2017 ... update ..

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for stopping by .. I have been very quiet on here lately ...sorry about that. (note to self .. must try harder).

Once again this year is flying along, I started the year hunting the lights, the Nothern Lights on a short break from Tromso in Norway, a few nights aboard the wonderful Hurtigruten, the lights were not great but good enough to know what we were looking at.

I spent March in the Southern States and celebrated my birthday in New Orleans, it was a great time my dear friend/driver Anthony arranged a card and a sing song after I had told him to say nothing ...I haven't been down south since then ..kinda missing it.

April I returned to the Baltics, with stays in Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius, all very different and all interesting cities each with their own character, well worth a visit if you get the chance.

May I was back in Norway, with three nights in Oslo, and then we took the train to Voss, some fantastic scenery during the trip over the mountains, a few days in Voss with a trip to Flam on the railway and a fjord cruise to Gudvangen, the weather was so nice that day the views were amazing. The final part of the journey to us along the beautiful Hardanger Fjord as we made our way toward Bergen, the final part of this Norwegian break. Bergen as always never fails to please there is just so much going on there, I always love to visit.

I remained in Scandinavia for the last part of May, arrived in Stockholm for a couple of days, and then travelled by train to Copenhagen, this was an experience of a day, train was delayed by 2hrs, due to engineering works, then delayed a further 2 hrs after a train broke down in front of us ... and to top that off the train was terminated n Malmo, leaving us to run luggage and all .. on to a regional train for Copenhagen ...an experience not for the weak .. thanks to all my group ... you were the best.  We spent three days in Copenhagen with a city tour and a day to Roskilde (for the Viking Ships) and Frederiksborg.

June .. was Portugal ... 2 groups, heading to Arrialos for a three night stay in the beautiful Pousada, with visits to Estermoz, wine tasting, Vila Viscosa and the lovely Ducal Palace, a visit to the amazing cork factory (the things you can make with cork). We then headed to the mountains, the weather was starting to get a little hot 35c+, we arrived at the Pousada in Vila Pouca de Beira, and one of the most beautiful quiet locations, so relaxing, we had a day in the Serra Estrella, beautiful drive and one that I would highly recommend. During my first visit the heat really did take its toll, you will have read of the terrible fires near Coimbra, this is close, we could smell the burning, and the next day the sky was thick with smoke and ash. It was so sad to read/watch the reports of the loss of life and the destruction the fires had caused. We travelled north to Viana do Castelo, a fantastic base at the Pousada, which sits high above the town, with views over the coast and the mouth of the Lima River. A day was spent visiting the surrounding towns, which are beautiful. A day In Porto, with a compulsory visit to Grahams Winery, this of course ends with a tasting session. The afternoon is then spent in the city with time for sightseeing or a relaxing lunch by the Duoro.

Its July and here I am back in Scandinavia, arrived in Stockholm for a 2 night stay, lots to do in Stockholm, our tour vsited the City Hall and the Wasa museum with a general drive around the city, we were also lucky to there for the Crown Princesses Birthday celebrations, we in Britain are good at pomp and ceremony, but the Swedes know how to through a party !!! Joining the train for the journey to Copenhagen, and a totally seamless journey this time arriving on time. A city tour showed us all the highlights this great city has to offer, the Little Mermaid, the Royal Palace, the Parliament, the fantastic Carlsberg museum, and not forgetting The Tivoli.  The weather was not very good and the traffic was terrible, and those damn tourists were everywhere, it was a busy cruise ship day. A day to Roskilde and the Viking boat museum as well as the stunning Frederiksborg.

That is it for the moment, but come back soon.