Yesterday I caught the train to Lucerne to visit my friend, Lyndall. Today we went to Bern, the capital. The city is wrapped around by the river with many bridges. There is a pharmacy with a display of lots of old medicine ingredients. There is a bear enclosure with 4 bears, situated on the banks of the river, and includes a swimming pool for the bears. We walked down towards the bears, passing a large clock tower with a dial showing the months etc, also a set of figures which dance around on certain hours. We also saw Einstein's house where he lived while working for the Swiss Government.

We called in to the Rhine falls on our way to Germany. They are very wide, but not all that deep. You can walk around the side and across the top, and there is an extra fall around each corner. It was a beautiful stop. Later we arrived in Mainz, our overnight stop. Mainz is an old Roman town with walls around the old town centre. The next morning we travelled to St Goar where we joined a cruise along the Rhone river. The Lorelie rock, where the siren lured the sailors to their death on the rock, is near the small town. We cruised north for about an hour to Boppard. There are many old castles and their ruins along the river. These castles were built by the crusaders after they returned from plundering in the crusades. As there was a lot of trade along the river, even in those days, the castle owners used to string a chain across the river and charge a toll for the boats to pass. As some of the castles were only a few hundred metres apart I think it could have been quite expensive to travel up and down. Boppard is an small market town which we explored and shopped for morning tea. It had fruit, cheese and bread stalls around the square and was not very expensive - a normal town. We then travelled on to Amsterdam. We enjoyed a cruise around the canals before dinner. The houses are all 6 metres wide, and many are leaning at odd angles. All properties were allowed the 6 metres frontage to the canals. Most are shops and offices now, not homes as the land is very expensive. Amsterdam is a compact city where you can walk around, and there are lots of bikes - even a 3 story bike park! Tonight we have a farewell dinner out at Volendam then we are all going our different ways tomorrow. I am returning to Lucerne for a few days. It will be sad to say goodbye to new friends.

Dachau was an experience. There is a lot of information about the camp with pictures of the inmates and their living conditions. The camp was very large, at 1 time holding 63,000 prisoners. There were rows of huts, each hut having sleeping areas, lounge / dining room, bath and toilet areas. They must have held 3 - 400 people per hut, and the were about 34 huts on the site we visited. The administration buildings are now a museum with lots of information. It is now compulsory for school children to visit at least 1 such camp and there were 4 or 5 groups there while we were there. Although the punishments and daily life was really hard, the prisoners looked in better condition than the photos we saw at the River Kwai site in Thailand. The food rations were decreased in 1942, but so many more were then unable to work so they were increased again in 1943. That camp wasn't an extermination camp, but many people died there, and disease was rife too. We then travelled on to Lucerne, calling into Liechtenstein for a photo on route. The scenery has changed to high mountains and large lakes. We are staying in a small town about 1/2 hour from Lucerne, right on the lakes edge. It is very beautiful. Last evening we went to a Swiss dinner with music, dancing and yodelling. The musical group played Swiss instruments like spoons, a saw, a broom and they blew the long alpine horns. They are about 6 feet long and make many different sounds. The audience were invited to try their skills. It was a fun evening. Today we went to the top of Mt Pilatus, 2500 meteres high, in cable cars. The scenery stretches for miles in all directions - snowy mountains to the south, Lake Lucerne to the east with lots of small communities around the shores and Lucerne to the north. We could see and hear the cows (with their bells) on the hillsides. There were a few wild gouts too. We came down by cog railway - some of the grades as much as 48%. But beautiful views. We then had rides in horse carriages through some real Swiss country to coffee and cake at a country house. Later in Lucerne we had free time until we caught a boat for a scenic ride across the lake to our hotel.

