Saturday 30 June 2012
Spectacular
I'm not sure where this is but I thought it was a marvellous image. Makes me want to go on holiday.
Friday 29 June 2012
The road less travelled.
I've blogged before about my loathing of car hire and car hire companies. Unfortunately if you actually want to go anywhere when you arrive to your holiday destination, you will probably need to brave the car hire counter. So it is with heavy heart that I booked us a hire car for our upcoming holiday to Portugal. I decided to use a car hire consolidator (holiday autos type thing) where you type in all your details and make your booking - and your choice of company is pretty much in the lap of the Gods. So I was not surprised that our booking confirmation showed that we'd booked with a local Portugese agency. Fun awaits I'm sure.
The last time I booked a car with an independent (read: one man band) car hire business was in the lovely, leafy, and bucolic Warren in Mad River Valley, Vermont, USA. We have some close family who live there - and a community of more eccentric, friendly and humbling people you could not hope to meet. When there, and discovering ourselves in need of transportation, my husband's cousin recommended Hap's Garage as the local car hire place.
Putting our trust in their recommendation, off we trailed to choose our trusty vehicle. Things did not bode well when we arrived at a forecourt full of rusted, half demolished vehicles, resembling some kind of primitive scrap yard.
Once inside the 'office' we met Hap himself. Dear reader, picture the scene if you will: Hap, in overalls and basball cap, stared at us suspiciously - what with us being 'straiingers' and all. His brother, whose name now escapes me, (though the image of man is still firmly embedded), looked bemused at the whole situation. He was of indeterminate age, since he was concealed almost completely by unruly body hair which sprung from the most unlikely (as well as the likely) sources. He was perched on a large oil can, devouring a sandwich, most of which was clinging on for dear life in his beard (more than a little like Mr Twit). Above his head was a sign which read:
So engrossed was I in reading this sign that I almost missed spotting the large bright green caterpillar which was winding it's way through the man's chest hair towards his beard. One can only assume it was in search of a free meal.
Hap showed us the car, and as if to demonstrate it's roadworthiness, he kicked it several times in different places. Nothing fell off. Hap beamed. Don't worry about doing any damage, Hap advised. 'Scratches is ok' he muttered 'It's only the big dents that is more of a problem, you get my drift?'. We nodded. The car seemed ok, it started, it was pretty clean, nothing was hanging off. We took it. And you know what? It was absolutely fine. A caterpillar, a hairy man, a scrap yard and a slice of rural Americana - now you just don' t get that at Hertz. Sometimes it's good to go the road less travelled.
The last time I booked a car with an independent (read: one man band) car hire business was in the lovely, leafy, and bucolic Warren in Mad River Valley, Vermont, USA. We have some close family who live there - and a community of more eccentric, friendly and humbling people you could not hope to meet. When there, and discovering ourselves in need of transportation, my husband's cousin recommended Hap's Garage as the local car hire place.
Putting our trust in their recommendation, off we trailed to choose our trusty vehicle. Things did not bode well when we arrived at a forecourt full of rusted, half demolished vehicles, resembling some kind of primitive scrap yard.
Once inside the 'office' we met Hap himself. Dear reader, picture the scene if you will: Hap, in overalls and basball cap, stared at us suspiciously - what with us being 'straiingers' and all. His brother, whose name now escapes me, (though the image of man is still firmly embedded), looked bemused at the whole situation. He was of indeterminate age, since he was concealed almost completely by unruly body hair which sprung from the most unlikely (as well as the likely) sources. He was perched on a large oil can, devouring a sandwich, most of which was clinging on for dear life in his beard (more than a little like Mr Twit). Above his head was a sign which read:
Hap showed us the car, and as if to demonstrate it's roadworthiness, he kicked it several times in different places. Nothing fell off. Hap beamed. Don't worry about doing any damage, Hap advised. 'Scratches is ok' he muttered 'It's only the big dents that is more of a problem, you get my drift?'. We nodded. The car seemed ok, it started, it was pretty clean, nothing was hanging off. We took it. And you know what? It was absolutely fine. A caterpillar, a hairy man, a scrap yard and a slice of rural Americana - now you just don' t get that at Hertz. Sometimes it's good to go the road less travelled.
