Terry’s Travels TT40-1 Colombo, Sri Lanka It was a massive leap from bonfire night in England to our first stop in Dubai, this time the Howard Johnson, it was a good room but a poor location, we will not use this again. Reaching Colombo in Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) was very exciting for me, it brought my countries visited to 62. The traffic is horrendous and our pre booked taxi took 90 minutes to cover the 35km to the centre of Columbo the biggest city and port of Sri Lanka. The Hotel Galle Face was fabulous, colonial style with history from 1864 and antiques alongside the Indian Ocean. We walked the promenade in the heat, visited a shopping mall but the traffic put us off exploring further. The hotel was enchanting and kept us very happy with the bar and pool and choice of restaurants. Dinner and drinks outside in the perfect evening temperatures and a full moon were very special. Sri Lanka has periods of history that were Portuguese, Dutch and the British although the ancient history has cinnamon being traded in 1400BC. The people are very friendly but many are on the make with especially the tuk tuk taxis chasing hard for business. One guy tried to get us to take a tuk tuk to a special ceremony with 50 dancing elephants, yes it was a holiday but the wrong time for the elephants—Di shrewdly declined. The locals pack the nearby beach at night and it was wonderful to see all the buzz of the families having fun. There are many smart police and especially the army in force on the streets. It is not so long since the Tamil Tigers were at war and with a Tamil population of around 3 million in a country of 20 million perhaps the show of force is still deemed necessary. We talked to a few other tourists who have moved around but the problem is one of roads not being up to the traffic but there are beautiful places and interesting architecture. We ate vegetarian on our second and final night which was superb. It gets us ready for our longer stay in Kerala with all the ayuverdic and spiritual stuff to come. My website has just been updated and with more images on Flickr that you can easily see via the website.
27th Nov 2011
Hotel Galle Face, Colombo, SL
Me nude sunbathing!
Popular beach in distance
It was a full moon holiday Which meant there was No alchohol Di was NOT amused Nov 7th back to NZ for 2011/12 via Dubai/Sri Lanka/Kerala in SW India where we hope to ride a mountain railway and rent a motorcycle before Brisbane/Auckland and living back in Nelson,NZ until May 2012 hoping to revamp the pool and maybe bathroom. Guests still welcome .
Many photos with captions and previous travels on my website www.THinnc.co.uk
Terry’s Travels TT40-2 Kerala, India On arriving in Cochin, Kerala airport we were grateful for pre-booked transport. 45km to the small Fort Cochin took 90 minutes and when I saw the competitive driving it put me off renting a motorcycle. Di had wisely chosen the Old Lightouse Hotel at Fort Cochin (a small village feeling town). The location is on the Arabian sea but next to the mouth of a massive river fed lake. Lovely people running the hotel if a bit amateurish—it really suited us and our 6 days flew by. We had massages in the health facility.
30th Nov 2011
Beggar on Fort Cochin promenade
This is only a small taster of Kerala, it’s bigger than I thought, there can be 700km between places. The mountains were a longer journey than we wished to make but it would be somewhere I would be keen to return to. If you get chance to look at all the photos I have taken you will see that it is a photographers paradise. Our typical day was a tropical fruit breakfast watching the boats drifting by, a mixture of fishing boats, tourist boats, dredgers and massive container ships. Then we walked down the coast via a nice promenade with street sellers but all in a laid back way. The small town has many restaurants, bars and tea rooms from the most primitive to very swishy. Our favourite tea house was Open Hand, our favourite bar was the Brunton Hotel next to the busy ferry with plenty to watch. The friendly staff gave us a demonstration of punkas, the giant fans that were amazingly effective when swung by the punkawallah. There was a lot to look at in the town and some good shops and markets all in 30C with breezes.. A boat trip into the lake entrance and along the coast and to Willington Island is best taken to include sunset. 1700 rupees for two gave us our own boat and excellent guide (20 pounds) and they collected us also. The other must is a tuk tuk trip, we decided carefully and went with a super young chap with good English. He took us to temples/churches/ spice market along very tiny back streets and yes we agreed to go to a place for the talk on Indian carpets in fine wool or the amazing silk ones at even more amazing prices. He had blagged a cruise ship cap from the visiting Aida and was chuffed with $6 I gave him for the tour. We came away with light gaudy flower power type garments to shock you all with. Peace Man…..
