Portland, Oregon

My cold was in full swing by this time, again - it wasn’t going away, so I walked the local neighbourhood and pampered myself by having my hair done. I didn’t feel any better, but my hair looked good.

Washington Park is on the west side of town, same side as my hostel, so I set off on a  foggy morning to the park and apparently a good place to see the city from - though not with the fog. There were even some roses growing in the International Rose Test Garden, though not as many as there would be in the summer, of course. It was a great place to take photos, especially if I wanted spooky, tree photos.

Seattle

After 4 days on two trains I arrived at the hostel just as the Thanksgiving meal had finished. But I met Caitlin, who was also at the Austin hostel, who made me up a plate of turkey, mash and stuffing, plus a slice each of pumpkin and pecan pie. It was just what I needed after the train journey, proper hot, homemade food.

The Green Tortoise hostel is opposite the famous Pike Place Market, so that was my first stop the next day.

Austin, Texas

Austin was never going to be a proper tourist visit for me, I wasn’t so much interested in the sights of the city, as much as the music and nightlife that it’s more famous for, or at least more famous to me for. I wanted to go to Texas and it seemed as good a town as any to chose.

New Orleans

New Orleans was great, not so sure if that’s down to the town itself; which was somewhat seedy in some places and in others still suffering the effects of Hurricane Katrina, or if it was down to the great friends I made there. Plus the sun shone the whole time!

The hostel was located at the northern end of Canal Street, which allowed easy access by the street car into the centre, but I walked the street the first day, just to see what was around.

Charleston, South Carolina

It wasn’t a very good start in Charleston, the city was hit by the tail-end of a hurricane, so day one it rained, hard, day two it was windy and cold and day three it was just grey, day four there was sunshine, but I was only there for the morning, so I didn’t see the place in its best light. And on my cab ride from the train station to hostel, I was ripped off, not only overcharged, but we dropped off another passenger, stopped for the driver to get some coffee and finally made it to the hostel. I was not a happy bunny. But I was able to get into the hostel and have a shower, I was given the back door code, so I just had to wait for the person who worked there to let me check in, she did and even allocated my bed so I could go and have a nap, yay!

My $50 photos

I set out this morning from my motel in St George on my way to Zion National Park, all was going well, I didn’t get caught speeding, though I was only a couple of mph over the limit when I drove past a sheriff’s car. I then turned a bend after La Verkin and saw an amazing plateau - I got out to take a photo, it was cold so I shut the car door, took the photos and the car was locked, couldn’t get back in, the keys in the ignition and the engine is running and I’m on the outside. 

Muncie, Indiana

Many people have asked, why Muncie? To visit a friend of course, not that we’d met in person before but we’d been in contact via email for years and a visit was due - in fact back when I was a publisher I published two of her books - Silenced Cry and The Devil Can Wait (buy them, they‘ve won awards and they‘re good). It was lovely to meet Marta and her family, including the somewhat potty grandmother! Plus it was very good to stay in her lovely home, a proper bed without railings, a homely, comfortable atmosphere and generally just relaxing. Plus the weather was gorgeous and we were even able to drive with top down in the car around Indianapolis and then again in Muncie.

Chicago

After an overnight train from Washington DC, I arrived at the Chicago hostel at 8.30 in the morning, fully expecting to just be able to put my bags in a locker and come back and check-in later. However, I was allowed to check-in there and then, dump my bags in my room and have a shower. The hostel offers a number of activities, one of these happened to be an architectural tour of the city, I decided this was probably a good idea to take, so I could get an idea of the place and what there was to see. 

Washington, DC

I arrived in Washington DC at the train station and caught the bus to the hostel. The bus driver was very helpful, until I pointed out the top of the Capitol building asking what it was, he just replied it was just some office building! 

Portland, Maine

I’m still in a quandary about Portland, it’s nice enough but from what I’ve seen nothing special, so I’m rather at a loss as to why it is in so many must visit lists (apparently even in Fodor’s Top Ten cities to visit, but I can’t find any evidence for that, except what the chap told me). People are very proud of the place and maybe in summer it’s charming, but to me it felt rather desolate. There were a lot of unemployed and homeless people about the town and the social worker I met did say there is a big problem in Portland. The public transport is appalling, buses are late and people spend half their time waiting for them. As I said, it could be that I was there at the wrong time of year and the economy has affected the place, so it’s not at its best and having a car could have made a difference, but it just didn’t seem to have much going for it, except the seafood!

