ABTA praise as England Covid-19 tests scrapped

ABTA has warmly welcomed a decision by the government in England to scrap Covid-19 tests for arrivals into the country for fully vaccinated travellers.

Mark Tanzer, chief executive of ABTA, said: “This announcement is a huge leap forwards in getting travel back to normal in England, in particular the removal of day two tests for those who are double vaccinated.

“The relaxation of testing rules will make it easier for people to travel abroad for holidays, business and to see friends and family.

“As many families look to go abroad over the February half term, these changes will make the process of going on holiday cheaper and easier and will be a big boost for the industry’s recovery.”

The decision was unveiled earlier by minister for transport, Grant Shapps, with the changes coming into effect on February 11th.

Rules have also been eased for unvaccinated travellers, who will no longer have to take a day eight test.

However, they will still need pre-departure and day two tests.

Tanzer added: “Consistency across the UK is really important, so we now need the governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to adopt the same approach.

“It’s good to see the government also respond to our calls to simplify the passenger locator form and look to end managed quarantine – which have also been a big deterrent to international travel.

“We’re also encouraged to hear the minister for transport commit to looking at how they respond to any future variants; measures such pre-departure tests introduced in the early stages of the Omicron variant were a significant blow to the industry’s recovery and must be avoided in future.”

Everyone arriving in England, regardless of vaccination status, will still need to fill in a passenger locator form - although these would be made “simpler and easier” to complete, Shapps added.

Source : breakingtravelnews.com

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How to endure a 'good' tourist inward Venice (and taste the urban centre without infuriating the locals)

Welcome to HaloTrip.blogspot.com | Every twelvemonth Venice begs tourists to comport themselves together with honour the city. This year's displace is #EnjoyRespectVenezia and includes helpful advice for visiting.

Unfortunately the Bad Tourists are normally day-trippers thinking themselves inwards a Disneyland , who volition non exercise whatsoever query , won't receive got a clue nigh the existent urban center , together with whom these messages volition never reach. Life inwards Venice for locals , workers , together with longer-term visitors tin acquire utterly hellish inwards the summertime months when coaches , ferries together with cruise ships disgorge tens of thousands of trippers daily. Bins overflow , routes are blocked , boats are overcrowded together with the pump of the urban center becomes a identify to live avoided at whatsoever cost. There is utter of extra charges for visitors , of turnstiles together with of restricting numbers. Locals are given discounts , together with priority waterbus boarding , exactly to acquire inwards possible to alive here.

Throughout the summertime local Venetian newspapers together with local conversations characteristic all the latest tourist misdemeanors: from swimming inwards the Grand Canal to riding a bike through the city. Tolerance gets worn away when residents tin no longer choke nigh their everyday lives without obstruction. Low-cost volume tourism is increasing together with is seen equally the biggest threat to the city's cloth together with character. And every twelvemonth Venice despairs of its futurity faced with this 'assault'.

There are unproblematic rules which volition halt y'all infuriating Venetians:

1. Walk on the correct , together with process the lanes similar roads: unmarried file , no stopping , exercise allow overtaking. Absolutely no bicycles , scooters , roller-skates etc.

2. Leave equally trivial behind equally possible. Minimise rubbish , together with go out it inwards bins. Drink from H2O fountains instead of using together with discarding multiple plastic bottles. Do non fifty-fifty think of leaving padlocks on bridges or graffiti on walls (you would live amazed what some tourists think is 'cute').

3. Don't block bridges. Your selfie isn't to a greater extent than of import than someone else's correct to acquire to work. Sitting on a span with a picnic is the ultimate tourist criminal offense inwards Venice.

