Finally, a decent longer term break to recount. This one aboard the Silversea Silver Wind, boarded at Reykjavik after a flight and two night break there, followed by a cruise around both the islands and mainland of Canada. Well, it should have been, but the first two ports were, quite understandably, never visited because of what some might describe as ‘interesting’ weather conditions.
Travel
Essex and Beyond…
Well, just Essex to be honest. Mrs. No Name organised this Monday overnight stay to support her assertion that she contributes to organising and booking these breaks as proof that she takes responsibility at least once every three years or so :-). Gratifyingly for her in particular, this one proved to be particularly satisfactory…..
London and the cricket
Just back from three nights in London at the Park Plaza Riverside hotel (very pleasant with spacious rooms). Managed to fit in a walking trail around old Pimlico followed by dinner with friends in the evening. The Saturday was largely filled with Sri Lanka vs. Australia world cup cricket at the Kennington Oval (a mere 10 minutes or so walk from the hotel) – a …
Malta Break
Just back from a five day break in Malta with friends. I’m taking the kudos or this one because the weather, the hotel and Valletta itself were all excellent and the break proved a very fine pick me up for all involved. The flight from Southend was a suitably relaxing start, although the airport has fairly ambitious plans for expansion so it might not remain relaxed for that much longer…
Ablation Update
Attended a follow-up appointment at Papworth on Wednesday of last week. Generally positive and a reduction in the heart rhythm medication all for the good. Will probably be on Apixaban (the blood thinners) for life but when you’ve had a stroke that’s no bad thing. Will now keep in contact with the consultant by email as I reduce the flecainide over the next two months. Will be interesting to see if the AF holds off without the medication. If it does, the ablation outlook looks very promising….
Seville Sojourn
Back from the Skerryvore gig, one night at home and then down to the Stansted hotel for an overnighter before our flight to Seville. We had visited the city before, but that was a one night stop as part of a wider cruise itinerary; we’d enjoyed the city, its culture and history, so when this deal cropped up, a longer break of five days seemed ideal.
Our base was the Palacio Pinello, a 15thC palace that opened as a hotel in 2014. It proved ideal for us, and it demonstrated early on that tapas in this city is at a different level to any that we had previously experienced. I’ve decided not to bore with a detailed description of each and every experience but below are the main highlights of a particularly enjoyable break…
Catsitting in Sunderland
10 days in Sunderland catsitting for Scott, who was up in Scotland on holiday for a week. First thing to say is that we were very lucky weather wise – absolutely no rain, and on a few days at least, warm enough to still be classed as summer for the North East….
Newquay Break
A short break wasn’t even on the cards and then I saw we could fly directly to Newquay from Stansted and within two hours it was all booked. Sadly, couldn’t do a full week because we were booked for Maverick on the Saturday of our planned return so we ended up with a four day trip. Still, the flight was very civilised and so much more relaxing for the driver, who would have otherwise have faced an arduous journey to get us there. Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa proved a sensible and comfortable choice, despite the now infamous and mysterious disappearance of the relief chef in the middle of service. And all those stories about Newquay being central to England’s surfing crowd – well judging by the number still involved at 9pm at night, definitely true! Fortunately, we were watching it all from the marginally more comfortable environment of the hotel brasserie!
Seckford Hall
Virtually last minute booking for an overnighter at Seckford Hall, including dinner and breakfast. Got to be the shortest distance we have ever travelled (circa 3 miles!) for a one night stay on a Monday night, but once booked in and out in the courtyard with a very pleasant glass of wine and lovely views of the grounds, it’s amazing how quickly you relax – …
Parham Airfield Museum
You know the thing. You’ve been promising to go somewhere for what seems like an eternity but you never make it. You’ve read a few reviews documenting how impressive it is, despite being free and entirely staffed and run by volunteers. You know, partly because of the volunteers that it’s only open on Sundays, with a Wednesday addition through June, July and August. That!!! But yesterday ‘that’ all changed for Parham Airfield Museum….
Sunday at the Tower
On discovering this long promised day trip was only open on Sunday and Wednesday, we decided on a late morning trip to Layer Marney Tower and Gardens just beyond Colchester. Expected a ‘tall tower’, got the ‘statement house’ befitting a VIP in the reign of Henry VIII, along with very fine landscaped gardens, a small farm holding, a good tea room and the lovely adjoining church of St Mary the Virgin.
Palma
Just returned from Playa De Palma after a week’s relaxation in Majorca. Found the location ideal for a quiet break with the couple with whom we had previously visited Lake Maggiore in 2017. Ventured into Palma once (others twice) and took the now obligatory hop on hop off bus, which was an ideal way to see the highlights of the capital. Took a number of walks along the long and flat promenade, stretching the day with a number of mini golf competitions (honours even). Strongly suspect that in the height of the season, the section around El Arenal could well be the stag weekend area of the Playa.