getting ready

 

I am in the throws of getting ready for my next trip, and recovering from my last trip!

One thing that struck me as when I was at Heathrow, was how people dressed to fly.

My earliest flights were in the 70's and we always got 'a travelling outfit', the question 'what are you travelling in ' was something that was regularly heard.

In the very early 80's, at the height of Ultravox fame, I remember my sister and I getting trench coats from  C & A to wear when we flew out to Tunis from Heathrow, where we were having a months holiday to celebrate me being 18 and alive ( long story).  These double breasted coats were fastened up with the belt knotted round the waist and the collar turned up  a la Midge Ure!

I remember well my sister having a bacon and egg  sandwich and spilling the egg on the hem of said coat. I spotted Dee ( Dave ) Harris from a band called Fashion  ( he is now a renowned producer and Jazz musician). I got his autograph on the back of a doctors appointment card!

Moving on to the 90's and I still thought it was important to 'dress' to go to the airport. on one occasion Jon and I flew out to Barcelona, I was in a dress and heels and he was still in his work suit as we had sped off straight from work to Heathrow for the flight. This was the era of shell suits........................enough said

I seem to always  have tried to turn up 'smart'.

I can't remember noticing other people flying outfits, until the last couple of years, when the airport seemed to be full of young girls in leisure suits and rollers in their hair in the airport. One was on my flight and she nearly blinded the man behind her, when near the end of the flight she removed the rollers and started flipping her hair around!

Anther thing I really don't appreciate is  seeing any mans bum cleavage, but definitely not at the airport or on the plane, and yes that has happened a few times recently. 

At Heathrow as I glanced around, I realised that the days of getting 'a travelling outfit' are obviously a thing of the past.

 I NEVER travel in flip flops, no matter if I have to take my 3in heeled stiletto strappy sandals off and put them through the scanner. 

How do you travel?

😊

Travelling solo

 

The lovely Dale  at   https://dalesidebottom.notjusttravel.com/  sent me an email with a guide to Essential solo travel.

This made me think about my solo adventures, not just those documented here but most of my adult life.

I realise that travelling solo is something that I have done more than gone on holiday with another person.

So why do I prefer this to having a companion? Well I often tell people that its because I am a bit selfish, when in reality I think its because I very much like my own company.

Being a solo traveller means that you can choose the place you want to go, accommodation and things to do. It also means you only have one person to think about, you ( the most important person).

As a lone female traveller. I delve into laws and customs of places I go to, this is more common sense than anything else. I also always carry a small pocket torch, its easier to switch on than the ones on phones. If I am out in the evening I usually stay close to my base and where there are people about. 

Insurance, well that goes without saying, too many people travel without insurance, why????

When taking the car abroad ( I used to go regularly to France with my car) I'd have the car given a once over before I went, made sure I had my country sticker and light adapters and lightbulb kit, warning triangle and hi vis, my god there nearly wasn't room for my suitcase and all the wine I carried home!!!!

I always do a lot of research about where I am travelling to and make a rough itinerary of what I want to do and see. This often goes out of the window ( Spain 2023), but its your holiday and you can please yourself. The joy of travelling solo.

I travelled solo in the days before mobile phones so would phone my Mum to say Id arrived and usually once during the time away ( it was very expensive to phone home), however same applies now, although I let my Aunt know as Mum is no longer with us.

I keep my money and documents in  the safe, if there is one in my room at the hotel, if not, I have a safe place to put them. Same applies if I am in an apartment. I carry only as much cash with me when out and about as I think I'll need, and very rarely carry cards. 

I rarely wear jewellery if I am out and about in towns and cities, just to be on the safe side.

I enjoy myself, after all I have picked the holiday. Your holiday is what you make it. I stayed in a hotel last year, with awful staff and where I was humiliated every evening when I went into dinner. It didn't spoil my  holiday. I cut interaction with reception and bar staff to a minimum and went out to eat  for the last few days of the holiday, enjoying more local cuisine.

I'm not a loner, I just enjoy my own company, I love travelling solo.

Ticks for April

 

I had made the decision that I would be in the UK for April, this year is not about travelling abroad every month, but about doing something different or going to a new place.

And so I had a drive over to West Yorkshire to visit Keighley. This was mainly to look at an Antiques centre, but also for a look out.

The Antiques centre ( Worth Valley Antiques) is a lovely place, an old mill which still incorporates a sawmill.

The antiques centre is spread over 3 floors and very newly opened, so if you are in the area, pop in and have a look around.

The thing that I wasn't too keen on was the 'mountains' that you had to drive down to get into Keighley, and obviously drive back up to get out.

Being mainly a city girl, this goes totally against the grain, I'd prefer 3 circuits of the M25 than have to do that regularly.

Another thing that I had never done before, was fly to London and back the same day.

I have flown in and out of Heathrow,  to the North East many, many times but usually with a few days 'hols' in between.

The idea of going to a sales meeting, there and back in a day was totally appealing, until the reality hit home at 2.30am the day of the meeting.

