of water so I made my way down, as I was trying to look casual about but must have looked like a rite moron hoping and jumping, as other boats went by they caused little ripples of waves in my direction.
I got to about 20 meters from the supermarket when I couldn’t go any further, I watched as people in their gumboots waded through the mid calf depth water, I then decided to abort the mission and try a different location, half an hour later I reached the other dairy type shop ,and being my luck they didn’t have any of the essential items in needed to make my banana pancakes, so then I headed back to the ferry terminal to get the boat back and try something else.
I reached the terminal and then a thought struck my mind “surly the tide must go out at some stage, it was just after 12 so I thought I would wait around and see. Three quarters of an hour later I headed back down the path to the supermarket to have another attempt, the water was still lapping at the buildings but it had noticeably gone down. I got to within five meters of the supermarket and the water was still deep, just over the ankle, well screw this I thought there is no other option so I walked through it hoping like hell that my shoes would hold out, the left foot soaked but the right was dry, so a little bit of a victory for me I guess. 45 minutes later I have finished the shopping and step outside to discover all is normal, apart from the wet looking cobbles you would have never known. That’s about it I walked back to the ferry and went back to the campervan, my shopping expedition that I thought would take me an hour at the most ended up taking 4, but all’s well that ends well.
Well what a adventure, I trotted off to the ferry and noticed that the mooring point was up quite high and being the expert sailor I am I realized the tide must be in (or to that effect) as we were getting closer to the city Venice I was saying to myself ‘huh the water from this angle looks as if it is lapping at the door steps of the shops’ I didn’t pay any more attention to it until we hoped of the boat and had to get off the mooring onto the foot path, and to my surprise and disbelief the foot path was covered with water - there is a café about 15 meters from the waters edge, the locals were sitting down on the outside furniture sipping away on their coffees with their gumboots on completely unfazed by the water lapping at their feet.
Now I had a problem, I had to get off the mooring so others could get on, I did the best jump I could but still landed in ankle deep water, luckily with my flash new shoes I brought they repelled the water, as I looked around I discovered the path to the supermarket ( the only shop that I knew the way to)was 95% emerged with water, there were a few parts that had only about an inch or so of water so I made my way down, as I was trying to look casual about but must have looked like a rite moron hoping and jumping, as other boats went by they caused little ripples of waves in my direction.
I got to about 20 meters from the supermarket when I couldn’t go any further, I watched as people in their gumboots waded through the mid calf depth water, I then decided to abort the mission and try a different location, half an hour later I reached the other dairy type shop ,and being my luck they didn’t have any of the essential items in needed to make my banana pancakes, so then I headed back to the ferry terminal to get the boat back and try something else.
I reached the terminal and then a thought struck my mind “surly the tide must go out at some stage, it was just after 12 so I thought I would wait around and see. Three quarters of an hour later I headed back down the path to the supermarket to have another attempt, the water was still lapping at the buildings but it had noticeably gone down. I got to within five meters of the supermarket and the water was still deep, just over the ankle, well screw this I thought there is no other option so I walked through it hoping like hell that my shoes would hold out, the left foot soaked but the right was dry, so a little bit of a victory for me I guess. 45 minutes later I have finished the shopping and step outside to discover all is normal, apart from the wet looking cobbles you would have never known. That’s about it I walked back to the ferry and went back to the campervan, my shopping expedition that I thought would take me an hour at the most ended up taking 4, but all’s well that ends well.
Saturday 13th December
Today we headed back on the boat into Venice, thinking that we might have a Gondola ride and that we wanted to find the net and eat pizza and a couple of other things. We missed the 1pm boat so headed in at 2pm – it’s about a half an hour ride over. We had pizza for lunch and wandered the same way we did the other day – we found out about the gondola but the ride is 2 hours long and we had left it too late!
Venice looked different when it wasn’t raining! The streets seemed less narrow without umbrellas coming from every direction and we found we were looking up instead of looking down for puddles! Ws nice to go back and see it through different eyes so to speak!
Venice looked different when it wasn’t raining! The streets seemed less narrow without umbrellas coming from every direction and we found we were looking up instead of looking down for puddles! Ws nice to go back and see it through different eyes so to speak!
