Escape to the Italian Lake District, 32 Anniversary, 2007

Italy was our planned escape to the warmth we've missed during the Yorkshire spring of cold and rain.

We jumped up and caught our taxi and took poor george to the Red House doggie resort (better know as dog prison!). This was the first trip to the Leeds/Bradford Airport via the new bus service which leaves every hour on the hour. What a great way to go and only $34 round trip.

We flew Jet2 straight into the Bergamo Italy airport. The owner, Mario, of the bed and breakfast picked us up and then drove to the B&B click to see, La Valletta Relais, where we stayed. You won't meet a finer proprietor then Mario and family. We freshened up and Mario took us back to the old town of Bergamo for dinner.

We wandered about looking for the restaurant Da Mimmo one of the top four dining experiences in Bergamo. We were seated in the outdoor garden area after a glass of bubbly in their deli across the small lane. White table clothes, great smells, lots of people having a Saturday night out. As usual, we were very fortunate to even get a place to dine. Dinner was great, I ate a slap of meat that covered the whole plate. Ya'll may not believe this but I couldn't finish it. It was about two and a half inches thick. Bet dined on a local specialty, lake trout with italian veggies.

We ended our saturday night by walking back to the center of old town and had a gelato as we waited for mario's shuttle back to La Valletta and the 11pm bed call.

Bergamo is a splendid little hill town in northern Italy. Our sunday began naturally with a walk about on the perimeter of the hill top road. Everybody walks no wonder these Italian people are so good looking. They keep their shapes and legs by climbing up and down these hill roads on into their nineties. I had people older than me passing as if I was tied.

La Vellatta sits on the side of a hill above old town Bergamo. It over looks the city. The birds are unbelievable we even heard real cuckoos. That was a first for us. We stolled down the hill to town. We visited a hillside garden, a war memorial park and took a Funiculare up to the top of the hill for a castle look see.

We spent the whole day walking, looking, dining and broke up those tourist moments with gelatos. After so much fun we voted for a quiet night on the outside patio of La Vallatta. We went back to last night's Da Mimmo deli and purchased vino and delicious food stuff. That night on the patio we were joined by this english couple we had met that very morning. We told tales and drank the vino until mario and family retired for the night.

Monday morning Mario takes us to the train station for our trip to Varenna on Lake Como. It started out a cool and wet day. The train trip seemed quick even with a small lay over in Lecco. That Betty is an expert at figuring the foreign train schedules. We made it to Varenna and got off in the middle of a gully washer. We walked down the hill to the ferry station on Lake Como. Our hotel the La Olivedo, can be viewed by clicking Here!!!!

Our room was in a Villa, never stayed in one of those before. Man was it nice. The bed, although beautiful, we slept like it was a concrete slab. With all the fun the night before we took one of those rainy day naps till the 7:30 dinner of 3 courses for about $30 in La Oliveda dinning room. Laura who runs every aspect of the hotel and staff hit it off well with us. I think otherwise life at the La Oliveda may not be so nice. I just addressed her as Miss Laura and we got on good.

Our Italian lake tour started nicely with a grand walk through the Villa Monastero's Gardens. It was just a little overcast with periods of sun. We love lake Como. All the Europeans with the bucks owned and developed property here mostly the Kings and Queens of several nations. I can't explain the beauty of this place. I have come to know the unimaginable. We toured the properties of four of the finest gardens known to man. I'll never forget the side of a hill covered in roerdendiums the size of large oak trees. We usually spent half our days in the various gardens around the lake. We reached them via various means of marine transport.

Of course, we walked everywhere when we got to these little lake ports of call. We love Italy especially Lake Como. It has moved to the top of the list o places most likely to visit again and maybe again. The views around the lake were facinating to see snow caped mountians and palm trees all in one vista.

Our next Italy trip will be for some stop over time in Venice, everyone swears it's the best of Italia!

. . . . see ya,
j'bu

A miracle of London Underground York 2007

How many of you feel lucky? Well, I am the lucky one.

