So this is what recovering from a brain injury is like. Looking from the outside it’s sitting in the sun with a coffee, a good book and an amazing vista from the cliff top over to Rangitoto Island.
We were invited by a lovely Dutch couple, who had been following us on our blog, to spend a few days in Utrecth in the Netherlands with them. This time in Utrecth was one of those connections you couldn’t plan.
Paris: What an interesting place. The first thing we noticed after the solitude of the Camino were the people. More precisely tourists, into which category we fitted.
We flew from Santiago de Compostela to Barcelona for four days after completing the Camino. This was a great time to rest after the previous three weeks in Portugal and Spain.
We thoroughly enjoyed the last few days coming into Santiago de Compostela.
We left Porto after a fabulous three days and headed northward towards Spain stopping in Esposende (65km) and tben Caminha (55km) and finally Valença (45km). Link to video clip at bottom of this post (5.06 minutes) or here if you can’t wait.
We left the very pleasant accommodation in Espinho called the ”why Not Guest House” heading to Porto, where we had planned to stay two nights. We made a slight change and decided to bike along the coast road. This gave us not only an extra day in Porto but a spectacular ride as well.
We have arrived in the town of Espinho. This is a beach resort town. Click the link to see our progress up the coast towards Porto.
We are continuing on our journey through the amazing landscape of Portugal.
We arrived in Lisbon and are making our way up towards Porto
What a way to finish off our time in England
The last month at Pradoe seems to have flown by. Check out our photo blog to see what has occupied our time.
We spent a fantastic week cycling and boating between Passau in Germany to Budapest in Hungry on the MS Primadonna.
Time is flying by, we have been at Pradoe for over two months now. Summer is now fully arrived and we are enjoying it
We took the opportunity to go down to London for a few days just because we could. We hope you enjoy our latest photoblog.
Settling into a routine for activities that keep us happy and busy.
We are slowly moving into spring with the start of some fine weather. This brings the challenge of cutting the lawns around the farm.
It has been a week at home gardening and painting the bathroom with a break to the RAF national museum at Cosford. (click on the image to open post and enlarge)
Finished the week with a few tasks at Pradoe then headed to the Peaks District for a long weekend. We were well looked after by Chris and Irene Shimwell. (they are the parents of my nephew James & his wife) (click on the image to open post and enlarge)
We are getting into the swing of life here at Pradoe. Here is the next set of images giving you an insight as to what we have been up to. (click on the images to enlarge)
Thought it might be of interest to show you some winter photos of the Pradoe grounds (click on photos to enlarge)
These past few days apart from working on the estate, we have visited Chirk Castle, Llangollen Canal, Ironbridge & the village of Much Wenlock. (click on photos to enlarge)
We finished off the churchyard before celebrating my birthday with a very nice massaman curry
Pradoe is an old English manor owned by Andrew and Rachael Kenyon. They open their home to Kiwi’s on a regular basis
This is the third year Philip & Andree, Richard & Sharon and Ann & Graeme have spent Auckland Anniversary weekend staying in Regional Park houses enjoying walks during the day and games in the evenings The Bach at Tapapakanga Regional Park is a 3 bedroom farmhouse that overlooks the park – (click heading … More Tapapakanga Regional Park
19th December 1926 – 1st January 2018
The whole family gathered in Palmerston North to celebrate Christmas.
Ann spent a few days in Dunedin visiting family with Cath & Jake. It was a good time for everyone celebrating Grandad Richards 97th Birthday
You never know the outcome of opening up your home and family to someone in need. We were amazed to read the attached article (NZ Listener 9th December 2017) where the accomplishments of Stan Tiatia were acknowledged. Stan came to live with us in 1985 (32 years ago) when he was studying for school certificate. … More Diamond in a paper bag
Reflections on Robert Browning’s Poem & Westlife’s song (Labour weekend 2017)
Ann headed to New York to spend two weeks to catchup with the Grandkids
The weather turned it on again for a glorious day up the Mountain.
It was a bit blustery when we left home for our regular rocky ramble from Takapuna to Milford ….. and the tide was in. It was a great way to finish off the weekend. Home
We drove down to the Randell’s for the weekend. Went on a lovely 5km coastal walk. Not too strenuous just the thing for getting over the flu. The local pool was very pleasant Ann Swimming (click to view) Home
On the 23 August, we celebrated 42 years of marriage. We did this by heading to Taupo for a quiet weekend with dinner out. We then ended up with a spontaneous decision to head up Mt Ruapehu to the Whakapapa ski field. It was a bluebird day with new snow, no wind and plenty of sun. … More Celebrating 42 years
Smith's Journeys 