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Travel :: Slovenia

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">How was your summer?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ours was fantastic</div><div style="text-align: center;">partly due to this completely </div><div style="text-align: center;">(what seemed to me) random trip</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">- Slovenia -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I find some of the best experiences come in obscure packaging</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I also find that as we travel Europe, it is not the topography that is so striking</div><div style="text-align: center;">(often something similar in the US)</div><div style="text-align: center;">but the architecture<br /><br />So loving this view...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoXPpY2SPlgXdf1O1wQ7ObTkRZIfQFu7z8oMQYOYmINYJaQztRbOwZyA6bDTk0QJHQfckxGebCmlHbRy5f0eyTwYzmwJZdTZj52XFC4_xYsVafidFCPGY_7ZcirQTmsbRKoyOmh_SDTYh/s1600/DSC07726-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoXPpY2SPlgXdf1O1wQ7ObTkRZIfQFu7z8oMQYOYmINYJaQztRbOwZyA6bDTk0QJHQfckxGebCmlHbRy5f0eyTwYzmwJZdTZj52XFC4_xYsVafidFCPGY_7ZcirQTmsbRKoyOmh_SDTYh/s640/DSC07726-003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Look at these adorable, traditional haystacks with so much personality :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xUE1ujGC9Sih0rC3oMW_OThMWy1EZapfrB0g4OGba9-mJcCGPictPPOastu3fxKIu7CCGIADtN1stnd06u-FLRfp_gzLZ0qeF-AznBRpiKl0JYEt1eptO5-uRcmpTIQ1xZ0c5NmNUh4n/s1600/DSC07733-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xUE1ujGC9Sih0rC3oMW_OThMWy1EZapfrB0g4OGba9-mJcCGPictPPOastu3fxKIu7CCGIADtN1stnd06u-FLRfp_gzLZ0qeF-AznBRpiKl0JYEt1eptO5-uRcmpTIQ1xZ0c5NmNUh4n/s640/DSC07733-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As you may remember, Slovenia was part of former Yugoslavia until 1991</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />It didn't look or feel like it was a former Eastern Bloc country (although it was),</div><div style="text-align: center;">and Slovenia had the cleanliness and orderliness of their northern Austrian neighbors</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We saw pizzerias in every village and</div><div style="text-align: center;">experienced the friendliness and warmth like their Italian neighbors to the west</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Everyone we met spoke English, Italian, and Slovene</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OJQmjCrZ5Ofm4yZbrppvLAnczpf2Dh3iWCMxUcdqV5o2s2bUygudvgDzNALBFNuCEsy9VjTrPfW67varqw5zVnXXeTzHBmmVzeELOeMK0oknF8KHjE3WOvQMk4fOa7CztH9EDxy9J4UI/s1600/Photo+5-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OJQmjCrZ5Ofm4yZbrppvLAnczpf2Dh3iWCMxUcdqV5o2s2bUygudvgDzNALBFNuCEsy9VjTrPfW67varqw5zVnXXeTzHBmmVzeELOeMK0oknF8KHjE3WOvQMk4fOa7CztH9EDxy9J4UI/s640/Photo+5-200.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We traveled the northwest region of Slovenia through the Julian Alps,</div><div style="text-align: center;">which is a warmer section of the Alps due to the Mediterranean Sea being close-ish</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As a result, delphiniums, cyclamen, and scabiosa grow wild in the forest</div><div style="text-align: center;">(I know!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts,</div><div style="text-align: center;">offering kayaking, rafting, paragliding, rock climbing, hiking,</div><div style="text-align: center;">zip lines, and even snow skiing in the winter</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm dying to try river 'hydrospeeding' on specialized boards next time</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As you can see, the water was an amazingly clear, sea-glass color</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujjc8R-OnLTPqJn9mr2eKnmDXqBSTM0vmiWbquup4-aY6GHxyhxjygVbEsGF1qhI7Vrl87xkg2MxZc91RQltnqYa5KA3BZE0_Dr9Z6NeRoenw466Lmt4pF3s2BR9x6YMUQm99Dqh83xAg/s1600/DSC07839-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujjc8R-OnLTPqJn9mr2eKnmDXqBSTM0vmiWbquup4-aY6GHxyhxjygVbEsGF1qhI7Vrl87xkg2MxZc91RQltnqYa5KA3BZE0_Dr9Z6NeRoenw466Lmt4pF3s2BR9x6YMUQm99Dqh83xAg/s640/DSC07839-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Although we ran out of time to do all we wanted to do, </div><div style="text-align: center;">we did give 'canyoning' a try</div><div style="text-align: center;">which involved scrambling, climbing, </div><div style="text-align: center;">sliding, jumping, rapelling (abseiling), and swimming</div><div style="text-align: center;">through narrow river canyons</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Super fun, a little bit scary, and very wet!