Friday 12th December
Well today really did suck a whoppa HAHAHA. We left Venice at about 9:30 heading for a place about 150kms away – we got there and searched high and low for our camping ground (unsuccessfully) which was no mean feat amongst crazy Italian drivers! We then headed back to the motorway and decided to try for Florence – another 150 or so kms away. We got there and searched again for a camping ground – only to find the one we were looking for (which according to the book was meant to be open)was closed! SO we headed off looking for the next one in the book which was open….it was closed too!! Again we drove for the next “open” one to find it closed. By this time it was getting dark and we were wondering what the fark to do!!
We pulled into a petrol station area to have some dinner, we were going to just stay there but weren’t sure what would happen with the motorway ticket that we had (you have to take a ticket when you get onto the motorway, then you hand it over when you get off to pay a massive toll LOL. I think our biggest so far has been about 20 euro!) and we weren’t brave enough to just park up off the motorway incase we got murdered….so about 12 hours and 700kms after we set off this morning we arrived…in surprisingly high spirits…back to where we started from.
We pulled into a petrol station area to have some dinner, we were going to just stay there but weren’t sure what would happen with the motorway ticket that we had (you have to take a ticket when you get onto the motorway, then you hand it over when you get off to pay a massive toll LOL. I think our biggest so far has been about 20 euro!) and we weren’t brave enough to just park up off the motorway incase we got murdered….so about 12 hours and 700kms after we set off this morning we arrived…in surprisingly high spirits…back to where we started from.
Thursday 11th December
Well as I said yesterday, today we got the boat over to Venice – it was absolutely pissing down with rain and we didn’t know where to head when we got off the boat as we forgot our map haha. Anyway we followed the crowd, hoping that we were heading towards something interesting!
We walked for awhile before finding some umbrellas to buy as we were soaked through! Even in the rain Venice was an awesome place to be exploring – the narrow streets (so to speak) and the river roads were captivating – some people were having gondola rides, we decided if we come back in we will have one then. The shops were funny – they were all tiny! You walk in, turn around and you’re done LOL.
Anyway we strolled through the narrow streets and came to the shoreline where we walked down and looked at the shops along the way. I think cam stepped in every puddle that existed (and there were ALOT of puddles!) before we wandered back the way we had come and stopped for some pizza (ya can’t be in Italy and not eat pizza after all!).
Oh, and today Col is officially one step closer to being an old man! His birthday was pretty uneventful, we did manage to find a cake (or sorts!) and some candles though LOL. As he said – usually he’s at work, at least this year he’s in Venice!
We walked for awhile before finding some umbrellas to buy as we were soaked through! Even in the rain Venice was an awesome place to be exploring – the narrow streets (so to speak) and the river roads were captivating – some people were having gondola rides, we decided if we come back in we will have one then. The shops were funny – they were all tiny! You walk in, turn around and you’re done LOL.
Anyway we strolled through the narrow streets and came to the shoreline where we walked down and looked at the shops along the way. I think cam stepped in every puddle that existed (and there were ALOT of puddles!) before we wandered back the way we had come and stopped for some pizza (ya can’t be in Italy and not eat pizza after all!).
Oh, and today Col is officially one step closer to being an old man! His birthday was pretty uneventful, we did manage to find a cake (or sorts!) and some candles though LOL. As he said – usually he’s at work, at least this year he’s in Venice!
Wednesdsy 10th December
Today we drove to Italy! We had to drive through the Swiss Alps (we think?) and it was a trip that we will remember!! It was snowing (pretty hard out at times!) and not the best conditions to be driving in. We approached where we were meant to turn off the motorway to get to our camping ground, but decided to keep going because at that point the snow was falling pretty thick and fast -we thought turning off the motorway into unknown territory probably wasn’t the best idea.
Unfortunately the next camping ground wasn’t till Venice so it meant another 300kms or so on the road! I think we arrived here at about 4ish, just as it was starting to get dark so haven’t had a chance to explore yet – we will catch a boat into Venice tomorrow so that should be good! The camping grounds in Europe so far have been expensive! Most have ranged between €20 and €30 (last night and tonight were both 30 each!) which is probably double what we were paying in the UK most of the time.
Unfortunately the next camping ground wasn’t till Venice so it meant another 300kms or so on the road! I think we arrived here at about 4ish, just as it was starting to get dark so haven’t had a chance to explore yet – we will catch a boat into Venice tomorrow so that should be good! The camping grounds in Europe so far have been expensive! Most have ranged between €20 and €30 (last night and tonight were both 30 each!) which is probably double what we were paying in the UK most of the time.
