#perhaps i can travel to the uk by boat this spring.

[swissmissficrecs]

Other people’s favorites 2018 - Long fics

As I was assembling everyone's picks for their favorites from 2018 that didn't end up on  my own Best of 2018 list, the post was getting longer and longer so I decided to split it between long fics (over 10K) and short ones. I also had to disqualify some that were mentioned as they actually completed posting prior to 2018 or were in another fandom. Sorry if it wasn't clear, this was only for Sherlock Holmes fics. All of these are BBC verse. I hope this helps you discover something amazing!

A Hundred Crimson Sols by elldotsee (55K, E, Johnlock) Will Holmes is a chemical researcher recognized widely for his contributions to the new Mars exploration program. Thanks to his ground-breaking developments, the IMMC (International Mars Mission Corporation) is one step closer to Martian colonization. Will and his team of scientists are headed out on the first of three manned missions before the first group of settlers arrive. Three days before launch, one of the crew has to be replaced. Will panics because...new people. The replacement is of course one John Watson, biomedical engineer and space hottie who was pretty sure he had retired from actual space exploration and was now content to work in the nice, quiet research lab.

A Walk in the Woods by Ginger_Cat (16K, E, Johnlock) After a series of traumatic events, John has left London in self-imposed isolation. Permanently. There is, of course, one man who might succeed in bringing him home.

All We Do Is Fall by vitruvianwatson (16K, T, Johnlock) There's obviously a very good reason for Sherlock to take over John's bed in the middle of the night. It's absolutely not just because Sherlock is a drama queen, no siree, not at all.

Beauty from Ashes by BakerTumblings (209K, M, Johnlock) John Watson, MD, is a freelance Medical Coordinator, who has been hired by British Government leader Mycroft Holmes to work miracles on behalf of his brother, who is suffering from terrible sequelae of addiction, failure to thrive, and unsuccessful rehab stints. Cue the headstrong encounters!

Chaperones by MissDavis (34K, T, Johnlock) Right. Of course. Everyone assumed they were a couple and no one would question it. John put his elbows up on the table so he could rest his head in his hands. "You want to pretend to be a couple so we can chaperone a trip to Disney World with Rosie's class and you won't have to share a room with a stranger?"  "Exactly." Sherlock beamed at him. "Don't worry about the cost. The Birmingham case last month paid more than enough to cover expenses for all three of us."

Enigma by khorazir (289K, M, Johnlock) It’s the autumn of 1941, war is raging in Europe, German U-boats are raiding Allied convoys in the Atlantic, the Luftwaffe is bombing English cities, and the cryptographers at Bletchley Park are working feverishly to decode their enemies' encrypted communications. One should consider this challenge and distraction enough for capricious codebreaker Sherlock Holmes. But the true enigmas are yet waiting to be deciphered: an unbreakable code, a strange murder, and the arrival of Surgeon Captain John H. Watson of the Royal Navy.

Extricate - An Ex Files Special by 7PercentSolution (231K, E, Viclock) When Sherlock met Victor, and what happened next. A backstory that explains why caring truly may not be an advantage. This follows ACD canon and ignores BBC season 4, allowing the two of them to meet while at University.

Fragile by Tor_Raptor (160K, T, Gen) Sherlock gets sick, not 'he'll recover in a few days' sick, but hospitalised for a long time sick. His friends are all there to help him, but he is Sherlock, he doesn't want or need their help.

Give It Welcome by Glenmore (13K, T, Johnlock) Rosie Watson is commissioned to write a story about memories of her favourite gifts.

Heart's Desire by 88thParallel (20K, G, Johnlock, Jolto) Reeling after a tragic loss, John Watson is surprised when he finds love again. After a lifetime of illness, Sherlock Holmes finally feels his heart truly beat for another. But as they move toward something more serious, an unbelievable truth is revealed that threatens to break both their hearts for good.

Hello You by weeesi (20K, T, Johnlock) John kind of can’t believe he’s doing this and kind of can’t imagine doing anything else. He dips his head, heart pounding.

Hiraeth by BiancaAparo (281K, M, Johnlock, Warstan, Mollstrade, Sherlock/OFC) Sherlock scowled, “This is the thanks I receive for coming to fetch you.” “I never asked you to come get me!” Violet shouted as he slammed the bedroom door...

Keep Your Eyes Fixed on Me by elldotsee (26K, M, Johnlock) Nothing to theorize here- Sherlock jumped, and all The Queen's horses might not be able to put him together again. Sherlock was gravely injured when he hit the pavement. John is by his side, but things are a bit not good for both of them.

Licence to Kiss by fellshish (13K, T, Johnlock) Sherlock loves John, and John loves... James Bond. He only made Sherlock watch every single film. Tedious. And now John's birthday is coming up. Sherlock can't tell him how he feels, but he can organise an amazing gift: John's very own spy adventure. Sherlock begs Mycroft for a real case with some extra gadgets. And perhaps some actors pretending to be criminals. What could possibly go wrong?

Rewind by All_I_need (87K, E, Johnlock and Warstan) About a month before John's wedding, he and Sherlock embark on one last case together: a murder at a remote hotel in the middle of nowhere. A lot can happen in a week. And a lot doesn't. But what if ...?

Sherlock Holmes, undercover lover by fellshish (51K, E, Johnlock) When the celebrity bachelor on a dating show begins receiving death threats, Sherlock goes undercover as a contestant to try and solve the puzzle before it's too late. Problem: he doesn't know how to seduce people. Who better than John 'three continents' Watson to provide seduction tips? It's not gay if you're helping out a friend.

Signs Following by Vulgarweed (24K, E, Johnlock) 1976. Bone Fiddle-verse; Appalachian AU. A couple years into their relationship, John and Sherlock are cozily setting up for spring with Mrs. Hudson's expert guidance when a distraught young woman appeals to them for help and sends them on one of their strangest cases yet - in order to solve one murder and prevent another, they must tangle with a sinister preacher and enter the much-sensationalized, little-understood world of Pentecostal Holiness believers who strictly observe Mark 16: 17-18.

The Darkness Within, So Close by shiplocks_of_love (42K, T, Gen) Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller deal with a new string of murders in Broadchurch. Help comes from an unlikely place as Sherlock Holmes and John Watson travel to West Dorset. But when the new crimes open old wounds and unearth the ghost of Moriarty, it becomes clear the game is not over yet.

The Dead Detective by DiscordantWords (47K, M, Johnlock) John Watson has spent the last three years of his life simply going through the motions. A chance encounter with a man claiming to be a stranded spy changes everything.

The Real Great Perfumers by shelleysprometheus (45K, E, Johnlock) The case, this case. This extraordinary, fascinating, scintillating case. A house. Designed entirely by its eccentric owner, built by no less than five hundred expert tradesmen in the heart of Marrakesh. A house that had, seemingly not only driven its owner out, but also to his quite unpleasant death. And a perfumer, a chemist no less, the very thought of the secrets that house could reveal, would reveal was irresistible. Sherlock had to have this case ... and it seems, he also had to have John!