Up at 2.30am, picked up by taxi at 3.45am and fly out from Newcastle at 6am, well 6.30am as we were stuck on the runway due to air traffic and wind, not sure if the latter was affecting the former but we didn't take off on time.

Arrive at Heathrow, I saw Concorde, which always makes me happy. We then walked straight past the driver holding a huge sign for us!!!! ( come on I was dead on my feet and still had a meeting to get through). Into car, and whizzed off through Berkshire to Buckinghamshire and our HQ in Marlow.

A full days sales meeting and then 4.30pm back in the car and whisked back to Heathrow.

Luckily there was time for the obligatory airport glass of fizz, before we were shuttled onto the BA flight back to Newcastle...........................and then sat on the tarmac for an hour waiting to take off. It seems rain on the radar is the air equivalent  leaves on the line. I can only imagine that the shipping version is clouds on the compass!

As we eventually took off, there was a traffic  jam of planes lining up to take off, 7 according to the attendant.

We arrived back into Newcastle after 8pm, cold, tired and hoping that our taxi would be there, it wasn't!

It did eventually turn up and I arrived home at 9.30pm, dragging myself upstairs  and straight in to bed.

I'd never done that 'day trip before' and doubt  I'll ever want to do it again.

Put them down to experience, and that's exactly what this year is all about.

So 2 ticks for April and we move onto May.

Bratislava the debrief

 

Well, now, where to start.

Bratislava, a total mystery to me until last  weekend, and what I found was a beautiful, busy, clean and friendly city. 

It has everything that I love, a castle, quirky places to visit (the UFO observation tower, even though I never got to the top). an old town with lots of interesting sights. Good food, and home grown wine that is exceptional.

I flew from Leeds/Bradford with Ryanair and  booked an apartment through Booking.com.

This place was in itself a work of art. The as attention to detail was amazing. I was fascinated by  the lighting which was different in  every room.

With a colour pallet of blue, gold and yellow, with a neutral base, they did it so well. Even the cutlery was gold!

I will definitely try to book this apartment again  when I go back, it was less than 5 minutes walk to the old town and had lots of small 'local' bars and restaurants around it, as well as a supermarket close by.

I could have cooked for myself it I had wanted to, but eating out was very reasonable ( VERY reasonable) and the food was very good, traditional Slovakian food on offer, as well as pizza and pasta if that's what you wanted.

Entry fees to most attractions are around the €10-14 mark which is good.

I booked my wine tour on line, and would highly recommend this if you head to Bratislava, it really is an experience to taste wines in the dark.

It is a very walkable city and add to that the walks along the Danube,  you are not only clocking up your steps but if like me, work has you in an office most of the day, getting much more fresh air than normal. ( I slept very well).

I was there for 2 nights which equated to 1.5 days, not quite enough time to do everything that I wanted, but a great taster,  leaving me wanting to go again.

And I will!

I would recommend having the Uber app on your phone to get from airport  to accommodation. Airport taxis apparently charge way over the odds in fares. 

The airport is about 15 mins from the city, there are buses but for me at 10pm, it wasn't an option I wanted to take, not knowing the city.

And so another place is ticked off my big birthday list. I have a couple of months in the UK now before I head off on further travels. 

Another sunny day

 

Sunday sunshine slipped through the curtains as I was deciding whether to get up or have 5 more minutes in bed. I decided to get up and head off into the old town.

I opened the curtains to a beautiful blue sky, and  I decided that my winter jacket was definitely not needed,so  I rolled it up into a Lidl carrier bag (it was never going to fit into  my ruck sack) and wandered off looking like some poor waif.

I stopped off at the wine  tasting cellar and purchased wine in mini bottle, that would go in my hand luggage and not tip me over the 100ml level. Just a taster for home. I then went to have breakfast before heading to the castle, I  had made a plan of how to best use my time today.

So after a 'full English' swilled down with Earl Grey, I headed off in the direction of the castle, only to be waylaid by a sign advertising a beer tasting.  Well come on , it was too tempting to pass, so in I went to taste 8 beers.

WOWSERS, they were all good, but there was a raspberry beer which stood out, and also a chocolate beer, this, I initially thought was  stout, but it was anything but. A rich chocolatey taste that had been a collaboration of the brewery and a Mexican restaurant. Chocolate being one of the best ingredients in a chilli con carne and here was the perfect beer to accompany it.

I sort of wobbled out of there after a couple of hours, I had also been talking to a couple of Russian ladies, sisters, one of whom had recently moved to Bratislava and the other who lived in London. I recommended the wine tasting, and they recommended a fab coffee shop with excellent chocolate torte.

Well, you know, when in Rome and all that...... and off I went to sample the torte, all thoughts of the castle now well and truly out of my head.

I set off to meander through the streets, past St Martins Cathedral, where due to an ongoing service I couldn't go in, and due to the sun, the position of the cathedral and the need to stand in the middle of a busy road to get a full picture, I managed only to get the rear of the cathedral in a picture!!

