A quick visit to Gabon

I was in Gabon for business for the first few days of November this year. It is a country I had not visited before, although we have a sub-regional office based in Libreville (the capital). After coming out of the European autumn (although relatively warm), Libreville was wonderfully humid and warm. The weather was good, although it was overcast and did rain a fair amount.

I was pleasantly surprised by the parts of the capital I saw as they were clean and organized. Definitely Africa but certainly a place that is relatively easy to get around anf a fair amount to do. Our offices are fortunately in a relatively great area and I managed to check the birds during my lunch hour :-)

Next time to get back on vacation and see more of the country.

Venice in summer, looking for options.

Many of us visit Venice in summer and most come back with a similar story - a unique city, beautiful, intriguing, overcrowded, humid, sometimes smelly and very hot!  I have been there done that, got the t-shirt AND I still go back from time to time in summer ...... writing this also made me realize I have only ever been to Venice in mid-summer and mid-winter! Surely my planning could be a little better.

Venice

 

 

 

Two weeks ago I went back to Venice in mid-summer and boy was it hot and humid!!! But wait this time we did do some things differently. We were only there for 2 nights (Saturday and Sunday) but we did not stay in Venice itself and that made all the difference! If one goes to Venice one wants to stay on the islands and there are the usual culprits: Venice, Murano and Burano. However, this time we learnt of an island in similar size to the main Venetian island but it is essentially the garden for Venice i.e. it is completely agricultural. This means almost no people (compared to Venice), plenty of space, nature and a breeze in the evening at least. After being in Venice all day = paradise!!

The island is called Sant'Erasmo - and that is the subject of one of the next postings. It is quaint, cooler and relaxing. There is a small hotel, a supermarket, a church, a couple of restaurants and not a lot more! But wait, first we have to visit Murano and Burano islands.

Why did we decide to escape the warmer weather?

After a very hectic first 3 months to the year, we decided to head to the UK for a week over Easter. We left Rome in sunny 25˚C weather and two hours later arrived to an overcast 8˚C maximum. To be expected at that time of the year, but a shock to the system non-the-less and just when my bones were beginning to welcome spring in Italy!! The reason for not seriously considering living in this part of the world was certainly reinforced. However, we were with good friends and family and that made up for the wind, rain and cold ... out with the warm coats again!

The first few days were spent in Robin Hood territory - spring is a beautiful time of the year and 2012 was no exception. So, off to Newark, Nottingham and Sherwood Forest it was .....

After a few days in the Nottingham area, we ventured to Southend-on-Sea to visit family. It is needless to say that the weather had not improved but we were beginning to acclimatize. Although we were in the area for 2 nights only, we did manage to get out a little.

We then drove across country again to near the central Welsh border - Snailsbeach! I had never heard of the place before but it existed, it was pretty and full of good people. It even had a pub with a warm wood fire ...... what more could man want!

 All in all, a cool and wet holiday but we still managed to get around, have lots of fun and relax!