Some time ago......... I arrived at Kinsale, the fishing and tourist village on Ireland’s south-west coast. Kinsale is famous for the historic Battle of Kinsale, in which the Irish and the Spanish fought the English, but lost in 1601, during the reign of Elizabeth I, was a turning point in Irish history. Quite chilly with a fair wind. I walked around then village and then visited the Armada Inn for lunch. Since seafood was the speciality, I ordered some fish and chips. During lunch … [Read more...]
Coast to Coast, UK, Grasmere-Patterdale 1
October 14, 2010 by
We were on the Coast to Coast walk across northern England and had overnighted at Grasmere in the Lake District. The fifth day: Our fellow breakfasters were an American couple who had walked the Coast to Coast path three years ago. Every year they return to Grasmere for a couple of weeks to indulge their passion for daily rambles in the district. Bob, our host, brought us food and regaled us with stories of his maritime days travelling the world as a “chippie” and later as a fiddler with a … [Read more...]
Assisi and St Clare
October 6, 2010 by
A brief detour from the Via Francigena, the 2000 km pilgrim path which joins Canterbury to Rome. We had arrived in Assisi, the home of St Francis, Italy’s patron saint, and checked into St Anthony’s Guest House. St. Anthony’s was well designed for pilgrims and travelers; a coffee machine, white and red wine in the fridge, a library, laundry and a large garden, often visited by melodious birds. Over lunch we met Peter, a Marist Brother and a headmaster of a Catholic school in Brisbane, … [Read more...]
Grasmere, Wordsworth and the Lake District – Part 3
September 23, 2010 by
We were in the Lake District on the Coast to Coast Walk across England, a 307 km journey. We were visiting Dove Cottage, one of Wordworth's home. Read on: Around this time the five Wordsworth children were born in the Lake District and the second eldest, William was to leave an indelible mark on English poetry. The middle three children, William, Dorothy and John were to maintain a close family bond throughout their lives. In 1789 the hated Bastille prison in Paris was stormed and the French … [Read more...]
Grasmere, Wordsworth and the Lake District – Part 2
September 20, 2010 by
We were in the Lake District on the Coast to Coast Walk across England, a 307 km journey. The story continues: After this pleasant interlude at Greenup Edge, there was further to go. The ridge walk continued alongside Calf Crag, Gibson Knott and Helm Crag. From here another surreal view presented itself. Down below were the narrow roads and green fields with the town of Grasmere sitting alongside its namesake – the lake of Grasmere. Through the crystal clear air, the little town seemed so … [Read more...]
Grasmere, Wordsworth and the Lake District – Part 1
September 13, 2010 by
To Grasmere Part 1 We had overnighted at the wonderful small village of Stonethwaite in England's Lake District. This was day four of a seventeen day walk from St. Bees on the Irish Sea to Robin Hood's Bay on the North Sea. For any of you who want to do this walk, we have a comprehensive downloadable course available. See the ads to the right - The Coast to Coast Walk. With the taste of a delicious marmalade still lingering, we set off towards the well known Lakeland town of Grasmere. Across … [Read more...]
The second most visited church in Italy
September 6, 2010 by
Assisi's Basilica San Francesco: We had been walking around the fabulous ancient hill-top town of Assisi as part of our journey along the Via Francigena. We followed the cobble-stoned road up to Piazza S. Francesco and entered the Lower Church of the Basilica San Francesco, the numero uno site in Assisi. This basilica ranked as the second most visited church after St. Peter’s in Rome. Leaders of the world's religions meet here for summits. The Basilica was built on the site where … [Read more...]
Travel Europe – meet a guidebook writer & Charlie Chaplin
August 31, 2010 by
Lausanne, Switzerland. On the Via Francigena When on the Via Francigena, there are precious few opportunities that come your way in regards to being ferried about instead of walking. Such an opportunity arose in travelling from Lausanne to Vevey - by ferry. In the morning, with the bright sun beaming in the sky, we walked down to the wharves at Ouchy past a metal fountain with the heads of three horses drinking. Finding the tourist office we booked two seats on one of the classic lake … [Read more...]
Canal Walk – Offa's Dyke
August 26, 2010 by
In a B&B at Buttington on the Offa's Dyke Path: Over a breakfast shared with Dan, our hostess Mona told us she had been doing B&B for 36 years since her husband’s death. Her husband had just got off the bus, returning from work when he was hit by a car. Mona was a sprightly pensioner, keeping herself busy with providing accommodation for walkers, looking after the local church and caring for a bed-ridden patient. Shows you that a busy life and the fresh Welsh air contribute to … [Read more...]
South Downs Way – Walker’s snacks, accommodation and the Telscombe Youth Hostel
August 23, 2010 by
We were on the South Downs Way, one of England’s fine walking paths and staying at the Frog Firle Youth Hostel. For an interesting description of this youth hostel see the article: South Downs Way – Frogs and White Horses Breakfast with youth hostellers Alan and Jane. Alan mentioned that he made bike wheels for a hobby. In those days, one of the conditions for staying at an English youth hostel, you had to perform a task, such as cleaning, or sweeping the floor. This wasn’t a bad idea … [Read more...]
