- All rental car agencies employ foreigners - this makes communication a challenge when you are jet lagged!
- down in Cornwall, there is a gate with 'Koombana' on it - they have got to be Australian. If it wasn't so early in the morning, I would have knocked on their door. Having lived in 'Koombana' suburb in Hedland and having 'Koombana' beach here in Bunbury, I want to know why they are claiming the name for their gate.
- don't prebook accommodation in Cornwall - you will get it much cheaper asking at the door.
- In England - it is very cool to carry a brolly. I have never seen so many young men trot about with a brolly under their arm.
- Mr Guinness, of the world famous Guinness Beer - deserves to be given more recognition for his business deal of the Millennium. Fascinating fact - this sensational wheeler and dealer - made a rental agreement - wait for it - the land he agreed to rent for 9000 years, yep you read that right, he paid -sit down for this....an initial 100 pounds and then 45 pounds a year!!!!! Wicked.... this is for four acres in the middle of the city. You know, and I bet there were a heap of people who tut tutted at the deal... reckoned he paid too much. Brilliant. This was in 1795 - he really does deserve to have us all drinking his beer for that.
- Scottish people do not like the Polish - in fact - in every country we went to the Polish came up. And I am sorry to say, that not one comment was positive. Not even kind of.
- Always, always, always take your brolly with you. (with a jacket and scarf not far away)
- Every other under five year old in Ireland has red hair. This was a shock to us. But they really do.
- English and Irish rental cars have the indicators and wind screen wipers on the opposite side to us. What a pain. I have very clean windows.
- In Amsterdam, it is trendy for the teenage guys to double their girlfriends on the carrier on their bicycle. This made us smile a lot.... felt like we'd gone back in time.
- Jayllee observed that Amsterdam had mega small groups of guys visiting. Most of them American.
- Commonwealth bank cards don't work in Sweden. Take cash!!!!They also don't and won't accept overseas credit cards - worried about fraud. I was worried about trying to leave there.
- In winter, in Sweden, the train is often late to town, because people commit suicide jumping in front of it. You know, they could always have a holiday down south. But the sun is only up from 11 am until 3 pm in winter.... guess I can see why they visit Aussie and NZ.
- Cheap airline food is disgusting and overpriced.
- Mary's castle in Copenhagen is very cool.
- tourists shops are full of junk, but if you look long enough and hard enough, you can find some classic treasures.
- take half the luggage you initially plan to pack.
- "when beef meets bacon' burger at Maccas Amsterdam is not very nice. (I kid you not, that was the name!)
- You have to pay to use the Maccas toilets in Europe. Only, 50 euros but sometimes that coin is very hard to find.
- European men dress very well.
- They are all fit and slim over there. Copenhagen was the first place we saw weight challenged tourists.
- Sweden has a country fitness fad - get fit before you go there.
- There are nice public toilet at the top floor of Hamley's toy shop in England. Don't look for public loos there, you can never find them.
- The public bikes you can hire in England are great fun. You just have to go through a tedious system to rent it. You put your card in, you put your card out, you put you card in and you shake it all about, you ask the guy standing close, just what it's all about, and then you put in again and you shake it all about. Honestly, I think it took four separate in and outs... don't give up.
- Cabbie drivers are a great source of info in every country.
- do the hop on hop off buses. They are fabulous.
- All shops open late and stay open late, so enjoy a late evening out.
- pack sneakers, joggers, runners or whatever you want to call them, as they will become your best friend.
- Get your money out at cashflow machines, carefully, they gave us the best exchange by far!!!!!
- Dublin is very multicultural
- Copenhagen has families as their main tourist groups.
- If you are trying to head south, when you leave Stonehenge, don't worry, they will make you drive north for a number of kms before they let you go in the direction you want to with a round about.
- every major city has road works going on - get used to it and adapt your path.
- the one time you don't have a map, you will face a detour, and all your technology is guaranteed to fail as well. Just enjoy the extra scenery you pass. Timelines are made to be adjusted. Unless it's at an airport - trust me, tide and time wait for no man, and neither do planes. Always, be early!