There are many reasons I’m lucky but I’m really lucky this time. From my lips . . . .

I’ve lost my digital camera, favorite hat and worldwide travel pack they are gone forever!

No way! The London Underground has officially notified us of our good fortune and we now have what we lost forever, the goods are in hand.

Thanks, to Bet’s attitude and evidently a system that works we have an unexpected miracle.

My worldwide travel pack is easily a 15 year old freebie. We have sought out and found a patch or badge(as they are called in England) for either the country, sight or city we’ve traveled to. Bet has sewn most all of them on that pack.

Can you believe, lost but now it’s found?

We had several pints down at The Maltings to celebrate. While visiting our local for bevies, I snapped pictures of some “Hen Party girls”.

These are moving bachelorette parties which roam the city’s pubs for all the drinks and fun they can consume till they fall over.

These pics were taken with Bet’s new Canon IXUS 70 to replace my newly recovered Nikon S4. That’s probably as clear as mud . . . . see ya,

j'bu

Rail trip to Paris, Spring 2007

We were up early in anticipation of our rail trip to Paris. Sometime before 5:30am Bet and I started getting ready for the 7am rail departure. We had a first class trip to London’s King Cross booked. Once there we jump on the tube to Waterloo station where the connection for Eurostar train to Paris was waiting to take us through the Chunnel to our final destination. George knew.

For me, the tube provided the disappointment opportunity of my Paris trip. The London Underground is a pretty darn good service and somehow I managed to leave my prize possession backpack on the Bakerloo line. This was just plain bad. Thanks to Bet, who filed the lost and found claim, I eventually moved on and realized my digital camera, favorite hat and worldwide travel pack were gone forever. Even though we’ve traveled to and thorough London it’s always accompanied by some apprehension. My guess it’s the 10 million people in the area.

Now Paris was the prize, we got to the Hotel de Vigny via taxi around 3:30 pm. Our Eurostar trip was very comfortable, the food was better than our trip to Bruges and the wine flowed freely. It reminded me of the good old days of international air travel. We’ve been to Paris before but these are the best accommodations and weather we’ve ever experienced. We cleaned up a little and hit the sidewalks. We walked the districts from the Champs Elysees passed Notre Dame. We had a late night dinner at a small café off one of the side streets. That’s where you find the unique restaurants off the beaten path.

This is the first time on my travels through France that I have felt totally comfortable with the people, places and things. I mean everyone I encountered seemed welcoming and warm. This is really what I’ll remember about Paris in the future. I’ve gone away with a totally different view of France in general.

Sunday we jumped up and by 9:30 am we were on a train to a town forty minutes outside of Paris. The train was packed with people. Bet and I had to split up for seats. I talked to a polish IT Sales type guy the whole trip who lives in France and was looking for work. I gave him our company name and sent him to our London Offices. If he gets hired, it would be good for our eastern European and Russian ventures.

Anyway, next to the train station we rented bikes and took off to find Monet’s home and gardens. First thing, it was a beautiful trek but this old butt of mine is no longer build for cycling. We ate ice cream while queued up to view the property of the French master. What sights, they were remarkable. My favorite was his house. He must have been like me with the focus being on the cooking, dining, and wining. I like all the French oak and the pastel painted rooms. After our garden view, we were back in Paris to see Monet’s paintings and mural of these very gardens.

Sunday, was national Election day. Can you imagine 85% turnout? They vote on Sundays. At the end of the day, my favorite candidate Sarkozy captured the election. He’s a winner and may even set the French on the right path. How is it going to be without the hate-everything-american government? Hello, welcome to this century. We may well be their best friends but time will tell. On this day we were doing our daily ritual of evening wine and snacks. We had walked by the English and US embassies. Very strange the sight of heavily armed police of all sorts blocking off the streets on the street in front of the embassies. We ended up at a small corner café on the Rue le Concordia. Loads of young people milling about and heading on down the street to join the Sarkozy rally. Right in front of us a crowd had gathered to view the big plasma screen TV behind us to watch the goings on. The Sarkozy rally at his head quarters which was just a couple of blocks away and was the center of all attention.

