Category: Golf, Travel,Nature

A straightforward internal flight from DC to Nashville, and we settled into our hotel around lunchtime. Staying at the Dream by Hyatt, near Printers Alley and a couple of blocks from the lively Broadway.

Went for a walk down Broadway, and couldn’t believe the number of “honky tonk” bars, all pumping out live music! Went for a walk in the local area, including Jack White’s “Third Man” recording studio.

Attached to the hotel is Stateside bar and restaurant, so we had dinner there. It was very quiet .. obviously, everyone down Broadway!

In the Printers Alley, is a blues bar called Bourbon Street. So we went in and watch Ping Rose and his band play. No cover charge, and ID required .. for everyone, including me!

Today is the Country Music Museum and Hall of Fame. It is very interesting, right from the beginnings of Country and Bluegrass music, through to present day such as Taylor Swift and Luke Combs.

Then an afternoon walk in nearby Bicentennial Park. Great views of the Capitol Building. It was very warm and humid this afternoon, so a nice cold beer was just the ticket. Happy hour .. $5 for a beer!

We decide to brave it, and head to Broadway for dinner and some live Honky Tonk music. Our destination was “Robert’s” but it was packed. The Pharts ended up in Jimmy Buffet’s “Margaretaville”, which was less busy, with a solitary singer and his guitar. Food was good, but way too much! We wandered up and down Broadway, got blasted by the music and large crowds, and lamely, headed back to our hotel.

Tomorrow is our bike tour, and in the evening, a concert in the Ryman Auditorium.

Bike tour time, and we meet our guide, Bee, mount our e-bikes, and we are off. There are 10 people in the group, and Bee does a great job of steering us around the city. Commentary is through a speaker in the helmet, so she can constantly feed us information, which she does. She lead us into the Gulch, which is a new and upmarket area of Nashville, and around the Music recording areas also. Excellent tour.

Bee had recommended the Tennessee State Museum, so we checked it out in the afternoon. It is near Bicentennial Park and the Farmers market, and it was most impressive.

Before our Larkin Poe concert at the Ryman Auditorium, we had dinner at a huge food hall nearby. Every conceivable type of food, and we chose Vietnamese, which was very nice.

Opening for Larkin Poe was Katie Pruitt, and she played a lively set of Southern Rock. Then the two sisters and their backing band, who are Larkin Poe. Once again, lively southern country rock and blues, with an acoustic bluegrass set halfway through. The band really turned it on, and the crowd in the small and historic venue, loved it! Last night in Nashville and an appropriate ending.

Our final Amtrak train ride is Philly to DC, a two hour journey. The train is full, as it is Memorial Day on Monday, so a long weekend for Americans.

It is a comfortable twenty minute walk from the train station, with a pass by of Capitol Hill. We check in to our hotel, then walk to the Mall, and the iconic Washington buildings.

We find an American pub, Hawk n Dove for dinner. Classic pub fare and pretty good.

Breakfast is included in this hotel visit, but there is a large Italian tour group here, so it was pretty crowded. Also, average food to be fair.

This morning we have our group bike tour. Kirby is our guide and does a good job of leading us around the Capitol Hill area. A lot was a rehash of what we saw yesterday, but with a detailed commentary. Still, we found it worthwhile.

After lunch from one of the many food trucks, we walked to the Lincoln Memorial, which is at the far end of the National Mall. Our first Museum was next, the Natural History. Place was packed, and quite difficult to get around. We did however see the “Hope Diamond”, the largest known blue diamond. Also, lots of dinosaur fossils.

Dinner is at a nearby Mexican restaurant called Los Caballeros. Excellent food and very prompt service.

After an exhausting previous day of cycling and walking, today we will make extensive use of the DC Metro system. It turns out to be modern, cheap and efficient.

Our first destination is the Arlington National Cemetery, across the river from DC in Arlington, Virginia. Monday is Memorial Day, so there are many people visiting for the weekend. More than 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres. It is maintained by the US Army, and is pristine.

Back on the Metro, and back across the river to The Wharf area, with restaurants, hotels and a fish market. We have a sandwich for lunch, and Metro to the Smithsonian National Art Museum. This place is huge, and the crowd is not too bad. The older, original building hosts older artworks, and the newer East Wing, the more modern. A lot to see!

