We spend our Sunday mornings browsing and talking narrowboats. This morning I stumbled across a page on the Canal Junction website. I had seen this page before but had forgotten all about it. It's a page of advertisements for people wanting to exchange their narrowboat or to exchange their house for a narrowboat holiday.
In 2007, for Mick's first trip to England, we exchanged our home with a lovely lady in Leamington Spa for 5 weeks. The whole experience was great and I think it could be a great way to have a narrowboat holiday too. We will have to keep this in mind for the future - once we've lived our narrowboat dream. It might be a way for us to get back on the canals for holidays.
It's worth a look at the exchange websites - even just out of interest. There are such amazing properties on offer around the world.
Narrowboat exchange :
Canal Junction Boat Exchange
Home exchange :
Home Exchange
HomeForExchange.com
Home Link
We are two Australians who lived the dream and spent 20 months as liveaboards on narrowboat Parisien Star. Life before.... during.... and after.
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Last holiday photos
I've had quite a few people asking to see photos of our USA trip so I'm putting the last of them on this blog entry. I know they haven't been in any sort of order!
Several states in the USA have "quilt trails" where people put up painted quilt blocks on their barns. We didn't follow a map of them but it was lovely to stumble across them as we drove.
We spent a couple of days with my friend, Sheri, in Kentucky. She has a beautiful creek through her property and Phantom, the Australian Shepherd joined us on a morning walk. Sheri, Tammy and I had an enjoyable afternoon visiting an antique fair. I bought a couple of vintage quilts! More on that later.
My friend, Erin, flew down from Maine to spend a few days with us in Pennsylvania.
Several states in the USA have "quilt trails" where people put up painted quilt blocks on their barns. We didn't follow a map of them but it was lovely to stumble across them as we drove.
We spent a couple of days with my friend, Sheri, in Kentucky. She has a beautiful creek through her property and Phantom, the Australian Shepherd joined us on a morning walk. Sheri, Tammy and I had an enjoyable afternoon visiting an antique fair. I bought a couple of vintage quilts! More on that later.
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| Tammy at left, Erin at right |
Saturday, 5 November 2011
Booking holidays
I had a request for information on how I found the places we stayed on our holiday to America.
Mick and I have always preferred staying in self contained accomodation when we travel, rather than in hotels. It's nicer to sit in a living area to watch tv or read rather than having to sit on the bed, and we also much rather be able to make our own meals if we choose. We would also choose to stay in a historic cottage rather than a modern apartment whenever possible - that's just our preference.
I use tripadvisor.com to look for what accomodation is available in the places we want to visit. You can choose to look at accomodation by hotel, B&B/inn, or specialty lodging. I generally skip the hotel section unless it's to stay near an airport, or just a place to sleep on the way to somewhere else. This method has served us well in our past travels. It's very useful to be able to read reviews by other people who have stayed there. You do need to be a little cautious of taking the reviews at face value - particularly the ratings - as often people will give a low rating for silly reasons or things that are simply cultural or regional differences. For example, whether they provide face washers! Some countries deem them to be personal items.
While planning my holiday with Tammy to the USA we had a few things on our agenda. We wanted to visit Paducah in Kentucky (lots of quilt, antique, craft shops), Lancaster County in Pennsylvania (Amish country), the Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill in Kentucky (lovely buildings and furniture) and Richmond, Virginia (so I could visit the quilt I wanted to see).
We stayed in Paducah for 2 nights and we wanted to find somewhere right in the middle of the town so pretty much everything was walking distance. The accomodation was restored apartments above a row of historic shops and we were happy with our choice.
