tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27365576236981015792024-03-15T00:55:51.864+11:00stupendous joyAdventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.comBlogger345125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-38260689775141241342014-03-11T14:36:00.000+11:002014-03-11T19:59:42.279+11:00Almost Easter....& I think I'm back.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This post has been a long time coming.<br />
I totally dropped into a void last December. Gone without a trace. My computer died. I lost a LOT of photos and my blogging spirit waned. Apologies but I have enjoyed time away from my computer hanging with Z, soaking up our summer. It sort of felt like scared time before he started on his new journey.<br />
I'm feeling very grateful for all the years I have spent with my little man because now that he's at school it all seems to have flown by so quickly. I know, I know, people say that all the time.......... but boy it does hit home when you send those sweet little people off into the school yard.<br />
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Here's <a href="http://www.onbeing.org/program/biology-spirit/184" target="_blank">a link to a great interview</a> I listened to recently with the late <a href="http://www.newrepublic.com/article/116958/sherwin-nuland-dead-remembering-surgeon-who-healed-words" target="_blank">Sherwin Nuland</a>, surgeon and award winning author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-We-Die-Reflections-Chapter/dp/0679742441" target="_blank">'How we die.'</a> What an incredibly intelligent, gentle, wise and good humoured man who leaves a legacy in his death on how to LIVE!<br />
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On the flip side....these links are just for the fun of it....<br />
** <a href="http://legovines.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Lego Vines</a> by <a href="http://mrkwvr.com/" target="_blank">Mark Weaver</a><br />
** The App. <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/palm-springs-modern-mid-century/id576934996?mt=8" target="_blank">Palm Springs Modern Mid Century Architectural Tours</a><br />
** <a href="http://www.dearplastic.com/" target="_blank">Dear Plastic</a> and their <a href="http://youtu.be/JeMdV-EX3yc" target="_blank">Freehand POM making</a><br />
** Loving the <a href="http://mashable.com/2014/02/06/marc-jacobs-tweet-store/" target="_blank">Marc Jacobs pop up shop </a> in NY where the currency for purchases is made via Tweets and Instagrams.<br />
** <a href="http://hetalzheimerevent.nl/" target="_blank">Alzheimers Netherlands</a> launched an interesting Facebook campaign, <a href="http://vimeo.com/83230996" target="_blank">The Alzheimer's Event</a>,<br />
with the help of a food, film and large music festival to creatively engage young audiences in the fight against dementia. It's a little trippy but definitely gets the message across.<br />
** Enjoying <a href="http://8tracks.com/" target="_blank">8tracks</a> again and being reminded of <a href="http://www.boyandbear.com/" target="_blank">music I've loved and totally forgotten</a> about oh and <a href="http://youtu.be/-WG5S2C3Qnk" target="_blank">this one</a>.<br />
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Hello xx<br />
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<br />Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-90964480072509218602013-11-30T10:34:00.001+11:002013-11-30T10:36:35.575+11:00Bring back a bit of Berlin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Longing for a bit of <a href="http://stupendousjoy.blogspot.de/search/label/Berlin" target="_blank">Berlin</a> this week. Smith Street was as close as I came to feeling anywhere near it and I must say I was pretty delighted to be there.<br />
<a href="http://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/food-and-drink/directory/restaurant/shop-ramen" target="_blank">This Ramen store </a>was a highlight (Thanks Sally!!). I'm hoping to get back for another bowl over the weekend. I tried both the pork.....& the cashew (shared them with my friend... just in case you're thinking oink, oink). They were seriously amazing!!<br />
I also LOVE that <a href="http://www.bigdreams.com.au/" target="_blank">Big Dreams</a> have opened a new store in the old bead shop on Smith Street. Do you remember that Melbourne relic?<br />
Pined over a couch in <a href="http://moderntimes.com.au/" target="_blank">Modern Times</a> and made a purchase at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SmithStreetBazaar" target="_blank">Smith St Bazar.</a> A Christmas present that's so spot on (or so I'm hoping). <br />
Loving this list of <a href="http://digginmelbourne.wordpress.com/store-guide/" target="_blank">Melbourne vinyl stores </a>to help arm me for some serious summer sounds these holidays.<br />
Enjoyed Ron Gutman's <a href="http://www.viewbix.com/v/People--n--Blogs/51e10a06-676b-40aa-85ff-064bfbb50157" target="_blank">TED talk on Smiling</a> & Brother David Steindl-Rast, a Benedictine monk, <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/david_steindl_rast_want_to_be_happy_be_grateful.html?utm_campaign=&utm_medium=on.ted.com-static&utm_content=awesm-publisher&awesm=on.ted.com_gratefulness&utm_source=t.co" target="_blank">talk on "the gentle power" of gratefulness. </a><br />
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I've established a weekly ritual where I listen to an interview, while cooking, over at <a href="http://www.onbeing.org/" target="_blank">On Being</a>. This weeks interview was with <a href="http://www.onbeing.org/program/bodys-grace-matthew-sanfords-story/185" target="_blank">Matthew Samford, The Body's Grace</a>. It's a beautiful interview on the mind-body connection. Matthew is an author and yoga teacher.....who has been a paraplegic since the age of 13. Describing it as 'inspiring' seems a little lame. His experience is mind-blowingly profoud. I'm hoping <a href="http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Waking-Matthew-Sanford/9781594868450" target="_blank">his book</a> will be in my Santa stocking this Christmas. No subtlety there, hey LF?<br />
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The countdown begins tomorrow. Hope you have your advent calendar at the ready. Let the fun begin xx Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-80882061087341600292013-11-12T20:45:00.001+11:002013-11-12T20:45:42.700+11:00What's going on?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Things seem to be happening behind the scenes here at the moment.<br />
I've been consciously spending less time online & more time doing.....things.<br />
Our <a href="http://stupendousjoy.blogspot.com.au/2011/12/screen-printing-snaps.html" target="_blank">annual screen printing</a> took place the weekend before last. <i>Sorry since they are Christmas presents I'll resist posting pictures until after the big day. </i><br />
There's a knitting project for a friend. I wont say any more. <i>It's a secret.</i><br />
Writing - a little project I'm working on elsewhere. <i>Also a bit of a secret.</i><br />
Slowly going through the notes I took on <a href="http://stupendousjoy.blogspot.com.au/p/melindamelou.html" target="_blank">our trip </a>and marveling at <a href="http://www.kebony.com/en/?c=slideshow&pp=3231" target="_blank">the buildings</a>.<br />
Reading... <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Ruins-Novel-Jess-Walter/dp/0061928178" target="_blank">this novel</a>.... & <a href="http://www.positivityresonance.com/" target="_blank">this</a> Love 2.0...... My local bookstore is reading a book by neurologist <a href="http://www.oliversacks.com/" target="_blank">Oliver Sacks</a> called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Minds-Eye-Oliver-Sacks/dp/B0099QTI04" target="_blank">The Mind's Eye </a>for their next book club so I snaffled a copy today. It's next on my hit list.<br />
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A <a href="http://www.brightvictoria.com.au/" target="_blank">country trip</a> with friends, staying <a href="http://www.thehouseatsmoko.com.au/" target="_blank">here</a> & a desperately quiet carnival were all part of the beauty which made up our weekend.<br />
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Hope your days have been fun......even without any trace of the sun!! What's going on Melbourne?? x Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-5482468654942176362013-10-23T17:08:00.001+11:002013-10-23T17:08:13.496+11:00micro moments of love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I came across this gorgeous interview with <a href="http://positivityresonance.com/index.html" target="_blank">Dr Barbara Fredrickson</a> today. It's one that gives us hope in building on our resources to establish better choices and responses to the challenges we all face in life. <a href="http://youtu.be/NIxySKDzlYo" target="_blank">This interview</a> is 12 minutes and Barbara's genuine, natural beauty absolutely resonate throughout.<br />
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<i>Dr Barbara Fredrickson is <a href="http://kenan.ethics.duke.edu/about/the-institute/" target="_blank">Kenan Distinguished Professor </a>of Psychology and Award-winning Director of the <a href="http://www.positiveemotions.org/" target="_blank">PEP Lab</a> at the University of North Carolina. Her research reveals how micro-moments of love and other forms of positivity nourish your health, wisdom, and longevity. She has twice been invited to brief His Holiness the Dalai Lama on her research </i>(link found via <a href="http://mindfulness4mothers.com/">mindfulness4mothers.com</a> Thanks Kellie!)<i><br /></i><br />
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Enjoy xx<br />
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<br />Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-22200328255394285332013-10-22T15:13:00.001+11:002013-10-22T17:07:53.391+11:00Who'd have thought....Juggling...to be the super hero of brain training?<br />
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Loving this ABC series at the moment, <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/redesign-my-brain-with-todd-sampson/" target="_blank">Redesign My Brain</a>, with Todd Sampson. It gives us all a little hope in dealing with our weaknesses.<br />
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<i>My lovely friend <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/science/surfingscientist/jugglingballs.htm" target="_blank">BM</a> just left a link for <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/science/surfingscientist/jugglingballs.htm" target="_blank">home made juggling balls </a>in the comments. I thought I would share for all those interested in increasing their brain capacity. Thanks BM!</i>Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-27448107413901951762013-10-08T09:23:00.001+11:002013-10-25T12:06:02.374+11:00The wise words of Sylvia Boorstein<br />
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I listened to <a href="http://www.onbeing.org/program/what-we-nurture-with-sylvia-boorstein/242" target="_blank">this interview</a> with <a href="http://www.sylviaboorstein.com/" target="_blank">Sylvia Boorstein </a>while cooking dinner on Sunday night. It is a beautifully wise discussion on<a href="http://www.onbeing.org/program/what-we-nurture-with-sylvia-boorstein/242" target="_blank"> 'What we Nurture.' </a> I especially loved the tale about the two wolves, it really makes you think about which one you feed. I've been recalling snippets of the interview ever since. Sylvia has such a gentle and wise way but her words have a powerful impact <i>(**another clip which explains & expands on Syvlia's 'wolves story' beautifully <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA3EGx46r4Q&feature=share&list=PLZwaG5do7TJ2V_O_VKL2YqLNXEKj66WMl" target="_blank">is this</a> one by neuropsychologist Rick Hanson).</i><br />
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On a lighter note.....I also love the hours of fun over at <a href="http://www.mrprintables.com/" target="_blank">Mr Printables</a> and definitely want to try out this <a href="http://www.yoga213.com.au/" target="_blank">hip hop yoga</a>! You can read Sammy Veall's inspiring story of how hip hop yoga came to be over <a href="http://www.dumbofeather.com/sammy-veall-is-a-yogi-with-swagger/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Slowly, after<a href="http://stupendousjoy.blogspot.com.au/p/melindamelou.html" target="_blank"> our big trip </a>I can feel myself creeping back into the swing of things. Enjoy x<br />