Saturday, August 04, 2012
random observations from the trip
While I have tried to keep a diary of things we've done, there are always a few random thoughts or observations that really deserve their own space and time.....So here goes....
Chilvalry is not dead!!!!
This blog, I am sorry to say, is just a little late. I am back in Australia, but I am sure you want to know how we finished up....So here's the last big wrap up.....
So, one more flight down and we made it back to England. Nice easy flight from Copenhagen to London. And knowing it was nearly over, we shouted ourselves the luxury of a cab to the airport! Such a good idea. Actually, it was more like, we packed the bags and thought...'Nah!' no way in hades are we lugging these cases around, up and down steps and in and out of trains. Cab ride was worth every cent, and in actual fact, it wasn't very much at all. So make sure you do it. I would love to stay in Copenhagen longer, I cannot wait to take the family back there and hang out. I am definitely going to book a cruise from there one day. Still gorgeous weather, everyone was at the beach, mind you, while there were lots of people there, we didn't see anyone actually in the water.... so go figure. But back to London.
It was great to fly back in there. They spoke English, the signs were in English, not that we have had any trouble at all - great thing speaking the international language...but, best thing was, we knew exactly where we were going. We didn't have to look at any maps, check out any train schedules or um and ah about which was way the best, most monetary effective way of getting to our bed for the night. Gee it was a good feeling. The biggest challenge was psyching myself up for the steps with my suitcase. However, after desciding that we would be able to cope with elevators, stairs and luggage London men proved themselves to be worthy of a rave review.
I am thrilled to say that CHIVALRY IS NOT DEAD.
At the very first flight of mega steps, with me standing at the bottom looking woefully up, a charming young man sized up my dilemma immediately and before I could take more than one step had left his girlfriend and offered to carry my bag. Sensational bloke!!!!! Then at flight no two...the same thing, another guy immediately offered to carry my bag. This was not a small thing. This was a bag, jammed packed to the luggage limit - I was stoked. Jayllee, relieved. It was so, so nice. Then the day we left, a young man offered me his seat on the train as soon as entered the carriage. So England, such a nice way to finish. I am so very impressed.
To our surprise we had another apartment for the night. We had booked a room through Wimdu, and thought we where back to were we stayed at the beginning, but we weren't. Anyway, it was a lovely little spot, and there was a nice young couple from Germany there too. So that was nice.
We went up to Hertfordshire to check out the uni. This gave Jayllee her Harry Potter moment. She latched onto my arm and was like, "Mum, we are at King's Cross station...." I'm like..."yep." She began leaping around on her seat...."We're on platform 9..." I figured this was meant to mean something...and then I clicked. Looked vainly about for platform 93/4 ...didn't see it... but enjoyed the thought. Had to smile, when we came back and went back for photos, there was an older couple walking around talking about Harry Potter. But great little train ride up to Hertfordshire. The uni looks nice, nothing too exotic, and yes, it has the obligatory mega flights of steps to climb. Incredibly, it was nearly thirty degrees, so I was a tad hot and flustered. Huge shopping centre just down the road, so Jayllee, the broke uni student, will enjoy that. It will be nice when she is settled in there, and I will be able picture exactly where she is.
For the last wander round London, we went into Trafalgar square, where the count down clock was. It was pretty cool to get a photo with the clock on zero for the days. When they first started that clock, I never dreamed that I'd be standing there when it hit zero. There were quite a few athletes walking around. Russians, Canadians, Slovakians and their carers were easy to spot. We were going to look through the national museum but there was a huge line, so not liking lines we left that. But we ended up in the right place and time to choose to watch the torch relay going down Regent street. We were outside Hamley's toystore, which was a great spot. A nice lot of pre torch entertainment, so that took an hour or two. We got to yell and cheer, have no idea who the lucky torch carrier was, but am glad for him. I'm sure he enjoyed his moment in the sun. The buzz in London was awesome. It is seriously making me think about saving up for Brazil. Everyone's happy. There weren't bad crowds on the underground. It was even nice walking around up the top. We sat in on the big outdoor concert at Hyde park and enjoyed the music, and the free seats under the trees, as we ate maccas and peopled watched to our hearts content and feet's relief... Our feet are officially tired!
