Archive for the Travel category
New Year Trip to London with an iphone
Posted on Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 9:03 by Michelle
I love to visit London and just after New Year is a great time for me to go. After last years very successful visit I decided to go again this year. I had 3 nights in a Travelodge, booked during their sale.
The highlight of this trip was a visit to the National Theatre to see the Pitmen Painters. I feel ashamed that I knew nothing about this extraordinary group of men before looking for something to do while in London. I thought the play was exceptional and although I was watching it in London I was very pleased to be able to understand everything they said, I overhead many of the audience asking their companions to translate. I'm not sure it will be as well received in Broadway if the accent remains true.
Lines that stick in my mind,
"Ya dee dee art, divvint ya" Translate, "but you do teach art don't you".
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I also went to see Blood Brothers, Mel C really held this together and was a pleasure to watch, but I think maybe on future I'll go more for plays than musicals.
Charlotte was off with her friends the whole time, luckily Kate likes the theatre and enjoyed these 2 shows as much as me.
Before going to London I did some research on some apps for the iphone and the ones that I used almost exclusively while I was there were the Time Out app, I'd have a check in the morning for what was on and it would show things that were closes to me. The first day I wandered along to Shoreditch high street and took an eery walk through Dennis Severs House. It has been lovingly recreated to show a bygone era and I thought it was wonderful, like a living art gallery.
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The next day I went to the Geffrye Museum I wish i could have stayed until the next day to be able to see the 12th night ritual there. It's highly unlikely that I would have heard of either of these places without the time out map, and they were both within walking distance of my hotel. I've taken the app of my phone now, but would put it back on for any trips down south.
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It was a great visit, very cold but lovely to look around and I'm pleased to report that the little Italian cafe off Leicester Square is still there.
|Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay, fish and chips and a caravan
Posted on Sat, Aug 01, 2009 at 7:31 by Michelle
I manage to get away more in the caravan now than I have been able to in the last 5 years I've owned it. I couldn't go much because Kate didn't want to go and she was too young to leave at home. Now she can be left, (as long as there is 2 days of leftovers ready for her to heat up) I can see a little more of our beautiful country.
Last weekend I headed to Whitby and stayed on was a farm on the outskirts of the town. I'd bought tickets for a pre Edinburgh Fringe show at The Coliseum, they were only £7.50. The audience was made up of about 30 people, and it turned out to be a lovely evening, a really friendly intimate gig.
The next day was a walk along the headland above Robin Hoods Bay, according to Ordnance Survey this was only 5 miles and rated a one in terms of steepness, well I wouldn't like to do their 3!
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At the end of the walk after changing out of my hot and sweaty boots the delight of Robin Hoods Bay awaited, we were thirsty and had a drink in the first pub we came to, but it got a bit windy and we headed off to the town.
I had heard of Robin Hoods Bay, of course, I've passed the signs many times on the way to Scarborough as it's only about 1.5 hours to get there I don't know why I never visited before. I also can't understand why no-one has mentioned it too me. It is, without exaggeration the most perfect village I've ever seen. The one thing that spoils it, is that it is so delightful it is overrun with tourists and holiday makers. The village is a small quaint fishing village, is has the steepest hills and smallest hideaway cottages in a mish mash of streets, cobbles and hills. A lot of the cottages are available for self catering hire and out of season I would imagine it is an idyllic romantic get away.
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Whitby was nice and of course we sampled the fish and chips which were good, but coming from just up the road, I don't think they deserve the title of best fish and chips, as it was a local fish shop that won the award this year, I may have a drive over this afternoon in the interests of fair comparison. I did eat crab there from the award winning Mister Chips, and it was wonderful, I don't often have crab, it's way too expensive, but I prefer it to Lobster and this was no let down.
