tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145550082024-03-07T11:23:20.846-08:00KnitTatPugKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08799024039904167238noreply@blogger.comBlogger284125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-89400193655295628202018-04-10T09:50:00.000-07:002018-04-10T09:53:46.000-07:00GranadaFlying from Lisbon to Madrid to Granada took all day. They are two one-hour flights, but getting to the airports, navigating them, all the security and preparation, it was exhausting. We made it, and were met by Carmen, who will be our tour manager for the next two weeks. Also on the plane were several other members of our group, including Peter and Martin who live about 500 metres from us, in Georgina Street, and Margaret, who lives in Annandale. The inner west is well represented.<br />
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Since our arrival we have done a lot of walking around this lovely city. We spent yesterday wandering around the Albaicin area with its narrow streets, hilly terrain, lovely open spaces, and fabulous views. I can’t be the only tourist who comes home at night and checks available properties, both for sale and rent. I don’t think I would live in Granada, but it is fun to dream.<br />
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One of the most noticeable aspects of the city is the number of pedestrians. The streets, the plazas, the restaurants, everywhere is filled with people shopping, walking, eating and drinking. It is lively, and contrasts markedly with the empty streets in US cities and towns. When we were in Houston in January there was nary a pedestrian to be seen, but the freeways were jammed with cars. <br />
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Today was a highlight. I have always wanted to see the Alhambra, and today was the day. It did not disappoint. The Islamic decorations are beautiful, the tile patterns, the stucco, the arches, the water, it is all paradise.
Despite being spring in Spain, it was really cold. Up high in the wind the temperature was about 6 or 9 degrees C. We had been warned, so had dressed very warmly. I had on three layers including a cashmere jumper and a possum cardigan, and over that my Dublin hooded raincoat, plus a Turkish pashmina shawl. Plus a warm headband, stockings under my pants, woolly socks and boots. We were both very glad of our Lisbon leather gloves, mine are lined with cashmere. <br />
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We had an excellent tour guide named Martin, who looked very like Julie’s Martin. Very tall, probably originally Dutch, judging from his accent, he was very engaging. He wove the narrative well, it was not a collection of dry historical facts, but a series of enchanting stories told with flair. And what a place it is. We did the Alhambra itself, the Palacios Nazaries, the Alcazaba, and Generalife. Today (Tuesday 10th) my phone informs me that so far I have done 10,803 steps and 6 floors. Yesterday’s tally was 12,188 steps or 8 kilometres, and 10 floors. My Fitflop boots have been wonderful.<br />
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We have eaten well, but as yet have not made it into a Croissanteria. Yes, there are such establishments. Yesterday’s lunch was little tapas plates of croquettes, albondigas meatballs, and battered prawns. Today’s was Iberian broadbeans (tiny broadbeans with jamon and fried eggs on top), and mixed croquettes. And now for some pictures. <br />
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Firstly, some of the Albaicin area, including some looking across the valley at the Alhambra: <br />
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<br /><br/><br/> And a few more of the Alhambra. What a beautiful place. <br/><br/><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUzvIraAUmiPBXqc4nNCpkXnUVmKIcZUrfdU3-eIBmacILakIXjLlaTrhGIcPztJKqpp_25J9dP7MJ8jji50ih9FxqtvoPGpGLQl_qsDk5hfuw6ec5NhtDC-XpD0WGyCZQGgpzQ/s1600/IMG_4490.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUzvIraAUmiPBXqc4nNCpkXnUVmKIcZUrfdU3-eIBmacILakIXjLlaTrhGIcPztJKqpp_25J9dP7MJ8jji50ih9FxqtvoPGpGLQl_qsDk5hfuw6ec5NhtDC-XpD0WGyCZQGgpzQ/s320/IMG_4490.JPG" width="240" height="320" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4_KZ-a3hmKQ-mLg3ltFV6b86vq7skU-5ncUEcSiv4KYAI87Zd3Gudeak4f8kV8BFQDkP3cwnYYw2t0XKr9mmud6l2zWNGOBYVJ-zkz8s5Oe5yTFu0Uzv_YYVDVaeTP5ztDvelA/s1600/IMG_4418.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" 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/></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-73132692679946872742018-04-06T07:28:00.000-07:002018-04-06T08:01:24.211-07:00Food tour of Lisbon. Despite admonitions to start the tour on an empty stomach, we couldn’t help ourselves at breakfast. The pastries are just too delicious to leave. Our food tour started at 10.30 under the great arch, so we had plenty of time to amble up the shopping street and check out which shops we might visit after the tour. I saw a fabulous hat, Michael saw a leather briefcase, and I saw several shoe shops. But first, we joined the tour, operated by Secret Food Tours of Lisbon. We met Claudia, our tour leader, underneath the arch. She was holding an orange umbrella so we recognised her easily. Joining us on the tour were Sonja and Stephan from Germany, Hilary and George from Winchester. We began by walking through some of the back streets to a wine shop, where the others all sampled the port. A little early in the morning for me, even if I did drink alcohol! It was a little early for them too, I think, but they were brave. Onwards and upwards, lots of steps and cobblestones, it was great to see some of the places away from the tourist spots. Time for morning tea, at one of the little shops selling snacks. Mostly they are tiny little shops, and people eat standing up. There is usually a window from which to buy the food, but it was cool and pretty windy, threatening rain, so we went inside. The specialty is a pork sandwich. The sliced pork is marinated in wine and garlic (the origin of the term vindaloo comes from this marinade) and it is slapped into a bread roll. Mustard is mandatory, spicy sauce is optional. It was delicious. Some of our party had beer, we had orange juice. <br />
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We walked through the streets, enjoying the ambience, looking at the little houses, more tiles, more street art. <br/><br/><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrteDQAaBhKg2RgPVc884qxiUc-oaCtLn3f91gjQY_wMuZ3Kc2TmnTIbfKbrq6YyXqg6TnFrQ4pRhA8BZjHzUO1bh1-VbbE4U_-Omo9IydjFpHrdz5YGZ2ywVhh8Ja8iPXxqN8g/s1600/IMG_4193.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrteDQAaBhKg2RgPVc884qxiUc-oaCtLn3f91gjQY_wMuZ3Kc2TmnTIbfKbrq6YyXqg6TnFrQ4pRhA8BZjHzUO1bh1-VbbE4U_-Omo9IydjFpHrdz5YGZ2ywVhh8Ja8iPXxqN8g/s320/IMG_4193.JPG" width="240" height="320" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimwNhjan7w-nWMfN7m5ePJdsW8Y8qsrNGve1HCWAJD7gs408ehD8TPQVHveaPeoXRxdzro5wMqMWLijVHmaJrif3KhiQ_r_7ch9YkvUoMMMpADR3PlTAVfL-eib76Vnf0E5tXBQ/s1600/IMG_4189.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" 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Our next food stop was a small restaurant, where we were to have lunch. The appetiser was a kind of salt cod cake, and some bread. The main course was a salad with more cod, salt cod again which has been soaked for some days, then charcoal grilled. It was delicious. Onwards through more back streets. We are pleased about the weather, which has threatened rain but isn’t. The pattern has been that it is quite cool in the morning, warming up through the day. Today I wore my Gorman raincoat which is very light, and it was a good choice. <br/><br/><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4PWDNilv1ZZbhDEgzrYZSwPgDid_F03KpEZoUTFRYHruBt-Pj11yrqDJHq5q7UlO63Uo4oJYzEdOejZx0rx3VD6NzzGix0wfcTUoX0hlGgXc4B2Y9jvKzp1SULc5fChZbBXWcA/s1600/IMG_4201.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4PWDNilv1ZZbhDEgzrYZSwPgDid_F03KpEZoUTFRYHruBt-Pj11yrqDJHq5q7UlO63Uo4oJYzEdOejZx0rx3VD6NzzGix0wfcTUoX0hlGgXc4B2Y9jvKzp1SULc5fChZbBXWcA/s320/IMG_4201.JPG" width="240" height="320" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzV39cjTJjWmqtcrzald6oejuJcCjkTOAms3DtxBoPbT8mUGbf6ioR6RM_7Ao5AsGpLvELKnHImGMyJD6R9peNp5NHhKOdAe3J9zneAjDxfT8XElHl_F232hXyHZthOiNe882SLw/s1600/IMG_4202.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzV39cjTJjWmqtcrzald6oejuJcCjkTOAms3DtxBoPbT8mUGbf6ioR6RM_7Ao5AsGpLvELKnHImGMyJD6R9peNp5NHhKOdAe3J9zneAjDxfT8XElHl_F232hXyHZthOiNe882SLw/s320/IMG_4202.JPG" width="240" height="320" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VnyphVtBI6SMwJ18no7VJ4H7y-LF_e24Uhgam5l1LI-afL5xztllAF-gflpsp-V4o-h0sh2S9zKWkOzYtrdzJGuETDFMFcPfG-kteHk_ai_Dho147BeYn1yqFhMOsL7wQlxZuw/s1600/IMG_4203.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VnyphVtBI6SMwJ18no7VJ4H7y-LF_e24Uhgam5l1LI-afL5xztllAF-gflpsp-V4o-h0sh2S9zKWkOzYtrdzJGuETDFMFcPfG-kteHk_ai_Dho147BeYn1yqFhMOsL7wQlxZuw/s320/IMG_4203.JPG" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajqopXHev0h_53wCPaJ-iJWIZZZKESwhnaxddNdTKwebVtyIUXeDzamfvYLWoL49KrM5VY_SFc0JSXf1WKR6_07aKvvBPneI-qkZu7c0bg0MmtaRxoRACyJjx_2CNhUfvc0l0Jg/s1600/IMG_4204.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajqopXHev0h_53wCPaJ-iJWIZZZKESwhnaxddNdTKwebVtyIUXeDzamfvYLWoL49KrM5VY_SFc0JSXf1WKR6_07aKvvBPneI-qkZu7c0bg0MmtaRxoRACyJjx_2CNhUfvc0l0Jg/s320/IMG_4204.JPG" width="240" height="320" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVWJHKxlNhCXyw8zNSRBz_nnrWwDGaIZa27lTSA7ix0i3OTnYVqvQbz0dJZFDj1SHbLQMRJ7XziI1QdszZCkJTek-h6RQikXdOtgi26R1jRd52DN6RhBu6PggD4C5SmtiozVwvg/s1600/IMG_4205.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVWJHKxlNhCXyw8zNSRBz_nnrWwDGaIZa27lTSA7ix0i3OTnYVqvQbz0dJZFDj1SHbLQMRJ7XziI1QdszZCkJTek-h6RQikXdOtgi26R1jRd52DN6RhBu6PggD4C5SmtiozVwvg/s320/IMG_4205.JPG" width="240" height="320" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPi74C7UcFEWU2G6MC_hT7Rh2te4K9BzqPCZ5uf_6Qxi9N5VmciLg7eVggXyE2CVA6WaxQNqtyf3jJA8V2f_SiMGhHyBKEvkVxOeRF0SfOlk25VcNdzM3pOQXY_dcGLufy5LgkVA/s1600/IMG_4206.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPi74C7UcFEWU2G6MC_hT7Rh2te4K9BzqPCZ5uf_6Qxi9N5VmciLg7eVggXyE2CVA6WaxQNqtyf3jJA8V2f_SiMGhHyBKEvkVxOeRF0SfOlk25VcNdzM3pOQXY_dcGLufy5LgkVA/s320/IMG_4206.JPG" width="240" height="320" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-qays-l_KQKJ8MY2YLF4u8L5zCDu5QxzmNDR5Ok3RZzXHWqkZ_puJanPHFDXkxUsxbqpbS1Ifi7WMuwRcBphTY-aLjpzupLHPT09RO1FiHf09fFYZtHayZpvI3W2e1HX59lohA/s1600/IMG_4207.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-qays-l_KQKJ8MY2YLF4u8L5zCDu5QxzmNDR5Ok3RZzXHWqkZ_puJanPHFDXkxUsxbqpbS1Ifi7WMuwRcBphTY-aLjpzupLHPT09RO1FiHf09fFYZtHayZpvI3W2e1HX59lohA/s320/IMG_4207.JPG" width="240" height="320" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIyPeObir0ixsooef_rB_yV-wV74uBOgJxm9ibfz-OtnIsxBXXOye0-wI2_as66Wq9aLyS2HVDK-jcC5TlSWz9SgSY1E0LCqMyvNFu8v6V-a3qXAy_MfNEWxKI9ZapcullUv8Gg/s1600/IMG_4220.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIyPeObir0ixsooef_rB_yV-wV74uBOgJxm9ibfz-OtnIsxBXXOye0-wI2_as66Wq9aLyS2HVDK-jcC5TlSWz9SgSY1E0LCqMyvNFu8v6V-a3qXAy_MfNEWxKI9ZapcullUv8Gg/s320/IMG_4220.JPG" width="320" height="320" data-original-width="1080" data-original-height="1080" /></a>
More food coming up. After all, this is a food tour. The next stop was the grocer shop where we bought apples and oranges on our first day. Claudia bought cheeses and blueberry paste, and some ham made from pigs which only eat acorns. We went into the independence building up some stairs to yet another restaurant, where the proprietor plated up more bread, the ham, the cheeses, and more wine. I am glad not to be drinking, it would be too much! I think I am over salt cod. There has been a lot of it, and I am rather full!<br/><br/>
We ambled back down to near the grocer shop, and into a beautiful fruit shop. The colours are so bright! The asparagus is wild asparagus, the odd green fruit is a cherimoya, a relation or variety of custard apple. The group had some sour cherry liqueur. I had a sniff, and a very tiny sip which I did not enjoy. <br/><br/><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0H0NERH-oLRXSBiCq1cFRPNES56kiiaq18DSkTw27DvvuwiOeVBmlWeJzJjkzf50QfMu4IoCd5bPNaz1I1flzqdwjnqlgqwlgjyaKgppstDF-NjxFGE43c3jvsQNy1ssIU6LkwA/s1600/IMG_4210.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0H0NERH-oLRXSBiCq1cFRPNES56kiiaq18DSkTw27DvvuwiOeVBmlWeJzJjkzf50QfMu4IoCd5bPNaz1I1flzqdwjnqlgqwlgjyaKgppstDF-NjxFGE43c3jvsQNy1ssIU6LkwA/s320/IMG_4210.JPG" width="240" height="320" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3KBaYcZJtBdcMa1pVSHG3A8OhooezYABXqlwN5rhWGaORBB0PPYil5mFfg_FSxuZ0AckTgMmemDhWvZri1wShcu9XL4AjylxuOxPUV0ajz16COOsz2lmo_FcNyxyPS1r84q-8A/s1600/IMG_4211.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3KBaYcZJtBdcMa1pVSHG3A8OhooezYABXqlwN5rhWGaORBB0PPYil5mFfg_FSxuZ0AckTgMmemDhWvZri1wShcu9XL4AjylxuOxPUV0ajz16COOsz2lmo_FcNyxyPS1r84q-8A/s320/IMG_4211.JPG" width="240" height="320" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMTOV-xIhpnd35dQ_YMYrcA7YJwKzkKrUs8ocAv-9FLgaKxTNT7u7p1vhsBD5YNArAF2dSNgZhQM_fre4GPWnwjI9HaVACBdxMdaqLaVMt2BAB-TdoubMULw50EDb-ospryPwqQ/s1600/IMG_4219.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMTOV-xIhpnd35dQ_YMYrcA7YJwKzkKrUs8ocAv-9FLgaKxTNT7u7p1vhsBD5YNArAF2dSNgZhQM_fre4GPWnwjI9HaVACBdxMdaqLaVMt2BAB-TdoubMULw50EDb-ospryPwqQ/s320/IMG_4219.JPG" width="320" height="320" data-original-width="1080" data-original-height="1080" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrtd9LpW-DNC1-roBGmO5O122AbUjmwfDuFw-UHUOST_-6w6IygHdU9GYDiXoW3oMhV32qzhpsPwz5B9p4aPI4jII44q_SDRXistZL60sHjk-MXKIMJH0jiLPVmq41k2r8-XdcA/s1600/IMG_4218.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrtd9LpW-DNC1-roBGmO5O122AbUjmwfDuFw-UHUOST_-6w6IygHdU9GYDiXoW3oMhV32qzhpsPwz5B9p4aPI4jII44q_SDRXistZL60sHjk-MXKIMJH0jiLPVmq41k2r8-XdcA/s320/IMG_4218.JPG" width="320" height="320" data-original-width="1080" data-original-height="1080" /></a><br/>
Finally we walked up to a place that is said to have the best custard tarts In Lisbon, even better than those at Belém. Man, they were good. Just out of the oven, warm and soft and delicious. They are eaten sprinkled liberally with cinnamon, and that is just fine by me. <br/><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQnzYNk5vtJhxOy3-ngoiskUHiPWG5B1wed99D95VPdD3fQUDWgdMpBA6FAJRpexobr3Y3WJg9gyXkebX3AXrCTNAoV3ilgiLSLtz0uKmx6aIH2TS1EeCHK8S1wK_eOTXg_uyKA/s1600/IMG_4213.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQnzYNk5vtJhxOy3-ngoiskUHiPWG5B1wed99D95VPdD3fQUDWgdMpBA6FAJRpexobr3Y3WJg9gyXkebX3AXrCTNAoV3ilgiLSLtz0uKmx6aIH2TS1EeCHK8S1wK_eOTXg_uyKA/s320/IMG_4213.JPG" width="240" height="320" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br/>
After the food tour was over and we bade farewell to our fellow tourists (who all seemed sleepy after all that booze and were probably going home to have a nap), we returned to suss out the goodies we had seen in the shops on the way to the tour. The hat was way to big, the briefcase didn’t have a shoulder strap. No sale. Michael went home, I hit a couple of shoe shops, and got what I wanted. A pair of blue suede and elastic walking shoes, and a pair of gold-trimmed beige suede ankle boots. Well done me! I am supporting the Portuguese economy.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiod292PjKeo2Wn2eyAgMb0a-nHJKiWKE3NPOOSFMKks2VO6HnojxAmRco8z56BcmFNgpyKJfu-xniRPpOKwmGp8-9g9TGsRINlWVCaFXbJ5bRoSmJK1bQGF4K9bKtIvNejXpF_Ag/s1600/IMG_4224.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiod292PjKeo2Wn2eyAgMb0a-nHJKiWKE3NPOOSFMKks2VO6HnojxAmRco8z56BcmFNgpyKJfu-xniRPpOKwmGp8-9g9TGsRINlWVCaFXbJ5bRoSmJK1bQGF4K9bKtIvNejXpF_Ag/s320/IMG_4224.JPG" width="240" height="320" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4gNLJLWP__Lk-1ikaarF7hQyB6MOMUtO55YO8ssp0v-SSt3phrzygnmQhe3mXB72C2PgnkPI_tuUqh4Jhf6VAlvjRI_MUwETAP5w2YjjP-JfcknQ4mYwl4nW474ELfkFcz8Cpg/s1600/IMG_4223.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4gNLJLWP__Lk-1ikaarF7hQyB6MOMUtO55YO8ssp0v-SSt3phrzygnmQhe3mXB72C2PgnkPI_tuUqh4Jhf6VAlvjRI_MUwETAP5w2YjjP-JfcknQ4mYwl4nW474ELfkFcz8Cpg/s320/IMG_4223.JPG" width="240" height="320" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-62864099931375722018-04-05T11:14:00.002-07:002018-04-05T11:18:37.722-07:00Excursion to Belém, 19,696 steps and 16 flights of stairsBelém is a locality just outside Lisbon. We had arranged to meet our tour guide, Filipa, at 2 pm, but went early to look around first. To get there we took the Metro from Restauradores to Baix Chiado, changed for Cais do Sodré. Then a train to Belém. It was relatively easy. We had a little wander to find the Monastery of St Jerome where we were to meet Filipa, then continued our peregrinations. The queue for the cloisters of the monastery were too long for us to contemplate joining, so we ambled around.<br />
