If I were to come visit you,(Don’t pull up that draw bridge!…This is just hypothetically speaking), what would you show me in your area, (in a radius of 30 miles), that you think is something really special; be it a shopping mall, nature, a city, university…whatever?

We get house guests rather frequently, and I usually do some sight seeing with them. Showing the area I live in through other eyes makes me value what we have more. There are so many interesting places in our immediate neighbourhood that it is sometimes hard to choose where to go to.

But for a day’s excursion I suppose I would show the city we live closest to. It’s called Augsburg ( 2000 years old), nicknamed the fountain city, because of the gorgeous fountains, on every corner.


It has a mammoth pedestrian area, hundred’s of café’s and beautiful old buildings, all rebuilt and renovated after the war. We have cobblestone streets, little theatres and antique and art gallery sections. It’s anything but an old sleepy city. Augsburg is a pulsating jazz and blues city, and holds jazz festivals several times a year. You would think you were in New Orleans, with people dancing on the streets, and combo bands playing between street artists. Augsburg is about a 15 minute drive from our house.

AUGSBURG

Now what would you show me?

I would take you to a wonderful tea room called
Kind Kyttocks...for tea and some home baking.
Then to Falkland Palace.

www.rampantscotland.com/visit/blvisitfalkland.htm - 29k -

Most of the sites outside…are free.


http://www.seethenorthshore.com/light/light.htm


These sites below, are what I see when I do my regular bike ride. It’s around 40 kms. 1 way.
http://www.britishcolumbia.com/parks/?id=482
http://199.175.219.1/parks/parks/queenelizabeth/


http://www.greatervancouverparks.com/PacificSpirit.html

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2652540070047582773BUqHmV I live across the water and can see this from our balcony. Formerly part of Expo 86 site. Now a science interactive museum.


http://www.moa.ubc.ca/history/building.php The museum is set against background of ocean and mountains in the distance. You can wander on the grounds outside for free and see the longhouses, totems, etc.
http://jean.thecyclistwebhouse.com/jean_christmas_2004/ The sculptures and totem poles are in this museum which I took a shot of.


Vancouver is truly a Pacific Rim city. It is reflected in who runs the top pastry shops in the city. There is a French pastry shop by a French-speaking owner. But these other ones with great European pastries and coffee, are classically trained in Europe…but with some Asian pastry bakers and owners.
http://www.ganacheyaletown.com/# Our favourite gourmet cake pastry shop. Not far.
http://www.thomashaas.com/page136.htm Another one.

http://www.deepcovebc.com/parksdeepcove.html
http://www3.telus.net/public/hjbecker/JeansVisions/image008.htm This is how I see the park..It may well be the best spot that allows you to see beautiful scenery, to go kayaking..for 10-20 kms. in relatively calm water up Indian Arm or go hiking..(MUST wear hiking boots) up on trails for beautiful lookouts...can be 5 kms. or 20 kms.

i would love to see that fountain citie HL it looks great and the street jazz and music i would lovwe.

i have to get my camera out and get some good local photosof big places and the small that make a place great.
hay maybee i could do photos , if you don't mind l being in most of them lol. why oh why am i always behind a camera. The child will think i never anywear with him as i always rtake photos's .........anyway thats getting off tracck of what the thread is.

i gotta go to bed but i think this one over.

Oh Mountain Ash, a tea room, would be my cup of tea. Falkland Palace is how I imagine Scotland to be. It’s interesting that a hunting lodge was transformed into a sophisticated Renaissance palace. And I wold love to stroll through the Palace gardens. Thanks for the little tour Mountain.

Orchid, I’m a big lighthouse fan; got several miniatures in my home.
Needless to say, you live in one of the most attractive spots in this world. We loved our Vancouver vacation, and the pictures awoke many beautiful memories. When we were in Stanley Park they held a huge Scottish parade. Men with quilt skirts marched through with their bagpipes. It was a treat. I can understand you being such an avid cyclist. Stanley Park is made for cycling.
Wow, loved the picture of the science world. And what a beautiful view you have from your balcony! Everybody check this out! I know views like that in Vancouver cost an arm and a leg. Their prices are equivalent to NY.
We missed the anthropology museum, and after seeing the pictures all I can say is darn darn!

