To steal some words from the current political debate. Its time to stop talking about Europe and focus on an ambitious domestic agenda. Apologies for the spurious HTML code that WordPress have kindly inserted. Took me several attempts just to convince it to post what I’d actually written. Hopefully it’s a one off glitch.
I’m further behind with the blog than I think I ever have been. 3 months and several days out, weekends and week long trips.
Lets kick off with a short walk around Blorenge, the large mass the overlooks Abergavenney.
A grey and humid day so this walk has the advantage of high start and very little climbing as well as nice combination of interesting stuff and expansive views.//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js
And here things went a little awry. I’ve done this walk over grassy fields and paths in early spring. In Autumn, Bracken is king and it had taken over. It was passable but no place for shorts with nettles hiding at calf height. It was only about 200 yards of this tangle but it did put something of a damper on the day.//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js
Me and TJS carried on with the walk around the edges of Blorenge and back over the summit. More superb views over Abergavenny and Ysgyryd Fawr.//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js
On our way home from Nice we had to change trains in Paris so decided to stop over for a couple of days. Nice journey along the coast in First Class on the TGV!
Our first afternoon and evening was gloomy with the threat of heavy storms. We managed to avoid getting wet and enjoyed a nice walk down to the river.
A chance to watch the Eiffel Tower “sparkle” as it does every hour.
The stormy weather was the precursor to a seriously hot spell, much hotter than the Med where we’d just come from. Temperatures were predicted to reach 40C and above while we were travelling home. We vowed to head home if temps got too much and were out early to enjoy while we could.
We headed first to Montmartre for a walk around the interesting streets and found there are windmills up there. Memories of Holland. This one is Le Moulin de la Gallette (windmill of the savoury pancake if I’m not mistaken)
This intriguing creation is Le Passe-Muraille – a man seemingly stuck in a wall. Odd but worth a look.
The streets behind the tourist scrum at Sacre Coeur are wonderful and well worth seeking out if you are sick of selfie obsessed tourists.
Sacré-Cœur itself is truly stunning even with the crowds and on a blue sky day is an arresting sight. As before the queue to gain entrance was more trouble than its worth so we admired from outside.
Views over the city from here are very fine indeed.
Needing lunch and keen to visit somewhere new we headed down to the the Canal de St Martin.
It was lovely down there with an expansive waterfront and lots of happy people enjoying a sunny Sunday afternoon.
After a lunch in one of the restaurants we strolled along the waters edge.
I was especially taken with this remote controlled speedboat which was amazingly fast and very cool – I wanted one immediately!
There were areas to take boats out and even a spot reserved for swimming although the water looked of rather dubious quality.
We were planning a walk around the Parc de la Villette but it was hot by now so we returned to the apartment for a break.
I took a few photos of our neighbourhood from the street and the apartment balcony.
One of our favourite spots from our last visit was St Germain with its numerous restaurants. We headed back for a meal out via one of my favourite spots from last time, the Eglise Saint Suplice, stunning as always in the late afternoon sunshine.
A post meal walk along the Seine to look at how Notre Dame is recovering from the fire.
Luckily its two signature towers were not damaged.
A glorious sunset on wonderful warm evening, one the advantages of hot daytime weather
And back past the odd looking Pompidou centre on the way home.
Following day was a scorcher. We took a trip to look at the Eiffel Tower from the Jardins du Trocadero and its massive water jets.
They are rather impressive. The days after when the temperatures soared the restrictions on “no swimming” were relaxed allowing people to cool off.
We took a picnic lunch out in the Jardins du Luxembourg. They are absolutely stunning but by now the heat really was soaring and we had the briefest look around before we decided enough was enough.
Ironic that we’d looked forward to our trip to Paris to escape some of the heat of the Cote D’Azure only to find it hotter here!
After another splendid meal in St Germain we took a last walk back to the apartment via the Institut de France.
