2011 Booked

Have just finalised our first holiday for 2011. Booked flights to Geneva in Switzerland and will be staying in Veyay. Flights via Aer Lingus in June are very reasonable and also found very nice little Hotel to stay right on the Lakefront of Lac Leman (Geneva). The accomodation is a little on the expensive side but you have to pay for lifes luxuries and have found there is no point staying in some crap Hotel for a week to save a 'few bob' Also the Little Hotel has a small Swimming Pool, and a little Train station is right beside. The Train actually goes up to he local Vineyards, hence the name of the train translates 'The Train of Vines'. From Vevay you can get trains to almost everywhere or boats across the lake to several destinations.
Aer Lingus are also going to fly to Perpignan in 2011. So that is a great new base to travel from. Its very near the sea, Argeles, Collioure, Cerbere. Even Montpellier is only a 2 hour train ride away. So will have a look around the area for a possible holiday.

Tuscany 2009

Some photos.
Fiesole, Assisi, and Florence. Fiesole is a small village looking over Florence. At one stage it was as big as Florence, now its a small town you can reach by local Bus. Plenty of Restaurants and Cafes and a nice place to spend an evening away from the heat and noise of Florence.

2011 -II

FLORENCE
Another holiday next year hopefully to Tuscany and this time stay in Florence. Last time in Florence the Hotel was a bit of a dump, beds fell apart, noisy guests, very hot and insects were also uninvited guests. So this time have to go up market and pay more for a better place. Probably go to the same places as before. Pisa and Siena, Lucca or Pistoa. Really liked the train trip to Assisi and want to go again. Possibly find some new places as well and spend more time in Florence itself.

2011

its been snowing all week in Ireland. Good time to cheer myself up by getting out the guide books and maps. Still going to Switzerland. Found a couple of places to stay in Montreaux. Hopefully the plan will come together. Plenty of trips on trains and boats, I have done a plan of possible places to visit and visit as many new places as possible and returning to old favorites.

Ford Capri Classic

Another photo from the 1960's. Probably taken on a Summer holiday. In the 60's anyhow we never ventured very far abroad, in fact never abroad until the 70's. Mum and Dad and Frank I think went over to London. So most Summers we went down to Cork, or Killarney. A couple of times we went as far as Westport. Mostly though it was day trips. Dads Ford Capri must have passed through most of the counties of Ireland. Over the years the car got too old for long drives and Dad gave up travelling. Heres a photo of the car in its heyday.

Attic finds

Found a couple more really old photographs. One is of my Grandad, Francis Maguire. In the photograph it looks like it was taken out the back yard of the shop where they lived. He was a Carpenter and you can just make out him using some sort of foot operated wood turning machine. The other picture was taken in some photographic Studio and features my Dad, John Maguire I, as a baby in his Mother arms. Timeline must be 1918, possibly earlier for the one of Grandad.

2011

Making Plans for next year.
Have thought about where to go on holidays next year. A few years ago went to the South of France and hired a car. Thinking of flying to either Carcassione or Gerona, Gerona is in Spain but near enough for France. Last time in that area we were looking at houses and sites for a possible holiday/retirement home. This time it would be to travel around the little villages, mountain sides and little beaches. In 2005 I went as far as Montpellier but didnt have enough time to see the city properly. The plan might be to fly to Carcasione then on east ward towards Gruissan, Narbonne and Montpellier. Possibly on as far as Nimes. Then back via Sete and take in some of the Canal de Midi.
The other possibility is flying to Gerona then up North to France, taking in Collioure, Argeles, Languedoc and numerous places dotted about the place. In that part of france very few speak english so I have to try and make do with my 'pigeon' French, much pointing at things, getting lost and driving around roundabouts several time.
Last time I got lost in Southern France, ended up back in Spain and only got back on track thanks to a kind man at a Spanish Toll Gate who let me through quickly as a mad Spanish Truck Driver behind me had got out of his cab and was running towards my car. He had previously attempted to ram me as he reckoned I was driving too slowly and I had given him the international sign by sticking up a finger at him. For some reason he took offense at this. Once past the toll gate he was unable to keep up as I floored the accelerator of my little SEAT Ibiza Diesel as far away from the nut case as possible.
My Mum is a great help with being the navigator pointing out the obvious as we drive about France. For another odd reason the French authorities love roundabouts and they often have such oddities as windmills or small boats which Mum points out as I circle some roundabout looking for the right direction, sometimes having to circle several times looking for the missing signpost. Or Mum points out some rare flower we have never seen before while I am trying to navigate some impossible road while being lost up in the Mountains.
We always end up somewhere, eventually. it doesnt really matter as the journey itself is the real reward and theres always somewhere different just around the corner.

