Travel Log Update

Karyn writes:

So much has happened since my last update it is a case of "where to start?" - there is no question I have probably walked more kms than I have for months!  There is no question however that the time has flown and I can hardly believe I am homeward bound in about 18 hours.

Heading to Spain (up and off to the tube and then the fast train to Gatwick) at 5am last Monday was great for the "I am not actually on holiday" mode!  I had told Lydia that she should arrange 3-4 days away for us and left the location and the actual itinerary whilst there to her discretion.

After much research she chose Seville - a city located in Southern Spain that neither of us had ever previously visited.  So a double bucket-list tick off.   Seville is such a beautiful and historic city - though not as warm as we expected.  As tough South Island bred women, we would have been the only people in the city seen without winter tights!

We stayed in a lovely apartment hired by an equally lovely and helpful Barbara.  She gave us plenty of advice on where we should go and what we should see and we set off immediately.  The history is quickly evident and as we made our way through cobbled, narrow streets (and lots of dog doo!!!!) we were soon at the "mushroom" as the locals call it.  An unusual and modern installation (with mushroom-like towers that, once you can find your way in, provide spectacular views over the whole city.  Just a pity that all the signage was only in Spanish!  Then it was off to a lovely restaurant for dinner (and a change into high heels behind a tree nearby)!

The next day Lydia had organised a private tapas' tour for us.  Seville of course is noted as the founding home of such culinary delights and she thought it important that we knew where we should go and what we should experience.   Her research found the highly regarded Shawn Hennessey, a Canadian woman who has lived in Spain for well over two decades.  She took the two of us, yes on foot, around the places you would never find - and what an adventure that was. I can't recommend it highly enough.

The tour with just the three of us was only supposed to last for 2.5 hours - anyway we said farewell to Shawn (armed with her loads of other recommendations) about five hours later!  Dinner consisted of again following Shawn's paper trail and enjoying amazing local specialties.

Our final day was again filled with the wonders of Seville - and amongst other things we explored the canal, the cathedral which is gobsmackingly beautiful and toured the Alcazar Palace which again is another incredible sight not to be missed.  In the main picture you can see a slice only of the magnificent garden which really blows your mind, one of the most beautiful I have ever seen.  In between we had Shawn's "must eat here" list firmly in hand and managed to knock off a few more venues.

Tapas eating is superb - a tiny bite here, a tiny bite there and a conscience-clearing walk in between!  Our Spanish adventure was over too quickly as Thursday back to Gatwick and landing at 3pm to 3 degrees!  Every night it is dark by 4pm so coming home to summer will be a joy.

A quiet night on Thursday was followed by a hectic Friday which including a spot of shopping (trying to find a birthday present for David!!).  It was an interesting exercise as it was raining and we had wheelie luggage in tow as we were off to Woking for the night - where? you might well ask!

Catherine Corlett (nee Black) is the sister of our vet Dr Douglas Black and she is an amazing woman.  She has been terribly kind to Lydia since Lydia moved to London, including having her to stay in the first months and the two have become firm friends.  Catherine married Rob last December and I had not seen them since then.  It was just lovely to spend the night with them - home cooked fish pie, a roaring fire and their dog Stanley (so I got my dog "fix") in their historically listed cottage (okay yes with a drink or three).

Cath and Rob have as I said been very kind - so much so that they have delayed their Christmas lunch to be dinner - so Lydia can join them.  She has to work at Battersea Dogs' and Cats' Home on Christmas Day and at 4pm will head to Woking - that's very special.

In between of course we found plenty of time to call Julia-Rose who had her birthday on Saturday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY JR!!

So as I write we have returned to Lydia's apartment and it is time to pack.  We have a final dinner planned for tonight at a relatively new restaurant called City Social which apparently has amazing views over London - must be popular as the only time they could take us was 9.15pm.  Then it is the sad wave goodbye tomorrow morning as I am Heathrow-bound.

Arriving back on Tuesday it won't be a quiet time to rest up - it is David's birthday on Tuesday, I leave at 5am for Hamilton airport to fly to Wellington for an Arts' Council meeting on Wednesday and return Thursday for an NZTR meeting in Hamilton. We are also looking forward to having Sam Boyd and David McCarthy to stay!

Then Friday together with Ken Rutherford and the team - we are putting the final touches on the Waikato Racing Club's biggest day of the year on Saturday - Waikato Times' Gold Cup Day - make sure you get there if you can, it's always one not to be missed - a huge party raceday!  With Christmas only nine days later!!!