Where do ( did ) you walk locally in 2024?

[Kirkie]

On an excursion this morning to a part of town I am unfamiliar with I was stopped in my tracks by this beautiful display of carefully 'wilded' flowers in a built up area. It quite lifts the heart!

 

[VNwalking]

Quite sobering to think that the view from this spot would have been essentially the same 300 million years ago.

Equisetum is fabulous. And no doubt it will outlive us all (humanity, I mean...).

 

[VNwalking]

I was stopped in my tracks by this beautiful display of carefully 'wilded' flowers in a built up area.

Oh! Cornflowers and poppies!! Gorgeous.

A last walk up here, I think, depending on weather.

 

[markie6]

Another walk on or near the South Downs
Wide open spaces and sheep, lambs and a pheasant on the way
Wilmington Priory and nearby church with the oldest yew tree in England believed to be around 1,600 years
It’s now supported with long timbers…I suppose at that age, it’s entitled to have a little support
Then the Long Man of Wilmington, a hill figure cut into the underlying chalk on the steep Windover hill
The origin of the Long Man is unclear but maybe it represents a Pilgrim with walking staffs View attachment 171449View attachment 171450View attachment 171451View attachment 171452View attachment 171453View attachment 171454View attachment 171455View attachment 171456View attachment 171457View attachment 171458

The Long Man got a fresh coat of paint very recently. Near the foot is an old Pub that I have frequented often since childhood

 

[SDJunkMan]

I did a 10K Volkswalk last weekend up to the top of Crazy Horse mountain. The public is only allowed on the carving twice a year, and that’s during the Volkswalks.

 

[SabsP]

Election day today. So first to the pollingstation and then an organised walk. We chose 9k.
Rerouting due to the mud.
Break at the local canteen of a soccerteam.

 

[Kirkie]

A quick circular walk along the Arga, from near the railway station in Pamplona.

 

[VNwalking]

Not the best weather for a day in the mountains so we chickened out on going higher. But lovely effects, being in the clouds!

 

[Theatregal]

I haven't had much time for good long walks lately so a chance today along Catbird Slough was a tremendous gift. An idyllic morning with some lovely birds and song along the way. A Willow Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Yellow Warbler and a Bullock's Oriole.

 

[lovingkindness]

...for the past few weeks I have been roaming Oxfordshire in my spare time. It is glorious!



View attachment 20240609_143624.mp4

 

[Kirkie]

A walk along los acantilados del infierno, Asturias. We met a fair few pilgrims...

 

[markie6]

Throwback to a trip last month with my recently departed rescue in Sussex England he was only interested in rabbit holes and not a view of the Seven Sisters

 

[Annette london]

Off to the High Street but not the ones with shops and cafes
This high street is a fell in the Lake District at 2717 ft and is named after the Roman road that ran over the summit.
The road crosses from near Penrith to Ambleside

Up through Pasture beck with a lot of scree before reaching the turn off

It’s the highest Roman road in England with a fairly flat plateau that was once used for Summer fairs where games and horse racing took place
The last being held inn 1835

The walk is also part of the coast to coast long distance walk
The former road now consists of stony paths which are narrow in places

Hayeswater reservoir is seen below on the way and towards the end the beautiful Angle tarn and the Patterdale valley

 

[Kirkie]

A trip to a waterfall. I am told it is about 50 metres of a drop, possibly the biggest in Galicia. Very accessible, about 8 kms into the valley from A Fonsagrada.

 

[VNwalking]

So beautiful!
Today I went up 400m from Zürich to the top of the Oetliberg. Most of the climb was in the 1st 2km, just steady. Fortunately there were many botanical distractions!

 

[Bradypus]

Gorseinon cycle path again. Orchids out this time of year - very similar to one that @VNwalking posted yesterday! And honeysuckle - scent so strong that I could smell it 30 seconds before seeing it.

 

[Kirkie]

A greenway today. Maybe 7 or 8 km, 3km in the first hour, and then one that took 40 minutes, a local variation on Alto de Mostelares!
A stand up picnic lunch with the best view around... and then a fine horreo.

Wifi a bit weird, and no idea why double vision!

 

[lovingkindness]

...over the stile along the fields then through the meadows to a wonderful world: Cumnor to Oxford.