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Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-50322612715963201372013-09-19T11:23:00.002+10:002013-09-19T14:53:34.900+10:00In Praise of Slow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCG2lV8nxepZMW7ngAdeXJ09n2yTCEPovwHxiKFKTNSiokweNCaydFXFZZZX3qTJSgxzLaWQ_WCudddpstD5KkLwTpg-hIOcqZ_W2uD36BnNbCSi8X9r7vsjZ7P5U-QBwE8iwWZVyyDjU/s1600/IMG_8067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCG2lV8nxepZMW7ngAdeXJ09n2yTCEPovwHxiKFKTNSiokweNCaydFXFZZZX3qTJSgxzLaWQ_WCudddpstD5KkLwTpg-hIOcqZ_W2uD36BnNbCSi8X9r7vsjZ7P5U-QBwE8iwWZVyyDjU/s400/IMG_8067.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTiQ_ISdVaK6mA39I_CCWMkok683kptHa0wcuQds4nrc3vPflo4Fwbu2qoMuRtI291m6bYrSrjDExKIrwnnNOItKPYaZ1y4l08YRqe2mKccJH4i07QAHoktpW-V9aZyXd65_QgdfpVdWu/s1600/shark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTiQ_ISdVaK6mA39I_CCWMkok683kptHa0wcuQds4nrc3vPflo4Fwbu2qoMuRtI291m6bYrSrjDExKIrwnnNOItKPYaZ1y4l08YRqe2mKccJH4i07QAHoktpW-V9aZyXd65_QgdfpVdWu/s400/shark.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq27supujMVo-PWx4KEJdsHJ7O1QcfUkKSm54RtjOkEmT6H0ZUS_LFMp95VbpcJgpPSM_GxqnyPMhw8zCDCjt4r83uTvzbusITLwWLU87S6EoTs4JGZaavLX3SRXfm81mhJlywrcWS_KT/s1600/IMG_7935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq27supujMVo-PWx4KEJdsHJ7O1QcfUkKSm54RtjOkEmT6H0ZUS_LFMp95VbpcJgpPSM_GxqnyPMhw8zCDCjt4r83uTvzbusITLwWLU87S6EoTs4JGZaavLX3SRXfm81mhJlywrcWS_KT/s400/IMG_7935.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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We are trying to hold onto all things holiday around here. It's amazing how quickly the everyday creeps back in and you loose the spaciousness that surrounds a holiday.<br />
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I wrote a few notes last week, while still away, listing all the things I loved about our trip. I wanted a reminder so when things crowd in on me I can find my way back to some sort of 'holiday' feeling. Part of my list revolved around not being so accessible..... I really loved my 3 months of few phone calls, text messages and emails. There's so much freedom in letting go of all the surplus communication in life. Vast amounts of space open up and so many more possibilities are apparent. The automatic and compulsive comparisons just drop away too. At <a href="http://stupendousjoy.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/telunasheaven-and-dare-i-say-hellish.html" target="_blank">Telunas</a> we met a successful businessman man who goes there 3 times a year to work on new ideas. He sits looking out at the ocean where there is no email, twitter or endless distraction from the online world and he works. It is where he comes up with his best plans and feels the most inspired. <br />
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The biggest test is maintaining that space in a world that is so instant, so on and so big on over-communication.<br />
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Like me, love me, link me, tweet me, text me, call me, IG me, Facebook me, Skype me, email me...... phwaaaa.....after stepping away for three and a half months it feels a little like..... bombard me, baby! It's no wonder I've been drawn to read this, <a href="http://www.carlhonore.com/books/in-praise-of-slowness/" target="_blank">In Praise of Slow</a>, since returning. It's a book about challenging the cult of speed. '<i>Savoring the hours and minutes rather than just counting them. Doing everything as well as possible, instead of as fast as possible. It’s about quality over quantity in everything from work to food to parenting.' </i> (It also feels fitting after Indonesia. They are true masters of savoring the minutes).<br />
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It really is something a holiday demands you do, slow down. Now I just need to bring that to my everyday. xx<br />
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<i>PS. Z is like a new kid. Back to his energetic self and loving life back at kinder with his buddies....I really underestimated how much he would miss his little friends while away. </i><br />
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Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-57554781677163979892013-09-14T21:30:00.001+10:002013-09-14T22:58:42.954+10:00Telunas....heaven and ....dare I say.... hellish?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just want to get one thing straight. When I say 'hellish' I am not talking in any way about '<a href="http://www.telunasbeach.com/" target="_blank">Telunas'</a>. Telunas is totally heavenly. The staff are incredible, the food delicious, the white sandy beach is remote and the water so warm you can lie in the shallows for hours. It is a destination that seems to be one of those well kept secrets but if you find yourself in <a href="http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/experience.html" target="_blank">Singapore</a> with a couple of days to spare do head to Telunas. It's a 3 hour ferry trip from Singapore to the <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Riau_Islands" target="_blank">Riau Islands</a> in Indonesia. </div>
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We were virtually the only people at the resort for a couple of days and it was very relaxing.....the perfect wind down to our trip......until Z became sick. It put a slight damper on things. The staff were wonderful making bowls of porridge to settle Z's tummy and delivering them to our room along with isotonic drinks, hugs and constant well wishes. I've written so much down about this place while lying alongside Z on the bed as he wrestled sleep and acute stomach pain. I'll write more about Telunus once the dust settles on this crazy illness that has found us in an Emergency room the last 3 out of 4 nights. </div>
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On returning from Telunas we planned to spend our final two nights enjoying the decadence of a <a href="http://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/gb/en/singapore/sinhb/hoteldetail" target="_blank">5 star hotel</a> in Singapore (half price on lastminute.com .....we thought we deserved the splurge). Mmmmm, well it was not quite as we imagined. When we pulled into the driveway the porter insisting on helping me with my bags, one a 'sick bag' full of Z's vomit....not quite the Versace the porter is used to handling! Instead of soundly sleeping on the soft king sized bed we 3 found ourselves sleeping on hospital beds under the brash lights of an active emergency ward. Our king size bed empty, our amazing breakfast was replaced by McDonalds at the hospital and instead of packing and last minute shopping we were waiting on ultrasounds, blood tests and urine samples while praying Z would be well enough to fly by 9pm the next night.</div>
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The doctors in Singapore were brilliant. One delightful doctor even helped us out to hail a cab at 4am, in the rain, instructing the driver where to take us, he handed over a hand written letter of referral for the next hospital and called ahead to prep the emergency staff to ensure we were seen immediately. I can't speak highly enough of the treatment we received at both Raffles Hospital and KK Children's Hospital in Singapore. We were also ever so grateful to be there and not somewhere where we didn't speak the language.</div>
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Now we are home and how sweet it is to be here..... back in our own beds...... It has not quite been the homecoming we anticipated but hopefully tonight we manage to sleep through without Z writhing in pain and us making a late night mercy dash to Emergency. We are all so crazily exhausted.... so apologies if I'm out of touch while we get ourselves together here. </div>
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Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-31959580449933855792013-08-31T17:41:00.002+10:002013-08-31T17:49:46.595+10:00Last calls..........we are on the way out.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The last week has been busy. We took the train from Dorset to Gerard's Cross.... a 4.5hr journey to visit the L.F.'s relies, who graciously put us up for a couple of nights very last minute. The weather was rather unkind while we were there so we took a few wet walks, went to see Planes and ate at their dinner table (reminding me very much of sitting at the Inksters dinner table, <a href="http://stupendousjoy.blogspot.de/2013/05/berlin.html" target="_blank">with A</a>, 21 years earlier in <a href="http://www.denhaag.nl/en.htm" target="_blank">The Hague</a>...Waterford crystal, embossed tablecloths, impeccable manners & lively conversations).<br />
As a complete contrast we headed from Gerard's Cross to Essex (another mega train trip) for a night to visit Miss G and The Fouf. We had a tour of <a href="http://www.visitessex.com/" target="_blank">Essex</a> which actually reminded me a lot of St Kilda. Seaside amusement parks and a wide windswept boulevard. We ate homemade pizzas, stayed up laughing till late, ate more cream tea (with <a href="http://www.roddas.co.uk/" target="_blank">Rodda's amazing 'Classic Cornish Clotted Cream'</a>) and went to a pub in the sweet Old Town of Leigh-On-Sea for lunch by the seaside...in the sun. I am not sure what I imagine Essex would be like but it definitely exceeded my expectations. Thanks guys for the tour and hospitality. We really enjoyed hanging out on your home turf Fouf!<br />
Back to London and we headed straight for Shari's place in <a href="http://stupendousjoy.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/we-love-brixton.html" target="_blank">Brixton</a>. It felt like coming home. There was sheer relief from all three of us to see Shari's friendly face and to be staying put for 5 days. In the last 4 days it seemed we had done more rail travel than some Poms would manage in a lifetime (especially some from Portland). It was strange to think 3 months earlier we had taken off for Norway on this epic journey, it only felt like a week had passed since we were last here. Z and the LF have come down with colds and have been snuffly and out of sorts since we left Weymouth. It feels as though we have been limping to the finish line this week. Shari has been a brilliant host giving us plenty of space to make plans for our next leg and totally recoup.<br />
I took off for a sleep over at Ladle's house one night. We went to <a href="http://www.dockkitchen.co.uk/" target="_blank">Dock Kitchen</a> for a meal and had pre drinks at <a href="http://www.theparadise.co.uk/" target="_blank">Paradise By Way of Kensal Green</a> where we chanced upon an open mike night & met an <a href="http://youtu.be/ZxCBNi62GYs" target="_blank">interesting fellow</a> who rather persistently nuzzeled in on our conversation & proceeded to charm us with his flute (it was a little reminiscent of the time we were charmed in Istanbul, 6 years earlier, by Mike and his 'sweet apricots'. Somehow finding ourselves up in his 'den' fending of the sleazy carpet salesman and his apple tea).<br />
We spent a lovely afternoon at <a href="http://mrseliotbooks.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Fran's</a>, eating cream tea while soaking up the afternoon sunshine and sharing stories of our weeks since Italy. It was sweet getting the wee people together for a post-Italian-summer-holiday play. It was great to see Fran's place.. a home I feel I've been in many times before..... Seeing Z so happy to be with his little buddies was lovely and it was hard to tear him away. <br />
We took a visit to Selfridges and soaked up the city mayhem on Oxford street before heading to <a href="http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/hampstead-heath/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Hamstead Heath</a>. Here we spent an evening on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_Hill,_London" target="_blank">Parliament Hill </a>watching the antics of summer dog walkers and sun-drenched children, with Shari and Mel & co. (Mel a long time friend of the LF & Shari's who has recently relocated to London with her husband & two young boys).<br />
On our last full day we met Ladle and Co. in Notting Hill where we ordered take away Ottolenghi and headed to Kennsington Gardens for a picnic. The food, as expected, was just incredible. With a cocktail of flavours lingering in our mouths we turned balloons into interesting animals with our Magic Balloon kit and relaxed in the sun. Once our food had settled and the kids became restless we treked across to the <a href="http://www.serpentinegallery.org/2013/02/sou_fujimoto_to_design_serpentine_gallery_pavilion_2013.html" target="_blank">Serpentine Pavilion</a> to see <a href="http://www.sou-fujimoto.net/" target="_blank">Sou Fujimoto</a>'s summer creation. After a coffee and climb here we made our way across to <a href="http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/hyde-park/hyde-park-attractions/diana-memorial-fountain" target="_blank">Lady Diana's Memorial Fountain</a>. A great place to splash about on our last sunny summers day in London. We tearfully farewell our friends at the tube station making them promise to come out to Australia soon.<br />