I've found that getting out and seeing something different at the weekends really stops the weeks rolling into each other without distinction. Otherwise I seem to move from Easter to Christmas with very little recollection of anything I've done.
|Holiday Plans
Posted on Thu, Mar 19, 2009 at 10:41 by Michelle
I'm almost at the end of my year, being back in school is great the year starts late September and ends in May. I'm hoping to use some of the time out of school to travel and have already started looking for cheap flights into the states I'm not bothered where I land as my plan is to find people to stay with and couchsurf as much as possible. At first I hoped to do it by public transport, but the more I look at homes the less I think that's going to be possible and I may have to hire a car. I'd prefer to buy a small van which I could sleep in, should a couch not be available.
I need to investigate how feasible that is and start making some definite arrangements. I'm very excited about it, I hope I get in though I know I have an unpaid speeding ticket...
| Edited on: Fri, May 15, 2009 12:05Trains, kids and getting older.
Posted on Sun, Mar 15, 2009 at 10:41 by Michelle
When I travel to see the kids it is always by car, but my lift had a training course in Essex next week and it would have been madness to drive home, then back to Essex for the course. I could have not visited, it's only 2 weeks until they come home, but I try to squeeze every second of possible contact with them that I can. So I went there in the car, and came back in the train, which is where I am writing this. I was very lucky, I booked it last minute and it was either not very busy, or it's a particularly cheap route. For some reason the regular fare was £36.50 and 1st class £36.00 So I'm sitting in 1st class where there are lovely big seats and lots of leg room, as well as complementary tea/coffe, still and sparkling water, and nice cookie type biscuits. There are only 3 other people in the whole carriage so I have a table all to myself, and although I like car trips, I love traveling by train, even in regular class, it's nice to be able to walk around, to go to the loo, and to get a cup of tea, play a game off cards with the kids, or write my blog, or watch a movie on my laptop. All off the National Express East Coast trains have free wifi, making it a very pleasant journey indeed.
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I'm hoping to get the kids comfortable with traveling on their own, and then it would be very easy for them to come home for a weekend instead off us traveling there. Unfortunately they have much better things to do than spend time with me. Charlotte has been at home for 3 weeks (suspended) so I didn't see her for dust once she got back to the school. As Chris's girlfriend was away for the weekend so he was happy to come out and spend a bit of time with me. I had the use of another parents house while she was away over the weekend, and that was way better than staying in a hotel or B & B. The time I get to spend with them goes so quickly, but I can see that for them it's not really quick enough. It makes me sad to see that way too soon, they'll be gone and it will be Christmas and birthdays only, and to make me question if I have done the right thing giving the bulk off their childhood over to Summerhill.
| Edited on: Fri, May 15, 2009 12:05Posted in Family (RSS), Summerhill (RSS), Travel (RSS)
Back from my trip
Posted on Sun, Mar 08, 2009 at 20:04 by Michelle
I had a great time in Peublo Ingles, it was everything I remembered and more. The Spanish studfents were all teachers. There is a government initiative in some parts of Spain to get some other lessons taught in English. So we had people who taught PE, Art, Technology and Science, they were such a creative bunch of people and so full of life and vitality that they made it a great week for me.
After meeting and talking with so many people I have a theory that Peublo Ingles gives many people the opportunity to be the person they'd like to be all the time. Having so many intense conversations over a one week period is a life changing experience for many. It gives you a lot of time to reflect, on life and happiness and also to discuss it with virtual strangers.
It is a very abnormal environment, but so friendly, welcoming and inviting, that it is very easy to open up. As you walk around the village and see everyone talking it looks like a retreat or therapy centre, and I'm sure there's a lot of therapy going on.
There were 34 people there in total, and I got on well with most off them, (out of 34 people there is going to be at least one odd ball), but there was one woman that I didn't get much chance to talk with over the first few days, when we did start chatting we really hit it off, and I know I've made a friend for life. She lives in the UK so we'll get together again soon to catch up.
| Edited on: Sun, Mar 08, 2009 20:11Back from my trip
Posted on Sun, Mar 08, 2009 at 10:41 by Michelle
I had a great time in Peublo Ingles, it was everything I remembered and more. The Spanish studfents were all teachers. There is a government initiative in some parts of Spain to get some other lessons taught in English. So we had people who taught PE, Art, Technology and Science, they were such a creative bunch of people and so full of life and vitality that they made it a great week for me.