4. No swimwear , no toplessness (both sexes) , no stripping off , no bathing inwards canals.

Venice at black afterwards the day-trippers leave

Going further: 'respecting' the city

The 'respect' which Venice requests is a cultural concept which isn't ever obvious to unusual visitors , fifty-fifty the most well-meaning ones. In Italia local residents experience a real profound sense of identification with , together with ownership of , their hometown. It isn't exactly 'a identify where they live' , together with the town centre isn't exactly a laid of streets they see - it is something much to a greater extent than fundamentally 'theirs'.  Complimenting an Italian's hometown is a guaranteed agency to brand friends. Conversely , treating their town with disrespect is similar entering their habitation , sticking ii fingers upward at them , together with chucking your rubbish on their carpet. I've rarely encountered the same proprietorial feeling inwards the United Kingdom of Great Britain together with Northern Ireland of Britain together with Northern Republic of Ireland , except perhaps inwards a pocket-size village. In a urban center similar Venice , which was in ane lawsuit a powerful empire , this sense of local pride together with partisanship is especially strong.

It's a dissimilar agency of thinking to that of many tourists. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 visitor powerfulness experience they are paying to see a finish together with 'use' it for their pleasance , together with that this makes them equal to residents - or fifty-fifty to a greater extent than important. I've heard tourists declare that equally 'paying customers' a they tin thus bask a finish inwards whatsoever agency they choose. But to Italians , visitors are guests. Most Italians don't exercise goodness direct from your see together with may inwards fact endure from the consequences of tourism. Again , this is especially truthful inwards Venice.

If y'all desire to experience welcome together with avoid giving offence inwards Italia , y'all could imagine yourself equally a invitee inwards someone's 'drawing room' (it's no jeopardy that many Italian piazzas , including St Mark's Square , receive got been described equally drawing rooms) , together with human activeness accordingly.

How to exhibit honour to a identify , Italian-style

Although I'm writing nigh Venice , the same basic concepts apply throughout Italy. You'll live to a greater extent than welcome if y'all squall back you're a invitee , together with that  Venetians experience the urban center 'belongs' to them (there is some room for struggle hither , but that's for some other time).

Many Venetians receive got lived with these lanes together with canals for their whole lives , together with their ancestors for centuries earlier that. They shopped at these local shops , perhaps from the same solid unit of measurement of shopkeepers , they may potable at the same cafe their gramps did. Their families receive got worshipped at the local church building , celebrated weddings together with funerals , together with joined inwards the religious feasts to accolade historic events similar the city's liberation from plague. Venetians alive inwards apartments together with the city's network of lanes , canals together with campi , grouped into parishes , are similar a shared living infinite for its people: this is where they come across , top each other daily , hang out , interact together with work. When y'all view the streets inwards that calorie-free , it becomes clearer how irritated together with disrespected residents experience when tourists process Venice equally though it is a subject commons to amble through. The key to a 'respected' Venice is for all visitors , fifty-fifty day-trippers , to live aware it is a living , historic , proud urban center , together with non to process it similar equally though it exists for their amusement or convenience.

Campo San Giacomo dell'Orio , ane of the most 'local' squares inwards Venice , where toddlers play , schoolchildren grow vegetables , together with adults come across to take away grip of up

Dress

Italia is however a real conventional province , with rules of 'appropriate' clothing together with behaviour which are partly a resultant of the historical authorization of the Catholic Church , together with partly a resultant of taste. Although it won't occur to most tourists , their alternative of clothes tin give offence inwards a multifariousness of ways. Wearing swimwear , truly skimpy clothes , or men going topless is only unacceptable anywhere inwards Italia other than on a beach or edifice site. In some archaeological sites you'll hear custodians blowing whistles to alarm manly soul tourists to position their shirts dorsum on. Walking roughly Venice equally though y'all are exactly pottering roughly  a H2O commons is deeply offensive to Venetians. Occasionally locals volition remonstrate with tourists when they strip to bikinis to sunbathe on urban center benches. In Capri , which likewise has pedestrian lanes , at that topographic point was utter of banning wood-soled shoes because of the dissonance they made; Venice has similarly talked of banning wheeled suitcases.

Visiting a church building y'all must choke farther together with comprehend your breast , shoulders together with legs higher upward the knee. Don't convey photos of worshippers , or anywhere y'all are asked non to (it is safer to inquire if it's allowed) , or process a church building purely equally a casual tourist sight. And absolutely no snogging or other excessive displays of affection (I receive got truly seen this). Historical sites together with museums receive got less severe codes of conduct , but whatsoever with a religious or monumental importance are likewise treated with additional decorum.