The setting sun over the water and the bridges was sublime
On the footbridge of the Post des Arts was one final treasured moment. This brass group – Mouettes et Carbons – were playing and they were superb. They were covering tracks I’d never heard played with a brass vibe before. New life given to tracks such as “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “Under Pressure”
A couple of clips to show how good these guys were. Just watching and listening to them (they were great fun as well as great musicians) in the evening sun overlooking the Seine was a treasured memory.
A fitting finish to a superb trip!
And a final sunset picture as the sun set on our trip. Just a matter of 3 months of blog posts to catch up on now!
One more day out before me move on to the last part of the trip. Another rather enjoyable if slow bus journey to Monaco.
More wonderful views of the coastline
After a supermarket inspired lunch (Monaco is pricey) we set off to explore, initially up to the Old Town with fine views across this city and country in miniature.
Whether its common to Monaco due to the very steep cliffs that back the city, it was, like my last visit, overcast, humid and very hot. That last visit was when TBF was pregnant with TJS and it reminded just how hardy she was to walk around with all that extra load. We did some fairly strenuous activity on that trip.
The old town is actually rather nice, lots of narrow streets, interesting buildings – and money!
At the entrance is the Place du Palais and Le Palais des Princes de Monaco. Considering the wealth it’s a quite an understated affair.
Saint Nicholas Cathedral.
The Palace of Justice
And the Musée Océanographique de Monaco, a very grand building indeed for what is in essence an Aquarium.
Monaco is in reality, largely just an urban sprawl of very expensive apartment buildings and shops. It doesn’t have a beach of any sort but what it does have is lots of spare cash. Time to visit its most affluent and famous sights in Monte Carlo.
It sits on the opposite side of the harbour to the old town and we took advantage of the boat bus to cross the harbour and save a bit of a walk.
As with all things here it cost a bit more than it should but it was enjoyable if brief.
I’d been told to watch out for all the expensive yachts and cruisers in the harbour but we saw more impressive craft in the harbour in Nice.
While looking for the lift up to the Casino we spotted our first luxury sports car sat outside the hotel at the exit from the famous road tunnel used in the Monaco Grand Prix.
Onwards into the heart of all that money, the Parc du Casino and all that surrounds it. This is the famous Casino and they let you in to the lobby for a peek inside.
Very ostentatious as you can see.
But it was the parking area outside where the real money was. Every space was filled with luxury sports cars.
I’m no petrol-head but I have an idea of how much these things cost and I reckon there was a couple of million quids worth parked up in the few spaces around the square. First place where I’ve looked at a Porsche and thought “cheap tat”.
This was the one I liked the looked of but possibly a little impractical as a family car.
We found the whole experience fascinating, just people watching. We saw several middle-aged businessmen with their gorgeous trophy wives on show.
In fact the Parc is rather nice in an ornate sort of way
And a short walk down is the famous view of the hairpin bend on the Monaco GP circuit. Lewis Hamilton’s car for next season may see him struggle to retain the driver’s championship.
For any of you visiting Monaco a word of warning on Mobile Communications. It’s not included in the roaming agreements in Europe so data and voice are chargeable. We racked up a few quid in charges before we realised. Another interesting example of control taken back after we leave the EU as it will drop us out of all roaming agreements and unlimited free use of data (within what you pay in the UK) while travelling in Europe will be a thing of the past.
And that was enough for one day. We hopped on a train back to Nice, spent another day exploring the coast before heading off to our final stop of another epic trip.
Lots of wonderful places to see on the Cote D’Azure and an excellent and cheap (if a little crowded) local bus service to explore them.
Eze is one of the most popular spots, a picture postcard village perched high above the coast on a rocky outcrop. The bus journey along the Moyenne (middle) Corniche Road were superb.
As befitting a well known spot, Eze was rammed with tourists but not overly so as in some of the places we’ve been over the past couple of years. Most of the village is a private hotel complex but what you can walk around is rather nice.
Although the high point is a sculpted cactus garden that you have to pay to visit. Worth it – just – for the magnificent views along the coast.
The ruined castle at the top of the hill
And views over the private part of the village.
Clouds hugging the cliffs.
More cactus – should that be cacti.
