Kraków, Poland

Constitution Day, flags fly, they are very proud of this being the 2nd nation to write a constitution to be celebrated on 3rd May every year.

Being a freedom day we of course chose to visit the most deadly concentration camp, being responsible for the deaths of one and a half million people, mostly Jews who travelled up to 10 days non-stop from around Europe to meet their fate in gas chambers. They were made to pay some of them for the journey.

Up to 100 were packed into railway carriage standing room only, no toilet,no food and no water and hardly any air, sometimes travelling up to 10 days.

This is the picture of the last piece of the remaining wall from the ghetto. It was made to look like Tombstone signifying the only way out was death via Auschwitz.

After the ghetto was emptied the furniture was taken out into the square where the roll calls were normally held. The furniture was then pulled apart to make sure there were no hidden stashes of gold or valuables in the frames. These chairs are a memorial.

Some survived , there was a list you could get on and work at the Schindler factory. Because of Oskar Schindler and his factory, 1500 people lived.

Most were not so lucky, and by walking through these gates sealed their fate
This is the view that awaited them

Or this, Birkenau and its size and its 4 gas ovens were responsible their extermination. we were amazed at the size of the complex, and the whole thing was designed destroy people, mind and body, every day a living hell.

Everyone was feeling a little off, so it was back into town, for an evening in Kraków. We were left behind by the youngsters  who shot away to the bars etc. Could be an age thing, so we had a beer, kebab,and strolled the street to people watch and finish in a lovely ice-cream shop.

There is the other side of a visit to Krakow but the emotional drain of the visit to the death camps had to be mentioned so no one is ever subjected to such cruelty.

Dorset The Real West Country.

Six glorious weeks in Dorset, the real West Country of England -

Based in Greenham, a gorgeous spot just out of Crewkerne with lots of delightful villages within a few minutes drive.
Bridport a coastal town, once a busy port due to the thriving Flax industry of the local area, is now known for its wonderful Saturday morning market.  Lots of regular fruit and vege stalls and home made goodies but down the side street you can find masses of dealers with antiques, silver ware, a massive mixture of houseware bits and peices and even antique farm tools.  Fun to take the time to potter and you could take home a trailer load of goodies.
 Beaminster is a thriving little village just down the road, fabulous charity shops and even better home of great coffee thanks to a New Zealander who came over here as  IT specialist but found his true calling - won the UK Chef of the Year a few years ago and now runs a fabulous restaurant Wild Garlic.  Its become a popular spot to live these days as a lot of trendy young Londoners having weekend places.

This is a truly beautiful area and we enjoyed some wonderful walks, often through peoples farms and back yards or down narrow  lethal country lanes, that really test your agility when you have to spring up a six-foot hedge to avoid a milk tanker.  Other  lovely walks through the woods and along creeks and you never know when you're going to be surprised by pheasant or a deer dancing around through the undergrowth.

A wonderful concept with some of the villages having their own local store owned and operated by the villagers themselves. When the owners couldn't afford to operate them any more the whole village got together and purchased and now run to support the local community.  You never know who may serve you, even had the local MP  making coffee one morning.

Lionel, a delightful neighbour joined us at Forde Abbey, an elegant Cistercian monastery with over 30 acres of spectacular gardens.  Built in the mid 1100's, it flourished as a monastery for over 400 years,until it was quietly handed over to the crown. Over the next 300 years it had many colourful owners, not all positive, until the Roper family bought it in the mid 1800's and have devoted their lives to this magnificent elegant building and fascinating garden.

Had a lovely afternoon walking with David and Judy from Beer to Seaton and managed to fit in a coffee of course!!  We have some coffee lovers - soul mates!!

Nick and Judy had a lot of fun at the aptly named Bog Sale auction in Crewkerne - and found a couple of little gems.

 Had a lovely walk with Lionel up and around  Pilsden Pen, one of the highest points in Dorset. The hill, 277 metres high, is topped with an Iron Age Fort and the view is simply spectacular.  Also stopped in at St Andrews Church in Burstock to which he is the warden.  A relatively small  but enchanting church that was built in the early 1200's, part of it including the font are original dating back to the mid 900's.  The mind bogles at thought of how many babies have been christened here over the last 1000 years!!!  The beautiful pew cushions have been lovingly made by all the local parishioners over the years.

Headed over to Bristol with David and Judy who had an interview for a new house sit.  So while they were busy we joined lots of other couples and families out and about strolling,  enjoying the lovely waterfront development area on the river.

The foreshore has really been developed over the last 10 years to make and very picturesque port. Nick found this crusty old guy, John Cabot, outside and our favourite coffee shop, the statue commemorates his departure  in 1497 when they discovered America.

