tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300435382024-03-14T05:52:12.494+01:00Brendan's TravelsBrendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.comBlogger143125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-53024957575757043012014-11-16T06:37:00.001+01:002014-11-16T06:50:56.754+01:00Route 66 - USA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DcgvEe6yeiA/VGguCdzCb5I/AAAAAAAAC14/8E6y_BT5_VI/s1600/20140719_205848-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DcgvEe6yeiA/VGguCdzCb5I/AAAAAAAAC14/8E6y_BT5_VI/s1600/20140719_205848-1.jpg" height="90" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7nkoqER1Wbo/VGguMH5o-sI/AAAAAAAAC2A/bZviATKgrE8/s1600/20140720_140413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7nkoqER1Wbo/VGguMH5o-sI/AAAAAAAAC2A/bZviATKgrE8/s1600/20140720_140413.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UTzoLipucVw/VGgwrz8_qJI/AAAAAAAAC2s/GQhcUD1MYiM/s1600/20140720_144805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UTzoLipucVw/VGgwrz8_qJI/AAAAAAAAC2s/GQhcUD1MYiM/s1600/20140720_144805.jpg" height="75" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tgcS54hP5ng/VGguZt0-oqI/AAAAAAAAC2I/QIKvHEeLj-k/s1600/20140720_144357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tgcS54hP5ng/VGguZt0-oqI/AAAAAAAAC2I/QIKvHEeLj-k/s1600/20140720_144357.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0UxM81-efDQ/VGguoC7D0II/AAAAAAAAC2Q/OconmlHCobM/s1600/20140720_144713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0UxM81-efDQ/VGguoC7D0II/AAAAAAAAC2Q/OconmlHCobM/s1600/20140720_144713.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2OYoDha5yRA/VGguvYqVjCI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/cYzuoZL7vvk/s1600/20140720_151801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2OYoDha5yRA/VGguvYqVjCI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/cYzuoZL7vvk/s1600/20140720_151801.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LAM0Rs9OQBc/VGguyfK5zII/AAAAAAAAC2g/Eji2j1up91I/s1600/20140720_181522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LAM0Rs9OQBc/VGguyfK5zII/AAAAAAAAC2g/Eji2j1up91I/s1600/20140720_181522.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Place: From New Orleans, we flew to Phoenix to begin a road trip up to San Fransico, via the old Route 66, Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Yosemite. <br />
Highlights: Travelling the old Route 66 is like going nowhere slowly, just for the fun of it. We came across road stop diners, low riding Harley's, James Dean cut-outs, Western town facades, Aliens, Elvises, Hollywood icons, walking travellers, American flags, and pretty much any celebration of American culture.Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-76586194900838417842014-11-15T07:57:00.001+01:002014-11-15T07:58:02.356+01:00New Orleans - USA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m-SoHwVLnwc/VGbwimhnYKI/AAAAAAAAC0c/IdBjnS7Iml4/s1600/20140718_204703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m-SoHwVLnwc/VGbwimhnYKI/AAAAAAAAC0c/IdBjnS7Iml4/s1600/20140718_204703.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5L2QTYSFUt4/VGbwtJr2HRI/AAAAAAAAC0k/hRYWVIerDDQ/s1600/20140718_223355-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5L2QTYSFUt4/VGbwtJr2HRI/AAAAAAAAC0k/hRYWVIerDDQ/s1600/20140718_223355-1.jpg" height="152" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4jgToYKgi4/VGbw6LfDQhI/AAAAAAAAC0s/AnAMJHDow3A/s1600/20140718_234152-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4jgToYKgi4/VGbw6LfDQhI/AAAAAAAAC0s/AnAMJHDow3A/s1600/20140718_234152-1.jpg" height="200" width="190" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W1Y8Zvp-Gu4/VGbxEXfeSfI/AAAAAAAAC00/8uzNcj6usC8/s1600/20140718_174732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W1Y8Zvp-Gu4/VGbxEXfeSfI/AAAAAAAAC00/8uzNcj6usC8/s1600/20140718_174732.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8xdmniW1bi0/VGbxOtupi6I/AAAAAAAAC08/QamqOUIbgjo/s1600/20140718_142330-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8xdmniW1bi0/VGbxOtupi6I/AAAAAAAAC08/QamqOUIbgjo/s1600/20140718_142330-1.jpg" height="160" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fA3r981tErA/VGbxXMSTpOI/AAAAAAAAC1E/j3_S1bOtkiI/s1600/20140718_124312-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fA3r981tErA/VGbxXMSTpOI/AAAAAAAAC1E/j3_S1bOtkiI/s1600/20140718_124312-1.jpg" height="141" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gi50Y8RHRrY/VGbxf8hWX9I/AAAAAAAAC1M/mPN-ehkye1I/s1600/20140718_120335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gi50Y8RHRrY/VGbxf8hWX9I/AAAAAAAAC1M/mPN-ehkye1I/s1600/20140718_120335.jpg" height="120" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
(July 2014) The Place: There is a house in New Orleans... and there are some funky streets, restaurants and jazz clubs too! We had a brief but awesome visit of the city's colourful, festive and crazy French Quarter which sits right on the Mississippi in Louisiana.<br />
Highlights: The food was delicious, mainly Bayou style consisting of Gumbo, Jumbalaya, Shrimp, and Crawfish (yes, with a 'w'), and Chilli Sauces of all descriptions! Just off famous Bourbon Street, which following hurricane Katrina is slightly on the dodge side, is Frenchmen St. where we were lucky enough to watch some authentic jazz, including <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caTWwC670ME" target="_blank">Washboard Chaz</a> at The Spotted Cat. Also soaked in the art and colour and stories of the french quarter which included the haunted 'La Maison LaLaurie'.Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-23163678081096765612014-11-15T07:05:00.002+01:002014-11-15T07:13:02.074+01:00New York - USA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EXLCU9yV7uA/VGbkthWVITI/AAAAAAAACzU/Ljl-jpsz8cI/s1600/SAM_1580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EXLCU9yV7uA/VGbkthWVITI/AAAAAAAACzU/Ljl-jpsz8cI/s1600/SAM_1580.JPG" height="120" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfdxBnh1Eyo/VGbkzLaSp5I/AAAAAAAACzc/kyVWKc3mdE8/s1600/20140717_143804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfdxBnh1Eyo/VGbkzLaSp5I/AAAAAAAACzc/kyVWKc3mdE8/s1600/20140717_143804.jpg" height="121" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yLnExYDOb08/VGbk3_jquoI/AAAAAAAACzk/TbpmCYrLMsc/s1600/20140717_142220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yLnExYDOb08/VGbk3_jquoI/AAAAAAAACzk/TbpmCYrLMsc/s1600/20140717_142220.jpg" height="128" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JhvIBIqLjMc/VGbk9noHLhI/AAAAAAAACzs/vO9UiwPCQ2M/s1600/20140717_112256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JhvIBIqLjMc/VGbk9noHLhI/AAAAAAAACzs/vO9UiwPCQ2M/s1600/20140717_112256.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r_DTE-QHjMM/VGblFx8XlkI/AAAAAAAACz0/dFukAszC9MM/s1600/20140714_172200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r_DTE-QHjMM/VGblFx8XlkI/AAAAAAAACz0/dFukAszC9MM/s1600/20140714_172200.jpg" height="126" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qz4c9iNhH9I/VGblL169J6I/AAAAAAAACz8/cv-HEXpyRH4/s1600/20140714_165458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qz4c9iNhH9I/VGblL169J6I/AAAAAAAACz8/cv-HEXpyRH4/s1600/20140714_165458.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZndCLgEgq4U/VGblR8ac-wI/AAAAAAAAC0E/8tUJ7v-k4PU/s1600/20140713_202901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZndCLgEgq4U/VGblR8ac-wI/AAAAAAAAC0E/8tUJ7v-k4PU/s1600/20140713_202901.jpg" height="129" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehxn-bI1TmI/VGbldG9rVVI/AAAAAAAAC0M/ET5E9qS0jh0/s1600/20140713_154558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehxn-bI1TmI/VGbldG9rVVI/AAAAAAAAC0M/ET5E9qS0jh0/s1600/20140713_154558.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
(July 2014) The Place: Having had a great time in upstate New York (near Port Jervis) for Stuart and Amanda's wedding, we (Liz, Tim and I) headed down to the Big Apple for 5 days.<br />
Some highlights: Meeting Michelle, Timon and their two kids at a New York Mets vs. Miami Marlins baseball game, followed by watching the World Cup final (Germany Argentina) within the Mets Stadium and watching the Americans get loose. Michelle took us out to a Broadway show to watch 'Kinky Boots' (2013's Tony's winner) which was brilliant! Straight afterwards we met Stuanda and co. in an Irish pub in Times Square which was yet another great catch-up. To top the night off, we hopped in a cab and headed for a midnight galavant up the Empire State Building with no queues, and apparently 'No visibility!' but we still got some good intermittent views between passing clouds and a great view of the iconic Chrysler building from above. The days followed with touring both the City and Central Park on bicyles, checking out the Italian quarter and Chinatown, crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, getting the free trip to and from Statten Island for a view of the Statue of Liberty, visiting the Ground Zero memorial, and strolling through the city's streets; 5th, Broadway, Lexington, Wall Street, to name a few.Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-85998802256493248842014-06-01T04:22:00.000+02:002014-06-12T00:01:38.755+02:00Tasmania - Australia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sDrMaTWS_gg/U4qEGq8uwWI/AAAAAAAACvE/xf_e34jIvNw/s1600/20130917_091422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sDrMaTWS_gg/U4qEGq8uwWI/AAAAAAAACvE/xf_e34jIvNw/s1600/20130917_091422.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5yTQ4rMoIDc/U4qDl_l_bzI/AAAAAAAACvA/O1XD4y5TsGk/s1600/20130916_165832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5yTQ4rMoIDc/U4qDl_l_bzI/AAAAAAAACvA/O1XD4y5TsGk/s1600/20130916_165832.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezioLCW_wwQ/U4qEOdAcikI/AAAAAAAACvM/rd5Cl5kziuE/s1600/20130913_105222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezioLCW_wwQ/U4qEOdAcikI/AAAAAAAACvM/rd5Cl5kziuE/s1600/20130913_105222.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n04vpkYC0ms/U4qEnMsCJkI/AAAAAAAACvQ/nlCz-XFZBFw/s1600/IMG_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n04vpkYC0ms/U4qEnMsCJkI/AAAAAAAACvQ/nlCz-XFZBFw/s1600/IMG_0012.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EVs-su44q-o/U4qEL1i24JI/AAAAAAAACvI/Y1SMRtUtxQw/s1600/20130913_120227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EVs-su44q-o/U4qEL1i24JI/AAAAAAAACvI/Y1SMRtUtxQw/s1600/20130913_120227.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pAFqojVXfEw/U4qDK2oTLVI/AAAAAAAACu8/619DtdRIJ3s/s1600/20130916_092031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pAFqojVXfEw/U4qDK2oTLVI/AAAAAAAACu8/619DtdRIJ3s/s1600/20130916_092031.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Place: Off the mainland of Australia, we took a drive from Hobart through the centre of Tassie, via Queenstown to spend a long weekend in Burnie. The scenic drive took us about 8 hours via some very different Aussie landscape including vast lakes and snowy mountains. On the way back to Hobart we headed via 'the Nut' (last pic) to spend a night and then onwards to Cradle mountain for a hike down to the lake. We missed a view of the mountain due to overcast conditions, however were rewarded with some amazing wombat and wallaby spotting. We must've seen about 50 wombats in the space of a few hours of walking, most were pretty active, some running alongside us.
