Monday, October 16, 2006
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Family ties
The main reason for travelling up to the north of Germany and then on to Copenhagen was in order to meet some distant cousins of mine.
So as to not bore anyone with my family tree I'll just leave the relationship at that, however if anyone wants to know the details feel free to let me know.
So our first night in Hamburg was spent having dinner with all of the cousins, Ester (my grandfather's cousin), Beatrice, Elizabeth and Carlotta (Beatrice's grand-daughter). They are really more my Dad's cousins than mine, but that aside it is always interesting to meet people who are related to you but who you have no other connection with.
Dinner was nice, even though the whole raw fish were give a miss. Family tales were told and conntact with the Hamburg arm of the family was firmly re-established.
The next day was spent with Elisabeth (not my aunt, one of the cousins) who showed us to a garden that my great-great-great-great-great grandfather had designed (it also turns out that he developed the Queen of Denmark rose...). After wandering around that for awhile we headed off to my great grandfather and grandmother's graves.
They were not very easy to find, and when we did find them they were a little over grown. But it was nice to get in touch with that part of my family history, especially as I have heard so many stories through out my life about these people.
The rest of the afternoon was spent in Hamburg proper looking at a few shops, and going to a gallery. Unfortunately I didn't have much time to explore, but I think I will return next time I'm in the area.
Then it was time to head further north and into Denmark.
So as to not bore anyone with my family tree I'll just leave the relationship at that, however if anyone wants to know the details feel free to let me know.
So our first night in Hamburg was spent having dinner with all of the cousins, Ester (my grandfather's cousin), Beatrice, Elizabeth and Carlotta (Beatrice's grand-daughter). They are really more my Dad's cousins than mine, but that aside it is always interesting to meet people who are related to you but who you have no other connection with.
Dinner was nice, even though the whole raw fish were give a miss. Family tales were told and conntact with the Hamburg arm of the family was firmly re-established.
The next day was spent with Elisabeth (not my aunt, one of the cousins) who showed us to a garden that my great-great-great-great-great grandfather had designed (it also turns out that he developed the Queen of Denmark rose...). After wandering around that for awhile we headed off to my great grandfather and grandmother's graves.
They were not very easy to find, and when we did find them they were a little over grown. But it was nice to get in touch with that part of my family history, especially as I have heard so many stories through out my life about these people.
The rest of the afternoon was spent in Hamburg proper looking at a few shops, and going to a gallery. Unfortunately I didn't have much time to explore, but I think I will return next time I'm in the area.
Then it was time to head further north and into Denmark.
Germany and football, what a mix!
Hello all,
Well as I only have few hours left of my trip I thought I should actually finish my blog.
So when I last left you my time in Italy was over and we were about to venture into the land of a number of my forbears, Germany. We left Pont first thing in the morning and headed towards the St. Bernard tunnel. There were very few dogs offering to give me brandy, but then again I guess I wasn't in need of rescue.
To be honest the day was spent in the car and driving long distances on the Autobann. For those of you who don't know the German highways have no speed limit. They are long, straight 2 or 3 lane highways and even when cruising along at 130km/h you are still being passed at regular intervals.
We spent that first night in a smallish town north of Frankfurt called Marburg. It is the home of one of the oldest Protestant Universities in the world. However as we were just passing through we didn't do much touristing. We did get to see the student vibe in action as Germany won one of their World Cup matches that night so everyone was out celebrating.
The next day, after a brisk walk up to the Scloss (castle), it was back into the car and up to Hamburg.
We arrived in Hamburg in good time and in the pouring rain. We arrived at our hotel (amazingly taking only one wrong turn!) and got ready to meet the distant relatives who we had come to visit.
Well as I only have few hours left of my trip I thought I should actually finish my blog.
So when I last left you my time in Italy was over and we were about to venture into the land of a number of my forbears, Germany. We left Pont first thing in the morning and headed towards the St. Bernard tunnel. There were very few dogs offering to give me brandy, but then again I guess I wasn't in need of rescue.
To be honest the day was spent in the car and driving long distances on the Autobann. For those of you who don't know the German highways have no speed limit. They are long, straight 2 or 3 lane highways and even when cruising along at 130km/h you are still being passed at regular intervals.