Our dinner destination is the historic Mr Henry’s, which has been in Capitol Hill since 1966. Roberta Flack began her singing career there!
Unfortunately, the food and service were mediocre. Plenty of it, as expected, and we had salads, but only average.

Our final full day in DC, and we hit the Metro and visit Georgetown, via the Foggy Bottom stop. The latter has Washington DC University, the former, Georgetown University, where Bill Clinton once studied. There is a nice park and eating area along the river (similar to the Wharf), and some nice shops and lovely old row houses. A number of films feature this Georgetown neighbourhood, with steps featuring in The Exorcist. We walked across the Potomac river into Rosslyn, and Metro back to our hotel for some lunch.

Although the Smithsonian National Museums are free, a time must be booked for the Air and Space Museum. The reason being it is relatively small, and very popular. Being Memorial Day, there is also a procession down Constitution Avenue of marching bands etc. Impressive on both counts.

After another big walking day, dining again is local, a Thai Restaurant, which we thoroughly enjoy. Tomorrow, a domestic flight to Nashville.

Arrival in to “Philly” was delayed an hour, with Amtrak having signal issues! The forecast for the next few days is cold and wet, so we explore the Old Town area on foot, while the weather is good. Our hotel, the Cambria, is more than adequate, and centrally located. There is a noticeable increase in presence of homeless and mental health issues people, compared to our previous two neighbourhoods.

Dinner that night is at a nearby establishment called “Bud and Marilyns.” Good food and service.

With the weather looking cool and damp, and with our bike tour postponed until tomorrow, we decide to hit the streets. Breakfast is bagels and coffee at a local cafe, and off we head.

The Rocky movies were set in Philly, and the steps leading up to the Museum of Art, and the Rocky statue are popular with visitors. It is about a pleasant 30 minute walk from our hotel to the Museum of Art, along the leafy Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

After a visit to the Reading Terminal market, which was heaving, we had a famous Philly Cheese Steak for lunch. It was .. fine.

The afternoon’s activity was a visit to the American Museum of the Revolution. There were interesting displays, and we came away with a better understanding of the history.

For our evening dinner and entertainment, we walked around the corner to Chris’s Jazz Cafe. The music was provided by a high school big band jazz group. The place was packed (including many proud parents), and they were very good.

Our final full day in Philly, and it is cold and wet. We have a bike tour booked, so decide to press on with it. Although conditions were unpleasant, we were pleased we did it as our guide, Jonas, was excellent. His knowledge of the history of the area was extensive, and we felt quite safe riding with him. Recommended.

At the conclusion of the tour, we were cold and wet, so went back to the hotel and changed. Then, the Reading Terminal market and a pork sandwich. The portions are so big over here, you just need one between two people, and that is plenty.

By now it is mid afternoon, so we catch the subway to the Mutter Museum, basically a medical museum with gruesome displays of bones, organs etc.

Dinner tonight was to be Italian food at Little Nonnas. However, they were full, it was raining, so we returned to the nearby Bud and Marilyn’s. Good food and service, and a nice way to conclude our stay in Philly.

Time to travel from sedate Boston, to the manic madhouse that is New York. A previous visit had us staying in mid town Manhattan, so this time we are in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

A almost 5 hour train journey had us in Penn Station, then we caught the subway, which landed us near our hotel. There were bars everywhere heaving with people. First impressions .. this place is “mental!”

We were very hungry from our travels, and were lucky to be squeezed in to the Sweetwater restaurant, a short walk away. Excellent food and service. We then wandered down to the East River, with views to Manhattan silhouetted by the setting sun.

After a disturbed night’s sleep due to nearby loud music, we made our way down to Isla Cafe for brunch. It has a supposed Aussie theme, and indeed the waitress was an Aussie! Great food, and set up for the day. We then walked around the local neighbourhood, taking in the sights and sounds. The people are mainly younger, and it has a busy and sometimes hectic vibe.

It was then on to the subway to the theatre district of Manhattan, for the afternoon matinee of “The Book of Mormon.” Manhattan is just so busy, it is almost overwhelming. The show was excellent, and packed full.

Back to Brooklyn, and decisions for dinner. Our waitress the previous evening had suggested a Brazilian restaurant called Beco, which was close by. It was however, packed, so we eat at a Mexican place called Casa Publica. Food and beer very good.

