A City Tour of Vigo

The best part of this tour was the last bit so read on to find out why!

Vigo Harbour

Tour guides come in many versions, mostly pretty good but I suspect that the young lady we were landed with was wearing 'L' Plates. Her English was heavily accented and a bit lacking in the colloquial department. By the end of the tour we all felt that if we heard the phrase 'As I told you' one more time we would scream. Yes, the guide had a lot to tell us and, yes, she also had to interrupt herself to point out statues and buildings but didn't seem to know how to return to her narration without those fateful words.

I don't know about anyone else on the coach but I felt that the start of the tour was so depressing it took time to begin to see the charms of Vigo. A 2kl. long tunnel (not good for claustrophobics) to reach La Guia Hill for the panoramic views of the bay, the countryside and the mussel farms - obscured by loads of vegetation - then a drive back to the city through a derelict area is not good for Public Relations.

The City of Vigo is very hilly - which is why I had opted for the tour. We drove along many streets, the names of which were a blur as we passed the street signs, so I am not sure of the location of many of the statues and memorials we passed. For example, there is a Worker's Monument, The Merman, Fishermen and, in Plaza de Espana (hard to miss this one), a fabulous statue of several wild horses - in black. According to the guide these horses represent the wild white horses that roamed El Castro Hill and each July there is the fiesta of white horses celebrating the cutting of the manes of these beautiful animals. (I've searched the internet but haven't found any references to this Fiesta).

In Montero Rios Avenue is a statue of Jules Verne because the second chapter of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is based on a Spanish treasure ship which was sunk in the Bay by the British.

If you don't like bagpipes check very carefully when planning to visit Vigo. As the pipes are a popular local instrument, every July there is a bagpipe festival when pipers from around the world gather to share their music.

Castrelos House

The penultimate 'treat' was a stroll through the 17th century Castrelos Park. I am sure that they are beautiful in spring and summer but in October they were a tad dreary.

A small Folly in the garden

Now we come to my favourite part of the tour.... The final stop on the tour was at the 5* Hotel Playa los Escudos for tapas. Most people had tea or coffee but I opted for a very nice white wine (not the usual plonk dished out on these occasions). And, I confess, ate a lot of the tapas which I adore. I certainly didn't need lunch when we returned to the ship!

Even from my whistle-stop tour of the city it was easy to see that Vigo is a beautiful place to stroll around. And, shopaholics, there are plenty of shops! It is no good blaming P&O for a not very good tour - the local tour operator is the one at fault. Something which I had to point out to several of my fellow passengers.

Merry Christmas and Kindle Presents.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy (and peaceful) New Year!

Just for Christmas, here are a couple of gifts for owners of a Kindle (or Kindle APP) - especially if they come in the form of presents!

DEATH OF A COPYCAT - you can have for FREE until next Monday.

HOMICIDE IN HAMPSHIRE - an introduction to Cleo Marjoribanks is currently available at 99c (about 66p).

To take a look at the books simply click on the links.

Obviously I do hope you will like them and buy some more of my books throughout the coming year. Many thanks to every one of my fans for supporting me.

The Lilac Island of Terciera

I understand that Terciera, the third largest of the islands of the Azores acquired its nickname due to the pastel coloured sunsets. Unfortunately we weren't there long enough to find out.

Although the capital is Angra do Heroismo as it wasn't possible to enlarge the harbour, the east coast town of Praia da Vitoria is the major port. Here you can have a lazy few hours on the beach, head for the shopping centre or go sightseeing.

The first stop on the tour of the island was up a mountain from where we saw the most spectacular views. Looking down at the farms I was reminded of English farms of long ago. Small fertile fields and meadows but divided by stone walls rather than hedgerows. As dairy produce is a big earner there are herds and herds of cattle, mostly Holsteins with some Jerseys which provide a richer cream.

The drive took us along virtually deserted roads, across a bumpy cobbled road (a nod to historic preservation) and across to the capital Agra do Heroismo. So named by King Pedro IV in 1834 in recognition of its patriotism against various threats (from pirates?) and resistance to the Portuguese King Miguel during the Civil War (1820 to 1831).

This was the only place where we saw a lot of traffic. There was a walking tour available but as it is a hilly town, much as I would have liked to join it, common sense prevailed. Instead I sauntered on my own - to the port, back to the town square (for a sit down) then to amble around some very pretty gardens. Of course, if you cannot walk far or just feel lazy you can always sit in the square to watch the world go by and maybe have an ice cream.

In the centre of the island we also drove to the top of another mountain via San Sebastian Fort. A word of warning to the nervous - the entrance/exit to the fort is about 6 inches wider than the coach. Definitely a time to shut one's eyes then cheer the driver once he has successfully negotiated his vehicle through that aperture. As well as fantastic views, there is also a tall Memorial to walk around.

Although Portugal was neutral during World War II, due to the important strategic location of the Azores, the United States was allowed to construct a small airfield on this island. This is now the airport of Lajes.

Visiting the island of Terceira was a last minute decision due to some unfortunately rough seas. The designated island had been Horta but as landing there is by liberty boats, it was deemed too dangerous so P&O did a quick bit of re-organisation, along with the island's tourist board and we had an excellent half day out. Those of us who went ashore weren't disappointed and I think congratulations are in order to the people of Terceira for organising the last minute tour of their homeland.

 

Strictly Come Dancing Row

I love Strictly Come Dancing. Not particularly to see the Celebs - most of whom I've never heard of! - but to watch their progress. Besides which I just love watching dancing.

