Budapest (Hungary) - November 2014

Hotel: Central Basilica, Pest

After we had seen "Grand Budapest Hotel" at the cinema, and loved it, Clare had decided that our secret anniversary destination this year would be Hungary.  Last year I had taken Clare to Edinburgh as our first anniversary treat, Clare had definitely up the ante with Budapest for our 2nd.

We arrived late in the evening on the Sunday night so quickly unpacked and set off to a local restaurant for something to eat.  Clare and I love to eat with locals and not big flash places, as we tried to find our way around, we stumbled across a quaint little place that look ideal.  The place was full of locals (I say full, there were 6 tables), and the service was fantastic.  The food was superb for a little place and was full of flavour, I knew I was going to enjoy the food in Budapest, and this just confirmed it.

We woke in the morning and it seemed as though the weather we had in Scotland had followed us across seas.  Despite this we set off the to furthest destination from our hotel, "Hero's Square".  When we arrived the thought of walking back down to our hotel despite being wet and cold was something we both didn't fancy, so we jumped on the next hop-on hop-off tour bus and toured the city in the warmth of a lovely cold double decker bus.  It was difficult to see most of the sites as the windows had steamed up that much, but it helped us get our bearings ready for the next non rainy day.

When we arrived back at the hotel, our feet were that cold we had to jump straight into a red hot bath and stand until the feeling returned.

I had downloaded the trip advisor app before arriving in Budapest and it was great for finding the kind of restaurants we like on holiday, local, cheap and authentic.  Our second night took us to another Ettorem, the food was divine and so tasty, i got a recommendation from the waitress and with starters, mains and drinks the bill came to a little under £20.00, you cannot beat that!

On our second day the sun had come out for a little so we decided to venture towards the palace and castle hill on the Buda side to see the vistas.  After finding the hilliest route with the most steps, we finally arrived at the palace and it was definitely worth the hike.  The views into Pest were breathtaking and the Parliament building just looked immense.  The palace was so beautiful and well worth our walk.  Our next destination was the castle hill, I had originally assumed that we would have covered half of the climb and could cut across, but no, we had to go back down, across a main round and the double the distance on the next climb.  Suffice to say, Clare was none too happy with me as I kept saying, "we are nearly there" for another set of stairs to appear.  Again, when we reached the top all sense of aches and pains from the climb deteriorated and the view just blew us away.  When we arrived at ground level we started to head back towards the hotel and we found a main street with shops galore, one being the most expensive Christmas shop on the planet, I was a little terrified walking around, but I knew it made Clare happy
.

Using our trip advisor app again, we found another local restaurant that changed everything.  I was considering either the Pork Knuckle (an Eastern European favourite of mine) or something different like a Deer Stew.  When I presented my options to the waiter, he simply took the menus and walked away.  Fearful that I had ordered both mains due to language issues I waited pensively.  The waiter brought me the deer stew and told me that there was no other decision for me to make, he was fully correct.  It was possibly the best meal I have ever had abroad, and believe me, I eat well abroad. The flavours were so rich and moreish, I actually struggled to engage Clare in conversation for fear of missing some part of this experience.  Believe me, it was that good!  When we returned to the hotel that night I checked my pedometer and we had covered 18 miles in a day, the feet needed some rest!

The next day brought a little more rain, but things were brightening up, we ventured towards the grand market hall and tried to see as many of the Christmas Markets as possible.  They had only just started opening as it was early in December, but it still felt very Christmassy.  We returned to the restaurant from the night before to try the soup for our dinner, Transylvania Meatball Soup, it was as good as it sounds!  As I am trying to complete a marathon soon, I had taken my runners with me to Budapest, so decided to go out into the city for a 7-8 mile run.  What a fantastic adventure, from the Basilica, passed parliament, over to Buda, up to Fisherman's wharf and then along the banks of the river Danube, cross back into Pest and then a busy run back to the basillica, the sights were a lot more interesting than my home town and that what kept me going.


In the evening we boarded our Danube River cruise accompanied with a vodka and schnapps (which were very strong) and the beautiful city around us.  Parliament building had only been seen by us during the day, so the night time version really impressed us.  As well as castle hill, the palace and fisherman's wharf, such a beautiful city.

After our cruise we found another local restaurant and Clare had Chicken in a Honey and mustard sauce, returning the lack of converation I had given clare the night before with my deer stew, Clare did the same with this dish, no talking whilst eating, the food is just superb.


Our last day and we decided to walk to Parliament, impressed by it last night on the cruise we wanted to see the
impressive building up close, it was still as impressive, and the sun had come out to play as well.

All in all, Clare's surprise anniversary trip to Budapest is something I will remember forever, a fantastic, vibrant city with so much to see and do, we didn't even scrape the surface.

Gadgrith (Scotland) October 2014

Hotel: Gadgrith Lodges, Annbank, Ayr

Having loved our last trip to Annbank as it was just what we needed at the time, we thought we would return on a happier occasion, my 35th Birthday.

