Since this blog is called Sissydaisy.blog I thought you might like to see the culprits
HALLO FROM COLOGNE
Hi everyone again. Well, what a journey from Coburg to Cologne. The day I decided to leave, Dad and I visited a local castle in the morning. We then tried to get some lunch, which took forever to find somewhere. When we did, the food was excellent and it was obvious how expensive everything had been at the festival – eg. beer had been €5 when normal price was €1.50! So it was after this meal and the two beers I had with it that I left Coburg in what I thought was the wrong direction: so I turned around. When it was obvious I was heading towards the old East Block border, I turned around again and ended up, an hour later back at the hotel. Hot, bothered and frustrated, I asked reception about the route and I had in fact been correct the first time! So on and on I went, on the phone to my friend in Cologne every hour. In the end, I slept in the car at a service station! Put towels up at the windows, seat back, earplugs in! Terrible night though because of the juggernaughts coming and going all flippin night. Set off at 6am but had to keep stopping cos I was so tired and also cos the lorry drivers were hasseling me cos I was driving too slow for them. I was on edge the whole time. Arrived in Cologne after 7 hours. Wolfgang came on the train to meet me where I’d parked and directed me to his place. But was I able to relax? Oh no. He decided I needed a city tour. Off we hurtled for the next 3 or so hours – leaving Yorgi outside the places of interested, tied to the nearest post. Not happy about that and at one point a lady and her grand-daughter were petting him as we emerged from the cathedral. She said they thought he’d been abandoned and were thinking of taking him!!!!!
So, after the city tour, was I able to go and relax? No again. It was out for a meal of sushi (which I had never had before and couldn’t eat) with rice wine with salt (which did pass my lips) and after that a beer at Wolfgang’s local watering hole! So, after that dear friends, was I able to go and relax? Thank God, yes! And it was in a lovely, comfortable bed.
Today has been more relaxed but I think it will have to be back on the road again tomorrow BUT NOT ON AN AUTOBAHN. I just can’t hack it. Don’t care if it takes twice as long. The hassel from THOSE BASTARDS just isn’t worth it.
Cologne is a beautiful place with a fantastic atmosphere and Wolfgang is very informative about the history of the place. He even tests me to make sure I’ve been listening. He is a teacher after all! Yorgi, by the way is fine and has taken to city life rather well.
In the meantime, back in Skopelos, my housesitter has had to return to the States as her father has had a mild stroke. Luckily I have good neighbours who are able to look after the cats.
So, as they say, that’s all folks!
So, after the city tour, was I able to go and relax? No again. It was out for a meal of sushi (which I had never had before and couldn’t eat) with rice wine with salt (which did pass my lips) and after that a beer at Wolfgang’s local watering hole! So, after that dear friends, was I able to go and relax? Thank God, yes! And it was in a lovely, comfortable bed.
Today has been more relaxed but I think it will have to be back on the road again tomorrow BUT NOT ON AN AUTOBAHN. I just can’t hack it. Don’t care if it takes twice as long. The hassel from THOSE BASTARDS just isn’t worth it.
Cologne is a beautiful place with a fantastic atmosphere and Wolfgang is very informative about the history of the place. He even tests me to make sure I’ve been listening. He is a teacher after all! Yorgi, by the way is fine and has taken to city life rather well.
In the meantime, back in Skopelos, my housesitter has had to return to the States as her father has had a mild stroke. Luckily I have good neighbours who are able to look after the cats.
So, as they say, that’s all folks!
Pictorial update3
The Samba Band festival in Coburg is a hectic, noisy, crowded, expensive three day event held annually for the last 16 years. Surprisingly not so well organised, dad and I (being separate from the rest of the band, who were camping) spent a lot of time trying to find where they were supposed to be. The main accommodation for all the bands was at a school. The main hall was converted into a huge dormitory. I spent my first night at dad’s hotel, the second in their loft and the third in the hall, which meant I had to buy a sleeping mat. However, it was free, as was the breakfast. Last night, everyone had to leave the school grounds as the kids were back – amazingly, the schools are still open here at the moment. So it was back to the hotel. The temperature rose yesterday and the fire department opened fire hydrants and sprayed the bands as they passed to keep them cool. They also had a massive fan in operation.
Poor dad found the whole thing rather tiring and I found them rather thoughtless at times as to his age when it came to arrangements.
Here are some images of Dad’s band, Bloco Fogo, plus their mascot Bloco Fogo Dogo!
So this afternoon, its back on the road for me I think, heading to Cologne where I’ll stay at a friend’s place. Dad leaves tomorrow morning.
Pictorial update 2
Left is where we stayed in the Bremmer pass. I can recommend it.
Other images of scenes along the way in the pass.
Pictorial update 1
Here is Yorgi’s house on the ferry from Greece to Italy. Later, he refused to use it and ended up curled up in a corner of the pen – opposite to where the two labs were.
Next one, arriving in Venice.
Made it to the Samba Town of Coburg (and Prince Albert!)
Hi everyone from Coburg, Germany. I made it eventually after two days solid driving.
The ferry to Venice was fine although poor Yorgi had to spend his time in a Doggie Area on deck together with two other large dogs, one of which kept eating his food! It rained during the night so even though the area was covered, as soon as I stept outside in the morning, above the howling wind, I also heard another howling. I couldn´t get up on deck quick enough! There he was, curled up in a corner, wet and abandoned!
Anyway, once off the ferry in Venice, all the car drivers had to wait on the port for the trucks to unload. Took at least half an hour, so good job it wasn´t raining hard. I´d shared my cabin with a German lady who made the trip often, so I followed her out of the port area and onto the chockerblock motorway – bit different to Skopelos! Shortly afterwards, she was into the fast lane and away. I stayed in the slow lane, absolutely petrified. I haven´t got a kind word to say about the truck drivers. Not Italian ones, Austrian ones or German ones! They are all b######s! Just cos I don´t want to drive at over 100km hour, I got hassled. Sometimes though I had to use autobahn but it was a harrowing experience.
Through the Bremmer pass I took the B road. Stayed 3/4 way along in a lovely guesthouse beside a stream, surrounded both sides by mountains. Paid €40 including wine and an excellent breakfast. Can’t show you the photos as I can’t find the camera download cable. Might even have left it in Corfu which will be a right bummer if I have.
The drive along the rest of the pass was excellent. Mountains, streams, pastures, little wooden houses with flowers on the balconies – real chocolate-box scenes.
So eventually arriving late day before yesterday in Coburg, met up with dad who just happened to be waiting on the steps of the hotel, which by the way costs €85 a night! Stayed just the one night then tried to find something else. But the whole down and beyond is fully booked cos of the festival, so the hotel took pity on me and put me up in a staff room in the attic. It’s perfect but I can’t stay there any longer than one night as it’s unofficial. So goodness knows where I’m gonna sleep tonight – maybe in the car! Bit of a comedown after chocolate on the pillow accommodation.
Last night we waited for dad’s band to arrive but they didn’t make it as far as we know as their coach driver ran out of time.
The atmosphere last night in town was amazing. Bands playing, people everywhere having fun. Stalls with wine a food… Real carnival stuff. Pity you can’t be here too to share it.
Times in Corfu
Hi everyone. Well I’ve had a fantastic time here on Corfu; thanks to Mike and Gilly. Here they are. Thanks very much indeed.
Yesterday I met up with Tina, who rented my spare bedroom ten years ago. She worked at La Costa in Skopelos for three summers and ended up marrying Dimitri, the guy who ran the crepes place next door (now the stationery shop). She lives full-time on Corfu now, with Dimitri and her daughter Nefeli.
I have a very early start tomorrow morning – up at 3.30 to leave at 4 for the 5.30 ferry to Venice. Have booked a cabin in case I can smuggle Yorgi. Otherwise, he’ll have to stay in a box and separated from me.
Good-bye Parga
Hi everyone. Jesus I look terrible! So, here is part of the old team: Adoni, Lou, me and the lovely Eva – taken just before leaving Parga. Was absolutely fantastic to meet up with them but I won’t miss Eva’s Greek sofa-bed! Prompted me to get a back massage; the best I’ve ever had. So if you’re ever in Parga, go to Pure. It’s run by two sisters from Scotland!
Lou has no regrets regarding quitting TC’s and is making around the same money doing lots of little jobs and without the hassel or being on-call 24/7. Thank you very much Eva, for letting us stay with you and sorry I didn’t put the canapy back properly; just couldn’t manage the darn thing.
Parga
Eva’s apartment is situated in the Castro area of Parga, which is a maze of narrow streets around the old Venitian castle. Here is the view from her balcony, not that she has much time to appreciate it.
The place is busy with Italian and Scandi tourists and well as Brits and Greeks.
It’s still extremely hot but at least cooler than the temperatures experienced during the heat-waive.
Later today I’m meeting up with Louise who has quit Thomas Cook’s!
The way over
Here we are on top of the world, high in the Pindus mountains – the bit before it going REALLY BORING. A new highway is being constructed with some amazing bridges and tunnels but the construction is here and there, sort of littered all over the place. Pity I couldn’t some images of a half constructed bridge of an enormous valley but with an articulated truck in front and one up my arse, it wasn’t possible.