Monday morning early, we found the Metro underground to north Paris’ burbs where they have 6 hectors of Flea market, antique and everthing you can think of stuff! I don’t know what a Hector is either and we spent about four hours there browsing blocks and blocks of markets. We finally gave up and had fabulous French food and wine at a corner café. We have yet to encounter a bad meal at any of these great little bistros.

Today we’re headed home. You’ve heard about the 35 hour French work week. It’s Tuesday and we’re out shopping early in the district for that sort of thing. Two stores were open, wow. We head back to the Champs and our Hotel. Come to find out there’s a parade today. Full military and police brass are on display today. I like marching bands and the like.

. . . . see ya,

j'bu

Cumbria, the lake district UK tour 2007

Faced with a 4 day weekend for Easter, but a completely booked dog kennel, we decided it was time for another English road trip. We decided on Cumbria, more specifically the English Lake District around Windmere Lake Long popular with the English as a holiday destination, it is famous for its lakes (duh!), its walks, its mountains (the English say they are the kinder, gentler version of the alps), and has lots of literary connections with the likes of William Wordsworth, Beatrice Potter, and John Ruskin. Leaving on Friday, we struck out for the town of Ambleside, routing thru the southern part of the Yorkshire Dales. We stayed on the smaller roads, and got to see lots of lambs - cute, cute, cute!

The weather was spectacular - warm, dry, and sunny (very unlike the wet and cold weather all the English people told us to expect…”be sure to takes your fleeces and your waterproofs”) which apparently explained why there were so many people at the lakes.

After scouting around Ambleside for dinner with no luck, and not being up for a curry takeout, we headed into the hills to the nearby town of Troutbeck…looking for the restaurant “Queen’s Head” recommended by our English friend Marion. Go if you ever get a chance…it was some of the best food we have had in England in our year and a half….we shared a table with some locals and entirely enjoyed the experience.

Here’s what you do in the English Lakes….eat the full English breakfast (hammy type bacon, eggs, broiled tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, sausage, brown toast), lace up your hiking boots, get the dog, walk, lift a pint in the afternoon, eat dinner, and fall into bed.

Our Saturday hike also involved a steamer boat ride (George’s first ride on a boat – he proved to be a good ‘boatsdog’) from Waterhead to Castle Wray, then walked from the Castle along the western shore of the lake to the Ferry Building (about 5 miles), taking a ferry over to Bowness at Windmere, then another steamer back to Waterhead. Had a good dinner at a spot called the Glass House in Ambleside.

Sunday we did a circular walk from along the river from Ambleside to Rydal Mount (famous for its William Wordsworth connection), stopping in at St Mary’s Church (his church and burial site), Dora’s Field (where his daughter was buried), and Rydal Hall (where the Burnsides had a much needed tea break). Arriving back to Ambleside, we enjoyed the remainder of the afternoon sun and some pints (bevies) with a friendly English couple. Dinner was at LucyFour, pretty good tapas, but I’d try for Lucy restaurant if you can get in – it was supposed to be really good.

Monday we departed the Ambleside Lodge and headed off to the local car boot sale at the soccer field, we managed to score a nice old English ¾ gallon watering can, and then set out for home on the northern Dales route thru Hawes.

Overall impressions: good trip, beautiful scenery, better food than York, lots of Eastern European service people.

.... see ya,

b'bu

There's no place like home .... back to the future

As an American, I took for granted the technological advantages of my world. Little did I know that our basic washer and dryer would be one of those advantages but it is and for me it’s right up there at the top of my list.

Our combo under counter washer dryer fried its brains three weeks ago. Now I’ve long thought that the four hour end to end wash dry cycle for a single load was more than amusing. Of course, Betty has ingeniously cut that cycle to a mere three hours by removing the damp clothes and hanging them about the apartment. I guess I know why they invented heated towel rods and such.

