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Cuba Trip, Havana Day 3

Friday 11th March 2016

Hit list for the day: The Beach Mooch around Havana

Finally a day of rest; well with some rest at least with a few hours lazing around on the beach on the cards.

Having had a morning chat with my casa hosts Daniel and Fina, it was time to head off in search of breakfast. I stumbled across a hotel advertising breakfast buffet with views, sounded good enough to me so up I went to savor both offerings .

The food was acceptable at a push but not great, a little like the views but I have to say I was blinkin ravenous so tired to force feed myself with as many tepid eggs on bread my pallet could take.

Food became something I really struggled with in Havana, despite being very excited at the prospect of local delicacies, the effects of food either though taste of the after effects became an increasingly problematical issue for me. If I ever revisit this beloved city it will be with even less clothes and much more food in my little suitcase. Or maybe I just need to be more selective?!?!

Marginally fueled it was time to head for Parque Central and catch bus T3 to Santa Maria Del Mar Beach an boy was I ready for this moment.

Havana has a number of beaches nearby, each with different vibes to offer. I chose to head to the furthest beach in the hope it maybe less crowded and I certainly wasn’t disappointed by this selection. Just a few short steps from the bus stop my greeting view over a small sand dune was well, you can make your own mind up.

  I had a laze in the sun cool beer in hand, moved to have another laze under the partial shade of a palm tree with a by now warm beer in hand, a few beautiful swims in the aqua blue sea followed by a lovely seashell hunt walk along the soft white sands while thinking I should do this kind of thing far more often.

Feeling exhilaration and contentment accompanied by a little sadness at leaving the beach I found a little bar beside bus stop where a small boy sat stroking his new found kitten friend before heading into the bar to pick up some refreshments for the not too lengthy bus ride back to Havana.

Stepping off the bus into Havana’s Parque Central; Salsa dancing was in full swing, but with no willing dancing partner and sporting my post beach choice of a Virgin Atlantic fleece blanket sarong over soggy bikini bottoms like a bad fashionista I opted to head back through the bustling streets to my casa without a care in the world relishing every sight and smell while progressively falling for the soul of this city with every stride.

After a quick freshen up at the casa I decided to head back into Old Havana in search of more worldly food than I’d found to date in the hope of feeling less hungry and knowing the walk would be shrouded by amazing architecture in renovated and stunning raw forms thus resulting I hoped in a win win evening.

On my way through Old Havana, a rather inviting distraction in the shape of a very Cuban looking bar beckoned me inside; my concerns that I’d once again be met with “Cuban’s only bar” proved to be completely unfounded so I pulled up a seat at the bar ordered a drink and began to enjoy the atmosphere, music and wonderful people.

Distraction overtaken by hunger it was soon time to head off in search of food again and to my surprise I found food that was relatively palatable albeit not so Cuban but hunger by far outweighed authenticity by this time in my trip and I ordered two dishes which were served complete with a complimentary touristy British flag.

Regardless, I’d had a lovely evening, was finally full and getting tired decided to amble back across town to my very homely casa for a beach filled dreamy sleep.

Continued on Day Four …

Havana Cuba Trip Day 3 Cuba Trip, Havana Day 3 Friday 11th March 2016 Hit list for the day: The Beach…

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Cuba Trip, Havana Day 2

Thursday Date: 10th March 2016

Hit list for the day: Get some bearings The Malecon Old Havana

Waking, going back to sleep then eventually waking fairly late and still feeling out of sorts from tiredness I headed out into the heat and sunshine of Havana first taking a short walk to glimpse the Malecon; the place where Cuban’s hang out especially in the evening, it is also the common place to take your date for an evening out.

Walking through the beautifully streets of Centro Habana where my casa was located; navigating collapsed paving, piles of rubbish and many many stunning buildings I was treated to taking in the non glossy utterly raw the Havana I had hoped to find.

My bearing it seems at first were broken but after a while I realised this and turned in the opposite direction which bought me out at the Malecon.

Briefly back at the casa to collect cash for  visit to the bank in the daylight I was amused by Cuban internal infrastructure when stepping over the mains gas pipe punning to the front of a stair tread, more of the honest Cuba I’d wanted so much to see.

Money exchange done after experiencing my first Cuban queuing, which consists of everyone standing around randomly while needing to know exactly where you are in the confusing system I crossed to road and had a look at what else was available on the doorstep before heading off to find a Puerto de Sagua a Cuban seafood restaurant and bar I’d read about prior to my trip.

Puerto de Sagua located and about to enter I was stopped by a Cuban who said no no Cuban only, Cuban only and gestured to a place I would be allowed into. Being well aware though reading that there were indeed Cuban only places I sadly followed the man along and over the road and was taken into another little joint where he proceeded to join me.

Drinks were ordered with snacks provided and the young man proceeded to chat away pleasantly before introducing the real reason he had collared me in front of the restaurant I’d really wanted to go into. And that reason was to try to sell me a box of Cuban cigars which by then I presumed were knocked off.

I made an eager but polite escape then proceeded with scolding myself for behaving like such a gullible and stupid tourist. Lesson learned and guard raised slightly I recommenced enjoying mooching around the streets of Havana.

Having taken this trip in 2016 yet not began to write it until 2020 I struggle to remember more details of what I did on that day without clear photos to refer to but one thing I do clearly remember is that I had well and truly fallen for the honest crumbling charms of Centro Havana.

Continued on Day Three …

Havana Cuba Trip Day 2 Cuba Trip, Havana Day 2 Thursday Date: 10th March 2016 Hit list for the day: Get some bearings…

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Cuba Trip, Havana Day 1

Wednesday Date: 9th March 2016

Transport Taken: Flight London Gatwick to Jose Marti International Airport Havana

Hit list for the day: Survive the flight! Find Casa Habana Blues See a little of Havana

This trip began following a 12 odd hour shift at work the previous day followed by packing then a drive from Cornwall to London Gatwick in the early hours, all completely sleepless however I’d hoped to make up for this by sleeping though the flight.

Comfortably settled into my seat onboard flight VS063  with take off at 11.20 a.m., headphones on and Cuban guide book in hand I hoped to turn the many marked pages into tangible lists of where to go each day and that in turn this would send me into dreamland.