Friday night back in Brixton was pumping. The Brixton Market was flooded with people eating at small stalls selling food of every ethnicity, bar Indian! There is such a great vibe here and I've really enjoyed getting to know this part of town. The LF, Shari & Mel headed out for a few drinks while I packed and sorted our things ready for take off. It's sad to be leaving London. I do love London in the summer time.<br />
After our week recouping we could....almost..... do the whole thing again.<br />
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To all our friends and family here in London a HUGE thank you. Apologies to those we did not get to catch up with again on our return. Till next time bye bye and big love.<br />
<br />
Next, Singapore. Then 7 nights on an island, totally unplugged....no phones, TV, computers or Instagram! We'll be soaking up some down time in a hut, on stilts, before heading home.<br />
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I must rush now.....off to do the last of our packing. xx<br />
<br />
PS. <span style="color: red;">HAPPY FATHERS DAY DAD! WE LOVE YOU....LOU & Z MAN XX</span><br />
<br />Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-41416860211891142272013-08-26T08:15:00.001+10:002013-08-26T08:15:49.766+10:00Way down in Weymouth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have just spent the last week down in Weymouth staying with friends. These friends we met around 8 years ago in Turkey. The LF & I were in Turkey for a month on our honeymoon and met S & B (B is a mad Scotsman) on a <a href="http://www.boatcruiseturkey.com/">gullet trip</a>. We spent 4 blissful days sailing around the mediterranean together.<br />
The LF has kept in regular contact with them via Skype & he stayed with them about 4 years ago on the tail end of a business trip to Europe for work. They now have two boys, Sennan (3) & Toby (1), who Z absolutely adored and vice versa.<br />
Having survived our late night flight from Milan, totally crashing out at the <a href="http://www.premierinn.com/en/hotel/GATTHY/london-gatwick-airport-north-terminal">Premiere Inn</a> in Gatwick, we jumped a train to the South West coast. The train ride from Gatwick took three hours and the further we travelled the grizzlier the weather became. Grey skies rolled in and the rain streamed down the train windows. Having dodged rain for almost three months we were retiscent to complain about the UK's poor form. Cardigans and jeans were reluctantly pulled out from the bottom of our packs after lying dormant for over a month and were reinstated as staple clothing items. Thankfully the rain was short lived and for the most part we were treated to splendid seaside weather, by UK standards anyway.<br />
Alternative sleep-ins, small town touring in S & B's pimped up VW van, nights spent playing vinyl, making 'best of' playlists and many a laugh at the seaside antics of the English have kept us entertained.....not to mention B's natural propensity for the pub. <br />
We traveled to the small quaint country town of <a href="http://www.abbotsbury.co.uk/">Abbotsbury</a> and hiked up to the abandoned chapel for an incredible view of the coastline. We spent a day in <a href="http://www.lymeregis.org/" target="_blank">Lyme Rygis</a> where we sampled the famous Dorset pasties from <a href="http://www.cylex-uk.co.uk/company/mulberry-manor-13274619.html" target="_blank">Mulberry Manor</a>. While the kids enjoyed swimming in the shallows B was called to action, by S and I, when a lady misjudged the boardwalk and fell backwards smacking her white rinsed head against the stones where a ring of red blood quickly appeared. The poor dear was shaken but ok. B, an off duty paramedic, had her back on her feet in no time.<br />
S took us on a tour of the <a href="http://www.visitweymouth.co.uk/index.php?resource=358" target="_blank">Isle of Portland</a>, a bizarre Isle off the coast of Weymouth, wind swept and I imagine rather bleak in the winter. This little Isle is home to 3 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HM_Prison_Portland" target="_blank">prisons</a> and interestingly was also the home of the Australian Sailing team during the Olympics. On the way down we stopped at <a href="http://thecovehouseinn.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Cove</a> on Chisel Beach for a pint. Some of you may know it from <a href="http://www.ianmcewan.com/bib/books/chesil.html" target="_blank">the Ian McEwan novel</a>.<br />
The LF and I took Z & Sennan to the Weymouth carnival on Wednesday and after a number of tummy turning rides for the wee lads we ate lunch with them down on the beach, which was heaving. Extended families arrived with a serious amount of paraphernalia. Everything bar the kitchen sink is required, it seems, for an enjoyable day by the English seaside. Watching them set up with wind breakers, blow up paddle aids, deck chairs, pumps, mats, dogs.....and so on was an entertaining activity. I felt like I was on the set of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0908454/" target="_blank">Gavin & Stacey</a>. Afterwards we headed to the <a href="http://www.childfriendly.co.uk/family-restaurants/england/dorset/weymouth/the-spyglass/" target="_blank">Spy Glass Hotel</a> beer garden to watch the <a href="http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/" target="_blank">Red Arrows</a> perform for <a href="http://www.weymouthcarnival.co.uk/" target="_blank">Weymouth Carnival Day</a>.<br />
One afternoon we did a bush walk to <a href="http://smugglersinnosmingtonmills.co.uk/" target="_blank">Smugglers Cove</a> (rather sweaty for some....bike leathers are not advisable!). We ate lunch around at <a href="http://www.weymouth-dorset.co.uk/upwey.html" target="_blank">The Wishing Well</a>, Portland Crab sandwiches and Dorset cream tea! <br />
S & B took care of the Z man one night and secretly booked the LF and I in for a romantic meal at <a href="http://www.mallamsrestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank">Mallums</a> in the <a href="http://www.waterfrontweymouth.co.uk/" target="_blank">old harbour</a>, their sister-in-law then came and babysat all three kids so they could then meet us for a drink after dinner. It was a fun and rather late night resulting in a few sore heads the next day (these Scotsmen are lethal!).<br />
I managed to dodge the back of B's motorbike rather skilfully. I am pretty terrible on a bike so the idea of being a pillion around single lane country towns on a motorbike rather terrified me. Thank you LF for taking a hit for the team. I'm eternally grateful. The 140mph speeds may have seen me pass out. I was pleased to be riding up front with S in the van. It was really lovely getting to know her better and I wished we had snuck off for a few more girls outings together. Thanks for having us guys. We hope to see you in Oz next Easter. xx<br />
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<i>(Sorry Dad! I am a little slow getting this post up. Love xx)</i>Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-86842897169152555812013-08-18T19:25:00.000+10:002013-08-18T19:25:42.460+10:00Summer in Milan <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCbNr0nl1yt0dOeKUHfo0EZw1X6BGiEJx3fIOCjjLExVQdOl6QsGB0qXIF1HjfxgB6aYQAUR3x_sn-lthKv6_lZCC5uxTLP7w9ivODx-AAobu97UEvnV8BJyfmWtW4xx6EuCH2HvKFCc/s1600/noname-19.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCbNr0nl1yt0dOeKUHfo0EZw1X6BGiEJx3fIOCjjLExVQdOl6QsGB0qXIF1HjfxgB6aYQAUR3x_sn-lthKv6_lZCC5uxTLP7w9ivODx-AAobu97UEvnV8BJyfmWtW4xx6EuCH2HvKFCc/s400/noname-19.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We're sitting at Milan airport waiting for our flight to Gatwick after spending the last 2 nights here. With a 2 hour delay just announced I thought I would write about our time here while it is still fresh.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.turismo.milano.it/wps/portal/!ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz94NQ8_Qj9KLN4c0tDv0BnCxMD_yAjUwNPA_9gD09XR2MDAxP9cJAus3g_f6NQNxNPQ0MLM1dDAyMzDxMnnzBPA3cXY4i8AQ7gaKDv55Gfm6pfkOHlUe6oqAgA29PRKg!!/dl2/d1/L0lHSkovd0RNQUJrQUVnQSEhL1lCWncvZW4!/?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=en/situr/home" target="_blank">Milan </a>has been fantastic. I am a little sad to be leaving tonight. We arrived at midday on Wednesday from Lugano. It's a train trip I had done twenty years earlier, only in reverse. I was on route from Florence to Zurich and was so impressed by the scenery. I remember scribbling in my guide book the name 'Menaggio' as we sped by vowing to return. It was incredibly beautiful even in the dead of winter, covered in snow. Seeing it in summer was just as impressive.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">August in Italy is quiet in the towns as everyone vacates for either the sea or the mountains. This worked in our favour as the city was so easy to navigate without the crowds. The streets were quiet and it felt like Christmas holiday period in Melbourne. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Our hotel was situated on Corso Sempione and it was a short walk through <a href="http://www.aviewoncities.com/milan/arcodellapace.htm" target="_blank">Arco Della Pace </a> to <a href="http://www.aviewoncities.com/milan/parcosempione.htm" target="_blank">Parco Sempione</a> and the <a href="http://www.milanocastello.it/ing/home.html" target="_blank">Castello Sforzesco</a>.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Our first afternoon we walked along Corso Sempione to the park, through the castle and wove our way through the streets to <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g187849-d208761-Reviews-Brera-Milan_Lombardy.html" target="_blank">Brera</a> to meander the pedestrian streets and drool over the apartments. I had tried to book an <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/334178" target="_blank">apartment in Brera</a> which was a slightly over budget but an amazing position and beautifully furnished. I would definitely consider moving <strike>if</strike> when I <strike>could</strike> can afford an apartment around this area. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Coming home we caught <a href="http://www.spottedbylocals.com/milan/milano-trams/" target="_blank">the #1 tram</a>, an old rickety tram with wooden benches and slat flooring reminiscent of chilhood tram trips in Melbourne. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The next morning back on the tram we jumped off at <a href="http://www.360cities.net/image/piazza-cavour-milano-italy#297.00,-7.80,74.8" target="_blank">Piazza Cavour</a> and wove our way through the seductive <a href="http://howtospendit.ft.com/destinations/122-a-long-weekend-in-milan-with-christopher-kane" target="_blank">golden triangle</a>! Fortunately (for our wallets) most of the stores were closed for their summer break but we enjoyed window shopping as the Milanese definitely have their visual merchandising figured out. Every high end shop was so simple, oozing style and definitely created a sense of desire! My favorite store being the furniture store, <a href="http://www.nilufar.com/home.php" target="_blank">Nilufor</a>. They had the most incredible bookshelf which we later discover was a <a href="http://www.fondazionefrancoalbini.com/eng/francoalbini_biography.html" target="_blank">Franco Albini</a>. We strolled down Corso vittale Emmanuel II watching the buskers and street performers, dodging dodgy salesmen, crowds (the only crowded street in Milan at this time) and polizi patrol cars to emerge at the Duomo. Here I'll make a little confession. We dared, in Italy, for the first time this trip to bribe Z with lunch at McDonald's. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The LF and I refrained but all was not lost on this experience. They have the most spectacular view of the <a href="http://www.duomomilano.it/?lang=en" target="_blank">Duomo</a> from their first floor 'restaurant'. Duck in for a drink or toilet break (or bribe your child *i'll write a post on this once home) to check out the view. With a gallery bribe up our sleeves we visited <a href="http://www.brera.beniculturali.it/" target="_blank">Pinacoteca di Brera</a>. The gallery houses a vast collection of Milanese artwork from early renaissance to contemporary works... albeit heavily geared towards the renaissance with a lot of biblical references which was interesting explaining to Z, who was quite horrified by some of the images.