tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14628660544884687732024-03-18T10:04:14.035-07:00Christine's blogDazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14455181281968342324noreply@blogger.comBlogger2238125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-9600788170465751232024-03-18T10:03:00.000-07:002024-03-18T10:03:22.509-07:00Andratx <p>Another change of hotel today, this time to the very south west of the island and the port of Andratx. We didn't realise it in advance, but it is very upmarket and fancy.</p><p>Our hotel is expensive for us, but in comparison to our previous hotels, this one is very basic and olde worlde, although very clean and authentic, and with the most amazing garden.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudpKyB1HiDQ7Z5AobYQ75AaCSrFKARtTv8rOU9ez9rjNqHzfKkErJSVFjf71EkZolksvkMf01ds5xpi9X6OHTB-IOao4rPsJ63RGOVlmGRpVY9gXf5X2Qlvwidys9XcyllicXIEeCqdrBsG6i5Fy9WwsAPevpJeF3KCwCvgPWj0UgQWwM1AHCWXOur2Uc/s4032/PXL_20240318_164506129.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudpKyB1HiDQ7Z5AobYQ75AaCSrFKARtTv8rOU9ez9rjNqHzfKkErJSVFjf71EkZolksvkMf01ds5xpi9X6OHTB-IOao4rPsJ63RGOVlmGRpVY9gXf5X2Qlvwidys9XcyllicXIEeCqdrBsG6i5Fy9WwsAPevpJeF3KCwCvgPWj0UgQWwM1AHCWXOur2Uc/s320/PXL_20240318_164506129.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Our room is hidden somewhere behind these fantastic plants.</p><p>After settling in we decided to explore, and venture over the hills behind the hotel.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXkZcF74kZKV8ZOjzmS6D-5qvjuq66N8q4c8zZ0PDRTuF52BMTAR5-bWAyzGaXGZsqHV1ozr0nrCRHayL-EqqdGEbp7jcvKVDK3aH1E_Rpu_ecXG87eA5gKYh24V6efsk0vIZzO6STx6pdt8zqBKFRr-vXIHJ5_Wew5Td7B7f7So20NKmBjSiD7OuXp_n/s4000/20240318_135559.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXkZcF74kZKV8ZOjzmS6D-5qvjuq66N8q4c8zZ0PDRTuF52BMTAR5-bWAyzGaXGZsqHV1ozr0nrCRHayL-EqqdGEbp7jcvKVDK3aH1E_Rpu_ecXG87eA5gKYh24V6efsk0vIZzO6STx6pdt8zqBKFRr-vXIHJ5_Wew5Td7B7f7So20NKmBjSiD7OuXp_n/s320/20240318_135559.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>This area was even more surprising and was full of multi million euro mansions, mostly hidden behind very high walls. But due to the extreme hillside locations, we got glimpses of fantastic gardens and modern architecture.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5YZU961qzv-0iUjE6noUXXh5cVPaLDRvgTOGKMwh6fgzSzi2xZtM_jJcyDRXLHBFuiFbBv5cyOifGHJF195TZdA1XmLpOJgEUiv0btgHht7SW3WhLL69E8KsgWaugiHOYuUtgcKnLvWCap1BuSazB_pp6egyB7eKKdbubBTr1nJsYkuSkcpp2Ejq1Fvu/s4032/PXL_20240318_131117581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5YZU961qzv-0iUjE6noUXXh5cVPaLDRvgTOGKMwh6fgzSzi2xZtM_jJcyDRXLHBFuiFbBv5cyOifGHJF195TZdA1XmLpOJgEUiv0btgHht7SW3WhLL69E8KsgWaugiHOYuUtgcKnLvWCap1BuSazB_pp6egyB7eKKdbubBTr1nJsYkuSkcpp2Ejq1Fvu/s320/PXL_20240318_131117581.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The sea views were pretty good too, and there were goats that appeared to live on the steep cliffs by the side of the road.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5ZC_oaj6mXS69JvY693FVo3sMNtx-M0valCklHFFgP9EMP4TzXqVQ1bw35jMULqByu5nO989uwYovpPbzg94ljYcAhhlEaJXuGZNbD7YJmGFWdl-EbHPOwqGRdRoJ1BIjui1QjFaGbsxaBHZsU_cDUE1_MmG3bHoDlkO7wg76XlG-m_BhRscW_oBI3zQ/s4032/PXL_20240318_133016617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5ZC_oaj6mXS69JvY693FVo3sMNtx-M0valCklHFFgP9EMP4TzXqVQ1bw35jMULqByu5nO989uwYovpPbzg94ljYcAhhlEaJXuGZNbD7YJmGFWdl-EbHPOwqGRdRoJ1BIjui1QjFaGbsxaBHZsU_cDUE1_MmG3bHoDlkO7wg76XlG-m_BhRscW_oBI3zQ/s320/PXL_20240318_133016617.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p>Eventually we made it down into the very quiet town of Camp de mer and found a bar for a quick drink.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6hC12_nZEdxhhyphenhyphenY_ZrctoTEzaZ45q4Aahey4ZHyZhyBVaiv8IZoR8dmbQqx0acoNt347Ifj9_g6MDd254dGJVk-Ip7mrv0EZQSEJ_PWa8A3PZEN8q5vfFEhADku_FA2WbfM2sh_34iyGklAJtT5Nn8r11gZxO6sSSupDA8zU12uJJQw5XoviK40Xi5-M/s4000/20240318_143404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6hC12_nZEdxhhyphenhyphenY_ZrctoTEzaZ45q4Aahey4ZHyZhyBVaiv8IZoR8dmbQqx0acoNt347Ifj9_g6MDd254dGJVk-Ip7mrv0EZQSEJ_PWa8A3PZEN8q5vfFEhADku_FA2WbfM2sh_34iyGklAJtT5Nn8r11gZxO6sSSupDA8zU12uJJQw5XoviK40Xi5-M/s320/20240318_143404.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Then it was just a case of walking back over hills to finish off the outing.</p><p><br /></p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-44501697414456689862024-03-17T11:21:00.000-07:002024-03-17T11:21:08.815-07:00Running weekend<p>Yesterday we couldn't do a parkrun as they don't have them in Spain, so we did our own on the promenade at Alcudia.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpm7EupVJ_hrsCkGO2ebtYZKvMaGeF3xT2qsCloHrS2gpvOyvNE54n7x5_IgtegisnDdQW_Ofy7_b4DkuUUxLRzJ3jc5BFC48_bjNHCFY32iV8hcNruxLcq5XtMIAoom225rApOHNBdl63EIDhoieJPKTbJJC48d-i8pHZNsJzNemsHs-KKN0q4qKrWc7/s4000/20240316_084148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpm7EupVJ_hrsCkGO2ebtYZKvMaGeF3xT2qsCloHrS2gpvOyvNE54n7x5_IgtegisnDdQW_Ofy7_b4DkuUUxLRzJ3jc5BFC48_bjNHCFY32iV8hcNruxLcq5XtMIAoom225rApOHNBdl63EIDhoieJPKTbJJC48d-i8pHZNsJzNemsHs-KKN0q4qKrWc7/s320/20240316_084148.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>All of our legs felt heavy, but we made it in reasonable times, and just one little detour over a bridge and along a little side road.</p><p>Disappointingly we took different routes around it, so ended up at very different finishing points and couldn't find each other.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxmvNvVI25qjF0-5i3OKHAThtWkTxlSIgFvgUwjQ-sqeXpIgYmK29vZdmxXjk2uy9XrnOcy_GfWNOGG1VJD6G5LFnjA8hN963yCEmbkPt-oFLqlh_TiZ9Ov637Wp-0kXgIjzGJgTe5NoHFXdSkg1k_RL2ykITDsjgic3VkBwUluxX0b2djf90hfE-DK1X/s4000/20240316_085425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxmvNvVI25qjF0-5i3OKHAThtWkTxlSIgFvgUwjQ-sqeXpIgYmK29vZdmxXjk2uy9XrnOcy_GfWNOGG1VJD6G5LFnjA8hN963yCEmbkPt-oFLqlh_TiZ9Ov637Wp-0kXgIjzGJgTe5NoHFXdSkg1k_RL2ykITDsjgic3VkBwUluxX0b2djf90hfE-DK1X/s320/20240316_085425.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>After we were reunited we checked out of the hotel and moved to just outside Arenal, which is back near to Palma. </p><p>We had a good breakfast this morning in preparation for a busy day, and included a tasty bucks fizz just because it was there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Z4OZrs9vrc0tUBrTlfCMT9OQc6PrGuxFATwqErNoGEXs6U6sPUG4pu9UZ_h2mkDD3PW_wBT_N29XGTBWA3o3x0WFUNvyEYNc4SIWeuwUdelvZkR7eRygmbNkYmmHdLdE9KqOdI6N3d5SDx6WFb0UxA5QnO2sU6Aew1vEyel5KmGiC9KH1Qy2f-Xxt4lS/s3249/20240317_083344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3249" data-original-width="2438" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Z4OZrs9vrc0tUBrTlfCMT9OQc6PrGuxFATwqErNoGEXs6U6sPUG4pu9UZ_h2mkDD3PW_wBT_N29XGTBWA3o3x0WFUNvyEYNc4SIWeuwUdelvZkR7eRygmbNkYmmHdLdE9KqOdI6N3d5SDx6WFb0UxA5QnO2sU6Aew1vEyel5KmGiC9KH1Qy2f-Xxt4lS/s320/20240317_083344.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>We had decided that today was our March half marathon day, and we walked one block to the seafront. The place was packed with hundreds of walkers, runners, cyclists and a few roller bladers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOk22E78KWrWOKP0M_T2OYspv5qNNnmQr04V_5n3SAstqL0PMUStBZomaR0wEbza6ziA3HeFTO6bkpf2TjCqwT856N-rHZBPCEcheGm6WiXoiNPZRug-x7dYflBkmDxj-4nJegmvvkF3DYDV54u2cBaTaUeaRbHx8x8OPSAZ2Shtv-7A4MOIfsNA284AR/s2284/20240317_114155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1332" data-original-width="2284" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOk22E78KWrWOKP0M_T2OYspv5qNNnmQr04V_5n3SAstqL0PMUStBZomaR0wEbza6ziA3HeFTO6bkpf2TjCqwT856N-rHZBPCEcheGm6WiXoiNPZRug-x7dYflBkmDxj-4nJegmvvkF3DYDV54u2cBaTaUeaRbHx8x8OPSAZ2Shtv-7A4MOIfsNA284AR/s320/20240317_114155.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>It was a nice run and fortunately quite cloudy, although I was pretty shattered by the final turn back at about 17 kilometres.</p><p>I tried to get back into the groove, and then we realised that we were being cheered on by a group of hens dressed in sparkly bunny ears that were on a petite train.</p><p>They kept level with us for a while and then overtook us. We then got them back at the train stop, and pulled ahead. They overtook us again, etc and this got me through the next three ks.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsssD1eGdAXERK3lyoAUgckhIbJ_82R-UbdHs6aHhXFxkYC9FixALXhV2KFKJRhJQe1UV5DRbuvLV_wcm12_A64F8hR40Y_q_uKIEGWPQ-fvg0UlNcYpOLPMFAXiZ7M3m6sBpJhvjy3SVAIyTr6m3Ju6k5sIX3Yixf5LzwZ6a48jfb9Y4Hdaf00ISIzC6L/s4032/PXL_20240316_151854454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsssD1eGdAXERK3lyoAUgckhIbJ_82R-UbdHs6aHhXFxkYC9FixALXhV2KFKJRhJQe1UV5DRbuvLV_wcm12_A64F8hR40Y_q_uKIEGWPQ-fvg0UlNcYpOLPMFAXiZ7M3m6sBpJhvjy3SVAIyTr6m3Ju6k5sIX3Yixf5LzwZ6a48jfb9Y4Hdaf00ISIzC6L/s320/PXL_20240316_151854454.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>In the end we got dropped, but not long after we got our 21.1 k and were done.</p><p><br /></p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-32429808942723512622024-03-15T12:08:00.000-07:002024-03-15T12:08:08.873-07:00Cycling on the flat<p>There are literally thousands of cyclists on Mallorca at the moment, almost all are colourfully dressed in lycra with clip cloppy shoes. They glide around in either small groups or huge pelotons, and the ones at our hotel eat huge stacks of food at every meal.</p><p>Of course we aren't like that, but we did hire bikes today.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSN4WNdjKwvvuVvytYflwJUqc5S4XY6g1-aIhLyZl102URpNDB3EMe3cFJE8BzrPvVLiyC5BZ46_QQ9fAMrZv0dVyebjLy6neaYL0OdWP54IAhXBS9pDplbR5eXmKfyzY0F_gD2t_PQCTNlvBgE_zKCFh8utI8GGKMwG2-eWrhT1CmZevBEkXIGGMQywV5/s4000/20240315_111014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSN4WNdjKwvvuVvytYflwJUqc5S4XY6g1-aIhLyZl102URpNDB3EMe3cFJE8BzrPvVLiyC5BZ46_QQ9fAMrZv0dVyebjLy6neaYL0OdWP54IAhXBS9pDplbR5eXmKfyzY0F_gD2t_PQCTNlvBgE_zKCFh8utI8GGKMwG2-eWrhT1CmZevBEkXIGGMQywV5/s320/20240315_111014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Mallorca is full of hills and mountains, and most of the cyclists head straight for them, so to buck the trend we headed straight for the flat.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0z4riqJ0mPjZ73MOBAlI9TO6XKrD59GR4cJ6j4iFFBm2oYo-nfdAoAtAqbXcjc6WULlhGdeboHpHEAkyHYhhRjx_3J-kqS4nYBelIN6BgaFB5VhHPvbvwkGJuXWc5syggOV3hcO5OWbrKPRKqXFBVOZakdfJZf099VaBiOXD_zfvleHQSvDVfBpWPS4un/s4000/20240315_111040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0z4riqJ0mPjZ73MOBAlI9TO6XKrD59GR4cJ6j4iFFBm2oYo-nfdAoAtAqbXcjc6WULlhGdeboHpHEAkyHYhhRjx_3J-kqS4nYBelIN6BgaFB5VhHPvbvwkGJuXWc5syggOV3hcO5OWbrKPRKqXFBVOZakdfJZf099VaBiOXD_zfvleHQSvDVfBpWPS4un/s320/20240315_111040.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Our first stop was along the coast at Porta Pollenca, and then we cycled inland to Pollenca for a nice coffee stop.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5LeYqvsLoO6CorZTHNMjyDTZ778mHgu0dNKVwv6UVUfI4UfdJ0PmtKrn61UeSCdlCq9xW_bCwl58DasbzV6Yi8WfR1TzwcaUFNT9jALFPrIrcjhmMBNVUQqAkP4VEITpxI593Zcj0gbuUPvFbx3j7GhT1NC7r84VRgodN1gq59uj2VQvLJGE0ng5vHhY/s4000/20240315_114533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5LeYqvsLoO6CorZTHNMjyDTZ778mHgu0dNKVwv6UVUfI4UfdJ0PmtKrn61UeSCdlCq9xW_bCwl58DasbzV6Yi8WfR1TzwcaUFNT9jALFPrIrcjhmMBNVUQqAkP4VEITpxI593Zcj0gbuUPvFbx3j7GhT1NC7r84VRgodN1gq59uj2VQvLJGE0ng5vHhY/s320/20240315_114533.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Then we took a lovely quiet route along quiet lanes and cycle tracks, but accidentally missing the two towns that we had planned to see.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6Ewq2qRgzIGr9uEQu0HIDiqGRrh_UkOw0fAo-Ucc16X16oQkhJ4fPXr4y7wrxVgae4-bnapWDYGhoyaMfgSmXX29zWlGGxA5QMslQvpJz_e16xBZzGbipX1DDfBpYuQxicEE2ptzTLISaPqMN9NtSPNsYiXkxvhYrYbCjQkGqpLJYwfPKKsY2aCkaiWO/s2023/PXL_20240315_113935138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2023" data-original-width="1890" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6Ewq2qRgzIGr9uEQu0HIDiqGRrh_UkOw0fAo-Ucc16X16oQkhJ4fPXr4y7wrxVgae4-bnapWDYGhoyaMfgSmXX29zWlGGxA5QMslQvpJz_e16xBZzGbipX1DDfBpYuQxicEE2ptzTLISaPqMN9NtSPNsYiXkxvhYrYbCjQkGqpLJYwfPKKsY2aCkaiWO/s320/PXL_20240315_113935138.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><p>We did find the very untouristy town of Sa Pobla and stopped in the beautiful and very quiet town square for a beer and nibbles.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYEzX_W_v00TM-vIUulzcUCniTInAiS-L6S-14uGeLrZBgCCnUTqyqDObeejvuRO68TGqHGa5LWpIqg4HndYEUjGvCEKaWfXAcQV6CK0EqPDrw__hZQt5zZ7uiKutkXtrzwbHJmDEowXmRit_8SgNJNRJ3j8oEQG8wCFeVwFSwu3-Dpx_OD7HhTioDrFZ/s4000/20240315_131703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYEzX_W_v00TM-vIUulzcUCniTInAiS-L6S-14uGeLrZBgCCnUTqyqDObeejvuRO68TGqHGa5LWpIqg4HndYEUjGvCEKaWfXAcQV6CK0EqPDrw__hZQt5zZ7uiKutkXtrzwbHJmDEowXmRit_8SgNJNRJ3j8oEQG8wCFeVwFSwu3-Dpx_OD7HhTioDrFZ/s320/20240315_131703.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Onwards then and back to the coast to Can Picafort. This was a strange place with no tourists and everywhere shut for siesta. We eventually found a supermarket that was open and Darren went in to buy two Magnums. Unfortunately they didn't sell them single, but only in packs of three.</p><p>I looked around the car park in a very halfhearted manner for anyone that I thought might appreciate a free Magnum.</p><p>After finding no one who fitted the criteria, we decided to eat an extra half each rather than see it melt in the bin.</p><p>So, a very successful day, lots of easy cycling and the full house of cycling treats.</p><p><br /></p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-57879883247828052152024-03-14T12:14:00.000-07:002024-03-14T12:14:17.887-07:00Alcudia and a walk almost to a beach.<p>We set off on a hike to a secluded beach that was on the peninsula next to Alcudia. It started along quiet lanes, and then we entered what I think was a national park.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNymjay9aon8txZBNCX-plKKuozDa_U9gfITGNwJYV3lxzmTLGLZGY8He9MEfq9iRt-r_MlFpfCp5g998q3b1HoKCcm08gbh82uOcXqat4Ahmjup-KKzThGlVougFk-2geR-xtcY4HIaKrHvdMKYwUd1l4V-rHSqB7MPZu7ajiIqvAZXmh3Yp4CYlzrQ9e/s4000/20240314_105922.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNymjay9aon8txZBNCX-plKKuozDa_U9gfITGNwJYV3lxzmTLGLZGY8He9MEfq9iRt-r_MlFpfCp5g998q3b1HoKCcm08gbh82uOcXqat4Ahmjup-KKzThGlVougFk-2geR-xtcY4HIaKrHvdMKYwUd1l4V-rHSqB7MPZu7ajiIqvAZXmh3Yp4CYlzrQ9e/s320/20240314_105922.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>It was a beautiful forestry area, and nothing likes we see in England. The land was very dry and it was full of cacti and succulents, and lots of tall spiky glasses with white flowers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHCwVpI_CXSsQDODfNQ5kD4ilXCeiouZR3jpRDpeYekC9gM-QzM8OeQZ0xVxGWISevpa_z9aGjctOEnSbTVP5PKk7GDZ7X0XBUMFwBncc_lWlvoGlK0RSNijQqa8u5zJ_H-12jMpKlE_r-UKg0psePsLg2Pnf4rx_L6NVmUAuDPWMmWwQXD1R8A8yQvmT/s4032/PXL_20240314_100641370.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHCwVpI_CXSsQDODfNQ5kD4ilXCeiouZR3jpRDpeYekC9gM-QzM8OeQZ0xVxGWISevpa_z9aGjctOEnSbTVP5PKk7GDZ7X0XBUMFwBncc_lWlvoGlK0RSNijQqa8u5zJ_H-12jMpKlE_r-UKg0psePsLg2Pnf4rx_L6NVmUAuDPWMmWwQXD1R8A8yQvmT/s320/PXL_20240314_100641370.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p>We gradually climbed from sea level to 250 metres above it with gorgeous views of Alcudia and the surrounding area.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARsk3zgtATyV7lz0hSAChmilU9ZbZoVme5rvdL1j4wttLDJrIXhidUWgBFtnaIixoUdwgt0ZfoQlcXQi8bImkZvj3W_QURGl1HHSml8dCYogAE5WPDmjTlNntOjCZnGddNZ8mzWydjCSvnkcm9e8thEFeuir4JoWUe1XnYz1tKVQsl4lHJdDoBKWTTWig/s4032/PXL_20240314_102002587.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARsk3zgtATyV7lz0hSAChmilU9ZbZoVme5rvdL1j4wttLDJrIXhidUWgBFtnaIixoUdwgt0ZfoQlcXQi8bImkZvj3W_QURGl1HHSml8dCYogAE5WPDmjTlNntOjCZnGddNZ8mzWydjCSvnkcm9e8thEFeuir4JoWUe1XnYz1tKVQsl4lHJdDoBKWTTWig/s320/PXL_20240314_102002587.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Then we dropped down into the forest again and walked along a dry riverbed, with warnings to avoid torrents of water that could sweep us away - although no chance of that today.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcD2v7ZNsWQ2LxCBXI50E3jV-g6NOblcJx94_FE23UuOx9cED_DspZHyvhKv0kbd9jUsxDp4aNOS8fZxcwHAUWnyMFfAETxIvbHUjWOqni1i3lbdig4Js-4D1UgTSFME5wrzZ36y1S8rw0GBEOf8DWOvr3fU3bF1ZHAyOwVa9KhwmOSejLJxi9-v4HOE0/s4032/PXL_20240314_105507058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcD2v7ZNsWQ2LxCBXI50E3jV-g6NOblcJx94_FE23UuOx9cED_DspZHyvhKv0kbd9jUsxDp4aNOS8fZxcwHAUWnyMFfAETxIvbHUjWOqni1i3lbdig4Js-4D1UgTSFME5wrzZ36y1S8rw0GBEOf8DWOvr3fU3bF1ZHAyOwVa9KhwmOSejLJxi9-v4HOE0/s320/PXL_20240314_105507058.