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-sDrMaTWS_gg%2FU4qEGq8uwWI%2FAAAAAAAACvE%2Fxf_e34jIvNw%2Fs1600%2F20130917_091422.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sDrMaTWS_gg/U4qEGq8uwWI/AAAAAAAACvE/xf_e34jIvNw/s1600/20130917_091422.jpg" -->Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-25744784518413554862012-12-03T02:57:00.000+01:002012-12-04T01:04:08.701+01:00Wilson's Promontory - Australia<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iamPkZKt1VI/ULwCO8jbbyI/AAAAAAAACoY/mXssm9n3oa0/s1600/Wilsons+Prom+Dec+1+2012+(11).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iamPkZKt1VI/ULwCO8jbbyI/AAAAAAAACoY/mXssm9n3oa0/s200/Wilsons+Prom+Dec+1+2012+(11).jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nxKrJtZvKN8/ULwCHd17q5I/AAAAAAAACoE/OTsp5O029Bc/s1600/Wilsons+Prom+Dec+2012+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nxKrJtZvKN8/ULwCHd17q5I/AAAAAAAACoE/OTsp5O029Bc/s200/Wilsons+Prom+Dec+2012+(6).jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Drl0ELN2OtA/ULwCESGAGFI/AAAAAAAACn8/od-me6wAO8Q/s1600/Wilsons+Prom+Dec+1+2012+(12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Drl0ELN2OtA/ULwCESGAGFI/AAAAAAAACn8/od-me6wAO8Q/s200/Wilsons+Prom+Dec+1+2012+(12).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36bIYIFWzAA/ULwCIZn3ddI/AAAAAAAACoM/PpU4wnNbJ7Y/s1600/Wilsons+Prom+Dec+2012+(17).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36bIYIFWzAA/ULwCIZn3ddI/AAAAAAAACoM/PpU4wnNbJ7Y/s200/Wilsons+Prom+Dec+2012+(17).jpg" width="167" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mlvXdnabFD8/ULwB9BgOWGI/AAAAAAAACns/O2NNJ3D7G_Q/s1600/Wilsons+Prom+Dec+2012+(25).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mlvXdnabFD8/ULwB9BgOWGI/AAAAAAAACns/O2NNJ3D7G_Q/s200/Wilsons+Prom+Dec+2012+(25).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O5dixZY1xCI/ULwDs4AeBNI/AAAAAAAACoo/8SiwElgtGp4/s1600/Wilsons+Prom+Dec+1+2012+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O5dixZY1xCI/ULwDs4AeBNI/AAAAAAAACoo/8SiwElgtGp4/s200/Wilsons+Prom+Dec+1+2012+(6).jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vm77aOH5jiE/ULwCSbQ5WfI/AAAAAAAACog/A37R0NUIVC8/s1600/Wilsons+Prom+Dec+2012+(29).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vm77aOH5jiE/ULwCSbQ5WfI/AAAAAAAACog/A37R0NUIVC8/s200/Wilsons+Prom+Dec+2012+(29).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Place: Liz and I spent a weekend camping at Tidal River, on Wilsons Prom, which is the southernmost point of Aus, along with Kate, Leigh and friends.<br />
Some features: There were quite a few surfers on the trip so it was great to head out for three epic surf sessions on what I would call pretty big waves (compared with Muizenberg which is my modest benchmark as a novice). The campsite was in an awesome location, and we were well set up Aussie style with a big tarp for shelter from rain, portable gas cookers and big eskies to keep the beers cool. To be noted as well were that at least 3 of our party owned campervans, equipped with bed and abundant storage space for tools and surfboards. In the early eve, we would see one of the resident wombats patrolling the grounds for food. They were really cool to see, like little bears strolling around with their really big, hard backsides which they apparently stick out at the entrance of their burrows as protection from intruders. Another friendly visitor to the campsite was the crimson rosella which perched on my hand to have a little snack.Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-84281757420024999262012-11-20T03:29:00.003+01:002012-11-28T01:42:11.302+01:00The Whitsundays - Australia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cRc4uwW0_9A/UKrcH8fkeOI/AAAAAAAACjQ/YauPD4pn62Q/s1600/SAM_1252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cRc4uwW0_9A/UKrcH8fkeOI/AAAAAAAACjQ/YauPD4pn62Q/s200/SAM_1252.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcS5bja7j8Q/UKreKh1h4FI/AAAAAAAACkI/0GVLuNla-Qk/s1600/SAM_1369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcS5bja7j8Q/UKreKh1h4FI/AAAAAAAACkI/0GVLuNla-Qk/s200/SAM_1369.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t1Bs-fmuJQQ/UKrcQsR12hI/AAAAAAAACjY/xgEKRR8EOsg/s1600/SAM_1261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t1Bs-fmuJQQ/UKrcQsR12hI/AAAAAAAACjY/xgEKRR8EOsg/s320/SAM_1261.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x-NZG89r3qY/UKrcV8wQp0I/AAAAAAAACjg/v7kbAasbubQ/s1600/SAM_1464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x-NZG89r3qY/UKrcV8wQp0I/AAAAAAAACjg/v7kbAasbubQ/s320/SAM_1464.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T2uaMFHtzVI/UKrcbTQrEzI/AAAAAAAACjs/U0nQAK02sAo/s1600/SAM_1314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T2uaMFHtzVI/UKrcbTQrEzI/AAAAAAAACjs/U0nQAK02sAo/s320/SAM_1314.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U-LztUjLp9w/UKrdFuEEiQI/AAAAAAAACj8/lI4SYXIIZos/s1600/SAM_1495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U-LztUjLp9w/UKrdFuEEiQI/AAAAAAAACj8/lI4SYXIIZos/s200/SAM_1495.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
The Place: For our honeymoon we took a trip to Airlie Beach to stay at a nice little place overlooking the sea and the Whitsunday islands from high up on a hillside.</div>
</div>
Some features: We were visited daily by one or more cockatoos looking for a snack or two. Spent a day heading out to the islands for some snorkelling and to see one of the beautiful white beaches, Whitehaven, which instead of having sand, is made up of a very fine white silica. We relaxed at the 'Lagoon' on Airlie Beach which is essentially a massive swimming pool right on the beach front. Our few days of relaxing at the sea was exactly what was needed after a few busy weeks of planning our wedding and relocating to Australia. It was bliss!Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-85628020030411746312012-10-13T14:36:00.005+02:002012-10-13T15:04:50.879+02:00Canyoning - South Wales<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtNdal8RI4c/UHlbkDcpnZI/AAAAAAAACa0/vnFwTqCwEBg/s1600/DSCF2001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtNdal8RI4c/UHlbkDcpnZI/AAAAAAAACa0/vnFwTqCwEBg/s200/DSCF2001.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4l_4-pxc-QI/UHlbzG2PK9I/AAAAAAAACbU/2R4riTYwjh8/s1600/DSCF2039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4l_4-pxc-QI/UHlbzG2PK9I/AAAAAAAACbU/2R4riTYwjh8/s200/DSCF2039.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DuCvpg6wdzo/UHlbnD7JYKI/AAAAAAAACa8/jXYM1VUggOE/s1600/DSCF2010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DuCvpg6wdzo/UHlbnD7JYKI/AAAAAAAACa8/jXYM1VUggOE/s200/DSCF2010.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ww3C53Xq5OY/UHlbr0WYHXI/AAAAAAAACbE/ez-W2Npcftc/s1600/DSCF2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ww3C53Xq5OY/UHlbr0WYHXI/AAAAAAAACbE/ez-W2Npcftc/s200/DSCF2012.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLOlQmOzBBw/UHlbv8yGi0I/AAAAAAAACbM/5P-EEwPJoaA/s1600/DSCF2027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLOlQmOzBBw/UHlbv8yGi0I/AAAAAAAACbM/5P-EEwPJoaA/s200/DSCF2027.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yo-PMMH1_ps/UHlb4w8ONQI/AAAAAAAACbg/oYr4vj2-Eh4/s1600/DSCF2040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yo-PMMH1_ps/UHlb4w8ONQI/AAAAAAAACbg/oYr4vj2-Eh4/s200/DSCF2040.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fF41s0S-SAk/UHlb8x4sP-I/AAAAAAAACbo/LURq9UY5EO0/s1600/DSCF2041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fF41s0S-SAk/UHlb8x4sP-I/AAAAAAAACbo/LURq9UY5EO0/s200/DSCF2041.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FHbUa0TQE-8/UHlcAVyIxaI/AAAAAAAACbw/aEkJCYijCaY/s1600/DSCF2080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FHbUa0TQE-8/UHlcAVyIxaI/AAAAAAAACbw/aEkJCYijCaY/s200/DSCF2080.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Event: Took to the waters (as part of my Bachelors weekend) in South Wales to do some Canyoning which involves jumping into currents, floating down rapids, walking under waterfalls and jumping off waterfalls. It was awesome.Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-33641204248782260222012-08-30T22:32:00.001+02:002012-09-02T21:44:52.345+02:00Dublin - Ireland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gi0dCLhwYUs/UD-tz87ZZjI/AAAAAAAACVA/KhLYErqUsvQ/s1600/SAM_0949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gi0dCLhwYUs/UD-tz87ZZjI/AAAAAAAACVA/KhLYErqUsvQ/s200/SAM_0949.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-irhS99Hio6s/UD-tUb4wuLI/AAAAAAAACUU/eBPl700xnuU/s1600/SAM_0932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-irhS99Hio6s/UD-tUb4wuLI/AAAAAAAACUU/eBPl700xnuU/s200/SAM_0932.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cUeHmHRBa5Y/UD-tYFgzeNI/AAAAAAAACUc/h7qS55yn1oU/s1600/IMG_4223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cUeHmHRBa5Y/UD-tYFgzeNI/AAAAAAAACUc/h7qS55yn1oU/s200/IMG_4223.