Uluru in context
On our last tour day at Yulara we were treated to a helicopter ride so we could see Uluru from the air. It stands out, a huge rock in a red desert, as though some God had plucked it out … Continued
Out and about at Alice Springs
The first day of our actual tour was very busy. Our group of fifty was divided into the reds and the yellows and each group set off in a bus big enough for everyone to have a window seat. Our … Continued
A mooch around Alice Springs
Alice Springs is often seen as simply a jumping-off point for tourists heading for Uluru and Kata Tjuta but there’s actually rather more to it than that. It was the site of the Telegraph station that connected Australia to the … Continued
A short stay in proceedings
Quite a few months ago, before we decided to sell our house and move to a smaller property, Peter and I booked a short holiday to Alice Springs and Uluru. It had been many years – in the last century … Continued
The Last Hurrah
When we returned from our lovely excursion to Coburg cruise director Alex informed as that Scenic had conceded that the cruise was effectively aborted. At that stage he was out of options for doable day trips. We would (hurrah) be … Continued
Coburg, Prince Albert’s hometown
We were still stuck in Frankfurt and Alex was still coming up with places we could visit on a day trip by coach. Today, 27th December, it would be Coburg. It was over two hours in the coach each way, … Continued
Still at Frankfurt
Still at Frankfurt harbour, the Christmas holidays were over and the cranes were back to work, moving sea containers from barges to shore and the local ferries, which had been moored for the holidays, were back in action. Tour Director … Continued
A glimpse of the past
It was Boxing Day, another day when Germany’s town and cities would be deserted. The ship was still tied up at Frankfurt’s industrial harbour and tour director Alex was having to come up with interesting destinations within reach of coaches. … Continued
Christmas Day squib
Given yesterday’s news about the low bridge we couldn’t pass, nobody was surprised to learn we were still in Frankfurt. Only instead of being moored near the city centre, the Scenic Jasper had moved to Frankfurt’s industrial harbour. There were … Continued
An unscheduled stop at Frankfurt
After our stop at Rüdesheim the Scenic Jasper headed up river. And stopped at Frankfurt on the Main River. The city wasn’t on our schedule and Cruise Director Alex had to explain. It seems there’s an old, no longer used … Continued