Preparation together with getting off the beaten track

Knowing nigh Venice is the key to truly appreciating the city. Most summertime day-trippers await at the Rialto span , await at St. Mark's , consume a picnic or an H2O ice cream , go out some litter together with choke away again. You volition receive got a much to a greater extent than rewarding see if y'all remain longer , explore off the beaten rail , together with receive got an stance of the context of what you're seeing. This form of tourism is likewise much to a greater extent than acceptable locally. Most Venetians (I hope) wouldn't desire to bar all visitors from their city. They know it is wonderful together with would similar to part it. They'd similar y'all to appreciate the riches of the urban center beyond St. Mark's - together with likewise for the burden of tourism to live spread out a flake to a greater extent than over the city's area. We all acquire grumpy when constantly asked directions to St Mark's or the railway station. Ask for a less-visited finish together with y'all powerfulness live surprised what a dissimilar reception y'all get.

Accommodation together with services - think twice earlier y'all save

Airbnb together with equivalents receive got had a real damaging effect on cities similar Venice.  I never remain inwards them for both ethical together with security reasons , but many travellers are happy to salve a flake of coin together with experience equally though they're 'living similar a local'. Individual Italians are mostly bang-up to brand a quick tax-free buck , so inwards the concluding few years huge numbers of residential flats receive got been converted to vacation lets which brand far to a greater extent than coin than longer-term rentals. Locals together with would-be residents are priced out of the urban center , spell those remaining receive got to part buildings with constantly arriving holidaymakers , with all the extra dissonance , disruption together with security issues that involves. Holiday lets real rarely follow the local rules nigh recycling together with reducing waste. They oftentimes don't pay whatsoever or plenty taxation to comprehend the expense they get , aren't registered together with aren't discipline to the laws followed yesteryear 'official' hotels together with B&Bs. To cater for these Airbnbers , local businesses receive got unopen downwards to live replaced yesteryear tourist-friendly supermarkets. It is truly much amend for Venice , for legitimate business-owners , together with for travellers themselves , to remain inwards mainstream , regulated accommodation which encroaches equally trivial equally possible on local housing stock together with living conditions.

Shop local together with proceed the urban center sustainable

Over the years I've lived inwards together with visited Venice I've seen scores of useful local shops together with services disappear. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 pop local toy store directly sells the common masks together with handbags. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 bakery becomes some other Chinese drinking glass together with mask shop. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 pic solid becomes a supermarket. Bookshops are replaced yesteryear clothes outlets. Nice nutrient shops acquire noisy bars , or kebab shops. Antique shops receive got unopen downwards equally the demographic of visitors has shifted. The need from tourists is making the urban center harder together with harder to alive in. As visitors , y'all tin aid yesteryear avoiding the inexpensive made-in-China tat. Finances permitting , attempt out local artisan arts and crafts shops together with authentic Murano drinking glass (not ever that expensive) , patronise pocket-size local bakeries together with nutrient shops , pass your coin inwards repose authentic local bars together with cafes instead of the flashy tourist traps , see some of the smaller museums , together with when y'all purchase a java inwards an out-of-the-way bar , or consume inwards a local eating seat , view it equally a contribution to a sustainable urban center equally good equally an enjoyable meal. In my guidebook I advise good-value shops , restaurants , bars together with cafes which aren't tourist traps together with are mostly locally-run.

In Castello , an expanse which however has a large resident population.

Not a subject park

What non to do

I can't tell it plenty , Venice isn't yet a subject park , together with all lovers of Venice are desperate to salve it from that fate. Tourists who process it similar a subject park:
- potter through the lanes , walking on the left , blocking routes together with stopping on bridges , without ever beingness aware that other people powerfulness receive got actual lives to lead
- halt to sunbathe inwards the urban center , to dangle feet into muddied canals , or fifty-fifty to swim inwards the canals - both unhygienic together with a jeopardy to boats
 - potable alcohol inwards populace places and/or acquire drunkard together with loud exterior people's homes (everywhere inwards Venice is exterior someone's home)
- purchase take-away nutrient , thereby contributing trivial to Venice except the proliferation of smelly fast-food joints
 - consume picnics or take-aways spell blocking lanes together with bridges or sitting indecorously on the Blue Planet (this is truly banned roughly St Mark's)
 - laid upward 'camp' inwards the urban center to salve money
- feed pigeons together with seagulls which volition remain to plague residents long afterwards the tourists receive got gone.
- go out litter , graffiti or padlocks.

