Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Welcome to 700 travel blogs, to access a full index on your mobile please scroll to the bottom & choose from 700 locations. Email is [email protected]

Visiting Sydney 2009

August 22, 2021 by David Herd

Visiting Sydney 2009

Visiting Sydney 2009

Visiting Sydney 2009 I began with breakfast at Dee Why on a beautiful Sydney summers day. Lots of trendy restaurants opposite the beach.

My boss from 1972

Visiting Sydney 2009

 My old boss from Sanyo Office Machines Ross Radford and I caught up for lunch at a Japanese restaurant opposite the Oaks hotel in Neutral Bay . I worked for Ross in Adelaide from 1972 to 1974 then Melbourne from 1974 to 1976.

My boss from 1968, RIP.

Visiting Sydney 2009

John Sprouster my old boss from 1967 when I was a business equipment salesman for Macdougalls Ltd. After 2 years learning the trade in Sydney an autocratic general manager called Howard Barker sent me to Melbourne in 1969 as the State Sales Manager. The problem was he demoted 5 existing sales managers who all found themselves reporting to me. Of course it only took several weeks for them all to resign rather than report to a 26 yo upstart from Sydney. 🙂

Flashback to 1990

Visiting Sydney 2009

Here I am with Ross and John nineteen years earlier at the Hyatt Coolum just north of Brisbane on the sunshine coast.

Breakfast opposite Dee Why beach

Visiting Sydney 2009

This my friends is as good as it gets. 🙂

Oaks Hotel Neutral Bay

Visiting Sydney 2009

One of my favourite drinking holes for many years. Probably one of the best pubs in Australia.

Saloon bar at the Oaks

Visiting Sydney 2009

Very classy indeed. 🙂

Friends from the late 1970s

Visiting Sydney 2009

Warwick Robinson, David Herd and Steve Bates play a round at Concord Golf Club.  Steve has been living in Singapore for several years and he and Anne always let me use a spare room in their luxury apartment whenever I was passing through.  I  was there in 2013 and 2014.

My eccentric friend Peter H.

Visiting Sydney 2009

This and the next few photos I am not going to give the people’s full names, some of them are a little paranoid about being identified on the internet. Remembering of course this is not part of my travel blog just a personal photo album.

Merryl, Peter, Garry and Michael.

Visiting Sydney 2009

  Friends & neighbours of Peter.  

Peter’s view 

Visiting Sydney 2009

A nice quiet part of Sydney.

Chez Maurice & Linda, Balgowlah restaurant.

Visiting Sydney 2009

A very popular BYO restaurant with interesting French food. Usually crowded so make sure you book. The gorgeous South African blonde on the left is Phyllis, then Gary, Merryl and Peter.

Food friends Sydney 2009

Visiting Sydney 2009

Merryl and Peter, great photo, Merryl & her husband Gary now live on the Gold Coast.

Lunch at Cousin Deb’s lovely Balgowlah home.

Visiting Sydney 2009

I used to often stay at Cousin Debs home when I was in Sydney, a terrific location and great hospitality. Sadly I have now been banned as I went down the local shops one day and accidently left the door unlocked for an hour. Oh well at least I do have some great memories from before I was put on the “black list”. 🙂

With cousin Deb in 1984

Visiting Sydney 2009

Notice the top two photos are 25 years apart yet I have a glass of red in both, some things never change. 🙂

Happy group at Deb’s house

Visiting Sydney 2009

 I have known this group for over 40 years.

Sisters Carmen and Antoinette

Visiting Sydney 2009

I have known these two nice ladies since 1977, my how time flies when you are having fun. Well that’s all from my post Food friends Sydney, check out some of my other creations below.

 Here are some more posts to check out                            
                 Life 2015                     Family history                   Life 1982

 

2835141a-02cf-4cda-a909-2a8408a99f47        6a173a01-9744-404a-a45f-87a975ec90fa          d5436828-abbc-4da1-a638-7f90436c6417

  Adelaide 1972                 Iron Bar Freddy               Sydney 2006

417091_10150704751043594_62315468_n          Susies home Newport 1 (1)        April24FreewayHotel-33 (1)

Thailand 2008                Gold Coast Babes               World trip 2003

Fun in Pattaya-116         92bfa275-a122-4078-9970-1e24188a5917        CopacabanabeachNov2003-124

             Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
                              Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
                         d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037              01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f

Here are some of my most popular posts.