We spent that first night in a smallish town north of Frankfurt called Marburg. It is the home of one of the oldest Protestant Universities in the world. However as we were just passing through we didn't do much touristing. We did get to see the student vibe in action as Germany won one of their World Cup matches that night so everyone was out celebrating.
The next day, after a brisk walk up to the Scloss (castle), it was back into the car and up to Hamburg.
We arrived in Hamburg in good time and in the pouring rain. We arrived at our hotel (amazingly taking only one wrong turn!) and got ready to meet the distant relatives who we had come to visit.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
A few points from Pont
So we arrived in Pont, Northern Italy, on Saturday evening in the pouring rain. It was a very harsh contrast to our idyllic Tuscan hidaway.
However we got settled in the hotel, had a cup of coffee and planned the next few days.
Pont is located in the Gran Paradiso National Park, Aosta Valley and is basically the set off point for climbing and walking in this part of the Italian alps. This was very much a part of the trip that was centered around Dad, especially as he is going to try and climb Mont Blanc in July.
Sunday dawned free of rain so it was into the walking gear and after brekkie up the hill.
All told the walk took 6 hours. 2 up to the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele, 2 walking along the ridge lines to the Rifugio Chabod and then 2 down to the valley floor. I'm not too proud to say that it was very tough and the altitude (the highest point we got to was 2750 meters) was hard to deal with. The rain that started about halfway between the two refuges also didn't help much.
However despite all that it was a spectacular walk and well worth the effort.
On Monday Dad set off to try and walk into France and Mum, Liz and I decided to explore the valley a little more. It wasn't all that successful and I would have to say that if you are going to the region just do the walking. Aosta was a nice town, but the Roman ruins that we went to see were mostly covered up and the other valley we went to was not quite as nice as the one we were staying in. We returned to Pont about the same time that Dad got back.
After our evening wander near the hotel we returned to find a small group of Ibex grazing near the hotel. They also gave us an impressive display of their rock climbing and head butting abilities.
This was our last night in Italy so then it was time to pack and clear out all of the photos from the camera in preparation for the next leg of the trip, Germany!
However we got settled in the hotel, had a cup of coffee and planned the next few days.
Pont is located in the Gran Paradiso National Park, Aosta Valley and is basically the set off point for climbing and walking in this part of the Italian alps. This was very much a part of the trip that was centered around Dad, especially as he is going to try and climb Mont Blanc in July.
Sunday dawned free of rain so it was into the walking gear and after brekkie up the hill.
All told the walk took 6 hours. 2 up to the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele, 2 walking along the ridge lines to the Rifugio Chabod and then 2 down to the valley floor. I'm not too proud to say that it was very tough and the altitude (the highest point we got to was 2750 meters) was hard to deal with. The rain that started about halfway between the two refuges also didn't help much.
However despite all that it was a spectacular walk and well worth the effort.
On Monday Dad set off to try and walk into France and Mum, Liz and I decided to explore the valley a little more. It wasn't all that successful and I would have to say that if you are going to the region just do the walking. Aosta was a nice town, but the Roman ruins that we went to see were mostly covered up and the other valley we went to was not quite as nice as the one we were staying in. We returned to Pont about the same time that Dad got back.
After our evening wander near the hotel we returned to find a small group of Ibex grazing near the hotel. They also gave us an impressive display of their rock climbing and head butting abilities.
This was our last night in Italy so then it was time to pack and clear out all of the photos from the camera in preparation for the next leg of the trip, Germany!
Friday, June 23, 2006
More of Italy
Hello again!
Well I thought I should finish my Italian travels as I am now in Hamburg.
On the Wednesday I headed back to Siena to get another look at a few things and to also just have a bit of a wander. It is a great place to walk around as it is so contained. The highlight of the day would have to be the Basilica of St Catherine. She manged to convince the Pope to return to Rome from France, though also managed to get her head cut off. I never did find out why...