Tuesday 26 June 2012
Come in 007, your time is up
I'm on the hunt for a Cayenne replacement (probably with another one!)...but I think I can stop trawling car salesrooms, putting up with crawling salesmen - as my new object of desire has been found. There's only the small financial matter of needing to win the lottery or marry a Russian oligarch, if only bigamy wasn't a crime. Schopfer Yachts has designed (it's only in design stage mind) a thing of beauty which really would be a joy forever. The thought of poncing around on the deck of this fantastic bateau, sipping martinis...well...sounds like heaven. http://www.schopferyachts.com/
Saturday 23 June 2012
NYC Bar Elsa - Tip top cherry
The best thing about wandering and exploring a big city is happening upon a bar or restaurant a bit off the beaten track that is somewhat of a hidden gem. So it is with Bar Elsa in NYC's East 3rd Street https://www.facebook.com/elsabar#!/elsabar
Not being much of a cocktail afficionado, I wasn't expecting such lush wonders within, and the exterior of the bar is actually quite unpromising. However, inside is a sweet little space, with cool but cheery bar chaps, little stools so you can perch, perjink on, at the bar and watch the wonders unfold in front. The barman recommended the 'Invitation to a Beheading' (on the left below), which is wildly romantic and aromatic - a blend of jasmine, green tea, lemon, gin and accompanied by a luscious, fat, sinful, juicy cherry. After two of these, I could go to the gallows a happy girl. Go to Bar Elsa, and experience NYC in all it's neighbourhood glory.
Not being much of a cocktail afficionado, I wasn't expecting such lush wonders within, and the exterior of the bar is actually quite unpromising. However, inside is a sweet little space, with cool but cheery bar chaps, little stools so you can perch, perjink on, at the bar and watch the wonders unfold in front. The barman recommended the 'Invitation to a Beheading' (on the left below), which is wildly romantic and aromatic - a blend of jasmine, green tea, lemon, gin and accompanied by a luscious, fat, sinful, juicy cherry. After two of these, I could go to the gallows a happy girl. Go to Bar Elsa, and experience NYC in all it's neighbourhood glory.
Tuesday 12 June 2012
Mobile life art houses are so hot right now...
I'm intrigued by the life in the trees conceived of by Time Circus - seven concept worlds/hotels which tour around Europe. Strangely alluring.
http://www.timecircus.org/en/node/15
http://www.timecircus.org/en/node/15
Patagonia - Estancia Eolo
One day...I will get to South America. Until then I content myself somewhat with pouring over photos of delicious places like Estancia Eolo in Patagonia. http://www.eolo.com.ar/home_eng.htm
Trekking, biking and horse riding through this landcape would be pretty awesome. And it's a Relais & Chateaux so weary wind beaten travellers could count on a luxury bed to sink into each night. Someday...
Trekking, biking and horse riding through this landcape would be pretty awesome. And it's a Relais & Chateaux so weary wind beaten travellers could count on a luxury bed to sink into each night. Someday...
Monday 11 June 2012
Paris
Spent a glorious weekend at a beautiful apartment in Paris. Found on airbnb, it must have the best view of the Eiffel Tower you can possibly get short of standing in the Champs de Mars.
The couple have a fantastic eye for positioning the modern and the ancient and their home showcases modern and street art as well as ancient Persian pieces. Glass walls along two sides of the apartment allow unparelled views of La Tour as well Les Invalides - our kiddos could not believe their luck at being able to gaze adoringly at the sparkling Eiffel Tower from their bedroom at night - not to mention that the owners children, also 6 and 4, had left their 'french and therefore much more interesting' toys for our two to play with.
On Avenue de Suffren, the locale is perfect for evening picnics in les Champs (dodging the lunging joggers), food shopping on Rue Cler or taking the Batobus along the Seine.
We had yet another perfect lunch at our favourite bistro - Le Petit Pontoise on rue Pontoise. It's on a forgettable wee street on the left bank near the Jardin des Plantes. Yet it's full of Parisiens in the know and savvy diners. Their 'poulet fermier' with jus and pommes puree might just be the most delicious and most simple dish I have ever eaten.
Already planning the next trip and have just noticed that Air France have returns to Paris from Edi for £133 - which is surely a bargain too good to miss!
The couple have a fantastic eye for positioning the modern and the ancient and their home showcases modern and street art as well as ancient Persian pieces. Glass walls along two sides of the apartment allow unparelled views of La Tour as well Les Invalides - our kiddos could not believe their luck at being able to gaze adoringly at the sparkling Eiffel Tower from their bedroom at night - not to mention that the owners children, also 6 and 4, had left their 'french and therefore much more interesting' toys for our two to play with.
On Avenue de Suffren, the locale is perfect for evening picnics in les Champs (dodging the lunging joggers), food shopping on Rue Cler or taking the Batobus along the Seine.
We had yet another perfect lunch at our favourite bistro - Le Petit Pontoise on rue Pontoise. It's on a forgettable wee street on the left bank near the Jardin des Plantes. Yet it's full of Parisiens in the know and savvy diners. Their 'poulet fermier' with jus and pommes puree might just be the most delicious and most simple dish I have ever eaten.
Already planning the next trip and have just noticed that Air France have returns to Paris from Edi for £133 - which is surely a bargain too good to miss!
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