After meeting and talking with so many people I have a theory that Peublo Ingles gives many people the opportunity to be the person they'd like to be all the time. Having so many intense conversations over a one week period is a life changing experience for many. It gives you a lot of time to reflect, on life and happiness and also to discuss it with virtual strangers.
It is a very abnormal environment, but so friendly, welcoming and inviting, that it is very easy to open up. As you walk around the village and see everyone talking it looks like a retreat or therapy centre, and I'm sure there's a lot of therapy going on.
There were 34 people there in total, and I got on well with most off them, (out of 34 people there is going to be at least one odd ball), but there was one woman that I didn't get much chance to talk with over the first few days, when we did start chatting we really hit it off, and I know I've made a friend for life. She lives in the UK so we'll get together again soon to catch up.
| Edited on: Fri, May 15, 2009 12:09Woo Hoo, it's February, Peublo Ingles here I come!
Posted on Tue, Feb 03, 2009 at 18:09 by Michelle
I booked to go to Pueblo Ingles just before Christmas. I had a week of study leave in November when I really wished I'd gone (I had first been Nov '07), so I booked for my next half term which is now only a couple of weeks away, and I'm counting the days.
I can't really afford a 'proper' holiday this year, and as the kids have their amazing school, and Kate has her prom as well as her sweet 16th and Dave is off to Glastonbury in June, this suits me fine. I sort of wished I could go when it is a bit warmer, but all of my other holidays the kids are off school as well, so February it is.
The first time I went I felt rather brave. I traveled to Spain for the first time on my own at 40 years old. I stayed in a youth hostel in Madrid and was very impressed by it's facilities I'd definitely stay there again (although ear plugs are a must), and when I returned from La Alberca I couchsurfed with a wonderful couple close to Madrid centre.
The 'more than English' experience is great and I still chat with many of the friends I made over that week. It is very intensive for the Spanish students who are immersed in English for the whole week. (Although you hear a little more Spanish late in the evening around the bar). I saw so many wonderful things, Charlene giving us a wonderful belly dance performance and getting us to try some moves. Gareth playing guitar as well as showing us a Maori dance demonstration. The wonderful talk John gave us on walking the Santiago Way and the very funny sketches performed by the talented Spanish actor Victor Clavijo.
It is a full day and mostly filled with talking, listening and correcting English, tiring for me, but much more so for the Spanish, who have to live and breathe English for the week. We are woken by the telephone ringing 30 minutes before breakfast at 9am, enough time for a quick shower and then over to the pleasant dining room, for a buffet breakfast. The day starts proper at breakfast, it is expected that there will be a mix of Anglos and Spaniards at each table to make the most of communicating in a relaxed and informal environment. From there on the day is filled with a full schedule of chat, entertainment and presentations until dinner at 9pm, this is late for the Anglos, but early for the Spaniards and the night is still young for many, enjoying the delights of the bar until the wee hours.
We have a break in the afternoon for Siesta when there would be an occasional trip into town, or a little sight seeing, but surprisingly for me (as I rarely nap) I enjoyed the time to relax in the afternoon and it left me revitilsed for our evening sessions.
It seems a full on day and by the end of the week I was very tired, but I loved it, probably because I am so nosy and love to hear about people and their lives. I speak only a very little Spanish and learned one new word while I was there. The very beautiful Marissa was describing the spice in our dessert and said it was Canella as she did not know the English, I know the spice as Cinnamon and the Spanish word has stayed with me, leading me onto a future post on improving memory which has led me down all sorts of rabbit warrens or, more correctly, memory palaces.