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8Eo7OVjD9thUDnpmenZWcqGr1nrPPr1GfwukjpbLlsvu9yzv3S5_FzNjMUpXGddLchA1vJOK0mvNSKDVO9JDiXYQeDQvu6n6IqwxaOUypXnFP0g2bGUB_USkoVHL73VKQR8JgfNb9DQ4/s1600/DSC07809-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8Eo7OVjD9thUDnpmenZWcqGr1nrPPr1GfwukjpbLlsvu9yzv3S5_FzNjMUpXGddLchA1vJOK0mvNSKDVO9JDiXYQeDQvu6n6IqwxaOUypXnFP0g2bGUB_USkoVHL73VKQR8JgfNb9DQ4/s640/DSC07809-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And Lake Bohinj is where we would like to spend more time</div><div style="text-align: center;">on its beautiful tranquil waters</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi792xwDrooCSVH3JJi3qsJsKodN4CmN9NaDIocotgS6b30lUE0C60VSAsgVwPGv2kNaw7ikqF1LxD43IVt1drO55wPb3wFsii5Zas98ICOoqPBECgy5TuvEZDNMM19vPY2dH3l-Dw7DFw8/s1600/DSC07943-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi792xwDrooCSVH3JJi3qsJsKodN4CmN9NaDIocotgS6b30lUE0C60VSAsgVwPGv2kNaw7ikqF1LxD43IVt1drO55wPb3wFsii5Zas98ICOoqPBECgy5TuvEZDNMM19vPY2dH3l-Dw7DFw8/s640/DSC07943-003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We found many delightful curiosities such as this homemade diving board...</div><div style="text-align: center;">(yes, we had to give it a try!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8PUGd6ehaSZgl901PoLW52C-bRAEv3yT8NiNu3HaEK88dGYJWQT027FjSk2FWjLVB3aXqyCkfldokIsID_wWAmTVFSek4vKqcKezAnp1o-LJYBAC9e0RVJ-FF0gi5P1NKMEVnQSFN9-d/s1600/DSC07931-021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8PUGd6ehaSZgl901PoLW52C-bRAEv3yT8NiNu3HaEK88dGYJWQT027FjSk2FWjLVB3aXqyCkfldokIsID_wWAmTVFSek4vKqcKezAnp1o-LJYBAC9e0RVJ-FF0gi5P1NKMEVnQSFN9-d/s640/DSC07931-021.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">...'open borders' between countries in this region thanks to the European Union</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not a person to be seen (although I'm sure video cameras were watching)...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaoI7GsbNp7V2adnzTH8wEl8VoKnPqGNXW_ljk469VCqBwGK1jrrrwdS4JMfkYmUV-qnSBGtcY4yOW7vh7A0ZvUD4WZYtS_gikQSqd5zmENSz-pByup4NE5QmrA2sIs462GvvuohnlG4iZ/s1600/DSC07990-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaoI7GsbNp7V2adnzTH8wEl8VoKnPqGNXW_ljk469VCqBwGK1jrrrwdS4JMfkYmUV-qnSBGtcY4yOW7vh7A0ZvUD4WZYtS_gikQSqd5zmENSz-pByup4NE5QmrA2sIs462GvvuohnlG4iZ/s640/DSC07990-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desolate border between Slovenia and Italy</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">& I'm always a sucker for a cow crossing photo op</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXii1Jqsf9LQl926Yey9HhYYRdqGcZ42KSu0NUR7YwrB5EI2cN119Duu_WzdP78WtQz0CkT_Va3RQJ_gNg-VHCP8hoBAmTgfPkCx67ErXSdggekFx5PnsaYrx2hNHpwtjL4lFdsI-D_iGd/s1600/DSC07905-0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXii1Jqsf9LQl926Yey9HhYYRdqGcZ42KSu0NUR7YwrB5EI2cN119Duu_WzdP78WtQz0CkT_Va3RQJ_gNg-VHCP8hoBAmTgfPkCx67ErXSdggekFx5PnsaYrx2hNHpwtjL4lFdsI-D_iGd/s640/DSC07905-0019.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />One of our funniest moments was taking a wrong turn<br />which led us into a looong 5 mile tunnel<br /><br />When we exited the tunnel, the sign said 'Willkommen'<br />for we had found ourselves in Austria</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />That was a surprise - talk about wrong turns!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">How was your summer?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>- photos by me -</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(an unsponsored post)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Travel :: Slovenia

