When in Rome.......

Greetings from Rome from an internet cafe!!  After a hurried departure from Firenze (we cocked ...oops, sorry Mr Theo, we inadvertantly had our time down to leave on the train for 10.30 instead of 9.10am), so anyway a great trip down on the train, 1st class, the only way to go.
Next bad decision was Michaelangelos. Lets walk, he said, its not that hot!!!!!! and its not that far!!!!!!. Another Tui ad.  The apartment here is fantastic just no WiFi.
Metro round the corner, so quick easy trips in to see really old, fantastic stuff.  Trevi fountain, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantino, domes, spires, people, people with guns, two great days filled so far.  Tomorrow we have an appointment with the big man at the vatican.
Just happened to be walking past a pub on our way home tonight and someone noticed the rugby on TV, naturally we had to have a beer and watch Italy beat USA.  Strangely we were the only ones watching the game!!
No photos tonight - hopefully wifi next stop.

PS what the hell is going on over there?  We see the Phoenix have changed hands, and what about those Warriors......GO the Warriors.

Kia Ora from Firenze

We are somewhat behind in the blogging dept as the "in a great spot" Hotel Medici does not have free WiFi or any other type available. Here we have enjoyed the company of Pat and Margaret who popped across from London to spend the last 4 days with us and have a look around themselves. We had a great time with them and were sad to see them leave this morning. We are now sitting in the Old Stove Irish pub (free WiFi). We have already spent a couple of hours here on sat morning watching the All Blacks hump France. So much better when there were a coupla of French persons watching also. Bit of a struggle drinking beer at 10.30am but what the hell....when in Rome???
We have a little to catch up on with our visit to Cinque Terre, Pisa and Lucca (highly recommended, we loved it) to skite about but we will maybe do that when we have a bit more time in Rome tomorrow. 

From our roof top garden - very close to the tolling bells!  Had a thunder and lightening storm go through very briefly yesterday late aftenoon. Luckily we were at the Uffizi gallery at the time, having an awesome tour.  Could spend hours there!

We've managed not to buy any leather jackets or bags at the markets yet.
TG, we could have a field day  buying for you here - burnt orange leather jackets, skirts , gloves and bags!!! 

We've had parades with drums, flags and canons going off, Relay for Life (thousands of people in geen t shirts flooding the streets, horses and carriages, tiny wee buses that have taken Michael's fancy (Ken - he's been talking about shipping one home!!)

Thanks for your messages and emails, we love hearing from you.
Arrivederci xxx

Ciao from sunny Genoa

-Train trip to Genova over viaducts and tunnels.
-Blue skies and hot, sunny weather .
-The most amazing B & B and nicest hosts.
-The best location, and a city so easy to get around.
-Amazing tiled and mosaic footpaths.
-Scooters and bikes everywhere.
-Very steep funicolare ride for a panoramic view over the city, except for the odd tree in the way!
-Some very glamorous, beautifully dressed women.

-Awesome dinner and great night out with the locals, no English and maybe some limoncello later in the night!
-Fantastic boat ride from St Margherita Ligure, to visit San Fruttuoso and Portofino.
-Blue, blue, blue sea. Brown, brown bodies.

A very happy Janet and Mike :-) 

Buonanotte
.... bedtime after another awesome day in paradise.

St Agnes... 'high in the hills stood a lonely....' whatever'

St Agnes is the highest coastal village in France, 3 km from Menton as the crow flies but 12 km up a twisting winding road, 800m above sea level. Very picturesque village on the side of a mountain. No cars as such but a big carpark. I thought it would be something diferent and it sure is, cobbled paths and steps yet again covered in dog/cat shite. I dont think i have seen anything here yet as i walk around, head down deep in concentration. (see  Paris incident).

We have had a good look around this place including the fort, with guns aimed at the sea, and the castle remains at the top of the hill. I say remains as the castle is in a somewhat semi complete condition because the village pinched all the rocks from the castle to build the town. Easy to drop them over the top than bring new ones all the way up here. Today we had a break from the past and went to Nice and back to Menton along the coast via how the other half lives in Monaco. A great day.