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p>Eventually we got nearer to our secluded beach and started the walk down to it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjF6zCFytZZIPi2zcuUxCsOewHZxeYKp7wes556ZxuE-e0kJzKvbLe-XXieB337oC1xE_VTf2uroScu0Mo_GU6E_OUiLXp20GsLYkj1hRqUOs0llZWxsxrOos82GZMLlsLusr6sTSmoeRWTYyd0UeI29iDM_4r1VZPYvVzRF4XGN2m6F7s9NCtLuGZGCYD/s4000/20240314_122716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjF6zCFytZZIPi2zcuUxCsOewHZxeYKp7wes556ZxuE-e0kJzKvbLe-XXieB337oC1xE_VTf2uroScu0Mo_GU6E_OUiLXp20GsLYkj1hRqUOs0llZWxsxrOos82GZMLlsLusr6sTSmoeRWTYyd0UeI29iDM_4r1VZPYvVzRF4XGN2m6F7s9NCtLuGZGCYD/s320/20240314_122716.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>It looked amazing and there was only about four people on the beach, but it was a long way down the hill with the knowledge that we would eventually have to retrace our steps.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyG7CCEBYvHji1QbtOttMABDwlC5sbankYfHzMqsnr0h_WVKfoFtk2La98veMx9u2GOxrsojTcszyMvnBMVuJBbUyKyFxE1sO00HRQb_R_KKESvH7mKRUhRAKupJ8rukWJynHp9K-FSUtiZiqWrrY3boKqb_sMMT9cV1H22So4GIwyRi8trhLqAiWpoSf/s4000/20240314_122326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyG7CCEBYvHji1QbtOttMABDwlC5sbankYfHzMqsnr0h_WVKfoFtk2La98veMx9u2GOxrsojTcszyMvnBMVuJBbUyKyFxE1sO00HRQb_R_KKESvH7mKRUhRAKupJ8rukWJynHp9K-FSUtiZiqWrrY3boKqb_sMMT9cV1H22So4GIwyRi8trhLqAiWpoSf/s320/20240314_122326.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>And then we had to scramble over rocks and it was still a long way, so we decided to enjoy it from distance with a sandwich and a sit down.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESbcfQx3suhiOB2ER9VK6ABdj-Kb84EIE_Xc0KCuDKD4P008FZlwNPYDs5JK5_DkGDx2Upf-Vr9daE7ZpkmVf91uEZ8DaWfyo2Vdok029mJBicxAlKqLd8vAyMKa1yolb3wL03w-TaksRPPRJqNJvthr7qA2UZKf7GSeq9QAliG8dgczrrf7EaBFowW0r/s4032/PXL_20240314_113936969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESbcfQx3suhiOB2ER9VK6ABdj-Kb84EIE_Xc0KCuDKD4P008FZlwNPYDs5JK5_DkGDx2Upf-Vr9daE7ZpkmVf91uEZ8DaWfyo2Vdok029mJBicxAlKqLd8vAyMKa1yolb3wL03w-TaksRPPRJqNJvthr7qA2UZKf7GSeq9QAliG8dgczrrf7EaBFowW0r/s320/PXL_20240314_113936969.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>On the way back we were excited to see a couple of wild goats that live on the cliffs, and thought that we were very lucky.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyv6bBvUWT0NplvxlQ_feic3XUE6BMokpm79OYXL5OwzeZrCzZqo6HXG4pSD5ioAy-rrvl9r7cquZVW_UxAmJt0XJrgyr8XmPWCOHtIdD2GOZbB5DYH9K3GzTxI4yP3QxbHNRuHaTXTZjd6iPa99fIa0Gx9SEjQ5iSJ6cw2dueXMLijLzzlfwDP4irtD8/s1873/original_4387980a-18cf-4f43-807a-0fc5d8194fa0_20240314_131940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1873" data-original-width="1544" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyv6bBvUWT0NplvxlQ_feic3XUE6BMokpm79OYXL5OwzeZrCzZqo6HXG4pSD5ioAy-rrvl9r7cquZVW_UxAmJt0XJrgyr8XmPWCOHtIdD2GOZbB5DYH9K3GzTxI4yP3QxbHNRuHaTXTZjd6iPa99fIa0Gx9SEjQ5iSJ6cw2dueXMLijLzzlfwDP4irtD8/s320/original_4387980a-18cf-4f43-807a-0fc5d8194fa0_20240314_131940.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><p>Half an hour later when we had seen at least 40 more we stopped taking photos and decided that they were absolutely everywhere. </p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-81013043318654473952024-03-13T13:07:00.000-07:002024-03-13T13:07:18.105-07:00Palma to Alcudia<p>Another run along the seafront this morning, and another lovely sunny day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLA2nB5ruuRHkvlR-Wz0HmChas3u8YwgUxKaTyTlBHm5liyuDqgvtD_x_RmEK3iAAnXUj5XNiHk6kpzms7S1ir1b2JOn7uWSo8z8MvStTTk9r62lFUjttEPnpBeulSxUS-AV4v43FtwhFfsQ4LuotKhsCqtRi3MHWBO1iy6xnHrxeWDx4n9KebBHtwJlgw/s4000/20240313_082523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLA2nB5ruuRHkvlR-Wz0HmChas3u8YwgUxKaTyTlBHm5liyuDqgvtD_x_RmEK3iAAnXUj5XNiHk6kpzms7S1ir1b2JOn7uWSo8z8MvStTTk9r62lFUjttEPnpBeulSxUS-AV4v43FtwhFfsQ4LuotKhsCqtRi3MHWBO1iy6xnHrxeWDx4n9KebBHtwJlgw/s320/20240313_082523.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>We are staying near the top of a steep hill so we had to descend lots of steps to get down to the promenade.</p><p>We ran further than last time, and while I chugged slowly along Darren kept stopping to take photos.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvX0c1c5ngqOFVSodmSNgGgL-FitiiUf7MRUAFYowwjsrFJaZaPr_I5gfOu4_tD8GjcwiG0GBUTaXL7mEdBk9zuqSEXIQ47Vldm1Ds4eGkNk2_7oo_atbh-9-VYJIEr_RbwCXOK2mP6dkSWqrj3XBTGKMRZJDomxKdXD044pfaqiQWbENjygWzhfcrAFC/s4000/20240313_083555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvX0c1c5ngqOFVSodmSNgGgL-FitiiUf7MRUAFYowwjsrFJaZaPr_I5gfOu4_tD8GjcwiG0GBUTaXL7mEdBk9zuqSEXIQ47Vldm1Ds4eGkNk2_7oo_atbh-9-VYJIEr_RbwCXOK2mP6dkSWqrj3XBTGKMRZJDomxKdXD044pfaqiQWbENjygWzhfcrAFC/s320/20240313_083555.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Our turnaround point was at a giant teepee like structure with a weather vane on the top and mosaics in the style of Gaudi around the base.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUHKlQUORHaDXGfEd3wKdLdXnnevS8YsMWMqtFa4W4tZk02s23Ugv1CljR9b4JCJGtJopkST3DMlK_N-MVbnFTRo2girem24iGInovxZPQZobQ5kl-ra9hJkO14HeWiJvmqw-SBszRufHXUorscRM-4Pj2-6YAD_ueFRWpvh_3UsIQHn0bQJAQL15HUVH/s4000/20240313_085804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUHKlQUORHaDXGfEd3wKdLdXnnevS8YsMWMqtFa4W4tZk02s23Ugv1CljR9b4JCJGtJopkST3DMlK_N-MVbnFTRo2girem24iGInovxZPQZobQ5kl-ra9hJkO14HeWiJvmqw-SBszRufHXUorscRM-4Pj2-6YAD_ueFRWpvh_3UsIQHn0bQJAQL15HUVH/w243-h320/20240313_085804.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I have tried to find out more about it, but despite there being hundreds of photos and reviews online, not one of them says anything about what it is and why it's there. It does have a name though - Sa Gavina Blava.<div><br /></div><div>Later we checked out of our hotel, walked to the bus station and caught a very busy bus to Alcudia on the north of the island.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXd2PhtnLh56Ny_acpbo_1RQDCKpRRr_UNPdt9ywTGgzjuuCrCdMu29ROWoljYxiYjdgIK8YJVhUi6MPcmvDTIKzXdf6mv_SaTafWb_M53iuwrkoZCBpSTjXpfd9yghMLa__ukqh0KKp0QQ-f2e8zwPnDCQOdHP8ditd_SgCXdL9kqkyv8e9HRDdq6xP1-/s4032/PXL_20240313_145530113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXd2PhtnLh56Ny_acpbo_1RQDCKpRRr_UNPdt9ywTGgzjuuCrCdMu29ROWoljYxiYjdgIK8YJVhUi6MPcmvDTIKzXdf6mv_SaTafWb_M53iuwrkoZCBpSTjXpfd9yghMLa__ukqh0KKp0QQ-f2e8zwPnDCQOdHP8ditd_SgCXdL9kqkyv8e9HRDdq6xP1-/s320/PXL_20240313_145530113.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>It has a beautiful sweeping beach, a nice harbour and lots of cyclists on very expensive bikes. Some are cycling, but most of them seem to be sitting outside the coffee and cake shops, and maybe we will join them in the next day or two.<br /><p><br /></p></div>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-34850838086845229192024-03-12T12:00:00.000-07:002024-03-12T12:00:36.377-07:00Castell de Bellver <p>Out and about today and the first stop is Bellver Castle.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGRTJPAgwR4Z_GbzEi7T_0MKX6jKoCyWIjiLBB7F2GJvouCOefgAuXUlnULWeqYyuHfXJCKKBFdHPdEQCJJiZx3KmuSQEjasfxQGrC4QVAafRuAu9sD5W-jiNjQHDJ3hRJVHcVM5DzhdXjsARK2_zdkQfwtnH-VY8Jz5Pac0N5TmTWDo8eAS1JDbLTucs/s4000/20240312_102316.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGRTJPAgwR4Z_GbzEi7T_0MKX6jKoCyWIjiLBB7F2GJvouCOefgAuXUlnULWeqYyuHfXJCKKBFdHPdEQCJJiZx3KmuSQEjasfxQGrC4QVAafRuAu9sD5W-jiNjQHDJ3hRJVHcVM5DzhdXjsARK2_zdkQfwtnH-VY8Jz5Pac0N5TmTWDo8eAS1JDbLTucs/s320/20240312_102316.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>It is on the top of a high hill, and after climbing many steps we arrived at a beautiful building. It is a very rare completely round castle, but it has all of the important castly details -</p><p>Ramparts and really thick walls</p><p>Arrow slits</p><p>Moat, although this one is dry</p><p>Giant door</p><p>Lots of steps</p><p>Etc, etc</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoD_m9hxS5teDTGuPZSMgRmL9gjRbQ2NMIkRdptGSc_EufmyNrnJth2pl7qHw06nAId_tjq5hbapUJufzl7jxiZKAT5kBfuEyPzhbtUX9bY9cSGbYsN6KNT0BIYURmag1it-mduiWTZFhAE0tTJ5RogGjRNl4pjdtZQVWjgIVX3UV_sfbpOT_7lTzyMPF/s4000/20240312_103555.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoD_m9hxS5teDTGuPZSMgRmL9gjRbQ2NMIkRdptGSc_EufmyNrnJth2pl7qHw06nAId_tjq5hbapUJufzl7jxiZKAT5kBfuEyPzhbtUX9bY9cSGbYsN6KNT0BIYURmag1it-mduiWTZFhAE0tTJ5RogGjRNl4pjdtZQVWjgIVX3UV_sfbpOT_7lTzyMPF/s320/20240312_103555.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>It was built in the 1300's for King James ll of Mallorca, so it is very grand inside, but imposing from the outside.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-Jo2iw_ep5FGv7jGjHcnIWv2eEoeUjqDq0Zhph6fvNf6FqK288QOEhlD-Eoe9hDImVdATsCjCqdNCGaUdhBvHu8MEoVvgsS77j7Pa-QTO1fQXC_puFqA4padLvdNpsw2UULv16GjZKzK7V133n0u4o1kC-XycfS6fuQcddCDPbid_YJ8BjmIUGk_OBGL/s4032/PXL_20240312_092131434.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-Jo2iw_ep5FGv7jGjHcnIWv2eEoeUjqDq0Zhph6fvNf6FqK288QOEhlD-Eoe9hDImVdATsCjCqdNCGaUdhBvHu8MEoVvgsS77j7Pa-QTO1fQXC_puFqA4padLvdNpsw2UULv16GjZKzK7V133n0u4o1kC-XycfS6fuQcddCDPbid_YJ8BjmIUGk_OBGL/s320/PXL_20240312_092131434.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The castle is surrounded by a pine forest, and we followed a path through it towards the coast.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1eehYZ4KvH455sJLQC-rBegQw4Yx3f7auqRu387gjKjtknHAzvYacCET0p4DIjSSZJ2kulyu5QdNgTe2yU_DBvjF7E2GXRSSO0q5Yt4v74xP4KZlAb6ufIs-eMFsboMpLKwxoHZPzhrsZ2UrblX0pUERZeq6DJ2z5UD5p4TbNzsGC3gELIdyoD3p2H9t/s4000/20240312_105438.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1eehYZ4KvH455sJLQC-rBegQw4Yx3f7auqRu387gjKjtknHAzvYacCET0p4DIjSSZJ2kulyu5QdNgTe2yU_DBvjF7E2GXRSSO0q5Yt4v74xP4KZlAb6ufIs-eMFsboMpLKwxoHZPzhrsZ2UrblX0pUERZeq6DJ2z5UD5p4TbNzsGC3gELIdyoD3p2H9t/s320/20240312_105438.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Strangely, the paths in the woods didn't match my map, so to get on to a road we had to climb over a stone wall which surprised a few people, and then we were on our way again.</p><p>Next stop was the Joan Miro Foundation. Joan Miro was a famous Spanish sculptor and artist who lived on Mallorca. He died at the age of 90 in 1983, and his work can be described as Surrealism, with a bit of Fauvism, Cubism and Expressionism thrown in to the mix.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdS9yoT_5X1YGB36Bbqqtw1J-0mZUCy_9PTvpiLJ_pORbvNvtw6wP8rXSodb5HUDqGM2twB1kM60coaynsQQcQ_XsiaTIhZy7U4X_32jqfAiJFmlJ1Us4br9GyX9mV7LfEjxbW_dmcSYIgGij2ZzLpKhpkxOVbs1ycfosPHJu25O4nAp3uxG_KcAWQTS6/s4000/20240312_112650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdS9yoT_5X1YGB36Bbqqtw1J-0mZUCy_9PTvpiLJ_pORbvNvtw6wP8rXSodb5HUDqGM2twB1kM60coaynsQQcQ_XsiaTIhZy7U4X_32jqfAiJFmlJ1Us4br9GyX9mV7LfEjxbW_dmcSYIgGij2ZzLpKhpkxOVbs1ycfosPHJu25O4nAp3uxG_KcAWQTS6/s320/20240312_112650.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>In a spectacular example of bad timing, the museum is closed from the exact day that we arrived in Mallorca and reopens the day after we leave because they are changing the art that is on display.</p><p>However, the café was still open and the walls were decorated with one of his giant eyes. Outside there is another piece of art above a pool.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjPvttBcOoYSP_6yANihCLHl8xzBwXhm1-nmvXuwFDQShEdC1cd7IKuFvqtPXtIVT4k9p0YOQ33vlzQIUPtHC8K4iLmGB4ZHHR7JOn2DovygP53h3-qFgTHGc6FWtXMJI3NwShpr87Wz92bQyA3e9o6nhy-fI7_UVZZ2WOuWI9hC_XXzLAyIrMYs-nMUc/s4032/PXL_20240312_104058506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjPvttBcOoYSP_6yANihCLHl8xzBwXhm1-nmvXuwFDQShEdC1cd7IKuFvqtPXtIVT4k9p0YOQ33vlzQIUPtHC8K4iLmGB4ZHHR7JOn2DovygP53h3-qFgTHGc6FWtXMJI3NwShpr87Wz92bQyA3e9o6nhy-fI7_UVZZ2WOuWI9hC_XXzLAyIrMYs-nMUc/s320/PXL_20240312_104058506.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p>There was also still some of his sculptures around, and some pieces are very entertaining.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSivafb0W9QZcIkg_12U2GOeMqdwKISy5qTSgM2pJd8SG0xLEs2tIO8QFQFNglt1d-i8yAjwFbLk6v7dwjGguutQh9aatpG2bW2sDEwmbuJq4pyCO-gGcNCZ4q0TxlGq4n1D3NFjILvkVJVc2MwM7Fx2G6tlbdoFD7Z56JgFyxGDpwVXCklnCCKGH9KOo8/s3094/PXL_20240312_104436344~3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3094" data-original-width="2214" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSivafb0W9QZcIkg_12U2GOeMqdwKISy5qTSgM2pJd8SG0xLEs2tIO8QFQFNglt1d-i8yAjwFbLk6v7dwjGguutQh9aatpG2bW2sDEwmbuJq4pyCO-gGcNCZ4q0TxlGq4n1D3NFjILvkVJVc2MwM7Fx2G6tlbdoFD7Z56JgFyxGDpwVXCklnCCKGH9KOo8/s320/PXL_20240312_104436344~3.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><p>Just a short walk away is a lovely garden with more sculptures, although personally I preferred the plants.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDdwL94y1L_KXiIbp-IrF0LUhQ3L2_HnFHlll2NADRUXkHPBIHu9m3UsGHsGbWYnfCdOwREo2Gb5Fed4chXTyhK0VQG8wZ8g1SQH3X0QprbjUj1F5xLj9sCk1ZUMMr_WQo7Jy5tIjHT8QieflV40KSLN8X9NOy0LsJbor5IPR_CRLRGk9RJdsjD_wnUpK/s4032/PXL_20240312_111107569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDdwL94y1L_KXiIbp-IrF0LUhQ3L2_HnFHlll2NADRUXkHPBIHu9m3UsGHsGbWYnfCdOwREo2Gb5Fed4chXTyhK0VQG8wZ8g1SQH3X0QprbjUj1F5xLj9sCk1ZUMMr_WQo7Jy5tIjHT8QieflV40KSLN8X9NOy0LsJbor5IPR_CRLRGk9RJdsjD_wnUpK/s320/PXL_20240312_111107569.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I picked up a brochure that attempted to explain the art, but I accidentally left it behind so I can't quote from it. This sculpture is something to do with birds, but for some reason has a large comb in it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1J5R6CRMGXSog5AC6qkTsJKgHRNNKoJkNIEoIGklCin3CTsyOXRAQtmnWOGuuFoP3GF7oPrX2VN91imufFmuzGv8PKcy_uL8YDPdhnP0EahK2IRK5-MkZDL-5ZSKNPmDYg5o2joUVS0q-A2tA12gFzaiNu6H7G2_I8fQqfJBJO4njUkYiAUw41ZHx5Dc/s4000/20240312_121323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1J5R6CRMGXSog5AC6qkTsJKgHRNNKoJkNIEoIGklCin3CTsyOXRAQtmnWOGuuFoP3GF7oPrX2VN91imufFmuzGv8PKcy_uL8YDPdhnP0EahK2IRK5-MkZDL-5ZSKNPmDYg5o2joUVS0q-A2tA12gFzaiNu6H7G2_I8fQqfJBJO4njUkYiAUw41ZHx5Dc/s320/20240312_121323.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Finally, a quick visit to Cala Mayor beach. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_FFW0PYNfKUDTxiHqLPlA4Dp-X9tvKUIvwjrCUT3q9iBmEZQHjjzurGZabVSb7qezhO-_MznEf1S_ubnIRph75D2CCHCtKyLd1h2PLhZVEGxoL7UuL8Mj5l7ML2FOnqmm_h27Kv_8KCsB5uhZu937EItAiC3t0S5xQqjY0OiLcZcCGYVNSXLDxjnIcjm/s4032/PXL_20240312_113652001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_FFW0PYNfKUDTxiHqLPlA4Dp-X9tvKUIvwjrCUT3q9iBmEZQHjjzurGZabVSb7qezhO-_MznEf1S_ubnIRph75D2CCHCtKyLd1h2PLhZVEGxoL7UuL8Mj5l7ML2FOnqmm_h27Kv_8KCsB5uhZu937EItAiC3t0S5xQqjY0OiLcZcCGYVNSXLDxjnIcjm/s320/PXL_20240312_113652001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Gorgeous.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-13183277348154073662024-03-11T12:33:00.000-07:002024-03-11T12:33:35.637-07:00Palma, Mallorca <p>After a lovely evening with M and D, we stayed with them overnight and then caught the early flight to Palma.</p><p>Of course it was raining when we left, but we arrived to bright blue skies and a pleasant temperature.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ84SYFH3S1HJQC3NK5LIme_gpHPGdGI0i8D5wWpfrF9SRy0CHDBXkkIvwYrMuCPv5X_0oUzZCE1YQgvsYz0R99s6PufyTYOolGpzJb7yJZAzVhojUe158qUNecRYOlnLBbPz9B91F_4dObzO74ieHUFdr5dGujUv3M4VC_IIZSgGk3irH3iCzLu-bZKKG/s4032/PXL_20240311_112718646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ84SYFH3S1HJQC3NK5LIme_gpHPGdGI0i8D5wWpfrF9SRy0CHDBXkkIvwYrMuCPv5X_0oUzZCE1YQgvsYz0R99s6PufyTYOolGpzJb7yJZAzVhojUe158qUNecRYOlnLBbPz9B91F_4dObzO74ieHUFdr5dGujUv3M4VC_IIZSgGk3irH3iCzLu-bZKKG/s320/PXL_20240311_112718646.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>We stopped for a leisurely brunch and then a leisurely afternoon sitting around at the hotel.</p><p>All this relaxing was nice, but we are supposed to be here for a bit of spring training, so slightly reluctantly we pulled on our trainers and set off on a run along the promenade.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQptK63mDosSbck-HpwnmvFGhpZ5Wr7kiZ0sI7A5MlEGF4iTMrEKmLkC83hzbMiqToffY2K5s99f_zdxLkgxinghmIBYBuWQt2spgChO77CYo3YMFuWKvvSpz72zyKNs7Xb62BE-ydNDX31ccYwA6AAYDhN2u99Wo-dFUggC3sjcwAZBaVD__m-PrdK0T/s3034/20240311_165556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2656" data-original-width="3034" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQptK63mDosSbck-HpwnmvFGhpZ5Wr7kiZ0sI7A5MlEGF4iTMrEKmLkC83hzbMiqToffY2K5s99f_zdxLkgxinghmIBYBuWQt2spgChO77CYo3YMFuWKvvSpz72zyKNs7Xb62BE-ydNDX31ccYwA6AAYDhN2u99Wo-dFUggC3sjcwAZBaVD__m-PrdK0T/s320/20240311_165556.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The conditions were perfect and we did a round trip to the cathedral and back.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5T8DqqxPDEDEge1nfOjE5AqYJ9eRdCfoP-bKGo4DUCzDu8bBb2UAZe_5ghC7YpqAUxxku3vs5KltJ5RPnYkQK2cEn8AWcx3IQWgGTqUa610qO4iZpeQW-wayk6HXgJiQYZ8AwFbD7V5mamMv8wxjsLJvCLuvCaJxrcX-NFj-pmcGGE8ObmqSBgNI6-hl/s4000/20240311_170531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5T8DqqxPDEDEge1nfOjE5AqYJ9eRdCfoP-bKGo4DUCzDu8bBb2UAZe_5ghC7YpqAUxxku3vs5KltJ5RPnYkQK2cEn8AWcx3IQWgGTqUa610qO4iZpeQW-wayk6HXgJiQYZ8AwFbD7V5mamMv8wxjsLJvCLuvCaJxrcX-NFj-pmcGGE8ObmqSBgNI6-hl/s320/20240311_170531.