Today is Brooklyn bike tour day, with the meeting point supposedly 30 minutes by bus. However, the bus is running late, so we get an Uber. The traffic here is heavy, but we arrive in time. Much to our surprise, Sue and I are the only guests. So for the next five hours, tour guide Jeff takes us all over Brooklyn. It is an interesting and vibrant place, but wouldn’t want to live there! He took as to a famous Italian sandwich place for lunch called Defonte’s Sandwich Shop in Red Hook. It had been in business for over 100 years. Huge sandwiches, and Sue and I wisely got one and shared it. Top quality.

At the conclusion of the bike tour, we Ubered back to the hotel, and reflected on the ride. Certainly covered a lot of territory, in fact probably more than necessary. Dinner that night is at Beco, a Brazilian restaurant a short walk away. I had the national dish called Feijoada, a stew of black beans, beef and pork plus rice, sautéed collard greens and other accompaniments. Delicious!

New York has been enjoyable, but intense. It is a hectic, fast paced lifestyle and we are happy we chose Williamsburg to base ourselves, and not Manhattan. Tomorrow, Philly.

The Old Pharts are on the move again, with a 4 week visit to the USA. They fly from Auckland to San Francisco, then connect to Boston. Very tired by the time they reach their Boston Hotel, which is late in the evening, they head straight for bed.

After a sleep in, the Kiwi travellers leave their central Harborside Inn Hotel, and find some lunch. The day is sunny in Boston, around 18 degrees, so they walk to Boston Common, then walk the very popular Freedom Trail. First impressions of Boston are most positive. A great mix of old and new, they are obviously very proud of their history.

Dinner that night is at the Granary Tavern. American pub style food which we enjoy. In true America style, large plates of food, and not great value with the addition of tax and tip!

After a night great nights sleep .. still adjusting to our new time zone .. we breakfast at Espresso Love, then the commencement of our bike tour. Our guide is Austin, and for the next two and a half hours, seven of us pedal around the Boston area. Boston is one of America’s oldest city, being founded in 1630.

After having lunch with a fellow cyclist, we walk around the waterfront area.

Dinner was to be at the Bostonia Public House, but it was full. A lot of people in Boston as there is a basketball game on, the Boston Celtics against the New York Knicks. We dined instead at Provisions, which was busy, but they fitted us in. Excellent food, and the Celtics won!

A bit of rain about today, but reasonably mild, so the Pharts are taking the train over the river to Cambridge. It is a city in its own right, and is the location of the prestigious Harvard University. A couple of our friends sons have studied there, and is very interesting to wander around. There is a Museum on campus, including the “Glass Flowers” exhibition. Also the Peabody museum.

It is our final day in Boston, and after a hearty breakfast at the nearby Bean and Leaf cafe, we took the commuter train to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. It is a private collection, put together by a wealthy Boston woman, which opened in 1903. In 1990 there was a theft at the Museum. Thirteen art works were stolen, valued at $500 million. They have never been recovered.

We then made our way to Beacon Hill, passing the site for the exterior site of “Cheers”, a popular sitcom from the 80’s. We followed the Black Heritage trail around the now exclusive Beacon Hill. A warm afternoon, so before heading back to our hotel, we had a cold beer at the Samuel Adams Brewery tap room.

After being turned away twice, we finally dined at the Bostonia Public House. Good food .. they serve wonderful salads at all the establishments we have so far visited. A nice mild evening, so a walk around the waterfront, and back to our hotel. Tomorrow, New York.

With the Old Pharts well rested after their Otago Rail Trail cycle adventures, it was time to tackle the Lake Dunstan cycle ride. As they are staying in Arrowtown, they drive to Cromwell, where they are using the company Kiwi Journeys for this day ride. This company provides bike hire, plus shuttles riders and bikes to Clyde, so the riders can then cycle back to Cromwell. About 45kms for the ride.

The day is brilliantly fine, although a little cool. It is expected to warm to a pleasant 25degrees C. The bonus of cycling in this direction is stopping for lunch at Carrick winery, near Cromwell. Also exploring the old heritage end of Cromwell township.

A fantastic ride, very well supported by Kiwi Journeys!

February 2025

Prior to commencing their Rail Trail cycle tour with Tuatara Tours, the Pharts have two days in Christchurch, and two in Queenstown. The former provides the opportunity to catch up with old school friends and their wives. Shaun and Michelle from London, Cameron and Maria from Nelson and Brian and Jo from Auckland.