 Tomorrow the Whalens hit Italy - more bloody olives. I don't know whats happened but i have developed a taste for them, please note Jane + Muz.

Rural Avignon - penultimate day - tomorrow the Med beckons

He Said...

So now we are driving around this lovely place. I say we because most of the time its taking the two of us. Today we left just before lunch for a quick drive into the city and ended up half way to Switzerland before we found a roundabout to come back. Then we found just the spot when we discovered i had left the camera back at base. Whats a tourist without a camera? So back we come hopefully via a familia road then back into town. This time we found a park, piece of piss, next to a couple of Poms who had been looking for hours. The centre of Avignon is surrounded by a large wall ie castle wall, around most sides. So thru the wall we went, into these narrow cobble streets, hardly wide enough for a golf cart when all a sudden along comes a fekking big bus.
Anyway, thru the wall on this side of town is the university. God, i thought i was back on the beach at Barcelona  again. Karl, you should come here as well, and you Kristy!!!! Sorry JBT.  Anyway a great wander around the city then back home for a swim, a beer or two and some blogging. Alot of pressure these blogs??
Yesterday we took a couple of fortunate turns and ended up in a free carpark, on the other side of a river (how did that happen?) just below a castle. Now castles are like Pa's, they seem to be always on a bloody hill. They are surounded by cobblestone streets and its always 34 deg. When i come home i'm going to Larnach.

 These castles are incredible. Hard to imagine people running up a spiral staircase with a torch in one hand and bucket of hot tar in the other. Clearly we take things for granted nowadays. They even had a chapel out the back and when we walked in a light came on?? Amazing....sensors hundreds of years old.
Tomorrow, after breakfast, more pastries (very civilise the French, some of them have chocolate in them) we are off to Menton, via the coast in our private motor. For those interested a Alfa Romero Guilietta.

She said ... 

Our home sweet home. 
Only a slight exaggeration about the driving, except that it has taken two!!  I've had to keep him off the bl....y big concrete and paved gutters they have here on my side of the car!  We've only hit one.  Both slightly nervous when we took a wrong turning on the first day and ended up in this very dodgey gypsy type area which took a while to get out of. Even tough guy was slightly uneasy!
Across the Rhone to Villeneve-Les-Avignon was yesterdays outing to the Fort Saint Andre.  My first castle, and completely in tact abbey inside.  Even got to see the long drop or latrine up in the turrets! Ever wondered about that? Today as M said wandering around the old town inside the walls, and along the river.  I did have to point out several v large dog p...s to someone!

This has been real R & R after Paris and Barcelona, short days sightseeing and long days swimming, reading, eating and drinking.  Bliss.
Nice to skype all the family while we've been here too.

South of France

She said.....  We are now enjoying a beautiful room in a B & B in a 300 year old farm house, just out of Avignon.  Time for some R & R, a swim in the pool, and a read of our books under the trees. The home and gardens are amazing, a painters dream!
We have been thinking of you all (and Becks!!) in Wellington with the thunder and lightening and hail storm you had.  Photos on stuff look amazing! Karl also sent us a link to the big house fire.  It's all happening in the capital.   
We were pleased to hear that there was no danger from the nuclear plant explosion, not far away in Orange, but if we do look funny when we get back, this may be the reason why!
Last day for ERO at school today, so I hope you can all now breath a sigh of relief and concentrate on all those production rehearsals!!  Haven't heard any goss for a while!!????