 

[lovingkindness]

Off to the High Street but not the ones with shops and cafes
This high street is a fell in the Lake District at 2717 ft and is named after the Roman road that ran over the summit.
The road crosses from near Penrith to Ambleside

Up through Pasture beck with a lot of scree before reaching the turn off

It’s the highest Roman road in England with a fairly flat plateau that was once used for Summer fairs where games and horse racing took place
The last being held inn 1835

The walk is also part of the coast to coast long distance walk
The former road now consists of stony paths which are narrow in places

Hayeswater reservoir is seen below on the way and towards the end the beautiful Angle tarn and the Patterdale valley View attachment 172145View attachment 172146View attachment 172147View attachment 172148View attachment 172149View attachment 172150View attachment 172151View attachment 172152View attachment 172153View attachment 172154

What a splendid walk! The Romans certainly got about.

 

[Kirkie]

Another lovely walk along by a river to a cascade. We passed an abandoned village with this panel of information in the vicinity..

The legend is a variation on the theme of between a rock and a hard place...
Here is a link where you can copy and paste into a translator like deepl...

ASTURIAS. Santa Eulalia de Oscos. Cascada de Seimeira y Valle del Desterrado desde área recreativa de Pumares.

Ruta ASTURIAS. Santa Eulalia de Oscos. Cascada de Seimeira y Valle del Desterrado desde área recreativa de Pumares. de Senderismo en Santa Eulalia de Oscos, Asturias (España). Descarga el track GPS y sigue el recorrido del itinerario del sendero desde un mapa. Esta magnífica ruta se inicia en el...

es.wikiloc.com

 

[nycwalking]

Marina Del Rey, (Los Angeles), Ca.

 

[Kirkie]

A very misty morning. On the way to Grandas de Salime we were horrified to see pilgrims climbing a hill on the main road, with no safety verge. The first one was dressed in black! In Grandas we spent hours in the Etnomuseo. Then a walk along part of the camino, contra pilgrims.
In the first photo, everyone is shod with wooden shoes (albarcas/madreñas).
The luggage would not pass muster in any Ryanair size checker.
A fairly early pressure cooker.
A fairly early dentist's space!
Finally, a sign of Camino!

 

[SabsP]

15 kilometer organised walk with start and break in the typical parish hall.




Afterwards a beer at the cafeteria of a riding school.

 

[Kirkie]

Final day in Asturias. I can recommend the idea of a casa rural as a base, and short trips daily to walks from Wikiloc. I won't advertise here, but if anyone is interested, send a pm.
Today, a refreshing walk down through woods to a wide point on a river which has been set out as a picnic and play area. The water was cold!

The guy on the bike is a sign of the still active metal work in the area.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

The guy on the bike is a sign of the still active metal work in the area.

I was amused to see a hog on a motorcycle because the hog is usually the thing ridden.

What does hog mean in biker terms?

Harley Davidson motorbike

'Hog' is a slang term for a Harley Davidson motorbike, specifically. It comes from the incredibly successful 1920s Harley Davidson racing team, who had a piglet as their mascot.

 

[Bradypus]

Penllergaer woodland park on the edge of Swansea. Despite living nearby for over 20 years today was my first visit. I hope not my last. A beautiful mix of woodland and wetland. A couple of artificial lakes linked by a stream. The sound of running water and the breeze through the trees almost but not quite masking the road noise from the M4 motorway and another major road.

 

[lovingkindness]

I was amused to see a hog on a motorcycle ....

Re Harley Davidson motorbikes....

For a brief moment in our nomadic life, my Dad owned a Harley Davidson with a side-car. Wearing his tiger moth flying goggles & helmut Dad would squash my brother and I in the sidecar and zoom us off to school. It was wonderful!

 

[ShoshTrvls]

For the next several days my kid and I are in Zion and Bryce National Parks. They are, in a word, spectacular. Today we hiked up Water Canyon and did some rappels (abseiling). Some of the walk was easy and peaceful, but much was steep scrambling. I am wiped out.
.

 

[lovingkindness]

For the next several days my kid and I are in Zion and Bryce National Parks. They are, in a word, spectacular. Today we hiked up Water Canyon and did some rappels (abseiling). Some of the walk was easy and peaceful, but much was steep scrambling. I am wiped out.
.View attachment 172543

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Awesome rocks ...

