Porto Santo, off Madeira >
January 2005
A
desert island in the Atlantic Ocean, yet under 4 hours flying time from
the UK. I spent a magical two weeks here off-season, and fell in love
with the island. Not a lot to do, apart from walking and eating. Every
day I visited a beach bar for cappuccino at the northern end of the
island, often accompanied by Bruno the abandoned dog who
"lived" at the hotel. We teamed up and spent most of the time together.
I was dreading the last day, but as I departed Bruno was nowhere to be seen - as if he knew I was going?
Hated the flights, and vowed NEVER to fly again (but I have said that before).
Came back with sun tan, and half a stone lighter!
|
|
|
|
|
< Polperro, Cornwall
Sue and I spent a week here near Polperro, staying in a detached,
modernised farm cottage. Very quiet apart from the animals, and with
beautiful views. We did many trips in her ageing Fiesta, and discovered
many historic, and interesting places. The shopping was tremendous, and
one of my purchases was an average sized locally made Teddy Bear, which
I still have. We both love the west country, and would probably live in
the region if we could afford it.
Going on holiday with someone is the ultimate test of friendship, but
we are good companions, and both respect each other. Also I am very
flexible, and easily fit in with other peoples wishes. We didn't do
everything together, although because of the isolation of the property,
and only one car, we both had to compromise a bit on this. There was no
local public transport. Local walks were dodgy because of the hills.
|
|
|
Totnes, Devon >
We have stayed in
Totnes at the same small house twice. It is in a quiet part of the
town. just a short walk from everywhere. There is so much to see and do
in the area, with very good public transport - buses and the train. One
day I went to Exeter and we drove to many touristy spots including
Buckfast Abbey, Paignton and Kingsbridge. There is an excellent river
cruise to Dartmouth, combined with train and bus.
Totnes is famed as an alternative spiritual centre, and I was amazed at
the amount of activities there and in the surrounding areas. A real
mecca!
|
|
|
|
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas >
Three centre,
fly-drive trip for three weeks, with my boyfriend and his parents, plus
his younger sister. A nightmare scenario, but I made the best of it.
The sleeping arrangements were disastrous, as it was me and him and
Dad, His mother and sister had the other room each time. The only way
we could have privacy was in the bathroom, so you could imagine the
cold and bruised bodies that returned home!
Amazing trip, more than I could have imagined, but so familiar because of the movies.
|
  
 
|
|
|
  
 
|
< Australia
My trip of a lifetime, four weeks travelling which I planned in
meticulous detail from guide books. Booked trains and flights in
advance from the UK. Main aim was to visit Sydney where I stayed with
an ex work colleague. Slept on the train (3 nights) to Perth, then flew to Alice Springs with Ayers Rock, train (1 night)
to Adelaide, then drove to Melbourne to visit relatives. The hottest
temperature I had ever encountered (Perth) was 40 degrees - wow! The
biggest country - was amazed. I loved it all. Flew around the
world - out via San Francisco and Fiji, back via Bangkok and Singapore
- that's where I joined the mile high club!
|
|
|
New York >
The first time I flew
commercially (had done a gliding course) and chose NY, because I had
seen in featured in a lot of movies. Stayed near Times Square. Did side
trips to Washington DC and Niagara Falls. Loved the glamour and
busyness of Manhattan. Saw masses, which I had planned in advance from
a guide book - made a list! Went to the top of the World Trade Center,
and up the Empire State Building, excellent.
|
   
 
|
|
|
Lundy Island, Devon >
Think this was the
first time I went away on my own (age 18). Got the coach from London to
Ilfracombe, and sat next to a young male dancer from the Tommy Steele
show Half a Sixpence so the journey down was quite memorable as
well? Was in love with small islands, especially Lundy. Had a sizeable
collection of "Lundyana" which years later I sold to an American for a
large sum of money! Had booked to stay at the Millcombe House Hotel,
which only had 12 rooms, but forgot to bring wellies or a torch. The
paddle steamer from the mainland took ages, but it was a smooth
crossing. Coming back after a few days, it was very windy and rough -
my first sea sickness. It was a delightful hotel, very "Agatha Cristie"
but cold even in Summer. Very romantic setting with beautiful views
everywhere. No cars, one pub/shop and only a handful of people -
Heaven! Now owned by the National Trust and run by the Landmark Trust
who let out cottages for visitors.
|
  
    |
|
|
   
|
< Broadstairs, Kent
The first place I remember going on holiday to. My parents and I stayed
at a guest house run by two elderly sisters. It was in a square close
to the town centre, and I think the end of the square overlooked
the cliffs. Famous for its sandy beaches, we travelled there by steam
train from Charing Cross. We went year after year to the same place
(until they sold the building off for flats), and the weather always
seemed to be warm and sunny. I think we went for two weeks at a time -
during the school summer holiday. Our luggage (an enormous trunk) was
sent in advance, and returned afterwards - full of dirty washing, no
doubt. Once the trunk arrived after our arrival, so nothing to wear for
a few days! Another time they forgot the key to unlock it, so we had to
break in!
Bleak House (home of Charles Dickens) overlooked the compact town. The
North Foreland lighthouse was a windy cliff top walk away, often after
the early evening meal.
Years later I visited with a friend one winter. The hotel was freezing,
and we were the only guests, so we had to cuddle up in bed to keep
warm! We visited the cinema, but the show was cancelled because the
projector broke down, soon after the start of the film. The other
highlight was an Indian meal in an empty restaurant!
|
welcome to erixlife - travels