The next day to was time to follow up on yet another saint, St Francis of Assisi (they have a lot of them in Italy). Assisi is a small hill top village that exists as a spot for pilgrimage. The main Basilica is the home to some of the most beautiful frescoes from the Early Renaissances. I won't go into detail for those who aren't interested in art, but it is worth the journey if you are in the area.
The whole town is set up for the pilgrimages of both the religious and artistic kind. You can buy crosses and icons of all shapes and sizes, books, pictures and all types of things. It was very interesting to see so many people who were there to bask in the glory of both God and this very holy place, in it's own way.
Then it was back in the car after lunch and back to Podere Finerri for the rest of the afternoon.
Friday, our last day in Tuscany, was spent heading off to Arezzo. The day had two goals. One was to look at the frescoes in the Arezzo area by Pierro della Francesca and the other was to go to a special restaurant for Liz's birthday.
We went to Sansepolcro first and then to another small town that I cannot remember for the life of me!
We arrived in Arezzo just in time for lunch and headed straight into the restaurant. Then after a very traditional, though nice, lunch it was into the church to look at the frescoes. I won't go into the details, but again they are well worth the look.
By then we were all a little frescoed out and so it was back to the house to pack up and prepare our last dinner.
Then it was off to the mountains in the north of Italy. We had a long day of driving and arrived in a hamlet called Pont.
Well I thought I should finish my Italian travels as I am now in Hamburg.
On the Wednesday I headed back to Siena to get another look at a few things and to also just have a bit of a wander. It is a great place to walk around as it is so contained. The highlight of the day would have to be the Basilica of St Catherine. She manged to convince the Pope to return to Rome from France, though also managed to get her head cut off. I never did find out why...
The next day to was time to follow up on yet another saint, St Francis of Assisi (they have a lot of them in Italy). Assisi is a small hill top village that exists as a spot for pilgrimage. The main Basilica is the home to some of the most beautiful frescoes from the Early Renaissances. I won't go into detail for those who aren't interested in art, but it is worth the journey if you are in the area.
The whole town is set up for the pilgrimages of both the religious and artistic kind. You can buy crosses and icons of all shapes and sizes, books, pictures and all types of things. It was very interesting to see so many people who were there to bask in the glory of both God and this very holy place, in it's own way.
Then it was back in the car after lunch and back to Podere Finerri for the rest of the afternoon.
Friday, our last day in Tuscany, was spent heading off to Arezzo. The day had two goals. One was to look at the frescoes in the Arezzo area by Pierro della Francesca and the other was to go to a special restaurant for Liz's birthday.
We went to Sansepolcro first and then to another small town that I cannot remember for the life of me!
We arrived in Arezzo just in time for lunch and headed straight into the restaurant. Then after a very traditional, though nice, lunch it was into the church to look at the frescoes. I won't go into the details, but again they are well worth the look.
By then we were all a little frescoed out and so it was back to the house to pack up and prepare our last dinner.
Then it was off to the mountains in the north of Italy. We had a long day of driving and arrived in a hamlet called Pont.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
You asked.. here they are!
Photos, here for your viewing pleasure:
1. The duomo in Siena
2. The sunset over the Siena hills
3. The view of the Plazza from the top of the tower
4. Felix sleeping
5. The view from my Tuscan bedroom window
6. the family group
I hope they help you visualise where I am.
1. The duomo in Siena
2. The sunset over the Siena hills
3. The view of the Plazza from the top of the tower
4. Felix sleeping
5. The view from my Tuscan bedroom window
6. the family group
I hope they help you visualise where I am.
Back log of Blog posts
hey guys,
Here are some posts I wrote when I didn't have 'net access. Photos aren't far away.
Podere Finerri, Tuscany, Italy
Getting to Podere Finerri
Amazingly I’ve been on holiday for 10 days already and my head is still spinning a little.
My four days in Melbourne were really nice. I got to meet my lovely nephew and while there were a few ‘gnome face’ moments, he was a joy.
Then it was onto the long haul portion of the trip. The flights were cramped, long and exactly what I expected. 23 hours later I arrived in Nice (France) where Mum, Dad and Liz (my aunt) were there to pick me up. The rest of the day is a total blur of driving, a couple traffic jams and a little sleep.