Pattaya live webcam

Beautiful Brazilian beach babes

Copacabana beautiful beach babes

Nana Plaza Bangkok sex sin sleaze

Sexy Cherry Bar babes Pattaya Thailand

Tim Bristow Iron-Bar Freddy Tropical Joe

Sexy Soi Cowboy Bangkok 

Beautiful Budapest

Australian seafood

Fabulous Commons Bangkok

Counter only started August 22 2021.

 

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Gallagher’s Steakhouse NYC

August 18, 2021 by David Herd

Gallagher’s Steakhouse NYC

Gallagher's Steakhouse NYC

Gallagher’s Steakhouse NYC located at 228 W & 52nd St is certainly in my opinion, in the top 3 restaurants I have ever had the pleasure to dine in. As you can see from the photo above it was a freezing cold night in the Big Apple & I really needed a good steak dinner.

A week ago I was in North East Brazil & the temerature was 38 degrees celsius. 🙂

This is what you see first

Gallagher’s Steakhouse NYC

The aged beef at the entrance gives you an idea of what awaits you inside. 🙂

Interesting entrance

Gallagher's Steakhouse NYC

Immediately you know a memorable experience awaits.

Not too crowded

Gallagher's Steakhouse NYC

 The TripAdvisor rating is #35 of 7,468 Restaurants in New York City

A jack Daniels before dinner perhaps?

Gallagher's Steakhouse NYC

Only if you insist. 🙂

A huge mural

Gallagher's Steakhouse NYC

I’m betting there are a lot of people you recognise here.

My Surf & Turf

Gallagher's Steakhouse NYC

Food does not get much better than this. 🙂

Gallagher’s Steakhouse NYC

Gallagher's Steakhouse NYC

 For those who like their beef rare, this one could almost walk off the plate. 🙂

Fabulous seafood platter

Gallagher's Steakhouse NYC

As good as this looks you just have to order a steak at Gallagher’s. Perhaps it would be good to share it with a friend for an entre.

Gallaghers most distinctive features.

Gallagher's Steakhouse NYC

The flame above the logs pays tribute to our hickory coal grills—unique among all the restaurants in New York as the only way we cook our steak.

The logs echo the bold design of the restaurant’s chandeliers—dating back to 1940s. Crafted from hickory logs notched across each other and suspended from the ceiling, all fourteen chandeliers have been artfully restored and rehung in their original place of honor in the dining room.

Thanks for visiting my Gallagher’s Steakhouse NYC photo blog, 

Here are some of my most popular posts.

Pattaya live webcam

Beautiful Brazilian beach babes

Copacabana beautiful beach babes

Nana Plaza Bangkok sex sin sleaze

Tim Bristow Iron-Bar Freddy Tropical Joe

Sexy Soi Cowboy Bangkok 

Beautiful Budapest

Australian seafood

Counter only started August 18 2021.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Lyme Regis Jurassic Coast

August 15, 2021 by David Herd

Lyme Regis Jurassic Coast

Lyme Regis Jurassic Coast Dorset

 Lyme Regis in Dorset is a special place, the coastline in either direction is magnificent. The cliffs over the  boarder are grey and crumbling, those eastwards, towards Charmouth are also unstable – especially after heavy rain, and those at Black Ven are capped with a layer of Gold. The town is noted for the fossils found in the cliffs and beaches, which are part of the Heritage Coast—known commercially as the Jurassic Coast—a World Heritage Site. For information please click here.

Charming narrow streets

Lyme Regis Jurassic Coast Dorset

The steep narrow streets of Lyme reflect its long history and the Georgian architecture is contemporary with its prosperity in the 18th century when sea bathing became fashionable.

Enjoying the sun

Lyme Regis Jurassic Coast Dorset

 How good is this being on the south coast of England with a beautiful blue sky. 🙂

The Royal Lion Hotel built in 1601

Lyme Regis Jurassic Coast Dorset

You gotta love the English pubs. 🙂 Built in 1601 as a coaching inn, this grade II listed hotel has been extensively refurbished, yet still retains much of its history and unique charm. There are many oak beams, wood panels and an open fire which help to create a warm, welcoming and comfortable atmosphere.

Privately owned and managed, The Royal Lion Hotel has gained an enviable reputation for its friendly service, world class food, wine and leisure offerings.

Great view of the beach

Lyme Regis Jurassic Coast Dorset

 
During peak season the beach is raked every day, supervised by lifeguards and has toilets, showers, food and drink outlets, and ice cream vendors nearby, making it a perfect family friendly beach. The beach is sheltered by the harbour and does not get completely covered at high tide.

Lyme Regis Jurassic Coast Marina

Lyme Regis Jurassic Coast Dorset

If you live in Lyme Regis you gotta have a boat. 🙂

Cannon on the Lyme Regis harbour wall. 

