Author: Andrew Reilly

Yesterday we went on a guided snow shoe hike that took up almost all of the daylight hours (about four: ten to a bit after two.) Easier going and more enjoyable than either of us expected, although I learned that puffing and panting when going up hill leads to fogging and then icing of glasses.…

In our last installment, we were safely aboard the train to Abisko, and getting ready to bunk down in our sleeper carriage. So far so good… Things started to get a bit weird when we were woken by a previously unnoticed alarm mechanism at about ten to six. Since our change at Kiruna wasn’t due…

Written on the train from Stockholm, more on which in another post. Stockholm was lovely. No actual snow, although the forecast did threaten a light fall at one stage, it must have happened somewhere else. I made good use of my heavy Norona jacket, but that was about it. Normal shoes and jeans, interchanging between…

I’m afraid we were having too much fun in Amsterdam to do much blogging, although there are some good stories to tell. I’ll post photos and tales ASAP. For now just a quick note that after getting up really early (six!) this morning, it’s now ten to three and I’ve connected to the hotel Wi-Fi.…

Caught the TGV as planned, after an earlier than usual start (up at 6:30!) Lugging two large suitcases up and down the stairs of the Barcelona Metro system (no, they don’t all have lifts or escalators) reminded us why we chose to drive, last trip. Still, we made it in plenty of time, but not…

Today’s adventure, metro, bus and cable car up to the castle on top of Montjuic almost didn’t happen. It was overcast, actually drizzling as we headed out. We pressed on, but when we got to the metro platform, the notice board informed us that the funicular was out of service, too. Was there any point…

Yesterday sounds simple, when you write it down, but it was very intense in its parts. We started (late) with Palau Guell, another Gaudi construction, just off La Rambla. Totally amazing, in a weird, gothic kind of way. Will definitely be posting some photos, later. We loitered as long as we could, because a thunderstorm…

Might have overdone it a bit today. Cath’s step counter says we’ve walked a bit over eighteen kilometers, about 25000 steps. It was all easy going, liberally interspersed with coffee and lunch stops, but we’re both feeling it. The original plan of visiting Gerona was put off by the very high chance of rain predicted.…

We took so many photos, today, that it’s going to take a while to consider a “pick”, to top this post.  Hold on. Sagrada Familia hits with its overwhelming presence as soon as one climbs the stairs from the Metro, and turns around. It’s just there, and it fills up the sky in one direction.…