I learnt such a lot in my week at Peublo Ingles about the working and family lives of people from Spain, Mexico, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the UK. Conversations I would not have access to as a tourist. Like couchsurfing PI throws you straight into the mix and you have the ideal opportunity to realise that strangers are just friends that we don't know yet.
London on a budget
Posted on Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 17:43 by Michelle
London is always very expensive, but as my children have gotten older it has become one of the few places we can go where everyone is happy.
I used to live in London so always feel comfortable there and usually know my way around. We traveled to London by train, and as I have a family and friends card and booked as soon as the dates went on sale the return journey was less than £50. I know there are lots of complaints from those who live in London, but as an infrequent visitor I love the public transport there and it puts my local public transport to shame. I keep an Oyster card on automatic top up so that I don't have to worry about fares for me, and kids are free (on buses) until they are 16, but the last time we went we were asked a few times for their cards. Now kids over 11 have a Zip card, that wasn't available to kids outside London when I had been before, it is now, but you have to apply 3 weeks before you go and I had not realised. However there is still a £1 daily travelcard available for kids (up to 4 children with 1 adult) which gets them on the buses and tubes and covers all zones. It is off peak so not to be used until after 9.30am. I'm not sure how the pricing of this works as the first day I was told it was £2 each as I don't have a travelcard on my Oyster but the next few days I was only asked for £1 each.
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Sorting out our accommodation is always my first priority. A few times I have managed to bag a room at The Hoxton when they have had their £1 specials and it is a lovely hotel. The bar is quite trendy (and expensive), but there is free wifi and some PC's for general use in the lobby. It is a short walk to Old Street tube and there is a fridge in the room where they put a pint of milk and a bottle of water which is a nice touch. The breakfast bag they leave is nothing to write home about, yogurt, banana and OJ, but when you've paid less than £60 for 3 nights, who's complaining. It's not really a family hotel, but a great place for a girly get away or romantic weekend.
The last twice we have been I have managed to get a family room from the Travelodge at £9 per night. This is a spectacular price when you consider that 4 of your can sleep comfortably in a family room. I've stayed in a few Travelodges in the capital and would give those near Kings Cross a wide birth simply because they are very dated and a bit grim inside the rooms. This time we were in the fairly new hotel on City Road. The train from Newcastle takes us to Kings Cross and the bus from there stops right outside the travelodge door. The rooms are clean and spacious, but if you do stay there, take ear plugs, there are some clubs nearby and of course some guests returning late at night. One of the great features of this hotel for those on a budget is their buffet breakfast. This is not haute cuisine, but eggs, bacon, sausages, mushrooms, as well as toast cereal and muffins to help yourself to as much as you want, although already good value for money at £7.50 any children in the room eat free with a paying adult. To use my recent trip as an example 3 nights with an eat as much as you like breakfast every day for 4 people, (me and 3 kids) at a total cost of £49.50.
I did encourage the kids to eat heartily at breakfast and that really kept the price down. When we were wandering about during the day, a stop at Starbucks (or Tesco Express) late afternoon and we were fine until dinner. For dinner I printed off vouchers before we went. So we had lovely meals at Yo Sushi and Pizza Hut, as well as one costly, " lets walk into the next place we see" but very nice Indian. The Pizza Hut we went into was in Leicester Square, I'd normally not venture in to somewhere 'so touristy that it does not matter what the service is like' but the vouchers had to have a named shop on them, and I knew I'd be able to find that one. I was very pleasantly surprised, The service was quick the portions were generous and the staff were pleasant.
Getting around always takes up the majority of our time as I prefer the buses but can't work them out, but I did get to visit the Dr Who exhibit at Earls Court with Chris while the girls spent their Christmas money at Camden. We also had a great time in the Science Museum in the Launchpad area, I've been to the science museum before so think that bit must be pretty new, as I don't know how we can have missed it. There is something similar in Newcastle in the Discovery Museum, but my kids know that inside out. I'm very pleased that we went to Launchpad on a weekday when the schools were back in and when there were not a great deal of tourists in the city because it was still pretty hectic in there.
