During our last breakfast at Villa Soro I could not help overhearing, and wondering what was the context of, snippets of conversation from the couple at the table behind us ...
Snippet number 1:
He: I'm not nearly as visionary as you. (On seeing the woman in question, Bronwen felt she looked nothing like a visionary)
Snippet number 2:
He: So how did you feel?
She: I felt fine till near the end of the concert and then what happened ruined it all for me.
Snippet number 3:
He: So, are we friends again?
She (sceptically): Hmmmmmmm
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Adios, San Sebastian
Tonight is our last night in San Sebastian.
Bronwen at our window
We enjoyed a very pleasant tapas based dinner down near the beach at Bar Kepa and then returned to the our "small" hotel, Villa Soro, for a (relatively) early night.
Villa Soro
Bronwen at our window
Tomorrow we're due to return to France to catch up with friends in Bardos, near Biarritz.
Shopping
There has been no news about my shopping so I thought I should fill you all in.
In London I was walking Sloane Street and popped into Ventilo at the Sloane Square end on the street. Ventilo is a French label which I like very much. I already have a couple of items and it used to be stocked in the second incarnation of Georges which went broke. Anyway they still had some summer items on sale for half price. So I got some linen pants and a linen knit top in terracotta. I also couldn't resist some aubergerine coloured wool pants and a scarf from the new winter range (full price).
Next was Berlin. I bought an 'interesting' dark denim skirt which has created a problem. The denim is so heavy that the German army could have worn it for the advance to Moscow - on either occasion. Increases the weight of my case and too heavy to post, although I will get a quote from the French post office. Next was four pairs of 'interesting' German pantihose at half price. One pair is probably a mistake - Jack looked a bit startled when I gave him a preview. Then I found a local designer in the very trendy (alternative) area of Berlin called the Barn. Found a dress on sale, again very interesting. Choice was a bit limited as the clothes seemed to be designed for those who are at least two kilos lighter than I am. Anyway I loved one dress that fitted appropriately and grabbed it. The last one and another local woman wanted it as well - I was first but she was hoping I would not finalise the transaction. When I did the very nice man said the Australian actress **** ********* bought that dress. I have used asterisks because I don't want Google searches to pick up the name. It seems she didn't bother with the tax refund forms.
The next challenge will be Paris. My friend Penelope has sussed out the vintage shops for me. I have made some progress in losing the two kilos I seem to have acquired on the flight over. All the walking seems to have done it. We averaged about 12 kilometres a day in Berlin.
This morning, in San Sebastian, we went to the beach. Heavenly. A lovely curved beach, like Bondi, only the Atlantic. Not touristy, lots of locals of all shapes and sizes although the dominant shape seemed to be the boiled egg. Heaps of old women in two piece without a care in the world, or, apparently, block out.
Tomorrow we meet our friends Richard and Corinne. Jack will have to be wrapped in a towel for a few hours while we wash his clothes. Couldn't wash them in Amsterdam as the hotel was too crummy. Here in San Sebastian the hotel is too fancy. The have a laundry service but Jack insisted he could hang in - probably right but only just.
The pix that follow show the beach at San Sebastian and 2 of the tourists who went there.
In London I was walking Sloane Street and popped into Ventilo at the Sloane Square end on the street. Ventilo is a French label which I like very much. I already have a couple of items and it used to be stocked in the second incarnation of Georges which went broke. Anyway they still had some summer items on sale for half price. So I got some linen pants and a linen knit top in terracotta. I also couldn't resist some aubergerine coloured wool pants and a scarf from the new winter range (full price).
Next was Berlin. I bought an 'interesting' dark denim skirt which has created a problem. The denim is so heavy that the German army could have worn it for the advance to Moscow - on either occasion. Increases the weight of my case and too heavy to post, although I will get a quote from the French post office. Next was four pairs of 'interesting' German pantihose at half price. One pair is probably a mistake - Jack looked a bit startled when I gave him a preview. Then I found a local designer in the very trendy (alternative) area of Berlin called the Barn. Found a dress on sale, again very interesting. Choice was a bit limited as the clothes seemed to be designed for those who are at least two kilos lighter than I am. Anyway I loved one dress that fitted appropriately and grabbed it. The last one and another local woman wanted it as well - I was first but she was hoping I would not finalise the transaction. When I did the very nice man said the Australian actress **** ********* bought that dress. I have used asterisks because I don't want Google searches to pick up the name. It seems she didn't bother with the tax refund forms.
The next challenge will be Paris. My friend Penelope has sussed out the vintage shops for me. I have made some progress in losing the two kilos I seem to have acquired on the flight over. All the walking seems to have done it. We averaged about 12 kilometres a day in Berlin.
This morning, in San Sebastian, we went to the beach. Heavenly. A lovely curved beach, like Bondi, only the Atlantic. Not touristy, lots of locals of all shapes and sizes although the dominant shape seemed to be the boiled egg. Heaps of old women in two piece without a care in the world, or, apparently, block out.
