Places in Europe

I have just returned from a great unexpected trip to Munich and Zurich, it was a four day familiarization trip. Wow it was great, all expenses paid, business class flights, 5 star hotels, top restaurants, and a day in the alps at a outdoor adventure park.
It was a group of 10, we left on Thursday morning (28Aug) from Heathrow on Lufthansa, early morning as we had to be there by 6am (ugh). Arrived in Munich with transfer to the hotel, then toured a brewery there Isar Brewery, good beer and food, they brew only beer for their establishment. Then back to the hotel to get ready for dinner and hotel tour in old town Munich.
Friday morning went into Munich via public transport (train) to see some of the town. Was a great town with lot of interesting sights in the main area of town. Then back to hotel for transfer to airport for our flight to Zurich. Arrived in Zurich transferred to hotel, wow - it was a boutique hotel, suites for us all, the suite was bigger than my flat here in London. Really nice hotel. We relaxed a little, then off to dinner and hotel tour at the St Goddard hotel. We rode the local tram to dinner, then walked back thru the old town - lots of cobbled streets going all different ways. Sopped off at a local bar for drinks then back to hotel. As Sat morning was a very early morning, we met at the train station for a 7:25am train to Engelberg via Lucerne. What beautiful scenery from the train. It was a double decker we were upstairs so had a great view. In Engelberg we transferred up to an outdoor adventure park, where we all participated in climbing and playing in the trees. We did zip cords, single line wires between trees, basically an course in the trees that we climbed upward with each one and between the trees. What a workout, but what an experience. Was enjoyable. (I should have pictures of this to add by the end of the week) So I can really prove that I did it. We had lunch at a local restaurant in Engelberg, then the train back to Zurich. Out for dinner at another hotel, then we checked out an outdoor festival going on in the old town of Zurich, again cobbled streets, they had lots of food booths and music going on, was very crowded. Sunday morning we took a boat around the lake and enjoyed the scenery and the sun. We had great weather on the entire trip, the sun was out and it was warm. I returned home on Sunday evening after a great trip. Was really glad for the chance to participate in it.

Brighton

Today it was off to Brighton, a seaside town. Was raining and not very nice when I left London, via Victoria station. Met up with Janine and her family in Brighton, it had stopped raining by the time I got there. It is approximately an hour trip by train. What a pretty seaside town, we walked the main street to the beach then down the boardwalk (I guess that is what you would call it). It is all payed above the beach there is also a walkway at beach level with many outdoor restaurants and shops. The beach is all pebbles, very pretty, but not near as nice to walk on as sand. We walked to the Brighton Pier which opened in 1899 and was known as the Palace Pier. Has a lot of food booths, some shops, arcades and a carnival. We had lunch on the Pier, of course fresh fish and chips. Then went thru the Brighton Royal Pavilion - King George IV's seaside vacation home. Has a very China feel to it.Then walked around The Lanes and back out to walk along the beach as the sun came out and was a great day.

Saturday, 23Aug

Woke to a beautiful sunny day (late), Friday was a night out on the town at a popular place called Strawberry Moon Bar for a Hag party. Was a fun evening full of dancing, good company and drinking. Saturday was a bright sunny day. I wondered thru the Hampstead Hearth Park, what a big place, they have a ladies swimming pond, a man's swimming pond, a fishing pond and lots of walking and bike trails, it is all green. Went thru the Kenwood House, which is an Adam Mansion filled with old Master Paintings. Then walked down Highgate High Street and back to my flat.
Met Janine and her family for the evening, Janine I know from working at Kohl's in Salt Lake City, her husband's company has brought them over for a two year assignment, they are living in Swiss Cottage, approximately 15 minutes from me. We went to dinner in West Hampstead, was a lovely evening and nice to have someone from the states to visit with.