Water hyacinth washing down
Kids love to try English
A boat trip is a must Perfect conditions at sunset These are the famous Chinese Fishing nets Fort Cochin Nov 7th back to NZ for 2011/12 via Dubai/Sri Lanka/Kerala in SW India where we hope to ride a mountain railway and rent a motorcycle before Brisbane/Auckland and living back in Nelson,NZ until May 2012 hoping to revamp the pool and maybe bathroom. Guests still welcome .
Many photos with captions and previous travels on my website www.THinnc.co.uk
Terry’s Travels TT40-3 Living in Nelson, NZ
29th January 2012
New Zealand has been getting a bellyful of extreme weather. The tragic earthquake in Christchurch has been extensively reported but is still happening with another bad shake bringing more liquefaction and areas that cannot be rebuilt on. You can only feel very sorry for those so badly affected, there will be many more shakes to come to Christchurch the pundits say. This has put insurance renewal costs up! The North coast and especially the Nelson area has had extremely heavy rainfall, the most for 100 years which has caused land slips and some 120 homes being made uninhabitable in Nelson alone. We ourselves have been very fortunate with no damage. All the rain has produced massive growth which has kept us busy in the garden and some farmers have had three times the normal hay production. The 1st photo shows the cliffs just 100 yards from our driveway. 2nd photo was a balmy Xmas eve. 3rd photo is our nearby Tahunanui beach, now largely cleaned up by volunteers. 4th photo is the largest apartment block affected with questions being asked why the cliffs behind were not reinforced. Even a 94 year old guy was put back onto the first floor by cherry picker for his clothing—they all had to get out in a hurry. Luckily no deaths or injuries, work has just started removing mud from the first floor. Our garden is looking lovely and roses this year have been exceptional. We feel very happy to be here with so many friends and great local music events plus of course the roads and scenery that make it such a Mecca for motorcycling. It is expensive now that the pound only buys $NZ1.93—it was $NZ3.4 when we first came. Our house was spotless from our good tenants and we are delighted with the re-carpeting that was done. We are using our pool, motorcycling, walking and generally just living. The pubs are better this year and I went to my first concert in a yurt! at the Freehouse pub. I would never have believed an evening with a six piece band playing Russian and Jewish music could be so good. The yurt works extremely well by giving great acoustics and at $10 entrance plus true pints at $8 is a good deal in Nelson which is an expensive place.
Cliffs had slips, containers as barrier
Nelson Cathedral carol concert
Washed down river to beach
Mud slid into apartment block Stairs and lift covered Owners evacuated for 6 months Cherry picker used for evacuation! Living in Nelson until May 1st 2012 then back in UK May 9th to 24th. Back to Mercie in Sicily visiting Mount Etna etc (spending EUROS!) then ferry to Dubrovnic to start tour north in Croatia and back to the UK late July until early September. NZ again Nov. until May 2013—if the world still exists…….
Many photos with captions and previous travels on my website www.THinnc.co.uk
Terry’s Travels TT40-4 NZ trip nearly ended
8th April 2012
I haven’t written about our travels for a while but living in NZ has been great with visitors adding to our fun here. The first photo shows a typical Wednesday evening when the yachts leave harbour through The Cut and return an hour or so later at about 7pm (before the clocks change). It’s fun to hear the shouting and nautical oaths over the water as they jostle for position. There is an annual Trolley Derby when gravity is used down steep Collingwood Street for racers of all ages. The lastest is when they can have two pushers for 10 metres and achieve speeds of 70kph before sometimes crashing…….. During our travels down the East coast we came across this wonderful 1921 unrestored Dodge— even better was the history. The wife of the present owner was BORN! in the car. The car had been sold by the family but her husband bought them it back as a wedding anniversary present for her. The husband wore ear plugs whilst driving the noisy beast. One of the many highlights of this trip was a trial afternoon rafting down the Clarence river. Four of us were taken some 14km down the final stretch of the river which then runs out to the sea a little N of Kaikoura which is the tourist town famous for whale watching and eating Crayfish. The short trip was a try out for what could be a 5 day expedition next year. The rafts can carry quite a load so food and wine can be taken into the wilderness with camping gear and shovels to go native……….. I needed some surgery this trip (nothing life threatening) and made my first insurance claim, it was rejected! I fought this successfully and would offer the following important points. They argued a precondition even though I had a check up in July with no problems, took out the insurance in August for travel in November. They made a good will pay out saying that since our claim for loss of travel costs for flights and hotels would have been greater than the surgery they paid. It shows it pays to have a policy for BOTH of us rather than individual ones, going to Sri Lanka and Kerala was great and added to that travel cost! The box here> shows our future travel plans—Tallyho…….
