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Ushering in 2015 in Montenegro and Dubrovnik

So yes, the restaurant we dined in for the night before NYE was special. It is obviously the best restaurant in Budva. Before the night was out they had offered us a table for NYE which was great.

So…NYE dawned as the 30th had ended. The wind howled all night, fiercely!! It was absolutely freezing. I went out in the morning and wandered around Budva for a while. Then I met Ham and Az and we went for lunch at the first place we’d booked for NYE. That was nice although only moderately good food. So after a leisurely meal we braved the elements once again only to find that the wind had stopped. It was fabulous…suddenly it was cold but fine so we did a bit more wandering before going back to the apartment to start drinking!! Our host gave us half a bottle of Rakja (or something like that) …i.e. a fierce local spirit and we had bought Prosecco and red wine. We sat about until it was time to go to dinner. We had a lovely meal and then hit the main square where it was ‘all happening’….it was full of people, a loud band and lots of good will. Only problem was that I mislaid Hammy and Ariane. I had a fine time, got lots of kisses from random strangers but I really upset Ham. No doubt he’ll fill you in on his senile old mother who makes life difficult!!!

Next day, hangover (Hammy) not withstanding we headed off to Lake Skadar. This was an adventure we were all looking forward to, staying in an Eco Resort no less. We headed odd to the Lake and had a drive around it…it really is gorgeous and so very pretty. Then off to the resort…fortunately we decided to get there early because we arrived to find it totally shut down. They not only took our booking but also sent reminders!! There we were in the middle of nowhere with nowhere to stay. Bugger!!
So we took a deep breath and headed for Dubrovnik directly. We had a booking at the Hilton for 3 nights and they had a room for us for the 4th night. This was my luxury treat for the end of our holiday that grew from 2 nights, to 3 nights, then 4 nights…but it is gorgeous, in a perfect position and definitely luxury. Amazing breakfast!!!

I’ve been out this morning exploring Dubrovnik while Ham returned the car. Now we’re off to forage for food.

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Today we found the snow

Ooooohhh, so cold! We went off driving into the surrounding mountains today and finally found our white wonderland! Not far out of Budva in the surrounding hills we crossed the snowline. We went on to Cetinje, a charming town but covered in snow (not literally) and rather treacherous to walk around in. We did our best for a while. The highlight was seeing a lovely gentleman in a Santa suit coming towards us. He was real!!! A real long white beard and the closest thing to a real Santa I’ve ever seen!! He walked up to us and I thought he was going to object to us taking his photo…he didn’t, he handed us a lolly each and went on his merry way….how special was that!!

We then found a place to eat…nothing special, just a Pizza place and then headed off back to Budva given the slippery roads and the early descent of darkness. Oh so cold walking back to our apartment. We stopped on the way and booked a table for NYE dinner, back past the square where they are setting up for an NYE happening, then home to warm up before we venture out again to dine tonight…in what we are told is a very nice restaurant. I’m now having a warming glass of wine, Ariane is rugged up in blankets and Hammy is snoring!

Ciao for now!

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Kotor to Budva

More time in beautiful Montenegro. It really is just lovely. Yesterday morning after a yummy breakfast at the hotel we wandered around the town of Kotor. Ancient little town with all that entails…narrow streets, cobblestones….you’ve heard it all before but I must say it is one of the more lovely towns I’ve seen. It is a walled city, small and charming. It is surrounded by a moat and then a river. There are the ruins of a castle on the hill which we didn’t climb, probably would have been blown off the top if we had. After our little passeggiata we got in the car to head towards Budva. We detoured to go up a mountain which was to afford amazing views. But we got half way and the wind was howling something frightful so we decided that the view from half way was good enough. We got out to take a photo and really nearly got blown away. The snow on the mountain was being blown off!!

So off we headed towards Budva. We were early so we decided to go to Sveti Stefan which is a very pretty island (which is now a hotel island). We walked around but the island/resort is closed so we couldn’t go there. Still it was very pretty, lovely coast. You can see why this is so popular in summer. It might be closed up now but at least we have it to ourselves instead of sharing it with millions of Russian tourists in the summer. We found a nice place for lunch overlooking Sveti Stefan. We are getting very used to eating in empty or nearly empty restaurants.

We arrived in Budva in the afternoon. It is a big resort/ concrete high rise town but fortunately with a delightful harbour and a lovely, lovely old town. We are staying in the old town just seconds from the harbour….perfect!!! This time we are in a 2 bedroom apartment which is very nice. A bit of room to spread out!! The owner is lovely and full of advice. We hear that it is ‘the place to be’ for NYE so seem to have landed on our feet which is good. A bit embarrassing to say that we went out last night to a Chinese restaurant and had lemon chicken etc!!!!!

We’re going to do a bit of exploring about the place today….nearly 2015!!
Love for now

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To London and beyond

It has been 10 days or so since I left Bologna and headed for London. 10 days without a post. Its been a busy 10 days and a wonderful 10 days.

Arrived safely in London on 17th December with Hammy at the airport to meet me. Good thing that was too because I had so much luggage and duty free that I could hardly stagger out of the gate.

It really was so good to be with Ham and Az. Family time was overdue. So I happily settled onto the blow up mattress. Told my knees to just man up and get used to it which they dutifully did.

That was Wednesday. I had a couple of days to take in London again before the weekend and this I did. She is such a grand old dame you just have to love her really. Back on the Tube and the buses. So easy to get around and impossible to get lost.