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We found the Maritime Museum around the corner, also in the monastery building. We spent quite some time there looking at the feats of the early explorers, models of their ships, and items brought back from their travels. We were amazed at some of the statistics - 800 people travelling on one ship. They must have lived so close. There was also a large pavilion housing full size ships, including ornate barges. After a quick look at the shop, where I bought a cork mat, we went to seek lunch. I’d seen what looked like a street of restaurants across the park, so off we went. After some humming and haaing we sat at a hamburger place. It was OK, but nothing special. This is the view from my table, away from the crowds.<br />
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There were streams of people passing, as just nearby was the Pasteleria de Belém, where it is said that the custard tart was invented. Be that true or not, they have been selling them there since the mid-1800s, and they were selling in huge numbers. Everyone had their little paper bags, but we felt a bit overwhelmed at both the idea of queuing for them, and either eating them or carrying them around all day.<br />
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It was now near 2pm, time to meet Filipa. She took us into the church of the monastery, free and no queue. Then a walk to the famous Tower of Belém, back to the monument to Henry the Navigator, and back to the train station. Many steps.<br />
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We caught the train back one stop, and walked through the neighbourhood streets to the <a href="http://www.museudearteantiga.pt/" target="_blank">Museu Nacionale de Arte Antiga</a> which was fantastic. It was a great display of the wealth and variety of objects gathered by the Portuguese adventurers. Fabulous items from China, Japan, India, Africa, in gold and silver and ivory and more. Filipa had done her homework and taken us through the galleries in a very logical order, explaining and putting things in context. She is really a terrific guide it was well worth organising her. Well done, Michael. <br />
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Again we were weary after much walking, so returned to our hotel via the three trains. We still have chocolate dipped lime rind, candied nuts, apples, and that was dinner before we fell asleep rather early.<br/>
Some more pics from the day follow:
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-6032849322177162872018-04-03T23:54:00.000-07:002018-04-04T23:30:35.480-07:00A day of sightseeing in Lisbon, 3rd April 2018. 22793 steps and 19 flights.
It is 6pm and we have not quite finished sightseeing yet. We slept well and long. The alarm woke us at 7.15, we went downstairs for an excellent breakfast. The highlight for me was the grilled mixed vegetables and the whole mushrooms.
We were to meet our tour guide, Filipa, in the lobby at ten. She was there beforehand, and so were we. Off we went on foot for our first stop, the Ulisses glove shop at Rua do Carmo, 87. Such a tiny shop, only room for two customers at a time and then not much room to turn around. I tried on two pairs and couldn’t choose between them, so didn’t, I got both. Michael had his turn next and was successful in making a purchase.
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Whenever I travel, I bring some knitting. This time it is some socks, top down, which means I am going to have to graft the toes using Kitchener Stitch. However, my little kit of knitting tools does not include a darning needle. I asked Filipa if there might be a shop somewhere selling these, and sure enough, we found one by asking at one of the many fabric shops. We not only got the darning needle, we also got a small purple tatting shuttle. A small memento, and useful. The proprietors of the store were very concerned that I keep my wallet well in hand, that my handbag be over my shoulder and held in front, closed, at all times. There have been many warnings about pickpockets.<br />
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The sharp eyed among you will see the DMC logo on the awning.<br />
On the way Filipa described the sights, the shops, the localities, the history. She is an excellent tour guide. We walked to the Musée Aljube, <a href="https://www.visitlisboa.com/node/923">https://www.visitlisboa.com/node/923</a>. This was a grim place, reminding us that freedom of speech cannot be taken for granted, it must be fought for. This is where we got some of the 19 flights climbed today. The Museo is in the Alfama district, an old part of the city on a hillside going down to the river. There is a big Cathedral next to the Museo, the prisoners in what is now the museum could hear the bells, their only contact with the outside world.<br />
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It was a delightful walk around, and then it was lunchtime. A very pleasant restaurant. Michael had octopus, I had bacalhao, Filipa had green curry of chickpeas. We also had a very delicious drink of red berrieds, ginger and cardamom.<br />
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After that we made a long walk through the small streets to the <a href="http://www.museudoazulejo.gov.pt/" target="_blank">tile museum. </a> This was wonderful. It is in an old convent, and the displays were so fabulous. I took a lot of pictures.<br />
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As a sidebar, I am finding blogging quite difficult. I tried BlogPad pro but it keeps crashing. I have tried cutting and pasting from Notepad. Getting images in is difficult. I shall continue to experiment but it is frustrating.<br />
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It was another long walk back to the train station, where we caught a train to Baix Chiado, where the museum of contemporary art was. It was a bit of a disappointment, much of it closed between exhibitions. We then went up to the square, full of people eating and drinking, music playing. One omission from many hotels is a face cloth. There was a shop nearby selling this kind of thing, so I popped in and bought two. Odd souvenirs, I know, but they will be used. We had a sit down in the Tofa cafe, and ate our first custard tart. Yum. Tonight we are coming back here to go to Fado in Chiado.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-35971657728991817872018-04-02T08:58:00.000-07:002018-04-02T08:58:17.899-07:00Travel day 1st April<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 19.1px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 22.8px;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;">We left the house at about 5.15 pm, Sunday 1st April.</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;">Farewell to the puppy, the tub, the lawn.</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;">Everything went as smoothly as it could.</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;">A limo to the airport, and we had a couple of hours to chill in the Emirates lounge awaiting our flight.</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;">We duly boarded, had our dinner, and went to sleep.</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;">Thank god for flat beds!</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;">I slept quite well, awoke to have breakfast, and arrive in Dubai.</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;">What a huge airport that one is.</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;">The last time we were at Dubai Airport we were transferred from one terminal to another on a bus, an interminable bus ride.</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;">This time were big elevators and trains between.</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;">Lots of people, but things moved smoothly.</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;">We had not much transit time to get onto our flight to Lisbon.</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;">Lots of space in that plane, so Michael stretched out.</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;">I finished watching all seven episodes of Big Little Lies.</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;">I watched four episodes from Sydney to Dubai, and three from Dubai to Lisbon.</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;">Very well done series, gripping right to the end. </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;">More than twenty eight hours since we left home had elapsed, so we were pleased to have a driver waiting for us at Lisbon airport, and Diego drove us to the Hotel Bessa, which is in the old part of town. We checked in, and before we could settle into showers and snoozes, decided to have a walk around. First I checked out the steam and sauna rooms, just to see where they were. They will be used some time this week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;">Our walk took us past old buildings, lots of shoe shops and shops selling handcrafts. There was one very large fabric shop, so people here are still sewing. There were several beard and moustache shops - not barber shops, but they seem to sell shaving stuff, moustache wax, and other arcane items. There is a spring market in the main square with lots of little stalls. We bought supplies of apples, oranges, chocolate dipped fruit, ginger and nuts, and a ham and cheese roll. We passed many restaurants, and a shop with custard tarts. We had already loaded up with goodies so eschewed the tarts until another day. We are here for six nights, so we have time to fill up on such things. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19.08pt;">The best part of the walk was the paving. The main square is rippled with black and white pavers, giving a fantastic sense of movement and waves. The illusion is amazing. There were all kinds of designs, often with ships and anchors, and a memorial plaque to the paving artists. S</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-54035975728825165242018-04-01T02:06:00.000-07:002018-04-01T02:06:03.191-07:00Setting offToday is departure day. All the packing was done, and there was a whole heap of dithering. Will it be cold? Will it rain? Will it warm up? We’ve been monitoring the weather for a couple of weeks now, and it has been both cold and raining. The choice of coats is the burning question.<br />
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Choice 1: The Puffer. This is warm as toast, light as a feather (because it is feathers) and packs into a very small space. On the negative, it is not really waterproof. Our experience at Asos in Turkey, where we got very wet indeed, makes me think it was not the best choice. A coat full of soggy feathers doesn’t seem like a good idea. <br />
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Choice 2: The Gorman windcheater. This jacket replaced the much loved but not really lamented Leadville jacket that finally went to Vinnies. The Leadville proved not to be waterproof on the fabled Asos walk. It is very light, it folds up into its very useful hood. However, it might be too light, and it might not be absolutely waterproof. <br />
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Choice 3: The Dublin Mackintosh. This is a fairly heavy and bulky coat, with a hood, that is guaranteed to be 100% waterproof. We bought these in Dublin, and they ought to know about rain in Dublin. Michael opted for his Dublin coat, so we can be twinnies. <br />
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I finally opted for both Choices 2 and 3. Both fit in my suitcase, the Dublin is dressier for city wear, the Gorman is lighter for walkies and warmer wet weather. But I have sneaking misgivings about leaving the Puffer behind. We shall see what transpires. <br />
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We left the house at 5.15, and Michael has just realised that he has left his iPad behind. Drat! Still, he can use mine, and it has a great big screen and a terrific keyboard. No doubt he is extremely cranky with himself and is right now considering buying a brand new one. It is going to be a struggle with the games question, but I reckon we will be busy enough touring and sight seeing that games won’t be front and centre. <br />
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We are sitting happily in the Emirates business lounge, having had a smackerel of something to eat. Sheree is heading over to our house now to keep that Pug company. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-75167042751562102862018-03-24T23:09:00.000-07:002018-03-24T23:09:48.153-07:00Updating the blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN6o7vilcdVAOHvDhEfVMLG7sV3YwUxzMAMinXm69r9or1UoPoleoruz9mSOra6x2036WEiNJvxcyZFFP7EYQX0QReaDu_k7aslUhvt-Ql2JjBs4ycqsidocTiMTNKOAYR9rNXRA/"><img title="Majic and I at home" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN6o7vilcdVAOHvDhEfVMLG7sV3YwUxzMAMinXm69r9or1UoPoleoruz9mSOra6x2036WEiNJvxcyZFFP7EYQX0QReaDu_k7aslUhvt-Ql2JjBs4ycqsidocTiMTNKOAYR9rNXRA/" alt="" width="500" height="699" data-json="" /></a>This is Majic and I sitting </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">around at home. I am experimenting with new blogging software because this might be where I am going to record our forthcoming trip to Spain. So far I don’t much like this software, as I can’t see what I am typing. But no doubt it is some kind of setting. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-7849024493477081802015-10-24T04:14:00.001-07:002015-10-24T04:25:07.476-07:0016th October and I get into hot water.<div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>16th October</b>. Drove to Pamukkale and Hierapolis where we toured the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, and saw the sodium bicarbonate thermal pools. Had a quick paddle in those. Very crowded, very slippery, and very vertiginous. The pools themselves are quite shallow and quite cool, but there is a channel running down which is quite warm.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCkYJT8hXgl5xzdW8U5UsOTOgmojSiHI2-2hHVL4uSv-emscuApJmjaJrkKmgJPVIfn_88XE29HYmKnSyDllqlO6i1ffyK7dOBftj4ZXr4cy5TZBZOiqAjgKScPQ54bcqlJmARg/s640/blogger-image-623653893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCkYJT8hXgl5xzdW8U5UsOTOgmojSiHI2-2hHVL4uSv-emscuApJmjaJrkKmgJPVIfn_88XE29HYmKnSyDllqlO6i1ffyK7dOBftj4ZXr4cy5TZBZOiqAjgKScPQ54bcqlJmARg/s640/blogger-image-623653893.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu24A_O_tE38GmkBH9CzbHp59TmsQBL6Q5d-xklP2U-Jo68SudBu-xiiwg7RbAksvuW7Nq_4o47EFDDeznwdwDZ72PTvMTxjfM1B3FdkTV8gTg2EbjRmQT_ochQsSBS3gP3wWP5A/s640/blogger-image--387190661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu24A_O_tE38GmkBH9CzbHp59TmsQBL6Q5d-xklP2U-Jo68SudBu-xiiwg7RbAksvuW7Nq_4o47EFDDeznwdwDZ72PTvMTxjfM1B3FdkTV8gTg2EbjRmQT_ochQsSBS3gP3wWP5A/s640/blogger-image--387190661.