Landing in Havana at 16.15 I’d neither made the day lists nor slept so stepped out onto the hot tarmac and headed to collect my small suitcase.

Quite untypically of communist countries, customs was relatively painless however what should have been the easy part in collecting my bag turned into an over two hour fiasco with my bag finally arriving with items hanging out and in a complete mess. Lesson learned, that bag was small enough to go in the overhead lockers and this would be my aim wherever possible in the future.

Daniel and Fina the very lovely owners of Casa Havana Blues had arranged a taxi and thankfully exiting the airport the driver was still waiting making me thing the long bag wait may not be so unusual at Jose Marti Airport.

Arriving at the casa, Daniel and Fina were perfectly welcoming, furnished me with a Havana map and their card for contact if needed before showing me to my ensuite room which had cost £22 a night and around the apartment.

Feeling absolutely shattered with being awake for two days and having given up trying to nicely unpack my customs ravaged bag I set out in search of food and to begin to capture the sights and smells of this very much local Havana neighborhood, unfortunately I hadn’t charged my phone so wasn’t able to take many photos to share with you.

After a not too long aimless wonder I found a small restaurant so went in an was duly seated. The lovely hostess kindly tried to explain the menu despite speaking no English which seemed was Italian rather than Cuban style. I still ask if there were any local dished but my communication was not understood so went with her recommendation of banana fritters with ham and cheese followed by spaghetti.

When the food was bought out, the kitchen staff eagerly watch through their porthole window I suspect hoping to see joy being given form their food. Maybe it was a reflection of my extreme tiredness or perhaps more a reflection of Cuban people having little exposure to the outside world but I struggled to force myself to eat any of the meal.

Still hungry and wanting to see a little more of the area I headed back out onto the streets in search of a better end to the day picking up another inedible snack from a window stall which even a local hungry dog rejected before accidentally stumbling upon one of Havana’s gems the Jazz Club.

Eagerly entering the Jazz Club via its English Telephone Box door I headed downstairs and managed to find a seat near the stage; the rich sound of live music in this atmospheric little club made the perfect end to my first day in Havana.

After arriving back at the casa in the early hours of the morning I put my phone on charge and drifted off to sleep wondering what sighs tomorrow would bring.

Continued on Day Two …

Havana Cuba Trip Day 1 Cuba Trip, Havana Day 1 Wednesday Date: 9th March 2016 Transport Taken: Flight London Gatwick to Jose Marti International Airport Havana…

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Amsterdam Trip Day 2

Day: Tuesday Date: 22nd September 2015

Time Out: 10.30 Time Back: 23.30

Hit list for the day: Eat dutch fries with peanut sauce Have a good mooch around Amsterdam

Absolute No 1 on my list for the day was to go and find some dutch fries with peanut sauce; much of my family are from Belgium so I grew up on these both in Belgium and whenever we nipped into Holland.

After filling up on my favourite dutch comfort food, a mooch around the streets of Amsterdam looking at architecture and some of their curiosities was very welcome followed by an obligatory refreshing beer stop.

Stepping back out of the day again, had I known at this time I would actually end up writing (or attempting to write) a travel blog I’d have taken more photos and I’m sure I took more but find the cloud and photos very much like a washing machines eating socks!

Having said that, my philosophy then was enjoy whatever you’re doing while you’re there – no need for lots of photos because I’d always have the memories right?

Now, in hindsight I know that I was very wrong in my then philosophy because as the years and many other trips pass I now realise that its the photos that spark more memories rather than the memory holding the photos unless of course they’re unforgettable.

Regardless lesson learnt, these days I take lots of photos but most of my photos are far too rushed, something I must learn to change!

Anyway speaking of unforgettable, back to the very few memories I do have…

Whilst getting toward the end of my day mooching round, I received an invite to enter a bar from a very fetching young man indeed and thought heck why not I’ve walked miles so deserve another beer even if it is with a slight tinge of hustle, but the cute one was good at making me feel welcome and at ease (yes I know!).

Now, this turned out to be one of the strangest entrances to a bar that I’ve ever experienced, not that I’d experienced a lot at this point in time considering my total lack of adult travel and exposure to the real world at that time however even now it’s still a one off bar entrance.

So slightly warily but also very naively (maybe with a tinge of being star stuck by the cute one) I accepted this invite to enter  and was guided in via a few descending steps leading to a tiny blue cellar door, after which I was led up a flight of stairs into a very nice, seemingly rather nice swanky bar and given a free drink.

Part way through the free drink I inquired where the ladies were and was very politely directed back down to the cellar, so far so good. Except upon entering the very compact ladies I was offered (more like an attempt to force me) to purchase drugs that others were very happily ingesting via their nostrils from the vanity units.

At this point my fight or flight instinct finally kicked in and I chose flight big time making my exit back out through the cellar door faster than anyone could blink or attempt to stop me only to find myself arriving back out on the street and running away in a fit of giggles feeling like a naughty child running away when they should know better and have far better manners.

Still, it felt like the right decision at the time and in may ways still does. Having decided that was way more then enough excitement (borderline terror) for one day it was time to take a mooch back to my hotel and sleep the day away in the hope of more sensible adventures ahead.

P.s. none of these photos are of the bar but they’re all I have of this evening.

Continued on Day 3 …

  Amsterdam Trip Day 2 Amsterdam Trip Day 2 Day: Tuesday Date: 22nd September 2015 Time Out: 10.30 Time Back: 23.30…

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Amsterdam Trip

Day Monday Date: 21st September 2015

Time Out: 07.05 Time Back: 22.30

Hit list for the day: Enjoy every moment!!!

To be fair, its not easy to recall any details of this trip when I’m sitting trying to write on 4th January 2020 over four years on so there’s very little to say other than it was a trip that changed my life!

If you want to know why, continue to read after the photos finish, please be warned it may bore you to tears. However, it is a part of my story and ultimately a large part of my history and why I’ve created this blog.

Anyway, back to what little I remember about this trip…

I do remember I’d travelled to Amsterdam via a boxing show at York Hall in London where I met and subsequently had a post match pint with Ricky Hatton, it was a very interesting night but not a story that belongs here.

I’m also pretty sure I arrived in Amsterdam the night before this day but didn’t take any photos to prompt my memory or to show you.

My hotel was about a ten minute walk from the railway station, far enough out to be affordable but not a horrible trek with my little case and the staff were excellent.

