Where did you walk ( locally ) in 2021?

[lovingkindness]

This is one of my favourite walks, from Tessel (near St Colombe-de-Villeneuve) through the woods and fields to église de Lamaurelle; then down the valley and up the other side . Most days it is a 3 hour walk ...

 

[Former member 49149]

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This is one of my favourite walks, from Tessel (near St Colombe-de-Villeneuve) through the woods and fields to église de Lamaurelle; then down the valley and up the other side . Most days it is a 3 hour walk ...

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Thanks for the photos. Is it a circular walk? I think so from what you wrote...

 

[lovingkindness]

Thanks for the photos. Is it a circular walk? I think so from what you wrote...

Hi @kirkie,
It is not a published circular route as such. In these parts there are many signed and unsigned trails which one can link. Had I made a full circle it would have added another 4 kilometers of road walking. Instead, I hitched a ride to Tessel and started there. Part of the walk coincided with le Voie de Rocamadour, the section after St Colombe-de-Villeneuve.

 

[SabsP]

Visit to the town where I studied and lived for some years : Leuven.
Central uni library with the belfry.



Read here more about the link between the library and the USA.

https://www.spokesman.com/blogs/homeplanet/2011/oct/30/american-legacy-belgium-leuven-library/

 

[Icacos]

Sometime ago I posted this first pic of a tree that some kind soul(s) had not taken out. A while ago I passed by there again and the old tree is gone.

 

[VNwalking]

Not being very adept at research, maybe it is a Cabbage Palm. I look forward to being corrected!

Your pic is some kind of fan palm, impossible to say which for sure without flowers and fruit. But it could be a Mediterranean Fan Palm.

Palms are in the palm family.
Cordyline is a fancy member of the asparagus family. In NZ people call them 'cabbage trees,' but never cabbage palm.

 

[Annette london]

Woke up yesterday morning to a beautiful blue sky and the song”oh I do like to be beside the seaside, oh I do like to be beside the sea”popped into my head!
So that’s just what we did and off we went to Southend on Sea, a typical English seaside town
we let the train take the strain and within an hour we’re walking along the promenade.
Then after a tea cake and tea, we hit for the lovely walk along the longest pleasure pier in the world at 1.33 miles ..there and back.
The adventure island was in full swing but just looking at the rides made my stomach turn!
Another stroll and passing the gambling machines we went for a good lunch of fish and chips ….and mushy peas!
A lovely day in the sunshine

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

A New England autumn

During a break in today's rain we took one of our usual short walks. A recent storm had brought down trees and their parts.

 

[SabsP]

Autumn.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Yesterday Google sent me a copy of a photo I took on a walk a year ago. Normally I have Peg choose the walk we take but I did yesterday because I wanted to re-photograph the place without the snow. So we took our walk in a nearby state park that surrounds a dairy farm.

 

[Roland49]

Had a little time off (fall break) and went on some small hikes in the Harz mountains again.
Enjoy!

 

[Roland49]

Wolfswarte from Torfhaus:

 

[Roland49]

Joseph's Cross (tallest Joseph's Cross made of iron) and Stolberg with it's castle:

 

[Icacos]

I was wrong. The tree is still there! I thought I had compared the pictures so carefully, but I went by there again today and realized my mistake. Different street!

 

[C clearly]

Most of our forest is coniferous, but here is a section through a few maples. It was pouring rain, which we can expect a lot of, over the next several months.

 

[Icacos]

Most of our forest is coniferous, but here is a section through a few maples. It was pouring rain, which we can expect a lot of, over the next several months.

Maples are beautiful, especially in the fall. But there’s nothing I love more, or find more soothing, than walking among sword ferns in the rain.

 

[mspath]

Most of our forest is coniferous, but here is a section through a few maples. It was pouring rain, which we can expect a lot of, over the next several months.

C clearly,
This is a beautiful wood; is it Emily Carr country?

 

[C clearly]

C clearly,
This is a beautiful wood; is it Emily Carr country?

Not quite. Her work was inspired by the untouched regions on the west coast of Vancouver Island and the northern coast of BC. But it's true that the climate and vegetation is not vastly different. On some gloomy rainy days, a walk through the Douglas Firs, cedars, sword ferns, and moss, seems a lot like her work.