 

[lovingkindness]

..another week roaming the fields and bridle tracks of Oxfordshire -thrashing my way through surging barley, great stands of stinging nettle and cow parsley.


near Swalcliffe

 

[Annette london]

Early bus to Grasmere and up by wild meadows and Sour Milk Gill which was thundering down after the previous days rain
Easedale tarn shimmering in the sun and not another soul around
Easy enough till we hit a sheer slab of rock.
Easy enough when dry but this time proved a challenge for sure and it was a case of “we’re not coming back this way” so it was up to Codale tarn and a vague path through ferns back to Grasmere
We even passed a yellow arrow….the first one we’d seen in the area

Despite the name, there are no actual lakes in the Lake District,
Apart from Bassenthwaite lake that is
All the others such as Windermere,Coniston,Ullswater and Buttermere are Meres, Tarns and Waters
There are 21 in total

 

[Bradypus]

Some suburban walking today. From Pontarddulais to Gorseinon then through Gowerton to Swansea. This caught my eye on the way. First thought was that IKEA must be selling pianos these days....

 

[ShoshTrvls]

Yesterday’s walk was the most famous in Zion, the Narrows. We did 7 mikes out and back through the fast running Virgin River, sometimes up to our chests.

 

[SabsP]

9.5 km around Hoeselt.

 

[Bradypus]

The usual walk to and from the pub. Not just being paranoid - I was being watched... Spotted this year's patxaran in embryo. And passed the cottage where the flag of Sealand flies in the garden and is on a plaque by the gate. Some day I may discover why!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principality_of_Sealand

 

[Kirkie]

Last week after walking a little of the camino I visited the Etnomuseo in Grandas de Salime (Primitivo) and loved seeing all the things of yesteryear. In this photo, two mincers.

I have one in the kitchen press and used it just now to work a little magic on a piece of cooked ham that did not tempt me...
The advertising on the box tells me it came down from the North at some point!

 

[VNwalking]

In Southern Germany farm country about half way between Munich and Salzburg.
A short walk and we saw a hare and a grass snake. Very satisfying!

 

[SabsP]

Finally!!!! Glorious sun.

 

[Bradypus]

In London with family today. On my way to Catalunya by rail tomorrow to meet more family in Girona. Plans being broken and remade all the time due to poor health (not mine - I'm fine at the moment thanks....). A short stroll to Tooting Broadway this afternoon. As always I am impressed by the ethnic, religious and linguistic diversity which shows up in the faces in the street and the spectacular range of cafes, restaurants and food shopping opportunities. Having a quiet pint within sight of Tooting Broadway tube station. Very elaborate street light in the road outside. The station was a familiar sight in my teenage years long before I learned that Tooting was a real place and not just a comedy writer's invention!

 

[lovingkindness]

.. Sweet briar tangles in sticky cleaver; dandelions in grasses; fungi -not sure what it is. Ambling in wide circles from village to village along farm tracks and a roman road. Oxfordshire.





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17th century tomb of Sir William Pope, Earl of Downe and his wife, Anne , their children attending. Wroxton nr Banbury, Oxfordshire

 

[lovingkindness]

In London with family today....

View attachment 173000

What a fine fellow. Is this you, @Bradypus?

 

[Bradypus]

What a fine fellow. Is this you, @Bradypus?

Unfortunately not. The fine actor Robert Lindsay as the lead character in the sitcom "Citizen Smith".

 

[Bradypus]

Paris. Just walked from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon. Mostly along the route of the Canal Saint-Martin. Some very substantial railway architecture. Lots of people picnicking in the sun. Even a little stereotypical pétanque going on. A hot muggy day. Quite glad of an air-conditioned train seat!

 

[Annette london]

Our first view of the Yorkshire Dales
Wharfedale is the first leg of the Dales way from Ilkley and into Lakeland
Through pastures and by the river
Relaxing ladies chewing the cud
A few stiles to cross and the end Bolton priory founded in 1155 by Augustinian monks
Mostly in ruins now but the church has been beautifully restored and open for worship for over 800 years
Oh, and a yellow arrow marking the way

 

[Bradypus]

Girona. 10km evening walk up to the Puig de Sant Miquel - a fortified tower and the ruins of an ermita in the hills above the city. Surprised how quickly the city is left behind and forest begins. Girona is very attractive. Lots of massive Romanesque buildings. And a very green hilly hinterland. I see now why it is so popular with tourists like myself.

