A very hot difficult day 23 November 2014

now then this is a lesson in beware of what you wish for Unlike back home the weather is very hot and humid even more so today,  but I decided that I would go into the city last night to photograph it at night from the ferry,  but got lost, had sandles on for a change so ended up with blisters, made worse by the fact I got lost walked much further than I should then just missed the ferry(well thats not so bad you all think but it gets better ) I should of just been able to cross over and return, no such luck so stuck there with poorly feet for an hour, never mind tomorrow is another day.

so today Sunday I was packed and ready for the off ordered a taxi for the airport, blisters still very painful. Trip ok got some blister plasters,  went to check in, oh I forgot to say normally I would of been able to use the ferry and train but not working due to engineering works. Got to check in young woman said could not find my booking asked for itinerary informed me i was a day early, checked she was right, ooops rang hotel they had noticed but could not get in touch, but room free. Now got free bus into town so as to catch ferry, what a mistake, so did everybody else and Sydney was hot and full, finally got back here after 2 hours, now exhausted foot painful  cannot walk so lying here to hot typing this,  wish I was home, worse I have to do it all again tomorrow.

This was a good time to catch up with various websites and e mails plus to do this blog, sorry I am not really that bad just frustrated with my feet, life could be much worse, plus had a chat with Jane and felt much better for that. But then decided eould go to the village for something to eat so sorted out shower and foot, another issue when on your own who dresses your foot if you need help, but got there, then off I went, in the end decided to try a pizza, went in went,  Rob had warned me about the mans attitude, still hard to accept, went into restaurant section and young ladies very helpful, pizza was good, went to pay man, still rubbish attitude and overpriced just as well not need to go back again. Got some bits for tomorrow just in case returned tried to watch film as foot still very painful but kept falling asleep. Believe it or not next we had heavy rain storm but not any cooler,  for a change had another chat with Jane before packing case for tomorrow.

Second day in Sydney 22 November 2014

Today I decided I would do a favour for my friend Geoff who is looking after my flat. He was looking for a new car possibly a land cruiser but that they no longer have them in this country with the spare wheel on the back. With the help of Rob at accommodation I tracked a dealer down, now I was hoping that over here they were a different breed, but should of realised when he did not offer help with getting to the dealership, instead it took 2 buses and he was dealing with someone else so his colleague spoke to me instead.
I explained that as I was here that I would help my friend by looking at their range of vehicles and exploring about how he could buy. First obstacle Toyota dont want personal exports so there would be no warranty and there were issues to do with registration if leaving the country.  It seems the best vehicle is the Prada,  by coincidence his is for sale, I felt he wad not really interested unless I was buying now left and will explore on the internet instead.

I then got the bus into town and noticed that the rail service to the airport was cancelled over the weekend so could be a problem for me tomorrow, although there was a replacement bus service working. I went for something to eat and then went looking for the tower,  so could take photos, I know it sounds silly but it was quite difficult to find as the entrance was in the middle of a shopping centre. I paid my money and went up in a lift, the views were fantastic so I took a series of photos to show everyone on my return,  at the end I went to stand and wait for the lift, I was told by the attendant that I had to go round the other way,  well as there was nobody else there at the time it all seemed very pointless  but I did as he asked and went round to the same point again,  why do these people have jobs dealing with the public if all they want to do is stick to a very rigid view of their rules, well at least he managed to press the right button to send us down.

Next something to eat, for a change I went to KFC at least it was air conditioned, also my feet were starting to hurt with all the walking,  off back for a rest to the hotel and a cooling shower.
One of the things I have not mentioned in my blog is that in the last few months I have found a new special friend called Jane and she tells me and others that we are "  An item " our relationship started a few months ago and is going very well, more of our story another time,  but just to say many of our friends and families are aware of this, just a shame that so early on we are apart for a month but due to the wonders of technology we have been able to keep in touch as I wander from place to place and when I have felt tired or lonely she has been there for me as well as enjoying listening to my stories of the trip, thanks ever so much Jane.
Now back to the plot, I did think it would be nice to see the city lit up at night so I would do a trip this evening. Now to toally confuse you and myself I have actually posted the next bit in tomorrows blog so think will leave it there as it fits, but this is a  reminder of how confused we can get when crossing time zones and moving place to place, that often I am not sure what day of the week it is or where I should be.

