LEAVE IT AND TAKE IT

There are stories here of ancient times, deep concealed caves, underground lakes, Jurassic Dolomite outcrops, bloody battles, wayfarers, pilgrims and faith transformed. Peoples have peregrinated through the valleys of the Franken Jura, this Fränkische Schweiz for centuries. We connect with their footsteps and weave our trail in its magnificent history. Beneath rocky limestone outcrops we leave laughter. On fortress peaks we leave awe. Along rivers windy we leave stories. In deep caverns we leave intrigue. Across rich green fields we leave gratitude. At town squares…

5 Comments

25/10/2018

joy / RAMBLINGS / The Netherlands / TRAVEL / TRAVEL RAMBLINGS / Uncategorized

Holy Sloot

The Netherlands -A modern day Atlantis, where Mulga Bill meets Willy Wonka. Bikes, sweets and self- confidence pile on top of dykes and delicacies while locks and levees protect this wet corner of the world from a sinking wet demise. Renowned for its liberal views, masochistic artists, boys with fingers in dikes, longstanding trading smarts, Ajax Amsterdam and the 17th century Golden Age; the country’s love of innovation, progression and unorthodoxy is refreshing. Stoic signs of Calvinism, reformational rebellion, protection of liberal freedoms and irreverent humour…

6 Comments

16/10/2018

Experience / joy / perspective / positive thinking / RAMBLINGS / TRAVEL / TRAVEL RAMBLINGS / Uncategorized

IMPRESSED

Bold expressions. Overt undertones. Contrasting canvasses. An arresting awareness of things optically, orally and aromatically atypical. An absorption of, immersion and participation in, the manifold encounters of cultural consonance and dissonance. I’m pressed to consider the new I’m pressed to adopt the unfamiliar I’m pressed to adjust periphery I’m pressed to admire I’m pressed to accept and embrace I’m pressed to understand I’m pressed to listen astutely I’m pressed to look deeper I’m pressed to learn richly I’m pressed to laugh I’m pressed to enjoy immeasurably…

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10/10/2018

Germany / hiking / joy / RAMBLINGS / TRAVEL / TRAVEL RAMBLINGS / Uncategorized

Schnitzel with Noodles

The soothing symphony of cowbells settle in the soul, The crisp sharp lines of mountain peaks deliver a sense of whole. Crystal lakes like diamonds shine glaciers ancient and old, Dazzling days and freezing nights the best of warm and cold. Herds in celebration mark a season turned, As shepherds drive their cattle down a winter break they’ve earned. Festivities of traditional dress, brezen and beer daze, A livelihood from cheese and milk of Hirten and Berg ‘Käs’. Balconies billowing red geraniums bright offset against fields…

1 Comment

28/09/2018

blessing / hiking / joy / RAMBLINGS / TRAVEL / TRAVEL RAMBLINGS / Uncategorized / UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Rhode to Riches

The I-95 takes us out of NYC via New Jersey on a drive that crosses 5 States in one day. New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. A drive through heavy industry; old manufacturing towns reformed, shaking old images, creating new economies, right through to quaint oceanside Newport. Where the history of commerce and trading runs deep, from slaves, to cargo and in later years gladiatorial yacht racing trophies. Richness runs wide in Newport Rhode Island. A town where opportunity and beauty have intertwined for…

4 Comments

18/09/2018

blessing / RAMBLINGS / TRAVEL / TRAVEL RAMBLINGS / Uncategorized / UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A Bite of the Big Apple

A trip into New York City for the uninitiated is similar to a ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ novel. Multiple options to select; path, characters and ending unknown.With the juxtaposition of introductions from 'gangster rappers' such as Jay Z, 50 Cent, Biggie and good old classic Blue Eyes Sinatra, an emulsion of expectations loom large and anticipation shines neon bright. Leaving the verdant parkland bordering right up to the mega metropolis, crossing the George Washington bridge over the meandering Hudson River into New Jersey, we were greeted…

3 Comments

13/09/2018

blessing / Courage / hiking / joy / LIFE RAMBLINGS / milestones / perspective / positive thinking / RAMBLINGS / Self help / TRAVEL / Uncategorized

Two Little Vowels

Trail and trial. Five exact same letters. Try saying them quickly multiple times over with a few additional words for a good tongue twister. A mere reversal of two vowels changes the entire context of expression, nuance of the communication or implication of the active out- workings of each noun. Def. Trail: a beaten path through rough country such as a forest. A route planned or followed for a particular purpose. Def. Trial: a test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or something.…

4 Comments

06/09/2018

Gratitude / perspective / RAMBLINGS / TRAVEL / TRAVEL RAMBLINGS

Humbled By History

In an ultimate game of archaeological hide and seek, the Ancestral Pueblo People established themselves in palatial cliff dwellings in what is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mese Verde: the modern day ‘humility through history’ experience. (Not mentioned anywhere on the park information or brochures!) Climbing down a rickety wooden ladder on the ranger lead tour, we are confronted with our modern day insignificance emanating from the eerie ‘Cliff Palace’. The largest multi storied, sophisticated cliff dwelling in the park, now a ruin. It…

1 Comment

30/08/2018

RAMBLINGS / TRAVEL / TRAVEL RAMBLINGS / Uncategorized

Streets of Gold

Moving from dry desert lands and explorers uncovering towering canyons, to a landscape rich in resources, where 1870’s miners sought their fortune in harsh territory. The rivers run yellow from the spoils of gold, iron, copper and silver drilling and fossicking. The area labelled ‘Little Switzerland’, although surrounded by the beautiful San Juan mountain passes and lush valleys, is a far cry for the early miners from the streets of bank lined Zurich. Dubbed the Million Dollar Highway, due to the ore in the roadbed, the…

3 Comments

28/08/2018

blessing / RAMBLINGS / TRAVEL / TRAVEL RAMBLINGS / Uncategorized

Canyons with Conviction

We’ve about used up all the synonyms for ‘beautiful’ travelling this countryside. Adjectives such as spectacular, dramatic, striking, eye-catching, breathtaking, glorious and of course ace, cool, awesome and grouse don’t seem to do justice to the ever unfolding layers of natural wonder. Dramatic juxtapositions of rugged and serene, gentle and ferocious, grandious and unpretentious; prompt the questions, “Can anything top this?”, “How do you rank beauty?”, “How do you begin to describe beauty?” To wax lyrical, or borrow from those much wiser, there are volumes of…

4 Comments

26/08/2018