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Our last dinner in Milan was not quite as I imagined. I did not even realise I held a vision of how it should be until we were seated and I was desperately trying to rewind the last 15 minutes in order to choose a different outcome. I desperately knew the scene I was sitting in was not meant for me! Instead of being seated at a gorgeous little Osteria in the back streets of Brera sipping a lovely Italian GewĂ¼rztraminer</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">and traditional home style Italian fare we had somehow made our way to the 'Lygon Street' strip of Brera, sitting at a restaurant spraying fine mists of water at intervals on the Pommy tourists expiring under the 'extreme' weather, downing large pints of larger while listening to Frank Sinatra, Bonnie Tyler & a bevie of bad 80's tracks. Z had rather loudly insisted on 'this one' and since we had pushed our luck already that day, we buckled. Thankfully once the horror wore off we laughed hysterically and rather enjoyed ourselves. All part of the pitfalls and pleasures of traveling with kids.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">On our last day we spent our time at <a href="http://www.triennale.it/it/" target="_blank">Triennale Di Milano</a>, Milan's brilliant design museum. There were four exhibitions on and they were all beautifully curated, <a href="http://www.triennale.it/it/mostre/incorso/2323-vi-triennale-design-museum-la-sindrome-dellinfluenza">The Syndrome of Influence</a> being a favourite. The building is vast and the detailing beautiful, mosaic floors, huge windows, imposing staircases all set on the edge of Parco Sempione. You definitely need to set aside at a minimum half a day to explore this treasure. We ended our visit with lunch at the cafe in the sculpture garden before heading back for our airport transfer.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Unfortunately, our plane has now been delayed 4 hours so instead of getting in at 8pm it looks like we'll be touching down in the wee hours of the morning. I am exhausted I can only imagine how tired the Z man must feel, poor lad. Luckily we've pre booked a room at Gatwick airport so once we touch down we can roll in to bed, ready for our train trip to Waymouth tomorrow. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Buonenotte a tutti & grazie mille Milan. xx</span><br />
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<i>PS. Sorry about the font issue again. I'm too tired for any more tonight so it will have to do for now. </i>Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-59303023634389696492013-08-17T07:30:00.000+10:002013-08-17T07:30:01.759+10:00Lugano, lugano, lugano...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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From Montese we had to head back up to Switzerland to drop off our hire car. We originally intended to return to Zurich and fly back to the UK from there. However, the idea of 6 hours in the car didn't exactly excite us.....or the Z man. So we made a decision to head to Lugano, just over the border, instead. We would stay a few nights then take the train, a one hour journey, to Milan. Sorted.</div>
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Great decision. <a href="http://www.lugano-tourism.ch/it/32/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lugano </a>is stunning. It's a little like <a href="http://stupendousjoy.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/another-lakethis-time-como.html" target="_blank">Lake Como </a>goes to <a href="http://www.visitmonaco.com/us" target="_blank">Monte Carlo</a>. Expensive, well groomed and so very stylish. </div>
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We were staying in the <a href="http://ibisbudgethotel.ibis.com/gb/discovering-ibis/index.shtml" target="_blank">Ibis Budget </a>hotel. There was no flashy hotel suite or Maserati waiting to collect us form the train station but we enjoyed ourselves nonetheless. </div>
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We spent a sunny morning cruising around Lago di Luganno on one of the large ferries. As recommended we stopped off in <a href="http://www.lugano.ch/en/lugano-politica/quartieri/gandria.html" target="_blank">Gandria </a>for lunch. Gandria is a gorgeous little pedestrian town situated right on the lake and you could be forgiven for thinking you were somewhere along the <a href="http://www.amalfitouristoffice.it/" target="_blank">Amalfi coast</a>. A great place to visit but it would be rather quiet and the swimming slightly treacherous with a child. If you have the time another great spot to stop off for a bite would be <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.it/Restaurant_Review-g1945830-d3247525-Reviews-Grotto_dei_Pescatori-Giornico_Ticino_Swiss_Alps.html" target="_blank">Grotto die Pescatori </a>. We didn't have time this visit but I'd love to at some point. </div>
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Back in Lugano we headed straight for the public 'lido' for a swim. There are many fantastic<a href="http://www.lugano-tourism.ch/it/110/default.aspx" target="_blank"> public pools in Lugano </a>and I would love to road test them all. We went for the closest, <a href="http://www.lugano-tourism.ch/it/110/lido-riva-caccia.aspx?idActivity=130&idMod=246" target="_blank">Lido Riva Caccia</a>, which had a spectacular view of the lake and plonked ourselves down for an afternoon of swimming. People watching at this pool was just as entertaining as the swimming! There was many a fine lady in full bathing regalia.... earrings, makeup, mani, pedi, perfect hair..... gracefully gliding across the lake. They seemed, like the swans of the lake, to move as a flock. It was quite the site. As the afternoon wears on there is a shuffle for free <a href="http://www.ombrellificiomagnani.com/lettini-alluminio-prendisole/lettino-in-alluminio-mod-601/" target="_blank">lettino</a>'s, which are more expensive than the entrance fee, and some serious repositioning to follow the sun. Afternoon drinks on the deck begin and the mood is jovial. It's the perfect place to see out the day. </div>
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Although it was short we loved our time in Lugano and would definitely love to head back some day for longer. </div>
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Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-36350111917649730822013-08-16T05:56:00.001+10:002013-08-16T05:56:30.294+10:00So long, Montese<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our last few days in Montese were spent pretty much the same as the first. Late lazy mornings, hour upon hour by the pool, trying to escape multiple bee stings and the obligatory afternoon spritzing. The rest of our time there seemed to revolved around food.<br />
Marzia very kindly taught us how to make gnocchi. The three of us sat in her kitchen and watched as she measured, kneaded and chopped the gnocchi into puffy bite sized pieces. We took turns in following her direction and were pleased by our results. Light, delicious gnocchi which we all sat down and shared, with Enrico & Marzia, for lunch. Z even had two helpings. A miracle!<br />
We tried an ice-cream sandwich which, despite how it sounds, was pretty incredible. The bun was a delicious <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panettone" target="_blank">panettone</a> type roll.....a little too sweet for the LF which meant I 'had to' make my way through the lot.<br />
We ate dinner watching the sunset at the <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.it/Restaurant_Review-g2208919-d3505127-Reviews-Ristorante_la_Terrazza-Montese_Province_of_Modena_Emilia_Romagna.html" target="_blank">Terrace Restaurant</a>, Hotel Miramonti in Montese. One of the best views in Montese. It was an early birthday celebration for the Ladle and we lapped up the time, without children, thankful for Ladle's parents who took care of all three munchkins. The food was fantastic and the <a href="http://italianfood.about.com/od/aboutwine/a/aa032797.htm" target="_blank">lambrusco</a> was flowing. It was great to have a few laughs with Ladle and the BF for old times sake. The kids also had a great time attending a concert at the church. Apparently Little Miss G and the Z man had to sit at the back & cover their mouths to hold in their fits of laughter.<br />
On our last night we were treated to pizza & beer (& <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grappa" target="_blank">grappa</a>) by <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g2208919-d2339537-Reviews-Los_Recicladores_Il_tuo_mercato_dell_usato-Montese_Province_of_Modena_Emilia_Rom.html">Fran and Sam</a>, who turned up with enough pizza to feed the entire village! Thankfully we were joined by Enrico, Marzia, Ladle, BF and the kids to help polish off .....mmm, approximately a 3rd of the pizza. Marzia had also made two mascapone desserts (or sorry, puddings). They were AMAZING! One was coffee the other wild berries. I had a helping of each....ok, 2 helpings of the wild berries. I couldn't resist.<br />
There was also a little bingle outside the supermarket and again a lot of tooting but this time the tooting was coming from the LF, countless parades around the square, humorous trips to the supermarket, a scenic drive to Maserno for spring water and time spent wandering the town with our buddies. It was so good to hang out with Milly & Greta and get to know them over an extended period. Great friendships were formed. The Z man really enjoyed having the girls and their cousins, Gus & Isi, to play with. Thanks guys for fun times and a relaxing visit to the mountains of Montese..... unfortunately I can't get those poolside tunes out of my head (<a href="http://youtu.be/JvY_RHqnOHQ" target="_blank">You will never know</a>... <a href="http://youtu.be/5dbEhBKGOtY" target="_blank">Play Hard</a>.... <a href="http://youtu.be/5y_KJAg8bHI" target="_blank">Wake me up!</a>... <a href="http://youtu.be/3O1_3zBUKM8" target="_blank">La La La</a>.....<a href="http://youtu.be/nlt5Wa13fFU" target="_blank">Mi Mi Mi ......</a> <a href="http://youtu.be/p7WVqQhfMgM" target="_blank">L'Universo Tranne Noi</a>........ <a href="http://youtu.be/nnTXpoc5VlU" target="_blank">Estate</a> ...... <i>and one for Ben</i> <a href="http://youtu.be/rZB5LnNC-e0" target="_blank">Bonfire heart</a>)! Aaaaargghhhhh, I AM extremely grateful I don't have to endure another day of the <a href="http://youtu.be/lzu8vKSvv-w" target="_blank">'Very Normal People' </a>radio station. xx<br />
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<i>Grazie mille & big hugs to Miss G and her parents, Enrico & Marzia, for having us stay. We really do hope to see you all in Australia again soon. xxx</i><br />
<br />Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-6090250454003520442013-08-09T19:27:00.001+10:002013-08-10T18:33:27.089+10:00Into the Mountains....Montese.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have been in <a href="https://it-it.facebook.com/paesello" target="_blank">Montese</a> a small village in the province of <a href="http://www.comune.modena.it/" target="_blank">Modena</a> for the last 5 days. It is about 1.5 hours south west of <a href="http://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/" target="_blank">Bologna</a> along narrow, windy roads into the mountain tops. We have come to spend time with my friend, <a href="http://stupendousjoy.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/nw-london.html" target="_blank">Ladle</a>, (who's father grew up here) and her family (the Ladle is here with the BF, her two beautiful girls, her parents, her <a href="http://mrseliotbooks.blogspot.it/" target="_blank">sister</a>, brother-in-law and two nephews...all Inglese!). I was last here 13 years ago so it has been interesting to see people I met back then and revisit a town I have held great affection for. Since that time we have had a couple of Montese friends come to Melbourne to stay with us, <a href="http://stupendousjoy.blogspot.it/2013/06/london-tower_5.html" target="_blank">Miss G</a>, whose place we are staying in now and Francessca, who runs <a href="http://www.losrecicladores.eu/it/" target="_blank">Los Recicladores</a>.</div>
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Days have been slow and mainly spent around <a href="https://www.facebook.com/piscine.canottierimontese" target="_blank">the pool</a>. There is an inflatable elephant slide and donut style trampoline in the centre of the pool to make things a little interesting. I managed to go down the slide on my side and land with a great splash, legs akimbo, water up the schnoz, laughing underwater while gasping for air. Parents are lethal on this thing (and quite possibly should be banned)! A number of times the lifeguard has blown his whistle and yelled 'Inglese, no!'</div>
