It was a long trip home, the shuttle to the Milano airport all went to plan, we made all the connections with Oman Airline without any problems even managed a shower in Muscat. Oman air proved to be a first class very comfortable outfit to travel with, the 5 star silver service meals were amazing, the flat bed was comfortable and we had plenty of room to stretch out and turn over etc
The weak link in the trip was the Malaysian Airline flights.... Melb/ KL...KL/ Melb
Not up to the standard of Oman...
Managed to make the perfect connections when we landed in Melbourne with the Sunbury station bus and the the V/Line train ..Sunbury to Kangaroo Flat, all this organised before we left so we could use our seniors travel discount.
Pete collected us from the station, and got us home safe.
First job was to get the wood heater fired up, the house was very cold. Sandie quickly got the electric blanket on 3, so we were set to recover...well! that's been fun is the fact that at night we are awake every 3hrs, then can't sleep, so have spent a few hour in front of the TV until the next sleep attempt.Now a week on things are getting better in the sleep compartment.
We have in the time we have been home , managed to fix up a Vicroads problem, a City of Bendigo query about our pension status, check Mygov site to see what the latest score is. Have a doctors appointment, get medication supply and visit my favourite store Aldi for a shop up.We have made an attempt to clean up the garden area around the house and thats going well.. We have started back at gym, so hope to continue on from all the km's of walking in Europe.
We have spent many hours in the last week reflecting on our 12 week adventure, did we enjoy it, yes, now we feel a bit lost!, Would we do it again...yes, but lets see what another 2 years brings.
Was it worth the considerable amount of money we spent... yes, yes, yes. We have such great memories of the trip, and of all the wonderful things we saw and the great people we meet along the way who helped us and share bits of their lives with us. Some encounters were for fleeting moments others over hours.
People in the main are wonderful, helpful, kind, considerate, and caring, we had no problems.
Some accommodation could have been better but 90% of it, we had no problem with.
Train were mainly on time, they are clean, quick and an efficient way of getting around Europe.
We managed to hit 300km per hour on a couple of trips, unfortunately trains are used as a means of suicide by some, we experienced that on one train line. We did 50 train trips.
Now we need to in the sort term get the sleep pattern back to some notion of normality and catch up with friends who we missed seeing and talking to on a regular basis.
The Blog, Facebook and Polar steps have helped us keep a record of the trip.... of all the things we saw and did, we wanted to share the trip with anyone interested to look, we loved the feed back and comments, because over a 12 week period you can at times miss home.
If you feel like visiting just contact us..... the slide show is ready to go!..only joking
I have a few bottles of red that I have promised to share with a few.
There's not much more to say....except we think travel is so good for the body and the mind, its a bit hard on the pocket but still a great way to spend your money and time.
Love to all
Ron and Sandie.
Thursday, 12 July 2018
Saturday, 7 July 2018
LAST DAY IN EUROPE...... CASORATE SEMPIONE
Yesterday we left our Locarno Hotel at 11.20am to catch a great train called Centozalli Express, funny really because it stopped at every station and because of the twisting - turning nature of the track but about 50km per hour was its speed limit. But to make up for this was the fantastic scenery of mountains, some still with snow and all towering above us but we were still able to peer into the valley's and rivers below. But that's not all, next came the Italian end of Lake Maggorie, with views of Island settlements and small to medium villages along its shore.... next change of train was at Domodossa, from there it was a 1.5hr trip to Casorate Sempione, where we are staying at a hotel that's about a 15min drive from the MILAN Airport...this hotel offers a free shuttle service..so at 7pm tonight its off to the airport.
Now this place CASORATE is an interesting place, firstly,its a one platform station we were the only 2 who got off the train..now where too.
A few questions,of local lasses set us off down a very busy main road, no footpath, so walking on the road for about 200mt before a left hand turn....we both felt very venerable.
Finally we made the hotel.."Osteria Della Pista", built in 1857 to accommodate the rich and noble people on there way to Milano, Venice and the like.
Today this hotel sits in a village of houses but no local business to speak of, except for a few very small bars, pizza shop and post office...yet this hotel survives. Why you ask!! because of its famous restaurant.
People come for miles to eat here each night and lunch times too.
We had the best meal we have had in Italy...A menu of quality food and taste....not cheap but worth it for our last night. Apart from food, the drinks included a 500ml of local red wine and a very powerful Grappa as well as a Lemonchillo....all good.
The accommodation side of the hotel seems to cater for car travellers, usually just overnight...theres nothing much else here to see other than empty shops. However it has a nick-name "little england" because of it active involvement in the horse racing and equestrian training and breeding industries.
We need to get out either this morning, which is already closing in on lunch or this afternoon before the final wash-up, dress-up for the cold and pack-up.
So its good bye from him and good bye from her until we arrive home.