Lyme Regis Jurassic Coast Dorset

 Lyme Regis is an historic unspoiled seaside resort and fishing port on the world famous Cobb harbour. 

Walk out on the rocks

Lyme Regis Jurassic Coast Dorset

Surrounded by beautiful coastlines and countryside, the area has been awarded World Heritage Site Status; famous for its geology and fossil finds.

We visited Lyme Regis on the way to Lands End. 

Lyme Regis Jurassic Coast Dorset

Lyme Regis is a coastal town in West Dorset, 25 miles (40 km) west of Dorchester and 25 miles (40 km) east of Exeter. It lies in Lyme Bay.

That’s all for now folks

Lyme Regis Jurassic Coast Dorset

Thanks for visiting my Lyme Regis Jurassic Coast photo blog, this was a very interesting coastal village.

Europe before Covid-19 & mass immigration.

Counter only started August 15 2021.

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland

September 6, 2018 by David Herd

Who said nostalgia is a thing of the past?

Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland 

Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland Coast

Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland, it’s been many years since I visited this Australian resort town on Queensland’s Whitsunday Coast, known as the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef.

I have only been to Airlie 3 times, 1979, 1992 & 2003, each time I thoroughly enjoyed every moment.

A great place for a holiday

Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland Coast

Bright blue water & a bright blue sky, what more could you want?

Beach, what beach?

Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland

There really isn’t much of a beach at Airlie, just a few small strips of sand, you need to head to the island for the really good beaches.

Swim in the lagoon.

Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland

 Located between the main street & the ocean.

The Hog’s breath Cafe

Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland

 Overlooking the lagoon & the bay.

Greg Clee was the owner of the Hog’s Breath.

Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland

 A man of many names, aka Storming Jack Dawson. 🙂 Remember this was 2003, now in 2018 Greg & I both live in the same building in Pattaya Thailand.

Greg in his classic Mercedes coupe

Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland

My visit was part of a 7,000 kilometre road trip with 3 Japanese students which included Coober Pedy & Ayres Rock.

And here they are.

Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland

 It was a huge buzz showing these lovely girls outback Australia.

Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland

Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland

The girls went crazy every time we saw Kangaroos, emus or camels. 🙂

Talking about wildlife, these guys are as wild & dangerous as anything on the planet.

Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland

This was at a local wild life park when I visited in 1992.

My gorgeous kiwi girlfriend

Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland

Karen & I went out for a year or so, until a week after we returned to the Gold Coast from Airlie Beach.

Karen Greenwood on Whitehaven beach.

Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland Certainly one of the best beaches in Australia.

Alan Pearson & I both lived in Adelaide in the mid 70s.

Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland

 Alan moved to Airlie Beach & made a living playing guitar & singing in pubs & restaurants.

Shute Harbour in 1979

Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland

Probably looks quite different today.

Here I am in 1979, apologies for the poor quality photo.

Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland

Can you believe I flew from Chicago to Airlie Beach via Sydney.

Wolf Wottke & Angella Savic

 Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland Coast                                 Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland Coast   

My friends from Adelaide were with me in Airlie.

My girlfriend Carol was also with me at Airlie.

Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland Coast

Thanks for visiting my  Remembering Airlie Beach Queensland photo blog, and yes nostalgia certainly is a thing of the past. 🙂  While we are on the nostalgia trip take a look at some of the gorgeous ladies I spent time with over the years. 

Holiday Inn

bbc35e6d-80db-4e1c-8f51-83dd84f16520

Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

36555237616_da3ed73d6a_o

The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Sutus Court is a great budget hotel right i the heart of one of Pattaya’s main bar areas, just use THIS LINK for a terrific room rate. 420/100 Moo 9 Soi Buakhao.

Pattaya Hilton

Pattaya hotels, Hilton & Holiday Inn

This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposte the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate. 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Australian adventures

Counter only started June 25 2020.

This gallery contains 4 photos

Bournemouth English Seaside Resort

June 5, 2017 by David Herd

Sandy beach at Bournemouth.

Bournemouth English Seaside Resort

Bournemouth English Seaside Resort

Bournemouth English Seaside Resort has a sandy beach unlike Brighton beach and many others of the English coast. I was there in 2007 and returned in 09 mainly to visit the Westbeach restaurant again. The Beach is long and clean. There is plenty of space to chill out. Lovely views and lots to do with places to eat on the promenade and pier.

The benefit of sand

Bournemouth English Seaside Resort

You certainly can’t do this on a beach with stones instead of sand. 🙂

Looking east

Bournemouth English Seaside Resort

 Remember what I said? Bournemouth Beach has sand.