My photos say I was up just after 7 a.m., fairly obviously I went to try to get some bearings and discover what the city had to offer.

One of the other things I remember loving the way some of the buildings that were sadly due to be demolished had their last few moments being celebrated with a cool cloak of art, or perhaps I’m wrong and they were just being renovated – I hope the latter was the case.

It seems from my photo’s I took a stroll along the canal arriving in museum square and the Rijksmuseum Garden where I found the fountain great fun to play in. This was also home to the very popular “I am Amsterdam” sign which I also chose to play in.

While strolling back toward Centrum the Peter Pappot Art Gallery on Nieuwe Spiegelstraat had a couple of pieces that really caught my eye, to this day I wish I’d bought the painting on the left or should I say a print of it but sadly I didn’t even find out who the artist is and the gallery is now closed so I live with this photo and my regret.

That’s about all I remember of the day, and without lots of photo’s to remind me it leaves me with a blank that over 4  years brings.

However, it does leave me with my history of why I didn’t travel for so many years though….

Prior to heading to Amsterdam, the last flight I’d taken had been over 20 years before and during that 20 plus years I’d remained pretty much locked in a non travel jail cell consisting of the same few square miles in sleepy Cornwall hoping desperately one day to escape and start experiencing the world.

So why did I spend so much time in my jail cell and not ahead off to see the world I so desperately wanted to experience?

The reasons were mixed, no 1 – every flight I’d ever taken took a toll on me in that I was completely unable to equalise in my right ear and I can tell you that pain isn’t just ouch that hurts – its excruciating but something that isn’t possible to appreciate unless you’ve experienced it.

I’d always put this down to the near complete hearing loss I’d suffered in my left ear as a result of being very unwell (possibly meningitis) when I was two weeks old, it made sense that is my left ear didn’t work and had no ear drum for many years then it would make me unable to equalise in my right ear – right?

Wrong, at the end of 2019 I finally found out I have a completely dysfunctional right Eustachian Tube which causes barotrauma (destroys my inner ear bones permanently) due to be unable to equlaise while changing altitude. Thankfully there is a potential cure and I’m due to have surgery in February 2020, I just hope it works.

Anyway, over 20 years before this trip to Amsterdam I took a flight to the states which outside of the pain which rendered me unconscious, also led to me having no hearing at all for over 6 months then very seriously reduced hearing which I still live with today.

I also made the particularly poor decision of getting married and then had three lovely children and lived in a marriage on paper, but in a reality of the so called marriage being just me struggling day in day out on my own with no back up and no one to have my back and the only person to have my babies back being me – I always have and always will love my children very much but my situation of being so alone struggling with three beautiful little ones while being married to a complete and utter (I’ll let you choose the word) was my jail cell!!!

So there I was feeling a little stuck, not travelling because that potentially meant losing what little hearing I had left and being very much on my own albeit supposedly married with three children.

When my children were 18, 16 and 14 I very selfishly liberated myself from my so called marriage and a couple of years later I got brave enough to try a flight with little ear plugs I’d read about that can help people who can’t equalise.

They helped a little, some of the time and so I carried on flying and put up with the consequences of being able to equalise a little but or not at all at all but there was and will be no stopping me as you will see in my travels over the years.

So, after writing all that drivel I’m sure you didn’t want to read about but is a big part of my history and why I now celebrate travelling lets get back to what little detail I can remember about the rest of my trip to Amsterdam!

Continued on Day 2 …

Amsterdam Trip Day 1 Amsterdam Trip Day Monday Date: 21st September 2015 Time Out: 07.05 Time Back: 22.30 Hit list for the day:

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Helsinki Day Trip

Monday 10th September 2018 Weather: 20 degrees, sunny

Time Out: 05.15 Time Back: 25.50

Miles Walked: 6.7

Transport Taken: St Petersburg to Helsinki Ferry Helsinki to London Gatwick Flight London Gatwick to Newquay Flight

Hit list for the day: Spend a few final hours chilling in Helsinki Make it to the airport in time for my flight home

The overnight ferry from St Petersburg arrived into port as dawn was breaking, after getting my bag back together I nipped up on deck just in time to see her pulling in.

Along from the ferry terminal, I caught the M2 Mellunmaki Tram to Kamppi shopping mall and headed to the ground floor luggage lockers before heading off to enjoy the last few hours of my Baltic’s trip hands free.

It was lovely to be back in Helsinki & having already spent a couple of days here navigating my way without getting lost was easy. I dropped down from the mall and nipped back into Helsinki’s beautiful Deco Railway Station for one last time before cutting across back into town.

Next stop on my agenda was to re visit the harbour area and have a good mooch around the outside market starting of course with food browsing.

Sitting just behind the food shacks are ferries to a variety of Helsinki’s islands, so I headed over to see if there would be enough time to take a trip before my 17.05 flight back to London.

And if I hadn’t spend too long pontificating I wouldn’t have missed the ferry just behind me leaving so could have taken a trip but with that ferry gone I’d sadly literally missed the boat.

The market is quite a nice place with a variety of stalls setting local crafts, a few items for tourists and the most mouth watering fruit although it’s difficult to get near enough to the prettiest stalls to take a half way decent picture.

Next up was a trip back to the indoor Old Market Hall where food leaps to another level all together. Each stall in each row of this lovely old market hall set my taste-buds alight. Having previously had fish and shell fish selection I opted for a sweet treat this time then headed out to the harbour steps to watch the world go by and enjoyed my treat while keeping a very sharp on on the sharp eyed birds.

Relaxation well and truly reigned it was time to start tracking back through town and think about getting my bag and some bearings for the airport train.

Bag in hand and the airport train located I sat on-board thinking about the beautiful places I’d visited and how I’d gladly visit each again in similar or different ways and for similar or different reasons.

What also stood out in my mind were the very friendly and truly interesting people I’d met along the way, the enrichment of meeting new people who you have never known before and may never see again but hearing their love for their home towns is one of the most enriching experiences of all.

And so it was time for me to head back to my home country and my own town, although not for long because I was going home to put my flat for sale and move to my new home town the City of Plymouth. I’ll take you on the day trip there once I’m settled.

