Arriving in Monte Carlo by Helicopter was an experience but less glamourous than expected. Our fellows passengers were finance/ trade types who "always use the Helicopter" and who were ever so slightly impressed that our Hotel was the famous Hotel De Paris. A magnificent place of pomp and pretension....and small rooms! Pretension has it's price, about €50 for sandwiches and tea which was not very special! Here we met our Porsche guides, the ever so helpful and...

Today we flew BA to Nice. Once again after hearing every ones stories about Heathrow we left the protective surounds of the beautiful Sofitel Heathrow hotel allowing plenty of time for airport processing. Every thing went smoothly except Helen's carry on bag had a heap of cosmetics which triggered a detailed bag inspection. (next time cosmetics will be in checked baggage!) Other than that everything was smooth sailing and we departed on time and made a bumpy arr...

Off to Wales in the Mercedes Mini bus with Back Road Tours. We had 11 fellow travelers from Aus Canada and the US. All congenial company. Our driver, Mike, a Welshman and failed academic (his words) was a fountain of knowledge, more than anyone could take in on one trip! Our first stop in Wales was a very old, very tiny, very remote little church. Lovely spot accessed by a combination of one lane wide lanes that only a local could navigate. Near as could be we ne...

Last day in London before leaving for Wales. Decided to go to the Towers (of London and Bridge). On the way we happened upon Carnaby St. Nice find! But then things deteriorated. The bus ride was very long held up by traffic either side of Picardilly. Got off at St Paul's expecting to see the interior however we passed when we saw the steep entry fee £15*2=£30. decided to walk to the Tower which was a mistake. Ended up near the Thames in some grubby streets and ...

Last night we booked a tour to all three attractions, Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Oxford with a tour company called Evan Evans. For my friend Evan back home this is a real endorsement of a fine name so we had high expectations. Well they did what they said on the can and we did get to all three places albeit fairly briefly as we had no idea how far apart these attractions were. Windsor Castle was OK except I found the grandeur of the State Apartments (like Ve...