2002 - some different adventures
Just when life seemed to get boring, temporary work took me overland to Germany briefly then again via Dover to Pristina, Kosovo via France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Yugoslavia.
Somewhere in the middle of this was a tour planned much more in advance - a Wallace Arnold long weekend coach tour to Brussels, where I was delighted by surprisingly good photos of the Grand' Place and then had my usual public transport tour using a ticket valid for two hours. Another full day was spent in Ghent (Gent) and Antwerp (Antwerpen), both places I have wanted to explore for ages, the architecture in both is superb.
As if Kosovo wasn't enough, the last adventure and the hardest challenge took our team via similar avenues southbound as volunteer driver on a Leyland Tiger coach to Bulgaria and Romania for the Children's Overseas Relief Fund of Bristol. Relief goods and large therapy equipment were distributed to a special school, two orphanages and a hospital, where I was very touched by the children and the dedication of the local staff.
I have sometimes felt the massive charities anonymous, if you want to give to a small dedicated team making a big difference in their area I would urge you to think about a donation. All items into Bulgaria are audited by local officials and the trustees.
Sun, sea and Soller trams
Majorca July 2000, planned 24 hours in advance. Photos courtesy of friend Philip Lim feature our base Alcudia - plus wonderful Soller circular trip round the island, travelling as the locals do. The second link shows our full day out in capital Palma via Inca. Rest your cursor on the images to see more exact locations.
Geschichten aus dem Wiener Wald
Vienna August 2000, a wish fulfilled twelve years after a short 1988 visit, walked till exhausted.
Hungary same month, especially Budapest. All its beauties and more, plus occasional frustrations.
Cyprus and (unexpectedly) beyond to the Holy Land
Escaping the British winters, February/December 2000. Events in Palestine subsequently seem particularly tragic now.
Alan