OUR TRIP TO IRELAND ETC

Diary of our Trip to Ireland and Europe 2002

Buddy & Marg

Author: Marg Kennedy


Thursday 29th August Melbourne - Sunny

Left Echuca at 11.25am. Made good time to Tullamarine. Boarded plane at 4.05 pm. Had a really nice girl from Tasmania beside us. We found out that she was training to be an undertaker. Time went quickly. Had our own little TV’s in seat top in front of us and our own remote control. I watched a very funny film with Antony Hopkins in it. Food was great – even Buddy commented on how nice it was. Singapore in 7hrs and 15 min. Only a short time there. Had a look at perfume. Too dear. Cheaper on the plane. Next plane had more room for our legs.
Two rows from Raffles class. Nice Irish girl, Bridget (teacher) had a great holiday in N.Z. She was very tired.

Friday 30th August London - Fine 23° C

A long trip (13hrs 20 mins) but had “sleepers” to help – we got about 6 hours sleep. Watched “Ya Ya Sisterhood” film. Still own little TV’s and remote control. Very good service. Hostesses were very efficient. Food really good – not too much. Time went quite well.
Westminster
Arrived in London about 5.45 am. Through customs really quickly – we were really surprised. Last time it took hours. Picked up baggage and then put my case in luggage check £8 ($24) for overnight. Then reconnoitered to find Terminal 1. Walked in tunnels. Very efficient. Picked up the Airbus at Terminal 1 and went in to Craven Hill. Very quick. We were at the Comfort Inn by 8.30am and thankfully we were allowed into our room. Very hot with a small bathroom and hold on shower. It was great to change and wash hair etc.
Took a bus to Thames near Westminster and did a trip to Greenwich. Ideal to do as you could just sit and listen to the commentary. Saw where “Oliver” film was made and also a good view of the Globe Theatre. Took 60 mins – had a little look at Greenwich – had a really nice lunch – Pate and toast and salad. Cost £3.65.
Millennium Wheel
Went back to the Hotel on the Tube. Tired – had a little sleep. Fan on sounding like a harvester but still nice to lie down. Tidied up and headed off on a re bus (No 23)to the Lion King. Took us right to the theatre. – had tea – plate of chips, red wine and beer. Tickets were there. Bud booked them on the internet. Great seats- “Magical” show. Unbelievable costumes. “people animals”. Loved it. Opening was marvelous. A really great experience. All had great voices. Color magnificent. Caught a red bus (No 23 back to Craven hill.

Saturday 31st August

Had breakfast and then wandered off to Queensway. Bought some tissues £1.75. Golly things are expensive here. Our dollar worth 34 pence. Still everyone is driving a good car. Summer clothes pretty ordinary. Hardly saw anyone well dressed. Headed off at 9.34 on the Airport bus. Took ages. Picked up my case from luggage check and checked in on British Midland for Dublin. Interesting airport lounge – like a tin tube with little spots to eat etc. along the way. Good to have a sit and rest. Buddy and I are both tired. Had a group singing until 2.00 pm. In the street outside the hotel. Put on fan but it was too noisy. Am really looking forward to the cottage. Arrive Dublin today. Pick up car “Fiat Punto” at the airport – really little but ideal for the two of us. Drove 2 hours to “Chestnut Cottage”. Absolutely marvelous. Was the mother’s house and has been refurbished. Sleeps six.

Chestnut Cottage

Great facilities – peat combustion stove keeps the place warm. A large living area, small kitchen and a lovely ex sitting room bedroom with its own peat fire in a grate. Bathroom off bedroom and another shower and toilet off the living room. A lovely bunch of flowers for us and everything stocked up. A very hospitable hostess. Marian McDonald. Highly recommend. About 2 miles from town so peaceful. Church about ½ mile for Buddy. Reminds me of Ivy Cottage in Kent – lots of treasures around the house. I reckon its over 200 years old.



Sunday 1st September Sunny 21°C

Lovely morning – all washing done last night. Buddy put it out on the line this morning. Off to Mass for Bud. I have had my second cup of tea. Place is tidy and we are heading off at 11.00am to the Curragh for the races.

The Curragh

Curragh started with a very small crowd but huge by 2.30 pm. Very picturesque – track so green. Some people really dressed up – hats and the works while others were in casual gear. Buddy picked 3 winners and I picked 1. We didn’t back them though. Had a really good time. Off to Flynn’s pub for tea tonight. A good day. All the washing dried. Excellent!!