He said ..... Our last day in Barcelone we went all spanish and had a big meal during the day(afternoon).
On the advice of our hosts we wandered off to this flash restaurant on a pier along the water front. Many beaches along here also and at 34deg there were heaps at the beach. I may well have ben just me but it certainly looked like the spanish womens' favourite colour for togs is "flesh coloured". In fact all the way along there, about 2k, i felt Janets eyes boring me in the back of the head!!( you guys know whaat i mean) so she must have spotted more than i did. probably because i was looking at the facinating buildings and eateries etc.
Anyway this meal, although expensive was well worth it. We had our first Paella prededed by 2 cold dishes + 2 hot dishes which we shared. One of the cold dishes was "figs stuffed with goats cheese", and we picked it. Whats with that , Muz+Jane?  Followed by squid and octopus??? No paua Muz?
Last night we went out for local T and wnet to a supermarket. You can see whats wrong with this continent when you can buy a good bottle of red/white wine and a apck of 10x bottles of kronenburg for the same price as a bottle of coke.
anyway, we seem to have moved to another place in heaven here so must get on, swim or read under the shady trees ????????????
Sorry, forgot to ask, How is WORK???????????????????

Beautiful Barcelona

Today is Monday 12th.  Saturday and Sunday have been amazing. 

SHE SAID ...  Our apartment and hosts couldn't be better.  Ron and Tadaaki have made us very welcome and Dunko the dog is our best friend.  Sorry Becks!!  5 minutes from the harbour, close to the market, rail station, and all the beautiful cobbled, narrow streets we have spent hours wandering around.  We both love Barcelona, it's vibrant, clean, lots of trees and the locals have been so nice.  Right down the a little thing like a waiter drawing me a map showing me where the wine came from.

We may have done a little shopping!  We've definately eaten some amazing food and drunk some nice spanish red. (thinking of you Murray!) We've done the Hop on Hop off again, and can't recommend that enough.  

Our visit to Sagrada Familia was incredible, beyond our expectations, and very moving.  Thank goodness we had got our tickets online as there was a huge long queue (200m) waiting in the sun!  The audio tour was the way to go, gave you heaps of great info.  I could have gazed at all the stained glass windows all day - Pat Leen got a mention several times! Things like the stories about the many different columns, their colours, meanings, heights and the biggest (the Virgin Mary) is still to come!  You could spend days finding all the different little carvings and statues everywhere, inside and out.  We spent a lot of time down at the workshop, seeing models and how the various parts were made. We thought of you Bard and Dordi.    Aaammmazzziiiinnnggg!

Gaudi's Park Guell was spectacular too, though it was extrememely hot that day, so we didn't go right to the top. We spent plenty of time checking out Gaudi's amazing buildings and could easily spent all day here. Sat and drank water and watched the 'gold man' for ages! Amazing views of the city from up here as well. 
It was Catalunya National Day, so red and yellow striped flags flying from buildings and balconies everywhere. 
Awesome sight, but unfortunately for us this meant our tour of the Barcelona Football stadium didn't happen....  absolutley gutted!  Had a wander around as best we could and got to watch ice skating in part of the complex instead. 
Coming home very late (after eating tapas out spanish dining time!) we got caught up in a parade of flags, flaming torches and drums to celebrate their day.
Saw the Olympic Stadium and grounds .. and of course I always gravitate back to the water and boats!!  I've felt very safe and happy here, and although looking forward to the south of France will be sorry to leave tomorrow.  Nearly time to go out - it's paella today down at the beach!!!  Sorry Karl, eating on our deck at home with Kristy, JD and Brid v paella at the beach in Barcelona, maybe think we might win today!


HE SAID .. Sorry but this installment will be big. The weekend in Barca has been extremely busy and tiring. At night one just wants to come home and crash. Yesterday our day was 9 hours long. We spent 2 hours in a church. Saturday we spent wanderring around the district of El Born an area about1000m radius from the apartment. An amazing collection of pedestrian streets about 4 metres wide with little shops everywhere. Saturday was the day our stupidity showed no bound yet again as we indulged in some shopping. Plenty of ideas here for those little gifts for those people we wish to buy for. Plenty of great knock of shops also. Surely it must be better wearing a replica Barca football shirt that was purchased in Barcelona rather the Jackson Street market in Petone.
Plenty of options also to buy some really inapropriate things that we now have to carry all around europe. These things will go well with the glasses we aquired at the start of our trip in London. What the hell, art is art and it will look great at our place  even in a 1000 pieces.
Saturday a highlight was the Picasso Museum. What an amazing man. One couldn't help but notice via some of his sketches though that sometime between our trip to Versailles, Louis X111 (thats 13 for those younger than 45) palace with its wall to wall paintings and the sketches of Picasso some 250 years later, pubic hair made a comeback!! Funny what you notice eh?