My visit to Auckland 15 November 2014

I woke up early today, but Robert the owner had said he would give me a lift to the rail station so I sorted out my washing had breakfast, caught up with e mail and Web chat, then a shower and I was ready to go. Robert was on time and soon we got to the station,  I had said I would walk back but realised maybe it was a little more than I could cope with. Eventually managed to obtain a ticket from the machine then into town. Robert had given me good instructions so I swiftly found my way to the ferry, it was only a short time before it departed.
I went up on the top deck in the hope I would get plenty of good photos but it was to misty also there was a strong wind and the boat rocked a lot, soon we were at the island and disembarked. It was a shock to find out it was an hour and a half  walk to the summit, I set off quite well but soon with the heat,  humidity and effort of walking up a constant slope which was quite rough with nowhere to stop and rest took its toll and I slowed down quite a bit.
Eventually I found somewhere to rest so had a drink, before resuming I also took my coat off as I was getting very warm. As I climbed I took a series of breaks but it still seemed a long time before I finally reached the top.  I had spoken briefly to a couple of young women and taken photos of the two of them.  When I reached the top they were there so I asked if they would take a photo of myself and Chico, they were happy to do this, I rested for a while then off back down in the hope that I would be early enough for the ferry back.

It worked out well but now I was tired and took a couple of pain killers and was pleased when the boat finally arrived. The sea was quite rough and it started to rain quite heavily and I decided to abandon the trip up the tower when we landed. Instead I went for something to eat to make it easier on my return to the apartment,  iy was raining very heavily when we docked, so I found my way to a fast food place. After it was raining heavily so I made my way to the station, bought my ticket and was just in time to catch it with a couple of minutes to go, just hope I do not miss my stop with typing.

By the way I am conscious that there are no photos yet but most of the good ones are on the other cameras,  if I find a way I will happily post them on here

The Trip To Bergen And My First Day 30,June 2013

I got up early finished my packing, had breakfast,  felt really sad about leaving this beautiful place and my friends,  but it was time to go so we all set off for the bus (I do struggle because its the best one I have ever been on) seems there is no word for coach in Norwegian,  there was plenty of room on the coach so settled back intending to take photos but we were traveling to fast,  we changed to another bus and it filled up as we traveled. the weather was quite warm, and sunny

We eventually reached the ferry so it was a chance to stretch my legs, use the toilet and have a sandwich, by the time I had done this the ferry was docking, what I had not realized was that I should of been on the coach, oops,  I rushed off after it, fortunately it stopped to pick up other passengers so I was able to board without any embarrassment,  then off again to Bergen, just for a change I slept for much of the way despite the fact the driver seemed  to be going quite fast.

Finally  I arrived at the bus station and thanks to Mykles excellent directions was quickly outside the hotel which was opposite the train station,  it seemed very grand from the outside, even more so when I entered,  the young lady was very pleasant and quickly booked me in.

this photo is typical of the layout of the hotel, I now regret not taking more,

I went to the room it was old worldly and spacious, but a little warm for me despite the fact the windows were open, again no air conditioning,  the bathroom was much better, only problem was the towels were a little worn,   but not worn out, there was also a surprising shortage of storage space,  although there was a refrigerator with a range of drinks to buy, on the table there was a basket with snacks,  when I read the prices they seemed quite expensive, again thats based on English prices, not in Norway which is a rich country, but I was later to find they were not so bad, there was also a decent size safe that took everything including my large camera  and was free. The bed was a double and looked very comfortable,  I unpacked had a shower then changed before my first expedition into the town, the receptionist was very helpful and showed me the route to the harbour and provided me with a map.

When I got to the harbour I noticed the funicular to Floyen, it was bright and sunny so I bought a ticket for my next adventure,  I took photos as we climbed,

when I got out it was well worth the trip with views for miles in every direction of the harbour and sounding area, so many more photos were taken. I decided to walk along one of the tracks through the woodland,  somehow for a change I got lost, eventually found a signpost to put me back on track, it was beginning to cool down so only walked a little further before my trip back down to the harbour.

I did not feel like a large meal so settled on an enormous hot dog and a drink, I also purchased a very large piece of Carrot Cake to take back to my room for later, whilst I was catching up with my blog, I also watched tv for a little, there were tv channels in English with Norwegian sub titles,  I found a film on one which helped me settle, the bed was as comfortable as it looked so off to sleep looking forward to tomorrows new adventures.