The Trip: London Part 1
May 4, 2008 | Category: Personal, Random Thoughts, Travel | 1 Comment
Since I was unable to post effectively while I was on the trip I have decided to post about the highlights from each place and include a few pictures to tease while I get the rest of the pictures ready for the web.
We arrived in London about 2 hours late as our flight was about 2 hours late, maybe a pattern but we shall see later. On arrival at our hotel, The London Bridge Hotel we immediately set out in search of a pub for food and a pint. Very soon we determined that most pubs do not serve food on Saturday nights so onto plan B which was find someplace to eat. Soon enough we came upon the aptly named restaurant Fish. Where we had a Fish and Chips meal which included Mushy Peas, an acquired taste I am guessing.
Upon our arrival in London we had discovered that Sunday which would be our first full day in London, the London Marathon was taking place. As we did not want to compete with the crowds we decided that we would visit the attractions within walking distance from our hotel, the HMS Belfast and the Tower of London. Sunday started out a little grey with the chance of showers expected sometime during the day. We had a full English breakfast in the hotel and then headed out to visit the HMS Belfast a World War 2 cruiser which is a floating museum on the River Thames. As the Belfast was not open we took a walk to the Tower Bridge and discovered the bridge was the 20km mark for the marathon. We joined the crowds and cheered on the runners. Read more
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1 Comment | PermalinkTags: Big Ben, Daniel Craig, HMS Belfast, Tower of London, Trafalagar Square
V Day is Coming
May 1, 2008 | Category: Musings, Personal, Random Thoughts | Leave a Comment
V standing for vehicle and Saturday I take delivery of my brand new 2008 VW Touareg. Doing the happy dance again or maybe it is I am still doing the happy dance. Did I say Google is my Friend!
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Leave a Comment | PermalinkTags: Cranberry, Google, VW Touareg
Frack Me
April 30, 2008 | Category: Personal, Random Thoughts, Travel | 1 Comment
As I get back to life after the trip I have been trying to put together the pictures and the story of the trip. I will over the next several days post about the places we visited and post the pictures into my gallery. But I could not resist relating this story which occurred in Vancouver Airport on April 11th as we waited for our British Airways flight to London which was delayed by 2 hours. As we waited in the departure lounge I had found a spot to plug in my laptop and after a little while of my puttering on my computer a British gentleman approached and asked if there was room to plug in his computer. As there was a spot I moved out of the way and he plugged in his computer and then he moved a few feet away to a seat close by. Over the next 30 -40 minutes I continued to wander aimlessly around the departure lounge and putter on my computer. During my puttering I looked over at the British Gentleman and thought there was something familiar about this man. I looked at the British Gentleman for the next 15 - 20 minutes until he walked over to check on his computer. Once he approached I quietly said to him, “You look familiar” to which he answered ” I am an actor on Battlestar Galactica.” I was speaking with none other than Jamie Bamber who plays Lee “Apollo” Adama on Battlestar Galactica. After quietly speaking for a few moments I asked if Jamie minded if I could get a picture with him. He answered “Of course it would be a pleasure.”
I must say I was extremely impressed with how polite and accommodating Jamie was during the few moments we spoke. A true gentleman.
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1 Comment | PermalinkTags: Battlestar Galactica, Jamie Bamber, Lee Adama, Vancouver Airport
Paris By Any Other Name!
April 23, 2008 | Category: Personal, Random Thoughts, Travel | Leave a Comment
Paris in the spring time can you ask for anything more? Well do not answer that….Paris is incredible, the post cards just do not do it justice. When you stand on the the top level of the Eiffel Tower you find the view just magnificient. There is so much to see that three days just is not enough time. Louvre is the next stop, time for some more culture.
Hard to believe 1 more day in Europe then the Grand Adventure is over.
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Leave a Comment | PermalinkTags: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Paris
Swords, Senoritas and Sangria
April 20, 2008 | Category: Personal, Random Thoughts, Travel | Leave a Comment
Holy Toledo, after a rainy day wandering around the Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace we took the High Speed train to Toledo about 71 kilometers south of Madrid. Toledo is a World Heritage City with the old city dominating the landscape with the impressive Alcazar (fort) and Cathedral as the main attractions. While we were impressed with the old city, the commercialization present took away from the ambiance. In other words we did not appreciate the McDonalds in the old city.
Dinner last night was Tapas and Spanish beer while we enjoyed Paella and a very thick and tasty beef stew for dinner tonight. Next comes Paris the City of Lights, and did I mention pastries MMMM fresh bread in the morning, chocolate crossiants mmmm!
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Leave a Comment | PermalinkTags: Alcazar, Madrid, Paella, Paris, Toledo
If This is Tuesday It Must Be Tanger
April 18, 2008 | Category: Personal, Random Thoughts, Travel | 2 Comments
Ran into a computer problem, my laptop has decided to take a holiday of its own and stop working. So I am a little behind.
London was great and while we walked our feet off we did get to see lots of great sites and met some interesting people at the same time. We went to see the Changing of the Guard on Monday only to be told it was only every second day so off we went to visit the Churchill War Rooms and the London Eye with a side trip to Westminister Abbey.
Tuesday we jetted off to Morocco and landed first in Casablanca and then flew onto Tanger. Tanger has the exotic feel you would think it has with the right mix of new and old. On Wednesday we spent the day with our driver Moustafa and our guide Sayed who regaled us with tales of old while we visited Cape Spartel, the Caves of Hercules, the Medina and the Kasbah (More tales complete with pictures coming soon). On Wednesday night we ate in a traditional Moroccan restaurant with Moroccan music and of course a belly dancer.
Friday begins our Spanish adventure with a trip to Toledo.
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2 Comments | PermalinkTags: Cape Spartel, Casablanca, Caves of Hercules, London, London Eye, Madrid, Tanger
Hit the Ground Running
April 14, 2008 | Category: Personal, Random Thoughts, Travel | 6 Comments
We Made It! The flight was delayed 2 hours but we made to London and had a full day on Sunday. With visits to the Tower of London, with some very interesting instruments of torture and a very informative visit to the HMS Belfast a WW2 Cruiser which saw action in the Korea Campaign as well. After a tradional Fish and Chip lunch it was off to Big Ben and the London Eye. We walked from Westminister to Picadilly Circus and took in all the incredible sites. Having a great time, today is the Changing of the Gurad at Buckingham Palace and Westminister Abbey and a visit to Harrods. More to come!
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6 Comments | PermalinkTags: HMS Belfast, London, London Eye, Tower of London
Leaving on a Jet Plane
April 11, 2008 | Category: Musings, Personal, Random Thoughts, Travel | Leave a Comment
The day has arrived and there was much rejoicing Yaa Yippee Yeehaw! (That’s the rejoicing) But that is not the only exciting news, Wednesday I got a call from my doctor to meet her at the hospital on Thursday and ……..get my cast taken off. Yes you read correctly I have the pleasure to annouce I no longer have a cast and it looks like my wrist has healed quite nicely. As I was laying on the hospital gurney getting the cast cut off and as I felt the cool air hit my skin my first thought was to yell out FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!! but I did not I just thought about it. So now I get to enjoy all that Europe and Morocco have to offer without that damn cast! Stay Tuned the next broadcast will be brought to you from London!
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Leave a Comment | PermalinkTags: Braveheart, Cast, London
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