Boston

I arrived at about 6pm and went for dinner in an Irish bar, it was the coach that drove me to drink again. Seriously, the coach driver missed a turning on the highway and reversed down the shoulder so he could take the right turn - terrifying!

New York

Having made it through immigration in Canada for America, just. I only had to wait 8 minutes for authorisation, which for ‘normal’ people takes seconds and the immigration guy did insist it was an issue with me rather than anything else and then finally finding my luggage, which had arrived on an earlier flight but no one had told me, I made it to New York and my hostel in Harlem.

Montreal

I was back in Montreal for my last few days in Canada and for the cities and towns I’ve seen, it’s my favourite. Maybe it’s the European vibe or just that it’s a big city with lots to do in it..

On my first night I had to brave both the subway and bus to go out to Lachine and meet with a friend who I’ve known for 10 years but never met and it was great to finally meet her and see some of the sites of Lachine.

Quebec City

OK, confession: my camera battery sort of died (I’m sure I can sort it, but…) so I just had to go and buy myself a new camera, I mean my old one was years old (and took very good photos still) and the zoom wasn’t amazing, so I just had to get a new one, right?! Now, I have a shiny new camera, with an amazing zoom and lots of functions that I have no idea how to work or what they do and probably won’t work out until I get back next year. Though I do have the manual on my netbook, it’s just a bit, well boring to read…

Ottawa

The first places I seem to be visiting is bars, not sure why, maybe the coaches here are driving me to drink. But I headed to a bar in the Byward Market for something to eat and a Canadian beer. And I got a bargain too, free beer apparently I’d been ignored for so long that they decided to not charge me - result!

Kingston, Canada

Kingston was the first capital of Canada, until the capital was moved because it was felt that being so close to America wasn’t safe. Which means that it has some very important buildings and military bases for a town of its size.


My first stop in Kingston was food - my guide book recommended the Kingston Brewing Company, which brews its own beers, so off I headed to try the famous Dragon’s Breath Pale Ale and the Whitetail Cream Ale.

Toronto

I arrived in Toronto and checked into the hostel, which wasn’t a 5 minute walk from the bus terminal as it said in the blurb, but it is fairly central. Though in a not so nice area of Toronto, in fact it’s one of the places ‘that should be avoided at night’ and ‘isn’t so great during the day’ according to the Lonely Planet. And they’re right. This is due to the Social Services having closed a number of centres in the city and the help isn’t here for people, so they congregate in this area where there are some shelters and centres left. It doesn’t feel unsafe so much as being just full of homeless people, a lot who are mentally ill. It didn’t help reading an article that the area is where there is gun violence, crack dealers etc, not that I’ve seen any of that and a local told me not to believe everything I read!

Niagara Falls

Yesterday I went to Niagara Falls - having seen the cost of the tours, which take you to places you probably don’t want to go to and just want your money - I used my Canada Coaches Route Pass and made my own way there. My Route Pass allows me to go virtually anywhere in Southern Canada, as long as it’s within the 15 day and 19 journey limit, which should get me to everywhere I’m planning on going and I can make some extra side trips if I wish.

Let the adventure begin

Yesterday I flew from London Heathrow to Montreal Trudeau, for the start of my year of adventures. Luckily I was flying from Terminal 5 which is still shiny and new, so has the better shops and facilities. The shops were useful as I’d left my sunglasses case in the car and the facilities were good, so I could sup a glass or two of Champagne before the flight - well the luxury of the trip began and ended there!

The Scowles at Puzzlewood

On my explorations of the Forest of Dean I was taken to the Scowles at Puzzlewood. Tolkien was a visitor to the Forest and it is said that Puzzlewood was inspiration for the ‘fabled forests’ (Fanghorn?) in The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. They certainly are mysterious and slightly spooky too.


The Scowles are formed from certain limestone outcrops that are found within the Forest and have deposits of iron ore in them. The ore has been mined in the Forest since early times and it was thought that the Scowles were formed because of the mining. However, this has since been disproved and they are a geological phenomenon, through erosion and time.


Recently they have found evidence that they were also mined by the Romans, from finding Roman stuff on archaeological investigations. By the 18th Century the Scowles were no longer mined and abandoned. This meant that nature could retake the area and trees, moss, ferns and the like have grown to create the area as it is today.


The wood is well maintained by various organisations to preserve it for future generations. This means there is an entrance fee and visitors must keep to the paths and generally be aware of the environment.


It’s a great place to spend an afternoon, even if it’s raining as the tree canopy would probably keep the place fairly dry. The rock formations are fascinating and it’s amazing how the trees have taken root in the tiniest of cracks in a desperate attempt to grow. The trees also grow at bizarre angles to reach the light, which all combined creates an eerie place to be. And I'm sure a wood sprite was following me, there was a mysterious crackling noise when I was walking through.

