Pink and rose-coloured flowers dangled from narrow lanes, which wound through the village at the foot of the mountains. On one corner a seemingly endless supply of water trickled from a fountain, where an old stout-looking man stood beating his stomach, saying “the water makes me strong”. I didn’t doubt him, and it was pride like this that I found at every turn in the … [Read more...]
Fear and Loving at the Lakes of Covadonga
Ah, the lakes of Covadonga. What a lovely sight they were (and still are, I’m sure). The bell jangle of cows as they plodded along fresh, sodden meadows. The lakes that were as still as mirrors. The ashen peaks that looked jagged and smashed, as if they’d been attacked with a wrecking ball and the shrieks of my mother-in-law as we ascended the spectacular, 12-kilometre winding … [Read more...]
Covadonga, Spain – Battles, Myths & Legends
Lush hills and cows flanked either side of the road as we drove towards Covadonga, Spain - the site of the Christian 'reconquest' where the legendary battle of 722 (or thereabouts) was won over the Moors. Fortunately for us it was a brilliant day in what’s often rainy, green Spain and the sun fell over autumn trees and their residue, colouring the edges of our journey in shades … [Read more...]
20 of the Best Things to do in Tasmania
Ah, Tasmania. You’re a mysterious little gem that puts many people off visiting, mainly because you’re cold and, well, a bit isolated. Your past hasn’t helped you either, being filled with such blood-soaked misery as cannibalism and genocide, and as you have a somewhat back-in-time feel, you’ve been criticised for not keeping up with the mainland. Consequently, you've been the … [Read more...]
The Contentious Wonders of Clarrie Hall Dam
I have mixed feelings about dams. They help create the quality of life many of us enjoy today - added water, electricity - and new places for humans and animals to thrive. But they also ruin wild rivers, ecosystems, indigenous sites and degrade water quality. Then again, beavers embrace them, change is inevitable and perhaps dams are just a part of that inevitability. They also … [Read more...]