Today we are in Vienna - a big jump from last log. We arrived in Venice and took a boat to the main area, then we went around the canals in gondolas being serenaded all the way. It was an interesting way to be introduced to the city. The steps and doorways were being lapped by water, and people were watching and listening from all the bridges. Later we visited St Mark's Square where we sat and enjoyed a drink while a group were playing and the evening came in and the lights came on. It was so peaceful and relaxing. We returned to our hotel by water taxi and a trip all around the Grand Canal. I would have liked to know which buildings and bridges were which but it a pleasant trip. Next day we walked around the back areas where the people live and saw the different districts - Greek, Malttese etc. We visited the basilica of St Mark to admire the mosaic ceilings and wall panels. It is amazing that there is such detail created with mosaics and gold. Gold everywhere. Then we went to a Murano glassblowing showroom on Guidecca island. They blew a vase and a horse, but used the same method as we did in Skagway, Alaska. We could then buy things if we wished. I enjoyed looking at all the different products, from jewellery, bowls, plates, ornaments to hugh chandeliers. They glass ware was quite beautiful and is supposed to be hard so doesn't break easily. We then went out to Burano Island where all the houses are painted a different colour - great photos, and they made lace by hand. A couple of ladies were making it while we were there. Yesterday we drove to Vienna and into the rain. It was quite hot in Spain and Italy but now we are back into the rain. Last evening we went to a restaurant here and were greeted as long lost friends with all the staff out in the road and a red carpet rolled out. The restaurant is full of antiques and collectables, so many that you have to duck to avoid hitting your head. There were things hanging everywhere, including the toilets where the wall were covered with pictures of naked men! (women in the men's we were told). This morning we have visited Schonbrunn palace, a magnificent palace of the royal family (Happsburgs). The rooms are amazing, so much lavishness. Frescos, gold, tapestries and ornate furnishings. The gardens out the back were beautifully laid out and colourful. I am planning to visit the museum of applied arts this afternoon - ceramics, mosaics etc. then tomorrow we will visit Salzburg on the way to Munich.

Yesterday we had an interesting but busy day, after an early start in Rome we drove south to Naples where we caught a ferry to the Isle of Capri. what a beautiful place, but hectic. We were driven up this narrow winding road (how come all the roads are narrow and winding?) to Anacapri at the top of the island for lunch. After lunch we caught a chairlift to the top of the cliffs. The view over the town and sea was beautiful. The sea was that deep blue we sometimes get at home. There were lots of nice souvenir shops there too. Later we drove half way down the hill to Capri town for a look around there, the shops were all high priced fashion shops so most of us retreated to the ice-cream shop for a cool drink or gelati. We then caught another ferry to Sorrento, another pretty town on the side of the hill. Our hotel was perched right above a beach and we all had sea views from our balconies. This morning we visited a wood inlay, marquetry workshop where we learned some of the techniques and skills needed to create the beautiful work. Then we visited the showroom! Later we went to Pompeii for a guided tour of a small part of the site. The walls are largely intact but most of the rooves collapsed under the weight of the ash. There were ruins of the shops - one a take away food shop with big urns set in a marble topped bench. Another a bakery where bread was found in an oven similar to a pizza oven. And looming over the site is Mt Vesuvius waiting for it's next big show. Although it hasn't erupted since 1944. After lunch we got back in the coach and travelled up to Assissi where we are tonight. Tomorrow we are off the Venice!

Orvieto is another hilltop town with beautiful views, but this time we had a ride up in a funicular railway. There is a church there with stripes along all the sides, but the front is very beautiful with lots of frieze paintings. The stripes look funny. There was a museum with photos of an underground network of tunnels. These were used to obtain water which was lifted to the town by an aqueduct system. There are also homes within the tunnels. It was very interesting. There were also lots of ceramic shops. They were all terracotta with bright painted decoration, some pieces as large as outdoor tables and 3' high urns. Each of thee shops had a different style of decoration - some local scenes, some fruit and several had strange faces. It was very interesting to walk around and I was able to take photos of some. We then drove to Rome where we went for a walking tour of the old area. I am surprised at how much of the Roman buildings are still here, and within the city centre. Today's Rome is built on top of the old Buildings and in places you can see down to the old street levels, about 5 - 7 metres below the current streets. We saw the Trevi fountain and threw in our obligatory coins - 1 to come back, 2 to get married, 3 to get divorced! Or so the guide said. Then we went to a local restaurant for dinner were we had a guitar player serenading us, and selling his CD. After dinner we drove around Rome and finished at the Forum which was all lit up. It looked amazing. Today we walked around the Vatican museums, the Sistine chapel and St Peter's cathedral. There are so many art pieces - statues, tapestries and paintings it is a continuous panorama of art. The ceilings are all highly decorated, some painted, and some have gold leaf on plaster moundings. The Sistine chapel was not as large as I expected, but has paintings all over. There are always stories, many from the bible which are being illustrated with the paintings. The guide, a local lady was pointing out the features she found interesting - like the facial expressions. After lunch we drove to the colosseum - a hugh amphitheatre where the gladiator fought each other of the wild aminals. The gladiators were slaves captured from other countries and trained to fight. There was seating for 50,000 people and standing room above for another 35,000. UNderneath there were cells for all the lions, tigers, bears and crocodiles which were displayed to the people and then fought. Now we are enjoying a siesta! The weather has been warm (35) for the last couple of days and with quite a lot of walking around so it's good to put our feet up. Tomorrow we have an early start and are going to Naples and Capri.

