MADERIA in March.

Didn't quite provide the warmth we'd hoped for. We saw more rainbows than sunny days but Maderia was spectacular and we loved it. Return visit is a must. 

North-east coastline of the island

Sunset from hotel window in Ponto do Sol

DEAL in May.

That's Deal in Kent, only 32 miles away, but we'd never been. Visited Sandwich and walked the coast. White cliffs of Margaret's Bay and Dover on the drive back. 

Margaret in St. Margaret's

NORWAY in June.

One week guided tour with Steve (Newmarket's rep. par excellence). Scenically Norway was amazing and the days out - Bergen, Glacier museum, Flam train ride, fjord cruise and the roads were memorable. Stayed in Balestrand overlooking the Sognefjord. 

Panorama from Hotel Kviknes, Balestrand

Bergen (bottom left) to Balestrand (top right)

The Fjaerland fjord

VIDEO best option for this - fjord cruise along Aurlandsfjord - click on the arrow twice

SCOTLAND in August.

Having booked the Edinburgh tattoo for us and cousin Rose, we tagged on a few days on the drive up, in North England and the borders. Then when our friends Giselle and Mel planned to be in Scotland at the same time, we added a visit to the Isle of Mull for three days and a stop in Glasgow on the way home.  

Edinburgh's Military Tattoo

Tobermory on the Isle of Mull

USA in September/October.

This holiday was initially to celebrate the life of Jimmy (long time friend from Long Island) who had died a few months before. A chance to see many other friends and be there for the Fire Island memorial. 

We then spent a week away in New Hampshire staying in Conway (see more stories here - as a three part blogspot). Timed for the Fall foliage in full bloom. And before Margaret's birthday arrived in October. 

A bittersweet trip, that we were so glad to have been a part of. 

One of the many sunsets during the warm days on Fire Island

Fire island House, full photos of Jimmy and fond memories

New Hampshire > 

A panorama shot behind our accommodation in Conway - like a watercolour !

Hike up Mt. Willard for the view down the Crawford Notch valley

Happy Birthday too 💖

One last picture - sea view drinks in Seahouses, Northumberland - CHEERS here's to 2026

______________________________________________________________________

👉 I should also add, Margaret visited her friend Astrid in Austria in July.

CAPE TOWN: 2024

For the first since the Covid 'Lockdown', we finally made it back to Cape Town.
Primarily to visit Margaret's mum, brothers and her sister and families. With many friends to see also part of the plan, it was a very sociable visit. 

Briefly we began by staying in the Strand, just along from Gordon's Bay. Visited Mum in Bellville near the airport. Caught up with family in Stellenbosch. Visited friends in Pringle Bay, Hout Bay, Onrus and drove north up to Darling for the day. Discovered new places (Vergelegen Wine Estate, the Spice Route and Elgin Railway Bazaar) and had some great meals out overlooking the many ocean views. Hopefully all the photos capture some of our time in the November sunshine.  

(Map for guidance) - 

Margie, Karen and mum (aka Mrs Fell)

M & B and mum

Double take:
First picture was of all four siblings together for the first time in years.
Lovely picture until you to see Johnny's face.
Second picture is the hilarious result, as the funny side is seen !

A blue day and a day it blew, Strand.

Selfie No.1 - Vergelegen.

Well it was nearly Christmas after all.

Romance in the Rose Garden, Vergelegen.

Tree and Tree. Hat and huge 300 year old camphor tree, also Vergelegen. 

Rugare: Pringle Bay. Major changes since our 'lockdown' days !

Fynbos: all in flower near Pringle

Lunch date with John Sergel and Bev (centre). 

Another lunch in Hout Bay with Nat and Lynn.

An evening out at the Gecko bar, Hermanus with Ally and Kurt.

Birthday celebration: Gordon, Ryan and BB.

Boardwalk near Gordon's Bay: with Lyn and Thandi (an Airedale.)

Views looking towards Simonsberg from the Spice Route, Paarl.

Beach babe posing.

VW posing. Lekker !

Couch people. Elgin Railway Bazaar.

Flower girls: Sian and Aunty M.

Rugby 7s. 'Out of focus' bar crawl around stadium. 

Finally a few good cheers from us -

1) at the Strand's Jackson and Black Grill & Pizzeria, overlooking False Bay. 

2) Prosecco at the same venue. 

YOUR GOOD HEALTH

Now see this link for some 'arty' shots from this trip.

 PUGLIA - Italy

A 'Rail Discoveries' Tour - one week in October.

Taking in the sights and sounds of the region (see below). We were coached and railed from our all inclusive Spa hotel on the coast, 10 minutes from the pretty town of Polignano a Mare. 

It was full-on with little time to take your foot of the pedal. Aside from a very wet excursion to Matera the weather was lovely. The hotel comfortable. The food excellent and we probably indulged more than we should have. But you're on holiday....

There had been a last minute change to our rep, who was rather thrown in the deep end and, while she did her best, it was clear that this was her first trip to this fascinating part of Italy. It was also quite a large group to herd around. Counting 1 - 39 all the time !  

All that said the 'trulli' were amazing and worth it on their own. Certainly our top pick. Would have liked more time in Alberobello, and some evenings out in one of these lovely towns would have been nice. 

Molto bello !! 

PHOTO GALLERY

Martina Franca. White washed hill town. Statues. 

Locorotondo. Ceramica shops.

Martina Franca: music street. And a selfie reflection.

Martina Franca: Piazza Immacolata.

Les Crepes: Savory and Sweet. Rock Bands and Pop Artists.
Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, David Bowie or Bob Marley. Spoilt for choice ! 

Polignano a Mare. Sea cliffs and houses.

Matera. Looking good despite the rain.

Two panoramas of Alberobello and the 'trulli' houses.

Trulli - from outside and inside

Coffee stop and making friends by paying each other's bill. Full story from M. 

Our obligatory selfie. Trulli dodgy !

The hotel pool, that was colder than the sea, hence no one swimming in it...

Arrivederci Puglia 

Almost forgot there was a group photo. Not a very good one and probably captures the difficulty in organising such a large group. All in one place at the same time and paying attention... ??  Didn't quite happen

Outside a church in Lecce.