The sun is shining as we drive from the ferry towards Durham, a few recalcitrant clouds hanging around. Trying to park we have the problem we’ve encountered elsewhere – all parking has height restrictions, clearly not aimed at those carrying two bikes on the car roof. We finally find street parking and walk towards the […]
Water, Water Everywhere…
It’s quite alarming when the sat nav shows nothing but blue and a thin grey line of the causeway we are on, the water rippling literally inches from our wheels. Holland is flat. It’s hard to state quite how flat it is, the only inclines being slight as a bridge rises above a canal. But even […]
Wine & Rhein
We weren’t that impressed with Passau when we were here at the start of our cycle ride but on our return find the old part of town which, no surprise really, is lovely. There are lots of small lanes and alleys that have a very arty feel to them, helped by some funky paintwork and […]
What I do in the Shadows (guest appearance)
It’s a tough life behind the lens. Hiding in the shadow of a serial blogger and bending the knee to get the perfect shot. Most of the time I try to anticipate what’s yet to be written by Mrs PH, the articulate (and proper scary) better half. At other times the project manager in me […]
Oh, Vienna
Vienna is stuffed with grand and imposing buildings, most hailing from the time of the Habsburgs and most owned by that family. The principal palace, the Hofburg – their home for generations – is stunning, a huge dome atop it surrounded by white figures, all on a perfectly symmetrical (and huge) building. Even without going […]
The ‘Blue’ Danube: Part 2
Day 4: Grein to Marbach. 31km. … begins with a ferry crossing, which we share with a couple of Aussies who lived in Wellington for five years. It’s a small world. We have a shorter day today and my legs are glad of it, feeling sluggish and reluctant to work. The flatlands disappear and the […]
The ‘Blue’ Danube: Part 1
In an inauspicious start to our Danube adventure, roadworks divert us less than 100m from our hotel in Passau. Essie goes apoplectic, demanding an immediate u turn. She finally accepts this won’t happen, re-works the route and tries again. The road she wants to send us down is also closed, as are the next few. […]
Nasvidenje Slovenia
On the way to Ptuj (pronounced P-too-ee, in case you’re interested) we stop for lunch in Celje, a small town with another castle. For a quarter of the entry price to the one in Ljubljana we get a delightful hour exploring ramparts, climbing towers and enjoying views over the countryside. A large courtyard is set […]
Capital
Cities aren’t my thing. Despite that I grew up in one I’d rather be in the countryside. But I may never get a chance to visit this country again so I’m going to see its capital. Besides, cities have things like cafes and restaurants, nice buildings to marvel at, sometimes a castle, usually a river. […]
Coast and Caves
Koper is a lovely little town on the edge of a wide bay surrounded by hills. It makes me think of Wellington, but it has an Italianate feel to it, as does this whole area, which has been batted about over the centuries and was for many of them under Venetian control. Italian is widely […]
Tracy Annenberg 