Bath & Jamie’s Italian

In an effort to finish off buying the remaining bits and bobs for my trip (exciting things like USB sticks, playing cards, plastic wallets and underwear), my mum and I went to Bath, not just for the shopping, but to see the changes to the city since we were last there. I went to school in Bath and worked there for the open top buses, so I’m very familiar with the place, but recent visits have been very quick without much chance to mooch about. So we decided we would do some mooching. Also in the plans was lunch at Jamie’s Italian, just off Milsom Street.

Canoeing the Wye Valley

We’ve arrived back home tired after a half day canoeing down the Wye River. It was a great day for canoeing not too hot and not a drop of rain. The lack of recent rain meant that the river wasn’t too fast flowing so we could gently meander with the current without too much exertion.

Chocolate and Courgette

Yes, I know it’s not a normal combination, but recently we’ve been inundated with courgettes. Not just from those grown in our garden, but also the neighbours have kindly donated extras from their veg patch. The other week we had a visitor over for lunch, she loves chocolate so the pudding had to involve chocolate. The main course had to include roast potatoes for her son. We like to oblige people’s favourites!

Birthday Lunch at The Walnut Tree

On Wednesday my dad celebrated his 65th birthday, he’s now officially a pensioner! He went away for a couple of days with his wife, Jenny, to some Welsh town with a name I forget and probably can’t spell if I did know it. They got back home last night and we arranged to meet up for lunch today at the renowned Walnut Tree so I could join in the celebrations.


The Walnut Tree is located nestled near some Welsh hills, in a tiny village called Llanddewi Skirrid. For me the sat nav was vital in finding the place, luckily it pronounced I’d reached my destination after I’d driven past the restaurant, rather than before.

Canine Chaos

Having been away for a few years I have missed having pets. I was born into a family with at least two dogs, sometimes we’ve had as many as 7 or 8 and that doesn’t include when there have been puppies. Then the whole house is filled with dogs.

Forest of Dean Heritage Centre

Having 2 months in the UK before I go travelling is giving me ample opportunity to explore the local area. And the Forest of Dean has lots of things to investigate. As my mother works at the Dean Heritage Centre I have visited it before, but didn’t take any photos and the sun wasn’t shining either.

Last Images of Munich

Christmas in July

I consider myself a normal person, whatever normal is. But sometimes I wonder what other people are like. My landlady has recently had an operation for breast cancer, so whilst she was recovering I helped her out, by carrying things for her, helping around the flat, generally doing things that I think any normal person would. I also stop and chat with her when I come home in the evenings or during the day, which she seems to find unusual. She does like to talk! Sometimes in English, sometimes in German and sometimes a mixture of both, which can be fun to work out what’s going – especially when it’s in German, I tend to understand but always reply in English.

My Around the World Trip

I’ve decided to go travelling, take a year out see a bit of the wolrld and then come back, refreshed and find a job. After much deliberation over where I wanted to go and learning for some companies you have to go east to west or west to east I phoned a travel man and discussed my plans with him. Unlike my family, who I think are worried that I’m mad doing a year long trip on my own, he was very enthusiastic (OK, he is a travel agent and is paid to encourage mad people). I told him where I wanted to go and for roughly how long in each place. Seeing as he’s done a lot of the places I’m planning he was able to offer suggestions of how long would be best and which way to go.

Good News – 3 years on

When I was diagnosed in 2006 with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, I just did what my doctors told me, I didn’t have many options and they knew what they were doing. It was serious and I was lucky they had caught it when they did. Apart from the one scary Lymphoma (female, the only female German doctor I dealt with) specialist who told me ‘it was a fight for my life’ – I knew that, just didn’t need being told in such a brusque manner – I was happy to just go with the flow. I was advised that if they caught the tumour and could get rid of it, the risk of it returning is minimal. So I underwent a 6 month course of steroids (urgh, steroids are horrible, yes, for me worse than everything else and I demanded to come off them as soon as possible, and the doctor kindly reduced my dose, instead of seeing me go mad), radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Baldness may not be a good look, but it’s certainly better than what would have happened without the chemo. Oh and TV shows, when people lose their hair, it’s not just the hair on their scalp – think eyebrows and eyelashes – I know actresses don’t look good without mascara smeared eyelashes but it is what happens with chemo!

