Croatia 08 - 10.08.2007

After meeting up with Slavko and Kathy at Munich Airport, we picked up the hire car and proceeded to drive all day to get to Croatia. We traveled on the newly constructed motorways, and I did most of the driving – on the wrong side of the road! We passed through Austria and Slovenia on the way with passport checks mandatory when entering and leaving each country. Some more stamps in our passports then we were on our way!

It was getting dark as we got to Croatia, and so we decided to stay with Kathy’s sister the first night. The next day we walked around where Kathy grew up and even saw the cellar of her old home where she grew up. The cellar is all that remains now.

Kathy’s home as a child – the Cellar is all that remains

Nada’s second cousin Martia

Pumpkins ahoy!

Spring water from the hills

After seeing some of the beautiful country Croatia has to offer, we headed in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia to stay with Kathy’s other sister, which is where we were based for the next few days.

Croatia (via Munich) 07.08.2007

After saying goodbye to all the great people we have met and worked with in Bristol, we grabbed a hire car and left Bristol with just a suitcase and small backpack each, prepared (we hoped!) for the next 7 weeks of grueling travel…

We drove to Stansted airport, left the hire car and boarded a flight to Munich, Germany. We are still on our way to Croatia, however we are meeting Nada’s parents in Munich and then driving to Croatia. Nada’s father, Slavko, booked a hire car from Munich as it was far cheaper and easier than getting a car in Croatia.

Acres of Corn

Upon arriving in Munich we took the train into the city centre, on the way passing endless acres of corn. Arriving at the hotel we had one night to see as much of Munich as possible before meeting Slavko and Cathy at the airport the next morning (early flight). Nada immediately found a Munich Beer Sights tour so I said lets go do it now! Five minutes after arriving at the hotel we were on our way to the tour start point.

Beer museum display items

During the tour we sample many beers whilst also walking/subwaying around Munich to places such as the beer museum, we had a traditional meal with Oompa bans etc, and we finished off at the Hofbrauhaus House, the traditional beer hall where Hitler once spoke at. Now you can have a beer there, but they only come in 1 Litre Steins – hurrah!!!

Oompa Bands

1 Litre Steins - Prost! (German for Cheers!)

Overall it was a great tour and a top way to get a brief introduction to Munich – apart from the rain which was quite heavy all night. The beer made up for that though!

Farewell to Bristol and England 06.08.2007

After a busy year of working and traveling through England and Europe, we made the decision to finish up in Bristol and make our way back to Australia. We did have a little detour planned on the way… via Croatia to see Nada’s extended family, then western Europe for 28 days, then Scotland, then Egypt for 8 days! We should be home in 7 weeks or so…

Just before we left, Ed and Zoe had us over for a traditional English Roast. Complete with Yorkshire Puddings and all. Fantastic meal and a great evening, even though I had a fair bit of red wine!

Ed and his 'soon to be world famous' Yorkshire Puddings!

We of course had to clean our apartment from head to toe before leaving and also ship back items we had collected over the past year.

After getting the apartment ready to hand the keys back, we headed out for one last walk around Queens Square to reminisce on the great times we had whilst overseas, in particularly in Bristol. Of all the places in the UK, I think we chose well picking Bristol. Great people, great Bristolian accents, Great Ciders, Close to Cornwall, has its own airport, and just so much more relaxed and quieter than London!

Queens Square

More Queens Square

Overlooking the Bristol floating harbour

How clean does the apartment look now!

Goodbye Apartment 212…

Paul and Diana visiting Bristol 28.07.2007

Paul and Diana have recently moved from Adelaide to London to work and travel, and since we only have 2 weeks until we head back home to Australia via Europe, this was the only time we could show them all that Bristol has to offer.

This weekend was also the Bristol Harbour Festival, so there were street markets, food stalls, concerts and rides all over the city centre, and people everywhere!

A lot of people arrive for the Festival by boat and the floating harbour is also full of boats over this weekend.

After their bus eventually made it to Bristol after having a flat battery (and a backed up stinky toilet), we showed Paul and Diana our apartment, then we headed off to Queens square to see the markets.

We spent the afternoon on Corn Street enjoying some beers and catching up on all our past experiences in the year so far.

We headed back to let them check into the hotel then we headed straight for the Clifton Suspension Bridge by taxi.

Boats everywhere


Floating Harbour


The 'beach' on the harbour - made with imported sand...


Queens Square markets


Brass Band playing at the Cider Boat

Clifton Suspension Bridge

(Thanks for the photo Phil)

Our previous post on the suspension bridge covers the history of this landmark structure in Bristol. In the whole year we have been in Bristol, this is the first time we have actually walked across the bridge.

The sheer height of the bridge over the water was enough to put Diana off, but Paul and I walked over feeling the bridge move up and down when a car went past!

After a few photos, the rain became heavier so we headed to the Coronation Tap (Corrie Tap to the locals) who are famous for their Cider, in particular their Exhibition Cider (8.4% - only served in half pints!).

