Souvenirs for Lyn

Before our trip, my sister-in-law Lyn asked us to bring her home a souvenir for her desk at work.  She already had a few there and wanted to add a memento from our trip.

We took this task seriously.  We were on a mission.  We really had fun collecting a few items from various countries we visited.

Our first selection was purchased in Prague.  This little wooden doll is in Czech national costume.

This little Mozart statuette caught Robert's eye, to represent our time in Austria.  We went to a Mozart concert whilst staying in Vienna, where all the musicians were in traditional dress of Mozart's time.

We were trying to avoid the Eiffel Tower from France but there was no other souvenir that screams "Paris" quite as much as a sparkly little tower.  Turns out Lyn already has a mini Eiffel Tower on her desk.  Maybe this second one will start a trend and she will end up with a dozen of them???

Lace-making and Chocolate were tourist favourites in Brugge, Belgium.  We could not bring back chocolates, although we sampled quite a few on Lyn's behalf.   Whilst I was at the hairdressers in Brugge, Robert was set the task of choosing a suitable souvenir for his sister.  He found this framed image in lace of a lace-maker.

I don't care if Dutch clogs are a cliche for The Netherlands.  Our tiny little painted clogs are so cute and even have windmills on them.  Double cliche!  Ker-ching!

Somehow we overlooked Scotland, so we next found this little musician character in Ireland for her.

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Which only left England to scour for the perfect souvenir.  This cheery red post box not only in a typical English item, but this particular one doubles as a pencil sharper!  I think we really hit the jackpot here.

So here they all are below.  They now live on Lyn's desk, along with the three items she had already received from the trips of others.   Lyn was one of this blog's most loyal and dedicated readers.  She had asked for one memento to add to her collection ... and seemed pleased when we gave her all these.

Snazzy Snaps

It has been a few days since I was last here.  Ordinary, back home life, combined with Jet Lag has got in the way.

Here are SOME of my favourite photos from our holiday. Here is My Woodsie, almost a smile on his face.  For someone who works long hours, relaxing into HOLIDAY MODE came surprisingly easy.

I was amazed in Edinburgh during their Fringe Festival he was game to ask this young performer to have his photo taken with her. 

This was taken in the Lake District, where we saw some of the most lovely towns and villages.

I love the colours in this one: the blue of Rob's top against the blue wall in the Louvre.  He sits alone in a vast space, emphasizing how enormous this Museum is and how, unless you have days and days, only a fraction can be viewed.

In Amsterdam, where this bring pink on the wall of the house is such a lively, joyous colour.  We loved how householders would have pots of flowers on the street, right outside their front doors.  

This one is of our room in the Castle we stayed at near Donegal, Ireland.  We were just blown away that Little Ol' Mazz and Woodsie could find themselves living like Royalty!!!

Not taken by me of course, but an English tourist took this for us on a canal in Bruges, Belguim.  Over the years, we have not taken many of ourselves together, but I really like this one.

This is the domed ceiling in Napoleon's tomb, just one of many magnificent buildings we have seen.  But the sheer magnificence, the soaring height, the ornate decoration, the symmetry, the size of all these just leave me overwhelmed.

Okay.  So we are definitely not Brad and Angelina. But just look at us!  Those smiles of delight as we set off on another adventure.  Our bus trips were limited to day tours.  In Europe we moved between cities by train; whilst in Ireland and the U.K. we hired cars.

Yes, it is TOILET PAPER.  But the display looks so eye catching.  Such vibrant colours, arranged in an interesting way.  Even mundane, everyday items can take on the form of an artwork!!

I stood with my camera zoomed in and aimed at this Guard at the Tower of London  for a long time as he stood motionless, his eyes flicking from one side to the other, until he finally looked in my direction and I could "click".

We didn't have many fancy meals, which made those we did so much more special.  This is part of my meal on the seventh floor of our Edinburgh hotel, looking out across Grass Market, to the soaring Castle which dominated the skyline.

We saw many galleries, museums, famous buildings and artworks, but this photo represents a really personal part of the trip.  In the village of Charlton, just near Malmesbury where we stayed, behind the village hall, stands this stone bench.  It is dedicated to the memory of the parents of friends of ours.  We had a specific request to have our photo taken on the bench (and we did!)

Our Major Trip Highlights

For me especially, highlights have been large and small. it was the conversations with taxi drivers, or a view from a hotel window, a glimpse of scenery, details on a building, a flower box or help from a stranger.

But this aims to recall the major ones that will remain with us for a long time. They are roughly in chronological order rather than being ranked any other way.

1. BERLIN'S MEMORIAL STONES, WITH HOLOCAUST MUSEUM UNDERNEATH.

This memorial covers a whole city block and the stones vary in height. Viewed from above they form an amazing ripple effect. Sobering, as was our trip to Dachau Concentration Camp. What amazed us to learn is the camp formed only a small section of a much larger facility. Any Nazi officer of high rank would have passed through the training facility at one stage. It is very complex how Germany acknowledges its actions during the Nazi Era, which we found fascinating.