Wed eve race towards The Cut
Trolley Derby Central Nelson
Marvellous unrestored 1921 Dodge
We entered the Clarence River For our rafting experience Brilliant 14km grade 2 rapids Wilderness area then the sea Living in Nelson until May 1st 2012 then back in UK May 9th to 24th. To Mercie in Sicily visiting Mount Etna etc (spending EUROS!) then ferry to Dubrovnic to start tour north in Croatia and back to the UK late July until early September. NZ again Nov. until May 2013—if the world still exists…….
Many photos with captions and previous travels on my website www.THinnc.co.uk
Terry’s Travels TT40-5 Brisbane, Singapore, Dubai
28th May 2012
Having left Nelson after a wonderful near 6 months we were anxious to see our friend Jonette who had been quite ill. We were so relieved to see her looking well, her house looking good in Redland Bay near Brisbane and her shoe collection to rival Imelda Marcos’s! We managed to get to a specialist Ugg boot place and bought boots for my daughter Lindy (a good rival make). You will see from the last picture that we (of course) got to a bar during all this shopping effort where I enjoyed trying a Dirty Granny, in fact it’s a brand of cider in OZ. We had a 2 night stay in Singapore in the excellent Changi Village Hotel near the airport in an area we had not walked around before. Lots of fishing and ferries just across the road. The better deal is to get an executive package with breakfast, finger buffet and drinks included.
Jonette’s house Redland Bay
Part of her shoes!
Dubai was our final stop to break the long journey, the Golden sands is getting a bit shabby but worked well for us. The free wifi in the restaurant allowed us to watch the MotoGP that we follow and one of the waiters was a bike fan. England looked wonderful with all the Spring blossoms especially through Bingley as Lindy took us back to our small house. The tenants had NOT been good ones but hey everything was there, so a professional clean paid for by the bond and we are having painting done as we are travelling will sort it. It was great to socialise, Di went to London to visit her family. It was cold and wet but then came great and I managed two days of riding with different pals. The Yorkshire Dales looked as wonderful as ever and the Trough of Bowland was again England at its best. I walked with Lindy and met Betty the Border Terrier, another walk companion to join the 2 labradoars. Our longer time in England is during high summer for the Olympics etc. I write this having returned with Di to Mercie in Sicily in wonderful weather. A swim next before breakfast. There will be more photos on Flickr soon. Have fun—Terry & Di
Di trying many many boots
The very dry climate of OZ Has to be dealt with What better than a DIRTY GRANNY - then back in UK May 9th to 24th. To Mercie in Sicily visiting Mount Etna etc (spending EUROS!) then ferry to Dubrovnic to start tour north in Croatia and back to the UK late July until early September. NZ again Nov. until May 2013—if the world still exists after the Mayan prediction for Dec 21st
Many photos with captions and previous travels on my website www.THinnc.co.uk
Terry’s Travels TT40-6 Sicily & Mount Etna It was wonderful to find Mercie covered in pine needles, but spruced up, charged and we moved to a spacious campsite at the excellent C. Rais Gerbi and enjoyed nearly a week getting settled into our change of life. You can see the spectacular pool, the restaurant on the campsite is also excellent. It is a short walk into the lovely village with fruit & veg, butchers and another good restaurant bar (they even sold us a cooked whole fish). We watched F1 at the bar and did lots of reading. Chris Ryan and Val McDermid, now it’s Daniel Easterman that I’m enjoying reading. We had to tackle the horrendous traffic through Palermo to return the hire car to Cinisi but the two train rides back went well plus a 20 minute walk from the station. Our plan was to drive to Catania on the S coast and overnight, once again the traffic was manic and we saw yet another scooter accident. Camping Jonio was poor. We left at 7am which helped beat the traffic and we were crossing the extensive lava fields climbing towards Mount Etna. This was very impressive and we luckily had perfect weather. We had a coffee at Hotel Corsaro near the cable car and were fascinated to watch the video of recent eruptions, it added to it that the Hotel was shown being defended from lava flows. We decided against taking the cable car as cloud was coming in and instead drove a minor road across more of the lava fields. Care was needed as traffic was now coming up the mountain, the early start had been a great idea. The drive along the S coast of Sicily back to Messina for the ferry back to the mainland was lovely. Heading N up the A3 was horrendous with traffic and road works. It took much longer than we thought and then the Lat/Long was wrong for Camping Mimosa, we found it and it proved an excellent rural site by the sea. The restaurant was REALLY class. We enjoyed the best jumbo prawns ever with skilful trimmings. The other unusual, but nice, feature was a key to our own bathroom—all for 12 EUROS ACSI price. Driving the A3 became scenic in the mountains and our next co-ordinates were spot on—even avoiding a low 2.7m tunnel access. C. Pinata di Sibari is massive site and just opening for summer.