Paul and Diana

Clifton College
After a Cider, we then towards Whiteladies Road and went via Clifton College. The College was used during World War II as a training facility, but more interestingly is that the cricket ground (where I have trained on previously) is the location of the highest individual cricket score, a mere 628 runs by a 13 year old school boy AEJ (Arthur) Collins.

The College itself is picturesque, but the weather did not make for standing there, so we continued on in search of a place for dinner. Heading down Park Street, we decided on an asian noodle bar (by this time it was 10pm) before heading home in preparation for Sunday.

Clifton College

The Scorecard from the historic match:

http://uk.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/1890S/1899/ENG_LOCAL/OTHERS/CLARKES_NORTH-TOWN_22-28JUN1899.html

His profile:

http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/11769.html

Concert Stage in foreground

The Old Docks

Sideshow entertainment at the Festival

We had Diana and Paul over for an English breakfast, then headed back into the centre of town where we had a few pints of beer and enjoyed the Harbour views whilst the sun shone brightly.

We then bid Paul and Diana farewell for now, as we had to head off for a Sunday Roast at Ed and Zoe’s place, and Paul and Diana had to catch a bus back to London.

Bristol Sights 22.07.2007

After returning from Ireland, my parents headed back to London via Bristol for a day to catch up with us before the long flight back to Adelaide. After a whole month in England, Scotalnd and Wales I think they enjoyed sunshine on maybe 3 days, in the middle of an English summer!

We have also had more rain in the last 3 months than any other time since rainfall record in England were undertaken.

Bristol Floating Harbour

We walked around the Old Docks area, took a boat ride along the harbour past the SS Great Britain, and also went inside the Bristol Cathedral.

Amphi-theatre

Bristol Cathedral

Inside the Cathedral

SS Mathew on the right, SS Great Britain on the left

Then it was to the Pub for some local Cider and Ales in the afternoon sun! Thanks for coming to visit Mum and Dad!

Bristol City Sights 01.07.2007

Sunday was a generally relaxing day for us, however prior to letting Mum and Dad go free and walk the Bristol sights by foot we all went on the Bristol City Bus Tour. This highlights all the main attractions, and covers a lot of the history of Bristol through from trading slaves and wartime production through to its current state.

A lot of these places have been covered from previous posts, but more photos are always good to look at – Enjoy!

SS Great Britain (it was used for numerous trips to Autralia with Settlers from the UK)

Floating Harbourside

River Avon

Clifton Suspension Bridge

Views of the River Avon

The Downs (northern parklands area of Bristol)

Art Gallery

Golden Unicorn...

Wales Road Trip 29.06.2007

We left just before midday and headed for the west of Wales. Over the Servern Crossing Bridge (Toll of 5 pounds) then towards Cardiff the capital of Wales. Nada and I had recently been to Cardiff with Phil, but Dad wanted to see the old Docks south of the City.

Cardiff Bay, as it is now known, has been redeveloped and now contains a large number of café’s, restaurants and bars. We also saw the Millennium Centre (different to the Millennium Stadium), where various function are held. The gold façade really makes the building standout amongst the surrounding landscape.

Cardiff Bay

Millennium Centre

More Cardiff Bay

On from Cardiff we made our way along the major motorway (three lanes all the way in both directions) and the traffic still made for slow driving in parts such was the number of vehicles on the road. After a few hours we passed Swansea, then left the motorway and headed for the south coast of Wales along some very narrow and windy roads to see some of the smaller villages.

We passed through Laugharne as there was a Castle there, however it was closed upon our arrival. So a few photos from the outside then off we went to find a place for dinner and a bed

and breakfast.

Beach in Swansea - the tide is way out!

Laugharne Village

Laugharne Castle

Laugharne Castle

We decided on a B&B in Saundersfoot (Just north of Tenby) and headed to the local pub for some huge meals. Needless to say none of us finished our meals such was the size of the serving, but it was great food indeed.

The next day we headed north to Pembroke in the pouring rain. According to our Lonely Planet book on Great Britain, Pembroke has a castle of worthiness, and they were correct. Even though it was raining heavily and very windy, within the Castle there were still plenty of areas undercover with old stone/timber roofs protecting us from the weather. The overcast weather also made the photos we took even better. Pembroke Castle contains a 100 step Great Tower, which I climbed to the top for some great views, and also a natural Cave 50 odd steps below ground level. The cave’s entrance is right next to the adjacent River bank, making for a quick escape if needed in ancient times.

Pembroke Castle Model

Outer Walls of the Castle

Views from the Great Tower

Dad in the Dungeon Tower

Great Tower to the left, Dungeon Tower to the right

Most of the Castle in still in tact, the perimeter walls in particularly good condition. The old buildings within the Castle are now just ruins though, with only walls still standing.

This has to be my favourite Castle so far, and even though the weather was really bad, we saw some great views from the perimeter walls and great tower.

With no end in sight of the wet weather we decided to make our way back to Bristol via the motorway again.