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AzCFyAzNNxk/UD-tdFHE7VI/AAAAAAAACUk/2-JyQMQ8zjw/s1600/IMG_4236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AzCFyAzNNxk/UD-tdFHE7VI/AAAAAAAACUk/2-JyQMQ8zjw/s200/IMG_4236.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1JGI7IWEpKY/UD-tiaKQ0vI/AAAAAAAACUs/Wi6n-COrOXM/s1600/IMG_4245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1JGI7IWEpKY/UD-tiaKQ0vI/AAAAAAAACUs/Wi6n-COrOXM/s200/IMG_4245.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DOVwAN0iUCw/UD-tLvvDqTI/AAAAAAAACUM/daU0eVvXZzk/s1600/IMG_4258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DOVwAN0iUCw/UD-tLvvDqTI/AAAAAAAACUM/daU0eVvXZzk/s200/IMG_4258.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Place: Toured Dublin on the hop-on hop-off bus, starting at the large spike, which replaces an old statue of Nelson (Battle of Trafalgar) - removed after Ireland gained independence from England because he had no real links with Ireland. We passed the statue of local Irish political hero Daniel O'Connel, which happens to be Liz' great great grandfather. A bullet hole from 1916 can be seen in the breast of one of the surrounding statues, see 3rd from top. We passed some impressive old buildings including Trinity College and St Patricks Cathedral, a park which celebrated Oscar Wilde with a statue, and a statue of Molly Malone, a peasant woman well known in Irish folk songs for selling her 'Cockles and Muscles' from a wheelbarrow. A good end to the tour was arriving at the Guiness factory which takes you up 7 floors explaining the unique brewing method and family history, and finishes with a free Guiness on the top floor with a panoramic view of Dublin from above. An interesting fact is that the harp, which is the Irish political symbol, is used as the Guiness logo, except it faces the opposite direction so as not to infringe on trademarks (see 3rd & 4th pic).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We were lucky to be in Dublin on a day when the 'Tall Ships' had arrived in Dublins harbour. There were numerous stalls and small festivities along the row of these olden day sailing ships, which were all competitors in a race from A Caruna (Spain) to Dublin.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Following the recommendation of our cab driver from the airport, we ate lunch at a great spot called the Brazenhead. In the evening we wondered around the area of Temple Bar and, avoiding the really busy bars, stopped in at an old pub where we were lucky enough to get some real <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt2si9PeChA&feature=plcp">traditional Irish music</a> played by Bill and Shaky (Padraig O'Neill) on guitar and fiddle. Their album 'Cobblestones and Brittle Bones' became the theme music on our River Shannon boat trip beginning the following day. </div>
Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-4680928805462057252012-08-30T22:32:00.000+02:002012-09-01T19:55:17.896+02:00The River Shannon - Ireland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A7YuKXsoYg0/UEEIrlfIMwI/AAAAAAAACZU/EE5e0DBCP6M/s1600/SAM_0950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A7YuKXsoYg0/UEEIrlfIMwI/AAAAAAAACZU/EE5e0DBCP6M/s200/SAM_0950.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qOlXtFt82zE/UEJL2CxJQdI/AAAAAAAACaA/xcFFmw-TwbU/s1600/SAM_1134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qOlXtFt82zE/UEJL2CxJQdI/AAAAAAAACaA/xcFFmw-TwbU/s200/SAM_1134.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1TRfx1GpEUI/UD_MNCh-UXI/AAAAAAAACW4/Gh-Tuatodhg/s1600/SAM_1123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1TRfx1GpEUI/UD_MNCh-UXI/AAAAAAAACW4/Gh-Tuatodhg/s200/SAM_1123.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-deToHNTpwYA/UD_MWvCRtsI/AAAAAAAACXI/nbwF1ynnLzQ/s1600/SAM_1145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-deToHNTpwYA/UD_MWvCRtsI/AAAAAAAACXI/nbwF1ynnLzQ/s200/SAM_1145.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u6DABcsauXM/UD_Mic0okVI/AAAAAAAACXY/AIRtaPBbo_I/s1600/SAM_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u6DABcsauXM/UD_Mic0okVI/AAAAAAAACXY/AIRtaPBbo_I/s200/SAM_1035.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YmzjKkFSoVc/UD_McmcBdJI/AAAAAAAACXQ/xeSkIxpxOK4/s1600/SAM_1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YmzjKkFSoVc/UD_McmcBdJI/AAAAAAAACXQ/xeSkIxpxOK4/s200/SAM_1159.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0sjZRWBx0tI/UEEJz0HGSMI/AAAAAAAACZo/ZnGpxMBuN7I/s1600/IMG_4287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0sjZRWBx0tI/UEEJz0HGSMI/AAAAAAAACZo/ZnGpxMBuN7I/s200/IMG_4287.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FS-SprtVDbE/UD_M71ub-9I/AAAAAAAACXs/LyyoOqqlSxY/s1600/SAM_0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FS-SprtVDbE/UD_M71ub-9I/AAAAAAAACXs/LyyoOqqlSxY/s200/SAM_0959.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Place: Together with Tim, Karen, Jamie, and Andy, Liz and I spent the best part of 4 days on houseboat on the Lough Derg (River Shannon) in Ireland. We boarded at Portumna and cruised at a leisurely pace stopping at little towns along the way. </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Some features: The lake becomes quite broad in the middle and then in parts tapers off into narrow streams. On the lake we passed a lot of great scenery of green hills, cattle and sheep, old castles and historic churches built on little islands.</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tim and I, along with Liz who accompanied us in the row boat, found two great spots for a swim, where the river narrowed into long tributories. The first swim twisted for about a mile and the second was about 800m but half being upstream with a bit of a current, and then a swim back to the boat which took about half the time as going out.</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jamie did a bit of fishing and finally on day three managed to catch a small perch.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While heading to the last night's stop we needed to pass through a lock which was an interesting experience, having not done it before. Stopping in the lock at the lower end, the gate closed behind us and the water was then let in from the the front gate, allowing us to rise to the height of the river ahead and continue onwards once the front gate reopened. </div>
Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-63514663886706779032012-08-30T22:31:00.003+02:002012-09-02T12:12:50.298+02:00County Tipperary - Ireland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vF5Z4VWbZAY/UD_IFGNIXyI/AAAAAAAACV8/Cb_NUmlm_QA/s1600/SAM_0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vF5Z4VWbZAY/UD_IFGNIXyI/AAAAAAAACV8/Cb_NUmlm_QA/s200/SAM_0996.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oguqOHRVtUs/UD_IOFQADzI/AAAAAAAACWE/sWNmqiuXnss/s1600/IMG_4303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oguqOHRVtUs/UD_IOFQADzI/AAAAAAAACWE/sWNmqiuXnss/s200/IMG_4303.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BMmeeW0sGEg/UD_JvkJl2CI/AAAAAAAACWM/BNP_eipuMJQ/s1600/IMG_4294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BMmeeW0sGEg/UD_JvkJl2CI/AAAAAAAACWM/BNP_eipuMJQ/s200/IMG_4294.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ezhs_xfCOjY/UD_H73xSW5I/AAAAAAAACV0/0FHCRLMh2fw/s1600/SAM_1171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ezhs_xfCOjY/UD_H73xSW5I/AAAAAAAACV0/0FHCRLMh2fw/s200/SAM_1171.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iIQGZVcTNmU/UD_XY57lxEI/AAAAAAAACY4/6E5PN5BREX0/s1600/SAM_1169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iIQGZVcTNmU/UD_XY57lxEI/AAAAAAAACY4/6E5PN5BREX0/s200/SAM_1169.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1TtknoyLwDg/UD_GGN1SVKI/AAAAAAAACVg/ULbnKDwBvfQ/s1600/IMG_4292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1TtknoyLwDg/UD_GGN1SVKI/AAAAAAAACVg/ULbnKDwBvfQ/s200/IMG_4292.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bFrrFI-3uJ4/UD_KAiR2jHI/AAAAAAAACWU/pp0Hfu7V7fY/s1600/SAM_1161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bFrrFI-3uJ4/UD_KAiR2jHI/AAAAAAAACWU/pp0Hfu7V7fY/s200/SAM_1161.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Place: Along the River Shannon, we stopped at various towns including GaryKennedy, Terry Glass, and Banagher all of which fall within or on the outskirts of Co. Tipperary, Ireland.<br />
Some features: GaryKennedy had a great restaurant called Larkins, pictured at the top, where they screened the Irish sport hurling. We all sat down to hearty Irish meals and could barely move afterwards due to the size of the portions. <br />
