takingyoutoplacesyouveneverbeen

COME IN DUFFER

Cummeenduff, now there’s a word. I was reminded of many of our aboriginal names that bear no relevance to the English language and here the Celtic background still flaunts itself in so many ways but this was a place I’d never heard of. There was still time in the afternoon for some photography so IContinue reading “COME IN DUFFER”

A WAY TO FORGIVE

The story goes that a man was not happy about what his father had done; loaning money at exorbitant rates. So, he decided to do something about it and build a chapel, covering it with art representing scenes from the bible depicting how your life should be lived and what not to do, plus theContinue reading “A WAY TO FORGIVE”

LUCK OF THE GODS

Arches National Park is an American icon, and rightly so. In this one park alone it is claimed there are over 2,000 such features, more than anywhere else in the world. I’d come here to see more than I did last time, a grand total of three and, on the day of my arrival IContinue reading “LUCK OF THE GODS”

CALVING ALONG THE WAY

Mossy Cave is the least notable of hikes around Bryce Canyon but it’s suddenly become popular because every other trail is closed. It’s pleasant enough but the goal is unworthy so to speak. There’s also a watercourse with a waterfall that falls short of the requirements to make a good picture, but I go anyway,Continue reading “CALVING ALONG THE WAY”

MINNEHAHA, A GEM IN THE CANYON

It was raining, only raining seems an overstatement. The Blue Mountains were in a cloud, literally. It was a precursor to what was to come, according to the weather bureau. I’d considered doing something in the morning, casing Leura and trying to find out when Leura Cascades would be re-opening, but to no avail. SoContinue reading “MINNEHAHA, A GEM IN THE CANYON”

“AS CLOSE AS YOU GET TO THE EVERGLADES”

Thus spake the lady and, by the time she uttered these words, I was wondering just how good it was. Heck, judging by the number of binoculars and cameras with obscene lens, it had to be good. I’d finally found Circle B Bar Reserve after I used a street number off Trip Advisor that turnedContinue reading ““AS CLOSE AS YOU GET TO THE EVERGLADES””

CHIPPING CAMPDEN – A NAME TO REMEMBER

I’d done the research, it seemed promising. Arguably the finest of all the Cotswolds’ villages yet without the tourist hordes such as you might see at Stratford Upon Avon or Bourton on the Water. Still, it seemed like they were getting some tourist traffic. So I went there, probably 15 years ago now, and itContinue reading “CHIPPING CAMPDEN – A NAME TO REMEMBER”

FALLING FOR AN ALTERNATIVE

We were slightly unsure just what to do. The weather, undoubtedly, was going to play a part. Cloud hung over the Dolomites, as, I guess, it does on most mountain ranges most of the time. It would preclude us from heading up to the spectacular heights and seeing what was pencilled in asContinue reading “FALLING FOR AN ALTERNATIVE”

A MASTER-FUL BUILDING

I confess without embarrassment that I’m an unabashed Tiepolo fan. For those of you who aren’t aware, this was the name of not one, but three famous painters, a father and sons combination renowned for fresco work during the late Renaissance and touted as the finest of them all. Three of Tiepolo’s rare paintings areContinue reading “A MASTER-FUL BUILDING”

BLEEDING IN BLED by Ian Smith

It’s bleeding hot, one of the hottest summers in Europe for some time. Every day is over 30 degrees and today is no different. The only positive I can find is that it’s not overly humid, which would explain the constant dryness in our throats and longing for liquids. Our goal today is Bled or,Continue reading “BLEEDING IN BLED by Ian Smith”