Lancaster County was a week long stay so we definitely wanted somewhere we could have our own space and be able to prepare meals. We rented a lovely little house called Das Haus in the village of Intercourse. We would highly recommend the services of "Intercourse Lodging" (click here : http://www.intercoursepalodging.com/index.html ). Daryl and Tina who rented us the house were so friendly and helpful. The house was just on a side street from the centre of the village so we were able to walk to look at the myriad of shops. The house had 3 bedrooms which turned out to be very useful as my friend, Erin who lives in Maine, came down to stay a few days with us. Waking to the sound of an Amish buggy clip-clopping past the house was fantastic. Although there were lots of tourists during the day, the village was just the right speed for a pair of women who live in a small town themselves! Best of all, it was quite economical to rent a house for the week so it gave us the opportunity to go to New York for one night and be able to leave our luggage and car back at the house. It worked out well.
I had discovered the Shaker Village in a book Mick has about Shaker furniture. It was near to where my friend Sheri lives in Kentucky so at first we thought we'd make a day trip there while staying with her. When we discovered you could actually stay in the village we decided we couldn't miss the opportunity so we spent a couple of days there before visiting Sheri. The accomodation was Shaker style so quite basic but we loved it. The couple of nights we spent there were the most peaceful of the entire trip.
We were looking for somewhere to stay and visit near the place where the quilt I wanted to see was kept. We looked around the area of Richmond, Virginia. While looking at a map of the area I Googled the name of nearby towns to see if there was anything interesting. When I stumbled across Williamsburg I knew I'd found the place for us. Tammy and I both love historic buildings and history in general. In Ballarat in Australia there is a fantastic re-created gold mining village for tourists called Sovereign Hill. It's a favourite day out for Tammy and her family and for Mick and I too. Williamsburg just seemed to be an oversized version! There were many of the old buildings used as old style shops and taverns and also for accomodation. It was like stepping back in time with people wandering around in period costume.
As for booking hotels.....
We had 2 nights in LA so just chose somewhere close to the airport so we could use the free shuttle service.
The one night we spent in NY we splashed out on a hotel in the centre of Times Square. We're glad we did as that was the place we liked best in New York and we could safely walk out at night to have dinner. Perfect.
The only other night we stayed in a hotel was on our drive from Kentucky to Pennsylvania - 14 hours over 2 days. We hadn't pre-booked it. We found ourselves very tired and in rather foul weather late on the first day so decided we'd just take the next exit and stop at the first hotel. When I look at the reviews for this hotel now, I wouldn't have chosen it but we needed somewhere to sleep and that's what we got.
Mick and I have always preferred staying in self contained accomodation when we travel, rather than in hotels. It's nicer to sit in a living area to watch tv or read rather than having to sit on the bed, and we also much rather be able to make our own meals if we choose. We would also choose to stay in a historic cottage rather than a modern apartment whenever possible - that's just our preference.
I use tripadvisor.com to look for what accomodation is available in the places we want to visit. You can choose to look at accomodation by hotel, B&B/inn, or specialty lodging. I generally skip the hotel section unless it's to stay near an airport, or just a place to sleep on the way to somewhere else. This method has served us well in our past travels. It's very useful to be able to read reviews by other people who have stayed there. You do need to be a little cautious of taking the reviews at face value - particularly the ratings - as often people will give a low rating for silly reasons or things that are simply cultural or regional differences. For example, whether they provide face washers! Some countries deem them to be personal items.
While planning my holiday with Tammy to the USA we had a few things on our agenda. We wanted to visit Paducah in Kentucky (lots of quilt, antique, craft shops), Lancaster County in Pennsylvania (Amish country), the Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill in Kentucky (lovely buildings and furniture) and Richmond, Virginia (so I could visit the quilt I wanted to see).
We stayed in Paducah for 2 nights and we wanted to find somewhere right in the middle of the town so pretty much everything was walking distance. The accomodation was restored apartments above a row of historic shops and we were happy with our choice.
