Visit to Carcassonne

Tuesday we visited the medieval town of Carcassonne.

They say it is one of the best kept medieval fortress in France and maybe
even Europe. It was impressive to walk around in this fully functional
town, catering so nicely for the tourists...

All the towers and walls are intact and quite a few also still have wooden
walkways around.

We are learning and this time we enjoyed our "artisan" (homemade) lunch and
only went exploring for our coffee.

After having explored the rest of the medieval town and spent a good EUR 12
on bisquits for the evening, we devided to take a walk through the
remaining town. The town has a really good atmosphere in the shopping area
as well. We made our way up to Gare SNCF abd bought tickets for Perpignan
to Barcelona on Friday morning. This was the only thing we weren't
completely sure was possible.

At the end of the day we raced home to the house to make a braai.
We made lamb chop for Nic and a nice steak for Mic. I have enjoyed the
steak with a nice bottle of Carbades feom the neighbouring town...

It is 21.45 and we are still able to sit on the terrace, drinking coffee
and our EUR 12 bisquits... They are allright.

Miraval, Carcassonne, Languedoc

This morning we left Avignon to drive to Carcassonne. We stopped at Pont du
Gard the amazing aquaduct sloping exactly 7 percent (As I remember) to
create the perfect stream of water in Avignon.

As we left, I estimated that we would arrive at Bentes house at 18.00 in
the evening. 18.03 and we pulled in, in front of the house. Scandinavian
precision...

Bente had told is the house was just north of Carcassonne, but in actual
fact we ended up 26 kilometres of winding streets later.
The situation is so remote, that I have got to ask Bente where and why she
has managed to find it in the first place?

The drive from Avignon to the house was mostly done on country roads. The
area is truly spectacular. Wine fields as far as the eye can see, until you
engage on the mountain drive. It is in fact more like driving through a
canyon with steep mountain sides both to the left and to the right.

We did the mistake of leaving Avignon, feeling confident that we would find
a supermache that was open on a Sunday. Eventualy wgen we arrived at the
house we had missed both lunch and dinner opportunities.
After having settled in the house we drove 12 km back to Corgues s. Orbitel
where we managed to find the only open restaurant. 2 entrecotes latee, we
were happy people and we could drive back to the house. We are now very
comfortable with road and I am almost not put off by the thought that I
have to drive 7 km to the nearest patisserie in Las Tours.

Although we had glorious plans about using this place as a base for endless
exploration, I think we both agree, that we will be content with sitting
and reading books in the swirley bench, listenibg to the mountain stream.
Only interupted by the churchbells LITERALLY above our heads.

Avignon, Provence

We stayed for quite a while in Cassis and to be honest I think we both
regreted not to have booked another night in Cassis. After having layed on
the beach and walked in the Calangues, we were finally ready to continue to
Avignon.

After getting lost in Cassis (seemms compulsary) we left for the motorway.
We spent more time queuing for toll booths than actually driving on the
motorway and subsequently EUR 10 later we arrived in Avignon.

My Dad and Anne had recommended Hotel Medieval and after getting lost in
Avignon also we managed to cheque in. In best French style you plonk your
car in the street (which isn't much wider than a Citroen Xsara Picasso)
with your hazards on untill you are ready to continue, preferably with
between 2 to 4 cars having waited behind you...

The English receptionist at the hotel was so nice that he managed to uplift
the entire stay at Avignon with his helpful advice and general interest.

From or top floor window we have a nice side view to Pepes Palace...
Apparently the pope back in the old Roman days prefered to stay in Avignon
as opposed to Rome. Just as Queen Margrethe prefers Fredensborg to
Amalienborg...

Avignon in August is a nice town but very quiet. The shops are generally
very funky and you do get the feeling that the citizens are very
innovative.

We had a lovely lunch in the sun in the garden of Pepes Palace. Hereafter
we decided to spend the afternoon visiting Chateauneuf de Pape.

In Chateaineuf de Papel we decided to drive back to Avignon and enjoy the
meal in the town. We managed to find a nice restaurant that speciallised in
crepes and thus we had savoury and sweet pancakes for dinner.

Cassis, Provence.

We had reserved a miniature car from home and were quite chuffed to
reallise that the car had been upgraded to a Xsara Picasso, which is a
large family minibus type of a car. Only later in Avignon, should we
realise that unneeded space in a car is NOT a plus.

Anyways, shortly after having landed, we were on our way to Cassis via
Marseille. Initially we wanted to stay in Marseille, but after being lost
there for a little hour, we were quite glad to continue.

Cassis at Cape Canaille, is a gorgeous little natural harbour. It is the
starting point to walk alpng the Calangues. This is essentially to be
walking on the cliffs and looking far down into turquise canyons. People
are kayaking and doing all sorts of water sports. Qe had bought salami and
baguette at the market and had the most scenic view with our lunch.

Only after hour first lunch at EUR 40 did we realise that French cuisine is
very different. When the menu is in French and the waiter only speaks
little English, the food order leaves room for surprises...

The room at Hotel Le Golfe was well worth the money and we would stay there
again. We had a scenic view from the balcony via the harbour front to Cape
Canaille in the background, amazing.