The Subscription by delightful_fear (25K, E, Johnlock) John is back in the UK, but he's stuck in a bit of a rut. Some friends get him a subscription to add some excitement back into his life...

whiskies neat by Ellipsical (20K, E, Johnlock) Home and hearth and whiskies neat, or, alternatively, Sherlock Holmes falls in love.

#rec list #other people's recs

[senior70]

In which a New Geographic Nomenclature for Ontario is suggested as an Opiate for the Scourge of Torontocentrism

Some of us Ontario residents enjoy life outside that small and most southerly portion of the Province of Ontario where a large number of ill advised residents live.  They dwell in the path of successive storms that track from the southwest along the trend of the Appalachians, in the zone of lake-effect snows from northwestern air masses crossing the Great Lakes and, at other times, sweat in the oppressive heat and humidity of air creeping over the region from the west.  Their bubble is tiny and crowded and deeply affected by the geographic ignorance syndrome known as “Torontocentrism”. 

Those who suffer this malady are blissfully ignorant of the geography of any part of the Province lying more than a little north of Toronto, though thousands do submit to the summer weekend traffic snarls to spend a night or two in “cottage country”, which most of them perceive as an adventure to the edge of the known world, a transitional area between “civilization” and that which is “beyond the pale” that is daringly referred to as “Northern Ontario”, even though it lies within 300km of downtown Toronto.

Their world is small, largely confined to “Central Ontario” which is very loosely described as that area between Georgian Bay and the eastern end of Lake Ontario. The cities of London and Windsor, in their minds, lie in “South Western Ontario”, and Kingston and Ottawa lie in “Eastern Ontario”. However, similar terminology covers rather different divisions of Southern Ontario, such that real estate and health related divisions are in no way comparable. One thing that is certain, however, is that anything north of Parry Sound, or, indeed, of Barrie, is “Northern” and, as is strongly perceived by them, everything gets a lot worse as one ventures into the northern wastelands, even if one carries one’s security blanket.

Maps of Ontario, found in Atlases, are usually in two parts. Most of a double page will display Southern Ontario in all its glory, and an inset map in the corner remains to display the rest, but often not all, of the Province. Those suffering Torontocentrism are not, it seems, well versed in the concept of scale, and so conclude that a day’s drive will land them in Kenora, or even Winnipeg, for the night. Small motels between Wawa and Nipigon are accustomed to opening their doors to weary and perplexed Torontonian travellers, somewhat confused by the fact that they have not yet reached the Manitoba border. They would have been advised to consult map software that would have told them that Winnipeg lies just over 2000 km away and, in good road conditions, is an estimated 23 hour drive.

Thunder Bay residents are wearily used to phone calls and posted special offers urging them to frequent stores and services in Toronto. Receiving the offer of a free hearing test by CARP, the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, with Head Offices in Toronto, one discovers that the company offering this promotion has its most northerly office in the Sault, a mere 700 km drive away, estimated to take 8 hours, each way. Another touch of Torontocentrism. The caller from the Hudson’s Bay Department Store, with Head Offices in Toronto, trying to promote their shopping card, was surprised to learn that Toronto was thought to be rather far away to go shopping, so chirpily pointed out that there was a Bay in Winnipeg, only a 700 km, 8 hour drive, though in the other direction. The company offering to give a free estimate for installing solar panels on residential roofs, with Head Offices in the GTA, was a little confused by the Postal Code stated on the request of a Thunder Bay resident. They had not installed solar panels in any location north of Midland, it seemed. The representative was a little surprised to be informed that Thunder Bay receives a greater number of sunshine hours than does Toronto. The Weather Network banner announces 30 cm of snow due in “Ontario”, but this rough weather will in fact be experience by only that tiny sliver of the Province between Windsor and Ottawa. Their head office is in Oakville. Meanwhile, the rest of the Province basks under clear skies and sunshine.

There is, I believe, an antidote to Torontocentrism, and that is education of the ignorant. However, the ignorant are remarkably resistant to education, their vision blinkered by their malady, their knowledge base impervious to the realities of Canadian geography and their travel experience limited to that which can be reached within a few hours drive of their homes.

The only cure I can suggest is the formal adoption of a new geographic nomenclature for Ontario by no less than the Provincial Government of the Province. Enforced education is perhaps the only effective way of dealing with this deeply ingrained geographic ignorance syndrome.

Let us begin by dealing with the terms “South” and “North”. The latitudinal (south to north) extent of the Province is from Middle Island, part of Point Pelee National Park (41.685°N) to the intersection of the Manitoba border with the shore of Hudson Bay (56.857°N) a span of 15.172°. The latitude marking the bisector of the Province into Southern and Northern halves is thus 49.253°N (Figure 1). The most passed through habitation close to this line is English River (49.216°N), an unincorporated place on the Trans Canada Highway, 189 km and 2 hours drive northwest of Thunder Bay, and worthy of a road sign informing travellers that they are passing from Southern to Northern Ontario or vice versa at this point in their journey.

Figure 1.  

However, there is the term “Central” to be clarified also, particularly for those sufferers who are under the misapprehension that they live in “Central Ontario”, but do not. Dividing the latitudinal span of the Province into three equal parts would give us “Southern”, “Central” and “Northern” Ontario, each 5.057° in latitudinal width (Figure 2). By this perfectly logical geographic division, the boundary between Southern Ontario and Central Ontario would lie at 46.742°N. The most easily identified location of this boundary would be where the Trans Canada Highway crosses the Goulais River, 30 km north of Sault Ste. Marie. The Sault, Sudbury and, ironically, North Bay, (despite its name) all lie in Southern Ontario. 

Figure 2. 

Thunder Bay, population 110,172 (48.381°N, 89.247°W), which lies south of the 49th parallel and thus south of all of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, is the largest city of Central Ontario and the major service city for both Central and Northern Ontario. Interestingly, Nipigon (49.016°N), 117 km to the east, on the Trans Canada Highway, is just north of this significant parallel, a fact which should be heralded by an informative road sign telling travellers from Southern Ontario that they have at last reached the southern border of much of the rest of Canada.

The boundary between Central Ontario and North Ontario lies at 51.800°N (Figure 2). Interestingly, the community of Pikangikum lies exactly on this latitude. With a population of 2,300, this community is the largest First Nation community in Northern Ontario, with an estimated 75% of the population below 25 years of age. It will likely come as a shock to those suffering Torontocentrism to be told that the communities of Northern Ontario can only be reached by air in summer and, in some cases, by ice road in the winter months. Note that Moosonee, pop. 1,481 (51.273°N) and Moose Factory (51.262°N) near the mouth of the Moose River, and Ontario’s only saltwater port, both lie within Central Ontario. Note also, the furthest north one can drive in the Province is to Pickle Lake (51.467°N), a 530 km drive north of Thunder Bay. Moosonee can only be reached by a train ride of 360 km from Cochrane (49.065°N), on the Polar Bear Express. Moose Factory, on an island in the Moose River, is reached by boat, and at times in spring and fall, only by helicopter.