We spent the night on the Ligurian Coast in a small town called Rappallo. Nothing much of note really, and even if there was I was far too tired to pay any attention to it.
By now it is Saturday morning and it was back into the car and time to make our way into Tuscany. We jumped onto the autostrada and zoomed our way down the motor way. Italians drive exactly how you’d expect them to. Fast and with very little consideration for anyone else on the road. After three crashes in about one hour I’m just glad I wasn’t expected to drive!
Tuscany is beautiful. We got off the autostrada to make our way into Chianti for lunch. The road winds its way up and down the Tuscan hills and through numerous picturesque hill top villages. We stopped for a lunch in a classic Chianti vineyard and trattoria. After lunch (antipasti and these amazing spinach ball things and gorgonzola sauce) Dad and I nipped into the tasting room for a taste of the local Chianti Classico. It was fantastic and so a dozen bottles later (plus one from 1981 to be drunk on my 30th birthday) we made our way back to the car and tried not to get caught up in the traffic around Siena. We managed that successfully and after only one wrong turn and an unfortunate meeting with a small ditch made it to the beautiful Podere Finerri.
It is a beautiful old farm house that has been restored and is perched in the midst of the Siena Hills. The view is spectacular and it gives a new meaning to the term all day sun. The people who own this idyllic spot also happen to live here. I can certainly think of worse spots.
Podere Finerri day 2
Sunday dawned clear, sunny and not overly warm. We had a slowish start and by unspoken agreement decided to have a day of lounging around and reading. We also got our hosts, Malcolm and Daniella, to impart some of their local knowledge so that we can hopefully find a few gems that are off the beaten path.
I also decided to give bread making a go, seeing as the bread we have had in Italy so far as been pretty dire. So if you are interested in having a bready taste of Tuscany give this a go:
Tuscan flat bread:
2 tsp Dry yeast
Warm water
1 tsp sugar
1 tbs Salt
Coarsely chopped rosemary
150ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
400g flour
Extra flour for rolling
Optional – 1kg black olives or grapes
Combine yeast, sugar and enough water to dissolve it in. Stir and set aside until a little frothy. Warm oil and rosemary in a saucepan. Heat it gently and once warm set it aside to cool. Place flour and salt in a big bowl. Form a well in the middle, add the yeast mix and half of the rosemary oil (add 400gm of the olives/grapes if using) and mix well, adding more warm water until the flour is all combined. Then turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes. The dough should be soft and sticky. If it feels too dry add a little more water, too wet a little more flour.
Return to a now clean and oiled bowl for either 2 hours (until twice in size) or overnight in the fridge.
Divide the dough into two large metal dishes (brush with the remaining oil and rosemary first). Flatten the dough into the pan (push remaining olives/grapes onto surface) and rub a little more olive oil, rosemary and salt onto the surface. Allow to rise a little in the pan. Bake for 20 min at 220° then reduce heat to 180° and bake for a further 10 min. Serve warm with a little more olive oil and balsamic vinegar and a fine glass of Chianti Classico!
So after a long, large lunch and a little more sitting around reading we went into the near by village to have a look at the Sunday market. Unfortunately there was not a lot on offer. However I did have my first (of many no doubt) gealato which was just as good as I remember them being. I now feel sufficiently rested and ready to take on Siena tomorrow!
Ciao!
Day 3 – Siena
It was up and out today for our first proper touristy day. We had decided that breakfast would be had in Siena so we set out full of the joys of summer.
The road works and traffic on the motorway certainly did their part is dampening our spirits. However by the time we walked into the Piazza del Campo, which was bathing in Tuscan sunshine, all was well again.
After a quick coffee and Italian croissant it was off across the square to the town hall or the Palazzo Publico. Annie and I decided that the best way to go would be to head straight up the bell tower and have a look at the roof top view of this beautiful city. Once again however queuing got in the way a little and so I spent a bit of time getting into my trigger happy mode.
The tower is 83 meters high and to get to the top there are 400 steps. In some parts it is also only 52 cm wide and 150 cm high, which meant that for my Dad there were a few tight squeezes.
In actuality the climb was pretty gentle and we made it to the top with out much trouble. After looking around for about 15 minutes it was back down to the bottom and over to the museum.