How was your summer? Ours was fantastic partly due to this completely (what seemed to me) random trip - Slovenia - I find some of the best ...

12:06 AM

Skiing In Europe

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">We found a good deal for a weekend in Switzerland,</div><div style="text-align: center;">so we hopped at the chance to go<br /><br />One reason we went<br />was to feel some sunshine at last!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCZ5VDA9m9WorJj-KllMLyKExFUbqj_4puPQHPjY2ywgObTFtejpjS2HTLm0UasvzUq1GY5XiFV3TtKiftR_8HPXaoqHwcxCWrsXG_l2FJe2liyGTayb4B3VhbSm7YVTq30jGBngMHUTj/s1600/photo+2+(19)-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCZ5VDA9m9WorJj-KllMLyKExFUbqj_4puPQHPjY2ywgObTFtejpjS2HTLm0UasvzUq1GY5XiFV3TtKiftR_8HPXaoqHwcxCWrsXG_l2FJe2liyGTayb4B3VhbSm7YVTq30jGBngMHUTj/s640/photo+2+(19)-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Still new to the whole 'skiing in Europe' thang,</div><div style="text-align: center;">here's a a few observations</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. You can ski in most European countries,</div><div style="text-align: center;">including Portugal, Poland, and Bulgaria</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLrC_bRMvCRh1vkZPtSspLaPn3Hlp70wlqmuCAXvN-Xf0I1XqTBHtDMV3Y7rWob1hbSvGc4MGbJHUwRZRaGNNTUdV9svq6tepAS8rGFAQ6WlPl5otfvsoJLZiU06nwSvCsbywd-BI6uN0/s1600/photo+3+%252830%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLrC_bRMvCRh1vkZPtSspLaPn3Hlp70wlqmuCAXvN-Xf0I1XqTBHtDMV3Y7rWob1hbSvGc4MGbJHUwRZRaGNNTUdV9svq6tepAS8rGFAQ6WlPl5otfvsoJLZiU06nwSvCsbywd-BI6uN0/s640/photo+3+%252830%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">2. You can ski over country borders at some resorts (how cool is that?!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLH9bg2oZsJKsIGhZmwzvHZUUX5x2PxRaiwBlkv8JLzLPFgl9SCl8xp5HwOzuY6I17Vz6KKLnz0eOzXnQmqLVsSZ0G6YKcttuBoLPgrcBxM39iYDkqrYuZWvLftB2K8s0DzW6O1kj_oL0/s1600/photo+3+(13)-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLH9bg2oZsJKsIGhZmwzvHZUUX5x2PxRaiwBlkv8JLzLPFgl9SCl8xp5HwOzuY6I17Vz6KKLnz0eOzXnQmqLVsSZ0G6YKcttuBoLPgrcBxM39iYDkqrYuZWvLftB2K8s0DzW6O1kj_oL0/s640/photo+3+(13)-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Notice the key on the trail map,</div><div style="text-align: center;">as beginner runs may be marked blue in Switzerland and Austria</div><div style="text-align: center;">or green in Spain and Sweden</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJcsRDWN4-wi1vOpCBNxCOJoioXlyoHa7dI6D3OiPHXxtk_QdEkmIDLP91VJSzUAHPvQrpiFCyfQtpW5-BdtmfzKUttfAKNnqOawCDOTwhx6A5gBF-llo5hbtlRJJl32oXQpsOXyqFp7P/s1600/photo+2+(31)-012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJcsRDWN4-wi1vOpCBNxCOJoioXlyoHa7dI6D3OiPHXxtk_QdEkmIDLP91VJSzUAHPvQrpiFCyfQtpW5-BdtmfzKUttfAKNnqOawCDOTwhx6A5gBF-llo5hbtlRJJl32oXQpsOXyqFp7P/s640/photo+2+(31)-012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Don't assume you can ski to the bottom of the mountain</div><div style="text-align: center;">You may need to take a train, tram, or gondola down</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWJ6A4BnmZfbbliZuej64zzwe-U_9UMEjsqhkCvAsMyPHNOyV8M3v7jn8gW8dz4PyfExsrCyaW7FUFHat-wqdlInAd7LkUA99Pp8PA-iGiGOj8r9PW7dYMpcKWy0h_cyd5wFv0OaG8uAD/s1600/photo+1+(9)-0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWJ6A4BnmZfbbliZuej64zzwe-U_9UMEjsqhkCvAsMyPHNOyV8M3v7jn8gW8dz4PyfExsrCyaW7FUFHat-wqdlInAd7LkUA99Pp8PA-iGiGOj8r9PW7dYMpcKWy0h_cyd5wFv0OaG8uAD/s640/photo+1+(9)-0011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Europeans make more use of the mountain than Americans</div><div style="text-align: center;">such as chill out zones with hammocks, lounge chairs, and a tiki bar</div><div style="text-align: center;">and an extensive network of sledding runs</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">6. At our resort, a computer checked our tickets, which opened the gates</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9lDMfSN5BLVjK5da_Xq5TgKzq16X6iT4iJ8Pp-6MhJRjSx7-3b4HMDsXnh5UyKbh_tBA-cP40FGIMGTxgUY0jMlQu_r5H6rccnoulHKLFBoqAcYiUnyALY-BF21BNgBCplM4EeSeGjJb/s1600/photo+%252811%2529-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9lDMfSN5BLVjK5da_Xq5TgKzq16X6iT4iJ8Pp-6MhJRjSx7-3b4HMDsXnh5UyKbh_tBA-cP40FGIMGTxgUY0jMlQu_r5H6rccnoulHKLFBoqAcYiUnyALY-BF21BNgBCplM4EeSeGjJb/s640/photo+%252811%2529-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">7. Although I've never tried it,<br />did you know there is snow skiing in <a href="http://ski.visitscotland.com/">Scotland</a><br />and even in <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2013/jan/19/skiing-snowbaording-england-pennines-lake-district">England's</a> Pennines and Lake District?<br /><br />8. And if you seek snow fun without the travel,<br />we found some indoors at an '<a href="http://www.xscape.co.uk/milton-keynes/concessions/sno-zone">adventure plaza</a>' in Milton Keynes<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4W4KBBN5-5QlpXkw6ltzHaWSiX0kGtDTOIYwhwfXqqLgMFceCaj_ZvIuzAM6-_UuyI4qW4HHbOMUSSVL3XlPEjh2rQRBe7xlDwQ_h2An7ASkdl1JhX4TTyWni5QISYrDg2Q1yyIzcOla/s1600/photo+2+(53).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4W4KBBN5-5QlpXkw6ltzHaWSiX0kGtDTOIYwhwfXqqLgMFceCaj_ZvIuzAM6-_UuyI4qW4HHbOMUSSVL3XlPEjh2rQRBe7xlDwQ_h2An7ASkdl1JhX4TTyWni5QISYrDg2Q1yyIzcOla/s640/photo+2+(53).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Trying to make the most of winter,<br />but I must admit I am ready for the sun to bust a move<br />and get those blooms going!<br /><br /><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">- all photos by me -</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">P.S. Dots are appearing on my images once downloaded here, but not on the originals. Has anyone else had that problem?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(an unsponsored post) </span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Skiing In Europe

We found a good deal for a weekend in Switzerland, so we hopped at the chance to go One reason we went was to feel some sunshine at last! St...