One has yet to consider the terms “West” and “East”, both terms used by those suffering Torontocentralism to describe their fairly immediate surroundings. In particular, the use of “Southwestern Ontario” needs to be re-evaluated. Again applying the logic of geography, it needs to be noted that the easternmost Longitude of the Province is a point in the St. Lawrence River, just a fraction further east than Riviere Baudette, Quebec (74.339W) at 74.321°W (bearing in mind that Longitude is measured as degrees west and east of the Prime Meridian which passes through the Royal Observatory, in Greenwich, London, UK.). The westernmost Longitude of Ontario is that coincident with part of the Ontario/Manitoba, at 95.153°W, the longitudinal span of Ontario being 20.832°. 

It follows that the mid longitude of Ontario, that divides the Province into equal Eastern and Western parts of 10.416° width, is 84.737°W. This meridian cuts the coast of Hudson Bay just east of the mouth of the Winisk River, passing through Polar Bear Provincial Park. It runs south, passing just to the west of Sault Ste. Marie (84.335°W) and down the Michigan Peninsula, running just to the west of Lansing (84.555°W) (Figure 3).

Figure 3. 

This division allows for the terms North Western and North Eastern Ontario,  and West Central and East Central Ontario. As indicated previously, Thunder Bay is clearly the dominant city of West Central Ontario, and Timmins, pop 41,788 (48.475°W, 81.330°W) can claim to be the most significant community in East Central Ontario. Understandably, Toronto, pop. 2.93 million (43.6532° N, 79.3832° W) is the dominant city of South Eastern Ontario. However, there is no South Western sextant of Ontario, primarily because the Province extends not only north of Toronto but considerably to the west, a fact unrecognized by sufferers of Torontocentrism. Windsor (83.03°W) can best be described as situated at the far western end of South Eastern Ontario.

One more detail needs to be considered within this opiate package of factual information, and that concerns the location of the centre of the Province of Ontario, that is the geographical centre as distinct from Toronto which Torontocentrism sufferers appear to believe is the centre of everything. Having identified the mid latitude as 49.253°N and the mid longitude or meridian as 84.737°W, the centre of the Province is where these two lines intersect (Figure 4).

Figure 4. 

That point lies a little west of the shore of St. Onge’s Lake, a little known small body of water a few kilometres north and east of Hornepayne, pop. 980 (49.2122° N, 84.7714° W) in Central Ontario (Figure 5). Hornepayne lies in the country between the Trans Canada Highway and Highway 11 (“the Northern route”), on Highway 631, which joins the two main routes, running north from White River, pop. 645 (48.5940° N, 85.2748° W). Hornepayne deserves recognition as the community at the centre (almost) of the Province of Ontario. 

Figure 5. 

So, I have presented above, a logical geographic nomenclature for the location of regions and places in the Province of Ontario, a sturdy and defensible replacement for the truly laughable terminology in use by those who suffer the geographic ignorance syndrome of Torontocentralism. It is one that I believe should be adopted by the Government of Ontario, forthwith.

I rest my case.

senior70.

December 2019

[vacationsoup]

New Post has been published on https://vacationsoup.com/active-family-holidays-and-weekends-in-county-durham/

Active family holidays and weekends in County Durham

Those shoes were made for walking – or cycling – or white-water water rafting. One of the best ways to explore everything that County Durham has to offer is to get out into the great outdoors and make your own family memories. And, if you’ve booked a family group accommodation holiday at Fairfield House, near Stanhope, this is just what you’ll be able to do.

Overlooking the Weardale countryside, Fairfield House sits atop a hill in the small town of Stanhope and is perfect for large groups wanting a holiday house in County Durham. Which makes it a perfect base for an activity-based holiday in this beautiful part of the UK.

If you and your loved ones are up for a challenge, why not think about doing part (or all?!) of the Sea to Sea (C2C) cycle route, the UK’s most popular challenge cycle route. It spans 136 miles between the Irish and North Seas, taking you part of the way along some of the railway paths of County Durham. But be aware, it’s category Difficult so not for the faint-hearted!

Looking for just as much of an adrenalin rush but perhaps not quite so demanding? Then why not experience white water rafting at Tees Barrage International White Water Centre? White water rafting is a fun, fast and unforgettable activity for anyone – and you don’t need any prior experience. Usually, this sport is reserved for those over 14 but Tees Barrage have introduced family rafting sessions that make perfect days out for kids and adults. Their exciting family rafting sessions are ideal for adults and youngsters aged 10 years and over.

They also offer powerboat trips, stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing and kayaking and bell boating (no, we hadn’t heard of it either!). A bell boat works similar to a canoe except it is designed to hold more people with maximum stability. If you’re thinking of a good group activity for the family, this is it.

Or try the Weardale Adventure Centre, which offers activities from trekking to gorge walking, climbing to caving. As a day visitor, you can choose your own activities and they will tailor a programme just for your group.

Going back to cycling, Hamsterley Forest is one of the Northeast’s best mountain bike destinations, with over 2000 hectares of forest to explore on 33 miles of marked trails and countless more miles of forest road. Again, probably not for the faint-hearted but there are trails more suited to a family group.

Horse lovers should try the Baldersdale Packhorse Trail, a circular 18km (60% off-road) horse riding trail with 370m of ascent. It starts from the south side of Hury Reservoir and follows the banks of the Hury and Blackton Reservoirs in remote Baldersdale, before striking off over the moors on the Pennine Way. Broom House Forest is ideal for younger families looking for a bit of adventure. It offers a fun-filled area where you can climb towers, follow nature trails, whiz down slides, zoom along a zip wire, crawl under and through tunnels and explore some gorgeous woodland. There are other activities available too, including laser tag, quad biking, clay pigeon shooting and other wonderful things. There is also a coffee shop where you can replenish your energy stocks!

Hardwick Park is a great place to visit at any time of the year. With free admission (other than car parking charges), you can stroll through the historic parkland admiring the natural beauty of the lake, woodland and wildlife. Remember to experience the visitor centre to learn about the history and restoration of the park, and take a look in the gift shop before a bit of R and R into the Tower Cafe.

Last of all, take a few days to explore the Durham Heritage Coastline. With its dramatic views out across the North Sea, the area offers a rich tapestry of natural, historical and geological features. The area is best explored on foot along the coastal path to appreciate the natural beauty and rural landscape. This stretch of the coast is as interesting as it is varied; its shallow bays hide a wealth of stories of adventure and discovery. Get active walking the Coastal Path or try your hand at one of the watersports on offer.

