tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87023903938883427142024-03-05T15:58:20.349-08:00Shifty FiftyA lifestyle, travel, food, family blog written by me, a New Zealander, in my fifties. lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-61365796910286211232017-02-10T23:59:00.000-08:002017-02-11T01:11:44.760-08:00Vienna for Beginners<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Neither of us have been to Vienna before, but there's great accommodation and flight deals at this time of year, so we thought we'd go for a week.<br />
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It's been about 0-4 degrees C most days. The CAT train takes you from the airport to the city in only 16 minutes. Easy walking along wide footpaths, cleared of snow, great signage and well heated interesting cafes.<br />
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Observations?<br />
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1. Best cappuccinos ever. They call it 'melange' and I think they invented it.<br />
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2. Loved the extensive gardens and views from the Schonbrunn Palace. We spent most of a sunny Sunday walking the long avenues through the woods.<br />
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3. Inexpensive stuff can be better than paid tourist experiences. For example, we were underwhelmed by the MUMOK, contemporary art museum. Depressed by the overly 'architected' grey building. And the 3 floors dedicated to that anti-establishment Eastern European guy, Julius Koller. It all just confused me, for 11 euro. Whereas the free guided tour of the Rathaus (an easy name to remember) was beautiful and interesting. It's the old city town hall, with huge chandeliers.<br />
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We bought a bag of freshly made falafel, 20 for only 2 euros, at the Nachtmarkt on the way home.<br />
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4. The public transport is easy, efficient and clean. Only a couple of euros for tram/underground/bus tickets, one price for all destinations. Ideal for beginners.<br />
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5. The State Opera house performances are affordable if you are prepared to do the standing thing for 3 euro tickets. Our back row definitely had a bit of humming and a gentle sway going on to the big chorus number 'Va pensiero' (Nambucco). It was a drab looking but great sounding production, with excellent chorus and orchestra. We witnessed an unforgettable performance from Leo Nucci; an Italian baritone who at 74 years old can still hold the stage.<br />
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Ah Vienna... Europe's middle, capital of cakes and too much cream, lots of gold stuff, Gustav Klimt, big name composers, obvious wealth and successful opera. Sadly, part of the history of the place, impossible to forget, is the decimation of the Jewish population during Hitler's time.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005447">https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005447</a><br />
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Vienna is a complex and fascinating place; if you are ever in Europe, it deserves at least a week.<br />
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Lizzie</div>
lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-6246018922759574962016-10-29T08:41:00.001-07:002016-10-29T08:41:51.277-07:00Umbria - Workaway Number 6<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
For our next adventure we headed up to the little town of Chiusi, about 2 hours by train from Rome. Our Workaway host, Jan, met us at the station and drove us to her home and BnB, called Casa Julian. It's in a perfect location, close to Lake Trasimeno and near the border with Tuscany.<br />
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The countryside feels like you are surrounded by a bunch of postcards - beautiful rural scenes, gentle hills, lots of shades of green. We got to stay in one of Jan's comfortable apartments, complete with woodburner.<br />
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We loved the two friendly and gentle labradors, and the cats, and the chickens. Since we have been doing all these Workaways, mostly in rural locations, we've become rather fond of chickens and have decided to get a couple on our return home to NZ next year.</div>
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Here's one of our little friends checking out the olives.<br />
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We helped with an olive harvest; about 40 trees. We were very lucky to be able to go to the 'frantoio olivestri' with Jan and watch the pickings turn into 17 litres of very good gold-green oil. That night we feasted on bruschetta, rubbed with garlic and drizzled with the freshest cold-pressed oil I've ever tasted!<br />
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As hosts go, Jan is one of the best. She is well immersed into the local community, having lived there about 16 years. I went along to one of her pilates classes (instructions all in Italian), and we met lots of her English, American and Italian friends over coffees and a trip to a great bakery. We had the chance to go to a chestnut festa too in a nearby town. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting the baker</td></tr>
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It's just as well that we got in lots of good physical work, as there was far too much delicious food!</div>
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Lizzie</div>
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lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-426895270959054222016-09-03T10:54:00.000-07:002016-09-03T10:54:05.620-07:00Puglia - Workaway 5<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Every time we start another Workaway I get a bit nervous. Will we like them? Will they like us? Can we find it! Will there be a double bed! Is the work hard? What will the food be like...<br />
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Along the way we have encountered a few little challenges like bug bites, vague work instructions, dodgy bedding, fierce dogs, and a couple of snakes. But we've always worked it out, done useful stuff, and had great experiences. (The gaps in between assignments help too, when we go back to stay with our daughter's beautiful family in Rome.)<br />
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Today is the last day of our latest Workaway, in Puglia. We have been based in a pretty country house, near San Vito Dei Normanni, in the deep South of Italy. It's painted a traditional dark rose colour. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our job has been to help with the almond harvest</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with Diana, on the roof terrace </td></tr>
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The hosts are friendly, generous and interesting. This is the first time in many years that they have done the almond harvest. Diana is a lawyer, she lives mostly in Bari, but loves coming back to this place where she played as a child. Her daughter Noemi speaks English, which is a great help. They have BnB rooms here; we've been staying in a nice room with our own bathroom.<br />
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Almond harvesting might be a bit like quidditch. You whack around in the air with a long stick at the tree, dodging the falling almonds. Occasionally you catch one. Then you sit around together for hours and chat while you skin them and sort them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mario and Sergio tree whacking </td></tr>
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We have afternoons off and have explored Lecce, Alberobello, Ostuni and Polignano. Lots of good local knowledge hints and suggestions from the host family.<br />
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Alberobello</div>
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The home-cooked meals have been terrific, worthy of a whole separate blog post in fact! So we needn't have worried, it's all been a great success. After another spell in Rome we look forward to Workaway number 6.<br />
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Lizzie<br />