Monday 2nd September Sunny here 20°C Cloudy Conamara

Up early and off to Conamara. Weather is still good. Galway bypassed and then off west on a really bumpy road. Really different country – like Scotland – Lochs and hills – very few trees on the hills. Quite overcast. Towns close together. Went around Clifden and then onto Kylemore Abbey-
Kylemore Abbey
A Benedictine convent and boarding school for International students. Beautiful setting on Lough Kylemore. Built by a rich British MP who then sold it to the nuns. He built a Gothic miniature church to the memory of his wife Margaret. Really beautiful. Had lunch there. Pretty busy. Then home via Galway for shopping for tea. Really big supermarket like Safeway. Bud got steak and I got chicken. Bought some Guinness and wine. Then headed home on the little roads. Have no idea how we got here. However, had to detour at Eyrecourt due to a body being found. Made the news. Had tea – really enjoyed it. Bed early. Rang Jamie today. He is well and coping with work.

Tuesday 3rd September Sunny again

Off to Victoria Lock – really good as we saw the way it works as a boat came through. You can hire them and go up and down the canal system.

Victoria Lock
Then off to Blackwater Railway for a tour of the bog. “400 square miles of bog” Great trip. An interesting lady told us all about the way it was harvested for the power station. 4% of Ireland’s power comes from this Power Station. Went on to Clonmacnoise an ancient monastery founded in 580 AD. Right in the middle of Ireland. A large number of churches, round tower and gravestones. Founded by Brother Cairen. It’s being restored as the EEC becomes more involved. Heard on the news that since 1992 when Ireland joined the EU they had been given 138 Billion Euro to improve their situation. It is a really wealthy country now. Houses being built everywhere – 2 stories and palatial. Rare to see the little Irish Cottage anymore. They could spend some money on their roads though. Home though Ballinsloe – early home today. Good to have a rest. Rang Dave and Kaye. They are well too.

Clonmacnoise

Wednesday 4th September Misty am Sunny & warm pm

Had a late start this morning then off to Adare to revisit the village. Misty to start with but by 11.00 am warm and sunny. Gosh we have been lucky with the weather. The car is going well – 53 miles per Gallon. However, petrol is $1.65 per litre. The Euro seems to be very expensive here – cup of tea, scone, jam & cream €3.00 ($8.00) A jar of jam €2.50 ($4.60). It is very expensive to live here. However, the people have great houses and seem to be spending well. Came home through Nenagh – we stayed near there last time. Visited the Genealogy Association to check up on Kennedy’s. Original Kennedy sect was Kennedy the Brown – brown hair, Kennedy the fair – fair hair, and Kennedy the red – red hair. Not many Kennedy’s left around Tipperary – lady said we needed to know the parish as these had all amalgamated since the 1840’s. We need to find out more from Australia – ship they came on and where they went and then they will do a search here to find the original family. Cost €100.
Going to Pub for tea tonight. Won’t be a late night as we are pretty tired. About 7 hours traveling and looking today. It was a good day though. Bud id keeping a close eye on our spending. This time we are sharing all costs. Have done some more postcards today.

Thursday 5th September Windy & Showery

Had a sleep in. Then after breakfast headed off to Athlone. Weather not wonderful but not cold. Athlone very damp. Visited the town centre – not really impressed. Found internet café and sent messages to staff and Jamie. Came home through Aughrim – large battle area King James against King William of Orange. 9000 killed. One in four – largest death rate over many battles. Not really acknowledged though. The weather is improving – sunny sports. Came home and bought bread and Apple Danish for tea. Had soup for lunch. Also made rissoles and vegetables for tea. A quiet day.
Friday 6th September Wet & cooler

Another late start today but off to Tullamore and Birr. Birr was visited last time but not the town. Quite a nice little place – good shopping – a little wet though. Then off to Tullamore. A bigger place with good shopping also. Bud found another internet spot at the library. I bought some shoes €50- about $98. Not impressed with the clothes – very light synthetic. Had lunch in Bangher at a little Deli then came home to do some planning for Dublin. Found all the historical places and marked them on our map. Also checked out Brussels. Had a short sleep. Of to the Shamrock for tea tonight. Packing done and all washing up to date. Dublin tomorrow.

Chestnut Cottage
Saturday 7th September Overcast & windy – sunny spells

Left the cottage this morning. Marian saw us off. We left the cottage very clean. Drove on N6 to Dublin – road works on the way in so had to detour. Finally found Tinode House (B & B) PJ very welcoming and the room was lovely - bed very comfortable. Dropped off our luggage and then headed for the airport to drop off the car – bloody terrible road out. Lost our way but after driving around Bud asked at a Pub. Found our way into Hertz – different place to where we picked the car up – very confusing. No worries. Back to Arrivals and got a bus into Dublin. Rambler ticket lasts 3 days. Had a good look round – very expensive. The Euro has increased prices I reckon. Irish shops are very dear. Spent 3 hours in Dublin. Bus home No 16 – off at a stop right near the B & B. Bud had a wander and found a pub for a drink and tea. I had a cuppa and relaxed. Sunny breaks – quite warm and then rainy (heavy). Used our coats and brollies today. Found our way quite well. Remembered Grafton Mall. Off for tea – Vine and Ivy. Really busy because of Hurling final on Sunday and Ireland playing Russia in World Cup game. However, we’ll manage. Tea expensive but nice. I had a pasta, Bud had a steak and mash. A nice place to eat.