As you’d expect it was brutally hot so there is only so much you stand before you crave a cool outdoor lunch and a cold beer. We took the bus down to Beaulieu-sur-Mer and a had an excellent, if quite expensive meal down by the harbour.
Followed by a brief stroll through town to the Plage des Fourmis. We should have brought swimming stuff and had a dip as it was a very nice beach.
On our last day we took a day trip to St Jean Cap Ferrat. If anything it was even hotter although the beaches and views were good.
This beach, the Plage Paloma, looked rather fine but the beach bar was staggeringly expensive and after lunch it was too hot to walk back.
After the only underwhelming meal of the whole trip (a disappointing and pricey pizza by the harbour) we returned to the closer Plage Cros Dei Pin for a very enjoyable afternoon swim.
One of the nicest beaches we visited but being the middle of the day it was just too hot to hang around. I’d love to come back here in Spring or autumn when the water will still be warm but the temperatures more realistic for a laze on the beach and for coastal walks.
Warning! A post with lots of smug, blue-sky and mountains photos!
One of the main reasons we took to four wheels for a couple of days was to head out into the mountains inland. As you’ll see from they post they are truly spectacular. We got lucky with the weather as well. After the previous rainy day the skies were completely clear and fresh. Leaving the Funsters for a day of beach luxury on sunbeds in one of the beach bars in Nice, we struck out at 6am for a mountain day.
One our concerns was that after the record high temperatures it might be too hot for walking even at altitude. This concept was soon quelled when we parked up and abandoned our plan for an al fresco breakfast as it was too cold!
From a plethora of great sounding routes in the guidebook we’d plumped for a start from Madone de Fenestre, high up in the Vallee de Vesubie, taking in a couple of mountain passes and chance of a summit. It proved to be inspired.
It was a stunning day and sensational spot. A lush green valley with sparse forest, tumbling streams and towering rocky mountains.
A view across the the Cime de L’Agnelliere which we’d be hoping to climb later.
The route follows an old mule path up to the Col de Fenestre an ancient trade route between Italy and the coast. In later years as a frontier between Italy and France it was the scene of fighting during the second world war and an attempt by Italian Jews to flee the persecution that ended in tragedy, most rounded up and shot by the SS.
On a brighter note the path is wonderful and allows easy progress high into these majestic mountains.
We saw a few Marmots and this Ibex as well as several others at distance, always pleasing to see these nimble creatures at work on the rocky slopes.
The views became ever more impressive as we climbed in perfect conditions. A warm sun but cool mountain air. Walking on a day like this hardly seems an effort.
We passed the stunningly clear Lac de Fenestre. Thoughts of a swim quickly dispelled by the achingly cold water.
Our objective, the Col de Fenestre behind.
After a brief rest we pressed on, again the well made path making the climb easy and allowing plenty of opportunities to take in the views.
Just below the pass are several military buildings, barracks and watch towers, now deserted.
The name is the pass of the rock window and here it is at 2476m.
Views down into Italy and the Val Gesso and over the plain of Peidmont. We could even see the what I think was the snow capped Pennine Alps far in the distance.
Onwards and the route got even better. A high path traverses steep rocky slopes over to the Pas des Ladres, an old military route to a less used smugglers pass through the mountains.
As we climbed higher the highest peaks of the range came into view.
I think this is the Cime Gelas, the highest peak in the area but without a map I’m not entirely sure. Whatever, it was high and looked rocky and difficult, the domain of the rock athlete and dusted with fresh snow from the day before. It was the focus of attention for the rest of the day.
This part of the day was a sheer delight. Looking down to the Pas de Ladres at 2448m with our peak objective behind.
A view down to the Lac de Trecolpas another popular walk from the other side of the range.
With plenty of time to spare we took on the optional climb to the Cime de L’Agnelliere. It much narrower path but still easy to follow as it twisted along the ridge.
The summit was a surprisingly flat plateau of bare rocks topped with shattered rocky tors.
The panorama to the south and the Mediterranean coast.
