Penrhyn Castle

Posted on November 4, 2016 by kathy

Leaving Caernarfon, we followed the Menai Strait northward with the Isle of Anglesey across the water to our left. The Menai Bridge was built to carry traffic between Anglesey and mainland Wales.

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Construction began in 1819 with the towers on either side of the strait, built using stone from Penmon quarry on the island.

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It was the first iron suspension bridge of its kind in the world, completed in 1826.

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We walked across the bridge, stopping to admire the view northward to the Irish Sea.

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We couldn’t resist a visit to nearby Penrhyn Castle.

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It’s not really a castle at all but a country house built to resemble a Norman castle.

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Created between 1820 and 1833, Penrhyn was built on the site of a 14^th century manor house and is now owned by the National Trust.

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After exploring the gorgeous restored interior, we strolled through the grounds.

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The countryside was breathtaking, with views across Snowdonia National Park

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and north to Llandudno and the Great Orme.

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Whether you love or loathe the idea of a mock castle, you can’t help but be impressed by the workmanship.

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rail recollections

Posted on November 1, 2016 by kathy

This year we crossed another item off our bucket list. Having seen those TV programs of trans-continental train journeys, we thought how nice it would be to just relax on a train and be transported from one side of the country to the other. One Wednesday in August, we flew to Sydney to experience our own 4,352km rail odyssey. Arriving at Central Station early, the engine of the Indian Pacific was waiting patiently at the platform.

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We checked in our luggage and walked into the city for some lunch. When we returned, the carriages lined both sides of the platform.

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We sipped beverages and nibbled canapés while being entertained for an hour or so prior to boarding.

We found our cabin

and made ourselves at home

as we left Central Station behind.

Once our carriage attendant had familiarised us with the routine and off-train excursions, we made our way along the corridor,

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through four carriages, to the Outback Explorer Lounge.

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Many an hour was whiled away and a few bevvies imbibed in the comfort of the lounge.

I finished the book on the journey and left it behind for others to enjoy. The superb meals were served in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant and it was a great way to get to know our fellow travellers.

While we were out, the cabin elves created a cosy bedroom.

There was only one thing left to do after a long day.

Abetone

Posted on October 28, 2016 by kathy

On the last weekend of the guitar making course, Michael had some time off between coats of oil. The two of us took a drive to Abetone, a renowned skiing resort in the Apennines. There were remnants of snow on the alps and a bracing crispness in the air.

We parked the car just as some Vespa enthusiasts were leaving.

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The town was very quiet,

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most of the shops had closed and the hotels and holiday chalets were waiting patiently for next season.

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The view from the Hotel Bellavista was stunning, the ski runs clearly visible between the trees.

The chairlifts had been put to bed for the summer.

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There weren’t many places open for lunch but fortunately, we found La Casina. The open fire and cosy ambience were perfect

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along with the delicious food. The staff spoke no English and we inadvertently ordered roasted balsamic onions as our vegetable side dish.

We walked further after lunch, accompanied by magnificent scenery.

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Our stroll through a tranquil beech forest was cut short by two rather unfriendly dogs who didn’t like us on their turf.

From the higher ground, we had a different perspective of the alps

and of the town nestled snugly in the valley.

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It was time to wend our way back to Benabbio for that final coat of oil and our last night at Villa San Rocco.

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Caernarfon Castle

Posted on October 21, 2016 by kathy

Continuing northward through Wales, we stopped to admire the majesty of Caernarfon Castle. The original Norman castle on this site was replaced in 1283 when King Edward I began building his stone structure.

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The walls were built to suit the lie of the land which resulted in the internal grounds being shaped like a figure eight. The towers within the walls were not the usual round ones of other Edwardian castles but polygonal, each with a different number of sides.

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All were accommodation towers, the grandest being the ten-sided Eagle Tower. It has three turrets which were once decorated with stone eagles that have since weathered away.

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Walkways within the castle allowed for a closer look at the workmanship.

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From above we gained a different perspective of the towers

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and could really appreciate the expanse of the castle.

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The views of the River Seiont

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and harbour were captivating.

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I would love this pair of cannons for our driveway entrance.

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Long before there was a castle, the Romans built a fort nearby to defend the north Wales coast. Established around 78AD, Segontium held about a thousand soldiers.

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The fort was abandoned in the 4^th century and there is not much left to see of the ruins.

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The stone was plundered and used to build King Edward’s Caernarfon Castle.

Desert Park

Posted on October 18, 2016 by kathy

The last day of our Northern Territory holiday had arrived and we made the most of it at Alice Springs Desert Park. The ridge of Alhekulyele (Mt. Gillen) is a stunning backdrop to the 3,000 acre park.

We arrived in time for the Nature Theatre show to be entertained with demonstrations of free-flying birds of prey.

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The bush stone-curlew stole my heart again.

The park has three re-created desert habitats to explore: Sand Country, Woodland and Desert Rivers. The Woodland habitat includes enclosures for dingoes