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTDVdylu8UEZ3UFqQavvslIf7CwfG4wRsyPJlvUQZlGAFKOBX2I9E1Dg0tUCycMZidx2tz2wocDyMDnw4elODiwQnfD77adqKLWC0N69fdaUYswLOlHomdJoifssEmel8OJTgY9RuM51zerQ2eTtZycDdvuwti8s9xbj26966-1Az-HXRA8FK_qaEO4ch/s2939/20240311_171040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2939" data-original-width="2886" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTDVdylu8UEZ3UFqQavvslIf7CwfG4wRsyPJlvUQZlGAFKOBX2I9E1Dg0tUCycMZidx2tz2wocDyMDnw4elODiwQnfD77adqKLWC0N69fdaUYswLOlHomdJoifssEmel8OJTgY9RuM51zerQ2eTtZycDdvuwti8s9xbj26966-1Az-HXRA8FK_qaEO4ch/s320/20240311_171040.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All ready now for a busier day tomorrow.</div>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-24196688111968799062024-02-19T12:57:00.000-08:002024-02-19T12:57:28.043-08:00Coventry Cathedral <p>Coventry Cathedral is the last Cathedral in what has turned out to be a grand tour of some of the greatest Cathedrals in England.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL043OsGbkCSuPW2MNTODwz7aGrziMp2i6Rm3ApKhCpy0V0DHtxXnM2J48BinPr7bD5GoFRgONQ9ZUJsNkzRUatQAqoXiR4yMFkyCcvVN4FLZCbFnLhCUXanzIRRDx7dgRfvt-v4WMYJLqd2zVWJaOu15_Q_sys5nLIbw3baua7CsWD2ulZwOi4HXVSClQ/s4032/PXL_20240219_104743971.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL043OsGbkCSuPW2MNTODwz7aGrziMp2i6Rm3ApKhCpy0V0DHtxXnM2J48BinPr7bD5GoFRgONQ9ZUJsNkzRUatQAqoXiR4yMFkyCcvVN4FLZCbFnLhCUXanzIRRDx7dgRfvt-v4WMYJLqd2zVWJaOu15_Q_sys5nLIbw3baua7CsWD2ulZwOi4HXVSClQ/s320/PXL_20240219_104743971.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Coventry is different though as it was destroyed in a massive German air raid in November 1940.</p><p>All that is left are the stone bones of the exterior of the building.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pC95lvuWp5mxFViqOdry_K2J-NZP3eErkd5CX5kt2_keYhIT3vBkqiOkP0y_C7rpjfbyRi5nrsYK_e_vos8D9F5LDZuWotb_2cUva0yZOC2ghg3oqH4YZB0BH0wPlOQQIgvaxxUj9K-pST65_yRb712Edor600K1MkV4iF25TmLaWYeob8bWVtdw7_bg/s4032/PXL_20240219_110057318.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pC95lvuWp5mxFViqOdry_K2J-NZP3eErkd5CX5kt2_keYhIT3vBkqiOkP0y_C7rpjfbyRi5nrsYK_e_vos8D9F5LDZuWotb_2cUva0yZOC2ghg3oqH4YZB0BH0wPlOQQIgvaxxUj9K-pST65_yRb712Edor600K1MkV4iF25TmLaWYeob8bWVtdw7_bg/s320/PXL_20240219_110057318.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p>The tower was not damaged in the fire, but it was almost knocked down while rubble was cleared from the area. It was only saved at the last second when local people explained that it was not leaning at an angle due to bomb damage but had looked like that for at least 100 years.</p><p>After the war it was decided to preserve the remains and build a completely new building next door.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JoMRq4gvFkH6t6SAw1MF9j4YwE2JBX0p3xAhLSSmbUZ4dE5m6uwJpbU4RmtZhrItYRY6_kl5MyQByd6xWxxzKWY38mxdOwL4I46DSoYuXY8VdXRpXC2dF1H7ZujOfpsSsM9Y6UwJdFv1Xu-VQ-6eLDW_Yd_AOHXnkj1niqgyNmFOsdjbo0UH6u3RbSdF/s4032/PXL_20240219_104801442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JoMRq4gvFkH6t6SAw1MF9j4YwE2JBX0p3xAhLSSmbUZ4dE5m6uwJpbU4RmtZhrItYRY6_kl5MyQByd6xWxxzKWY38mxdOwL4I46DSoYuXY8VdXRpXC2dF1H7ZujOfpsSsM9Y6UwJdFv1Xu-VQ-6eLDW_Yd_AOHXnkj1niqgyNmFOsdjbo0UH6u3RbSdF/s320/PXL_20240219_104801442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>We were very lucky with our timing as the sun was shining on the building so the stained glass inside was beautifully lit </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9CwE-yXEts0wjiSqvSjUBHdONXzjpUDIU5t6KEHBaWf8qcg8N8rszy21nLtWv2DdfqHrRMouliJ8vChGqjUSGTXzIHf50khicuuKo9m4H9_VruPZwSwrbS0jtgZ-k8rv2qsb-YlE9QdNPiGQYxDlfMJbIKK84Xzw3d7qDRGrqXQ2a9JyUg-tE0546Csx/s4032/PXL_20240219_104944946.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9CwE-yXEts0wjiSqvSjUBHdONXzjpUDIU5t6KEHBaWf8qcg8N8rszy21nLtWv2DdfqHrRMouliJ8vChGqjUSGTXzIHf50khicuuKo9m4H9_VruPZwSwrbS0jtgZ-k8rv2qsb-YlE9QdNPiGQYxDlfMJbIKK84Xzw3d7qDRGrqXQ2a9JyUg-tE0546Csx/s320/PXL_20240219_104944946.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p>The new Cathedral is very spacious and modern and has an enormous organ whose pipes stretch up over five stories high towards the roof.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrM3rjXZeNu_tAaA5nBh4EInjpIRbPrui-FcDVi762cHpVJ8guu4MNWDWyum1Cq1gnK1QC3IAI_uZPyNqyxbliNKpIMxu3tUxpdNy_Tb98PFGnMaYV8Px1oGEJukUrzzzn8-653YMHIJizR96lmUZbw8AN2k6Em4Bxmq3TJ2Iv1woOG1EYLvLs2y3Gv6D/s4000/20240219_105053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrM3rjXZeNu_tAaA5nBh4EInjpIRbPrui-FcDVi762cHpVJ8guu4MNWDWyum1Cq1gnK1QC3IAI_uZPyNqyxbliNKpIMxu3tUxpdNy_Tb98PFGnMaYV8Px1oGEJukUrzzzn8-653YMHIJizR96lmUZbw8AN2k6Em4Bxmq3TJ2Iv1woOG1EYLvLs2y3Gv6D/s320/20240219_105053.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>It's all very different to the 1,000 year old Cathedrals that we visited earlier on this trip, but just as impressive.</p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-12358096429986095122024-02-18T13:17:00.000-08:002024-02-18T13:17:28.058-08:00Lincoln to Birmingham <p>Yesterday was Saturday so we were up early, and set out to walk to Yarborough parkrun. We have now officially become parkrun geeks, and are trying to do a parkrun at every letter of the alphabet apart from X, as there aren't any in the whole world beginning with it.</p><p>We are collecting a Y today, and there are only two in England, so here we are at Yarborough on the outskirts of Lincoln.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFi4Sp84wYSfH3MRUu-d7J0lj8Szaw4PQsNl3-EvSWULo5yWZs_es6htZ74IBgsT99oXqYBJ4HuiEusNMwKAgErj_SHDIChJTpzqy5_mR5qeSvbfXRUdIwwUSEhME0Xd503AuBCzzBhmOju2wZzkzVOY9pQHluY_9cf-Ky4E1YhsbtF6mJWSU5qg5pFbQ/s4032/PXL_20240217_084612470.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFi4Sp84wYSfH3MRUu-d7J0lj8Szaw4PQsNl3-EvSWULo5yWZs_es6htZ74IBgsT99oXqYBJ4HuiEusNMwKAgErj_SHDIChJTpzqy5_mR5qeSvbfXRUdIwwUSEhME0Xd503AuBCzzBhmOju2wZzkzVOY9pQHluY_9cf-Ky4E1YhsbtF6mJWSU5qg5pFbQ/s320/PXL_20240217_084612470.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>It looks deserted, but actually 220 people did the run, and lots of them were tourists like ourselves. We are only now missing a Z.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQr2j5njZfdUin7Pkb75EQTjI368fuoHe8sXktpwg2duaWqbrOT2jr2HHmqwfK7Uucs9qKT2tAQ8bZck9Hr3ArTRGroO6rEh-iNnMAHJuS3q4m5V6cqRJYuE5e7jmUSsZVXmuP5eHPVFKzUiO3GNSvWP-nR1mDYjRfjk9HUY4BY3lObwAIZe1Qh3d7aWxb/s4032/PXL_20240217_085752702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQr2j5njZfdUin7Pkb75EQTjI368fuoHe8sXktpwg2duaWqbrOT2jr2HHmqwfK7Uucs9qKT2tAQ8bZck9Hr3ArTRGroO6rEh-iNnMAHJuS3q4m5V6cqRJYuE5e7jmUSsZVXmuP5eHPVFKzUiO3GNSvWP-nR1mDYjRfjk9HUY4BY3lObwAIZe1Qh3d7aWxb/s320/PXL_20240217_085752702.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>After a pleasant run and reasonably good times, we then caught a train to Nottingham to see family.</p><p>Today is Sunday and we are going with Elaine and Mark to Birmingham to see the British Indoor Athletics Championships 2024.</p><p>To make life easier for us we popped our bikes in the boot of their car and we whizzed there in about an hour.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGBUzHazphM9ulkz0MSh9QOF4FNgw51rowzrA6tcvUBjb0XnIp8O7xHs0oMTJZlQ86_5gP75qkp56AiYGj9fiQBCrL0vQUwoZcfcb501UFBF-8ndi7Garr9W_rMWdTx9yQRinWL0VxZQQSCzW3FiJ9xPrxllpEu1oDUSudkXI-0oojrN4J8SVCr0NLRB9/s4032/PXL_20240218_140854554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGBUzHazphM9ulkz0MSh9QOF4FNgw51rowzrA6tcvUBjb0XnIp8O7xHs0oMTJZlQ86_5gP75qkp56AiYGj9fiQBCrL0vQUwoZcfcb501UFBF-8ndi7Garr9W_rMWdTx9yQRinWL0VxZQQSCzW3FiJ9xPrxllpEu1oDUSudkXI-0oojrN4J8SVCr0NLRB9/s320/PXL_20240218_140854554.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We don't usually follow athletics very closely, but it was an excellent day out and packed full of action.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4pNHujI-8ZOXPGP6iCaW65Hq45g5qkcG4piO7dj9lfQ_8CBJJbynQ4zQKEJJViEPmD_GoZKWrMRSB4cdTQNozZkpPhLHsEGPIIihMNRSiBvdd_TtsUBTYtpi4J1LjRxgyHg7Yg78i7N5Fmjttb91KZLu_8fcwx99BabzocL8QlndTUh-VbL2TbQnvBiE/s1935/PXL_20240218_120444865~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1935" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4pNHujI-8ZOXPGP6iCaW65Hq45g5qkcG4piO7dj9lfQ_8CBJJbynQ4zQKEJJViEPmD_GoZKWrMRSB4cdTQNozZkpPhLHsEGPIIihMNRSiBvdd_TtsUBTYtpi4J1LjRxgyHg7Yg78i7N5Fmjttb91KZLu_8fcwx99BabzocL8QlndTUh-VbL2TbQnvBiE/s320/PXL_20240218_120444865~2.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><p>The most disappointing and surprising thing that we found out though, is that the race walkers walk really, really quickly and they are actually much faster walkers than we are runners.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ro52ipR5ULvpD-pP-cIgWUZKxQyEQ781TB0mqLgm620Y7Rs-Bksispe-pqISg-q1FrWypmm0exMlfcn1hEQ-KWsTWzvavxL1umuSmXEcuXyl_rqGyrUPLWHH6Q-J9sqw0N6BpaYpRZF7jTHPb_pJ456SWJ_flSTVHgPy3f3Ls3VfVWvABXO1mhwpAoBv/s1656/20240218_130045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1218" data-original-width="1656" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ro52ipR5ULvpD-pP-cIgWUZKxQyEQ781TB0mqLgm620Y7Rs-Bksispe-pqISg-q1FrWypmm0exMlfcn1hEQ-KWsTWzvavxL1umuSmXEcuXyl_rqGyrUPLWHH6Q-J9sqw0N6BpaYpRZF7jTHPb_pJ456SWJ_flSTVHgPy3f3Ls3VfVWvABXO1mhwpAoBv/s320/20240218_130045.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Hopefully we don't like as silly as them though.</p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-66513981584960855752024-02-16T11:36:00.000-08:002024-02-16T11:36:19.168-08:00Lincoln Cathedral <p>Following our very poor efforts at the cathedrals of Salisbury and Winchester, we decided that we would try harder at Lincoln.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkT0O3kXrpyyiuiMBAX1NTbIzOI_8JAdzWiws3YxnyOlXS2GWvDDZwD39mdz0WvOl8QU3Uz-68MMNqYeP5yCawfzXgXuJaFPAs_9_L9M6pBkqmPZUtTb1F3-_CfCyOAACz3f7D0UPWiay_PLK-4zwcaBs2uzP0cqhACZK51zYnxwfdZoom4JEYoA85SFvc/s2788/PXL_20240216_101633647.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2788" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkT0O3kXrpyyiuiMBAX1NTbIzOI_8JAdzWiws3YxnyOlXS2GWvDDZwD39mdz0WvOl8QU3Uz-68MMNqYeP5yCawfzXgXuJaFPAs_9_L9M6pBkqmPZUtTb1F3-_CfCyOAACz3f7D0UPWiay_PLK-4zwcaBs2uzP0cqhACZK51zYnxwfdZoom4JEYoA85SFvc/s320/PXL_20240216_101633647.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After many decades being shrouded in scaffolding, I was very pleased to find that it was all taken down about eight months ago leaving the entrance looking immaculate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We booked on the morning guided tour and heard all about the history of the place. Work started almost 1,000 years ago, although it was much smaller than it is today. It was originally just a small fortified square building that was made mostly of wood that soon burned down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Work started again and that was mostly destroyed by an earthquake, and then work started again. But then most of the money that had been collected to pay for the building was stolen in an uprising.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilycxThYcXhjC_xPtQia8lZroFa4RRiu-011pid3_tuIjGtp9EO3rzGFC34n5xl2ecPanVngybkZYFOXO9VMioghC5stJoZ19VyRr4Juo3u6K9sVONtJSPiJzDlrePWM8qUdFbl0Tzruc5eU6LGdBkJPpfi8Sa8h1TjKTV1v6lnppSNPaUhoyRf7avGGKM/s4032/PXL_20240216_102926105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilycxThYcXhjC_xPtQia8lZroFa4RRiu-011pid3_tuIjGtp9EO3rzGFC34n5xl2ecPanVngybkZYFOXO9VMioghC5stJoZ19VyRr4Juo3u6K9sVONtJSPiJzDlrePWM8qUdFbl0Tzruc5eU6LGdBkJPpfi8Sa8h1TjKTV1v6lnppSNPaUhoyRf7avGGKM/s320/PXL_20240216_102926105.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They carried on building but had to scale back their plans, although it does look magnificent now. In fact, it also used to have a huge wooden spire, and in 1,311 it became the tallest building in the world until it fell down in a storm 237 years later.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the 1,300's a civil war and battle caused most of the stained glass windows to be destroyed. The small pieces of glass were carefully saved and about 100 years later an architect got the job of putting it back together. People assumed that he was going to put the pictures back together, but that was too difficult so instead he made a lovely random pattern.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsefG6N9-yrj_o3CROqiJoLnelJ973Ygd9J1BzKmBDqrqzOR5n9C6SAZmoatkoBBiCm42O_rR1GIWw_-oyzIqhGPnvNbmjOVZ-PBaciZ9ZYDpUBh7cinZ9YGZD5UTLJNYviNDHA5lSGvHSPTt55CTjp8_6AJDZ16ARbLm5UthS5toFnqS6gXDC83A66PB-/s1906/PXL_20240216_110102348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1906" data-original-width="1758" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsefG6N9-yrj_o3CROqiJoLnelJ973Ygd9J1BzKmBDqrqzOR5n9C6SAZmoatkoBBiCm42O_rR1GIWw_-oyzIqhGPnvNbmjOVZ-PBaciZ9ZYDpUBh7cinZ9YGZD5UTLJNYviNDHA5lSGvHSPTt55CTjp8_6AJDZ16ARbLm5UthS5toFnqS6gXDC83A66PB-/s320/PXL_20240216_110102348.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the moment a huge globe is hanging from the ceiling, and a few months ago we saw it in Bath Abbey when we went there for a concert.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctfHElAxocFbe29y7qg20gY-IuSWcNcBKnHBe8mbDM-hnrV234LkyN0cXu0z638by8btRhBQ-VvmE-UHSwJ_-cfL_ZGemt-r4VGzTSvQf6LGJ5HsOkMl2VEfhAkapHtWA7xlfDLi3BDjF6tk0kSiCp9W0JGTfmuT9Ds6wc5RKhy0rBomJ9B1XTmXpa7Fq/s3480/20240216_125539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3480" data-original-width="2990" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctfHElAxocFbe29y7qg20gY-IuSWcNcBKnHBe8mbDM-hnrV234LkyN0cXu0z638by8btRhBQ-VvmE-UHSwJ_-cfL_ZGemt-r4VGzTSvQf6LGJ5HsOkMl2VEfhAkapHtWA7xlfDLi3BDjF6tk0kSiCp9W0JGTfmuT9Ds6wc5RKhy0rBomJ9B1XTmXpa7Fq/s320/20240216_125539.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also saw the Lincoln Imp which is a legendary naughty creature that turned up and caused a lot of trouble, until an angel got fed up with it and turned it to stone - allegedly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvREPZZPYZbbFWKx4llNyp2IWJncqF51jRrZFlGzIBOX_Zt5s2koSY7zJMwOAmvDT9DbHawxQWFX4NDtUToqN-VjqqEi8Hl167ETURWIXqgIUyBWrWy7KJuL6WeodSu-iKx3Wr8LOg5cJSnpvFlkn03V99dcHBI5875cWA4HKyu22MEs-xFryqMrZiV-c/s906/PXL_20240216_113551898~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="869" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvREPZZPYZbbFWKx4llNyp2IWJncqF51jRrZFlGzIBOX_Zt5s2koSY7zJMwOAmvDT9DbHawxQWFX4NDtUToqN-VjqqEi8Hl167ETURWIXqgIUyBWrWy7KJuL6WeodSu-iKx3Wr8LOg5cJSnpvFlkn03V99dcHBI5875cWA4HKyu22MEs-xFryqMrZiV-c/s320/PXL_20240216_113551898~2.jpg" width="307" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the afternoon we decided to do a cathedral double header and signed up for the roof walk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ap3VBSzYfLWXp8VOuW1NdZ_1TqroK5DQ5KHG3RaK3x-TuaRGk944R63ttjY1kAOtEeHm4gU3nB8j7QigNuherN7BswwVi78qDhXKAagDB-as93XhzCZ1xJVKHmAvR9EQ9a07ErVqNww7USTKJ6kFTPdUV9diJRiKItqD0nrs9EBzH-xGKwssxO10OhHv/s4032/PXL_20240216_135953629.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ap3VBSzYfLWXp8VOuW1NdZ_1TqroK5DQ5KHG3RaK3x-TuaRGk944R63ttjY1kAOtEeHm4gU3nB8j7QigNuherN7BswwVi78qDhXKAagDB-as93XhzCZ1xJVKHmAvR9EQ9a07ErVqNww7USTKJ6kFTPdUV9diJRiKItqD0nrs9EBzH-xGKwssxO10OhHv/s320/PXL_20240216_135953629.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We climbed up lots of spiral staircases inside hidden parts of the building and saw all of the massive oak beams that hold up the roof.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQ8XL3Lwn6r7ozxXzdyjJj77NShEkNDp2gUmpfRBu4r9wVVHt_NQOLLgEeK6j2PjEPsEc3Ui_ovbWoOG-M7q59QDuMeOtgaZmFFyMWBc2cXFHl5Mvm8rUOb098ztZzB2d2MASiuCpEN570uELKBmWNMaQR9CRZKm1ibzGeBxxTlUvPZi2YZTPABWKwtvr/s4000/20240216_135156.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQ8XL3Lwn6r7ozxXzdyjJj77NShEkNDp2gUmpfRBu4r9wVVHt_NQOLLgEeK6j2PjEPsEc3Ui_ovbWoOG-M7q59QDuMeOtgaZmFFyMWBc2cXFHl5Mvm8rUOb098ztZzB2d2MASiuCpEN570uELKBmWNMaQR9CRZKm1ibzGeBxxTlUvPZi2YZTPABWKwtvr/s320/20240216_135156.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also walked along a hidden floor near the ceiling and got some brilliant views of the interior.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zwf5GrodaRmXYprHeQgBko6oSsePBmv3wRCLhnKtOF2WvbUQJPydqYkBPkM75Ts9gJ3b2at77SAMzhB0rJkOuzCrwKDau-8pGubtfK6oEhhb7bKdeVBknwJpNrYsfEDv1KufijMRxTksEPczZMONv0d-Q-XFwC714z4pG4kRrobzXM74OHZzcCZMCyAH/s4000/20240216_143823.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zwf5GrodaRmXYprHeQgBko6oSsePBmv3wRCLhnKtOF2WvbUQJPydqYkBPkM75Ts9gJ3b2at77SAMzhB0rJkOuzCrwKDau-8pGubtfK6oEhhb7bKdeVBknwJpNrYsfEDv1KufijMRxTksEPczZMONv0d-Q-XFwC714z4pG4kRrobzXM74OHZzcCZMCyAH/s320/20240216_143823.