After the hectic pace of yesterday, today promised to be slower and more relaxed. We woke up at 6:45, showered and left the suitcases outside the door at 7:30 while we checked out and ate breakfast. By 8:30 we were on the road, outbound from Madrid. Today was also seat assignment day. To make it fair for everyone on the bus, we initially choose seats with friends or loved ones either in front or b Read on...
This is the Clifton Bridge where construction began in 1831. Funding issues and the death of the designer halted construction and it was for 33 years, but the original design was followed. Imagine this in 1831. By the way it is located in the Marches of Wales (west England). We ambled across it from the right then up the hill to a viewing area. A tidal river is below with the tide out.
Out of Eng Read on...
Erst gegen Mittag losgefahren, es gibt einen Berg, 1000 m hoch, an dessen halber Hhe mehrere Drfer liegen, mit Teerstraen verbunden. Da habe ich mich den Tag lang rumgetrieben. Eine der Attraktionen sind zwei Dorfwstungen, die eine mit Cafe und Touristenrummel (irgendwann im Hochsommer), die andere Dorfwstung ganz still und leise. Keiner da, kein Caf, nix. Nur die kleine Kirche ist noch da, gut er Read on...
Situated on the high Burren limestone plateau, Poulnabrone Dolmen is one of Irelands most iconic archaeological monuments.
Poulnabrine is classified as a portal tomb. Portal tombs have two large portal stones standing on either side of an entrance capped with a massive sloping capstone. A second stone which lies on the ground at the rear of the monument was likely a second capstone which would ha Read on...
We made a nervous return to Mana Island, keen not to repeat our previous experience of a bure full of monstrous spiders (refer 2002 blog entitled Sacred Peaks and Eight Legged Freaks). We booked a first floor room in a looking building in the hope that Manas spiders werent of the climbing variety. Im not quite sure what we were thinking - Im pretty certain theres no such thing as a spider. This Read on...
Being the son from a long line of Blacksmiths, it was important for me to stand under the Tree of Knowledge in Barcaldine, the place where the great shearers strike of 1891 took place, all of whom were subsequently jailed for over a decade. It is the birthplace of the Australian Labor Party and the beginning of the workers conditions that we all take for granted today in Australia. Unfortunately, Read on...
This morning we are off to see two more waterfalls. We set off around 9.30am - as usual well behind everyone else on the campsite!
On the rough track back to the main road we pick up Christof an Austrian hitch hiker. We can give him a lift as far as the Dettifoss Waterfall turning.
Christof tell us that the falls can be seen from west or east sides but he would the west as its a better road and Read on...
After a hectic few days of pottering about (ha, get it?!) we have used the last few days to enjoy some relaxing in the sun. The kids all headed for Go Ape for some cousin bonding in the trees. Despite the dire predictions of ‘freaking out, Im told a good time was had by allexcept Beeb who ‘came last on the ziplineIm told it was rather than skill. I enjoyed a lovely brunch with my former work Read on...
It was a very, very early start as we were on an 8.45am flight (could be worse) and we do like to allow loads of time to get to airports. In fact we were way too early and we had loads of time to spare - thankfully there were none of the environmental mob blocking the roads, which is happening a lot at the moment. We were relieved to as it meant that we all the new, COVID related bureaucracy cor Read on...
Leaving Waynesboro (not sure what Wayne had done to get a whole borough named after him) but we were soon heading back South to join the TAT. Our link road that we in on yesterday was another great winding road through forested areas. After around 20 miles we linked back up with the TAT.
Once again enjoyable winding gravel roads which generally afforded excellent grip. We encountered a few small Read on...