Burgundy Jan '14

Did a stopover in France for 4 days. As I had been to Paris a couple of times, but never been outside of Paris in France, we decided that we would drive to Beaune, Dijon and Vezelay (Burgundy).

While the trip was relaxing and weather fantastic in those four days (sunny, 10 degrees), unfortunately,
1. We could not take advantage of the wines
2. It was winter and there were few leaves (colours) to add to our photos
3. I had forgotten to bring a proper camera
4. It was surprisingly very similar to English countryside, except the scale looked like a magnification of 2-3 times.

Top Row: Vineyard with Chateau along Côte d'Or,Beaune City Centre has buildings with really nice looking windows, gregory with a really large bull/cow along the way
Middle Row: Vineyards, Hospices de Beaune (interesting how hospitals in the past looked like inside), Dijon City Centre
Bottom Row: Palace at Dijon City Centre, Notre Dame de Beaune, Chateau whose-name-I-had-forgotten

Clockwise from top left: Basilica of St Magdelene (Vezelay), View of Vezelay from Saint-Père, on the way up to the Basilica, relic of St Magdelene, view from Basilica

Edinburgh Nov '13

Edinburgh has so much to offer. Good that we had four full days. Other than Arthur's Seat, which given more time, I would have chosen not to climb up, we've probably covered the most important sights. However, I like Edinburgh sufficiently to warrant a plan for visit if my parents do visit us in UK.


Top Row from left: Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Castle
Middle Row: In Holyrood Castle, Scottish Parliament
Bottom Row: National Gallery of Scotland, Chinese Emperor's Seat, Prince's Street


Top Row from left: Library in Portrait Gallery, El Greco Painting?, Royal Britannia Yacht
Middle Row: Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh Castle, View of Arthur's Seat from cannon window at Castle
Bottom Row:St Gile's Cathedral, in Cathedral, Scottish dish?

South Wales Oct 13

Top Row Left: Crossing Severn bridge from Bristol to Wales, Chepstow Castle, Chepstow high street
Centre Row Left: Chepstow Castle exterior, Chepstow Castle Tower, Tintern Abbey exterior
Bottom Row Left: Tintern Abbey interior, Raglan Castle interior, Caerphilly Castle

Wales is 30 min away from Bristol. To get there, we had to cross the Severn Bridge. Our first stop was Chepstow Castle. It was sufficiently impressive to convince us to buy a 3 day unlimited Castle visits pass around Wales. Hence, we visited Tintern Abbey, Raglan Castle and Caerphilly Castle over the next 2 days (had forgotten about the 3rd day)

Of the lot, Tintern Abbey has an impressive structure, considering it was built about a thousand years ago. Caerphilly Castle is nicest castle of the lot. As it was near Cardiff (Capital of Wales), we managed to catch dinner and some shopping there.

Trips in August - Cheddar Gorge, Bath Spa City and lotsa Golf

Colleagues had recommended Bath as a place to visit for a day-trip. Doesn't disappoint. But we went on a Sunday and there were crowds to some key sites. It's ok, we'll be back. It's only half an hour away by car.

Another weekend, we went to Cheddar Gorge. Had wanted to do some hiking, but couldn't find a parking space. Went home with a bunch of sweet and ripe blackberries though...

Unfortunately, most photos were over-exposed, hence few pictures. Did our first "pub-grub", which is having a meal in a pub. Very common like "coffee shops" in Asia.

Below, golf courses in/around Bristol

Each game costs around £13 - £16 for 18 holes. As days are long, one could play after work and be home for a late dinner.

One of the perks of Bristol/Summer...

Home in Bristol

After living exactly in various hotels and serviced apartments for 12 months, we have finally settled into a more permanent house in Bristol.

Good location near many good schools, and not far from the office. Our neighbour is Chinese, and their two children are exactly Greg and Nic's ages.

It's a very old but recently refurbished detached house with 3 bedrooms. While there are only 2 pieces of furniture belonging to the landlord (bathroom sink cabinet and kitchen-top), he has made much noise about how it should be used.

On the other hand, it has a decent view from the kitchen, its own parking (a pain in this area) and boasts of some best schools around (which unfortunately, Greg couldn't get in).

And while the "junk" garden is full of rocks and uneven grass growth, it has managed to grow some interesting "weeds". One is a blackberry plant that has coiled itself onto a tree (initially, I thought it was a blackberry tree as blackberries were growing on it. Later, I discovered much blackberries growing in the wild but they are all climbers). And when the gardener did not turn up after a few weeks, a tomato plant had sprout up and grew small tomatoes!

Must be the warm weather. Bristol is having the best summer in many years.

Thornbury Castle

Boss Kate's 50th Birthday. Very generous, treated entire team to dinner and stay at Thornbury Castle in, of course, Thornbury, which is only a few miles outside Bristol

Fantastic weather. Gorgeous food and party. Room was exceptional. Greg and Nic refused to go to bed. But of course, who could resist having any less fun in a room in a castle?

Arrival in Bristol

Chilly, wet and gloomy weather greeted us.

Bought a car within a week, transportation here is terrible. Even bus schedules are unpredictable.

As such, we were able to visit many places.

Living in the city centre has its perks. Endless activities, parks and shopping. Good that Bristol is unlike Hamburg, and shops are opened on Sundays as well.