The Durham Heritage coast’s designated landscapes are home to a rich variety of plants and wildlife. In the spring, the nature reserves along the coast are home to a breeding colony of Little Terns, one of Britain’s rarest sea birds. Explore Seaham, a small harbour town with spectacular views from the clifftop down to the harbour and sandy beach below. The local heritage centre and statue of the World War I “Tommy” explore the role of this part of the coast during the war. You can also explore the industrial heritage of the many small mining communities. The inspiration of the fictional town in the Billy Elliot film and musical, these colliery towns which seem idyllic today were once industrial centres. Discover a wealth of local tales, which bring to life this important part of our heritage. To the south is the Tees valley with its seaside towns of Redcar and Saltburn-by-the-Sea. These popular resorts in the Victorian era are home to a water powered cliff lift and impressive pier that extends 200 metres from the shoreline. County Durham really does have something for everyone and if it’s an active family holiday you’re after, this is the place!

Travel Tip created by Helen Thomas in association with Vacation Soup

#Berkshire #HenleyOnThames #HolidayInSatwell #Satwell #VacationInSatwell #VacationSoup

[chriskarrtravelblog]

2020 Hay Festival goes online

The 2020 Hay Festival has launched a free digital festival, which is online until 31 May. The festival features novelists Hilary Mantel, Anne Enright, Elif Shafak, Roddy Doyle, Margaret Atwood, Ingrid Persaud, Polly Samson, Ali Smith and Jessie Burton; actors and comedians Stephen Fry, Helena Bonham Carter, Dominic West, Sandi Toksvig, Vanessa Redgrave, Benedict Cumberbatch, Helen McCrory and Jonathan Pryce; and many more. 

In honour of our favourite literary festival, we asked a host of speakers and literary lights, “What’s your favourite place to visit in Britain and why?” Here are their responses.

Martin Shaw, author of Courting the Wild Twin (Chelsea Green Publishing, hardback RRP £14.99)

I’m lucky, the place I most love to visit is the place I live, Dartmoor National Park. Dartmoor is amok with 365 square miles of granite tors, swamp, old growth oak forest and staggering views right out over to the grey teeth of the sea near Teignmouth. Be warned, it’s prone to mood swings, and the petrol gauge has a nasty habit of hitting empty at dusk. It has proper, unbridled spook. There’s a pub (the Warren Inn) whose fire hasn’t gone out since the 19th Century, and contains beer as dark and chewy as the inevitable storm overhead. 

Brigit Strawbridge-Howard, author of Dancing with Bees (Chelsea Green Publishing, paperback RRP £10.99)

I fell in love with Northumberland on a school field trip, when I was just 13 years old. From the youth hostel in Wooler (still there today), we walked and picnicked in the Cheviots, travelled by boat to the Inner Farnes, and spent a glorious sunny afternoon exploring the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. I have returned since with my husband, my children and my grandchildren, and loved each and every visit. Northumberland has everything: history, walls, puffins, hares, romance, vast empty beaches and skies, castles, hills, rivers, rocks, and wild open spaces where you can breathe, and feel fully and completely alive. Definitely my favourite place in Britain to visit!

Lara Maiklem, author of Mudlarking (Bloomsbury, paperback RRP £9.99)

My favourite place to visit is a village on the Kent coast called St Margaret’s-at-Cliffe. It was my escape from London for years, I wrote part of my book here, and I have good memories of it. There is a small pebbly beach, which is perfect for seaweed collecting and pebble hunting, and a pub with views over the Channel to France, which is tantalisingly close. The walk from St Margaret’s Bay, over the white cliffs to Dover, is dramatic and moving. It is the front door of the nation, so as well as a sense of end there is also a feeling of welcome and beginning. 

David Abulafia, author of The Boundless Sea (Allen Lane, hardback RRP £35)

Credit: Marit Hommedal/SCANPIX

I live in (and prefer) Cambridge, so to say that my favourite place to visit is Oxford might sound like a predictable answer.  But it is the difference between the cities rather than their similarity that draws me to Oxford. The palatial grandeur of Radcliffe Square and the nearby colleges and libraries is not matched in Cambridge; nor does Cambridge make nearly as much use of the honey-coloured stone that is one of Oxford’s glories. And North Oxford, with its massive villas, parks and riverside walks, is a different and delightful world away from the crowds.

Miranda Krestovnikoff, author of The Sea (Bloomsbury Children’s, hardback RRP £12.99)

I love the island of Skomer, especially in May where it is washed with indigo as the bluebells emerge.  This is also the season to see the puffins – characterful birds with rainbow-coloured beaks, who always seem to be in a hurry. They nest in old rabbit burrows, the same pair nesting in each burrow year after year. Standing in amongst them, you are surrounded by wheeling birds coming in to feed their newly hatched chicks or pufflings, closely followed by marauding black-backed gulls looking for an easy meal.  At night, the nocturnal Manx shearwaters return to the island – tens of thousands of them. Poorly adapted to life on land, they land clumsily before waddling to the safety of their burrows. The sights and sounds of such huge numbers of these and many other seabirds is a real wildlife spectacle.

Jackie Morris, author of The Unbinding (Unbound, coming soon)

Credit: Davina Jelle

Two places draw my heart back. Both revolve around bookshops. 

The first is Dulverton in Somerset, tucked into steep wooded valleys, where the trees colour the land, bird filled and raucous with rooks. Number Seven is the smallest of shops but so filled with beauty, it’s a real haven.

The second is Grasmere, where I swam in the lake that mirrored the hills. Where a heron in flight almost touched wing tips to fingers. Where I sat beneath a beech tree drinking lavender tea in Faeryland, talking of swans. Where Sam Read books has shelves filled with wonder.

Oliver Bullough, author of Moneyland (Profile Books, paperback RRP £9.99)

I love wild bits of the British coastline, whether that’s northern Norfolk and the seals of Blakeney Point, or Jura and the crazed waters of the Corryvreckan, or the fossil beaches of Robin Hood’s Bay. For me, the best of the lot is the coastline of northern Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, from Strumble Head, past the Teifi Estuary (with lunch at the market in St Dogmaels), on to Mwnt – with its gem of a chapel, and its tiny beach – and along to Penbryn beach. It’s as good as Cornwall, with a fraction of the crowds. 

Stephen Moss, author of The Accidental Countryside (Guardian Faber Publishing, hardback RRP £16.99)

I just need to pop down the road from my Somerset home, to the Avalon Marshes. These former peat diggings, within sight of Glastonbury Tor, have been restored as nature reserves, and are now one of the best places in Britain for birds. In winter, they are home to the famous starling murmuration, and watching these huge flocks as they form patterns against the setting sun is simply unforgettable. In spring and summer, the marshes echo to the sound of warblers, newly returned from their African winter-quarters, while great white and cattle egrets, and the secretive bittern, feed amongst the reeds and pools. 

Gavin Francis, author of Island Dreams (Canongate, hardback RRP £20)

As a boy my holidays would be to campsites of Fife’s coast; at night, as I drifted off to sleep, I’d watch the lighthouse on the May Island and dream of reaching it. In the Middle Ages its chapel was a place of pilgrimage; the whole island is now a National Nature Reserve and home to thousands of puffins, auks and gulls. In my twenties, finally, I went there as a volunteer nature warden, and the beauty and tranquillity of those weeks, the simplicity and the satisfactions of living and working there, have been a touchstone for me ever since. 