Grafton St. Dublin
Sunday 9th September Miserable day

Had a lovely breakfast with PJ. Very nice eating area – lovely conservatory. Buddy went to Mass at 9.30 am while I read some magazines. Went into Dublin on our bus and then used the Dublin On & Off bus to see the city. Very busy – cars everywhere – Kilkenny playing Clare in Hurling. Fans everywhere. One of the busiest Sundays in Ireland. Irish Championships. Enjoyed the bus trip but very cold.
Bud went to check email and I shopped for jeans. Ended up getting tights – they will suffice under my slacks. Came home and went to the Skylon Hotel to watch the Hurling – really good. Very skilful players – a great game. Kilkenny won convincingly. Came home to have a cuppa. We will try the Ivy house again. Could be very crowded as the game was out this way. Getting ready for Brussels tomorrow.

Monday 9th September Weather wet

Had early breakfast – left PJ’s got the airport bus. Took 15 mins to get there. Pretty crowded – people were helpful though. Trip to Heathrow uneventful. Pretty quick – about 40 mins. Time for a cup of tea and a biscuit. Made our way to the international terminal – had a long wait – finally we were called for Brussels. 40 min wait in plane due to crowded air traffic.

Brussels
Again only about three quarters of an hour in the plane. Landed at 5.15 pm – lost an hour. We are only 8 hours behind Australia. Cases are heavy to lug around. Lots of stairs. Organised a train into the city. Very easy. Then our troubles began. Had to change trains (unnecessarily as it turns out) – then had to find the hotel. We tried to get a taxi. They were not interested - not enough money in it for them. We asked for help twice and finally we found the hotel – pretty sleazy looking from the outside. In a very poor district – lots of West Indian type people. Inside OK – room on the road again. Had dinner at the restaurant- OK. Went to room and tried to sleep – bloody impossible – cars, talking, car horns, snoring next door and every toilet in the building being flushed. Took sleeping tablets at 2.00 am.

Tuesday 10th September Fine

We didn’t wake till 8.40 am. Rushed down to breakfast – buffet type. Got shuttle into centre and then got on Off and On Bus – saw the main features of the town. Quite impressive and very historical. EU Centre here and World Bank centre. Pretty significant in Europe. Some areas really pretty. Parks and tree lined streets. Pretty busy later in the day. Went to a car museum and had a look around Antonium (Exhibition of 1958. Structure like a huge atom molecule)

Atonium
Came back to Central station and organized our tickets for tomorrow – we’ll pick up the car and head into the countryside. Weather has improved – sunny spells – about 16° C. Had a beer on the way home – proper way this time. Not like yesterday. Had another drink at the hotel. (Complimentary cocktail). Bud is a little happier. We are a bit more organized. We’ll have tea here again as nothing much in the area. Need to get some tourist info re Belgium. We’ll do that at the airport tomorrow.

Wednesday 11th September Overcast

Have a really good breakfast. Bud paid up our bill and we were down by 9.11 am to collect the shuttle to the airport via Midi station. Easy this time. Much better because we knew what to expect. Train out to the airport was fine. Rang Jamie at the airport and had a little chat – phone line not good. He is going well. Collected car – bigger than we thought – Ford Focus wagon – as big as Mondeo when we were here with Marg and Geoff and Mary and Bernie. Very roomy for us two!!! Followed the ring road out and found the road to Ghent. Driving fine – not a busy road. Arrived Ghent – what a terrible place to find your way around. By accident we ended up in the town square – by going up a street the wrong way. Raining and miserable. Found a park and the found the Info Centre where we found that most places were booked or almost impossible to find. Decided after hot frittes for lunch, to move on to Oostende. (Man at the Van Belle Hotel in Brussels told us about it over dinner.) Drove in easily – lovely seaside town 27000 people – like Brighton England. Went to Touriste – got a room at the Hotel Prado – very comfortable. Had a good look around. Car parked until 6.00 pm. Then we moved it to a back street behind the hotel. Took our cases up and then went to tea. A very pleasant place. People helpful. Felt a bit better after Ghent. Missed Bruges altogether – hard to find the way – weather not good. Watched a great show about Firemen in NY – excellent. Good night’s sleep!!