2. SALZBURG SOUND OF MUSIC TOUR.

It was bizarrely wonderful, to be driving through spectacular Austrian countryside, belting out the words of "Sound of Music" songs with a bus load of tourists. The tour included the bob sled ride down the mountainside as well.

3. LOUVRE TREASURES

Just exhilarating to see 'Mona Lisa' again, plus find the original of my print of the self portrait, with
daughter, by Elizabeth-Louise Vigee-le Brun.

4. FLORAL HOLLAND MARKET AT AALSMEER
Just the sheer vastness of his business enterprise, selling flowers and plants in enormous auction rooms, then the efficiency with which stock is shipped out. So very impressive.

5. EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO

Even though we went the only night it rained, and we sat in the open, the precipitation did not persist all through the performance. We are still talking about the Norwegian precision marching troupe and the Swiss drumming corp.

6. DUBLIN 60TH BIRTHDAY DINNER

Our slap-up meal for Woodsie's birthday at L'Ecrivain restaurant was a real highlight. We were in our Tuesday best, the food and service were impeccable. Easy to understand their Michelin rating.




7. CASTLE SOLIS LOUGH ESK NEAR DONEGAL.

What a luxurious place to stay! Our room was enormous. We sat by this fire after dinner and talked to two Irish couples. Google the castle to see for yourself.


8. BLACK CAB TOUR IN BELFAST

Despite our hotel in Belfast having the dubious reputation of being the most bombed hotel in Western Europe, our stay passed without incident. But a week later, trouble broke out again. Thanks to Paul, our cab driver/tour guide, we gained an insight into the long running disputes between the Orange and the Green.

9. ROMAN BATHS IN BATH

This restored complex shows the amazing engineering and building skills of the Romans. A very interesting place. The fact it was pouring rain in a city called Bath was weirdly appropriate.

10. MALMESBURY VISIT

We opted to spend time in this village as friends Sue and Andy Davison both had lived there. Through them we met their friends Phil Ashby and family, plus 'Barney' and Sue Barnes. Andy's sister Louise spent a day with us, which included touring 'Downton Abbey' - Highclere Castle.




Our Malmesbury stay happily coincided with the annual Carnival and the Saturday night street parade was an absolute highlight, village frivolity at its finest.




11. STONEHENGE AND AVEBURY ANCIENT SITES

How on earth did these people millennia ago manage to cut, transport and place these stones with such precision?





12. TOWER OF LONDON.

A fascinating site of many buildings, walls, towers, defence structures, open spaces and chock full of history. Another example of the impact of William the Conqueror (Battle of Hastings in 1066) as he began construction as a fort to be safe from his own citizens, given he had invaded, killed their King and claimed the English throne.







13. WINSTON CHURCHILL MUSEUM AND WAR ROOMS.

An excellent recommendation from Jess Crouch. Many of the War Rooms were locked and left largely intact. Others have been faithfully recreated from extensive archive photographs. The mannequins were so life-like; best I have ever seen in such a display. The museum dedicated to Churchill himself is as thorough, entertaining and informative as anyone could hope to experience.

14. WEST END PLAY - 'WAR HORSE'.

Splendid theatre and a fitting way to spend our last night in London.





I will no doubt think of others, but these are some major ones that went toward making our trip the incredible experience it was.

Next time I may gather some of my favourite photos together. The discussion had been on what sort of camera to take. We finally opted to borrow Delanie's "point-and-shoot" one. We managed to bust the battery/memory stick flap so had to buy her a new one.

Next trip I aim to decide on my camera six months in advance ... then practice until I master it.

Inquisitive, not Acquisitive

Rob and I made the decision before our Big Trip not to be buying lots of souvenirs. Luggage space and weight were two reasons, but past experience tells us most just become "stuff" rather than treasured possessions. However, I still LOVE the piece of Murano glassware we carried carefully home from our 2003 trip.

When we unpacked, I realised just how well we adhered to the souvenir policy.  I have virtually nothing, by past standards. at least.

We purchased one nice Delft plate, to sit on the cedar chest in our room, with the Murano piece.

We need to frame the one scene of Prague we found on the bridge to the Old City.

I have a heart-shaped amber pendent on a silver chain.

At a market, I snapped up a second hand book: My Dear Cassandra - the Illustrated Letters of Jane Austen.

Woodsie has his hilarious Babushka dolls of Geelong AFL players, a Scottish rugby top and a few tee-shirts.

So photos and memories are what mainly we have from our trip.  Tomorrow I will present a list of our favourite experiences that we most enjoyed.

Where Did The Time Go?????

As a colleague of Winston Churchill once wryly observed - "Winston spent his best years preparing his impromptu speeches."

It seems Churchill once dried up during a speech, so never again was without notes and thorough preparation. When summoned by an aide he was needed in Parliament one day, he roared, "Go away, damn boy! Can't you see I am rehearsing a spontaneous answer to a question!"