Lancaster County was a week long stay so we definitely wanted somewhere we could have our own space and be able to prepare meals. We rented a lovely little house called Das Haus in the village of Intercourse. We would highly recommend the services of "Intercourse Lodging" (click here : http://www.intercoursepalodging.com/index.html ). Daryl and Tina who rented us the house were so friendly and helpful. The house was just on a side street from the centre of the village so we were able to walk to look at the myriad of shops. The house had 3 bedrooms which turned out to be very useful as my friend, Erin who lives in Maine, came down to stay a few days with us. Waking to the sound of an Amish buggy clip-clopping past the house was fantastic. Although there were lots of tourists during the day, the village was just the right speed for a pair of women who live in a small town themselves! Best of all, it was quite economical to rent a house for the week so it gave us the opportunity to go to New York for one night and be able to leave our luggage and car back at the house. It worked out well.
I had discovered the Shaker Village in a book Mick has about Shaker furniture. It was near to where my friend Sheri lives in Kentucky so at first we thought we'd make a day trip there while staying with her. When we discovered you could actually stay in the village we decided we couldn't miss the opportunity so we spent a couple of days there before visiting Sheri. The accomodation was Shaker style so quite basic but we loved it. The couple of nights we spent there were the most peaceful of the entire trip.
We were looking for somewhere to stay and visit near the place where the quilt I wanted to see was kept. We looked around the area of Richmond, Virginia. While looking at a map of the area I Googled the name of nearby towns to see if there was anything interesting. When I stumbled across Williamsburg I knew I'd found the place for us. Tammy and I both love historic buildings and history in general. In Ballarat in Australia there is a fantastic re-created gold mining village for tourists called Sovereign Hill. It's a favourite day out for Tammy and her family and for Mick and I too. Williamsburg just seemed to be an oversized version! There were many of the old buildings used as old style shops and taverns and also for accomodation. It was like stepping back in time with people wandering around in period costume.
As for booking hotels.....
We had 2 nights in LA so just chose somewhere close to the airport so we could use the free shuttle service.
The one night we spent in NY we splashed out on a hotel in the centre of Times Square. We're glad we did as that was the place we liked best in New York and we could safely walk out at night to have dinner. Perfect.
The only other night we stayed in a hotel was on our drive from Kentucky to Pennsylvania - 14 hours over 2 days. We hadn't pre-booked it. We found ourselves very tired and in rather foul weather late on the first day so decided we'd just take the next exit and stop at the first hotel. When I look at the reviews for this hotel now, I wouldn't have chosen it but we needed somewhere to sleep and that's what we got.
Thursday, 3 November 2011
Pumpkins!
One thing we really liked during our trip to America is the houses and businesses decorated for Fall (or Autumn as we call it here). They use all types of pumpkins, gourds, corn husks. I wasn't so keen on the scary stuff they use for Halloween decorations but the harvest time decorating was lovely. We just aren't so much into seasonal decorating here in Australia and it's a bit of a shame. Maybe we can start our own trend! I always like to be in Germany around Easter time, or some other time that they decorate for. It's so cheerful.
So here's some American pumpkins......
So here's some American pumpkins......
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
Covered Bridges
Something I've always wanted to see in America is their covered bridges. After watching the Bridges of Madison County I hoped I'd be able to see them one day.
As the tourist shops were closed on Sundays we spent a few hours driving around looking at a few of the covered bridges. They were lovely!
As the tourist shops were closed on Sundays we spent a few hours driving around looking at a few of the covered bridges. They were lovely!
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Autumn colour
One of the things we looked forward to seeing was the Autumn colour. In Australia we have mostly eucalypts which are a grey green and don't lose their leaves.
We had one day where we drove across the Appalachian Mountains. It was an enormous day for us and we were on the road for more than 11 hours in terrible, terrible weather, catching the tail end of a hurricane like storm. It rained heavily most of the day, the traffic was heavy and visibility was poor. At one stage it was so bad that we just pulled of the highway and had a picnic lunch in the car. It turned out we'd chosen the carpark of a hardware store (once we could actually see where we were)!
But... we weren't disappointed as the trees in the Appalachian Mountains were in full colour - absolutely stunning.