And north to the mountains of the Mercantour.
It was the perfect spot for a long rest and lunch.
TJS had no interest in climbing to the actual summit but I was keen despite the slopes looking rather loose. After seeing a woman make easy work of it I gave it a go.
Other than one slightly loose and exposed section it was easy and the views from the top at 2700m well worth the effort.
The lady I’d seem climbing was still on the summit and she confirmed that the big peak opposite was the highest peak and a bit Internet research confirms it is Cime de Gelas, 3134m high.
She also kindly took a photo of me on the summit but had set off when I asked if she wanted me to return the favour.
I sat on the summit for a while taking in the sensational views but had to press on back down to recover my junior sherpa.
Close up view of the Cime de Gelas.
Sadly (always a little sad on days as good as this) it was time to head down.
Retracing our steps to the Pas de Ladres we followed a different valley back down to the car. Different but far less impressive than the route up.
The panorama looking back to our two cols and routes before we headed back down to the car.
Our desire to climb mountains on what was a city break trip satisfied we headed back to the coast. TJS to laze in the apartment, me to grab a quick swim in the sea to finish off a tremendous day.
We love our city trips but my heart will always belong to the mountains!
One of the delights of a city in hot weather is that the evenings are relatively cool and ideal for strolling and soaking up the atmosphere and in the case of Nice, the coastal views. Taking a walk along the seafront or through the old town was a regular feature and one we all enjoyed.
On our second night it was the Bastille Day celebrations and rather impressive firework display over the bay.
We always walked up to the headland between the Promenade des Anglais and the Port where the sweeping views across the bay under the setting sun was breathtaking.
Follow that with a walk through the old town, people watching, reading restaurant menus and eating ice cream and waffles.
The buildings of the old town always looked especially fine in the evening.
There was always a happy crowd down on the pebbles every evening.
A couple of the very grand and very expensive seafront hotels.
By way of a slight diversion from the theme. We hired a car for a couple of days to explore inland a little. The first day was rather frustrating in that it was cloudy and wet and a closed road within a mile or two of our chosen destination meant we spent several hours just driving around.
The scenery was superb and the rain stopped long enough for us to have a picnic but we should have gone back to the coast and driven along the corniches.
However I was determined to fulfil my desire for a mountain swim in one of the narrow slot canyons or Clues as they are known locally.
This one is the Clue de Aiglun and its spectacular and it coincided with a dry spell in the weather.
The walk down was much further and much steeper than the guidebook had indicated so it was a solo swim in the end.
A truly wild swim and a little daunting as the water was high after the rain and the flow pretty strong so I was nervous about some of the pools. A great swim anyway.
We then tried the Clue de Riolan where the water was much calmer and the swim much better.
The gorge was extremely narrow and the water deep and calm. It started raining again so again I was on my own but I enjoyed myself if a little guilty for forcing the rest of the family top spend most of the day in the car to indulge my whims.
Reason for this little diversion in the post is that when we returned to Nice the skies were beginning to clear and the evening strolls were the most memorable of all.
I took a brief stroll to pick up some food for tea and Place Massena and the Promenade du Paillon were in fine form.
Reflections in the fountains area
A Nice space age tram passing under our apartment balcony.
Clearing skies from the apartment.
The setting sun started the light show while we finished our evening meal.
With clouds clearing, the haze washed from the air and a low setting sun the light was just amazing as we took our evening constitutional.
The seafront was packed with people taking advantage of the drier weather after a wet day indoors for most I’m guessing.
I got a bit carried away with the photos as you can tell.
With views and light as good as this, well you just have to.
From a disappointing and frustrating day came a grand finish. The clearing skies gave hope for a memorable outing I had planned for the next day.
One of my favourite places in Nice was the Colline du Chateau, Castle Hill that overlooks the old town and the majestic sweep of the Promenade des Anglais. We walked up here several times over the course of the week and the views were always just reward for the hot and steep climb.
The first set of photos is from our first mid morning effort. It was hot and hard work but I was instantly charmed. Its a series of walkways, and steps with views across the rooftops of the Vielle Ville, the seafront and the mountains.
