It was over thirty-five years since I had used the Royal Geographical Society (RGS)’s Expedition Advisory Centre to help me organize my first expedition to Egypt in 1989. I had been able to get assistance without visiting their facility in London’s South Kensington. I had also been a member of a university expedition to VenezuelaContinue reading “An Expedition to the Royal Geographical Society”
Tag Archives: travel
Three Days in London
The final stage of our wild trip with the Sems and the Townsends was London. We’d walked the southern half of the Cotswold Way, cruised the Kennet and Avon canal on a canalboat for several days, checked out a White Horse and Avebury’s massive stones, and were ready for London. After Avebury, we’d driven ourContinue reading “Three Days in London”
A White Horse, a Hot Range, Stone-Hugging at Avebury, and a Glance at Stonehenge
Why did we only glance at Stonehenge, and what is Avebury and that other stuff? Explaining this to our crew of Sems’s and Townsend’s was the day’s mission. In honour of Louie, the third duckling who was carried away to an unknown fate by a fat seagull while we cruised the canal on our adventure’sContinue reading “A White Horse, a Hot Range, Stone-Hugging at Avebury, and a Glance at Stonehenge”
Cruising the Kennet and Avon Canal
We knew that we’d want some rest time after 60 miles of hiking on the Cotswold Way. A relaxing canal boat trip had seemed like a good idea. It turned out to be a great idea but the large number of locks and swing bridges made it less relaxing than planned. Bonuses included a roastContinue reading “Cruising the Kennet and Avon Canal”
Southern Cotswold Way: Day 2
Three steep climbs on a blistering hot day made just finishing the 11 miles from Coaley Peak to Wotton-under-Edge a very satisfying accomplishment. The day’s highlight was the Tyndale Monument recognizing local man William Tyndale who was burned at the stake in 1536 after publishing his English translation of the Bible. We also enjoyed cows,Continue reading “Southern Cotswold Way: Day 2”
Southern Cotswold Way: Day 0
Our England adventures with the Sems and Townsends start with hiking the southern half of the Cotswold Way. Before starting a hike, there is always getting to the start, and that was this day. The travel was as uneventful as anyone could wish for. We did a short warm up hike to blow off someContinue reading “Southern Cotswold Way: Day 0”
England with the Sems and Townsends: A Prelude
This is a prelude to our next trip. Please follow us on this adventure by subscribing so you are the first to read about what we are up to. If you know Dean or Max, you know there will be mischief. This is a three-stage adventure with Dean and Tracy Townsend and Stephanie and MaxContinue reading “England with the Sems and Townsends: A Prelude”
Rome’s Biblical Sites
What evidence is there in Rome that Paul or Peter were in the city? The Bible describes Paul’s arrival in Rome (Acts 28:11-16) and that he lived there two years (Acts 28:30-31). In 2 Timothy, Paul references his time in Rome (2 Tim 1:17). Peter mentions his association with Silvanus and Peter in Babylon atContinue reading “Rome’s Biblical Sites”
Italy Day 13: Burano, Murano, and a Gondola Ride
Visiting Venice’s outer islands is a popular excursion. Burano is known for its lace and Murano for its glass. While tours include travel on dedicated boats, the islands are served by the regular vaporettos and allow visiting other islands on the way without a tour group. As we visited early in the morning, there wereContinue reading “Italy Day 13: Burano, Murano, and a Gondola Ride”
Italy Day 12: Exploring Venice
Having experienced a half-day taste of Venice on the previous day, we were ready to find “our” Venice. For Janet and I, that meant heading out early to a distant corner of the main islands to visit the church of San Pietro di Castello. I’d found this church as it was a geocache which explainedContinue reading “Italy Day 12: Exploring Venice”
Italy Day 11: To Venice
Traveling around Europe by train includes some classic moments. We’ve previously experienced a few, from overnighting between Paris and Berlin or passing through the channel tunnel. This day we experienced a simple one and an inspiring one. The simple experience is one that can end well or badly: running for the connecting train, usually involvingContinue reading “Italy Day 11: To Venice”
Italy Day 10: Hiking and Swimming Cinque Terre
Having scoped out Riomaggiore and Manarola the day before and after a good sleep, we were ready for a more ambitious walk. But first to enjoy coffee and breakfast on our balcony. Our hiking plan was to walk on the mountain trail from Monterosso to Vernazza and onto Corniglia. Bailey and Jett returned from theContinue reading “Italy Day 10: Hiking and Swimming Cinque Terre”
Italy Day 9: Pisa and Cinque Terre’s Lovers Lane
Hello from Italy! If you could do me a favor and “like” or leave a comment on the platform that you get this blog from, I’d greatly appreciate it. A comment would be a bonus! Thank you for reading my musings. The pace-slowing in Florence after Rome continued. With our next destination in northwest Italy,Continue reading “Italy Day 9: Pisa and Cinque Terre’s Lovers Lane”
Italy Day 8: Florence
Our full day in Florence was another chill day, but that does not mean we didn’t walk and climb! We had reservations to climb the bell tower at 8:15am, but Bailey and Jett opted out so we headed out without them. Our next objective was a walk that started from a piazza on the otherContinue reading “Italy Day 8: Florence”
Italy Day 7: Rome to Florence and a Sunset
After six active days, it was good to have an easier day without climbing but we still walked over sixteen thousand steps. The difference between Rome’s hustle and Florence’s Tuscan tranquility was refreshing. Our plan for the evening was to catch the sunset over Florence and the River Arno. It was a couple of milesContinue reading “Italy Day 7: Rome to Florence and a Sunset”
Italy Day 6: The Vatican and a Cooking Class
We wrapped up our three days in Rome with visits to St Peter’s Basilica (including a climb to the top of the dome), and the Vatican Museums (to see the Sistine Chapel), with an Italian cooking class as our grand finale. The Basilica is overwhelming. I used Brian Schmisek’s The Rome of Peter and PaulContinue reading “Italy Day 6: The Vatican and a Cooking Class”
Italy Day 5: Ancient Rome
Time to go back 2000 years. My two previous visits to the Colosseum and Forum had left me somewhat underwhelmed by the piles of ancient rocks through my lack of understanding. This time, the Gladiator movies, Francine Rivers’ Mark of the Lion books, and a PhD in a related field helped me understand what IContinue reading “Italy Day 5: Ancient Rome”
We Own a Campervan!
We have known for many years that we wanted to embrace a campervan while empty-nesting. This journey started a couple of weeks ago and the fun is just beginning. We both love the outdoors and our nomadic tendencies have dissolved any interest in a conventional second home. Our first campout together was after just threeContinue reading “We Own a Campervan!”
New York City in Four Days
It takes an Ireland-style tour to see this much of NYC in four days. Visiting over St Patrick’s Day weekend and the NYC 1/2 marathon was fitting. We focused on independent self-guided tours (planned by Janet) and marveled at the tremendous variety we found in Manhattan. A couple of shows and many great meals roundedContinue reading “New York City in Four Days”
Big Bend’s South Rim and Outer Mountain Loop
That was a lot of work. That’s what Vance said about getting water. We also hiked 43 miles and climbed 10,000 ft over four days. This trek was epic. YouTube Video This 83 minute video on YouTube presents the trek “in real time,” capturing our emotions and detailing the trek including gathering water in theContinue reading “Big Bend’s South Rim and Outer Mountain Loop”
The Adventures of the Cajunlimeys 