 

[SabsP]

Couple of days at the Belgian coast. Oostende.

 

[SabsP]

Felt lazy today but still went out for a short walk around the block.
Hesitant sun and some clouds.
Did I already mention I love autumn?

 

[chinacat]

Felt lazy today but still went out for a short walk around the block.
Hesitant sun and some clouds.
Did I already mention I love autumn?

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“around the block” ….
That’s quite some ‘block’ for a country as densely populated as yours!

 

[SabsP]

“around the block” ….
That’s quite some ‘block’ for a country as densely populated as yours!

Circular walk of five k!

 

[OzAnnie]

Circular walk of five k!

It really is a beautiful 5k. So reminiscent of camino routes we’ve all walked.

 

[Phoenix]

4.2 km hike in Colorado Springs, Colorado
8 Nov 2021

 

[Theatregal]

Today I had a day off for the first time in 3 weeks. I was so happy to get out early for a very long walk along Boundary Bay. Glorious views and so many beautiful birds to see!! First snow on the mountains... though it's been raining and I've been inside so much lately that maybe I just noticed the snow for the first time today

 

[C clearly]

Yesterday was a blustery day at high tide near Crescent Beach, on the other side of @Theatregal 's Boundary Bay.

 

[Former member 49149]

Today I had a day off for the first time in 3 weeks. I was so happy to get out early for a very long walk along Boundary Bay. Glorious views and so many beautiful birds to see!! First snow on the mountains... though it's been raining and I've been inside so much lately that maybe I just noticed the snow for the first time today

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Majestic views. My Canadian grandnephew would say awesome... I prefer majestic. So glad you got a fine day for your free time! We are the winners too.

 

[Kanga]

Yesterday was a blustery day at high tide near Crescent Beach, on the other side of @Theatregal 's Boundary Bay.

Fabulous light in that photo.

 

[jungleboy]

Today we walked from Sintra to Praia do Guincho which is part of the first stage (backwards) of the Caminho do Mar. This was our end point today at the beach with the kite surfers after a 23km walk:

 

[SabsP]

One of the many hollow roads here in the region.
And look who I found? !

 

[chinacat]

Today I had a day off for the first time in 3 weeks. I was so happy to get out early for a very long walk along Boundary Bay. Glorious views and so many beautiful birds to see!! First snow on the mountains... though it's been raining and I've been inside so much lately that maybe I just noticed the snow for the first time today

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Do you have a spare room?

 

[Former member 49149]

My photos today cover two days traipsing. The first one captures a piece of inner city street furniture, in Dublin 1. Two wifies having a chat.
The next two, from this morning. Two chimneys, long regarded as features of the landscape, now decommissioned. I attach a link to a lot more information than I could possibly share. Old power options, with the new beside it...
The last photo, just because... I love the view.

Poolbeg Generating Station - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Former member 49149]

Out towards the light this morning. Dangerous to look it in the eye.. so reflections help. One photo shows a ribbon of stone - it is a walkway out to the red lighthouse. There is a building about two thirds of the way out. There, a platform leads to an iron staircase down into the water. A superb swimming spot! No, I did not, today! Not sure if little video will work. Just to give a snatch of the sound of waves breaking...

View attachment IMG_1690.MOV

 

[SabsP]

Even though I wanted to stay at home I went for a five k.circular walk in the next village. Muddy autumn..nothing new ...

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Muddy autumn..nothing new ...

My alerts showed me that you posted here. Before clicking I asked myself "Should I make a mud comment?".

 

[SabsP]

My alerts showed me that you posted here. Before clicking I asked myself "Should I make a mud comment?".

Couple of slidings but kept my balance!

 

[Annette london]

A coastal walk in Lanzarote , one of seven islands in the Spanish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean and not far from Morocco.
the tiny inhabited island of Graciosa, being the 8th lies off the tip of Lanzarote where no cars are allowed
As there is no rainfall to speak of and with no natural water ,all the mains water comes from the desalination plant in the capital, Arrecife.