On the 10th of July, our long awaited holiday of ten weeks stretched away into the hazy distance. The 14th of September seemed so far, far away.

Today was an easier day. We are both tired after staying in 22 different places, travelling through ten different countries.

Leaving our hotel, a few doors down I again saw this sign.


Dame Ellen Terry was Britain's QUEEN OF THE STAGE and her biographer records that, when she died, people lined the 60 mile journey as her body was returned to London. Her theatrical legacy was continued by her nephew, Sir John Gielgud.

We decided to see Oxford Street. First stop was a big, flash Boot's store, where this friendly, gorgeous girl helped me with some purchases.



Later in the afternoon, we returned to the city, at Covent Garden station, where we wandered through the famous market place.

We also saw this most unusual walkway between two buildings.



An early dinner at Maxwell's had Woodsie smiling.



Then we headed around the corner to the New London Theatre, to see WAR HORSE.


It was a brilliant show, which is coming to Melbourne. But I have seen it first!! The puppetry is mesmerising. It was a fitting finale to our holiday.

Which brings me to ponder the question: WHERE DID THE TIME GO?

Yet when I think back on all the churches, cathedrals, art galleries, museums, arcades, avenues, monuments and memorials, fields, rivers, stone buildings and bridges, parks and parades we saw, the many train tracks, air flights, roads, lanes and highways we travelled, all the fascinating people who took tours, or we just talked with a while, the real question is ... did we do all that in just ten weeks!

Countdown

With only two full days in London remaining, we headed out the door early this morning, list in hand, to tick off some more tourist hot-spots.



First up was a recommendation from Jess Crouch: Churchill's War Rooms. Located underground off King Charles Street, the complex was locked up after the war and left basically intact.

Realistic mannequins really appear to be the original staff who toiled down here.












This complex contained the War Cabinet office, Map Room, offices, kitchen, bedrooms, etc.. This piece of graffiti was drawn, during the war, on one of the large scale maps.



Below is the tiny area, now displayed behind a glass wall, provided the three meals a day that Mr. Churchill enjoyed each day.


This is where his War Cabinet met. Apparently some extremely robust discussions took place but Churchill never overruled his military leaders.


This Marine guard is getting extra assistance, as you can see.





One door concealed a top secret communications room. At the time, many of those working down here had no idea what lay behind it. In fact, the 'engaged' lock convinced many it was the only flush toilet in the whole facility, reserved for the exclusive use of the Prime Minister.




The man behind the image is revealed in the section called The Churchill Museum. A more impressive, comprehensive and entertainingly interactive museum could not be imagined.


Below is a long electronic time-line of his life. We could highlight any year, then any section within that year, to display what was known about Churchill in that particular moment. It was multi-layered, with the year sliding across, to reveal further options beneath.



Various personnel who worked with him during the war years give their recollections on someone who seems to have inspired great loyalty and devotion.


It was a really fascinating place to visit. The former Electrical Switch Room is now a cafe, with the amusing declaration of "NO RATIONING".



Heading back up to street level, we ran into long lines of the Games Volunteers, lining up for the big parade today to celebrate Team Great Britain's nauseating medal count success. These lovely young girls were part of a huge army, male and female, young and old, of every race, who helped make both Games the overwhelming success they were.


We headed to see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament again. Crossing the road, we first visited St. Margaret's Church, the parish church of Westminster, where Winston married his beloved Clementine.


We then moved on to the big one: Westminster Abbey, scene of Royal coronations and marriages, plus burial place to many famous figures, like Good Queen Bess, who lies with her half sister Mary, in a side chapel. Poet's corner has names like Wilfred Owen, Byron, Chaucer and Tennyson. Florey and Darwin are elsewhere. I wish we had more time to absorb more of this ancient place.

Outside we were confronted with barriers and police in our way, as we had to weave along side streets toward Leicester Square. On the way we did pass this building below.



We also saw four large horse transport vehicles, no doubt their occupants and riders keeping all that national fervour in check during the parade.



Finding the National Portrait Gallery en route, we ducked inside to hopefully allow those flag waving, intolerably happy crowds to disperse. A gallery worker inside asked if we were excited by the parade. I told her, "No! We are Australian. We are still seething with our lack of success.".

I had heard of a special exhibition of portraits of Queen Elizabeth II for her Diamond Jubilee. It was wonderful, including a series of four by Andy Warhol and one made entirely of tiny images of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Another room had the finalists for the B.P. Portrait Award. Many of these were absolutely incredible works.

Emerging, we were delighted the streets were now navigable. We made our way to the discount ticket area and purchased tickets for a show tomorrow night. After a quick liquid refreshment stop, we wandered to a nearby establishment, another suggestion by Jess. Charing Cross Road is the traditional book-selling area of London and FOYLES BOOKSHOP is a family run, independent business with an amazing variety of stock.

Later, we headed back to our hotel, thankful we did not have to cope with these public transport crowds each day ourselves.



Only one day to go now.