London from Rob

Well London has turned on spectacular weather for our few days. Clear blue skies, no wind but still cold so one needs to put on extra layers. Had the opportunity to go to the top of NZ House with Corisha where we had amazing views over London and where we could get our bearings. Walked through James Park to Buckingham Palace, then onto Big Ben before navigating the Tube system home. Have really enjoyed catching the double decker buses and trains - only walked in the wrong direction once when coming up to ground level. Took in Les Miserables at the Queens Theatre on Tuesday evening which was awesome. Even made me have goosebumps. And Tracey and Corisha took us to a great Thai place afterwards. Had dinner with Jill's nephew, David on our last night at a little restaurant overlooking the canal, which was great.

Rob and Corisha at top of NZ house

Dinner at the Eagle 

Caught more trains to Bristol on Thursday to see John. Had a typical Pub lunch at The Penny Farthing and caught up on all his news. He has absolutely fallen in love with his new life in Bristol and already talking about extending his time if possible. With his birthday on the 28th and our absence for Xmas we went shopping for new shoes, coats, icebreaker, umbrella etc - all much needed. Went and saw his hall of residence " Wills " which he says is the best in every possible way. We feel very lucky that he is so happy. Luckily Jill has old family friends in Bristol just down the road from Wills, so we stayed 3 nights with them. It was good spending some time with them as well as seeing John. We had a great last lunch at Jenny and Pete's and Arthur and Anna and Lara and Sasha came down from London, and John fitted us in between rugby coaching in the morning and hockey in the afternoon.

John in front of Science building at Bristol

John ready for formal dinner on a Friday night

The famous Clifton suspension bridge designed by Brunelles

Pete and Jenny, Arthur and Anna and Lara and Sasha

Athens - London

Somehow doing the blog with no photos seems a bit pointless. But I can't just stop so will keep going for now. The Greek night was not too spectacular - not even any spannekopita, and there were just 4 people looking a bit bored with their dance - or maybe they were enjoying themselves but we were a bit uninspired. So by Saturday morning we were quite ready to pack up and spend the morning at Bali Beach which was lovely - but not so easy to get drinnks and lunch as the tavernas pointed out that everything was closing the next day so they were not serving anything other than Toast today.  So Toast it was. And then we drove on to Knossos which was pretty spectacular. We did a little guided tour around the old Palace of Knossos which was about the oldest place we have seen - more than 1000 BC I think I remember!! Then we drove into Heraklion to catch our plane to Athens but squeezed in a Hamburger and chips at Donald's (well that was the English translation - I have been having a great time learning to read Greek but not to understand it).

We were very brave in Athens and decided to catch public transport to our hotel at 8pm on a Saturday night. My knowledge of Greek didn't quite extend to instructions on which underground to take and at which station to change etc. And we didn't find the other Greek passengers very interested in our problems. So when we saw them all getting out the train we just got out too and tried again. We eventually got a train to the Acropolis  and caught a taxi to Syntegma Square which is where we found our wonderful hotel. The next day we found the train station right outside our hotel which we had gone right through. Anyway - we were happy to sleep (slight disturbances of airconditioner pouring out water onto TV in middle of night and loud guests and heat without airconditioner and noisy street). But we are getting used to all those things. And the view from the restaurant on the 10th floor, where we ate breakfast made up for it all. It looked right over the city and the Acropolis and Parthenon - absolutely amazing.

From restaurant

And Sunday was a beautiful day, so we did a guided walking tour of Government House and the Acropolis. The first spectacle was the Changing of the Guards. No camera yet so just some on Rob's i-phone, but that was a great show. There is no doubt that is where John Cleese got his inspiration for his Ministry of Funny Walks. We went back in the afternoon just for another laugh. The whole tour was great and the guide was wonderful with a sense of humour. And it was nice to be walking again after a week in the car. We had a great meal at a little Taverna that night, sitting outside. Then the next day was pouring so we bought our camera, kept checking for emails but to no avail as everyone has gone quiet again. We finally threatened John that we wouldn't pay for his res if he didn't write before we got to London. So it was good to get an update from him on the train from Heathrow to Paddington.