We passed some salt pans on the way which are now mostly dotted around the island.
Earlier this century, the salt industry was one of the main sources of income but many of the salt pans now lie empty and derelict

The Canaries are dominated by volcanic rock and the region is still volcanically active and in September this year the La Palma Cumbre Vieja erupted and is still erupting causing havoc on the island with thousands of homes lost

although distinct, the path was mostly quite rocky.
About 12 km walked and got the bus back to base

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Hi Annette, I have of course heard of the Canary Islands, but not this island in particular. How did you happen to choose to fly here of all options? I'm curious.

 

[SabsP]

A coastal walk in Lanzarote , one of seven islands in the Spanish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean and not far from Morocco.
the tiny inhabited island of Graciosa, being the 8th lies off the tip of Lanzarote where no cars are allowed
As there is no rainfall to speak of and with no natural water ,all the mains water comes from the desalination plant in the capital, Arrecife.

We passed some salt pans on the way which are now mostly dotted around the island.
Earlier this century, the salt industry was one of the main sources of income but many of the salt pans now lie empty and derelict

The Canaries are dominated by volcanic rock and the region is still volcanically active and in September this year the La Palma Cumbre Vieja erupted and is still erupting causing havoc on the island with thousands of homes lost

although distinct, the path was mostly quite rocky.
About 12 km walked and got the bus back to base View attachment 113301View attachment 113302View attachment 113303View attachment 113304View attachment 113305View attachment 113306View attachment 113307View attachment 113308

Lanzarote would also be my preferred choice. Together with La Gomera! Great pics.
Nothing like touristy Tenerife or Gran Canaria!

 

[Annette london]

Hi Annette, I have of course heard of the Canary Islands, but not this island in particular. How did you happen to choose to fly here of all options? I'm curious.

Hi Chrissy,
we have been coming to one or other of the islands for a good few years now…the nearest place to us for some winter sun!…..about 4 hours from London so not too long
sometimes come in January/ February time too …so far have managed five of them including Graciosa where we had to get around on bicycles!
weather good in all of them but each island has its own distinctive character

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Hi Chrissy,
we have been coming to one or other of the islands for a good few years now…the nearest place to us for some winter sun!…..about 4 hours from London so not too long
sometimes come in January/ February time too …so far have managed five of them including Graciosa where we had to get around on bicycles!
weather good in all of them but each island has its own distinctive character

How wonderful, Annette! Lucky you! Nothing better than good sunshine and warmth as we all head into late fall and the winter months coming...enjoy!

 

[Annette london]

Lanzarote would also be my preferred choice. Together with La Gomera! Great pics.
Nothing like touristy Tenerife or Gran Canaria!

Hi Sabine,
The last few years we’ve mostly travelled to Tenerife, mainly because of the walking….the routes are more varied and the island is more mountainous.
Its the largest of the islands so more areas to walk in and it’s very scenic
I do agree that it’s more touristy but we’re gone walking all day and although we’re in the thick of the touristy part, that’s mainly because of the bus station opposite where we like to stay…Bus equals freedom!!
Sitting around a pool or beach would be the end of us I’m afraid
so far not been to La Gomera which I believe is beautiful with numerous forests
Gran Caneria…hated the place…once was enough!

 

[Tia Valeria]

It seems a long tie since we posted here. Love ll the photos. We are still walking mostly locally but without taking photos. However we did have a few days in a self-catering holiday let 50 miles from home. Walked up the hill nearby and took this photo looking down and back to where we were staying. The white building is the farmhouse not our little cottage which is behind the trees!

 

[chinacat]

It seems a long tie since we posted here. Love ll the photos. We are still walking mostly locally but without taking photos. However we did have a few days in a self-catering holiday let 50 miles from home. Walked up the hill nearby and took this photo looking down and back to where we were staying. The white building is the farmhouse not our little cottage which is behind the trees!
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Your photograph catches that indefinable light that often comes at this time of the year and the land in the golden glow of autumn … love it!

 

[chinacat]

Out towards the light this morning. Dangerous to look it in the eye.. so reflections help. One photo shows a ribbon of stone - it is a walkway out to the red lighthouse. There is a building about two thirds of the way out. There, a platform leads to an iron staircase down into the water. A superb swimming spot! No, I did not, today! Not sure if little video will work. Just to give a snatch of the sound of waves breaking...
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Love that early morning light .. beautiful!