Joseph Coehlo, poet and author of Poems Aloud (Wide Eyed Editions, hardback RRP £12.99)

I’m a huge fan of antique shops and Rye has a tonne of them, I believe around 50 odd. So Rye is perfect for exploring and getting lost and perhaps finding some treasure, or at the very least some lovely tea and cakes. Nearby Winchelsea is also very much worth a visit for the Parish of Winchelsea and its associated ruins. When you’re done with the ruins and antique shops and had tea and cake, the sea isn’t too far away for a paddle. 

Mark Haddon, author of The Porpoise (Vintage, paperback RRP £8.99)

Very possibly the Pembrokeshire coastal path from Tenby to Abereiddy or thereabouts, excluding the Milford Haven oil refinery but very much including Skomer and Ramsay Islands. Running sections of it, early on a clear winter morning before everyone else is up and about is a particularly glorious thing to do. Sometimes, if I’m feeling cabined and confined, I will walk a section on Google Street View and even that makes my heart lift and swell.

Jenny Valentine, author of Hello Now (HarperCollins Publishers, paperback RRP £7.99)

I live in the landscape of the Black Mountains in Wales, rich and green, full of light and open spaces, so my favourite place to visit in the UK, for contrast, is my old home, London.  I miss crowds and strangers and movement and Art and noise and restaurants and traffic and Film and conversation and histories on that kind of scale. I love the pace of it, the flow and mess and heart and guts. From Hackney to Southbank to Hampstead Heath, as a guest in the city there is always something to see, something to learn, something to get involved in.

Allie Esiri, author of Shakespeare for Every Day of the Year (Pan Macmillan, hardback RRP £18.99)

If you have never been, you may know the north coast of Cornwall as the backdrop to Poldark moodily riding his horse across the cliff tops. The area is protected by the National Trust and is largely uninhabited save for the odd flock of handsome sheep. If you take a boat out you can see the old smugglers’ coves where pirates – as the storylines of Poldark often plundered – used to smuggle in their illicit loot. I love the cliffs, the coves and the beaches and you have to stop me quoting from Kipling’s poem, ‘A Smuggler’s Song’. 

If you wake at midnight, and hear a horse’s feet,

Don’t go drawing back the blind, or looking in the street,

Them that asks no questions they isn’t told a lie.

Watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by!

Five-and-twenty ponies, trotting through the dark—

With brandy for the Parson and ‘baccy for the Clerk.

Laces for a lady and letters for a spy,

And watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by!

Running round the woodlump if you chance to find

Little barrels, roped and tarred, all full of brandy-wine;

Don’t you shout to come and look, nor use ’em for your play;

Put the brushwood back again,—and they’ll be gone next day!

If you see the stable-door setting open wide;

If you see a tired horse lying down inside;

If your mother mends a coat cut about and tore;

If the lining’s wet and warm—don’t you ask no more!

If you meet King George’s men, dressed in blue and red,

You be careful what you say, and mindful what is said.

If they call you “pretty maid”, and chuck you ‘neath the chin,

Don’t you tell where no one is, nor yet where no one’s been!

Knocks and footsteps round the house—whistles after dark—

You’ve no call for running out until the house-dogs bark.

Trusty’s here, and Pincher’s here, and see how dumb they lie—

They don’t fret to follow when the Gentlemen go by!

If you do as you’ve been told, likely there’s a chance

You’ll be give a dainty doll, all the way from France,

With a cap of Valenciennes, and a velvet hood—

A present from the Gentlemen, along o’ being good!

Five-and-twenty ponies, trotting through the dark—

Brandy for the Parson, ‘baccy for the Clerk.

Them that asks no questions isn’t told a lie—

So watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by!

  Explore highlights from past editions at hayfestival.org/hayplayer

  The post 2020 Hay Festival goes online appeared first on Britain Magazine | The official magazine of Visit Britain | Best of British History, Royal Family,Travel and Culture.

Britain Magazine | The official magazine of Visit Britain | Best of British History, Royal Family,Travel and Culture https://www.britain-magazine.com/features/hay-festival-authors-describe-their-favourite-spots-in-britain/

source https://coragemonik.wordpress.com/2020/05/20/2020-hay-festival-goes-online/

[qualkoesuce-blog]

Asian speed dating london uk

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[travelexperienceblog]

After the three of us had finally met up in the final few days of our time in Siem Reap, we were ready to start Vietnam together. After waiting for more than an hour to get our visa sorted in the airport, we were finally ready to set foot into Vietnam. Side note: If you are from the UK and are travelling to Vietnam for more than 15 days you will have to pay $25 for a visa.

  Before we started our Asia trip, we had researched what were the best things to do in Vietnam. We found 3 activities which looked awesome; trips to places called Ha Long Bay and Sapa, and a weeklong venture called The Buffalo Run, which takes you down the coast from Hanoi to Hoi An. We did all of these with a group called Vietnam Backpacker Hostels, who organise various expeditions as well as running five top quality hostels in different cities in Vietnam.

Our adventure started in Hanoi, where we had one day to spend before heading off to Ha Long Bay. We stayed at Downtown Vietnam Backpackers Hostel and I would highly recommend this hostel for anyone looking to have a good time (particularly a good night).

During our one day stay in Hanoi we went on the free walking tour that the hostel offers. The free walk was okay, nothing special, but it was free and it was a way of experiencing the city quickly. The tour was also a good way to meet some people before we left to Ha Long Bay. During the night time, we went around Hoàn Kiếm Lake which is where Hanoi comes alive. Here, there are plenty of street performers and games for everyone to get involved in. We partook in and won a tug of war consisting of over 50 people! When we got back to the hostel the free pub crawl was very tempting, however, as we had to wake up early for Ha Long Bay we decided to give it a miss. Nevertheless, we would recommend this bar crawl as so many people said they had a great time and an easy way to find all the best bars and clubs.

The journey to Ha Long Bay wasn’t the shortest of our travels; the two buses and two ferries took about five and a half hours in total, setting off at 6:30am. Luckily, Vietnam Backpacker Hostels include a breakfast with your stay, and are up to make it before this time. The difference with booking your Ha Long Bay trip with VBH is that you get to go to Castaway Island. Here, you can explore the bay as well as have a continuous three day/two night party (if you survive through it all!). This is a must do! Not only do you get your own private island, but you can participate in activities such as rock climbing, kayaking, wakeboarding, and high-speed tubing.  However, if filming with a go-pro do be careful whilst doing these activities. We give this warning as unfortunately we lost a go-pro whilst kayaking and lost 3 weeks-worth of films on it (most of Ha Long Bay). Regardless, we couldn’t let this get us down as you’re constantly meeting new people and having fun in so many ways that you soon forget about all your problems. Additionally, the second day on the Island you get your own private ‘sightseeing tour’ (read: booze cruise), where you start the day with a shotgun and end the day wasted. There is a lot of drinking, but the islands of Ha Long Bay are genuinely incredible to see. We met a lot of amazing people, some we would later meet again in Vietnam, and it was an experience that we will never forget.