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lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com172019 San Vito dei Normanni BR, Italy40.658316 17.70646599999997840.634223999999996 17.666125499999978 40.682408 17.746806499999977tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-51064079200510045612016-07-24T06:54:00.000-07:002016-07-24T06:54:40.938-07:00Where's Ivy? Workaway 4, Sicily.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We must be the most disappointing New Zealanders ever! Our hosts, Lorenzo and Margherita, found a sheep on the road yesterday, which they brought to us at the country house to keep an eye on. It's sad looking; sort of droopy and brown, with a big fat tail. Given we come from NZ, which has 6 sheep per head, it's surprising that neither of us knows anything about looking after them.<br />
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Anyway, we have called her 'Ivy' and as we potter around the estate, picking peaches, doing a bit of sweeping or weeding, we keep asking each other -<br />
"Where's Ivy?" as we hope she hasn't snuffed it, or wandered off too far, or been attacked by dogs.<br />
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Other than this slightly worrying responsibility, we are loving our time here. We are learning all about modern rural life, from the inside, and a lot about wine and olive oil production. Here's a pic of Mario with our hosts, and yes, that's Mount Etna in the background.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8f0Tz2AQSDGmHRDdMhKPnf2rDrB5c5HzFFDjgZbUGqqwaoroFTMs6AMUBlPPWP20xMS4wSrKTMWYH3sahtUHbKJ8XLup0yD_EyWemTqSIG2hbru4TskGFJHLKk0UdiYQAdxjZupWPo4/s1600/20160721_093431-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8f0Tz2AQSDGmHRDdMhKPnf2rDrB5c5HzFFDjgZbUGqqwaoroFTMs6AMUBlPPWP20xMS4wSrKTMWYH3sahtUHbKJ8XLup0yD_EyWemTqSIG2hbru4TskGFJHLKk0UdiYQAdxjZupWPo4/s400/20160721_093431-1.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
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They (Tenuta Rustica) have just released their wine called 'Sparviero' - that's sparrow hawk in English. It's a moderate tannin, bright red, pure tasting wine made from the Nerello Mascalese grape. We feel very lucky to have dropped into their lives through this Workaway, to have tasted this wine, and lived briefly on the land that produced it.</div>
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lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com0Province of Catania, Italy37.918201119766628 14.9414062537.516977119766629 14.29595925 38.319425119766628 15.58685325tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-88868620050304080722016-06-19T08:57:00.000-07:002016-08-05T02:34:25.990-07:00How to Look Better in Travel Pics<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The trouble with travel is that it's hard work. Hot, sweaty, and sometimes grimy and grumpy. So when you need a pic, to show friends what you are up to, your image can be a bit disappointing. If your husband or partner took it, and then says:<br />
"But that's what you look like!" it can cause some friction.<br />
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Here's my tips:<br />
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1. Hang out around images of plump people, so you look good by comparison. Here's a good one I found of Hercules and his mates at the Villa D'Este in Tivoli.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_nHqPkWj78HJXPQuVI6s6CRHxNEIk_GmZ0wCOEoyJKJGeJX6OdzBoop7xnG5Vs4BK-8-8ezMFiXwmAvzWr9n0j4563mLmWawzU_BYY-XAmLuJeSPw40SRKBcrZyHPqxmnS72MuNEOUo/s1600/20160618_124502-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_nHqPkWj78HJXPQuVI6s6CRHxNEIk_GmZ0wCOEoyJKJGeJX6OdzBoop7xnG5Vs4BK-8-8ezMFiXwmAvzWr9n0j4563mLmWawzU_BYY-XAmLuJeSPw40SRKBcrZyHPqxmnS72MuNEOUo/s640/20160618_124502-1.jpg" width="481" /></a></div>
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2. Look after your feet. If sore feet are making you miserable it shows on your face. Note my pre-emptive band aid in this case, before the blister, not after it...</div>
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3. Drink lots of water. Makes you look less haggard (especially if you are over 50!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-ntbRpwbdsENK9Xs_en_tg2Hi5jnoAfzRbqEB4xppS0mQhwmZsTarA_osIclXvPz7-o5-EZNcb2h1_59mdFisNDmTrxFZdFc7Glujw2zaf7_8fe9CanFt_MnSEI-BqKroWTB6m7uaSU/s1600/20160618_121738-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-ntbRpwbdsENK9Xs_en_tg2Hi5jnoAfzRbqEB4xppS0mQhwmZsTarA_osIclXvPz7-o5-EZNcb2h1_59mdFisNDmTrxFZdFc7Glujw2zaf7_8fe9CanFt_MnSEI-BqKroWTB6m7uaSU/s320/20160618_121738-1.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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4. Add a bit of make-up ('slap' as my friend Margie calls it) and bling. It can make the same old shirt, or face, look better.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJn0qPaExYzVBi8Yg3HL1vbnv6G-Wi1S1zbM0XmqUIqEht-efBGUaCrHypg4w1uOyRbWzuy40iX3nNDHioc7QUYa2rPApjp9J1V7amwO5k5JCL3hC-RBReROjavAlsxnJqsMfCoklUGoc/s1600/20160619_101758-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJn0qPaExYzVBi8Yg3HL1vbnv6G-Wi1S1zbM0XmqUIqEht-efBGUaCrHypg4w1uOyRbWzuy40iX3nNDHioc7QUYa2rPApjp9J1V7amwO5k5JCL3hC-RBReROjavAlsxnJqsMfCoklUGoc/s320/20160619_101758-1.jpg" width="264" /></a></div>
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5. Don't always plonk yourself up close in the middle of the shot. Try a distance, off to the side. Friends might want to see the view (not you, again).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbb1imxxSBy7vwH75UzogPu-4zmW2tWmLtXCWSPPin3ffEK3ZflpTVALVI9-Oi8q5Iz2xLva0-JjYriwl_ErinjsYwWkMXSJXS2_Do1SMmCYPiSTc7yK3ZTbyDYQ3v82RpfPcTrOBQRkg/s1600/20160618_121608-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbb1imxxSBy7vwH75UzogPu-4zmW2tWmLtXCWSPPin3ffEK3ZflpTVALVI9-Oi8q5Iz2xLva0-JjYriwl_ErinjsYwWkMXSJXS2_Do1SMmCYPiSTc7yK3ZTbyDYQ3v82RpfPcTrOBQRkg/s400/20160618_121608-1.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>
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lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-17837161538072155362016-06-10T08:08:00.000-07:002016-06-10T08:08:11.357-07:00Useful Travel Stuff - 5 things to take<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We've been on the road for almost ten weeks now. Completed 3 Workaways (Australia, Italy and France). Stayed with family, driven long distances, ubered, taxied, trained, bussed and walked a lot.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vTPj29b6LGYu4s26yGqcCmkAQ3iuKA58oBl_WdjtjlYufIfLuEXXtZyOyLsb6oytca5_fqrkHssIxUMNVILaoGaCN6dFVSYOKvAYGMipehUuhs8WkIyvomSEDaZHNXpA-fIDZqdzf4w/s1600/20160512_172738-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vTPj29b6LGYu4s26yGqcCmkAQ3iuKA58oBl_WdjtjlYufIfLuEXXtZyOyLsb6oytca5_fqrkHssIxUMNVILaoGaCN6dFVSYOKvAYGMipehUuhs8WkIyvomSEDaZHNXpA-fIDZqdzf4w/s320/20160512_172738-1-1.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
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Not having too much luggage has been really good. Less to lose, and lug around. Technology can be a bit sporadic, we've had a few glitches with mobile, sim cards and WiFi etc. But here's some practical and basic things I've appreciated having with me along the way:<br />
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1. Sneaky little cloth billfold. My friend Bridget made me this as a parting gift. It's small and can be tucked inside clothing. Quick to whip out, doesn't look like a wallet. Holds some notes and a few cards, and kept separate from any bags. Much less cumbersome than a money belt, and washable.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXn_RMFUAoxvjFu0lOiPX0Lc_DpETOj3w-Dpt0oY_HMob3eSYslViq2KuFU95Tfv_IUWCATlj2v5cphLA6L3jq0hZPy78B9yxKC08rBBoojZkUxgZCWYReTQuuy6hKv3yHS0giiH_YVes/s1600/20160610_163517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXn_RMFUAoxvjFu0lOiPX0Lc_DpETOj3w-Dpt0oY_HMob3eSYslViq2KuFU95Tfv_IUWCATlj2v5cphLA6L3jq0hZPy78B9yxKC08rBBoojZkUxgZCWYReTQuuy6hKv3yHS0giiH_YVes/s320/20160610_163517.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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2. Really comfy and strong shoes. I've done miles in these Skechers and Hush Puppy sandals - good for work and play.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2lJBDMHeq8K8IRbFc4yIJopGquuKV99a4zJA6gQO5qUYUjoN88oODepPQ7IMDmyJ97l-eaxlb0Eew0SOaOaMr87PRSrK9sqk9mCcfvFslTcC_ak_mCnEnR5WhmXDvAeQ0pSGdT2geKA/s1600/20160610_163645-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2lJBDMHeq8K8IRbFc4yIJopGquuKV99a4zJA6gQO5qUYUjoN88oODepPQ7IMDmyJ97l-eaxlb0Eew0SOaOaMr87PRSrK9sqk9mCcfvFslTcC_ak_mCnEnR5WhmXDvAeQ0pSGdT2geKA/s320/20160610_163645-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. Mirror and tiny torch. Being able to see stuff, including your own face, is helpful! Light switches aren't always easy to find in the middle of the night.<br />