Summer has finally arrived in England and Jayllee is walking around the place like a local. We have covered a mega amount of territory.... Singapore, India, England, Ireland, Holland, Denmark, Scotland and Sweden - not a bad effort for three weeks.
My wallet is a united nations lucky dip of coins!
My feet are officially on strike.
I managed to ride the underground elevators and look up and down - and not shed a tear...
I am looking forward to going home.
It has been a treasure of a trip with Jays..... it's nice to know that even at the ripe old age of 43 I can surprise my daughter now and then....
Europe, been there done that...again...quickly...next time, hopefully, I'll have longer.
So, one more flight down and we made it back to England. Nice easy flight from Copenhagen to London. And knowing it was nearly over, we shouted ourselves the luxury of a cab to the airport! Such a good idea. Actually, it was more like, we packed the bags and thought...'Nah!' no way in hades are we lugging these cases around, up and down steps and in and out of trains. Cab ride was worth every cent, and in actual fact, it wasn't very much at all. So make sure you do it. I would love to stay in Copenhagen longer, I cannot wait to take the family back there and hang out. I am definitely going to book a cruise from there one day. Still gorgeous weather, everyone was at the beach, mind you, while there were lots of people there, we didn't see anyone actually in the water.... so go figure. But back to London.
It was great to fly back in there. They spoke English, the signs were in English, not that we have had any trouble at all - great thing speaking the international language...but, best thing was, we knew exactly where we were going. We didn't have to look at any maps, check out any train schedules or um and ah about which was way the best, most monetary effective way of getting to our bed for the night. Gee it was a good feeling. The biggest challenge was psyching myself up for the steps with my suitcase. However, after desciding that we would be able to cope with elevators, stairs and luggage London men proved themselves to be worthy of a rave review.
I am thrilled to say that CHIVALRY IS NOT DEAD.
At the very first flight of mega steps, with me standing at the bottom looking woefully up, a charming young man sized up my dilemma immediately and before I could take more than one step had left his girlfriend and offered to carry my bag. Sensational bloke!!!!! Then at flight no two...the same thing, another guy immediately offered to carry my bag. This was not a small thing. This was a bag, jammed packed to the luggage limit - I was stoked. Jayllee, relieved. It was so, so nice. Then the day we left, a young man offered me his seat on the train as soon as entered the carriage. So England, such a nice way to finish. I am so very impressed.
To our surprise we had another apartment for the night. We had booked a room through Wimdu, and thought we where back to were we stayed at the beginning, but we weren't. Anyway, it was a lovely little spot, and there was a nice young couple from Germany there too. So that was nice.
We went up to Hertfordshire to check out the uni. This gave Jayllee her Harry Potter moment. She latched onto my arm and was like, "Mum, we are at King's Cross station...." I'm like..."yep." She began leaping around on her seat...."We're on platform 9..." I figured this was meant to mean something...and then I clicked. Looked vainly about for platform 93/4 ...didn't see it... but enjoyed the thought. Had to smile, when we came back and went back for photos, there was an older couple walking around talking about Harry Potter. But great little train ride up to Hertfordshire. The uni looks nice, nothing too exotic, and yes, it has the obligatory mega flights of steps to climb. Incredibly, it was nearly thirty degrees, so I was a tad hot and flustered. Huge shopping centre just down the road, so Jayllee, the broke uni student, will enjoy that. It will be nice when she is settled in there, and I will be able picture exactly where she is.
For the last wander round London, we went into Trafalgar square, where the count down clock was. It was pretty cool to get a photo with the clock on zero for the days. When they first started that clock, I never dreamed that I'd be standing there when it hit zero. There were quite a few athletes walking around. Russians, Canadians, Slovakians and their carers were easy to spot. We were going to look through the national museum but there was a huge line, so not liking lines we left that. But we ended up in the right place and time to choose to watch the torch relay going down Regent street. We were outside Hamley's toystore, which was a great spot. A nice lot of pre torch entertainment, so that took an hour or two. We got to yell and cheer, have no idea who the lucky torch carrier was, but am glad for him. I'm sure he enjoyed his moment in the sun. The buzz in London was awesome. It is seriously making me think about saving up for Brazil. Everyone's happy. There weren't bad crowds on the underground. It was even nice walking around up the top. We sat in on the big outdoor concert at Hyde park and enjoyed the music, and the free seats under the trees, as we ate maccas and peopled watched to our hearts content and feet's relief... Our feet are officially tired!
