Author Archives: Thea Stainsby

Three Mates

Posted on 17 October 2012 by Thea Stainsby

It has been delightful to sit in the background and watch three school friends catch up. Yes, we are a long way from home, but Denis lives in Switzerland and Rob is touring Spain – so for a special few … Continue reading →

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Monet – Sunshine and Colour

Posted on 12 October 2012 by Thea Stainsby

In contrast to the grey wet day when we visited the war memorials of the Somme, the sun shone and there was a little warmth in the air. Giverny is a monument to Claude Monet and the impressionist’s artist colony … Continue reading →

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A Reality Check in the Somme

Posted on 8 October 2012 by Thea Stainsby

We had visited Gallipol where both my grandfathers had fought.  However my Pop (maternal grandfather) and his brother Laurie went on to serve in France, in Flanders and the Somme. More amazingly, his younger brother Tom and four of his future … Continue reading →

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I Can Read a Menu!

Posted on 5 October 2012 by Thea Stainsby

After spending more than 7 months on the road we arrived in mother England and for the first time our communication was in a single language. No need to interpret menus or reduce questions to simple mono-syllable strung-together words in … Continue reading →

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The End of the World

Posted on 22 September 2012 by Thea Stainsby

Forty and a bit years ago, in my hitch hiking days, I was on a mission – to reach Land’s End. It was Sunday and it was raining so my chances of reaching there were looking grimmer and grimmer. Then … Continue reading →

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September 11

Posted on 15 September 2012 by Thea Stainsby

September 11 means a lot in our history, but in Barcelona we were struck with a very different meaning. September 11 is a holiday celebrating Catalunya, the Spanish state which includes Barcelona.  In 2012 a massive march was organised to … Continue reading →

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Chasing Bulls in Spain

Posted on 9 September 2012 by Thea Stainsby

The Osborne bull (Toro de Osborne) is a landmark in Spain and is the symbol of the Osborne brandy and sherry. The monstrous black bull (14m tall) stands out on the high points of many roads. I remember seeing one … Continue reading →

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Slowed Down

Posted on 8 September 2012 by Thea Stainsby

Life has slowed down for us – we have taken up residence in a tiny flat in Badalona, just 14km north east of Barcelona in a beachy suburb. We have had to get back into the swing of shopping, cooking … Continue reading →

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Two hundred days and still counting

Posted on 29 August 2012 by Thea Stainsby

It is 200 days since we left home on this amazing adventure. I know, because my camera counts the days for me. We have slept in 64 different hotel beds, 2 ferry cabins, 1 overnight reclining plane seat and 3 … Continue reading →

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A Special Kind of Bonding

Posted on 14 August 2012 by Thea Stainsby

We have come half way around the world for our special adventure and also to spend some time with Hayden. We have had a lovely time in Croatia and a chatty drive back to Barcelona from there with him. But … Continue reading →

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