later on in 2011 I have no real plans but possibly go to Canada, Wales is also due a visit and finally Portugal.

Holidays Cafes

Just back form Vienna. Everything went well except the bad weather on the Sunday. Not a lot to do in a wet Vienna especially on a Sunday. Found the cafe that Mozart used to play the piano. A very nice cafe and we had traditional austrian food and a very reasonable price and served by a traditional waiter suitably dressed. Also went on that trip to Linz. Had a bit of difficulty initially getting from the railway station to the main street but eventually found the right direction. Then found where to catch the Postlinberg Tram and off we went up the steepest tram route in Europe. Didnt take that long but a very enjoyable 25 minute trip. The Tram line has been completely rebuilt and extended to the main street of Linz. Also the tram company went to the bother of ordering new Retro styled trams as well as retaining four of the old trams suitably re furbished and with extra safety equipment.
At the top of the Hill the view was restricted by the foggy weather. So we went to a nearby restaurant and had something to eat and drink. Back to Linz for a look around the local shops and Mum found a junk shop selling loads of crap for a euro or slightly more.

Back to Vienna we went to our usual haunts and found a few new ones. The only dissapointments was some admins decision to stop the popular Tram route that goes round Vienna in a circular route around the 'ringstrasse. Now if you want to go on that route its 15 Euro on a special Tourist tram. Usually this new service ran empty.

Also as it was late in the year the Ice Cream Salons were closed so we didn't have our ice creams in 'Tichy Eis Salon'

Probably won't be back for a while now but Vienna is another great place for long week end visit.

Vienna 2010

Back again to Vienna in October. It s a great place to visit, have been there a couple of times so We wont waste as much time trying to find places. Staying in the same Hotel as before too. This time hope to go to Linz by train. its supposed to be a great place to visit and there is cruises from there on the Donau. Also I'm interested on going to up to Postlingberg. You can get there by the worlds steepest Tramway, recently completly renovated with modern 'retro' trams and they have also carefully restored some of the original trams as well. They also extended the tramway so now it goes directly into the very centre of Linz. So that for me will be the first thing to do in Linz.
Back to Vienna hope to visit some nice Cafes and Restaurants especially Cafe Cobenzl, Central Cafe and Tichy Ice Cream Salon.
Hopefully will find some new places to visit as well.

Zurich Thoughts

Just getting the bags packed after a weeks hols all over Switzerland. Finally got to go to the little 'Schynige Platte" railway. Built over 100 years ago as a tourist railway. It's almost a "toy" railway. The track is only 600 mm wide and due the steepness of the gradient it uses Rack assistance all along the 9km of track. The journey takes over an hour. Beautiful scenery aound every curve. And there were many curves. The line itself is metulously maintained by the Jungfrau Railways.
On the journey downhill we rode in open coaches, our view was slightly hindered by mist, but the rain itself held off.
Can't post any pics via my phone so have to do some photo posting at home.