Quote:

---

“Imagine unique, hand-crafted chocolates that caress your taste buds like nectar of the gods. And pastries with the lightness of an angel's kiss.”…

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Is that me drooling over my keyboard?
It was a treat to see your paintings again Orchid. After the beautiful photographs it was an interesting new view.

Celtic, I’m usually the one taking the pictures too. That’s the plight of being a mommy. Lol..I didn’t take the photo I posted, just downloaded it from internet.

This is fun.

This is some great scenery! I'm 20-35 miles north of the Pacific and some nice beaches -- Huntington (Surf City), San Clemente, Newport. 10 miles south of my house is Disneyland -- world-famous tourist attraction where I never go. Favorite local museums: Bowers (Santa Ana); and Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach. Lots of $hopping.

I really don't have pictures.

I have to ask you first the typical travel agent's questions, Hannelore. What time of the year and how long for? Personally, summer and spring are the best times to come to London when festivals (most of which are free) in town adds a tremendous lot to enjoying the city and the people.

As to permanent tourist fixtures, you'd be better off having a personal guide...ME!!!..than going with a group sightseeing tour. I would, however, take you to explore the city on foot. Depending on duration of stay, I can show you as much of the city as you can walk it in a day.

Day 1:

Within an 8-mile radius and do-able in a day: Starting point will be Trafalgar Square towards Whitehall, on both sides of which will be Banqueting House, the Cenotaph, the War Rooms, Downing Street. At the end of Whitehall is Parliament Square where you find Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament (which you can visit and watch democracy in action. Tickets are applied for with our local MP's, so, you'd have to know someone to have access to that) Then, proceed to Westminster Abbey, cross the road to Buckingham Palace * (which is only open to the public in the summer time). The changing of the guards takes place at 11:00 A.M. so, if you want to see them prancing about in bearskin or redcoats, this walking tour can be done counterclockwise. A meal of fish and chips in-between, a very typical British fare to be washed down with lager or cider, if you like warm beer, that's on tap too.

* Trooping of the Colour is in June. You may catch a glimpse of Elizabeth R and the Royal gang as they process from the Palace down the Mall to Horseguards.


Day 2:

East end of London starting from Covent Garden (although Eliza Doolittle no longer hawk flowers there) St Paul's Cathedral (you can walk the aisle where Diana processed for her wedding or sit by the steps and sing "feed the birds tuppence a bag"), Tower Bridge (the fancy one tourists often mistake for London Bridge...the original which is in Arizona BTW), Tower of London (the Crown Jewels are there, and site of many beheadings under Royal Warrant...Anne Boleyn for one). Tea and scones at respite. How very British, eh?

Go for a Shakespeare play in the summer at The Globe or
Jack the Ripper Walk at night (if you go for that sort).

Day 3:

Cross the Thames River to the London Borough of Greenwich (where I live and 7 miles out of the city centre). The Greenwich Meridian Line, Royal Observatory, Cutty Sark (it was partly burnt down a few months ago but, should be back to form soon) the Millenium Dome (now O2 Arena), Queen's Palace, which was the Monarch's residence prior to Buckingham), the Naval College...respite at Trafalgar Tavern overlooking Thames River.

Night-time: A West End show. British production, of course.

There is so much to see and do in London. I could go on and on but, rest your feet for now. Geesh, I should send a fee note to the London Tourist Board!

pauline, a frends boy and lucien doing ballet!!! ( i don't know why either) our famouse undergrowen in london) the realitie is hot nosie and dirtie but hay.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii116/celtic_flameuk/Image178.jpg


BELFAS5T
attraction beside our citie hall its been their over christmass and will be for a short while to come, yes myself and l been on it. yes i was scared he waqsen't.

its not quite the london eye but its impresive for belfast.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii116/celtic_flameuk/Image078.jpg

lola book me up for a tour i been countless times and aint seen that manie places or tourest attractions.

forgive the place and the imagierie or "happenings" but a personal favourite and it help ourr USA ladies feel less home sick is ed's dinner at the top of soho. id have cheseburger, or portibellow mushroom burger and the MUST HAVE is a chocolate malt milkshake. I have to have one everie london visite or its just not a proper visite lol.

its good to see you back heer it reallie is, i missed ya.

oh it woukldn't be tuppences a bag, now its be 50p a slice lol. i sing anyway lol.