Summer has finally arrived in England and Jayllee is walking around the place like a local. We have covered a mega amount of territory.... Singapore, India, England, Ireland, Holland, Denmark, Scotland and Sweden - not a bad effort for three weeks.
My wallet is a united nations lucky dip of coins!
My feet are officially on strike.
I managed to ride the underground elevators and look up and down - and not shed a tear...
I am looking forward to going home.
It has been a treasure of a trip with Jays..... it's nice to know that even at the ripe old age of 43 I can surprise my daughter now and then....
Europe, been there done that...again...quickly...next time, hopefully, I'll have longer.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Copenhagen rocks
We had a lovely trip to Copenhagen. Firstly, the Swedish tourism people were great to help us get on the right train, and then when we sat in the wrong seats, the guys told us to stay. So we got five hours sitting beside each other chatting away, which we weren't actually booked to do, but didn't realise that we weren't, so it was great. A word of advice though - don't buy the internet connection, because it wouldn't work for us. You had to be in the bistro cart - and we weren't even close to it. So that was a waste of money!!!
But arrived in Copenhagen - mmmmm - carefully booked hotel was not quite where we thought it was. Booked it because I thought it was really close to our train station - Yep - it was close, just not to the central station! Just a short taxi ride and we were all good. First impression of Copenhagen is amazing. It has really wide streets (like Kalgoorlie) which was a surprise, since everywhere else has been built up around old carriage tracks. It has old and new buildings really nicely blended. Nyhavn is amazing! Our favourite place so far. We have done all the hop on hop off tours, and loved them all.
They have this cool little spot called Christiania - which is basically a hippy hangout, with it's own rules and crazy commune building in the middle of a section of island. Interesting point, what I have gathered about Danish history from the brief info they have shared.
1. Danes like the Norwegians.
2. Sweden is a bit on the out.
3. They are still gloating the Nelson didn't get into their port a few years ago.
4. They have the best restaurants!
5. Maersk transport - the people who have all those shipping containers, are such a big they have organisation negotiated their own tax deal with the government.
Now back to Nyhavn - this is a classic spot, where Hans Christian Anderson lived, but it is has lovely little canals, restaurants and shops. It has wide open cobbled zones, where you can sit at a cafe and even rickshaws if your feet are about to give up. But a walk from one end to the other and back is a must. They also have a mega lego store. Huge lego dragons and soldiers placed about the store. Ethan would love it.
Copenhagen was just plain gorgeous. We walked so many streets, and there is so much to see and look at, it would take weeks to feel like we had done it all justice. Definitely want to go back there and go for a cruise. It's a major centre for cruise ships and it is easy to see why. The sea looked amazing. The windmills awesome and the temperature was fabulous.
Copenhagen Rocked!
But arrived in Copenhagen - mmmmm - carefully booked hotel was not quite where we thought it was. Booked it because I thought it was really close to our train station - Yep - it was close, just not to the central station! Just a short taxi ride and we were all good. First impression of Copenhagen is amazing. It has really wide streets (like Kalgoorlie) which was a surprise, since everywhere else has been built up around old carriage tracks. It has old and new buildings really nicely blended. Nyhavn is amazing! Our favourite place so far. We have done all the hop on hop off tours, and loved them all.
They have this cool little spot called Christiania - which is basically a hippy hangout, with it's own rules and crazy commune building in the middle of a section of island. Interesting point, what I have gathered about Danish history from the brief info they have shared.
1. Danes like the Norwegians.
2. Sweden is a bit on the out.
3. They are still gloating the Nelson didn't get into their port a few years ago.
4. They have the best restaurants!
5. Maersk transport - the people who have all those shipping containers, are such a big they have organisation negotiated their own tax deal with the government.