The pier

Bournemouth English Seaside Resort

   Bournemouth’s main attraction apart from the beach. 🙂  

Bournemouth English Seaside Resort

Bournemouth English Seaside Resort

 Bournemouth Beach has sand which is a huge improvement on many English beaches.  

Westbeach Restaurant

Bournemouth English Seaside Resort

 Good English restaurants, many people think they are few and far between, but here is one to consider. The Westbeach restaurant in Bournemouth is certainly worth a visit, great location on the beach, with a good menu offering a nice selection. I first visited Westbeach December 2007 then returned in 2009 so things may have changed by now.

Delicious salmon

Bournemouth English Seaside Resort

  Here is an example of the Westbeach food.  

AFC Bournemouth

Bournemouth English Seaside Resort

Huge news in 2015 for the local football club who are to be promoted to the premier league. As recently as 2008, Bournemouth sat slumped at the very foot of the four levels of the English league pyramid. Of the 92 teams spanning League Two all the way up to the Premier League, the Cherries, who began the season with minus-17 points as a penalty for entering bankruptcy with £4 million worth of debt, were no. 92. Bournemouth weren’t just on the brink of dropping out of the division structure,  but out of existence altogether. Seven years later, a club that recorded an annual turnover of just £5.1 million for the 2012-13 season will be flooded with about £120 million in additional Premier League revenue.

My local bar in Thailand

Bournemouth English Seaside Resort

   My local bar in Thailand is the Cherry Bar so I guess now I’ll have to follow the Cherries. 🙂  

Sadly the bar was sold in 2016 & is now called Billabong 2, life as I knew it will never be the same. 🙂

Another restaurant near the Pier.

Bournemouth English Seaside Resort

 The city has a much more relaxed atmosphere than Brighton.

Bournemouth English Seaside Resort

Bournemouth English Seaside Resort

Also as a comparison to Brighton sand is so much more inviting than pebbles. 🙂

One final look at the Pier

Bournemouth English Seaside Resort

Thanks for visiting my “Bournemouth English Seaside Resort” post, it is certainly a place to add to your bucket list. Head west from there and visit the delightful village of Lyme Regis on the Jurassic Coast.

Thanks for visiting my Bournemouth English Seaside Resort photo blog.

For a great hotel room rate in Bournemouth just book through THIS LINK.

           Have a look at some of my London posts.     

   Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets EuropeHungarian Parliament Building (2)The Walkie Talkie (5)   

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

                     43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837IMG_7425Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                    

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South VietnamMain Square (3)Vung Tau statue (6)

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
 
Pattaya live webcam
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Holiday Inn

bbc35e6d-80db-4e1c-8f51-83dd84f16520

Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

36555237616_da3ed73d6a_o

The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

 
 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Beckington Trowbridge West England

June 4, 2017 by David Herd

Church of St George, Beckington

Beckington Trowbridge West England

Beckington Trowbridge West England

Beckington Trowbridge West England 2009, how did I find myself there you may well ask. Quite simple really, since 2007 I have been travelling to England to visit my friend Alan who is a guest of Her Majesty. His brother Bill Austin and I have become good friends as well, so I stay with him and his partner Joan Baptiste, and between visiting Alan Bill and I tour around the country.

So to answer the question, Bill lives in Beckington and works for the council in Trowbridge. Beckington village is 5.8 miles from Trowbridge town centre and 10 miles from the historical city of Bath.

Church of St George

Beckington Trowbridge West England

The church is just across the road from Bill and Joan’s home and dates back to the 14th century.

Warminster Road

Beckington Trowbridge West England

The church is on the right just up the road and Bill’s home is on the left.

Bill and Joan’s Beckington home.

Beckington Trowbridge West England

Here is their delightful home, I feel a little sorry for Bill because no sooner has he got the place perfect Joan decides she wants to move elsewhere. 🙂

My friends Joan Baptiste and Bill Austin

Beckington Trowbridge West England

Bill works for the local Trowbridge council.

Woolpack Inn Warminster Road

Beckington Trowbridge South West England

For local news bookmark this link for the Wiltshire times.

Typical Beckington home

Beckington Trowbridge West England

Typical local stone houses.

Trowbridge

Beckington Trowbridge West England

 There is evidence that the land on which Trowbridge is built was being farmed more than 3,000 years ago. In the 10th century written records and architectural ruins begin marking Trowbridge’s existence as a village.

The Trowbridge fair

Beckington Trowbridge West England

The annual fair attracts lots to locals.

Beckington Trowbridge West England

Beckington Trowbridge West England

A peaceful area around a pond in the park.