SORRY NO PICS AGAIN AND NO MORE exciting POSTS OR FOOT IN ROOM SHOTS.
Now this place CASORATE is an interesting place, firstly,its a one platform station we were the only 2 who got off the train..now where too.
A few questions,of local lasses set us off down a very busy main road, no footpath, so walking on the road for about 200mt before a left hand turn....we both felt very venerable.
Finally we made the hotel.."Osteria Della Pista", built in 1857 to accommodate the rich and noble people on there way to Milano, Venice and the like.
Today this hotel sits in a village of houses but no local business to speak of, except for a few very small bars, pizza shop and post office...yet this hotel survives. Why you ask!! because of its famous restaurant.
People come for miles to eat here each night and lunch times too.
We had the best meal we have had in Italy...A menu of quality food and taste....not cheap but worth it for our last night. Apart from food, the drinks included a 500ml of local red wine and a very powerful Grappa as well as a Lemonchillo....all good.
The accommodation side of the hotel seems to cater for car travellers, usually just overnight...theres nothing much else here to see other than empty shops. However it has a nick-name "little england" because of it active involvement in the horse racing and equestrian training and breeding industries.
We need to get out either this morning, which is already closing in on lunch or this afternoon before the final wash-up, dress-up for the cold and pack-up.
So its good bye from him and good bye from her until we arrive home.
SORRY NO PICS AGAIN AND NO MORE exciting POSTS OR FOOT IN ROOM SHOTS.
Friday, 6 July 2018
LOCARNO....LAST DAY
We started out after what can only be described as another pretty ordinary hotel breakfast at about 10.30am for a wander around the back streets of the old town.
However Sandie got the idea that she should try to get a bit more info about her Swiss /Italian Roots.
So first stop was the Municipal Offices, where the guy in charge, who could only speak a few word of English tried his very best to give us some information and also told us to go to another Government Office where more info might be available. This time we were a little thankful for the info we got.
We found out that any info about the family prior to 1850 would have to come from church records in the area....he was able to provide contact information.
We left him suggesting he google Yandiot and Daylesford.. to find out what happened to many Swiss /Italians who left this area....some family names vanished from the area as people left for California and Australia... its a shared history of interest to both countries.
Anyway the back streets revealed an old church from the 1100cent and Roman Ruins of a once thriving settlement dating back moor than 2000 years ago.
One other interesting place we found was an Aldi store. Now this may seem stupid but I have had to look at every Aldi store I have come across. I can report that the company was set up by 2 brothers, that make up the Aldi name, and secondly the brothers had a falling out and sort of divided Europe into north and south, each brother running their section.
Well those stores in the North are no where as slick as those in the south, those in the south are exactly the same as the stores in Australia...the product layout and the position of products in ailes are almost the same.
I could see common brand names from chocolates to Work Zone hardware goods.
Its a proven commercial success story, they keep it simple, keep prices down, and do funny things like selling , tents, clothes etc down the middle of each store for limited times.... The drinks on sale are amazing , wine from all over Europe from the best regions AND A FEW FROM Australia, but you guessed it with an Aldi name label.
Day ended at 3.00pm for us.... its hot and humid, and we needed to rest up before our last meal in Locarno....what will it be tonight??
Sorry no pics.
But if you can find Sandies facebook page or Polarsteps page she as usual has some goodies.
Tomorrow we head to a small town close to the MILAN airport where we fly out Saturday night about 11pm .The hotel provides a free airport shuttle service.
The best part of tomorrow will be 4.5 hr train ride through the Alps and along the lake shores. Should be good.
Then that's our Eurail Pass done and dusted with 50 train rides documented..it has been fun.
However Sandie got the idea that she should try to get a bit more info about her Swiss /Italian Roots.
So first stop was the Municipal Offices, where the guy in charge, who could only speak a few word of English tried his very best to give us some information and also told us to go to another Government Office where more info might be available. This time we were a little thankful for the info we got.
We found out that any info about the family prior to 1850 would have to come from church records in the area....he was able to provide contact information.
We left him suggesting he google Yandiot and Daylesford.. to find out what happened to many Swiss /Italians who left this area....some family names vanished from the area as people left for California and Australia... its a shared history of interest to both countries.
Anyway the back streets revealed an old church from the 1100cent and Roman Ruins of a once thriving settlement dating back moor than 2000 years ago.
One other interesting place we found was an Aldi store. Now this may seem stupid but I have had to look at every Aldi store I have come across. I can report that the company was set up by 2 brothers, that make up the Aldi name, and secondly the brothers had a falling out and sort of divided Europe into north and south, each brother running their section.
Well those stores in the North are no where as slick as those in the south, those in the south are exactly the same as the stores in Australia...the product layout and the position of products in ailes are almost the same.
I could see common brand names from chocolates to Work Zone hardware goods.
