This was the day to walk over Cleeve Common , a high plateau. After the initial climb (1000 feet above sea level, of which the hotel is half way), the walk is gently rolling. At the south edge are the remains of a hill which was use for protection over 2000 years old. Much further on and around is Belas Knap, a burial mound over 4000 years old. Built into the mound were small stone caves for the Read on...
So what is your favourite garden then ? I asked . The reply from the driver about the best garden he had ever seen was exactly the same as the one that was going round my head . Ninfa Glenn said. Yes I agree Our memory of our day in the Italian garden of Ninfa remained long in the memory. The sun had been shining and we had wandered around the beautiful garden . There was none like it . We had ne Read on...
1st May - As many Elephants are living in the wild of Sri Lanka, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is providing the treatments and the necessary care for the Elephants that get injured, wounded, diseased or be abandoned before weaning in the wild due to various circumstances. The orphanage was established in 1975 by the wildlife department of Sri Lanka. Today we we able to view the elephants taking the Read on...
This blog was supposed to be about our trip to Ireland and Scotland that we had planned for May/June. That of course was rescheduled due to and the severe travel restrictions. It is tentatively set for October/November of this year, but if the quarantines are still in affect in Ireland and Scotland, that is likely to get rescheduled yet again. We do have a Plan B and Plan C for out October tri Read on...
My favorite college town: Although Berkeley may be considered more bougie than bohemian these days, the counterculture vibe that made it so famous in the 60s is still recognizable in its local haunts, and food and art scene. Dine at Chez Panisse — considered by many to be the birthplace of the California cuisine food movement — where the focus is on locally sourced, sustainable ingredients. Read on...
One Friday evening in fall 2010, Susan and I had the pleasure of dinner with Valene L. Smith, a travel friend of mine. Valene is a very remarkable woman and traveler. An anthropologist and geographer, she has had a career as a university professor, researcher in Pakistan, Alaska, and the Southwest, documentary film maker, museum founder, travel agent, and tour leader and courier. She is one of t Read on...
Today is going to be a beautiful sunny day! Tom and I are later than usual starting off because we are not going too far – Palo Alto to be exact. Our mission today is to find an outfit for me to wear to my daughters wedding in five weeks time. For several weeks I have been searching for something suitable but without luck. Yesterday I spent several fruitless hours at the mall, but everything was Read on...
I had seen this tour before but during the day so it was nice to revisit at and enjoy the glowing images. We started the tour by the Pest Castle looking down onto the famous Chain Bridge that will be closed shortly for a 3 year renovation. It was lit in green to celebrate St.Patricks Day on 17th. The Chain Bridge was built between 1839 and 1849. The main driving force behind the project was the Read on...
We could have easily slept in longer today but the alarm is sounding and we want to beat the heat. It is certainly much hotter here than in the mountains! We are off to Cadiz for the day. Our host has a route via the train and boat. We set off at 7.30amits still dark! Again I am cursing booking old town Absolutely zero chance of hailing a taxi here and even less chance of one arriving if I try to Read on...
Our host offered to give us a customized driving tour this day. It was going to be a hot one. He gave us suggestions and then we could add or subtract things. Once settled, we were on our way. He first drove us to the little town of Cojimar. This is where Hemingway got inspiration for The Old Man and The Sea. I really liked what I was seeing here, and thought that on a return visit, maybe wed stay Read on...