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-70275784007560962602024-02-15T12:37:00.000-08:002024-02-15T12:37:38.758-08:00Woking to Lincoln <p>What a lovely day for a bike ride. We took a risk by cycling across country lanes and fields first thing this morning. We also cycled along Muddy Lane near Wisley, and surprisingly it didn't live up to its name.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbnpDtNLoBMgN1FLaAh3K3LlLvnXvJluAe9F3w4pVxYznRCwp-PPIy68CC4ndoq_bkfuXtIQTbMT8JDQAYT5l6DJ4VitybtwSW5kDGOBOwZ6zFHiZNCXwI_k3RnTuhsT4ZqAXWtMBUKBMItlZZ-KWDcTpFT0cqlJ7uRJg-jDWPoThipv_Pb7XhWmjtq-y/s4000/20240215_085231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbnpDtNLoBMgN1FLaAh3K3LlLvnXvJluAe9F3w4pVxYznRCwp-PPIy68CC4ndoq_bkfuXtIQTbMT8JDQAYT5l6DJ4VitybtwSW5kDGOBOwZ6zFHiZNCXwI_k3RnTuhsT4ZqAXWtMBUKBMItlZZ-KWDcTpFT0cqlJ7uRJg-jDWPoThipv_Pb7XhWmjtq-y/s320/20240215_085231.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Then we cycled along a gorgeous canal on our route towards London.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAFGSKJgQLxUt5_lYwGTBGD21U8-LbyxRfbvRL_9YKupuYRVuBfaml7IuZYA-WdSIcvKqPu5zRQA9vnnLYTkkq2XVUCUYAOqjfkZUMAw2Om5vq6obqFqo7X72zw6naOO-vS8xLe2RPf5ZXDqSBDle1SHHYOmWKVBbCL_6MjJFGyeTqgCIJjCWyKi_l80v/s4032/PXL_20240215_085653004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAFGSKJgQLxUt5_lYwGTBGD21U8-LbyxRfbvRL_9YKupuYRVuBfaml7IuZYA-WdSIcvKqPu5zRQA9vnnLYTkkq2XVUCUYAOqjfkZUMAw2Om5vq6obqFqo7X72zw6naOO-vS8xLe2RPf5ZXDqSBDle1SHHYOmWKVBbCL_6MjJFGyeTqgCIJjCWyKi_l80v/s320/PXL_20240215_085653004.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p>A little further along we came across Brooklands Museum, and although we didn't go in, we got a great view of Concorde from the cycle path.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8crQSZhpAPSEb2YgeE887lO3nao7obzJVNYrpp-U12Q4dVguqp1Xv8vgxl66CcyWZNLYxevNMMwAOFbxHUdzJC0XPFiBlAmxeOQRsag92IExW1dhL4UsAhuC1bSaLlixUKri5dpwljl4OG_gq1zgnDEAw4DTHNEAln296Zq5mETWUbFbTIxPFuyxS4-o/s4000/20240215_091646.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8crQSZhpAPSEb2YgeE887lO3nao7obzJVNYrpp-U12Q4dVguqp1Xv8vgxl66CcyWZNLYxevNMMwAOFbxHUdzJC0XPFiBlAmxeOQRsag92IExW1dhL4UsAhuC1bSaLlixUKri5dpwljl4OG_gq1zgnDEAw4DTHNEAln296Zq5mETWUbFbTIxPFuyxS4-o/s320/20240215_091646.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>We were under time pressure today as we had to be at Kings Cross Station for the 1.06pm train to Lincoln.</p><p>We set off at 8.30 to allow time for stops along the way and we had a coffee just before the halfway point near to Hampton Court Palace.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UKCCLaHWG-V-eptJt90XtIBZXYGX6hgifknY_8LjTlcBnHIxdz1e8kveS5rsSg98NpF7NsnhuEWd29pvMfG0QLUkidvwIXHIpzuFSl2B2hRjrt3eaKlpNQunIjhTL86fxcUItgIJ9YpfIZifFtRrui3tkw5y9beM92hF7k97_x1XDja4m9BeXnD77Yxp/s4000/20240215_101850.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UKCCLaHWG-V-eptJt90XtIBZXYGX6hgifknY_8LjTlcBnHIxdz1e8kveS5rsSg98NpF7NsnhuEWd29pvMfG0QLUkidvwIXHIpzuFSl2B2hRjrt3eaKlpNQunIjhTL86fxcUItgIJ9YpfIZifFtRrui3tkw5y9beM92hF7k97_x1XDja4m9BeXnD77Yxp/s320/20240215_101850.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>After that it was straight back on the road and on to a track next to the River Thames. This time the track was much more uneven and full of puddles which slowed us down a lot. Then we reached a succession of royal parks including Hampton Court, Richmond and Hyde Park.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYwF0oXOpkLBWGXcc9dONWJJmu4Wq6H4j_M7rfxlKWu6qHpaXUIQqQG9VyJhaSc5v-zGD3DR_f-kZgHE2ioYklqVw3ToF9oY977JVoLEgjsPRFWtBqdllPPVO4NVARzH0qMF3KBtGVmSFU-e_NUOWbJW9BdhFYb4arrY9wqh-6T83XhWfkRY68x-BTsQp/s4032/PXL_20240215_111533813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYwF0oXOpkLBWGXcc9dONWJJmu4Wq6H4j_M7rfxlKWu6qHpaXUIQqQG9VyJhaSc5v-zGD3DR_f-kZgHE2ioYklqVw3ToF9oY977JVoLEgjsPRFWtBqdllPPVO4NVARzH0qMF3KBtGVmSFU-e_NUOWbJW9BdhFYb4arrY9wqh-6T83XhWfkRY68x-BTsQp/s320/PXL_20240215_111533813.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Then we had to navigate the streets of London, and at one point it seemed as if we would never get there, but we arrived at Kings Cross at 12.30. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqC_mD0rNpPautOtJ363BCXG70LYzkL-eqMr7K-oAfKPIh9vYHXtAWjTRYgrfR6uas1yDoQ3clYkYmI5QD9rEZ8PDDBrZwLpv2KiuQhhNfmwLO5A9RNTutwrDnHZacH8Nv8JXZITi8CJWPohtF0iwp8axkKjOXH6Yz5FkbUBQ9Y0Y3UywaRtuiikpOtEUO/s4032/PXL_20240215_124859817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqC_mD0rNpPautOtJ363BCXG70LYzkL-eqMr7K-oAfKPIh9vYHXtAWjTRYgrfR6uas1yDoQ3clYkYmI5QD9rEZ8PDDBrZwLpv2KiuQhhNfmwLO5A9RNTutwrDnHZacH8Nv8JXZITi8CJWPohtF0iwp8axkKjOXH6Yz5FkbUBQ9Y0Y3UywaRtuiikpOtEUO/s320/PXL_20240215_124859817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Plenty of time to get lunch and catch the train up north.</p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-26534331954875544912024-02-14T07:59:00.000-08:002024-02-14T07:59:48.824-08:00Wisley dinosaur display <p>Today we walked from our hotel to the Royal Horticultural Society garden at Wisley. I was expecting it to be quiet as it is a dark and damp Wednesday in February, but actually it's school half term and they have a special dinosaur display.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomDYGvnuVWgIh3H4JQ_-8gyEXCFc1Ur2DRwoflqjU5nVTcdrFiaH3Ftg8mi2fQLZYh8YbG4_szLTEfoBG75DeyLCCS71rBctmMk4xStmzZWEKUa9d6aZYcPzd-IuIs79upGNm2khFvLm6ezptegocG25-yA573osWkgack2eY0DFiNRRe9E20QVxXQfRJ/s4032/PXL_20240214_105625695.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomDYGvnuVWgIh3H4JQ_-8gyEXCFc1Ur2DRwoflqjU5nVTcdrFiaH3Ftg8mi2fQLZYh8YbG4_szLTEfoBG75DeyLCCS71rBctmMk4xStmzZWEKUa9d6aZYcPzd-IuIs79upGNm2khFvLm6ezptegocG25-yA573osWkgack2eY0DFiNRRe9E20QVxXQfRJ/s320/PXL_20240214_105625695.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The main action takes place in the glasshouse, which is heated and very steamy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8Yb_AB7aql8L-3Ct-hLF2fmzu0k_huBpHTb-KwWp9EmZniMtnUYVXp6y7GVxBCqLf_VMLvCOASHDEVDlr3zCrOSAX7-pPzSMdk47lJzNyVOz0qWQt1x7MbSCUuz_1KO3BM5By_v_vJL4uryCZaczTeqBWNIoz3c9YV5ZTG9tYp9faPUpLEqH5XWe7zUZ/s4032/PXL_20240214_111757288.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8Yb_AB7aql8L-3Ct-hLF2fmzu0k_huBpHTb-KwWp9EmZniMtnUYVXp6y7GVxBCqLf_VMLvCOASHDEVDlr3zCrOSAX7-pPzSMdk47lJzNyVOz0qWQt1x7MbSCUuz_1KO3BM5By_v_vJL4uryCZaczTeqBWNIoz3c9YV5ZTG9tYp9faPUpLEqH5XWe7zUZ/s320/PXL_20240214_111757288.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>There was lots of fantastic corten dinosaurs, and this one is feeding from the top of a cactus. </p><p>They would look amazing in my garden and I am strongly encouraging Darren to take up metalworking to make some for me.</p><p>They also had dinosaurs made from plants that took a bit of finding.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglp6-mcfWfOmy9yqjv3TN1jEQqqY7sDeassshaI_Oh5o-kCcehSRQobG8hE8NwjQrM7frNV4WcIFZBIaQqvgGmpolgetbCFL1vU9gueWDvNIePL49aSJVA8MbVqubvOo9lmESS9BDT7F6JR5C-WU9DQdhAJFEn1Dy_2Hlj7e02GliYWNXQ55Dyp841s_YZ/s4032/PXL_20240214_111231299.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglp6-mcfWfOmy9yqjv3TN1jEQqqY7sDeassshaI_Oh5o-kCcehSRQobG8hE8NwjQrM7frNV4WcIFZBIaQqvgGmpolgetbCFL1vU9gueWDvNIePL49aSJVA8MbVqubvOo9lmESS9BDT7F6JR5C-WU9DQdhAJFEn1Dy_2Hlj7e02GliYWNXQ55Dyp841s_YZ/s320/PXL_20240214_111231299.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p>This pterodactyl is just about to sit on it's nest. </p><p>We went round the whole display and then wandered around the grounds where everywhere is totally immaculate, and springing into life.</p><p>Snowdrops and tiny irises were everywhere and I have lots of ideas for my garden, including this.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNe9-SrNJuAfV7DpzRISrcwCNDjrz_cWiZKm2e7YDr6DMYoKduOZ9KUVBlGGc0tovT45N7VCj93A5aMJwQnN6Yzjx8W2fngtam323JugAr4YRWS8VYOCeBFHTD60YJ0IBBUCdGnfYhnHyunvDOAht4NdRMLayJkYP5B7FZdyvRv6QJvtaV1I6Tlss6Y3d/s2705/PXL_20240214_112937454.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2705" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNe9-SrNJuAfV7DpzRISrcwCNDjrz_cWiZKm2e7YDr6DMYoKduOZ9KUVBlGGc0tovT45N7VCj93A5aMJwQnN6Yzjx8W2fngtam323JugAr4YRWS8VYOCeBFHTD60YJ0IBBUCdGnfYhnHyunvDOAht4NdRMLayJkYP5B7FZdyvRv6QJvtaV1I6Tlss6Y3d/s320/PXL_20240214_112937454.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><p>I am going to try it with a prickly wild rose bush.</p><p>Afterwards, we went back to the dinosaurs again as it was much quieter, so we followed all the clues set up for the children and got my guidebook stamped for being a clever girl.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggR2OAt-RlXpgrHKuixVqQ535nBA9lLS07y_Iq5BpONnFpqYQqf3HEXYXOs-SdRqQupA5M4Yba_DyvW26gDipQ7IgMbcrG08adGnLHTIhHheLwPq_ciKLcf6vZFbG38tyZA2zP3C5Fz_t24NB6Ughe2JtHVCz9ySN-T_JCNi0XSevmclwCpMGghubCqx4E/s4032/PXL_20240214_155424888.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggR2OAt-RlXpgrHKuixVqQ535nBA9lLS07y_Iq5BpONnFpqYQqf3HEXYXOs-SdRqQupA5M4Yba_DyvW26gDipQ7IgMbcrG08adGnLHTIhHheLwPq_ciKLcf6vZFbG38tyZA2zP3C5Fz_t24NB6Ughe2JtHVCz9ySN-T_JCNi0XSevmclwCpMGghubCqx4E/s320/PXL_20240214_155424888.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-1311042979587304992024-02-13T13:15:00.000-08:002024-02-13T13:15:13.702-08:00Marwell to Woking <p>The rain was just starting as we left our hotel, but it was only light and didn't really spoil our 15 kilometre cycle ride to Winchester. Once there we left the cycle path, took one turn and straight away came across the famous statue.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktF0gSEhGVRN-nF73F8sdzqXv71EM_TI_fAjBK8KY4RE_yFxG0wE6T6IOcDlaL0cbWZSM4QMq7S0T-2JTZP-FZMD8OCKfU6Mu785wY2YlA0jdTf_Pm6rBrRtX_D8tLJomixSNGpYIyFRE8jgMa2UhlprUQpEpixtmwlQh3OMsFuTnhdtWmCJo69CYxm_S/s2971/20240213_100612.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2651" data-original-width="2971" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktF0gSEhGVRN-nF73F8sdzqXv71EM_TI_fAjBK8KY4RE_yFxG0wE6T6IOcDlaL0cbWZSM4QMq7S0T-2JTZP-FZMD8OCKfU6Mu785wY2YlA0jdTf_Pm6rBrRtX_D8tLJomixSNGpYIyFRE8jgMa2UhlprUQpEpixtmwlQh3OMsFuTnhdtWmCJo69CYxm_S/s320/20240213_100612.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>King Alfred the Great, looking triumphant in middle of his roundabout. </p><p>'Scholar, soldier, statesman, King Alfred restored Winchester after the Dark Ages and made the city his capital', said my guidebook. He died in 899, which seems a startling long time ago.</p><p>We were getting cold and wet by now, so we abandoned plans to do a city walking tour, and went straight to see the cathedral.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihSRYufpKLzt35FCR8TAgwlhagw0mQ427Lt81XqNBUP1uqytNYbAhJNSuUASPB6oR1ZaoEYaxKFHpJ0f-tUtc5sfF04dtCtgBbpLWqYbWHftuG3a4ARSQbCzS7rCyOczbWiqzS50cUB1LpRgP7tydrB7c8UQg3n6Uk5csnORk2tYYq9C-7kE-zHBLh5K_/s4032/PXL_20240213_102112838.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihSRYufpKLzt35FCR8TAgwlhagw0mQ427Lt81XqNBUP1uqytNYbAhJNSuUASPB6oR1ZaoEYaxKFHpJ0f-tUtc5sfF04dtCtgBbpLWqYbWHftuG3a4ARSQbCzS7rCyOczbWiqzS50cUB1LpRgP7tydrB7c8UQg3n6Uk5csnORk2tYYq9C-7kE-zHBLh5K_/s320/PXL_20240213_102112838.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I was pleased to see that this cathedral, like Salisbury, has no scaffolding around it, but it also doesn't have a spire. Why not? Well apparently it did originally, but it fell down in 1107.</p><p>Getting colder by the second we decided to head to the train station and catch the fast train directly to Woking. (This wasn't a cop out, it wasn't always part of the plan as the distance is too great to cycle in a day.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeqvtMPBYrKOojHZy-YZosvY5SUFXguVU3xbrjEQKTv9UQvr7brRZhfhogmJm-P1AUK3S2tbc4H5QtyVOFpZ82BSJxk_nSUdF3PDLfjQPs5-xjTzZ0dzdd2kCZAr_w0jtQodh-SqdUQZZ770Q4XSj7wcevcun68ouf1tAEQazMKZYwkjaBelVhhuWFCNx/s2268/PXL_20240213_125608745.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2124" data-original-width="2268" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeqvtMPBYrKOojHZy-YZosvY5SUFXguVU3xbrjEQKTv9UQvr7brRZhfhogmJm-P1AUK3S2tbc4H5QtyVOFpZ82BSJxk_nSUdF3PDLfjQPs5-xjTzZ0dzdd2kCZAr_w0jtQodh-SqdUQZZ770Q4XSj7wcevcun68ouf1tAEQazMKZYwkjaBelVhhuWFCNx/s320/PXL_20240213_125608745.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>After a lot of drama and delays we arrived at Woking station which wasn't too far from our hotel, so off we went again.</p><p>In the distance we saw Newark Priory. It was built on an island of the River Wey between 1189 and 1199. The ruins of it are now on private land, so impossible to get close to.</p><p>The Priory was dissolved by Henry 8th in 1537, and was destroyed by a cannon from a nearby hill.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOy5zBUE7_WHBfY0iIYKO0H-xUMoreR56XBTKLZj3yR0usquNEdnS5HRZQS26kcvuBCk5gGd-H7HBqkh0alu8ofl2klY3n2Vx7zMgKbFeOZWDEp7tNXJLVkLhxbkajr07_M1XliL9g0IprK_LSlN_HO_5eWe70X5hEMsrVR_yFNjYbPQwpneP-rkCKEDi/s2965/PXL_20240213_125601817.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1569" data-original-width="2965" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOy5zBUE7_WHBfY0iIYKO0H-xUMoreR56XBTKLZj3yR0usquNEdnS5HRZQS26kcvuBCk5gGd-H7HBqkh0alu8ofl2klY3n2Vx7zMgKbFeOZWDEp7tNXJLVkLhxbkajr07_M1XliL9g0IprK_LSlN_HO_5eWe70X5hEMsrVR_yFNjYbPQwpneP-rkCKEDi/s320/PXL_20240213_125601817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>It is said to be haunted by monks who wander around the flat watery fields, but fortunately they didn't trouble us as we cycled slowly on our way.</p><p><br /></p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-31423319003257767382024-02-12T10:16:00.000-08:002024-02-12T10:16:54.236-08:00Marwell Hotel and Zoo<p>We are staying at what is supposed to be a boutique spa hotel, but is actually nothing of the kind. Think more of a slightly run down Travelodge located in the middle of nowhere.</p><p>However, our room is large and warm, although the shower is challenging and the breakfast exceptionally poor.</p><p>Anyway, it is next to a safari park and the sun is shining, so we paid a visit.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YfcyCr2Is514Y_X0R3-LxdT31jp8n0DC-T0qXzeBss08pdiTSwctGiFCdUriO4i6jOpFAF_OLg5gzDJAa0PZMZniFsRVaUwPjt9GKNYbWsTBh4cPegFaOVwFVi5AcfmBsllP9vx0Te5MaLRuuqDOKBjZd7y2ERw5HV5lHTwxQBMiMhsOMSFDPPxXvKP6/s4000/20240212_124525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YfcyCr2Is514Y_X0R3-LxdT31jp8n0DC-T0qXzeBss08pdiTSwctGiFCdUriO4i6jOpFAF_OLg5gzDJAa0PZMZniFsRVaUwPjt9GKNYbWsTBh4cPegFaOVwFVi5AcfmBsllP9vx0Te5MaLRuuqDOKBjZd7y2ERw5HV5lHTwxQBMiMhsOMSFDPPxXvKP6/s320/20240212_124525.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Everywhere was very green, and they had lots of zebras, deer, and horsey style animals that live in fields.</p><p>Also four very nice giraffes, and a handy full size photo on the wall so that you can measure yourself against them.</p><p>In the aviary there was lots of colourful birds, and they really liked my shoe laces, probably thinking that they were tasty pink worms.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHgOE1ZQR6cBa0TqM-wfU_rvJ5j3GnT4JVUvI-CfsCZXSW0f02L58kkzM6ehRT1OojECoLVXR3iiYgKJFOPv1NQDLvIdyueg5GGjOHMp3Hskxbwo5pbWvIi1Ttu5q9BsTLr7mhPX9_9TXoNFVsc4YPu214rMY-7NX237yg2nyFfj6Cb9W7f9lebMv_N4L/s2995/20240212_114718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2387" data-original-width="2995" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHgOE1ZQR6cBa0TqM-wfU_rvJ5j3GnT4JVUvI-CfsCZXSW0f02L58kkzM6ehRT1OojECoLVXR3iiYgKJFOPv1NQDLvIdyueg5GGjOHMp3Hskxbwo5pbWvIi1Ttu5q9BsTLr7mhPX9_9TXoNFVsc4YPu214rMY-7NX237yg2nyFfj6Cb9W7f9lebMv_N4L/s320/20240212_114718.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>They didn't have full size hippos, but had three pygmy ones. They were inside today and it was nice and warm in their house, but we found a life sized model for a photo.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuldFLMlSHbikFI3ljmZIdwAJqkdJvPo609necums4I4XdvoVmeNpxJ63VW4TKclDPy0k4GMg5dGi-RM1SOOlI1WL9uX5zP1pNutv_xjhVGZo7Og38csLBwv1lIrFb-NYDoKtE2_1En832vckYhR0miILQENm2hUSP16g_mF8DMiWXZWmVABZcnWisa8z/s4000/20240212_130331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuldFLMlSHbikFI3ljmZIdwAJqkdJvPo609necums4I4XdvoVmeNpxJ63VW4TKclDPy0k4GMg5dGi-RM1SOOlI1WL9uX5zP1pNutv_xjhVGZo7Og38csLBwv1lIrFb-NYDoKtE2_1En832vckYhR0miILQENm2hUSP16g_mF8DMiWXZWmVABZcnWisa8z/s320/20240212_130331.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Finally, they had three rhinos, and right next to their field was a crashed safari truck that looked like something straight out of Jurassic Park.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAhIO7Ujye9_EwRid-RQQcndp3Du5I4hWoPCqu01pAK2p824RPevBlBhha2k-VSu7HPuTb67v5eMJFFDtydSLSxu8qNHhJNyfHloC3j4EodOWhA_HqQLLXulrxGQH_7OzFY5pIhVcXirkQNFtw3GmV5pO7WIbMzIrfpnGWAY-9JlUuXv29QoivvV2adAG/s4000/20240212_103621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAhIO7Ujye9_EwRid-RQQcndp3Du5I4hWoPCqu01pAK2p824RPevBlBhha2k-VSu7HPuTb67v5eMJFFDtydSLSxu8qNHhJNyfHloC3j4EodOWhA_HqQLLXulrxGQH_7OzFY5pIhVcXirkQNFtw3GmV5pO7WIbMzIrfpnGWAY-9JlUuXv29QoivvV2adAG/s320/20240212_103621.