For any one who has studied Italian Renaissance art, the paintings shown in these rooms are utterly a must see. The Allegory of Good and Bad government, in their original context, are just fantastic. As are the paintings by Simone Martine of the Maesta.
Amazingly by now it was time for lunch, and as it was my Dad's birthday we headed off to a lovely resturant for lunch in the sun.
Then it was off to the Duomo which I have to admit I like more from the outside than the inside. It is a spectacular buliding and would have been even better if not for the scafolding on the outside.
We headed into the adjacent museum to look in on Duccio's magnificant Maesta and head up on to the ramparts of the unfinished nave. More fantastic views of the city's roof tops and photo opertunities I just couldn't pass up.
By this stage we were all a little touristed out so it was back into the car to battle our way back to our small slice of Tuscan paradise.
The rest of the week was taken up triping around the local area, spending another day in Siena and also heading sightly further a field to Assisi and Arezzo.
But first some photos!
Here are some posts I wrote when I didn't have 'net access. Photos aren't far away.
Podere Finerri, Tuscany, Italy
Getting to Podere Finerri
Amazingly I’ve been on holiday for 10 days already and my head is still spinning a little.
My four days in Melbourne were really nice. I got to meet my lovely nephew and while there were a few ‘gnome face’ moments, he was a joy.
Then it was onto the long haul portion of the trip. The flights were cramped, long and exactly what I expected. 23 hours later I arrived in Nice (France) where Mum, Dad and Liz (my aunt) were there to pick me up. The rest of the day is a total blur of driving, a couple traffic jams and a little sleep.
We spent the night on the Ligurian Coast in a small town called Rappallo. Nothing much of note really, and even if there was I was far too tired to pay any attention to it.
By now it is Saturday morning and it was back into the car and time to make our way into Tuscany. We jumped onto the autostrada and zoomed our way down the motor way. Italians drive exactly how you’d expect them to. Fast and with very little consideration for anyone else on the road. After three crashes in about one hour I’m just glad I wasn’t expected to drive!
Tuscany is beautiful. We got off the autostrada to make our way into Chianti for lunch. The road winds its way up and down the Tuscan hills and through numerous picturesque hill top villages. We stopped for a lunch in a classic Chianti vineyard and trattoria. After lunch (antipasti and these amazing spinach ball things and gorgonzola sauce) Dad and I nipped into the tasting room for a taste of the local Chianti Classico. It was fantastic and so a dozen bottles later (plus one from 1981 to be drunk on my 30th birthday) we made our way back to the car and tried not to get caught up in the traffic around Siena. We managed that successfully and after only one wrong turn and an unfortunate meeting with a small ditch made it to the beautiful Podere Finerri.
It is a beautiful old farm house that has been restored and is perched in the midst of the Siena Hills. The view is spectacular and it gives a new meaning to the term all day sun. The people who own this idyllic spot also happen to live here. I can certainly think of worse spots.
Podere Finerri day 2
Sunday dawned clear, sunny and not overly warm. We had a slowish start and by unspoken agreement decided to have a day of lounging around and reading. We also got our hosts, Malcolm and Daniella, to impart some of their local knowledge so that we can hopefully find a few gems that are off the beaten path.
I also decided to give bread making a go, seeing as the bread we have had in Italy so far as been pretty dire. So if you are interested in having a bready taste of Tuscany give this a go:
Tuscan flat bread:
2 tsp Dry yeast
Warm water
1 tsp sugar
1 tbs Salt
Coarsely chopped rosemary
150ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
400g flour
Extra flour for rolling
Optional – 1kg black olives or grapes
Combine yeast, sugar and enough water to dissolve it in. Stir and set aside until a little frothy. Warm oil and rosemary in a saucepan. Heat it gently and once warm set it aside to cool. Place flour and salt in a big bowl. Form a well in the middle, add the yeast mix and half of the rosemary oil (add 400gm of the olives/grapes if using) and mix well, adding more warm water until the flour is all combined. Then turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes. The dough should be soft and sticky. If it feels too dry add a little more water, too wet a little more flour.