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Our highlight was the ice cream in a lovely Italian place called Ciao! just off Leicester Square, they have a gorgeous Eraclea which is a sort of hot chocolate custard. It's similar to chocolat and churros in Spain. The kids loved the ice creams and the staff were attentive and friendly. It became somewhere to drop into after a long and very cold day of walking and I sincerely hope it is still there the next time I visit.
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|Posted in Eating Out (RSS), Family (RSS), Food (RSS), Money Saving (RSS), Travel (RSS)
Latitude 2008
Posted on Fri, Aug 01, 2008 at 10:28 by Michelle
Latitude is a 3 year old festival which is really coming into its own. It was referred to on more than one occasion as “the middle class festival”, and it probably was. This festival had the feel of a village fete where you were welcome to pitch up your tent.
It rained, of course, but there were never the mud baths of Glastonbury. The cider was Aston’s and nice, but not nearly as good as Brothers.
The whole feel to the festival was wonderful, very
laid back and cultured. I missed the only band I wanted to see (Black
Kids), Blondie was the other big contender, but she was on at the same
time as Dave
Gorman, so for me it was a no brainer, Dave had
it. He did an entertaining set promoting his book Unchained
America
It’s a chronicle of trying to get from cost to coast without giving any money to “The Man” (corporations). He had to find all gas, food, lodgings and (many) car repairs from independent, “mom and pop” businesses. I didn’t buy the book, but got it from the library when I returned, but I’ve only managed half of it, I was a bit disappointed with the prose, it’s very flat compared to Dave’s live presenting style.
The other highlights for me were the readings done by Word Theatre. Gary Dourdan read Martin Luther Kings, I Have A Dream, and it gave me goose bumps and Beatie Edney, who I had never heard of previously, but had an amazing presence. I wouldn’t have thought I’d be interested in this sort of thing (readings and stuff), but both me and my 15 year old daughter were very impressed and went for all of the readings, I’d definitely look them out again.
There’s no comparison to Glastonbury, it’s like apples and oranges. This one was very convenient as we had to be in Suffolk that weekend to pick up the littlies, and I hope it falls like this for us next year as well.
|Goal Setting
Posted on Fri, Mar 21, 2008 at 8:37 by Michelle
Goal setting, I decided on this topic because my wonderful son asked me what had I wanted to do when I was a child. I remember vividly that I wanted to be American. I expect I was swayed by the wonderful lives I saw that American kids had via our TV. Huge, plush bedrooms with walk-in closets, school with no uniform you could chew gum and play baseball. It was a magical place, and it wasn’t that I was growing up in poverty or destitution or in a developing country. I lived in the UK.
Now of course I see that it was idealistic but when my son asked me and after thinking for a while I responded. “As a kid I wanted to be American”, it is probably no wonder that the states feels like my spiritual home. I’ve been lucky enough to spend extended visits in Florida, and I never want to come home. When I do get back to the UK I yearn to be back in the states. When I visit, my homecoming starts when I step off the plane, that first interaction with the burly security guards, who call me “ma’am” how nice is that, how polite it sounds. Obviously I didn’t know what to expect on my first visit, but it surpassed my imagination. The vastness of it, no wonder there are walk in closets there is so much room everywhere. This is particularly noticeable on the roads, they are so big, the difference was highlighted on the movie “The Holiday” although not all of our roads are as tight as the one Cameron Diaz was filmed in, they are not unusual either. I love to drive in America. I drive an automatic at home, so I’m comfortable with that, but the idea that I could get on a road and drive for 10 hours and not see the sea, that I could drive for 20 hours and still be in the same country, that is spectacular to me.
My ambition as I got older (and still) is to do a road trip in the states, to spend 6 months driving around and meeting people in the different states, finding out about their lives. When this dream first started it was going to be motel to motel, then I thought I’d rent a motor home, but now I know I’d do it by couchsurfing and visit with people on my way, because for me, it’s much more about the people than the place.
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