Hard to really capture these weird moves but sure you could google them.

The flight from Athens to London was full, long and bumpy. But London has been lovely so far. Rob's niece, Corisha, met us at Paddington Station to help us find their flat. Then his other niece, Tracey, came home early enough for us to have a drink and pizza at the local pub. It was great to see them and lovely to be staying in a home again. Today we have done lots of talking on the phone and skype and went for a lovely walk along the canal to Islington, before the rain started. Rob managed to fit in a hair cut too. We are hoping to see David (my nephew) tonight and are thinking of trying to book to see Avenue Q. So we will see how we go.

Temple of Zeus at bottom of Acropolis

From Parthenon looking at Odeon where they still hold performances (Pavarotti performed here)

More Crete

No blog for a few days, partly because we get tired of having to come down to the pool to get internet and partly because I am not always inspired to write. Well it is Friday now so we are leaving for Athens tomorrow and then the UK for a week and then Paris and South Africa. The weather in October has definitely been less calm and summery than September. After the one sunny day we had a ghastly Southerly that blew for a couple of days (something worse than a Berg wind in SA or an Easterly in Perth). Then there was some rain and finally today a little bit of clear sky and sun. But we soldiered on and drove all around the West Coast the one day ending at Elafonisi on the South West coast which was absolutely beautiful. There was a howling gale and some amazing kite surfing but we were sorry we couldn't stay longer but didn't want to be negotiating the roads in the dark. We have NEVER been on roads anything like this before - winding and narrow and HIGH - many places I couldn't look out my window at all without breaking into a sweat.

South Coast - bit bleak and windy

Elafonisi

 (Photos don't want to upload?? - will try another time as I am getting frustrated with this now)

Kite surfers

Really lovely village with spectacular views down valley

Then the next day we decided to wind our way to the ancient city of Lappa which was amazing, and then ended up on the South Coast again for a swim at Korakos. I took some beautiful photos of Rob up on the rocks - even one of him diving off the rocks into the sparkling water. But - who know what happened after that as we had no camera by the time we arrived home. Hard to think I would leave it on the beach but also can't imagine when someone could have stolen it. But it is gone which is very sad. The next day we drove all the way back to ask at the little tavernas if anyone had handed it in but they just laughed at the idea, especially as by that time it was pouring and thundering. But one of the tavernas must have felt sorry for us as we had coffee and cake there at no charge.
So that was not good for our moods and we had to negotiate the city police station to file a report. (which of course is in Greek so not sure what the insurance will say about that).
So today we were pleased to see some blue sky and headed off along the North Coast to a beautiful bay called something like Imbrosglias. No beach, just rocks but stunning sitting there in the sun. Then we drove on to a SANDY beach which was a huge luxury here, where we relaxed until we had to fetch the jolly police report.
Tonight we have a special Greek dancing night here in the complex - hope that is fun.

Imbrosgialos

Almiryda - sandy beach was just around the corner

Crete

The sun finally came out today so we drove over to the Southern side of the island. Amazing little windy roads through huge gorges.

We were heading for Plakias but stopped at a little unmarked beach which was fantastic. We had to share it with the sheep and goats. But we had nice sun beds and umbrellas and had a lovely time swimming (Libyan Sea now) and reading our books and trying to improve our tans! Think we still have a way to go.