This time we had opted for the larger lodge with us having Chewie and regular holiday hijackers Clare's Dad and Debbie joining us a couple of days in.  This lodge was significantly larger, the living area was huge, the kitchen massive and the bedrooms more than adequate.

We settled in straight away and got Chewie used to his new surroundings.  Then off we tottered to the Lang Scot Mile in Ayr, a mile long walk along the promenade looking out to sea and the Isle of Aaran.  Chewie absolutely loved this freedom and was chasing leaves continuously.  We also treated our little monkey to a play on the beach.  Chewie had not really seen sand before and was just overwhelmed by how much fun he could have.  Digging, sniffing, scuttling and generally running around, he was one happy puppy.  We then returned to a lovely log fire and settled in for the night.

The week we had chosen, mainly because it was birthday week, must have been the wettest week in Scotland for years.  We had rain pretty much everyday, but this did not dampen our spirits.
We covered familiar haunts of the previous year, such as Ayr, Alloway (Robbie Burns Birthplace) and Troon even before our guests had arrived.

Chewie was loving the whole Scottish life and would bounce every time we got out of the car, ready for his new adventure.

When Clare's Dad and Step-mum joined us, the cards came out and the holiday ritual began, Nomination Whist.

A little trip back to Alloway, Ayr and Troon were on the cards on the first day, just to take in the sights nearer to home, hoping that the rain would clear for our longer treks

We ventured as a group to the idyllic Loch Lomand for a boat trip around the deepest loch.  The rain had stopped for a few hours so the trip was really picturesque and relaxing.  Chewie loved his first boat trip and was also a little star on deck.  Some tourists were happier to take pictures of our little puppy rather than the sights around.



I awoke on my 35th birthday and lit the log fire ready for the day ahead.  Chewie was already giddy and I can't thank Clare, Terry and Debbie for making me feel so special on this day.  A trip to Dean Castle was my treat, (one I had decided on a few weeks before) as I knew it would be a great place for Chewie to run around, but also a great place for a walk.  Little did we know that the rain would not stop all day.  Still, we had fun as we always do, and I even treated myself to a scone.

We found a little sanctuary restaurant that was happy to take dogs into the restaurant and serve lovely hot soup.  This park is one I would like to return to when it wasn't so wet and cold as it was a real delight and the fact that we could nip in for a warming drink and soup with our little mutt is a pure bonus.

Ayr is a lovely place to visit and there is so much to see an do within a close proximity, the lodges just add that extra cosy feel, and with Chewie settling in and enjoying himself so much, I am sure we can look to do something similar in the future...as long as it has a log fire!

Prague (Czech Republic) March 2014

Hotel: Hotel Roma

With our current fascination with Eastern European countries, Clare suggested a trip to Prague for our usual February get away.  Having been to Krakow a couple of times, we though we would try somewhere that offered something a little different, yet still had the feel of the city.  We were a little underwhelmed by the beauty of the city and how much was crammed into such a small area.

We arrived late evening in Prague, the taxi driver taking us to our hotel was a font of knowledge advising us to only drink the local beers, if not afraid of height to head up the fenicular and see the Lesser Square and Astrological Clock. We arrived and czeched (sorry) into our hotel, and decided to go out into the main point of the city for something to eat.  This was when we first discovered Charles Bridge (Karlos Muntz), the main bridge connecting the old town and new town.

The food in Prague is similar to most Easter European countries, meat (pork hocks/chicken) with cabbage, potatoes or beetroot and we love it.  Whilst in Prague we tried Wild Boar, Chicken on sword skewers and lots of goulash

On the recommendations of thousands on Trip Advisor and our Taxi Driver we trekked to Lesser square to take in the Astrological Clock.  All I can say is...what? we waited around for about ten minutes, choosing the prime location for viewing the spectacular that was about to happen.  The crowds built, the tensions mounted and then the hour struck.  After the minute of mechanic bravado, I turned to Clare and she was just laughing, what had we just witnessed, and why were people clapping? Had we missed something?

No City break with a river would be complete without a boat trip, I love me a boat trip.  Clare and I

were soon aboard our cruise with a free Pivo (beer) and cup of tea and off we sailed.  Learning more of the city and it's history, I felt much more knowledgeable of our surroundings.

Charles Bridge is a great place to meander up and down as there is always something happening on there.  One of the many bands performing "The Band on the Bridge" are just one of the highlights.  A group of 4 aged gentlemen delighting audiences with their music, and flogging CD's

We also took a trip up the fenicular to the tower on the hill for real panoramic views of the spectacular city,  I braved the spiral staircase to the top of the tower and took the camera with me.  The views from here were just awesome.  We then skipped down to the Palace to which we were just in time to see the changing of the guard.  

Everything is in walking distance in Prague, however to walk to everything in one day really takes a toll on the little feet.  

Prague, for me, will always be the place I heard Clare laugh for the first time in months.  We had suffered real heartbreak and Clare had trouble seeing life for what it had to offer.  Hearing Clare laugh whilst stood on Charles Bridge early in the holiday will be something I always remember.