3rd June 2012
Di walks to pool C. Rais Gerbi
These roses caught attention
Mercie headed for Mt Etna
40km diameter lava fields Highest volcano in Europe 3,300m Basaltic lava 2,000m deep Plants regrowing outstandingly May 24th to Mercie in Sicily visiting Mount Etna etc (spending EUROS!) then ferry to mainland & ferry to Dubrovnic to start tour north in Croatia and back to the UK July 22nd until September 11th. NZ again Nov. until May 2013—if the world still exists after the Mayan prediction for Dec 21st!
Many photos with captions and previous travels on my website www.THinnc.co.uk
Terry’s Travels TT40-7 Leaving Italy hooray We were extremely dischuffed to find no wifi at C. Pinata di Sabari, they thought it may be on in a few days. We toured the small villages but nothing doing. The whole area looked extremely sad, as if the people have given up. We did find a good restaurant and bar and our impression improved. We arrived on June 1st and saw the amazing growth of this MASSIVE family orientated site. Hundreds of caravans are in storage in open sheds and then towed into the forest near the beach where large families escaping from their apartment blocks are able to get some space and freedom and go to immense trouble and expense to set up their second homes for the summer. It made us ashamed that we had been so critical. Europe is struggling....... Our journey N up the coast to the port of Bari was pleasant and easy. We queued to do paperwork and then again to get aboard—over 2 hours—we were glad to leave Italy at 10pm. We had a cabin and got up at 6am to enjoy the included breakfast. More queueing to get into Croatia but it all looked massively better than Italy. We picked up the main road towards Montenegro and 5km S came to Camping Kupari which is proving excellent, shade, electric and wifi that costs but works well. Walking distance to a Konad supermarket ATM machine and a good pub called the Garden Pub with great draft, good music and very pretty waitresses. The Balkan birds are such an improvement on the S Italian ones.........
6th June 2012
Volumes of scooters Messina
Camping Pinata di Sibari
Amazing—village grows in forest
Dubrovnik is an amazing ancient walled city on the Adriatic. It’s a magnet for tourists and an average of 5 cruise ships per week—BIG ONES—bring crowds into a very compact area with resulting bedlam. Our little motorcycle was the ideal transport to get into the centre and parked. I will show more photos on the next TT. The weather has been excellent the whole trip but it ended with a clap of thunder that rocked the van. I normally don’t wake up but this time I did. It had cleared by morning and I set off down the coast on the bike heading for Montenegro, it was only about 40km but with unmade road for 10km made it bumpy and dusty riding. Coaches were waiting to cross the border, I wouldn’t wait so I cannot legitimately add it to my list of countries visited.
The Port of Dubrovnik The ferry Jadrolina Line which crossed the calm Adriatic And delivered us overnight We drank the Queens health– a fantastic Monarch then ferry to Dubrovnic to start tour north in Croatia and back to the UK July 22nd (or earlier) until September 11th. NZ again Nov. until May 2013—if the world still exists after the Mayan prediction for the world to end Dec 21st!