We enjoy exploring central Christchurch, which is really quite vibrant and looking really good. We walk the Bridle Path, Botanic Gardens and dine at Roca, which is excellent. Great catching up with lifelong friends.

Back on the plane, and the Pharts fly to Queenstown. They have two nights at the Lomond Lodge, before being collected and hitting the Trail. Dinner that night is at Italian restaurant “Bella Cucina.” Ok .. 6 out of 10.

A cracking day the next day, so the energetic travellers climb Queenstown Hill. A reasonably tough climb, but fantastic views make it worthwhile.

Dinner that night is at “Finz” on Steamer Wharf, catching up with old cricketing friend Russell Mawhinney. We had the Blue Cod .. delicious!

The next morning, we are collected by Dennis from Tuatara Tours, and motor to Clyde to commence our Otago Rail Trail Bike Tour. There are ten of us on the tour, 4 Kiwis and 6 Aussies. We have stops on the way for morning tea and lunch, then a side trip to Ophir and a historic suspension bridge. Dinner that night is the Station Cafe at Lauder, and accommodation at the old Lauder School and Store.

Before jumping on the bikes and commencing day 2, Dennis drives the group to nearby St Bathans for a look. Now a small settlement, it thrived during the gold rush era.

It’s then back to Lauder, on the bikes and back on the trail. After the customary morning tea stop, we continue on to Hayes Engineering, where we stop for lunch. We are giving a tour around the site, and an explanation of many of the Hayes inventions, including the fence strainer.

We continue along the trail and arrive at Ranfurly and Hawkdun Lodge. This is to be our accommodation for the next two nights.

Dinner is food prepared at the nearby Maniototo Cafe. Delicious! We hit the hay early in preparation for tomorrow’s ride, Ranfurly to Hyde.

The day is misty and chilly as we set off for Hyde, but by morning tea the cloud has lifted, and temperature rising. The ride to Hyde only takes a couple of hours, and is very scenic and picturesque. After lunch, we motor back to Ranfurly and prepare for Curling in Naseby.

After a quick drive around Naseby, we head to the world class indoor Curling Rink. After instruction, we split into two groups and have a game. Great fun and quite a lot of skill involved.

Back to the Hawkdun, a quick scrub up, then out to the Wedderburn Tavern for our dinner. Top tucker!

We are woken early by heavy rain, but by departure it has cleared away. It is cool however, so an extra layer is required for our final day. We are driven by Dennis to Hyde, and prepare for the final 27km ride to Middlemarch, the end of the trail.

After the compulsory morning tea stop, it is the final 12 km push. The wind is strong, and we are directly into it. However Middlemarch arrives quickly, and the ride is over.

The bike tour has been a great success. Tuatara Tours does it well, and tour guide Dennis was excellent. We enjoyed the company of our fellow cyclists. Time to start thinking about next February’s tour!

The Pharts arrive at Heathrow Airport after a very pleasant stay with Niven and Marianne in North London. They are approached by a Cathay Pacific staff member with a proposition. Would we be prepared to travel the next day, Business Class, and be accommodated in a nearby Airport Hotel? “Ok”, we said, although it meant skipping our one night stopover in Hong Kong.

The next morning, back to Heathrow, and off we fly. Business class is very comfortable, with the passenger able to convert the seat to a bed. A four hour stopover in Hong Kong, then back on the plane, Premium Economy, and Brisbane. We arrived very late to our apartment, then hit the sack.

Despite a sleep in, the Pharts are jet lagged, but pop down the road for brunch, then a short 15 minute walk into town. They are staying in an AirBnb apartment in Spring Hill called “The Johnson.” Son Scott and partner Eva rent an apartment in this complex, so a perfect location.

Great to catch up with Scott and Eva, and dinner is at a Mexican restaurant in nearby Fortitude Valley.

After a less than perfect nights sleep, the old groovers haul themselves out of bed, and eventually wander down to nearby Victoria Park. This used to be a golf course, but is now parkland, with a cafe which the travellers visit for a much needed caffeine hit.

They then walk into the city, lunch in the City Botanic Gardens, and back to the Johnson and a swim in their pool.

