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.