Its a proven commercial success story, they keep it simple, keep prices down, and do funny things like selling , tents, clothes etc down the middle of each store for limited times.... The drinks on sale are amazing , wine from all over Europe from the best regions AND A FEW FROM Australia, but you guessed it with an Aldi name label.
Day ended at 3.00pm for us.... its hot and humid, and we needed to rest up before our last meal in Locarno....what will it be tonight??
Sorry no pics.
But if you can find Sandies facebook page or Polarsteps page she as usual has some goodies.
Tomorrow we head to a small town close to the MILAN airport where we fly out Saturday night about 11pm .The hotel provides a free airport shuttle service.
The best part of tomorrow will be 4.5 hr train ride through the Alps and along the lake shores. Should be good.
Then that's our Eurail Pass done and dusted with 50 train rides documented..it has been fun.
Thursday, 5 July 2018
LOCARNO ..DAY 4, BELLINZONA
Today we look a 30 min train side trip Locarno to Bellinzona, heart of the area known as TICINO. Now this area has quite a lot of significance for us. Firstly, Sandies tribe came to Australia in the 1850 from this region, secondly Yandoit in Victoria is a very significant area for Swiss/Italian migration to Australia. Sandies tribe settled in Bendigo (Sandhurst Town), Huntly also Yarrawonga and Pyramid Hill.
Those familiar with Yandoit might remember that house names in the area included, Locarno, Bellinzona, Bergamo, Similar names appear in Hepburn Springs, the most famous being the Bellizona Country Guest House in the main street.
While speaking to a Swiss tourist info person, she was very surprised to learn that so many Swiss/Italians found their way to Australia. It would appear large numbers also went to America (west coast) in the 1850 which coincides with both countries Gold rushes, The TICINO area like a lot of other places at the time in Europe were caught up in regional wars and famine...so seeking a new life was worth the risks and gamble.....have things change that much today for Australia??
Bellinzona we are told is a thriving area, mostly because of is mild climate and growing tourism.
It has 3 old castles, which were built by wealthy families, no nobility involved. Because of its location between a number of valleys it had implication for the movement of trade or stopping aggressors. This location also effected the weather patterns, making it quite mild all year round.
Apart from the castles it has a church from where the town got its name, several nice squares, and a host of more modern buildings trying to fit in.
PICS
Mostly about the castles and the surrounding scenery.
Those familiar with Yandoit might remember that house names in the area included, Locarno, Bellinzona, Bergamo, Similar names appear in Hepburn Springs, the most famous being the Bellizona Country Guest House in the main street.
While speaking to a Swiss tourist info person, she was very surprised to learn that so many Swiss/Italians found their way to Australia. It would appear large numbers also went to America (west coast) in the 1850 which coincides with both countries Gold rushes, The TICINO area like a lot of other places at the time in Europe were caught up in regional wars and famine...so seeking a new life was worth the risks and gamble.....have things change that much today for Australia??
Bellinzona we are told is a thriving area, mostly because of is mild climate and growing tourism.
It has 3 old castles, which were built by wealthy families, no nobility involved. Because of its location between a number of valleys it had implication for the movement of trade or stopping aggressors. This location also effected the weather patterns, making it quite mild all year round.
Apart from the castles it has a church from where the town got its name, several nice squares, and a host of more modern buildings trying to fit in.
PICS
Mostly about the castles and the surrounding scenery.
Wednesday, 4 July 2018
LOCARNO ....3 DAYS IN.
What started out as a routine exit from the apartment on Desenzano at the early hour of 8.20am with 3 train rides ahead of us and about 4 hrs travel time including transit time turned out to be about 5.5 hrs because of a suicide on our train line...most unfortunate, but a regular thing here so we are told.
Finding the new hotel was pretty easy, a 6 min uphill walk.We are on the 4th floor with very nice views across Lake Maggiore and the Swiss/Italian Alps,
Lake Maggiore is the largest lake in Switzerland (not as big as Lake Garda)
It served by a tiller of ferries, that move up and down and across the lake to all the village and towns. It must be said that this is a big tourist area for Europeans looking for water and plenty of summer sun. 10,000's of tourists could be accommodated along the shores of the lake..there are many,many holiday apartments, hotels and camping areas in this region.
Luckily we are just out of the height of the European tourist season ...... JULY/AUGUST
when at any one time something like 8o million holiday makers are on the move across Europe.
We are finding food expensive, no such thing as a bottle of wine at a rest. for us at dinner.
We do get a TICINO CARD..free bus and trains within a defined area and 20/30% discounts on attractions eg ferries and chair lift,
Apart from walking the old town which stretches from the railway station to some Roman ruins.perhaps 750 mt , we have been on an interesting ferry trip over 6 hours to several towns and a small 2.7ha island with a great botanical garden and beautiful house. Today we take a 3 stage chair lift up some 1670 mt, with spectacular views from the top.