Dinner for the evening is at Felons Brewery at Howard Smith Wharf, under the Storey Bridge. We are catching up with an old mate of Blair’s called Ross, and his wife Chris. Blair (the Prince) and Ross (the King) have been mates for 40 years, having met on a Contiki trip around Europe. A great night of catching up and reminiscing!

The old groovers pull on their walking shoes, and head off to explore the local sights. Firstly, nearby Roma Street Parkland, then across the river and along the South Bank. Back across the river and up to the Sky Deck, with panoramic views over the city. Admission is free! A bit more shopping, then back to the digs to rest the feet, then down for a swim in the complex’s pool.

Dinner is a short drive to the South Bank area, and a visit to the restaurant at the Emporium Hotel. The restaurant is at the top of the hotel, with views out across the city. Also, a very interesting use of interior lighting. The food is spot on.

And to our final full day and night in Brisbane. It’s going to be another scorcher, so the Pharts decide a sedate river cruise is the right option. A 90 minute journey down river and back, with an interesting commentary on the history of the area.

Back to the “Johnson” for a swim, but it has clouded over somewhat, with rain threatening. We decide to dine locally that evening, and the four of us wander across the road to a Vegan restaurant. Good tucker and reasonably priced. We have enjoyed spending time with Scott and Eva, and can see why they are enjoying life in Queensland.

As the travellers cannot move in to their Bristol AirBnb digs until 3pm, they decide to visit Tyntesfield, a National Trust property, just outside Bristol. This impressive property has been owned by the National Trust since 2002. Once owned by Britain’s richest non noble, who made his money in Guano for fertiliser, imported from Peru! There is also an art exhibition in the main house called “The Uninvited Guest” Reviews of the art have been mixed, with the Somerset Gazette likening it to a pile of poo!

The Pharts settle into their Clifton digs, and our joined by son Andrew and partner Neethd for pre dinner drinks. Great to see them again after almost a year! Dinner is at a Japanese restaurant in Clifton Village called Yakinori. Excellent food, service and atmosphere.

The next day is Friday, and Andrew has the day off work. We collect him from his flat in Brislington, and drive to the Cotswolds.

The popular TV host Jeremy Clarkson, of Top Gear and Clarkson’s Farm has recently opened a pub and farm shop near Burford. We check it out, buy some goodies and are amazed to see people queuing to get into the pub. Kiwis don’t queue I’m afraid!

Back to Burford for lunch, then on to explore the Cotswold villages Stow on the Wold and Bourton on the Water. Picture postcard places and very much on the tourist trail. Back to Bristol and dinner at Aqua, White Ladies Rd, within easy walking distance.

A pleasant day weather wise, and the Pharts walk 40 minutes into the city centre. A coffee with Andrew, who is working, then exploring on foot, particularly along the river area. Lots of steps, so a well earned rest before driving to Andrew and Neethd’s flat, and dinner at their local, “The Langy”

Today we collect Andrew and Neethd, and drive to the Mendip area. A nostalgia trip for Sue, with strong family ties in the area. We have a roast lunch at The Lytton pub, then drive to the places of interest.

A quiet evening, with the Pharts picking up a pizza from an outlet on Whiteladies Road. Top quality!

Today is a golf day! We drive to the outskirts of Cheltenham and the Cotswold Hills Golf Club. The weather is cold and drizzly, and a bag carry only ruling by the club for the day. We meet up with old Uni friends of Sue, Mike and Fiona, who are club members. A fun day, despite the weather, and Mike and Fiona are great company. We have a cup of tea at their home in Cheltenham, then drive back to Bristol. Dinner is at the trendy steak restaurant “Pasture”. The steaks and sides are excellent, with the aged steaks cooked to perfection.

Another opportunity arises to meet with Sue’s rellies, after Covid curtailed the previous gathering. We have lunch at the Railway Inn in Sandford, which is alongside Thatchers Cidery. A nice lunch and great to catch up with Aunt Joan (96 years young), cousins Sally, Jenny and Dips as well as Sally’s husband George.

Our final dinner with Neethd and Andrew is a middle eastern city restaurant called Cappadocia. Excellent food and we say our goodbyes to Neethd. She is in New Zealand for a wedding in December, so may see her then.

Our final day in Bristol. We say farewell to Andrew, and will see him in January, when he is also in NZ for a wedding. We walk to Clifton Village from our accommodation for lunch. Then across the Clifton Bridge, back past the Observatory, through the Downs and home.