What to do

- Take fourth dimension to acquire nigh Venice , together with follow the unproblematic rules higher upward together with on the council's webpages. Year-round , the bulk of tourists comport good , but the unprepared together with the careless exceptions give a real bad impression - which could live easily avoided.
- Get off the beaten rail together with explore remoter areas.
- Remember Venice together with its populace spaces are habitation to sixty ,000 residents.
- As a responsible traveller , consider the local impact of your spending choices.
- Always bear inwards take away heed that Venice is non a pretty backdrop to your summertime vacation , it is an amazing , complicated , fascinating urban center which allows y'all to see it , nether sufferance.
- If you're reading this , you're likely already a perfectly-behaved visitor to Venice. But consider spreading the give-and-take with other travellers. Gentle advice to walk on the correct could brand a real positive divergence to a tourist together with to everyone they encounter.

Most of all , bask together with appreciate the city. Even afterwards centuries of tourism , most Venetians are however pleased together with proud when they discovery ane or ii tourists , guidebook inwards paw , gazing inwards admiration at their ain obscure parish church building or favourite painting. When appreciation , agreement together with honour choke together together with then everyone is happy.


> #EnjoyRespectVenezia
> Venice - the Venice department of , with advice , recommendations together with information
> The Guide to Venice (for Kindle) , with detailed information , insider tips , walks to explore the dissimilar districts , holiday-planning advice , eating seat recommendations together with more.

Venice is watching you

Breaking all the rules of St Mark's Square inwards ane go: picnicking , lying downwards AND feeding pigeons

Spotted attempting to acquire into a church: what non to wear

Taking a interruption on the busiest span inwards Venice

The constabulary halt a homo with a bike inwards St Mark's Square

Blocking a residents' short-cut spell eating a take-away - some other no-no

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May 12 & 13: The Hollow Mountain & The Puffins

Hello friends |

We woke belatedly on Tuesday.  The heavy rainfall overnight had meant that the flow as well as the waterfalls were fifty-fifty heavier than they had been the previous twenty-four hours , as well as it was quite a meditative sound.  I dragged the blankets out into the lounge room as well as Nicholas poked the smoldering embers from terminal night’s dismiss , getting the dismiss going again. 
Vincent came as well as sat downwards yesteryear the dismiss , Black Cat taking his exit to become on parole.  We hadn’t had much planned except a hearty breakfast , as well as decided to caput to Cruachan Mountain (kru-kan mountain) to receive got a facial expression at the hydro flora that they construct into Ben Cruachan inwards the 60’s.

They’d made a huge dam upward inwards a mount corrie , as well as allowed the H2O to run through pipes within the mount as well as downwards to the loch below to generate power.  At times when they didn’t demand much ability , they could contrary it , as well as suck H2O dorsum upward to the dam.  This made me worry virtually the fish inwards the dam , but the guide explained that they had nets to halt anything getting sucked upward before I could ask.

Inside the mount they were long tunnels , large plenty to allow a double-decker , as well as a huge bedroom , large plenty to gibe the Tower of London inside.  They housed the iv large pony motors , which Nicholas tells me start the generators.  The utilization of the pony (or starter) motor agency that they tin can receive got ability to homes inwards virtually 28 seconds.  If they exactly allow the H2O inwards as well as allow the generators larn themselves going , it’d accept virtually 2 minutes.

Cruachan doesn’t run continuously , entirely at peak times when the grid needs a boost , but it tin can ability the Britain at peak unloosen energy for something similar xvi hours without needing to suck H2O dorsum up.  Amazing.

They had a nifty model of the within of the generator , which Nicholas liked as well as I didn’t actually sympathise , as well as they also had a wooden mural depicting the legend of the mount as well as the Queen using a scepter to convey electricity to the province (the Queen pulled the switch that turned the generator on).  It reminded me of the Assyrian fine art nosotros saw at the British Museum that depicted kings as well as leaders doing things that other people manifestly did.  I form of honey monarchical propaganda , fifty-fifty though I’m non into the monarchy.  I did notice Prince Harry was looking for somebody to receive got his babies though.

