Venice

Saturday we travelled on the Casanova Train from Ljubljana to Venice. Did all the usual things in Venice.. nearly froze on the Grand Canal at night, but spectacular views! Also climbed to the top of San Marco to see the views... something that was to become an almost daily occurrence.... climbing something that is...Did we mention the cold before? Before we left I checked the weather forecasts for this part of the world and they generally showed highs of around 14 and lows of about 6, so not too bad, and really, good weather for sightseeing. However forgot about the fact that night happens at about 4.30 pm in this part of the world at this time of year, and a large cold front swept in and settled over Europe just after we got there! Arrrggghhh! Not good for Aussies!!!!

The photo on the right is Daniel in front of his chain of gondolas...

Ljubljana last days

Last days in Slovenia - went for an interesting excursion to Bled and also to Skofja Loka.
Slovenia has only one island; sheltered by picturesque mountains, the island reigns in the middle of an Alpine lake. The town of Bled has already existed for a thousand years. On the island in the middle of the lake, the ancient Slavs worshipped Živa, goddess of love and fertility. Pilgrims later came to the church of St Mary on the island. A thousand years ago, on 10 April 1004, the town of Bled was mentioned for the first time when the Holy German emperor, Henry II, gifted it to the Bishop of Brixen. At that distant time, a Roman tower already stood at the top of the cliff rising vertically 100 m above the lake, and it still forms part of the castle. The town flourished in the Middle Ages due to pilgrims, and these were replaced in the 19th century by the first tourists. The Swiss hydropathist, Arnold Rikli, discovered that the gentle climate and the lake and thermal waters are a source of good health and well-being. The local people supplemented the health spa offer with guest houses and hotels.

Škofja Loka, a thousand-year-old city at the confluence of the Poljanska Sora and Selška Sora rivers, was the center of the Loka dominion owned for 830 years by the Bishops of Freising, who placed an indelible stamp on the city. The old city core boasts numerous points of interest from the past, and the Loška Castle, built before 1202, reigns above the city. Škofja Loka is considered the most beautifully preserved medieval city in Slovenia.





Lunch was interesting... you know I mentioned pony meat before... well we had foal at lunch time... maybe that explains the funny face on this dude!


The photo below is Predjama Castle, which is another stunning castle. The castle perches on a vertical cliff 123 metres high; behind it is an extensive system of underground passageways with various hidden exits and a supply of running water. It is an almost impregnable fortress. An old legend tells of how in the 15^th century the castle’s last owner, the robber baron Erazem, was finally defeated by treachery—struck by a cannonball as he sat on the toilet. For months he had been taunting his besiegers, even sending down fresh fruit, which the castle was always supplied with thanks to its secret underground passages and corridors.

Ljubljana Day 4

OK, all of the TIMSS items have been reviewed - we're on to questionnaires tomorrow, then excursion on Friday and off to Venice on Saturday. Apparently there's a chance of snow tonight, so we all have our fingers crossed! Today the kids went to Postojna Caves and then to Predjama Castle, while I was working away. Jess' blog is at http://spaces.msn.com/members/jessiemeg85, and she will post pics from today.
These photos are of the Dragon which is the symbol of Ljubljana - there are four on Dragon Bridge, which was the first into Ljubljana and the dragons protected the Bridge and people. The second pic is one of the locals... then we saw a restaurant that specialises in pony meat.. so we're wondering where these were going!!!

Ljubljana Castle

OK, this afternoon we climbed up to Ljubljana Castle... very steep, cobblestoned walk. Slipped on the way down and wrenched my shoulder, as well as giving my knee a substantial bruise.

We set off from town at 4.10 and it was almost dark when we got up there at about 4.35pm. And so cold!!!
Here are some photos... views of the Castle, from the Castle over the city, and finally some of people in the Tower!!!

The first of these shows part of the old city of Ljubljana, with the Castle looking out over the city. The Castle is a medieval fort, and the city and its squares are around 2000 years old.

The second photo is the main square of Ljubljana, Presernov Trg, which is actually a big circle ratehr than a square!

The third photo is the view along the Ljubljanica River.

Ljubljana, Slovenia. Sunday November 13, 2005

Well here I am in SLovenia, along with Jessica and Daniel, who have come along for the ride. It;s COLD here!!! It was 5 degrees when we were walking before, so came back for a lie down. Thirty four hours travlling all up.. at least that's when we stopped counting!

These are the mountains we flew over into Ljubljana. The clouds were so thick they formed this perfect blanket over the mountains, so only the top of the highest peaks poked through.

Daniel's breakfast.. well part of it - Frankfurt Airport, 8am

Warsaw, August 2005

Ok well here I am on the blog again, this time from Warsaw. I have walked all day today (Sunday) and now back in the hotel recovering! It's quite hot out there especially as it was cool when I left Melbourne.

Today I started out early and headed to the Russian Markets, which are a fair walk from here and at a disused soccer stadium. it's a bit like Carribean Gardens, god forbid, but seedier and more crowded, especially along the upper levels. Everything is on sale apart from hats, which I desperately needed and couldnt get! Wish I could have bought some thongs too now that I think if it, my feet are so sore!

Anyway after that I walked back into the Old Town and walked around a few of the monuments, then did a tour throuh the Royal Palace. It's amazing that Warsaw had the crap bombed out of it in 1945 (90% destroyed) and yet they have rebuilt it so beautifully. Anyway I hope that the photo I post can be seen - for some reason they have a thing about painted cows here and I have been compulsively photographing them!

Marbella

Enjoyed the last day of no working today by missing the bus to Ronda and then just wandering around Marbella. The first 6 photos are the hotel room, requested by Daniel! The others are a sand sculpture at the beach, the main beach at Marbella, and a little street in the old part of town. It's been mid to high 20s today, and very balmy with a lovely sea breeze.... sigh... back to work tomorrow....

Marbella

Puerto Banus

Just down the coast a little from Marbella is this rather pretty little town which seems to be populated by the very rich - if the prices (and the yachts and cars) are anything to go by! However Lisa, Sam and I strolled around, Sam and I paddled in the freezing waters of the Mediterranean and we enjoyed a jug of Sangria for lunch. Well it did have lots of fresh fruit in it (top right)! We were intending to go to a market in the bull ring there, but didn't make it in time. Never mind, up early next saturday and we'll get there before we leave for home.

Puerto Banus, Spain

View from the hotel 

Spain - Marbella

Well a short flight from London then taxi from Malaga and here I am in Marbella! Room very luxurious, however after Paddington what wouldn't be! LOL
Weather is fine and sunny, probably 19 or so degrees, but very clear blue sky. Haven't been out yet, but will do so soon, but this is the only picture so far.

London 

Tower of London 

London

London college: from top left to right
The Ashes, Lord’s Museum; Regent Street; Eros and Trocadero, Piccadilly Circus; Diagon Alley (Leadenhall Market); Tower Bridge; Big Ben; Houses of Parliament; Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.

The Tower of London was said to be the most fearsome of all of the fortifications built by William the Conqueror after the Battle of Hastings. Its primary function was to provide a base for royal power in the City of London, and a stronghold to which the Royal Family could retreat in times of civil disorder. Henry VIII of course used it as a prison for religious and political prisoners.

London Tower collage: from top left to right
Tower of London from the Thames; Wakefield Tower, throne room; Fusilier’s museum; Waterloo Barracks – Jewel House (where the Crown Jewels are kept - MY GOD!); the next two speak for themselves!; Bloody Tower – Sir Walter Raleigh was imprisoned here for 13 years, and the two princes were allegedly murdered here; Traitor’s Gate – Prisoners accused of treason, such as Ann Boleyn, passed through here; White Tower – the oldest medieval tower.

London

Hello all
Here I am in freezing cold London. It's been sunny today, but about 5 degrees, and the sun has no warmth. At least the rain and snow flurries have not eventuated! I have walked all over London today, and seen nearly all that I wanted to see, Tower of London, all sorts of things. I'll try and post some pics soon, but I am currently in an internet cafe, just checking out the facilities. Tomorrow I'll be working most of the day in my room, which is about 3m square at the very most! Bit of a change after the Semiramis Intercontinental!! However it's also nice to be back in a country where people obey the road laws, you aren't in fear of your life crossing the road, and people aren't hassling you all the time to buy something!

Anyway hopefully will post something tomorrow
love
sue