Perfect Pula. 2016

I was introduced to Croatia from A Place in the Sun and the recent history of the Balkans, but it is not an area of Europe I know.  However, normally when I looked up flights they were very expensive, suddenly a return to Pula appeared online for just £25.  I was in real need of a break and time by myself so was delighted to find a self catering room for four nights for just £75. What I had not expected was to find somewhere so serenly beautiful. I just loved sitting on the beach, being quiet, visitng the Roman remains,  it was fabulous.

Wonderful Warsaw. winter 2016

If you are going to be cold in winter, why not go really cold, but actually Poland was warmer than expected.   I benefitted from a really good deal on a hotel and was right in the centre of town so enjoyed walking around in the evening as much as in the day.  The food was great, very filling, after years of teaching Polish students and hearing about their food it was great to try bigos, pierogi, and cheesecake in situ.  I liked the  statue of Adam Wickiewicz' Poland's great author, who I had only heard of because of my students.   Warsaw was a mix of Moscow type buildings, lovely decor, and interesting history e.g. Copernicus and Curie.

Latest journey to Luxembourg Januar7 2017

To start the new year, I felt it was time to head off, but where to?  I decided on somewhere that has never appealed before but post Brexit seems a more relevant place to consider on my weekend to Luxembourg City, I found desolate modern buildings that really do not make the most of the countries place in Europe, but lovely old buildings that are a testament to how connected this place is to Europe.  It seems to have come under France, Belgium, Spain, Netherlands, etc etc,  and now with its dual languages and  multinational residents (many of the youth hostel staff for example were from Portugal)   it is an interesting melting pot.

Return to KG 2015

This beautiful felt yurt nicely expressed the positive and at times challenging relationship with KG. It was a touching and unexpected gift,  but how to get it home as it is big1  Luckily with all clothes shoved inside it and then it shoved inside my case,  with minor damage it now has pride of place in my room and is a favourite toy for my niece to play with.   The damage to my health working in the British education system post KG means I am now not sure I will ever work in a classroom ever again, which is a shame as I would like to return if possible at least once more to work with my inspirational Kyrgyiz colleagues.  I am still hoping to find some volunteers who might consider a trip out there too, so please pass this on if you know a teacher who might be interested.

Oslo 2015

Just one of the most iconic images ever and one that says so much about travel, our interconnected history, adventure, beauty.  Lovely just one of many treats that resulted from being shown about Oslo, by my Dad's friend Liv and her husband.

Portugal and Prague - 2015.

 Despite the early time in the year, Lisbon was blisteringly hot. I could only walk downhill not up and had to stop every few minutes.  I fell asleep on the river beach.  I did get to Belhem but need to revisit that whole area. I then went down to Sao Martinho and the quiet of Alentejo.

If possible August in Prague was even hotter which is why spending a day in the shade in the castle was so great, but so was pottering in the shower of water being sprayed to make it all bearable. Lovely city. The town was more touristy than I expected, and very busy, but I loved the atmosphere, the art nouveau properties and the food - a nice mix of fruit with the meet.  I listened to Smetana on the little river boat trip, and talked with the boat man about the Prague Spring and my memories of that time, whilst his parents had been stopped from escaping. I also visited Dvorak's museum and the one on Mucha.  This showed more of his print work than I expected, but actually explained a lot of his history.

60 60.

I am wondering if over the course of the decade from my 60th, I could make it to 60 places, places abroad, and do I could repeat visits.  Just thoughts at present, but made me think I should upload some pictures from these lovely places. So I start in London on my actual 60th.

How I am spending the New Year

It has been a wonderful Christmas and now after several days unwell I am once again trying to meet the Police's request that I revisit all the evidence in my potential fraud case.  There is so much correspondence in connection with it,  it needs going through in great detail.  I have been rechecking everything for 2 months or more!  Some evenings the entermainment has been watching Jordan Banjo or Ashley Banjo which I always find fascinating.   And so as the new year turns - the old year is still in my mind.      It does not anger me so much now unless I think about it, having to find the evidence for the police means it is in my mind more than I would wish for.   Now if only that money just came back, how wonderful that would be.    Wishful thinking?    Well at present yes, but who knows.