Fran on Holidays last year

Fran on Holidays last year
Vino at Mercatello

Monday, October 25, 2010

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Holiday Photos

Enjoying the Hotel in Stockholm ready to have a do yourself drink from the local supermarket - as the mini bar is to expensive

View from the hotel room.

Stockholm is so beautiful - they even have crowns on their bridges

The parks are fun

A band for changing of the guards - especially for us!

Friday, October 22, 2010

End of the road

Well today is the end and it SNOWED - well just a little. 


We caught a little ferry across to the fort and as we got off the boat - about 15mis from Helsinki it was sooooo cold and it started!
We went to the museum  walked around the island and then found a great brewery and had lunch and a beer.
It was a long day - late flights out are a bit of a pain . But we are now at Helsinki airport and enjoying a quiet glass of bubbles before boarding. Also using the internet.


Did I mention we went to see Circus Finlandia.  A good night out and amazing tricks if you are under 4. But we had a ball then went and had dinner.


We did a little summary of our trip and decided we did not want to come home. Apart from that we had a few really big  favourites. One being able to travel first with Pip  - she made a great travel buddy. Pip we loved having you with us. Must do it again. Also great having Phoebe with us in St Petersburg. We loved having you there Phoebe and feel very lucky to have two girls travel with us. We miss our boys and always love having them along - but its different with girls!


It seems ages since Italy but that was such a great start. Bertie was so lovely to Pip and I. we feel very lucky to be the only members of the family to see her soooo big.


Well signing off now - flight just called.


See you all soon


Fran x







Thursday, October 21, 2010

Last night!

hello for probably the last time - till the airport.
We have had 2 lovely days in Herringcity no Helsinki I mean. It's a lovely city - smaller than Stockholm, but has it's own charm. Sadly it has been grey and rainy thou not heavy just drizzly. There is no shortage if coffee shops to warm up in and lots of shops with the most amazing innovative design things around. No doubt about the Swedes and Finns - they like a smartly designed object.

We walked and caught the 3T tram around the sights and last night went to a great little concert - cellos mainly. It was very good with the performers all being talented beautiful young men and women.

Tonight we are off to the circus! The Finlandia circus are having a season so decided to try it out.

Steve had a little splurge and bought my birthday/ Christmas present today - some  silver jewellery from a lovely young designer married to an Italian. Lucky me.

Will try and put photos on when I get to a big computer!

See you all soon
x

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Pip auditions for the Bolshoi

Tallinn view from the Castle

Fran all rugged up in Tallinn

School children at the Folk Museum Tallinn

Breakfast room at Tallinn Hotel

Steve buying flowers at Tallinn markets

Photos at last

House of the blackheads in Riga

Irma delivered safely to relative Maris and Eva

Gate of the dawn in Villnius

Steve and Fran in Stockholm

Finally arrived in Stockholm at about 8.30 I don' t like airports- a big waste of time
Anyway we arrived in at 8.15 and got a taxi to our lovely old hotel on the waterfront. We got a room with a view- it's lovely but Steve may have to sell shares to pay for it.
Today we woke to the most beautiful blue skies...... so we walked! And walked and got cold and had a great look at Stockholm. We went to the small island which is the old town and just a short walk away. We saw the Royal Palace - but the thing that we saw along the way was much more an eye popper!
 A beautiful Swedish girl, perhaps on her way home with - now this is what she looked like:   starting at the feet; black ankle boots, black tights , long long legs and a dress that didn't really cover her butt cheeks despite the pulling she was doing, whilst talking on her mobile phone. Nice butt! But no class!

The old town and the Palace turned on a very good changing of the guard . The band played on after the guards changed  so we had lots to see and listen to. Steve can't believe a band can sound so good with only 1 trombone!
Had a nice lunch to warm up then got the tram across to the Museum of the Vasa - a ship that sunk in the harbour here 333 years ago and has been brought up and restored. Very interesting and Steve loved it.
We walked home via a little Market got some beer and mixer for my vodka and put our feet up in our room and watched the gorgeous sunset.
It is soooo expensive here! The food is so expensive we might have to cut back!
Most places show their menu and the average price for a main is around 250sek which is 50 dollars +
 . The locals must be well paid.

