What makes an English country garden? Is it the choice of plants? The generously filled herbaceous borders? Perhaps a wall, a gravel or brick path, and a statue or two?
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Like so many geological formations around the world, Lake Skadar is the subject of a legend. And as so often, it is a tale of unrequited love.
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The setting of the small old town of Kotor is very special. The beautiful Bay of Kotor on one side, the mountains surrounding it on the remaining sides, and still-intact walls encircling it, pierced by three old gates. And as a bonus for many of us, the town is home to a veritable clowder of cats.
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Phew, this has been a busy month! No travels abroad but plenty of other fun times. We started the month with a few days in Broadstairs, Kent. Despite unseasonably cold weather (we put the heating on in the apartment we rented most evenings!) we had a great time getting to know this little seaside town. We also had a day out in nearby Ramsgate.
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There is something rather special about exploring a city where layers of history are exposed. The story of the past is laid bare, no longer dry words but a series of visual clues to how things once were here. Past and present seem to coexist, and the lives of those earlier inhabitants are revealed as not so very different to our own.
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It’s widely recognised that elephants mourn their dead, but what about other animals? It’s rather easy to fall into the trap of anthropomorphising, attributing our feelings and behaviours to them. Yet there are examples of what appear to be very human-like emotions, and we were once privileged to witness one.
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The Croatian coast is dotted with pretty town and villages, but it would be hard to imagine a prettier one than Trogir. The town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997 for its wealth of Venetian architecture, and it’s easy to see why. With its quaint streets and beautiful old churches, it’s no surprise to find it a busy tourist draw.
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For many of us the combination of red, white and blue symbolises freedom, unity, and patriotism because of its use in our flags. But individually they have their own meanings. Red is the colour of passion and energy, although it is also a warning sign. Blue is a much calmer colour, indicating peace and stability. And white brings a sense of calm, hope and simplicity.
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As anyone who travels to cities, and/or lives in one, knows, the only way to get to know a city is to walk in it. And ideally to walk without purpose, or at least open to the serendipity of the unexpected. A quaint alleyway, an unusually decorated house, a small church tucked away from the main thoroughfare, a garden or tranquil square … Who knows what you might find?
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Even when the sun was absent during our recent visit to Broadstairs, we found enough colour around the town to brighten even the dullest day. The traditional seaside beach huts are the source of much of this colour.