The current row about who, in the past, has done what dance-wise doesn't surprise me. Several of the past contestants have obviously had dancing lessons of some description prior to the competition. It doesn't matter if you have only had a few lessons in various other dance disciplines, it does help when learning a new dance discipline. That may be the ability to stick with the tempo, arm-ography (?), pointing toes, not pointing toes, keeping the upper body still when necessary. And any other movements you can think of.

I have just researched the last seven and if the 'Rules' are to be adhered to then there are only two celebrities entitled to reach the final - ANITA RANI and KATIE DERHAM. All of the rest have either had lessons, attended theatre schools (where they learn to dance), appeared on stage in musicals and, in the case of Peter Andre, danced during his career. Sorry, but I'm not quite sure what his career is, other than smiling a lot, trying to tell jokes which nobody else understands and, when rehearsing wearing a teacosy on his head.

Scoring? There are two things I am still trying to understand. Sometimes the judges praise someone very highly then give them moderate scores; another time the judges give so-so reviews then score high. Cheating? [Shrugs shoulders].

And can someone tell me how, when there are four judges and three vote between the two couples in the dance off, the head judge (Len) can vote  - IF THERE IS A TIE. Sorry, doesn't make sense.

Keep on Dancing!

Ghosts in the Guest House Countdown

This Cleo Marjoribanks Murder Mystery (the 3rd in the series) goes on Countdown on Saturday 24th October - starting FREE.

Cleo and DCI David 'Steaming' Kettle go on holiday to Spain and stay at a boutique hotel where all sorts of strange happenings occur, including their finding a body in the garden. And the holiday goes downhill from there. A Spanish detective who cannot trust his officers enlists David's help, a pair of English teenagers disappear, a smuggling ring is discovered and general mayhem ensues.

Among other guests at the hotel is a grandmother and her sulky granddaughter, an English couple and a pair of Texans - she with big hair and big boobs.

Take this opportunity to get a free of cheap copy!  Simply click on the link. 

School Holidays

Here in England if parents take their children on holiday in term-time they risk being fined by the school. The reason given for taking schoolchildren away then is because package deal holidays are too expensive in the High Season. It has always been called the High Season and has little to do with children.

Let's go back in time. Most of my parents' generation didn't go away for holidays. They couldn't afford it.

I had my first holiday in 1947 - one week on the Isle of Wight. I was eight-years-old. My next holiday was three years later.

In those days the normal annual holiday was two weeks and workers were told by their employers when they could go. Bosses did try to play fair and give dads their holidays during the school summer break but it wasn't always possible.

We couldn't afford holidays every year but a couple of mine fell in term-time. My other drawback was having a mother who didn't have the patience to cope with my young sister who was born in 1948. Therefore, before she started school, if Mum had had a bad day with her I was kept home the next day to keep her entertained. The same went with the children's illnesses - I was kept home from school to help look after her.

As the schools maintain, taking children out of school in term-time interferes with their leaning. I KNOW. It took me many years to catch up. My knowledge of English grammar was mostly learned in Spain when I went to Spanish classes in the 1970s.

The answer - if you can't afford to take your children on expensive package-deal holidays take them somewhere affordable. There are plenty of places to spend holidays in the UK.

As a travel courier I discovered that the reason why many parents took their children overseas was because they wanted an overseas holiday. And I lost count of how many of those parents expected others to care for their children. I once rescued a toddler from a second floor balcony at 1.00 am. - his parents were at a bar in the town. On another occasion there was a child who almost drowned in the pool - his parents were in their room having a siesta.

Sorry, but I thought holidays (and weekends) were the time for families to bond.

Okay - I'm off the soapbox!

Rostock and a Sailing Regatta

It was Sunday and very festive when The Arcadia anchored at Warnemunde on the north German coast. Turned out that it was the last day of the 25th Annual Hanse Rostock Sail. There was a carnival atmosphere and loads of people were all heading in that direction.

Before we tourists could either go and join in the fun or relax and watch the boats sailing up and down the river, it was time to go and tour.

Our guide was excellent, especially at helping us to understand what life had been like under Communism. Although there were restrictions such as how much money you were allowed to earn, so long as people kept their heads below the parapet, life wasn't too bad. Not good but bearable. And, as the guide pointed out, his parents' generation had suffered under the Nazi Regime. Now, since reunification things have vastly improved and life is good.

The drive to see the Cathedral and town of Bad Dobenan took us through the flat countryside. Meadows, woods, farmland and pretty thatched cottages. Sounds very English, doesn't it? But a lot less traffic.

Bad Dobenan is in the state of Mecklenburg which once had close ties with Great Britain. One of their Princess's, Charlotte, married a Hanovarian Prince and they became known as King George III and Queen Charlotte. Remember the film 'The Madness of King George'?

En route into Rostock we were told that because, during World War II the Heinkel plane factory had been located there, the town had been very badly bombed so much of the old town that we were to see had been rebuilt or renovated. The guide also pointed out some blocks of flats which were the original Communist blocks but have now been very much renovated. Both inside and out, with Architectural decorations and good paint jobs. They are now very much sought after residences.

We left the coach to take a stroll through the old town and get a feel of it and admire the beautiful gabled buildings which are either in red brick or stucco painted in various pastel shades. Being Sunday the shops were closed but the streets were crowded with tourists and residents.

Back on board the ship and having had lunch I settled on deck to watch the various regatta ships passing up and down the river. Everything from many masted yachts to rubber dinghies, some pirate galleons (one flying the Spanish flag), the steam driven ice-breaker Steltin and police boats scurrying hither and yon keeping the seaways clear.

If you get a chance to take a Baltic cruise, let me recommend one with Warnemunde as a port of call. There are several other places to visit from there including the island of Lubeck, famous for its real Gothic architecture.