Trowbridge Fair

Beckington Trowbridge West England

The locals are patiently waiting for the music to begin.

The rocket man

Beckington Trowbridge West England

A beautiful at the Trowbridge Fair, perhaps I’ll blast off.

Arrested for stealing a spacesuit

Beckington Trowbridge West England

The long arm of the law.

Out on bail

Beckington Trowbridge West England

I know what you are thinking, here are two dinosaurs. 🙂 🙂 🙂

 The White Hart Ford, Chippenham

Beckington Trowbridge West England

One of the great pleasures of touring around the UK is the thousands of wonderful pubs. In the last week or so we have visited many on our road trip that took us through Bath, Plymouth, Penzance, Lands End and St Ives.

Road trip

Beckington Trowbridge West England

This is a wonderful part of England, a very interesting coastline. 

The White Hart

Beckington Trowbridge West England

Many of the pubs are quite ancient.

Location, White Hart to the Woolpack Inn

Beckington Trowbridge West England

Thanks for visiting my Beckington Trowbridge South West England photo blog.

 More posts for you to see

Pattaya Hilton

Pattaya hotels, Hilton & Holiday Inn

This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposite the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate. 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

 

Europe before Covid-19 & mass immigration.

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Discovering South West England

June 3, 2017 by David Herd

Shaftesbury in Dorset

Discovering South West England is a total pleasure.

Discovering South West England

Discovering South West England, I have taken thousands of photos there and this one is my favorite. It is Gold Hill, Shaftesbury which is in Dorset. There is a nice tea room at the top of the hill where you can enjoy scones with jam & cream while enjoying the view. I will try to give you some useful travel tips towards the end of this post.

Lyme Regis, Dorset.

Discovering South West England

 Lyme Regis in Dorset is a special place, the coastline in either direction is magnificent. The cliffs over the  boarder are grey and crumbling, those eastwards, towards Charmouth are also unstable – especially after heavy rain, and those at Black Ven are capped with a layer of Gold. The town is noted for the fossils found in the cliffs and beaches, which are part of the Heritage Coast—known commercially as the Jurassic Coast—a World Heritage Site. For information please click here.

Lyme Regis South west England

Discovering South West England

 A beautiful part of the English coastline.

Weymouth Travelling South West England

Discovering South West England

Weymouth is a seaside town in Dorset,  situated on a sheltered bay at the mouth of the River Wey on the English Channel coast. The town is 13 kilometres (8 mi) south of Dorchester and 8 kilometres (5 mi) north of the Isle of Portland. The town’s population is 52,323 (2011). The town is the largest settlement in Dorset following the unitary authorities of Bournemouth and Poole   The history of the borough stretches back to the 12th century; including involvement in the spread of the Black Death, the settlement of the Americas, the development of Georgian architecture, and preparations for World War II. Fishing and trading employ fewer people in the area since their peak in earlier centuries, but tourism has continuously increased its presence in the town since the 18th century and is now the primary industry.

Weymouth is a tourist resort, and its economy depends on its harbor and visitor attractions; the town is a gateway situated halfway along the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site on the Dorset and east Devon coast, important for its geology and landforms. Weymouth Harbour is home to cross-channel ferries, pleasure boats and private yachts, and nearby Portland Harbour is home to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, where the sailing events of the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games were held.

Discovering South West England to Dorchester 

Discovering South West England

Dorchester is the county town of Dorset. A historic market town, Dorchester lies on the banks of the River Frome, in the Frome Valley, just south of the Dorset Downs and north of the South Dorset Ridgeway, that separates the area from Weymouth, 8 miles (13 km) south. Dorchester is noted as being home and inspiration to the author Thomas Hardy, whose novel The Mayor of Casterbridge was based on the town. In the 2001 Census the official population of Dorchester was 16,171, although by 2010 this was estimated to have risen to 18,280.

St Ives in Cornwall

Discovering South West England

St Ives is a seaside town, civil parish and port in Cornwall. The town lies north of Penzance and west of Camborne on the coast of the Celtic Sea. In former times it was commercially dependent on fishing. Wikipedia

Discovering South West England to St Ives

Discovering South West England

Lots of narrow winding lanes some too narrow for vehicles.

Lands End, Cornwall.

Wandering around South West England

 Here we are at Lands End in Cornwall, England’s most westerly point. Wind levels in winter reach around 20-25 knots, which is windier than most of England. The highest temperature recorded is 28.9 °C, and the lowest temperature recorded is -3.4 °C.

For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Most westerly point in England.

Discovering South West England

Such a wild rugged coastline.

The famous Roman Baths in Bath.

Discovering South West England

I’m sure these baths have not changed in centuries.