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4. Ear plugs. To dull the sounds of barking dogs, scratchy kids, or that horrible buzz from noisy bars or restaurants when you're trying g to get some rest.<br />
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5. Meds. I've had a few brushes with illness along the way, sore throat, hayfever, headache. I've compiled this mix of basic pills all in one place. The disprin, eye drops, band aids and antihistamine have proved their worth already!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_RDuD-iSopBkM3Z-9xM71oyJn77wLJmDfBtSze-0ZfBiAmSrfh5gx-po523EoT2ZZs6r0h_3pi9nmMq1JzzuEbBt9RbhyRGskeoyEGjS4X7QlfoJQzkBaCeu2sE0F28v89lDi8LOwE0/s1600/20160610_163608-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_RDuD-iSopBkM3Z-9xM71oyJn77wLJmDfBtSze-0ZfBiAmSrfh5gx-po523EoT2ZZs6r0h_3pi9nmMq1JzzuEbBt9RbhyRGskeoyEGjS4X7QlfoJQzkBaCeu2sE0F28v89lDi8LOwE0/s320/20160610_163608-1.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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Overall it's been great so far, and these little things have made a difference. For me, they are essentials - I'd be interested to hear other people's hints too.<br />
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Lizzie<br />
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lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-39904683020130841702016-05-30T07:49:00.001-07:002016-05-30T07:49:38.973-07:00Workaway 3: Parisot, France <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ryan Air wasn't so bad; Rome to Bordeaux. Our car company guy, Eric, was waiting for us on arrival, to show us the new Peugeot that we've leased for 5 months. It's going to be good having our own transport now, and going at our own pace. The 40 minute drive to our overnight BnB was easy, thanks to the GPS, and soon we were pottering around a nice little rural place as we chatted to the hosts, Frank and Brigitte.<br />
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Frank had built the best ever hen house, safe from foxes. Their hens must have good balance and a head for heights as they step across the narrow suspended bridge to nest. We slept soundly (beautiful linen), and drove off to the Tarn et Garonne region the next day.<br />
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Got to Parisot early afternoon and met our Workaway hosts for the next 10 days. We were so excited to see the chateau, where we have been happily planting flowers, weeding, trimming wisteria and bamboo ever since. We are living in a comfortable separate house in the grounds. For this one, food is provided, and we cook our own meals. We work 8am to 1pm, 5 days per week.<br />
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This is one of the exciting things about Workaway. If you are prepared to take some risks, and to offer your time to people, you can get really lucky and find yourself in a pretty little village in France, making friends with interesting people and being part of the local life for a spell.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uRvQN9fqayya2LkDccTSqw1Hr8ifBBbGLKt_wl5NHtF5MJ-StFRnQRnPFnmm-WSiq56seSEetYtGPAOCK5phyphenhyphenjFA_4_XLX_V3G_P08haeUOupBeu056ajBPYqZQrz2yTR03CrHxlXQg/s1600/20160526_210900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uRvQN9fqayya2LkDccTSqw1Hr8ifBBbGLKt_wl5NHtF5MJ-StFRnQRnPFnmm-WSiq56seSEetYtGPAOCK5phyphenhyphenjFA_4_XLX_V3G_P08haeUOupBeu056ajBPYqZQrz2yTR03CrHxlXQg/s400/20160526_210900.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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You can just see 'our chateau' with the turrets, 1501, in the soft dusk light. </div>
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During the Revolution, as well as beheading people, turrets also got the chop. </div>
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So over the last few years, the owners have had them completely restored. </div>
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We've been exploring the area on our afternoons off. Went to a great little food and artisan market at Sant Antonin, and spent most of Saturday exploring the medieval village of Caylus. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclBQEAuSflH8_Km7TqUahIP_RXd9vMXoiL5o8aW8VjKcz5jfTY9HZqMi-9eYFkv8oXceH0ctoiSAqAO3mKNG20DAf_6afXVW313GS5Zusy0-WXi8geIWneV-VjWXM_nyccbfIIx2KFok/s1600/2016-05-28+12.57.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclBQEAuSflH8_Km7TqUahIP_RXd9vMXoiL5o8aW8VjKcz5jfTY9HZqMi-9eYFkv8oXceH0ctoiSAqAO3mKNG20DAf_6afXVW313GS5Zusy0-WXi8geIWneV-VjWXM_nyccbfIIx2KFok/s320/2016-05-28+12.57.02.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90q0ffRwOIGRVB-faUB-13HdInja-AzrxRivJW99pkVvPnpwF351LJEa3cRlcxWGTCqZTxb_9rKE5YshNAtEtBrSik7cjdaHZLk4RYaSwC17vc83eJO6QYdbVQAYM0J_vHZQHuffBEJM/s1600/20160524_090530-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90q0ffRwOIGRVB-faUB-13HdInja-AzrxRivJW99pkVvPnpwF351LJEa3cRlcxWGTCqZTxb_9rKE5YshNAtEtBrSik7cjdaHZLk4RYaSwC17vc83eJO6QYdbVQAYM0J_vHZQHuffBEJM/s320/20160524_090530-1.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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The only tricky things have been our incompetence at French, and the sporadic access to WiFi. </div>
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C'est la vie.</div>
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lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-68910678041262067052016-05-19T12:59:00.000-07:002016-05-19T12:59:03.717-07:00Medicine Man, Italy style<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I returned to Rome, after my country work yesterday with itchy eyes, a sore throat and a cough which has been lingering. Maybe lugging the heavy marble rocks, and the frequent weeding took its toll, in spite of the lovely food and fresh air activities. As we only have a few days before we fly to France, I decided to get medical advice.<br />
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In most hospitals in Italy tourists can go to the outpatients and see a doctor free of charge. I walked down to an Ospedale in Trastevere at 8am, and found where to go. A woman got me to fill in a half page of info, then told me where to sit down and wait. There were lots of different uniformed types standing around looking glamorous, texting or drinking tiny coffees.<br />
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A young, good-looking guy came in and dropped his bag off, then popped outside for a cigarette. He was having an animated conversation on his mobile. I'd decided he was the doctor, as the staff seemed to defer to him. I couldn't get what his phone call was about, but I hoped it was something like:<br />
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"We must act quickly and help this tourist, her condition is deteriorating! Pull out all the stops, spare no expense, so we can get her back to good health!"<br />
But I suspect it was something more like this:<br />
"Yes, Mama, I got here okay. I did have breakfast - it was a coffee. No thanks I will be warm enough, I wore my jacket. No, of course I'm not smoking..."<br />
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I only had to wait 30 minutes; not bad apparently, even though I was the only one waiting. The smoker/doctor looked at my throat, took my temperature, listened to my chest and refused to give me antibiotics. His English was as bad as my Italian. Didn't seem to want to look at my eyes or ears. Then he prescribed three things which I went and collected, for about 30 euro. Some sort of fizzy sachet drink, a weird tasting throat spray and some eye drops.<br />
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I got home about 9am, and my daughter was very surprised to see me back so soon. She'd thought it would take me hours. The only problem was trying to translate the complicated looking instructions in Italian on the packets.<br />