First night Ariane was out and Ham and I went to the local pub for dinner. That was lovely. English pubs are really something else, so cosy by the fire but the prices are a bit of a shock when first hitting London from Italy.

Day 1 got to know the new neighbourhood where H&A live now. A whole different area since I was last in London. Off down to Upper Street Islington to peruse the shops, make sure Ottolenghi was still there. On a mission to find a decent coffee which I didn’t manage on Day 1…H&A told me where to go but somehow I missed it.

Then I got on a bus and headed off into town to wonder around the obvious places Somerset House, along the Thames, Trafalgar Square etc. Back on a bus and home. All good and feeling very acclimatised already.

Day 2 A perfect coffee at the place I finally managed to find and then on to the London Museum to see the permanent collection which I had never done. I’d been there for exhibitions e.g. Dickens but just loved their permanent collection. It was really great. Then walked down to St Pauls and got on a bus to Oxford Circus for a walk along Oxford Street. But so many people and dark so early so didn’t stay there long. On the tube and home. We were going out to dinner to a local restaurant LeCoq. Ariane was working late so Ham and I had a delicious pre-Christmas pub crawl before we all met up. Mulled cider, mulled wine and just plain wine…or a combination of Lager and Ale as the mood takes you (Ham for the beer, me for the wine). Mikey also joined us for dinner before he headed to Australia next day. Delicious meal.

Saturday we all went to the Borough Market (so crowded it was impossible), some shopping for Christmas Day and then to the Christmas Markets along the Thames. That was lovely. But very cold. Over the bridge to St Pauls then home for a break before Christmas Carols at the Royal Albert Hall. This is of course right up my alley even to the shedding of the mandatory tear at the first carol. It was however a little marred by the fact that Ham and Ariane were both unwell. They had the Killer Bug that I had yet to experience…but wait for it!!

Sunday Ariane felt crappy (and so did Ham but he carried on for my sake) so Ham and I went off to have a Yum Cha in Chinatown. It was delicious. Then we went to the Portrait Gallery to see the Permanent Collection. That was nice too but Ham was feeling crappy. Then to Somerset House to buy some supplies for Christmas Day such as Mince Pies and Marmalade. Then home to takeaway and to watch The Fall.

Monday I was starting to feel Killer Bugged but went off and met Hammy for lunch at his work which was lovely. Then I walked from his work to Brick Lane and down Brick Lane to Spitalfields Market, around the market for a while and then walked until I found a tube to take me home. Tea and home and more of The Fall.

Tuesday…chores to do for Christmas. Last minute presents to buy. Then I met Chris at the tube and we went off to collect the meat for Christmas Day (and Christmas Eve). Of Duck and Gammon and pigs in blankets, as well as cheeses. Having done the essentials Chris and I went to the Victoria and Albert Museum which was lovely, stuck our heads in the Museum of Natural History and then came home. That night Hammy took Chris and I around to Mikey and Wana’s flat to get us set up and then we all went out to The Albion, a pub near H&A, for a most delicious meal in a gorgeous pub. Chris and I then slept at Mikey and Wana’s for the next 3 nights.

Christmas Eve. Chris and I set off to the Tate Britain to see the Turner Exhibition only to find that the Museums had all closed for Christmas…bummer!! What to do?? All Museums closed we discovered after trying the National Gallery next. So nothing for it but to find a wine bar known to Chris from 40 years ago!!! Have some wine, go shopping for travel books and then to the matinee performance of Charles III. My early Christmas present to Chris. It was a great show. Then home and let Christmas begin!! And what a lovely Christmas it was….except for the Killer Bug that was haunting us. Christmas Eve it was Pigs in Blankets, Sausage Rolls and Christmas Pies. Then Christmas really got into full swing with presents over Skype with Rose, Ang and Kirst, what better way to start Christmas, it was Christmas morning in Melbourne. I got a Kindle which tickled me pink!! Then off to M &W’s place and to bed.

Finally…we arrive at Christmas Day. A very special day starting with presents..all very successful and very special. I got a kitchen Magic thingo to make soups etc in Italy. Great idea. The day was so relaxed and lovely…a day of grazing, drinking and culminating in the most divine meal of Duck, Gammon, delicious vegetables, Marmalade pudding and trifle…who could ask for more. We watched the movie Elf between main course and desert…perfect. Chris left on Boxing Day morning, I re- ensconced myself at H&A’s and we had a quiet and relaxed day eating leftovers and drinking. Then more episodes of the addictive Fall.

Next morning a car to Heathrow and flight to Zagreb and on to Dubrovnik. Pick up car rental and head off to Kotor. It was dark and wet by the time we got there. Hotel Monte Cristo….lovely old building with good restaurant for our sustenance before bed.

PHEW…That’s a very boring match up but will suffice to keep the record alive.

MONTENEGRO…what a beautiful place. The weather is patchy at best. Thunder and lightning overnight and rain on and off all day but with enough rain free periods to get a few walks in. We drove around the inlet, the Boka Kotorska. Walked along the waterfront at Perast, admired the gorgeous view of mountains with a sprinkle of snow on top, the bay and the little villages all around the inlet…just lovely. We made our way to a charming restaurant called Restaurant Catovica Mlini, an old mill by a millstream. It was lovely and the food fabulous. Seafood is the go here although the meat is also good. We then got a ferry over the inlet and headed home in hail!! Down time now as we put our minds to accommodation in Sicily for next September!!!

Up to date at last. Sorry about a long and boring email but I’ll try and be better at keeping up from now on given that I’m on the move again!!! Bye for now…even though Hammy and Ariane are only upstairs!!