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The LF and I made a day trip to <a href="http://www.comune.siena.it/" target="_blank">Siena</a> while Z stayed back with the clan for more swimming and shenanigans (thank you!). The temperature down there was 39 degrees so we were pleased to retreat to the cooler temperatures in the cave like restaurant at <a href="http://www.osteriadadivo.it/eng/chi-siamo.htm" target="_blank">Antica Osteria Da Divo</a> for a long and delicious lunch. I had been to Siena back in January 1992 however it was the LF's first experience. It was way too hot for standing in long summer-holiday queues so we skipped the 'tourist hotspots' & walked the narrow streets in the shade taking in the quieter streets around town. Back in the mountains where the weather is cooler (by a margin it seems...especially at night) we headed straight to the bar in the piazza to meet the clan for a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/jun/08/make-your-own-aperol-spritz" target="_blank">spritz</a>, a little evening ritual I'm becoming rather fond of. </div>
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Miss G's parents, Enrico & Marzia, have been delightful. They live in the apartment two floors above ours and we have fumbled through, on the little Italian I have and little English they have, to hold some rather animated conversions (quite possibly talking about completely different topics while nodding agreeably at one another). Enrico comes down each evening to water the plants and tend to his veggie patch out the front of our apartment and Z takes particular joy in running out and shouting 'Ciao Enrico. Come Stai?' </div>
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We are pretty relaxed here and life is sweet in this small town. Again it's been great to hear the sounds of a smaller town, especially around dusk. Last night we were lulled by choir practice in the apartment block across from ours while we ate dinner and watched the sun set. It was one of those totally missable 'incredible moments'....... </div>
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Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-76818408973431401542013-08-03T08:28:00.000+10:002013-08-03T08:47:53.975+10:00another lake....this time Como.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are feeling pretty relaxed after 3 days here in <a href="http://www.comune.pognanalario.co.it/hh/index.php" target="_blank">Pognana Lario</a>, Lake Como. Pognana is a small village located halfway between <a href="http://www.turismo.como.it/en/" target="_blank">Como</a> & <a href="http://www.comune.bellagio.co.it/hh/index.php" target="_blank">Bellagio</a>. I have full respect for the LF getting us here in one piece. There was a point I almost ended up in tears....the road is harrowing! Swimming, crazy driving, tight roads, antipasto, gelato, queasy bus trips, ferry rides, relishing the the sounds & smells of small town Italian living, more swimming and abundant love for this place..... that just about sums up the last 3 days. We loved <a href="http://www.menaggio.com/" target="_blank">Menaggio</a>, Bellagio & Verena. So much so that we missed the last bus home from Bellagio one night. A blessing is disguise really. The cab was practically a limo, way smoother and WAY LESS honking than the bus. We have the most incredible views (right across the lake to <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000123/" target="_blank">George</a>'s place, I kid you not!). I could write more about the joys of Lake Como but I am off the lap up the last of our time here. Tomorrow <a href="https://it-it.facebook.com/paesello" target="_blank">Montese</a>. Night xxAdventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-30774243393713557292013-08-01T18:20:00.001+10:002013-08-01T18:20:35.153+10:00Zermatt & the mighty Matterhorn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">After leaving our friends in <a href="http://stupendousjoy.blogspot.it/2013/07/summer-in-switzerland.html" target="_blank">Biel</a> we hit the road and headed for <a href="http://www.zermatt.ch/en/index.cfm" target="_blank">Zermatt</a>. Not originally on our itinerary <a href="http://stupendousjoy.blogspot.it/2013/07/summer-in-switzerland.html" target="_blank">Mr & Mrs M</a> recommended a stop off for 2 nights on our way to <a href="http://www.lakecomo.it/en" target="_blank">Lake Como</a>. We took the rain with us, which had arrived the evening before and continued throughout the night. The mountains were covered in thick clouds giving them a slightly eerie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001005/" target="_blank">Jane Campion</a> cinematic quality.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It was a 31/2 hr drive from Biel to Zermatt that kept us mesmerized (well the 2 of us anyway, Z man has taken to long trips with the headphones & iPad) the whole way and even included a drive on <a href="http://www.matterhorngotthardbahn.ch/en/spezial_offers/car_transport/furka/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">overland train</a>. Luckily Mr M had tipped us off about the train otherwise we may have freaked out as one minute you're driving along a highway and the next you're seamlessly ushered onto a train and whizzing through the mountain base without much warning (or so it seemed to us non natives).</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Our next little adventure came when somehow we missed the </span><a href="http://www.zermatt.ch/en/page.cfm/zermatt_matterhorn/arrival/car" style="font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">'Matterhorn Kiss & Ride'</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> turn off in </span><a href="http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/taesch.html" style="font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Tasch</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> and drove our hire car all the way to Zermatt! Oops. We were a little unsure as to why there was so much finger shaking at us until 3 kindly gents stopped us in Zermatt and said 'No cars. You not allowed. Go back to Tasche'. The very narrow dual roads with traffic signals, finger shaking and cars only sporting 'vs' number plates should have been a giveaway but .... No. We scuttled back down the treacherous road to Tasche where we parked in the all too obvious train terminal and caught the Matterhorn express back to town.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We loved Zermatt even though we arrived in the rain and the mountains were pretty much covered by cloud. We instantly knew this place was pretty special. <a href="http://www.hotel-bristol.ch/index.asp?lng=it" target="_blank">Our hotel</a> was great, booked two days prior, we were promptly juggled into a larger room even though they were fully booked by the gorgeous lady on reception. She also gave us a list of great eateries not on the main drag, & tracked down an electric kettle for us.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Once we woke the next day the clouds had pretty much cleared and the rain which had left us untouched for the previous 2 months retreated.</span>Somewhat expensive but we'll worth the cost. We took<a href="http://www.zermatt.ch/en/page.cfm/bahnen_pisten/zermatt_bergbahnen_ag/projekte/matterhorn_express_3_sektion" style="font-size: 13px;" target="_blank"> a 8 seater cable car up to Trockener Steg and from there another larger cable carriage to the </a><a href="http://www.zermatt.ch/en/page.cfm/vivere_la_natura/i_maggiori_picchi/matterhorn_glacier_paradise?" target="_blank">Matterhorn Glacial Paradise</a> 3883m above sea level. The trip up takes around 1 hour. It is a truly awe-inspiring journey. It was the first time Z man's first snow experience. It is a <a href="http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/about-switzerland/geographic-facts/glaciers/summer-skiing-on-the-matterhorn.html" target="_blank">summer snow wonderland</a> up here. We went from around 34 to -3degrees and back again in a day. It was definitely not the average kind of day.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">**Apologies for the different font sizes. We have a crazy internet connection which keeps dropping out. We are now in Lake Como, George is calling and I am desperate to get out to explore the day...so for now....crazy fonts will have to do. x</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><i>If you want to know more about this fascinating town they produce an excellent full colour magazine, <a href="http://zermatttimes.com/" target="_blank">Zermatt Times</a>, with some great interviews and a peep into some of the more exclusive accommodation. Tre plush!</i><br />
<i>If camping is more your style there is a great set up, <a href="http://www.campingtaesch.ch/home_443.html" target="_blank">Camping Alphupel</a>, in Tasch with easy access to the mountain by bus, train or on foot.</i><br />
<br />Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-61804247213307233492013-07-31T07:33:00.001+10:002013-07-31T07:43:51.595+10:00Summer in Switzerland<br />
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<a href="http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/home.html" target="_blank">Switzerland</a>. Where do I start with Switzerland?<br />
We came here primarily to visit friends. Friends we made in the <a href="http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/st_kilda_botanic.htm" target="_blank">St Kilda Botanical Gardens</a> 4 years ago when the M Family were living in <a href="http://www.visitmelbourne.com/" target="_blank">Melbourne</a> for Mr M's work. Originally only intended to be in Melbourne for 6 months they ended up living around the corner from us for over 2 years. We both had small boys six months apart, Big L (their son) and the Z man often played together in the park and Mrs M and I often ran into one another at the <a href="http://www.kotchlane.com.au/" target="_blank">local cafe</a>, so a friendship was born.......which in turn brings us here to Switzerland. <br />
The generosity and hospitality of the M family has been overwhelming. We have loved exploring 'their' Switzerland and getting to appreciate what they love about this country. They live in <a href="http://www.biel-bienne.ch/en/pub/biel_home.cfm#.UfbKrBaBK1s" target="_blank">Biel</a>, (<i>or Bienne, Switzerlands largest bilingual town)</i>, north/west of <a href="http://www.bern.com/en/index.cfm" target="_blank">Bern</a> on the incredible Biel <a href="http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/lake-biel-bienne.html" target="_blank">lake</a>. We were greeted with homemade <a href="http://www.thevintagemixer.com/2012/06/apricot-hazelnut-pie-recipe/" target="_blank">apricot & hazelnut cake</a>, apparently a Swiss specialty. Since then home cooking, bike riding and swimming have all been part of our daily summertime routine here. The weather has been 'hot' which was totally unexpected, 32-35 degrees everyday...and humid. So, being close to the lake has been a blessing and we have enjoyed experiencing summer Swiss-lake-style. The M's also have a new addition to the family and Little L, who is 1, has been an absolute joy to meet. She is a smiley faced, strong willed, fair haired Swiss sweetheart, who we have all grown rather fond of. Big L & the Z man, unable to speak the same language, have done remarkably well communicating in the universal language of play. There have been moments of frustration but for the most part they have managed to communicate brilliantly through this medium.<br />
In between days of down time chilling out by the lake with our friends we have taken some fantastic day trips.<br />
I was about to say that the trip to Bern would be on the top of our highlight list for Switzerland so far...but....it's almost impossible to pick one thing. The LF in particular LOVED Bern and we both took great delight in floating down the <a href="http://www.bern.com/en/activities/bathe/river-swim" target="_blank">Aare river</a> (check out a BBC clip of the notorious Aare swim <a href="http://youtu.be/hly8NG3y-vE" target="_blank">here</a>). The starting point for the Aare swim is at the <a href="http://www.bern.com/en/activities/bathe/river-swim/marzili" target="_blank">Marzili riverside pool</a> a brilliant free outdoor swimming pool at the foot of the Parliament buildings. It was so much fun that we were compelled to return the next day sans Zman (thanks to Mrs M, Z man was happily <a href="http://www.geocaching.com/" target="_blank">Geo chaching</a> back in Biel) and do it all again. The colour of the Aare in summer is so inviting. Being glacial water flowing from the alps the temperature is a refreshing 19 degrees. I even dared myself to jump in from the bridge on my second return!! Whoohoo, so exhilarating. If you ever make it to Bern in the summer time be sure to put it on your list and take your togs.<br />
