We started this morning with a stroll around Melrose. We followed the sign to the swing bridge which was underwhelming. We wandered along the Chicken run/Weaving camels/Farmers freewheeling fun track mountain bike tracks until we reached an open view of Mount Remarkable. At last we managed to take a photo of the mountain with the sun shining on it rather than from behind it.
We walked back into Read on...
A very interesting day Sunday 2nd, got on the train in Cefalu about 11.30am, this rail actually goes all the way to Rome! This was a great journey to Messina and beyond as the route was so scenic hugging the coast all the way there. We arrived in Messina and it took about half hour or so to get train onto the ferry, whilst we all sat in our seats, it is the only ferry that takes trains left in ser Read on...
Fragrant Hills (香山公园/Xiangshangongyuan) had been on my list of places to visit in Beijing, but after seeing pictures of it in the autumn I knew I had to visit then as the trees all looked really pretty. Getting there was pretty simple and only involved a couple of buses for me. Fragrant Hills also has its own subway station, so its really accessible from the city centre. As I made my way f Read on...
Driving home for Christmas. I was beginning to think we were starting to put this whole pandemic business behind us and I could stop mentioning the C word. Alas, here we go again or more to the point - here we dont go again! When we can book any trip with confidence, all of a sudden looks further away from us than ever. We are back to waiting on the word of TFB, as to whether further restrictions Read on...
This was my favorite song as a young pre school boy growing up here in the Valley. My first dog was a Cocker Spaniel, named Betsy. I was about 3 or 4 at the time. I even have a photo of the two of us, somewhere in the archives. It was Patty Paige, with these great lyrics for the little boy (me): How much is that doggie in the window?The one with the waggly tailHow much is that doggie in the window Read on...
Ok we are off to Caerleon . Our camper stop book tells us that there is a good night stop in the town so off we set . The drive back over the Severn was not the most brilliant . The rain picked up and splattered Gabbys windscreen . The metronomic rhythym of the wipers broke the silence . We had not expected to be driving even more miles today. More miles of stop and start . Things had not improved Read on...
I awake at 6 am – rush hour in Puerto Jimnez as planes and 4x4s ferry visitors towards the National Park.
I get up and prepare breakfast; as we have a kitchenette, Im going to have a go at cooking plantain. At least, I think its plantain – as the Spanish for plantain is pltano, and the Spanish for banana is also pltano, theres a 50% chance Im cooking plantain.
We dont have much planned for t Read on...
On Sunday morning I was sad to leave Arequipa behind, although I was looking forward to our next destination, the Colca Canyon.
Thanks to the location of our hotel, we were able to witness the Military parade that takes place every Sunday through the Plaza de Armas in Arequipa. Nearly every division of the army was represented and marched through while singing the Peruvian national anthem. I do h Read on...
I took the ferry from Vangsnes to Dragsvik apparently via Hella lol. Its direct but you have to get off in Hella and turn around so that youre facing the right way on the boat. Fair. The fjord was gorgeous this morning - 1/3 was in the blazing sun, 1/3 was under a storm cloud and the other 1/3 was sunny but with super low cloud cover.
First time on a car ferry here - I love that everything is don Read on...
The Potash Road includes the paved Utah Hwy. 279 (West of Moab, Utah) to the Potash Mine main facility by the Colorado River. Then the private mine dirt road continues South West where the BLM rough dirt road goes upward through the Colorado River overlook; then up to the Canyonlands National Park. The Potash Road officially ends at the junction of The Shaffer Trail and the White Rim Trail in the Read on...