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After returning from Ha Long Bay to Hanoi for the night, we woke up again at 6.30am to leave to Sapa. A six-hour bus journey into the mountains takes you to a hotel for a one-night stay. The hotel we stayed at offered a motorbike rental scheme, which we decided to take advantage of and visit some waterfalls, as well as Sapa’s breath-taking mountain range views. Note if you are renting bikes in Vietnam (or most countries in South-East Asia), please be careful when riding as the roads are crazy and the rules most Westerners have grown up with do not apply. One of us was forced to fall off a bike when a lorry decided he didn’t want to wait any longer to pull out in front of us, but luckily escaped with no injuries. It was a shame we couldn’t say the same about the bike!

The next day a local guide came to our hotel and took us to the starting place of our two-day expedition through the mountains. The treks last most of the day but we did have some free time to swim in the river and grab a bite to eat. There aren’t any hotels or hostels in the mountain ranges of Sapa, so your only chance of a bed for the night is a homestay, provided by the locals who live there. After finally reaching our home stay late in the day we got food and got to know the people we trekked with better. I would recommend getting an early night however, as you will be trekking again all day until you come back out of the mountains and get another six-hour bus journey back to Hanoi.

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After one final night in Hanoi after Sapa, we left to start the Buffalo Run. The Buffalo Run is an epic week-long adventure where you start in Hanoi and finish in Hoi An. Inspired from Top Gears Vietnam Special, the Buffalo Run gives you a great chance to experience the culture, the scenery and history of Vietnam. Like the other trips, it also gives you a great chance to meet new people from all over the world and since you’re with them for a week, really get to know each other.

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On the first day of a trip down to Hoi An, we cycled to a local temple where our tour guide (Ricky) explained about history of Vietnam and its kings. After this we took a two-hour boat tour through caves and around mountains where they filmed ‘Kong: Skull Island’. This was a lot of fun as everyone we met got competitive and we made it into a race to see who could get around the quickest. This was funny as our guides who were rowing us also got competitive. We won the first leg, but unfortunately, one of us had to help another boat which was stuck after disembarking to explore an island and so we only could claim second place. After sweating profusely during the boat race, a shower at a hotel was more than welcome before taking the night bus to Phong Nha.

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Day two was one of the funniest days of our stay in Vietnam, if not the whole trip. After driving from about an hour from our hotel, you get to take a 400m zip line trip across the river before entering the dark caves. In Vietnam, they have a naming method in English which is very exact. So, the dark caves are genuinely just caves that are dark. However, these caves had a mud bath right at the end, where many a mud pie was thrown when the lights were turned off. Nevertheless, it was a great laugh, especially the mud slide back into the river at the end of the cave.

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Lunch consisted of DIY spring rolls, before venturing onto a cave in which 80 people became trapped and died from in a US bombing campaign. Ricky explained a lot about the history of why the US bombed the area and it was a sobering activity. What we liked about the Buffalo Run was it was a good experience learning about the history of Vietnam, with almost constant fun as well. After visiting the war cave, we went to a farm stay where we sat by a pool drinking beer and watched a beautiful sunset. It was the perfect ending to a great day and a start to a great night. We later bought drinks from a shop and stayed playing drinking games in a hotel room, having a fantastic time.

Day three, we decided to go in the back of a truck to our next place instead of taking bikes. This was a fun experience but not exactly a luxurious journey, as the truck didn’t have the most advanced suspension system. If you decide to do the Buffalo Run you do get the option the night before on your mode of transport, whether that be bicycles, scooters or a truck like us.

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Day three was not as hectic as day two. We thought it was strange that our guide Ricky kept on specifying that the pub we were going to had cold beer, but the place was actually called ‘The Pub with Cold Beer’. Here, you can relax in hammocks with a beer, play volleyball, and then cool off in the river afterwards. This was a very nice addition as the volleyball got quite heated when we started a tournament that pitted the British and Irish Lions vs ‘Canasians’ (Canadians and our Asian tour guide, Ricky), especially when we introduced the rule that the losers had to buy the winners a beer each!

Also at the Pub with Cold Beer you can partake in a more unusual, perhaps once in a lifetime activity and kill a chicken. The method for doing so is somewhat brutal (a machete to the back of the neck) and not for the faint of heart. However, everyone in the group agreed that the chicken tasted phenomenal and it was a very rewarding experience to take responsibility for ending the animal’s life that you were about to eat.

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On day four we travelled to Hue, whilst also stopping at a land mine museum as well as some Vietnam war tunnels. Again, our tour guide explained the history behind the land mine museum and the war tunnels. This was very interesting as the three of us did not know much about the Vietnam war prior to our trip. After arriving in Hue, at another Vietnam Backpacker Hostel, there was a pub crawl with the theme ‘shit shirt night’. The whole of team Buffalo Run made a strong effort for the event. In our shit shirts and matching shorts, we were ready for a crazy night. Here, we also met some friends that we previously met in Ha Long Bay and made plans to meet up in Hoi An.

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Day five of the trip was a beach day! However, we stopped off at a temple first, where the car in which a monk drove himself into the town square and set himself alight to protest the anti-Buddhist regime was kept. After Ricky had educated us more on this temple, we finally set off to the beach and spent the day there. All of us decided to play volleyball in the sea as well as playing another competition for beer. Probably wasn’t a clever idea as we kept losing more than we were winning. In order to play, we first had to find buckets and bottles, fill them with water and throw it on the volleyball pitch, as the sand was far too hot to play on. One of the most ridiculous things we did, but Ricky had assured us it worked beforehand. If it’s stupid and it works, then it isn’t stupid.

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On day six we travelled to Hoi An via the Hai Van Pass in ex-army jeeps from the war. It is also possible to do the pass on motorbikes through VBH, but we decided to take the jeeps and felt it was the right decision. This was such an incredible experience as big fans of Top Gear. We also stopped off for lunch and had a swim at the beach before arriving in Hoi An. Again, stopping at a Backpackers hostel, we signed up for the ‘Beer Olympics’ but were cheated out of a victory! But it was all just fun and games really, and there was the opportunity for everyone to get involved.

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On the final day of the Buffalo Run, we rowed in bamboo boats and went crab fishing. Accidentally, one of us dropped a crab in our boat and as the guide went to pick it up the crab pinched him. This was funny though as he made a massive joke out of it and we continued to have a really fun experience. As it was our last day we had one last game of volleyball in the hostel pool before going out for our last night out together. Here we met up with our friends from Ha Long Bay and had an amazing night. Unfortunately, the next day we had to leave to Ho Chi Minh City as we were flying out of there to go to Thailand. Although we deliberated whether we should just stay another night we finally decided to leave.

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On arriving in Ho Chi Minh at night and not having much time there before leaving for Thailand, we visited some markets and walked around the city a bit. We didn’t experience much of the city so we can’t say much for it. But this just means it’s somewhere we will have to go back and visit!

