Le Petite Jaune (the little yellow) is a tourist train that I’d like to say huffs and puffs its way into the Pyrenees, except it’s electric, from a place called Villefranche de Conflent, itself a special place with fortifications started back in the 11th century and enlarged over the years. However, it was vulnerable soContinue reading “A LITTLE TRAIN RIDE”
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WHO NEEDS FRIENDS?
Bidens Pilosa, aka farmers’ friend. There are things in nature that people don’t like. Most of them have a reason for being. I mean, without flies, there would be no coffee, though, as a tea drinker, I couldn’t really care. There are others though, mosquitoes and leeches to name but two, to which I’m strugglingContinue reading “WHO NEEDS FRIENDS?”
TOR-MEANT
I was sure Mike had said it was a reserve. When confronted later he denied all. Perhaps it was my blind enthusiasm that affected my hearing two days before. Right now I was sitting on some lichen enriched granite and contemplating some of the best views of the New England area I’d ever seen whileContinue reading “TOR-MEANT”
HELLO JOSEPHINE!
With Mademoiselle Baker’s seductive tones warbling midst the cackling of ravens as they built their nests in tiny alcoves in the nearby chapel, I knew it would be a repast to remember. Bathed in sunlight on the terrace brasserie at Chateau de Milandes we dined midst the budding Tilleuil trees contemplating our day’s itinerary. SoContinue reading “HELLO JOSEPHINE!”
THE DA VINCI CODE and A WINE LOVER’S DREAM
We had started our day well, going out for an early morning photo session on a crystal clear morning. Walking ancient cobbled stone ways lit by occasional street lights that cast eerie shadows hiding who-knew-what and then finding modern concrete stairways to climb in the soft morning glow of the golden hour, past garden bedsContinue reading “THE DA VINCI CODE and A WINE LOVER’S DREAM”
HAVE WE GOT ROCKS IN OUR HEADS?
At some point during our 6 ½ hour walk we contemplated such words. We had started out above Le Rozier, the village adjacent to Peyreleau where we were staying. They are separated only by a small stream and a one arch mediaeval stone bridge. We had climbed for about 20 minutes to getContinue reading “HAVE WE GOT ROCKS IN OUR HEADS?”
TWISTED, BUT NOT BITTER
2.30, it’s 2.30, as in a.m. Doubts arise as to the sanity of doing anything at this time of the day; sorry, night, but I’m driven. Once before I’d made the sunrise at Dove Lake, back in the days when you could still drive your motorhome to the water’s edge. These days it’s so popularContinue reading “TWISTED, BUT NOT BITTER”
OFF FROM CUMMEENDUFF
Next morning, after having gone to bed before 8 p.m., we’re awake around 5 a.m. and I’m restless to do some writing. Despite creeping stealthily down the hallway and through the door into the dining room, where our computers are resting, I make one small noise and it seems that almost instantly Sheila’s face pokesContinue reading “OFF FROM CUMMEENDUFF”
THE HOUSE OF SLAZENGER
Powerscourt, I’d never heard of the name and only came across it by chance when I was researching a route to take from Dublin to Waterford. Now, if you simply hit the motorway you can be in Waterford in under 2 hours. The way I chose was more like 4 hours. As we travellers areContinue reading “THE HOUSE OF SLAZENGER”
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”
Taking You To Places You've Never Been 