wistful walks

Posted on October 25, 2016 by kathy

Poppy is usually accompanied on her walks by Michael but he has fallen victim to a nasty virus and so, Poppy has been taking me instead. We have been exploring the different paths and finding all sorts of interesting things. The morning mist as we start the River Walk is breathtaking

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and the forest is serene.

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Despite the lingering cold and wet, the spring flowers are trying their best.

I haven’t been along Spooky Path for a while. Soon after we moved here, I was walking this path with Poppy and was unnerved by the thumping sounds around me. Memories of the movie, ‘Predator’, whipped my nerves into a frenzy along with my imagination. Hence, Spooky Path was named. Where the path becomes swallowed by scrub, the valley drops out of sight to the Blythe River below and the ridge opposite seems so close.

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Poppy found some special newcomers in the forest.

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They grew very quickly and soon flew the nest.

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Down in the rainforest, the water is tumbling along in the stream

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and the manferns are lush with new growth.

On a damp morning

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we walked Pat’s Path, named for my sister who first discovered the path when she came for a holiday soon after we moved here.

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The views of the rainforest are stunning from this higher ground.

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After a while, the path disappears into the trees and we have to retrace our steps.

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You never know who you might meet on the way back home.

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Of course, Poppy is always ready to do one more path.

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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

and kangaroos.

It was a bit early for the wildflowers but they were lending some bursts of colour.

The Desert Rivers habitat was full of life, from the magnificent perenties enjoying the sun,

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to the black cockatoos posing majestically in the trees.

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The waterholes were popular

while some preferred dry land.

We had the opportunity to learn more about the wedge-tailed eagle

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and he very kindly posed for a photo.

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The reptile house was home to some cute lizards

and snakes.

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The tawny frogmouth looked very regal.

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Our day at the Desert Park was amazing

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and we left with some very special memories.

Benabbio doors

Posted on October 14, 2016 by kathy

One of the things I found fascinating in the Tuscan villages was the seemingly infinite array of doors. Wandering around Benabbio, I was intrigued by the lives unfolding behind these portals and what may have been in the past few hundred years. There were many green doors and I wondered at the significance.

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I found some interesting insights, from suggestions of traditional values, caring about home & community,

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to being ambitious and good with finances.

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Green insinuates health, safety, tranquility and harmony.

In ancient times, green was worn to appeal to nature spirits for protection.

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Whatever the reason, I think green is a fabulous colour for a front door.

Some doors were quite opulent

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or at least, displayed a certain style.

Others exhibited their many years of service.

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Then there were those that haven’t been opened in recent times.

I wonder what this mysterious little hatch was used for?

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Makers’ Workshop

Posted on October 11, 2016 by kathy

Makers’ Workshop opened in Burnie in 2009 as a place to honour the history, makers, innovators and artists of northwest Tasmania. The building, although criticized by some, won the Tasmanian Architectural Award in May 2010.

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It is a marvellous place to wander and absorb the myriad resident artists and their creations. From hats and jewellery

to glassware

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and hand-painted silk scarves.

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There is an area set out to watch the artisans at work.

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The fantastic retail space showcases the work beautifully and makes it very hard to resist a purchase.

After all that hard spending, you can relax in the café with something delicious

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or take in the latest exhibition in the gallery.

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Both offer a panoramic view of West Beach, moody on an overcast day.

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The diverse produce of the northwest coast is proudly promoted, our world famous cheeses are irresistible.

We can learn about the local potato and poppy farming

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and see the exquisite workmanship of talented luthier, Maria Perez-Pulido.

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You can try your hand at making paper under the guidance of experienced paper makers. Many different fibres are used, including roo poo and wombat poo, apple pulp, lavender and rainforest leaves.

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