Author: Jim Carter
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Athens
Travelled down to Athens today by train, very smooth and scenic journey. We booked first class tickets so had a very comfortable cabin arrangement, would definitely recommend this way of travelling. The cost was £110 for both of us, an equivalent first class train journey in the UK would cost nearly £400 !! – Outrageous.…
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Thessaloniki
So we arrived at our first stop in Greece on Sunday afternoon, after an incredibly smooth journey by taxi, plane, bus and metro, and were able to check in to our airbnb 2 hours early. Only problem is that on a Sunday all supermarkets here are closed, so we had to forage around to find…
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Amex
The new Premier League season started today 16th August, and Elaine and I attended the first match against bogey side Fulham. Things were going well until the 96th minute, 10 seconds from a well deserved 1-0 victory, then disaster struck, and with the last kick of the game Fulham scored an equaliser. It wasn’t a…
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The beautiful South Downs
Back in the UK we have been reminded of the beauty on our doorstep walking across and around the wonderful South Downs. The scenery might not be as spectacular and dramatic as what we witnessed across Australia and New Zealand, but the rolling hills, lush green fields and abundant wild flowers make the English countryside…
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Rarotonga – Cook Islands
Arrived on our final Cook island on Sunday, a short 45 minute plane journey. First impression of Rarotonga is that it’s much busier and bigger than Aitutaki, and a lot more holiday resorts, accommodation etc. Our airbnb is lovely, nice to get a good well equipped property for our last stay before heading home. Wow…
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Aitutaki – Cook islands
So we left Auckland and New Zealand on the 7th April and arrived in Rarotonga, Cook islands on the 6th April, no that’s not a mis type. We crossed the maritime line during the journey which means you literally go back in time. If you have a job that involves commuting to and fro between…
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Auckland
We headed off to Auckland from Pukenui in pouring rain, thankful that the weather held for our time in the northlands of the North island. Rained all the way down to Opinoni where we stayed the night in a very nice little hotel called The Sands. It had a pool and a great beach literally…
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Ngataki, Cape Reinga
Drove up to our furthest location in the Northlands today. Stopped on the way to have a look at Rainbow Falls near Kerikeri, which were very nice, and then stopped for a good couple of hours at a beach along the massive Doubtless Bay called Coopers beach, another fantastic spot. Before getting to our airbnb…
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Paihia – Bay of Islands
Quite a long journey up to Paihia today, so stopped a few times to break up the drive. The best stop was in a place called Warkworth to have a walk around the Parry Karui Park. A beautiful tranquil little walk packed with native trees, plenty of bird life too, and of course as the…
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Kopu, Coromandel
Arrived at our beautiful little airbnb around lunchtime. Very friendly host who gave us a few tips of the area. Then headed out to nearby Thames to get some provisions from a very good NZ supermarket, Pak n Save. Weather wasn’t great after that so just relaxed at the property. Day 2 we drove to…