We think we would like to put together the following:
the suite at Tallin, the coffee shop in Moscow, the food prices of Vilnius, the food of ????, the view of Stockholm, the grand churches of St Petersburg, then u would have the perfect place to visit.
Sorry for any typos- v hard on the iPhone.
Would love to send photos but it's hard to download. It's different now - there are almost no internet cafes as there is wifi everywhere and people have their own laptops.


Saturday, October 16, 2010

Vilnius

Hello from Vilnius airport . We are now waiting for our flight to connect to Stockholm through Riga. It's delayed due to SNOW - not here but In Riga. Amazing. We are now getting to Stockholm about 8 tonight. The perils of travel. No wonder we like the Lux coaches we have been using for our little trip through the Baltic countries .
To amuse ourselves we are using the free wifi to send email, write my blog and Steve is now amusing himself looking at his iPhone app on flights in the area. I think he might interfere  with their flight plans!

We enjoyed Vilnius very much. It is very green and has some beautiful buildings. The scariest museum we looked at was the KBG one. It was very scary to think that people here were still be killed or sent to labour camps in Siberia u til the 80's. It was chilling. The poor people from these countries. The Russians are paranoid and I think even today they keep track of people thou they dont know why . Getting a visa , where you stay , leaving the country - all under great scrutiny .

We also went to a lovely piano recital in the art museum by a lady of Swedish/ Japanese heritage. She was quite old late 60's but so strong in her playing and all by memory
more soon off to lunch......

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Riga

Staying once again in a lively small hotel in the old town. Riga is not quite as cutsie as Tallinn but is old and has an interesting story to tell. We went to 3 churches and 4 museums today. All quite small and manageable! Not trying to do the Louvre and Notre Dame. One told of the history of occupations- not jobs but who has taken over! Very sad for them. It's like they have never been able to do their own thing. As they are on the Baltic- like Estonia they were wanted by the powers. Enough history.
We walked and I observed that the museum guards were all "older"women. I hope they are paid but if not then they have a dry quiet time where they can read, knit, snooze, follow you around and generally waste time!
Last night we walked around the quiet streets- this is off season  so not heaps of tourists. We found a nice Latvian restaurant and promised  ourselves not to drink vodka- for a change. So what did we do? After the wine we thought we should try the local drink called Balsam. Enquiring what it was from the waitress she told us all the locals do in fact drink it to ward off the colds. Good enough for us we say and so 2 small glasses appear. Well it was a cross between cough syrup and a reay bad ?/$!'kh.


This afternoon I lost my new red beanie bought in Tallinn. It's so hard juggling coat, scarf, hat, gloves, bag, umbrella, camera! I managed to drop it somewhere but no worries the street markets were on and I now have a dusty pink beret.
We also went to the Museum of Decorative Arts. They had a special exhibition of clothes in the art deco style from Europe and America. It was divine. I haven't seen the Valentino show at Goma yet, but this was good. Reminds me - who wants to see Valentino when I get back? There is an uplate on Nov 12 .
Tonight is the big night. We are meeting Merkus to hand over Irma. Will let u know tomorrow how it goes. It seems we will be alone again.
Tomorrow we leave for Vilnius.

en

Monday, October 11, 2010

Leaving Tallinn

Today we had our last breakfast in the lovely breakfast room and we'll be catching the 10am bus to Riga. It's a little overcast today and when we stick our heads out the door will get a blast of the chill air.