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Feeling better already.<br />
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Lizzie </div>
lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-21173852076108589022016-05-11T09:54:00.000-07:002016-05-11T09:54:52.202-07:00Basilicata, Italy, Workaway 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our second Workaway has started, and we have settled into B&B Apricot:<br />
<a href="http://www.apricotlucania.com/">http://www.apricotlucania.com</a><br />
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This region (Basilicata) is flanked on the north-east by Puglia, on the west by Campania, and on the south by Calabria. If you picture Italy as a boot, we are located on the instep, near the Ionian Sea.<br />
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In May, this area is warming up from its gentle winter. The earth is fertile in this valley and there are trees laden with ripening oranges and lemons. Our host Alessandra is clever, kind and interesting. She gives clear instructions and leaves us to get on with jobs like staining the outdoor furniture, trimming hedges, weeding, whitewashing and minor repairs. We are helping her get ready for the onslaught of summer visitors that come for the nice beach nearby (Italian, mostly).<br />
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Our days are like this: we get up at 6.30am and make ourselves an orange juice. After breakfast, we start work at 8, making sure we are plastered in mozzie spray. It's beautiful here; surrounded by apricot orchards, old olive trees, gentle hills. There are dogs and cats playing around, and a big chicken coop in an old building with 3 hens and a rooster (that crows at 4.30 am!). At midday we pack up and go inside for lunch. Alessandra uses local ingredients, lots of vegetables. Every day there is something new to try, typical of this region. And fresh bread and red wine.<br />
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After a couple of hours rest we usually go for a walk, in order to work up an appetite for dinner, and to explore. Policoro is 5kms away, not very pretty, but there is a great museum on the way, and a good gelato shop.<br />
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This area has Greek connections. In about 400BC it was populated by Trojan refugees, then more Greek settlements were established in the south (including Paestum, Naples and Bari). They were overrun by the Lucanians, then the Roman culture sort of absorbed them. Basilicata was called Lucania until about 11 AD. Then I think it was named after a Byzantine emperor, called Basileus. Funny that, I thought it was something to do with the herb!<br />
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One of the best parts for me, each evening, is the conversations at dinner time. We practise our Italian, and hear stories about the family, the apricot business, local legends and history - and recipes, of course. Tonight we're having some sort of potato-based focaccia bread.<br />
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Lizzie<br />
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lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-17560348943003691562016-05-04T09:49:00.000-07:002016-05-04T09:49:51.928-07:00Italy, again...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's 20 years since I first visited Italy; our kids were 12, 9 and 6 years old.<br />
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My parents had emigrated from the South, to NZ, and we were keen to see what they'd chosen to leave behind, and how it had changed since their childhoods. It was fun discovering it with our own children, back in the nineties.<br />
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So, here we are again, many visits later, but planning to stay a lot longer this time. We are starting off with a quick visit to our daughter Maria's home in Rome. This will be our base between Workaway stints. My parents have passed away now, but our first two-week job is in the Basilicata region, where my Dad was born. I've been trying to brush up my Italian on Duolingo - got up to 45% so far. Now it's time for the immersion test.<br />
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With her husband Eugene, Maria runs a business called <a href="http://www.creativeenglish.it/">Creative English</a><br />
They have 2 beautiful sons. This whole blog is really just an excuse for a proud nonno to put these photos up:<br />
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Ciao,<br />
Lizzie's Bloke<br />
(guest blogger)<br />
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lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com0Rome, Italy41.9027835 12.49636550000002441.524646 11.850918500000024 42.280921 13.141812500000025tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-80237326285185815402016-04-25T23:20:00.000-07:002016-04-26T21:28:49.961-07:00Survived our Aussie Workaway <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mario the handyman</td></tr>
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Wow, that was a bit crazy and sort of rewarding. We got into the lives of a country-town Aussie family, and found out more about permaculture. Recycling everything can be kind of messy. And, turtles don't like it when you accidentally drop their worm food down the back of the tank. Out of reach. Luckily no creatures died on our watch. The enormous rottweiler/doberman type "puppy" allegedly just wanted to play with me. Like a cat plays with a mouse... He liked to rest his paws on my shoulders, while I wasn't scared.<br />
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I put together a little marketing plan for them, Bissys Cafe, and helped set up a venue centre and shop next to the main cafe room, for new and recycled goods. Lots of interesting stuff revolves around their family cafe business; they are establishing an eco retreat as well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bissys Emporium </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wide streets, Autumn colours</td></tr>
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Orange area (popn about 60,000) is a well heeled town, named after William of Orange, who got his name from Orange, in Provence, France. First there were the Wiradjuri land owners, then a convict settlement, then goldfields, (many still operating), now it's tourism. It's beautiful in Autumn, with the wide streets, substantial brick buildings and lots of food/wine businesses. A cross between Ashburton and Nelson, for the Kiwis out there. We made use of the good pool, library and gallery facilities and met some really friendly locals.<br />
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Overall, it was fun working together. Its a challenge mucking in and being helpful to strangers, understanding the rules, outside our comfort zones. We have a different perspective now about rural Australia, and how people make a living from this big empty (in the middle) sort of land. We still both hate the raucous cries of the Aussie birds!<br />
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Back to Sydney for a few days, then we have our next Workaway coming up in May, in Italy.<br />
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Lizzie<br />
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lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-91581077503469695452016-04-19T02:22:00.001-07:002016-04-20T23:40:45.860-07:00Orange Segment, NSW: our 1st Workaway.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We got the bus, then the train, then a bus to Orange. It's a 6 hour trip inland. Felt a bit apprehensive, but it helped that the host, Fiona met us at the station. The job for the next 2 weeks is to help the family business with marketing and general maintenance.<br />
We eat with the family each night, they have 8 children, but only 3 at home now.<br />
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Our accommodation is in a separate unit, and there's a couple of young women from France staying in the next bedroom for a few days, who have just been to NZ.<br />
First day was interesting, traipsing round the 2 properties feeding the chooks, dogs, a gallah, rabbits, turtles, ducks and quails. We gathered some eggs and checked out the busy cafe. We work from about 8am to 1pm each day, then we go exploring. More about the town next time. All this fresh air and exercise is exhausting! 😴<br />
