WOW! I can't believe that it's almost a month since I last sat and updated my blog. Despite the best intentions of writing something weekly, it just hasn't happened. This has mainly been due to our Internet connection completely failing for a month and there is never any time to write anything at work (as there shouldn't be, really). So I am a month behind with all updates from The Great Bear. You have therefore missed out on our encounters with the GAI, the ...

Sitting on the plane on the way back from Vienna - apart from managing to stay awake, for once - I mused over the peace and tranquility of the last few days.My mobile phone hadn't worked; we'd checked our e-mail three times; and it had been wonderful to be so out of touch!Sometimes we get so caught up with the instancy of information that it's good to step back and remain away from everyone and everything. Both of us reflected on the beauty of the city that we...

Tuesday 20th was our last full day in Vienna, so we were determined to spend it as fully as we could.That meant up early, full breakfast :o) and into the city. We wanted to get a few presents before we left, maybe even a few things for ourselves!That wish began as we passed a children's shop and we saw these lovely T-shirts that said, "When Mum and Dad say no, I just ask Grandma and Grandpa." We smiled at this - and even more so when we saw exactly t...

As we fell asleep at the end of the day, we could definitely turn round and say, "Well, we didn't see THAT coming!" It proved to be one of those days where nothing turned out as we expected/planned - but in a good way. Today was the day of our train trip to Budapest (Hungary).Now, bear in mind that up to this point, we'd had the 'greatest fun' trying to get hold of any literature about Budapest and only the previous Thursday had actually got any (t...

Although it's now the 8th November, I'm now inputting all of the blog text from Vienna - still!So the next three entries will be from our recent holiday.Enjoy! I love travelling all over the world but even a small time difference can knock you back.It's -2hours between Vienna and Moscow, and I was sitting at the computer typing whilst my good lady slept.Some people can cross those borders effortlessly, some can't.Ничево... One thing that I always enjoy,...