Welcome to my blog. Here you will find my adventures with my family and friends. Thanks so much for stopping by.

I'm so enjoying this wonderful world of blogging where I have met and made so many new friends.

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Wednesday, May 31, 2017

STROLLING ALONG THE PROMENADE PLANTEE IN PARIS

After a bit of research we found the entrance to this converted railway line not far rom Bastille Opera House.
It was once an elevated railway line crossing the city but has now been converted to a garden walkway. It was the first one of these gardens but now there are others across the world such as the famous one in New York.


Not a promising stair case but once you reach the top that changes 


and a wonderful world of green vegetation peppered with glorious clumps of roses opens up before you.



This pathway is high above the roadway and when there is a break in the trees you can peek out into new neighbourhoods and gaze at the many lovely apartment buildings along the way.


Roses, roses everywhere


Sometimes, off to the side there are little parks made into fitness areas and you exit via a lift or stairs


and always ahead there is that lovely cool green path beckoning.


Or another beautiful building peeking through the trees



Of course there are places too to sit in the sun as Parisians love to do.


Then out of that hot sun again into lush cool green growth.





It's a great place for joggers and walkers getting their daily eexercise


Or mothers with their babies in strollers. 
The good level surface makes the going very easy.





Every now and then there is another small park off to the side 


Where workers can be seen lunching or just soaking up the sunshine.


Sometimes it comes back down to road level and goes through suburban shopping areas.


Sometimes it cuts buildings in two





Sometimes it passes through dark, damptunnels where bats are supposed to live.




Then this again. 


There are regular exits ..and even Public Toilets - a rarity in Paris !



Finally you come to the end


with a staircase to test your knees


and you arrive in the 12 th arrondissement 


With lovely buildings 


and flower decked roundabouts

 
and a Metro station to quickly whisk you back home.

Another Parisian treasure !

Cheers.

Saturday, May 20, 2017

VISITING THE EAGLES' NEST

When you read online reviews of visiting Hitler's Eagle Nest - a gift ed holiday retreat that he actually rarely visited - you could easily be persuaded not to go there.
But we are probably not coming back this way again so we decided to brave the dreaded crowds and give it a try. 
We are so glad we did !



Getting there involved three buses from Salzburg- not difficult to negotiate with a bit of research - and a final trip up the last 124 m in a shiny brass ( walls and ceiling ) lift.



The final bus trip was up a one lane road in special buses with very special drivers. You go in a convoy of three or four buses at a time in a reserved seat 
and end up here.


No time to stop and look at the view....


though it is magnificent !


You race to book your return trip down on the bus in about 2 hour's time.

Then you head for the final bit of your journey - the lift.


124 metres along the tunnel - it's freezing cold and damp in there.
Eventually you come to the queue for the lift. The reviews said you can line up here for hours but we missed one lift and were first on the next in about ten minutes.


 The lift is all brass. Shiny gold walls and ceilings but for some strange no photos allowed here.
Another 124 metres up. Very fast !
And this is what greets you !


You are on top of the world up here. 
In the snow.
360 degree views.
Not cold.


No Eagles but a few crows riding the breeze.


But you're not quite at the top yet !
A path with steps and snow covered patches takes you up


higher and higher


with the view getting more breath taking with every step


till you reach the top .


Looking down on the Eagle's Nest.


The war must have felt a million miles away from this magnificent spot.


We took hundreds of photos


In all directions.

How could you resist ?


We had time to sit down here and have a bit of lunch.
Not an opportunity to pass up.


So we didn't!


Note no Aperol spritz. Not taking any chances with balance up here !

Cheers.