<br />
Lizzie<br />
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lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com0Orange NSW 2800, Australia-33.2835775 149.10127020000004-33.310126 149.06092970000003 -33.257029 149.14161070000006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-41287653841844797312016-04-11T19:16:00.000-07:002016-04-11T23:18:08.234-07:00Sydney Snuggles <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I love a drizzly day in Sydney, perfect for reconnecting with family and our 4 year old grandchildren in particular. The twins.<br />
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And we need to chill and readjust with all the changes. Sold the car, left the jobs, rented out the apartment etc.<br />
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We enjoyed some great farewells with friends before we left. By the time we got on the plane we were knackered from too many big nights out.<br />
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So, back to the twins. Adorable chatterboxes; they love stories - both telling them, and listening to them. Mars has a ukulele, which he strums while he talks. And talks... I let him help me choose the special effects for these photos.<br />
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Lizzie </div>
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lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com1Sydney NSW, Australia-33.8674869 151.20699020000006-34.711976400000005 149.91609670000005 -33.0229974 152.49788370000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-64406365729519408132016-04-08T02:01:00.000-07:002016-04-08T02:01:53.774-07:00Leaving Home, New Zealand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We returned to our home in Nelson for a few days to check things before we go overseas. Our tenants for the last 6 months left things very clean and tidy, so we got stuck into the garden and cut back some of the bigger trees that had a growth spurt over the Summer.</div>
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I arranged a couple of visitors for the period we are away, using LoveHomeSwap. We really do <b>love</b> this home swap thing; some nice couples and families have stayed at our place, in return for free stays of our own in Oz and Spain. </div>
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Some friends stopped by for a catch up, and as we gazed out at the big sky view across the bay, we reassured ourselves that it will all still be here to enjoy when we return. </div>
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We feasted on figs, and crumpets drizzled with local manuka honey tonight, then polished off the last of the gin, with tonic, and juice from our lemon tree.<br />
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Feel ready to launch now. After all, leaving home for an adventure or two only makes you appreciate it more...<br />
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Lizzie </div>
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lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com0Nelson, New Zealand-41.2706319 173.28396529999998-41.461540899999996 172.96124179999998 -41.0797229 173.60668879999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-59954064988500935862016-03-30T23:56:00.000-07:002016-03-31T12:19:24.161-07:0010 Steps to Workaway <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Friends have been asking how we got started. It took a bit of time and research. Workaway seemed to offer thousands of hosts, and different jobs and categories. Here's the first 10 steps we've taken...</div>
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1. Join the website. Even if you never actually travel, it can serve as a sort of 'travel porn', where you can fantasize about lots of different countries and work experiences. It costs $US29 to join as a single and $US38 to join as a couple: <a href="https://www.workaway.info/">https://www.workaway.info</a><br />
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2. Leave your job. Why work for money when you can work <i>in exchange</i> for things like places to stay and things to eat? Travel can be soulless and expensive when you are just hanging out on the edges, observing other people's lives and cultures. This way you can wade in and be a part of something.<br />
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3. Write a profile. Honest and interesting, saying what you can do with some recent images of yourself looking useful. For example, painting a fence, playing your flute, pruning trees, or taking part in a meeting.<br />
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4. Start checking out possible 'hosts'. Bear the distances between jobs in mind, and the logistics of travel between them. You don't want to waste time and money zigzagging backwards and forwards between Spain and Italy, for instance.<br />
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5. Read their reviews and comments. If every second guest comments on the remote location and hard work, avoid. If a host comments about too many people leaving after only a few days, don't go there.<br />
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6. Check the timing. The site listings show which months help is needed. Also, check out what the accommodation is - it can range from a separate chalet, to a caravan, to a room in a family home, or the west wing of a castle!<br />
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7. Write your prospects a short friendly message offering your help and saying what might be relevant to their situation. If it's an animal refuge, don't bother saying you are a raging carnivore and have a fear of dogs! Just offer 1-2 weeks; if it works out well, you might be asked to stay on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsL8fJxL0eXfnySXmg1t8WuxOA4J18j9hc2-2dNWLgrmfXNuO0RBQQEPY_VJ-7_7tB6WzIslXgzkf2QrH1u-LU09jmIFkFf-xWa3Re9bTiL5cvjOM3ReycqbU66E0puW8v0uvzQJ9g4I/s1600/people-summer-garden-sitting-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsL8fJxL0eXfnySXmg1t8WuxOA4J18j9hc2-2dNWLgrmfXNuO0RBQQEPY_VJ-7_7tB6WzIslXgzkf2QrH1u-LU09jmIFkFf-xWa3Re9bTiL5cvjOM3ReycqbU66E0puW8v0uvzQJ9g4I/s200/people-summer-garden-sitting-large.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="text-align: center;">8. Sit back for a month or two and wait for the offers to come in. We sent 30 messages, and got about 20 replies, and inquiries from people who just saw our listing. It takes time to get the dates confirmed. We have nailed 7 bookings over 6 months, and we have another 7 on the reserve list, in case we have a cancellation. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">9. Choose some good sensible work clothing if you are going for physical work. The majority seem to need gardening. I want to look like I've come to help, not like a tourist.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">10. Start on some prep. We are going to be at an organic orchard business, so I'm reading up about biodiversity. We are making an effort to get fitter too, running round the local park. Most of the hosts ask for about 25 hours labour per week. I want some energy left, after the olive or grape harvests, to go out and explore. </span><br />
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Lizzie </div>
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lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com0Wellington, New Zealand-41.2864603 174.77623600000004-41.6685158 174.13078900000005 -40.9044048 175.42168300000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-47096439069468171672016-03-24T20:13:00.000-07:002016-03-24T20:13:05.098-07:00Capturing the Cuzzies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It just so happens that I've been to a few family gatherings lately. I've kind of 'rediscovered' cousins that I haven't seen for years, and met a few I'd forgotten about completely. Coming back from one such event I tried, with mixed success, to list them all from A to Z, and to remember which aunt or uncle they relate to. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzekSdL-BwUns9OOQ8zRr4aAH67-w2IPOHceoauPmldfWvroMOwbH9wdzvywJmP6SmGZUr0PsZbDiu-i87hPgHsRbFk06y1lN-cvkWzOkXZuCbbOypkgR3Xhuz2SspcD9YwF82jSDH-M/s1600/Cousins+%25282%2529.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzekSdL-BwUns9OOQ8zRr4aAH67-w2IPOHceoauPmldfWvroMOwbH9wdzvywJmP6SmGZUr0PsZbDiu-i87hPgHsRbFk06y1lN-cvkWzOkXZuCbbOypkgR3Xhuz2SspcD9YwF82jSDH-M/s320/Cousins+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a>This exercise has prompted some interesting conversations. I've trawled early childhood memories and tried to remember who the hell was in the room when we did those Sunday visits.<br />