Many photos with captions and previous travels on my website www.THinnc.co.uk
Terry’s Travels TT40-8 Dubrovnik and North
10th June 2012
Dubrovnik the walled city on the Adriatic is looking good but crowded, two cruise ships were in port and when you see the number of coaches taking people from them you realise the impact. It is a World Heritage site and amongst the top 10 walled cities in the world. Its main development came in the 15th and 16th centuries and based on maritime trade. The grand Hotel is dated from 1897 but looks fresh and modern. We were glad to escape the crowds by walking along quiet shady terraces with a welcome sea breeze. There are numerous coffee shop/ restaurants that look both stylish and cool. Scooters are everywhere since the parking near the centre is very difficult. The coast road S of the city is very spectacular with the airport some 10km S. A place called Cavtat looked the place to have a holiday home. Property near Dubrovnik is the countries highest prices but apparently the bubble has burst here too.
Cruise ship shows its impact
Unique Dubrovnik—walled city
We talked to people that had canoed and travelled through Albania, the report was bad roads but felt safe with nice people. Montenegro was also reported as very scenic and nice. We enjoyed our 2 night stay at Camping Kupari and left around 10am to head N up the coast. This journey is not a problem on a good narrow road that skirts the coast with the most stunning scenery. The hard part is to watch the road rather than enjoying the views. We had decided to visit Korcula and turned onto the peninsula that takes you towards Orebic. This was another world of historic buildings and true unchanged rural scenery with many wineries. Mussels and oysters were growing in many sea beds and of course on sale too. The whole of Croatia is very tourist orientated, the children have to learn English and 1 other language in school so it makes being here easy. The pride and cleanliness really makes such a contrast to the shameful S Italy. We pulled into Camping Nevio 4* near Orebic— what a sensational site, we shall have to drag ourselves away—and at 16 Euros a night—although the currency is Krona at about 9 = £1.
Wonderful historic buildings
The Grand Hotel Imperial 5* Part of Hilton chain Competing with the cruise ships One of Costa fleet arrived OK! We drank the Queens health– a fantastic Monarch then ferry to Dubrovnic to start tour north in Croatia and back to the UK July 22nd (or earlier) until September 11th. NZ again Nov. until May 2013—if the world still exists after the Mayan prediction for the world to end Dec 21st!
Many photos with captions and previous travels on my website www.THinnc.co.uk
Terry’s Travels TT40-9 Orebic and Korcula
11th June 2012
We were lucky to choose Orebic and C. Nevio, it has proved a most wonderful place and will have been our temporary home for almost a week. I have taken so many photos riding around on the little bike, it is hard to choose just 4 for this chapter of TT, more are on Flickr and worth a look, use Flickr’s slideshow to enjoy in full screen. Korcula was first reported as a walled city in the 10th Century but most of the old dates back to 15/16th century. It was pleasantly bustling but in a really relaxed way. Our two coffees to people watch were only 20 Krona, this was a far cry from crazy Dubrovnik with it’s cruise ships. It had been an easy and cheap ferry crossing to get there and we met a Brit couple using a little bike like ours— amazing because there are few Brits about. Our camp site is close to the town of Orebic with all the facilities we like and a supermarket a few minutes walk. Largely we eat outside Mercie overlooking the Adriatic, Di tried pork when we went out and loved it (wild boar?). We are following the Euro 2012 football with the locals in an open air bar with free wifi, a litre of decent chilled red and two small beers were consumed watching two games (£12 inc tip). We both had haircuts (Di a shampoo) at less than £12 inc tip for a pleasing pro job. I think I have mentioned the Balkan ladies, well there was a stunner (a nine!, smoker so 6!) in the bar last night with her boyfriend, football first, the disco next, then? Di and I’s big night out was just the football and a walk home in the sultry dark (11pm), aided by an LED torch..........oh to be young again.....but we are so grateful to be doing it. Marco Polo is the most famous son of Korcula which has 3,000 residents, how he must have looked out from the tall tower thinking of distant lands and adventures. Quite why an ice cream is branded after him escapes me though. We start our journey N again taking the ferry to Ploce and heading towards the island of Krk, we should meet up there with Neil & Tess who have a Harley and a tent in the white van Mercedes, we like the travel with friends, Neil threatens to sing Ging gang gooly gooly, campfire style. I reckon squeezing his goolies will make him a soprano.