Belfast, Northern Ireland – Part Three

Stormont: is home to the Northern Ireland Assembly and was opened in November 1932. In World War II it was painted black using bitumen and cow manure to disguise it from enemy planes. The statue to Edward Carson in the grounds dominates the driveway. Carson resisted Irish Home Rule and drafted a constitution for provisional Unionist government for Ulster.

Belfast, Northern Ireland – Part Two

The bus tour I went on with Allen’s Tours was meant to last 1hour 45 minutes, though with traffic can last a fair bit longer. We covered most of the city and important sites around the centre, including Stormont, Shankhill Road and the Titanic Quarter.

Murals: The murals of Belfast were to mark the different zones of Protestant and Catholic Belfast during ‘The Troubles’, though some now are for other purposes including the Narnia wall in tribute to C.S. Lewis and the peace wall which depicts murals of troubles around the world.

Belfast, Northern Ireland – Part One

Munich airport beergarden - Europa train station Belfast

I left gorgeous, sunny Munich at 10.45 am after having sat in an airport beergarden catching the sun at 9am. It was a far cry from the rain that poured on my arrival at Belfast airport and didn’t stop until my last day. However, this didn’t deter my fellow breakfasters in the B&B I stayed in on the first night from deciding to go for a walk along the beach.

Die Weisse Rose - The White Rose

Munich is dotted with many memorials to its historic past, including the plaque to Kurt Eisner, the ‘Wunden der Errinnerung' series and also some to the White Rose Movement. Of course, not all the memorials are related to the second world war, but it’s something that Munich was a major part of, with Hitler starting his campaigns in the city and where the beer hall putsch took place, along with many other significant events.

Small things

My landlady today took the black labrador she's temporarily looking after for a walk in the Englischer Garten. They ended up, after many diversions for the dog to swim, in a meadow and she picked a bunch of flowers. When she got home she gave them to me which was very kind of her. It's small things like this that make things better.

10 things I’ll miss about Munich

I’m sure this list could be much longer the more I think about it, as Munich is a great city to visit and live in. One of the best I’ve known.

1. Beergardens. These are typically German, unlike pub gardens in the UK, they are normally an outdoor space dedicated to drinking beer.

10 things I won’t miss about Munich

I love Munich, so writing negative things about the place is difficult, but nowhere is perfect and some things can bug a person after a while. Some things you get used to, many of the things listed below, don’t bother me much anymore, in fact they can add to the charm of the place as you laugh off a lot of things or a few choice words in the local lingo can do wonders for you, even if they have no effect on the other person, it makes you feel good. But as I’m leaving, a few things I won’t miss about this city may make the break easier!

1. Dogs in restaurants. I like dogs, but in places where food is served, no thanks.

Random thoughts: Moving and landladies

As I decided to move out of the flat I’ve been seeking a single room in a houseshare or something similar. Fortunately there are numerous places to look for rooms to rent in Munch that it shouldn’t have been too much of a trial. However, the first room I saw I was virtually barred entry into the flat by the person renting the room. I think he had it in mind that he wanted some fit bird and I didn’t fit that criteria. After all of 5 minutes I left as it was clear I wasn’t the person he wanted to rent his room too.

My new bike panniers

I hate to follow stereotypes, but when I’m down I do go shopping. And my things to buy are shoes and bags. This time I’d set my heart on a set of bike panniers, which is close enough to a bag in my world. I’d been into Radl Bauer (a bike shop in Munich) and spied these funky panniers before. But as I had a basket on the back of my bike I put them to the back of my mind.

Angels & Demons

I went to see Angels & Demons, or Illuminati as it is known as here, last night and I got one of the comfy seats in the balcony at Cinema (Nymphenburger Str, Munich) definitely worth the extra money to watch the film in relative luxury. The advantage of Cinema, is that they do Original Version (OV) films, so Müncheners get the chance to see it in the original language without sub-titles or dubbing, definitely a plus.

Hello

Well, I’ve decided to join the hoards and start my own blog. Why? I’m not really sure at the moment, maybe because I’m now single and hope to travel and want to share where I go and what I get up to. Or maybe I want to connect with more people. At the moment I’m in Munich, but I’ll be leaving here at the end of July and then who knows what’s next.

Maybe I’ll go on a round the world trip for a year, or a shorter 6 month trip. Or maybe I’ll just go back to the UK, find a job, get a flat and join the rat race again.

To use a cliché, my life is an open book!

Hopefully, I’ll be sharing photos from Munich and other cities I visit, food or recipes that interest me, links, films, I’m not really sure yet, but it’ll probably be very random, hence calling the blog Half a Dozen of the Other (someone else has six of one).

Enjoy