Da Vinci Code

One of the other cool things about my trip is that I read The Da Vinci Code. It is a gripping read from beginning to end. Yes, it was partially because of the hype of it, but also on recommedation. I am glad I did. Dan Brown is a great author. I have just started the prequel to it called Angels and Demons. It is already gripping. I also went out and saw The Da Vinci Code today. I actually quite enjoyed it. I thought it stayed roughly true to the book and the cast was stellar. I am not one to nitpick to much over a film adaptation of a book. It was great to see the locals that were used in the book, especially the Louvre since I have been there. In fact, when I was in Paris on my Europe trip, I walked past the Louvre again and took a pic of the pyramid. It will be uploaded tomorrow. I highly recommend the book and film to everyone. Damn good!!!

Rest of the trip.

I am home now. I didn't get anymore internet access on the trip. After the last post, our next stop was in the German town of Rothenburg. It was a small town with cobbled streets and we had a good walk around. I bought Schneeballen, which are cakey balls dipped in different things like chocolate or sugar or icing. After that it was on to Austria and our next overnight which was in Innsbruck. This was nestled in the alps, so the mountains were huge around us. In the winter there are a lot of ski resorts there. We got to walk around the town for a bit and then on to the hotel. The next day was more driving through the alps, which crossed the border into Italy. We then made our way out of them and on into Venice. We had to take a boat over, as there are no vechicle roads. It was breathtaking to say the least. Venice is built upon an island, and is sadly sinking. I hope they can figure a way to save it, because it is amazing. We got a guided tour of the main square and into a glass blowing factory. We then went on our own for awhile. We then had an optional excursion, which I took, of a gondola serenade down the canals. It was so amazing. You can't go to Venice and not have one. After that it was back on the boat and to the hotel.

Next we made a stop in Verona, to see the famous ampitheatre and Juliet's balcony. There is a statue there of Juliet and legend goes that if you touch her right breast and make a wish about love, it will come true. Who was I to argue, I did that. After some more walking around, we got back on the coach and made our way into the alps once again, this time to Switzerland. We drove on to Lake Lugano for another stop. It was for strolling around and shopping should we feel like it. It was a beautiful place as well. Then on to Lake Lucerene and our hotel. Tonight was a second optional excursion which I took. We went into Lucernce and had a Swiss fokelore evening with cheese fondue and massive litre beers. It was a fun evening to say the least. Then back to the hotel. Next day we spent the first part of the morning in Lucerene, and then another optional excursion. I did this one as well and it would be my last. This was a cable train and cable car ride up the Stanserhorn. It is a 1900 metre high mountain with spectacular views. It was a true experience to go up this in Switzerland. I did buy some swiss chocolate as well. Then back down to rejoin the bus and make our way to France. We went to our hotel in Dole, a halway point for getting to Paris. The next day it was on to Paris, where we had a bit of time to stroll, then got a city guide tour. After that, the rest of the people went on an optional excursion there of a Seine cruise and up the Eiffel tower. Since I have been up it, I opted out of it and spent the time walking around taking in sights, some I have seen, others I have not. I then got a drink and sat on the grass in front of the Eiffel tower to view in amazment. I met back up with the group and we went to the hotel.

Next day, today, it was back to Calais and on the ferry back to the UK. It was an altogether fantastic experience that I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to get around Europe without anything to worry about. Everything is taking care of. I did take loads of pictures and they will be on my album site at the end of the week when I have more time. So, please look out for them. I definately want to go back and visit some of the places I went to, but of course got and visit plenty more I haven't. Man, Europe rules!!!!

In Germany-Day 2

I am having a great time on my trip. The ferry ride over to Calais was great, if not a bit rainy. We then got a coach to Brussels. We had a very quick walk around the square with a bit of dinner. By this time I had met some people and we did this together. We then went back to the hotel for overnight. I had a couple beers down in the bar with a couple of the people from earlier. It was nice. The next day, today, we got up quite early and had breakfast. Then we got on the coach for 4 hours until we got to the Rhine river where we had a very lovely 1.5 hour cruise. It was basically a ferry. There are a lot of castles down the river and were all fantastic to see. Once that was over, we got back in the coach to take us into Frankfurt, where we are now at the hotel. Luckily this hotel has free internet, which I am writing on.

I am well pleased to have met some poeple already along the way. There is a couple from England and another woman from England. The rest of the passengers are from elsewhere, so us 4 have stuck together a bit. Hopefully I will talk to the others too. I will post pictures as soon as I get back.

Great news and work toy.

First off is to say that I got to use a cool vechicle at work. It is the roller you see on the left. It was to flatten the gravel in the yard for the cars and bikes not to slip around so much with the rain and all. You would think one would need full training, but my supervisor let me have a go. It is really easy once you get the hang of it, and I couldn't stop smiling while on it. I almost felt like a kid on one of those rides outside a supermarket that you pay a quarter for. Only a little more aware and with safety in mind. I swear this job gets better and better.


And speaking of which, I had some good news about my job. I have been asked to stay on for "as long as possible." I won't have any idea how long this is, and unfortunately it does make it more difficult to know about coming home for xmas, but be assured I will keep everyone up to date on that when things change. We all went out to the pub last night for some drinks, the first time I had been with workmates. It was a really great pub up in Highgate called The Gatehouse. I had a really nice cider from sweden that was a bit on the sweet side, but nice. I also had a small article written about me in the Heath Hands newsletter. I will eventually get a scan of it and post it so everyone can see it. It is to show my successful change from volunteer to ranger. So cool!!!