Riga in Latvia will be interesting. Mostly because we will be handing Irma over to Merkus! Yes Steve has had his old school friend John's mother Irma in his bag. She died over a year ago and John had been wanting to go to Riga to scatter her ashes - so Steve kindly offered to bring her with us. She has been in his bag just waiting handover. Stranger thnings have happened but I don't know what they are! I'm sure Irma has enjoyed her trip and now willl be meeting relatives in Riga.

Impressions of Tallinn: Yesterday we went to the Estonian town Museum - and it showed clearly how the Estonians feel about being occupied by the Russians for so many years. It must have been so hard during those years - and they show have no love for the Russians. We also went to the outdoor museum - a kind of Estonian Old Sydney Town. It was in a beautiful forest and had the original farms set up and great explanantions of life as a farming Estonian. We visited th little school and show some kids on excursion. Naturally I had a chat to the teacher and told them where I was from in Australia. The kids were interested but had little English.

well off to Riga.
Hi Bertie ´how is little Cleo coming along? and your final assignments?
Love to all Fran

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Cool in Tallinn

Hello
thanks for your comments. It's lovely to hear news from home. The pace has changed in this lovely little city- pop400,000. It's easier in a small city and with the girls gone we have slowed down. At the moment we are having a pre dinner vodka watching TV in our suite. Last night we had an Estonian meal and it was delicious. Beetroot soup for me followed by fish and pickles for Steve followed by pork - a HUGE bone covered in delicious meat . Too much but delicious .
We did the tourist bus this morning after b/fast in the lovely dining room. Easy pace and we got to k ow the new as well as the old city. You can sense how hPpy the people are now they are not occupied by Russia. There is another SuMmer
Palace here that Peter the Great built for Catherine lucky girl. It is pink and has beautiful gardens around it.
Steve headed off to yet another Maritime museum and I took in the Art Gallery which had an interesting photographic exhibition showing life in Estonia over the years.
HIGHLIGHT: dinner last night . Yum

Jill - we were talking about your market trip coming up . You will love it. There are street markets here selling all sorts if knitted gear, linen toys etc. It's cold today so be warned- layers cos it's always hot inside. Also learn to like vodka and mulled wine.
Bye for now
Fran x

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Tallinn

Hello from Estonia - Tallinn.
We came by bus : leaving St Petersburg at 7. We were dropped at a dark bus stop - no signs no one spoke English around the place so we just hoped the bus would arrive. It did and we got on but not seated together. We got to the Russian border. It was like queuing to get out of theconcentration camp. All off the bus with all belongings. No smiles , filthy toilets and grump with a big stamp! Back on the bus and then another stop to get stamped into Estonia! Two hours getting out then into the nextcountry. For all that ..........
We did love Russia. It's big grand amazing sights but food was hard to find - good quality and I don't think they do service very well.
Tallinn is quaint, clean , friendly tourist ready and we were given a suite T the hotel! We LOVE this place! Sitting in my fluffy gown typing this on th iPhone! Next big problem - which of the restaurants will we choose.
Tomorrow lots of site seeing using our Tallin card. Great value at 40. Aus $ each . All entries to lots if museums, walking tours, guided gallery tours, the round town tour bus, us lots more. We won't have to keep dipping into our wallets looking for money.
Hope to download some More photos.

Hi to all the readers!

Friday, October 8, 2010

St Petersburg

Bears are still the attraction in Russia

Special shoes for Palace floors

Outside the Summer Palace

Summer palace : half hour ferry ride from St Petersburg

Night at the Kirov Ballet

Glamour girls : Phoebe and Pip

Our special seats

Pre Ballet drinks in the Marinisky Theatre

Saviour of the Spilled Blood St Petersburg

Moscow

Basils by night

Our overnight train to St Petersburg

Metro stations are amazing.
Inside the Kremlin
Gum Department store. Very ritzy
Amazing Moscow
One of  the  many Brides we have seen posing!
First night in Moscow drinking vodka

