Balkans - BRIDGET THE MIDGET

Dubrovnik

3rd July 20223rd July 2022 By roychinnorNo Comments

I am in a hotel in Dubrovnik and this is a photo of the lift I used on arrival. Sorry about a very bad pun, but it's been in my head the whole time I have been here, My claim to fame is that I was in Schindler's Lift! Glad that's over with so let's move on. I am indeed in Dubrovnik some 200+ miles from my last stop and probably the best known location in Croatia. In modern times, it came to international recognition in 1991/2 with the break-up of Yugoslavia. Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia and reverted to an independent nation in its own right as it had been from around 10th Century, until the second World War. The conflict was officially between the Croats and the Yugoslav army led primarily by the Serbians. The army at that stage included Bosnian and Montenegrins, as well as Serbian troops, but both Bosnia and Montenegro went on to declare independence themselves. First...

To Hot To Drive Or Call

29th June 2022 By roychinnorNo Comments

You may be thinking to yourselves "that photo isn't Bridget!" and you would be about right. If the colour was changed to lime green, then this was all I saw of two of these machines as they buzzed me on the route to Menaggio. Up until now, a picture is all I had seen, then along come two, just like London buses (well not quite like them, but you know what I mean). I can tell you that the picture does not do them justice. Bridget and I spent a couple of restful days in Menaggio, on the banks of Lake Maggiore. I first came here on our (Bridget and I) inaugural run together in 2006. That year we had followed the whole of the coast of Italy, down the west coast, around Sicily and back up the east coast from where we drove over to the Italian Lakes. We first stopped at Bellaggio then crossed over to Menaggio. I decided...

YouTube Channel

26th June 2022 By roychinnorNo Comments

Weekend break on the banks of Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. Even with the usual throng of tourists from all over Europe and the States, it has been both reflective and relaxing. The route here from Esch sur Sure is below: I was somewhat disappointed that having paid the Swiss toll for using their roads of £45, I was then held up at one of the tunnels under the alps for well over an hour. However, it is difficult to complain too forcefully when you see the views along much of the route. I have videoed quite a bit of it and am launching a new YouTube Channel with a ten minute clip for those interested. The link to watch is https://youtu.be/qSKzz41Jmdw and if you like it and wish to see more as the trip unfolds then please when you are in YouTube select Subscribe. It doesn't cost anything, although whilst on the subject, I shall once again plead for a donation...

Back On The Road

24th June 2022 By roychinnorNo Comments

I have just spent three days in Esch sur Sure in Luxembourg's Ardenne. It is a very picturesque commune with a castle ruin. It only became a tourist town since the second World War and it's main claim to fame was that it was the second smallest commune in Luxembourg. Otherwise it just relies on its' charm. Just five minutes up the A12 from here is a monument to the fallen during the Battle of the Bulge. This was the Nazi's last serious attempt to break through the Allies lines and had it been successful could have created a stalemate and possible opportunity for a negotiated settlement. Unfortunately for them they chose an area under the control of a very determined American force rapidly joined by General Pattons' armoured divisions and they weren't for turning. There are a number of trails through the forest with all weather displays, including foxholes, command posts and many lifesize figures of soldiers from both armies. The...

C’est la Vie

20th June 2022 By roychinnorNo Comments

When I left you last I was looking forward to a day watching a re-enactment of the Battle of Waterloo, on it's 207th anniversary and what's more on the original battleground. I passed a couple of pleasent days leading up to this momentous occasion watching some golf at the Royal Waterloo Golf Club, and wishing I had loaded my clubs in the car before I left, and taking in some of the local scenery and community activities. Anyway, Saturday morning arrived and I set-off to the location, stopping at a local supermarket to load-up with some refreshment. The sky was cloudless and the heat by mid-day was too much for some of the tourists. I started off by making my way to one of two bivouac areas which was far larger that I had expected and extremely busily habitated. There was row-upon-row of tents grouped into different companies, battalions and regiments. I found one platoon of Scots Guards consisting of three...