3:32 AM

Road Trip: Normandy

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Much anticipated,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we spent a long weekend in</div><div style="text-align: center;">France</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxP31yYPkOKQm9uvlMeR4Xt39-DtVWg_aP9KuqFmf9DIJvat-Q0UqO4_FCOITHqCZMrNly5L8_Bxxu6YrXYONU_BwfY0kxV7uUdsBXGL3o0_Dw9bz0kNkyloTL9QQIJzg3_NrZLsnFBtQ/s1600/DSC03044-0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxP31yYPkOKQm9uvlMeR4Xt39-DtVWg_aP9KuqFmf9DIJvat-Q0UqO4_FCOITHqCZMrNly5L8_Bxxu6YrXYONU_BwfY0kxV7uUdsBXGL3o0_Dw9bz0kNkyloTL9QQIJzg3_NrZLsnFBtQ/s640/DSC03044-0024.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonjour, Miss Dreamy :)</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We took the Eurostar train to Calais</div><div style="text-align: center;">and drove south to Normandy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopDHvNVqBYwfGdB4J59J7OJMbZkiolFKJdxiCi4sVIihHSkdn7SLD77AumI4pVawcA8OLDQ7d1IYEJ84ssYUgQt9Q120JVNa3hfmR8BskQfnWT-XtuqY4pXHsVrGYyjgIvvltixScmnM9/s1600/DSC03020-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopDHvNVqBYwfGdB4J59J7OJMbZkiolFKJdxiCi4sVIihHSkdn7SLD77AumI4pVawcA8OLDQ7d1IYEJ84ssYUgQt9Q120JVNa3hfmR8BskQfnWT-XtuqY4pXHsVrGYyjgIvvltixScmnM9/s640/DSC03020-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honfleur</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">France and England have a long history in this region</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">All English schoolchildren know that in 1066<span style="font-size: xx-small;">AD</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">William The Conqueror (Duke of Normandy)</div><div style="text-align: center;"> invaded England,</div><div style="text-align: center;">creating a huge turning point in English history</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Isn't it a wonder why he left?</div><div style="text-align: center;">So gorgeous :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8h5wlgYHpu52ddjZRXEmVGdS79LRzmtF_4bQIu4oOB65fkK2T-vUnTh2TFXcL2QuF8vLN01xPaWZhFl11lGnrc7xaEqqTVwVH2BqTo60K0irijloPo3Juxy-7nMdGHyxfSPH22nXEH9j/s1600/DSC03258-017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8h5wlgYHpu52ddjZRXEmVGdS79LRzmtF_4bQIu4oOB65fkK2T-vUnTh2TFXcL2QuF8vLN01xPaWZhFl11lGnrc7xaEqqTVwVH2BqTo60K0irijloPo3Juxy-7nMdGHyxfSPH22nXEH9j/s640/DSC03258-017.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bayeux</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Centuries later</div><div style="text-align: center;">French Normandy was occupied by England forces</div><div style="text-align: center;">during the Hundred Years' War (1345 - 1360)</div><div style="text-align: center;">and then again 1415 - 1450</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBbUebK-C-POAJSs4k24RuRTI0fZDaX6nzaEoncFjEJBglAuLBh0HvjMpvCDDaIbIADpTpy43Qs2ZQ215dBGnQtim7qSU9slMwNGHqPkG1jYL5TmI_V9CPLOrWRZ62syJ3P0D3_bKTPvO/s1600/DSC03228-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBbUebK-C-POAJSs4k24RuRTI0fZDaX6nzaEoncFjEJBglAuLBh0HvjMpvCDDaIbIADpTpy43Qs2ZQ215dBGnQtim7qSU9slMwNGHqPkG1jYL5TmI_V9CPLOrWRZ62syJ3P0D3_bKTPvO/s640/DSC03228-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bayeux</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another major turning point in history -</div><div style="text-align: center;">Normandy is famous for the D-Day landings</div><div style="text-align: center;">on June 6, 1944</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We took a guided tour of the area</div><div style="text-align: center;">{ fascinating and moving }</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzV180P2Jq4KwnH1VIXFZzLQNPR_lEwo9K_5fidbu0K0jkWjERnC0VgPhKNW01dzmO8iOV1NLC0_Hy3xvR-7FO7fB4Kb_zXLt3Cn7UyDEFUQbllms_BVF1c_Tu4c7EFyLfQxf5O54QknNT/s1600/Normandy+Collage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzV180P2Jq4KwnH1VIXFZzLQNPR_lEwo9K_5fidbu0K0jkWjERnC0VgPhKNW01dzmO8iOV1NLC0_Hy3xvR-7FO7fB4Kb_zXLt3Cn7UyDEFUQbllms_BVF1c_Tu4c7EFyLfQxf5O54QknNT/s640/Normandy+Collage1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">D-Day landing site<br />Normandy American Cemetery<br />Craters from bombings</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">'g</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">î</span><span style="text-align: center;">tes' are popular accommodations in France</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">They are self-catering cottages</div><div style="text-align: center;">Some include breakfast</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_l0WkZkHvsjA7pH-TEb7IstvaOGF_F1D0rBT6jfpJg7wZVUXCwqHaFRfVsG6V6aexjLayC6n7M31_gHmN7Wu1iu_NECVmCTgr1Mj8mysiCaX48sd5BnuOofjg4-2M_IiDGTJUeOtQoC3l/s1600/DSC03184-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_l0WkZkHvsjA7pH-TEb7IstvaOGF_F1D0rBT6jfpJg7wZVUXCwqHaFRfVsG6V6aexjLayC6n7M31_gHmN7Wu1iu_NECVmCTgr1Mj8mysiCaX48sd5BnuOofjg4-2M_IiDGTJUeOtQoC3l/s640/DSC03184-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The few times we've traveled to France,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I liked it but I didn't really 'get' it</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But since our recent trip to Normandy,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've pulled out the guidebook</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to hatch a plan...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqPpWp7fTZx9LhjVv2MdjtThKRy9H8jru-aWmBfvFx8syu96i4HXv2RkaLy8NkkfkVHRu9Hy5mCqzP0EjNh6P6SSbEmkRAelGtzaMIk2ATL_BIuN8C1Tqa1zTJ4FDrfCCuLhibuj8Sg8S/s1600/DSC03135-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqPpWp7fTZx9LhjVv2MdjtThKRy9H8jru-aWmBfvFx8syu96i4HXv2RkaLy8NkkfkVHRu9Hy5mCqzP0EjNh6P6SSbEmkRAelGtzaMIk2ATL_BIuN8C1Tqa1zTJ4FDrfCCuLhibuj8Sg8S/s640/DSC03135-003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">...for adding more photos to my French collection :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><i>- all photos by moi -</i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normandy">Wikipedia</a></span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Road Trip: Normandy

Much anticipated, we spent a long weekend in France Bonjour, Miss Dreamy :) We took the Eurostar train to Calais and drove south to Normandy...