Lyme Regis

Ready to "Do", Lyme Regis

Lyme Regis is a classic seaside town, narrow streets even busy in the winter, lots of lovely little shops with people wandering aimlessly, probably annoying the locals. It was the last day for David Judy before they had to Cornwall. They had run out of water so they could clean up. Coffee was suggested and it's all that it took.

We drove to the top of the hill overlooking the sea suddenly out of nowhere appeared this little township. You can see by the photos why its such a popular area and thank goodness it was winter, in summer apparently its heaving.

     They have this idea extreme beachfront property.He who is closest to the beach wins.The only occupant of the day kindly let me take a photo. Seems strange to us, but there must be a reason for this behavior. 

 Taking beachfront property to the extreme. Off the plans for £28,000. Or else you  rent .

Bovington Tank Museum

I didn't know the 1st tank was invented in 1914, by the British, to give them some chance in trench warfare and survive. There are probably others invented before that time, but obviously they weren't at the British Museum for tanks at Bovington, Dorset, because they probably weren't British.

Safer out than in

We met up with new Kiwi friends, David and Judy, set the Tom Tom into action and via some weird and wonderful back roads, turned up at the Museum.

We arrived at this huge building, the compulsory cup of coffee later,  timed for the 11oclock tour. Rob was such an enthusiastic tour guide it wasn't long before we were right in the history of tanks, tank warfare and the ins and outs of every thing tank. More people died from carbon monoxide fixation from the inside of the tanks than from damage inflicted by the enemy.

I Want it!

He painted us a wonderful picture of what life would have been like operating a tank in warfare, the history of tank evolution, the training involve, the commaradarie, the pain and the passion of the men and their machines. By the end of it we couldn't wait to see more and more and walked out thinking what a great day we had had.

Please  Sir can I shoot

That feels good.

The finale was a rundown of the modern tanks from Roger, ex-Kiwi Christchurch men, who in his previous life was a real tank commander. From the damage a shell does when it enter through the armour, leaving a small hole, vaporises the occupants and their remains follow the shell out the exit hole. If that wasn't enough what do 4 people do to remain comfortable when staying "locked down," inside a tank for 3 days and where do you put the little bags?

Dave,  Judy & Roger

A  commander has to keep his nose clean

The 4 of us were given a rare opportunity to put on hardhats and squeeze inside a modern Challenger tank. First of all you realise that there is no room inside for anything let alone four people. We were surrounded by a mass of dials levers and array of equipment that could either hit you on the head and brain you or save your life.




 I came away with the most incredible respect and admiration for the people who have gone to war in those machines. For what they had put up with discomfort wise as well as the ability they had to drive, operate and turn them into an effective war machines. They were very talented brave people.

Geneva for Christmas

Our first real visit to the Switzerland came this December when we were lucky enough to have a lovely apartment to Housesit in Nyon. Our responsibilities were minor, with only some pot plants to water but that was all the reason we needed to hop on the plane.

Nyon is a small town set on the shore of Lake Geneva about a twenty minute train ride north of Geneva city itself.

We arrived to snow, which was very exciting, as David had never experienced a true white Christmas and we were envisaging knee deep snow around for weeks. Sadly it only lay for a couple of days but we were truly spoilt by the variation in weather - just like experiencing all the different seasons of the year in one week.

One morning we awoke to the most amazing view of the lake and the alps, even Mount Blanc standing tall and as the day worn on the sun highlighted different peaks and it was a continual slide show. Other mornings were damp or even heavy fog but as it cleared we were always treated to spectacular views.

Most days we strapped the backpack on, filled our lunch boxes, toped up the water bottles and set out to explore. With such wonderful countryside just at our doorstep it was hard not to smile as we set off. Even though one day the sense of humour was severely tested when we found ourselves knee deep in snow, no other walkers to be seen and still thirty minutes from the town of Saint Cergue, our destination. But we made it and the train trip back down was a treat.

Other days were a little less demanding as we wandered through beautiful countryside and vineyards stumbling upon small farming villages.

Christmas was a very low key affair with just the two of us, but we did spend considerable time Skypeing family members back home in New Zealand, and enjoying some excited grandchildren who had been awake since one am full of anticipation for what was under the Christmas tree.

New Years Eve was even quieter although David did enjoy the tolling of the bells and the fireworks at midnight. I have to admit I didn't even make it to see the New Year in but that's a little unusual for me.

Oh, the pot plants are doing well.

Us, we arrived rested back in Edinburgh, grateful of the experience of a beautiful part of the world and the generosity of good friends letting us enjoy a very different and delightful Festive season.

Hope you did too.