Now back to Nyhavn - this is a classic spot, where Hans Christian Anderson lived, but it is has lovely little canals, restaurants and shops. It has wide open cobbled zones, where you can sit at a cafe and even rickshaws if your feet are about to give up. But a walk from one end to the other and back is a must. They also have a mega lego store. Huge lego dragons and soldiers placed about the store. Ethan would love it.
Copenhagen was just plain gorgeous. We walked so many streets, and there is so much to see and look at, it would take weeks to feel like we had done it all justice. Definitely want to go back there and go for a cruise. It's a major centre for cruise ships and it is easy to see why. The sea looked amazing. The windmills awesome and the temperature was fabulous.
Copenhagen Rocked!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Super sunday
Had such a cruisy day today. It was nice just chilling at Adam's place. Lovely to meet some of his family. Felt like a teenager - Adam, Jays and me -sitting on the sofa, each with computer, laughing at some rather unusual Swedish soap programs... But it was great. The kids had a heavy night Saturday, Jayllee got to me a few of the locals as Adam arranged a party, which was so nice of him.
But apart from that, we walked down to the village centre and tried to get money out. None of my cards have worked in Sweden, all of Jayllee's have, go figure!
Train booked to Copenhagen tomorrow.... oh, and the weather has been awesome. Lovely and warm - best weather yet.
But apart from that, we walked down to the village centre and tried to get money out. None of my cards have worked in Sweden, all of Jayllee's have, go figure!
Train booked to Copenhagen tomorrow.... oh, and the weather has been awesome. Lovely and warm - best weather yet.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Sweden.....
We have arrived in Sweden. A country I can't say I thought I would visit for a very long time. It is so great to see Adam. For those of you who don't know Adam, he was an au pair for Chris for a while, a great kid who we really enjoyed getting to know.
Today Adam showed us his home town, or it would be more correct to say we showed Adam a few of the things which he had never seen in Stockholm. It's a lovely town, city. Set on thirteen islands, it has wonderful old buildings. Really, what country in Europe doesn't. But in old Stockholm, we walked up lovely shop-lined cobbled alleyways, wandered in to an old map shop, tried to ignore the tourist shops and had lunch at a fab Italian restaurant called Vapiano's!!!
FANTASTIC food. Oh, I loved it. They have this nifty system where you each get a card - just like your bank card. Then you waltz up to the counter, order what you want, choosing the pasta and extras and then they cook it in front of you. Excellent. I had the Cabonarra - just a touch of garlic, bacon and nicely cooked tagliatelle pasta. Yum. The desserts looked amazing, but everyone was too full to have them. They had free sparkling water, gorgeous tables with fresh herbs at them. The place was a buzz of people. I would love to have one of these restaurants in Bunbury. And to pay the bill, you just went up, they swiped your card, which the chef had programme with your meal, and bingo, you paid your own bill. All in all very easy and fun. And the best thing was the price. Twenty five dollars for Jayllee and me. Excellent.
Then we carried on up the alley way and viewed the castle. Love castles and love them even more when I don't have to walk to the top of them. Went through and viewed everything that was free...you have to do that you know, it gives you a good glimpse of the history without costing the earth. They have soldiers on duty, just like Buckingham Palace, only these guys aren't stuck behind a big fence. These poor lads, who are on duty 24/7 are an arm's span away. Mind you, I don't suggest you touch them, don't think that would go down well. But Jayllee, after analysing their marching, turning and standing at ease, rocked up and got a photo with one, which was fine as long as she stayed on the right side of the black line, which was drawn on the ground.
We saw another street entertainer. These guys have been great to see at every big town. In Scotland we saw a guy, who I think was the best so far. Todd Various. He was so clever, he entertained us without really doing anything much, but picking up on aspects of the crowd. He had us in stitches and we learnt a very valuable lesson: Never ever walk behind one of these guys when they are doing a show, you are just asking for a bit of good-natured heckling. He was so good. Trouble is, when we were in Amsterdam, we walked behind a guy who was just starting his routine... you may not know it, but there is now a crowd of kids who think Jayllee and I are strippers. LOL and the carry on, I was dragging behind us, apparently held all our costumes for a striptease act. Classic! Thanks to Todd, I knew just how to take him. Then today, we came across another guy. He was good, and had a great way of including the kids. They are so clever, knowing how to psyche up a crowd and really get them involved with the show. I'd love to show them to my drama class.