Barcelona is a very dangerous city with warnings everywhere about pickpocketers etc. Some extremely unsafe areas including many childrens playgrounds that DONT have safety matting. Speaking of children, they are amazing, some as young as 2-3 speaking fluent Spanish....incredible. Having said that is it me or do all children sound the same in any language when they are tired and start whinging and whining?


I dont know whats happened to this "Its a small world" crap but clearly i have wandering around Barcelona for 2 days now wearing my Wainuiomata Golf Club shirt, and no-one has said anything!! So far, in Paris and Barcelona i have seen no-one i know. Perhaps they are avoiding me?

Michael in his favourite department at the market maybe?

Great trains dad!

....and how's this for varieties of tomatoes! A few more than you and mum used to grow in the glasshouses

 

Less than 5 minutes walk from the apartment, beautiful - I feel a painting coming on!

Karl - dad's been checking out the birds in Barcelona for you. Here's one to go on with!
I'm sure he'll keep and eye out for more!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINA

We're both thinking of you as you celebrate your birthday Tina (I know we're a bit behind!).
We'll have a little spanish red a bit later in the day.

Barcelona and a little bit of heat!

SHE SAID...  Au revoir to windy Paris.  We've had an awesome time. And finally yesterday had our french crepes... really, really yummy! 
We now need to concentrate on a new language. Today we traveled by train to Barcelona.  We had an early start, after not a lot of sleep, we both clock watched all night worried we wouldn't wake in time for the 7.20 train!  Fantastic trains, one down to Figueres was brand new, double story and fast! No border crossings, just a couple of Spanish police wandering through having a look.  
The intercity Spanish one to Barcelona was just as impressive, but not quite so fast.  Shame we had a loud mouthed, know it all pommey (sorry Brenda!) close by.  Luckily he'd had a couple of beers and fell asleep with his eye mask on.  Probably just as well as Michael's mutterings were getting louder!
Both loved the train trips - so much to see, and changing tapestry of the different areas.
A very easy quick trip by another local train, and the apartment we are sharing is only 100m tops from the station.  El Born for those that know Barcelona.
37 degrees when we arrived, so nice and toasty!  Our host (only met one so far, the other is at work) has been very welcoming.
A quick wander down to get some supplies for breakfast tomorrow, and already we're loving this older area and all the little streets.
So here we are, trying to stay awake now, for the Spanish dining habits.  We may not make it tonight!  We're going to go out for a walk down to the beach, very pleasant way to cool down we're told.

HE SAID ... Our penultimate day in Paris was spent roaming around the area we were staying. Now bearing in mind that my eyes travel 99% of the time between "chest" level and above it was not surprising i easily found a nasty street treat. Those of you who have been to Paris will know that in spite of all the wonderful sites, food, romance,wine blah blah it is in fact a shit hole. A very dirty place complimented by the trail of dog shit around the streets.

So there i was wandering along the Rue de Somewhere when i stood in the biggest, freshest dog turd know to mankind. A mountain, the dogs arse functioed like a 'Mr Whippy' ice cream dispenser. Disgusting... And the worst thing was, i was wearing my best sandals. You know what happens when you are wearing sandals/jandal......yes thats right, a tendency to flick ones feet with gay abandon. This i did, scattering that all stuck to my sandals even further around the footpath. Luckily, nearby, someone had had just washed down their entrance hall(onto the street) so i stood in a puddle until the poose left me. Disappointing really because after that i walked with a stoop, probably missed heaps. Just as well though because not more than 100 metre further, another 'Mr Whippy'. On closer inspection (visual) it appeared to be from the same anal glands.

On a brighter note, we are now settled in Barcelona. What a great place, (and a lot cleaner). And the women, i am glad you asked. If you think French women are great, stay on the train and come here. Lucky for them i am a big fat balding Kiwi otherwise they would be would be blown away by my charm etc. Perhaps a tan will make me look thinner, i will buy one tomorrow.