We took a day trip to the beautiful medieval town of <a href="http://www.la-gruyere.ch/de/" target="_blank">Gruyere</a>, the land of cheese. Where, we dipped into a cheese fondu, toured <a href="http://www.lamaisondugruyere.ch/" target="_blank">la Maison du Gruyere cheese factory</a> and wondered around <a href="http://www.chateau-gruyeres.ch/e/chateau/histoire/histoire.html" target="_blank">Chateau de Gruyere</a>. It's a gorgeous pedestrian town which reminded me a little of <a href="http://www.sangimignano.com/en/" target="_blank">San Gimignano</a>. That night we stopped off at Mr M's parents for dinner in the Swiss countryside where we each made our own homemade pizza and ate alfresco while the kids jumped in and out of their blow up pool. We learnt about the <a href="http://www.affordabletravelclub.net/" target="_blank">ATC</a>, discussed Mumma M's novel which she is writing for her grandson, took a tour of their impressive vegie patch and consulted the 'flat lady' (iPad) on matters far and wide. They have a <a href="http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2008/12/tile-stoves.html" target="_blank">traditional Swiss tiled stove</a> in the living room which I fell in love with....though it's probably not so practical for our Australian house. It was a lovely evening and wonderful insight into the lifestyle of an interesting and welcoming couple. The drive home at sunset was rather spectacular too. Beautiful pink skies highlighting Swiss fields and stunning mountain ranges. <br />
On Saturday we drove to <a href="http://www.jungfrau.ch/en/sommer/tourism/places-to-visit/schynige-platte/experiences/" target="_blank">Schyinge Platte</a> 2076m (near <a href="http://www.interlakenadventure.com/" target="_blank">Interlaken</a>) where we caught the cog train halfway up and hiked the rest of the way taking in the sensational mountain ranges of <a href="http://www.jungfrau.ch/" target="_blank">Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau </a>as we climbed. It took us 2 hours, with 3 children on a 35 degree day.....there were a few serious melt downs ..... but we made it! <i>(To all my lovely hike buddies...Switzerland is officially on the bucket list....along with Norway.... and the Camino de Santiago.) </i><br />
There was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand_up_paddle_surfing" target="_blank">SUP boarding</a>, a small incident with a shop lady resulting in some serious 'shizen', summer sewing, silly sniggers every time we drove past <a href="http://www.ekz-wankdorf-center.ch/wankdorf/home/index.aspx" target="_blank">Wankdorf</a>, recipes shared, loaves of <a href="http://swissmissinthekitchen.blogspot.ch/2013/07/swiss-sunday-bread-zopf.html" target="_blank">Zopf</a> eaten, plenty of Nutella and more lakeside swimming. We ate all our meals outside on their deck except the very last, when thankfully the heavens finally opened and relieved us of the humidity, so we retreated indoors. We stayed a week and we were so generously accommodated by the M's. A big thank you goes out to the whole family. Big love. We'll really miss our mealtimes and afternoon swims with you guys. xxx<br />
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<br />Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-77836458861570258202013-07-24T16:17:00.001+10:002013-07-24T16:32:34.777+10:00The verdict on Prague<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My advice on Prague is WAKE UP EARLY BEFORE THE CROWDS (7-9am) and visit <a href="http://www.aviewoncities.com/prague/charlesbridge.htm" target="_blank">St Charles Bridge</a>, <a href="http://www.hrad.cz/en/prague-castle/prague-castle-tourist-information/visit-of-prague-castle.shtml" target="_blank">the castle </a>and <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Prague/Old_Town" target="_blank">the old town square</a> before you are jostled along the street like a discarded coke bottle bobbing down the <a href="http://www.pragueexperience.com/places.asp?PlaceID=1218" target="_blank">Vlatva</a> river with no control but to go with the current. The crowds are oppressive here in Prague. There are overflowing bins with McDonalds, KFC, Starbucks....you name it they have it.....and by mid afternoon a glance at one of the overflowing bins indicates the amount of 'rubbish' these crowds are consuming. It's a little disheartening and certainly takes from the charm this city oozes. The big name chains have set up in some of the most beautiful buildings in town and I was saddened to see a Hardrock Cafe is one of my favourites. <br />
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That said......take the right approach and Prague is still incredibly charming.<br />
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We hired <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Praga-Caput-Regni/296474234892" target="_blank">a private tour guide</a> for 2 hours (our maximum with little legs) to take the 3 of us off the beaten track as much as possible. My advise to anyone going to Prague would be to spend the extra money on a private tour. Alena, our guide, was fantastic and the tour felt like a Sunday morning stroll with a family friend. Born and bread in Prague with a 6 year old boy of her own she took us on a tour which was to satisfy the Z man as well as us. We toured the Historical Town, feeding the swans stale bread along the banks of the Vlatva, visited the <a href="http://www.praguecityline.com/prague-monuments/vojanovy-gardens" target="_blank">Vojanovy Garden</a>, <a href="http://www.prague.net/wallenstein-garden" target="_blank">Valdstejnska Garden</a> and <a href="http://www.czech.cz/en/Life-Work/Living-here/Leisure-time/Prague-Kampa-is-the-second-most-beautiful-city-isl" target="_blank">Kampa Island</a> taking in some of the controversial work of famous Czech sculpture David Cerny. Take a peek <a href="http://www.boredpanda.com/bizzare-sculptures-by-david-cerny/" target="_blank">here</a>, his work is bound to make you giggle. We ended the tour on <a href="http://www.pragueoffthemap.com/out-and-about/slovansky-ostrov-zofin.html" target="_blank">Slovansky Ostrov </a>where we hired a paddle boat shaped like a fast car and spent an hour sunning ourselves on the Vlatva eating our ham and cheese rolls, communist Czech style......as our guide informed us (apparently picnics were all the rage).<br />
The LF was keen to try the worlds strongest beer <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/12215/36412" target="_blank">X33</a> so we headed off to the <a href="http://www.qype.co.uk/place/366263-U-Medvidk--Praha" target="_blank">Two Little Bears</a> or U Medvidku micro brewery for a taste. On the way home we stopped off at the <a href="http://www.museumkampa.com/en/" target="_blank">Museum Kampa</a>, the contemporary gallery which we loved not only for the impressive work but for the additions to the building and images of the <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/02/us-czech-floods-idUSBRE95109020130602" target="_blank">Prague 2013 floods</a>. On Saturday night we took in a concert at the <a href="http://www.imagetheatre.cz/de/" target="_blank">Black Light Theatre Image</a> which Z absolutely loved. He insisted on sitting in the front row and laughed the whole way through, especially entertained by the mime. A definite highlight for everyone.<br />
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It is a stunning city, well worth a visit. If you ever do visit please be sure to head out early before breakfast, lie low in the middle of the day and avoid the main square, castle and St Charles bridge for the most part. Once we got this figured out we really enjoyed ourselves in the quieter parts of town.<br />
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Next Switzerland. xx<br />
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<br />Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-460616627479467802013-07-20T06:17:00.000+10:002014-08-20T16:52:39.495+10:00Farewell Denmark<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Farewell Denmark. We really have loved our stay. <a href="http://www.sjaellandsodde.dk/" target="_blank">Sjaellands Odde</a> in the region of <a href="http://www.visitodsherred.dk/odsherred/ferie-i-danmark/turist-i-odsherred" target="_blank">Odsherred </a>has been our home for the last week and the beauty here has really captured us. It is not just the place. It's also the Danish people so warm and eager for others to enjoy the best of their country that's made it a great place to relax in. <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/129423" target="_blank">Our summer house </a>is about 150m from the beach down a little dirt track, our deck is as large as the house itself and the weather has been kind making both pretty blissful. Having a hire car and the freedom to explore without relying on transport has also been a treat. The LF is doing a sterling job sticking to the right hand side of the road (thanks LF I am glad it is you doing the driving). A hire car has also meant local radio stations and one song in particular which has followed us from country to country.... Daft Punk's, <a href="http://youtu.be/h5EofwRzit0" target="_blank">Get Lucky</a>. We can't seem to escape it. In supermarkets, cafes, on public transport, blaring from passing cars, it's everywhere. Our time here has been slow and we have embraced filling our days with 'nothing' wholeheartedly. The real highlight of this leg has been about the 3 of us relaxing together, playing table tennis, board games, cooking, music, walks, swimming and sleeping in. I totally recommend a pit stop like this for every (traveling) family.<br />
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Next we are off to Prague. A city that makes me nervous with anticipation. Again, it's been over 21 years since my last visit. The Czech Republic was still part of Czechoslovakia and it was only 3 years previously that the Velvet Revolution had caused the collapse of the communist regime. I so loved the city full of post communist charm. I expect to see change, A LOT of change. There was no McDonald's (hooray!), only 2 bueauro de change in the whole city, and very few tourists. We were billeted out by a man at the train station to stay with a family, in Skalka. The family rented a room to tourists who arrived from Berlin on the overnight train. Tourism hadn't really kicked off. The nightlife was near impossible to find...yet find we did. Nightclubs hidden down side alleys in the deserted bunkers of impressive old buildings. You paid for a beer jug as you were security frisked on the way in and it was self serve at the trough after that. Rounding every corner was like walking through a dream. The buildings so spectacularly beautiful. Entering the post office and the department stores we had to apprehensively navigate our way through thick red velvet curtains, a hangover from communist times, unsure what we would find on the other side. I'm holding my breathe, hoping to be charmed again. Time will tell.<br />
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<i>PS.</i> <i>21 years ago when I was backpacking around Europe I remember the song that followed us then was <a href="http://youtu.be/14ivtcelIo0" target="_blank">this</a> one...... Have you had a song, for better or worse, follow you on a trip?</i><br />
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Additional Denmark highlights:<br />
A drink on the pier in the afternoon sun at <a href="http://www.odsherredhavne.dk/page2044.aspx" target="_blank">Rorvig Havn</a> watching the ferry come and go.<br />
The smoked fish from <a href="http://www.roervig-fisk.dk/" target="_blank">Rorvig Fisk</a> Og Rogeri and an incredible salmon meal cooked by Annette.<br />
A bar of Icelandic chocolate covered salted liquorice,<a href="http://www.nordicstore.net/freyju_draumur_448_prd1.htm" target="_blank"> Draumur</a>, given to me by a lady. So excited to have an Australian in her shop.<br />
An afternoon spent on the <a href="http://thatnordicfeeling.com/tag/rorvig/" target="_blank">sandy beach</a> at Rorvig.<br />
A visit to the <a href="http://www.visitdenmark.com/en-us/tellus-product/618775" target="_blank">Smokehouse </a>at Sjaellands Odde which was designed by <a href="http://www.arne-jacobsen.com/en/arne-jacobsen" target="_blank">Arne Jakobsen</a>. It is a very understated building frequented by the 50+ sandal wearing set with picnic basket, bike and a couple of <a href="http://www.tuborg.com/" target="_blank">Tuborgs</a>. They come to enjoy their smoked fish on the benches overlooking the sea below.<br />
A last minute stop at 'Her Majesties' <a href="http://www.illumsbolighus.com/" target="_blank">Illum Bolighaus</a> for those last minute must-have's .<br />
The <a href="http://goscandinavia.about.com/od/denmar1/qt/oresundbridge.htm" target="_blank">Oresund Bridge-Tunne</a>l! A 8km bridge from Sweden which connects at a manmade island in the middle of the Oresund strait to a 4km tunnel leading to Denmark. It's amazing to see from the air as you fly into or out of Copenhagen. At first we couldn't work out why this bridge just stopped in the middle of the strait....until we looked closely and saw the tiny ant-like-cars appearing from a tunnel.<br />