Its also a great place to watch the airline traffic to the airport just down the coast.
Evening was a much better time to take in the views. Me and TBF took a walk along the promenade to the headland and walked up the side that overlooks the port.
Different hazy views across the bay and old town.
The top is a lovely open parkland with lots of vantage points and childrens play areas.
One if its main attractions is a fountain/waterfall on the west side. Its a wonderful place as it crashes down and generates a fine cooling spray.
Its artificial but impressive nonetheless.
As I’m the only member of the family capable of an early morning start I took a solo walk up one morning on my way to pick up the breakfast bread.
Just me, a few hardy walkers and a host of joggers enjoying the last of the cool air before the days heat kicked in again.
The rooftops of the old town look especially dazzling at this time of day.
The sea always looked deep blue and inviting from up here.
And a walk past the waterfall was mandatory.
One more evening walk although I think this was also a solo effort.
The ferry port where you depart for Corsica.
The setting sun from up high. I should have found time to watch the sunset from up here but never quite got around to it.
A pretty decent combination of waterfall, park, coast and mountains.
I spend alot of my time surfing the web looking for ideas on places to go, walking routes, travel ideas and tips to plan the perfect holiday or day out. (I'm a project manager I like to plan). I thought it was time to share my own experiences and contribute to the vast amounts in information that's already out there.
I'll also add in some gear and tech reviews and when something irks me I may even use this forum to have a rant - I do that pretty well I'm told.There are a few pages at the top that give a bit of background to what I like to get up to and what you can expect to see in my posts. I'm not exactly a creative writer but I hope some people will find my stuff useful or inpsiring or at least enjoy some of my photos.
I thought I would start today's post with a flashback to when Phil & I spent the night at virtually the same spot on our Challenge in 2005. So here's a picture of Phil, carefree and thirteen years younger. You'll notice that in one hand he's sporting a can of lager and in the other my Sigg whisky flask. Perhaps that's the reason […]
The previous week had been frustrating. I was 430 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle and the Aurora forecast had been good. Whilst deep in the wilderness of Varangerhalvøya National Park and miles from any light pollution, cloud had stubbornly blanketed the night sky. I went to bed most nights with the sound of rain on […]
We’re just back from three weeks away, but I’m still not quite up to date with what we were doing before our holidays; so…. It had been a long time since we had seen my mum and dad. A was busy (A seems to nearly always be busy these days), TBH stayed at home to […]
Hi folks. If you've popped in on here wondering what's going on then please let me explain.This 'blogger' blog is now closed.I'm now blogging on WordPress atTERRY ABRAHAM LAKE DISTRICT VIDEOAll the content I've posted for the past few years can be found there too.Hope to speak with you again soon!Terry
My first backpack of the year was the last weekend in March. I had been watching the weather forecast for this week and it looked like it was going to be a cracker. Beautiful spring weather but cold at night. … Continue reading →
You are going on a trip and it’s not just any trip! It’s an adventure travel holiday! That means you won’t just go around the city and take photo walks during the day and stay at your 5-star hotel at night. You will be doing… The post Packing Tips for Adventure Travelers appeared first on Journeyman Traveller.