In the marina where Jamie skillfully mastered getting the boat into its tight mooring there are still ruins of an old castle that used to stand watch over the Lough Derg.<br />
In Banagher, where we stopped for our third and last night on the river, the main street leading from the dock seemed to be mainly run by the Flynn's, with a gastro pub, supermarket and house all bearing the name as well as a flyer advertising a music performance by Kate Flynn coming soon! We enjoyed the evening in a pub which played <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM-pvRzI1Co&feature=youtu.be">live Irish music</a>, with piano and accordian. Particularly interesting was an old painted portrait on the wall of a young lady at her piano with black bun in hair. Lo and behold the pictured lady was the actual piano player that eve, still wearing a black bun in her hair, only aged by about 50 years. <br />
It was sad to see that in the town, many of the shops and even the Royal Shannon, built in an old bow-fronted Georgian style from 18th century (pictured at the bottom) are no longer in business due to the recession in Ireland.<br />
<br />Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-70719946987284838772012-07-15T16:26:00.002+02:002012-08-03T10:45:32.748+02:00Wimbledon - England<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PUeJk1qiHrc/UALO1No0oSI/AAAAAAAACRk/1-NHNn4oYPs/s1600/SAM_0586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dcn_BVH1_K8/UALQbiy7wbI/AAAAAAAACS0/MBXaQf_AZfw/s1600/SAM_0573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dcn_BVH1_K8/UALQbiy7wbI/AAAAAAAACS0/MBXaQf_AZfw/s200/SAM_0573.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ryp3_vfjx1g/UALQFFrGT0I/AAAAAAAACSg/PcmakXV8FlE/s1600/SAM_0617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ryp3_vfjx1g/UALQFFrGT0I/AAAAAAAACSg/PcmakXV8FlE/s200/SAM_0617.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PUeJk1qiHrc/UALO1No0oSI/AAAAAAAACRk/1-NHNn4oYPs/s1600/SAM_0586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PUeJk1qiHrc/UALO1No0oSI/AAAAAAAACRk/1-NHNn4oYPs/s200/SAM_0586.JPG" width="200" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r1cqUVJzSSg/UALPJ97dUWI/AAAAAAAACSA/yX9JRBTItLI/s1600/SAM_0632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r1cqUVJzSSg/UALPJ97dUWI/AAAAAAAACSA/yX9JRBTItLI/s200/SAM_0632.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0Znw7lRJ1A/UALPwJ3_l4I/AAAAAAAACSY/mPjQf85duNQ/s1600/SAM_0630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0Znw7lRJ1A/UALPwJ3_l4I/AAAAAAAACSY/mPjQf85duNQ/s200/SAM_0630.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nUk6a5he9Is/UALPCtrbBTI/AAAAAAAACR4/7cjkHCuPitA/s1600/SAM_0604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nUk6a5he9Is/UALPCtrbBTI/AAAAAAAACR4/7cjkHCuPitA/s200/SAM_0604.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3AANDaxoYmw/UALTr9ODxyI/AAAAAAAACTI/wkWHxxP0RIo/s1600/SAM_0622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3AANDaxoYmw/UALTr9ODxyI/AAAAAAAACTI/wkWHxxP0RIo/s200/SAM_0622.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YdEioJg150g/UALO8HEv1QI/AAAAAAAACRs/3tRzalFW8OQ/s1600/SAM_0602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YdEioJg150g/UALO8HEv1QI/AAAAAAAACRs/3tRzalFW8OQ/s200/SAM_0602.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Event: After getting our queue card the night before (number 671), we joined the long line of tents all queueing to get into Wimbledon the next day. With everyone getting woken up at 6 by the stewards, we were packed up and queueing by 7:30, to get into the grounds at 9. Liz, Stu, Amanda and I were lucky enough to get tickets for Court 1 by being early enough in the queue. This meant that amongst the players, we would be able to watch Maria Sharapova, the then topseeded lady. Even luckier were friends Gavin, Alexia, Kath and Tolis who (having started to queue 2 hours earlier the previous day) got Centre Court. They were kind enough to let us in to watch Djokovic (then also top seed) play the last 2 games of his winning match. They went on to watch Federer's epic battle in which he came back from 2 sets down against Benneteau to win his match.Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-70478730346207319832012-07-15T16:06:00.000+02:002012-08-03T10:45:32.744+02:00Isle of Wight - England<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vfxaR3Uzq-I/UALI7Mqy43I/AAAAAAAACQo/w8EiQmc9e3Q/s1600/IOW+Festival3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vfxaR3Uzq-I/UALI7Mqy43I/AAAAAAAACQo/w8EiQmc9e3Q/s200/IOW+Festival3.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NUR5qcvKcfk/UALIzUMPtFI/AAAAAAAACQg/zz1za0OwEAs/s1600/IOW+Festival6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NUR5qcvKcfk/UALIzUMPtFI/AAAAAAAACQg/zz1za0OwEAs/s200/IOW+Festival6.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K2SuHxLg9E0/UAcrExJPJmI/AAAAAAAACTk/6pFO5IXDuXE/s1600/SAM_0511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K2SuHxLg9E0/UAcrExJPJmI/AAAAAAAACTk/6pFO5IXDuXE/s200/SAM_0511.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s5QF1r_qL6k/UALJWGr0smI/AAAAAAAACRI/2zAs8kG0XxM/s1600/IOW+Festival2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s5QF1r_qL6k/UALJWGr0smI/AAAAAAAACRI/2zAs8kG0XxM/s200/IOW+Festival2.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flXWglr5xpI/UALJi_0j9NI/AAAAAAAACRY/q7PBSxWIeZ0/s1600/IOW+Festival8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flXWglr5xpI/UALJi_0j9NI/AAAAAAAACRY/q7PBSxWIeZ0/s200/IOW+Festival8.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-26ES-_YZixQ/UALJRjtqIXI/AAAAAAAACRA/AGeSTnmgg08/s1600/IOW+Festival7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-26ES-_YZixQ/UALJRjtqIXI/AAAAAAAACRA/AGeSTnmgg08/s200/IOW+Festival7.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cwsg3v8kpZQ/UALJa41Aw3I/AAAAAAAACRQ/57MT_IAMEP8/s1600/IOW+Festival9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cwsg3v8kpZQ/UALJa41Aw3I/AAAAAAAACRQ/57MT_IAMEP8/s200/IOW+Festival9.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LuwxrCnd4pg/UAc4mUnlDqI/AAAAAAAACTw/iqKb79efcxA/s1600/IOW+Festival4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LuwxrCnd4pg/UAc4mUnlDqI/AAAAAAAACTw/iqKb79efcxA/s200/IOW+Festival4.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Event: Pearl Jam at Isle of Wight - great concert!<br />
What was really great was to be there with some of my great buddies from university and school; Tim, Trev, and Steph and even Nick who happened to be in England for the weekend.<br />
Changing our minds to drive up to the Festival on the Friday morning thankfully saved us from getting stuck in gridlock traffic on the Island due to the parking lots being too muddy for the hundreds of arrivals to park their cars that night. We ferried across in the morning and were parked and pitched by 12 o'clock. Though we had missed the worst of the rain, we still got the mud - sometimes sloshing through a foot of mud in our gumboots. Our tent was also pitched on a mud patch nestled tightly within a sea of tents - nice! <br />
We watched some good acts including Biffy Clyro and Lana Del Rey, but could not have been luckier to watch an awesome gig by Pearl Jam. They belted out all their old hits including <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC6odHx4LbE&feature=g-upl">Given to Fly</a>, Jeremy, Yellow ledbetter, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baMrTlWTe7o">Alive</a> and Betterman and their presence on stage is powerful. We all had a great time and even managed to tour a bit of the Island afterwards, which included a visit to the needles.Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-44268873248939889822012-07-15T15:40:00.000+02:002012-08-03T10:45:32.741+02:00Henley - England<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vGDjNz6WlCU/UALC7If0S8I/AAAAAAAACP0/fbGD0FoL5T4/s1600/HWR+2012+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vGDjNz6WlCU/UALC7If0S8I/AAAAAAAACP0/fbGD0FoL5T4/s200/HWR+2012+%25289%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJp-J0UHtU0/UALDTaykEpI/AAAAAAAACP8/7Yx_WlrHKck/s1600/HWR+2012+%252839%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJp-J0UHtU0/UALDTaykEpI/AAAAAAAACP8/7Yx_WlrHKck/s200/HWR+2012+%252839%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sYHVo31eWOQ/UALCx6jTovI/AAAAAAAACPk/2KnH-x5mARM/s1600/HWR+2012+%252820%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sYHVo31eWOQ/UALCx6jTovI/AAAAAAAACPk/2KnH-x5mARM/s200/HWR+2012+%252820%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GLcmnNTXJfY/UALC0D2QcKI/AAAAAAAACPs/15_5c4t6yjg/s1600/HWR+2012+%252846%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GLcmnNTXJfY/UALC0D2QcKI/AAAAAAAACPs/15_5c4t6yjg/s200/HWR+2012+%252846%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-33V_lzd3At4/UALDc7NIiEI/AAAAAAAACQE/YccIffsHkWk/s1600/HWR+2012+%252841%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-33V_lzd3At4/UALDc7NIiEI/AAAAAAAACQE/YccIffsHkWk/s200/HWR+2012+%252841%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WkUg9dCTM3s/UALDoPXBYoI/AAAAAAAACQM/Ev9jcCCzUWg/s1600/HWR+2012+%252856%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WkUg9dCTM3s/UALDoPXBYoI/AAAAAAAACQM/Ev9jcCCzUWg/s200/HWR+2012+%252856%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Event: After months of intensive training and with hopes being high for being selected to row, Liz made it into the Henley Womens Regatta 2012 to row in one of two fours for Barnes Bridge Ladies (BBL). Being one of the most well known regattas in the world and a familiar stomping ground for the likes of 5 times olympic gold medalist, Sir Steve Redgrave, it was great for me to witness Liz taking part in the race. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Conditions were harsh in the blustering wind which seemed to rise from nowhere and then disappear just as quickly, but the team had a great race with the team giving it their all and making no mistakes. Unfortunately they didnt make it through to the next round, however as it turns out the other BBL boat went on to win it the following day. Despite some small intervals of rain, the sun did come out, making it a pleasant day out on what is a beautiful part of the Thames.</div>
<br />Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-59268229599564840062012-03-25T16:26:00.003+02:002012-08-03T10:46:31.304+02:00Les Gets - France<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bbNC-yafqS0/T28lwjLkjjI/AAAAAAAACNc/Fajcjwgugws/s1600/IMG_3280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bbNC-yafqS0/T28lwjLkjjI/AAAAAAAACNc/Fajcjwgugws/s200/IMG_3280.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iecAewkmuUY/T28l-yCxvMI/AAAAAAAACNk/lsny_0ogZSk/s1600/IMG_3293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iecAewkmuUY/T28l-yCxvMI/AAAAAAAACNk/lsny_0ogZSk/s200/IMG_3293.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLezvphaB3k/T28lJH6WdbI/AAAAAAAACNM/j9d47_naCEc/s1600/IMG_3290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLezvphaB3k/T28lJH6WdbI/AAAAAAAACNM/j9d47_naCEc/s200/IMG_3290.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tYLJxLOIB6Q/T28kqsxPjnI/AAAAAAAACMs/CqQTEsSpUZA/s1600/IMG_3343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tYLJxLOIB6Q/T28kqsxPjnI/AAAAAAAACMs/CqQTEsSpUZA/s200/IMG_3343.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uRk4ef1RH6g/T28r4GE37wI/AAAAAAAACNw/5u79-AL10nM/s1600/IMG_3217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uRk4ef1RH6g/T28r4GE37wI/AAAAAAAACNw/5u79-AL10nM/s200/IMG_3217.JPG" width="200" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LkuYw_9Pnsc/T28lDGvJ96I/AAAAAAAACNE/XWEXKPeEZB4/s1600/IMG_3333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LkuYw_9Pnsc/T28lDGvJ96I/AAAAAAAACNE/XWEXKPeEZB4/s200/IMG_3333.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRDVcnVaFhs/T28lYiNfiTI/AAAAAAAACNU/iqYSJ14Krnw/s1600/IMG_3284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRDVcnVaFhs/T28lYiNfiTI/AAAAAAAACNU/iqYSJ14Krnw/s200/IMG_3284.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--uhygCIkQHM/T28km2f90qI/AAAAAAAACMk/86s9KNOVvRM/s1600/IMG_3349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--uhygCIkQHM/T28km2f90qI/AAAAAAAACMk/86s9KNOVvRM/s200/IMG_3349.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Place: After a flight to Geneva, and a transfer across the border from Switzerland to France, we arrived at our chalet for 8 in Les Gets.<br />
Some features: We spent a good 3 days snowboarding (Liz, Cath, Craig, Alison & I) and skiing (Tim, Hayley and James) in and around the areas of Les Gets and Morzine. The area has a huge selection of blue, red and black slopes all interconnected by chair lifts (thank goodness not button lifts or T-bars). We were particulary lucky to have good snow accompanied by sun which meant glorious days on the slopes. It took a while for us to find our feet but after a day of practicing on one side of the range we found that the rest of the slopes became much more accessible for days 2 and 3. Making sure we boarded and skiied till we were wrecked we headed back to our chalets for some unforgettable gourmet meals (provided) and a bit of jacuzzi goodness on day 2. The town had numerous festivities going on including jumping freestyle competitions and grafiti artist displays. For Apres-ski beers we headed to a great little Canadian bar called the Black Bear which featured an enormous taxidermied moose head inside. An awesome weekend was had by all with good friends, great runs, many wipeouts and thankfully no major injuries.Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-5888654434253403952012-01-07T18:29:00.000+01:002012-02-16T23:09:29.059+01:00Zebula - South Africa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E-VR1G5zbOc/Twh6ZnD-AWI/AAAAAAAACII/j9uLHNZvmQI/s1600/Zebula+Giraffe+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E-VR1G5zbOc/Twh6ZnD-AWI/AAAAAAAACII/j9uLHNZvmQI/s200/Zebula+Giraffe+%25282%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JBGX_YKdCNc/Twh6Qr17YFI/AAAAAAAACH4/ZZixTY4UvmE/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JBGX_YKdCNc/Twh6Qr17YFI/AAAAAAAACH4/ZZixTY4UvmE/s200/image.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iHx5BEewhcE/Twh6YlcztaI/AAAAAAAACIA/VltQ_iBxI_g/s1600/Zebula+%2528129%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iHx5BEewhcE/Twh6YlcztaI/AAAAAAAACIA/VltQ_iBxI_g/s200/Zebula+%2528129%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a2PziNIAgHw/Twh6l3miDsI/AAAAAAAACIg/bI10BCpdIMQ/s1600/Zebula+Waterbuck+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a2PziNIAgHw/Twh6l3miDsI/AAAAAAAACIg/bI10BCpdIMQ/s200/Zebula+Waterbuck+7.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-knmM5x-1vuo/Twh6dIDUu_I/AAAAAAAACIQ/jLuDzytNt10/s1600/Zebula+Giraffe+B+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-knmM5x-1vuo/Twh6dIDUu_I/AAAAAAAACIQ/jLuDzytNt10/s200/Zebula+Giraffe+B+%25287%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pGFKiKNJ_ks/Twh6m5n9l8I/AAAAAAAACIo/TlNrciA9GMc/s1600/Zebula+Wildebeest+7a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pGFKiKNJ_ks/Twh6m5n9l8I/AAAAAAAACIo/TlNrciA9GMc/s200/Zebula+Wildebeest+7a.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OQKNBbWEHrU/TwlLpH6J1II/AAAAAAAACI4/nz8GHNievvU/s1600/Zebula+Giraffe+B+%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OQKNBbWEHrU/TwlLpH6J1II/AAAAAAAACI4/nz8GHNievvU/s200/Zebula+Giraffe+B+%252813%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Place: Near Bela Bela (prev. Warmbaths) in the Limpopo province, saw the New Year in around a fire with Liz, Nick, and Karen on Zebula game reserve. <br />
Some features: The game is plentiful, with Wildebeest, Eland, Red Hartebees, Impala, Giraffe, Waterbuck and Warthog all roaming freely around the reserve. Hired some bikes for a unique game cycle which was a great experience - came skidding to a halt when rounding a corner so as not to collide with a giraffe! Zebula also has a golf course so smacked some balls around with Liz, Nick and Karen after a game of squash and swim in the morning.Went on a game drive through the neighbouring game reserve (Mabalingwe) and were lucky to spot black backed jackal and mongeese, and many interesting trees including the euphorbia candelebrum (or naboom) and the Marula tree. Also witnessed a funny/ sad scene in which a dung beetle had built the perfect ball only to be ambushed by another who kicked him off and ran away with it at pace.Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-86845852772789479442012-01-07T17:18:00.000+01:002012-01-08T09:06:01.548+01:00Cape Town - South Africa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1gMTfEdojY/TwhqQNAneVI/AAAAAAAACHo/Irecd0671Bk/s1600/Table+Mountain+%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1gMTfEdojY/TwhqQNAneVI/AAAAAAAACHo/Irecd0671Bk/s200/Table+Mountain+%252816%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mvMUbYRGmC8/Twhp_uMv2fI/AAAAAAAACHY/U5hHuG4FlH8/s1600/Clifton+Camps+Bay+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mvMUbYRGmC8/Twhp_uMv2fI/AAAAAAAACHY/U5hHuG4FlH8/s200/Clifton+Camps+Bay+%25283%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHw1cPfYlaE/TwhpnPUml7I/AAAAAAAACHI/bQDjexq5dIU/s1600/Brass+Bell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHw1cPfYlaE/TwhpnPUml7I/AAAAAAAACHI/bQDjexq5dIU/s200/Brass+Bell.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0PIgUNXxBB8/Twhp1FFrlYI/AAAAAAAACHQ/l6HBubsjpdY/s1600/Brass+Bell+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0PIgUNXxBB8/Twhp1FFrlYI/AAAAAAAACHQ/l6HBubsjpdY/s200/Brass+Bell+%25283%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jhkyXqAU_9c/TwhqbmiY4QI/AAAAAAAACHw/yUR6VTe2pE8/s1600/Wine+Route+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jhkyXqAU_9c/TwhqbmiY4QI/AAAAAAAACHw/yUR6VTe2pE8/s200/Wine+Route+%25286%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XJ-ZS0kRjk4/TwhqJwgdZ1I/AAAAAAAACHg/CYJqCtQBQMI/s1600/Kalk+Bay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XJ-ZS0kRjk4/TwhqJwgdZ1I/AAAAAAAACHg/CYJqCtQBQMI/s200/Kalk+Bay.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
