It’s strange to be back. A place I haven’t ventured back to for 15 years and knowing 10 have been without you on the earth. The last place you stayed before you were taken to hospital. My brother has worked wonders, a one-man band changing and renovating sometimes by choice and sometimes to preserve the stability of the bones. He has done such a wonderful job to keep the house in good health whilst putting his personal stamp on the place. La Reinerie. The 300 year old cow shed that we were blessed to have as our childhood holiday home. … Continue reading “La Reinerie”
Category: Travels
I ran away
I ran away. Just for a week, and I found peace. My brain stopped torturing me with thoughts of self-loathing and harm. I found peace. I found beauty in my surroundings and I lived for the quiet. My days were filled with rest, painting and meeting new people who had new conversations and passions. And then I came home. I cried myself to sleep last night. I had made so many plans in my head of how I would celebrate my son’s 18th, my children’s end of college before they escape to uni, and how I would send them off … Continue reading “I ran away”
Are we nearly there yet?
Today has been hard We were due to finish our holiday on Saturday. which allowed us 2 days visiting Germany But being this close to the end, we realised we all just want to be home. Ever since that decision was made I have felt like I just want to cry. Not the silent tears that fell when visiting Auschwitz, but the big heartfelt sobs that leave you exhausted and covered in snot. It doesn’t help that I’ve felt poorly. My irritating perky attitude has slipped away and I feel a shell of the girl who started this trip. I … Continue reading “Are we nearly there yet?”
Dad would have liked it here
I’m sitting somewhere high in the hills of the Austrian/German border. There is not a cloud in the sky. The only sounds I can hear are the crickets chirping in the grasses and forest leaves that rustle from the trees that surround me. A waggtail and its mate hop from branch to branch, their tails bobbing with each pause they make. And butterflies dance in the air. I feel a peace here that I havent felt in a long time. And in that peace, I feel a comfort. Like my dad is near. I have always wanted to believe, each … Continue reading “Dad would have liked it here”
The Vienna Mozart Orchestra
On Monday we went to the Vienna Mozart Orchestra at the beautiful Musikverein Golden Hall. As soon as I knew we had confirmed the tickets, I knew my brother would be green with envy. The day had been hot, we had spent the afternoon in a glass-top tour bus ripening like red tomatoes in a greenhouse, and by the time we got there, I felt more than a little disheveled. I stood in the door watching a sea of beautiful people swim past. An Asian gentleman with a flop of copper finge, crisp pin-striped suit and brown boots looking oh … Continue reading “The Vienna Mozart Orchestra”
Bronze Shoes
Have you heard about the shoes on the Danube? No its not the start of a joke, in fact its so far away from being funny. Today we visited The House of Terror in Budapest. It tells of the events during the war and later of what life was like whilst Hungary was under communist rule. It takes you through the timeline of systemic abuse. How children reported their parents. How brother tortured brother only to end up being tortured themselves for the same crimes of being of Jewish descent. And of the murder of thousands upon thousands of people … Continue reading “Bronze Shoes”
Beautiful Budapest
There is no denying that Budapest is beautiful. The buildings are a mash-up of historical architecture with glossy glass structures peppered in between, Filling the voids that the destruction left behind from World War 2. It’s steeped in culture and history. Not all of it good, but on paper it’s a lovely place to be. Ive been in Budapest 3 days now. And in the 3 days I have been to about 6 or 8 cafes. And in those cafes I encountered my fellow Brits, and this is what I’ve learnt. Budapest has a homing beacon for stags or hens. … Continue reading “Beautiful Budapest”
The Polish Market
There is something about visiting a fresh produce market when abroad that makes it exciting. Back home I never really think to visit our local farmers market, despite them holding one each month. But exploring a market whilst on holiday is exciting. The strawberries look reder, the cherries more juicy. Even the potatoes look more exotic than back home. There is also a buzz that comes with the markets. Traders calling to their customers touting their weres. Customers calling out to get the attention of the sellers, to make their purchase, before someone else makes off with the punnet of … Continue reading “The Polish Market”
I think Poland is trying to kill us!
For 3 days we have traveled around Poland, and whilst I don’t want to sound dramatic, I think it’s trying to kill us! Have you seen any of the Final Destination films? You know, the ones where a group of teens cheat death because one of them had a premonition and altered their futures. But no matter what they do to avoid it, death still catches them up. That’s a little bit like how this leg of the journey feels. It started on that first day on the road into Poland. Up ahead of us 2 freight lorries pulled onto … Continue reading “I think Poland is trying to kill us!”
Auschwitz
Just pulling up to the car park I feel a nervous apprehension. A lump in my throat. The humour that has accompanied our roadtrip to date no longer appropriate. Entering the camp there is a silence across the place that even the birds respect. Visitors speak in hushed voices as though they try not to disturb any spirits that many linger. Any raised voice or nervous giggle are met with tuts and frowns. But otherwise you wouldnt know the secrets that this place holds. The yard looks like an old run down holiday camp. Large brick buildings set in rows. … Continue reading “Auschwitz”