Baltic’s Trip Day 10 Helsinki Day Trip Monday 10th September 2018 Weather: 20 degrees, sunny Time Out: 05.15 Time Back: 25.50…

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St Petersburg Trip Day 3

Sunday 9th September 2018 Weather: 19 degrees, sunny

Time Out: 09.15 Time Back: 01.30

Miles Walked: 5.8 Transport Taken: Bus to St Petersburg Port Ferry back to Helsinki

Hit list for the day: Peterhof Ferry back to Helsinki

Very high on my wish list was to visit the absolutely stunning Peterhof having checked how long it would take to get there, then taking into account the challenges of catching my bus back to the port for my late afternoon ferry to Helsinki pretty much ruled the trip out even by taxi.

So, after accepting defeat in my total unreal-ism of making it to Peterhof I did a final bit of packing & waited to hand my AirBiB keys back before wondering back the corner back to Nevsky Prospect.

Following a leisurely wonder around, I headed for back to a familiar spot for a bite of very tasty early lunch accompanied by a beer in a rather difficult to drink from vessel.

Looking at the time while heeding all the warnings from the bus driver on my way into St Petersburg to get back early as it can be difficult to get a seat & taking into account the slower than I’m accustomed to immigration system I headed with a very heavy heart to hitch my ride back to St Petersburg Port.

My saving grace of the day at leaving St Petersburg was leading to getting back onto a ferry bringing with it that exhilarating feeling of freedom I’d learned on this trip how much I miss.

Back on the ferry to Helsinki feeling totally at one with myself, the world & life in general; I slumped into a comfortably peaceful state while enjoying watching all of around 1 1/2 hours of St Petersburg drift away.

The rest of my evening was spent hopping between decks watching land falling into the distance land falling into the distance , eating & discovering the occasional bit of entertainment until I could sit still no more & headed back out on deck for more of that freedom hit over the waves & under the dark inky skies where I thought what a perfect way to end a day & so it was a great way to end the day altogether.

Continued on Day 10 …

Baltic’s Trip Day 9 St Petersburg Trip Day 3 Sunday 9th September 2018 Weather: 19 degrees, sunny Time Out: 09.15…

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St Petersburg Trip Day 2 Date: Saturday 8th September 2018 Weather: 24 degrees, sunny

Time Out: 08.30 Time Back: 21.30

Miles Walked: 4.8

Transport Taken: Hop on Hop off Water Bus included in previous days bus ticket

Hit list for the day: See as many sight as possible in one day in the hope to make it to Peterhof before leaving Ride St Petersburg’s Metro

After getting up in good time no place seemed better for a touch of breakfast than the lush deli nearby that had hooked me in the previous day.

Unusually for this time of the day, I choose to have a delicious wholemeal and grain salmon salad roll instead of one of the sweet temptations on display or just coffee.

Feeling satisfied from my savoury choice it was time to mooch down Nevsky Prospect and find the river boat stop.

Potential sights for the river trip include Admiralty Embankment, Peter & Paul Fortress & Senate Square.

So once again as with the previous day, I sat back enjoying the sights quite nonchalantly paying far too little attention to the names of the places I was passing or hopping off at, with the exception of Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood because it is so very iconic.

Taking in the views and the architecture in spades with wide starry eyes & a very full heart was an all too easy option to take.

Both the architecture & I have to say the people of St Petersburg were taking a fast track right into my heart & under my skin.

There were some sights that I really wanted to get off and try to find more about or see more of such as the stunning star studded blue domed building & I’d really have liked to have a really good mooch around The Faberge Museum but chilling out and enjoying the day took over. Never mind, I shall save them for next time.

Given the opportunity, this is certainly a place I would love to spend extended time in but I’m fairly sure that feeling would extend to much of Russia & to its very lovely people.

Going back a couple of year in my history, I booked a flight to Moscow and planned to get the train to St Petersburg for a few days before returning to discover Moscow.

Not long after making the booking, I went to order my visa only to find that Russian Visa’s aren’t available by post but meant travelling to an embassy for bio-metrics which is fine except my bank balance and work leave both said no so I very sadly cancelled the flight.

This rather fleeting visit however, had begun to make up for my former missed trip & one day in the future I plan to return to Russia to explore it in far greater detail & at a far more leisurely pace.

I hope my plethora of pretty badly taken pictures of this amazing city can help you to see why I was beginning to love so much & I think part of my nonchalance to ticking off lists v’s locations maybe because there was just too much beauty to behold to want to be looking down to find what I was looking at. Instead I really did rather enjoy just sitting back and watching the city go by.

River boat trip done, next up was taking a trip on St Petersburg’s particularly fine Metro which did as is far too often the case involve testing my very real fear of heights and escalators which I can promise you did not let me get away without thoroughly testing my vertigo ridden nerves nor my vice like reactionary handrail grip!

As with pretty much all my city visits the usual Levi’s store hunt certainly was on my agenda, luckily one sat near my Metro exit on Nevsky Prospect. I made a quick pit stop inside before heading for a last bite to eat & settling down for a my much needed last sleep in St Petersburg.

Continued on Day 9 …

Baltic’s Trip Day 8 St Petersburg Trip Day 2 Date: Saturday 8th September 2018 Weather: 24 degrees, sunny Time Out: 08.30…

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St Petersburg Trip Day 1

Date: Friday 7th September Weather: 24 degrees, sunny

Time Out: 06.00 Time Back: 21.55

Miles Walked: 3.9 – Lazy! Transport Taken: Helsinki to St Petersburg Ferry Tour Ride into St Petersburg for 72 Hour Visa Taxi to Nevsky Prospect Red Route Bus for Speed & Bearings

Hit list for the day: Get into St Petersburg on possibly incorrect paperwork Get some bearings Up and out on deck for 06.00 I’d hoped to be awake in time for sailing in through St Petersburg.

With the warm sunrise kissing St Petersburg skyline I decided there could be no better way to arrive then by sea.

With the ferry docking I fetched my bag in readiness to disembark from the same point I’d embarked.

The area became more & more congested by the minute & minutes turned into over an hour of sitting on the floor trying not to be trampled before finally being advised to move to the other end if the vessel.

After breaking through the long queue to disembark from the ferry & made it out into fresh air, it was time to face St Petersburg immigration & the possibility of being refused entry then sent straight back on the ferry to Helsinki.