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Naomi (one of my cousins) got me into Geni - one of those online family tree things, it has helped a lot, and it's free: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzekSdL-BwUns9OOQ8zRr4aAH67-w2IPOHceoauPmldfWvroMOwbH9wdzvywJmP6SmGZUr0PsZbDiu-i87hPgHsRbFk06y1lN-cvkWzOkXZuCbbOypkgR3Xhuz2SspcD9YwF82jSDH-M/s1600/Cousins+%25282%2529.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://www.geni.com/">https://www.geni.com</a><br />
<br />The oldest generation in our families has now passed on, and I've just realised that <u>we</u> are now the oldest generation. We are the ones who are supposed to know these things - stuff about who we are, where we came from, and how we all connect. It's a big responsibility, perhaps stronger in some cultures than others (Maori, Italian)? <div>
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It probably only dawns on people like me to make more of an effort once they are over fifty. <br /><br />Lizzie<br />
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lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com1Wellington, New Zealand-41.2864603 174.77623600000004-41.6685158 174.13078900000005 -40.9044048 175.42168300000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-32531774040648414902016-03-19T20:01:00.000-07:002016-03-24T22:04:13.941-07:00Ginger Biscuits Recipe <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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So, I'm using up all the stuff in the cupboards before we leave. Today I made up some easy, spicy, soft ginger biscuits.<br />
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My sister was visiting, so I thought I'd make something to tempt her, with a nod to healthy eating. They've got flax seeds in them.<br />
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Here's the recipe:<br />
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Rummage round in the back of the cupboards and find 4 teaspoons of spices like ginger and cinnamon, mix them with 2 cups flour and 1 teaspoon of baking soda and a tablespoon of seeds.<br />
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Beat up one egg then add half a cup of either melted butter or oil, and half a cup of sugar. And some of that left over yoghurt you might find in the fridge, and some milk or water. The mixture should be not too runny, more like a cake than a batter.<br />
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Mix and bake in big spoonfuls in 180 degrees oven about ten minutes.<br />
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Lizzie</div>
lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com0Wellington, New Zealand-41.2864603 174.77623600000004-41.6685158 174.13078900000005 -40.9044048 175.42168300000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-16914981871741780722016-03-14T22:31:00.001-07:002016-03-28T01:59:58.320-07:00From Suits to Boots<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's going to be an interesting transition. I spent Saturday afternoon trying out work/hiking boots for size and comfort. It was nice to do something real, and to think more about the changes ahead.<br />
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For the past 4 years I've donned a business suit and gone to work in an office - a very pleasant office, with views across Wellington harbour. Board papers, spreadsheets, policies and regulations have paid my bills.<br />
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But now, it's all going to be different. I'm trading my physical labour, and a bit of advice here and there, for accommodation and meals. I'm stepping into other people's lives and businesses, to offer my help. They are very interesting lives, in great places - Orange in Oz, Touzac in France, and Policoro in Southern Italy. <br />
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I'm going from indoors to outdoors, from cerebral to practical, from suits to boots...<br />
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Lizzie's Bloke (guest blogger)<br />
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lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com1Wellington, New Zealand-41.2864603 174.77623600000004-41.6685158 174.13078900000005 -40.9044048 175.42168300000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-73746157641476382912016-03-10T21:41:00.000-08:002016-03-10T21:41:22.879-08:00Carrying On<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We are in the planning stages of another world adventure.<br />
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It will include 6 months of Workaway jobs in Oz, France and Italy, a LoveHomeSwap or two, plus the essential 'F' things: family, food and friends.<br />
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But first, it's all about the packing, and in our case, what not to take. We are doing the carry-on thing again, so liberating. And let's face it, you just don't need a whole lot of stuff to lug around! Mascara, heavy shoes, books and pyjamas are unnecessary items. These bags weigh less than 1 kilo, leaving 6 kilos each for our essential things.<br />
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Lizzie </div>
lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com6Wellington, New Zealand-41.2864603 174.77623600000004-41.6685158 174.13078900000005 -40.9044048 175.42168300000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-61698572937534039612015-09-19T15:42:00.000-07:002015-09-19T15:42:34.150-07:00Wellington for now<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYh9QNvAgvrnyDThG22i1GhP5tHfJxV-MBvhB1iB0loOA2_H2J1U3MX-cFcNMiTJr0aHNoAUyOzCuSxfN7DV-Wvp3fVrBNLosJczAc4NeWczk7VPXb82RPu5cdMij6AZoQ0fmBKTxeufk/s1600/P1030290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYh9QNvAgvrnyDThG22i1GhP5tHfJxV-MBvhB1iB0loOA2_H2J1U3MX-cFcNMiTJr0aHNoAUyOzCuSxfN7DV-Wvp3fVrBNLosJczAc4NeWczk7VPXb82RPu5cdMij6AZoQ0fmBKTxeufk/s200/P1030290.JPG" width="171" /></a>So, having established the lovely home and garden in Nelson, top of the South Island, and put it up for occasional use by AirBnB and LoveHome swappers, I took up an interesting 18-month contract in Wellington to work with VSA - NZ's volunteer service abroad agency.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgixDGBzZ43Ey90YlkfJcRiLgqPF-OahUgqp7MYfQ9YfCu7NZ8GkVUabq3I8pdG2bALjOmQBcDaaU1aWfn4WW97yei2Mj65hsBs05L6WUj0kbUPcoAQJDQqE8BUVNAAMek0yXJcljv60/s1600/P1030280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgixDGBzZ43Ey90YlkfJcRiLgqPF-OahUgqp7MYfQ9YfCu7NZ8GkVUabq3I8pdG2bALjOmQBcDaaU1aWfn4WW97yei2Mj65hsBs05L6WUj0kbUPcoAQJDQqE8BUVNAAMek0yXJcljv60/s200/P1030280.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
Now, if there was ever a tempting place for a 'shifty fifty' susceptible-to-change type to work, it would have to be VSA! I'm currently up to my ears in Pacific projects, arranging partnerships and resourcing for good development stuff in countries like Vanuatu, Tonga, Fiji and Samoa.<br />
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Here's a pic of a marketplace in Fiji, humongous vegetables on offer, and me with a couple of amazing Kiwi volunteers working for UN Women in Suva. I'm really getting this cash-less economy thing now - house, mentoring, labour and skills exchanges are not only worthwhile, but fun! People doing good things and sharing what they can afford to...<br />