And the video … sounds so peaceful …

 

[Annette london]

A walk on a stage the GR 131 from the former capital of Lanzarote Teguise to Haria in the valley of a thousand Palms
It is said that whenever a girl is born in this region that a palm is planted……it might be true as we’ve never seen so many palm trees in a village!

The Gr 131 is 651 km and crosses 7 of the Canary Islands
it was 20 years in the making and is very well marked
we’ve walked a good few stages of it in Tenerife as well

The track took us past the ruins of the Ermita de San Jose, up and to another Ermita,of the Virgin de Las Nieves
the scenery down to Le Famara, famous for windsurfing was breathtaking
Passing the satellite at the highest point of 671m (2201ft) we wound our way down on steep paths to Haria and yes there were hundreds if not thousands of palm trees …there must be a lot of girls in the region!

 

[Former member 49149]

Something new today: I was preparing to get a committee to vote on a homemade Christmas greeting card, using one of my photos, and the little green dot annoyed me. So! I learned some more, as a local poet says (Pat Ingoldsby, Then I learned Some More). I typed in some search words and was rewarded with the solution, using a 'free' app, and followed the steps, and it works. not alone it works, I was successful in making it work! Snapseed. I won't show the results, as I am on the laptop and photos take ages to unfold themselves, but if anyone else with an iPhone wants to solve the problem, there is a way!

https://www.idownloadblog.com/2016/12/26/how-to-remove-green-dot-iphone-photos/

 

[Reija]

Greetings from the St Martin’s Way. I am not on a pilgrimage, just walking the dog. Neither did I see any pilgrims. Still good to be out in the fresh air.

 

[VNwalking]

Wow, Annette, a different landscape than usual!

Passing the satellite

Is that a telescope or a satellite tracking station? ( You would be taking an 'interesting' walk to pass a satellite.)

 

[Annette london]

Wow, Annette, a different landscape than usual!

Is that a telescope or a satellite tracking station? ( You would be taking an 'interesting' walk to pass a satellite.)

Ha ha VN….must have forgotten the word “station”
but then my head is up in the clouds most of the time!!

 

[Annette london]

Another walk on the GR 131 from Yaiza to Montana Blanca about 15 km
walked mostly through vineyards …thousands of vines all over the mountains with each vine protected from the wind with a shelter or even a hole somewhat like a crater dug into the ground with each shelter protecting just one vine

It really is a sight to see with acres and acres of black ash growing the vines
Volcanic ash is good for the soil and has all kinds of elements and nutrients to regenerate the soil

for wine, the ash apparently gives the wine a more intense flavour ….we’ll definitely be tasting it before we leave the island!

passed little plots of isolated vegetables growing on the way

Some Cactus fruit seen too…also known as Prickly Pear with its spiky outsides
The needles are murder when they get stuck in one’s hands …my hands in particular when I first picked them!! ….After that I used gloves!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

We had a walk to remember this morning. It was one of short usual ones. It was cold and windy and had rained overnight. I told Peg that this was the weather that would have a Yankee saying "Wintah's comin'."

What the memorable part was though was when we walked up a little rise. We greeted a woman walking toward us and then I remarked to Peg that the view was pretty. We heard a cracking sound, turned around and saw a tree limb fall with a thud where the woman passed under 30 seconds before. Fortunately she was beyond that. She turned around and asked us "What was that?".

I walked back to take this shot.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Peg and I did walk locally here many times in 2021 but these pictures were taken last year (October 9th and 16th). This is at the start of one of our most walked walks.

Recently Google Photos decided to send me a draft photo album from 2020 for me to approve and buy and these photos were on facing pages. They surprised me because the later picture was taken to be part of a panorama; I had no idea that they were so similar. I discovered this only about a half hour ago. Handheld, no cropping or other editing except making a collage of the two.

 

[chinacat]

Peg and I did walk locally here many times in 2021 but these pictures were from taken last year (October 9th and 16th). This is at the start of one of our most walked walks.

Recently Google Photos decided to send me a draft photo album from 2020 for me to approve and buy and these photos were on facing pages. They surprised me because the later picture was taken to be part of a panorama; I had no idea that they were so similar. I discovered this only about a half hour ago. Handheld, no cropping or other editing except making a collage of the two.