Another snaking queue was joined where the very long & anxious wait began for immigration.

Having painfully slowly made it to the front of the queue I tried my best to look at ease when presenting my papers.

After checking & looking & looking & checking my passport was duly stamped & off I skipped happy as a lamb to begin my first visit to Russia.

The short Tour Ride which is part of the 72 hour Visa requirement once found wasn’t too painful. One other passenger had explained his paperwork wasn’t in order & it cost him dearly to correct this.

Drawing up next to St Isaac’s Cathedral & have checked return journey details with the driver I took a little walk round the nearby streets then returned to a restaurant on the corner which offered a seat & time to get bearings for the AirBnB.

Buses located, well to a degree at least but walk ruled out due to the distance I checked for taxis & was able to book one for £2.50 – no brainier really after several hours trying to clear the ferry & immigration.

The AirBnB doorway took a bit of asking about to find even though the taxi had stopped right outside but it was only a short walk back from Nevsky Prospect with lots of shops & bars at hand.

Bags dropped it was time to head out for a mooch about with Nevsky Prospect first on the list primarily due to its transport links to the centre.

Just moments from the little apartment a delightful looking deli invited me on for coffee & a pastry, I was quite surprised how stunning the food was & how reasonable the prices were.

Being as St Petersburg is such a fast city plans to use only public transport were yet again abandoned & instead the red bus selected purely because so many places could be reached via its circuit & it would be a good way of getting bearings. The added bonus of being able to catch a boat trip sealed the deal & off I went on the tourist trail.

Hopping on & off the hop on hop off bus at random intervals to see various sights & nearby streets was fairly effortless & to be fair it was an easy way to see the sights & narrow down the hit list for my remaining precious hours in St Petersburg.

It also got me back to Nevsky Prospect in time for a much needed early evening meal where I selected a very tasty dish of sausage & sourcrout.

Feeling tired after an early awakening but not tired enough to sleep I found a lovely little bar round the corner which served equally lovely White Russians which I partook in for a little while before heading off to discover a little more of what lay on nearby streets.

Having discovered enough for one evening I headed to a cellar bar which seemed to be frequented by locals & had one local glass of wine before hitting the mezzanine bed & dreaming what day 2 in St Petersburg would bring.

Continued on Day 8 …

Baltic’s Trip Day 7 St Petersburg Trip Day 1 Date: Friday 7th September Weather: 24 degrees, sunny Time Out: 06.00…

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Travelling to Prague – or not as it turns out

Friday Date: 1st June 2018 Weather: 19 degrees, high cloud

Time Out: 08.20 Time Back: 02.30 Miles Walked: 3.1 Transport Taken: Van from Cornwall to Bristol Airport, Transfer to Bristol Airport, EasyJet flight to Prague Meals: Bacon Sandwiches,

Hit list for the day: IKEA Exeter Taunton for brekkie & a mooch around Bristol Airport

Packed & ready to go I left home in Cornwall at 08.20 & headed towards Bristol Airport for 18.20 flight EZY6267 to Prague.

Now I wouldn’t normally leave so early & had intended to work until lunch time before heading but a friends words of “watch out you don’t leave too late, I got stuck in a traffic jam behind an M5 crash & missed my flight” were ringing in my ears so an early start was made after all.

Making great time I nipped into the new Ikea at Exeter for an hour then hopped back onto the M5 heading for Taunton.

Exiting back onto the M5, traffic had increased making the journey stop start all the way to Taunton. Having taken the exit at Taunton with traffic still heavy I decided not to risk losing time queuing in & out of Taunton but to head for lunch nearer the airport instead.

Further up & lunch stop made it was time to drop the van off to the B & B where a room was booked for the late night return on Monday. Transfer was included & I made it into the airport at 3 p.m., time for a nice glass of beer & the weekend break to commence.

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Time passed quickly enough & soon it was time to whisk through security which I have to say was really efficient & head for a glass of cider before boarding.

Table, cider & view of departures board located the Prague flight was showing at delayed until 18.55. Whilst keeping one eye on the departures board I got chatting to a lovely couple sat next to us. One of them had been to Prague several times before including during in communist times, she said the difference from then to now was remarkable & commented she preferred Prague now to then.

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The lady then noticed that our flight was boarding so I headed to the departure gate & joined the queue.

Comfortably sat in seat 31b by 6 p.m., the lead air hostess announced among other things that one of the toilets had been closed due to a miss-fire & that no alcohol would be served during the flight.

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Not long after a large group of men travelling together for a stag weekend were removed from the plane to awaiting police & I have to say to me they seemed to comply very well with this request.

Anyway to cut a 3 1/2 hour story short, with people & cases then cases & people being shuffled around (we were told to locate the cases of those who’d been offloaded hours before) – it was announced that the crew were over their flying hours & despite the crew volunteering to work on the flight was cancelled.

I waited patiently to exit my rear seat to the one set of forward stairs bought to disembark the remaining 109 politely disgruntled passengers including myself of course & said goodbye to the lovely rear cabin crew before leaving.

Heading back into the terminal via immigration – bit of a joke really as I hadn’t left the plane but it is what it is I then headed to the veeeery long queue for help.

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Deciding it would be hours before I’d be able to get to the front I headed back to the bar for a drink & something to eat.

This same cycle repeated (though I only has two drinks) until I finally made a breakthrough arriving at the front of the queue to be told I could fly on Tuesday – what when I’m due back at work at noon?!?!?!

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Finally, just after 2 a.m. I was provided with a taxi to The Bristol Hotel for the night – or what was left of it!

I have to say though, the most upsetting part of this non trip wasn’t that my birthday present weekend away had been wrecked, nor that I’d taken a days unpaid leave; it was the sight of the floor children & babies trying desperately to sleep on the tiled airport floor & their parents worry of where they’d be able to stay.

Arriving just before 2.30 a.m. the hotel staff gave a really warm welcome along with a fantastic hotel room where I gratefully got a few very comfortable hours sleep but not before three more taxis arrived bringing the very tired floor babies to a place of much needed refuge.

A glimmer of happiness in an otherwise unhappy sort of a day.

