44 days of high adventure. 

 

So much happened in such a short time it is hard to believe that it all happened for us and to us.  Our coach tour was brilliant, weather good, tour director and driver top class, hotels and meals generally of a high standard.  We would recommend Trafalgar to anyone and suggest that in today’s Europe a coach tour is by far the best way to get around especially for us aging travelers.  We never felt rushed and were continually surprised.  Everything exceeded our wildest expectations.

 

Europe was outstanding.  Before arriving we didn’t think of Europe as so much a scenic experience (although it was a spectacle but not as pretty as New Zealand’s South Island) but more of a culture exposé and a history lesson.  We were not disappointed.  Standing on bridges that are over a thousand years old and visiting churches of similar age and so rich in architecture and Christian aura it is quite breathtaking.  We thank Nick Coward, our tour director for much of this history lesson as he had a huge passion for and knowledge of European history.  And he shared it with us in easy to digest chapters.  Seeing the worlds most famous art and sampling the culinary delights of Europe, traveling up incredible cog railways, shopping and trying out the languages, and having sensational entertainment experiences only added extra value.

 

But more than anything it was meeting the people of Europe and forging new friendships that will stay in our memory.

 

England was not greatly different.  Its rich history, the pageantry, its quaint pubs and B and B’s.

 

The simplicity of much of England (who could forget the house on the bridge at Windsor with its sign House on Bridge), the Swan pub were the main bar used to extend over two counties with different licensing laws and drinkers would just move from one end of the bar to the other to extend their drinking time.  Or the Christ College at Oxford where Lewis Carol penned Alice in Wonderland based on characters and events at this university college.  Or the old Union Hotel at Penzance where the victory at Trafalgar and the death of Lord Nelson were first announced to the world and where you could be forgiven for thinking that the pirates still walked the narrow streets.

 

However in England it was again the people and especially Glynis and Rick that we will remember.  I had not seen Rick and Glyn for over 28 years and I guess you always look forward to a reunion after such a long period with much excitement and some trepidation.  Glyn and Rick were wonderful to us and for us.  They welcomed us with open arms, we shared our souls and drank many a red and had many a belly laugh.  Quite remarkable people.  People that you can count in your innermost sanctum of very true friends.