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lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-79106529887537555462013-12-14T06:19:00.002-08:002013-12-14T06:19:44.044-08:00A Few Things About Rome<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Like any place there are some good and some not so good things here. To me, Rome is both fascinating and frustrating. It's a complex, scruffy yet stunningly beautiful city. I don't love it, but Rome and I are developing a very meaningful relationship.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbRbqRIrx5vmcCFgJEDT0uKiAoLTgcsCx-Hofa0D2HTnek9z0qQkuBYnWpGt1W8KiiTIHxrnU17bJqKisBQ_r-o_NAF57TbOg5b3kVDF28dZlS4Jk3C3FsIl8sIuT2kY54hTnj9oY6C0/s1600/P1020972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbRbqRIrx5vmcCFgJEDT0uKiAoLTgcsCx-Hofa0D2HTnek9z0qQkuBYnWpGt1W8KiiTIHxrnU17bJqKisBQ_r-o_NAF57TbOg5b3kVDF28dZlS4Jk3C3FsIl8sIuT2kY54hTnj9oY6C0/s320/P1020972.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch from a little visit to the market. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Shopping in markets is a joy. For example when buying meat yesterday I found the butcher to be really helpful, we had a long chat about how he should cut the beef for me, and how I should cook it. The fruit and veges are so fresh and cheap, and you can get great bread and cheeses too. Our daughter and her husband stay loyal to a particular vendor for each type of food - so we aren't supposed to shop around, for example, for the cheapest mortadella. The stall holders all talk to each other too, so it pays to stick to the plan. Competition for the veges must be fierce as I noticed about six different stalls within their small local market.<br />
<br />
Some of the older ladies take ages to buy stuff; yet no-one seems to rush them. They talk about each item, then check their list, then chat about something, then buy the next thing. It took us ages to get some bread this morning as we ended up behind two nonnas! <br />
<br />
Trying to get official things done is a nightmare. It is hard to understand the unwritten rules here, when to wait, or when to push forward. And the office hours are all over the place. Inexplicably closed on certain weekdays, or only dealing with one particular type of enquiry in morning sessions. Usually you can't ring and make an appointment either - you just have to take your chances and be prepared to wait, often for a long time.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicA-hoJ5ZJAGW38gC2gObuAIrd7Tsdy9CzGUxrUhkQRjZjpDxei4-imXa4icPEELsjFfN5wUaGsfEU8rd1UTBe2h2eAqe6HFhbqrtRu21fXVUF3EJ0MhrkhVsK_KbzlKbbl4N5pieoXzk/s1600/P1020945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicA-hoJ5ZJAGW38gC2gObuAIrd7Tsdy9CzGUxrUhkQRjZjpDxei4-imXa4icPEELsjFfN5wUaGsfEU8rd1UTBe2h2eAqe6HFhbqrtRu21fXVUF3EJ0MhrkhVsK_KbzlKbbl4N5pieoXzk/s200/P1020945.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A line-up for the protest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
People watching is great fun. We had to get off the tram one day because there was a big political protest going on outside a government building. Thousands of people lined the steps, some wearing red caps and holding placards. We watched the carabinieri arriving in vans and lining up with their shields. The protesters mingled in big groups, chatting amicably and trying on each other's hats or talking on their mobiles. It all seemed rather pleasant, except for a bit of booing and hissing at one stage when an official went through.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgfXjEQNP-9izQ1KRh9fM0Pm-9m4ocvBwaoQH8p08KwB8NII73TNzx5FVz05H4lIfpiRiDT6uxkT-DAX4me0hU2jI5x7M7fp4WCkn-RZWIc34EqhXFynfZnnBQcFFAED2LnOC85oJNX8/s1600/P1020937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgfXjEQNP-9izQ1KRh9fM0Pm-9m4ocvBwaoQH8p08KwB8NII73TNzx5FVz05H4lIfpiRiDT6uxkT-DAX4me0hU2jI5x7M7fp4WCkn-RZWIc34EqhXFynfZnnBQcFFAED2LnOC85oJNX8/s200/P1020937.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where our daughter lives</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For us the best thing about visiting Rome is seeing where our daughter and her family live - an apartment in a good residential suburb on a hill called Monteverde, only about 20 minutes walk into the centre of Rome.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-oht-tJQbmygoHc6ot4jK6YqD6a7tFfkn2G_OqAcSZxlPsv3x9XZ3oq-4j2mOvFkmW0fsyGO0iOGf1i1fYmQXnsulK5ZXcbCUuo3grpauVZN-t3wzNNTrGwijFQEm_GgUS1wSnq54SY/s1600/P1020961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-oht-tJQbmygoHc6ot4jK6YqD6a7tFfkn2G_OqAcSZxlPsv3x9XZ3oq-4j2mOvFkmW0fsyGO0iOGf1i1fYmQXnsulK5ZXcbCUuo3grpauVZN-t3wzNNTrGwijFQEm_GgUS1wSnq54SY/s200/P1020961.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best cafes ever</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They have at least two great nearby cafes where we pop in for our morning cappuchinos (only 1 euro, who said Rome was expensive?) This morning we tried some pastries with a sort of light lemon cream in them and a ricotta and dark chocolate tart. Delicious.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgty2YNjRPbc2V3F4Q38DqPqIPOBserSFxUgk0EZOqoUeOmUVSwwcITbD4KaH9N2HzwB9sI8oMmhD-doIxkNeYNgv2QhIj7LKAG_qMEQRo6f37cM87q-y0261107bfvE0T8hiOKdmzSlqg/s1600/P1020948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgty2YNjRPbc2V3F4Q38DqPqIPOBserSFxUgk0EZOqoUeOmUVSwwcITbD4KaH9N2HzwB9sI8oMmhD-doIxkNeYNgv2QhIj7LKAG_qMEQRo6f37cM87q-y0261107bfvE0T8hiOKdmzSlqg/s200/P1020948.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice building, no tagging</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We love going into the city and just wandering around and looking at the buildings and the people. We found a whole street selling church vestments the other day, and then
we went and sat in the Pantheon one more time and marveled about the
biggest dome in Rome.<br />
<br />
But sometimes the tagging is awful, not clever at all, and we can't help but notice the rubbish and doggy dos left in the streets. But then we come across a sparkling little shop selling antiques or paintings or well designed shoes and we start to love it all again. <br />
<br />
Lizzie<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-45291500400944348792013-12-05T10:48:00.000-08:002016-03-31T12:27:09.520-07:00London<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
I reckon I've acclimatised already. Only 5 layers of clothing under my coat now, not 7 - and I've stopped
sniggering at place names like 'Cockfosters' and signs that say 'Hump
for 50 yards' (although I'm still a bit puzzled about that).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlu4jkwiryThrHkOH21xJ3FXBhZGB263KLu3RId_3CFiWKA93MY26x7bvQs3y-2Fe3zwm1Hh7ozhwyJRmpBn2jaNAhcFV2ooKUWzf1mCoPa3qGyz14HsPDyrzmU7Yf7iowMXj-3RWvV2g/s1600/P1020922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlu4jkwiryThrHkOH21xJ3FXBhZGB263KLu3RId_3CFiWKA93MY26x7bvQs3y-2Fe3zwm1Hh7ozhwyJRmpBn2jaNAhcFV2ooKUWzf1mCoPa3qGyz14HsPDyrzmU7Yf7iowMXj-3RWvV2g/s200/P1020922.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold, but not freezing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I pay for things I no longer keep the shopkeeper waiting while I
puzzle my way through the unfamiliar coins and pale coloured bank notes
that all look the same. Why do they have a 10p that is twice the size of
the 20p, I wonder?<br />
<br />
Last
night we visited friends in Surbiton and, after a great catch-up and
Indian takeaways for dinner, we managed to make our way back very late
at night on a train then a tube then a bus. I always keep my Oyster card
close to my heart, it's very reassuring.<br />
<br />
I'm loving the crowds, the diversity and all the little independent
shops and markets around Islington. I even enjoy wandering around
Waitrose and exclaiming about all the pre-cooked meals on offer. The Christmas windows are amazing too. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0qiCzulr4e3wlbmLjefHUIMY9MpP02jScZ1IaxaL8-QAjlaalLMXZE14WlipdYWdtUPkZLPFEjPlHyquFZLGeuJgwuQuUbp_Lhb2kShWzjIVoDPiaXRMlcoWJvIptwEiaKZPSeBZ24Y/s1600/P1020914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0qiCzulr4e3wlbmLjefHUIMY9MpP02jScZ1IaxaL8-QAjlaalLMXZE14WlipdYWdtUPkZLPFEjPlHyquFZLGeuJgwuQuUbp_Lhb2kShWzjIVoDPiaXRMlcoWJvIptwEiaKZPSeBZ24Y/s200/P1020914.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Lewis windows - bear made from luggage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4efiO_c8KEenVUqtrnq6M80ip2nhcjU_m6MMAwyHolLeXoANpfC0Uh6X3kLxkOvk-BMl2hyM16izdGJQzYMJEizsyckl2Nq_7ZaDa7aez7W-B7QfFkKaQnzMZ9uvuIcNDBrNKUhM98W8/s1600/P1020909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4efiO_c8KEenVUqtrnq6M80ip2nhcjU_m6MMAwyHolLeXoANpfC0Uh6X3kLxkOvk-BMl2hyM16izdGJQzYMJEizsyckl2Nq_7ZaDa7aez7W-B7QfFkKaQnzMZ9uvuIcNDBrNKUhM98W8/s200/P1020909.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Animals made from appliances</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We got a real Christmas tree the other day and lugged it back to the flat, then bought some lights and decorations from one of those funny little cheap-everything shops (but managed to resist the pine-scent spray they offered). Christmas certainly seems to fit better in a Winter context.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiS9wKJ-KSfs5U6a9MWZ4pPe9RVmR0rL54tXz6mKtbsQf6f1Q6PHWSrRbL15B-HdNzFxuEsecAALCTKwKRDp69vRfsUqEX-_QIRMwZnXbWga7nPZ0kqUtz0X3U-uZP8Z7dVEAB-KgEsg/s1600/P1020895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiS9wKJ-KSfs5U6a9MWZ4pPe9RVmR0rL54tXz6mKtbsQf6f1Q6PHWSrRbL15B-HdNzFxuEsecAALCTKwKRDp69vRfsUqEX-_QIRMwZnXbWga7nPZ0kqUtz0X3U-uZP8Z7dVEAB-KgEsg/s200/P1020895.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting shiny, happy people</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Tonight I'm off to the local pub, Hops and Glory, for dinner with my daughter. They have board games apparently, and it's always nice and warm in pubs. Could it get any better than this?!<br />
