<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Dave & Jenny's Holiday Blog]]></title><description><![CDATA[Articles]]></description><link>http://www.daveporter.info/blog/</link><copyright><![CDATA[Copyright Dave & Jenny's Holiday Blog]]></copyright><generator>sNews CMS</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Coming Home]]></title><description><![CDATA[  Hi Everyone, just a short entry to let you know we are close to flying home ( Sunday Morning Early London time ).  
  The period with the camper van was very busy, but very enjoyable. Consequently it has been hard to find time for Blog entries.  
  But fear not, we will continue to add entries to fill in all the gaps over the coming few weeks  
  There will also be some photo galleries added so you can share some of our experiences  
  All for now - Look forward to catching up with everyone  
  p.s. As of today ( Friday 13th ) the temporary mobile UK phone number will be ending, so please resort to SMSing the usual mobile over the weekend and into next week  ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:04:08 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.daveporter.info/blog/england/coming-home/</link><guid>http://www.daveporter.info/blog/england/coming-home/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[We&#039;re still here !!!]]></title><description><![CDATA[  Hi Eveyone,  
  Just a short update to let everyone know we are still well, travelling to many locations and enyoying ourselves tremendously.  
  We were slowed down by me (Dave) having two and a half migraines and a sore-throat/head cold & cough, but I am much better now after spending extra time convalescing in Bath and Birmingham with relatives  
  Thanks to everyone for your comment entries. It is great to hear from friends and relatives back home & we look forward to reading them  
  Until we have more time to add more detailed entries here is a summary of our movements since the last entry...  
  
  Skipped a days travel by train/ferry/bus from Rome to Greece by Flying.  
  Flew to Santorini and spend a wonderful 4 days in the sun and saw glorious scenery. (Thanks Ana)  
  Flight delayed from Santorini because of strong windows only just made it back to Athens for flight to London (Stanstead).  
  Spent a few days in London - British Museum, Bus Trip, Hyde Park & the London Eye.  
  Went to Newbury (again) for the day and went to a Country Fair.  
  Picked up the Wicked Campervan (007 - Licensed to Thrill) - more details and pics to follow!  
  Droveto Bath to see my Cousin Helen and family and had a good look around the sights of Bath.  
  From there to Birmingham to spend a few days with my Aunt and Cousin Chris and his family  
  Drove to Tredeger via Herefordshire & Hay on Why (the book capital of the UK).  
  First night in the campervan - not an immediate success - next stop at Brecon we purchased a new mattress.  
  And just to be safe - staying tonight in a B&B, to make sure we have a good night's sleep.  
  Just had a wonderful meal 5 minutes walk down the canal from our B&B - Jen had Lamb Shank's that was to die for !  
  
  Every second person we talk to knows someone in Perth!  
  We are now running on wireless broadband, had some firewall issues early on, but is now running well.  
  Having the notebook with us had been invaluble for booking travel and accomodation & using Google and Google maps for directions and general information.  
  Finally - some stats for the Blog. There have been 818 Hits in April and 76 in May. And if you type 'dave jenny holiday' into Google, it is the top entry - If only I could do that for commercial sites :)  
  All the Best until next time - Dave & Jen.  ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:46:08 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.daveporter.info/blog/england/were-still-here-/</link><guid>http://www.daveporter.info/blog/england/were-still-here-/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[First class on the TFG to Rome]]></title><description><![CDATA[  Leaving Venice behind, we managed to get first class on the fast train to Rome, which was very relaxing and comfortable.  
  After checking into our Hotel we hit the   Metro   (very busy, not as slick as the Underground or the Paris Metro) & went for a walk around the   Rome Colosseum   which is very impressive.&nbsp;&nbsp;We arrived too late to go inside, but got the gist.  
  Next day (our only full day here), we visited the Pope, really impressed with his telly (image below - but notice it's not wide screen!).&nbsp;&nbsp;Knocked out by St Peter's, just an awsome building.&nbsp;&nbsp;Walked for miles in the Vatican to finally see the   Sistine Chapel  , which was worth the wait.  
  Yes this entry is short, have a bit of catching up to do!  
  Images:  
        
        
        