Beautiful island of Korcula
Inspires artists
Wonderful historic buildings
We were privileged to get this shot of a private home just down one of the many alleyways in Korcula town then ferry to Dubrovnic to start tour north in Croatia. We head to Krk in N Croatia to meet friends next weekend and back to the UK July 22nd (or earlier) until September 11th. NZ again Nov. until May 2013—if the world still exists after the Mayan prediction for the world to end Dec 21st!
Many photos with captions and previous travels on my website www.THinnc.co.uk
Terry’s Travels TT40-10 Pstjac Ferry to mainland We took the ferry to Ploce on the mainland and the newly extended A1 towards Zadar, it was quiet and scenic but we left for the really scenic E65 and overnighted at C. Paklenika which was a dismal site. This slow and winding coast with many barren islands in the glistening Adriatic was very rewarding touring. We spotted a new Lidl right on the coast in Novi Vinodolski with excellent parking, we shopped and looked around. It was now just a short drive before entering the island of Krk by the toll bridge (42 Kuna). We rejected the first camp (not enough shade) and drove 6km to Kamp Njivice. Our plan was to be set up and give GPS coordinates to our friends Neil & Tess who did a marathon drive from Yorkshire with only one overnight stop. We had seen some development of this large commercial site but not realised the scale! Gangs of workmen were finishing a huge new toilet block and completing extensive groundwork, millions were being spent. Our tired friends arrived and the summer heat started to arrive. The whole island of Krk is having a building boom, in fact Croatia has had a 30% rise in tourism and currently is beating the recession. The building noise was a nuisance but I loved seeing the amazing progress during our week there. The island was nice to look around but the heat at 32-34C became a bit much. Some time in the aircon of the hotel whilst watching the EURO 2012 soccer was a pleasant bonus.
27th June 2012
Beach at Kamp Njivice
Old and new on Krk
Neil & Tess arrive with Harley
The men were working 12 hour days and a seven day week to complete for a weekend National Rally, they were amazingly committed but did NOT succeed. We all left as rather irate campers arrived to find an incomplete campsite. The site when completed has a lot going for it with the beach and especially a short walk to Njivice with a big selection of restaurants, hotels, bars and more beach with spectacular mountain back drops. Our friends headed to Bled but we overnighted at C. Ljubliana Resort, Slovenia. A local bus took us the 5km to see the city—we were stunned and mightily impressed—more next time......
We were amazed by the hard working and effective team. People arriving for their special Annual rally were shocked! We head to Krk in N Croatia to meet friends next weekend and back to the UK July 12th until September 11th. NZ again Nov. 21st until May 1st 2013—if the world still exists after the Mayan prediction for the world to end Dec 21st!
Many photos with captions and previous travels on my website www.THinnc.co.uk
Terry’s Travels TT40-11 Ljubliana
1st July 2012
Our campsite sold tickets for the local bus, it was like a 5km tour on an excellent modern bus with digital displays. We jumped off when we saw an area of interest and were immediately listening to a multi race singing group. We bought a lemonade and sat, listened and people watched. What a set of characters in this ethnic area, copper coloured hair is fashionable here. We hadn’t known what to expect but were very surprised by the style of what looked very good living standards. It had some similarity to Prague even down to seeing both stag and hen groups partying. Our next group of singers in the photo were especially polished and were very well applauded by the crowd of listeners. Lots of the restaurants were busy, they seemed to use exceptionally beautiful stylish front of house hostesses. We walked both banks of the river in this central area before coming across a huge setting for an outdoor concert, Slovenian TV were there. We were tempted to stay but had planned to watch another evening football game back at the excellent campsite. We would recommend anyone visiting Slovenia to include Ljubliana. We headed to meet our friends again at Camping Bled by the side of this amazing lake. We were lucky to get a site close to them with a great view of Castle Bled with the mountain backdrop for socialising. There were a few Brits on this site, we hadn’t seen many on our trip so far. The restaurant had the screen where a jammed audience of Brits saw England loose to Italy with such a dismal performance. I bicycled around the Lake with Neil using one of his Dawes folding bikes, it really is such a splendid area. Another day I walked alone to the town of Bled as night fell and the lights twinkling on the lake and castle in the stillness. Bats buzzed me, was it Dracula that was connected to this area? Neil on his Harley and me on my Serow had a ride to Lake Bohinj through the most scenic villages. This for me was another highlight of the excellent visit to Slovenia, more pictures to follow. Our next leg is via the Loibl tunnel to S Austria.
