Benabbio Castle

Posted on July 19, 2016 by kathy

In the hills behind the village of Benabbio lie the ruins of Castle Benabbio. One afternoon, we took a walk to the top of the village and found the path that would take us there.

1.walk 2.walk 3.walk 4.walk

There were intriguing reminders of the past as we made our way further up the hill.

We left the village behind

9.walk

and the views across the valley and village were breathtaking.

10.walk 11.walk 12.walk 13.view

Within the castle walls is the ancient church of San Michele, founded in 1218.

14.church

It is thought to be the first parish church of Benabbio but ceased religious activities after the dismantling of the defenses of the castle in 1334.

In 1855, the old medieval cemetery was used to bury the 44 victims of a cholera epidemic. There is a plaque, in their memory, on the outside wall of the church.

18.church

The castle has been the site of archeological excavations for years, with many important finds. Some parts of the walls remain intact.

19.castle

The castle was owned by the Lupari family who swore to the City of Lucca to guard the Apennines against enemy invasion.

When war broke out between the Florentines and Lucchesi in 1334, Lupo Lupari deceived the Lucchese who, in turn, travelled to Benabbio to punish Lupo. They claimed the castle and the Lupari family fled to Bologna. However, legend has it that Lupo is buried in a tunnel accessible from the existing well.

24.well 25.well

Eden Project

Posted on July 13, 2016 by kathy

We had been told about the wonders of the Eden Project by, believe it or not, a friendly parking inspector while visiting Bath. On an overcast morning, we drove to St. Austell to see for ourselves. Created in a reclaimed Cornish clay pit, the 35 acre site was a spectacular vision.

1.Eden Project

White domes bulged from the surrounding landscape,

2.Eden Project

their magnitude truly appreciated the nearer we walked.

3.Eden Project

Eden Project is intended to make us think about the relationship between people and plants, as well as the sustainability of our planet. The tropical biome is fifty metres high and four of the world’s rainforest environments are re-created in nearly 4 acres.

4.rainforest biome

I was reluctant to expose my camera to the hot, steamy atmosphere

5.rainforest biome 6.rainforest biome

and very relieved to enter the Mediterranean biome and a more agreeable climate.

7.mediterranean biome

There were some interesting installations

8.mediterranean biome 9.mediterranean biome 10.mediterranean biome

including sculptures depicting the Rites of Dionysus.

11.Rites of Dionysus sculptures

The Greek god of the vines and his followers seem to be enjoying themselves immensely.

12.Rites of Dionysus sculptures

The outdoor gardens represent the temperate regions of the world with more than 3,000 plant varieties.

13.outdoor gardens 14.outdoor gardens

Meandering our way along the paths, we encountered many surprises.

15.outdoor gardens

The living sculpture of Eve is made mostly of clay from Eden, she looks very relaxed amongst the trees.

18.Eve

The Giant Steel Man sculpture keeps an eye on the Hemp exhibit

The Industrial Flame Plant is a comment on fossil fuels. We are warned that most varieties of the genus ‘Industrialis’ extract energy stored in fossilized plant remains from ancient forests. They convert raw materials into a variety of useful products and harmful emissions. Widespread overplanting causes environmental damage and climate change.

21.Industrial Flame Plant

WEEE Man is a 3.3 tonne, 7m high structure representing the amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) the average British household throws away in a lifetime.

22.WEEE Man

The Core building is an education facility with interactive exhibits, the structure of which is based on a sunflower.

23.Core building

The Nutcracker was designed to get us thinking about how much energy and resources we often use to do simple things. A wind of the handle transports a hazelnut through a series of cogs, wheels, pulleys and cranks before it is eventually cracked.

24.The Nutcracker

Seed was fascinating. The 70 tonne sculpture is at the epicenter of the Core building and is carved from a single piece of granite. The complex pattern of protrusions are based upon the geometric and mathematical principles of plant growth.

25.Seed

There was so much to see at Eden Project, I’m sure we missed some of it. We shall have to return one day.

Uluru

Posted on July 8, 2016 by kathy

For many years, a visit to the centre of Australia was on our ‘must do’ list. After yearning to experience an iconic landmark and finally realising that dream, sometimes we are disappointed with the reality. As we approached Uluru, I was wondering if that would be the case this time. It wasn’t. The rock is awesome.