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Fortunately we escaped unscathed.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-20731894077704393282024-02-11T09:45:00.000-08:002024-02-11T09:45:24.729-08:00Salisbury to Marwell (near Winchester)<p>Quick update from yesterday that I have just read in The Times. Apparently the cathedral in Salisbury has had scaffolding up for the last 38 years, and they took it down at the end of last week just so that we could get a good photo.</p><p>But on to today, and feeling refreshed we were all packed up and ready to set off, just waiting for the drizzle to stop and for Darren to mend another puncture. </p><p>Once the weather picked up and the tyre was full of air, we rolled out of town and after a few miles we reached East Grimstead - not grim at all, and quite picturesque.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvq-v49MziWZPbbWV4V3x78QmrFdQ51oR6n8Z3tKCZQnA1Z2bWZUkPE6r4Q3v-NSE36qTlqn2VPxwUKSc0y9H1B3nl0RPW5KhKS-z9eDLzX3Y7POjq8Bp-UTJQT9Z0LeWn8O94uWU8oUdciAittcpyRQ8kv8VF-u53W_BFF_rHIhgLLOIbDBraquhAV4C/s4032/PXL_20240211_104836713.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvq-v49MziWZPbbWV4V3x78QmrFdQ51oR6n8Z3tKCZQnA1Z2bWZUkPE6r4Q3v-NSE36qTlqn2VPxwUKSc0y9H1B3nl0RPW5KhKS-z9eDLzX3Y7POjq8Bp-UTJQT9Z0LeWn8O94uWU8oUdciAittcpyRQ8kv8VF-u53W_BFF_rHIhgLLOIbDBraquhAV4C/s320/PXL_20240211_104836713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>We had a nice coffee stop outside a little general store, </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZbQ5zmfZgQgjkK-jjlB5bq6FGCez6pb5gX0xIo-JsCkjHELOO4LTWRWTxad2uNvlFWbhT7cFz_fZcbOmLkxkP2KEhOFhoX-snaH21gyoJKbhUsrg2SwHkf1NWd9EiHxsvlOAMfWB_OqL63hkCdQam-9PBsoI4eIjLXMihGM3_3P6xkojqdf98civSsoN/s3049/20240211_112622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1990" data-original-width="3049" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZbQ5zmfZgQgjkK-jjlB5bq6FGCez6pb5gX0xIo-JsCkjHELOO4LTWRWTxad2uNvlFWbhT7cFz_fZcbOmLkxkP2KEhOFhoX-snaH21gyoJKbhUsrg2SwHkf1NWd9EiHxsvlOAMfWB_OqL63hkCdQam-9PBsoI4eIjLXMihGM3_3P6xkojqdf98civSsoN/s320/20240211_112622.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>and in fact, we had quite a relaxed day.</p><p>No dramas occured as we didn't have to pedal through floods, the hills were much lower and smoother and we didn't get lost or have to turn back.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHvicSwR6ALaUqjyRz9lg3MF3UPFHgOtnh7Sz7BOFTgQYc5qcp9TykBLiGil7C6ZmuZ_-JOFuo0QnVOj6bWWITm71qD5X6xhw4NBwx0T8scPnQLSjaJ53eoYcDzmVqRK25JAFulMdXkwd_Mg8lecF7tENtL7s8ejx4w41qu_WqW0lkIARNmQrsDUNu2bQ/s4000/20240211_120007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHvicSwR6ALaUqjyRz9lg3MF3UPFHgOtnh7Sz7BOFTgQYc5qcp9TykBLiGil7C6ZmuZ_-JOFuo0QnVOj6bWWITm71qD5X6xhw4NBwx0T8scPnQLSjaJ53eoYcDzmVqRK25JAFulMdXkwd_Mg8lecF7tENtL7s8ejx4w41qu_WqW0lkIARNmQrsDUNu2bQ/s320/20240211_120007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Just lovely views and lots of sunshine.</p><p>Our hotel for tonight is right next door to a safari park although I haven't heard any lions roaring yet, and for some reason has a nice Easter Island themed flower bed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SMUmbOOGyecQPPmqD-WZiN06dfi8Vto8Xz_OkBSTIucLWkcBgqEQx1i7yL5gD3WRXOeBTZ2shHF2g_AzvoC1IYwhxE8R-MNNyyOcmYrCyAAXa71l6Jso_OeSZdvz-CCGSTjtddAKv6NA7KE3ytf1UDr9pOPgvAqwOq_vcR89WcGCoART8VMUAf89ihLF/s3352/PXL_20240211_160644709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2214" data-original-width="3352" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SMUmbOOGyecQPPmqD-WZiN06dfi8Vto8Xz_OkBSTIucLWkcBgqEQx1i7yL5gD3WRXOeBTZ2shHF2g_AzvoC1IYwhxE8R-MNNyyOcmYrCyAAXa71l6Jso_OeSZdvz-CCGSTjtddAKv6NA7KE3ytf1UDr9pOPgvAqwOq_vcR89WcGCoART8VMUAf89ihLF/s320/PXL_20240211_160644709.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-45119856526698875492024-02-10T13:28:00.000-08:002024-02-10T13:28:57.537-08:00Devizes to Salisbury <p>Busy, busy day today, starting with the Quaker's Walk parkrun.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTlZNiNEkUI_9b-qRx88wqZaKqUXcm_hF8O5gzPuOU7XZYSB_eaZf6ge-3H80MB8Z9zLxEwH-gykmB91W5DyPA8qigGYd1TM4z3Iwb3uKJ5NYtPr_Kj_T7rC1lbLLXF6Izdw2QX8s2YbErp7a6aoCHo8l0MlpMbluBSKfFLFzns8JcCJSqqvSYzWcJ_sU/s4032/PXL_20240210_084543060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTlZNiNEkUI_9b-qRx88wqZaKqUXcm_hF8O5gzPuOU7XZYSB_eaZf6ge-3H80MB8Z9zLxEwH-gykmB91W5DyPA8qigGYd1TM4z3Iwb3uKJ5NYtPr_Kj_T7rC1lbLLXF6Izdw2QX8s2YbErp7a6aoCHo8l0MlpMbluBSKfFLFzns8JcCJSqqvSYzWcJ_sU/s320/PXL_20240210_084543060.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p>My sister says that this would make a good Instagram photo, but really I was just trying to show off my new teeshirt and wristband on my 251st run.</p><p>After a quick breakfast and checking out of our hotel, we set off to try and find a fairly dry route to get to Salisbury.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1i5NTK97RVJ5kzXbiIY-fbrKgqIfMeSrcf3mnjZqTNshq-SioV2bUhePDdRFk0DYapryzKanp_DlShMcVhuzNGrViXtaV9PTtT63HI9vIcn4rdpiTRl8bdUATJvaWI-K6C85AJnB_jnghK9-E6MHJNsIWd99qjWpatX4UDbqVlAJjsHCASMVJR1zNfSjx/s4000/20240210_114419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1i5NTK97RVJ5kzXbiIY-fbrKgqIfMeSrcf3mnjZqTNshq-SioV2bUhePDdRFk0DYapryzKanp_DlShMcVhuzNGrViXtaV9PTtT63HI9vIcn4rdpiTRl8bdUATJvaWI-K6C85AJnB_jnghK9-E6MHJNsIWd99qjWpatX4UDbqVlAJjsHCASMVJR1zNfSjx/s320/20240210_114419.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>We wasted quite a bit of time riding down a lovely long track that appeared to end at a farmhouse, and I found the farmer who had just climbed down from his tractor.</p><p>'Are we trespassing?' I asked him and he boomed 'get off my land' and then burst out laughing and said that he had always wanted to say that. He then kindly explained that we were on the right route, but it now set off across his fields, and that although the first field looked not too wet, the next one would be like porridge to wade through.</p><p>Disappointed we retraced our steps and followed the road through a host of picturesque villages, non of which had any coffee shops.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEaJyi5FTCIfqcHqWEo3oL315ZW9CZ67xUgHKcffi9RMfiMx5m3OEspn3QYjPJEkp7FbOqvYMZiCojJzZViSt9yF0IYkqhD0Y_g7jAykWW5XgrN3O6k_ymldTd9o682Z-MXln2EUvL4oXMQdSCsLEFKAUtDqMnYvwWteA2IwGyAnZzVLtlt0EizrGF3SX/s2616/PXL_20240210_114604426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2616" data-original-width="1770" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEaJyi5FTCIfqcHqWEo3oL315ZW9CZ67xUgHKcffi9RMfiMx5m3OEspn3QYjPJEkp7FbOqvYMZiCojJzZViSt9yF0IYkqhD0Y_g7jAykWW5XgrN3O6k_ymldTd9o682Z-MXln2EUvL4oXMQdSCsLEFKAUtDqMnYvwWteA2IwGyAnZzVLtlt0EizrGF3SX/s320/PXL_20240210_114604426.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><p>Part of our problem was that we had to cycle around the huge Salisbury Plains military area, although we found lots of interesting street signs.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUR5KEY8QQHlgUJBWMT0DSxc1nXMdyotqQah3Tpf7hZYx6loeGZuXcLYRkp50PDE-rpcMLSnDRCbLqvLQXyU0DoNB1NeRDpXlwoRh8uVeLF3aJ1O5DMGioVUHQmx8U8wos2InGS4dyUUbDJp9cxrTb2ZmBzTicPKZh2QvRLb5xMxUzZTkLUdMqL5GNYrw/s2838/PXL_20240210_133210681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2838" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUR5KEY8QQHlgUJBWMT0DSxc1nXMdyotqQah3Tpf7hZYx6loeGZuXcLYRkp50PDE-rpcMLSnDRCbLqvLQXyU0DoNB1NeRDpXlwoRh8uVeLF3aJ1O5DMGioVUHQmx8U8wos2InGS4dyUUbDJp9cxrTb2ZmBzTicPKZh2QvRLb5xMxUzZTkLUdMqL5GNYrw/s320/PXL_20240210_133210681.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><p>We didn't encounter any tanks, but did hear lots of gunshots in the distance.</p><p>By the afternoon we were really tired and had to decide wether to cycle on a 4 kilometre detour to see Stonehenge. In the end we thought it too historic to miss, so cycled and pushed the bikes up a big hill and along the side of a very busy and fast A road.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PfhWekqGFNs4Jhn12b0mO3iIe4muEmHfNaMdTePhNOBHnSRsKhKgkA0VIyJcXxW-SdgCcXz4sBxN6ssqGQXX6blOH31bKhig7sZdEUSehfOZxcgUtIbLfbJmyQoirTdJA3-Atcy9nvDNJqa6SYLTfww5z5rD0vDsPx4aUYCAIeaZyYPxrxLzKeJ6FyB8/s4000/20240210_145003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PfhWekqGFNs4Jhn12b0mO3iIe4muEmHfNaMdTePhNOBHnSRsKhKgkA0VIyJcXxW-SdgCcXz4sBxN6ssqGQXX6blOH31bKhig7sZdEUSehfOZxcgUtIbLfbJmyQoirTdJA3-Atcy9nvDNJqa6SYLTfww5z5rD0vDsPx4aUYCAIeaZyYPxrxLzKeJ6FyB8/s320/20240210_145003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Stonehenge is in the far distance and we enjoyed it from afar before turning around and speeding back down the hill and on to Salisbury.</p><p>Next stop was a look at the cathedral, and we got fairly close to this ancient building.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTpQoJxHCrrnUGlAth2aWtao3vB3Bt0nA9B3hdSjUoIVZMhqiE8WxIdgA0VBD57ZZypKXayIaG6DhGHtwt7vjosllfLQwjblsMobRykl7tBjNG6TwtXR9fhtACSXDucHU1mN6scnP0actpZ8tecJ9GHp3swXx2QlLQFtDG-01-7GonjJ4CcupT96VNkKf/s2717/PXL_20240210_160239309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1967" data-original-width="2717" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTpQoJxHCrrnUGlAth2aWtao3vB3Bt0nA9B3hdSjUoIVZMhqiE8WxIdgA0VBD57ZZypKXayIaG6DhGHtwt7vjosllfLQwjblsMobRykl7tBjNG6TwtXR9fhtACSXDucHU1mN6scnP0actpZ8tecJ9GHp3swXx2QlLQFtDG-01-7GonjJ4CcupT96VNkKf/s320/PXL_20240210_160239309.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>By now I was cold and quite exhausted so we dragged ourselves to the Premier Inn not far out of town.</p><p>We just had time to drop off our kit, as we had booked to see a starlight string quartet in St Thomas's church back in the centre of Salisbury that started at 6pm. After a very fast dinner at the Golden Arches we speed walked back into town, and then Darren checked and found that the concert actually started at 6.30.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiou-uO4yj73o5ulpbCvGxrGhRKx-3-GBPTNq0rtMbMw1rfrafdxF3lpLMIaoWlg-QDbPmab_6SNmJoik6LT1A2GOKqwjW84BVVcYNvbSr0ttFxpcDPZyF8gq0LgQjhenQ1gE9n05TjtRv9OgpVgMwF9ypv77ajU7ttn57Pi5lKQ9ocD6hzkqT2t0nkXvC1/s4000/20240210_175455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiou-uO4yj73o5ulpbCvGxrGhRKx-3-GBPTNq0rtMbMw1rfrafdxF3lpLMIaoWlg-QDbPmab_6SNmJoik6LT1A2GOKqwjW84BVVcYNvbSr0ttFxpcDPZyF8gq0LgQjhenQ1gE9n05TjtRv9OgpVgMwF9ypv77ajU7ttn57Pi5lKQ9ocD6hzkqT2t0nkXvC1/s320/20240210_175455.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>This was actually quite welcome news as we were first in so bagged a front row pew and a glass of wine from the in church bar. The concert was excellent and was mainly the music from the TV series Bridgerton and The Crown.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVm_4g7-lSz9AX1Zk3sdeIGu2z0wSe1UO_gkVjBkfdBu27w3JJAy3466LYWCFRnLCGLuH1ItmGpqsw_O7dSKEEh68AoVa6quBZlI5hI_QUp0NlDtRRdnwyJe4WpZez66Nv9SAGN_9Fp-8mPBfLjHDviBUWWrBcDp00GWnMvwX3WkQQJZDFKdQ0jnncXz-V/s4000/20240210_183911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVm_4g7-lSz9AX1Zk3sdeIGu2z0wSe1UO_gkVjBkfdBu27w3JJAy3466LYWCFRnLCGLuH1ItmGpqsw_O7dSKEEh68AoVa6quBZlI5hI_QUp0NlDtRRdnwyJe4WpZez66Nv9SAGN_9Fp-8mPBfLjHDviBUWWrBcDp00GWnMvwX3WkQQJZDFKdQ0jnncXz-V/s320/20240210_183911.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>It only lasted just over an hour, we were back at the hotel not long after 8pm and I am now going to bed.</p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-55547543595696686982024-02-09T12:12:00.000-08:002024-02-09T12:12:15.334-08:00Bath to Devizes on the Bromptons<p>Due to the extremely wet weather forecast we have been deliberating all week wether to go ahead with our plans for a cycle tour. However, today we decided to go for it, and timed our departure with a gap in the showers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hEFqhFsHCdGCGqXClRIBXgyroYr2WTSuy69wRIYw3vmeSf2XL3bMUF7lPxUL1XVGQnfgIY9EbC3UrjXRS2aBThSJ4FHJ8i3YBiNqDp9OqfFd9nQOQFYu4VZlHB5aWUepEciCragYCGaPCzPmaL0xKlJMnxsk-dqoZS_eeNiDAH25V82LV76I3GK4S3dZ/s4000/20240209_095648.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hEFqhFsHCdGCGqXClRIBXgyroYr2WTSuy69wRIYw3vmeSf2XL3bMUF7lPxUL1XVGQnfgIY9EbC3UrjXRS2aBThSJ4FHJ8i3YBiNqDp9OqfFd9nQOQFYu4VZlHB5aWUepEciCragYCGaPCzPmaL0xKlJMnxsk-dqoZS_eeNiDAH25V82LV76I3GK4S3dZ/s320/20240209_095648.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">It all started well and then we arrived at the first of the two disused railway tunnels on the Sustrans route. We knew that it was closed due to flooding and we hoped that there would be a marked diversion.</span></div><p>No such luck and we had to find our own way around a mini mountain and then back on to the trainline. It took a lot of time and pedal power, but eventually we got back and then it was easy going through the much longer second tunnel.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPKS-GPoUAZtmUQDYy9LZN7IiZMFuPFEAZxbvt_rkGajhMIChCiAnBYOChv56F6F4l2oMQx59HmSYjUs91oGLA3b4g4QyYtPpSqQaiI59HJA3kpSTgF2Cdk8hfR7fsdLzH9i0cOtE8kAgW9RrbGn2ad0_h-lE6XWLPYNVdry-JUnsamvO3IgHvkxziRyd/s4032/PXL_20240209_104637053.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPKS-GPoUAZtmUQDYy9LZN7IiZMFuPFEAZxbvt_rkGajhMIChCiAnBYOChv56F6F4l2oMQx59HmSYjUs91oGLA3b4g4QyYtPpSqQaiI59HJA3kpSTgF2Cdk8hfR7fsdLzH9i0cOtE8kAgW9RrbGn2ad0_h-lE6XWLPYNVdry-JUnsamvO3IgHvkxziRyd/s320/PXL_20240209_104637053.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p>Then it was on to a canal towpath with lots of deep puddles, which although fun at first, were very slow going, and Darren soon got a puncture.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokIhZ2scRSSL1yee7DalXMXucTcDOJsynZAntBKnJl7VzkRCAdQuEQ50nkFE5F_DhV7yxALD71gAoMHs7Hbi2Rt4uoVPKKPxx23YNjX0fKAtwPRfIuLgBwYdUsTg6lL4wFALov5iqEzIgSBExGBHyMIZADDdNoBTB9xlsh8sLJRbz8r-G1MCo6vwkprZ6/s4032/PXL_20240209_112254043.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokIhZ2scRSSL1yee7DalXMXucTcDOJsynZAntBKnJl7VzkRCAdQuEQ50nkFE5F_DhV7yxALD71gAoMHs7Hbi2Rt4uoVPKKPxx23YNjX0fKAtwPRfIuLgBwYdUsTg6lL4wFALov5iqEzIgSBExGBHyMIZADDdNoBTB9xlsh8sLJRbz8r-G1MCo6vwkprZ6/s320/PXL_20240209_112254043.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>After a speedy change we bounced along for a few miles to Bradford on Avon for coffee and giant chunks of flapjack. We also decided on a route change to get off the towpath and onto the roads for the rest of the journey.</p><p>After a few miles we passed a sign saying 'road closed', but like most of the cars around us, we ignored it and carried on.</p><p>The reason for the closure soon appeared in the distance.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ak8-UnuUHHZBqc3m0ur-GOumyccQOL3b2cIHR53YrcYa1PxWm9yZlrG0GOTSWXwiq8KQpqRLzl6o-0gwIjLnjwLDqIOXBxX-Fg7ZmGeef25LF8IXYh0Q5DjqvHzFQQPpj-mYy_TOd2ORvr9PR3IDDvgOBXeiQv1Uy_mClSwE45Tal4uCEDHt-LaAySFG/s4032/PXL_20240209_130210731.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ak8-UnuUHHZBqc3m0ur-GOumyccQOL3b2cIHR53YrcYa1PxWm9yZlrG0GOTSWXwiq8KQpqRLzl6o-0gwIjLnjwLDqIOXBxX-Fg7ZmGeef25LF8IXYh0Q5DjqvHzFQQPpj-mYy_TOd2ORvr9PR3IDDvgOBXeiQv1Uy_mClSwE45Tal4uCEDHt-LaAySFG/s320/PXL_20240209_130210731.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The road was flooded for about 100 metres, but some cars were driving through it. Another cyclist appeared as we were wondering what to do, and he decided to cycle through it. He got safely to the other side, although his racing bike meant that his feet were much higher off the ground than ours would be.</p><p>To turn back would involve a very long detour so we set off, following the white line in the middle of the road. The big surprise was that it wasn't a massive puddle, but quite a fast flowing river.</p><p>The water came over the top of my new wellies and it was difficult to keep the handlebars facing forward, but we made it through.</p><p>I did my best to empty the water out of my boots and I guarantee that we won't do anything like this ever again!</p><p>After that it was a doddle to get to Devizes and relax.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_RFomqWS56ewqPMX18rf18AbasuofKQPOq_QTvdNiBP7zgasdDAOjAaY_rcrWM5k21tCR2T6FIFO1OzI-Cwf3f0u1amByLDanjTojkiP5omRxt4BAybUJrdKpvsBts213E7zIQan5K7VboYTu4AR9DAL49maSeCrcE55Gi19X_NmQaY5ZMgRQUaL0Su7/s4032/PXL_20240209_165204323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_RFomqWS56ewqPMX18rf18AbasuofKQPOq_QTvdNiBP7zgasdDAOjAaY_rcrWM5k21tCR2T6FIFO1OzI-Cwf3f0u1amByLDanjTojkiP5omRxt4BAybUJrdKpvsBts213E7zIQan5K7VboYTu4AR9DAL49maSeCrcE55Gi19X_NmQaY5ZMgRQUaL0Su7/s320/PXL_20240209_165204323.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-59026632888581195602024-01-26T09:35:00.000-08:002024-01-26T09:35:48.784-08:00Lansdowne Plateau to Solsbury Hill<p>After the terrible weather of the last couple of weeks, we were pleased to get out into the countryside. After a bit of confusion about the route, we eventually landed upon a round trip from the Park and Ride on the Lansdowne Plateau to Solsbury Hill.