Ljubliana city by the river
Excellent singers on bridge
Can I have an ice cream Mum?
Lots of graffiti all around the City of Ljubliana but much of it done artistically It had a fun and vibrancy feel We head to Lake Bled in Slovenia to meet friends again and back to the UK July 12th (after going to the Sachsenring) until September 11th. NZ again Nov. 21st until May 1st 2013—if the world still exists after the Mayan prediction for the world to end Dec 21st!
Many photos with captions and previous travels on my website www.THinnc.co.uk
Terry’s Travels TT40-12 Austria & Germany Our friends had in mind riding the Grossglockner but we planned to head directly N through the Loibl tunnel minor road into S Austria. A long steady climb but massive views. The descent was very steep, unsuitable for caravans, I felt a rear tyre problem on the way down and pulled into a tyre service place. I had changed 4 tyres on Mercie when they were only part worn but 6 years old. The remaining old tyre got forgotten—now 12 years since manufacture! BIG MISTAKE—it had deformed, we were lucky. They didn’t have a quality replacement from stock but put the spare on. We pulled into a 50+ site near Zeltweg, it’s hard to describe how immaculate it was, so quiet that I had to quieten my farts......The restaurant was terrific and football after on a giant HD screen—heaven. The local tyre dealer did not have a tyre so onwards towards Passau where we found a Riefen and got quality, value and immediate service, we could now continue with more confidence. We looked at two sites convenient for Passau but didn’t like them. The Donau (Danube) is the border here so we crossed into Bavaria, Germany. We drove the scenic 114 but then it had been washed out in a recent storm and had a 2hour detour, at least it was all fantastic scenery. After travelling again we planned a longer stay and found the excellent 4*Chalet & Camping Arber which opens too in winter for skiing. We stayed 4 nights at ACSI price and met many nice people, quite a few had found the heat in Croatia too much, the site is quite close to the small town of Zweisel, the July sales just started and we spent a few Euros there. We had a MEGA thunderstorm with hailstones much bigger than golf balls. Mercie had minor damage but some had badly broken windows. It was a terrifying and deafening (inside Mercie) experience. I photographed the hail falling, one hit my hand which was very painful and nearly knocked my camera from my hand—I retreated. Motorcycling roads were all around and I came across a glass theme park Jokal. It proved to be well worth a visit. You could be helped to blow your own long stemmed vase which had a steady stream of children and adults. As we left we heard friends Robin & Norrie are meeting up YIPPEE.
3rd July 2012
Vintnar Gorge in National Park
Immaculate Trabant conversion
Washing courtesy of Di
Glass theme park Jokal Big restaurant and snack bar Crockery, glass jewellery Paper flowers and house clutter We head to Lake Bled in Slovenia to unexpectedlymeet friends Robin & Norrie and back to the UK July 12th (after going to the Sachsenring) until September 11th. NZ again Nov. 21st until May 1st 2013—if the world still exists after the Mayan prediction for the world to end Dec 21st!
Many photos with captions and previous travels on my website www.THinnc.co.uk
Terry’s Travels TT40-13 Photos Slovenia-Austria-Bavaria
2nd July 2012
Flowers abound near Bled
Serow, Vines & Orebic
Birmingham couples Bentley on Grand Tour
Young Croatian supporter
Submarine adventure at Krk
Lily pond at 50+ Camp
Restaurants everywhere in Ljubliana
Lake Bohinj with electric boat
Many photos with captions and previous travels on my website www.THinnc.co.uk
Terry’s Travels TT40-14 Autobahns back to UK
3rd August 2012
This latest 7 week trip back from Sicily is now over. The highlights have been Mount Etna, Dubrovnik, Orebic in Croatia, Lake Bled and Ljubliana in Slovenia and touring through Austria and Bavaria. Even getting a tank full of good soft water and enjoying luxurious lather under the shower is worth a mention. It’s often the small things in life that add greatly to a trip. Despite some very heavy rain whilst at the Sachsenring we had a great time with friends and were so thankful not to be under canvas. We headed back from what was East Germany via Autobahns (free) and had a lovely last night on the banks of the Rhine near the centre of Cologne. The final run through a bit of Holland, Belgium and France for the cheap night ferry from Calais to Dover. Back in a rainy S England and a quiet M25 around London about 4am. A three hour power nap followed by a good breakfast at a Little Chef and we were soon in Yorkshire in sunshine!