PS worked out how to save the economy over here, get rid of all their crappy little coins.

Spectacular !
So glad we booked months ago - well worth the night time visit.

Palace of Versailles

A fantastic outing yesterday. Spent some time out rowing - exercise for the upper body rather than the legs!

Another day in PARIS

SHE SAID ...  One of Kristy's magic foot massages would go a treat right now!  Would match perfectly with the cold beer, cheese and crackers.  We've clocked up a second day of walking, tubes, walking, buses, walking, lying in the park on the grass, walking, sitting having a glass of wine and beer, walking ..... it's been absolutely awesome.  The weather has been great, but don't let anyone say Wellington is windy.  We've done lots of the tourist spots, but some of the best things have been off the beaten track while exploring and totally unexpected.  For the most we've found our way round really well, and only got slightly lost in one of the bigger tube stations.  Way, way,way down and lots of people, I wasn't too keen on that and the first time I've felt a little uneasy!
 Have seen a few out of the ordinary things - a very well dressed guy standing in the tube station cutting his nails and flicking them on the track, a woman peeing in an entrance door right next to a posh hotel, all the cute little dogs the beggars have with them.  Michael even got picked on twice with in an hour by the old 'dropped ring on the ground' trick.
 Have enjoyed some yummy food, a couple of v nice reds.  Can't believe the number of cafes with red awnings on every corner, and of course all seats lined up for optimal viewing of what's going by. How do you like Michael's very pretty gelato Karl?

Watching the cyclists, scooters and traffic in general has kept me amused, seems extremely chaotic but they all appear to know what they are doing.

Thinking of our poor wee Rebecca (and her patient parents!) and her very bad case of chickenpox.  Get better soon xxx

HE SAID ....  Really enjoying the tubes and the hop on, hop of bus rides. A great way to get around and learn about different sites. Very easy to get lost, nearly in the tube stations. We figured if you keep going up sooner or later one will see the sky. I think school is still out so the sooner all the kids go back the better. Long days sure make the beers taste good and we haven't had a bad red yet either.

Looking forward to another big day tomorrow so best away and have a pastry or 2.

Next destination....

Today we leave London by train for 5 nights in Paris.  We could do with another few weeks here, but I realise I'm going to feel like that everywhere we go!
We've had trips to out to Windsor, Marlow, and many trips around country lanes, country side and villages.
Just what Janet wanted to see!  Lots of painting photos and inspiration.  Thank's Noel for being so patient :-)
Stokenchurch, where we are staying, is the highest point above sea level in England, so not only are there amazing views everytime you go everywhere, but definate temperature changes as you come up and down.

Yesterday Pat and Margaret joined all the Whalens for a visit to the local beer festvial / dog show on the common, a bite to eat and a Pims!  Stalls, music and great community spirit.
Pat and Margaret then took us for a ride to Oxford.
We had the best walking tour around the universities by a wonderful, passionate guide full of knowledge.
The history and stories about the different buildings over the years, the many scholars and their studies and lives, and life as it was being an intellectual way back then was so interesting.

New Zealand is just such a baby!

London

Lots of firsts for Janet today, and Michael conquered his fear of heights no trouble - not even sweaty hands!!  A beautiful day to spend in London, and we've had a busy, fun day.
Having a great time with Noel and Brenda in Stokenchurch, High Wycombe. They have made us very welcome and Smudgie the spaniel has made us best friends.  It's been great spending time with Michael's nieces Nicky and April, and April's son Harrison.
We've had visits to Windsor and Marlow, and checked out the large town of High Wycombe.  Beautiful country roads and amazing houses and pubs everywhere.  Had a drink or two at the local last night ...... and you wouldn't believe it, but there's a beer festival in the village on Saturday!
We're looking forward to catching up with our good friends Pat and Margaret, and son David who are all over here living in England at present.
Wonderful having a skype with the family over the last couple of days.