Tuesday 9th December
Today we drove to a place called Innsbrook – if we thought our last stop was snow covered it was nothing compared to today! We drove to innsbrook this morning and, largely thanks to the GPS had a bit of a crappy time trying to find our camping ground! We ended up stopping at shopping mall (just cos we were passing it) and spending a couple of hours there – looking for a sticker and shot glass (unsuccessfully) before heading off again in search of a place to stay. A few more wrong turns later and we were again surrounded in snow and in an amazing location. This time the snow totally covered the ground – the lake we were next to was frozen over and had snow on top of it. Someone had built a big snow man which cam thought was neat and we went for a walk in the snow down to the lake and to the playground – we attempted to slide down a hill but with only a shopping bag to slide on we weren’t too successful!
Monday 8th December
We are in the very beautiful Austria! Surrounded by snow covered alps we are nestled in next to a lake in a place called Seenof. We arrived here and mucked around in town (well there were a couple of shops, it’s not a city – just a little town) before heading to this camping ground. It is an amazingly beautiful place to be and we are in awe of our surroundings.
After settling in (well, plugging in the power LOL) Cam and I ventured out to make a snowman….we didn’t get very far because he enjoyed stamping on my attempts more than he actually wanted to make one! So we headed off to the playground where Col came out with the camera looking for our snowman HAHAHA. We went for a walk down to the lake where we spent quite awhile throwing snow balls (well hunks) into the lake. Every way we looked we could see the huge alps! By this time it was getting dark and cold so we headed inside where it was warm.
After settling in (well, plugging in the power LOL) Cam and I ventured out to make a snowman….we didn’t get very far because he enjoyed stamping on my attempts more than he actually wanted to make one! So we headed off to the playground where Col came out with the camera looking for our snowman HAHAHA. We went for a walk down to the lake where we spent quite awhile throwing snow balls (well hunks) into the lake. Every way we looked we could see the huge alps! By this time it was getting dark and cold so we headed inside where it was warm.
Sunday 7th December
Another day like yesterday! We’re heading out of Germany (well trying to) as we decided to do Berlin at the other side of the trip (when we take motorhome back) so are heading towards munich (which has no Camping grounds open) then will turn off to Austria. So I think today we drove just over 200kms to another camping ground we found open – when we arrived here began to wonder what on earth we’d gotten ourselves into ‘cos it’s a bit dodgy looking!
Anyway after dealing with a grumpy man at reception we managed to get a spot for the night. Where we are reminds me of when on American movies and stuff they have people who grew up in the trailer park (think “my name is Earl” LOL) – most of the camping ground is taken up with really run down caravans with big awnings etc that have obviously been here for yonks – it’s like a little town of caravans almost. Is quite funny really!
Anyway after dealing with a grumpy man at reception we managed to get a spot for the night. Where we are reminds me of when on American movies and stuff they have people who grew up in the trailer park (think “my name is Earl” LOL) – most of the camping ground is taken up with really run down caravans with big awnings etc that have obviously been here for yonks – it’s like a little town of caravans almost. Is quite funny really!
Friday 5th December
Campervan no 2 day! We got up and got the shuttle to take us back to the airport because we had instructions for how to get to the train station from the airport and it sounded easy LOL. So I asked at the info desk at the airport (also a bonus as they spoke English) and they told us it was about a 5 min walk to the train station so we set off (with all bags in tow of course hehe) and figured out how to get tickets etc to catch the train. Everything went very smoothly…until we got off the train too early and found no phone to call the campervan people and saw no taxis or anything…after about an hour (maybe slightly more) we discovered the mistake and that we needed to get off the train two stops away so we jumped on the next train and got off in two stops – there were taxis lined up at this stop LOL so we just jumped in one and got taken to the campervan place.
When we arrived we realized we were a day early…duh! I had checked everything else 10 times – times of flights, date to take back other campervan, times to pick it up etc but not the date! Lol OOPS. Anyway they let us take it a day early (after much deliberation…seriously it was sitting out there ready to go anyway and of course we paid for an extra night…) We headed out (on the right side of the road eek!) to a supermarket we had passed in the taxi and brought some duvets and blankets and some food….that was a challenge in itself of course as everything was in German! Col is doing really well, popping in bits and pieces of German from our book LOL, I really stink at it! By this time is was getting dark and we really didn’t know where we were heading… but found a camping ground about 70kms away so headed for that. Arrived there at about 5:30 I guess and rung the bell…of course no English and Col gave me the mission of getting us in…I asked if we could camp here, which he replied yes then something else – I thought he said he was coming out so we waited…and waited… but he didn’t so I rung again and he said to go to the restaurant. When there it was a mission to understand ANYTHING lol. I was umming and arring like a dork and then suddenly another guy who was up at the bar piped up in English to help me – which was great and made the rest of the process easier.