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWduziM4XNsUR1CQj7EUI8BRWVhf17IsMZ2BQv5Ltzipc6GxAdXZw7oKyEUWebMJABUQhA3686iB8EVjf9cUQi0yBAlk4IJtdFnt8tAQPvhHLhjxXJ08S-75Dj1RmxgXmgXtAhw/s640/blogger-image-207101624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWduziM4XNsUR1CQj7EUI8BRWVhf17IsMZ2BQv5Ltzipc6GxAdXZw7oKyEUWebMJABUQhA3686iB8EVjf9cUQi0yBAlk4IJtdFnt8tAQPvhHLhjxXJ08S-75Dj1RmxgXmgXtAhw/s640/blogger-image-207101624.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div>The cliffs look like snow, but that is the sodium bicarbonate. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We stayed in the Doga Thermal Hotel where I had three goes in the large hot thermal pool, and two in the indoor regular chlorinated pool. Slept with the door wide open on our fifth floor balcony, it was quiet and balmy. The muezzin was far off in the morning and didn't disturb, unlike the competitive muezzins of Cappadocia and Konya. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93YqxX4NqPWsQeQWQxjiIqvliKNRsJKX5zkWk2ICaPd-ODbUggb_3mpOCY4WpjIjFe4Lh_JCRSPUeJC01mSbIgKR99Gg9qFxeRJdqF1IafJ6PJ9bWd87LzqqxwOY2UJK92M2N8Q/s640/blogger-image--595313739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93YqxX4NqPWsQeQWQxjiIqvliKNRsJKX5zkWk2ICaPd-ODbUggb_3mpOCY4WpjIjFe4Lh_JCRSPUeJC01mSbIgKR99Gg9qFxeRJdqF1IafJ6PJ9bWd87LzqqxwOY2UJK92M2N8Q/s640/blogger-image--595313739.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That muddy brown water is hot, almost too hot to swim in. Inside that dome there are three outlets gushing forth hot water that is definitely too hot to swim in. Is it therapeutic? Who knows. The railings into the water are very corroded at water level and below, so what is it doing to skin?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-5381081092357149562015-10-21T05:06:00.001-07:002015-10-24T03:58:15.406-07:00So many wonders seenIs today really 21st October? I don't have a hope of recording everything we have done since my last post. It has been a whirlwind of ancient sites, delicious food, shopping, swimming, and good times. Let me quickly summarise our days and then try to go black and fill in some of the gaps.<div><br></div><div><b>15th October:</b> left Tafoni Caves Hotel in Cappadocia with a libation poured over the bus by the staff, who waved us goodbye. That included the big taciturn man who chewed gum constantly and who carried our bags up to our rooms. We drove to Çatalhöyük, a Neolithic archaeological site. We ate a picnic lunch, toured the site, and reviewed the small museum. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4Dqwpd52W143HNeCYBkK20knY1ixUpO54nzBheY9qeImxWab3hsTXFrJf5ReH-wjsgxGOxJ_MwBBRKwTYHduRYN7raBjSSV7Grfa8D00H2mWYKkmQv95qIW41vMqtDTltnvBeg/s640/blogger-image-1320276775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4Dqwpd52W143HNeCYBkK20knY1ixUpO54nzBheY9qeImxWab3hsTXFrJf5ReH-wjsgxGOxJ_MwBBRKwTYHduRYN7raBjSSV7Grfa8D00H2mWYKkmQv95qIW41vMqtDTltnvBeg/s640/blogger-image-1320276775.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Çatalhöyük Touristic Gift Shop</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvQEa8y0CR0214eP7toVumygPRk7ueuYCnVEOTOxy1zRCGLlwROdtPvNgcPaAIoiVbjNYw0usVxyM_b74AQvjn7rbrkLUa343amd1yAIq3jgyc-mYguQ-ca4G3cLgv-1ZUzH7Tw/s640/blogger-image--1081727536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvQEa8y0CR0214eP7toVumygPRk7ueuYCnVEOTOxy1zRCGLlwROdtPvNgcPaAIoiVbjNYw0usVxyM_b74AQvjn7rbrkLUa343amd1yAIq3jgyc-mYguQ-ca4G3cLgv-1ZUzH7Tw/s640/blogger-image--1081727536.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Part of the dig at Çatahöyük</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGTdAP33uvwLN4ptfU_pfPAuFBa2SwjARCdJ3tfZEzr1uQ4p6SUgpSQOoEGAKuvxskZfCHCfZQTr47UWy2a7aTnDVAD4nCqMD33IUxzbCbNCSLUeArglGids6zkiqr5Ru7xx3Zg/s640/blogger-image--85440032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGTdAP33uvwLN4ptfU_pfPAuFBa2SwjARCdJ3tfZEzr1uQ4p6SUgpSQOoEGAKuvxskZfCHCfZQTr47UWy2a7aTnDVAD4nCqMD33IUxzbCbNCSLUeArglGids6zkiqr5Ru7xx3Zg/s640/blogger-image--85440032.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The museum at Çatahöyük had very informative displays but I was more interested in the backgrounds, which included these examples of mekik oya (tatted lace edgings). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhPhyPQtDMLx-d-vXKq3iwVjNv_u79Kc6N8HLxODL9KNDZ4PRN2e3yhEJbKRd0v66cUaLNedaU1OlKk5LtHrcP1rmYns5kMJ_OesdElDhR1SA0jKTdZYS8Qs4i3qYolqB-R26kA/s640/blogger-image-1299905731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhPhyPQtDMLx-d-vXKq3iwVjNv_u79Kc6N8HLxODL9KNDZ4PRN2e3yhEJbKRd0v66cUaLNedaU1OlKk5LtHrcP1rmYns5kMJ_OesdElDhR1SA0jKTdZYS8Qs4i3qYolqB-R26kA/s640/blogger-image-1299905731.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Drove to Konya, where we checked in to the Hich Hotel, (ours was the Asi room, as the rooms did not have numbers, only palindromic names). We then went to the Mevlana Museum just over the road from the hotel, where the Dervishes were trained. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1oMPNNoBdm-PQPD4BYCnKSTKPSelh9K4CjG30WyiU6uq4WI7fU7wHQ5MSVcV62AXlSeUZGssrVWV2D80zRn8dmIwK6Qz3KTUZl962DW2xqprzF2XRxg9BZKagR4zYVl1tKlWGQ/s640/blogger-image--221629137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1oMPNNoBdm-PQPD4BYCnKSTKPSelh9K4CjG30WyiU6uq4WI7fU7wHQ5MSVcV62AXlSeUZGssrVWV2D80zRn8dmIwK6Qz3KTUZl962DW2xqprzF2XRxg9BZKagR4zYVl1tKlWGQ/s640/blogger-image--221629137.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We are definitely in Konya according to the tree surrounds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWCJ6v6spoveiNNqeobFlZQ14IT5hZc6LZSqwWxVvtVaId4X3rcqhzs_QK0Yrhvf6_e6H25r-8YNWpJ4MOgJ2s0eQDfFZTgyvbjC4XlSwUJR4ArPOs-LWqMfP9c-NAj_vgk2XwA/s640/blogger-image--91736923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWCJ6v6spoveiNNqeobFlZQ14IT5hZc6LZSqwWxVvtVaId4X3rcqhzs_QK0Yrhvf6_e6H25r-8YNWpJ4MOgJ2s0eQDfFZTgyvbjC4XlSwUJR4ArPOs-LWqMfP9c-NAj_vgk2XwA/s640/blogger-image--91736923.jpg"></a></div></div></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After we had a rest in the afternoon we emerged, and so did Judy, Tony, and Kate and Jane. We walked around town, bought some dates and apricots, and some gluten free bread for Louise. While Judy was buying the bread in the very crowded and busy little bakery, A local carpet dealer learned we were Australian and steered us to a terrace top restaurant where I ate lamb cutlets, and chips, we listened to the muezzin and admired the crescent moon. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuWg1w_W9og841hf9k4Ndn8yBcg8ZksesXK8RsbGVL3ZoBlblriNHL47CGOmNLqxMr0EaEPIChUJXSt-qFotv0xD2J2Kxk-x8FrR9EZAkjDV0AXSpYrVOzAXHirPmk-NIoh5E_A/s640/blogger-image-572318031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuWg1w_W9og841hf9k4Ndn8yBcg8ZksesXK8RsbGVL3ZoBlblriNHL47CGOmNLqxMr0EaEPIChUJXSt-qFotv0xD2J2Kxk-x8FrR9EZAkjDV0AXSpYrVOzAXHirPmk-NIoh5E_A/s640/blogger-image-572318031.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-20122783588737650592015-10-14T09:13:00.001-07:002015-10-15T07:26:57.541-07:00Up in the air ballooning, under the ground in the underground city,
hiking in the Rose Valley, lunch in an old Greek mansion, a carpet
factory. All in one dayPhew, another action packed day, celebrating Michael's birthday. You want balloons? We've got balloons. Another 4.45 am start and this time the balloons were taking us with them. We have liftoff! It is such an incredible experience. Candles? The great jets of flame shooting up into the balloons did well as candles. It was an amazing experience to see the sun rise over this magical landscape with over a hundred balloons floating majestically in the sky. We spent an hour and a half aloft. So thrilling. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEg4sbJZX0-MKOtugQG6MsLKdNlA9x0oFhKpNHOveG9q6jVQiL4RDGH3WoD1uyfa0Tej-AsrzknKDgL3l5-9zZhWAi1FMi5CILPVdiuyNH7WyjzFfo7NFGgku9Ns1GUmmiSMjpg/s640/blogger-image-1938305628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEg4sbJZX0-MKOtugQG6MsLKdNlA9x0oFhKpNHOveG9q6jVQiL4RDGH3WoD1uyfa0Tej-AsrzknKDgL3l5-9zZhWAi1FMi5CILPVdiuyNH7WyjzFfo7NFGgku9Ns1GUmmiSMjpg/s640/blogger-image-1938305628.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QL82HTE_-1HFNCKeBtdj4QyAexJM7yauFAHcLBAaIZsWfaMZrmM1Q1bIAkRz4GxNaZ07kfPHR82J6akHChLgn_XWrk8pXsQbTQe4WvJPTH1AQ8fUJL9VdoRgVUU5nvS2VGNxBQ/s640/blogger-image--1200033410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QL82HTE_-1HFNCKeBtdj4QyAexJM7yauFAHcLBAaIZsWfaMZrmM1Q1bIAkRz4GxNaZ07kfPHR82J6akHChLgn_XWrk8pXsQbTQe4WvJPTH1AQ8fUJL9VdoRgVUU5nvS2VGNxBQ/s640/blogger-image--1200033410.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNfsD2fqYc0Nw-osEfcDufddDzR3K_vvOwAiWzRXaqfY-KM2EDeNZcrbFLL2825eRNW01Q6lLS7dixcAcG8SPtqvNCppjCjD36EUqHgTq4QJOTrGHP8w12NG-QlKDbdvk318Fag/s640/blogger-image--1750245421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNfsD2fqYc0Nw-osEfcDufddDzR3K_vvOwAiWzRXaqfY-KM2EDeNZcrbFLL2825eRNW01Q6lLS7dixcAcG8SPtqvNCppjCjD36EUqHgTq4QJOTrGHP8w12NG-QlKDbdvk318Fag/s640/blogger-image--1750245421.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4xNW4ZhKPQUWnRAYVqKdSrSXXocEm02ze-cxG9DvZwvpZaUgj7QYO6v9RKlROITgQz4sqhatzJPnsGPIGowHenAVlWDmyw5NFGPz6xW9igUF4ocBteTekOaEQckosEDzxA7upA/s640/blogger-image--1110413782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4xNW4ZhKPQUWnRAYVqKdSrSXXocEm02ze-cxG9DvZwvpZaUgj7QYO6v9RKlROITgQz4sqhatzJPnsGPIGowHenAVlWDmyw5NFGPz6xW9igUF4ocBteTekOaEQckosEDzxA7upA/s640/blogger-image--1110413782.jpg"></a></div><br><div><br></div><div>We landed in our wicker gondola straight onto a trailer. The coordination required between our pilot and the ground crew was something to behold. At the end of our trip there was champagne and sour cherry, the gondola and trailer were decorated with flowers, and there was a card with our names on it. So Michael got cake and a card as well. We had already sung him happy birthday in the hotel restaurant before we departed. </div><div><br></div><div>As though that wasn't enough, we then went to the underground city at Kaymakli. This has some eight levels underground, and some people dropped out quite early. Interesting how claustrophobia is more powerful than fear of heights, although some balloonists were very glad to get back onto solid ground. Anyway, Michael was one of those who ought to have turned back early. Not so much because of claustrophobia, but because of the very low, very narrow tunnels. We were assured that they were no worse than some of those we encountered yesterday, but one tunnel proved too much for his knees, legs, head, everything. He'd seen Sirhat go through, and as he is a tall man, Michael reasoned that if Sirhat could do it, so could he. Wrong. He pretty much got stuck for a while, like a cork in a bottle, finally managed to manoeuvre himself out, and after a period to recover, we went back to the surface. Quite an experience. We have seen an awful lot of holes dug out of this soft rock. Perhaps we have seen enough. I left him recovering while I went and bought a purple cotton top from one of the market shops. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtgxjbhiom65m12srmen9cIX7HfnfwGlMXyACED7zZEJ_sBBF8ZtQTGfjfPlmmNdoe3lIvDi_xHhWru8m4bSvKKxL06FJbad1f2VqrMrRPQhgPtBVuqbGERsuV6KtGtTyv1NrvQ/s640/blogger-image-670628738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtgxjbhiom65m12srmen9cIX7HfnfwGlMXyACED7zZEJ_sBBF8ZtQTGfjfPlmmNdoe3lIvDi_xHhWru8m4bSvKKxL06FJbad1f2VqrMrRPQhgPtBVuqbGERsuV6KtGtTyv1NrvQ/s640/blogger-image-670628738.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnGCLxys876ytThXkw9J32nLZ7YhIL_yh188e0EgcquRXZS6SlONZ9hvhJasNWOav7QatC9JG8zUX3X7TtOXnNDWtKQLHW6YC-R1wjbqXKtHY4xyS1ImnnXaStzFcXV7ZlDoJ1g/s640/blogger-image-192889178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnGCLxys876ytThXkw9J32nLZ7YhIL_yh188e0EgcquRXZS6SlONZ9hvhJasNWOav7QatC9JG8zUX3X7TtOXnNDWtKQLHW6YC-R1wjbqXKtHY4xyS1ImnnXaStzFcXV7ZlDoJ1g/s640/blogger-image-192889178.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>After that adventure/misadventure we went to meet Mehmet the Walker, who says that Turks are so lazy they would drive to the toilet. Most Turks think he is crazy because he likes to walk. He and his yellow Labrador dog Saki led us through the Rose Valley, a magnificent place. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxF3eJSagIcEEqsKlFMThsc_WLq1fjPvT4zj6FYEDRDzocx3CoVtORPIY_imUd-l8Hs4SL_isSAWzRVV1RceXi9T_JstnluPKRbGZ4fOaYboHZ7N6n05XBjoQu-aVJRMdNCCxMQg/s640/blogger-image-698356356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxF3eJSagIcEEqsKlFMThsc_WLq1fjPvT4zj6FYEDRDzocx3CoVtORPIY_imUd-l8Hs4SL_isSAWzRVV1RceXi9T_JstnluPKRbGZ4fOaYboHZ7N6n05XBjoQu-aVJRMdNCCxMQg/s640/blogger-image-698356356.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDmMXPEmqaGtbX9290hkaBZnOw7T3-EkoVKvewKxU97PjPyOTr2ptmLOC2fwrIeTvZXGIssqMb7Yj_otdnuhmh7NtRLIwBGEaEwCqmErBM-WNnlPIxDE_WWdlhZGFJBnF6viNYA/s640/blogger-image--931582782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDmMXPEmqaGtbX9290hkaBZnOw7T3-EkoVKvewKxU97PjPyOTr2ptmLOC2fwrIeTvZXGIssqMb7Yj_otdnuhmh7NtRLIwBGEaEwCqmErBM-WNnlPIxDE_WWdlhZGFJBnF6viNYA/s640/blogger-image--931582782.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKePF1MbzXKaFqwUwoicTIJVU7LDiG2zm1leKQRMngWxCa3zRs-9RTD8FwHQHcLaOcT_-XZIy9iVSuU0SACHMHShrgGxFHaFz2Vph1ZbFOkubjcfGldAOwW4IKAaSegVUTqP29w/s640/blogger-image--127010930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKePF1MbzXKaFqwUwoicTIJVU7LDiG2zm1leKQRMngWxCa3zRs-9RTD8FwHQHcLaOcT_-XZIy9iVSuU0SACHMHShrgGxFHaFz2Vph1ZbFOkubjcfGldAOwW4IKAaSegVUTqP29w/s640/blogger-image--127010930.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wl3chqFpexaBZwsQ0DdqbIaBbUvqeDOM8X8BsT8NBuTlFQeJmrjtZH1hYptbwUm5G1PvAMqirrXa8141Z_RHdTD0QakKhfiUduqTvP2UUn-OpzrKx8Yowna2Q8rwwW8olSXrNQ/s640/blogger-image--1742993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wl3chqFpexaBZwsQ0DdqbIaBbUvqeDOM8X8BsT8NBuTlFQeJmrjtZH1hYptbwUm5G1PvAMqirrXa8141Z_RHdTD0QakKhfiUduqTvP2UUn-OpzrKx8Yowna2Q8rwwW8olSXrNQ/s640/blogger-image--1742993.jpg"></a></div></div></div><br></div><div>It was hot and very dusty. Look at those shoes!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHh_JDBPfcV3i1fIzZ13RbDGOCEjaRlDSF_8aoc73Wyxjks_07H6WvyZTZqrBXL4htddWis0zLZ6Zj7BDQEbtJ6CkOzRGjBg3NzWx-TI_qABl1TAUFCye3oXTahNnomtDlJTWvoQ/s640/blogger-image--57434126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHh_JDBPfcV3i1fIzZ13RbDGOCEjaRlDSF_8aoc73Wyxjks_07H6WvyZTZqrBXL4htddWis0zLZ6Zj7BDQEbtJ6CkOzRGjBg3NzWx-TI_qABl1TAUFCye3oXTahNnomtDlJTWvoQ/s640/blogger-image--57434126.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>By this time we were pretty hungry, so lunch was welcome. This was in a village called Ürgüp, a Greek village populated by Turks who had been sent back from their homes in Greece in a population exchange. A beautiful house, and lunch was delicious. There was even a birthday cake for Michael and Sirhat, our lovely thoughtful guide, had arranged for some Michael Jackson music to be played along with the birthday song. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSw4UUS8gbQRiQXVronCFuBYL_wLGokrWYHWGD4m23miv_5gL2hQ4RO09vDJ6StsrPmBDhh4IsyRAOOVXsEDLh1SUMw-Glf2MBFd0DKPTSaeK7U5KHwPbPdtQhEd7q3JW5VVyQmA/s640/blogger-image--432230660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSw4UUS8gbQRiQXVronCFuBYL_wLGokrWYHWGD4m23miv_5gL2hQ4RO09vDJ6StsrPmBDhh4IsyRAOOVXsEDLh1SUMw-Glf2MBFd0DKPTSaeK7U5KHwPbPdtQhEd7q3JW5VVyQmA/s640/blogger-image--432230660.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb0npy_8hRbcltzYho_NOmI2Kk5klLkp9MkiwAEH4jeinsR_8jJdxZY1gW0j4Le_W3eYUvrQAfc79fIDN7Xb8hbhhzBVlaZAqh6K3OQDoDCZpgaK4izXI14hFK-xpzZGEqFB3Ig/s640/blogger-image-564358185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb0npy_8hRbcltzYho_NOmI2Kk5klLkp9MkiwAEH4jeinsR_8jJdxZY1gW0j4Le_W3eYUvrQAfc79fIDN7Xb8hbhhzBVlaZAqh6K3OQDoDCZpgaK4izXI14hFK-xpzZGEqFB3Ig/s640/blogger-image-564358185.