Beautiful city of Bath

 

Discovering South West England

This is certainly one of my favourite English cities Discovering South West England.

So many pubs & such little time.

Discovering South West England

English pubs have got to be the best in the world, then again I have never been to Ireland. 🙂

Please click on Google + to help my ranking. 

Bradford on Avon

Discovering South West England

We have traveled north now to Bradford on Avon in west Wiltshire, one of my favourite English villages with some excellent pubs & restaurants.

My niece Laura love the scones at The Bridge Tea rooms.

Discovering South West England

Can afternoon tea get any better than this?

Tithe Barn Bradford on Avon

Discovering South West England

A tithe barn was a type of barn used in much of northern Europe in the Middle Ages for storing tithes—one tenth of a farm’s produce which was given to the Church. Tithe barns were usually associated with the village church or rectory and independent farmers took their tithes there.

Tithe Barn

Discovering South West England

The village priests wouldn’t have to pay tithes—the purpose of the tithe being their support—and some had their own farms anyway, which are now village greens in some villages.

Houseboats on the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Discovering South West England

The ducks or drakes deciding whether to go for a swim or a walk. 🙂

Two Dinosaurs at the Trowbridge show in Wiltshire.

Discovering South West England

Oh well, it is better to be a “has been” than a “never was”. 🙂
 
For a great discount on your room rate just book through THIS LINK.
 
 

Super travel tips. Great Britain has an excellent rail service, save up to 80% by booking your ticket before you arrive, just click here. London Underground’s Piccadilly Line provides the most cost-effective rail route between Heathrow Airport and the capital, so look for accommodation around Earl’s Court, Gloucester Rd or Knightsbridge. For more information click here.

Here is an excellent hotel close to Gloucester Rd underground.

For lots of things to do in Bath please click here.

For information on beautiful Bradford on Avon just click here.

Wandering around South West England is certainly one of my favorite parts of this wonderful country.                     

                        Here are some more posts to check out
 

           

Pattaya Hilton

Pattaya hotels, Hilton & Holiday Inn

This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposte the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate. 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Europe before Covid-19 & mass immigration.

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge

July 3, 2016 by David Herd

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge were on my agenda when I spent a couple of days in Sydney in 2005. This was my first stop on an exciting around the world trip to San Francisco, Miami, Rio de Janeiro for Carnival, north East coast of Brazil, Paris, Bangkok and Pattaya.

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge

The magnificent Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are two of the most recognisable structures in the world.

“Check out these top 28 Sydney Hotels With Perfect Harbour Views by HotelsCombined for great views of these iconic sights.” 

ANZAC War Memorial in Hyde Park

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge

Looking down from Centrepoint Tower at the Anzac memorial, lest we forget.

Anzac memorial

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge

Located in Hyde Park it was opened on 24 November 1934 to commemorate world war one Australian military personnel who lost their lives.

Centrpoint Tower a great Sydney Landmark

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge

The photo looking down on the Anzac Memorial building was taken from the restaurant in Centrepoint Tower.

Manly Ferry

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge

The Manly ferry can certainly also be regarded as a Sydney landmark, South Steyne is now a Floating Restaurant and Function Centre.

Novotel Darling Harbour

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge

Great views of the Sydney skyline from the Novotel, for an excellent room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Novotel and Grand Mercure Apartments

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge

Once again great views of the city, use THIS LINK for good Sydney hotel rates.

MLC Building at 19 Martin Pl, Sydney

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge

Another building considered to be in Sydney Landmarks.

After work drinks at the MLC building

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge

As you can see a popular meeting place especially on Fridays.

 Circular Quay

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge

 Circular Quay is a focal point for many Sydney celebrations throughout the year.

Sydney Opera House

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge

 Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, the facility formally opened on 20 October 1973  after a gestation beginning with Utzon’s 1957 selection as winner of an international design competition. The NSW Government, led by Premier Joseph Cahill, authorised work to begin in 1958, with Utzon directing construction. The government’s decision to build Utzon’s design is often overshadowed by circumstances that followed, including cost and scheduling overruns as well as the architect’s ultimate resignation.

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge

Though its name suggests a single venue, the project comprises multiple performance venues which together are among the busiest performing arts centres in the world — hosting over 1,500 performances each year attended by some 1.2 million people.

The Rocks overlooking Circular Quay

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge

The oldest part of Sydney was founded in 1788 as a penal colony. 

Bill Austin from Wiltshire

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge

My friend Bill jumped out of planes 100s of times when he was in the Paras so climbing the bridge was a piece of cake for him. 🙂

For a very good discount on Sydney hotel rooms just book through THIS LINK.