 

[Kirkie]

Locked in for some days while dealing my first ever dose of Covid, I was out like a shot this morning in spite of steady rain. I was not alone. There is an estimated influx of 600,000 people in the city this weekend. I met lots of easily recognisable mums and daughters and groups of young women. This street advert gives a clue as to why. I also happened upon a church service where the Order of Malta was investing new members. No photos of that, but it was quite old school.

Then a few more photos, why not? The sun doesn't always have to shine, and the farmers are happy when it rains. The tent is a leftover from a huge number 'housing' immigrants recently, before they were moved to other locations.

(Edit: In the second photo, the street label says Misery Hill. Look it up if you will , adding Dublin, and you will get a wiki entry and an association with a departure point for Santiago.)

 

[Bradypus]

Girona again. On last night's walk we came across a roadkill snake. Too badly damaged to be sure but I think it was a young Montpellier snake. This morning I took a walk through a nature reserve near one of the rivers looking for more wildlife. Green woodpecker and lots of butterflies who wouldn't stay still to be photographed! The scarlet pimpernel was more obliging. And one Iberian pond turtle a long way out in the river. Apparently a galapago leproso in Spanish. Not the most cheerful of names....

 

[SabsP]

What was supposed to be a 12k signalled route eventually became almost 16k. Some bad signalling and us not looking out.
City of Awans, across the languageborder.
Paused at Fort of Loncin.
Afterwards a well deserved friet.

Fort de Loncin - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Theatregal]

A walk at Terra Nova. Birding highlight - watching a Great Blue Heron 'shake it out'

 

[Annette london]

A drive to Grassington which was transformed into the fictional market town of Darroby during the filming of”All creatures great and small”
Apparently the Americans love this series

Ver narrow stiles to squeeze through but the problem is the rucksack of course not me, not me

Then along by the Wharfedale river again with various type of paths
Coffee in Burnsall
Moss on the rocks
Onto Barden Bridge and Tower,a 15th century hunting lodge, now in ruins
Visited the chapel in Priests house preparing for a wedding

The little mini bus back to Grassington after an easy 15km walk
It’s amazing how these little buses drive on the narrow roads, some not much wider than the bus itself

 

[Mary Doll]

Unfortunately not. The fine actor Robert Lindsay as the lead character in the sitcom "Citizen Smith".

Power to the people!

 

[Bradypus]

Girona. Another riverside walk. This time north from the city centre. Puzzled by the lack of lizards - not one seen or heard although I would have thought the climate, terrain and vegetation were very good for them. Compensated by more turtle spotting though. One huge red-eared slider in a side stream. Well over 20cm across the shell. An American invasive species which like its compatriots the grey squirrel and the signal crayfish outcompete their local equivalents and have become something of a menace this side of the pond. Another turtle spotted basking on a rock under a bridge. Too far away to be sure but I think a European pond turtle. Bamboo was another invader making its presence known. Some big carp-like fish in the river. A few dead ones sadly but plenty alive too. Didn't take a photo earlier but some big coypu in the river right in the middle of town too.

 

[SabsP]

Rained all night. Temperature bit lower now.

 

[MassNative]

First Day Hike at DCR Breakheart Reservation, Saugus Massachusetts. The reward for a hilly 2.8 miles was clam chowder and hot chocolate for the over 100 participants. Good way to begin 2024!

I spent many days running on the Breakheart roads and trails when I was on my high school track and cross country team!

Many moons ago, BTW!

 

[Bradypus]

Girona. Short evening stroll around town. The red bridge is about 50 metres from our apartment. Much photographed. Apparently designed by some bloke called Eiffel who went on to another project in Paris later. The coypu was passing under a second bridge a few minutes later. Chunky animal.

 

[Annette london]

A beautiful walk from Malham
First stop was Janet’s Foss, Foss being the old Scandinavian word for force or waterfall
Legend has it that Janet was the queen of the local fairies and lived in a cave behind the waterfall
A short detour to Goredale scar, an awesome place with it’s overhanging rocks and a crashing waterfall
It’s possible to climb up at the side but we weren’t tempted.
The water is full of lime and this gives the rocks it’s brown colour
We saw a lot of schoolchildren with rather heavy rucksacks doing the Duke of Edinburgh award
Then a grassy path to Malham tarn
On the way we chatted to some farmers shearing their sheep
Then lunch Al fresco on a rock

 

[Bradypus]

On the way we chatted to some farmers shearing their sheep

I am in Girona just now with my wife, her brother and his wife who is Chinese and a city girl from Wuhan. Prefers to be known as Shirley rather than by her Chinese given name. Some years ago the four of us took a short holiday in Ambleside in the English Lake District. On the way back to our accommodation one night we saw a man practicing for sheepdog trials in a field with a young Border collie and a few sheep. A couple of older dogs watching from the sidelines. After watching for a few minutes Shirley asked: "Is he training the dog or the sheep?" Very funny at the time but a very reasonable question if you've never seen a shepherd working a flock with dogs before!

