Scotland

Scotland was like coming home. It was great to be able to connect with a number of the places where  my parents family came from. The first photo is in the Maybole cemetery in Ayrshire where dad's relations came from. The grey plinth next to the white one celebrates two generations including my great great grandfather. We had a lovely meal in the Galloway Arms in Newton Stewart including  haggis and Scotish Salmon. We stayed in small lodges or home stays which was great and we had the opportunity to connect with the locals. Where ever we went on our travels as New Zealanders were were warmly welcomed. We also went to Alyth in Perthshire and Kelty in Fife wher mums family came from. I really felt at home. After visiting The historical Scone Palace we headed into Edinburgh, what a compact and friendly city. We stayed in the heart of the city and enjoyed the atmosphere of the fringe festival including amazing street theatre and buskers day and night. We visited Holyrood Palace and the Royal Yacht. The highlight of our visist to Edinburgh was the military Tattoo.  The spectacle was amazing and it was great to have the New Zealand element with the Te  Waka Huia Kapa Haka group and the New Zealand Scottish dancers with Devon and Shannon from Whangarei. Our own Governor General  Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae took the final salute.   Scotland I will return. 

London Town

Visiting London with the help of my cousin Sarah and her partner John was a another hilight of the trip. To connect with the Monopoly Board icons and to experience history first had was great.  Sarah was with us for the first two days and set us up on the underground transport system. We used the hop on hop off bus in town and got our bearings.  We loved the usual things like the London Eye, Madam Tusauards,  (especially the great mini train ride in london Taxis thst showed us the history of London), Liz's house, Kensington Palace Gardens,  Trafalgar Square, Fortnum and Masons, A night at the theatre seeing the Lion King at the Lyceum, and a special treat an evening meal at Jamie Olivers FIFTEEN. Still plenty to come back for.

Cambridge York and Castle Howard

Heading up to Scotland we called in at Cambridge and York. Sarah suggested we give the punting a go at Cambridge,  what a great idea, the trip down the river Cam, gave us a great view of the back of the various colleges including Trinity and St Johns.  The punter was a student and he gave as a insightful and amusing commentary. We had lunch at the Mitre I had bangers and mash. The sausages were pork and black pudding.  Off to York to see York Minister what a amazing building. so full of history.  We headed to Castle Howard where Brideshead Revisited was filmed.  It was a privilege to be allowed to see inside the current Howards family home. 

Paris

Paris in July-  Paris had lived up to all expectations,  a vibrant and exciting city that oozes charm. Special moments just sitting on the side of the Seine watching the world go by. A lovely lunch on the famous Boulevard de St Germain was great.  Another highlight was the opulence of the royal apartments at the Palace of Versailles including a hall with all the battle paintings.
The size and the extent of the Louve was amazing, we spend a number of hours there but you would need a couple of days to do it justice. We got a great perspective of Paris from a river cruise down the Seine . The hop on hop off bus also gives you an overall perspective. 
I would have loved to be more proficient in French as it was great to connect with the Parisians. On to London. 

Zurich

I could live here, perhaps only in the summer.  We have been so lucky with the weather so far. Apparently it rained here all last week. Our hotel handy, in the old town and close to everything.   The city is so clean , no rubbish to be seen and the river and lake are so clear you can see the bottom. People swimming it the river and lake all the time.
Another story... we went for a walk first night to get some tea, David thought this looks ok,went inside the restaurant and were directed to the courtyard,  very nice, suits and all. David had a 10.7oz angus steak cost  55SF $70 NZ bloody hell. Not cheep to eat here.  Might be a banana for tea tonight.  Will be a bit more careful and look at the menu first next time. We took a bus tour around the city which included a 1 1/2  boat ride on the lake , very nice. Good way to see the sights.  Saw where the rich and famous live with homes bordering on the lake. Most had boat sheds and bbq areas.  See photos. 

Following on from my episode in Barcelona,  Glenda also thought she would get her hair cut by someone with limited English , luckily she only came away with a nice hair cut, after using her brush to show him what she wanted , then wished him luck, he chuckled at that.  

Also walked around a number of beautiful parks, well kept and very peaceful. 

Off to Paris tomorrow 4hrs on train, looking forward to going through the European countryside.