Thursday 12th September Misty but fine 24°C

Enjoyed Oostende – off to resort town De Panne – coastal area. Very little traffic – great town. Shopping area enormous. Girl at hotel told us it was still busy even though school holidays were over – now the elderly have a holiday. Certainly noticed this at Oostende and De Panne. Elderly, elderly, elderly and dogs and dog pooh. Had a little look and then decided to visit Dunkerque. A big city.
Dunkerque
Again we ended up near the tourist info by mistake. Booked a hotel and had a walk to look at it. Went back to parking area and had lunch. (Frittes again). Bought car to hotel – parking underneath – good. Went back into the city and had a beer and chocolate and chocolat crepe. Really lovely very rich. Came back and went to Museum Dunkirk- found it in a little tunnel like building near the canal. Really interesting – great photos and information in English. 330,000 men moved from May 28th – June 2nd . Amazing stuff considering they used little boats etc. A really good museum - €3.00 each. Came back and had a rest. Bud found a supermarket – cheap beer – have a fridge in our room. Another walk and tea at the restaurant – chicken and Frittes. I am about “fritted” out. A lovely evening 20° C. TV still rattling on about Bush and war with Iraq. Home and in bed by 9.00 pm. Another good day.

Friday 13th September “Beautiful“ Day, warm, sunny –
not a cloud in the sky

Going to head down the D916 to Amiens to get closer to the cottage. Got off the motorway at Wormout and made a peaceful way along a little road not unlike Germany’s Romantic Way. Lot’s of crops – maize, canola, & beets. Some new ground being prepared. No fences – fairly flat.

French countryside
Took a turn up to a walled village, Cassel. Very pretty – cobblestone road – No windmill (that’s what we went to see). Very busy little town. As we came further south more cars and trucks – obviously using these roads to avoid tolls. Still a pleasant drive – lots of little villages and changing scenery – forest area and hills and then flat again. By lunchtime had arrived at Doullens, a little village that we decided we would stop in overnight. Has 4 hotels. We are paying €35 for a room plus €5 for breakfast. Pretty old – have a key to get in door too. Very quiet. Shops close 12.30 pm – 2.00 pm. Only pubs and cafes open. We had a good walk around – river area lovely – a path and shrubs, trees, lawn and seats. Had a quick lunch (No frittes – salad) and then drove out to Aux le Chateau – nothing much there. Did visit a little British cemetery at Wavers – about 30 men buried there, 2 NZ soldiers too. Extremely well looked after. Commonwealth organizes care of these little places. Came back and had a rest. Tea at same place as lunch. Wandered home. We are really enjoying not rushing. Both relaxed. Car going well. Driving OK.

Saturday 14th September Low fog, overcast but warm

Had a very small breakfast – French baguette, jam and a cup of tea. (€5.00) Things are really expensive. Night OK – slept quite well – very quiet. (Sully’s Hotel) Drove down to Amiens – meant to go around it but ended up going right through it. Signing is not good. You need to know every little town on the map to work it all out. Came in from the south ring road – very easy – exit 36. Found Corbie and supermarket. Bought provisions and then headed back to the cottage in Aubigny. A little early – daughter had very little Anglais but rang maman who arrived home to take us to the cottage. Very quaint – away from the farm area on a street in the town. Little – living area, bathroom, toilet, bedroom 1 and bunk bedroom 2. Kitchen at end of living area. Good stove, no toaster, good fridge. Tiled floor. Didn’t bring sheets so Regine went home to get us some yellow ones. Had our own towels. Large back yard we think next to school tennis courts. (Later found out that they are Council courts).

House in Aubigny
Very little village but Nestle Friskies factory is beside the town. A bit like Tongala. Had a look around the Australian memorial Cemetery – very impressive – Canadians, British and Aussies in together. Many (11,000) unnamed graves acknowledged on a wall. Bodies never identified but killed in action. Pretty sad really. 1919 – 1919 War. Cooked tea. Bud had steak, potato, peas, carrots, tomato and onion. Marg vegetable soup and bread followed by chocolate mousse. Good to have vegetables again. – frittes (fries) everywhere but not vegetables. Apple after tea – really nice and crisp. Checked out maps – we’ll be busy here. All the washing done – Great!! Washing machine interesting!! Closed shutters in room to make it dark – daylight saving over here. Another good day.

Australian Memorial Cemetery

Sunday 15th September Foggy – a little cooler

Had a good breakfast and then ironed clothes. Later start today but that is good. Village is very quiet. After checking the map we decided to go to the Bay of Somme across to the sea to check out “Chemin de Fume”. A little tourist train. Good road over to Aberville and then smaller roads around the coast. Very pretty town – pebbles on the beach – lots and lots of little beach huts like Brighton England and Australia. Weather quite brisk but OK. Then drove to Coty eau – market on – so many people – unbelievable. Drove through and onto an old Abbey and gardens. Very pretty but about to rain. (Had a bread stick for lunch as everything was closed.) Good trip home. Doours still blocked off – don’t know why – we had to take two other roads both this morning and now. Will check it out. Spaghetti for tea 0 OK out of a jar and added mince and onion. Suited us both. Early to bed again.

