Where I went...
One of the things I love about being in London is that once you're here, it's pretty easy to go almost anywhere!
I've been to Athens and seen the Acropolis and some of the outlying islands - including one with no cars, only donkeys!
Barcelona, where I saw the incredible Gaudi house and the Sagrada Familia and a performance of "Tannhauser" at the new opera house. Also some very cool flamenco dancing.
Budapest with its lovely old-world atmosphere. Had a fabulous meal at the world famous Gundel's, bathed in the waters ot a huge outdoor spa and saw "Madama Butterfly" at their little jewel of an opera house.
Madrid - loved all the little cafes and coffee shops and the friendly people.
Paris - went several times - visited the Louvre, climbed the Tour Eiffel, toured backstage at the enormous opera house and had a walking tour of the Stade de France, went to a service at Notre Dame, saw the New Year in on the Champs d'Elysee, sat by the Seine
Nice. Nice was nice! Hung out by the water, walked through the old town, heard some good jazz.
Dublin...loved Dublin! Loved the music in the sessions, the theatre and the sense of literature and history. The Book of Kells at Trinity College was very cool, but the library took my breath away!
Shannon...green and lush. Drove to the Cliffs of Moher, sat in a pub with a peat fire, drank copious amounts of Guiness.
Killarney...with a hiking group! Hiked the Black Valley, visited Ross Castle.
Alicante - for a couple of days R & R. Sunny and lovely. Visited the bull-fighting museum and school. Had an al fresco lunch with 3 glasses of some delicious red wine and lots of crusty bread.
Malta...once for a holiday and once for a hike. Saw the oldest known man-made structure, a 5,000 year old temple of the sun. Hiked on the remote island of Goza.
Madeira...again, once for a holiday and once for a week-long hiking excursion. Beautiful, beautiful place - hiked the levadas and had some great food. Heard a performance of authentic "Fado" - sort of like Portuguese story-songs.
Berlin. Big, forboding and full of historical buildings and monuments. Great jazz!
Stockholm. I saw reindeer! And the changing of the guard, which was done on horseback while playing musical instruments. At the same time.
Amsterdam! The Anne Frank house was probably the most moving and emotional place I have ever been. Loved the "coffee shops" and the canals...and the fun overnight ferry ride back to the UK!
Brussels...excellent beer. Tiny little city, but excellent beer.
...and I haven't even touched all the places in the UK I visited!
More to come!
I've been to Athens and seen the Acropolis and some of the outlying islands - including one with no cars, only donkeys!
Barcelona, where I saw the incredible Gaudi house and the Sagrada Familia and a performance of "Tannhauser" at the new opera house. Also some very cool flamenco dancing.
Budapest with its lovely old-world atmosphere. Had a fabulous meal at the world famous Gundel's, bathed in the waters ot a huge outdoor spa and saw "Madama Butterfly" at their little jewel of an opera house.
Madrid - loved all the little cafes and coffee shops and the friendly people.
Paris - went several times - visited the Louvre, climbed the Tour Eiffel, toured backstage at the enormous opera house and had a walking tour of the Stade de France, went to a service at Notre Dame, saw the New Year in on the Champs d'Elysee, sat by the Seine
Nice. Nice was nice! Hung out by the water, walked through the old town, heard some good jazz.
Dublin...loved Dublin! Loved the music in the sessions, the theatre and the sense of literature and history. The Book of Kells at Trinity College was very cool, but the library took my breath away!
Shannon...green and lush. Drove to the Cliffs of Moher, sat in a pub with a peat fire, drank copious amounts of Guiness.
Killarney...with a hiking group! Hiked the Black Valley, visited Ross Castle.
Alicante - for a couple of days R & R. Sunny and lovely. Visited the bull-fighting museum and school. Had an al fresco lunch with 3 glasses of some delicious red wine and lots of crusty bread.
Malta...once for a holiday and once for a hike. Saw the oldest known man-made structure, a 5,000 year old temple of the sun. Hiked on the remote island of Goza.
Madeira...again, once for a holiday and once for a week-long hiking excursion. Beautiful, beautiful place - hiked the levadas and had some great food. Heard a performance of authentic "Fado" - sort of like Portuguese story-songs.
Berlin. Big, forboding and full of historical buildings and monuments. Great jazz!
Stockholm. I saw reindeer! And the changing of the guard, which was done on horseback while playing musical instruments. At the same time.
Amsterdam! The Anne Frank house was probably the most moving and emotional place I have ever been. Loved the "coffee shops" and the canals...and the fun overnight ferry ride back to the UK!
Brussels...excellent beer. Tiny little city, but excellent beer.
...and I haven't even touched all the places in the UK I visited!
More to come!