Back at the trouble solid , nosotros had to create a large overhaul as well as a large sort of all our things.  The boat trip was on for Midweek (I’m currently on the ferry to Mull!) as well as on Th nosotros are dropping off the motorcar , thus nosotros had to reorganize all the loose bits nether the seats as well as floating around inwards the ether.  This took longer than expected as well as at 20 minutes yesteryear midnight , Cara decided to become walkabout as well as Nicholas was running around the yard with a caput torch on trying to uncovering her.  Black Cat didn’t specially tending , as well as was sitting beside the dismiss , which was eating all the pamphlets as well as magazines we’d picked upward as well as didn’t demand anymore.

We did halt yesteryear Castle Stalker to accept some pictures , because we'd been driving yesteryear it almost every day.

Black Cat

This forenoon nosotros were upward early on (too early) as well as Nicholas had a speed shower spell I packed upward the create clean clothing as well as organised our backpack for the day.  We forced downwards breakfast as well as left after than anticipated , thus sped along the windy route towards Oban.  Nicholas parked the motorcar inwards the long-term bay , spell I collected a ringlet of tickets from the tour company.  This was our starting fourth dimension pre-planned tour twenty-four hours (possibly last) as well as nosotros were to see iv islands: Mull , Lunga , Staffa as well as Iona.  Mull is the stopover isle that takes you lot to the proficient stuff.  Lunga is PUFFIN ISLAND.  Staffa is a geologists dream.   Iona is where Columba stopped over on his way to mainland Scotland on his majority conversion , but they also receive got some prissy beaches.

We got the ferry to Mull as well as directly jumped on a tour double-decker with lots of other tourists , most of them American.  I barbarous asleep after virtually 3 minutes as well as Nicholas entertained himself yesteryear taking embarrassing pictures of me.  The double-decker takes you lot from 1 destination of Mull to the other , as well as this takes virtually an hour.  I’m non certain why it takes thus long , but it does.  At Fionphort (which I had been reading every bit Finport but is manifestly Fyon-fort) you lot boundary on a smaller boat as well as they ferry you lot around to the islands.  We were doing the biggest , best as well as longest tour , thus nosotros got on the starting fourth dimension boat.

The master copy onboard had a golden Labrador to assist him steer , as well as at that spot was some other bloke who to a greater extent than oft than non hung around as well as helped elevator the uncoordinated passengers (ie. me) on as well as off the boat at the stops.  Before we’d fifty-fifty got to our starting fourth dimension isle , which was Lunga , he slowed downwards as well as pointed out a little colony of seals to us.  They were lying , some half-submerged , on the rocks , similar large , fatty , spotty bananas.  I told Nicholas this.

“Ah , aye ,” he said , “is that their scientific name?  Big Fat Spotted Banana Seal.”

“Yes ,” I replied.  “The Atlanticus Bananicus Pinnipedicus is its proper name.”  Nicholas rolled his eyes at me as well as ate a chocolate-covered muesli bar.

A dark bun , the starting fourth dimension creature nosotros spotted when nosotros arrived on Lunga

A wee sea parrot

The starting fourth dimension halt was Lunga , as well as it was the best stop.  When the human driving the boat says , “there’s a colony of virtually 3000 puffins” you lot call upward that you’ll in all likelihood consider lots of them diving around as well as catching fish , as well as a handful of them mightiness live nesting on land.  If you lot idea that , similar I did , you lot would live overwhelmingly , incredibly wrong.  From the instant nosotros scrambled upward the slippery rocks as well as flora ourselves on the headland , nosotros were bombarded yesteryear fatty lilliputian balls of feathers with orangish beaks as well as large orangish feet.