1.Uluru

Uluru is sacred to the Anangu, the Aboriginal people of the area. William Gosse first sighted it in 1873 and named it Ayers Rock in honour of the then Chief Secretary of South Australia, Sir Henry Ayers. Since then, both names have been used. Because of its great spiritual significance, the Anangu do not climb Uluru. The visitors guide suggests, ‘the climb is not prohibited, but we prefer that, as a guest on Anangu land, you will choose to respect our law and culture by not climbing.’ Alas, human nature is what it is.

2.climbing

We decided the best way to see the top was from a helicopter.

3.helicopter

The perspective from above showed the diverse features of this amazing sandstone formation. Standing 348m high, most of the bulk lies underground.

4.Uluru 5.Uluru 6.Uluru 7.Uluru 8.Uluru

The vastness of the desert was absolutely breathtaking, with Kata Tjuta rising from the landscape to break the monotony.

9.Kata Tjuta

The township and holiday resorts of Yulara offer an oasis in the desert.

10.Yulara

We then embarked on the base walk, 10.6km around Uluru. Visitors are asked not to photograph certain sections for reasons related to the traditional beliefs of the Anangu people. Prior to our visit, I had expected the rock to be quite featureless. On the contrary, it is truly remarkable.

11.rock

19.rock

The walk was exhausting on a hot, dry day

24.walk

but the rewards were many.

31.rock

With the sun descending, we bid farewell to Uluru

36.rock

with a long, cold beer in our sights.

Villa Grabau

Posted on July 6, 2016 by kathy

Lucca is surrounded by magnificent historical residences of the 16^th century. On a perfect spring day, three of us ventured out to discover a couple of them. Villa Grabau was first built in Renaissance style in the late 16th century,

1.villa 2.villa

then renovated in the 19th century in a neo-classical style.

3.villa

Following a tour of the villa, owned by the Grabau family since 1868, we explored the 9 hectares of beautiful gardens. Starting with the formal Italian garden behind the villa,

4.Italian garden 5.Italian garden

the pond lilies enjoying the sunshine.

6.lily pond 7.lily pond

We meandered along mysterious paths

8.path 10.path

never knowing quite what we would find.

The 17^th century limonaia was fascinating.

12.limonaia

Over 100 lemon trees are moved inside, in their terracotta pots, to shelter in winter.

13.limonaia

There are many rare species in the park,

we didn’t expect to find giant bamboo in an Italian garden.

The ‘Box Hedge Theatre’ was enchanting.

27.box hedge theatre

A stage defined by box tree hedges set in a secluded position,

28.box hedge theatre 29.box hedge theatre

the theatre garden contains two marble lions and a bubbling fountain.

30.box hedge theatre

Having worked up an appetite, we had a delicious al fresco lunch at a small roadside Osteria, Bottega sulla Fraga.

32.osteria

The English translation of the menu was dubious

but the meals were superb.

After lunch, we made our way to Villa Reale but that will be another post.

Mountain Valley

Posted on July 1, 2016 by kathy

Mountain Valley is a secluded retreat in the Loongana Valley, we first discovered while on holiday here.

1.setting

50km inland from the coast of northwest Tasmania, this 61 hectare Private Nature Reserve nestles beneath the majestic Black Bluff.

2.Black Bluff

There are six eco-cabins to choose from, our favourite is Blue Wren.

The Leven River flows through the property

7.river 8.river

and many an hour has been spent idly waiting to spy the elusive platypus.

9.river 10.river 11.river 12.river 13.cliff

Across the bridge,

14.bridge

the path follows the river. Trout can be seen jumping in the shallows

15.river 16.river

and the native hens appear when you least expect them.

17.river

The path becomes narrow and we still search for that perplexing platypus.

18.river 19.river

Native creatures abound in this sanctuary – wallabies, possums, quolls, birds and of course, our gorgeous pademelons.

We watched Tasmanian Devils and quolls eating their evening meal on the verandah. Our host placed tasty morsels for them at dusk and they slowly came after dark as Michael sat motionless among them while I opted to watch through the window.

22.Devil

The guided walk to the glow worm grotto took us through serene grassland,

23.walk to cave

and we learned the beautiful foxglove is regarded as an environmental weed in Tasmania.

24.foxglove

There are many walks to take through fern glades

25.walk to cave

and rainforest

to discover hidden caves.

31.walk to cave

There is much more to explore at Mountain Valley, it is a wonderful experience and for those who are feeling energetic, there is the walk to the top of Black Bluff.

32.Black Bluff

I am looking forward to our next visit. http://mountainvalley.com.au

cannonhillchronicles

Tasmania, travels & titillating tales

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