Monday 16th September Beautiful morning

Into Corbie to check tourist office – not open – posted cards though. Off to Samara – prehistoric site open to the public. Quite impressive – beautiful gardens and reconstructed buildings of Iron Age, Bronze Age and Neothic Age. Bud got some video. Main area not ready – too early for guide. However, we used the bookelet in English and found our way easily. Then decided to try Albert for a Cyber café and internet – checked tourist office to find Cyber café is closed on Mondays. Had a look around – bought my lunch at a supermarket. Bud had frittes. Went to a Museum. 1916 in air raid shelters built in 1939 to protect 1500 people in the town. Quite impressive. Then off to a mine crater at La Boiselle. Bloody huge hole in the ground. 90 metres across and 38 metres deep – very destructive. Launching of the Battle of Somme. Met a Scottish lady and had a chat. Wrote a comment in the book. Came home through Corbie to buy groceries. Still shut. They close everything from 12.00 – 2.00 pm or 2.30 pm. Amazing really. Everyone just disappears. Kids are picked up from school and taken home for lunch to return at 2.00 pm. Only some small cafes and bars stay open.
Historical de War, Perone
Another good day today. Still sunny – home on back lawn writing up diary. Bud had gout yesterday but is OK today. Thinks it’s to do with shoes – he wanted to bring his slippers. Car doing really well – averaging about 51 miles per gallon. Very impressive. Cottage is suiting us fine. Rang Bernie & Mary – not at home so then rang George & Lorna – they were tickled I think. All is well at home.

Tuesday 17th September Foggy start – lovely day

Slept in today – late start – 9.30. Tried the route to Brussels – looks OK. Has Toll but shouldn’t be a worry. Turned off to Perone to rejoin Surcuit de Sovenig – Circuit of Remembrance. Museum was OK but lots of students. This is good as it makes them aware of the great losses wars cause. Had a light and rang Liz for her birthday. She was in Melbourne but Bud talked to Dom. (His Robyn is in Paris). Drove on around the different shrines and cemeteries. Very impressive – beautifully maintained and informative.
Australian War Cemetery

Australians lost so many and gave so much in comparison to our population then. Many Gallipoli veterans moved into this war arena. We had the highest losses per head of population. Home through Albert to use the internet but found that they have gone broke. All these computers set up and no money to run them. Bud said internet and phone are expensive in France. Home about 3.13 pm. Bought some food in Albert for tea. Steak, chicken, potato, haricot beans, pumpkin and tomatoes for tea. Really plain but nice. Also brings costs down over this week. Stoll having a wine or cider vat night. Very relaxing. Buddy is trying out the new bread with jam. Yesterday’s bread was impregnated with butter. – toasted really well in the pan but he didn’t like it. Obviously this type suits him better. The other at least looks like toast. Another good day. Off to Amiens tomorrow.

Wednesday 18th September Another lovely day.
Sunny & warm
Late start again today as we are driving into Amiens. Tourist girl at Corbie gave us a map and advice – not to go in until 9.30 am. All the washing done again!! Good breakfast and then into the car and off. No trouble at all – went around in a little inner ring road and got a park right near the church, Notre Dame (twice the size of Notre Dame in Paris). Pretty impressive – huge inside.
Notre Dame, Amiens
Has the biggest and oldest dome of wood covered with other material. Quite dark inside. Lots of little chapels off to the side. Wood carving around choir area amazing and stained glass windows superb. Australian flag in one chapel on account of war effort for Amiens.

Came home after a wander. Rang Mary and Bernie – they are well. Mary’s birthday on Friday. Bought a card for Bette for her birthday and sent postcards to Rosemary and Bill and Sr. Marg Duffy. Golly the weather is good. Did some shopping for our last 3 days and will not but anymore food. We’ll just eat out the fridge. Cottage is really sunny – in morning through the back windows and in the afternoon through the front. It has suited us really well – no television or radio but a phone that Bud found today could be used for our Telstra calls to Australia. Kicking back well – feeling OK. Tea tonight will be steak/veal, potatoes, carrots and beans. Tomato type sauce to be made. Food is expensive. A really small shop at the supermarket cost €35 – includes our drinks too and today some lollies. I’ve done some ironing.