Rusty Classics

Last Sunday I went to Mondello Park to see Classic Car Live, The weather was great and apart from seeing loads of vintage cars parked there was several demonstration laps and races. One of the classic old cars was a 1962 Ford Consul Capri. Also called the Capri Classic my Dad had a similar car. He bought one in 1962 and a secondhand one in 1963. As a car the model wasnt a great success it was too expensive and the similar sized Cortina sold in huge numbers. Anyhow Dad kept the car for years until eventually it was falling to bits with rust and various bits had fallen off. We actually went on many holidays and days out all over ireland including one trip to Sligo when the passenger door lock decided to give up the ghost. Dad not being that good at fixing things stopped in a hardware and bought some clothes line and did a basic repair job. Over the years there was a few other bits modified as they broke. The rear windows were fixed in place as the winders had rusted. The car was painted but the rust came back and eventually the sad day came in 1978 when the car was traded in. The Capri at the show was restored from a complete wreck and must have cost the owner thousands. I spoke to the new owner and he had always wanted one and decided it was the car for him. He drove it around the track and we waved at him as he came around. I dont think i would want one myself but it brought the memories back, Dad insisting on absolute quietness as he attempted to fire the Capri into life. If anyone spoke, you would get blamed for another aborted start. it was as we now say a banger for its latter years but Dad at the time couldnt afford a newer car or had little interest in the car. Heres the restored Capr, I must get out a photo of our Capri, the GT model of course.

Postcard of Monaco 2010

Monaco

Just back from South of France. Stayed in the centre of Nice in the Hotel St. Gotthard. Have stayed there twice before, its mainly for the location being right beside the railway station and the tram line going through the very middle of the City. However its still in need of a bit of TLC and especially some paint and new carpets. Suppose cant complain about the price. On Two of the days we hopped on a Coach to Monaco, the fare is only one Euro and the drive is a trip in itself. Arriving in Monaco the locals were getting ready for the Formula One Grand Prix. Plenty of things to see and loads of luxury cars everywhere. You could hardly afford to live in Monaco with Apartments costing over 1 Million for a Studio flat but you can go there for a day and its quite cheap to get around. A day Bus Pass costs a couple or Euro and the buses bring you around all the best places to visit.

Spring

Its been a long time coming but Spring has arrived along with some showers today. The back garden looks great at the moment.

Mums Choice

Was thinking of going on another short trip abroad. Asked Mum where she most liked going on hols and she choose Nice again.
We were there last year and the previous year as well. For a short break it has all the right ingredients, Warm weather, plenty of places to visit locally, a sea front, cafes and a little bit of French sophistication and class. Its even quite inexpensive to get there and stay there.
I think we have seen most of the local sights but never managed to see any museums, also 2 mountain trips to go on. Just pottering around the coastline on the coach getting on and off, a snack here, a glass of wine in another village. For a few days can pretend to be part of the Jet Set.

Summer 2010

Again this Summer its off to Switzerland for a weeks holiday. Stayed in Zurich last time and going back to Zurich and staying again in an Apartment. Switzerland has a reputation of being a bit expensive but the organised Swiss has a useful website of small Guesthouse and Apartments. Some of the accomodation is in the most beautiful Swiss Chalets. We will be staying in a modern Apartment just a tram ride to the City Centre and Train Station. www.bnb.ch is the useful website if you want to stay in Switzerland and get great value. We havnt decided where to go on day trips and there are so many to choose from anyhow. Have said it before but Switzerland has a fantastic integrated transport network of modern and old trains, buses, trams, cable cars and boats. The best value is getting a weekly Swiss Pass and then you can hop on and off and you can travel the entire country in about 2 hours. The best places to visit are often the tiny little villages and mountain resorts. The travelling is nearly as enjoyable as the final destination.

Tibidabo

This is the Amusment Park in Barcelona. its over 100 years old. It has a great view of Barcelona. And for the transport enthusiast its a delightful way to spend an afternoon. If you are in Barcelona on the right day the park is reached by Bus, then the old fashioned Blue tram, them a Funicular and then the amusements are ll quite old and one ride in particular looks like a very old plane from the 1920's. Even at the park there is another extra viewing point. The church at the top of this hill has a tower and they have installed a lift for an even better view. All these lifts and trams add up. To go on all 4 would cost about 10 euro, well worth it for the transport buff and then its another 20 euro in to the amusements. I imagine in Summer it would be packed full of children and adults having a great day on the rides, eating and drinking. One day I hope to return and go on some of the rides and particularly the blue Tram.

