We left Rome somewhat reluctantly. I can't explain why it took us 30 years to revisit this charming, fascinating city. We won't be leaving it so long until our next visit - although having one's 100th birthday party in Rome would be something to look forward to. The Italian phase of our holiday had not…
We reluctantly rose at 07:00 for the long walk to Bari bus station to catch the 09:15 Flixbus to Rome. Sunday 14 September Something to bear in mind when taking the bus rather than the train is that you are only allowed one free piece of luggage in the "hold". But the driver did not…
Our action-packed stay In Venice was over. Three days in Venice is never enough, even if it's not your first visit, but we wanted a lazy week at the seaside (somewhere a bit cheaper than the Lido). We'd not been to Puglia before and, having heard nothing but good, we were looking forward to it.…
From the steam train terminus at Seespitz we boarded a rather luxurious ferry run by the Achenseeschifffahrt. A pleasant 25 minutes, if a pricy way of reaching Pertisau (11 euros). We could have taken a bus if we'd managed to find out where the stop was! Achensee in September Monday 1 September (cont.) I had…
No Flixbus today Our first Italian train of this trip would be the 09:39 Frecciarossa (red arrow) from Trieste to Milan. Friday 21 June The first-class seats were comfortable, though when the brakes were applied it was a bit scary. The complimentary "meal" consisted of a stupid cardboard box containing two biscuits and a tiny…
After two nights in Zadar, an insanely early taxi for the 07:00 Flixbus to Ljubljana. Seven and a half hours' travel, including a wait at Zagreb for our connection, but such is life. Tuesday 18 June How lovely to see Zagreb bus station again - just enough time for a snack and a breakfast beer…
Perhaps winter is nearly over. Perhaps not. It's not easy to tell in Britain, or anywhere in Europe for that matter. January seems to go on for an extraordinarily long time, followed by February, with its treacherous glimmers of spring, quickly and cruelly cancelled. It lifts the spirits to get away at this time of year.…
Last week I visited Arrowe Park Hospital (A.K.A. Coronavirus Central) with my father, who'd been sent for an X-ray. Our visit was enlivened by the sighting of a rat making its way swiftly and confidently along the corridor. Eventually the poor wee thing was cornered and forced to surrender to overwhelming force, i.e. a woman…
The Wight Stuff 