We had one day where we drove across the Appalachian Mountains. It was an enormous day for us and we were on the road for more than 11 hours in terrible, terrible weather, catching the tail end of a hurricane like storm. It rained heavily most of the day, the traffic was heavy and visibility was poor. At one stage it was so bad that we just pulled of the highway and had a picnic lunch in the car. It turned out we'd chosen the carpark of a hardware store (once we could actually see where we were)!
But... we weren't disappointed as the trees in the Appalachian Mountains were in full colour - absolutely stunning.
Sunday, 30 October 2011
New York, New York
What an experience that was! On Monday morning we caught the train from Lancaster station to Penn Station in New York. The owner of the little house we rented very kindly offered to drive us to the station and pick us up again the following afternoon.
We had booked a hop-on-hop-off bus ticket and for Tuesday morning, a helicopter ride. We didn't do a lot of hopping off - the city was busier, noisier, smellier than we expected and we could see it from the top of the bus without negotiating the crowds. Oh dear... I think I'm becoming a country hick!!
The helicopter ride was fantastic. What a way to see New York city. We took dozens of photos.
We splashed out on a hotel in the centre of Times Square. The atmosphere was fantastic and we felt quite safe walking around Times Square after dark. We had an enjoyable dinner at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co at a table by the window with a view below. Our hotel room was on the 39th floor so the view from there was even better.
It was great to see New York city but a huge relief to be back on the train to Pennsylvania.
We had booked a hop-on-hop-off bus ticket and for Tuesday morning, a helicopter ride. We didn't do a lot of hopping off - the city was busier, noisier, smellier than we expected and we could see it from the top of the bus without negotiating the crowds. Oh dear... I think I'm becoming a country hick!!
The helicopter ride was fantastic. What a way to see New York city. We took dozens of photos.
We splashed out on a hotel in the centre of Times Square. The atmosphere was fantastic and we felt quite safe walking around Times Square after dark. We had an enjoyable dinner at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co at a table by the window with a view below. Our hotel room was on the 39th floor so the view from there was even better.
It was great to see New York city but a huge relief to be back on the train to Pennsylvania.
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| Times Square from our hotel room |
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| New York traffic |
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| From our window |
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| Times Square crowd |
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| NY from the air |
Thursday, 27 October 2011
The village of Intercourse, Pennsylvania
We have spent the last week (except for 2 days in New York - next blog entry) staying in a village called Intercourse in Amish country. It's been an enjoyable few days browsing the local shops and hearing the clip clop of the Amish buggies as they pass the house we've rented.
It's a rather touristy place but very quaint. We've looked at antique shops, craft shops, quilt shops and second hand shops. Look out Kelsie, Charlotte and Colton, mum's bringing home an extra suitcase! I have bought a few vintage quilts so that's exciting for me.
The Amish go about their lives quietly and keeping to themselves as much as they can. They don't like to mix with outsiders but they need to earn a living just like the rest of us so more and more of them are working in, or running, local businesses. Last night we had dinner across the road in a little restaurant and the waitress was the sweetest young Amish girl. We've noticed that if we take photos in the street and a buggy comes past, they will look away if they see someone with a camera in their hand.
It's a rather touristy place but very quaint. We've looked at antique shops, craft shops, quilt shops and second hand shops. Look out Kelsie, Charlotte and Colton, mum's bringing home an extra suitcase! I have bought a few vintage quilts so that's exciting for me.
The Amish go about their lives quietly and keeping to themselves as much as they can. They don't like to mix with outsiders but they need to earn a living just like the rest of us so more and more of them are working in, or running, local businesses. Last night we had dinner across the road in a little restaurant and the waitress was the sweetest young Amish girl. We've noticed that if we take photos in the street and a buggy comes past, they will look away if they see someone with a camera in their hand.
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| The main street of Intercourse |
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| Buggies gathered for Sunday prayer |
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| A curious buggy horse |
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| Walking home from church |
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| Coming home from school |
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| An Amish farmer at work |
Sunday, 23 October 2011
America so far
We've had a very long drive this week - all the way from Paducah, Kentucky to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. We did the 14 or so hours over 2 days but it was still a tiring drive. Now we're settled in the little house we rented in the town named Intercourse.... yes, really... it's called Intercourse. It's a big Amish community in this area and the town is very tourist orientated. There's heaps of antique shops and gift shops etc. All was fairly quiet when we arrived at 6pm last night but today the town is buzzing with people and tour buses!