When we arrived we realized we were a day early…duh! I had checked everything else 10 times – times of flights, date to take back other campervan, times to pick it up etc but not the date! Lol OOPS. Anyway they let us take it a day early (after much deliberation…seriously it was sitting out there ready to go anyway and of course we paid for an extra night…) We headed out (on the right side of the road eek!) to a supermarket we had passed in the taxi and brought some duvets and blankets and some food….that was a challenge in itself of course as everything was in German! Col is doing really well, popping in bits and pieces of German from our book LOL, I really stink at it! By this time is was getting dark and we really didn’t know where we were heading… but found a camping ground about 70kms away so headed for that. Arrived there at about 5:30 I guess and rung the bell…of course no English and Col gave me the mission of getting us in…I asked if we could camp here, which he replied yes then something else – I thought he said he was coming out so we waited…and waited… but he didn’t so I rung again and he said to go to the restaurant. When there it was a mission to understand ANYTHING lol. I was umming and arring like a dork and then suddenly another guy who was up at the bar piped up in English to help me – which was great and made the rest of the process easier.
Thursday 4th December
Well today marked our last day in the UK, we took our campervan back at about 10am and got dropped off at Luton Airport (yay! No mucking round with trains etc!) Where we had a 6 hour wait till our plane LOL. It wasn’t too bad though – we checked in our bags 2 hours before our flight and headed upstairs to the departures bit for a change of scene – there was a display with a flash Ferrari so Cam was of course captivated by that LOL.
We boarded our plane at 5:40 and arrived in Berlin at about 8ish I think (the flight as just over an hour long but with the time difference etc was about 8) we rang for our airport shuttle and waited for about an hour or so (And it was COLD!!!) for it to arrive before heading for our one campervan free night LOL.
We boarded our plane at 5:40 and arrived in Berlin at about 8ish I think (the flight as just over an hour long but with the time difference etc was about 8) we rang for our airport shuttle and waited for about an hour or so (And it was COLD!!!) for it to arrive before heading for our one campervan free night LOL.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Tuesday, 2nd December
Today we left Bath and drove down to Stonehenge – for me this was an “I can’t believe we’re actually here” moment as you always see pictures of it and stuff and to actually see it for ourselves in the flesh (well stone) was again surreal and beyond belief. (I’m trying to come up with some different descriptive words, but am coming up short!) It was the worlds coldest day (well maybe the worlds coldest hour LOL) and it was raining but we still loved seeing the huge old rocks and hearing a bit of the story behind them. They don’t really seem to know why Stonehenge was built – or even how, but they have discovered some interesting features of the ancient creation which dates back as far as 5000 years ago. One thing I found interesting is that is can be like a calendar – the sun shines in the middle of each column (for want of a different word) in the middle of each month. Well something like that anyway!
After Stonehenge we drove about 150kms I guess to our next campsite – it’s weird to again be so close to London (I think we’re about 30 miles away now) and know that we have come in our full circle and are about to end our time in the UK. From here we are heading over to Hertfordshire for the night then on Thursday dropping the campervan off before beginning our European Campaign.
After Stonehenge we drove about 150kms I guess to our next campsite – it’s weird to again be so close to London (I think we’re about 30 miles away now) and know that we have come in our full circle and are about to end our time in the UK. From here we are heading over to Hertfordshire for the night then on Thursday dropping the campervan off before beginning our European Campaign.
Monday 1st December
Well I can’t believe it’s December already! Seems strange that it’s nearly Christmas time again – even though at times it has seen as though the year was dragging it has gone really fast!
Today we caught the bus into town (Bath), and went to the Roman baths – this has been something I have been really looking forward to that whole time so was excited this morning!
It was surreal and amazing to be walking around and seeing things that the Romans built about 2000 years ago – not only were the baths themselves beautiful, but they also had a museum type thing where you could see where and how different parts of the building were created, and showed off heaps of different aspects of the original building that they had uncovered – bronze heads, mosaics and stone carvings, to name a few.
I just wished I’d taken more in during Classical Studies in sixth form LOL. Seems weird to me now how much I hated that class…I’d love to go back and take it again!