Lake Bohinj in Slovenia
Look at massive ice balls!
Our ACSI discount book has been brilliant again out of season, every little helps. Europe is expensive as it tries to recover by adding taxes. The countries that were called third world must be rubbing their hands........ and now Mercie is being serviced and may get a new roof in October following the hail damage so it means we will be going to Europe again to pay some more taxes. England has been great for our first two weeks back. I managed a day at the Open Golf at Lytham and a day motorcycling in the Yorkshire Dales. There has been lots of gardening, painting, socialising. A new computer comes next week and Amazon shares must be a buy with all the spending I have done. We must trust the weather since we plan a barbie this evening, in fact we have had the weather for outdoor living for quite a few days. Di has replaced our mattresses from memory foam to pocket springs. I still only sleep for around 5 hours, in fact I generally sleep a bit longer in Mercie. My pal Dave had his 70th birthday with a meal at the Three Acres—another bit of Britain at its best. The BBCs coverage of the OLYMPICS is simply stunning in HD, I hope you get to see some—I hope they fill the seats better though......
White BMW for Dave’s 70th
My daughter Lindy with her three dogs Henry, Betty and George who loves to swim At Bingley’s St Ives Estate back to the UK July 12th (after going to the Sachsenring) until September 11th. NZ again Nov. 21st until May 1st 2013—with plans to go to the Isle of Man TT May 25th followed by a trip to the Tour de France (the 100th) which begins in Corsica June 30th 2013. My motto is “Just Do it”.
Many photos with captions and previous travels on my website www.THinnc.co.uk
Terry’s Travels TT40-15 Last episode of 2012
26th December 2012
Since the late 1950s I accepted that the world may end in 2012 (Mayan predictions) it would have been my three score years and twelve! I read more and visited many of the Mayan sites. As the exit date came closer I was less comfortable with the idea. Happily we are through it and I now regard it as a punctuation mark in my lifetime. Christmas day was a real family event at my daughters house (Di and I owned this house for 25 The ring + Grandmas wedding ring years) with eleven of us round the table for lunch. Turkey with all the trimmings followed by Christmas pud with brandy sauce or chocolate mousse shaped like a cracker –yummy. Lindy had large Xmas crackers arranged to pull and a convincing looking ring popped out when Di and I pulled ours. I proposed to make her Mrs. Hainsworth (it was our 40th Xmas together) and she responded by bursting into tears? A magnum of Moet seemed to aid every ones recovery............ In the cold cold winter
The response meant yes and we will probably do the necessary signing quietly in Skipton. We do, however, plan some celebrations in both Northern and Southern hemispheres and all will be welcome. I will give you details when I am told what they are! YES, doing as I’m told is the secret and no she isn’t pregnant.. We are still looking to replace our much loved Mercie the Motorhome. This should be a little smaller and lighter but will have a garage to hold a newly invented inflatable outside room (you could come and stay!) which links to the motorhome. It will carry a motorcycle. Our life will be much the same with summer in the UK home, either side of this spent in the motorhome and six months living in our NZ home. We are hopeful that our efforts aided by the Minister in NZ will result in a Retirement Visa that will suit people like us and add to NZs prosperity without our draining NZs welfare and medical services. Speaking of medical events (not my favourite topic!) I had a metal stent fitted Dec 6th, this was non-urgent and seems to have gone well—I feel fine. They test me for flying Jan 11th but we have booked anyway for flying Jan 18th so there should be more Terry’s Travels in 2013.
Di and Lake Derwent
A lovely overnight at Keswick Had us lucky with weather Lake Derwent in winter Lake District National Park NZ again end of Jan 2013 until mid May. UK June then Tour de France (the 100th) which begins in Corsica June 30th 2013. then to mainland France. Do keep in touch and meet up anywhere you get chance. My motto is “Just Do it”.
Many photos with captions and previous travels on my website www.THinnc.co.uk