        ]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 25 May 2008 08:42:00 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.daveporter.info/blog/italy/first-class-on-the-tfg-to-rome/</link><guid>http://www.daveporter.info/blog/italy/first-class-on-the-tfg-to-rome/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Chamonix to Venice]]></title><description><![CDATA[  Our longest (non flying) travel day so far!&nbsp;&nbsp;We had to rise at 5:00am for a 6:00am taxi ride down to St Ricky Gervais (St Gervais Les Bains!), to catch the local train to Chambery where we picked up the TGF fast train to Venice.&nbsp;&nbsp;This train takes you across the France-Italy border through the ? tunnel.&nbsp;&nbsp;Very pretty country side on the edge of the Alps.  
  Finally arrived in Venice some 13 hours later.&nbsp;&nbsp;Then a ride on the Vaparetto ferry to Rialto bridge and a rather frustrating 30 minutes finding the hotel (we were within metres of it, but everyone we asked pointed in a different direction).  
  Lovely meals in Venice as in France & some wonderful sights to see and many interesting nooks and crannies to investigate.  
  We made it to the top of the Campanile Bell Tower (we were relieved that there was a lift, unlike St Pauls and Notre Dame) & looked around San Marco's Basilica.  
  Sadly Venice is very polluted, spoiling the beautiful scenery, iconic views and buildings.&nbsp;&nbsp;The thousands of motorised water craft supply all of the transport of people and goods, but something will have to happen before it hits a critical point, if that has not already happened.  
  Venice is very expensive and was the first place where wireless Internet was not included in the accommodation, but somehow a convenient wireless network magically appeared :))  
  p.s.&nbsp;&nbsp;As this is published we are in fact on our last full day on the island of Santorini south of Greece.&nbsp;&nbsp;Tomorrow we fly back to London via Athens.&nbsp;&nbsp;So stay tuned for entries covering Rome, Athens and Santorini.  
  Images:  
      View of San Marco's Basilica from the top of Campanile  
      A Skull made of pots and pans and other kitchen ware  
      The Post Office near where we stayed.&nbsp;&nbsp;Amazingly it is an ex town square that has been &acute;roofed in&acute;  
      The locals are always up for a photo shoot!  
      Blogging conditions can sometimes be somewhat cramped :)  ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 21 May 2008 15:18:17 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.daveporter.info/blog/italy/chamonix-to-venice/</link><guid>http://www.daveporter.info/blog/italy/chamonix-to-venice/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Paris to Chamonix]]></title><description><![CDATA[  We travelled from Paris to Chamonix via the TGV, a local train then finally a little red train up the Chamonix Valley to the snow.&nbsp;&nbsp;It was a beautiful train ride for the last hour or so with wonderful views of the country side, mountains and snow.  
  We stayed at the Gustavia Hotel directly opposite the train station. Nice breakfast and good rooms.  
  The highlight of Chamonix was the trip up to Aguilleri de Midi.&nbsp;&nbsp;Starting from Chamonix which is around 1000 metres above sea-level, you take a cable car (72 poeple capacity) up to a first level where you are 2317 Metres, then change to a second cable car which goes up at an amazing vertical angle & you are finally at 3842 metres.  
  You find yourself located on a peak that has had amazing buildings, platforms and stairs built.&nbsp;&nbsp;The views are exhilrating. After we wondered around for 10 minutes or so, you really notice the lack of oxygen affecting you - wobbly legs & being out of breath are orders of the day.  
  Amazingly there is a lift inside the mountain peak that takes you up to the very top of the tower you can see in the image below.&nbsp;&nbsp;We were lucky in that the clouds came in 15 minutes or so after we got there.  
  From here you either go back down or you can pay extra and go to Italy!&nbsp;&nbsp;A cable car can take you 5 Kms further (see image below for details)  
  During the second world war this area was defended by the French from aproaching Italian/German Troups - hard to imagine how they moved around!  
  Although this was the end of the Ski Season, there were still plenty of Ski Dudes treking up the mountain to do their thing.&nbsp;&nbsp;We wondered where they get the energy, we barely had enough left to get back down via the ski-lifts.  
  From the peak, you can view Mont Blanc if the weather is kind - it reaches 4810 metres  
      
  The cable-car viewed from the bottom! (This is just the first leg !)  
  
