by Krista | Oct 14, 2012 | Bits 'n' Bobs
I have loved taking ferry rides ever since I was a little girl.
There was something so exciting about driving our car onto a ferry and getting to spend the voyage topside, either sipping hot chocolate indoors on stormy days or clinging to the railing outside with my brothers, not caring if the wind was turning my hair into a tangle of knots.
That love continues unabated to this day, so I was very excited when, on a road trip through Montenegro a few years ago, we found a ferry to take us across the water to Budva instead of having to drive all the way around.
My brother, friends and I waited happily on the pier, soaking up sunshine as we watching boats bobbing in the water and people queuing up for the ferry.
Finally it was time to board and we took our places along the railing, unwilling to miss a single moment of our surprise voyage.
It was a beautiful trip with balmy breezes, the occasional splash of water, and more gorgeous views than our eyes could take in.
We saw towering mountains and pretty little fishing villages, farms clinging to the hillside and opulent villas surrounded by stately Cyprus trees.
There were tower-topped islands and picturesque inlets and clusters of red-tiled buildings around every bend.
All too soon our splendid ride was over and we clambered back aboard our cavernous 9-passenger van, cranking up the air conditioning and the music as we rumbled our way off the ferry, down the road, and into the beautiful seaside city of Budva, Montenegro.
Do you like ferry rides too? What is your favorite one to take and why?
by Krista | Oct 11, 2012 | Bits 'n' Bobs
It has been pouring rain all day here in Queensland as I endure the throes of a ghastly cold with copious amounts of tea, coffee and hot, garlicky soup whilst watching Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries.
On such a stormy day I always think of the Netherlands, so I thought we’d take a visual jaunt to the canals outside Amsterdam while we stay warm and dry indoors.
We were a jolly party gathered on the shores of Broek in Waterland, jostling drinks, blankets, raincoats and other paraphernalia as we clambered aboard our whisper boats for a cruise through quiet villages out into the marshes.
We had such a splendid time motoring along, dreaming of buying homes along the canal, tidy yards overflowing with cheery nasturtiums and giant hydrangeas, colorful boats parked out front.
I especially liked the seating areas set up right on the water, quiet places surrounded by flowers with uninterrupted views of birds, lily pads and whoever motored past.
As we left the shelter of the watery neighborhood, we were assaulted with fierce winds. Casting a wary eye at dark clouds billowing overhead, we puttered along cautiously.
Within moments we were in the middle of a full-fledged storm, sleety rain pelting us with icy ferocity, white-capped waves dashing against the boats.
All those blankets we had tossed in merely out of habit were hastily rummaged from under our seats. We swathed ourselves as warmly as we would and huddled close for protection from the elements.
Sensible people would’ve turned around, but we were having far too much fun, feeling rather brave and adventurous out on the tossing waters. So on we went, backs against the wind and rain, laughing and shouting to be heard over the gale.
I loved it.
When we were sufficiently drenched and cold and ravenously hungry we headed back, encountering a few adventures along the way. Weeds tangled around our motor so my sis-in-law punted while my brother messed about under water getting rid of the foliage. We were chased by a rather ferocious swan and nearly got stuck when we veered too close to shore to look at something.
It was marvelously fun.
Finally we made it back to calm waters, the winds blocked by towering trees and sturdy brick buildings. We had the canals to ourselves, everyone else kept indoors by the inclement weather.
We motored back to the dock, shaking out dripping blankets and jackets before heading home to dry clothes, a hearty meal, and numerous cups of steaming Dutch coffee topped with thick froth.
It was a wonderful way to spend a stormy day.
What is the best adventure you’ve had in the rain?
by Krista | Oct 9, 2012 | Bits 'n' Bobs
I woke to a beautifully foggy morning, tree tops disappearing into the mist, everything wonderfully still and quiet.
What a lovely way to end a holiday and return to regular life.
Now the sun is shining, the sky is clear and blue, and everywhere I look something is blooming.
I had every intention of writing a post for you yesterday, but my plans were thwarted by the Great Goat Raid of 2012 in which a gaggle of goats got into my garden and decimated it.
This is not to be confused with the Great Chicken Raid of 2012 in which a passel of chickens did exactly the same thing a few weeks ago. Gosh. 🙂 There may have been a few frustrated tears spent and the air might have been tinged a slight blue after some choice words were expressed, but in the end there was nothing for it but to don my big gardening hat and get to work. Planting a garden once is a job in itself, but THREE TIMES in one spring? Sigh. 🙂
Needless to say we are taking steps to turn my garden into a veritable fortress, and Bear is giving me a trip to the nursery to get replacement seedlings, bless him. 🙂 So hopefully one day soon my garden will look like this again.
Aside from these minor catastrophes, I’ve had a fantastic stay-cation on this little Aussie goat farm I love so much. As a travel writer, few things make me happier than packing my suitcase and heading off to explore new places, but every now and then I need a real break, one where I can rest without the pressure of seeing and doing. That’s what I did on this Spring Break and it was marvelous.
I slept in, had long, leisurely breakfasts, read all sorts of interesting books, watched movies, took little day trips to various markets, thrift stores, and garden centers, tried out new recipe ideas that have been simmering away in my imagination, and started sorting through the boxes that were shoved in my wardrobe when I arrived and haven’t been organized since.
I’ve also been learning a new skill: wood-burning. So fun!! It’s like drawing next to a campfire, the intoxicating scent of burnt wood filling the air as I cover bare wood with all sorts of etchings. These are my first attempts at the craft, and I can’t wait to learn more.
Some really good things have happened too. I took on two more writing jobs that are proving to be so much fun: travel stories and a history book. I love the challenge of these projects and it’s great to shake out my rusty vocabulary and put a delectable array of marvy words to good use.
The best news of all is that I received confirmation this weekend that the first phase of my Australian visa has been granted and I am now eligible for Medicare. 🙂 HOORAY! HOORAY!!! I am beyond excited and so grateful. All these months of seemingly endless paperwork have been worth it.
Now, dear ones, I’m going to sit back with my coffee, enjoy this morning sunshine and attempt to get over the dreadful cold that hit me last night.
What are your favorite memories from the last two weeks?
_logo.svg){kind=logo}