Thursday 19th September Cottage in Aubigny, Misty
morning, Sunny afterwards
Had another late start – good breakfast and then tidied up. Had a very sore leg last night. Had to take panadol. Then went off to sleep. Hope it’s OK. Went to Naours to see the underground town. Unbelievable – it was excavated about 17000 years ago to protect the people in the area. Houses 1500 – 2000 people. It is a maze of tunnels and chambers – each housing about 8 people. There is also a chapel that can service 400 people due to acoustics of the excavation. Also an area for animals. The Germans used it in the 2nd World War and the Australians and British also used it. Amazing really. About 9°C and well lit. A really interesting place. Then off to Hamel to see the Australian memorial and Trenches. Very impressive. On a hill – a curved structure by 2 with a huge Rising Sun engraved in the black marble. Really well done. Last of the film so hope it works out. Footpath area around showing offensive around Hamel. Came home on little roads. Found large caravan parks along canals. Obviously a real holiday place for French people. Had a sandwich (“½ baguette – French stick with cheese) and a beer at Corbie on the way home. We have certainly seen the countryside around here.

Australian Memorial, Hamel
It is very agricultural – huge acreage of sugar beets and maize and large areas ploughed for next season. Very dry – actually spray irrigating in places. Heard that Australia is very dry too. Not looking good world wide!! Packed cases again. Only Friday and then off to Vienna.

Friday 20th September Beautiful day – we have been blessed with the weather.
Finished off steak etc for breakfast and then drove down to Roye in the southern Somme or Picardie. Very busy little town with a market. I bought a shirt – casual white and some beautiful lace for the kitchen window. Very extravagant. 2 metres €84.00 about $150. IT is magnificent though. Had a look around. Church very old and dark but wonderful stained glass windows of the saints eg Francis of Assisi, St. Joan etc. Very colorful and quite modern for such an old church. Found out that it had been bombed and rebuilt. Drove down from Roye and had a determent – detour – to follow – got lost – but ended up at Montdidier where we wanted to go. Bud checked internet again and deleted some junk mail. Bought 2 baguettes and a fizzy orange drink and drove to a nice little picnic spot and had lunch. The French bread is so nice – you could eat it on its own. Drove to Hamel again to video the Aust. Memorial. Got some good shots if they work. I might have them framed for the RSL museum. Took a picture of a Flanders poppy too. They are just like the imitation ones we use on Nov 11th but are a brighter more orange red.

Flanders Poppy
Came home yet another way and settled into tidying the little cottage and packing. Tried to ring Kathy again but she is not home. Place looks good – all packed. Have checked the map for Brussels tomorrow – think I have it right – all motorway stuff. We’ll head off at 6.30 am to make sure we have time. Really warm day here today – about 20° - 25°C. Out for tea tonight.

Saturday 21st September Early – misty, cloudy

Got up really early – 5.45am and had showers, dressed and hit the road. Knew the way as we had driven out to the motorway and had seen the lay of the land. Quite a lot of traffic – trucks too even though it’s Saturday. Had no worries at all – late sunrise (7.30 am before we could really see well). Topped up with fuel and then got onto the ring road. Followed the numbers to number 4 and also the airport signs. We easily delivered the car back and had booked luggage by 8.50 am. Pressure off now – had a look around after a good breakfast – very busy but really clean airport at Brussels. Good trip across to Vienna (late because of an extra case but no passenger.) Carla (Trafalgar Tours Guide) there to meet us – great relief as we were worried we’d miss her. About 5 of us collected and delivered to luxury hotel, Crown Plaza, Vienna. Lovely room, plenty of towels and comfortable beds and doonas and pillows. Had a quick drive around Vienna with a guide. Very good. Then tea at a buffet style café downstairs. Very nice beef and dumplings. Took Danny (young American from Minnesota) Had a good tea. Back on bus – drink and odd to bed. No pressure now – just go with the flow.

Sunday 22nd September Rainy

Beautiful breakfast – everything you could imagine from a freshly cooked omelette to fresh fruit salad. Sat with Julie and Peter from Australia (Melb). Bus at 9.00 to Prague for three days. Bus good with plenty of room. Group mainly American couples. 2 ladies arrived late – their luggage was lost. They coped quite well. Good trip to border – Australians passports checked only. Then onto little village in Czech Republic – really rainy. Lent a coat to American girl – went to castle and then came back to a café – had early lunch with Frank and Mary. Goulash and dumpling – very good. Back on the bus and off to Prague. Arrived about 5.15pm. Czech countryside poorer – roads not wonderful. Little villages not unlike France. Soviets set up co-ops and took houses and land. Last 12 years land is being sold for €1.00 to original family. Small farms – mostly crops. Houses also updated. Will be applying to become part of the EEC so are really concentrating on improving the GNP. Earn about $12,000 per year average but inflation 2%. Have a way to go though. Prague is busy with lots an lots of tourists. Hotel old but comfortable. It was originally a hotel for Soviet personnel.

View from Hotel, Prague
Went to our room and our luggage was delivered. Buffet tea very good – salad, meats, desert, fruit and cheeses and bread. Tour by night good – went on little train through old city. Beautiful illuminated churches etc. Impressed. Drinks and music on the way home. Good.

