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This is Katharine looking down at the Hotel Ciucas
.... and the rest of us, trying to pretend it is a Sunday School outing.
... and looking smug because we have already photographed the hotel.
For that, we will be made to climb up hills, even as high as the ruined Balvanyos Castle.
Then we will have to pose for photographs again.
If good, we will be allowed Beans on Toast, Romanian Style.
If very good, we may be allowed to ride in the bus to Bicaz Gorge.
With opportunities to photograph the untidy nest that storks build on street lights and power poles.
The journey South was broken at Brasov, with its attractive buildings.
We were also allowed lunch on the journey, but not until we had covered a mandatory minimum distance in haycarts.
Finally we arrived in Sinaia, with its elegant surroundings.
The initial climb out from Sinaia is by cable car, and there is some excellent walking on the tops.
The scale is big and there are wooded areas included on the tops.
Pleasant meadows where you can eat your lunch.
Even obliging dogs to carry luggage.
...and horses to carry things too!
There is a shrine up there with a fine painting of Jacob's Ladder in the gateway.
This is what it promises industrious climbers.
Our way with Jacob's Ladders is to go down them.
Easier! If you don't mind people looking down on you.
We take this ladder stuff quite seriously.
Everyone was doing it.
Chris was trying to pretend it was difficult!
He was down here like a squirrel as soon as the photo was taken.
Jack was conveying confidence....
but not his customary suave elegance.
Jim was concentrating on style.
But why didn't Katharine warn us what happens when you get to the bottom of these "Jacob's Ladder" things!
Shocks like that can make people hungry!
This is the "A Team" heading down to the hotel for dinner!
They look well. Must have been a good holiday!