<br />
Lizzie</div>
lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-63601476941052339802013-12-03T04:47:00.000-08:002013-12-03T04:47:03.868-08:00Plane Failing - 10 Reasons it Didn't Go to Plan!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So, if you read my blog about Plane Sailing strategies, please feel free to ignore it.<br />
<br />
Here's what really happened:<br />
1. We were stuffed by the time we got on the plane<br />
2. I had a big glass of Pinot Noir<br />
3. I sat in front of a ridiculously tall man whose feet reached through to my foot space, AND flopped about when he slept<br />
4. We both fell asleep on the first flight to Hong Kong<br />
5. Then on the second flight to London I had to wake Mario up for his sleeping pill, he was a bit grumpy about that<br />
6. The movie selection wasn't great. I couldn't be bothered with Heat and Mario blamed Southern Edge for sending him off to sleep<br />
7. I couldn't get past the sleeping giant (basketball player) easily to go for walks<br />
8. We had ordered special healthy meals, low salt and fat, and wished we hadn't<br />
9. The half sleeping pill didn't do it for me on the second flight, so I played computer games right up until the last hour and fell asleep at the worst possible time<br />
10. Someone's bag came crashing out of the overhead locker and frightened the hell out of me just as we landed<br />
<br />
However, we zoomed through customs at Heathrow with just our carry-on and had an easy trip on the train and bus all the way to Islington. London at last - hello old friend.<br />
<br />
Lizzie<br />
<br /></div>
lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com0London, UK51.511213899999987 -0.1198243999999704151.195100899999986 -0.7652713999999704 51.827326899999989 0.52562260000002958tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-67872026906887838752013-11-28T23:17:00.004-08:002016-04-02T13:01:38.537-07:00Kindle Linked<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Funny word 'kindle'. I wonder how they decided on it. If this was BOGGLE I'd have come up with: lid, kin, lie, din, like, dine, kind, linked...<br />
<br />
I got it last year for Christmas. So, one year on, it's been a gradual appreciation sort of thing. For some reason I took a while to start using it and loading books from Amazon. I started cheap and got some free ones. Noticed a few typos and that put me right off.<br />
<br />
Then I bought some from the popular lists. Really enjoyed 'Labor Day' by Joyce Maynard and 'When I Found You' by Catherine Ryan Hyde.<br />
<br />
Now I'm choosing for myself, only spending a few dollars per book, and loving it! 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn was so good I've bought 'Dark Places' for another dose of tension and cleverness. <br />
<br />
So it seems right that Kindle is an anagram of the word 'linked' - because its linked me to the reading world again. I have fresh enthusiasm - especially as it fits so neatly in my travel bag, is light to hold, easy to read at whatever font size I fancy, perfect for lefties like me, and keeps all the books I've read safe for ever.<br />
<br />
Lizzie <br />
<br />
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lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com0Nelson, New Zealand-41.2706319 173.28396529999998-41.461540899999996 172.96124179999998 -41.0797229 173.60668879999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702390393888342714.post-5330096768850995392013-11-28T00:00:00.002-08:002013-11-28T11:00:46.088-08:00Plane Sailing hopefully, with Cathay Pacific<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Soon we are off again on one of those long two-flight trips from Auckland to London.<br />
<br />
When it comes to booking flights I like those 'compare the fare' type sites. First I sort them in order of total trip time. There's nothing worse than a stopover that is between 4 and 12 hours long. Its a limbo sort of period where its not worth exploring or taking a nap, but its too long to just transition smoothly through the stopover. Next I look at price - if I can afford it, and its under 30 hours in total, I then check the travel departure and arrival times. For my body clock its better to leave late at night and arrive early morning at the final destination. The actual plane and airport time is a challenge for me, but I've developed a few coping mechanisms which might be helpful for others:<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaoceP399JZ1Nc9sR-8RxA2TMT5HktqImdGVlaP7UkH_DSMtKdy-ktfcg_zZ0oLIPnjTvTYodBpzJP_a2b5gmb6H3_jLxnZFgCHrlSta8pg1T3BOmv-bfJIpe59jxVn1lciICz2Yq99A/s1600/Italy+USA+2007+003+%28Small%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaoceP399JZ1Nc9sR-8RxA2TMT5HktqImdGVlaP7UkH_DSMtKdy-ktfcg_zZ0oLIPnjTvTYodBpzJP_a2b5gmb6H3_jLxnZFgCHrlSta8pg1T3BOmv-bfJIpe59jxVn1lciICz2Yq99A/s320/Italy+USA+2007+003+%28Small%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mario - travelling light, carry-on only</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
1. I try not to be too frazzled before the trip begins by getting some early nights beforehand.<br />
2. I travel light, carry-on only. This takes the stress out of mucking about with luggage (checking it on, lugging it around, reclaiming it, having it searched, losing it). Its amazing what you can fit into the 7 kilo carry on limit. Very liberating, and it cuts down airport time on arrival too.<br />
3. Once I've boarded I avoid getting into deep and meaningful conversations with the person next to me.<br />
4. Instead I create my own little mindful world - just one thing at a time. For example I might listen to my i-pod for a couple of songs. Then, when the meal comes, I eat slowly. After that I watch a movie. I take walks now and then, when the flight attendants aren't busy in the aisles. I do some stretching in the stand up area. I keep drinking lots of water. I read a few chapters on my Kindle, then I play an in-flight game. I <u>don't</u> keep checking the time or the flight progress.This stuff runs and reruns slowly until the first flight is over. I don't try to sleep; I just keep going through the sequence.<br />
5. At the stopover I get really active, drink lots of water, and walk as fast as I can around the airport. Once I'm back on the plane I take a half sleeping pill, put on the eye covers, and sleep through most of the second big flight, usually waking up in time for breakfast before we land.<br />
6. Once I land I try to get into some daylight as soon as possible, so my body can register what time I'm in. I try and stay awake most of the first day, then get an early night.<br />
7. Finally, the noise cancelling headphones are a real bonus. We share a pair, so I add some periods of time with them into my first flight when I get my turn.<br />
<br />
I'm sure many frequent flyers have their own patterns and methods - I'd love to hear them. Mostly this approach works for me; I've never really had jet lag and I've done heaps of flying. So, this time its going to be Cathay Pacific, via Hong Kong - I'll let you know how it goes...<br />
<br />
Lizzie<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
lizzie-shiftfifty.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05340033744361947564noreply@blogger.com4Auckland, New Zealand-36.8484597 174.76333150000005-37.2549887 174.11788450000006 -36.4419307 175.40877850000004