Viewing the <a href="https://www.google.cz/search?q=Lillgrund+Offshore+wind+farm&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=8ZDpUeLHGIKCtAaL64GwAQ&ved=0CFcQsAQ&biw=1096&bih=631" target="_blank">Lillgrund Offshore wind farm</a> from the plane.<br />
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<br />Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-43438288728280671852013-07-16T18:22:00.000+10:002013-07-17T15:58:16.495+10:00The summer house in Sjaellands Odde, Denmark<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We hired a 'Summer House' in the <a href="http://www.visitodsherred.dk/" target="_blank">Odsherred</a> region north west of Copenhagen. It has been one of our best decisions to date. The area is stunning.... although I think most of Denmark is pretty incredible (next time I would love to head to <a href="http://www.visitthy.dk/danmark/thy-turistbureau-forside" target="_blank">Thy</a>). <br />
It is so relaxing here. Our days consist of beach walking, table tennis, board games and once a day we take a car trip to explore the local region for an hour or two. Z and I braved a swim in the ocean and we even managed to coax the LF in with our squeals of delight.....it was freezing. The dune walks have been blustery and wild but it's fun spying the gorgeous summer houses hidden in the trees. <br />
The three of us have loved our time here and enjoyed the time off from traveling, sightseeing and generally being on the go. Even though we have planted ourselves in cities for at least a week to 10 days in most places it takes a fare amount of organisation to find the closest supermarket, navigate rail systems and find your way around with a 5 year old in tow. Being here with little to do has been such a welcomed reprieve, one we have all relished.<br />
My friend A, who we stayed with in <a href="http://stupendousjoy.blogspot.de/search/label/Norway" target="_blank">Norway</a>, is arriving today to stay a few nights. We are all looking forward to the table tennis championships which will no doubt unfold and sharing this space with friends. I love the feel of holiday houses....the mix-matched crockery, well worn floorboards, board games, saggy beds and the general ease. Sound systems are basic, TV's non existent and kitchens sparse. It's often too the place where the best memories are made ........ making a mockery of our well equipped homes and overstuffed cupboards!<br />
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Other things I have loved so far;<br />
the <a href="http://www.visitdenmark.com/en-us/tellus-product/618810" target="_blank">Rorvig flea market</a><br />
<a href="http://salkavalka.dk/sko-tasker-329/filtsko-voksne-204/alle-sko-209/" target="_blank">these slippers</a> at Salka Valka<br />
the <a href="http://www.friis-moltke.dk/siteFM/projects.asp?x=&list=60....0..1&langcurr=2.1.1" target="_blank">early houses </a>of Friis & Moltke<br />
the idea of <a href="http://www.ignant.de/2013/01/10/port-a-bach/" target="_blank">this holiday hideout</a><br />
a meal <a href="http://www.mskitchen.dk/" target="_blank">here</a><br />
practicing <a href="http://zenhabits.net/chocolate/" target="_blank">The Art of Eating Chocolate Mindfully</a><br />
& doing.......... very little. xxAdventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-66379940206579258592013-07-13T23:59:00.001+10:002013-07-15T22:34:40.689+10:00Copenhagen <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We spent four days in Copenhagen staying in a fantastic apartment on Nansengade. It was a beautiful apartment belonging to a family of 4 who took the opportunity to spend a week up on the coast while we rented their place. There was such a great feel to the home and we enjoyed just hanging out there, cooking meals and playing in the communal garden, 5 floors below. It was close to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%B8rreport_Station" target="_blank">Norreport station</a> and in total a 15minute train ride from the airport, door to door. Everything in Copenhagen was within walking distance.</div>
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We did a canal tour on the first day to get our bearings. Copenhagen is such a beautiful fusion between old and new. </div>
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We especially enjoyed the <a href="http://kglteater.dk/" target="_blank">Playhouse,</a> by architects <a href="http://www.ltarkitekter.dk/en/pages" target="_blank">Lundgaard & Tranberg</a>, where we were privy to an <a href="http://kglteater.dk/det-sker/ofelia-live" target="_blank">informal opera in the foyer </a>as part of their summer festival. Z thought it was absolutely hilarious and couldn't quite understand why boys would really want to sing like that?? So seduced by the building and the sunshine we ate lunch at <a href="http://www.afar.com/highlights/good-food-with-a-harbour-view-at-the-playhouse-restaurant" target="_blank">Cafe Ofelia</a> overlooking the harbour.</div>
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We landed in town at the same time as the <a href="http://jazz.dk/#d=13/07&q=&s=" target="_blank">Jazz Festival</a> so the streets were awash with roaming performers & crowds of people at the many stages scattered about the city. We watched a great performance by the <a href="http://shineonline.dk/" target="_blank">Reverend Shine Snake Oil co</a>. outside the <a href="http://www.rundetaarn.dk/" target="_blank">Rundetaarn</a>. We also spent a gorgeous afternoon in the Kings Garden (Kongens Have) surrounding Rosenborg Castle listening to a free concert while playing yatzee amidst the sun loving Danes. It was pretty blissful and Z was in his element grooving to the tunes with me while the LF took a nap and rested his weary foot.</div>
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The <a href="http://cphsand.com/eng/frontpage/information/" target="_blank">Copenhagen Sand Sculpture Festival </a>was also on along Havengade featuring 30 international artists & 17 sands cultures. Some as large as 10 meters tall and built from 3000 tons of sand. They were all based on theme 'Mythes & Legends' and detailed some very interesting viewpoints on current society!</div>
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The<a href="http://www.tivoli.dk/en/" target="_blank"> Tivoli Gardens </a>were so beautiful. It is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world and more like Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory than an amusement park. We took our own picnic and spent an evening here reliving our childhood. The LF and I taking it in turns to ride the roller coasters with the Z man, who has developed an insatiable thirst for fast rides. He definitely inherited my thrill seeking tendencies and not the LF's tummy turning nauseousness when it comes to adventure parks. I wanted to ride on<a href="http://youtu.be/tAQCvRJEk_E" target="_blank"> the tallest carousel in the world</a> but unfortunately the Z man was about 10cm's off riding this and as I had a companion ticket I couldn't go it alone. It's definitely on the bucket list.</div>
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We took a stroll around the <a href="http://botanik.snm.ku.dk/english" target="_blank">Botanical Gardens</a>, ate breakfast at <a href="http://unlike.net/copenhagen/food/kalaset" target="_blank">Kalaset </a>conveniently located on our street, enjoyed the bounty on offer at <a href="http://torvehallernekbh.dk/" target="_blank">TorvehallerneKBH</a> a brilliant international market eatery around the corner from our apartment, made an obligatory stop in at the <a href="https://www.marimekko.com/" target="_blank">Marimekko </a>store, walked the many pedestrian shopping strips (which reminded me a lot of Dublin) and visited little independent stores down around Laederstraede. I had to close my eyes and keep walking past some amazing clothing stores, not much more can fit in that suitcase of mine. I wanted to bring back a set of Malene <a href="http://helbak.dk/" target="_blank">Helbak</a>'s Fjord inspired<a href="http://helbak.dk/category/fjord-50/" target="_blank"> cylindrical jars</a>. I took an evening stroll, while the boys were at home resting, along <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lakes,_Copenhagen" target="_blank">Sortedams So </a>and up through <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/denmark/copenhagen/10035058/Copenhagens-trendy-Norrebro-district-a-tour.html" target="_blank">Norrebro</a>. The light a this time of day was stunning (9.30-10pm) and the people on the streets were full of good cheer and salutations. It made me so happy. I know it sounds like a cliche but it was one of those moments that lingers with you for a lifetime. Everything was perfect, in that moment. </div>
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Oh, Copenhagen. We leave you with wallets lighter and hearts larger. xx</div>
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<i>Find my previous post on Copenhagen <a href="http://stupendousjoy.blogspot.dk/2013/07/a-good-time-not-long-time.html" target="_blank">here</a>, the '<a href="http://unlike.net/" target="_blank">unLike</a>' Copenhagen guide <a href="http://unlike.net/copenhagen" target="_blank">here</a> or Visit Copenhagen page <a href="http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen-tourist" target="_blank">here </a>for more info. </i></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">FOR THOSE HAVING TROUBLE LEAVING COMMENTS IN THE PAST THE PROBLEM SHOULD NOW BE FIXED. Thank you!</span></i></div>
Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-67549033663752998632013-07-11T14:37:00.000+10:002013-07-13T16:58:57.336+10:00A good time, not a long time.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We arrived in <a href="http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen-tourist">Copenhagen</a> late on Monday night and right from the get go people have been remarkably friendly, assisting us on trains, sidewalks or shops whenever we've shown the slightest hint of uncertainty. We were told by a couple of Swedes in Berlin that the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danes_(Germanic_tribe)">Danes</a> were polled as the <a href="http://denmark.dk/en/meet-the-danes/work-life-balance-the-danish-way/happy-danes/">happiest people in the world</a>.....but also have the shortest life expectancy. So Danes are here for a good time, not a long time....<i>by account of a couple of Swedes anyway</i>.<br />
We REALLY love it here. Most places we go we can imagine ourselves living in for a year or two tops but Copenhagen is one of those city's that IF we were ever to leave Melbourne I could definitely see us living in.<br />
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It's way too early. Z fell out of bed. I've been awake ever since. I thought I'd do a post but I'm too tired to write. The boys are both sleeping. Softly snoring. The sun is shining brightly.... already, it's 5am.... and I'm heading back to bed. Night xAdventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-29050609011206043652013-07-10T16:44:00.000+10:002013-10-25T22:07:47.233+11:00An interview with me....by Sherry Walling from Parenting Reimagined<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was recently contacted by Sherry Walling, a clinical psychologist, from Parenting Reimagined about doing an interview, for her weekly podcast. I was surprised by just how nervous I was setting up for this interview. The doubts of whether I had anything really worthwhile to contribute crept in and I literally had to sit through all of those doubts and just talk..... about our adventure. It was an interesting experience. Sherry was so calm and very curious and the conversation flowed on from there. Here's a <a href="http://www.parentingreimagined.org/episodes/episode-24-travelling-with-new-eyes-a-familys-european-adventure/">link</a>. Thanks Sherry for the opportunity to share. <br />
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To all the people who have emailed me about my posts while we've been away..... a huge thank you. There have been old and new friends and every message has been a pleasure. xx<br />