Blog on WiFi

Today we lose Pip. Very sad. We just had a little walk now the girls are checking out. We're all a little heavy in the head! We finished last night with two vodkas ! Lovely at the time but all feeling heavy today!
Off for coffee now then the last of the sightseeing. St P is amazing .it has little canals like Venice but is prob more like Amsterdam. Good for walking.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Lovely day in St Petersburg

Hello from St P.
We have had such a good time here - there are 4 of us now and lots of walking.
Last night we glammed up a little and went to the Kirov Ballet at the beautiful Marinisky Theatre. It was a great production of Spartacus. It's so different even going to the theatre. It started late - everyone just had to cloak their coat ( that cold weather creates another hazard  THE COAT) then have a drink (Russian bubbles is not great) then pose for photos! It all takes time so they were late starting. We were in a little box  - kind of sitting side on but curved towards the stage. The production was great. Very strong athletic preformances. Huge cast and lovely leading ladies and men (though the girls thought them a little on the gaydar) . There were 2 intervals between the acts - which both lasted 30 mins or so. The crowd move slow here though they certainly know how to push. Although it was thrilling to watch we were a little starving. It started at 7 and finished at 10.45. We caught a taxi back to near our hotel and tried 3 places before finding a restaurant that would serve food at 11pm. It was an ENGLISH pub!
Today a slow start - then a lovely boat ride up the river out to the gulf of Finland and to the Sumer Palace. It is gorgeous there . We walked took photos of the stuning fountains - worked out the ticketing. The Russians haven't quite worked out how to ticket things to make it easy. A ticket for the ferry , a ticket when you arrive to get into the gardens, a ticket at the Palace to get in a ticket to see the boat house! We worked up a hunger so stopped by the water in the warm sunshine and had soup and mulled wine. YUM.
Ferry back and into the Winter Palace - to use the toilets the internet and make a copy of our photos onto DVD. Pip leaves tomorrow about noon and Phoebe about 4pm. All very sad as we've loved having their company.
Pip is off for a grand adventure in London. Please excuse any mistakes - don't have time to preview!.
Photos next time as they will be on DVD. I hope.
Love to all

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Russia

Finally a computer!

We arrived in Moscow and everything went smoothly in  a cab to the hotel. We did well. It was a lovely little hotel really handy to Red Square and all the sights.Lovely rooms and really good staff.
The reason I comment is because in St Petersburg - not so lucky. Hotel not what I would choose! Shame as Phoebe Rouse Has now joined us and She and Pip are sharing a small space. Never mind as The weather is fantastic.

We spent yesterday walking,walking, walking and then had to rest before dinner as we had all missed sleep the night before - us because we left Moscow on the Red Arrow train an overnight experience! It was good fun but not great for my sleep. Phoebe had an overnighter from London. So after a good rest we walked some more and found a place called the Idiot! It was recommended some time ago as a good place for drinks and dinner. It was fun and we all had a vodka definately the drink of the country. Yes it's all true.

St Petersburg and Moscow are BIG GRAND and lacking good places to eat. We took in a Mozart Concert in Moscow and tonight go to the Kirov ballet in St P.Such luxury.
I will try and upload tomorrow now we have found our  hotel- though not really up to scratch,  does have free internet and a good breakfast.
Also the wedding tradition has continued! We have seen weddings all over St P. Always having photos and looking seductive in their frilly over the top gowns

Keep looking and I hope to have photos.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Last Day in Italy


Last night dinner at La Serra
 We had a lovely last day. We went to a beautiful spot for dinner. A little village called La Serra. Roberta knows the owner and he is a very good chef.  We wandered around the village first / got some cute little italian boy to take our photo / he was about 6 and very lively.
Then we wandered down to the restaurant for a beautiful dinner. Complementary fried Polenta and sardines. Then followed soups and fish and pork / all yummy. Not to forget the limoni gelato.