The Place: Arrived in Cape Town to spend Christmas with family and catch up with old friends.</div>
<div align="left">
Some features: Stayed in a house overlooking Fish Hoek beach, a great spot for walks and runs down to the beach. Ran a 12k circular route with Liz down to the beach then along to Glencairn and back round via Blackhill Rd. Met up with Gordon for some fish and chips at Kalkies. Lazed on the beach at Clifton and Camps Bay with Liz and Jason. Spent a day with Lauren, Mark and Jason, heading to Moyo for lunch, De Toren wine estate for a wine tasting followed by Brass Bell for a few beers. Surfed at Muizenberg before a climb up and down Platteklip gorge, Table Mountain with Liz, and then to finish the day having sunset dinner at the Red Herring in Monkey Valley, overlooking Noordhoek beach.</div>Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-29513473968456119562012-01-06T21:02:00.000+01:002012-01-08T09:12:25.133+01:00Knysna - South Africa<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-23kI3TjycWk/Twg4Kxb-xDI/AAAAAAAACG4/v3qmHLh9rAw/s1600/Knysna+%252862%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-23kI3TjycWk/Twg4Kxb-xDI/AAAAAAAACG4/v3qmHLh9rAw/s200/Knysna+%252862%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bv4ONiL5qMI/TwdSFC1sdlI/AAAAAAAACGI/2-oTIXqyff0/s1600/Knysna+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bv4ONiL5qMI/TwdSFC1sdlI/AAAAAAAACGI/2-oTIXqyff0/s200/Knysna+%25289%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OOemNkSTqDc/TwdSgoiLiYI/AAAAAAAACGg/9Ta0Q6iZMh0/s1600/Knysna+%252850%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OOemNkSTqDc/TwdSgoiLiYI/AAAAAAAACGg/9Ta0Q6iZMh0/s200/Knysna+%252850%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YIBXGfXT4m0/Twg5u8mu4OI/AAAAAAAACHA/DiKWXcmE554/s1600/Knysna+%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YIBXGfXT4m0/Twg5u8mu4OI/AAAAAAAACHA/DiKWXcmE554/s200/Knysna+%252814%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z5R_w3fWMjM/TwdSXsu2w4I/AAAAAAAACGY/kFg64cAOQ7Q/s1600/Knysna+%252844%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z5R_w3fWMjM/TwdSXsu2w4I/AAAAAAAACGY/kFg64cAOQ7Q/s200/Knysna+%252844%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-28QjMfr0YUg/TwdSDmw93hI/AAAAAAAACGA/c0m4zgL895c/s1600/Brenton-on-Sea+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-28QjMfr0YUg/TwdSDmw93hI/AAAAAAAACGA/c0m4zgL895c/s200/Brenton-on-Sea+%25282%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gV3_EL68l74/TwdR-o2Oc3I/AAAAAAAACF4/an5EaNZO9XM/s1600/Brenton-on-Sea+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gV3_EL68l74/TwdR-o2Oc3I/AAAAAAAACF4/an5EaNZO9XM/s200/Brenton-on-Sea+1.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Place: After stopping off at the beach at Victoria Bay, we drove to Lake Brenton where we relaxed for 3 days at a house in Brenton Park overlooking Knysna.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Some features: The view of Knysna was really good from the house, and we were joined by the local deer which came up to the house to greet us. Spent a morning and ate lunch at the heads to soak in more views. Liz and I ran a 14k from the town , around the vlei and up and down the steep hills to Brenton Lake - a killer run - but much needed after all the Biltong and red meat we consumed in the Karoo. We were lucky enough to chance upon the Knysna Rocks Festival which was another great way to spend the day.</div>Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-5549792739987891392012-01-06T18:31:00.001+01:002012-01-08T09:11:57.371+01:00Knysna Rocks Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L6mIifSt6z4/TwdKcPlrgmI/AAAAAAAACFI/OjGRSyRrNxE/s1600/Knysna+Rocks+%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L6mIifSt6z4/TwdKcPlrgmI/AAAAAAAACFI/OjGRSyRrNxE/s200/Knysna+Rocks+%252812%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pF8ibQrRtGk/TwdKdNjyuCI/AAAAAAAACFQ/yFBVDgvcaJk/s1600/Knysna+Rocks+%252817%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pF8ibQrRtGk/TwdKdNjyuCI/AAAAAAAACFQ/yFBVDgvcaJk/s200/Knysna+Rocks+%252817%2529.JPG" width="198" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xhXcXoLzvyg/TwdKe9_W7sI/AAAAAAAACFY/I8ttDBC4o0E/s1600/Knysna+Rocks+Festival+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xhXcXoLzvyg/TwdKe9_W7sI/AAAAAAAACFY/I8ttDBC4o0E/s200/Knysna+Rocks+Festival+%25284%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jr9FsmTJm7Y/TwdKgUjQQ5I/AAAAAAAACFg/LJM5KigiiXg/s1600/Knysna+Rocks+Festival+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jr9FsmTJm7Y/TwdKgUjQQ5I/AAAAAAAACFg/LJM5KigiiXg/s200/Knysna+Rocks+Festival+%25288%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9otrvrbGW0/TwdKlB51BxI/AAAAAAAACFo/wWJXVXHaZxw/s1600/Knysna+Rocks+Festival+%252818%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9otrvrbGW0/TwdKlB51BxI/AAAAAAAACFo/wWJXVXHaZxw/s200/Knysna+Rocks+Festival+%252818%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-smmP0vtAqDg/TwdKoTUUUaI/AAAAAAAACFw/UmoLY4KGJGs/s1600/Knysna+Rocks+Prime+Circle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-smmP0vtAqDg/TwdKoTUUUaI/AAAAAAAACFw/UmoLY4KGJGs/s200/Knysna+Rocks+Prime+Circle.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="left">
The Event: Liz and I spent a day at the Knysna Rocks Festival on a sports field at the Waterfront. The line up included Sleep in Transit (a young local band), Die Heuwels Fantasties, Elvis Blue, Holiday Murray, Johnny Clegg and Prime Circle. <br />
The festival started midday so had a bit of time to spend just wondering around while the pre-acts played, picking up promo items, drinking beers and playing croquet and a bit of swing bat set up by the sponsors. </div>
<div align="left">
Felt nostalgic when listening to Johnny Clegg belting out the old hits - O Siyeza and Impi, the type of nostalgia you feel in London hearing old iconic African songs - even if they weren't your favourite when living in SA!</div>
<div align="left">
Prime Circle were great as the headliner and it was good to hear a new cool band, Holiday Murray, from Cape Town - we made sure to buy their CD before heading back to London.</div>Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-11523510648818334562012-01-06T17:22:00.001+01:002012-01-08T09:17:05.484+01:00The Great Karoo - South Africa<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qNYzmAuhoDw/TwcmXdh-BGI/AAAAAAAACDo/Oo70MPJYEwo/s1600/Karoo+%252850%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qNYzmAuhoDw/TwcmXdh-BGI/AAAAAAAACDo/Oo70MPJYEwo/s200/Karoo+%252850%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--D498QZtPuQ/Twcmab3NTeI/AAAAAAAACDw/0z8dMD3YaxI/s1600/Karoo+%252878%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--D498QZtPuQ/Twcmab3NTeI/AAAAAAAACDw/0z8dMD3YaxI/s200/Karoo+%252878%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X8QRvrvPQsM/TwcmkbH7FvI/AAAAAAAACEQ/1FqvWX-ofKQ/s1600/Klaarstroom+%252834%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X8QRvrvPQsM/TwcmkbH7FvI/AAAAAAAACEQ/1FqvWX-ofKQ/s200/Klaarstroom+%252834%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1pEs6w8dfSY/TwcmUsM02JI/AAAAAAAACDg/Z9JsTemABCM/s1600/Cango+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1pEs6w8dfSY/TwcmUsM02JI/AAAAAAAACDg/Z9JsTemABCM/s200/Cango+%25286%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v_MERjVcNJQ/TwcmhlUpFvI/AAAAAAAACEI/QjqIXxDLRVE/s1600/Klaarstroom+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v_MERjVcNJQ/TwcmhlUpFvI/AAAAAAAACEI/QjqIXxDLRVE/s200/Klaarstroom+%25285%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-05W6nakUTOc/TwlQ6YaaVMI/AAAAAAAACJA/D0RG0Lj8ONs/s1600/Klaarstroom+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-05W6nakUTOc/TwlQ6YaaVMI/AAAAAAAACJA/D0RG0Lj8ONs/s200/Klaarstroom+%25288%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TCU5nJ_l7II/TwcmwGlM6TI/AAAAAAAACEw/2FolJQ7KylQ/s1600/Meiringspt+De+Rus+%252823%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TCU5nJ_l7II/TwcmwGlM6TI/AAAAAAAACEw/2FolJQ7KylQ/s200/Meiringspt+De+Rus+%252823%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a> </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Place: On a road trip through the Karoo, we stopped along the way at Karoo National Park, Klaarstroom, then through Meiringspoort pass to De Rus and Oudsthoorn.</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Some Features: We took a game drive by night at the Karoo National Park and spotted a family of African Wild Cat (strangely similar to the domestic house pet!); and a game drive by day spotting the impressive Red Hartebees, Birchell and Mountain Zebra, Ostrich, Springbok and Steenbok. </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Walked a 10k hike with a ranger the next morning, the ranger being required due to the presence of Lions (which unfortunately we didn't spot). We did however, see the Black Eagle, klipspringers and more Red Hartebees.</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Following the National Park, we stayed over in a cozy log cabin, just outside of Klaarstroom, a town nestled within an amazingly green valley in the sparse and dry Karoo. The cabin had a balcony overlooking the valley and cool little boma where we braaied at night.</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