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OatXYPXTN9-C67z2V0H5NynWsgVT-rAF5WwOeODonWZnX5aguALzo5QJAKaejVsKmlqQqgzevg5V82KnUM5MDysXr_wsV01rxfxbtIdEHi7Kg_dE31sbdJYCjbRBRt6d4jtjA6vVkKbIj7YGYFmA5c9lK9vHf3yoyioCjxNely_HaVx7kYKnw106hfe5/s1600/Screenshot_20240126_170613_com.strava~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="939" data-original-width="1600" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OatXYPXTN9-C67z2V0H5NynWsgVT-rAF5WwOeODonWZnX5aguALzo5QJAKaejVsKmlqQqgzevg5V82KnUM5MDysXr_wsV01rxfxbtIdEHi7Kg_dE31sbdJYCjbRBRt6d4jtjA6vVkKbIj7YGYFmA5c9lK9vHf3yoyioCjxNely_HaVx7kYKnw106hfe5/s320/Screenshot_20240126_170613_com.strava~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The Park and Ride is on the left, and the Hill on the right, a total of 12.5 kilometres. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3Pqk61k1YzJsbafjSIMdYB-HLT7WbKtAyDuZwx5dKtUn1hqTbD1HqfNjiHBBqv9saHJDlr1rwVKHzx3J56oVo60LklnavBftmW9FnpgZ7qiPa5WQSFo0SeNER1kNA4s3QgGUhURBghjnzoTbr-u70My2IzPEYDbAYmvx3caFkOg6YkYkj-IlWRuKLrob/s4032/PXL_20240126_122902043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3Pqk61k1YzJsbafjSIMdYB-HLT7WbKtAyDuZwx5dKtUn1hqTbD1HqfNjiHBBqv9saHJDlr1rwVKHzx3J56oVo60LklnavBftmW9FnpgZ7qiPa5WQSFo0SeNER1kNA4s3QgGUhURBghjnzoTbr-u70My2IzPEYDbAYmvx3caFkOg6YkYkj-IlWRuKLrob/s320/PXL_20240126_122902043.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The route was beautifully marked out starting with a mown path through a nice flat field. Bath and it's surroundings are notoriously hilly and starting from one very high point meant that we soon had to drop down to a very low level. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvp9GbVyl6ybWJEUTCnSGI2A0ZSasOa8-POFKEfgy96zk_Oziw6cXQmHW0QBhudDSnhuRwDuF7xohAX8bsl6qCfVFRAH_6b8WHjkvkLXbazllnb-6-iUk9MVPD6o0uKgOblqK7HAWN-azWixzMFpSJcb7BrhfgAA3LRb9q9jLM0pTXgUzZW_puGnMrgaBK/s4032/PXL_20240126_123355767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvp9GbVyl6ybWJEUTCnSGI2A0ZSasOa8-POFKEfgy96zk_Oziw6cXQmHW0QBhudDSnhuRwDuF7xohAX8bsl6qCfVFRAH_6b8WHjkvkLXbazllnb-6-iUk9MVPD6o0uKgOblqK7HAWN-azWixzMFpSJcb7BrhfgAA3LRb9q9jLM0pTXgUzZW_puGnMrgaBK/s320/PXL_20240126_123355767.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The sun was out all day making very long shadows across the landscape, as we carried on into the valley. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOD8p41kybpurPAA-s4TxooGB_B8uKeLQQYtrkl0bWcoBZ7DRFW40r7-H7hYmpDhQwGiylgfFTI1h3MHb_4KO7TrfTz_g1-GlZRRaWMlMvbAnPSSgxVZTm2Z6JBeY7KqG2ApzumGB6Yg_cAtNRQ0As1_1IpKlR9B22JSe-njEGzAW4QXtQxI-0lTnPqfpw/s4032/PXL_20240126_124228102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOD8p41kybpurPAA-s4TxooGB_B8uKeLQQYtrkl0bWcoBZ7DRFW40r7-H7hYmpDhQwGiylgfFTI1h3MHb_4KO7TrfTz_g1-GlZRRaWMlMvbAnPSSgxVZTm2Z6JBeY7KqG2ApzumGB6Yg_cAtNRQ0As1_1IpKlR9B22JSe-njEGzAW4QXtQxI-0lTnPqfpw/s320/PXL_20240126_124228102.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>All too soon we were on our way steeply up and on to Solsbury Hill. Peter Gabriel had a hit with a song of the same name, which I don't know, hopefully because I am a bit young for it. However, I looked up the lyrics in case it told me anything interesting about the area - unfortunately not, although it says that he saw an eagle there flying in the night, which I personally doubt.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDnXB2VdSi7i-ejV8wVHcRjp4MFOgzDa9MsVLvnecJ8eWGIt3D4YjHQgKdmAaNkHwsvp8TXaFL2h56QIh0-yg6Uur0EbbuXDvyJbjNewLXlzDgSoa9NtJXvv5aRsjQMYY_AYjq9Zu-ua4nH3w8ol05OUBg3kBw5WIyASwTbg5MnEBJUjhJwnQHrvuBlgg/s4032/PXL_20240126_132904289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDnXB2VdSi7i-ejV8wVHcRjp4MFOgzDa9MsVLvnecJ8eWGIt3D4YjHQgKdmAaNkHwsvp8TXaFL2h56QIh0-yg6Uur0EbbuXDvyJbjNewLXlzDgSoa9NtJXvv5aRsjQMYY_AYjq9Zu-ua4nH3w8ol05OUBg3kBw5WIyASwTbg5MnEBJUjhJwnQHrvuBlgg/s320/PXL_20240126_132904289.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>It was very muddy getting up to the trig point and I had high hopes of panoramic views of the Bath skyline. I don't know why I thought that now, because once up there it seemed to be hidden around another hill and the sun was right in our eyes. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYc752ZJKmn6qZ9v5mKreYGMwP5kQGI25TPXVuTxtmoRQSE9vRPSuDcIuWuXY4DedSNBtHx3q8iEP1qk_akvzVS4ryMcF2U9tcNz13oO9yAtInWSZZNBdAE3AY8h_nGgh-tFhYNSdlETmyjkPYAU8TfbZU2xksabneLJMKhKLG6-4aHpH719C3Ivb38Ku/s4032/PXL_20240126_133132433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYc752ZJKmn6qZ9v5mKreYGMwP5kQGI25TPXVuTxtmoRQSE9vRPSuDcIuWuXY4DedSNBtHx3q8iEP1qk_akvzVS4ryMcF2U9tcNz13oO9yAtInWSZZNBdAE3AY8h_nGgh-tFhYNSdlETmyjkPYAU8TfbZU2xksabneLJMKhKLG6-4aHpH719C3Ivb38Ku/s320/PXL_20240126_133132433.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>On the way back we took a different, dryer route, still with the same changes in height and lovely views. </p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-72698813876220600212024-01-14T09:43:00.000-08:002024-01-14T09:43:22.530-08:00Bursa <p> Bursa is the fourth biggest city in Turkey and was the capital of the Ottoman state. It also has the most colourful city sign ever seen. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeyJdBhIQ8BKsTb9Y7ALbbjxZGkKL_-O5sXGiSgFvxisHIVMgBjIP3_c6f3BRln3CATKmeSim8I-0br39RkWpVOCjdnboTbO94ReLK47JGv6gABHLuV0e9VBvRF7JZ6GiKt1xdwf3SPJSawRr103Dk-srRF54MiAfkJfw9cCbcWqdAWNNI6aShKonMjDX/s4000/20240114_110733.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeyJdBhIQ8BKsTb9Y7ALbbjxZGkKL_-O5sXGiSgFvxisHIVMgBjIP3_c6f3BRln3CATKmeSim8I-0br39RkWpVOCjdnboTbO94ReLK47JGv6gABHLuV0e9VBvRF7JZ6GiKt1xdwf3SPJSawRr103Dk-srRF54MiAfkJfw9cCbcWqdAWNNI6aShKonMjDX/s320/20240114_110733.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Our first attraction today was the Grand Mosque in the centre of the city. It was commissioned by the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid the first in 1399 to celebrate him winning a great battle. To celebrate the win he promised the people of Bursa that he would build 20 new mosques in the town, but his accountant warned him that he didn't have enough money to do this, so instead he built one big mosque with 20 domes. </p><p>That seems quite a cop out to me, and it's not recorded what the locals thought at the time. </p><p>It is a very attractive mosque though with particularly lovely calligraphy. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXd99nQN_bhNlZdyG2iHiG165AZoyyGiPphhR_8jkorhscdvF4gL4S4fTir2TgNim2y3c6Z0M6TXvv9EewyfWa8-HevQZp-NhuK8hBIxP5GkjTrOyy3cRp4fS_nOvcgpFcgq1PrNqm5lL5PmtR8UevNu9qIRofrIRvj1Hp0sVs-af8XkJsSY0znX2dLsr/s4000/20240114_105726.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXd99nQN_bhNlZdyG2iHiG165AZoyyGiPphhR_8jkorhscdvF4gL4S4fTir2TgNim2y3c6Z0M6TXvv9EewyfWa8-HevQZp-NhuK8hBIxP5GkjTrOyy3cRp4fS_nOvcgpFcgq1PrNqm5lL5PmtR8UevNu9qIRofrIRvj1Hp0sVs-af8XkJsSY0znX2dLsr/s320/20240114_105726.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>It also has a very nice fountain in the centre, which is a completely unique feature. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiYdFvzXMI8_S_akFaWBZqnO-_01kKeOytEoyTozdcMrxQ6ZsxJq_RJc67rYCUUPazVQ8PLoFiPfKSQAuMaG4gCZ1MVoU0qJonlxqGCzLTMsSU5SQx_nVHAFd1fPiFxmKw5udjzQlN0Wll5BT6e-16Ey2hjuJap6jRSTDti0HbN-0JQr8tQUgGZcT8ATL/s4000/20240114_105949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiYdFvzXMI8_S_akFaWBZqnO-_01kKeOytEoyTozdcMrxQ6ZsxJq_RJc67rYCUUPazVQ8PLoFiPfKSQAuMaG4gCZ1MVoU0qJonlxqGCzLTMsSU5SQx_nVHAFd1fPiFxmKw5udjzQlN0Wll5BT6e-16Ey2hjuJap6jRSTDti0HbN-0JQr8tQUgGZcT8ATL/s320/20240114_105949.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Then we went to visit the Mausoleum of the early Ottoman Sultans. This is an attractive building known as the green dome, however it is definitely all blue. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUhoZjMe4S7uY0sa_4gDP6DgJJeG0q5IxRMIt-zJ8m_iZ1f1hjrz5-z1eygDtlmxG8Lr0rMKfg8Ym26zmkIurr_fr5DS33D0zxgbV0TI0SuQPMVHdcmaoheQCIVqmdbMgVvRY_6dWyElHt2an1nsBcwDGgbDMKGKN-aG34b5Zhpcpv4U4MAAnBqrkAtcJ/s4000/20240114_113131.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUhoZjMe4S7uY0sa_4gDP6DgJJeG0q5IxRMIt-zJ8m_iZ1f1hjrz5-z1eygDtlmxG8Lr0rMKfg8Ym26zmkIurr_fr5DS33D0zxgbV0TI0SuQPMVHdcmaoheQCIVqmdbMgVvRY_6dWyElHt2an1nsBcwDGgbDMKGKN-aG34b5Zhpcpv4U4MAAnBqrkAtcJ/s320/20240114_113131.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Inside are tombs of past Sultans and also some smaller tombs of unfortunate relatives. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdKYYFgQCus-N0YAsMg1Ezj_y3H_4eB74EtvKzVEcfqO8iNWCecb3oyS41rtRi3flP5NcksysjH6-aBhj20SJ12WU9ZL0DKMtNybcMTOoFWtqIDFG-Cfrqu6eDslleEpb8m1t0ZJXjNiMbpueU0j9TY8cVy7xBA3kUj_QAb12PImaxOEmZn0TE3IBcrMl/s4000/20240114_112841.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdKYYFgQCus-N0YAsMg1Ezj_y3H_4eB74EtvKzVEcfqO8iNWCecb3oyS41rtRi3flP5NcksysjH6-aBhj20SJ12WU9ZL0DKMtNybcMTOoFWtqIDFG-Cfrqu6eDslleEpb8m1t0ZJXjNiMbpueU0j9TY8cVy7xBA3kUj_QAb12PImaxOEmZn0TE3IBcrMl/s320/20240114_112841.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Apparently when the existing Sultan died then one of his sons was chosen as the next Sultan. His first action on becoming the new Sultan was to kill all of his brothers, and if they had sons then to kill them too. </p><p>With this shocking tale in mind, we then carried on with our journey back to Istanbul.</p><p>One final thing that I have wanted to mention for days, but didn't have room to before was the community dogs. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QzzwyKBVgr2sy7FsqkuPYcs9g8y81Zrf5E4sJ-sn_OPVN8mcLgKkDCU5aDvVQYFV0ahk8MCKXxEAAYfjcernYrVvFgOvBANDmiQ-Pp0-5sLpxYuHeur_72_S2taMXgQ5hKEBpmCk5qkQs8snIl7p1NfxoyWNoelyB2qrv8PH6VcLO4d9RzEBGlWUc188/s4032/PXL_20240111_143114885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QzzwyKBVgr2sy7FsqkuPYcs9g8y81Zrf5E4sJ-sn_OPVN8mcLgKkDCU5aDvVQYFV0ahk8MCKXxEAAYfjcernYrVvFgOvBANDmiQ-Pp0-5sLpxYuHeur_72_S2taMXgQ5hKEBpmCk5qkQs8snIl7p1NfxoyWNoelyB2qrv8PH6VcLO4d9RzEBGlWUc188/s320/PXL_20240111_143114885.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Everywhere we went we saw lots of dogs and they all had a tag on their ear which shows that they are vaccinated. They are fed and fussed over by people in the community and by the tourists. </p><p>They don't go inside people's homes and people don't keep them as pets, but they wander and laze about everywhere outside. They are very friendly and calm, and often quite fat from all of the treats that come their way.</p><p>Even I quite liked them, although I preferred to keep my distance. </p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-61830394317541468752024-01-13T11:18:00.000-08:002024-01-13T11:18:49.054-08:00Pergamon and Troy <p>Today we went to the town of Pergamon to visit the Asclepsion, which was the most prestigious hospital in the ancient world.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiME-UP0WjJvelksQdB1Oyr0nBU6kM6WnmgPUbhzOJAu_LTW_FZa7BymHB0TRgJ_jX3kRVF1hS_eCN608_oYUlt8X03rT2NvmrNd-Y9enroAuvh1jVH8uIoDQIAWj3ItBcfRA51bN9MuVDv-DX3jrbUM9z8Lm214GlUM_rNZ7m274uOWGFxZ68aw_kR4qAe/s4032/PXL_20240113_073421215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiME-UP0WjJvelksQdB1Oyr0nBU6kM6WnmgPUbhzOJAu_LTW_FZa7BymHB0TRgJ_jX3kRVF1hS_eCN608_oYUlt8X03rT2NvmrNd-Y9enroAuvh1jVH8uIoDQIAWj3ItBcfRA51bN9MuVDv-DX3jrbUM9z8Lm214GlUM_rNZ7m274uOWGFxZ68aw_kR4qAe/s320/PXL_20240113_073421215.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p>It was said that they cured everyone in the hospital so no one ever died there, but it was actually a bit of a con because they assessed everyone at the hospital gates and wouldn't admit anyone that they couldn't cure, including all old people and pregnant women.</p><p>They had four main treatments, the first walking in bare feet along the grass in the photo above in the sunshine, the second was listening to music in the theatre, </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl15U8cyS3VpW1gPnSbo2Nl4DSfBxHOJGhELoK91EIAwtouxGMyk27kQv_rt8HhneD_R6g12TYhCBUlMozYwhO7en_JyBndgA99bdbpi8GF6ftaXlQAzSEoz0tRhCrLEp0acllsc7NkmRpNDqzy25dk51nqjT5OGxTwywnljsXYCoNhWDYTLRrdFmsYFoQ/s4032/PXL_20240113_073758538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl15U8cyS3VpW1gPnSbo2Nl4DSfBxHOJGhELoK91EIAwtouxGMyk27kQv_rt8HhneD_R6g12TYhCBUlMozYwhO7en_JyBndgA99bdbpi8GF6ftaXlQAzSEoz0tRhCrLEp0acllsc7NkmRpNDqzy25dk51nqjT5OGxTwywnljsXYCoNhWDYTLRrdFmsYFoQ/s320/PXL_20240113_073758538.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>the third was drinking from a sacred well and the fourth doing the same exercises that the gladiators did. This was because the doctors had realised that the gladiators were fitter than the average Roman and I think that this would be the most helpful prescription.</p><p>They also had an underground isolation centre that looks like a scene from Star Trek, and 'beam me up Scottie' fame. Disappointingly I think that Darren is actually just standing under a air and light vent. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_s8fl_pUtH_DWoQxnHnfMBFchpKMlz6LikqTeysVPPt8LVTpXJzG_sCHM8SaXGQWM3x3AxYiYTt2WeWJNjztOVGUN5jIhSCNLDkqz9dqXJga0SoMCDAWS83A3HCU6nv7lAyEVCPcKIIXeZ_eAB-14Mvs0VlKvkxha8ZvgIHAzgWmPi1sWfE9944lNiGe/s4032/PXL_20240113_072713609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_s8fl_pUtH_DWoQxnHnfMBFchpKMlz6LikqTeysVPPt8LVTpXJzG_sCHM8SaXGQWM3x3AxYiYTt2WeWJNjztOVGUN5jIhSCNLDkqz9dqXJga0SoMCDAWS83A3HCU6nv7lAyEVCPcKIIXeZ_eAB-14Mvs0VlKvkxha8ZvgIHAzgWmPi1sWfE9944lNiGe/s320/PXL_20240113_072713609.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p>Next we drove to the site of the ancient city of Troy. For hundreds of years the location of it was not known, but it was rediscovered in the 1870's by Heinrich Schliemann. The town was destroyed and rebuilt nine times during its 4,000 years of occupation, and Mr S desciphered the description given in the poems of Homer to help locate it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52tM_ThAS_V9EPMV7qRT0FUKSVEwr6Ntr1ehTmBkfME59Um8_G90qRZpplKGBQKxWcjF66A2_mWpRIaZNasH1LliqgIWsggy8C_KazztO1E0NzTr6UjcWlmbGalRmOUvXTxkIeUBcntKuzqnT7b9CuC12_TStRrek1M2xqNEAulkZzP6J7ELtcImeHfQP/s4032/PXL_20240113_122709808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52tM_ThAS_V9EPMV7qRT0FUKSVEwr6Ntr1ehTmBkfME59Um8_G90qRZpplKGBQKxWcjF66A2_mWpRIaZNasH1LliqgIWsggy8C_KazztO1E0NzTr6UjcWlmbGalRmOUvXTxkIeUBcntKuzqnT7b9CuC12_TStRrek1M2xqNEAulkZzP6J7ELtcImeHfQP/s320/PXL_20240113_122709808.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>It is said that he mainly looked for Troy to try and find buried treasure, and he actually achieved this aim and secretly took it away to Germany. However, at the end of World War Two, it was confiscated by the Russians and is now on display in Moscow.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHvCIoMVcOGv4FRIO8SDJYCdPoX_hFPdGIhJrQJwnf4C4dOLFaO56ORrAYhbl_36FqjW3SvQtDV3_w7bRPXQlXEi6Qba-qi8nnqk959bxBmM79w9o6b0o7lm4uRvDJrxQQum8CVcoV0c2RBPLGtO04ZVFvqncziogtOihj8fA2xKV4q7TQHWlVnshHnhD/s541/original_58e4bdc0-d2cb-4dc5-a41a-10e762bacd37_P1132461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="541" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHvCIoMVcOGv4FRIO8SDJYCdPoX_hFPdGIhJrQJwnf4C4dOLFaO56ORrAYhbl_36FqjW3SvQtDV3_w7bRPXQlXEi6Qba-qi8nnqk959bxBmM79w9o6b0o7lm4uRvDJrxQQum8CVcoV0c2RBPLGtO04ZVFvqncziogtOihj8fA2xKV4q7TQHWlVnshHnhD/s320/original_58e4bdc0-d2cb-4dc5-a41a-10e762bacd37_P1132461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>The site itself is very basic as most of the original stones were taken over the centuries to build houses in the local villages, however those that are left are the perfect play area for red squirrels.</p><p>Obviously the most famous thing about Troy is the legend of the Trojan Horse. Nothing has been found to prove its existence, but there is a fantastic idealised Horse in the nearest town. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vTvkGt1XJRY_n-w2CO8YBO5_v7QVXU0GKA4YJzcM9XsZVDfkquSYMjhAF6zONBwN3AVS-HNR1_-qWL33aMLOQZ6iPZ9bwq_MKgOJU491rJwqA5zNSyl6mcWi-6G37VTIw7R0BfihYNFbKaQPa-0LjijFp4H-oJc3Rh1tipDvYXF7rJh22Xby9gTvNQdr/s4000/20240113_175316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vTvkGt1XJRY_n-w2CO8YBO5_v7QVXU0GKA4YJzcM9XsZVDfkquSYMjhAF6zONBwN3AVS-HNR1_-qWL33aMLOQZ6iPZ9bwq_MKgOJU491rJwqA5zNSyl6mcWi-6G37VTIw7R0BfihYNFbKaQPa-0LjijFp4H-oJc3Rh1tipDvYXF7rJh22Xby9gTvNQdr/s320/20240113_175316.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>This model was given to the town by the producer of a film about Helen of Troy, and the only certainty is that if it ever did exist, it certainly wouldn't look like this glorious beast. </p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-87206251463067696162024-01-12T10:06:00.000-08:002024-01-12T10:06:39.036-08:00Ephesus and other stories <p>We are gradually moving west across Turkey and our first stop today was the house where Jesus's mother Mary went to live and hide after the crucification.