PICS
they show boat trip
the botanical island
the island mansion once owned by an artist now held in trust.
the chairlift
views from the mountain top
Finding the new hotel was pretty easy, a 6 min uphill walk.We are on the 4th floor with very nice views across Lake Maggiore and the Swiss/Italian Alps,
Lake Maggiore is the largest lake in Switzerland (not as big as Lake Garda)
It served by a tiller of ferries, that move up and down and across the lake to all the village and towns. It must be said that this is a big tourist area for Europeans looking for water and plenty of summer sun. 10,000's of tourists could be accommodated along the shores of the lake..there are many,many holiday apartments, hotels and camping areas in this region.
Luckily we are just out of the height of the European tourist season ...... JULY/AUGUST
when at any one time something like 8o million holiday makers are on the move across Europe.
We are finding food expensive, no such thing as a bottle of wine at a rest. for us at dinner.
We do get a TICINO CARD..free bus and trains within a defined area and 20/30% discounts on attractions eg ferries and chair lift,
Apart from walking the old town which stretches from the railway station to some Roman ruins.perhaps 750 mt , we have been on an interesting ferry trip over 6 hours to several towns and a small 2.7ha island with a great botanical garden and beautiful house. Today we take a 3 stage chair lift up some 1670 mt, with spectacular views from the top.
PICS
they show boat trip
the botanical island
the island mansion once owned by an artist now held in trust.
the chairlift
views from the mountain top
Sunday, 1 July 2018
DESENZANO.....ON LAKE GARDA ITALY.
We have now completed 5 days on the shores of Lake Garda staying at Desenzano.
This is the town where I was very sick on the last visit spending most of my time in bed or with my head in a bucket, hoping all the time that " this wouldn't be the end", well I survived to return to enjoy Italy's biggest lake.
I was formed over 1.5 million years ago by glaciation, its about 52 km in length and at its deepest 345 mt..it averages about 110mt ,and covers over 370 sq klm.
There has been occupation since 300BC....Romans of course, other occupants have been the Spanish, Austrians and French.from around 500AD
There are many attractive and historic villages and towns along its shore, all covered by a network of ferry boats, buses and roads.
Travel can be expensive, and if you want to cover a number of towns it can lead to very long days of travel and exploration.
We visited one town twice..SIRMIONE about a 15 or 20 min trip depending on the type of ferry you catch.
Sirmione has a wonderful fort that catches your eye as you approach by boat, Its well restored and maintained, complete with moat, its everything you want in a castle. The towns compact and interesting but very touristy and expensive
The other major feature is the ROMAN RUINS at the end of a small peninsular a short walk from the town centre..there's a museum, and extensive ruins, much of which has been been surveyed and there are good diagrams showing the extent of the place in ancient times.
Our home base DESENZANO is served by the railway and a bus system linking it with other major Italian cities.
We are staying about a 5 min walk to the central square, its a busy town but with lots of places where you can sit ,eat and drink, and just enjoy the mountain scenery .We have done a lot of sitting and walking since being here.
PICS
the pics tell all
you might spot the foot!
those Victoria braces made in Athens appear again.
Look out for the very last week of very EXCITING POST from Europe before our return to Oz.
This is the town where I was very sick on the last visit spending most of my time in bed or with my head in a bucket, hoping all the time that " this wouldn't be the end", well I survived to return to enjoy Italy's biggest lake.
I was formed over 1.5 million years ago by glaciation, its about 52 km in length and at its deepest 345 mt..it averages about 110mt ,and covers over 370 sq klm.
There has been occupation since 300BC....Romans of course, other occupants have been the Spanish, Austrians and French.from around 500AD
There are many attractive and historic villages and towns along its shore, all covered by a network of ferry boats, buses and roads.
Travel can be expensive, and if you want to cover a number of towns it can lead to very long days of travel and exploration.
We visited one town twice..SIRMIONE about a 15 or 20 min trip depending on the type of ferry you catch.
Sirmione has a wonderful fort that catches your eye as you approach by boat, Its well restored and maintained, complete with moat, its everything you want in a castle. The towns compact and interesting but very touristy and expensive
The other major feature is the ROMAN RUINS at the end of a small peninsular a short walk from the town centre..there's a museum, and extensive ruins, much of which has been been surveyed and there are good diagrams showing the extent of the place in ancient times.
Our home base DESENZANO is served by the railway and a bus system linking it with other major Italian cities.
We are staying about a 5 min walk to the central square, its a busy town but with lots of places where you can sit ,eat and drink, and just enjoy the mountain scenery .We have done a lot of sitting and walking since being here.
PICS
the pics tell all
you might spot the foot!
those Victoria braces made in Athens appear again.
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