  &nbsp;  
      
  The view down to Chamonix! (approx 3kms)  
  
  &nbsp;  
      
  Stunning Scenery!  
  
  &nbsp;  
      
  The Peak!  
  
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  Ski Cars on their way to Italy!  
    More info on Chamnoix    ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 15 May 2008 18:53:20 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.daveporter.info/blog/france/paris-to-chamonix/</link><guid>http://www.daveporter.info/blog/france/paris-to-chamonix/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[London to Paris]]></title><description><![CDATA[  No time for an entry while we were in Paris, so here is a summary of the last few days  
  (With a few images at the end !)  
  
    Monday, 5th: St Pauls Cathedral - stunning inside & stunning views from the top. Walked across the Millenium bridge and a quick squiz at The Tate and The Globe  
    Tuesday, 6th: Quick train trip to Newbury ( 50 miles West of London and the headquarters of Vodafone) to visit Jen's Nephew Dan and his Wife Linda and their two week old baby Girl Maya - & 4 year old Sam.  
    Wednesday, 7th: Early start, back to London to catch the Euro-Star to Paris. 300 kms an hour, but it is so smooth, you hardly realise you are moving. Found nice Hotel in Montparnesse, in the Left Bank District. A great area - Dozens and Dozens of Restaurants, Bars, Creperies etc...  
  Thursday, 8th: Red Tourist Bus - a great way to see the sights - hop on and off whenever you like. Climbed the Eiffel Tower ( to the second level - too long to wait for lifts to go to the top !); Then to Notre Dame Cathedral & more serious climbing to stunning views of Paris; Wonderful night out dining traditional French meal.  
  Friday, 9th: Our Arty day - The Louvre, saw the Mona Lisa, The Venus de Milo & The Winged Victory; Onto the Musse D'Orsay - The impressionists. Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, Renoir and so many more. In the evening, we dined at a Creperie where we induldged in traditional Buck Wheat Savoury and Sweet Crepes - Yum!  
  Saturday, 10th: Visited the Pompidou Centre, the home of Kandinski ( Andy Warhol was supposed to be there, but he was packed away for a recess !). Saw a stunning spider like sculpture by Louise Bourgeois. Last night in Paris, so we indulged in a more upmarket restaurant. Pate de Foie Gras was stunning, followed by Duck and Potatoes to die for...  
  Sunday, 11th: Left Paris on the TGV for the French Alps. Same quality train as the Euro Star. Currently on the local train from Annecy to Chamonix. Stunning views of the mountains and country side - We are writing this blog on the train.  
  
  Paris Observations:  
  
    Paris starts late - no one around until 9:30ish, but people start dining very late in the evening.  
  The Metro ( Paris Underground!) is good - easy to navigate, but not as slick as the London underground.  
  Parisiennes were very friendly, a lot of people speak no English, but happy to try to help.  
  We had an interesting experience one night. There was a imminent demonstration of some sort and the Police were out in huge numbers. Particularly around a big Shopping Centre called Lafayette where we came and went from a lot (for the Metro). There were literally hundreds of Police vans parked and travelling around and also some army troups amoungst them. It all seemed a bit over the top as whatever it was for did not seem to make any news and we never heard what it was all about - we asked 3 or 4 people and got 3 or 4 different explanations! (One person suggested it was a Teachers strike!)  
  Internet Access has been good. Free wireless access in our Hotel (as in London). This train we are currently on (as do most) have power points (most Cafe's also have power-points at some tables) so you don't use up batteries...  
  The traffic pollution in Paris is not as bad as Dubai and London - but some areas are very smelly ( e.g. when you pass through certain stations on the Metro the smell wafts in).  
  Love the small shops - particularly the 'Fruits et Legumes' (Fruit & Veggy), which are tiny shops that are no more than two people wide, but seem to stock an amazing array of products inside.  
  
  All for now - a few images to end on...  
  
  Dave & Jenny at the Louve - no sign of Tom Hanks or Audrey Tautou :))  
  
  Some people just can't get away from work !  
  
  Toy shop window in Paris !  
  
  Spider in the park!  ]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 11 May 2008 20:31:43 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.daveporter.info/blog/france/london-to-paris/</link><guid>http://www.daveporter.info/blog/france/london-to-paris/</guid></item></channel></rss>