Puffins aren’t every bit good bothered yesteryear humans.  In fact , when humans are around they tend to relax a lilliputian chip , because it agency that sea eagles as well as things won’t come upward as well as prey upon them.  We could larn quite closed to them without bothering them at all.  So , we’ve exactly rock-hopped over moisture rocks as well as seaweed as well as scrambled upward some rocks to uncovering ourselves on the headland – notwithstanding solitary at this indicate because nosotros raced ahead – confronted yesteryear a proficient 50 puffins.  Before nosotros left for the tour , Nicholas as well as I had bet how many puffins nosotros would see; I said 50 , Nicholas said 20 ,000.  I won , but it was a closer margin than expected.

Lunga

A bunny with a grass beard

Knowing that this apartment headland would presently live covered inwards other tourists , nosotros continued walking through the mud as well as over boulders as well as through the grass until nosotros came to some other clearing.  Several rabbits had been hopping around beside us , including 1 really pretty lilliputian dark rabbit , as well as Nicholas was taking pictures of a chocolate-brown rabbit eating some grass when I called him over.

I was standing inwards forepart of a mini isle , exactly off Lunga , that was to a greater extent than of a sea stack pointing out of the Blue Planet , but to a greater extent than square-shaped.  It was cliffs on all sides , as well as every available nook , cranny as well as cleft housed a razorbill.  They were squawking as well as crying out as well as making a fuss , as well as you lot could discern several puffins with the throng yesteryear their vibrant feet.  Several regal cormorants were swooping out of the sea as well as landing inwards forepart of us , opening their beaks wide.

Literally thousands of razorbills

We changed direction when nosotros happened on some aggressive , nesting cormorants as well as nosotros feared they mightiness abandon their nests , as well as walked downwards to a little inlet where 4 or five lilliputian puffins sat inwards a trace , similar that Pink Floyd album embrace with all the painted ladies.  I was sitting quietly , watching them preen themselves as well as stare curiously at us newcomers , spell Nicholas took pictures.  It wasn’t long until five puffins became 20 , as well as 4 to a greater extent than cormorants joined them , as well as and thus a dyad of razorbills every bit well.  I inched closer to their lilliputian grouping , who were on the really border of the cliffy inlet , as well as 1 especially curious lilliputian puffin edged closer to me until nosotros were less than 2 feet apart.  After almost one-half an hr of watching the puffins as well as cormorants as well as razorbills flitting inwards as well as around us as well as beingness thus un-bothered yesteryear us that they tucked inwards for asleep , other tourist cottoned on as well as nosotros were joined yesteryear a handful of other camera-wielding holiday-goers.  It was pretty magical , as well as actually ignited a honey for the fatty lilliputian fuzzy birds.  They’re thus small.  They’re similar lilliputian toys!

From Lunga nosotros got dorsum onto the boat as well as sped downwards to Staffa , which was an isle gifted yesteryear a married adult man on behalf of his married adult woman to the Scottish Trust.  For her birthday.  I’m yet to come across a adult woman who would similar somebody to give her isle to somebody else for her ain birthday , but I don’t receive got a plethora of islands to spare.  Staffa is a pretty amazing isle , though.  It’s famous for a serial of basalt caves , formed yesteryear erupting volcanoes on Mull.  Fingal’s Cave , which is the most famous of the caves , features 3 dissimilar basalt formations , including the columnar form , as well as looks to a greater extent than similar a master copy craftsman sculpted it than moulded from lava.  Mother nature is badass.

We dubbed this isle Sombrero Island , because nosotros weren't certain what it was called.

Staffa 

We climbed as well as stepped as well as slipped over the columns until nosotros reached the oral cavity of the cave , which was tall as well as deep as well as broad – to a greater extent than similar entering a cathedral than a sea cave.  Nick whistled to examination out the acoustics.  They were top-notch.  The H2O was brilliant turquoise as well as shimmering nether the Sun , but every bit it compaction its way to the dorsum of the cave , it began to facial expression dark as well as mysterious , the cave casting all way of foreign shadows inwards the depths.  Nick took some recordings of the waves , as well as thus nosotros listened to the eerie current of air music he had recorded , as well as they sounded similar whales calling out to us playing over each other.