Barcelona

Just back a week from 5 days in Spain. Stayed in a resort, Santa Susanna. This was the first package holiday I've been on in a while. The package included a few Coach trips to Barcelona, Gerona and Montserrat. Also went on the train twice into Barcelona, it was a pleasant trip along the coast and took just over an hour and brought us straight into the centre of Barcelona near Las Ramblas. The tours went O.K. but they were all rushed and we found ourselves home very early and it would have been better to do our own trips by train. Went by coach to Montserrat and here the coach driver and guide told us we had to return home at 3.00 and we were back in the hotel at 4.30. We could have spent a few more hours going down on thr rack railway to the town a few km away.
In Barcelona found another Restaurant with a great view of the City. Its in the very Centre at Place de a Cataluna on the top floor of Cortez de Ingles Department Store. They had 3 Cafes and Restaurants to choose from with fantastic views and reasonable food. Pity there was no open air Cafe.
There was another great viewing place at the Amusment Park up on the hills of Barcelona at Parc d'Atracciones Tibidabo.
We hopped on a bus no. 58 I think which brought us up to where the Blue Tram runs at week ends and in Summer. Unfortunately it was not running so I had to get a bus up to another old Funicular which speeds you up to the park. In Winter the parks amusments are mostly closed but you could get something to eat and take in the great views of the whole of Barcelona below.
(First photo is the rack Railway at Montserrat. Second is one of the Funiculars in the same mountain top, and finally the Roof top Restuarant in the centre of Barcelona. )

Audio Recording II

Audio Recording I

Analogue Age

Anyone using a computer probably still remembers the old vinyl records L.P.s or Singles. My first computer didnt have the power to run music but the later ones allowed you play Compact Discs and even came with a set of crappy speakers so you could listen to music. Then around 2002 or so most computers came with software packages to play and manage your CDs and store them as well. Funny enough I was a late starter as I already had an excellent stereo system and Hi Fi speakers. Before I became a user of computers for playing my music collection others were using small portable 'MP3' players and downloading music from their computer. In 2001 Apple presented their first iPod. At the time even Apple didnt realise the revolution in music this would cause. Not going into the whole story again but you can actually see nearly all the Music shops have gone, Apple themselves still have 'iPod' market wrapped up and everyone uses their computer to play music. Many may still wish they could digitise their own old LP's, Tapes, Minidiscs etc. I have loads of old L.P.s in the Attic and in boxes all over the place. it is possible to record or 'burn' them on CD or directly in to itunes. But it is very time consuming. Basically if an LP is 45 minutes it takes, 45 minutes to play and record. Plus more time to edit, mess about with the music etc. Unless you have time its not really worth it or it has to be music you cant but on CD or you have some sentimental attachment to the recording.
What do you need to record an L.P. on to your computer.
1. Patience. One L.P. may take 3-4 hours if you want to record, clean up and edit tracks.
2. Sturdy Table to store your L.P.s, Turntable and Laptop. Somewhere comfortable and without any distractions.
3. Cables, Either you connect your Record Player through your Hi-Fi Amplifier and then via a Mini-Jack into Laptop, or buy a new USB Turntable.
4. Recording Software, available free on the Internet, or GarageBand comes from on all Apple Computers.
5, More patience and loads more time.

I have a couple of PDF diagrams on how to do the digitising. I was asked to give a demonstration recently and I made a few notes to help those foolish enough to go down this time consuming ordeal.

Barcelona

Looking out at the Snow outside made us wish we were somewhere else. Had a good look around and took the advice of some of my Cousins and for once have booked a package holiday of sorts. Well an organised City break to Barcelona. Will be based just outside at a seaside resort and there are a few day trips and meals thrown in so for once nearly everything will be organised for us. One of the days there is a trip to Gerona, also a trip to Montserrat. Probably go in Barcelona a couple of times.

White New Year

There was no Snow at Christmas but we had a White New Years Eve/Day. Happy New Year.