London Times

Once finished in Venice we travelled via Ryan Air to London. A very annoying LOUD hour long terravision bus ride and a short city bus ride later we were back at Brian and Christina's flat. Soaking wet from typical London rain, it was a sure sign our vacation was coming to an end. I think it was getting us seasoned for the Vancouver rainfall.

Our last couple days together were spent touring the sites of London. Like the earlier 2 weeks, we lucked out with the weather. Very little rain fell during our 3 days in London. We saw the many sites including St. Paul's Cathedral, The Tate Museum, London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, St. James and Hyde Park, and the Natural History Museum. On top of all of this, we still fit in time for pie and mash, with Liquor Sauce.

We were fortunate to celebrate Brian and Christina's 3 year anniversary by crashing it.

We shared a nice glass or 2 or 5 of Champagne with them. Way to go Kids!

Here is Mike with a guard outside the Clarence house where Prince William and Harry live.

Note the sharp hunting knife that sits on top of his machine gun.

Trafalgar Square.

Can you see Princess Anne? Darcie did!Buckingham Palace.

Crazy streets of London.

The "Inspection of the Guards" at the Parliament Buildings.

This guard kept sneeking peaks at Darcie. I told him to stop it.

Westminster Abbey.

Westminster Abbey where the Royal Family get married, have funerals etc.

Princess Diana's funeral was here.

Another street in London.

"Big Ben". The Clock.

A real live crazy man painted silver and acting as a statue. The pigeons loved him.

Mike and Darcie with London in the background at the top of the bell tower at St. Paul's Cathedral.Another view from St. Paul's Belltower.

Brian in the stairwell traveling to the top of St. Paul's Cathedral bell tower.

What an impressive view.

Mike being very naughty and taking a picture looking down from the top of the dome at St. Paul's Cathedral. This was just before him and Brian got in big trouble for taking pictures.

The Whispering Dome.

So after another 3 days of European Crazzyness, Darcie made the trek back home. Mike had the fortunate opportunity to go to Barcelona with Brian. Crazy times were to be had.

Venezia or Bust.

Venice is rad. Thats the only way to describe it. Canals everywhere, with winding streets that all look so similar. One night, we walked past the same Hotel three times, while searching for "Famous" people. We were so close to seeing JT (That's Justin Timberlake for those that don't know). Except for it wasn't JT, just a close look alike.

Our first day was spent just walking the streets and riding the boat bus up and down the grand canal.

Next, we explored St Mark's Square and the Basilica, along with Doge's Palace and the Museo Correo. The Basilica was too cool. Intricate Mosaic tiles, from hundreds of years ago.

Our last day was spent touring the annual Architecture Exhibit and the world renowned Biennial. What were the chances of us being in Venice during this exhibit.

So here are some photography for you all to enjoy. 

St. Mark's Square at night. Very few people around. During the day, this entire square is filled with thousands of people, all taking photos and feeding the pigeons.
Darce lost in an empty street. Where are we ????
A piece from the Architecture Exhibit. Imagine the year 2080, the world so overbuilt that cows are put in the middle of the city .............
A Ferry Boat being towed through the islands towards Venice.
Gondola's and their paddlers .......
The Grand Canal in the evening. 10 seconds at f11. Yah.
This time only 8 seconds.....take that.
More Canals.
And even more Canals.
Rialto Bridge. 
Stairs to our 1 No. piano room.
Darcienzio.
When the tides gets to it's peaks, waters comes up throughs the drains and floods certain areas. They then set out walkways, so your boots don't stink.
Clock town.
The square inside of Doge's Palace.
The Canal from our Hotel Window. This Canal stunk a bit like toilet water. A little like Ko Samui,
Overwieght people and Gondolas don't mix. Weight distribution needed.

So we are now back in London and Darcie is so looking forward to getting home to pet Peems. Mike is so looking forward to continuing on in Barcelona with the most Fantastic Mr. Brian Skinner.

Peace. We's outie.

Michelenzio and Darcie.

The Cinque Terre, Italy

Hello to all again from the Cinque Terre in Italy. What a difference between the Swiss Alps and the Italian Riviera. Waking up to Crisp Mountain air, wearing three jackets and a touqe and gloves, then getting off the train to crystal blue skies and water. People on the beach in bathing suits, basking in the sun.

This is another gem of a place. Hillsides of terraced plantations. Olives, lemon trees, tomatoes, grapes....what a sight.

The Cinque Terre is made up of 5 towns along the coast. We are staying in Monterosso, the first of the 5 towns. We have spent our time hiking the many trails between the towns. Some of the trails are steep and narrow, up and down along the hillsides, offering amazing views. Some are flat and paved with stones, and are perfect for the hoards of retired folks. We tested all, and some twice. After all this hiking, our bodies are tired and in need of a rest day.

The food here is, as it has been for this whole trip, very very good. Focacia bread, Bruscetta, Tomato and Mozzerela Salads, Pesto, Pasta, Pizza, Red Wine and of course, Coca-Cola Classic. Also, you can't forget the Gelato....Three scoops please.

Anyways, here are some more photos for your viewing pleasure.

This is the view from our hotel room, just up the street from all the Action of Monterosso.

During our first night, we took some shots of the town from the beach. This is it.

The view over Corniglia from the trail we walked. Small little town, maybe 1000 people live there. One steep main street from the beach.

What a bunch of cuties ?

Another view down the main street of Corniglia. Boats line the streets, as the summer season is ending.

Vernazza, another one of the 5 towns. We had focacia bread, with sele and olives, on the waterfront piazza. Delicioso!

The terraced hillside, from our hike along the trail.

A view down over Vernazza, with an Asparagus Tree.....Darcie thinks. It really did look like one big piece of asparagus.

Vernazza.

Another night view.

This is the town we are staying in, Monterosso. The waters from up high look so inviting.

The Cinque Terre Coastline, waves crashing on the cliffside. This was almost the highest point of the trek.

Another view of Vernazza.

Sweaty hike time.

Waves crashing.

The train, as it passes by.

Tomorrow we wake up early to catch the train to Venice. Can't wait to see the Grand Canal. Three days there, then back to London.

Gotta go, as the Gelato stand is calling our names.

Till the next post.....Mike and Darcia or Darcie and Michealo.