From Klaarstroom we drove through Meiringspoort pass and the town of De Rus to get to Cango (via Oudshoorn) where we toured the impressive caves.</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Liz and I had a run in the morning (12ks) which was really really hot, not surprising in the Karoo, however it was 8 in the morning before breakfast, and still felt like a good 30 degrees.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After breakfast the owner took us on a short game drive, before we set off for Knysna.</div>Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-52570937830273876622012-01-06T16:58:00.000+01:002012-01-07T13:38:40.632+01:00Kimberley - South Africa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rv6STQbkwr4/TwcXVtZT7nI/AAAAAAAACCA/2n0GMddbSjk/s1600/Kimberley+%252815%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rv6STQbkwr4/TwcXVtZT7nI/AAAAAAAACCA/2n0GMddbSjk/s200/Kimberley+%252815%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-STyN4ANXYhs/Twc6nG9W3cI/AAAAAAAACFA/F5e3KswgiwE/s1600/Kimberley+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-STyN4ANXYhs/Twc6nG9W3cI/AAAAAAAACFA/F5e3KswgiwE/s200/Kimberley+%252810%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GRRnquQUoic/TwcXip42jtI/AAAAAAAACCQ/OcmkRsrXMTE/s1600/Kimberley+%252833%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GRRnquQUoic/TwcXip42jtI/AAAAAAAACCQ/OcmkRsrXMTE/s200/Kimberley+%252833%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iFZGn8pR4kE/TwcXEULIssI/AAAAAAAACBw/orVcHDEbSz0/s1600/Kimberley.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iFZGn8pR4kE/TwcXEULIssI/AAAAAAAACBw/orVcHDEbSz0/s200/Kimberley.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iUXJk2EZR7w/TwcXaeZZi0I/AAAAAAAACCI/w5d2j3L8VII/s1600/Kimberley+%252828%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iUXJk2EZR7w/TwcXaeZZi0I/AAAAAAAACCI/w5d2j3L8VII/s200/Kimberley+%252828%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Place: Kimberley, the beginning of the Western Cape, when driving from Joburg.<br />
<div align="left">
Some features: Kimberley's Great Hole, the largest man-made open cast diamond mine - dug to a depth of 240m before being using machinery and mining to a depth of 1097m (De Beers mining company - with Barney Barnato and Cecil John Rhodes). The Star of South Africa (48carats) was found in Kimberley, not to be confused with the Cullinan I (Great Star of Africa), at 530 carats, cut from the Cullinan diamond, which was the diamond mounted in the Sceptre of the Crown Jewels.<br />
Interesting Fact: Kimberley was the first town in South Africa to make use of electric street lamps.</div>Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-91480769932777630442011-12-04T20:27:00.001+01:002011-12-07T23:42:56.185+01:00Dorset - England<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dEX_PLA60oc/TtvKVurG96I/AAAAAAAACAI/0ZZqPIJsQnI/s1600/IMG_2199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dEX_PLA60oc/TtvKVurG96I/AAAAAAAACAI/0ZZqPIJsQnI/s200/IMG_2199.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a1Wzor4j4aw/TtvJ1beJtQI/AAAAAAAAB_4/WUJD8_EdwfE/s1600/IMG_2184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a1Wzor4j4aw/TtvJ1beJtQI/AAAAAAAAB_4/WUJD8_EdwfE/s200/IMG_2184.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sIH54tjVjUw/TtvJiOJSo8I/AAAAAAAAB_o/szkMGfI38Lw/s1600/IMG_2164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sIH54tjVjUw/TtvJiOJSo8I/AAAAAAAAB_o/szkMGfI38Lw/s200/IMG_2164.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rMOxhtePskY/Tt0imfzEsgI/AAAAAAAACAY/9UAPPueMROA/s1600/IMG_2191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rMOxhtePskY/Tt0imfzEsgI/AAAAAAAACAY/9UAPPueMROA/s200/IMG_2191.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xvZczJqF-HA/TtvJsyBzbJI/AAAAAAAAB_w/5zrEl29ZkJE/s1600/IMG_2166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xvZczJqF-HA/TtvJsyBzbJI/AAAAAAAAB_w/5zrEl29ZkJE/s200/IMG_2166.JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SOKOFWf_v9c/TtvKfiPYoYI/AAAAAAAACAQ/8ePH-F75CKU/s1600/IMG_2201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SOKOFWf_v9c/TtvKfiPYoYI/AAAAAAAACAQ/8ePH-F75CKU/s200/IMG_2201.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kDwNJjlw7wU/Tt_YUODux6I/AAAAAAAACAg/pKCImbTZxzY/s1600/phcw_CTS12Dorset_0779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kDwNJjlw7wU/Tt_YUODux6I/AAAAAAAACAg/pKCImbTZxzY/s200/phcw_CTS12Dorset_0779.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Took a trip to Dorset on the South West coast of England for the weekend where we competed in another of the <span id="goog_659158826"></span>Endurancelife <a href="http://www.endurancelife.com/event.asp?series=54&location=127">Coastal Trail Series<span id="goog_659158827"></span></a>. Again Liz and I piled into a big house where we stayed with 7 other friends also down for the challenge. This time we attempted the half marathon (turned out to be 14.6 miles) trailing part of the Jurrasic coastal path of Dorset, famous for Durdle Door (top), and recognised as a World Heritage site. The scenery was spectacular along the run but the hills were immense. Adding to the difficulty was the fact that it had poured the night before so it made for some really muddy, slippery running. I think my time told the story as I finished in 3h15. Liz smashed it coming in at 2h36! The scenery was so good we returned the following day to take the photos.</div>Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-70783414820855833512011-10-02T21:55:00.025+02:002011-10-15T15:38:03.819+02:00Zavala - Croatia<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JXu34fNEvOg/TotoFa4rlSI/AAAAAAAAB8w/2IE56gK66sA/s1600/DSC00098.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659731799046853922" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JXu34fNEvOg/TotoFa4rlSI/AAAAAAAAB8w/2IE56gK66sA/s200/DSC00098.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XSMkL5Yr0Sg/TooaC756zsI/AAAAAAAAB7g/5DeoZSKaq0U/s1600/DSC00110.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659364519487131330" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XSMkL5Yr0Sg/TooaC756zsI/AAAAAAAAB7g/5DeoZSKaq0U/s200/DSC00110.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qsOe99GCigE/TotpOk-AZeI/AAAAAAAAB84/Z-yiqN0V2O8/s1600/DSC00366.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659733055883994594" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qsOe99GCigE/TotpOk-AZeI/AAAAAAAAB84/Z-yiqN0V2O8/s200/DSC00366.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BBZOJM4yavM/Tooa25WnyeI/AAAAAAAAB8A/aPeNd0dpyZo/s1600/IMG_1785.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659365412155410914" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BBZOJM4yavM/Tooa25WnyeI/AAAAAAAAB8A/aPeNd0dpyZo/s200/IMG_1785.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pv8KcH47_tk/Tooaa_6GWGI/AAAAAAAAB74/_iEeL4ce_HE/s1600/DSC00343.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659364932878489698" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pv8KcH47_tk/Tooaa_6GWGI/AAAAAAAAB74/_iEeL4ce_HE/s200/DSC00343.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fnb5gFb32wg/TooaJF_RuDI/AAAAAAAAB7o/tm7vmr_DdOo/s1600/DSC00193.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 188px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659364625273174066" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fnb5gFb32wg/TooaJF_RuDI/AAAAAAAAB7o/tm7vmr_DdOo/s200/DSC00193.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DcF7AMX65Js/TooaRtdKLKI/AAAAAAAAB7w/CGKJLihYoms/s1600/DSC00208.