CTS – Exmoor

Posted on May 10, 2009 by Carleen

Firstly, Happy Mothers Day to our mums in NZ. Apologies for the slack memories of your children!!! What can we say in our defense? A gazillion miles of distance maybe???

You will be happy to know that we got home safely from Exmoor. We drove down Friday night after Steve finished work and stayed in a fine little B&B in Lynton. I have taken to using Trip Advisor and posting our comments through there for other travelers. This was a great place although a bit difficult to find in amongst the tiny, steep and winding streets of Lynton.

This was the last of the 7 in the coastal trail series. Yet again, the weather was great. That makes 7 in total with fine weather. That has to be a record. The run went really well and as I mentioned in the last brief post, Steve managed a PB of 2.26. Yet it is figuring out what the next challenge will be. Unfortunately we didn’t hang around for the evening get together as we had other plans for Sunday in Wales. More on that in another post.

The Exmoor course was stunning although incredibly hilly. I think they had 1000ft vertical gain within the first 4 miles. Ouch. I decided this time to walk the 10km in reverse as the path did not cross this time with the half and marathon. Remind me next time never to do this. As you are walking against the markers it is very easy to miss a turn. I did this twice and adding not only extra time to the walk but the extra stress of realising I was rather lost with no one around to ask directions from. Needless to say, I kept my cool (barely) and managed to get out in one piece. So, now, up and on to the next challenge.

Exmoor

Posted on May 9, 2009 by Carleen

Just back from our trip to Exmoor for the final of the 7 x 7 x 7 (7 months, 7 locations, 7 half marathons. Will do a larger blog on the laptop but just wanted to post that Steve did an amazing PB of 2hrs26. The trail was just shy of 14 miles and in my opinion too many hills (says the person who only walked 10k of it)

Avon Kennet Canal – continued

Posted on April 27, 2009 by Carleen

Below is a map of the bike ride we did this weekend. Having not been on a bike since holidaying in France (remember our ride to Bra Kerryn?) my backside is still rather tender today. Ouch.
Great fun racing along the canal passing all the barges with ease!

Avon Kennet Canal

Posted on April 27, 2009 by Carleen

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More Paris pics

Posted on April 17, 2009 by Carleen

Back in England

Posted on April 14, 2009 by Carleen

After our whirlwind trip we can’t say we are glad to be home. There are many things that we enjoy about France but in particular it was wonderful to spend time with A.L and her mum. Thanks so much for making us feel so welcome. We hope to be able to provide you both with the same hospitality (if we ever figure out where we are will “nest”).

The flight home was delayed by about 40 minutes but once in the air it was relatively quick. I can’t believe that in 1 hour you can be in France. Doing the online check in and carry on luggage only is the best way to travel. If the flight hadn’t been delayed there was a very large queue of people at check in that would have missed the flight I imagine.

Anyway, I’ll continue the update on the trip to Provins yesterday. Located at the top of the hill is the fortified city with the remains of the city walls, a working cathedral and many lane ways of old buildings. The day was lovely and bright and we both managed to get a bit too much sun. Oh well, nearly 9 months going without any we are not too bothered.

We then walked over to an old abbey but it was closed. Then finally down into the town centre to try and locate the car as we weren’t sure where it was parked. Of course we had to stop for cakes first. Yum!

On the way home we were able to see a number of chateaus in differing states of repair. How wonderful they must have looked in their prime with magnificent gardens and the bustle of everyday life.

So over the last 4 days during our time with our friends we have walked far, talked lots, laughed greatly, eaten well, slept peacefully and enjoyed every moment.

More photos to come once downloaded.

From Vincennes to Provins

Posted on April 14, 2009 by Carleen

Easter Monday we went on a drive around Vincennes to Provins, a medieval village located about 100km from Vincennes.

After arriving we climbed toward the medieval village on the hilltop where we stopped for a picnic. I have learnt a number of new ways of making or presenting salads which are quite useful. For example, a simple salad of mangetout, tiny frankfurter sausage pieces, tomato, little bit of garlic and a light red wine vinegar. Another is a fennel salad with grilled salmon. Chop the fennel coursely, onion, garlic, finely grated carrot. Cook the onion first until soft, remove from the pan, next cook the fennel, remove, garlic and carrot and then mix together again with a simple red wine vinegar. Delicious, light and healthy.

We are about to head out to look for some flowers and card so will continue this in the next post.

Sore feet but still walking

Posted on April 13, 2009 by Carleen

Had a great day yesterday just walking the streets of Paris. It was supposed to rain but I actually managed to get a bit too much sun, no rain.
As A.L said it is nice seeing her city with foreigners as you see things that seem “everyday” to you in a new light.
We enjoyed being able to share our spots with A.L and vice versa.
We hadn’t seen Paris during a public holiday period. We are thankful that we have done all the tourist sites off peak as the queues are huge.
We believe we walked about 15 kilometres yesterday. Feet are rather sore but very happy that they have spent the day wandering this wonderful city.

In Paris

Posted on April 11, 2009 by Carleen

We hooked up with A.L and she brought our dragon back with her. Great to have him home after his travels.
Weather was brilliant today, 21 degrees which is the first time in about 9 months we have seen that temp. Loved it!
A.L is great. She and her mum are currently cooking a wonderful smelling dinner. Looking forward to a peaceful nights sleep.
Axel if you read this send us an email if you are keen to hook up! Sorry it was a last minute trip. Literally bought the tickets at 6pm last night.

Coastal Trail Series – Cornwall

Posted on April 7, 2009 by Carleen

This weekend was the 6th in the series of 7 races. Again we managed another weekend of good weather. Surely this can’t continue? Our B&B was located at St Just near Penzance.

We took off Friday to travel down as it was about 4 hours for this trip. We stopped at Clovelly which is a small fishing village that is closed to cars. To be honest, we didn’t bother going down to the village to have a look as you actually have to pay an entry fee. One thing we did come away from Cornwall with was a bit of a sour taste in the mouth as to the commercialism of the area. Everywhere you turned you had to pay for parking and/or entry to anything of interest. We also just didn’t get the feeling that they were happy to have visitors to some places. Almost like it was a given that tons of tourists come to the area so why should they be pleasant as there are plenty more of us.

Having said this our B&B was a treasure of a find. Bosvargus Barns run by Ann and Neil was immaculately clean, stylish and a real testament to how B&B’s should be presented and run. We normally dread the greasy English cooked breakfast in the morning but the cooking here was superb. You could also choose what you wanted so we didn’t have to waste the sausages, mushrooms and tomatoes that we normally leave on the plate.

On Saturday the run left from the Cape Cornwall Golf Club which has been far and away the best race base so far. It has to be fab when this one had a pool, spa and sauna that could be used by the runners! Bliss.

Steve managed a PB (personal best) on this one so that was great news. I found a lovely walking partner to do the 10km with so that made the time go by even quicker. Later that night we treated ourselves to a pizza in St Ives and sat by the beach to soak up the sun (and the cheesy deliciousness of our pizza and salty anchovies – at least on my half!). Not sure that this was such a good idea after such a great day of exercise!

Sunday on the way home we stopped in at the Minack Theatre at Porthcurno and of course Land’s End, the “end” of England. Funnily enough this place boasts a lot of signs that say the “last inn”, the “last postbox” etc but all of these “last” so and so’s have all since be closed down. Guess that doesn’t make it the last one then?

Also, quick thought, very interesting that this trip felt like a tour of Sydney suburbs going to Clovelly, St Ives, there is even a Padstow etc. Funny how so much of England was “transported” to Australia and New Zealand.