Overall, I wish we could have spent a lot longer than just 17 days in Vietnam. It was all absolutely incredible, and we did so much but it felt like we were only scratching the surface. If you’re going South East Asia and not visiting Vietnam, I would strongly recommend changing your schedule.

Vietnam: Home of Adventure After the three of us had finally met up in the final few days of our time in Siem Reap, we were ready to start Vietnam together.

#Asia #Beach #Bikes #booze cruise #buffalo run #caste away island #Coast #Drinking #Fun #hanoi #hoi an #hue #Mountains #sapa #temples #trucks #vietnam #vietnam war #war

[stretchtentdesign]

14 quirky wedding venues in Birmingham and the West Midlands

From cinemas to spitfires, we look at the more unusual places to host your wedding day in and around Birmingham.

A wedding should be unique and special to the bride and groom, something that reflects their love, dreams and aspirations.

But sometimes you have to look outside of the normal wedding fairs to find a place that's truly unusual.

Perhaps you’d like to tie the knot at a place where Shakespeare took to the stage? Or arrive at your wedding by boat? Maybe you’d like to host your reception under the wings of a Spitfire? Or set the day at a location that has hosted world leaders and film stars?

Scroll through our gallery to see pictures of stunning venues for weddings and receptions in Birmingham and across the Midlands.

Electric Cinema, Birmingham

Why not hold your memorable day in the oldest cinema in the country? The main theatre of The Electric in Station Street has a central aisle for the bride and groom to walk along and raked seating so all the guests can see them tie the knot in art deco glamour. Perfect for fans of the silver screen or a bride who fancies an elegant 1920s style wedding gown. There’s also a cocktail bar.

The Ice House, Digbeth

For something completely different, why not try The Ice House, an amazing 19th century warehouse which fronts onto the Grand Union Canal meaning the bride and groom can arrive by boat if they choose! The Ice House is the centrepiece of The Bond Company on Fazeley Street, Digbeth which has a cobbled entrance and planted courtyards, which make for pretty pictures. There is also the Waterside room, which has stunning historic features, and The Gatehouse, which is located across the wharf and boasts grand floor-to-ceiling windows and a sheltered canopy.

St Mary’s Guildhall, Coventry

Hold your wedding at a place where Shakespeare took to the stage! For the past six centuries, St Mary’s has hosted kings, queens, princesses and playwrights during its vivid history spanning over six centuries. Now it is possible to married in one of the three unique and historic rooms in this fascinating medieval hall.

West Midland Safari Park, Bewdley

Go on safari, have an encounter with exotic animals and enjoy the thrills of a rollercoaster with a unique wedding at this Worcestershire attraction. Spring Grove House is set in the grounds of park and its elegant Georgian exterior compliments its stunning colonial interior.

Drayton Manor Theme Park, near Tamworth

Have a fairy tale wedding at this theme park .The Tower Suite at the hotel has a Victorian themed facade and elegant outside garden space, red carpet entrance and dance floor with chandeliers.These gardens lend itself beautifully for a wedding underneath a tent. Bedouin-inspired stretch tents provide excellent shelter and creates an elegant and unique venue. Find out more about tent hire in Birmingham by visit the site of Tentickle Stretch Tents UK.

And there are loads of great photo opportunities around Drayton Manor Theme Park - be it hand-in-hand by the lake or riding on the old-fashioned carousel.

St Andrew’s Football Ground, Birmingham

Footie fans can get hitched at St Andrew’s

The suites at Birmingham City Football Club can cater for parties of all sizes, whether you want a grand scale wedding or just a small intimate reception. They even have dedicated wedding planners to look after the couple’s every need. Three of their reception rooms are licensed for civil ceremonies and partnerships and all the catering can be done in-house.

The Old Library, Digbeth

Share your nuptials in what was once one of Birmingham’s first free libraries. The Old Library - set in the Custard Factory - dates back to 1866 and boasts soaring vaulted ceilings, original windows and Victorian Gothic elegance. This romantic setting is flooded with natural daylight and is walking distance from the city centre, which makes it even more unusual as you would expect to have to travel to the countryside for a venue like this.

Castle Bromwich Hall Hotel

The 16th home of the first Baronet of Castle Bromwich, Sir Edward Devereux, has been beautifully restored as a hotel. Set in 10 acres of beautiful mature walled gardens, Castle Bromwich Hall Hotel still boasts many original features including exposed wooden floors, intricate stone carvings and roaring log fires sympathetically combined with stylish modern furnishings, fabrics and finishes.

Thinktank, Millennium Point

Host canapés under the wings of Spitfire or Hurricane fighter planes with a wedding reception at Thinktank

The venue boasts versatile spaces, dramatic architecture and fascinating museum exhibits, including a digital Planetarium.

Highbury Hall, Moseley

Birmingham’s famous MP Joseph Chamberlain built picturesque Highbury Hall in Yew Tree Road, Moseley as a family home in 1878.

Fully restored to its original period design, this Grade II listed mansion offers a country setting even though it is just three miles from the city centre.

The Council House, Victoria Square

If you’re looking for a venue with a wow-factor, why not try The Council House ? This stunning Grade II listed building has welcomed members of the royal family, world leaders and film stars over the years. The architecture dates back to the 19th century and is impressive, from the grand staircase to the views over Victoria Square.

Austin Court, Brindleyplace

Once a metal and nail merchants, Austin Court is now a beautifully restored listed building with heavy beams and bright windows which give its Waterside Room an airy, rustic feel. What’s more it’s a peaceful waterside setting right in the heart of Brindley place’s canal district, making it easy for all your guests to reach. It also has a landscaped courtyard which is great for photographs.

Kenilworth Castle

Get married in a place that was built upon a true love story. In 1575, Robert Dudley, the great love of Queen Elizabeth I, built Kenilworth Castle in order to impress her. More than five centuries have gone by and today you can get married in this stunning Elizabethan location, which can be exclusively yours for the day. The re-created Elizabethan Garden featuring a Renaissance aviary, carved arbours, an 18ft high marble fountain, and a perfumed colourful planting scheme is an added attraction.

Coombe Abbey Hotel, Coventry

A 12th Century Cistercian Abbey makes for a location that is as stunning as it is unusual. Coombe Abbey stands in 500 acres of parkland, overlooking a moat and lake with formal gardens, thus offering fabulous photographic opportunities for traditional weddings. It also has caterers approved for Asian weddings and can offer a marquee big enough for 500 people!

Article source: http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/quirky-wedding-venues-in-birmingham--8541611

[bradstravels]

Closing Throughts - New Zealand: Unforgettable

Friday, March 3, 2017 Journal Entry:

New Zealand…Middle Earth…adventure capital of the world…a time forgotten…a land crafted by the gods themselves. Take your pick. All are accurate. As my final country on my world tour before heading back to the US, I could not have asked for a better experience. Such a fitting end to a journey that I will never forget.