Doyles at Watsons Bay

37083281232_0318804394_b

Certainly one of Sydney’s well known landmarks, world famous for the fish & chips.

Doyles in 1981.

Sydney World's Best Harbour

This was Doyles 32 years ago in 1981. On this original site, Doyles opened Australia’s first seafood restaurant in 1885. The restaurant has been family owned and operated for over five generations. With both indoor and outdoor dining, Doyles is located right on the foreshore of Watsons Bay overlooking the magnificent panorama of Sydney Harbour.

Flashback, Doyles 1982.

Sydney World's Best Harbour

Here I am at Doyles with Helen Burke, my girlfriend at the time, enjoying one of our countless lunches on beautiful Sydney Harbour. Who said nostalgia was a thing of the past?

The old Darlington school.

Sydney Inner City Adventure

 Here is a lovely building most Sydney people would not know existed. It’s a fine example of a single story Gothic Revival style suburban schools designed by the Architect to the Council of Education: George Allen Mansfield. An important public building of the former suburb of Darlington, the smallest municipality in Sydney.

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge & Anzac Bridge

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge

 Opened in December 1995, costing $170 million to build, it’s a link between Sydney City and the western suburbs.

View from Crows nest

Sydney landmarks harbour bridge

Nice to see lots of trees.

Thanks for visiting my Sydney landmarks harbour bridge photo blog.

Please check out some of the most popular below, and thank you for visiting.     

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great posts



Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Champagne weekend Sydney 2008

July 2, 2016 by David Herd

Weekend with Stingy

Champagne weekend Sydney

Champagne weekend Sydney

Champagne weekend Sydney in 2008 was on the menu when I spent a weekend at a friends home in Point Piper. He worries about being seen on the internet, so to protect his privacy we will just call him Stingy. I imagine a whistle-blower will tip him off about this post and he will complain as usual. I would like to stress nothing in this personal photo blog of mine is intended to cause him any discomfort. It is in fact a salute to a very successful businessman.

I would like to emphasise my policy regarding my photo & travel blogs, should any person be offended or concerned by material I have posted, please contact me direct and I will immediately remove it.  

Champagne football Sydney is my personal photo history not part of my travel blog.

Champagne weekend Sydney

I was very lucky when Stingy lent me one of his cars to use, extremely lucky when it turned out to be a Lexus. 🙂

City skyline from Vaucluse

Champagne weekend Sydney

I took advantage of my flash transport and did a little tour around the eastern suburbs.

Coogee Beach

Champagne weekend Sydney

A deserted Coogee beach, I have many memories of the local pubs where I often visited in my 20s.

Stingy is the big guy in the middle

Champagne weekend Sydney

Peter Hobbs and Peter H on the right. Peter H is another guy who is paranoid about his name on the internet. We are at the SCG to see the Sydney Swans play the Richmond Tigers.

 Sydney Cricket Ground

Champagne weekend Sydney

This wonderful sports arena with this beautiful members stand, which was built in 1886, holds countless memories for myself and millions of sports fans all over Australia.

Stingy & friends

Champagne weekend Sydney

John Martin aka Pothole with his Chinese girlfriend and Lee O’mara are here with Stingy at the Woolahra hotel. Pothole lives in the same condo as I do in Pattaya 2 hours south of Bangkok, in fact he accompanied me on a quick trip to Koh Samui only last week on June 20 2016.

Woolahra Hotel

Champagne weekend Sydney

Sadly Pothole lost his best friend John Griffin just a few months after this photo was taken after he lost a long battle with cancer.

For a great hotel rate in Sydney just book through THIS LINK.

Bar Reggio

Champagne weekend Sydney

Friday lunch at Bar Reggio is a long term tradition for Stingy and his friends, located in Crown St Darlinghurst, it is a lively Italian restaurant that serves good food and allows you to bring your own wine.

Back to Stingy’s palace

Champagne weekend Sydney

Every wall upstairs and down is cluttered with paintings.

Running out of wall space

Champagne weekend Sydney

A great example of how to make a terrific home look less attractive. 🙂

A Stingy lookalike

Champagne weekend Sydney

They could be twins. 🙂

Champagne weekend Sydney, I’ll drink to that. 

Champagne weekend Sydney

I’m not generally a champagne drinker however I will make an exception for Dom Perignon. 🙂

Great kitchen

Champagne weekend Sydney

This is certainly one of the nicest homes I have ever stayed in.

 Stingy’s liquor cabinet

Champagne weekend Sydney

There is no shortage of booze in Stingy’s house, as you can clearly see Jim Beam is his preferred poison.