2:29 AM

Driving In France

Posted By Happy Homemaker<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Imagine my surprise<br />when I learned we needed a <i>driving kit</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">to legally drive in France</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Europeans know,<br />but American readers may be asking themselves<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What</div><div style="text-align: center;">is<br />a<br /> 'driving kit'<br />exactly?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGlEK3OeD26evwqFSNy6zW8r9TmCaSNEA1LoS_eooTb4I25VWHxq9xn41qs_vD6EkNiO0bYfkOGW5BIgyCxugYOoiCUEj-AdJF5Z09gZQoEdZ_v_GoHtRUyP74nTLtXgofQ6yQU-ulaDb/s1600/41tn7XXCs1L._SS500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGlEK3OeD26evwqFSNy6zW8r9TmCaSNEA1LoS_eooTb4I25VWHxq9xn41qs_vD6EkNiO0bYfkOGW5BIgyCxugYOoiCUEj-AdJF5Z09gZQoEdZ_v_GoHtRUyP74nTLtXgofQ6yQU-ulaDb/s320/41tn7XXCs1L._SS500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sold by <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Driving-France-Approved-Alcohol-Detectors/dp/B00857P6WM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350387952&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Safety vest (inside car, not in trunk)<br />Warning triangle</div><div style="text-align: center;">Extra lightbulbs for lamps</div><div style="text-align: center;">First aid kit<br />Fire extinguisher</div><div style="text-align: center;">GB sticker for plates not already indicating British registration<br /><br />Headlamp Converters<br />(something about driving on the other side of the road<br />requires that you change out the lights<br />as it may 'dazzle' oncoming traffic?)<br /><br />And required as of July 2012, <b style="font-style: italic;">two breathalyzer test kits</b><br /><br />If you wear corrective lenses,<br />it's the law to carry <i>a spare pair of glasses</i><br /><i> </i>even if you wear contact lenses</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i>Penalty for not having these items if stopped by police?<br />On the spot fine (cash only) or suffer your car being impounded<br /><br />Thank goodness I now have the common European signs under my belt<br />but I quickly learned there were a few French road signs omitted<br />in the extra credit section of my UK driver's test<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CfTi7q7cko-GsTF9O9F4FQ7n27SyF8b0untYPaZjK2zafxyR43JPSRl_xCLYFWz2-FgnrKpq06jYl4ogoZDVXl0LZ33PW8qNPEpaqCQ5SV2O-HX6N_UhoHAqW9WsJhd3YE8axuK29mAT/s1600/Happy+Homemaker+20123-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CfTi7q7cko-GsTF9O9F4FQ7n27SyF8b0untYPaZjK2zafxyR43JPSRl_xCLYFWz2-FgnrKpq06jYl4ogoZDVXl0LZ33PW8qNPEpaqCQ5SV2O-HX6N_UhoHAqW9WsJhd3YE8axuK29mAT/s320/Happy+Homemaker+20123-001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This mysterious 'x marks the spot' </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">indicates you are either nearing buried treasure or </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">you are coming to a junction and the right has the right of way</div><div><br /></div>The diamond indicates the main road has priority<br />The crossed out priority means the traffic on the right has priority<br />(or a seatbelt is hugging the sign)<br /><br />Shouldn't this get some kind of violence rating?<br />Yikes!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtA5amNDIvIoUBMaXb6UrQI84buHCpQfSkgc7l5emov49JCSfWSBvHkw8T3rH7W1ukxSClbBxH1flVyyPgonj0eA0n2htWJt8uvhYMS-t6PxCrw_Ot180t39UhsA90gB02GXYeZxS5Zv2z/s1600/Happy+Homemaker+20122-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtA5amNDIvIoUBMaXb6UrQI84buHCpQfSkgc7l5emov49JCSfWSBvHkw8T3rH7W1ukxSClbBxH1flVyyPgonj0eA0n2htWJt8uvhYMS-t6PxCrw_Ot180t39UhsA90gB02GXYeZxS5Zv2z/s320/Happy+Homemaker+20122-002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />You can imagine when I saw all these goodies<br />it just sang<br /><i>blog post </i><br />;)<br /><i><br /></i><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source: <a href="http://conversation.which.co.uk/transport-travel/car-safety-abroad-driving-europe/">Which?</a>, <a href="http://www.brittany-internet.com/BrittanyNews/DrivingFrance/tabid/155/Default.aspx">Brittany Internet</a>, <a href="http://www.giteinbrittany.com/documents/LesSignauxRoutiers-2.pdf">Gite In Brittany</a>, <a href="http://www.normandie-chambres.co.uk/bikers_motorbikes.html">Normandy B&B</a></span></div></div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Driving In France

Posted By Happy Homemaker Imagine my surprise when I learned we needed a driving kit to legally drive in France Europeans know, but American...