So far we've spent a couple of days in LA, a couple of days in Williamsburg, Virginia, a couple of days at the Pleasant Hill Shaker village in Kentucky, a couple of days with my friend Sheri at her house in Versailles, Kentucky, then a couple of days in Paducah, Kentucky and another couple of days driving here to Pennsylvania.
Now we don't have to pack and unpack for a week. We're going to New York city by train for one night but we'll be able to leave the rest of our luggage behind at the house.
My other US friend, Erin, flew in late yesterday afternoon to spend a few days with us. We picked her up at the airport on our way in. It looks like it will be a real girls weekend - there's already been a lot of giggling going on (mostly Tammy - yes Kelsie, she's still giggling).
I'm enjoying looking at all the quilt shops in the area and we'll drive to some more tomorrow. Sunday we're planning to drive around and check out some of the covered bridges in Lancaster County.
Last Sunday we went to eat at a place called Chuys in Lexington, Kentucky. They say it "Choo-ees". Goodness, it was just how I imagined an American diner would be. Here's some photos.
So far we've spent a couple of days in LA, a couple of days in Williamsburg, Virginia, a couple of days at the Pleasant Hill Shaker village in Kentucky, a couple of days with my friend Sheri at her house in Versailles, Kentucky, then a couple of days in Paducah, Kentucky and another couple of days driving here to Pennsylvania.
Now we don't have to pack and unpack for a week. We're going to New York city by train for one night but we'll be able to leave the rest of our luggage behind at the house.
My other US friend, Erin, flew in late yesterday afternoon to spend a few days with us. We picked her up at the airport on our way in. It looks like it will be a real girls weekend - there's already been a lot of giggling going on (mostly Tammy - yes Kelsie, she's still giggling).
I'm enjoying looking at all the quilt shops in the area and we'll drive to some more tomorrow. Sunday we're planning to drive around and check out some of the covered bridges in Lancaster County.
Last Sunday we went to eat at a place called Chuys in Lexington, Kentucky. They say it "Choo-ees". Goodness, it was just how I imagined an American diner would be. Here's some photos.
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
Mick has a furniture book of Shaker furniture. It shows furniture from the village at Pleasant Hill in Kentucky USA. I've always thought it looked like an idyllic place and now I know it is. Nobody lives at the village any more, it's been restored for tourism but it was the most relaxing and peaceful couple of days.
The peak population of the village was around 500 and they were divided into several "families". Each family had a little cluster of buildings. Tammy and I stayed in the Farm Deacon's Office building - we had the first floor to ourselves. It was a lovely place to stay.
The shakers had a very distinctive furniture style and some lovely accessories. I took lots of photos for Mick. Here's a few :
The peak population of the village was around 500 and they were divided into several "families". Each family had a little cluster of buildings. Tammy and I stayed in the Farm Deacon's Office building - we had the first floor to ourselves. It was a lovely place to stay.
The shakers had a very distinctive furniture style and some lovely accessories. I took lots of photos for Mick. Here's a few :
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Photos for Kelsie, Charlotte & Colton
Our holiday in America is half over! How time flies when you're having such fun. We've taken hundreds of photos but here's a few so Tammy's kids can see where their Mum has been so far.
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| Bus tour at San Diego Zoo |
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| Room service - LA |
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| Williamsburg - people in costume roaming the streets |
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| The Williamsburg Inn |
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| Our cottage at Pleasant Hill Shaker Village |
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| Our cottage at Williamsburg |
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| Pleasant Hill Shaker Village - Halloween decorations! |
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| Lake near Scotchtown |
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| Williamsburg original avenue |
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| Road through the Appalachian Mountains |
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