It is hard to believe our time in Liguria has come to an end. It,s been so lovely so special being with my two nieces.
This morning we had a little party for Berties birthday. She is 31 and being away from Fabio and the family is hard for her. But she is so great. We shared a Tanti aguri song and then we went to Sarzana for coffee. We ran into Ilaria / the Italian teacher. She is such a funny person. She told us she had met a girl from Australia and it turned out to be the girl we met yesterday at Castlenuovo. The girl who might visit rob in Barca.

We caught the train and arrived in Milan for a good nights sleep before Russia.
Heard from Phoebe Rouse / she is all organised and coming to meet us in St Petersburgh.
Now to dinner our last in Italy. Oh my / what will I choose!
Love fran




A toast to Bertie for her Birthday

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Day at Porta dei Marmi 
Very exclusive shopping and beach clubs - not public beach that we could see
Beach at Porta Dei Marmi
Pip Massi Patrizia 
Pip at Castlenuovo
Sitting on the Poo sculpture in Carrara

Dimi, Antonella, Fredrico, me and Pip
Dinner at Patrizia and Massi
All lovely nights out. Lucky us. More photos later - computer a little slow

Almost time to leave Italy



Our last few days have flown. Pip and I had a little trip to La Spezia yesterday. Bertie was feeling tired and needed a rest so we made her promise to rest and we caught he bus. Not as easy as it sounds here in Italy. Still we made it. We both bought a cashmere cardi and a few little things then on the return trip stopped by Trebiano - another small village nearby . 

I'll show a few more photos - that will give you a look at what we are up to. 
The weather has been great. Today we went to Porta dei Marmi  - its by the water and very exclusive - with VERY BIG name shops. The markets were on and they were pretty exclusive as well. Wish I could bring home some things!. Bertie did a little shop and we encouraged her! After coffee we went to Castlenuovo - a very OLD town  - yes on the top of a hill. It was siesta time and was so quiet. We managed to run into the only other tourists there and they were Australians. Mother and daughter - food reviewers fro Sydney. The daughter may now visit Rob in Barcelona! No not matchmaking just being friendly (though she is Lovely).

This afternoon we're packing and sorting and planning dinner out. It's Bertie's birthday tomorrow - and we leave so we're having a celebrations tonight.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Ciao Tutti


Dinner at Patri and Massi:

La bella sera

Went to the most beautiful house last night, and enjoyed a lovely meal in the piccolo casa - which for travellers is available for rent.
Think Steve should be here - he would love it so much and we miss him.
Photos soon
Fran

Monday, September 27, 2010

La Bella Vita!

On the boat near Lerici
On the boat to Portovenere


Lunch in Telarno

Overlooking the Cinque Terre coast


An Italian wedding - Portovenere
Ciao tutti..... It's now a week since arriving in Italy and I think my Italian is improving. Yesterday Pip and I went into Sarzana a town near here. There were markets on and we finally worked out the bus timetable. We wanted to give Bertie time at home - she has assignments to do and we have been taking up all her time. So saimo andati on the bus. We did so well working it all out that I gave INSTRUCTIONS in italian to an italian bus driver . He was driving along and pulled up to ask where a piazza was - he was a tour bus so I  - IN MY BEST ITALIAN gave him directions. Very funny. We caught the  bus to Tolarno - if it were down the coast a little it would make the Cinque Terre the Six Terre! It was gorgeous and pretty and hilly, little houses up and down, rough waves , people walking - but locals . We even saw a birthday party for a little girl called Aurora. The little girls were running all over the village.
We caught the bus back down the coast to Lerici and Bertie picked us up at 6. We went out with her friends Patrizia and Massimo to a local and very popular pizza place. It was packed with young locals and chatting and using their mobile phones.


We called into another friend Gabrielle - a builder who has renovated his house and has a lovely apartment underneath. It's about 5 mins from Bertie's place and easy distance from the coast - so if anyone wants and authentic italian experience - its the place.


Today another italian lesson with Illaria. It's one on one and I learn alot.
Well I can hear the church bells and so its time to go - andiamo!. I'll download some photos now.