10:16 AM

Stairway To Norway

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">With a few weeks before school started</div><div style="text-align: center;">I decided to take the kids somewhere</div><div style="text-align: center;">while my husband stayed behind to work</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Where could I travel safely and easily with two kids in tow?</div><div style="text-align: center;">- <i>Norway</i> -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUhKM0ixBZy8WOZd1Cv5XNRFEyKFRHxMhj_rt7TbdsyJuAOAJNzx1ZN8llMRA2KyJvRCIwh7nSJS2h7GwpkE3xX3Ong69kUeSJRcE7te5IRQHjX2FC5TsZlDCiKA7MEiSoEhCasHlAsA/s1600/IMG_1521-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUhKM0ixBZy8WOZd1Cv5XNRFEyKFRHxMhj_rt7TbdsyJuAOAJNzx1ZN8llMRA2KyJvRCIwh7nSJS2h7GwpkE3xX3Ong69kUeSJRcE7te5IRQHjX2FC5TsZlDCiKA7MEiSoEhCasHlAsA/s640/IMG_1521-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We started our trip in Bergen,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Norway's second largest city</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_OkvMDOzWKei51xtTh5rwhteR5c6PtgqlAlf9YKAeTEnI2FEXC9p1AeflwwTxTslvOSMfjAs0d2d6n8S5LQtZWImxtOtN7-1d6A2hMMDdMtqtxbe3h6F1XVwwl-ZLUAzWRWEpLu-OELQ/s1600/IMG_0672-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_OkvMDOzWKei51xtTh5rwhteR5c6PtgqlAlf9YKAeTEnI2FEXC9p1AeflwwTxTslvOSMfjAs0d2d6n8S5LQtZWImxtOtN7-1d6A2hMMDdMtqtxbe3h6F1XVwwl-ZLUAzWRWEpLu-OELQ/s640/IMG_0672-010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I couldn't get enough of these letterboxes<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlg5oBwp2XcxIJqxqP_BfhdF0JJJpxwZCcKgiemUzsplanl13ywpgj3EbIpaiKPjS4CXmXywxMN8823ZSkJazq3ADEDW80P6DmWF6TxrJRJSdsxysDyi1P32-46h4nINI1EdgFDU21Zk/s1600/IMG_1455-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlg5oBwp2XcxIJqxqP_BfhdF0JJJpxwZCcKgiemUzsplanl13ywpgj3EbIpaiKPjS4CXmXywxMN8823ZSkJazq3ADEDW80P6DmWF6TxrJRJSdsxysDyi1P32-46h4nINI1EdgFDU21Zk/s640/IMG_1455-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As the crowns indicate,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Norway has a monarch (King Harald V) and a prime minister</div><div style="text-align: center;">like the United Kingdom</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They gained independence from Sweden in 1905</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As one of the few European countries that did <i>not</i> join the European Union,</div><div style="text-align: center;">you can see and feel this country's independence</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmrdqVCkm9FgLYxj0iovlIOuoIzBPHUyrlqbqDgCwX-FWiKJWO93wJIUE-7HDTuSRS0L16Fqo0XtAwwnECmMC2Qib22HLD3PpliOwtFcTg_laT9ZrhwlbBAhgruRcgRk_ADlOW-VKR6M/s1600/IMG_1510-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmrdqVCkm9FgLYxj0iovlIOuoIzBPHUyrlqbqDgCwX-FWiKJWO93wJIUE-7HDTuSRS0L16Fqo0XtAwwnECmMC2Qib22HLD3PpliOwtFcTg_laT9ZrhwlbBAhgruRcgRk_ADlOW-VKR6M/s640/IMG_1510-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grocery stores had lots of unique Norwegian brands<br />which felt very refreshing and authentic<br />as other European grocery stores often have the same products<br />probably due to the EU trade<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I adored the Norwegian coins with holes in the middle</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />And interestingly</div><div style="text-align: center;">parents must choose their child's name from a list of official Norwegian names</div><div style="text-align: center;">This strict name law dates back to the 1800s</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwA7XM-IJwZUIAUTwUX5pK_PsCzNdLxcgNvnxP_UtNGaqQaTUaUIFPkNISyhZOXzwQLFlVlSw6RaM1emz06nvmFV9vXt8k9RTGE9IaUsLqF3oDEXIVxA8HRhBvLgPm1KhWDwEoMyni1Wk/s1600/IMG_1543-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwA7XM-IJwZUIAUTwUX5pK_PsCzNdLxcgNvnxP_UtNGaqQaTUaUIFPkNISyhZOXzwQLFlVlSw6RaM1emz06nvmFV9vXt8k9RTGE9IaUsLqF3oDEXIVxA8HRhBvLgPm1KhWDwEoMyni1Wk/s640/IMG_1543-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />We happily got 'lost' in these cobbled alleys<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BpQN8nMc3T938MtuiuxBPISY5aPBPamAiqCDwFXuyFiIJM_jSUuxPkBHLJMjwjkwQaYzoWxkR2Qm8qqfheoVQHpaL5T0Qq2FtS1awNFsGqltrMCkFQpzgzDeSZn11-6ydpVvMxwjB24/s1600/IMG_1475-022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BpQN8nMc3T938MtuiuxBPISY5aPBPamAiqCDwFXuyFiIJM_jSUuxPkBHLJMjwjkwQaYzoWxkR2Qm8qqfheoVQHpaL5T0Qq2FtS1awNFsGqltrMCkFQpzgzDeSZn11-6ydpVvMxwjB24/s640/IMG_1475-022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />And as if the country didn't have me at their longest word<br /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>minoritetsladningsbærerdiffusjonskoeffisientmålingsapparatur</i></span></span></span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">(try saying that five times, or even one)</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">the fjords did...</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7WcL0xyG6h140s_kinnv1TjTUWi98xocZdHT1zYogl6c7EtVttvGuoeE1WSHxuERmeVFziIBYe-cYYIcX-j4sl1R_I3cFS69S022cOB0lk9Kum1UYV-XhQpDkYv4XnCrH2dc3gLLF9E/s1600/IMG_0943-014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7WcL0xyG6h140s_kinnv1TjTUWi98xocZdHT1zYogl6c7EtVttvGuoeE1WSHxuERmeVFziIBYe-cYYIcX-j4sl1R_I3cFS69S022cOB0lk9Kum1UYV-XhQpDkYv4XnCrH2dc3gLLF9E/s640/IMG_0943-014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">We traveled by boat through the Sognefjord,</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">the world's second deepest fjord and the 3rd longest</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Fjord is a Norwegian word, indicating a long narrow water inlet surrounded by </span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">steep mountains </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">carved by glacial activity</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">I don't know the word for <i>cute nestled fjord villages</i></span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">but I bet it has some cool vowels in it </span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">like</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.03333282470703px;">å or </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 21px; line-height: 29.866666793823242px;">Ø</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFIOEMoGEc96Q4d9o4-QlzqI5JCHo5Xjnoba7P3KAGUonXmcwfPeEcyFrHEGFiJ_a8-BIcEeacGUwFdDX7INDta5_dT-iMG2Z59nfkA6V4wO8yqrS5cDq_EL3mk5Kag15Jd5TEFlA9wM/s1600/IMG_1130-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFIOEMoGEc96Q4d9o4-QlzqI5JCHo5Xjnoba7P3KAGUonXmcwfPeEcyFrHEGFiJ_a8-BIcEeacGUwFdDX7INDta5_dT-iMG2Z59nfkA6V4wO8yqrS5cDq_EL3mk5Kag15Jd5TEFlA9wM/s640/IMG_1130-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Here's a treehouse</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">with a million dollar view...