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDAwSxg67YvoiYrLzNOHDn4tC7wgZB88vo0JIeEf_nZt4TfGT1zIQrgmEOgg92NKiOC78f-m2GJ7V8k9bmqtxDynhUjpoBi1G116_kgIpJG1nQ6_0LL6QugGNsi3PEcYw_pMqNQ/s640/blogger-image--118890347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDAwSxg67YvoiYrLzNOHDn4tC7wgZB88vo0JIeEf_nZt4TfGT1zIQrgmEOgg92NKiOC78f-m2GJ7V8k9bmqtxDynhUjpoBi1G116_kgIpJG1nQ6_0LL6QugGNsi3PEcYw_pMqNQ/s640/blogger-image--118890347.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>We then went to see the Fairy Chimneys, and I lingered long taking photos. They are so interesting and beautiful. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAGs_NqBC4CVloPqGPpi_RAf07Hs3mtkkLSfY4nT9bTZgiFfx9IzCjy6RJhK5Gvj59GGMtYjAXdAM9mI0YjmhTz-r1rQpyYGS9KW9WeNZe5-CCKgzsS-AZUNXZHbVGPSxm3gLlg/s640/blogger-image-1828874259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAGs_NqBC4CVloPqGPpi_RAf07Hs3mtkkLSfY4nT9bTZgiFfx9IzCjy6RJhK5Gvj59GGMtYjAXdAM9mI0YjmhTz-r1rQpyYGS9KW9WeNZe5-CCKgzsS-AZUNXZHbVGPSxm3gLlg/s640/blogger-image-1828874259.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4J1RrT1i1h0PdcoboUXXxBeCXdwz_41BEQR0KKPDcuO0Guurfav8MTbi4ObV6lrdQYvySiUVnAHtYBnTfOJr-U-fQyeaZjHzh3Om_ERdZnnCoE2cFKTpOZJ7Rd7YUePiVAJWQg/s640/blogger-image-358184143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4J1RrT1i1h0PdcoboUXXxBeCXdwz_41BEQR0KKPDcuO0Guurfav8MTbi4ObV6lrdQYvySiUVnAHtYBnTfOJr-U-fQyeaZjHzh3Om_ERdZnnCoE2cFKTpOZJ7Rd7YUePiVAJWQg/s640/blogger-image-358184143.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7994_y8JFq3Q-MLrGLITx7m_MSjJGWX3wb5RlkCsm1H_kPWOJ3ngM9U5HQ4mYLbFWg2DQJrmI2H5wwsY6wNzF8XfH1m7RIgH_91PtHiXQbVDUmWYiUhTfM-Z15aKv-9w4Y9uOA/s640/blogger-image--147912571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7994_y8JFq3Q-MLrGLITx7m_MSjJGWX3wb5RlkCsm1H_kPWOJ3ngM9U5HQ4mYLbFWg2DQJrmI2H5wwsY6wNzF8XfH1m7RIgH_91PtHiXQbVDUmWYiUhTfM-Z15aKv-9w4Y9uOA/s640/blogger-image--147912571.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>We were ready to go home for afternoon napping, but oh no. There was the obligatory visit to a carpet factory, it was such a great display, as the showman owner called his men to roll out all the different kind of carpets at our feet. It was very theatrical as well as informative. I was sorry, but I was not in the mood to buy carpet. We don't <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">have anywhere to put one, and I would want to think long and hard about what to buy and where to put it. This kind of thing is fun, but no sale from Michael and I this time. Our friends are all amazed, as they all seem to have bought carpets. The plate was enough though. </span></div><div><br></div><div>On the way back, Judy our tour leader asked if anyone needed a chemist. All kinds of hands went up, including Michael's. He is coming down with a cold, along with several other members of our group. I needed a pair of tweezers as I'd forgotten mine. We surged in, and Jim and John the doctor and pharmacist members of our group on the bus advised and reviewed our purchases. Pseudoephedrine mixed with ibuprofen, pseudoephedrine mixed with codeine. Michael will feel no pain. So his birthday ended with the full mix of balloons, candles, card, cake, birthday singing, and drugs. What more could he ask. </div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-22638949008370912482015-10-13T06:36:00.001-07:002015-10-13T07:10:01.716-07:00A cave hotel, more museums, Ankara, Cappadocia'Argh! I am so far behind and we have done so much. I just don't know where to begin to try and catch up. Today is Tuesday and I am sitting in the Ibis Nest room of a cave hotel in Cappadocia, the Tafoni Houses. It is carved out of the very stone, and is so luxurious. I have just had a spa bath and am now enjoying a cup of tea. Oh, life is tough. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACvsWvkuaDrH1D-1FP0Q1B6W7kipelN9wL_py3BKmXZbC-y6DSfhshbrfhtXoGVUvBVmF8JTfYRGmV_fmM25_GHLGhsOBg5h9TjApAwp6VC6vixUYXjT6epe2PCnNUF4BAAFWAg/s640/blogger-image-275403669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACvsWvkuaDrH1D-1FP0Q1B6W7kipelN9wL_py3BKmXZbC-y6DSfhshbrfhtXoGVUvBVmF8JTfYRGmV_fmM25_GHLGhsOBg5h9TjApAwp6VC6vixUYXjT6epe2PCnNUF4BAAFWAg/s640/blogger-image-275403669.jpg"></a></div><br><div><br></div><div>This morning we went to see the rock churches in the Göreme open air museum, and passed by the fairy chimneys. What a strange landscape, although no more so than WA's Pinnacles, or Bryce Canyon, or Monument Valley. It is a wonderful world we live in. </div></div><div><br></div><div>A few snaps from the open air museum</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMRVhdjxOSgkEOYger1Rk-qGqqRLmV5WcVf50AQlEFUM1SVtlvEiCe3nShaQMvkBqnKgxl7Wkl6173lUJZhqkwATbNiEhslpnEJL_CCHn8yocpXtRzSN7faJXjyB6AllIf3QoOQ/s640/blogger-image--2138226459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMRVhdjxOSgkEOYger1Rk-qGqqRLmV5WcVf50AQlEFUM1SVtlvEiCe3nShaQMvkBqnKgxl7Wkl6173lUJZhqkwATbNiEhslpnEJL_CCHn8yocpXtRzSN7faJXjyB6AllIf3QoOQ/s640/blogger-image--2138226459.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1PFW8yaZwv5-opdu6rfxfj01DURO3dZn0Lej82ZVX6R4HFhI-YsmCwm9TqBJppip92p8lINXhYsqpzEY-v03iJzqRvsp7PHiKY6ZU6TfKAg0IS5G-G6EyL_9CuO9qtkc-cJ8Bw/s640/blogger-image--432552336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1PFW8yaZwv5-opdu6rfxfj01DURO3dZn0Lej82ZVX6R4HFhI-YsmCwm9TqBJppip92p8lINXhYsqpzEY-v03iJzqRvsp7PHiKY6ZU6TfKAg0IS5G-G6EyL_9CuO9qtkc-cJ8Bw/s640/blogger-image--432552336.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJMOOEF_H8pYo9R8vjCo7jojIcld0O6d-qdnSJ1p8s6Ee8eKk70jbxhu-pPx2n_LML9zl1Zf-Qbiw8SdtDDO2k-QHc8C7HxaWw0jzTM62FtbqhptSJYUVUVAauIhK8WPkISj1ew/s640/blogger-image-1329560628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJMOOEF_H8pYo9R8vjCo7jojIcld0O6d-qdnSJ1p8s6Ee8eKk70jbxhu-pPx2n_LML9zl1Zf-Qbiw8SdtDDO2k-QHc8C7HxaWw0jzTM62FtbqhptSJYUVUVAauIhK8WPkISj1ew/s640/blogger-image-1329560628.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJMOOEF_H8pYo9R8vjCo7jojIcld0O6d-qdnSJ1p8s6Ee8eKk70jbxhu-pPx2n_LML9zl1Zf-Qbiw8SdtDDO2k-QHc8C7HxaWw0jzTM62FtbqhptSJYUVUVAauIhK8WPkISj1ew/s640/blogger-image-1329560628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAc7PJCHdCNO9xp6AEL8JYhP2Rbl-Nce5Ogr_Hl6n5pP9ProcijqGoY3lAftQBHTNCWHf7jt77mg2tCStzgGfz8mmiJh2_FFI3QVTVDv9YDjjdkw3OfNNgZ6wfc2d88YEsKT3MOg/s640/blogger-image--585439097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAc7PJCHdCNO9xp6AEL8JYhP2Rbl-Nce5Ogr_Hl6n5pP9ProcijqGoY3lAftQBHTNCWHf7jt77mg2tCStzgGfz8mmiJh2_FFI3QVTVDv9YDjjdkw3OfNNgZ6wfc2d88YEsKT3MOg/s640/blogger-image--585439097.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div>What a lot of steps. Yes, I climbed them all, every one. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bSXcedBietftgD55fcGeaBdT0uNeoJ55NrptJsyvn8RKLiuttPd8zJkfkb91UYtWpw46err9en5_P8mu5CwO_3OIYBIuhiat2TW_rm1FTqvNfoJ8qvxHdHtuHoV4YYvhJyNw1g/s640/blogger-image-549487324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bSXcedBietftgD55fcGeaBdT0uNeoJ55NrptJsyvn8RKLiuttPd8zJkfkb91UYtWpw46err9en5_P8mu5CwO_3OIYBIuhiat2TW_rm1FTqvNfoJ8qvxHdHtuHoV4YYvhJyNw1g/s640/blogger-image-549487324.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We then went to a jewellery shop where many of our number bought lovely things, and where the sultanite was fascinating. I sternly resisted some beautiful turquoise beads. We didn't make the connection between Turkish and Turquoise until this trip, perhaps associating it so much with the US Southwest, but here is where it was named for. I loved them but truly, I have enough jewellery. And I was saving myself. I had in mind a plate or tile to put in a special place in the new house. The Iznik tiles are very captivating, but as you will see, a Turkish turquoise plate caught my attention after lunch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lunch was in a rooftop garden restaurant and might have been the best yet. A piece of burek frittata, some mante - tiny pasta parcels with yoghurt lemon sauce, a meat and vegetable stew in a terra cotta pot, and fruit with icecream. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7tXbsSmRTmUESLMTzUuZw0zqDsLfn-lL0X1egbepuzuI_XJ3LNX2KDJAMQWBcaflHamk3NEw8_ym0TJIY14Ob3H75EhSX72qLRcTx_e4H2ff_RnoPFHo2CQsIsLLGEgxcS3Lfg/s640/blogger-image-1977981187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7tXbsSmRTmUESLMTzUuZw0zqDsLfn-lL0X1egbepuzuI_XJ3LNX2KDJAMQWBcaflHamk3NEw8_ym0TJIY14Ob3H75EhSX72qLRcTx_e4H2ff_RnoPFHo2CQsIsLLGEgxcS3Lfg/s640/blogger-image-1977981187.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After lunch came to ceramic shop which was informative and beautiful. We bargained for a fabulous plate and an owl. It was expensive at $900 Australian, but it is something we will treasure and enjoy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmWpOYMjd7cnalFftbOms69LxMJcTHjnxcm6ke1Q9zT2ZLaxeVY7EFrNOIVZF5hZoIIcQWfifeO83lezDdWJ2X_yg-vAaElP734SNHCqixOOJ7e6qTQOUlQ7J20RUxaubTeO8Yg/s640/blogger-image-22437497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmWpOYMjd7cnalFftbOms69LxMJcTHjnxcm6ke1Q9zT2ZLaxeVY7EFrNOIVZF5hZoIIcQWfifeO83lezDdWJ2X_yg-vAaElP734SNHCqixOOJ7e6qTQOUlQ7J20RUxaubTeO8Yg/s640/blogger-image-22437497.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tonight we are off to see some Whirling Dervishes. When we saw them do a performance in the Opera House a few years ago, it was mesmerising. </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tomorrow morning we hope to go ballooning. We were supposed to go this morning and were up at 4.45 but alas the weather did not permit. Another early morning coming up, the third in a row before five am. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-25514616338477627352015-10-10T20:57:00.001-07:002015-10-11T07:11:38.538-07:00Mosques, muezzins, Turkish icecream, a Hammam, oya and bootsOur days are so full I don't get much chance to blog. When we get back to our room all we can do is flop. <div><br></div><div>On Friday morning we began with breakfast in the hotel. There were spectacular figs and everyone made a bee-line for them. There were fresh dates, wonderful yoghurt, all kinds of stringy fresh cheeses and the usual array of breakfast goodies. Who knew that baklava for breakfast was so good? (Well, we knew.). </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCawQ2SO2b6dT-CFYVotECqqZW-viQ1LOQ9u914CGa-tbM1g7JcqQ6JM4pmpa1imdh7vWKQiJg_2sNK6zz-lBlDlcK83JxcPmYv5hwaMVkYlEGm266g6z4XJtLhkpNgTiKfPkyeA/s640/blogger-image-1977305113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCawQ2SO2b6dT-CFYVotECqqZW-viQ1LOQ9u914CGa-tbM1g7JcqQ6JM4pmpa1imdh7vWKQiJg_2sNK6zz-lBlDlcK83JxcPmYv5hwaMVkYlEGm266g6z4XJtLhkpNgTiKfPkyeA/s640/blogger-image-1977305113.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had a presentation in the morning with Judy, our tour leader. Then out the door around the corner to the Hippodrome, where we had done our first walkabout yesterday. Many of us were taken by the Ottoman architecture on the way, especially the wooden houses.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlc6hsA3FhwN3YTWD17IfZ6H7oStK8vYLegXGvxfqEHcCoIw_kXKyctd426GOA_MxuVHD9hzFZn1UYY1-WdjsZLvxpQUXP7WA5mRzsqvvtzpe_jmzRxUlj6oAQkb4un6RfJ0w6OA/s640/blogger-image-311578492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlc6hsA3FhwN3YTWD17IfZ6H7oStK8vYLegXGvxfqEHcCoIw_kXKyctd426GOA_MxuVHD9hzFZn1UYY1-WdjsZLvxpQUXP7WA5mRzsqvvtzpe_jmzRxUlj6oAQkb4un6RfJ0w6OA/s640/blogger-image-311578492.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our first stop,was the Basilica Cistern, a vast space only discovered a hundred years ago, designed for water storage. One of the joys of being on a tour is that tickets are all purchased for you, and all you have to do is enjoy it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtJRZmDlEErxgN2g7Ci3ymrzP0RqVoGGntZXTEIhmIEXizZEYZZ2N0uREgQElO68Rw571lspw7q6Hzfd_fdidpg9Jv83lBn7YNFBeV4-pr8yk2gfZ8uCMGIRgK-p4sI7fAp3_Hg/s640/blogger-image--1821972739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtJRZmDlEErxgN2g7Ci3ymrzP0RqVoGGntZXTEIhmIEXizZEYZZ2N0uREgQElO68Rw571lspw7q6Hzfd_fdidpg9Jv83lBn7YNFBeV4-pr8yk2gfZ8uCMGIRgK-p4sI7fAp3_Hg/s640/blogger-image--1821972739.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was so interesting. Amazing to see large fish swimming in the clear water, among all the columns. Those columns were all recycled as building materials, so they are all kinds of shapes and have different capitals. The two medusa stones, one on her side, one upside down, are mysterious, but may just have been used to prop up the columns with no other significance. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVtqpgb8M3JNL3mb17z8wEzkd_bB6XutC4vtsvpiEPqtH4998FAoFsW-5b3of1l5Cl2U3HcWihQJU18qi3LimgcZCqIqPJDkgh8t5RLwsejAnvLnPWzjFlYkrDh24-_9L8hsRbw/s640/blogger-image--42809940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVtqpgb8M3JNL3mb17z8wEzkd_bB6XutC4vtsvpiEPqtH4998FAoFsW-5b3of1l5Cl2U3HcWihQJU18qi3LimgcZCqIqPJDkgh8t5RLwsejAnvLnPWzjFlYkrDh24-_9L8hsRbw/s640/blogger-image--42809940.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WrCmXTELd-eDSGcJjfHi9RKkxd4FL5CuddqqqsSdHK0L4xJ_u7vVE51FBntQWx0OAIfoIdDMsjbIfI2hgVk9FT2_HEQ5qppq-RBbdVdHH_r8ysvBGPAXNNpcsMxZBezIO-xHYA/s640/blogger-image--318938380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WrCmXTELd-eDSGcJjfHi9RKkxd4FL5CuddqqqsSdHK0L4xJ_u7vVE51FBntQWx0OAIfoIdDMsjbIfI2hgVk9FT2_HEQ5qppq-RBbdVdHH_r8ysvBGPAXNNpcsMxZBezIO-xHYA/s640/blogger-image--318938380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vY-7fmzvdg7fzGpdd25wO4CWoUaMJggI_23mzB56I1uYneOoCKyMH-gQjdBTu-1rlcNIljCPSXWIwZ2e4NBEoCRMrxupO0Q3TwixohFYUag_1V_eJXKokwBL16CsrqcrIbXHFw/s640/blogger-image-1981589697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vY-7fmzvdg7fzGpdd25wO4CWoUaMJggI_23mzB56I1uYneOoCKyMH-gQjdBTu-1rlcNIljCPSXWIwZ2e4NBEoCRMrxupO0Q3TwixohFYUag_1V_eJXKokwBL16CsrqcrIbXHFw/s640/blogger-image-1981589697.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One of the most interesting sights there was three fairly senior ladies dressing up in glitter and veils for their photograph. They were obviously enjoying their dress ups and I wish I could have photographed them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Hippodrome area was next, where we had walked around yesterday. This is a vast space with a central spine containing several columns, including the Spartan snake column. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHHbYOjilH95GMEfmQXBQpZ13dRjPfWQs2F19t1plYWGTV9QWVJmv6_Wlqd59XP3WNmQCKaybUEjFJ_VAmETyeZRMrK4wQLrTYxvwy-eR4DqPd_Zq0ggOGWW16foTdWcqH0ugSA/s640/blogger-image-876452691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHHbYOjilH95GMEfmQXBQpZ13dRjPfWQs2F19t1plYWGTV9QWVJmv6_Wlqd59XP3WNmQCKaybUEjFJ_VAmETyeZRMrK4wQLrTYxvwy-eR4DqPd_Zq0ggOGWW16foTdWcqH0ugSA/s640/blogger-image-876452691.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There are very many stray cats and some stray dogs. However the dogs are obviously monitored with tags in their ears. They are in reasonable condition. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqm2yRaUzCCjD4hBMSE94lIT8ihicggoWsSPhmVEzbbPNHAeXxGnCTVcV16jY3fMW2uopofs3WIJgcS8aR6wrF7uYhgBbssppLzTFt1oZsn6i0P-QManWXwHhuefX1KrDgkFiHfw/s640/blogger-image--873137870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqm2yRaUzCCjD4hBMSE94lIT8ihicggoWsSPhmVEzbbPNHAeXxGnCTVcV16jY3fMW2uopofs3WIJgcS8aR6wrF7uYhgBbssppLzTFt1oZsn6i0P-QManWXwHhuefX1KrDgkFiHfw/s640/blogger-image--873137870.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div>I am taken with the variety of small fences surrounding the public gardens. These have a tulip motif, as this is where the tulip originated. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicapplkQCkQ5Gtc2YlrWkene0C0Hc9y6DG0pMlNCXdeO9df_44QC45Rx7zRI1PMvCfLHtrL1fsTrUIdqkFQoK2-7K0RQ7MUO8BA2tIOoaTDzSIDfhzIi1j3i2CcIFajuPDHIzP4Q/s640/blogger-image-508411544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicapplkQCkQ5Gtc2YlrWkene0C0Hc9y6DG0pMlNCXdeO9df_44QC45Rx7zRI1PMvCfLHtrL1fsTrUIdqkFQoK2-7K0RQ7MUO8BA2tIOoaTDzSIDfhzIi1j3i2CcIFajuPDHIzP4Q/s640/blogger-image-508411544.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The German Fountain also graces the Hippodrome, and it is beautifully decorated. This is one of the many ornate domes in this city. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3A7mlQ75H5XbW7JORg8ONb2vCe0JS5WeBWpxevt7xO8OFJCUp8JAAtcpHA4wv5xrJW07LvKGm3c0N3un6TW5E4GpOgHyuulx_S22LHEv_ay9DWjL2gEnhAEBaBoX-1OtBWLXwGg/s640/blogger-image-1916902948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3A7mlQ75H5XbW7JORg8ONb2vCe0JS5WeBWpxevt7xO8OFJCUp8JAAtcpHA4wv5xrJW07LvKGm3c0N3un6TW5E4GpOgHyuulx_S22LHEv_ay9DWjL2gEnhAEBaBoX-1OtBWLXwGg/s640/blogger-image-1916902948.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUf7rY2Ak56wNq8qcPnUb63V9lIj_auH8TeKLYHwpy82tfMbPTaPP-1QK6znoqGbfW3n4ZUOZ6aYhFoM5ZVoeCBuJ8UhZkY6z3hOdj5XfaZTbnk4BGAeWt5eQlWY0lwEVQM6sZg/s640/blogger-image--83142702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUf7rY2Ak56wNq8qcPnUb63V9lIj_auH8TeKLYHwpy82tfMbPTaPP-1QK6znoqGbfW3n4ZUOZ6aYhFoM5ZVoeCBuJ8UhZkY6z3hOdj5XfaZTbnk4BGAeWt5eQlWY0lwEVQM6sZg/s640/blogger-image--83142702.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We wended our way around the back of the hippodrome towards the Mosaic Museum. This took us through a lovely market, where I espied a cabinet filled with oya. This is a particular interest, being a form of Turkish lace. It may be crocheted, or tatted, or made with a needle. It talks the form usually of floral motifs, and is used as an edging. Most often the edging is on a scarf, but later in our trip at one of the museums we saw some robes that had their font edges, hems, and sleeves festooned with the most wonderful variety. The cabinet I saw had some nice things, and it didn't tak much persuading for me to buy one piece. It is a scarf of brightly dyed stretchy material edged with a floral motif. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0hzp_N9HLGXmaw_UQEURzpl-kC6sRFgsdJccczyH4PhGkHXRtgss2wB1XlUYE_sbFr4i-6lQW_cWO_NLQX9Qx_CMaAn-Qd8GWkMBc0CL1A46QXZwtxjikRzid5-aPS_syu91nw/s640/blogger-image-1388048563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0hzp_N9HLGXmaw_UQEURzpl-kC6sRFgsdJccczyH4PhGkHXRtgss2wB1XlUYE_sbFr4i-6lQW_cWO_NLQX9Qx_CMaAn-Qd8GWkMBc0CL1A46QXZwtxjikRzid5-aPS_syu91nw/s640/blogger-image-1388048563.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Mosaic Museum was stunning. Such fine delicate work, with tiny tesserae and wonderful detail. It must have been glorious in its day, so opulent. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEauagxhbZycC3njgPZgIS2HYVeBcvpor1w4cSfcmNkZc472kcjTUTRsJIXsctwQLdENlb9D-E_4PAvP-TXBetwZr4nOQPfvcsXbJyClnFjz29lc5fagfyNTibkYQtjGTYjMwGAA/s640/blogger-image--2074787839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEauagxhbZycC3njgPZgIS2HYVeBcvpor1w4cSfcmNkZc472kcjTUTRsJIXsctwQLdENlb9D-E_4PAvP-TXBetwZr4nOQPfvcsXbJyClnFjz29lc5fagfyNTibkYQtjGTYjMwGAA/s640/blogger-image--2074787839.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAYa_qsGsmbXGt_1M01ix6L-WPiT4_AfDWgEcVLoWWW98_-pf7GidP68Qlr38cH-5U1FlFAkGlP57OlwEG-MyFBXjrJ7oDZ3mukF15aUyB46uecakxD4UgmdE0wpfdUdV43M1iA/s640/blogger-image-2079753817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAYa_qsGsmbXGt_1M01ix6L-WPiT4_AfDWgEcVLoWWW98_-pf7GidP68Qlr38cH-5U1FlFAkGlP57OlwEG-MyFBXjrJ7oDZ3mukF15aUyB46uecakxD4UgmdE0wpfdUdV43M1iA/s640/blogger-image-2079753817.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Having just bough a push lawnmower for our new home, I was convinced that this must have been an early version, but others tell me that it is boys playing with chariot wheels. I still think it is a push lawnmower. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkkiRnw4_uX6VB3OyHSc_anRV3N1SlBkheSllD9XBL05R0PIsaz7HeVi2mXp-0QBuqEm-3jab1gbRUurVv20r-ohfKVToV0NKQYE8qN9X3rgDf_krhg2Cxi8HtQtGnuH34CeIdA/s640/blogger-image--229797405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkkiRnw4_uX6VB3OyHSc_anRV3N1SlBkheSllD9XBL05R0PIsaz7HeVi2mXp-0QBuqEm-3jab1gbRUurVv20r-ohfKVToV0NKQYE8qN9X3rgDf_krhg2Cxi8HtQtGnuH34CeIdA/s640/blogger-image--229797405.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJ0x11b2WfHWKfZWx82k_9yaycHuwS0RkJCvgdx3jOshYG51iO2L7F0j9LcFUkngRLAazhyZS0CSUoD7wHzA1JkwaczMtn8t5FXacof4q0ckPf6plUXOIpOpCOlYpkLdLSuNrdQ/s640/blogger-image-1527716384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJ0x11b2WfHWKfZWx82k_9yaycHuwS0RkJCvgdx3jOshYG51iO2L7F0j9LcFUkngRLAazhyZS0CSUoD7wHzA1JkwaczMtn8t5FXacof4q0ckPf6plUXOIpOpCOlYpkLdLSuNrdQ/s640/blogger-image-1527716384.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Of course there were beautiful pictures of animals <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwn-yxfbSoi-b4_Q5gjJT3M_Dr1EqvKKG5Da23oyMbfXJe9uhiLXdAgN7VDMPlg1qoguOH-0lQ-YUiRnFKa5mZQGdPhiaSQwPyrroBNgNuT8TAM6JSjEMU5ntaniNj9vxtC7OPIA/s640/blogger-image--728329022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwn-yxfbSoi-b4_Q5gjJT3M_Dr1EqvKKG5Da23oyMbfXJe9uhiLXdAgN7VDMPlg1qoguOH-0lQ-YUiRnFKa5mZQGdPhiaSQwPyrroBNgNuT8TAM6JSjEMU5ntaniNj9vxtC7OPIA/s640/blogger-image--728329022.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiJD8J2bH25YvFNHODoFLxGwroz9tgzFQU-Fn1mSrgxeQIXAoE6Ww9DythM5ePJ9XvhNelBb004F2KWfxizGOmN5TxnQwQNl3fBAQRRrlBLizhFtyhAH7C4oFwBQt4F2-vS4ynw/s640/blogger-image-1023227135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiJD8J2bH25YvFNHODoFLxGwroz9tgzFQU-Fn1mSrgxeQIXAoE6Ww9DythM5ePJ9XvhNelBb004F2KWfxizGOmN5TxnQwQNl3fBAQRRrlBLizhFtyhAH7C4oFwBQt4F2-vS4ynw/s640/blogger-image-1023227135.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The day is not done but I think this lot has to be published before the wifi keels over. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWq4dshYB4DV_uf5QXr69BC2hUVxW3wrj6j3XAayNbqksryhyZIm4uCl4tFSQpS1kPm2y8chSqDVBQUH29uDnXuWK1IW2DfHkjMgoJNUgYiZmGXhggearuN-uC9jelkeB74U6SQ/s640/blogger-image--1494269426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWq4dshYB4DV_uf5QXr69BC2hUVxW3wrj6j3XAayNbqksryhyZIm4uCl4tFSQpS1kPm2y8chSqDVBQUH29uDnXuWK1IW2DfHkjMgoJNUgYiZmGXhggearuN-uC9jelkeB74U6SQ/s640/blogger-image--1494269426.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknVN3aaOBoMkPKTpkexUjIHsOYM6_sgv8wa2rfE_Hs9-aEVJXN34hVufCeNBqO0JeWXritv0_JEgExcgTqLqGlTQE9seIXby-XWrbxEUWDdPc-bnm1ykjzmCYP0VadxBamNdfiw/s640/blogger-image--752041480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknVN3aaOBoMkPKTpkexUjIHsOYM6_sgv8wa2rfE_Hs9-aEVJXN34hVufCeNBqO0JeWXritv0_JEgExcgTqLqGlTQE9seIXby-XWrbxEUWDdPc-bnm1ykjzmCYP0VadxBamNdfiw/s640/blogger-image--752041480.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtlRAOCiV6uT8HYdMYNmo0lf9Jmdt_3mVBxYywpWg5N5g3H6gfqukhdzB8oMructuD4D8cAjycMkBSLuRk1IwwM0Y1HrdLY7zNbb71Mdnco7FFACBuo9QleWtyY5_QlF9wKOMuQ/s640/blogger-image--1826611605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtlRAOCiV6uT8HYdMYNmo0lf9Jmdt_3mVBxYywpWg5N5g3H6gfqukhdzB8oMructuD4D8cAjycMkBSLuRk1IwwM0Y1HrdLY7zNbb71Mdnco7FFACBuo9QleWtyY5_QlF9wKOMuQ/s640/blogger-image--1826611605.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-89245541799204467932015-10-08T03:41:00.001-07:002015-10-08T11:26:06.918-07:00Istanbul, we have arrived.We have arrived, not without minor snafus! Halfway to the airport, Michael realised he had left his briefcase at home. Oops. Too much important stuff in there to leave behind, and fortunately we had left early enough to allow us to turn around and go back for it. Phew. We arrived at the airport in good time, with everything we intended to bring. After a quick purchase of some duty free makeup for me, the Kris lounge of Singapore Airlines welcomed us. A few snackolitos and some tea, and we were recombobulated. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPsOvZbIRsbT1ix2lf2DcDcY1acrBBruGdr6LQONScrOBID_mMGH-OOPRbYAtzyDDdMaJAyEU0zQs7UAvT5xT2yEmM17KSwsodEH5mHeVxUFF1kiG49RwvbCNV9Utwq5B4NmFOg/s640/blogger-image-1031417677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPsOvZbIRsbT1ix2lf2DcDcY1acrBBruGdr6LQONScrOBID_mMGH-OOPRbYAtzyDDdMaJAyEU0zQs7UAvT5xT2yEmM17KSwsodEH5mHeVxUFF1kiG49RwvbCNV9Utwq5B4NmFOg/s640/blogger-image-1031417677.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The plane left with us on it, and we had a pleasant dinner followed by snoozing. There was a stopover of about an hour in Singapore Airport, where it was my turn for discombobulation. Going through security involved taking off boots etc., and somewhere in that I dropped my boarding pass. Lost! Where was it? A kindly security lady escorted us to the checkin desk, where somebody had handed it in. Phew again! I hope that is the last of our wobbles. </div><div><br></div><div>On board the new plane, Michael had some dinner but I wanted more sleep, so stretched out in our spacious pods and slept for some hours. Breakfast was very welcome. I spent quite a bit of time reading Nightfall, by Isaac Asimov and Robert Silverberg. What a rattling good story teller Asimov is. I have been reading his autobiography to Mum, chapter by chapter, and it is good to reinforce that with one of his books. Nightfall is a really interesting look at science vs religion, and assumptions of how life is or is not possible. Lots of interesting ideas. </div><div><br></div><div>On arrival at Istanbul airport we were met by the driver for our tour, and drove through very heavy traffic to our hotel, the Sura. Aah, showers. A gold washbasin caught my eye, and the Venetian blinds in the glass and mirrored bathroom gave privacy!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj647woUTdKyvV7Fqq62mmC07m7t-Hu2SihXfOv9egyat6SNEDYqwx7iQSmyDWA6qat3SlFFtBIYkdwJeFq7sUQIq-rlO2UhzmBOuhzjBr4h1ywo4xAHLOZQtYF0MCbb2O-T0w9Lw/s640/blogger-image-898414239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj647woUTdKyvV7Fqq62mmC07m7t-Hu2SihXfOv9egyat6SNEDYqwx7iQSmyDWA6qat3SlFFtBIYkdwJeFq7sUQIq-rlO2UhzmBOuhzjBr4h1ywo4xAHLOZQtYF0MCbb2O-T0w9Lw/s640/blogger-image-898414239.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>This is the view from our window:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XnFvFfT5OFN2pKeHucD-Psd-SAjZ7VN0k4r04YYQWjbj2CVzl8qmDB6tKx57qWBpjDedEen45RE2n1LKyJNTip0Cbi3ycP9mmVvbzMtU0_LP3DG1Ija3fnSCeFBaBKCm-p6lIw/s640/blogger-image--2128430338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XnFvFfT5OFN2pKeHucD-Psd-SAjZ7VN0k4r04YYQWjbj2CVzl8qmDB6tKx57qWBpjDedEen45RE2n1LKyJNTip0Cbi3ycP9mmVvbzMtU0_LP3DG1Ija3fnSCeFBaBKCm-p6lIw/s640/blogger-image--2128430338.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqkY0FvU70IhHeShX0JuzvKgCjrAPXv05wzwZBrc9IsDmvO0zNj1UEBxGbBTTd2wz1jLlX-59X1VsfRXkm72mpt5wHCYiFVi6jMulpN35lAcpif8wmRsfOL5RxdHPxmBGsDGiMg/s640/blogger-image-1969328407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqkY0FvU70IhHeShX0JuzvKgCjrAPXv05wzwZBrc9IsDmvO0zNj1UEBxGbBTTd2wz1jLlX-59X1VsfRXkm72mpt5wHCYiFVi6jMulpN35lAcpif8wmRsfOL5RxdHPxmBGsDGiMg/s640/blogger-image-1969328407.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We went walkabout and gawked at all the shops, piles of sweets and baklava and nuts and spices, leather goods, rugs and plates and tiles. We ran the gauntlet of eager restaurateurs and shopkeepers eagerly touting their wares. We didn't <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">go far, just up to Constantine's Column, then back down around the Hippodrome. It is grey and drizzly. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8JnKtLIj4U9QnBQRPxSttIMPqRi27SMqotnT_y_osKdsS7wisqSVOMgh3U3ifyZpwgWvOzvZTVJ7q1Tx4Nb_vt6ILS7dzRhByNQLyeS9p8TRR3PkULdCUWLbHAsEz8ITVxzsmA/s640/blogger-image-1818162348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8JnKtLIj4U9QnBQRPxSttIMPqRi27SMqotnT_y_osKdsS7wisqSVOMgh3U3ifyZpwgWvOzvZTVJ7q1Tx4Nb_vt6ILS7dzRhByNQLyeS9p8TRR3PkULdCUWLbHAsEz8ITVxzsmA/s640/blogger-image-1818162348.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JXVanP2r3SScTafWVF6toWlrwCzGrMPlIAHSey0Dh3Xw7P7bF8qcsxr7ymE0YLjbeZkgtQssrJbo3pC1KuCzuHsaU-fuqt4FGXHtEI_FtEzyT6RGH-loc88W0f5B2ivp_ICJnQ/s640/blogger-image-1688253843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JXVanP2r3SScTafWVF6toWlrwCzGrMPlIAHSey0Dh3Xw7P7bF8qcsxr7ymE0YLjbeZkgtQssrJbo3pC1KuCzuHsaU-fuqt4FGXHtEI_FtEzyT6RGH-loc88W0f5B2ivp_ICJnQ/s640/blogger-image-1688253843.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlsO39GvdeGaWRTNt70L6Y-GKjl7WLHxNOqWVpGSvUMqi4imH3Sd4T-Eea8rXhZhAL8kKOmEXSUm3M9MHB1BEeMmTu7RJNTh33tRQ2YCx_uBom2VMhnv-kEznFaVzoBqqHpxRTw/s640/blogger-image--690522230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlsO39GvdeGaWRTNt70L6Y-GKjl7WLHxNOqWVpGSvUMqi4imH3Sd4T-Eea8rXhZhAL8kKOmEXSUm3M9MHB1BEeMmTu7RJNTh33tRQ2YCx_uBom2VMhnv-kEznFaVzoBqqHpxRTw/s640/blogger-image--690522230.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Of course, there were manhole covers.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkuN2Bvwzm5pILzKYtfIHmuwjFxtxGXObbxoG937r0gS_LDnt5AxJIVFtc9C9NQpvpvixBmpPSG-pSObHkfpZse8tCTg541Tjgr-9_wAr4uEwymi3UtEkcRdNVJv8fJ-nt0ifxA/s640/blogger-image--815849279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkuN2Bvwzm5pILzKYtfIHmuwjFxtxGXObbxoG937r0gS_LDnt5AxJIVFtc9C9NQpvpvixBmpPSG-pSObHkfpZse8tCTg541Tjgr-9_wAr4uEwymi3UtEkcRdNVJv8fJ-nt0ifxA/s640/blogger-image--815849279.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1JVWXYu3k56U5VJpzi_ZFuUHKm6ybrzSdzj9HyGNBa6cyLHVzduxNfbk1Su5Jug03c7Llfs_B7-YrLG4gUhcYw8mw_G_LTNw8Twpgq3jmTSmrVdwkMoTi1lrVWUV26WeVkkRBQ/s640/blogger-image--2014718368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1JVWXYu3k56U5VJpzi_ZFuUHKm6ybrzSdzj9HyGNBa6cyLHVzduxNfbk1Su5Jug03c7Llfs_B7-YrLG4gUhcYw8mw_G_LTNw8Twpgq3jmTSmrVdwkMoTi1lrVWUV26WeVkkRBQ/s640/blogger-image--2014718368.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWNwlAjEP1646Y7hRizfm-A7gM5RLuV5P2IgVn0T05zvA0STU3InVL13VpjA0rT9XFXPCE2tvCrlizpbIgdH_Yr5ygLfwtOnbrpVQNMKzVbnSZ0qE3wnF8njFLLVxUH3LYgu6hA/s640/blogger-image--1191636661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWNwlAjEP1646Y7hRizfm-A7gM5RLuV5P2IgVn0T05zvA0STU3InVL13VpjA0rT9XFXPCE2tvCrlizpbIgdH_Yr5ygLfwtOnbrpVQNMKzVbnSZ0qE3wnF8njFLLVxUH3LYgu6hA/s640/blogger-image--1191636661.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We had a sit in the sun in the hotel for a bit, and then went back to our room for a bit more snoozing. Atm6.30 we met our tour group and had dinner. So far they all seem very nice and I think we will enjoy it all. </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-70291629612487086292015-10-04T03:17:00.001-07:002015-10-06T20:20:01.653-07:00Moving house, then going to Turkey.One night a little over a month ago, I was sitting on the sofa idly browsing though realestate.com. Not with any purpose, mind you, just idle curiosity. It would take a lot to prise us out of our home of 25 years. If the dog had jumped on my lap at the critical moment, I would have missed it. <div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There it was, buried a long way down the listings. A big house, four bedrooms, and an internal GARAGE! Gold! Hen's teeth! Only 600 metres from our current house! To cut a long story short, we bought it and moved in, in rapid quick time. </span></div><div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-anOSJXKv0vmj2TMOmwK5HyGWGjoDX8r4wRxURgWZ-C8fniITW8L9fol3sDEmpB7fUeUgyLPJravOH41zWuWB0qOYwDp5LT0IvYaP-oiU7K4hSDKc4ctqbAR0l_fN3LUPB2z4Q/s640/blogger-image--1432282706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-anOSJXKv0vmj2TMOmwK5HyGWGjoDX8r4wRxURgWZ-C8fniITW8L9fol3sDEmpB7fUeUgyLPJravOH41zWuWB0qOYwDp5LT0IvYaP-oiU7K4hSDKc4ctqbAR0l_fN3LUPB2z4Q/s640/blogger-image--1432282706.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Thank heavens for packers and movers, our wonderful solicitor, the bank, and our real estate agents. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbyv6EkParRYNfXbFzOy24g-2jhHfEXRqgNzWJBsAYXalIvspyAqWyWSBS5hbaLH7yCU_t0bk8IJf7oEAtqN35oc65bgONX_AG0TMWmRxluC62h08LWQ3U_UDMlXkOhP7roYWFA/s640/blogger-image-923240536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbyv6EkParRYNfXbFzOy24g-2jhHfEXRqgNzWJBsAYXalIvspyAqWyWSBS5hbaLH7yCU_t0bk8IJf7oEAtqN35oc65bgONX_AG0TMWmRxluC62h08LWQ3U_UDMlXkOhP7roYWFA/s640/blogger-image-923240536.jpg"></a></div><br><div><br></div><div>Why so quick? Because we have a holiday booked and paid for, to Turkey. Today is the day we leave and we had to be organised either before today, or leave it until after our return. Moving heaven and earth (and even harder, ourselves) we got into the house less than two weeks before our departure. Our old house, the lovely Number One, has been spruced and cleaned and styled within an inch of its life. It will be videoed, and the advertising copy has been written. Recognise this?</div><div><br></div><div><p class="s14" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s13" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Character rich lifestyle in leafy cul-de-sac</span></p><p class="s14" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s13" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="s14" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s15" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Behind its </span><span class="s15" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">picturesque</span><span class="s15" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> facade of classic character, this </span><span class="s15" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">freestanding brick </span><span class="s15" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">home</span><span class="s15" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> is a well preserved period residence with</span><span class="s15" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> a refined sense of history.</span><span class="s15" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> ‘</span><span class="s15" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Manafield</span><span class="s15" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">’ c1909 is full of original charm and showcases a generous interior layout with fresh, bright living spaces </span><span class="s15" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">and</span><span class="s15" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> lots of scope for modern improvements or redesign.</span><span class="s15" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> It also offers a very convenient lifestyle, </span><span class="s15" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">set to the end of a tree-lined cul-de-sac within easy strolling distance to Erskineville and Newtown</span><span class="s15" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> attractions.</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s16" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">High pressed metal ceilings and polished floors</span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s16" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lounge room plus light filled casual dining space</span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s16" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sunlit rear courtgarden and decked alfresco area</span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s16" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Double bedrooms include two with built-in robes</span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s16" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Full bathroom with 100-year-old clawfoot bathtub</span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s16" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tidy gas-equipped kitchen plus extra w/c at rear</span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s16" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Original fireplaces, air-con and lots of storage</span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s16" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s16" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The styling makes it almost unrecognisable</span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s16" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjay1GPybo9amgKDe9INzh28gGE5ac9hUf9fyFJJyTNBhA5Bnwfbiey1j9TGQvZ5jFgelZ4VO2Cu4NoS3qTY0zboW1J7SUJ2HFdKnQE5aFZsb4KA7qepv44sKVQW22OEwMKg5lKkQ/s640/blogger-image--1389609590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyMwlqVtc6_Z_hjqh9d_GzPdJfa1waTqiT439YVvwHOunwa2A4Wp8VZnIljXPs7FuMeWbgDmH4cBF544DY6JpPv0Qm7iFtLuB575jMLQ7BrRAUn-8AAcDwOlIc0zjgQ7WkcLWDw/s640/blogger-image--1029594215.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9Sl6LmJbAAuMNGl14L-mXyR8VldELnjYU-6qaGIPyaPHjt-yNFpBRNXfd8x-YGPfJxsqlJC8oDkEKDAvpSNKZvhn2rFzlZKA9wsLZIsr006Q9XszDs5-39_7IPRZRNjGdKdw4A/s640/blogger-image-1607885468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9Sl6LmJbAAuMNGl14L-mXyR8VldELnjYU-6qaGIPyaPHjt-yNFpBRNXfd8x-YGPfJxsqlJC8oDkEKDAvpSNKZvhn2rFzlZKA9wsLZIsr006Q9XszDs5-39_7IPRZRNjGdKdw4A/s640/blogger-image-1607885468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOP3omYtzP7NOsR-zSHAbraLP8MUJC6eFrxwMOR3PevN0kPbJlZbHgR3ZiYEIOLlMv1ypD1NcGlNJ0B1XVOpShAvHRg49dUwbm1b8EVVBgtjHRk5BKlUzBG-hzzln8R4_gPCx0Ng/s640/blogger-image--785786954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOP3omYtzP7NOsR-zSHAbraLP8MUJC6eFrxwMOR3PevN0kPbJlZbHgR3ZiYEIOLlMv1ypD1NcGlNJ0B1XVOpShAvHRg49dUwbm1b8EVVBgtjHRk5BKlUzBG-hzzln8R4_gPCx0Ng/s640/blogger-image--785786954.jpg"></a></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9Sl6LmJbAAuMNGl14L-mXyR8VldELnjYU-6qaGIPyaPHjt-yNFpBRNXfd8x-YGPfJxsqlJC8oDkEKDAvpSNKZvhn2rFzlZKA9wsLZIsr006Q9XszDs5-39_7IPRZRNjGdKdw4A/s640/blogger-image-1607885468.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEduonD_COQtoBoYf2cWYEvg8NLWKSfC2aZlYUrnpZzCLP7cSH0RuQzxxvabWj8-55tKLzV4SJJvI1ARPOMAvfY0kL1kFVpHCpifz_NBKTvQW-L7Im5_Gon5OYJ4qteXe8Tarhng/s640/blogger-image-1901377056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEduonD_COQtoBoYf2cWYEvg8NLWKSfC2aZlYUrnpZzCLP7cSH0RuQzxxvabWj8-55tKLzV4SJJvI1ARPOMAvfY0kL1kFVpHCpifz_NBKTvQW-L7Im5_Gon5OYJ4qteXe8Tarhng/s640/blogger-image-1901377056.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNbDGdG3n8Ym0UpKpalbh4M4vZ37GwEDuyT7pbdv0WG1hmr6tXU5lPcgnZ8cLurC1iJgJbcaqZcBimkVAhZ33d7yH1pAoqnC1KYyXyDlxktQxegcaOqCNs83lzyqLCZuARuZzvw/s640/blogger-image-1155359379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNbDGdG3n8Ym0UpKpalbh4M4vZ37GwEDuyT7pbdv0WG1hmr6tXU5lPcgnZ8cLurC1iJgJbcaqZcBimkVAhZ33d7yH1pAoqnC1KYyXyDlxktQxegcaOqCNs83lzyqLCZuARuZzvw/s640/blogger-image-1155359379.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> We are sad to go, but happy to have moved. Welcome home, Michael!</span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HJ-UZ43cPi6Qt8XWla4oalICXPxGNkXXjr2VDUkEzYJHo6jrGGExueNtVnDhF8EokE7g7FWaxxuXwufCCBi97X4wTNwU295KBbE5r4p6r8Eta_sP8_6-xj2VvuURhoS5GpZuBA/s640/blogger-image-1578896912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HJ-UZ43cPi6Qt8XWla4oalICXPxGNkXXjr2VDUkEzYJHo6jrGGExueNtVnDhF8EokE7g7FWaxxuXwufCCBi97X4wTNwU295KBbE5r4p6r8Eta_sP8_6-xj2VvuURhoS5GpZuBA/s640/blogger-image-1578896912.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It looks huge when empty, but we have managed to fill it up nicely. Thank heavens for unpackers. Jackie and Manka were wonderful. </span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Majic is coping well. For some time he looked like he was saying 'can we go home now?' He has settled in reasonably well, especially as he gets to go to Camperdown Park in the evening as well as the morning, and he is constantly being patted and cooed over. 'Ooh, he is sooooo keeeeeee yooooooot! Can I pat him?'</span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhahNSK6PYXTLUsRydop5SBHqJVV1mg1Psw0vuGm2DcZ9h4n5xWPRooNYiFVXhnREVWunxK1zhSzpjipHGjjaz9hZ2u_ivnwKIvzpuSwJamuWF7ynSl_jHP0k8to7fm0TVQNg1A/s640/blogger-image-1472616041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhahNSK6PYXTLUsRydop5SBHqJVV1mg1Psw0vuGm2DcZ9h4n5xWPRooNYiFVXhnREVWunxK1zhSzpjipHGjjaz9hZ2u_ivnwKIvzpuSwJamuWF7ynSl_jHP0k8to7fm0TVQNg1A/s640/blogger-image-1472616041.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And now we are leaving it. When we get back, our housesitter Clare will have lived in it longer than we have! </span></p><div><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We are off to Istanbul tonight for three weeks with Academy Travel. We will see a lot of Turkey, and will regale readers with tales of our adventures. There is nothing quite so invigorating as throwing your life up into the air and seeing where it all re-assembles. </span></div><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8;"><br></p></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-56999298121208116222014-10-23T22:33:00.003-07:002014-10-23T22:33:55.437-07:00ThermOctoberHow did I live before Thermobot? It seems to be used almost every day. <br />
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Breadmaking has become a regular thing. So very easy. Being able to grind grains for the flour is somehow very inspiring. Once upon a time you could buy dark, heavy, sweet and sour black bread in the Estonian style in Sydney. That bread with liverwurst and sliced tomato with fresh black pepper is my idea of heaven. It is almost impossible to find now, (does anyone know where to get it?) so I am trying to make my own. I have both rye flour and rye grains. I've had a couple of attempts, including today's effort from <a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/black-bread-recipe.html" target="_blank">this</a> recipe. Coffee, molasses, brown sugar, cocoa powder! That sounds pretty good. It tastes pretty good too. The carrot makes it moist and sweet. Instead of making a big round loaf I put it into two tins and it turned out well. <br />
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But it isn't quite what I had in mind, so I will keep experimenting.<br />
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Yesterday's effort was Lemon Butter. Who doesn't love lemon butter? It was so quick and easy, it is sure to become a regular thing. <a href="http://www.recipecommunity.com.au/sauces-dips-spreads-recipes/grandmas-lemon-butter/192108#comment-82590" target="_blank">This</a> recipe worked a treat. I might whiz the rind a bit longer as it was noticeable in the lemon butter, but I am not sure that it isn't better that way! Plenty of room for experimentation. <br />
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One of my more interesting creations was the yellow turmeric paste from <a href="http://www.recipecommunity.com.au/sauces-dips-spreads-recipes/balinese-yellow-paste/188032#comment-79679" target="_blank">this</a> recipe. I had quite a bit of fresh turmeric, so used the recipe as a starting point. I didn't have candlenuts so used peanuts instead. Quantities are usually approximate with me, so this was my own take on it. Yes, Julie, I remember - cooking is an art, but baking is a science. I don't take too many liberties with bread or cakes or biscuits. But Balinese yellow paste lent itself to variation. One of my favourite ways to cook is in a terracotta tagine. Chicken with coconut milk, onions, and a very big dollop of that yellow paste in the tagine for long slow cooking was extremely easy and extremely good. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-22205312959961179532014-08-27T01:17:00.000-07:002014-08-27T01:19:36.687-07:00Today's adventures in ThermilandThere wasn't much opportunity for cooking yesterday. A morning of playing with databases, afternoon with plumber and hot tub repairer, choir practice in the evening so no dinner.<br />
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But I did make porridge for breakfast. A cold rainy morning seems to call for oatmeal! So I did my usual careful measuring. Hold the container under the tap and count fairly slowly to four. Then add four heaping dessertspoons of rolled oats. Uncle Toby's, of course. Then I turned it onto Heat 100, Reverse stir on 2 (I think) for 7 minutes. Delicious, hot, creamy. Did that again this morning, only for two. Count to eight slowly, then 8 soupspoons of oats. Strict quantities are not my thing!<br />
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Today was shopping day so I shopped with Thermie in mind. When we got home, I went to work.<br />
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First was a carrot and celery smoothie. One carrot, some celery stalks, a handful of ice cubes, and a small chunk of ginger. It needed a bit of diluting as it was quite thick, but awfully good. There was quite a bit left after I had my fill, so I moved on to a tomato passata. I thought I might have time to make this before I went off to my singing lesson, and I was right. In went an onion and a garlic clove. Chop chop. Then in went all the tomatoes, which had been chopped into about three pieces each. Some basil leaves. A spoonful of the veggie stock my consultant had made as a demo. Chop chop for a few seconds. I added the remainder of the carrot/celery juice, and cooked for 30 minutes on Speed 1 at 100 degrees. <br />
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Looks pretty good, huh? It will form the basis of a bolognaise sauce soon.<br />
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Off to singing, then to visit Mum. Got home around 5, and thought I might have time to make a couple of things. I had half a packet of frozen cherries and a punnet of strawberries so thought they would make a good sorbet. I didn't have a kilo of ice cubes but I didn't think that would matter. I had two ice-cube trays, about 400 grams. In went the sugar, and I turned that into icing sugar. In went the strawberries and the cherries, and an egg white. Whip whip on 10 for a minute or so, and the sorbet is utterly delicious. I had to have several spoonfuls to test whether it really is good enough. It is. It has gone into the freezer, and will be dessert. Might blitz and re-freeze, because that's what the books suggest to keep it soft and sorbet-like. Did I put in a cube of frozen passionfruit pulp? I think I did. <br />
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I am partial to herring, so I bought a jar of Bismarck herrings and a tub of crème fraiche. There was half a red onion in the fridge, and half a red capsicum. The onion, capsicum and fresh dill went in first to get the chop. Then I roughly chopped in three of the herring fillets. Finally in went the tub of crème fraiche and I stirred that in reverse for a few seconds. Oh yum. A bit runny, perhaps cream cheese would be a good addition next time, but it will probably firm up in the fridge. If it lasts that long.<br />
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Then I washed up! Only one chopping board and knife, plus thermie. For all that preparation! It is marvellous. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-90582383304645336402014-08-25T03:01:00.001-07:002014-08-25T03:05:56.658-07:00Thermomix Day 1It arrived today. Krissy brought it over at 1.30 and plugged it in, showed me how it worked. She also brought some veggies with which to make the veggie stock paste. Carrots, celery, parsley, onion and more went in, along with salt. Blitz blitz, cook cook, and I have a jar full of delicious-looking stock paste.<br />
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Michael came home and so this was my opportunity to try out something for us. Watermelon chunks, pineapple chunks, a little chunk of ginger, and a tray of ice cubes. (Maybe I am going to wish I had a fridge that makes a lot of ice.). All in together, blitz blitz for a minute and a half, and it was delicious. Yum yum! </div>