Col’s View:
There is something about wandering around a place that was once filled with people thousands of years ago and just to stand there and look at it is truly mind blowing, there was this one feature that they had uncovered that was (to me) really amazing, it was the steps to the main bath house, as they were in their day. Hidden then uncovered like no one had ever touched them(I have a photo to prove it). Describing the bath house will never do it justice I’m sorry but this one has to be seen to be truly appreciated.
Today we caught the bus into town (Bath), and went to the Roman baths – this has been something I have been really looking forward to that whole time so was excited this morning!
It was surreal and amazing to be walking around and seeing things that the Romans built about 2000 years ago – not only were the baths themselves beautiful, but they also had a museum type thing where you could see where and how different parts of the building were created, and showed off heaps of different aspects of the original building that they had uncovered – bronze heads, mosaics and stone carvings, to name a few.
I just wished I’d taken more in during Classical Studies in sixth form LOL. Seems weird to me now how much I hated that class…I’d love to go back and take it again!
Col’s View:
There is something about wandering around a place that was once filled with people thousands of years ago and just to stand there and look at it is truly mind blowing, there was this one feature that they had uncovered that was (to me) really amazing, it was the steps to the main bath house, as they were in their day. Hidden then uncovered like no one had ever touched them(I have a photo to prove it). Describing the bath house will never do it justice I’m sorry but this one has to be seen to be truly appreciated.
Sunday November 30th
Today we drove from Bristol to Bath, which was a short 25km drive. After we found our camping ground (no internet again, damn it!) we went for a walk into a suburb nearby. It was kind of the Bronx LOL, had heaps of estates etc in it – but we found a small shop and a place to get takeaways for dinner hehe. Cam had a play on a bigish playground that we found along the way. We had a bit of a giggle as we past different things and would say “oh, when we first arrived we would have taken about 10 photos of that!” We came back and snuggled in to watch ice age (we don’t have TV, but do have a computer screen thing with an xbox so can watch movies – kind of a strange set up but anyway!) before driving back to the takeaway place we found and brought some dinner. So a fairly low key and relaxing day today!
27th - 30th December
We spent these three days in Bristol – which I thought was a beautiful place! Our camping ground was right on the river Avon, which was very pretty. After we arrived we went for a big walk along the river to explore – we walked along the riverbank and up past the SS Great Britten – you can’t seemuch of the ship as it’s kind of hidden in the port (I guess so you pay to get into it!) but from what we could see it was very impressive! We carried on until we came to a bridge where we crossed the river and walked through into part of the town and came across some big steps with water flowing down them – much to Campbell’s excitement! We then headed back down this side of the river. I’m not sure how far we walked but it was getting dark when we got back to the campervan!
The next day we walked along the same way we did yesterday and crossed to the other side of the river again – this time heading into the main part of town. We went for a look at the Christmas markets which had a great big Ferris wheel which cam thought looked like fun (but we had no cash) before heading into one of the malls. We saw another Santa land (cam hasn’t asked why he’s seen about 5 different places where Santa lives LOL, I thought he might this time ‘cos he seemed a bit puzzled by seeing another one!) and then back down the main street, before turning around and heading back for the market and the Ferris wheel! I though cam would change his mind about going on it at the last minute ‘cos it was really high – but he didn’t and him and I went on for a ride – I think I may have been more nervous than him LOL. It wasn’t scary though and the views were very cool! I couldn’t get any awesome pics like I was hoping to though ‘cos it was hard to with the Ferris wheel itself in the way! We then headed back for the campervan!
The next day, other that walking back along the river to feed the ducks we more or less just chilled out in the campervan! I went for a walk to the supermarket (and got a bit lost!) but that was about it!
The next day we walked along the same way we did yesterday and crossed to the other side of the river again – this time heading into the main part of town. We went for a look at the Christmas markets which had a great big Ferris wheel which cam thought looked like fun (but we had no cash) before heading into one of the malls. We saw another Santa land (cam hasn’t asked why he’s seen about 5 different places where Santa lives LOL, I thought he might this time ‘cos he seemed a bit puzzled by seeing another one!) and then back down the main street, before turning around and heading back for the market and the Ferris wheel! I though cam would change his mind about going on it at the last minute ‘cos it was really high – but he didn’t and him and I went on for a ride – I think I may have been more nervous than him LOL. It wasn’t scary though and the views were very cool! I couldn’t get any awesome pics like I was hoping to though ‘cos it was hard to with the Ferris wheel itself in the way! We then headed back for the campervan!