The Baxter’s Loch Ness Marathon is held practically on my doorstep, so it would be rude to do others and not this! I ran it in 2014 on the back of 5 weeks off running with an injury, but with … Continue reading →
Really the first tottering steps of trying to get back on my feet. Pushing boundaries a little, trying to define what I can actually do. This post is just a mixture of things that have been happening over the past few weeks.Gradually, in slow, hesitant steps, I have resumed my swimming, or at least have had a few dips. The Panama Swimming club members are a […]
ALL PHOTOS CLICK FULL SCREENOn the same day I took a bus ride back to my old haunts in South Nitshill then walked across the lanes and several fields into Barrhead, described in an earlier post a few weeks ago, my final destination was always going to be this place. The Barrhead Alps. or more precisely and accura […]
When we had finished our walk to see the North Face of Ben Nevis we found we still had some daylight to spare to check out 'Steall Falls' which has been on my 'to do' list for a while.One tip for this walk - avoid busy times, and arrive early/late for parking - there isn't a huge amount and it would be a disappointment after a windin […]
I still don’t know if what happened was real or if a collective paranoia that hit both my friend and I on this trip. One thing is sure, this trip felt like a backwood horror movie. I don’t want to scare … Continue reading →
Athena started school in Frisco, Texas on August 15th. The community made it the best first day of school ever. Many of the families in the neighborhood gathered together to walk the kids to school. They chalked the sidewalks with … Continue reading →
Along with autumn, spring and summer, winter is one of my favourite seasons. Of late in the WoW household we’ve been hunkered down, hatching plots and not getting out as much as we’d like. However, the opportunity arose and was swiftly taken to decamp to Islay for a short week (one up from a long … Continue reading →
Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus DCF pack, size medium plus pack lid (not in photo) for sale Pack details: https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/exodus-cf-58l/ Pack lid in grey: https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/ultralight-pack-lid/ Perfect condition, used for one short trip (two days, one night). I’ve added two Tread Light mitten hooks inside to h […]
Minus three on the tops, thirty mile an hour winds raking the last of autumn colour from the Cuillin ridge, laying down a white carpet ready for the arrival of the Winter Queen. Blasting down from the north, she detours out beyond St. Kilda, raising storm-seas in the cold Atlantic before swinging round Mingulay, resting on the raucus cliffs of Barra Head bef […]
Readers may wonder where I get my ideas for places to hike. I follow a few hiking Facebook pages, and also regularly check local hiking websites. That's where I first learned of Indian Henry's Hunting Ground, a gorgeous wildflower meadow on Mt Rainier's southwest side. Not only huge fields of colorful flowers, the trail also boasts grand vi […]
The Lowa Baldo GTX mens walking boots are deliciously comfortable making them an absolute dream to wear for trekking. Whenever I get a new pair of walking boots I usually try and map out a short walking route that involves a little bit of climbing, sharp inclines and declines. This gives me a good sense […] The post LOWA BALDO GTX MENS WALKING BOOTS REVIEW a […]
For Sale - Z Packs original classic 20F bag £120 (inc postage) onSold! Selling my older Z Packs 20F bag.This is approx 5 years old.I bought it in Dec 2014It has done a couple of Challenges and a few other tripsIt is in very good condition, although it may benefit from a clean to improve the loft, it does not look like it needs a clean.That is normally a £35 […]
If you fancy watching the Kungsleden video that I’ve put together, you may want to do so with a nice brew and a chocolate digestive. It’s about 20 minutes long, but set to some First Aid Kit music – which is always a bonus! And with guest appearances by Matt Holland, Peter Dixon and Lee … Continue reading The Kungsleden 2019 – The Video!
My public transport options were limited this morning because of the flooding; there were no trains running to Sheffield and some local areas are still unreachable by bus. Services out to the south west seemed to be okay and so I travelled the two miles or so to Warmsworth and got off near to the unusual domed church. I crossed the road and walked through a […]
I haven't managed to get away for an adventure with my friend Chris for ages. Day to day distractions such as work and family have meant that it just hasn't been practical recently so when he mentioned that he hoped to have a time slot available which corresponded with me being free as well we jumped at the chance to plan something. Initial thought […]
In English: Lappeenranta Lappeenranta lives in summer. It offers for visitors two main sights: Lake Cruises and Sand Sculptures, which can be admired all summer long. Lake cruises are very popular and one cruise specialty is Visa-free cruises to Russia. Lappeenranta has about 73000 residents. The town of Lappeenranta is situated by the lake Saimaa, […]
Deze post in het Nederlands: Klik hier.This post is written with the intention to give a detailed account of a large number of wild orchids which can be found in the Cantabrian Mountains (Cordillera Cantabrica in Spanish) of northern Spain. To be more specific, those species that I've managed to photograph during the past year. Of many species I have pu […]