Bristol Harbour …

Travelling to Prague – Not Travelling to Prague - or not as it turns out Friday Date: 1st June 2018 Weather: 19 degrees, high cloud…

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Helsinki Trip Day 3

Thursday 6th September 2018 Weather: 20 degrees, sunny

Time Out: 09.00 Time Back: 23.00 Miles Walked: 6.5 Transport Taken: A boat trip around Helsinki’s Islands Tram to Ferry Helsinki Terminal Ferry from Helsinki to St Petersburg

Hit list for the day: Old Market Hall Take a Boat Trip Catch the ferry to St Petersburg

Up, packed & ready to go in good time first stop was to Kamppi Malls luggage lockers to allow some hands free final hours enjoying the lovely Helsinki.

After short stroll to Helsinki Harbour, a much awaited visit to The Old Market Hall was first on the list.

The little Market Hall Building opens onto wall of photographs showing its history followed by lines of exceptionally tempting stalls along each row, this was looking like a very interesting & potentially delicious place to waste some time!

Walking down the rows, past stalls stacked high with temptations such as elk & reindeer it didn’t take long for my hunger switch to flick on. The only problem was being able to choose from such a variety of treats.

After much consideration – too much to be fair, one stall’s goodies had seemed at the time too delicious to pass so it had to be & that choice turned out to be one of the best dished I have ever had the pleasure to try.

Sat at the simple wooden table relishing a seafood taster of smoked & steamed salmon, tuna, prawns in chilli sauce along with the most stunning crayfish tails accompanied by salad, potato, bread & a a beer made for a lunch fit for a queen. I can’t recommend this little stall highly enough & when I go back to Helsinki I will be visiting more than once!

Feeling very satisfied indeed, it was time to go boat trip hunting in hope of catching this lovely little cities side that seems so in touch with nature but equally in the hope of confirming that Helsinki could be the place to spend a week chilling & kayaking around the islands before hopping back into the city to party that rested energy away (a future dream of mine).

Suitable boat trip secured & wine to enjoy ordered it left port to meander around & show off Helsinki’s quieter side of life.

And meander it did, quietly through more populated islands then further out to sea where signs of habitation got far less few & further between.

Along the way I saw plenty of interesting places to stay & even more tranquil spots to kayak to.

My future dream was more than confirmed as viable in fact I’d say it’d be pretty criminal to visit Helsinki without at least taking a boat trip around the islands, but a longer stay is more than warranted to do Helsinki justice.

Back on dry land, a quick pit stop at The Golden Arches was made to sort bags out, google which tram to take & utilise the w.c facilities before heading for the ferry.

Tram ticket acquired enroute, the short (but long enough to justify a tram ticket) ride was soon made stopping right outside the Ferry Terminal.

Check in was easily located where the planned trip seemed to come to a grinding & worrying halt when the person serving announced “you cannot take this ferry to St Petersburg because you don’t have the correct documents”.

Surely this couldn’t be right? Months of planning, surely everything had to be okay but its seemed everything was far from okay & check in was once again refused due to incorrect documents.

If you’ve ever tried as a U.K Citizen to travel to Russia you’ll know that Visa requirements are pretty stringent & require a visit to a Russian Embassy for bio-metrics to be taken as I found out a couple of year ago following the purchase of tickets into Moscow & out of St Petersburg. With the unsuspected visa costs & time lost from work I sadly decided to cancel the flights at no cost in the hope of taking a rain check.

This trip being via the ferry gives up to 72 hours visa free in  St Petersburg as long as all terms & conditions were met, it seems something had been missed so boarding was a no go.

Very very thankfully, the lady serving referred to her manager who decided said that it was okay to board but a possibility that the Russian Immigration would refuse entry upon arrival – essentially take your chances.

Chances taken & a hot foot walk later, the ferry felt a very welcoming place to be although the crossing I’d so much been looking forward to was marred by the worry that entry into Russia maybe denied.

Never mind, there was no way of finding out until arriving in St Petersburg the following day so the evening may as well be enjoyed.

Feeling very relieved to be on-board the vessel, it was time to settle in quickly before heading out on deck to be at one with the world once more.

Hanging out on deck watching Helsinki disappear behind the ships wake enveloped in the seas tranquility was something I found difficult to walk away from.

But eventually the day turned onto night & the sea from blue to gold & then black so I retreated indoors to see what lay beneath deck.

Although the ships entertainment wasn’t my kind of thing I stayed up exploring the different bars, then with only one of the ships entertainment areas still open it seemed like a good time to get some sleep & wake in good time to see if entry to St Petersburg would be possible – or not!

Continued of Day 7 …

Baltic’s Trip Day 6 Helsinki Trip Day 3 Thursday 6th September 2018 Weather: 20 degrees, sunny Time Out: 09.00 Time Back: 23.00…

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Helsinki Trip Day 2

Wednesday 5th September 2018 Weather: 19 degrees, slight rain

Time Out: 10.30 Time Back: 21.30 Miles Walked: 6.3 Transport Taken: Bus to Kamppi

Hit list for the day: Kamppi Chapel Helsinki Railway Station Esplanadi Park Harbour Kauppatori Market Square local food arts crafts market Tuomiokirkko Cathedral Orion Cinema foreign film Have a good mooch around Helsinki

Having got up in good time, a very short ride on the bus to Kamppi made for an easy start to the day.

A short walk through Kamppi Centre which is a compact shopping mall that also has luggage lockers should you need them lead out into Narinkka Square with various sights to look at including a large head sculpture “Yrittäjäveistos,” or Entrepreneur Monument.

Having walked through the square, a hushed but interesting visit was made to the very beautiful little Kamppi Chapel also known as “Chapel of Silence”. If you’re ever in Helsinki its worth taking a look.

A walk round the back of Narinkka Square lead to Helsinki’s then newly opened cultural institution & a striking new public space named Amos Rex where adults and children alike explored its unusual structures.

A short walk from Kamppi lay Helsinki’s stunning Art Deco Railway Station which was a real treat to see; less of a treat was a few of those lurking outside (maybe an idea to watch your pockets a little in this area).

Leaving the station heading through Downtown Helsinki picking up Esplanadi Park along the way made for a pleasant way to get to Helsinki’s Harbour Area.

Kauppatori Market Square dominates one side of the port front where stalls of local food including beautifully arranged berries & treats such as reindeer sit happily alongside arts & crafts; there are even some potentially worthy gifts to pick up to take home.

