"Come share my travels!" nhcram's Profile

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2012 is looking to be a good year travel wise too. I am visiting VT member Christine in May (Tini58de) and in October Chris and I are off to Las Vegas with my younger sister. We have 10 days off in May/June and who knows where we will end up. Decisions not made yet. Of course my travel year would not be the same without the traditional Gluhwein meeting in Karlsruhe in December. Meeting friends each year is lovely and the friends in Germany certainly know how to entertain.
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2011 was another great year for travel albeit not too as many places as in previous years due to university exams. The year started with a long weekend in Torremolinos at the end of January to see Hansi and Lori amongst other VT members. We were honoured to stay with Sonja in Zurich in May and then we travelled to Istanbul in June and to India in October. Both cultures were different and we enjoyed the diverse religions and experiencing different foods. The warmth of the people in India left us wanting more and we are sure to return to India again. The travel year ended as usual with a trip to Karlsruhe to join the traditional Gluhwein meeting. Bernd and Christine do a wonderful job of keeping us entertained and we always have a wonderful day out to a different place. This year was Offenburg. Located in the Baden-Württemberg, region of Germany, 12 VT members descended on the town and were given a guided tour by Sonja (VT member yumyum)A good weekend was had by all.
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2010 was a year that saw us travelling quite a bit. In June I went to Malta for a 10 day visit. A week in the university of Santiago de Compostela in North Spain in August and then in October Chris and I flew to the US, hiring a car once more and driving between Washington DC, Baltimore, Frederiksburg and Skyline Drive amongst many other amazing places. This was an amazing holiday. We participated in a Crab fest in Baltimore hosted by Larry and Mark and we joined the Frederiksburg meeting in Virginia. Meeting with friends is a wonderful experience. My year travel year ended in Karlrsruhe as usual.....I just love the people there.
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2009 we visited my family in Canada and again we hired a car and travelled through Ontario taking in Toronto, Halliburton, Bracebridge, Meaford to name but a few places. Our trip coincided with Fall and the colours were awesome. Seeing the family was the highlight of our trip and we will definitely go back to Canada one day to explore more that it has to offer.

8 years on and I am so happy to say that I have made a lot of good friends and have had many laughs and shed some tears at times too with people on VT. I have also been privileged enough to stay with members in their homes both in the UK, USA, Holland, Germany and more. Thank you everyone.
I have also been lucky to attend some wonderful VT meetings (not as many as I would have liked) The annual Gluhwein meeting being a firm favourite of mine now...I don't think I could miss one of those.

The famous White Cliffs of Dover

I am lucky enought to live on the south east coast of England with my husband and son near the town of Dover. Unfortunately not many people stop in the town, choosing to get off the ferry and take the train to nearby Canterbury or London which is about 60 miles away. Such a shame as the town has an abundance of history to take in. The town admitedly is rather run down these days but there is an amazing castle and it is an absolute must for visitors. Check out my Dover pages which are always being altered and added too.
Every morning when driving to work I love to see the sea and am sometimes lucky enough to see France in the distance. We do not go across the channel very often but it is fun to wake up on Saturday morning and decide to go to Calais for lunch!

Gluhewein in Germany with Isa & Ingrid Dec 2011

Travel has always been in the blood. My father was in the British army for most of my childhood and we were lucky enough to travel to places like Singapore, both parts of Cyprus, Malta (where I was born) and various places in England too. I personally believe that travel is a fantastic education and I have encouraged my son to feel the same way. He is now keen to travel and at 24 years of age has already visited Japan a couple of times. He has a keen interest in Asia and has taught himself to speak Japanese.
I have a keen interest in languages and speak a little German but my favourite is the Spanish language. I have recently obtained my diploma with the Open University. It was a long slog but I am so pleased I did it. I am now studying French and in a couple of years will have my degree in modern languages. The good thing about the Open university is that you can take your time. The tutor support is great and I have made some good friends through it too. Just a couple of years left and I will obtain my long awaited degree (not sure if it will be in modern languages or an open degree.)
I have also got a keen interest in visiting Spain and have fallen in love with Galicia. In 2007 I went to Seville with some friends for a week of intense Spanish, We managed to fit in some sightseeing and also quite a lot of wine and tapas. (Would have been so rude not too!)
Madrid is also another city I love. I have been a few times now and each time I go I try and fit in another museum. The city is full of treasures and things to see. There are several day trips that one can take like Segovia with its' magnificent viaduct and Toledo with its' lovely winding narrow streets and amazing views.
By far the best city that I have so far visited in Spain is Valencia A fantastic mix of old and new. The great weather and the people. I will be visiting again in March for the festival known as Las fallas.