 

[Annette london]

A walk from Clapham to Ingleborough, the second highest of The 3 peaks in Yorkshire at 2372 ft
Waterfalls and streams on the way and the narrow Trow Gill to get through
Beyond the “his and her” stiles the landscape opens up
This is called “common” land where local farmers have grazing rights

The sheep are “hefted” which means the lambs are taught by their mothers which part of the fell to graze
This knowledge is passed down through generations so there is no need for enclosures
The sheep are “gathered” 5 times a year by 12 local farmers…and the sheepdogs working together
This system has changed very little in 200 years

Up to Ingleborough on a path which became very stony near the top and down to Ingleton where we caught a bus back to Clapham

 

[Bradypus]

Carcassonne. A short warm walk from the railway station to our apartment for the next 3 days. Over the Canal du Midi. Down a pedestrian street decked out for Pride month. Past a chapel with Camino connections and over an ancient stone bridge for a view of the magnificent but slightly ridiculous citadel. The place is hugely, stereotypically French and invites me to join in with a local drink!

 

[lovingkindness]

I love walking for hours on a hot summer's day, listening to the scratchy clicks of insects in flowering grasses, returning home with seeds and stubble trapped in cuffs and braid. Not long ago I set off to see the Rollrightstones -near Hook Norton, Oxfordshire.

The Rollright Stones

An ancient site located on the Oxfordshire/Warwickshire border in England. The Kings Men stone circle, King Stone, and Whispering Knights dolmen.

www.rollrightstones.co.uk

 

[lovingkindness]

Carcassonne. A short warm walk from the railway station to our apartment for the next 3 days. Over the Canal du Midi. Down a pedestrian street decked out for Pride month. Past a chapel with Camino connections and over an ancient stone bridge for a view of the magnificent but slightly ridiculous citadel. The place is hugely, stereotypically French and invites me to join in with a local drink!

View attachment 173708View attachment 173709View attachment 173710View attachment 173711View attachment 173712View attachment 173713View attachment 173714View attachment 173715View attachment 173716View attachment 173717

Carcassonne. Yes!!! I played the flute in the town square one market day, on my walking way to Jerusalem (2013-14)... I spent my takings on chocolates -not for me, for the wonderful lady who took me in.

 

[lovingkindness]

Locked in for some days while dealing my first ever dose of Covid, I was out like a shot this morning in spite of steady rain. I was not alone. There is an estimated influx of 600,000 people in the city this weekend. I met lots of easily recognisable mums and daughters and groups of young women. This street advert gives a clue as to why. I also happened upon a church service where the Order of Malta was investing new members. No photos of that, but it was quite old school.
View attachment 173347
Then a few more photos, why not? The sun doesn't always have to shine, and the farmers are happy when it rains. The tent is a leftover from a huge number 'housing' immigrants recently, before they were moved to other locations.
View attachment 173348View attachment 173349View attachment 173350View attachment 173351
(Edit: In the second photo, the street label says Misery Hill. Look it up if you will , adding Dublin, and you will get a wiki entry and an association with a departure point for Santiago.)

Sorry that you are unwell, Kirkie... hope it doesn't last long.

Cheers
Lk

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

A nice artikel about the world famous Fish doorbell.

Fish doorbell at the Weerdsluis more popular than ever: pressed 150,000 times
https://www.nu.nl/goed-nieuws/63189...-populairder-dan-ooit-150000-keer-indruk.html

 

[Kirkie]

Sorry that you are unwell, Kirkie... hope it doesn't last long.

Cheers
Lk

Thank you! All well again.

 

[Bradypus]

Carcassonne again. A short stroll up into the walled citadel for sightseeing and lunch. Came across an old friend just outside - burdock. Lots of fun as a child lobbing the velcro balls at friends. And remembering the bizarre combination of dandelion and burdock root flavoured soft drinks. An acquired taste for most people. Huge medieval church that I managed to miss altogether in the maze of narrow streets a couple of days ago.