Airport security

As the security has tightened at UK airports recently, we were courious
about how it was going tp be, flying at 6.05 in the morning from Gatwick to
Marseille.

You are not allowed to bring any cosmetics and very few types of liquid on
board a plane these days.

Although being asked when checking in, about cosmetics, people still had
these items when approaching the scanner. Security personnel were walking
up and down collecting last minute items, and there was a lady behind us
that have to give up her entire cosmetics bag. The security officer adviced
her that she could keep the pouch.

After having walked through the scanning area in socks and holding up the
pants we were finally ready to fly. They now also want to scan your
shoes...

Copenhagen in the Summer

Stroeget (best compared to Oxford Street) is probably the longest shopping
street in Europe, closed for motorised traffic.

The street is connecting Central Copenhagen from east at Kongens Nytorv to
west at the city town hall. Local tip is to go off Stroeget and visit "Graabroedretorv". The restaurant "Peder Oxe" is very popular amongst Danes. The historic square in itself is also well worth a visit.

Also just off Stroeget is "Vandkunsten", "Loengangstraede", "Brolaeggerstraede" all medieval street. If you can find cafe Sorgenfri (I think BadstueStraede), they are famous for there luxurious open sandwiches as only the Danes can make them. (Don't forget Snaps if you are having herring)...

On Amagertorv right at the middle of Stroeget is Illums Bolighus which I think have the most comprehensive collection of Danish design items for sale. Just to browse and see how stuff you only thought existed as plastic merchandise has been developed in stainless steel and rubber....

Kongens Nytorv:
Is the East connecting point of Stroeget. It is a big open square (Trafalgar) with Copenhagen's probably most expensive hotels (d'Angleterre). What is probably more interesting is Magasin (du Nord) which is in my opinion the best department store in Copenhagen. Whether the weather is good or not you should try walking down Nyhavn (at one o'clock past the royal theatre) when you enter the square from Stroeget.

Nyhavn is the colourful house front you see on every single tourist book. During the summer it is the best place to sit and have a pint of beer and maybe even lunch. The all try hard but Nyhavn 17 is particularly popular.

At the end of Nyhavn further East is Amalienborg, walk down to the end of Nyhavn and bear left walk along the water down towards the castle. This is where the Queen lives.

If you are in the mood for more brisk walking, this will take you all the way down to "Langelinie" and the little mermaid. rather than seeing the little statue, bear left and walk up to the parks of Kastellet which is the oldest existing parts of the Copenhagen defence walls.

***

At the other end of Stroeget at the town hall you MUST pay a visit to Tivoli
This is a bustling amusement park (Not like Blackpool or Brighton!, more like Kew Gardens with
restaurants and rollercoaster's).

Don't come during the day but plan an evening out here. Arrive at 18.00 walk around, find a suitable restaurant, eat etc. and walk the calories off in the park afterwards. Make sure to
stay till midnight and enjoy the light show to say goodnight at the little lake. It is well worth watching 5+ times (We have done that...Ask for the time I think it is around 22.00-23.00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays.)

Try not to go on a Friday due to the FRIDAY ROCK which is fantastic but as it is a popular Danish band on 25/8 you won't enjoy it but the park will bepacked. Where else do you get a concert ticket for 6 pound?

Recommendable restaurants in here are:
Bernstoffs (also accesible from outside on Bernstoffsgade (reserve table!)
Restaurant Viften more like a cafeteria but some restaurants are very
expensive and this is good value for money which not all are...
Groeften is where the celebrities like to hang out
Hercegovina is "Yougoslavian" food and very bustly.
Divan 2 generally very good but also pricey.
Don't forget to finish with a pint of beer at Faergekroen. Fantastic atmosphere...

If moving outside the centre:

Christianshavn has got some cute canals and "vor frelser" kirke is quite
cool with its staircase on the outside of the church spire.
Don't bother too much about Vesterbro as this is the rougher BUT up and
coming area.
Noerrebro is where a lot of students are living, thus many "funky" cafes and
restaurants. "Sankt Hans Torv" is worth a short visit.
Splitting Noerrebro from Central Copenhagen are the 4 "Lakes" which are artificial but place for a nice walk.
OEsterbro is the nicest residential part of Copenhagen but besides from "Rosens kvarter" and "Brumlebyerne" it is quite residential.

***

Traffic wise Copenhagen airport is very well connected with the town. Don't bother with taking a taxi in, as it will cost you an arm and take 3 times the time.

In the basement in the arrivals (terminal 3) is a train that takes you to the central station in 11 minutes. Before leaving the arrivals terminal, stop at the ticket booth just before the escalators and enquire about "klippekort" (If you are planning to take buses and trains around). A blue
one with 10 x 2 zones cost DKR 105.00 and each person will need 4 zones into the town centre (4 stamps for 2 people).

***

If you are into art, Louisiana north of Copenhagen is a very famous museum with after Danish terms a comprehensive collection of art together with short term exhibitions.