</span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1qVxMA99ZwD6aJZvS9F0GBLLpyUOt6sZinkeRiE9EvXJpVDCWbtm1QBkmHyjVaxt44RNjcGPVVAcL27AOjVXZqRf5SrwiJfQj4msrcnoSh6OShNRPJ-kMFNoM3eZXRCbCOryrzHNCNXC/s1600/IMG_1197-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1qVxMA99ZwD6aJZvS9F0GBLLpyUOt6sZinkeRiE9EvXJpVDCWbtm1QBkmHyjVaxt44RNjcGPVVAcL27AOjVXZqRf5SrwiJfQj4msrcnoSh6OShNRPJ-kMFNoM3eZXRCbCOryrzHNCNXC/s640/IMG_1197-005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">Vikings lived in these waters</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">which are still home to porpoises, seals, and otters today</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">There is a wonderful saying in Norway</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">'There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing'</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">You can see we had fantastic weather,</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">so I must have had fantastic clothing?</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SeZQ-oaTtDHDIsdcyEQcb330CUHfJXKaUnlbKAk3j8ip4E8_SDtiYb0aY_jIuMYeDz0_dk4Ty59jzciVm5LVXYeclO6MtUZwbet9JvrZJL2D8rgohFFPVTFWo5Jkj82_BspRr4Zu-OI/s1600/IMG_1198-0041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SeZQ-oaTtDHDIsdcyEQcb330CUHfJXKaUnlbKAk3j8ip4E8_SDtiYb0aY_jIuMYeDz0_dk4Ty59jzciVm5LVXYeclO6MtUZwbet9JvrZJL2D8rgohFFPVTFWo5Jkj82_BspRr4Zu-OI/s640/IMG_1198-0041.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Oh my...</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fqF205J8kiGX8DdYEBV9EC3LlbLJGSn_yTq1Z6Nj5hmy8YOgLs5SuGrU-Nf64LwrXJ9ceEVXH4wF3NJYNZmwRrLpIuZPrebFQoxvXYgO4yoTCOVERkpae8JPd4PUsY5-xeD6BwHi_Ic/s1600/IMG_1208-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fqF205J8kiGX8DdYEBV9EC3LlbLJGSn_yTq1Z6Nj5hmy8YOgLs5SuGrU-Nf64LwrXJ9ceEVXH4wF3NJYNZmwRrLpIuZPrebFQoxvXYgO4yoTCOVERkpae8JPd4PUsY5-xeD6BwHi_Ic/s640/IMG_1208-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">This is the land of the midnight sun,</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">northern lights, polar bears, and folkloric trolls</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">If you seek adventure</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">go on a rat safari in an Oslo sewer(!),</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">swim with killer whales near Lofoten,</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">or dive into Saltstraumen, the world's strongest whirlpool</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Or just stick to kayaking</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpK4NdtbHCsA3sf36gmW3yZKqT_QXSJ8LZr8xPrHgnSd7fkxm9n4hhOwEBdx6cOYhItBFB3NX9fyhfltRShEjfj2MIwbwaRjXTZygEwQhdRGuIPB6NV_qTkUT3UvyLoyeGBfGUtarlMuiS/s1600/IMG_0992-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpK4NdtbHCsA3sf36gmW3yZKqT_QXSJ8LZr8xPrHgnSd7fkxm9n4hhOwEBdx6cOYhItBFB3NX9fyhfltRShEjfj2MIwbwaRjXTZygEwQhdRGuIPB6NV_qTkUT3UvyLoyeGBfGUtarlMuiS/s640/IMG_0992-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Camera out of window,</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">we are on the Flamsbana train to return to Bergen</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">and about to enter a tunnel</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">There are a lot of tunnels in Norway</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">Some are even undersea, connecting to islands</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHZ07AV3rnlBLMPZysaMQRtzZfeO6LMq6xTmfLkbu3l6Dia6_QOBuboCyhvNggIWBTtq8zBKnQ6wd2g4sjJkNhcvt2lcM2JsaunMx8vnl02iMUTetdqlshMkPAxS7Zs42IAAtEqaXx-g/s1600/IMG_1334-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHZ07AV3rnlBLMPZysaMQRtzZfeO6LMq6xTmfLkbu3l6Dia6_QOBuboCyhvNggIWBTtq8zBKnQ6wd2g4sjJkNhcvt2lcM2JsaunMx8vnl02iMUTetdqlshMkPAxS7Zs42IAAtEqaXx-g/s640/IMG_1334-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">Norway is the second wealthiest country per capita in Europe</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">(Luxembourg, first)</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">And there are more Norwegian descendants living in the US</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">than there are Norwegians in Norway</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">Many emigrated between 1860 - 1910</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWELqtFHqmWE2TaU4gtCN6qocm5cDQxFie2mPt79TXntn53iUi8SAZkeysgIM25KP6exjTJE7LfHkOWn8XY86jBhno7e0Ayii7wLJxhbM6ZJPqJCFIJNGqaUqFun5gmzL122VObT-jBb-d/s1600/IMG_1333-014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWELqtFHqmWE2TaU4gtCN6qocm5cDQxFie2mPt79TXntn53iUi8SAZkeysgIM25KP6exjTJE7LfHkOWn8XY86jBhno7e0Ayii7wLJxhbM6ZJPqJCFIJNGqaUqFun5gmzL122VObT-jBb-d/s640/IMG_1333-014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />Ahhh...<br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">what a wonderful way</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">to end a lovely summer</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Dedicating this post to an American boy who dreams of traveling to Norway one day</i></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Colin, this one's for you </i> ;)</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><i><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;">- all photos by me -</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sources: Wikipedia <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norway">1</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita">2</a>, <a href="http://www.babynames.org.uk/norwegian-baby-names.htm">BabyNames</a>, <a href="http://www.norway.org/News_and_events/top-stories/Random-facts-about-Norway/">Norway</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Linking to Post Of The Month Club <a href="http://www.lifeonplanetbaby.com/2012/08/post-of-month-club-august-2012-edition.html">here</a></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Stairway To Norway

