Into Lithuania more pics

These from around Rusne.

Into Lithuania

Started in Klaipeda, a port in the northwest corner.  Nothing special although there seems to be lots of tourists, just a nice town, feels more prosperous than the the bit of Latvia we saw.  

Hired a couple of bikes to cycle part of the "Iron Curtain" cycle route north along the coast to a bird lake, all super pretty.  Nice to not be in a town for a while.  Cold north wind but found a nice sunny spot for our picnic.

An hour south by bus to Silute, the gateway town to the Nemunas Delta. 

The tourist office recommended a bike hire place but the owner seemed a bit nonplussed - he obviously wasn't prepared for the season.  So he gave us two new bikes!  They also suggested a restaurant which was actually a canteen for the workers, though open to everyone.  Lunched for 10 euros!  Then pedalled against a stiff breeze as far as the village of Rusne in the heart of the delta, a really pretty little place with Russia just over the river. (There's an odd bit of Russia between Lithuania and Poland).  Apart from that it reminded us of the fens of East Anglia.

Next day pedalling again, stopping to visit a famous bog - yes, really!  

Then on to Kintai which was mostly shut, not a weekend, not the summer.  Found a fish restaurant on the way back.  Another cool and very windy day but the sun was shining.  Apparently a heatwave back home!

Off to the second largest town in Lithuania tomorrow for Judy's birthday.

Onwards in Latvia

Caught the slow bus heading west to the town of Kuldiga, recently awarded UNESCO status as an "authentically preserved urban structure" - and beautifully untouched it was.  Old buildings not prettified at all, loved it!

It also claims Europe's widest waterfall, although at only about 2m high it's stretching a point!  But fish were jumping.

Next day (Chris's 75th birthday) another bus to Liepaja on the coast.  It's early spring so lots of lilacs, fruit trees with blossom and nesting storks to see on the way, also loads of birch forests in early leaf, very pretty.  Chose Liepaja because it's the music capital of Latvia and big enough to have a good choice of restaurants. 

Checked in to our luxurious apartment then went for a superb lunch in a Georgian restaurant.  It's a big weekend here (Whitsun or Pentecost), a huge 2-day market with coach loads of people, music etc.  We sat and listened to a Latvian folk-rock group in the park - they were brilliant.

And in the evening an Irish folk-jazz ensemble in the Great Amber concert hall, also brilliant.

Heading a short way south into Lithuania this afternoon.

More Riga pics

Old town 

Old house kitchen 

Art Nouveau 

Art Nouveau kitchen 

Into Latvia

Arrived in Riga about midday after an 04:30 alarm, so didn't do much that afternoon, wandered the old town and bought a bus ticket out!

Our walking tour the next day was very interesting, all about the history of Riga (quite old) and Latvia (surprisingly new!).  The old town has lovely buildings 

but the centre is very Art Nouveau with literally hundreds of buildings in the style. So pretty!  A cool, grey day. 

Lots of parks around the centre but it's really noticeable how late the spring is here, still daffodils and tulips in flower and the lilacs too not forgetting the azaleas.  Lots of red and white - the country's flag.

Visited two house museums today, one 17th century 

and the other Art Nouveau (early 20th century). 

Both fascinating.  And a lovely sunny day.  

Moving on tomorrow.

Goodbye Corsica

Sunday morning to Corte which Judy described as "faded grandeur" but it did have some impressive buildings if a bit decayed.  Church open but museums closed.  Impressive citadel.

Then on to Piedicroce (Chris cycled some of it) where the Corsican revolution started led by Pasquale Paoli, and to visit the famous church - which was closed, even on Palm Sunday!  But we found a man who knew the man who has the keys and who kindly showed us around.  Apparently a village of only about 30 inhabitants with a huge 17th century baroque church.

Monday, our last day, headed slowly towards Bastia, diverting up to the hill village of Vescovato which was really worth the visit. Different stone here from the villages we visited before.  

The guardian of the church gave us a guided visit and a lucky religious charm.  Then advised us on two more villages to visit on our way - a real treat, so picturesque all perched on their mountain escarpment.  So picnic at Vensolasca and a quick tour of the classified (and very touristy in the season) Penta-di-Casinca.

A quick tour of the citadel, cathedral and old port of Bastia - all lovely - and that was Corsica "done"!  Brilliant sunshine all day - the perfect finish.

A very windy Tuesday in Nîmes, the park with the Temple of Diana and the Magne Tower closed because of risk of falling branches.  But visited the amphitheatre, supposedly the best preserved anywhere and the Maison Carrée, an equally old temple.  

And the Museum of Old Nîmes which had lots of stuff about fabrics - denim (de Nîmes). Very informative guide.  Looks like being very windy again tomorrow so we'll see if the park is open before we drive home.

Corsica 3

The named storm Deborah hit Corsica Wednesday night and when we left in the morning the wind was still really strong, the sea had big waves breaking over the rocks and it had turned very cold.  

So we headed off further down the west coast, past Ajaccio and into more hills.  Had hoped to visit the prehistoric site at Fitosi but closed until 1st April.  Anyway, stopped for coffee in the next village, Sollacaro, tiny café/bar and we brought the average age down!  Then headed for Bonifacio, stopping for picnic at Sartene which was much bigger and quite picturesque.

Finally arrived in Bonifacio, Chris did the last bit on his bike, despite the weather. Bonifacio is an old town up on a promontory and it was quite difficult to find our way around, especially as the wind blew and blew. Like a lot of these towns probably more photogenic from further away.

When we arrived at our next little bungalow near Porto Vecchio the owner said they had sleet this morning!  But she had put the heating on - hooray.

Then back up into the mountains heading for Bavella, stopping at Levie and Zonza before picnicking facing the famous Aiguilles de Bavella, a superb set of granite peaks.  

Back down to Porto Vecchio where parking was expensive, even on the streets.  The centre was quite pretty though, 

but just about everywhere closed and preparing for the season.

Today up the east coast pausing at Solenzara for coffee in the sun, then to visit the archaeological site at Aléria.  Not only was it open (surprise!) but really interesting, museum in the castle all about Etruscan burials 

and the Roman town, then a walk around the Roman site, followed by a picnic in the sun.  

A grand day out!  Now in Corte, the old capital of Corsica.