I walked down to see the UFO observation tower, another thing that I didn't get to do, go to the top of the tower, as it was a clear day, I should have been able to see over 100km. Ahhh well, its on the list for when I go back.

I saw the Danube, and will be seeing more of it when I come back.

And before I knew it I was in a taxi and off to the airport.

What a whirlwind couple of day! what a fabulous city Bratislava is, why did I have to come home so soon?

Lastly, if you fly on a low cost airline, I hope you never have to sit next to the man that is 3 times the size of Jason Momoa and takes up most of your restricted leg room. I ache all over from being cramped. Note to self no matter how much of a bargain the tickets are, pay for the extra legroom seat!

A full day to explore and drink!

 

Well I was up with the larks or whatever the local birds are, and after a long soak in the bath, I headed off to the old town and to have breakfast.

I found a lovely little restaurant and had a 'vegan' breakfast, which was hummus and avocado with rye bread and pickled cabbage and carrots. It was delicious and I will definitely be making this at home.

I walked down to St Michaels Gate and wandered through the maze of streets, into the town square. I love how a lot of the Euopean cities that I have visited, have lovely modern sculptures and statues, and love watching the tourists have their photos taken with them.

I walked back taking in the architecture via the  long way. I found Lidl so stocked up on some supplies and bought a German sparking wine to try.

I even had a sneak peak through to the Opera House which was amazing and still had the drive through for the carriages.

I nipped back to the apartment to put my feet up for an hour before heading out again.

I headed back towards the town square, and decided that I should grab a bite to eat,

I headed into a 'soup shop' with the tag line, 'drink the soup, eat the cup'. After being given the choice of 'cups' which included a gluten free one, I had cheese soup in it. It was amazing and I still can't get over what an amazing idea this is.

As I was fed, it was time to be watered, or 'wined' as the case was.

I was going to a wine tasting, Slovakian wines with a twist, you taste them in the dark.

Down I went to the cellar and was greeted by two lovely ladies. The Sommelier took me into the tasting cellar and I found out that I was having a private tasting,just me as no one else had booked this time slot. 

I was given instructions and then the lights went out. I was given the first wine. I could smell it as they were pouring it, which was quite alien as normally you don't really smell the wine until it is under your nose.

How strange to try to figure out a wine when you can't see the colour. First I tased a white from Bratislava, then a Rose, which was far more complex than the swill they sell in the UK. An orange wine was next, not made from oranges, but orange in colour. WOW that was very good. A red followed and then the wildcard. A wine made from Rosehips. This was absolutely amazing.

Slovakian wines are not exported, they drink all the wine they produce. They do produce a sparkling wine, but I couldn't find any earlier in the day.

Slovakian wines were the wines that were served in the first Class section of the Titanic.

This wine tasting was brilliant. and I highly recommend it if you ever go to Bratislava.

I spent another hour in the reception area sampling  three more wines with two couples who had been on my flight. I then set off for home, a little wobbly.

Just down from my apartment was a restaurant, local type,full of families on a sunny early Saturday evening, I decided to go and have some dinner before heading home.

I ordered, Slovakian Schnitzel, a glass of Slovakian fizz and a bottle of sparkling water

Well, no complaints on any front here, apart from the fact that I couldn't eat all of the schnitzel, I was too full. The wine was very good too.

Back to the apartment where in full 'geeky' mode I spotted that all the gutters and drain pipes were copper

 

They would last a minute back home, you'd have water pouring all over the place.

Back into wine tasting mode, I decided to sample the bottle of German fizz that I had bought earlier in the day

the picture is a million times more appealing than the wine was. One sip and the  bottle was poured down the drain. I do not recommend.

I settled down to watch 'Napoleon' and then to bed.

Now I am about to soak in the bath ad then hit the city again.

Bratislava baby

 So yesterday I headed off to Leeds to catch a late afternoon flight to Bratislava, and late afternoon became early evening, as we were  delayed, but no worries, I had no luggage but a ruck sack, I know, I know, you don't believe me , but its true and it meant no hanging about straight out of the airport, into a taxi and off to my apartment.

I starting to see myself as a cut price Judith Chalmers, just a tad less orange. I couldn't resist the call of a cheap flight out to Slovakia.

The apartment was found on booking.com and once again it did not disappoint.

what a fabulous place for the next few days.

I am right in the centre of the old town, in an old building whose facade hides these fabulous apartments, super modern and just perfect. I can actually see me not wanting to leave.

Open plan with a kitchen, dining area, lounge, double bedroom and bathroom with a bath. 

Winner ,winner.

After a long soak in the bath, I realised that the bathroom light had to go on my wanted list.

I had a couple of glasses of Moet before I hit the sack. MOET I hear you scream, well it was not what I had pre ordered but never one to waste champagne.....

And now I am up and ready to head into town. I have a lot to tick off my list today.

Bratislava here I come..