Heading to see Allas Sea Pools out of interest rather than intent to go (because time was short & it was still a tad chilly) lead to Uspenski Cathedral sat on the small hilltop above.

Tucked quietly one street back on Kanavaranta sat to a row of waterfront restaurants, then a skip back over Rakkaudensilta (Love Bridge) lead to the boat restaurant Oy Majakkalaiva Ab which was sadly closed at the time of passing.

Helsinki Catherdral was again only a few minutes away, so a stroll to see it seemed to be the next natural place to see.

With hunger calling another short stroll away lay what turned out to be a surprisingly good find, The Manhatton Steakhouse. Initially worried what the prices would be like it was reassuring to find lunch for around £11.00 & very tasty it was too.

A general mooch around lead back to Kamppi where a chance to enjoy a cool beer and grab another leg rest break seems very much in order.

Refreshed & rested it seemed like a good time to meander back towards the little Scandinavian apartment for a freshen up in time for evening drew in.

By luck or maybe just because unknowingly it shared the same road, the route back even picked up The Orion Art Deco Cinema I’d wanted to see so very much.

I walked in & had a mooch around its lovely entrance area but with folk sitting waiting to go in & watch a movie it felt a little rude to take photos.

What I would say is that this is a beautiful building & shows a great mix of foreign cinema films – when I return to Helsinki I’ll definitely be taking a pew to watch one or maybe even two!

A little rest & freshen up later it was time to head out for something to eat; only what had seemed like an easy day mooching round compact Helsinki had taken its toll on my tiredness levels so I took the lazy option of heading back to the same restaurant I’d visited the night before.

And having lazily savored a couple more scrumptious local dished with a beer to wash them down I lazily walked back up the hill for to plan the next day & dream about what else I might find in Helsinki.

Continued on Day 6 …

Baltic’s Trip Day 5 Helsinki Trip Day 2 Wednesday 5th September 2018 Weather: 19 degrees, slight rain Time Out: 10.30…

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Traveling from Tallinn to Helsinki

Day 4

Tuesday 4th September 2018 Weather: 19 degrees, slight rain

Time Out: 08.00 Time Back: 20.38 Miles Walked: 3.6 Transport Taken: Tallinn to Helsinki Ferry

Hit list for the day: Take the Finlandia Tallinn to Helsinki Ferry Get some bearings Chill out a little

Well I can’t say this was the most exciting day of the trip or particularly interesting, but it was a chance to sit back & begin to appreciate just how lovely travel by sea can be.

I’d long since forgotten the feeling of boarding a vessel, taking a mooch around and sitting back out on deck watching land & all it’s complications disappear into the distance only to be left with the sea & wake of the vessel to enjoy.

As a result of this very therapeutic & relaxing experience I’d left far too long to experience, I really don’t have that much to share with you apart from to highly recommend taking the ferry more often.

Finlandia beginning to draw towards Helsinki passing island clusters that may hold things of interest shook my from my beautifully relaxed state, I sat scanning through the light rain for signs of wildlife, huts & signs of outpost habitation.

Drawing into Helsinki was a special moment for me as this is a place I’d wanted to visit very much since I was around 13. My excitement built in anticipation of what this small Finnish City would hold.

Opting to walk to my AirBnB, despite the cold and rain I took in a couple of interesting sights & before too long arrived into the little Scandinavian retro apartment.

A little look round later, it was time to take stock & try to gain some bearings to help make the most of the next couple of days exploring Helsinki.

Bearings gained to a degree I took a short walk within the neighborhood to find an evening drink & hopefully something very nice to eat.

I wish I’d taken note of the name of this bar because if I had, I’d recommend it. Drinks as expected in this part of the world were a little on the pricey side at least for a Brit at E11 but I opted to have one drink and made it a strong one thinking this was a better way to get value for money.

The barmaid was very friendly and chatted away then one turned into two drinks. The barmaid reaching the end of her shift bid me goodnight handing over to the barman starting his shift.

I asked for recommendations for nice local places to eat during the handover which resulted in a discussion and a few places to check out further down the road.

Having finished my second drink, I thanked the barman and got ready to leave only to be presented with a shot glass and a bottle of the local tipple to view. The barman promptly poured a shot as asked for my opinion, I’m not very good with shots so what he probably saw was my face turn inside out although not intentionally. He seemed happy to have introduced me to the local hardcore tipple & wouldn’t take payment for it either so I bid him a good evening & headed off to view the potential eateries nearby.

Strolling not very far down the street, I passed up on the highly recommended Mexican because 1, its not very local & 2, I’m not so keen on Mexican food but it did look a very nice place.

Walking onto recommendation number 2 bought a Finnish Buffet type bistro and boy did the menu look good!

But curiosity killed the Kat so on I went to discover what recommendation number 3 might have to offer & do you know what, peeping inside & reading the menu of the wall it looked just perfect so in I went.

Having selected a beer, I scanned the menu taking a little of the restaurants history in along the way to try to choose between the many tempting dishes & finally made a choice which wasn’t easy to do.

I have to say that the food & the service here were both absolutely fantastic & I couldn’t have asked for more. Hopefully my first meal in Helsinki hadn’t been the highlight of meals to come in this much awaited visit.

Feeling very full and satisfied I enjoyed the short stroll back up to my little retro apartment.

See, not such an interesting day but rally quite relaxing & enjoyable for me even of not for you.

Hopefully you’ll find my first full day in Helsinki tomorrow a little more interesting!

Continued on Day 5 …

Baltic’s Trip Day 4 Traveling from Tallinn to Helsinki Day 4 Tuesday 4th September 2018 Weather: 19 degrees, slight rain…

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Tallinn Day 1 Monday 3rd September 2018 Weather: 26 degrees, sunny

Time Out: 08.30 Time Back: 22.30

Miles Walked: 7

Transport Taken: Bus from the mall to town

Hit list for the day: Levi’s Shop Tallinn Freedom Square Have a general mooch around

Early to bed, early to rise & what a lovely sunny morning it was for that!

First up was to walk to a mall to visit Tallinn’s Levi’s shop; its become a travelling tradition I’m afraid & if I hadn’t been then I certainly was by the time I’d trudged over 3 miles to get there.

I tried to stop at a cafe on the way only to be told that is wasn’t yet open so carried on eventually finding a very nice looking restaurant where I ordered a light cider and rested my already tired feet.