Return to a now clean and oiled bowl for either 2 hours (until twice in size) or overnight in the fridge.
Divide the dough into two large metal dishes (brush with the remaining oil and rosemary first). Flatten the dough into the pan (push remaining olives/grapes onto surface) and rub a little more olive oil, rosemary and salt onto the surface. Allow to rise a little in the pan. Bake for 20 min at 220° then reduce heat to 180° and bake for a further 10 min. Serve warm with a little more olive oil and balsamic vinegar and a fine glass of Chianti Classico!
So after a long, large lunch and a little more sitting around reading we went into the near by village to have a look at the Sunday market. Unfortunately there was not a lot on offer. However I did have my first (of many no doubt) gealato which was just as good as I remember them being. I now feel sufficiently rested and ready to take on Siena tomorrow!
Ciao!
Day 3 – Siena
It was up and out today for our first proper touristy day. We had decided that breakfast would be had in Siena so we set out full of the joys of summer.
The road works and traffic on the motorway certainly did their part is dampening our spirits. However by the time we walked into the Piazza del Campo, which was bathing in Tuscan sunshine, all was well again.
After a quick coffee and Italian croissant it was off across the square to the town hall or the Palazzo Publico. Annie and I decided that the best way to go would be to head straight up the bell tower and have a look at the roof top view of this beautiful city. Once again however queuing got in the way a little and so I spent a bit of time getting into my trigger happy mode.
The tower is 83 meters high and to get to the top there are 400 steps. In some parts it is also only 52 cm wide and 150 cm high, which meant that for my Dad there were a few tight squeezes.
In actuality the climb was pretty gentle and we made it to the top with out much trouble. After looking around for about 15 minutes it was back down to the bottom and over to the museum.
For any one who has studied Italian Renaissance art, the paintings shown in these rooms are utterly a must see. The Allegory of Good and Bad government, in their original context, are just fantastic. As are the paintings by Simone Martine of the Maesta.
Amazingly by now it was time for lunch, and as it was my Dad's birthday we headed off to a lovely resturant for lunch in the sun.
Then it was off to the Duomo which I have to admit I like more from the outside than the inside. It is a spectacular buliding and would have been even better if not for the scafolding on the outside.
We headed into the adjacent museum to look in on Duccio's magnificant Maesta and head up on to the ramparts of the unfinished nave. More fantastic views of the city's roof tops and photo opertunities I just couldn't pass up.
By this stage we were all a little touristed out so it was back into the car to battle our way back to our small slice of Tuscan paradise.
The rest of the week was taken up triping around the local area, spending another day in Siena and also heading sightly further a field to Assisi and Arezzo.
But first some photos!
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Siena
Hello!
Well I know that this travel blog has been rather neglected of late, but I have been taking notes to fill you all in on how I'm going.
Until then just know that Italy is fabulous and I'm in love with Italy. More soon, plus photos!
Ciao!
Well I know that this travel blog has been rather neglected of late, but I have been taking notes to fill you all in on how I'm going.
Until then just know that Italy is fabulous and I'm in love with Italy. More soon, plus photos!
Ciao!
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Melbourne - Day 3
Well I've been in Melbourne for a day and a half now and have done very little. I've decided that this is the full on "holiday" portion of my trip. So I've read my book, chilled with Felix and generally hide from the cold.
I actually think that it is colder here this week than it is in Wellington.
Today I might just venture out into the cold with Abbie and Felix to do a little shopping, before returning to my book.
A very dull update I know, but more exciting things to come!!
I actually think that it is colder here this week than it is in Wellington.
Today I might just venture out into the cold with Abbie and Felix to do a little shopping, before returning to my book.
A very dull update I know, but more exciting things to come!!
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Map
Ok for those who are interested here is a map of where I'm going. Not the best, but it gives you the idea.
One more sleep!!
I'm procrastinating right now. I should be packing, but instead I'm playing with my Blog and digital camera. Typical!!
Friday, June 02, 2006
Last day at work.
Well I the last emails have been sent, and the desk is about to be tidied. I am 10 minutes away from officially being on holiday!!
Check back for updates in the coming weeks!
Check back for updates in the coming weeks!
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