PS: An afternoon walk up the riverbank looking for reptiles. Several wall lizards and a few geckos spotted. None very keen to pose for photos so most of my shots are very grainy maximum zoom blurs! One did obligingly stare at me from his crack in the wall through. Paused on the way back to the apartment for a cooling drink.

 

[OzAnnie]

I did a 10K Volkswalk last weekend up to the top of Crazy Horse mountain. The public is only allowed on the carving twice a year, and that’s during the Volkswalks.

It’s quite an awesome place to visit. Do they have a more up to date expectation on when it will be fully completed. I saw it about 6 years ago. It doesn’t look much changed. A huge project though.

 

[Annette london]

There are over 30 Dales in the Yorkshire Dales,
This is Malhamdale and part of it is on the Pennine Way
Very scenic to and from the tarn
Some amazing limestone formations which makes stepping over them somewhat difficult
Then Malham cove with its sheer rock face
Then back to the village through the fields

 

[SabsP]

Yearly mini pilgrimage from my town to the basilica in Tongeren.
11k. Back by bus and another three k on foot.

 

[Bradypus]

Nantes. A short walk from the city centre to a bus station for buses to the coast - in particular Pornic where my grandfather is buried in a Commonwealth war cemetery. A couple of examples of monumental French humour on the way. The mural seems to be a pun which took me a while to work out! Then a visit to my grandfather's memorial. Passing another memorial to a remarkable young woman - her story is well worth reading. On the short walk down to the harbour I spotted these poppies which felt very appropriate. The town is now a bustling little seaside resort.

 

[lovingkindness]

Oxfordshire rambles, week 6
View attachment 20240704_154625.mp4

 

[Bradypus]

St Brevin les Pins. A short 4km or so around the southern shore of the Loire estuary. Starting under the huge bridge. Quite sobering to remember walking over that bridge from Saint Nazaire some years ago. Then around the point past two Camino signs - they get everywhere! - to the main focus of our walk: the Serpent of the Ocean. Huge, bizarre piece of work by a Chinese/French artist. Then on into town where we are waiting for a bus back to Nantes.

 

[SabsP]

A local group constructed a pilgrimpath in honour of Christina the Astonishing ( also the inspiration of a song by Nick Cave ).
We did one etapa today. Not signed but you can download the wikiloc.
A combination of the long distance GR path with local signed paths.
Twenty kilometers.
Although rather local I got to know some new paths.

Christina Mirabilis

www.christinamirabilis.com

Christina the Astonishing - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[lovingkindness]

A local group constructed a pilgrimpath in honour of Christina the Astonishing ( also the inspiration of a song by Nick Cave ).
We did one etapa today. Not signed but you can download the wikiloc.
A combination of the long distance GR path with local signed paths.
Twenty kilometers.
Although rather local I got to know some new paths.

Christina Mirabilis

www.christinamirabilis.com

Christina the Astonishing - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

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What a wonderful name -Christina the Astonishing!

 

[SabsP]

What a wonderful name -Christina the Astonishing!

Nick Cave used some poetic license in his lyrics. Christina was not from Liège and did not jump in the river Meuse. Most probably she stayed in this tiny region of Haspengouw but of course Liège is more known internationally.

Christina The Astonishing - Lyrics | Nick Cave

Christina the Astonishing Lived a long long time ago She was stricken with a seizure At the age of twenty-two They took her body in a coffin To a tiny church in Liege Where she sprang up from the coffin Just after the Agnus Dei She soared up to the rafters Perched on a beam […]

www.nickcave.com

 

[Flog]

What a wonderful name -Christina the Astonishing!

And astonishing is her feast day, too..
Just one day before Saint James himself!

 

[Flog]

We set out with purpose this morning in perfect weather for a few days road trip up around the north coast. Carlingford is a well kept, picture pretty coastal town with some fantastic walking trails in the hills above. Lots of interesting historical sites and bits of ruins too, including the early 14th century Dominican Priory. Tomorrow, on up towards Ballycastle and maybe over to Rathlin Island if the weather and tides allow..

 

[Damien Reynolds]

PCT - Day 87 - South Lake Tahoe - 1.093 mi ( 1792 km)

So I made it through the Sierras and will start the Northern California section tomorrow. This is not an easy hike. I have to pick up the pace a bit (as is typical) in order for me to be home in time for my Oct. 3 flight to Madrid... .