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So interesting to see the two shots taken only a week apart …
They’re very beautiful!

 

[Reija]

Another walk on the GR 131 from Yaiza to Montana Blanca about 15 km
walked mostly through vineyards …thousands of vines all over the mountains with each vine protected from the wind with a shelter or even a hole somewhat like a crater dug into the ground with each shelter protecting just one vine

It really is a sight to see with acres and acres of black ash growing the vines
Volcanic ash is good for the soil and has all kinds of elements and nutrients to regenerate the soil

for wine, the ash apparently gives the wine a more intense flavour ….we’ll definitely be tasting it before we leave the island!

passed little plots of isolated vegetables growing on the way

Some Cactus fruit seen too…also known as Prickly Pear with its spiky outsides
The needles are murder when they get stuck in one’s hands …my hands in particular when I first picked them!! ….After that I used gloves!View attachment 113544View attachment 113545View attachment 113546View attachment 113547View attachment 113548View attachment 113549View attachment 113550View attachment 113551

Yes, what a sight! Lovely and interesting!

 

[Reija]

Peg and I did walk locally here many times in 2021 but these pictures were from taken last year (October 9th and 16th). This is at the start of one of our most walked walks.

Recently Google Photos decided to send me a draft photo album from 2020 for me to approve and buy and these photos were on facing pages. They surprised me because the later picture was taken to be part of a panorama; I had no idea that they were so similar. I discovered this only about a half hour ago. Handheld, no cropping or other editing except making a collage of the two.

View attachment 113605

Wow! No editing, no cropping. Then you take high quality shots as a rule. Of course, the gorgeous scenery helps, I guess.

 

[Reija]

Today, on a gloomy, dark November day, I walked in the woods near Wiblingen Abbey. It was muddy but it was also wonderfully peaceful and every here and there I could spot a bit of color left. I am also breaking in new boots and that made the walk quite a bit Camino related! On the way home I stopped in the abbey church and said a prayer. Good way to start the weekend.

 

[SabsP]

Wow. You can't find more Baroque and Rococo than Wiblingen Abbey!

Wiblingen Monastery: Staatliche Schlösser und Gärten Baden-Württemberg

Wiblingen Monastery and its church represent the final masterpiece of Baroque architecture in Upper Swabia. The interior of the library is considered to be one of the finest examples of Rococo architecture.

www.kloster-wiblingen.de

 

[Reija]

Wow. You can't find more Baroque and Rococo than Wiblingen Abbey!

Wiblingen Monastery: Staatliche Schlösser und Gärten Baden-Württemberg

Wiblingen Monastery and its church represent the final masterpiece of Baroque architecture in Upper Swabia. The interior of the library is considered to be one of the finest examples of Rococo architecture.

www.kloster-wiblingen.de

Yep, it is quite something. The monastery library next to the church is downright overkill of rococo.

 

[Annette london]

A walk to the Atalanta de Femes at 611 mt where the main masts are situated
a bit of a slog up the hill, at first on a nice track, then a stony path
The scenery was beautiful with old volcanoes dotted all around, like little bumps on the landscape
The wind was fierce although not cold but then Lanzarote is known to be a windy island for without the wind, the temperatures would be much higher and the island would effectively become like a desert like the nearby Sahara
This wind is present all year round.
little white villages are dotted all around with the green and blue painted woodwork in keeping with tradition

Here, all high rise buildings are banned as are roadside billboards
The only high rise building is in the capital Arrecife and that sticks out like a sore thumb!
A nice but hard enough walk mainly due to the wind

 

[Former member 49149]

There is a gremlin in my ipad, and today it presented this photo:

I was in Pamplona for some days in October, and this photo was one I took at that time. I enjoyed a good few rambles around the place. Actually, if one had time, it is possible to trek along the river for fair distances and you could imagine yourself to be far from city life. I took this photo as a memento of a particular amble, just typical of a street in the old town. That day I also mooched around in the old Mercado, but I wrote about that before...

 

[ranthr]

At noon today, sun is down until end of January.

 

[Reija]

At noon today, sun is down until end of January.

Bye bye, the sun! Beautiful pictures!!