Ten years have flown by & now in 2018 aged 70 Stingy has given up the booze. So many years of heavy drinking have finally caught up with him. The doctors advice was crystal clear, stop drinking or die.

Geriatrics R Us.

Champagne weekend SydneyThat’s Stingy (2nd from the left) in December 2017, he has lost an incredible amount of weight being off the booze.

Naturally living on the waterfront you need a boat

Champagne weekend Sydney

Captain Stingy conducting business on the high seas. 🙂

Stingy = chick magnet

Champagne weekend Sydney

Of course the ladies are attracted by his good looks and animal magnetism, boats, booze & a $6 million dollar house have nothing to do with it.

Champagne weekend Sydney at Stingy’s palace

Champagne weekend Sydney

Three stories and looking over Sydney harbour.

Just a short distance to his great catamaran.

Champagne weekend Sydney

Stingy’s great looking boat.

 Sea Treasure at Crows Nest.

Champagne weekend Sydney

On the right is my cousin Debbie with her South African friend Phyllis, great food at the Sea Treasure.

Crab at the Sea Treasure

Champagne weekend Sydney

Fantastic crab at the Sea Treasure, this reminds me of Boat Quay in Singapore. 🙂

That’s all folks

Thanks for visiting my Champagne weekend Sydney photo blog.


         

 Here are some more posts to check out

         Life 2015                     Family history                   Life 1982

2835141a-02cf-4cda-a909-2a8408a99f47        6a173a01-9744-404a-a45f-87a975ec90fa          d5436828-abbc-4da1-a638-7f90436c6417

  Adelaide 1972                 Iron Bar Freddy               Sydney 2006

417091_10150704751043594_62315468_n          Susies home Newport 1 (1)        April24FreewayHotel-33 (1)

Thailand 2008                Gold Coast Babes               World trip 2003

Fun in Pattaya-116         92bfa275-a122-4078-9970-1e24188a5917        CopacabanabeachNov2003-124

             Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
                              Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
                         d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037              01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f
 
 That’s all folks
Surfers Paradise Party Animals
 
Pattaya live webcam 
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1) 
A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

For a great room rate at the A-One hotel opposite the beach just book through THIS LINK.               

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

Check out these great photo blogs.

  • Lyme Regis Jurassic coast

Counter only started January 11 2021

This gallery contains 2 photos

Singapore Street Food

May 28, 2016 by David Herd

Singapore Satays Lau Pa Sat

Singapore Street Food

Singapore Street Food

Singapore Street Food Old Market Lau Pa Sat is an exciting inexpensive way to dine in this very expensive city. Unless of course you are devouring a chilli crab at boat key or the East Coast Lagoon Food village, then it’s a different story.

Singapore Street Food Old Market Lau Pa Sat

Singapore Street Food Old Market

 Lau Pa Sat (which means Old Market) is also known as Telok Ayer in the heart of Singapore’s financial district, it has operated as a hawker centre since 1973 and is the best place in Singapore for satay sticks.

Table service at Lau Pa Sat

Singapore Street Food

 The best satay stalls in Singapore are found here in Boon Tat St on the south side of Lau Pa Sat, it changes to a pedestrian thoroughfare called the Asli Satay Club between 7 pm and midnight.

Octagonal building

Singapore Street Food

The market building is a unique octagonal cast-iron structure which was originally shipped out from Glasgow. The original Telok Ayer market opened in 1838.

Singapore Street Food Old Market has a very busy kitchen

Singapore Street Food

Obviously you have a choice at Singapore Satays Lau Pa Sat market to eat inside the building or out on the busy street. Personally I think the street is far more interesting.

Great friends Anne & Steve

Singapore Street Food

For six or seven years I was so lucky that my old friends from Sydney lived in Singapore where Anne was a director of a large insurance company. They would allow to stay in their spare room at their luxury Singapore apartment. While Anne worked Steve and I would practice our lunch skills or play golf at Changi golf club near the airport or Legends golf club in Malaysia.

Sadly in March 2017 Anne lost a long hard battle with cancer, RIP.

 Lau Pa Sat from above

Singapore Street Food

A great view of this amazing building, many thanks to Xtrememachineuk .

Finally goodbye from our smiling chef.

Singapore Street Food

Thanks for visiting my Singapore Street Food Old Market photo blog, if you visit Singapore put it on your bucket list.

As you probably realise Singapore hotels are quite expensive, however book through THIS LINK for an excellent discount.

Please check out these fabulous posts     

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Pattaya live webcam
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

Check out these great food photo blogs.

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos