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Blarney Castle – all blarney for sure

Blarney Castle – all blarney for sure

Like this ancient ruin. They have the world convinced that if you hang upside down out a hole in the parapet and kiss a stone you will get the gift of the gab.

You are more likely to get Covid-19 these days.

Or am I just being a grumpy old curmudgeon.

Probably.

But you have to say it’s one of the most successful tourist gimmicks around.

I thought the grounds alone were a good enough reason to visit the site.

My wife did the whole kiss-the-stone-thing. But given that she is of 100% Irish extraction there’s no surprise there.

I demurred. If only because the last thing the world needs is to make me even more loquacious than genetics ensured.… Read more

Hook Lighthouse in Ireland – the world’s second oldest.

Hook Lighthouse in Ireland – the world’s second oldest.

Monk in Hook Lighthouse, Wexford, Ireland

A monk sits in his cell at Hook Lighthouse, County Wexford, Ireland.

It’s the second oldest still-operating lighthouse in the world and you can get a guided tour, climbing the 115 steps to the top.

It marks the entrance to Waterford Harbour and has done so for nearly 900 years.

In the 13th century the then Lord of Leinster established a harbour 30km up the River Barrow but the entrance to the river was a rocky headland, a graveyard for ships so he had a 36m high tower built.

There was a small monastery on the peninsular and the monks were given the task of keeping a beacon fire burning to warn mariners of the imminent danger.

The monks who originally manned it are long gone, though this one sits there as a reminder to visitors of its ancient days.

It has operated continuously since, though today the … Read more

Parlez-vous Francais? Non? You could have been reading this in French

Parlez-vous Francais? Non? You could have been reading this in French

You would be reading this in French if a battle here had gone the other way.
This is Oldham House, Interpretation Centre for the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland. The battle itself was fought close by.
Why is the clash at Boyne so important? It was a scrap for the very soul of Ireland and even for Europe, fought between William of Orange and James II.

King Billy, as he is often called in Northern Ireland, had wrested the British crown from James two years before.

James, a Catholic, rallied forces from Louis XIV of France, along with support from Irish Catholics.  William was a Dutch Protestant, thus at the first level it was a sectarian battle between rival religions.

James saw it as a way to reclaim his crown by the backdoor – win Ireland as a base from which to bring war to Protestant Britain.

Cannon from

… Read more
A Wairarapa, New Zealand, Road Trip

A Wairarapa, New Zealand, Road Trip

The Wairarapa area in the south-eastern corner of New Zealand’s North Island is one of the country’s  most underrated road trip regions.

Yeah, yeah, we all know about Martinborough and its wine industry. But there is a lot more to this region that a few bottles of high-class plonk.

There’s a clue in the name – it means “glistening waters”, given by Maori explorer Haunui who saw its lake and rivers from atop the Tararua Ranges to the west.

For the most part it is a soft and gentle landscape of pancake-flat plains that snuggle between the western mountains and a range of low rolling hills to the east.

Most drivers traversing the region take State Highway 2, the main trunk highway, but the best road trip is the run from Martinborough on a back road, Route 52, north to SH2 at Waipukurau.

This is heartland NZ, the back of … Read more

Stroll the streets of  New Orleans, Bangkok or Istanbul right now

Stroll the streets of New Orleans, Bangkok or Istanbul right now

Take a stroll down a street in New Orleans at night, or Istanbul by day, or Bangkok . . . or any of 21 cities. And do it all within a few minutes of each other.

You may not be able to travel very far at the moment but there’s nothing stopping you from whiling away some time exploring the great cities of the world, and all while listening to one of their local radio stations.

How?

Easy.  Go to https://travel-remotely.netlify.app/

Pick your city, decide whether you’d like to visit by day or night. Then sit back and enjoy the experience.

Here’s an idea.  Why not cook up an appropriate meal – gumbo, kebab, Pad Thai – darken the room and enjoy the aromas, the flavours as well as the sights and sounds.

Happy stay-at-home days.

 … Read more

A Great British Road Trip to Cambridge

A Great British Road Trip to Cambridge

Here’s a great British road trip that will take you from London to the world-famous university city of Cambridge, but the region has much more to offer than just the beauty of this ancient seat of learning.

This is an easy two-day tour that takes in some of East Anglia’s gorgeous little villages, the oldest Norman cathedral in the country and one of the Great Houses of England. You then have a whole day in Cambridge.  But why cut it short? Spend a couple of days in the city. There’s plenty to keep you occupied.

You could extend it much longer than that by exploring the rest of East Anglia, in particular Constable Country where the famous painter did much of his work.

Buy my eBook Great British Road Trips and it will help you do that and give you hundreds of road trip ideas in Britain. Go to https://greatbritishroadtrips.co.uk/… Read more

10 Places To Go On A British Road Trip This Autumn

10 Places To Go On A British Road Trip This Autumn

A recent study has revealed the 10 most popular British road trips.

Scotland’s North Coast 500 was voted Britain’s best road trip and Scottish routes took the top two spots.

A third of Brits say they’re happy to drive further than usual for a staycation.

The study, by Euro Car Parts, asked 2,000 drivers which UK road trips they are most interested in experiencing and found that Scotland’s epic North Coast 500 (31%) is the most popular drive in the country.

As the trees  start to show off their autumn finery, and while the weather is still warm it’s the perfect time to experience what a British road trip has to offer and taking a road trip is a great way to get off the traditional holiday trail and explore other parts of the country.

The study asked the UK public what their favourite road trips are in the … Read more

Get Right Inside Stonehenge

Get Right Inside Stonehenge

 

Just had something added to my bucket list. The Stone Circle Experience at Stonehenge.

When I first went there in 1979 you could get up close.  There was a rope “fence” around it but most people hopped over it and got inside the circle.

The ever-increasing numbers arriving at the site, however, meant that it had to be more tightly controlled so that, now, on the regular visiting opportunity you get near but not in.

Except . . .

Here’s an unforgettable opportunity to spend time inside the magical circle.

The Stone Circle Experience takes you up close to this world-famous monument. Learn the secrets of the stones from your knowledgeable host and experience the power and mystery of these ancient sarsens and bluestones for yourself.

Visits last for an hour and take place in the early morning or evening, outside normal visiting hours. They’re also subject to very … Read more

Five metres and one tonne of clear and present danger

Five metres and one tonne of clear and present danger

 

This is the big ole boy on the block.  A lean, mean, eating machine.

Five metres and one tonne of lethal force, he’s the boss of this stretch of river and he’s watching your every move.

A “saltie” – salt water crocodile – I filmed on a river cruise near Darwin this time last year.

Our guide told me that even fully submerged, lying in wait, he knows exactly where you are and every move you make and can strike with deadly speed.

Not an animal to trifle with. You sure as heck wouldn’t want to take a swim with him around.… Read more

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