 

[koknesis]

facing Norwegian sun before it is gone at Nordfjord

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Hi all. It's been quite awhile since I've participated on this thread as I mostly walk my local trail and have posted many times in the past.
Today we drove to a park to walk. No fall color, but it was sunny and no wind.

 

[Former member 49149]

My walk story today is changing light. I was almost too late... but the beauty is outside my control, and will undoubtedly come again, differently!
There is one closeup of artificial lights. No doubt they will be twinkly and pretty in the dark. They are no match for my favourite Artist!

 

[Former member 49149]

Now a cheat - not my walk, but from a friend in Pamplona city this morning...

 

[DoughnutANZ]

The Kiwi Christmas tree is flowering early. Traditional wisdom says that when the Pohutukawa flowers early we will get a long hot summer.

I had a discussion about this with a friend of mine a couple of years ago and she was insistent that early flowering meant we were in for a long hot summer. I asked her how it was that a tree could predict the future and the scientist in me wasn't really satisfied with her answer but I guess that perhaps high Spring temperatures may well be indicative of a particular weather cycle.

It has certainly been a hot Spring so far with temperatures of 25-28 degrees recently and I have had to open all the ventilation on my little hot house as it is consistently 10-12 hotter in it even with everything open to the wind.

Here is a great shot from my walk today.

 

[Theatregal]

Back at work with a time consuming schedule so haven't been able to walk much lately. Today though, a day off and the gift of a break in the rain. B.C. is again experiencing a series of atmospheric river systems - today's lull was very welcome. Photos from my walk along Boundary Bay. Some flooded muddy paths - thank goodness for good ole' Blundstone boots

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Photos from my walk along Boundary Bay. S

I don't think you have ever posted a series of photos that didn't have at least one bird picture included...always a special treat!

 

[Corned Beef]

Searching for a Xmas tree that might fit our home

 

[Annette london]

Even though we’ve walked this one some years ago this time it seemed like more of an “experience”
The bus left us off near the track leading to Montana Blanca where the fields were covered in black ash
Then onto a man made path which crossed a large area of Malpais(bad lands) covered with volcanic debri.
No trees, no plants seen as it’s difficult for vegetation to advance across this mantle of rocks
many of the boulders are covered in Lichen but the biggest surprise of all was when we turned a corner and there in front of us was this beautiful green bush
Then a small caldera just before “the big one”
Up the side on a well worn path to reach the rim of the crater which is one km in circumference
we didn’t walk the full rim as the path was a bit narrow in places but looking into the crater was amazing

Montana Blanca is very near the Timanfaya national and it’s volcano there is still active
The main eruptions took place in 1730 and lasted 6 years covering a quarter of the most fertile land on the island
There was no loss of life
The last eruption was in 1824

i was surprised to hear that there are no snakes in Lanzarote ….just like Ireland!
Now I wonder if St. Patrick ever visited this lovely place?!

 

[SabsP]

Horrid weather so visited the archeological site and cloister of the basilica in Tongeren.
Impressive site knowing that all is hidden under the basilica.
There is also a part of the museum with many relics but I choose not to visit this today.

Home 2021 - Teseum

TREASURES OF THE TESEUM In the Teseum you explore the splendid story of religious art treasures, you discover underground archaeological secrets or you see every corner of the belfry. There is a suitable route for every age category. It's a unique place to unravel Tongeren's fascinating history.

teseum.be

 

[Former member 49149]

A bright crisp morning.

The last photo shows a little row of four trees outside the railway station.
Just wait till Spring, you will see them again!

 

[Former member 49149]

Still dark. Off I went, almost skipping... till I found myself flat out on the footpath! Thank God for the blubber I carry around, and the thick coat I had on! A stray piece of plastic found me and caught my feet. Fortunately, it was a full length fall, and not even a blush as there was no one to blush at...
Unharmed, totally unharmed, I continued. I saw the first grey heron after five minutes, then his or her cousin after another ten. I love the tree through which I look for the light, and to be honest I am not sure but I think the leaves are fresh...
I waited for the magic moment, 08.22, and found a wondrous fiery halo on one of the clouds. It is not caught adequately. No matter. I saw it! I try to capture both lighthouses, they feature in other photos, but they are so far away at this angle...
I stood, watching the heron. What is your name? How old are you? What are you looking for? Waiting for? Eventually, I moved on. I watched and the heron was still sphynx-like in its solitary fixed gaze and stance... then I heard a loud sound, and caught the final sight...