Stockholm has a great mix of very old and new. Once we'd passed the old cobbled alleys, the streets and shopping malls felt exactly the same as Perth, it was quite unusual. We had an ice cream at the end of a lovey long grassed area. There are little bridges and buildings everywhere. You could wander for days here and not see everything. And much to our surprise, the prices here are about the same as Australia's, if not a tiny bit cheaper. After London, Dublin and Amsterdam, we have been totally shocked at the price of things, and figured that the higher up you went, the worse it got. But no, we were wrong! Sweden is the country to visit! It is very, very affordable.
Gotta love Sweden.
Today Adam showed us his home town, or it would be more correct to say we showed Adam a few of the things which he had never seen in Stockholm. It's a lovely town, city. Set on thirteen islands, it has wonderful old buildings. Really, what country in Europe doesn't. But in old Stockholm, we walked up lovely shop-lined cobbled alleyways, wandered in to an old map shop, tried to ignore the tourist shops and had lunch at a fab Italian restaurant called Vapiano's!!!
FANTASTIC food. Oh, I loved it. They have this nifty system where you each get a card - just like your bank card. Then you waltz up to the counter, order what you want, choosing the pasta and extras and then they cook it in front of you. Excellent. I had the Cabonarra - just a touch of garlic, bacon and nicely cooked tagliatelle pasta. Yum. The desserts looked amazing, but everyone was too full to have them. They had free sparkling water, gorgeous tables with fresh herbs at them. The place was a buzz of people. I would love to have one of these restaurants in Bunbury. And to pay the bill, you just went up, they swiped your card, which the chef had programme with your meal, and bingo, you paid your own bill. All in all very easy and fun. And the best thing was the price. Twenty five dollars for Jayllee and me. Excellent.
Then we carried on up the alley way and viewed the castle. Love castles and love them even more when I don't have to walk to the top of them. Went through and viewed everything that was free...you have to do that you know, it gives you a good glimpse of the history without costing the earth. They have soldiers on duty, just like Buckingham Palace, only these guys aren't stuck behind a big fence. These poor lads, who are on duty 24/7 are an arm's span away. Mind you, I don't suggest you touch them, don't think that would go down well. But Jayllee, after analysing their marching, turning and standing at ease, rocked up and got a photo with one, which was fine as long as she stayed on the right side of the black line, which was drawn on the ground.
We saw another street entertainer. These guys have been great to see at every big town. In Scotland we saw a guy, who I think was the best so far. Todd Various. He was so clever, he entertained us without really doing anything much, but picking up on aspects of the crowd. He had us in stitches and we learnt a very valuable lesson: Never ever walk behind one of these guys when they are doing a show, you are just asking for a bit of good-natured heckling. He was so good. Trouble is, when we were in Amsterdam, we walked behind a guy who was just starting his routine... you may not know it, but there is now a crowd of kids who think Jayllee and I are strippers. LOL and the carry on, I was dragging behind us, apparently held all our costumes for a striptease act. Classic! Thanks to Todd, I knew just how to take him. Then today, we came across another guy. He was good, and had a great way of including the kids. They are so clever, knowing how to psyche up a crowd and really get them involved with the show. I'd love to show them to my drama class.
Stockholm has a great mix of very old and new. Once we'd passed the old cobbled alleys, the streets and shopping malls felt exactly the same as Perth, it was quite unusual. We had an ice cream at the end of a lovey long grassed area. There are little bridges and buildings everywhere. You could wander for days here and not see everything. And much to our surprise, the prices here are about the same as Australia's, if not a tiny bit cheaper. After London, Dublin and Amsterdam, we have been totally shocked at the price of things, and figured that the higher up you went, the worse it got. But no, we were wrong! Sweden is the country to visit! It is very, very affordable.
Gotta love Sweden.
Just a Little Torture
Jayllee has added to her water colour collection, so she is happy. And I managed to visit the Torture Museum. Excellent place. I mean anyone can go and visit the wonderful art museums but I thought you'd like to know about this dark little spot in human history. The museum covers around five hundred years of human misery and suffering. Really, in today's age, in Western society it is hard to believe what people did to others. And even though I'm not so naive as to think that somewhere in the world people aren't still dreaming up ways to hurt each other, for the moment, it is nice to think we are beyond that. But, it is so amazing to see what they used to do to encourage people to confess their indiscretions or change their religions.