Just returned from our day today.
Italian lesson followed by lunch outside Sarzana on a little agritourismo . Had the local speciality Panigarci. Then went to a beautiful winery for a tasting. Now for a sleep before dinner out with friends

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Saturday in Lerici

Last night we got lots of rain  - after going to Massa , where Roberta had a doctors app. She is now 28 weeks pregnant and looking radiant. We met her sister-in-law there as she is helping with Fabio away on the boat. We stopped in for a lovely meal on the way home and woke to blue skies again today. We went to the markets in Lerici and then took the boat across to Portovenere, the gateway to the Cinque Terre. Had a great walk around there - spotting my highlight of the day (see below). Went also to the cemetery  overlooking the sea. What a place. Caught the bus to the next little town of La Grazie a quiet little bay with lots of boats. we had a quiet lunch , a delicious gelato - new flavours for me mela verde and melone! We're going to Antonella's for dinner with her husband and young son. They live in Carrara  so we'll be seeing some marble.

HIGHLIGHT of the DAY: Seeing two weddings at Portovenere. One was very stylish with the guest dressed in gorgeous dress - navy being the latest fashion. Will post photos when I upload them.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Day 2 & 3

Ciao,

Weather here is so beautiful and we are getting out along the beautiful coast. Lerici the closest little village by the sea is just gorgeous and we've been there for diner, gelato, a paddle, a little shop etc.

Yesterday Pip and I went on the train to Portofino. It is just lovely - you've probably seen it in movies as its the playground for the rich and famous. It was such a lovely visit and the highlight of the day was the blue water and the amerena gelato!

Last night we had some friends of Roberta's for dinner. I had suggested I cook . It's so hard in a little unknown kitchen! But I managed to turn out some little pastry squares with pesto, tomato and feta followed by chicken sort of morrocan style with cous cous.

Roberta made a delicious pav and we had a great night on the terrace. Her friend Massimo plays guitar so we sang along and tried to speak Italian - as they had limited English. Roberta is speaking so well now. With Fabio away she is really pushed into it.

Today another Italian lesson with Alaria in near by Sarzana an lovely town back from the coast.

HIGHLIGHT: Dinner on  the terrace with Italian friends

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Settling into life in Cerri

Hi Everyone!
Had a wonderful flight over. Flat bed really helps! Arrived in Milan early and beat Pip to the station. She looks great and was wearing her new boots - very modern very European. We had coffee and talked non stop until our train left for Turin. What a lovely city and it was bustling. Sunday afternoon in the middle of a week of festivities. There were book stalls lining the porticos, a chocolate festival in the little wooden huts they use for the Christmas markets. All were decorated with CHOCOLATES. A big temptation!. We walked and walked and had gelato and a lovely dinner  in a piazza with music and chatting and a glass of Proseco.
MONDAY: we walked  and saw LOTS of churches including San Lorenzo where the copy of the shroud of Turing is housed. The nonnas we all  a twitter about the shroud then we were almost extras on a movie set in a park. After lunch - ensalada tonna we got the train down to Genova then along the coast past the 5 villages of the Cinque Terre until La Spezia. Roberta met us. She looks fantastic. Lovely little pregnant tummy and glowing.
We came to her home in Cerri settled in and then drank more Proseco bubbles. Had dinner on the terrace and looked towards the coast.
HIGHLIGHT: Seeing Roberta and dinner on the terrace
Today - TUESDAY: we had a slow start, breakfast on the terrace then headed off to explore. Ended up in Lerici a small village by the water. Its only 5 mins down the hill and is gorgeous. It was the most beautiful day. We enjoyed  a seafood lunch walked around the bay, had gelato of course, walked some more and now we are home to cook fish for dinner.
HIGHLIGHT: Walking around the water past the beaches of Lerici eating gelato!
More tomorrow and maybe the first photos