The terminal isle on our lilliputian risk was Iona , which had a greater emphasis on Christianity than its pale , glittery beaches , which I call upward was an oversight on their part.  Lots of people opted to receive got a beer as well as an H2O ice cream at the many , many cafes that littered the tiny isle , but nosotros went walking through some crofts to larn to the Monk’s Beach , where Vikings massacred a whole bunch of monks.  We considered stopping yesteryear the abbey , but it was a paid entry , as well as nosotros weren’t keen plenty on St Columba to pay it a visit. 

Back on Mull , our driver gave us a chip of a guided tour , giving us the low-down on every famous individual who’s e'er been to Mull (Damien Lewis , Sean Connery , Catherine Zeta Jones as well as Michael Douglas) , every criminal offence that’s e'er been committed (a human grew cannabis to soothe his arthritis once) as well as telling us stories virtually the wellness tending inwards Mull.  Apparently it’s excellent.  The most interesting affair was in all likelihood virtually the Highland cattle , which are most unremarkably naturally the dark diversity , but the Queen liked them chocolate-brown , thus at nowadays at that spot are to a greater extent than oft than non chocolate-brown ones.  Go figure.

The existent boat master

The Nunnery

We arrived dorsum inwards Oban , tired as well as in all likelihood to a greater extent than freckled than when nosotros left , but drove on until nosotros striking Loch Lomond where we’d live planned to kip for the night.  We caught a really killer sunset when nosotros took a incorrect plough on the roundabout , clouds burning highlighter pinkish inwards the distance.  A few days before , we’d noticed text on the map , with monuments as well as identify names , which only read “Rest as well as Be Thankful” , thus nosotros drove there.  It’s supposed to live a sentry , but nosotros missed it as well as slept inwards a large passing place.  When nosotros woke upward as well as drove dorsum way nosotros came , nosotros saw Rest as well as live Thankful , but at that spot was already a nutrient truck setting upward , thus it’s in all likelihood proficient nosotros didn’t slumber there.

One of the many castles belonging to the MacLeans on Mull

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Celebrating Nick's Birthday at Legoland! [photojournal]

Hello friends |

There are many benefits to dating an engineer; they’re helpful when your technology scientific discipline fails , they know the ins-and-outs of your DSLR because they bothered to read the manual , together with they plough over y'all a perfectly valid argue to catch Legoland (sans children).

Nicholas turned 26 on June 24^th , together with we’d organised to hold upward at the Lego subject commons for his birthday.  He woke upward , complaining that he was at nowadays closer to xxx than xx , together with nosotros caput off inwards the direction of the subject park.

We had opted to rest inwards the nearby campsite together with Holiday Village , because it meant that nosotros could hold upward walking distance to the commons , without blowing our entire budget on accommodation.  We were in all probability the alone ones inwards a compact wild camping-style tent , though , together with were surrounded past times huge caravans amongst detachable awnings bigger than our entire aeroplane dorsum inwards Melbourne.  It had decent facilities (I’d forgotten that some people military camp amongst flushable toilets together with showers) , but this 1 was all virtually location.

I was psyched for rollercoasters , because I grew upward inwards a subject commons Mecca on the Gold Coast.  Nicholas was similar a shot enthralled past times the MiniLand , where famous canals (including Bryggen inwards Bergen , where nosotros were a calendar month agone , together with Nyhavn inwards Copenhagen) were recreated inwards miniature , amongst moving people , ferries , cars together with trains.  Some fifty-fifty had detailed lock systems.  He would after pass hours (literally hours) recording together with documenting the movements , analysing how they’d been position together together with how they stuck to their path without tracks.

We’d purchased a two-day ticket for Legoland – knowing that 1 solar daytime wouldn’t sate Nicholas’ Lego-love – together with were dorsum for circular 2 the next day.  From 10 ‘til 8 on both days , nosotros wandered only about the commons , going on rides , taking pictures of all mode of Lego constructions , eating H2O ice cream together with weaving through masses together with masses of children.

Ah , the children of Legoland.  We’d non been inwards the commons for real long at all when I began to experience the tell-tale tickle inwards the dorsum of my throat.  I got hitting amongst a pretty nasty influenza together with spent both nights inwards our tent coughing together with spluttering together with sneezing together with drinking litres of orangish juice.

(sorry for all the real touristy , family-photo-album-esque pictures!)

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