Santorini

I arrived last night after a long day of travel and thought I had landed in heaven at this hotel.  It is one of the small luxury hotels of the world and I can undrstand why.  At reception I was greeted with a glass of water with some sort of fruit in it and it was so delicious I could have drank the whole pitcher full if it had been there.  They also gave me a face washer with some refreshing thing in it to wipe my face with that was wonderful.  I went to dinner last night and mentioned I was cold and someone came and put a blanket around my shoulders!  I had a lovely grilled fish fillet at a very reasonable price.  Breakfast this morning was a banquet - I was scoffing my plate of scrambled eggs
etc and some very thin girls came in and had a boiled egg and not much else and I thought well that is the difference between their weight and mine.

I change hotels today to go down into the village.

The flight from Athens to here was so rough they could not even serve the coffee on the flight - it was a very small plane so we felt every bump.   I am not a nervous flyer but I ws very pkeased to land.

Zurich

Zurich must be the most beautiful city I have been to.  It is like a postcard.  It is quite small so eay to walk around.  The first day I did a bus tour of the city for a couple of hours which was very good value.  Of course the highlight for me was when we went past the site of where the Swiss banks are - and the thought we may be over the vaults of gold gave me a lovely warm feeling!
The next day I wandered around the Old Town which is breathtaking in the beauty and colours of the buildings.  Yesterday I did a river cruise which though very relaxing had no commentary which I found strange. 

I am pleased that I have a place with a kitchen as eating out here is just so expensive - main courses between 35-55 francs.  Everyone also says not to get taxis - this is right my taxi from the main train station was 32 francs  and it was not all that far.  I have been quoted 70 francs for my taxi to the airport tomorrow.  The public transport is excellent although not entirely cheap - a 24 hour tram ticket for Zone 1 is 8.80 francs.

Being in Zurich makes you want to see more of Switzerland.

Leaving Paris

Well have arrived in Zurich much to my relief.  The transport workers were on strike yesterday and no intercity trains were running -luckily they went back to work at 8am today.  I went into inner Paris and did my Seine cruise yesterday - it was just lovely - but I think I would go on a smaller company one next time.  The one I used is the oldest company in Paris and clearly is the one that the tour groups use as it was very crowded.  Then went to the bridge under which Diana was killed but there were road works going on and you could not see anything - honestly I ask you!   Anyway I was looking around to see where I would go next and spied a lovely cafe with a really good lunch deal - so had found my next stop!  The lunch - two courses for 14 euros was jut delicious.

On the train back to the hotel I could not believe how crowded the train was - we were pressed against each other.  I must be looking old as there was an old coupe sitting near where I was standing and the husband asked if I wanted to sit down - but he was not getting up he expected his wife to.  Anyway I found out why the train was so crowded - most got off at my station as there was a demonstration - or they call it a manifestation in France - on the street just outside my hotel of the striking workers  Anyway the strikers are striking for two days each week for the next three months.

The train ride today to Zurich was just gorgeous.  I had a seat upstairs on the train so had a wonderful view.  Zurich looks gorgeous from what I have seen so far - off tomorrow to do a sightseeing tour

Paris

Went to the Eiffel Tower for lunch today.  What has amazed me in both London and Paris is the increase of people since I was last in both cities.  For example the underground used to be fairly quiet after 9.30 but not so now it is crowded virtually all day.  Anyway I got talking to a lady with a baby in a pusher and I thought 'Oh how is she ever going to get on these crowded trains'  -well she just pushed her way on with people just separating to let her on while I just stood on the platform waiting for a less crowded train. 

I was thinking how things have changc since I was last in Paris at the Eiffel Tower - last time you just wandered aound under the Tower whereas now you gave to line up for ages to go through security to enter the area under the Tower to head up .  Anyway I just joined a que and soon got sick of this as no one else seemed to gave anything booked -so I went to the head and said to the Security guard that I had a booking at the restaurant - expecting him no say go back - but he just let me in through the security checkpoint.  Anyway lunch was just delicious -honestly I felt like licking my plate!    I was a bit disgruntled as I did not have a window seat - but my table had a lovely view anyway.  I got talking to the couple at the table next to me who were from San Diego and it was their anniversary as well.  It was such a wonderful experience - I even chose the best choices of dishes from the menu - you know how you make your selection and then you see what someone else has chosen and wish you had that and it spoils your meal - well none of that I was delighted with my choices

Oh when I was in Kensington the other day the postie was delivering the mail and he was actually walking with the mail

Off on a Seine river cruse tomorrow.

Another chilly London day

Went to 'The City' today to the Bank of England to change over some old notes that are out of circulation.  By the way the people walking around were dresses it certainly is the financial centre - I was certainy the only one walking around with a beenie on!  You could almost smell the money walking around there.
Then headed off to the Museum of London -well I congratulated myself for finding it firstly as you walk in a circle and there is a small -very small sigb for the Museum -after a coupe of walks around the  building I finally saw it -then you go up this darl staircase and over a bridge and finally there it is!  It is the most fascinating place and traces the history  of London.  Apart from the about 100 primary school groups - well it maybe just sounded like this many -  it was a wonderful visit. The most fascinating area for me was the Victorian London section where you walked through these cobbled streets around these Victorian buildings with articles from this period in the windows etc.  The lighting was like you were walking in gaslight - it was wonderful. 
Then walked around St Paul's Cathedral.

Freezing in london

UP to the dizzy heights of 5 today -what a treat! 
Out and about yesterday as were lots of people.  Irish parade near Trafalgar Square.  Went to te National Portrait Gallery - saw Kate portrait -not a fan she just looks fed up to me.  The Diana portrait is gorgeous.  Ten to te National Gallery and the Cafe in the Crypt at St Martin's in the Field Church   Sunday roast at a local pub. 

Went to te Diana dress exhibition at Kensington Palace -one f te coats Diana did not particularly lie and gave it to a local Op Shop - imagine finding that when looking around.  They did not explain how it came to e in this collection.

Off to tge Museum of London today and to te site where te Great fire of London started.