Frack Me

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.

Vancouver Airport 4-11-08

Paris By Any Other Name!

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.

Swords, Senoritas and Sangria

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!

If This is Tuesday It Must Be Tanger

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.

Hit the Ground Running

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!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

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!

And So the Story Goes

I just got back from Kelowna where I took Tara to my good friends who will be looking after her while I am away on my great adventure. I find I walk around the house and talk to her only to discover she is not here. Makes me appreciate having her around even more.

Friday is creeping up on us fast. I have been finalizing the packing and looking at the travel sites as I prepare for the trip. It is hard to believe that on Saturday we will be in London visting the Tower of London and enjoying a good pub meal and some beer. I guess as the week goes on it will hard to contain the excitement, I can only hope I get good news on Thursday when I get my next x-ray for my wrist. Say a little prayer for me and send me some good vibes and hopefully I will be able to get rid of this cast.

The plan for London is to spend Sunday seeing the Changing of the Guard, Guards Museum, War Cabinet Rooms, Westminster Abbey and Piccadilly Circus. As we want to be flexible we may change around the schedule if we find other things to visit. Maybe a bus tour if the weather is alright and it meets our fancy. Monday we are going to St Paul’s Cathedral, Harrod’s, and a trip in the London Eye. Around our hotel, The London Bridge Hotel is several things we will visit such as the HMS Belfast, Southwark Cathedral and The Tower of London. Oh well 5 more sleeps!

The Day Draws Near

First I have to admit even though I am not liking having a cast I am at least adjusting. Having said that I will be celebrating when I can get this damn thing off my arm.

It is getting close to D day (D stands for Departure), next Friday we wing our way to London. It is hard to restrain my enthusiasm while I make final preparations and start packing for the adventure. Along with the final prep for the trip I am also awaiting delivery of my 2008 VW Touareg. Hard not to be excited about all the good things happening in my life.

I am not going to commit to this but my plan is to try and blog at the end of each day and let everyone know what we did during the day. I will also put up a picture or two.