Quiet Weekend

Spent Saturday doing some exploring around London - headed towards the village of Marylebone walking. Saw a few news sights, came across a street market so spent some time there looking at all the stalls. They had a little bit of everything, picked up some fruits and vegetables for the week. On to Marylebone High Street, lots of little shops and sidewalk cafes. Quaint little area, then wondered on to South Kenningston, explored that area for a while. Found where we stayed when we were here in 2003, lots of things still look the same. Walked by the National Museum and the Victoria and Albert museum. Lots of walking, found a bus to take me back to my area of London, stopped off for pizza at Pizza Express, then on to home. Sunday went to the Heath which is right around the corner from my place, be park area were people go and enjoy the nice days (few that there are), very nice large open green area. I then took a bus to Brent Cross Shopping Center and checked out the mall, got a few things I needed, than back on the bus to Hampstead.

Weekend Cruise

Something different this weekend. I sailed on the Norwegian Jewel on Saturday the 9th from Dover, England. I took the train to the Dover Priory station, then a cab to the pier. Boarded the ship, I had a balcony cabin on deck 10, great view, however the weather left a little to be desired.
We sailed at 4pm on Sat, headed for Amsterdam. Ship board life was fun, ate great food, explored the ship's many lounges and bars, lost a little money in their Casino. Then off to bed as we sailed. We arrived in Amsterdam on Sunday morning early. I joined a shore excursion to see all the highlights of Amsterdam and visit the Anne Frank House Museum. The museum was very interesting and you walk thru the rooms in which Anne and her family hide. I then stayed in town, took a canal cruise. There are lots of canal in the city, was a interesting cruise around the city, seen from a different view than a bus. It is hard to believe that many people live on the many boats in the canals. There are 3000 boat slots for houseboats in Amsterdam and they come at a premium price to have. The people were very friendly, also saw a few of the ladies in the windows in the Red Light District. It was back to the ship by 3:30p to sail at 4pm. Another evening on board, watch from the Spinnaker Lounge as we sailed down the channel toward the sea. Watched the people along the bank we came to watch the ship sail, we went thru the locks just before entering the sea. Had dinner, enjoyed the lounges, some shopping in the duty free shop and of course back to the casino a little more gambling. The off to bed as docking early morning with a train back to London to make into the office for work Monday. What a weekend!

Riding Harley

I took a vacation back to the states for a week. We had a great visit all of us that came to the pool party in Sandy on Sunday the 20th, really enjoyed seeing and visiting with everyone. Then on to Idaho to the Red Horse Mountain Dude Ranch for a family vacation. From London Girl to Cowgirl. Was fun, my horse's name was Harley, she was a good horse and we had fun on our trail rides each day. We had 17 of us staying at the dude ranch, celebrating Suzie Birthday. We did trail rides each day. Also did a zip line, a climbing wall, I made it about a third of the way, but a least I gave it a try. Did some trap shooting which was fun, been a while, but was able to show up my brother with my skills. Had a well needed massage. A couple nights of music around the campfire which was great, as you all know how much I love campfires. Lots of food, fun and visiting. See slide show for more pictures. Now I'm back in London to everyday life and working. Watch for updates, I have some exciting adventures coming up.

Canterbury - Saturday 12Jul08

Well today it was a train ride to the town of Canterbury a quaint town. The Canterbury Cathedral was the highlight, it is well hard to put into words. Very impressive, it is a massive Cathedral the inside is huge and beautiful and the grounds are extensive. They had an evensong (service) while inside, they walked thru the cathedral singing and doing prayer, very interesting. The site where Thomas Beckett was martyred is marked with a burning candle. They have a crypt area, many small chapels, lots of stained glass windows and gardens, it all was very fascinating. Wondered around the town which was pedestrian friendly with lots of shops and alley ways to explore. Went into The Eastbridge Hospital and the Canterbury Castle (what is left of it). Was a pleasant day and the weather wasn't to bad, I didn't get rained on! When I went to the station to return it was closed - um..they had a replacement bus which took us to Faversham and then boarded a train to Victoria Station - saw something different countryside on the way back.