We are now in Florence. Yesterday we visited the Academia Gallery where Michaelangello's work is on display, including his masterpiece 'David'. The characteristics and facial expressions are very detailed - you can't help wondering how these can be created with just a chisel and hammer. We then walked around the 3 main squares int the old area of Florence finishing in a leather supply outlet. There are hawkers everywhere - almost asbad as China. There are lots of pictures, some quite beautiful but impossible to get home in good condition. After free time to shop for leather and gold jewellery, we drove out to San Gigimnano, a medieval town about an hour away in the Tuscan countryside. It had beautiful views in all directions, after climbing the hill. There were lots of small shops selling chianti, wines and the local ceramics - mostly mass produced, but I found 1 with hand made pots, lots with copper red decorations. Very nice. Today we are driving to Rome via Orvietto for another hilltop view.

We have spent the last 2 nights in Monte Carlo - very posh! Too posh forme, but interesting. We went up to a perfumery at Eze, a medieval town on top of a mountain. It was full of narrow twisting paths and steps leading to the top of the hillside overlooking Nice. I didn't get up to the top I got lost in all the little gift shops. Lots with paintings and art work. After lunch we drove along the Grande corniche, a roadway high up the mountains with a magnificent view over the sea and homes clinging to the sides of the hills. Today we drove to Pisa and on to FLOrence. In Itsly there are roadside stalls selling everything from African carvings to postcards and magnets. I will keep this short today because we have only 1/2 hour free. - Nothing free in Monte Carlo.

This morning we toured Barcelona ending up at La Sagrada Familia. What an amazing building that is. We entered from 1 side door where the entire wall was decorated by figures telling the story of the birth of Jesus. Very detailed and busy. The church was to be built from donations by the local people so they have been used as models for the figures in the panorama. Inside was very different, and has not been finished yet. There are columns rising about 100 metres high. About 3/4 of the way up they split into 3 branches, representing trees. At the top there are leaf shapes forming the ceiling. The side windows are stained glass, but the top level will be clear. Apart from the tree effect the inside is quite simple compared to most of the churches we have seen which are full of gold decorations. Once out the opposite side the decoration, depicting the death of Christ, the carving is ultra-modern with flat planes, stylised to give impressions rather than look real. This has been done by a modern artist as Gaudi died many years ago. I felt the contrast between the 2 was too much thereby devaluing both. Later we drove up to Montserrat, the serrated mountains. The views were great, although a bit misty. There is a monestery up there with 80 monks at present. It was built 1000 years ago. Back in Barcelona I went shopping, looking for some ceramic plates which I saw a few days ago, but couldn't buy but no luck. Tonight we are going to see flamenco dancing so click your castanets with us.

Yesterday we drove from Lourdes to Madrid. It was quite a long trip without many stops on the way. We drove to the coast and then across the Pyrenees and into Spain. As we travelled the countryside became much more mountainous and eventually drier. The mountains were very ragged and rocky with some quite spectacular views. As we travelled we gradually rose higher, Madrid is 1000 metres above sea level but it is fairly flat. it seems to be fairly compact too. I walked around last evening and found a lot of stalls. This morning we went for a tour of the city before a visit to the Prada Museum to see some of the famous Spanish artists work. It is interesting to have the pictures explained by an expert. In the afternoon we went to Toledo, a city about 1 hour south. This was the original capital of Castillano and has a very old section. If you walk in the streets you can touch the walls on each side. The cathedral is Hugh and so decorative.