Budget airline? No just an old plane thankfully.

It is definitely easier to travel these days and the budget airlines make it so much cheaper too. I must admit to not liking the budget airlines but as long as safety is not compromised I will use them if the price is right. I only wish I had more time and more money to cover more of the world and to spend longer in each place too. Until then I will read about them and dream. Our visit to India in October opened my eyes to a different culture completely. I loved the people, the food and the diverse sights we enjoyed on our journey through different states. I really hope to visit again as there is so much more I want to explore there.
Some of my favourite places that I have visited are Austria and Malta. Again these pages are always being added to.
If you like romance and fancy treating that someone special check out my Amiens page for more.

Enjoying an evening out in Malta

1. I am always on a diet.
2. I love shopping with my girlfriends. My younger sister Jennie and I can often be found in London, Milton Keynes or Canterbury browsing the shops and enjoying lunch together.
3. When staying in hotels I always take the toiletries supplied, as I believe you have paid for them in the price of the room.
4. I like soppy films and soppy music.
5. Before a trip I like to have some idea of what not to miss so I always buy a travel guide in advance and write notes for myself. I am a fan of lonely Planet and the eye witness guides.
6. I am not a fan of beach holidays preferring instead to visit historical buildings and the countryside but sometimes envy those that can switch off and lie there all day relaxing. Update..have tried a couple of beach holidays in the last couple of years and am starting to appreciate the relaxation these types of holidays have to offer although I could not spend more than a few days on a beach before getting the itch to explore.
7. I always need a holiday when returning from a holiday.
8. I have worked for the same company for nearly 20 years in two different roles.
9. I have been learning Spanish for 3 years and have nearly completed my first year of an Open University degree to enable me to obtain a formal qualification.
10. I love it when I sign into VT and the notices box pops up with a greeting from another VT member.

A peek into my garden.

Dover is now only an hour and ten minutes from London by train so it is close enough to pop up there for the day when I am not busy catching up on housework or keeping the garden tidy. It is also good to nip up there and meet with some of our friends and family (VT and not) from here, Europe and across the pond. One such meeting was in September 2007 when VT member Rex Vaughan and his lovely wife came to visit. Please check out the pictures on my London travelogue page.
Please remember when reading my pages that they are my personal opinions and tips and I hope that none of them offend anybody.

We get lovely sunsets in Dover too.

On top of the cliffs between Dover and Folkestone the views are stunning. So many locals take it for granted but I don't.
I love the feeling of the fresh air on my face and the quietness. What is good is even at the end of October you can still enjoy some warm and sunny days .
I love driving home between the towns of Folkestone and Dover and catching sight of France in the distance, seeing the cruise ships that call in to the port of Dover and also the splendid castle. Make the most of where you live I say.
Another lovely town very close to Dover is Deal. I visit most Saturday mornings for coffee with friends and we engage our passion of speaking Spanish together for an hour or so.

Chris and I in Malta 2007

My friends always ask me why I joined VT and the answer is simple. My husband used to spend so much time on here that one day I decided to see what all the fuss was about and the rest is history as they say. I have enjoyed reading and occasionally joining in the banter in the forums and most of all have enjoyed making and meeting new friends.
I have decided to remove the list of people I have met as it is growing so big now and is in danger of taking over the page but I know who you all are and am happy to have you as friends.