 

[Flog]

So I made it through the Sierras and will start the Northern California section tomorrow. This is not an easy hike.

That trout looks tasty.. Are you cleaning/cooking them on the go?

 

[Flog]

Back to typical Irish weather this morning, and visability was very poor so we gave the Rathlin Island ferry a miss and instead continued along the coast. Not much walking in the rain, but it cleared up enough in the afternoon to go clambering around the basalt columns of the Giant's Causeway..

 

[Theatregal]

A walk at Garry Point with all of its beautiful wildflower colour. A very hot day - 27 deg but with a nice breeze coming from the river. Saw a juvenile Spotted Towhee for the first time! The sand dunes were alive with the metalic buzzy trill of Savannah Sparrows.

 

[Bradypus]

Maintenon to Chartres. About 20km. A mix of minor roads, farm tracks and cycle routes. Sometimes passing between fields of ripe wheat, barley and oilseed rape. Occasionally picking tiny wild strawberries or blackberries on the verges. Friendly cafés in a couple of villages for refreshments. A short sharp set of stone stairs up from river level to the cathedral. Then a brief visit inside - we have all tomorrow and most of Friday morning for a longer visit. Stunning glass work. I didn't expect to see a small circus tent in a hamlet of half a dozen houses. One of a number of surprises on this very pleasant short day's walk. The stag beetle was not at all keen on my attempts to move it to a safer spot!

 

[Damien Reynolds]

That trout looks tasty.. Are you cleaning/cooking them on the go?

Yah. For my section in the sierras I carried a rod and pan for frying... so yummy...

 

[Flog]

The weather was better today. We continued further along the coast by Dunluce Castle, and a low tide walk along the beach at Downhill revealed some more of the interesting volcanic rock formations and a sea stack or two.

Then the ferry across Lough Foyle to Greencastle, Donegal and the real purpose of our trip: to visit Michael, the now retired skipper of a herring trawler I managed to hitch a lift home on back in 1991, half a lifetime ago. A three day adventure that took me across the North Sea from Skagen in Northern Jutland, through the Pentland Firth and down through the Sea of the Hebrides, to the Inishowen peninsula and into the shelter of the harbour at Greencastle.. that was in simpler times when you could do these things. A chance encounter with a pilgrim in Santiago two years ago, who's compostela I wrote, knows Michael and put me in touch with him just recently. It was lovely to reconnect after all this time.

Tonight we're further up the peninsula in a cosy room over a bar and before dinner we managed a decent brisk walk up to Malin Head, the most Northerly point on the island of Ireland, and back.. about ten kilometres or so. We'll spend our last night in Derry city tomorrow but we forgot about Friday being the 12th of July and all that goes with it. But never mind, no matter.. we'll high tail it out of there in a screech of tyres in the early morning and with a bit of luck, we might get home in time for lunch...

 

[Bradypus]

Chartres cathedral labyrinth. By accident the Friday uncovering of the cathedral labyrinth for walking coincides with our last day in France. So a very short walk from our very central apartment to the cathedral - Google Maps says 350m but it might be less. The labyrinth itself isn't all that much shorter at 260m and takes a surprisingly long time to walk. Last night I re-read the early stages of Laurie Dennett's 1986 Camino walk from Chartres in "A Hug for the Apostle" - a book lent to me by my mother-in-law before my own first Camino. Laurie still lives near O Cebreiro and apparently has a version of the Chartres labyrinth in her garden. A serious piece of work!

 

[markie6]

photo from previous walks up to the Dyke Pub from home in Sussex will have to do since I lost my walking buddy

I'm lucky to live on the edge of the South Downs Way and never take it for granted

view from the Escarpment back toward Chanctonbury Ring and Cissbury Ring too

 

[Bradypus]

Friday part 2. Walked across Paris from the Gare Montparnasse to Gare du Nord. Chose a route past Notre Dame. Still work in progress but looking good. Great to see the new spire after the painful iconic images of the former one collapsing in flames. Then past the Tour de Saint-Jacques - a traditional starting point for pilgrims to Santiago.