</p><p>Apparently a nun living in a monastery in Germany in the 1800's started having vivid dreams about Mary's houses location, which at that time was unknown. After telling everyone at the monastery about her dream in great detail, a journalist wrote a news story, but no one took it seriously. However, many years after her death an archeologist heard about the article, and searched exactly where she described and found the foundations of the house.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6G2cWXuUKGif5ObyR4yn9cX4RV4-kj8JjtOyWWhmng7uxV-N_lkyB-O49-Ug3XlcY8zZ_yR_II_1nr8-HvdmhrWSkNDPUkIp9f0Asp6acBbuOfRQO3xYKPgiRpUUUoOxccfW8uZ4lqfM4K8nQwPtMeGHpU7QfKg5rHhPrwazgr4GXYUlX6qf7h1TMSzJ/s4032/PXL_20240112_102223297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6G2cWXuUKGif5ObyR4yn9cX4RV4-kj8JjtOyWWhmng7uxV-N_lkyB-O49-Ug3XlcY8zZ_yR_II_1nr8-HvdmhrWSkNDPUkIp9f0Asp6acBbuOfRQO3xYKPgiRpUUUoOxccfW8uZ4lqfM4K8nQwPtMeGHpU7QfKg5rHhPrwazgr4GXYUlX6qf7h1TMSzJ/s320/PXL_20240112_102223297.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Is that the whole truth or not? I don't know, but it was very nice and peaceful building and it had a nice restaurant nearby.</p><p>It was a couple of miles from the ancient city of Ephesus, which was our main event of the day. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaHOArW2cTkugUuP1d8O7RZhmJshwAWparn5ionjaCDAoVSKMt8tndtwwbv8D1FWZ-7wxoZvD0DlbHJpZNDp_0fPzJv5CzA9gvnnHVPisJzhHIbZKlMO-tI9c0RS5yJ4Ji6sv8GtmFzR_O7QJDoa8XxqwsndugJnprYWVF7D6HlSNs0__V4u8v-V_kJek/s3182/original_44d9b279-e397-4a88-938a-250e7c988c87_PXL_20240112_125048369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3182" data-original-width="2223" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaHOArW2cTkugUuP1d8O7RZhmJshwAWparn5ionjaCDAoVSKMt8tndtwwbv8D1FWZ-7wxoZvD0DlbHJpZNDp_0fPzJv5CzA9gvnnHVPisJzhHIbZKlMO-tI9c0RS5yJ4Ji6sv8GtmFzR_O7QJDoa8XxqwsndugJnprYWVF7D6HlSNs0__V4u8v-V_kJek/s320/original_44d9b279-e397-4a88-938a-250e7c988c87_PXL_20240112_125048369.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><p>Ephesus dates from about 500 bc and was a Greek town under the control of the Romans. It has three extremely famous buildings, the first of which is the library pictured above. </p><p>The second is an enormous amphitheatre that could seat 25,000 people. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaVRmXkiw-292_MjjwN_GZdkpZlifcbdwVKwk8OXuGJGipejmXrQQlQuzvH43Qfq171xoR3WEk7yzC44At2GmsDuIZv9ybL_qS9WYqOtDCII48E3iK4BbcHJ8dqHGWRxdyXDEGPKBtYHF9UnTm-KpCdB22drn9-3EK4_o_di-dNuHa_7ARO_Djnv0Au0i/s4000/20240112_162014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaVRmXkiw-292_MjjwN_GZdkpZlifcbdwVKwk8OXuGJGipejmXrQQlQuzvH43Qfq171xoR3WEk7yzC44At2GmsDuIZv9ybL_qS9WYqOtDCII48E3iK4BbcHJ8dqHGWRxdyXDEGPKBtYHF9UnTm-KpCdB22drn9-3EK4_o_di-dNuHa_7ARO_Djnv0Au0i/s320/20240112_162014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>We were very lucky as we arrived just at the same time as another tour group, and one of the tourists was an amazing singer who sang a beautiful song that could be heard around the whole amphitheatre. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoLc95vmw9lAePx3bR6J2PMdB45USvqOxUiccytuqXrzb9EgobXQAAKZyIFzXnqzzD-KbD0otUv9XYLCFnI84WwVEQxU3DplY9WGfnqD81xClYlUakqEpTMJ48FhkoUdq4-aWHC_hlxEXnlLOAWUQrxwT9HFxSAGAE_gJota6_FvN0pKyAnu_VB1VKvJW/s4000/20240112_161257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoLc95vmw9lAePx3bR6J2PMdB45USvqOxUiccytuqXrzb9EgobXQAAKZyIFzXnqzzD-KbD0otUv9XYLCFnI84WwVEQxU3DplY9WGfnqD81xClYlUakqEpTMJ48FhkoUdq4-aWHC_hlxEXnlLOAWUQrxwT9HFxSAGAE_gJota6_FvN0pKyAnu_VB1VKvJW/s320/20240112_161257.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>The third most famous building is the social toilets. Our guide says that they were communal, and people would gather to use the facilities and have a really good chat. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirl3DRq2h2m5_RXeSWo3QgmTnF8adGaU06jukBfJCTKCjG8tc_ZHDt2wrsfR_FFstxoh1KwPYk3gZ9uFLQZR-i_BzsrvcXQY_mJvbWIzJTZaWOLyXm8fn_9-DN138ATBoircmJP5CeOYkwhtGL2w5T73c8zOYnVHXstcRjSqsaevTyRbHVU_FGbBh4I6Eg/s4032/PXL_20240112_123714383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirl3DRq2h2m5_RXeSWo3QgmTnF8adGaU06jukBfJCTKCjG8tc_ZHDt2wrsfR_FFstxoh1KwPYk3gZ9uFLQZR-i_BzsrvcXQY_mJvbWIzJTZaWOLyXm8fn_9-DN138ATBoircmJP5CeOYkwhtGL2w5T73c8zOYnVHXstcRjSqsaevTyRbHVU_FGbBh4I6Eg/s320/PXL_20240112_123714383.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p>Unfortunately the toilets are now roped off, but when we came here in 2008 I sat on the nearest toilet (obviously just for demonstration purposes) and Darren took my photo. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl60zzeTmOgOs9ay59se8lqoyz33bnAETd6Pr02pmELRkAsHeD-m_lee1EZjJnGGXnjoWxNnu3QqcBj2IHkCIEpcvyhl5HciPhZRIl_p65NLGEXgidfCBEXRjDRIy7xnHRxFKBAxy0Lbx8RiJgo_oAFY759h4EqyFO4KRgeV9hDJ2_okD_FVt6X_4dxz2m/s2560/P1010711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl60zzeTmOgOs9ay59se8lqoyz33bnAETd6Pr02pmELRkAsHeD-m_lee1EZjJnGGXnjoWxNnu3QqcBj2IHkCIEpcvyhl5HciPhZRIl_p65NLGEXgidfCBEXRjDRIy7xnHRxFKBAxy0Lbx8RiJgo_oAFY759h4EqyFO4KRgeV9hDJ2_okD_FVt6X_4dxz2m/s320/P1010711.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p>Photo - October 2008 </p><p>The guide also told us that as the seats are made of marble then in the hot summer weather they would be nice and cool to sit on, but in the winter they would be freezing. He said that rich people used to pay someone to sit on the seat and warm it up before they then arrived to sit down.</p><p>Finally, we reached our hotel on the seafront at Kuşadası. The sun was just setting, and I managed to hold this pose for about half a second.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPrCx9p0WFcclF07PenWgRA6CBrvaqXRs-wRh0HRai1aVBlSestwP0AEw5DfTilhc6-j-TBJvx9EgErngji28BefVWV_0r_ahGSmfcF3ksEBj6iUsVseMcUng1P8ra85K4sVP_iHh0YZ83dYEnE1t2n3dki9RB53ym-OUyVNEErCa0caeWu9SvBWILwQq/s2514/20240112_175818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1591" data-original-width="2514" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPrCx9p0WFcclF07PenWgRA6CBrvaqXRs-wRh0HRai1aVBlSestwP0AEw5DfTilhc6-j-TBJvx9EgErngji28BefVWV_0r_ahGSmfcF3ksEBj6iUsVseMcUng1P8ra85K4sVP_iHh0YZ83dYEnE1t2n3dki9RB53ym-OUyVNEErCa0caeWu9SvBWILwQq/s320/20240112_175818.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-69508022932101166392024-01-11T10:17:00.000-08:002024-01-11T10:20:12.310-08:00Pamukkale and a Caravanserai <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We set off early on a very long drive today. We covered 422 miles with the first stop being at the Sultanhani Seljuk Caravanserai. </span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7XX8ZfXXS1B8ZZYw9KjaP89STu1LvJ-ZBFVIvlX-e28UxpuNvdjuuDCZcdSOl2cc6Hv1hB30OHy0z1aX8Iw8aAvZBwxZ7Z_MoNqyGcuqHZdNprT_aiwbSP0i4xwRlSrJRblg2ltRpVodwTj_JsTYZFQmXH7lmxwkAV651jAcbWzW6zRIBTmzsyKKKh9H/s4000/20240111_083851.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7XX8ZfXXS1B8ZZYw9KjaP89STu1LvJ-ZBFVIvlX-e28UxpuNvdjuuDCZcdSOl2cc6Hv1hB30OHy0z1aX8Iw8aAvZBwxZ7Z_MoNqyGcuqHZdNprT_aiwbSP0i4xwRlSrJRblg2ltRpVodwTj_JsTYZFQmXH7lmxwkAV651jAcbWzW6zRIBTmzsyKKKh9H/s320/20240111_083851.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>It was built in 1229 and has just recently been beautifully restored. Basically a Caravanserai is a safe place for travellers and traders to stay overnight when travelling along the silk routes between the Far East and Constantinople.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpboBsx4enppGORTK1XdIvaPqprymI3aJAo8GE4AtKhccA0jLjnfVWdG1ba1RujnNzqsT4JFUShJ8OlhshYuY7QhiCE7za-KZ1kb2dcUUjp5_GwQZMEWHbWnScji6x4c3z6nz4Z4mf1jU-2zt2XCbhVEyx1ZjJ5XUon8gYJ1ft9Yip713QP4JQAVaLUtk/s4000/20240111_082233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpboBsx4enppGORTK1XdIvaPqprymI3aJAo8GE4AtKhccA0jLjnfVWdG1ba1RujnNzqsT4JFUShJ8OlhshYuY7QhiCE7za-KZ1kb2dcUUjp5_GwQZMEWHbWnScji6x4c3z6nz4Z4mf1jU-2zt2XCbhVEyx1ZjJ5XUon8gYJ1ft9Yip713QP4JQAVaLUtk/s320/20240111_082233.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>The silk routes covered thousands of miles and roughly every 25 miles there was a Caravanserai, which was the distance that could be covered in one day. There are spaces for the traders to sleep, for their animals to stay, for them to pray and to eat and drink, all safely within a fortified building.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTprrVUN_WtXmdqd9Mf7fSiutUdsY99OXU5gQV1zQECi6GGGY2fAweLKS7atv5Ey5xk_1OrDyN55TDeOtq_0nUdH6692Gn99Oq2y9u_YR3mtyED1o3PMS1O2NealtBzZLSKqDJ2IBh8enYuUTsD7H5h1CP0eMBRnUxgn7XgyXxWf4hDp6XBo81dkVBLHz/s4032/PXL_20240111_053711985.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTprrVUN_WtXmdqd9Mf7fSiutUdsY99OXU5gQV1zQECi6GGGY2fAweLKS7atv5Ey5xk_1OrDyN55TDeOtq_0nUdH6692Gn99Oq2y9u_YR3mtyED1o3PMS1O2NealtBzZLSKqDJ2IBh8enYuUTsD7H5h1CP0eMBRnUxgn7XgyXxWf4hDp6XBo81dkVBLHz/s320/PXL_20240111_053711985.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>After that our journey was far, far further than the ancient traders could manage, and by late afternoon we reached Pamukkale. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rw1cgRxY0pIOvFplfYhU30P_hbz6nHRO0n2gv7jjLsjSbOzz4zFlqc4nBrkmkR3mkzgQHu9peyRFGLb0L242J9YXlN8T9h1srcjU1YmBwTVY_kNIdcSb4Zb-eHcGQX9Lk39Mw_eD7HAQ2oZxOJksdxC5ZrbHw3eO5BuCEGp26ux9BAhfdV7QUf4PeUiE/s4032/PXL_20240111_133409867.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rw1cgRxY0pIOvFplfYhU30P_hbz6nHRO0n2gv7jjLsjSbOzz4zFlqc4nBrkmkR3mkzgQHu9peyRFGLb0L242J9YXlN8T9h1srcjU1YmBwTVY_kNIdcSb4Zb-eHcGQX9Lk39Mw_eD7HAQ2oZxOJksdxC5ZrbHw3eO5BuCEGp26ux9BAhfdV7QUf4PeUiE/s320/PXL_20240111_133409867.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I have had to consult Wikipedia yet again for more geological advice, or maybe this time it might be chemistry. Anyway, Pamukkale is the site of a carbonate mineral left by the flowing of a hot thermal spring. Dripping slowly down the mountainside the minerals form natural pools and mineral terraces.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLU8Enr459EzG4iv2GSj8Dvgqwxa3qlLcQOJIFLbLsmY1CK-xLTvOwqEji7A46-TM0f0SkFKPKTBTsbmbbk9S0Px5bC_sMfI1U7-raA8Qubv4GZTRmFCI0__35FxNcA1YCkGCkS_g_NuFbVvz0MJacxe-AV1zqxAzdUO2i_lh9fI7Cru4zEwmqr3Vvyj1/s4000/20240111_175433.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLU8Enr459EzG4iv2GSj8Dvgqwxa3qlLcQOJIFLbLsmY1CK-xLTvOwqEji7A46-TM0f0SkFKPKTBTsbmbbk9S0Px5bC_sMfI1U7-raA8Qubv4GZTRmFCI0__35FxNcA1YCkGCkS_g_NuFbVvz0MJacxe-AV1zqxAzdUO2i_lh9fI7Cru4zEwmqr3Vvyj1/s320/20240111_175433.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>From a distance it looks like a snow covered mountain rising up out of the green countryside. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tYDElnp-LebvCoh9X-Ii7w9B_HOA4VpbBXKtP2cjM3Mi_VF-1eRqK4LWQUf3Fwm70_2pW3obBUXouENBZpIX1gs5qj0wvxJhb1fn7TRt8Y0Uumbt7H6R62D49l7C96ShUu2Z_CjF2f1trw2wncZ5mLa7qbvFDmHjcd7mZmBg2kbF3hcTGPuIWQ9y_lvA/s4032/PXL_20240111_141141114.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tYDElnp-LebvCoh9X-Ii7w9B_HOA4VpbBXKtP2cjM3Mi_VF-1eRqK4LWQUf3Fwm70_2pW3obBUXouENBZpIX1gs5qj0wvxJhb1fn7TRt8Y0Uumbt7H6R62D49l7C96ShUu2Z_CjF2f1trw2wncZ5mLa7qbvFDmHjcd7mZmBg2kbF3hcTGPuIWQ9y_lvA/s320/PXL_20240111_141141114.NIGHT.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The water comes out of the spring at about 30 degrees centigrade and obviously that is a great temperature for a paddle. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhka9BIQbFH4SfmAKi2yDwP84BPZlOTkYXZNVW7pC-OtBJ0LJYNz5L30LpLEBt4F4zTdoJCSIrovuAGaYqhi1RgGmf00KPj0w1PgzKIzJvCXv8Cilw6XWLd-Jqnn8APgc45fuHdwBbr0JXIJ2__HGTgY48iKem8ZTovmD_oCM5q5arDQQ2sz3bFy52cH39V/s4032/PXL_20240111_141449870.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhka9BIQbFH4SfmAKi2yDwP84BPZlOTkYXZNVW7pC-OtBJ0LJYNz5L30LpLEBt4F4zTdoJCSIrovuAGaYqhi1RgGmf00KPj0w1PgzKIzJvCXv8Cilw6XWLd-Jqnn8APgc45fuHdwBbr0JXIJ2__HGTgY48iKem8ZTovmD_oCM5q5arDQQ2sz3bFy52cH39V/s320/PXL_20240111_141449870.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>What they don't tell you is how slippery and sharp the rocks are on bare feet, and also if you sit down on it, how difficult it is to get the white salty stuff off your jeans. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwwdFLsMl9g7FK-fNERowSkOSy2vg8sVTGGwDObUOLAAnk7eyDNbw469GCRHdnaYxbZJZWM2gwnmhotvmM6eXx8v_8SqN5l0yz_LFryCBSPy70g0lOxf6CE4BuJlkf8t_uRK9H86DLQQ2XsjA5Rx6mM3Y7aQ4W_hIe0LX-UwQm7lmwgknpcsKjAq2CSpg/s2495/original_31f50719-3954-4aee-beb9-fcba6684de25_PXL_20240111_142234969.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2495" data-original-width="1778" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwwdFLsMl9g7FK-fNERowSkOSy2vg8sVTGGwDObUOLAAnk7eyDNbw469GCRHdnaYxbZJZWM2gwnmhotvmM6eXx8v_8SqN5l0yz_LFryCBSPy70g0lOxf6CE4BuJlkf8t_uRK9H86DLQQ2XsjA5Rx6mM3Y7aQ4W_hIe0LX-UwQm7lmwgknpcsKjAq2CSpg/s320/original_31f50719-3954-4aee-beb9-fcba6684de25_PXL_20240111_142234969.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><p>The site was discovered by ancient peoples, and a temple was built there over 2,000 years ago by the Greeks. It was eventually abandoned after about 1,000 years because of frequent earthquakes that damaged all of their buildings. Our guide talked at length about the occupants, but I think that our whole tour group just spent almost the whole allotted free time playing about in the water. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEq4QXA5FOtjTuSxs-SW5n0v2ibGGZPsx2bcIjIiM9a7nBez3taEEIaiisTMss7nUvwGAl8b-evSViV8HNHhAteMbSXnRdg8kRtqabQq22xyKY7Sz9kNtdXih0zb7S8Cecz-cQedv9v3xYB5I1bJ-y8xy9DjxWJNQQdJsBAtjmaqyhSIk5fQ8jE5kpzXXP/s4000/20240111_162803.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEq4QXA5FOtjTuSxs-SW5n0v2ibGGZPsx2bcIjIiM9a7nBez3taEEIaiisTMss7nUvwGAl8b-evSViV8HNHhAteMbSXnRdg8kRtqabQq22xyKY7Sz9kNtdXih0zb7S8Cecz-cQedv9v3xYB5I1bJ-y8xy9DjxWJNQQdJsBAtjmaqyhSIk5fQ8jE5kpzXXP/s320/20240111_162803.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-64764147928898974452024-01-10T09:11:00.000-08:002024-01-10T09:11:18.480-08:00More fairy castles <p>Another day in Cappadocia. Cappadocia actually means land of the beautiful horse, however we haven't seen any at all, although we have seen lots of camels. Unofficially it is also called the land fairy castles, and we saw loads of those again today.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmCTmA1ZULQHoABj1uIPYEw1yTcNEeIq8UTeseGwlr272oTP6qdf1vZXPkWVfHm2DssiSxMl4a_aTSYJU3XQqLu-CF0PLwJGrMSskFlZY8vt2NDlFUXaXUjR2M58PUlafG3YiqUPUr7jzsjBkVafmPTSmgrj7Q9ixkGeiwJqS08Wq2etaZTXU6TFiL1wG/s2866/PXL_20240110_065904235.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2866" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmCTmA1ZULQHoABj1uIPYEw1yTcNEeIq8UTeseGwlr272oTP6qdf1vZXPkWVfHm2DssiSxMl4a_aTSYJU3XQqLu-CF0PLwJGrMSskFlZY8vt2NDlFUXaXUjR2M58PUlafG3YiqUPUr7jzsjBkVafmPTSmgrj7Q9ixkGeiwJqS08Wq2etaZTXU6TFiL1wG/s320/PXL_20240110_065904235.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our first stop was the Goreme Open Air Museum, which was a collection of rocks that had been hollowed out by Christians in the 12th and 13th century. Some of them were homes, but lots were churches with beautiful murals on the walls and ceilings. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPYeRS7aQI2fqV3KLVN0viFQYu_rRy8jiOgKYHBsXy4Q1BICZNHwuZWPFnkCdOtd2-FUV3SVzcFXNaNugkdcNoG5uOto8Inqmpl57Guvs5NYEf1k7szxQk3y6h0ELWn1BK_eHX72lTue5TyQXFHOZ1gl6500gN70a1myAeRHkYxjBzvSjo6AzFdYh7U5o/s4000/20240110_103854.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPYeRS7aQI2fqV3KLVN0viFQYu_rRy8jiOgKYHBsXy4Q1BICZNHwuZWPFnkCdOtd2-FUV3SVzcFXNaNugkdcNoG5uOto8Inqmpl57Guvs5NYEf1k7szxQk3y6h0ELWn1BK_eHX72lTue5TyQXFHOZ1gl6500gN70a1myAeRHkYxjBzvSjo6AzFdYh7U5o/s320/20240110_103854.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was interesting and a good start to the day, with the not so pleasant surprise in one cave of seeing two skeletons in open coffins that were tastefully floodlit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next we went to the Valley of the Imagination, where rocks are supposed to resemble animals. The camel was very good, but does need a bit of imagination. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimod2B2jte4R7hqQd1kIq_xF7blawIEl7X96GGT0IFqKHNlicHE0Q8jKguKHPAtFxcdHqtZh30EMxlXh9R4IRsnQP9aOBr0sMVGfaxwHh6yi0shLn2-N09W5rBlpFlnbpm-3ADnMCxvjwlPCPvtXboNB2t6vpS3QdcMOGiF5JJJIXDsTz1YpTCaAMZlomN/s3690/original_cdb3d214-6c53-4976-818f-edba57987708_PXL_20240110_114710889.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2153" data-original-width="3690" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimod2B2jte4R7hqQd1kIq_xF7blawIEl7X96GGT0IFqKHNlicHE0Q8jKguKHPAtFxcdHqtZh30EMxlXh9R4IRsnQP9aOBr0sMVGfaxwHh6yi0shLn2-N09W5rBlpFlnbpm-3ADnMCxvjwlPCPvtXboNB2t6vpS3QdcMOGiF5JJJIXDsTz1YpTCaAMZlomN/s320/original_cdb3d214-6c53-4976-818f-edba57987708_PXL_20240110_114710889.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Darren climbed up next to it to add a bit of scale. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_pKUSGAIWM9mJExGAjjnSd_kMr1pZiS9YDZP5T6HW3v6njV8gUcPVXuWsi2uqtcSxwPFzjCBubpu4qeGbJm031N0CUi2cKq_cZDNg_iNBGB6SLFKd61fSuGYm07i-jwzbaS_dY7jknkltK_7xiirRtGsWkV92sD9IEi7eZpj_ac3suho2J1vIQEncAsL/s4032/PXL_20240110_114119669.