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Then time to try out bread. This was more problematic. I happened to have whole wheat grains. I like to soak these and cook them in the slow cooker as porridge for breakfast. It reminds me of growing up when we had 44 gallon drums full of wheat to feed the chickens - Dad loved his chooks! Mum used to soak the wheat and cook it overnight on the slow-combustion stove. We used to love running our hands through the dry grains. So there you have my life story as explanation of why I have whole wheat grains in the cupboard. </div>
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They all went in, and were milled into flour, and set aside. So far so good, I am impressed with the milling. Next went in a sachet of dry yeast and some water. Stir and heat to 37 degrees. No trouble. Then weigh the extra flour - 400-450 grams of bread flour. I had some, but not that much. I added some ordinary white flour - still not enough by weight, so in went a little rice flour. Then the milled whole wheat. All on top of the water and yeast. It looked alarmingly full. Did I weigh correctly? It didn't look right at all, but I got the lid on, and blitzed for 6 seconds on 6, then kneaded for two minutes. I did add the olive oil, but forgot the salt. I had to really push it all down and I mixed and kneaded again as it really wasn't mixed enough, it didn't look like bread dough at all yet. I felt it was too full to mix properly, so I tipped it into my trusty Kitchen Aid with the dough hook and let it knead for a while longer, until it did look like bread dough. </div>
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Covered it and let it rise. Punched it down again with the dough hook (and added some belated salt) on the Kitchen Aid, and divided it into two tins. It was way too much for one loaf. I suspect I did something wrong in the weighing, but pressed on regardless. Let it rise again, then baked it. </div>
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Here are the results. Two loaves of crusty bread, delicious. They have risen unevenly as you can see, and are maybe a little doughy, but not bad at all. I shall try other recipes. I shall probably do the same thing tipping it into the Kitchen Aid for longer kneading. I shall weigh and weigh again, perhaps with my own scales as well as the Thermomix scales. I shall eat the bread! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-66531179116386440122014-08-20T01:20:00.002-07:002014-08-20T01:20:39.220-07:00Knit tat pug thermomixYes, I have joined the <a href="http://www.thermomix.com.au/" target="_blank">Thermomix</a> clan. One of my Facebook friends posted a while ago that his 20 year old food processor had finally died. "Buy a Thermomix!" shouted many more friends. I wondered what a Thermomix was. I'd thought about a Vitamix for the making of smoothies and more, and was confused about why I would buy one rather than the other. I posted the question on my own Facebook page. "Thermomix or Vitamix?" There were comments, pros and cons, and I spent quite a bit of time researching websites and asking friends.<br />
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What sold me on the Thermie was that it not only whizzed things up, it also stirred them, and cooked them. It also weighed them. <br />
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Another FB friend had been thinking about having a Thermie party - rather like a Tupperware party. I immediately put up my hand and asked if I could come. Thank you Rachel!<br />
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The day came. In fact, I rang up the Thermie lady the day before and ordered one, so on the day I was looking forward to seeing whether I had made the right decision.<br />
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The first dish prepared was a strawberry lime sorbet. How easy and how delicious! I could do that! Then the bread was prepared and put into the oven. Again, how easy. A coleslaw with Thermie mayonnaise. Yum. A dish of steamed chicken with potato and leek soup underneath, and ribbons of steamed veggies. Pretty darned good. Finally, a lemon custard. A little too much cornflour perhaps, but pretty delicious. My decision was a good one. <br />
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Once I had started thinking about how I would use it for stirring and cooking, as well as milling and whizzing, I thought about all the things I would make. Porridge for breakfast. Hominy grits. Polenta. Risotto. Gumbo. Ice cream. Custard. Hot chocolate. The list went on. I can see I am getting into this. <br />
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I can hardly wait for it to be delivered. As we cook in our pathetic Thermie-less fashion I can see how many ways it could be used. This blog will chart our adventures in Thermie-land. I will post my recipes, and I will also see whether it really does replace any of our existing kitchen gizmos. Do I really need a juicer? A food processor? A Kitchen Aid? (yes). What about a saucepan? <br />
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We shall wait and see. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-87205684955141214302014-07-04T06:02:00.001-07:002014-07-04T06:02:23.377-07:00Let us not forget the manhole covers<p> Amsterdam was a bit disappointing in the manhole cover department. Prague pretty good. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152494402884004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/p480x480/10535711_10152494402884004_1628283696965343707_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404478944306.1948" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152494403144004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/p480x480/1487769_10152494403144004_5609707836822135588_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404478944359.7102" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152494403289004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10348754_10152494403289004_8532986228300173279_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404478944359.8535" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="750"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: none;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152494404439004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/p480x480/10454255_10152494404439004_7364003475151361439_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404478944399.3645" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152494404619004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/p480x480/10511520_10152494404619004_7485504210684027217_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404478944339.4785" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152494405524004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10380457_10152494405524004_5927047691579896180_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404478944397.1128" class="alignnone" width="500" height="750" alt=""></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152494404814004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/p480x480/1559275_10152494404814004_142998903497691760_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404478944366.3127" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know, not a manhole cover, but hey. </td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152494404904004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/p480x480/10515144_10152494404904004_6176777487848923855_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404478944393.3188" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And maybe this should have gone under the footpaths post</td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-12552870074037851772014-07-04T05:29:00.001-07:002014-07-06T00:52:00.915-07:00The footpaths of Prague<p> It is hard not to notice the beautiful variety of patterns made by the cobblestones on the footpaths. Red, black, white and grey are the common ones. We see crews with special machines tamping in the blocks when they pop out. We wonder how girls in high heels manage, but I notice there are more wedges than stilettos. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152494354799004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10359068_10152494354799004_2470808621090913984_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404633121236.067" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="750"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152494355044004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10498548_10152494355044004_8996287470638747821_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404633121254.617" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="750"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152494355229004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10403981_10152494355229004_612662460485895002_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404633121240.8281" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="750"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-6928127720500998462014-07-03T12:41:00.001-07:002014-07-03T12:41:03.032-07:00Oops! What day is it?<p> This post deals with Tuesday 1st July, in Prague. </p><p>We pulled into Prague Station and were met on the platform by the very affable Charles, who picked up our luggage, put it in his Skodq, and drove us to our hotel. Hotel Hoffmeister is at the bottom of the Castle hill, and very convenient to the city. Alas, our room was not ready so we sat in the lovely garden and had some coffee, and the concierge sat with us and advised us what we could do during our stay, gave us maps and brochures. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152492951699004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/p480x480/10473335_10152492951699004_2286634440736738082_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404416463570.252" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152492951969004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/p480x480/10534115_10152492951969004_4890128733146386903_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404416463659.0767" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a></div><p> One of those options was a SIX-HOUR walking tour which started at 1.00. It was only 10.30 or so, so we decided to mosey around a bit. Up the hill to the Castle, a bit of a look around, and down the steps again. That was quite a walk, but more was to come. </p><p>We were picked up by the tour van at 1.00 to be taken back up the hill. Thankfully the tour started from the top and went downhill from there. Our tour guide, Jiří, or George, was a history teacher who guided tours as a summer job. He was terrific. We learned such a lot from him, our heads are spinning. I have too many pictures to put here, you will just have to watch our DVD when we return. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152492952459004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/p480x480/10499543_10152492952459004_6353445519189064578_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404416463631.3125" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152492954079004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10344238_10152492954079004_3096240456122885894_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404416463608.3086" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="750"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152492955194004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10357649_10152492955194004_6407842214735200339_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404416463663.3955" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="750"></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152492955529004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/p480x480/10479086_10152492955529004_8858523667242422468_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404416463595.1094" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jiří With the orange umbrella</td></tr></tbody></table><p> The tour continued across the Charles Bridge and onto a boat. This gave us a very welcome lemonade and an ice cream. It was now about 3 pm and we hadn't eaten anything since our small box breakfast on the train at 6.30. </p><p>A few nice boat pictures. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152492955669004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/p480x480/10517247_10152492955669004_5294554455927451137_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404416463673.9443" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152492955909004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/p480x480/1502394_10152492955909004_4053871073594901305_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404416463662.968" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152492956004004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/p480x480/10515319_10152492956004004_5104608849873066980_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404416463674.2146" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a></div><p> Off the boat and through the streets of the old city, and to lunch! Pork with dumplings and red and white cabbage. Delicious. This was a medieval restaurant, very much like a dungeon. Going to the bathroom was down stairs two levels - even more like a dungeon. </p><p> After lunch was more of the old town. The Jewish quarter, with the oldest active synagogue, having been built in 1270. Hard to comprehend. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152492956124004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10463799_10152492956124004_1948202714511491920_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404416463631.1753" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="750"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152492956339004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10271237_10152492956339004_5706404225903088042_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404416463624.0654" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="750"></a></div><p> </p><p> We creaked back to the hotel at around 7.00 and thankfully our room was ready. As in Amsterdam our room number is 702. As in Amsterdam we are not in the main hotel, but a small building across the street. It is apartment style, with a kitchenette. It has two sitting rooms, and two of the most amazing bathrooms. The walls are hewn right out of the rock. Both have spa baths. I got into one and luxuriated. I do not have any romantic notions about backpacker hotels. This is better. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152492956539004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10504875_10152492956539004_4872507438429931279_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404416463590.275" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="750"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152492956644004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/p600x600/1537696_10152492956644004_8745544092238816840_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404416463674.7678" class="alignnone" width="500" height="750" alt=""></a></div><p> A sum total of 15,687 steps, or 11.1 km </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-78380137001836478962014-07-02T10:03:00.001-07:002014-07-02T10:03:18.800-07:00Wednesday 2nd July. Prague<p>Sunday was a rest day, so we hung around our lovely sunny apartment and knitted, blogged, read. We went out to the Concertgebouw that evening, taking a tram both ways. This is included in the price of the ticket - how civilised. We heard Schubert's Unfinished, and Mahler's 4th. We also heard the roars of the crowd as Netherlands won their World Cup game, there was a huge crowd of orange people and enormous screens in the park there, and a very festive air. The air inside the Concertgebouw was rather more refined. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152490498189004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10506713_10152490498189004_6020127179679871860_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404320598979.2986" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="669"></a></div><p> Monday was travel day from Amsterdam. I like trains, so we have a sleeper booked from Amsterdam to Prague at 7pm. We arose at the crack of eight and finished what we had in the refrigerator. Michael cooked our one measly asparagus spear between us. It was the whopper in the photo so there was ample. I sliced up the rest of the strawberries which have been fabulous, and had them with the last of the yoghurt. That comes in a carton and is pourable, rather than spoonable tubs. We had the last two boxes of Chocomel (I'd bought a six-pack) and Michael now knows why I like them. I knitted for while, and have now finished both the fingerless mittens. Yay! Too warm to wear them now though. On to the perpetual tatting.</p><p>To fill in time we decided to fit in one last museum. The Palace. It was so beautiful. French empire style, and grand, but some of the bedrooms we saw looked quite liveable. If you are a princess. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152490498349004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10380864_10152490498349004_8648294756122328289_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404320598996.6533" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="669"></a></div><p> We had the audio guide, those ubiquitous <a href="http://www.guideid.co.uk/site/visitorguiding" target="_self" title="">podcatchers</a>. We listened to four or five locations, and they are really full of information. Alas, we are now too full of information and both of us have reached saturation. We were lucky that upstairs the two war rooms had opened about ten days ago, for the first time in 200 years. There were grand portraits of militia men around the walls, including a copy of the Night Watch. Unavoidable Art. There were more interactive display panels of each of the paintings where you could poke a militiaman in the face and read further information about him. In English, if you wish. These panels are quite large, so the circled heads would be about my eye height. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152490498544004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/p600x600/1502832_10152490498544004_4548558170129872103_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404320599020.664" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="669"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152490498649004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10454281_10152490498649004_5778525466760367103_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404320599019.3567" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="669" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p> After this museum we went and had a sit-down at one of Michael's sacred sites, when he was in the Netherlands in 1983. It didn't serve food, otherwise we might have had lunch there. Instead we wandered off and found Kapitein <a href="http://www.zeppos.nl" target="_self" title="">Zeppos</a>, which was just the place to sit and have a pleasant lunch and while away some of the afternoon. There was a table of young Australian lads outside getting stuck into the grog and the dope but they weren't rowdy yet. </p><p>Speaking of which, that was another thing we didn't do - smoke any marijuana. The reek of it is everywhere, reminding me of my misspent youth, but it holds no attraction for me now. A friend tells me you can buy starter kits in the flower market, but when you can buy it so readily why would you bother growing it? </p><p>I decided that I should have a Delft Pandora bead, and that the Delft Experience would have one. (You don't have shops any more, you have Experiences, or go to Concept Stores.). Off we went. I was tempted by the full size Delft cow, but the beads are more packable. Yes, I was successful. </p><p>By now it was time to go pick up our bags from the hotel and go to the train station. All done. As Lien pointed out in one of her posts recently, the one failure of the European train system is that although you know your carriage and berth number, you don't know where that carriage is going to be on the very long platform. You also don't know where to look for your carriage number. Our train pulled in. I eventually spied the carriage numbers, but couldn't find ours. At the last carriage we decided to just get on before the train left without us, and sort it out from the inside. Many others had the same thought so there was this period of mayhem as we went one way with our bags through the tiny corridors of two carriages and others went the oppsite way. What fun. We found our compartment, and it was obvious that I was going to sleep on the top bunk and Michael on the bottom. No way was he going up that ladder! Just as well I am flexible, spry and nimble. We watched the view for a whole, explored the facilities, then I tucked up and went to sleep. I slept very well. Nobody woke us to check our passports, although I dreamed they did. My UP tells me I had 4 hours and 28 minutes of deep sleep, for seven and a half total. Ah, the quantified life. </p><p>Woke at 6.45 and ate a boxed breakfast with rather good coffee. We watched the view go by and then we were in Prague for a new day. And a new blog post. </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-56416808787490657572014-06-29T07:57:00.001-07:002014-06-29T07:57:17.040-07:00The constant parade of boats along the canal outside our window. <p> A constant parade of boats filled with tourists, families, football fans. They are all there. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152483266959004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10460903_10152483266959004_911318645054920084_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404053836857.639" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="669" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-35645623650879658282014-06-29T03:20:00.001-07:002014-06-29T03:28:05.496-07:00BicyclesWe are having a rest day today so there is time for a few theme posts rather than what-we-did-today posts. <br />
Also on the list of things we are Not Going To Do is ride a bicycle. We simply don't have the coordination, the experience, or the insurance. A Dutch friend says that everyone is bike-scarred, that accidents are all just part of it, but still, it isn't for us. There are bicycles everywhere. We have seen only one couple wearing helmets. Nobody wears them - I am sure this pair were tyro tourists. <br />
Bikes festoon every railing, every bridge, every footpath. They clump together, they fall over and block the path. They have their own ramps on sets of stairs and into apartments. They have their own garages, holding thousands of them. <br />
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They come in all varieties, and materials, and decorations. <br />
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With all kinds of carriers and stands. <br />
They are a peril for the unwary pedestrian as they go at speed and seem to have complete right of way. I am sure they are fun, and useful. I am sure that Amsterdam could not function without them, it was definitely not built for cars. And I am sure I am not going to ride one. My bike-scars are going to stay as they are, I am not adding any new ones. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14555008.post-9347881229988038822014-06-29T02:59:00.001-07:002014-06-29T02:59:16.146-07:00Two museums and the flower market in 16,008 steps<p> That's over eleven kilometres. Phew!</p><p>We didn't have enough time at the Tropenmuseum yesterday so we went back to do the rest this morning. Walked there, of course. It didn't seem far. </p><p>It is a fantastic museum, beautiful building, fabulous displays. Yesterday we did the top floor, with Suriname, Morrocco, Egypt, much more. It isn't just displays in cases. In Egypt we sat in a retro café and watched a TV over the bar, with Umm Kulthum singing to us. There were musical instruments in cases, and you could sit in front of the case with earphones on, press an image of the instrument on the screen panel, and hear a bit about the instrument and hear what it sounds like. There was a spice shop and the front of the case was perforated to allow the rich smell through. There was a fabric shop. So much more, so exotic. Today we did the first floor. We looked at wonderful displays of artefacts from New Guinea, India, Indonesia and more. I noted a description of some clothing worn by women in a remote part of the Indus. The sign said that normally these clothes would never be seen, that the wearers lived indoors all their lives. I felt very lucky and very worldly, to be able to see so much of the lives of other people in so many different countries. There were wonderful fabrics on panels that rolled out when you pressed a button, along with information. One lovely display of an Indian temple included about eight clay horses about two feet high, richly decorated. Our electronic guide told us what they were for, and about the making and transport of these very horses. We found the section for kids, we found the museum shop. No, we didn't buy anything. We have enough stuff already! </p><p>We walked from there to the flower market. Seeing all those tulip bulbs made me think of those exhibits in the Museum of Dutch Resistance, where for a while that was all they had to eat. But the displays of flowers were lovely. Perhaps not the best time of year - baskets full of bulbs aren't exactly picturesque. But there was plenty to look at. There were tacky souvenir shops there too. Michael has been looking for sticky labels - he decorates his suitcase with them. He looked, and did not find. "Ask!" I suggested. Blokes apparently cannot do that so I asked and was pointed to exactly what he was looking for. Success. </p><p>From there we walked quite a way to Electric Ladyland: the first Fluorescent Museum of Amsterdam. What a great museum this is. You walk into a cluttered room, with rather garish clutter. Lurid blue and yellow and red paintings, large coloured disks, strange stalactites and stalagmites. There was a group of five young American lads already putting on their foam slippers for the adventure downstairs. But first we were told to hold up our Visa cards, passports, driver's licenses and banknotes to a black light overhead. Wow! Suddenly all this fluorescent stuff lit up! All designed as security measures, but who knew? </p><p>Then came the descent to the museum below, a ladder rather than steps. Alas, Michael deemed it beyond him, so I was sent without him. </p><p>Nick the proprietor is a would-be relic of the sixties psychedelic era. Would-be, because he is actually too young to have experienced it personally. He was born ten years too late, he mourned. He missed Jimi Hendrix, man. Cognoscenti will recognise Electric Ladyland as Jimi's last album. Somewhere in his New Jersey childhood Nick saw one of those black-light disco posters and was totally hooked. He began researching, and his passion grew. He says he used to go out at night, creeping around his neighbours' back yards with his black light, searching for fluorescent rocks. He found lots of them. He started grinding up rocks to make his own paint, and he has used that to create the psychedelic cave you see in the photos. He has even made his own tattoo ink, so he himself glows in the black light. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152482725144004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10369068_10152482725144004_7362518693928741450_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404035955945.0298" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="669"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152482726324004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/p600x600/616450_10152482726324004_7836882961095794402_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404035955957.299" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="669"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152482728169004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10511620_10152482728169004_3371180629115995235_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404035955896.4294" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="669"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152482728874004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/p480x480/10382347_10152482728874004_1423527520275117809_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404035955930.839" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="374"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152482730254004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/p480x480/10372913_10152482730254004_3167387326769848178_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404035955934.5046" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="374"></a></div><p> He knew an amazing amount and was happy to tell us. He had a collection of art works, pictures and sculptures, which had been made by other enthusiasts using particles, tweezers, and glue. I didn't know that fluorescence occurs under both ultraviolet and short wave light. Things can be one colour under one light, but entirely different under the other. He demonstrated. Wow! Some of the pictures, which looked dull and grey under daylight, were different under the two different lights, allowing one picture to be night/day, or summer/autumn. If you check out Trip Advisor there are lots of pictures. His <a href="http://electric-lady-land.com/mineralartworks-pg.6.html" target="_self" title="">website</a> is also well worth looking at. Then we looked at more banknotes and stamps, even coins, and one of the lads had his US passport which was filled with different colours and symbols, depending on which light was used. If you will forgive me, the whole experience was most illuminating! </p><p> Staggering out into the sunlight we had trouble re-adjusting to reality. It was very trippy. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152482731209004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10333664_10152482731209004_1883494520789547969_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404035955880.9382" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="669"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152482732584004&set=a.10152473696729004.1073741834.784939003&type=1" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10514329_10152482732584004_1589458260574802558_o.jpg" id="blogsy-1404035955926.9902" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="669" alt=""></a></div><p>We thought we would check out the supermarket rumoured to be at Centraal, so off we walked. Indeed there is an Albert Heijn selling lots of packaged foods. We shall shop there for some dinner to take on our overnight train to Prague on Monday. Then we walked past our apartment (despite being seriously weary at this stage, we'd done a lot of walking) to the cake shop for our reward. We both ordered one of the very light cheesecake, and a slice of pizza for later on. Once we sit, we are not going to want to move again. Our creakers are creaking. </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09586123181025053870noreply@blogger.com0