Believe me we were not ready for the complete withdrawal of the wash and dry device. Any way, my Betty has devised a once a week trek by taxi to the local laundry mat where the deed (wash, dry & folding) is done in a few hours while she’s about her business. I don’t know what betty’s going to do with all that free time ....

see ya,

j'bu

Our place in the Sun; Goa, India 2007

It is a grim prospect to have a horrible cold and have to get on a plane for a 12 hour trip…but that's what we did when we went to India in March. Faced with our second cold since Christmas, I put the blame for that squarely on Jim's petri dish of an office, we loaded up with antihistamines and set sail to London-Mumbai(the old Bombay)-Goa. Let's just say by the time we landed at the Goa airport we were ready for bed (at 1:00 in the afternoon) but had already experienced Indian food, cows on the loose everywhere (you know they're sacred in India), seen beautiful old colonial Portugese houses, and been driven over some of the worst paved roads I've ever been on (and that's saying a lot for someone who grew up in Mississippi). We found the Goa Park Hyatt to be an absolute oasis .... just what we needed under the circumstances.

Our days passed in a lulling blur of monotonous activity – breakfast on the outside terrace, securing the perfect shady spot by the pool (and conveniently located to the pool bar for those all important ice-cold Belo beers– affectionately known as the Goa Corona),

out to the beach for a morning swim and then back to the pool lounging, rousing ourselves just in time for lunch (the gazpacho soup was incredible), then a little naptime, some swimming, more beers!, a late afternoon walk on one of the prettiest beaches I've ever seen. We did see some local color on our beach walks, the infamous beach shack restaurants and bars….we actually spent several delightful hours at the Wen Den in their hanging basket chairs watching glorious sunsets. We did vary the routine one day by taking a boat trip to the well known Wednesday market at Arjuna.

It doesn't sound it but it was a very exciting trip that involved a jetski ride to get to and from the boat and a hour long boat ride, each way, that was like something out of a James Bond movie.

We were reassured by the plasticVirgin Mary on the dashboard of the boat.

We did have a little trouble (!)on the way home when, through no fault of our own, we barely missed the flight from Goa to Mumbai (somebody at the Hyatt got a wakeup call, twice, at 5:00am!). In somewhat of a panic to get out of Goa so we could make an afternoon connection in Mumbai, we were desperate enough to flash our York Minster Card (we're going to hell for lying with church property) in a misguided attempt to get into the Minister's Lounge - I thought it must be like the Delta Crown Room where we could use the phone, get on the internet, get drinks and snacks, etc. Once we managed to momentarily talk our way past the surly door guard, we saw it was no better than the public waiting room- it was in fact it was a completely empty room with a bunch of badly mismatched furniture from the 70's, no telephones, and a door guard was astute enough to immediately determine we did not fit the "profile" of an Indian Minister. He couldn't even be bribed!

What made it happen was the beach nights ....

It was a long trip home .... see ya,

b'bu

Today a day travel .... India here we come!

This time we departed for places we have never been. Namely our destination is India. Betty and I were in an all out war with the what I call the "english" cold and cough. She seemed to trail my ailment by a couple of days. I fully blame a family of un-named cow-orkers who have introduced this super strain of misery. Not to dwell, but mine spread to my eyes and ears. After much antibiotics and all the over the counter crap you can purchase we've got this down to a hacking cough which just irritates the hell out of all around. Our little coughs are disgusting because sometimes they continue to a breathless stage which feels like what's inside is out. The good news is the beach cures a lot of things. Here's hoping. There's always some bitter with the sweet. But as they say in St Simons , Georgia

If you're lucky enough to have a place at the beach

.... you're lucky enough!

Anyway, what we have here is a loss of all our 2007 posts. Hopefully, I'll be able to reconstruct these. I think i have parts of them all over place, just have to find them. So as luck would have it, I will again have to reconstruct my blog in 2007. Which brings me to the question, should I move on to yet another blogging service? Guess we'll answer that another day.... see ya,

j'bu