The next day, other that walking back along the river to feed the ducks we more or less just chilled out in the campervan! I went for a walk to the supermarket (and got a bit lost!) but that was about it!
24th - 26th December
Ok, well I haven’t written my blog in about a week! Oops! So I’m going to do my best to remember the days and what we did.
Monday 24th – Wednesday 26th December
We stayed in a camping ground about 9 miles out of Cardiff in Wales – we were right in a massive park (sorry I can’t remember it’s name!)in a place called Newton, which was pretty cool! On the day we arrived we went for a walk through the park and to the supermarket – which was close by (always a bonus!) and just chilled out (I think! I can’t remember doing anything else anyway!)
On day two we went for a drive out to Caterphily Castle – another breathtaking ruined castle. We had to drive down the worlds narrowest roads to get there ‘cos we took a wrong turn or two which was kind of stressful! (although I think I possibly get more stressed out about it that Col does….) The castle itself was beautiful (of course) – Cam loved all the different weapon type things that were outside it (there was a big crossbow thing and a couple of big catapults). One of the big watchtowers were broken and he took great joy out of telling us all about how the catapult from outside had done it! (Which apparently one could have, either that or it just may have happened naturally with the sinking ground –they aren’t sure!) Anyway, it was impressive to see it with a big crack through the middle and the rest of it was beautiful too! There were a few men fishing in the Moat which looked funny! The drive back was much more pleasant as we were on the motorway lol. We had to fill up our gas bottle so were relieved to find somewhere to do that (after trying about 4 petrol stations we found a camping type shop that did it…with a petrol station right next door that also did!) it was bad timing because most of the campsites do the bottle swaps too but not the one we were at! It’s much too cold to go a night without it though (like we had to the night b4 LOL) not to mention not being able to cook dinner or have a cuppa so was great to find somewhere.
On our last day here we caught the bus into town (Cardiff) - we walked through the park )a shortcut to the bus stop col hoped) only to find there was no other way out! We found a spot to jump the brick wall Col and Cam went fist, then I wasn’t so sure I could do it after all LOL (after insisting I’d be able to in the first place…) Anyway, I managed – much to the amusement of Col and Cam and no doubt the passing traffic! Cardiff was a nice city – we wandered up one of the main streets heading towards the castle (we didn’t go into this one though), and then back down and into a mall or two and the Cardiff Markets – which kind of reminded me of the Freemantle markets in a way.
Monday 24th – Wednesday 26th December
We stayed in a camping ground about 9 miles out of Cardiff in Wales – we were right in a massive park (sorry I can’t remember it’s name!)in a place called Newton, which was pretty cool! On the day we arrived we went for a walk through the park and to the supermarket – which was close by (always a bonus!) and just chilled out (I think! I can’t remember doing anything else anyway!)
On day two we went for a drive out to Caterphily Castle – another breathtaking ruined castle. We had to drive down the worlds narrowest roads to get there ‘cos we took a wrong turn or two which was kind of stressful! (although I think I possibly get more stressed out about it that Col does….) The castle itself was beautiful (of course) – Cam loved all the different weapon type things that were outside it (there was a big crossbow thing and a couple of big catapults). One of the big watchtowers were broken and he took great joy out of telling us all about how the catapult from outside had done it! (Which apparently one could have, either that or it just may have happened naturally with the sinking ground –they aren’t sure!) Anyway, it was impressive to see it with a big crack through the middle and the rest of it was beautiful too! There were a few men fishing in the Moat which looked funny! The drive back was much more pleasant as we were on the motorway lol. We had to fill up our gas bottle so were relieved to find somewhere to do that (after trying about 4 petrol stations we found a camping type shop that did it…with a petrol station right next door that also did!) it was bad timing because most of the campsites do the bottle swaps too but not the one we were at! It’s much too cold to go a night without it though (like we had to the night b4 LOL) not to mention not being able to cook dinner or have a cuppa so was great to find somewhere.
On our last day here we caught the bus into town (Cardiff) - we walked through the park )a shortcut to the bus stop col hoped) only to find there was no other way out! We found a spot to jump the brick wall Col and Cam went fist, then I wasn’t so sure I could do it after all LOL (after insisting I’d be able to in the first place…) Anyway, I managed – much to the amusement of Col and Cam and no doubt the passing traffic! Cardiff was a nice city – we wandered up one of the main streets heading towards the castle (we didn’t go into this one though), and then back down and into a mall or two and the Cardiff Markets – which kind of reminded me of the Freemantle markets in a way.
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