Have a lovely morning, afternoon, evening!

 

[SabsP]

Yup...

 

[dougfitz]

Early this year, a group from the Canberra Walking Meetup Group I was leading on the Main Range Walk to Mt Kosciuszko was defeated by gale force winds and rain. We had a much more successful walk yesterday. This walk from Charlotte Pass to the highest point in mainland Australia is a 23 km loop with delightful alpine walking when conditions are favourable. You can find images here. We took two flags up to the summit for a member of the group who volunteers with a local mental health group. And for other Aussies, yes, that is snow on Mt Kosciuszko four days into summer.

 

[Former member 49149]

Help! I can't see photos dated yesterday!
edit: and now, I am filled with regret that I never did take the £10 assisted passage from Scotland to Australia! John Denver's film was the last time I felt that regret....

 

[Former member 49149]

Help! I can't see photos dated yesterday!
edit: and now, I am filled with regret that I never did take the £10 assisted passage from Scotland to Australia! John Denver's film was the last time I felt that regret....

We thought we were invincible! Live the moment!

 

[VNwalking]

So glad you're ok, @kirkie. Ay yi yi.
And yes, Doug's photos are gorgeous!

@SabineP, that's impressive. One would think you are a mud magnet.

Montana Blanca

Such a nice A'ā lava flow, just like my old stomping grounds a half a world away! The clinker is terrible to walk across, but so fascinating to watch when these flows are moving: a wall of slowly advancing rock, with partly hardened outsides and molten insides.

 

[Annette london]

So glad you're ok, @kirkie. Ay yi yi.
And yes, Doug's photos are gorgeous!

@SabineP, that's impressive. One would think you are a mud magnet.


Such a nice A'ā lava flow, just like my old stomping grounds a half a world away! The clinker is terrible to walk across, but so fascinating to watch when these flows are moving: a wall of slowly advancing rock, with partly hardened outsides and molten insides.

That’s an amazing video VN…I think walking in the opposite direction would be good for us!!

 

[Former member 49149]

So glad you're ok, @kirkie. Ay yi yi.
And yes, Doug's photos are gorgeous!

@SabineP, that's impressive. One would think you are a mud magnet.


Such a nice A'ā lava flow, just like my old stomping grounds a half a world away! The clinker is terrible to walk across, but so fascinating to watch when these flows are moving: a wall of slowly advancing rock, with partly hardened outsides and molten insides.

And we think we are in charge!

 

[VNwalking]

And we think we are in charge!

Yeah. Once you stand next to something like this, that little illusion is dealt a fatal blow.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Early this year, a group from the Canberra Walking Meetup Group I was leading on the Main Range Walk to Mt Kosciuszko was defeated by gale force winds and rain.
...
And for other Aussies, yes, that is snow on Mt Kosciuszko four days into summer.

Such a nice A'ā lava flow, just like my old stomping grounds a half a world away!

There is a blizzard warning out for Hawaii right now. Really. There was another blizzard just a few days ago.

 

[VNwalking]

There is a blizzard warning out for Hawaii right now. Really. There was another blizzard just a few days

Yawn.
This is totally normal this time of year.
There are high mountains - one over 4000m - so naturally when there's a winter storm there can be snow above 3000m or so. From my home town:

 

[Former member 49149]

This is a cheat. I am just home from a second brief walk.
A view of a real mountain, not cloud formations. Well, a Dublin mountain!
Then, a view through a broken window. A place where in times past, some of the people I know were proud and grateful to have a place of work to go to.
Finally, two planes, heading for Dublin airport...

 

[koknesis]

Winter Camino training at noon some 300km to the south from Napapiiri

 

[Theatregal]

Woke up to a bit of snow this morning.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Decided that it was time to venture out a bit more, leave my garden to grow and restart regular walks.

Today I walked around my neighbourhood noticing the trees in bloom.

These trees are not Pohutukawas but they have similar colours.


A bougainvillea with similar colours

and I am not sure what this tree is but I love the purple flowers

Any botanists out there that know what this last tree is?