 

[markie6]

Friday part 2. Walked across Paris from the Gare Montparnasse to Gare du Nord. Chose a route past Notre Dame. Still work in progress but looking good. Great to see the new spire after the painful iconic images of the former one collapsing in flames. Then past the Tour de Saint-Jacques - a traditional starting point for pilgrims to Santiago.

View attachment 174434View attachment 174436View attachment 174437

Anybody in the kiosk today with a stamp ?

 

[Bradypus]

Anybody in the kiosk today with a stamp ?

I didn't look to find out. The Tour was a bit of a surprise - I hadn't particularly planned to pass it but it was on the most obvious route from Notre Dame to the Gare du Nord and it was quite hard to miss!

 

[markie6]

I didn't look to find out. The Tour was a bit of a surprise - I hadn't particularly planned to pass it but it was on the most obvious route from Notre Dame to the Gare du Nord and it was quite hard to miss!

Yes lovely spot. I hadn't even realised 1st camino I had stayed in a hotel on the rue st jacques

 

[Stivandrer]

Lately just taking strolls in our beautiful summer:

Dansk sommer 🇩🇰 (@vibepreneur) | By AndershemmingsendkFacebook

Dansk sommer 🇩🇰 (@vibepreneur)

www.facebook.com

 

[Annette london]

Rain forecast so a low level walk planned along the canal
On the Leeds-Liverpool section from Gargrave to Skipton
Crossing the Pennine way
Chatted with a man walking from Lands end to John O Groats
Long boats and a swan family with a large brood

Nearing Skipton the old cotton mill buildings and chimneys now renovated into apartments
Skipton castle and plenty of places for coffee
Forecast was right for a change so 5 mile walk back with our supersize umbrellas

 

[lovingkindness]

How calming it is to walk through fields of borage listening to tĥe bees...

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Near the Sibfords, Oxfordshire

 

[lovingkindness]

C'est 14 juillet. Bonne fête nationale mes amis pèlerins français!


"Live" from the kissing gate near Lower Brailes & Upper Brailes, Oxfordshire.


View attachment 20240714_122649.mp4
... et bisous bisous pour toi, @KinkyOne

 

[markie6]

Walk up to the Chattri memorial on the edge of the South Downs in Sussex

 

[SabsP]

Our local mini Meseta.
Lots of flies so some protection for this horse.
Birds.

 

[Bradypus]

Back on the cycle path to the pub after being away for three weeks. Today it is the splashes of pink and purple which catch my eye. Thistles. Willowherb - both the rosebay and the deceptively named and comparatively modest great willowherb. And Himalayan balsam which the bees love but which quickly becomes a dominating pest. With a blast of scent from the meadowsweet too. I'll stop at the thistles on my way home and compare notes with Hugh MacDiarmid....

 

[Annette london]

Another day
Another Dale
This time it’s Nidderdale in Yorkshire, an area of outstanding natural beauty
The Nidderdale Way winds it’s way around the river Nidd
The dale has 3 reservoirs formed by damming this river
It’s approximately 80 km in total
The routes logo is a silhouette of the Curlew bird

A walk from Ripley through fields, forests and paths
Hundreds of Grouse seen on the way
An old marked stone, then back to Ripley where we had tea in the graveyard of the church

 

[Simperegrina]

A walk from Alfriston to Seaford, about 14 km and on the South Downs way
Quaint buildings with numerous steps going up and a friendly pony going down
Passing the Litlington horse in the distance View attachment 170441View attachment 170442View attachment 170443View attachment 170444View attachment 170445View attachment 170446View attachment 170447View attachment 170448View attachment 170449View attachment 170450

Walking parts of the Cuckmore Pilgrim Path, circular walk passing 7 churches
Onto the England coastal path with the 7 sisters behind us all the way to Seaford

One of my favourite all day walks in the south of England is Glynde to Seaford, which starts a few miles before Alfriston, and then joins it after the descent off the ridge past Bo Peep. Lovely walk.

 

[Kirkie]

One of my regular Sunday walks combines walking, local train, looking at the sea, and visiting someone in a nursing home before reversing the journey. This is what I saw and heard this morning, well, a tiny bit of it all...
Aren't I lucky?
View attachment IMG_2789.mov

 

[SabsP]

Organised walk. We chose two loops and combined them. 21 kilometers.
Around Linter and the river Gete. Tongue in cheek with the " Golden Geet bridge ".
Lots of roadside chapels.
Less warm than yesterday but still very humid.
On the Camino aka Via Monastica.