Tim's Journal, September to October 2005

Welcome to Tim's Journal, where you get the opportunity to read all the amazing (alias boring) stuff I've been up to lately. In reality, I'll probably be the only person to ever read this, but if you do care to have a look, enjoy! Following are my entries in Tim's Journal from September to October 2005.

28th Aug 2005 - Madrid, Spain
Finally getting away on the Sunday morning, we arrived in Spain. First stop, Madrid.

We did not expect a great deal from Madrid. It does get a great LP write-up and from all reports at Forest Video, it is not the hotspot comparatively to the rest of Spain.

It was the perfect location to commence our trip for various reasons. We needed a day or two to transform into "travel mode" and to unwind. We were extraordinarily rushed this week to get out of London. I worked until the Friday which finished with work drinks. To get to the cricket on Saturday we had an early start for the Nottingham train (which we missed!). Naturally, there was rail works being performed that night so we did not get home until 11pm which made our final [early] start on Sunday rushed to get to the airport. How did we pack and get everything organised? Sal did pretty much everything! What a gem.

Madrid was impressive. We stayed in a funky place overlooking coffee shops, plazas and quiet lanes. It has that European feel and centrally located. I will remember the city for a few days of food, wine and visits to the usual tourist spots.

Two days into the trip and I am already raving about culinary delights!

• India was mouthwatering.
• Thailand was exceptional.
• Spain is the third Star Wars movie: Even though Return Of the Jedi is my favourite of the trilogy, Empire Strikes Back dominates as the popularity charts (probably because it is the one you discover the Darth is Luke's father). Inotherwords, Thailand cannot be beaten in my tastes, especially as we love Asian cuisine, but I can see why so many rank Spanish cuisine highly.

30th Aug 2005 - Seville, Spain
Seville was next on the express train. This town place is cute. Hot and cute. The tourist area surrounding the cathedral is the more memorable. The little cafes along those narrow winding streets create a lovely atmosphere and I need not start about the food again ...

1st Sep 2005 - Lagos, Portugal
Portugal is a must and the usual trail for those visiting Spain, so being sheep, we went to Lagos. Have I said I needed to unwind? Lagos was the the key to achieving this. I truly felt relaxed here with nothing to do besides lie on the beach, sip beer/wine and chat to fellow travelers. There was potential for a couple of late nights on the piss with fellow hostel pals, however, I would not say we kicked on as we would with our closer friends. Something was missing and priorities lay elsewhere. The options is always there.

2nd Sep 2005 - Benaud retires from England commentary
When he finally "retires" from all forms of commentary and leaves public life, I will remember Richie for two things:

• Being the best commentator that I have known thus far. Always fair; Always positive; Always appreciative of good cricket; casts critism only constructively and never to just has his voice heard (ala Dean Jones).
• Maintaining this brilliant profession while rumoured to be dead. Yerrs. It is entirely possible that Benaud died several years ago. Mark Taylor is rumoured to be extending Benaud's career operating a technique similiar to that used in that brillian 80s movie - "Weekend At Bernies".

4th Sep 2005 - Lagos Booze Cruise and Back to Spain
We joined in with the fun on something crudely called the "Booze Cruise" in Lagos. There are plenty of these things all over the world, some even called the same title. It was fun, a little messy, there were some shockers and a few try-hards that haven not quite grasped onto reality as yet. Any chance to get on the water cannot be missed!

We left Lagos on the way to Granada, via Seville.

We have lots of photos. I Really need to get a smaller camera for clubs and places that a large one is inconvenient. I will have to look into it when we get back to Australia.

7th Sep 2005 - Granada, Spain
To me, Granada typifies the image of Spain. A beautiful general populous with smooth skin, well presented, smiling and a healthy image. many close nit white walled, brown roofed buildings among hills and mountains. The views from Alhambra are simply breathtaking. Can the camera handle this exercise?

8th Sep 2005 - Valencia, Spain
Oh my ... the bus ride was a nightmare. We could not get train tickets as they were sold out (we have not got eurorail or busabout), so were forced to get the overnight bus. This was a 8 hour ride, about 5 hours more than I am happy being on a bus for. Anyway, there were a few annoying Spanish clowns onboard that kept everyone awake. Punks!

9th Sep 2005 - More Valencia, Spain
Oceanografic & Hemisferic ... fan-bloody-tastic! Great day topped with Chinese dinners.

PS Warne is the greatest. Rain, rain go away.

10th Sep 2005 - Barcelona, Spain
As Lonley Planet bookworms make their habit upon or nearing arrival in a new city, we review accomomodation in the desired price range (usually mid-range) as if the is is all a region has to offer. Selection is often adopted in one of the following methods:

• Minimal difference of cost. It is silly, but you may as well select 38€ over 39€ if the places are in the same bracket, location and descriptions similiar.
• Influence of Trigger Words. Have you ever been reading and quite suddenly felt hungry, a racing heart or sleepy (no stabs at this website please!)? Sometimes this is caused by subconcious thought instigated from words which are often very emotive, EG "Weary", "Famished", etc.. Travel books use words such as "Cosy", "Clean", "Bargain", etc. which appeal to certain types.
• Plain chance. Although Leonard Nemoy (Dr Spoke) may argue there is always logic, sometimes selection is merely random.

Why put yourself through the pain? Why not join a tour group or book your accommocation upfront (perhaps on the internet) or in scheduled blocks? These options do remove elements of daily stress and risk from the equation. However, they also remove freedom and adventure. The freedom to divert, shorten or lengthen a chapter as the story unfolds. The adventure of having NFI (No F$%&king Idea) where and what you will be doing on the next day or the next.

Albeit, any process can be tiresome. A balance must be found between over-planning and being unprepared.

13th Sep 2005 - Barcelona to Munich, Germany

14th Sep 2005 - Dachau Memorial (day trip from Munich) and Hofbrauhaus dinners

15th Sep 2005 - City Bike Tour and Hofbrauhaus beer hall (oh my)

16th Sep 2005 - A very hung over Neuschwanstein Castle Tour (day trip from Munich)

17th Sep 2005 - Oktoberfest opening day! Overnight train to Prague, Czech Republic

18th Sep 2005 - City Bike Tour (Prague)

19th Sep 2005 - Prague to Vienna, Austria

21st Sep 2005 - Wachau / Denube Valley (day trip from Vienna)

22nd Sep 2005 - Leopold Museum, town walk, tram circut, Cinderella Man (Vienna)

23rd Sep 2005 - Salzburg, Austria
We have taken time out to get back on the internet after a break. I have taken to keeping my journal in the good old fashioned way - pen and paper. There simply is not time to be spared on the internet. Well, not as much as I would like to record everything. Therefore, paper will do and I will update things when possible.

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You can email me at tjcrouch@hotmail.com