Happy New Year everybody,
I know it's a bit late, but as of now I just finalized my travel plans for 2012!
At the end of June I'm going to see my folks in Sheffield again and if everything goes according to plan I'll have my very first gig as a solo artist there. A day before I'll have a look around Manchester and a day later we'll all go up north to see York which is said to be one of the most beautiful cities of England.
Afterwards I'll head even further north to Inverness and then to the region of Wester Ross in Scotland for another 7-day-hike.
In September I'm going to the Southwest of Ireland for the second 7-day-hike and have a look around Dublin on my way back home. Never been to Ireland before and really looking forward to it.
Over the X-mas holidays and New Year's I'm going to Italy with my dad. We start off in Milan and then head north via Verona to the Dolomites for a week of crosscountry skiing. Afterwards we pay a visit to Venice on our way home. Plenty of time to improve my Italian, haha. It's a bit rusty.
Have an exciting year everybody!
Wales
Thursday, 9 February 2012
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Woah, look at the lights!!!
What a trip! Went out for food on Tuesday night on beautifully enlightened streets. Amsterdam in mid-December is definately a good idea!
We passed countless Steak Houses before we ended up in a Malaysian Restaurant in the Chineese quarter and did not regret the long walk. It was definately worth it! Great food somewhere in between indian and vietnameese. Very spicy and very yummy! Have to look for a Malaysian in Berlin.
Afterwards entered the Abraxas coffeeshop which our little guidebook recommended. Got ourselves each half a brownie but left after like 30 minutes since the music got on our nerves and went for a walk to the harbour instead. Had another muffin from the coffeeshop on the way which resulted in a very interesting walk home. The lights seemed more beautiful with every turn and I quite frankly have no idea how I navigated home since every now and then I thought I was in different city.
The night ended with the both of us lying in the dark in our hotel room, popping in and out of reality and trying to figure out which of the things on our way home really happend and which did not.
Totally missed breakfast on Wednesday since we got up as late as 1pm. Stopped at a café of which there are plenty and each looks more comfy then the last. Had a very relaxed walk to the maritime museum, some waffels and fries and later a drink at the Three Sisters pub.
Really enjoyed our first Amsterdam trip. Great atmosphere, good food, cosy cafés, nice architecture. We'll definately go again!
We passed countless Steak Houses before we ended up in a Malaysian Restaurant in the Chineese quarter and did not regret the long walk. It was definately worth it! Great food somewhere in between indian and vietnameese. Very spicy and very yummy! Have to look for a Malaysian in Berlin.
Afterwards entered the Abraxas coffeeshop which our little guidebook recommended. Got ourselves each half a brownie but left after like 30 minutes since the music got on our nerves and went for a walk to the harbour instead. Had another muffin from the coffeeshop on the way which resulted in a very interesting walk home. The lights seemed more beautiful with every turn and I quite frankly have no idea how I navigated home since every now and then I thought I was in different city.
The night ended with the both of us lying in the dark in our hotel room, popping in and out of reality and trying to figure out which of the things on our way home really happend and which did not.
Totally missed breakfast on Wednesday since we got up as late as 1pm. Stopped at a café of which there are plenty and each looks more comfy then the last. Had a very relaxed walk to the maritime museum, some waffels and fries and later a drink at the Three Sisters pub.
Really enjoyed our first Amsterdam trip. Great atmosphere, good food, cosy cafés, nice architecture. We'll definately go again!
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Steak and Pot
Decided to go to Amsterdam for two days on a very spontaneous trip. Arrived quite early and very tired at 9 and had a long walk through the city after we had like the biggest egg salad sandwich I've ever seen. Woah.
Amsterdam is a great place and it's very relaxed in late December it seems. Pretty old houses everywhere along with coffee shops and steak houses. I mean I knew about the coffee shops.... but steak houses?
Found one shop packed with a huge collection of Sendra Cowboy boots... that nearly gave me a heart attack.... BOOOOOOOTS.... ahhhhhhhhhh..... red snakeskin.... ahhhhhhh! Since I could'nt afford them I sadly left.
Had a nap at the hotel and heading off to town now to check out some of the coffee shops, yeah! Pictures coming soon.
Amsterdam is a great place and it's very relaxed in late December it seems. Pretty old houses everywhere along with coffee shops and steak houses. I mean I knew about the coffee shops.... but steak houses?
Found one shop packed with a huge collection of Sendra Cowboy boots... that nearly gave me a heart attack.... BOOOOOOOTS.... ahhhhhhhhhh..... red snakeskin.... ahhhhhhh! Since I could'nt afford them I sadly left.
Had a nap at the hotel and heading off to town now to check out some of the coffee shops, yeah! Pictures coming soon.
Saturday, 20 August 2011
Liverpool, Sheffield, Scotland
Liverpool was really great. Although I had showers time and again I headed out to explore. The cathedral is massive and by its sheer size impressive. Really loved the Lady's Chapel inside.
Toxteth cemetary has loads of old tombstones and is definately worth a visit as well as Albert Dock although it's missing tombstones, haha.
Even browsed through the gift- & souvenir shops without feeling ashamed of being just another tupid tourist. I just don't get why 99% of the shirts are men's shirts.
Got over to Sheffield on Thursday then and had a nice walk with the guys on Friday. There are still some areas I haven't been to. Saw a haunted mansion which was obviously not inhabited but still had a burning lightbulb on the first floor. Spooooky! Was treated like a Sheffield citizen in a coffee shop which scares me, haha.
Over to Scotland on Saturday. The group was very nice again and the house we stayed in is an old farm house. Very cosy inside and has everything you would want.
Been six days in the highlands and it feels like a whole month. I really feel at home here and will come back for sure.
Had a pleasant walk at Glen Lyon the first day and one at Loch Tay on the second. The third day we spent at a whiskey distillery (I had six drams, haha) and then took a walk along "The Birks of Aberfeldy" - a more or less steep climb next to a rushing river with waterfalls at every turn. Had a little rain in the afternoon. Actually that was the only rain I had throughout the whole week!!! Very unusual but also very nice, haha.
Walked part of the West Highland Way on day four through the highest british moor with a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains with the finish line at the entrance of beautiful and (in)famous Glen Coe. Did another part of the West Highland Way during the next day along equally famous Loch Lomond.
The last day was labeled "Munro Day" as we climbed up two Munros, Ben Lawyers and Ben Ghlas. Again we were very lucky weather-wise. Unbelievable view from the top!!!
Sitting in the bus to Edinburgh airport having free wi-fi. How cool is that, huh? I just love this country, hehe.
Toxteth cemetary has loads of old tombstones and is definately worth a visit as well as Albert Dock although it's missing tombstones, haha.
Even browsed through the gift- & souvenir shops without feeling ashamed of being just another tupid tourist. I just don't get why 99% of the shirts are men's shirts.
Got over to Sheffield on Thursday then and had a nice walk with the guys on Friday. There are still some areas I haven't been to. Saw a haunted mansion which was obviously not inhabited but still had a burning lightbulb on the first floor. Spooooky! Was treated like a Sheffield citizen in a coffee shop which scares me, haha.
Over to Scotland on Saturday. The group was very nice again and the house we stayed in is an old farm house. Very cosy inside and has everything you would want.
Been six days in the highlands and it feels like a whole month. I really feel at home here and will come back for sure.
Had a pleasant walk at Glen Lyon the first day and one at Loch Tay on the second. The third day we spent at a whiskey distillery (I had six drams, haha) and then took a walk along "The Birks of Aberfeldy" - a more or less steep climb next to a rushing river with waterfalls at every turn. Had a little rain in the afternoon. Actually that was the only rain I had throughout the whole week!!! Very unusual but also very nice, haha.
Walked part of the West Highland Way on day four through the highest british moor with a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains with the finish line at the entrance of beautiful and (in)famous Glen Coe. Did another part of the West Highland Way during the next day along equally famous Loch Lomond.
The last day was labeled "Munro Day" as we climbed up two Munros, Ben Lawyers and Ben Ghlas. Again we were very lucky weather-wise. Unbelievable view from the top!!!
Sitting in the bus to Edinburgh airport having free wi-fi. How cool is that, huh? I just love this country, hehe.
Liverpool Cathedral - Lady's Chapel
Glen Lyon
Loch Lomond
me on Ben Ghlas
view from Ben Lawyers
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
Above us only sky
Arrived safe and sound in Liverpool. John Lennon Airport. How cool is that? And their slogan is "Above us only sky" Quite touching I think.
Took to my room at "The Liner" which is a hotel with a maritime theme... I stay on Deck 5, haha.
Just had a quick stroll around the city centre for some food. Considered checking out Cavern Club, but it's the tourist hole Anthony said it was. So I stuck to food and managed the self service at Tesco, yeah!
Since it's heavy showers outside I'm just enjoying my crisps with "flame grilled steak" flavour and BBC One on TV.
Took to my room at "The Liner" which is a hotel with a maritime theme... I stay on Deck 5, haha.
Just had a quick stroll around the city centre for some food. Considered checking out Cavern Club, but it's the tourist hole Anthony said it was. So I stuck to food and managed the self service at Tesco, yeah!
Since it's heavy showers outside I'm just enjoying my crisps with "flame grilled steak" flavour and BBC One on TV.
The Liner Hotel
Haha... what else would I need?
On the road again
Again my bags are packed. I just chill right now, play some guitar, have a rehearsal with Maria later and then catch my plane to Liverpool. Got a little lucky cause the flight controllers don't strike and although riots have started there as well they were south from where I intend to stay.
So Liverpool here I come!!! Home of the Beatles and the Reds, Albert Dock, Mersey, Penny Lane and Cavern Club!
Stay tuned!
So Liverpool here I come!!! Home of the Beatles and the Reds, Albert Dock, Mersey, Penny Lane and Cavern Club!
Stay tuned!
Sunday, 15 May 2011
The Scottish Wilderness
I'm back from the 6 day hike I did in Ardnamurchan and Moidart... way up in the northwest of the Scottish highlands.
I stayed with a group of 12 people at Kinlochmoidart house - an old manor house which looks like a museum crammed with lots of stuff from the 19th and 20th centuries. Awsome place.
From there we took our tours through wet swamplike fields and up steep rocky slopes.
The area is full of woods with moss covered old oak trees, you just feel like walking through a haunted forest all the time. If there is no wood you have vast wet grass plains with hidden pools for the unwary traveller and steep rocky mountains set next to lochs and lochans (smaller lochs).
It's been my very first hiking tour and I loved it! I loved to wander the barely recognisable paths, loved the wind and the rain, loved the raw undisturbed nature.
The most memorable moment was indeed when I finally reached the summit of a mountain after fighting heavy rain, fog and a wind that almost blew me off the ridge.
I will definitely do more tours like this one. Next is actually in August.
Right now I relax in Edinburgh which is a really nice place to hang out. Tomorrow I'll head to Sheffield to visit dear friends.
Enjoy the pictures.
I stayed with a group of 12 people at Kinlochmoidart house - an old manor house which looks like a museum crammed with lots of stuff from the 19th and 20th centuries. Awsome place.
From there we took our tours through wet swamplike fields and up steep rocky slopes.
The area is full of woods with moss covered old oak trees, you just feel like walking through a haunted forest all the time. If there is no wood you have vast wet grass plains with hidden pools for the unwary traveller and steep rocky mountains set next to lochs and lochans (smaller lochs).
It's been my very first hiking tour and I loved it! I loved to wander the barely recognisable paths, loved the wind and the rain, loved the raw undisturbed nature.
The most memorable moment was indeed when I finally reached the summit of a mountain after fighting heavy rain, fog and a wind that almost blew me off the ridge.
I will definitely do more tours like this one. Next is actually in August.
Right now I relax in Edinburgh which is a really nice place to hang out. Tomorrow I'll head to Sheffield to visit dear friends.
Enjoy the pictures.
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