With a few weeks before school started I decided to take the kids somewhere while my husband stayed behind to work Where could I travel safe...

10:29 PM

Trip To Amalfi Coast, Italy

Posted By Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYDp8Z2Dh-qk_4P7z4MzwqofbOP8q2GCHLYOq6T2udKDFon7O0D8urwbvvObN5MTc1EzTkAlVGvtyw_O3OeJ6nJE4X-Of55zAcP0ZlZSDxE2pzV2uoultZc-pVUe7qKd6HLREUXtMeM8/s1600/IMG_3185-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYDp8Z2Dh-qk_4P7z4MzwqofbOP8q2GCHLYOq6T2udKDFon7O0D8urwbvvObN5MTc1EzTkAlVGvtyw_O3OeJ6nJE4X-Of55zAcP0ZlZSDxE2pzV2uoultZc-pVUe7qKd6HLREUXtMeM8/s640/IMG_3185-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I don't know why, but the Amalfi Coast has been on my bucket list for the last few years</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We visited last month, and my family had to drag me back onto the plane</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmiKiDItV6XQrnVarXdu3PoPXC0Svf0yWGfnvKajxgfWR0rUo1PZDDL8kvg17qvjxEYJJB7Y8fHNjKXy6iu0sLBYcP79cjzMfWmLcNWOMluBvRxie9YbpLPQPP60JC-YffKkLuW1X_Ek/s1600/IMG_3169-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmiKiDItV6XQrnVarXdu3PoPXC0Svf0yWGfnvKajxgfWR0rUo1PZDDL8kvg17qvjxEYJJB7Y8fHNjKXy6iu0sLBYcP79cjzMfWmLcNWOMluBvRxie9YbpLPQPP60JC-YffKkLuW1X_Ek/s640/IMG_3169-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And the water was warm enough so that even I could dip in</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYahFmBX6N3lUM8rW7NTYa-wnkhq_aZivkykynXk9aiX9ll2xWBujTwSVDSmBXPgqeQ-8yuEPmP1E8lhh5n3dt9RdcWJ09pnkuM10J6vlbKgF8Pf-zdXuxSrK5n9lH3-u92LQD8sCrD34/s1600/IMG_3116-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYahFmBX6N3lUM8rW7NTYa-wnkhq_aZivkykynXk9aiX9ll2xWBujTwSVDSmBXPgqeQ-8yuEPmP1E8lhh5n3dt9RdcWJ09pnkuM10J6vlbKgF8Pf-zdXuxSrK5n9lH3-u92LQD8sCrD34/s640/IMG_3116-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We visited the villages of Amalfi, Positano and Ravello</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We didn't make it to the Isle of Capri </div><div style="text-align: center;">- saved for next time -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But we did make it to Pompeii, </div><div style="text-align: center;">buried by ash in 79AD by Mt Vesuvius</div><div style="text-align: center;">and rediscovered in 1748 under 20 feet of earth</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIzO211_VimqJt6JI-GUQz59dpRifSlyFRQEewpcBfleUx2IQitwnaRagmjkpOM7aQpl7XxI5l-EN13MLZGy0YQpCFJGH8SbhFfWPG6V-zZg5o3LedsRlBkEIbd1fuDuTY34WSRYOYYs/s1600/IMG_3372-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIzO211_VimqJt6JI-GUQz59dpRifSlyFRQEewpcBfleUx2IQitwnaRagmjkpOM7aQpl7XxI5l-EN13MLZGy0YQpCFJGH8SbhFfWPG6V-zZg5o3LedsRlBkEIbd1fuDuTY34WSRYOYYs/s640/IMG_3372-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Vesuvius</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">These Roman-straight streets were filled with sewage at the time</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the stepping stones pedestrians used to get across the road/sewer</div><div style="text-align: center;">Chariot wheels were the perfect width to get through them (you can see their ruts)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuH-PY6rIBBQf-evOB7q7F2uzidQOJzJgPC2M1ZM3nOKxCRGFVjzEAGXdsTH5gc2ulS4YdLXO2giNVlmQW0RzCOPxhtg8FgUhlA6eQH56eyIsSgoLMdBv8fuvOAHtfmP8ZqjWlKP-S9hw/s1600/IMG_3019-0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuH-PY6rIBBQf-evOB7q7F2uzidQOJzJgPC2M1ZM3nOKxCRGFVjzEAGXdsTH5gc2ulS4YdLXO2giNVlmQW0RzCOPxhtg8FgUhlA6eQH56eyIsSgoLMdBv8fuvOAHtfmP8ZqjWlKP-S9hw/s640/IMG_3019-0011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />One of the largest European archaeological sites,<br />this city has not been completely unearthed<br />as funds have been diverted to saving and restoring what has already been discovered<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCt99s-BsJDE39FN21ybUB-jPzN04cMTECq2UNizlg47F-XAcMbuSXucnfjDUiuMAOVUzozT1bI78Q-9TdHxALkGf5v6FaMAuj4GX6Y8RyZvNgfuqeGH817WC8Gv11Oi7LPQWSBK412p8/s1600/IMG_3042-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCt99s-BsJDE39FN21ybUB-jPzN04cMTECq2UNizlg47F-XAcMbuSXucnfjDUiuMAOVUzozT1bI78Q-9TdHxALkGf5v6FaMAuj4GX6Y8RyZvNgfuqeGH817WC8Gv11Oi7LPQWSBK412p8/s640/IMG_3042-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Archaeologists</span><span style="background-color: white;"> discovered 'voids' where people and animals had decomposed</span><br /><br />Cleverly the voids were filled with plaster of paris to see what shape had been in the space,<br />revealing wooden doors, people, and animals<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Later we hiked up Mt Vesuvius to the crater</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdyO39Do4hwIdPQbnE1Ce4ZNDvUPZSjdIUu3ofz7Im2qCvaAQf-6qSkjgOGscZJ-Xgj4cqe3a2AW-DacuwijUNX75Vn-d80je_6Dd9CvHnn7-XpBmu9mOuTXua-vYePth3V66kRpG9JU/s1600/IMG_3061-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdyO39Do4hwIdPQbnE1Ce4ZNDvUPZSjdIUu3ofz7Im2qCvaAQf-6qSkjgOGscZJ-Xgj4cqe3a2AW-DacuwijUNX75Vn-d80je_6Dd9CvHnn7-XpBmu9mOuTXua-vYePth3V66kRpG9JU/s640/IMG_3061-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Vesuvius Crater</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not a lot to see inside, but the outside of the crater was covered in this pink flower,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>centranthus ruber</i>/ Valerian</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't know what this flower is</div><div style="text-align: center;">but it is gorgeous<br />and found along the coast</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi15W23vokq7A8YPlHIgTwU0Pkve-KyTnKc7AsBGTg7JckfCf-_TuJ9yrsVd82DMgUl70fdzM-XmuaHO3tUO5zkZGCq0Qil6iL7Y96fOfePE25Np6B0rFyAMMCjm36YD2bMUsb1TPM5w/s1600/IMG_3342-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi15W23vokq7A8YPlHIgTwU0Pkve-KyTnKc7AsBGTg7JckfCf-_TuJ9yrsVd82DMgUl70fdzM-XmuaHO3tUO5zkZGCq0Qil6iL7Y96fOfePE25Np6B0rFyAMMCjm36YD2bMUsb1TPM5w/s640/IMG_3342-1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now back to my 'happy place'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4KryBc_7ZZetXPH3mIVsoILyPEozE9-ZTnp9axhe9NqZuseajipClXusTgZ44QTOZK4EzmE4KGjGNCzK9QFE_mM6kY-6iSxaAP71iSyYwR6fGmADFCwF5epA1xpQiZPkdqM16gQG3dc/s1600/IMG_3180-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4KryBc_7ZZetXPH3mIVsoILyPEozE9-ZTnp9axhe9NqZuseajipClXusTgZ44QTOZK4EzmE4KGjGNCzK9QFE_mM6kY-6iSxaAP71iSyYwR6fGmADFCwF5epA1xpQiZPkdqM16gQG3dc/s640/IMG_3180-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't you love this guy's office? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><i>- all photos by me -</i></span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Trip To Amalfi Coast, Italy

Posted By Happy Homemaker UK I don't know why, but the Amalfi Coast has been on my bucket list for the last few years We visited last mo...

3:40 AM

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