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<br />Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-28843083031424031612013-07-10T03:46:00.000+10:002013-07-10T04:25:32.800+10:00The bomb of Bad am. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfS8QEKEmQlZu3HMhklkFf8p2dVN44besu_Hukv3DOsdGcHs_tBZLtI4HGnQH_5sPpWR1Qq_Uj_-BvBTnp62ooUt26WI6sxPVEMJO6eia_jc843-Aq4zSCiExt4roHWutsmvC-cAsw4o/s1600/noname-29.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfS8QEKEmQlZu3HMhklkFf8p2dVN44besu_Hukv3DOsdGcHs_tBZLtI4HGnQH_5sPpWR1Qq_Uj_-BvBTnp62ooUt26WI6sxPVEMJO6eia_jc843-Aq4zSCiExt4roHWutsmvC-cAsw4o/s400/noname-29.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The LF survived <a href="http://stupendousjoy.blogspot.dk/2013/07/day-tripping.html" target="_blank">his big night out</a> on the town however he did come a little unstuck at <a href="http://www.visitberlin.de/en/spot/park-at-gleisdreieck" target="_blank">Park am Gielsdreieck</a> where it all ended with one badly sprained ankle after falling off a balancing beam. Ouch! The brave lad hobbled home and up the 5 flights of stairs in absolute agony. Needless to say things are going somewhat slower around here as a result. Here's to a speedy recovery LF.... and lots of <a href="http://www.brauer.com.au/products/bruising/arnica-cream-100g/" target="_blank">Arnica cream</a> (this cream is the American Express of creams to me.... 'Luckily I never leave home without it!').</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back to the park though. It is huge with 2 great playgrounds, one with a very civilised cafe for the grown ups. You can hop off the train at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%B6ckernbr%C3%BCcke_(Berlin_U-Bahn)" target="_blank">Mockernbrucke</a> and walk all the way through to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Yorckstra%C3%9Fe_station" target="_blank">Yorkstrasse</a>. On the edge of the park there is the <a href="http://www.sdtb.de/Englisch.55.0.html" target="_blank">German Technik Museum</a>, which is meant to be awesome but unfortunately we didn't make it there. Next time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Z woke on Friday morning adamant he wanted to go swimming so we headed off to <a href="http://www.berlinerbaederbetriebe.de/67.html" target="_blank">Bad am</a> Spreewald in Kreuzberg on the train only to find it was closed for repair. After a coffee and croissant at the gorgeous <a href="https://plus.google.com/113276637986780918877/about?gl=de&hl=en" target="_blank">Morena Cafe</a>. We toiled over 'Where to from here?' and found the bomb of all pools, <a href="http://www.berlinerbaederbetriebe.de/105.html" target="_blank">Stadtbad Schoneberg</a>. This place is my idea of European swimming heaven. With huge glass windows on 3 sides it looks out onto a park on one side and the courtyard of a big old apartment block on the other. The upstair lap-come-diving-pool is incredible. From the entrance you watch peoples legs kicking through a small window which shows the pool above. If you find yourself in Berlin, with or without kids, a visit here is such a tonic. After the graffiti laden streets and at times in-your-face-vibe, it was a welcomed reprieve.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Other places we lapped up:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The most incredible Vegetarian Vietnamese Restaurant, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chay-Village/286061348088087" target="_blank">Chay Village,</a> in Schoneberg (right near the pool). If I could cook like this I would gladly become a vegetarian.....again. Amazing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The beer garden located very conveniently around the corner, <a href="http://kurhaus-ponte-rosa.de/" target="_blank">Kurhaus Ponte Rosa</a>, something Z and I found on one of our walks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.brioberlin.de/" target="_blank">Brio Cafe Bistro</a> & <a href="http://kaffeebar-berlin.com/" target="_blank">Kaffee Bar</a>, both in Graefestr. Kreuzberg were on our favourite list. Z loved the park at Honenstaufen Platz around the corner. On Saturday morning they have a great little <a href="http://translate.google.de/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://berlin.kauperts.de/eintrag/Oeko-Markt-Dieffenbachstrasse-10967-Berlin&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmarkt%2Bhohenstaufenplatz%2Bberlin%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26biw%3D1096%26bih%3D632" target="_blank">organic community market</a> where you can get your organic booty and a great coffee while the kids play. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.ankerklause.de/" target="_blank">Ankerklaus </a>is another fun place to go for a drink especially if you can find a seat out on the balcony in the sun. We took Z's newly purchased 'Rush Hour' (3Euro from the flea market) and sadly one of the pieces skipped off the table and landed in the Urbanhafen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I made my way out solo on Sunday to the <a href="http://www.slowtravelberlin.com/2011/03/23/boxhagener-platz-fleamarket/" target="_blank">Boxhagnener Platz Flea Market</a>, while the boys stayed home to rest. I must say I prefer these smaller flea markets to the bustling and very popular <a href="http://www.slowtravelberlin.com/2010/11/12/mauerpark-flea-market/" target="_blank">Mauer Park flea market</a> (another great smaller market is situated at <a href="http://www.stilinberlin.de/2012/09/shop-in-berlin-arkona-platz-flea-market.html" target="_blank">Arkona Platz</a> within skipping distance from Mauer). It was a beautiful day and there is a great water park....well, water park is probably too grandiose a term for it....in the centre on Boxhagener Platz. Perfect for summer sun shenanigans. There were no shortage of vegetarian eateries around this part of town and I did get my smoothie fix (which I am really missing!) at <a href="https://foursquare.com/v/funkyou--natural-food/4ead35250aaf9e9a240628a7" target="_blank">Funk You</a>. A raw, vegan, juice bar which was doing a roaring trade. For the crafty's <a href="http://www.wollen-berlin.de/" target="_blank">Wollen</a> looked like a friendly place for picking up wool and purchasing handmade knits, unfortunately it was closed on Sunday, as most things in Berlin seem to be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The sun was shining and it was so liberating to be wandering the streets alone so I headed for <a href="http://www.visitberlin.de/en/spot/treptow-park" target="_blank">Treptower Park</a> with every other sun loving Berliner out for a stroll. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My friend <a href="http://livingalittlegreener.blogspot.dk/" target="_blank">BM</a>, who lived in Berlin, made us a list of things to do and see. High up on the list was a beer garden situated on the edge of a playground on <a href="http://be-my-guest.com/blog/berlin-places/reichenberger-strase-in-kreuzberg-berlin-the-kiez-is-alright%E2%80%A8" target="_blank">Landwehr Kanal in Kreuzberg</a>, 'genius' as she put it! We spent an hour or so in the beer garden while Z man played and we read copies of <a href="http://www.exberliner.com/" target="_blank">ExBerliner</a> which we had picked up for free at the <a href="http://www.toastandjam.de/" target="_blank">Toast & Jam vintage market</a> earlier that morning. The 1.5km walk along the canal either side is beautiful with another great park on the east at Schlesischer Busch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We continued up the canal all the way to <a href="http://www.arena-berlin.de/badeschiff/" target="_blank">Badeschiff </a>hoping to check out the swimming pool. Due to the <a href="http://www.fashion-week-berlin.com/" target="_blank">Fashion Festival</a> they were hosting a rave so we thought better of entering. Not really our thing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On our last day we discovered <a href="http://unlike.net/berlin/escapism/marheineke-markthalle" target="_blank">Marheineke markethalle</a> a fabulous indoor market place for every foodie fancy. If only we had found it earlier! Across the road is a slice of traditional Austrain heaven<a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.felixaustria.de/&prev=/search%3Fq%3DFelix%2BAustria%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den" target="_blank"> Felix Austria </a>for hearty goulash and traditional stodge. We enjoyed our last lunch there sitting out on the street in the sunshine, sad to be leaving.....and yet rather pleased to be seeing the clean streets of Denmark.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was so much more to do...... 10 days was wonderful but a month is definitely needed in this town to 'almost' scratch the surface. All in all we have loved our time in Berlin. It get's the vote as Z's favourite city so far, with Paris coming a close second.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next Copenhagen. x</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736557623698101579.post-32837236867602942732013-07-06T07:18:00.000+10:002013-07-06T07:20:40.439+10:00Day tripping.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Things we have managed to squeeze into our days. Days that have become predominantly about park hopping, Chinese whispers (which is very entertaining even though we are only 3...), I spy and countless crazy renditions of Charlie & The Chocolate Factory's Oomp Loompa song.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Headed to Prenzlauer Berg for a few lengthy play stops at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasserturm_Prenzlauer_Berg" target="_blank">Wasserturm</a>, <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187323-d590476-Reviews-Kollwitzplatz-Berlin.html" target="_blank">Kollwitz Platz</a> & <a href="http://www.360berlin.net/en/prenzlauer-berg-2/helmholtzplatz" target="_blank">Helmholtz Platz</a> (check out a 360 virtual tour of Helmholtz Platz <a href="http://www.360berlin.net/en/prenzlauer-berg-2/helmholtzplatz" target="_blank">here</a>).</li>
<li>A visit to <a href="http://www.wohnzimmer-bar.de/#" target="_blank">Wohnzimmer</a>. Which is a gorgeous little bar on the edge of Helmholtz Platz perfect for catching the afternoon sun or even better, an evening drink. The bar reminded me a little of Yelza (with a more French... rather than Eastern European feel) for those who remember it?</li>
<li>A rather lengthy shopping foray at <a href="http://www.tragflaeche.de/" target="_blank">TragFlache</a>. The most immaculate and impressive 2nd hand store I have ever come across. The owner was incredibly proud and so very passionate about his stock. The LF bought himself a couple of jackets, including a leather jacket I think someone may have tried scaling the wall in back in the 80's (.... there are a number of discreet repair jobs on the arms). </li>
<li>A visit to the <a href="http://www.pratergarten.de/e/" target="_blank">oldest beer garden in Berlin</a> where we met a friendly couple, with a familiar accent and their 2 year old son. He was an Aussie from Perth and she a Berliner. They were weighing up where to live....for now it seems Berlin although he is adamant Australia will win out long term. They both work in the arts sector. Needless to say Berlin wins hands down here. We chatted, amoung other things, about the incredibly cheap cost of living in Berlin... starting with groceries. <i>I can not believe how cheap groceries are! I finally understand what my German friends mean when they complain about the cost of living in Australia. A bag of food at the supermarket in Australia would cost me around Aus$50..... here it's about 13Euro.</i></li>
<li>We took a train ride out to Charlottenberg to visit <a href="http://www.parfum-individual.de/" target="_blank">Harry Lehmann</a> perfumery. A store which is caught in the most incredible time warp. A friend of the LF's gave us the tip and asked us to bring back a bottle of 'Titano Man'. Both are priceless gems.</li>
<li>A visit to the <a href="http://www.bauhaus.de/index+M52087573ab0.html" target="_blank">Bauhaus Archive</a> which Z was rather excited about. Since it was a rainy day I can only imagine he thought Bauhaus sounded like an indoor play centre. Once we were all kitted out in our audio gear the sweet lad kept coming over to give me the heads up....'mum skip number 5 it's really boring'....'mum so is 6' and on it went until we got to the work of<a href="http://bauhaus-online.de/en/atlas/personen/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe" target="_blank"> Ludwig Mies van Rohe</a> & the model of the <a href="http://bauhaus-online.de/en/atlas/werke/barcelona-pavilion" target="_blank">Barcelona Pavilion</a> which he loved & thankfully all was saved.</li>
<li>From the Bauhaus Archive we took a drizzly stroll up through the <a href="http://www.aviewoncities.com/berlin/tiergarten.htm" target="_blank">Tiergarten</a>, past <a href="http://www.visitberlin.de/en/spot/siegessaeule" target="_blank">Golden Lizzie</a> and got lost in a section of fantastic 60's suburbia around Hansplatz station.</li>
</ul>
The LF is out tonight on his wild tour of Berlin's night life. Let's hope he survives unscathed.<br />
xx<br />
<br />
<i>You can find all the 'Berlin' posts<a href="http://stupendousjoy.blogspot.de/search/label/Berlin" target="_blank"> here.</a></i>Adventures with Dementiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056148056776272022noreply@blogger.com4