Monday 23rd September Overcast, cool

Beautiful breakfast again – didn’t sleep really well – room too hot. Also trams outside hotel. Meeting Alexandra our guide at 8.30 am to tour the Palace and St. Vitas Cathedral. Really interesting to see the same buildings in daylight after last night’s trip around. She is very informative and gives her own ideas on the politics etc. Interesting Madeline Albright (USA) is tipped to be next President – she is Czech. Americans in the group are very surprised. Her (Alex) pronunciation is sometimes funny EurOpean, Diarrhea (Diary). However she gives good information and doesn’t hurry the group. Watched the clock in the square – moveable bits etc and then went for a cruise and lunch – very nice and relaxing.
Clock, Prague
Food and drinks included. Nice man played accordion – very happy to chat – would like to come to Australia. We have met and talked to most of the group. Then we went shopping with Julie and Peter (Aust) and bought a handbag and wallet for 1540 crowns – about $92. Leather is beautiful. Lots of markets and people. Tea at 6.30pm. Then off to Folklore show – really enjoyed it. Theatre style – costumes really colourful. So athletic. Band like gypsy band on SBS. A thoroughly enjoyable spectacle. Home at 10.30 pm. Bed and sleep. Throat sore (hope I’m not getting a cold) 1.2 million people live in Prague. 100 million tourists per year. It is amazing – all the buses and groups.

Nelatiozves Castle
Tuesday 24th September Prague, rainy

Had a nice breakfast. Onto bus and out to Nelatiozves Castle with Casper. Called into Dvorak’s house – composer. Interesting – Americans really liked him. Castle was really good – painting wonderful. Still owned by Roodnice Lobkowitz family. Father in Boston – son looks after the place. Returned to the family after Communism finished in 1989. Collection of paintings returned. Very impressive. Guide excellent. Very posh lunch – fine dining – 4 courses. Afternoon free time. Quite cold – found a chemist and got Panadol extra and strepsils. I’m getting another cold – bloody hell- it’s too hot inside and freezing outside. Weather is quite bitter. Tea at home – bread stick etc.
Marg & Julia at the Summer Palace
Wednesday 25th September Cold!!!

Up early – good drive back through southern Czech Republic. Village of Tabor – Jan Huss – church reformed and then past many man-made lakes – carp are really important to people at Christmas time. Whole fish is used (Same as ones in our Murray). Long stop at the border. Really slow – I think they do it on purpose. Home by 5.00 pm. I am not well. Buddy headed off to Wine Village night. I had an early night. Julie gave me tablets to keep. Room so hot. Bud got me ice at 10.15 pm. That helped. Bought a scarf today. Wind chill factor really cold.

Thursday 26th September Cold, bitter 15°C below normal
temp for this time of the year.
Feeling OK so headed down for breakfast. Bus trip today – Imperial Summer Palace Schundrun. Really interesting – very well done. Our guide excellent. Very cold wind – chill factor bad. Gardens like Versailles. Back on bus and lunch at buffet restaurant – excellent. 1.00 pm Vienna woods trip. Very beautiful but cold. Helligenkreuz village Monastery of Holy Cross. Beautiful cloisters. Wood turning and sculpture beautiful. Two monks took 20 years to inlay pews in the church. Make Benedictine liqueur. Really enjoyed this. Then Mayerling where Crown Prince Rudolf committed suicide and killed 17 year old mistress. Visited Baden – up market Daylesford / Hepburn Springs. Everyone getting on well. I like Judy & Paul from the US and we have a lot to do with Julie & Peter – Aust. I wish I felt better. Tea – bread stick, cheese, meat, red wine and beer. Good. TV only CNN – very depressing. Washing done again. Ready for a free day tomorrow. Bought a hat to keep my head warm.

Friday 27th September Cold again- about 11°C

Free day today! Later breakfast and then into city at 9.30 am. Went with Judy & Paul to St. Stephen’s Church – very impressive – large and light due to plain colored glass. Gothic style. Very impressive alter area. Little chapels around pillars rather than in alcoves.
St. Stephen’s Church, Vienna

Spent about ½ an hour there and then walked to the treasury. Amazing – crown jewels and costumes of the Hapsburgh reign. Largest emerald in the world – dark green – top cut into a beautiful jewel about the size of a small apple – rest of it just in raw state. I think more impressive that QE’s at the tower. Room after room of beautiful pieces and fabulous gowns worked in velvet – re embroidered in silk, gold, pearls and silver thread. Very beautiful designs and so intricate. Walked back to city and bought some gifts. Not really impressed – cost a lot and junk. Got Mozart Balls and tea towel and calendars. Arrived back at 3.30 pm and then got ready for Mozart concert (and Strauss) at 6.00 pm. Very enjoyable – chamber type orchestra – great pianist and brilliant young girl violinist. Whole group young and good. Lichenstien palace hall was beautiful and acoustics brilliant. Enjoyed the music immensely. Had dancers and singers too – not much good but OK. The music on its own was great. Stopped in at Rosenberg’s Smorgasbord for tea afterwards. Bud had chicken and I had a Belgian waffle. Marvellous. Bed at about 9.30 pm. Still not real well