Really thumb screws, stocks, pillars and body compressions are just so yesterday. Any old witch would confess under the pressure of a whole body press of nasty little pointy things on a big wooden chair. The eye-pluckers and hand-choppers were rather innocent looking when compared to the pyramid which they used to encouraged men to recant their sins. Imagine a two foot wooden pyramid, up on a five foot stool, with the unfortunates posterior positioned over the highest point and his body held there with a nice selection of ropes. And just to make sure they really pressed their point home,very heavy stone weights were strapped to their feet. Yep, would have worked for me. Whatever they wanted - I'm pretty sure I would have told them. The fire grill, which looked pretty much the same as one we use on our bbq, would not have been fun to be on, neither would the plank which people were tied to and then crushed with a big carriage wheel. I was impressed to see that the plank which they tied and burnt witches on, also had a nifty little point which they pressed into the top of a person's neck, basically breaking their neck, before they burnt them.
The chastity belt was a classic accessory. A lovely metal belt which hinged between the legs, with two very convenient openings so one could relieve oneself. Gosh, bet they had a real top of the market seller with this little gem. I was fascinated to hear that this could, and they only state could, have been used in times when communities were under attack. So, it was used to help prevent the women from being raped. Now this is a very acceptable use of it for me. I am, however, trying to imagine a hero in a story doing this.... Castle under attack, heroine about to run for her life, hero comes in swinging a sword in one hand and a chastity belt clutched in the other. "Darling let me strap you in..." The mind boggles.....
The Euro Diet
Alright everyone, I do believe I have stumbled onto the best thing ever. You see, Jayllee and I have noticed that there are very few weight-challenged people over here. Yep, the English, Irish, Scots and the Dutch are all very impressively slim, trim and fit. And I am pretty sure there is a really good reason why.
Since we have been here, I have realised something- there is a fabulous fad diet which I don't believe I have heard about yet. And I think the best name for it is the Euro Diet.
This is how it works:
1. The best thing is you do not need to join up anything. No gym, no shakes, no weighing or counting...nope nothing like that at all...
2. Once you have your head around that, you book yourself a ticket to Europe.
3. You pack a suitcase up to 20kgs.
4. Then you take a tour around each of the towns I have previously mentioned....trust me.... I am confident to say that in a couple of weeks, you will feel different and probably look it.
I honestly cannot believe how many steps there are in Europe. We have trudged up and down multiple flights of steps, it is now not a question of, "Are we going up steps?"... "But how many flights are there?...... Oh, and just to make it fun, you have to lug your luggage with you.
This kills any interest you have in junk food, and has you clocking up the kms in no time flat, just make sure you pack your most comfortable shoes - you are going to need them!!! i can guarantee you a minimum of five hours solid walking a day.
So ladies and gents....any takers ? - one month in Europe to shape up.....sounds good doesn't it!
Since we have been here, I have realised something- there is a fabulous fad diet which I don't believe I have heard about yet. And I think the best name for it is the Euro Diet.
This is how it works:
1. The best thing is you do not need to join up anything. No gym, no shakes, no weighing or counting...nope nothing like that at all...
2. Once you have your head around that, you book yourself a ticket to Europe.
3. You pack a suitcase up to 20kgs.
4. Then you take a tour around each of the towns I have previously mentioned....trust me.... I am confident to say that in a couple of weeks, you will feel different and probably look it.
I honestly cannot believe how many steps there are in Europe. We have trudged up and down multiple flights of steps, it is now not a question of, "Are we going up steps?"... "But how many flights are there?...... Oh, and just to make it fun, you have to lug your luggage with you.
This kills any interest you have in junk food, and has you clocking up the kms in no time flat, just make sure you pack your most comfortable shoes - you are going to need them!!! i can guarantee you a minimum of five hours solid walking a day.
So ladies and gents....any takers ? - one month in Europe to shape up.....sounds good doesn't it!
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