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 145px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659364773306444962" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DcF7AMX65Js/TooaRtdKLKI/AAAAAAAAB7w/CGKJLihYoms/s200/DSC00208.JPG" /></a><br />The Place: Staying 80m from the sea in Zavala on the island of Hvar, Liz, Danel, Dave and I spent a good few days around the beaches and neighbouring towns of Pitve and Jelsa.<br />Some features: Long swims along the coast line, fishing from the rocks, cliff jumping into the ocean, and soaking up the sun on the pebble beaches was the general vibe of the holiday. Popped in to a local house one eve as they had a sign up advertising their wine, Bozji Dar (Gift from God). The couple made a variety of wines and spirits from grapes and believe it or not lavendar, or 'Lavanda'. It was like something out of the twilight zone as they offered taster after taster of their wines and spirits keeping us there for a few hours. Due to their hospitality (shrewd business skills) we were back on 2 more eve's to eat out on their tiled veranda high up on the hill overlooking their own orchards, the sea and a view of the next island. Their menu included local fish, full squids and black risotto (flavoured with the ink of the squid). On the 3rd night the couples' friends were over and we ended up joining in their party and dancing with the couples, was very weird but good fun.Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-83307399354509981792011-10-02T21:45:00.011+02:002011-10-15T15:38:03.823+02:00Hvar - Croatia<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c71QG1cD5s8/TojBhHp3acI/AAAAAAAAB7A/WLQzQ56xmXs/s1600/DSC00282.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658985706525518274" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c71QG1cD5s8/TojBhHp3acI/AAAAAAAAB7A/WLQzQ56xmXs/s200/DSC00282.JPG" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1GHvRYyi_XM/Toi_2u6MKKI/AAAAAAAAB6w/o88QNuX7jdY/s1600/DSC00326.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658983878816966818" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1GHvRYyi_XM/Toi_2u6MKKI/AAAAAAAAB6w/o88QNuX7jdY/s200/DSC00326.JPG" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0GKHCR-JzhU/TojAATZbJ1I/AAAAAAAAB64/b-jBHLGkTrQ/s1600/IMG_1857.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658984043230472018" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0GKHCR-JzhU/TojAATZbJ1I/AAAAAAAAB64/b-jBHLGkTrQ/s200/IMG_1857.JPG" style="height: 191px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-alXewgOOSkk/Toi_wDuli7I/AAAAAAAAB6o/7W4hKIZkD4w/s1600/DSC00302.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658983764146359218" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-alXewgOOSkk/Toi_wDuli7I/AAAAAAAAB6o/7W4hKIZkD4w/s200/DSC00302.JPG" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vBnwiFn0M9k/Toi_p1bWOXI/AAAAAAAAB6g/OWZY2PsvXME/s1600/DSC00299.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658983657228351858" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vBnwiFn0M9k/Toi_p1bWOXI/AAAAAAAAB6g/OWZY2PsvXME/s200/DSC00299.JPG" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ncNPopxx9Pw/ToomRaLb8qI/AAAAAAAAB8I/EOt4Bm-IhZI/s1600/DSC00307.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659377962271371938" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ncNPopxx9Pw/ToomRaLb8qI/AAAAAAAAB8I/EOt4Bm-IhZI/s200/DSC00307.JPG" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" /></a> <br />
<div>
The Place: The town Hvar on the Hvar island is a great town to explore with its winding alleys and steps that head up between old houses and restaurants towards the huge Spanjola castle. It's a great little port town with the usual plaza, and church and in the intense heat it was nice to be able to head around to one of the small beaches/ anchoring point for small boats and have a swim.</div>Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-50477119068700193042011-10-02T21:11:00.018+02:002011-10-15T15:38:03.814+02:00Split - Croatia<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3qsZYFP9sgg/Toi9cgaO3AI/AAAAAAAAB5w/6Ig9Xnp8frc/s1600/DSC00018.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658981229224975362" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3qsZYFP9sgg/Toi9cgaO3AI/AAAAAAAAB5w/6Ig9Xnp8frc/s200/DSC00018.JPG" style="height: 143px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bQgI5wR3oqU/Toi9i5qKstI/AAAAAAAAB54/K3aqUdJjSzg/s1600/DSC00027.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658981339081913042" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bQgI5wR3oqU/Toi9i5qKstI/AAAAAAAAB54/K3aqUdJjSzg/s200/DSC00027.JPG" style="height: 138px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CxHyj02KWaE/Toi9-Mb1USI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/0rUlz8GySgY/s1600/DSC00421.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658981807978533154" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CxHyj02KWaE/Toi9-Mb1USI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/0rUlz8GySgY/s200/DSC00421.JPG" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-quBw7ZW1JHA/Toi9qPl2fTI/AAAAAAAAB6A/LG-sMCS9R8Y/s1600/DSC00414.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658981465228475698" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-quBw7ZW1JHA/Toi9qPl2fTI/AAAAAAAAB6A/LG-sMCS9R8Y/s200/DSC00414.JPG" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7aE66-udfo/Toi9yOLexRI/AAAAAAAAB6I/b8njDf_i-WU/s1600/DSC00419.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658981602288387346" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7aE66-udfo/Toi9yOLexRI/AAAAAAAAB6I/b8njDf_i-WU/s200/DSC00419.JPG" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
The Place: Split in Croatia (Hrvatska), beginning and ending point of our trip in Croatia, out to the island Hvar.<br />
Some features: The old town sits within the ruins of the palace of Diocletian, a Roman emperor of the fourth century. It features old churches, venetian-style towers and statues, and bustling markets of fish and vegetables. The city is packed with tourists, but was still good to walk around and sight see, particularly good was hearing local singers sing their traditional Dalmatian music under one of the domed ruins. Had sundowners at a local bar overlooking the port and prominade lined with palm trees and later tried a pašticada (stewed beef and gnocci meal) at a traditional Kanoba, delicious!Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043538.post-36919416812654577142011-09-18T16:46:00.010+02:002011-10-15T15:38:47.656+02:00Norfolk Broads - England<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HcIxAvbzz8U/TnYGJsrjlnI/AAAAAAAAB34/w_dehSks4j0/s1600/IMG_1471.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653713145892673138" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HcIxAvbzz8U/TnYGJsrjlnI/AAAAAAAAB34/w_dehSks4j0/s200/IMG_1471.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6cNC2kbWkS4/TnYF3OsuX9I/AAAAAAAAB3w/1oIiMFgDvK8/s1600/IMG_1403.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653712828606865362" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6cNC2kbWkS4/TnYF3OsuX9I/AAAAAAAAB3w/1oIiMFgDvK8/s200/IMG_1403.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tPco-D5BCFU/TnYFoXzLLAI/AAAAAAAAB3o/H58SOVIBGU4/s1600/IMG_1434.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653712573351799810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tPco-D5BCFU/TnYFoXzLLAI/AAAAAAAAB3o/H58SOVIBGU4/s200/IMG_1434.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N0rp8ukf9vg/TnYFQwCnuGI/AAAAAAAAB3g/MXCaTR71Zyg/s1600/296360.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653712167542175842" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N0rp8ukf9vg/TnYFQwCnuGI/AAAAAAAAB3g/MXCaTR71Zyg/s200/296360.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QZw030GyUz0/TnYGZri-DaI/AAAAAAAAB4A/rfh7EBH73V8/s1600/IMG_1419.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653713420466130338" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QZw030GyUz0/TnYGZri-DaI/AAAAAAAAB4A/rfh7EBH73V8/s200/IMG_1419.JPG" /></a><br />The Place: Spent a long weekend on a narrow boat with friends in the Norfolk broads.<br />Some features: It was so relaxing to just wander along the tributaries at no more than 5 knots passing quaint houses, small towns and natural wilderness. We all got a good dose of reading, fishing (none caught tho), and just chilling out in general. Though we passed some cool little pubs on the river we decided it was more fun on the boat so cooked all meals on board - and had legendary cooked breakfasts on board (thanks to Tim!). All-in-all, a great British way to spend a weekend!Brendanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541218919201456377noreply@blogger.com0