My trip to NZ started with me being picked up by the aunt of Zara (my friend from the UK that I met at the very start of this journey). I had never met this woman in person. She only knew me from Facebook pictures and discussions with Zara, yet in true Kiwi fashion she was quick to offer me a place to stay. A ride from the airport. And a tour of Auckland. Oh, and let’s not forget the dinner she took me to or the dinner she grilled for me on her front porch as I watched the sunset from her beautiful home in Whangaparaoa.

That was just the start. Soon after, I was hitching a ride with a German guy to other parts of the North Island. Then I found two Belgian girls and a fellow American to join in order to see more of both the North and South Islands. Visiting the land of hobbits, sniffing sulfur at boiling hot springs, jumping out of a perfectly good plane, hiking to a glacier, and bungy jumping from 134 meters (440ft) along the way.

I hiked more in NZ than every other country I’ve visited combined. Rediscovering my love of nature was more than welcomed. NZ is more than just beautiful nature and incredible adventure though. We met wonderful people at every stop, and the three people I shared two and a half weeks with are now dear friends of mine. Perhaps it was the small car. Perhaps it was camping under the brightest stars I’ve ever seen. Perhaps it was the near death experiences. Whatever the reason, a close bond formed between the four of us rather quickly. Lucky draw I guess…

Enough nostalgia. Here are my takeaways:

Auckland is just a “big” city. New Zealand is about getting outdoors and finding adventure, not sitting in a city. Sure, there are many areas nearby that let you get out, but you should leave the comfort of the city and REALLY get out. Plus, a city in the middle of a country focused on outdoor adventure can lack a little in indoor entertainment…go hit the trails instead.

Hobbiton is just a movie set. Just a movie set that transports visitors back to the joy they found when reading the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, or watching the movies. It is a little pricey and not something I would say is a must see; however, you are on the other side of the world. If you are a fan, you go enjoy this place! It is in route to Rotorua, so it isn’t as if this place is out of the way.

Rotorua is a great place to stay if you want to have fun at Lake Taupo (jet boat, skydive, highest water touching bungy in the Southern Hemisphere). Rotorua is also home to bubbling mud pools and a “famous” geyser that was discovered by accident as a group of prisoners bathed and threw soap into the opening…no one was injured and it turned into a form of entertainment for them. Next, if camping under Mount Doom doesn’t appeal to you, then use Rotorua as a base to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. One of New Zealand’s best treks.

There are many other stops all over the North Island (glow worm caves, a hot beach, an “independent” town that gives you their own passport stamp, and of course day treks are everywhere), but the weather turned while I was there so my group headed south. We stopped in Wellington just long enough to take a break before taking the ferry over to the South Island. Wellington itself is a beautiful little town with gorgeous views of the surrounding area and even the South Island if you reach the cliffs on a clear day.

On to the South Island. The weather cleared up for me here, so my review may be a little biased. Now that I got that disclaimer out of the way, the South Island is absolutely deserving as the title holder of top island in New Zealand. The scenery is stunning, big cities disappear, the sky opens up to reveal stars like nowhere else I have been on this planet, and of course award winning adventure awaits around every turn!

Nelson / Abel Tasman is a great place to spend a few days hiking through the national park and visiting some of the best beaches in the world! Kaiteriteri is named as a world top ten, but frankly I believe the beaches just a short walk away further in the national park are far more beautiful.

Abel Tasman is also where I got my first experience skydiving. 16,500 feet above the earth (on oxygen at this height), I decided my plane was no longer suitable to my tastes, so I jumped out and experienced 60 seconds of free fall before my tandem partner selfishly pulled the cord and slowed our decent. I have zero regrets about choosing this location for my first skydive, but the country is filled with picturesque jump sites so do some research and choose a place based on your own preference (and don’t forget to check the weather).

After Nelson, a trip to the Franz Josef Glacier is quite an easy drive and offers fantastic views along the way. Once in Franz Josef, kayaking, hiking to the glacier, taking a helicopter to fly over or even land on the glacier, or more skydiving are all options that can be done in a day and a half to two days. Every hostel / hotel here appears to have a sauna or hot tub for visitors to enjoy, the breakfasts are top notch, and free soup is a big thing in the evenings. Enjoy the hospitality of this cute little town.

(Kipp's note: Because I still can't figure out where the "glacier" is in the pictures Brad sent, I won't be adding on here.  Maybe I misunderstand what a mountain of ice looks like.)

Queenstown is a bit of a drive from Franz Josef, so I’d recommend making a pit stop in Wanaka (or even staying a couple days in this gorgeous town) to stretch your legs, taste their famous ice cream, and visit the tree the town has growing in the lake (a popular destination for some reason). From Wanaka, Queenstown is a short drive away.

This is the adventure capital of the world! It’s a small town (population of just under 20,000), but one wouldn’t know that based on the number of people running around. Adventure seekers and nature lovers from all over the world descend on this small town to take advantage of all it has to offer. Queenstown is a microcosm of New Zealand itself. Anything that can be done elsewhere in the country is likely taken to an extreme here. This is why I chose to bungy jump here. It is home to both the world’s first bungy as well as the highest bungy in New Zealand. Instant gratification at its finest. I highly recommend taking on the Nevis.

Mount Cook is quite famous and only a 3.5 hour drive from Queenstown. It can get quite crowded by mid-morning though, so I would recommend going early if possible. Don’t let your fellow tourists ruin the envy invoking photos you will take of this place. Sure, we are all tourists and I encourage everyone to travel; however, selfishly, I want these places all to myself.

After Mount Cook, it was time for my little crew to head to Christchurch as the girls had flights from there. Apologies to this city, but I see why no one really encourages visitors to go to this place. Sadly, it was recently devastated by a very strong earthquake and is still recovering. I’m sure any tourist dollars are much appreciated, but there simply is not a lot to do in the “garden city.” Again, people don’t come to NZ for the cities, so I don’t have anything against Christchurch as my encounters there were lovely. I just believe time is better served elsewhere. Out in nature…rejuvenating mind, body, and spirit.

Like Australia, New Zealand is quite expensive. Groceries, fuel, dining out, transportation, and all of the adrenaline inducing adventure activities are some of the most expensive in the world. These costs are without a doubt worth it though, so just plan accordingly and don’t be shocked when you arrive.

My three weeks in NZ came and went way too fast. There is so much to see and enjoy (everyone really needs a vehicle unless time isn’t an issue and you don’t mind hitchhiking). I could have easily spent all three weeks on the South Island and still been left wanting more. Every stop, every drive, every hike…all offered something special. All encouraged me to slow down and enjoy the beauty around me while simultaneously encouraging me to pick up the pace because there was so much more I wanted to take in.

Indeed, New Zealand is a magical place. A place deserving of even more attention than it gets, but a place I don’t want to see get more attention. I don’t want its innocence to be ruined or altered. The joy this country brought me could not have been a better ending to my year abroad. For that, I am eternally indebted to its wild and untamed shores.

Until next time...

Brad Livingston

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