 

[VNwalking]

Woke up to a bit of snow this morning.

That's one cold Spotted Towhee!

Any botanists out there that know what this last tree is?

I'm having trouble opening photos this morning, but from a blurry thumbnail, I'd say it was a Jacaranda.

 

[dougfitz]

I'm having trouble opening photos this morning, but from a blurry thumbnail, I'd say it was a Jacaranda.

Not much of a question about that. There was one in my parents front yard when I was a teenager. They moved but my daughter now lives close by to that house, and when I visit her I sometimes do a nostalgic drive by.

 

[VNwalking]

These trees are not Pohutukawas

I would have thought so at first glance.
Ratas?

 

[DoughnutANZ]

I would have thought so at first glance.
Ratas?

You got me interested enough to check and so I walked back and picked a leaf off the tree so that I can examine it in the light (it is night at the moment).

I had assumed that because the trees were planted by the Council on the road berm that they would not plant Pohutukawas because they grow huge with deep roots and there are pipes and cables buried under the berm.

In addition, I have lived in this area for over 25 years and in that time the trees have remained about the same size. I had assumed that they were Southern Rata.

However, when I look at the leaf it is clear that it is a Pohutukawa and so you are correct!

Now I just need to figure out how come these trees don't grow bigger???

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Maybe it is a Tahitian Pohutukawa.

Metrosideros Tahiti - Alter-Natives Nursery & Landscaping

This Metrosideros comes from Tahiti and is often referred to as a Tahitian Pohutukawa. It grows to about 1.5 metres round and high if not pruned but can be kept smaller with pruning. Excellent dotted in the garden or a a boarder plant for large gardens. It does not like heavy frosts and young...

alter-natives.co.nz

The size of this tree is about right although the ones on the berm are closer to 3-4 metres tall but the foliage does not match and so this is probably a red herring.

 

[Former member 49149]

You got me interested enough to check and so I walked back and picked a leaf off the tree so that I can examine it in the light (it is night at the moment).

I had assumed that because the trees were planted by the Council on the road berm that they would not plant Pohutukawas because they grow huge with deep roots and there are pipes and cables buried under the berm.

In addition, I have lived in this area for over 25 years and in that time the trees have remained about the same size. I had assumed that they were Southern Rata.

However, when I look at the leaf it is clear that it is a Pohutukawa and so you are correct!

Now I just need to figure out how come these trees don't grow bigger???

See? Never too old to learn something new! Why did it take for now for this 74 year old (oh no! Is that me?) ignoramus to discover a new word for something I have seen, walked on, sat on... berm. Thanks, @Doughnut NZ !

 

[VNwalking]

It's probably a cultivar. I remember planting one that was compact; I vaguely remember it was called 'Rangitoto' but I could be wrong - that was 20+ years ago. [] I know there are a bunch of cultivars, wide variety of growth forms.
The cousin of Pohutakawa/Rata clan in Hawai'i is reknowned for its variability (it's named Metrosideros polymorpha for a reason) - and so the whole genus may just be a bit of a shape-shifter. The pinkish flowers in your photo gave me pause, I have to say. I'm used to bright red!

What I learned today about Pohutakawa has vaguely to do with the Camino Ingles:

A Coruña has adopted the pōhutukawa as a floral emblem.

Pōhutukawa in Spain

New Zealand botanist Warwick Harris (pictured) believes this large pōhutukawa tree in the coastal city of La Coruña, northern Spain, was planted some time in the early 1800s. The city has adopted pōhutukawa as its floral emblem.

teara.govt.nz

I am soooo sorry to have not stopped by to appreciate this tree when I walked from there!!!

 

[DoughnutANZ]

https://www.southernwoods.co.nz/shop/metrosideros-x-maungapiko/

Maybe this hybrid.

 

[VNwalking]

https://www.southernwoods.co.nz/shop/metrosideros-x-maungapiko/

Maybe this hybrid.

Sending you a message.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

At the end of the day I walked 13km. to therapy (some fluid in my left knee). On the way back I smuggled a bit and took the waterbus for the crossing.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Yup...View attachment 114443View attachment 114444View attachment 114447View attachment 114445View attachment 114446

Sabine, are you sure you are not on the Camino?