Bordeaux was an interesting place, with the old city along the river, all built the same to suit the king. I think Louis 15th. The city is listed with Unesco as a heritage site. We took a tour around in the bus and then walked for a while to get up close. There has been wine grown there for over 2000 years - before the Romans. A lot of old wineries in the city are now homes and businesses. After a sample of the local wine we have driven up to Lourdes. There are lots of souvenir shops along all the streets and also market stalls selling everything from shoes, jewellery, and undies to African crafts. We had a good wander around before dinner and tonight there is a candle light procession to the grotto.

Wow what a buss Paris is. Cars, motorbikes, buses and trucks weaving in and out of each other and squeezing between the narrowest spaces. When I arrived at the railway station and was waiting for a taxi,I was approached by a young man offering me a ride on a taxi-bike so I ended up on the back of a big motor bike with my suitcase, back pack and bags roaring through the streets of Paris! I can't believe I did that. After our arrival we met at a local restaurant for dinner, then we were taken to the river for a cruise. All of Paris was out walking the streets or sitting in parks and along the river. I didn't count the bridges but we must have past under about 10, and were told about many of the famous buildings and their history. After the cruise we re-joined the coach and drove around among all the crazy traffic to see Paris all lit up. All very beautiful. The Eiffel Tower has a twinkling light show for 5 minutes every hour from 10 to 12 pm. Next morning we were taken on a tour of the city to see the most notable places, tha Arc de Triomph, Concorde Place, Notre Dame, the Louvre (including driving through an arch about 6" wider than the bus!). When our time came we were taken to the Louvre for a tour and given a lot of the stories behind the paintings and statues, including the Mona Lisa. Not as big as I expected. There are so many you get a bit mesmerised before long and people everywhere. Next stop was the Eiffel Tower where we had tickets to the 2nd level. There was a bit of a wait because the computer wouldn't work but not too long. The view stretched for miles, but because so much of Paris is built with sandstone all the buildings tended to blur into a sea of white. We walked back to the hotel from the Arc de Triomphe as we weren't far from there. That evening we went to the Moulin Rouge for dinner and the show, and boy what a show. So many beautiful dancers, male and female. The costumes were amazing and the stage sets were so bright and colourful, and varied so much. Between the dances 2 roller skaters performed with, a man holding a girl and spinning around and around. There was also a great juggler / clown who involved a couple of people from the audience. There was an Australian girl who swam in a large clear sided pool with pythons wrapping around her. There must have been 5 or 6 in the pool with her. Can you imagine dancing with pythons - not for me. This morning we left Paris and drove to Bordeaux, stopping at the chateau of Chenonceau. A beautiful palace built by Henry 2 for his mistress, Diane of Poitiers. It is built on a bridge over the river and is full of tapestries on the walls, paintings and exquisite renaissance furniture. There are formal gardens outside all laid out in sections with flowers along the edges and grass patterns within the lawns. The weather was good while we were there but the rain started as we were travelling south. Wish I could find some sun and warmth - maybe in Spain. Will I keep saying that all the way around Europe, maybe the next place? I am sorry I have not kept up with this blog more often but the wifi in Paris was not free and I didn't have time to find a Starbucks. I think it will be better from here on, hope so.

I have just arrived back in London after spending 3 days with Jill and Andrew Nichols in Wales, unfortunately the internet didn't work. The weather was a bit sodden, raining every day but we did get some clear times. They we're really great. We drove to a craft centre at Corris which had about 8 - 10 small craft workshops, including some beautiful blown glass flowers, a pottery where they made dragons etc to put in your garden and a nice card making shop. There was also a leather shop with bowl, clocks and bags made of leather. The owner had his private collection of swords and helmets from such notable identities as Robin Hood and Braveheart. There was a display of about 30 swords. I was surprised at how big they were, and shiny. There were some for sale - about £100 each. We also drove to the coast at Aberdovey were the river Dyfi forms a broad sandy estuary. Yesterday we went to the source of the Severn river (not quite to the top) and walked along the boardwalk watching the rushing water. There was water everywhere, bogs and river let's running down into the river. Aparently it is good whiskey coloured water! On the way back we saw a hugh dam which was built to maintain the flow of the river Severn, as it feeds a hydro power station as well as supplying water to Bristol and Bath. The dam is about 5 miles long, winding in around the the hills. At the base of the dam wall is a salmon hatchery - reminded me of Canada. The is also the ruins of an an abandoned lead mine which was very interesting to ramble around. Tomorrow I am off to Paris!