Helsingoer is on the same train stretch as Louisiana museum. Helsingoer is a quaint town, famous (in the world) for being were Hamlet said his famous words. (The the Swedes it is known for its liberal approach to alcohol)...

Safer browsing

McAfee, one of the main players on the virus security software market have acquired the service called siteadvisor, which gives you an indication of a web sites security when you are browsing it.

In addition, when you Google something, it provides a traffic light indication to whether a site has been reviewed and considered safe, mediocre or unsafe.

The community works such that if a site has not yet received a recommendation, you can submit it for review.

The traffic light is based on tests for pop-ups, browser exploits, phishing activity, adware, spyware and malware.

The service can be downloaded as an extension to Firefox and is free of charge.

Barclays Banking, masochism or insanaty

When moving across to the UK, Barclays Bank was recommended by Den Danske Bank. I am struggling to see why.

Their financial services are un competitive in any ways possible. Their credit cards are charged at around 20% which has received plentiful comments from the Ombudsman. The fact that they paid Jennifer Anniston GBP 2M for a TV ad that ONLY made the headlines because of that fact does not halp either.

Their mortgages will always be higher than other high street banks. Their marketing consists of hand written signs in the banks by desparate employees trying to meet their head office targets. I would imagine the consequence of not meeting the target is to be sacked as there is always new staff in the branches, which you as a customer has to "appreciate and accept" ??? Maybe thatg is also the reason you always wait minimum 20 minutes to be served, because all staff goes to lunch at the time their customers come to see them. After lunch they are just way busy with their mobile phones and chatting across the barriers about football.

Back to the cosequence of being sacked - don't worry there will be something better for you out there...

Try and file a complaint? You are left to send an email to a service that still hasn't responded to my letters. If you manage to get hold of a telephone number to one of their branches as I once did, prepare yourself for a mouthful for calling them on that "secret" number...

Should you go into overdraft they will charge you a "learn the lesson fee" of GBP 30 per day if new transactions occur...... Imagine coming home from a 3 day holiday where 3 transactions have caused you to overdraw with just GBP 10 - that holiday will cost you an additional GBP 90 - enough to go to Paris for a weekend break.

Did I forget to mention all the other services they manage to sell you each time you go into the bank? And also remind me to tell you about the GBP 3.5 billion they distribute to their shareholders each year...

Free mobile and landline telephony!

There is no doubt that internet telephony is the way forward. Many ideas are revealed these years. Not to forget Skype that was sold to eBay for around USD 3.5 BN.

This new service from jajah.com deserves a mention - and an incouragement for all friend and family to sign up.

The charge to call a non registered user is reasonable but the real benefit comes when both parties are registered, as the call from landline to landline (or from mobile to mobile) is then completely free .

How it works is basically that the caller logs into jajah.com and makes a selection of whom to call (address book or dial-pad) and from which phone he/she wishes to call from. The callers phone will ring and then shortly after the recipient is called.

Initially before subscription, you get 5 minutes of free talktime, which I used on a quality test of the service by calling my Dad. He was busy cutting down the apple-tree in the garden!!!

The quality from UK landline to DK landline is top notch.

Even when you subscribe you get around GBP 1.88 (presumably the equivalent of USD 3.00) to enable you start talking.

So please subscribe and lets enjoy free communication as long as it will last...

Regular breakdowns at Copenhagen Airport

This was the weekend, we went to celebrate my Dad, Erik's, 60th birthday and his retirement.

Usually we return back to the UK on a Sunday evening but this time we thought we would like to utilize the entire weekend and thus fly back on the Monday morning.

Oh what a mistake. Although we thoroughly enjoyed Sunday evening with a picnic in a park, the relaxed feeling was somewhat offset with the stress of Monday morning at the airport...

This time we flew with Sterling Airways from terminal 2. Before we entered the airport terminal, we could see the orange screens, and all the people through the sliding doors. At first I thought orange = EasyJet and people = charter holidays which equals = not my problem!

What a mistake. The entire building was full of people waiting to check-in with Sterling. Initially we tried to maneouvre down to the end of the queue in the other end of the building but eventually we just stepped into the queue somewhere. This later turned out to be the general plan as people generally proclaimed the situation to be a state of emergency....

As usual there was very little communication and what was even more worrying was that the message that was broadcasted was a pre-recording... They seem to be used to the situation??

Eventually after 90 minutes of queueing we were checked in, only to re-iterate the exercise at the security gate. Here people were now coming to the conclusion that all flights but theres would be delayed and thus most people had an average of 6 - 20 minutes to board the plane and thus they should be in the front of the queue. No worries, we did the same....

Besides from all this there was some PSIP (Potentially Self-Important Person) on the plane as we boarded from gate B1. this gate is located at the ground floor, away from all fingers and passport controls.
We sat waiting in a row of chairs facing a speakers chair. When we got to Gatwick we were welcomed by a row of limousines picking of the passenger (could not see whom because of the wing).

The only lesson to be learned is: As staff was walking around the airport announcing that people to this and that destination now had to come forward in the queue, you may as well sit down at Cafe Karen Blixen and enjoy breakfast whilst watching the farce around you until your destination gets preference....