Budapest
Saturday 28th September Raining & cold

Not going today – cough is really bad – I think I have Bronchitis so will stay home in bed. Also allergy reaction around my eyes so will not take tablets today – only Benedryl. Bud has gone to Budapest for the day and will take video for me. Early start – 7.00 am on the bus. Better I stay at home and get ready for LA trip – Bud reckons about 13 hours. I don’t want to be a cot case for that. Bud really enjoyed Budapest. Took video of the city and Danube cruise. Bought some postcards too. Really looked great but was cold and rained. Good I didn’t go. Room Service for tea – turkey sandwich – it was really dry as I didn’t want mayo. Bud organised the cases.

Sunday 29thSeptmber Weather improving

Up at 4.45 am – dressed and ready for taxi at 5.25 am. Good trip out to airport. Organised that last night. Carla told us it would not be busy – what a laugh. It was really busy – queues everywhere. Finally got through to our plane – no time to shop – and headed to Frankfurt – Lufthansa. Judy and Paul were on the same flight. Then trouble – Frankfurt airport was unbelievable – had to walk for ages and then go up stairs into a small waiting area where two people checked passports. However, about 6 plane loads of people were jammed into this area. Elevators opened and another 12 streamed out. It was not air-conditioned and very hot. Like a cattle market. Finally, about ¾hour we passed into the area to wait for boarding. Then we had a security check so everyone had to line up again. Two outlets for all these people – All since Sept 11. Our plane was to leave at 10.15 am. We were still in line at 10.15 am. Finally through to waiting area then 2 people checked 400 people onto the plane. A very difficult experience. Not really well organised and certainly very stressful for passengers. The plane trip took 14 hours across Greenland and into LA. In seats F and G right in the middle of central 4 seats. Claustrophobic and no leg room. Man on my left slept the whole way. Fortunately the man on Bud’s side got out occasionally so we would both go to toilet then. Arrived LA –another cattle market but OK. Waited a while for the transfer Airport Bus. Out to our Motel by 4.30pm Bud had a drink and I had a rest. Tea at the restaurant. OK.
Universal Studios
Monday 30th September Overcast but warm

Got up early. The room is huge, bed is king size and palm in the room is about 2 metres tall. Old motel but quite comfortable. Has its own café & bar attached. Good food. Bud has met some locals. I still have a bad cough. Breakfast was excellent. Then off to Market – not good – Mexican totally. Recommendation from bus driver here to go to Main Place. Taxi cost $25.00 US but it was worth it. Like Chadstone. Very good, clean and not busy. Tourism has been hit here too. Bought Erin Minnie Mouse shoes, headgear and also 7 pairs of knickers with Disney characters on them. Rang Kay to find out her shoe size – 6.30 am over there Oops!! Came home and watched TV. Bud went to the bar for a beer. Tea at restaurant again. Bed early.

Tuesday 1st October Overcast, cooler 62°F
(coldest day for years at this time of year)
Had a bad night with cough. Need to get some more mixture and lollies. Will check out shop. Breakfast –small one. Bud’s eggs looked good but too much for me. Bus came at 9.50 am for Universal Studios. Took over 1 hour to get there from shuttle service. Cold day – needed waterproof raincoat too. Really quite enjoyed the back lot and fun. Went to Special Effects, Blues Bros, Animal Centre and Mummy – very scary. Someone touched Bud and he really yelled. Very loud music everywhere. Food stalls OK but many closed. Quite quiet really. Had a good day. Came home through the city – really interesting. Had a bath while Bud had a couple of beers and then to the restaurant for tea.
Disneyland
Wednesday 2nd October

Breakfast and then took the shuttle to Disneyland for the day. Booked out of Motel before heading of on the bus and checked our cases there. Enjoyed Disneyland. Had a good look around at the different worlds, had a mono train ride and other exhibits. Heeded back to the motel at 5.00 pm and then the shuttle picked us up at 6.30 pm and off to the airport. Checked in and then waited around. Flight took off at 10.40 pm. Pleasant company on the plane

Thursday 3rd October

In transit on the plane. Had been upgraded to Economy Plus – more leg room

Friday 4th October

Landed at Sydney at 6.00 am and then took off for Melbourne at 8.00 am. Tullamarine at 9.30 am. Another good trip!!