Siena - Rome - Athens - Crete

Siena was a magnificent city. We had perfect weather and enjoyed wandering around looking at the cathedrals and churches and forts etc. And of course a lot of sitting in the main square eating and drinking and just enjoying some sunshine. We met up with another couple from Sydney who had also just done the walk from San Gimignano, and joined them for dinner the one night as they had a restaurant that had been recommended to them. The special recommendation was truffles so we all had the pasta with truffles and nice wine and delicious desert and coffee. So it was a bigger night than usual for us but we are not convinced that we would order truffles again (but still pleased we tried them at least). We were sorry to be leaving Siena but very happy to be out of our hotel which was certainly out of the question for anybody who has trouble sleeping through noise.
So next morning after more coffees and toast in the sun in the square with the Australians we spent 3 hours in the bus to Rome and spent the night there before flying to Athens and then on to Crete. Rome was fun - Rob had found a lovely hotel round the corner from the Trevi Fountain so we wandered along there for coffee and pizza and up the Spanish Steps, then took a walk down to the Colosseum. We just happened to notice a van Gogh  exhibition so popped into that too. Rob was surprised how much he enjoyed it.
The day of travelling was long but fine - the last hour or so of driving to the resort was a challenge. We picked up a tiny little rental car and the drive was beautiful for a while but then it was dark. The resort is very different from anything else so far this trip - I suppose typical timeshare, but we were met with a red rose and a glass of orange juice and shown up to our 2 level appartment overlooking the pool. All good except for the weather which is looking a bit winterish so far. We spent today doing our washing (as there are no laundromats here apparently) and then wandering around an old castle which was interesting in that it was not much of a match for the Italian castles we have been visiting. The other problem is a little dog nearby which sounds as if it is being murdered. Rob has gone to investigate but don't suppose we will have much clout here.
So we have a week here now which is a very relaxing thought.

Trevi fountain very early in morning

colosseum

Siena

From top of cathedral in Siena

ATG walk and siena

Still battling to find internet in Italy but have a few minutes left at internet cafe so will just write a few lines. Rob has gone to buy our bus tickets and not sure what is taking so long - hope he isn't lost somewhere in Siena.
Well, the 3 days of walking have been fantastic. It threatened to rain for the first 2 days but nothing much happened. And then from Monteriggione to Siena we had a beautiful day. Monteriggione is a tiny little hilltop walled village with 65 inhabitants and we were staying high up in an old building with a beautiful view out of a little castle window. It was a really lovely place (much more charming than Colle). The accommodation in Siena isn't that flash but the city is great and the weather is good so we will just enjoy the place. We walked about 6 hours on days 2 and 3 so were quite tired by the end, especially as a lot of it is through slippery clay which gets stuck to your shoes.

San Gimignano in background

Monteriggione

Arriving at Monteriggione gate after 6 hours of walking

Inside Monteriggione

Views on walk

San Gimignano - colle val d'Elsa

I just realised there is a gap in the blog as I wrote a couple of emails yesterday instead. But we had 2 great days in San Gimignano exploring the city and went for a walk around the outside practising following our instructions from ATG. It was only 2 hours but steep and strenuous - definitely left us feeling like we deserved a nice glass of Italian wine at a spot near the top of the city overlooking just about the whole of Tuscany. We ate well, drank well and rested well and now have just finished 1st day of walking - from San G to Colle. Great day with no rain - really beautiful scenery especially first half. About 4 hours walking and instructions not too difficult to follow. Colle val d'Elsa is much less touristy and the village doesn't seem in quite as good condition. But we haven't had a good look around yet. Ate our lunch when we arrived and then collapsed for a while and showered so ready to head out again now. The next 2 days look a lot tougher and the next village (Montereggione) only has a population of 65!

Rob's comment

It's been a while since my last entry but needed to have a say. Cinque Terre looked exactly as all the tourist brochures showed and is really stunning but just full of tourists. 2 days is all one needs, even when all the trails are open. Enjoyed our day of changing trains to get to San Gimignano - very proud of our efforts of doing it on the cheap ( John you would be proud ). Tucany is just beautiful with soft pastelly colours, sloping vineyards everywhere , amazing buildings ,etc. Still full of tourists ( I think a lot of Catholics ) visiting this amazing old city. Enjoyed today and very pleased to have Jill to keep us on the right track. Looking forward to next few days.

San Gimignano

S G (Different view)

Some Italians at place where we had glass of wine