Arriving at the mall I sat outside for a while again to rest my feet & was amazed at the sight of a young lady carry a very fluffy white cat (like the one Dr Evil has) into the mall with a collar and lead on it. Is this standard practice in Bulgaria?

Feet rested a little again I went inside to locate the hunted store, had a quick walk around then headed back outside but this time very lazily jumped on the bus heading back to town – should have done that on the way out rather than wasting a morning walking.

First stop back in town was Freedom Square, I’m not sure it is so free though as there was reference to a man who’d been shot there by the police in recent months. After a walk around I took another chance to sit in the steps and watch the world go by before heading off to find a bite to eat.

The bite to eat was very tasty indeed consisting of bear, boar & elk along with some vegetables, bread, cheese & a medicinal beer to wash it down – the beer really was medicinal – it was a herbal beer!

After lunch I headed higher up and a little further out of town trying to catch some less touristy back streets before heading back towards my AirBnb, sadly I had a low battery so didn’t chance taking too many pics on my phone.

On my way back for a freshenup curiosity got the better of me & I decided to pop into Manna La Roosa, the establishment that occupied the other half of Tai Boh just a few minutes from where I was staying. Upon opening the doors I found the setting slightly familiar yet very different to Tai Boh & as it turns out the same person owns both. I ordered a beer and surveyed the menu with a view to eating dinner there.

By early evening I was heading out again for a wonder around town & was very much looking forward to eating at Manna La Roosa but it seems there was discontent about eating essentially with the same business as the previous night so I very sadly walked past & went in search of something else in town.

After a fair old stroll around town with many places rejected as a dining spot an Indian restaurant in Old Town Square was finally deemed to be acceptable so a table gained, the menu scanned then food ordered.

The setting was pretty enough seated under parasols illuminated by pretty lights although the temperature had dropped & I wished they would turn the heater on like the restaurant next door had but I sat enjoying the view of the square and eagerly awaited my meal.

Sadly unlike the previous nights meal which I have to say was stunning this was most certainly not – in fact I think this meal was quite possibly the worse curry I have ever eaten & it wasn’t cheap either. I guess that’s what you get when you go to eat at a main square in a town that attracts a lot of tourists. What a shame, should have gone to Manna La Roosa!!!

I stopped for one last beer before moseying back to pack & for a good nights sleep before catching the ferry to Helsinki in the morning.

Continued of Day 4 …

Baltic’s Trip Day 3 Tallinn Day 1 Monday 3rd September 2018 Weather: 26 degrees, sunny Time Out: 08.30 Time Back: 22.30…

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Tallinn Trip Day 1 Monday 3rd September 2018 Weather: 24 degrees, rain then sunny

Time Out: 09.50 Time Back: 22.00

Miles Walked: 6.7 Transport Taken: None

Hit list for the day: Old Town Old City Gates Freedom Square Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Old Town Wall

Upper Town Russian Orthodox Church St Olaf’s Church Kiek in de Kök Toompea Hill

Waking feeling more human, the weather outside looked fair so I put on a light set of clothes & made the short walk from my AirbNb into Old Town only to be greeted by a downpour of rain at The City Gates so took refuge in a bar below ground for a while.

Heading back out onto the main street that slices through Old Town there were the usual array of shops targeting tourists of which I only entered one before carrying on up the hill.

Having wondered around the main and near branching streets & not eaten enough the day before I began to search for some lunch. Tallinn prices weren’t as low as I’d been expecting so I hunted for something that seemed to be reasonable finding burger & a beer for £10.

Overfull from the huge burger, I decided to walk it off heading to Upper Town to see what I could find.

The hill leading to Upper Town made for a nice stroll with some beautiful architecture to look at; turning the corner at the top I caught my first glimpse of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

The wonder around inside the cathedral was well worthwhile taking, unfortunately no photos were allowed & there was a very active member of staff inside trying his best to make sure this rule was upheld meaning I only got one snap from when I walked in the door.

A few steps from the cathedral sits Kiek in de Kök  which I believe is an old cannon tower with a museum & network of tunnels to explore. I decided to be content with seeing the outside and continued on my way taking in some more architecture.

I found Toompea Hill – a great place to view the town below, stood to the side for a while and waited for a clear space then took time to enjoy the view.

Next on the list was to head to Old Town square for a walk around before taking a much needed rest and beer.

Legs rested & thirst quenched I headed off down a pretty side street bringing me out to The Old Town Walls.

It was time to meander back out through The City Gates taking a different route back to the AirbNB to freshen up before choosing a venue for dinner.

After a freshenup & with the help of an internet search I found what I’d hoped would be the most perfect place for dinner so eagerly headed up hoping to be able to get a table.

Thankfully I wasn’t disappointing; the decor, ambiance, service and food were all just perfect. If I ever return to Tallinn I will definitely go here again!

The days was rounded off with a wonder back to see The City Walls lit up at night & have a little walk around; then tired as a mouse scuttled off for a good nights sleep.

Continued on Day 3 …

Baltic’s Trip Day 2 Tallinn Trip Day 1 Monday 3rd September 2018 Weather: 24 degrees, rain then sunny Time Out: 09.50…

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Baltic’s Trip Day 1

Baltic’s Trip Day 1

Travelling to Tallinn Day 1 Saturday 1st September 2018

Time Out: 06.00 Time Back: 03.00 ish

Weather: 22 degrees, sunny Miles Walked: 4.6

Transport Taken: Taxi to Newquay Airport Newquay to Gatwick Flight Gatwick to London St Pancreas Train Tube in London Gatwick to Tallinn Flight Tram No 4 Tallinn Airport to Hobujaama

Hit list for the day: Have a mooch around London Get to Tallinn Squeeze in a bit…

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My Favourite Seafood in Truro Cornwall

My Favourite Seafood in Truro Cornwall

Saturday 11th August 2018 Weather: 18 degrees, cloudy & rainy

Miles Walked: 3.3 Transport Taken: Train

Hit List: Technically there wasn’t one as I was meant to be staying with family in Padstow, Truro became a late in the day Plan B after family illness.

As promised during my St Ives Trip & despite working 12 1/2 hour days in my new dream job I’ve managed to squeeze going to Sam’s in Truro for…

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