Tomorrow we meet our friends Richard and Corinne. Jack will have to be wrapped in a towel for a few hours while we wash his clothes. Couldn't wash them in Amsterdam as the hotel was too crummy. Here in San Sebastian the hotel is too fancy. The have a laundry service but Jack insisted he could hang in - probably right but only just.
The pix that follow show the beach at San Sebastian and 2 of the tourists who went there.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Dinner in San Sebastian
Later: Just back from dinner. Very nice. Fish soup, red mullet, prawns, mixed vegetables, green beans with ham and lemon sorbet with champagne. Expect to see lemon sorbet with champagne on the menu at South Melbourne. Simple and perfect. We arrived for dinner just after 8.30 pm hoping it wouldn't be too early and were the only ones there. Slowly it got busier. The couple who arrived after us smoked before and after each course (we weren't outside). We left at 10.00 pm just as the place was filling up. It seems even the Spanish children eat later than we do.
Ready for dinner at 8.30 .................. Ready for dinner at 10.00
The night is still young
Leaving & arriving
The local bike riders in Amsterdam are insouciant, talking on the phone, baby strapped to their chests, holding in umbrella. Didn't see three out of three but often two out of three. The tourists on bikes were a nightmare. Not a helmet in sight, tourists or locals. Our hotel in Amsterdam was purported to be 3 star but was probably 1 - clean with friendly staff, but not much else. On the final morning water dripped on my head while I was in bed - not sure if it was upstairs who had run the bath over or the roof as it was raining.
Getting to the station was not easy, a bit too far to walk but also pouring rain. The tram was tricky and Jack swore very loudly, fortunately in English, lifting the cases up. Once on the train we went well to Paris but the transfer across Paris was also tricky - not enough escalators at the stations with the big trains coming and going. The Paris Metro is showing its age. We got to Bordeaux and our hotel (genuine 3 star) was lovely. We walked to the old city and found a nice place for a great cheap meal.
This morning Jack picked up the car and we drove to San Sebastian. In a very nice hotel for three days. I have clarified my confusion about tapas. The stuff on the bar (usually on bread, often fried, frequently salami) with a toothpick in it is a sub category of tapas called pintxos. Sort of unhealthy finger food. Then on the black board is the house tapas - no bread just a small plate of food, say two sardines with shredded lettuce or a plate of ham or cheese or octopus salad. So we are heading out tonight to try and find house tapas. Hopefully before 11.00 pm. We have booked a restaurant which doesn't even open until 8.00pm.
Getting to the station was not easy, a bit too far to walk but also pouring rain. The tram was tricky and Jack swore very loudly, fortunately in English, lifting the cases up. Once on the train we went well to Paris but the transfer across Paris was also tricky - not enough escalators at the stations with the big trains coming and going. The Paris Metro is showing its age. We got to Bordeaux and our hotel (genuine 3 star) was lovely. We walked to the old city and found a nice place for a great cheap meal.
This morning Jack picked up the car and we drove to San Sebastian. In a very nice hotel for three days. I have clarified my confusion about tapas. The stuff on the bar (usually on bread, often fried, frequently salami) with a toothpick in it is a sub category of tapas called pintxos. Sort of unhealthy finger food. Then on the black board is the house tapas - no bread just a small plate of food, say two sardines with shredded lettuce or a plate of ham or cheese or octopus salad. So we are heading out tonight to try and find house tapas. Hopefully before 11.00 pm. We have booked a restaurant which doesn't even open until 8.00pm.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Oh, and the art galleries in Amsterdam are fantastic
Yesterday we saw a terrific collection of Vincent's work at the Van Gogh Museum and today it was Rembrandt at the Richtsmuseum. Unfortunately - or should I say fortunately - no cameras allowed, so you'll need to look through your collection of art books to see what we saw.
It's rained a bit in Amsterdam
It's rained a bit, sometimes quite a bit, since we got here on Monday evening. Amsterdam is full of cyclists who have, and duly claim, right of way everywhere, and more people smoking than we have seen so far on this trip. We are in a little hotel with a somewhat limited view from the window ...
The canals are all over the place and very attractive:
And the flower market had some amazing stuff
The canals are all over the place and very attractive:
And the flower market had some amazing stuff
Art, art and more art
The Berlin galleries are overwhelming. We saw classics at the Gemaeldegalerie ...
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and German expressionists at the Neue Nationalgalerie
Ah, the good old days in Berlin
Last week we saw a production of "Cabaret" in a large, and apparently permanent, tent called "Tipi am Kanzleramt", just near the Reichstag. It was in German but the non-German-speakers assured me that they still thought it was wonderful, which it was with a very talented cast performing the songs and dance routines fantastically well.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Going to the source
We went looking for a retail outlet for Annete Roestel's clothes and ended up at the factory instead ...
But don't worry, Annette put us on to a retailer where a garment or two were purchased.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Berlin
Yesterday we arrived in Berlin and met up with our friends, Claire and Wally.
We are in a hotel near the centre of the city and today we set out on a 7 hour expedition on foot to start our cultural and retail programs.
We are in a hotel near the centre of the city and today we set out on a 7 hour expedition on foot to start our cultural and retail programs.
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