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_pKUSGAIWM9mJExGAjjnSd_kMr1pZiS9YDZP5T6HW3v6njV8gUcPVXuWsi2uqtcSxwPFzjCBubpu4qeGbJm031N0CUi2cKq_cZDNg_iNBGB6SLFKd61fSuGYm07i-jwzbaS_dY7jknkltK_7xiirRtGsWkV92sD9IEi7eZpj_ac3suho2J1vIQEncAsL/s320/PXL_20240110_114119669.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The rocks are everywhere, stretching miles across the countryside and are fantastic things to see from every angle. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljBh1H-xI_BIQ0SGRyCX5h3zu-ysueKQhleFZstt0rHTygQ4kfQ2OfcYF0OE6bUoCo9W4LTKnT5RWuDKkZFByzYBRViBAGMqgPm2yXMcrMUyKjMkwX9URtSMInEB5_wqpWuuKM9ogAgHpr-sCygyWDfUmdGUo9qr5gqG8xBwplRO7RnQgnZPMTY8ExAQU/s4032/PXL_20240110_114223421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljBh1H-xI_BIQ0SGRyCX5h3zu-ysueKQhleFZstt0rHTygQ4kfQ2OfcYF0OE6bUoCo9W4LTKnT5RWuDKkZFByzYBRViBAGMqgPm2yXMcrMUyKjMkwX9URtSMInEB5_wqpWuuKM9ogAgHpr-sCygyWDfUmdGUo9qr5gqG8xBwplRO7RnQgnZPMTY8ExAQU/s320/PXL_20240110_114223421.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next on the agenda was the Valley of the Monks. In the olden days monks used to go to this valley and spend 40 days in the wilderness trying to find peace of mind. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixK8hZeqIRnw2x1Pf0xPGjfdGghHy-CXMgjG9fRPwr62DWlS3mx_4IsSGYHg4dMXLI5CMsQWdovPHIJlGH1AOMnhubx3p5JctYDxPpFjfU76mD2_DtuEfkTfnj8Sx38xMqvbIIr1ofayhWjCmtTIS-SI2ibRiPUexbeS69im4CQ5Q5s6EagUUkBCCWoVBO/s2048/P1102417.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixK8hZeqIRnw2x1Pf0xPGjfdGghHy-CXMgjG9fRPwr62DWlS3mx_4IsSGYHg4dMXLI5CMsQWdovPHIJlGH1AOMnhubx3p5JctYDxPpFjfU76mD2_DtuEfkTfnj8Sx38xMqvbIIr1ofayhWjCmtTIS-SI2ibRiPUexbeS69im4CQ5Q5s6EagUUkBCCWoVBO/s320/P1102417.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These 'fairy castles' are made of the same basalt and tufa rocks as yesterday, but the lines of the rocks are so much more noticeable here. Also further to the left this photo are stumps where the basalt rock has fallen off the top and the softer tufa is wearing quite quickly away, and to the right is more solid ground that has not yet started break up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This collection of rocks was used as a monastery and our group all walked up the hill and round the back. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7WkdGF4mwDzeBLQnL47nKGXPMmRT4kghH1CicOu291SbjjaO85tJEwjxgKGQvzPrA4aufFAM_IFoXfTWmLjkCfyfVJzjhw1XzJPQEWcx3D6KS7dSPCH8cPsTBDCZzo0-_AUoY_Z1LYmhOay04mVVNtnbjBzaZbZgiOUOf3EOh4uYfoVNLhxOsraxP4WM/s4032/PXL_20240110_121432344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7WkdGF4mwDzeBLQnL47nKGXPMmRT4kghH1CicOu291SbjjaO85tJEwjxgKGQvzPrA4aufFAM_IFoXfTWmLjkCfyfVJzjhw1XzJPQEWcx3D6KS7dSPCH8cPsTBDCZzo0-_AUoY_Z1LYmhOay04mVVNtnbjBzaZbZgiOUOf3EOh4uYfoVNLhxOsraxP4WM/s320/PXL_20240110_121432344.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was the entrance to the building, although it is all gradually eroding, and some parts of it are quite dangerous. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZe0USVmj15jzUMedrxNyDWk2ky33aZgLJ9bifbHlh3lQggBPIHpjB6WJieaiv_vuj8K6Quc18hN2uk3bmYAVubRiLFBAWNGDpzFZ_uJzpB2UB8r_UOMvqC1nTN3g-dtXdPkWHzJm4s2Ak1NkQ7D66GH1atlsdWs5gmegVtksz2AEvdlkLLdsvzGW-8TNb/s4032/PXL_20240110_121611437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZe0USVmj15jzUMedrxNyDWk2ky33aZgLJ9bifbHlh3lQggBPIHpjB6WJieaiv_vuj8K6Quc18hN2uk3bmYAVubRiLFBAWNGDpzFZ_uJzpB2UB8r_UOMvqC1nTN3g-dtXdPkWHzJm4s2Ak1NkQ7D66GH1atlsdWs5gmegVtksz2AEvdlkLLdsvzGW-8TNb/s320/PXL_20240110_121611437.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We all had a great time clambering up into the different rooms and exploring. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqdWKLmQWm93eM_malPtZOR3yQfx1_Nfq20hVYUcfIcqNSKZ2yP-YTUxLZM1STcMb3kg5PO38KHSiDzMkZ4XeZQbOTrMYB_Uy9YrWgcwQLuxOHQdTiFm-QJnoY8jjJtPPM9Yw8MnFOVIIBR_vYeCRoVIyjK1z-UghNvMZMH8hUmTaAmyytpNZLYhvjDIg/s4032/PXL_20240110_121716512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqdWKLmQWm93eM_malPtZOR3yQfx1_Nfq20hVYUcfIcqNSKZ2yP-YTUxLZM1STcMb3kg5PO38KHSiDzMkZ4XeZQbOTrMYB_Uy9YrWgcwQLuxOHQdTiFm-QJnoY8jjJtPPM9Yw8MnFOVIIBR_vYeCRoVIyjK1z-UghNvMZMH8hUmTaAmyytpNZLYhvjDIg/s320/PXL_20240110_121716512.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can really see in this photo how the rock had worn away and the little channel where people have walked for hundreds of years. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBg6gDZnO-L6VecZavjwUp8OoYUTDBMfWDTtCC7i5dbdwOVAROqh4-oEjJHcsT0sL8Ec9H6kTMgxEcOjWxCljTlVVr2Hneub78NzhyphenhyphenhHuTaRQASvgsFyzxSvPxgrCAcIsUN3vhKO1WbgqF4TMX4B-TDrHgvnvKvIbvnpghUdr7Qd3Tp99fxNB-bzWhSUCd/s2844/PXL_20240110_121333345.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2844" data-original-width="2247" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBg6gDZnO-L6VecZavjwUp8OoYUTDBMfWDTtCC7i5dbdwOVAROqh4-oEjJHcsT0sL8Ec9H6kTMgxEcOjWxCljTlVVr2Hneub78NzhyphenhyphenhHuTaRQASvgsFyzxSvPxgrCAcIsUN3vhKO1WbgqF4TMX4B-TDrHgvnvKvIbvnpghUdr7Qd3Tp99fxNB-bzWhSUCd/s320/PXL_20240110_121333345.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Going back to the subject of rocks looking like animals, this is my own opinion, but I think that the rock on the left really looks like a rabbit and even has eyes, a nose and mouth. </div>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-85675263760289985822024-01-09T09:41:00.000-08:002024-01-09T09:41:21.642-08:00Central Turkey and Cappadocia <p>Today we drove to the centre of Turkey and stopped at Tuz Lake. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrP3rfIYw8wZA52c3NrJI9l9XVFiNrWw3pXNaJVlYelJ90usCQ-exxP6RI9_GW2BljYVxq7XgzT6O-iM7s27NyagLbj867W3TjrUd0WrlWwpzo8NDmy97ap3LNlcR4f0Fz8E00bMNaBqddT1cQr19FAx4CUV3-s-3AR4q4VKnE34Aae-RmeiQUX4j0I9p/s4032/PXL_20240109_073334006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrP3rfIYw8wZA52c3NrJI9l9XVFiNrWw3pXNaJVlYelJ90usCQ-exxP6RI9_GW2BljYVxq7XgzT6O-iM7s27NyagLbj867W3TjrUd0WrlWwpzo8NDmy97ap3LNlcR4f0Fz8E00bMNaBqddT1cQr19FAx4CUV3-s-3AR4q4VKnE34Aae-RmeiQUX4j0I9p/s320/PXL_20240109_073334006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>It wasn't looking at its most dramatic today, but apparently it is usually surrounded by two to three metres of snow at this time of the year, and some areas of it have flocks of flamingos. Today we had neither. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIHw8eIgv3WSIFuAczDW1rf1Wo3yGks6ouec7Dp3DfGL1fGcUQaQhm2biSJjDmfZRhpHt6L2YFyclX1I2O18jQchmQHwpyncp2bpM2K6RbF2rS_Bs8pmU7sXcYc0b_1kkk67PJwtushJu25EcBg8feS5jgwFSMaxSJfhyA8ORqQ3PqT4u3bGRZwqzdRDI/s4000/20240109_103544.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIHw8eIgv3WSIFuAczDW1rf1Wo3yGks6ouec7Dp3DfGL1fGcUQaQhm2biSJjDmfZRhpHt6L2YFyclX1I2O18jQchmQHwpyncp2bpM2K6RbF2rS_Bs8pmU7sXcYc0b_1kkk67PJwtushJu25EcBg8feS5jgwFSMaxSJfhyA8ORqQ3PqT4u3bGRZwqzdRDI/s320/20240109_103544.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>As lakes go though, it is very interesting. Underneath it are huge layers of salt about 1,000 metres deep and during the winter rain water leeches salt up in to the lake - although I don't understand why.</p><p>It covers a huge area and is the second largest lake in Turkey, but the average water depth is only 30 centimetres (one foot). In the summer the lake dries to a thick salty crust that can be walked upon, and the salt is harvested for cosmetics.</p><p>After that we carried on driving to Cappadocia to see it's amazing rock formations. </p><p>At the risk of trying to explain another geological fact that I don't really understand, the unusual rock shapes formed because a few million years ago the area was in the centre of a triangle of three volcanos that all erupted together. The lava spread layers of tufa rock which is soft and basalt rock which is hard. </p><p>Over millions of years it eroded to make amazing shapes, with the basalt often making little hats on top of the soft tufa. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezC_Fjs9t-dVDOtB9akziVh9lH0UkOrrHFNbCdzWv5Kyd56unCikphjjMz9MIFH6pOhh25qCJLxcNCZPwo3YsK97oE1URZ7eyf7lSHgUzcwBYqB3L8SS7eF84gVkwjG_Q9qlqldQYtNohBhspnHHRM8UjLgDfqpd7947sAMjv0oop7x7BKSyb9yIjfWMh/s4032/PXL_20240109_113106948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezC_Fjs9t-dVDOtB9akziVh9lH0UkOrrHFNbCdzWv5Kyd56unCikphjjMz9MIFH6pOhh25qCJLxcNCZPwo3YsK97oE1URZ7eyf7lSHgUzcwBYqB3L8SS7eF84gVkwjG_Q9qlqldQYtNohBhspnHHRM8UjLgDfqpd7947sAMjv0oop7x7BKSyb9yIjfWMh/s320/PXL_20240109_113106948.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQoVgZZKPIeuYitPr819zo_ZG3RI1GBjOYQd6mhBO-bd9ro7veT9IkOdbTo5tvSNeVyi5lZI_AytGspifbuSiMY0aXD1bcAq6J91kO_I1ac0Ns6cGS8P78tecdhYbaBDSTjpsvcRR1J1zFB9jJpfbM7vQpt3ZXP8Wu3jGhOecfgcnKw4JXki-KBq4YQld/s4032/PXL_20240109_112453039.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQoVgZZKPIeuYitPr819zo_ZG3RI1GBjOYQd6mhBO-bd9ro7veT9IkOdbTo5tvSNeVyi5lZI_AytGspifbuSiMY0aXD1bcAq6J91kO_I1ac0Ns6cGS8P78tecdhYbaBDSTjpsvcRR1J1zFB9jJpfbM7vQpt3ZXP8Wu3jGhOecfgcnKw4JXki-KBq4YQld/s320/PXL_20240109_112453039.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>We travelled round visiting different viewpoints and the above area is called the love valley. A couple of miles away is the hunter valley. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarUZBNF4C6TcrY09H1BpShaIy7_mzf0iwLNLQYWCgJjd6RDgqt7IlARyCFx8a0rkJ4WjrgwG6SdOTIDDCb1rtEm60WHZJUJ5y_J5xiJQ8gd6RMlgMAgGxxRoMPLC2sXQAsXubgPXuV0TjwnzMJ0Hoy__3JT8KHkx7Pqu-iEFiNGOLhl4EOF1sKUUnTesl/s4032/PXL_20240109_122558557.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarUZBNF4C6TcrY09H1BpShaIy7_mzf0iwLNLQYWCgJjd6RDgqt7IlARyCFx8a0rkJ4WjrgwG6SdOTIDDCb1rtEm60WHZJUJ5y_J5xiJQ8gd6RMlgMAgGxxRoMPLC2sXQAsXubgPXuV0TjwnzMJ0Hoy__3JT8KHkx7Pqu-iEFiNGOLhl4EOF1sKUUnTesl/s320/PXL_20240109_122558557.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>This valley has wider rocks, lots of which used to be lived in and are now used as hotels. </p><p>Our third stop was called pigeon valley, but I can't imagine why. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhtT8FMxrNZKlMMzwv1-0451l2Il6I1sBFxiTZie-4OkjrUaYK_7aH48Pn75zadsJEx4839Ke5WsUPbu99aB4tu3g_lvhfBS5PMRfZrpAlGjB2lxPOo840LuNak6UNJO-9i5vDE1r6MGQkDWI9sjMAdpPslBZ5P-lhQgUDOecRqb08ljBHs7TS0y9HbPJ/s4032/PXL_20240109_130542871.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhtT8FMxrNZKlMMzwv1-0451l2Il6I1sBFxiTZie-4OkjrUaYK_7aH48Pn75zadsJEx4839Ke5WsUPbu99aB4tu3g_lvhfBS5PMRfZrpAlGjB2lxPOo840LuNak6UNJO-9i5vDE1r6MGQkDWI9sjMAdpPslBZ5P-lhQgUDOecRqb08ljBHs7TS0y9HbPJ/s320/PXL_20240109_130542871.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>This one had different coloured rocks with some quite pale cream, and others pink due to iron deposits in the rock, and some darker brown. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQqfOlJ89GKfxnGxC8z0F15Ocqxmua-kefSYD44zCzuleh6B6WWamhqt_57dgZJbqcOd2fPPneLm9ODO-5utGI7aqcYbRsPS0OmLGob2LJyBG-hKm5OF0CegwFhwOSSBUGZ4BpPR3eAOE-MoLwb4BSa6f9Ecv3C1ZzISHDjvhJyMHt1LcSqclD3LWDLaI/s4032/PXL_20240109_130605935.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQqfOlJ89GKfxnGxC8z0F15Ocqxmua-kefSYD44zCzuleh6B6WWamhqt_57dgZJbqcOd2fPPneLm9ODO-5utGI7aqcYbRsPS0OmLGob2LJyBG-hKm5OF0CegwFhwOSSBUGZ4BpPR3eAOE-MoLwb4BSa6f9Ecv3C1ZzISHDjvhJyMHt1LcSqclD3LWDLaI/s320/PXL_20240109_130605935.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Quite an amazing town has grown up in and on the hillside next to the pigeon valley. </p><p>Finally we stopped off at a fancy hotel built in ancient caves where nearly 2,000 years ago Christians hid from the Romans, but today it was being used as a wedding venue. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLhfPKmqjxtY7m0_oJ8KrUCpbtI8X8_fxDgmmwI6c7m4jdZeozbC7jizmGTj1055wrusMd76FV2oWe8lccoP42iZxcOI7X2K-uqqpcFKTZvpYGrkovtC5Y_5g1KFJ7XTLaUi7fgJUbsYt-JYD-MXhqhRdlqVHDGPtU66WcYUg4wrum0GoXymv6tERtBBb/s3224/original_e4c53291-2177-4f56-9d20-05b1ca28bdb4_PXL_20240109_124238254.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3224" data-original-width="2086" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLhfPKmqjxtY7m0_oJ8KrUCpbtI8X8_fxDgmmwI6c7m4jdZeozbC7jizmGTj1055wrusMd76FV2oWe8lccoP42iZxcOI7X2K-uqqpcFKTZvpYGrkovtC5Y_5g1KFJ7XTLaUi7fgJUbsYt-JYD-MXhqhRdlqVHDGPtU66WcYUg4wrum0GoXymv6tERtBBb/s320/original_e4c53291-2177-4f56-9d20-05b1ca28bdb4_PXL_20240109_124238254.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1462866054488468773.post-58299962380922484872024-01-08T10:03:00.000-08:002024-01-08T10:03:48.799-08:00Ataturk Mausoleum <p>Most people think that Istanbul is the capital city of Turkey, and it has a population of around 20 million as opposed around five million in Ankara, however they would be wrong.</p><p>Today we drove 500 kilometres across Turkey to Ankara, which has been the capital city since October 1923. After War of Independence, the Turkish nationalists abolished the Ottoman Empire and moved the capital from Istanbul to Ankara. </p><p>The leader of the nationalists was Mustafa Kemal Pasha who then became known as Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, which means Father of the Nation.</p><p>We visited his Mausoleum in the centre of Ankara. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEK6pugkHqQS4E6wZ-3vIjXg7dPnZdvcpNSQau4tXqu-pcanhrU6_puqLO4V03LRr_iLQoG0gCzgdCBx9aR3qVprUfcI8J47bC2dHzMDok6XmIZJLGpwvmLV-skI0wLdEnffDzOE4LEBnazeqjwlZPVwrL5hTrKUFtyTfAA5AAFrGMPssZk__nYo5rtfMo/s4032/PXL_20240108_132623333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEK6pugkHqQS4E6wZ-3vIjXg7dPnZdvcpNSQau4tXqu-pcanhrU6_puqLO4V03LRr_iLQoG0gCzgdCBx9aR3qVprUfcI8J47bC2dHzMDok6XmIZJLGpwvmLV-skI0wLdEnffDzOE4LEBnazeqjwlZPVwrL5hTrKUFtyTfAA5AAFrGMPssZk__nYo5rtfMo/s320/PXL_20240108_132623333.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>It is a massive structure and sits in a dominant position on the top of a hill overlooking the whole of the city. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlbegnDuqGxt3bA-T1pbNaLDeZj47Zzl3690E1mGDKdx2csMKhOcO34UzqW5Td7X8ukG2ivrFJJDV3qzOlm1yNxfqZkAgTi01vq-VB4kkTTcI9hyuubF0yl_G_7KYlAOoHYliaCAxmA6OvIBmLQ1E6O0zxdsjcx6JJFWpLqkoGaFRG1yZiYHWwqmxlZCH/s4032/PXL_20240108_124952900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlbegnDuqGxt3bA-T1pbNaLDeZj47Zzl3690E1mGDKdx2csMKhOcO34UzqW5Td7X8ukG2ivrFJJDV3qzOlm1yNxfqZkAgTi01vq-VB4kkTTcI9hyuubF0yl_G_7KYlAOoHYliaCAxmA6OvIBmLQ1E6O0zxdsjcx6JJFWpLqkoGaFRG1yZiYHWwqmxlZCH/s320/PXL_20240108_124952900.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The area is guarded by ceremonial soldiers at every corner, as well as serious looking CIA types with curly earpieces and bossy voices. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuRYTJbBrSWXT524ufc3taBz4dI7bn2JTKa8AO5eSH0UNDDenqWj8zjohounPS9-FWDGgutmqrIPIcdPZJqh7uWV_IAcDmnPWeIM2pMue1apW2mKQDdAFZr806Qunvi-fFfJg-dAnZhyObC8zCkhX0FkWHj0oxuLD5qL4-QYY6xFZpTlQIKD4Ng__ZAb9/s4032/PXL_20240108_125341727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuRYTJbBrSWXT524ufc3taBz4dI7bn2JTKa8AO5eSH0UNDDenqWj8zjohounPS9-FWDGgutmqrIPIcdPZJqh7uWV_IAcDmnPWeIM2pMue1apW2mKQDdAFZr806Qunvi-fFfJg-dAnZhyObC8zCkhX0FkWHj0oxuLD5qL4-QYY6xFZpTlQIKD4Ng__ZAb9/s320/PXL_20240108_125341727.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p>The reason that the place looks deserted is because we were the last people to leave, and they were herding us rapidly towards the exit. </p><p>The actual tomb is underground, but there is a large hall with a ceremonial sarcophagus. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzSV58XqgLUZf1MI0AKgxd6uWeASz4xQfEFX-ZuhBE21cpGxYIjGPw3eAJNxOmyXDApyKPAeDoVFBR4p-2kUj4o2Cb66LEy0PMJ5rgqiXTnkz6LGGnkLtjbQ6AYG5DVjc2_dnAoRNMNRD_MsQFSZ_mLLXhql9aCJxkdwr8lHYPRB8VU91KlHa3HnJI2GM/s4032/PXL_20240108_125216788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzSV58XqgLUZf1MI0AKgxd6uWeASz4xQfEFX-ZuhBE21cpGxYIjGPw3eAJNxOmyXDApyKPAeDoVFBR4p-2kUj4o2Cb66LEy0PMJ5rgqiXTnkz6LGGnkLtjbQ6AYG5DVjc2_dnAoRNMNRD_MsQFSZ_mLLXhql9aCJxkdwr8lHYPRB8VU91KlHa3HnJI2GM/s320/PXL_20240108_125216788.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p>There was also a museum with a wax model of Ataturk at work at his desk, and best of all, a glass case with a cane gun in at that was right out of a James Bond movie. It looked just like an elegant walking stick but was really a deadly weapon. There was no explanation as to whether it belonged to the great man, or whether his guards walked along with him twirling the canes as they marched. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUBn6Ai76VfGi1282IcgjwXxUI31bTWsJNQRsYBkezcNvP5upwA_z8jwgwDzJTRNtSXlUyVlB8fMUrcuUItR0Y5Oyx1R4Apc95Mw-jmJ04Q7DpKHwKHx51HXnAbC6KYp8DgZpc339FOycRZOqUcb8GjPjIRvH6F4TeQsrHRUGh0ubb9zPIBECY-p-i-CM/s4000/20240108_160912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUBn6Ai76VfGi1282IcgjwXxUI31bTWsJNQRsYBkezcNvP5upwA_z8jwgwDzJTRNtSXlUyVlB8fMUrcuUItR0Y5Oyx1R4Apc95Mw-jmJ04Q7DpKHwKHx51HXnAbC6KYp8DgZpc339FOycRZOqUcb8GjPjIRvH6F4TeQsrHRUGh0ubb9zPIBECY-p-i-CM/s320/20240108_160912.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00404662447770808420noreply@blogger.com0