The Machair

What is a Machair? (pronounced macca) They are these flowering grasslands found mostly in the Outer Hebrides and they stretch for miles and miles. They are a delightful sight to behold! Over the warm Summer months they bloom and produce a riot of colors, much like a Persian carpet. I was in the Outer Hebrides in July of 2017 and have plans to return in 2018!

Christiania, Denmark

Christiania was an army depot that squatters requisitioned and occupied illegally and refused to move. Today it makes for a sublime dawdling through the houses built higgledy piggledy all over the place. In Summer it is the most beautiful part of Copenhagen. I came here twice in the Summer of 2015 because it is so lovely. Sometimes the best places are those without a museum, artwork or shops or any modern building and therefore devoid of the tourist hordes that are invading the big metropolises.

Snakehead fritillaries

In April of 2017 I went to Cricklade, a little village outside of London to see these wild flowers. The whole of North meadow was filled with these beautiful wildflowers that come back year after year. I made a special trip just to see it. Others have gone to England at the time of bluebells but I was in England at the time of snakehead fritillaries. I wasn't disappointed. It was wonderful!

The Cathedral in Sienna

I have my ticket to travel already, leaving end of March with a very loose sort of itinerary. Each time I'm in a church, my prayer is that I will be able to continue to travel and see such gorgeous places. This is truly a sumptuous church, I was here 20 years ago and it had made such an impression on me that I knew I wanted to come back. The opportunity to do that was last April/May as part of a trip to Rome and Florence. I am grateful for my life!

Travel plans for 2018

Are Americans the only ones in the world always mulling over New Year's resolutions? Do we only decide to change our lives at the start of a new year? Why? We should be constantly taking stock of life and reorder it whenever we can rather than at the start of the year. Do I have any or have I made any new year resolutions? No. I make changes constantly throughout the year. At this moment I have a ticket to fly in 2 months and that will already take me well into half the year. I have young friends who are still mulling over travel. Its tough especially when there are so many destinations but the plan should be to take one country or one city at a time. Start with a very simple and rudimentary plan and as one's expertise increases, then to make more elaborate plans. Young people are so lucky. There are a lot of budget airlines flying to the major cities in the world. There are lots of new concept hostels with incredible locations. The reason to stay at home has diminished. I celebrate my 66 birthday in a week and I'm still doing hostels and backpacks!

Summer 2015

I made sure I was in Stockholm for mid summer celebration and I was but it was rained out. I was hoping to wear a flower crown and dance round the pole but the place was so wet and  muddy. I want a do over!

Happy New Year 2018

2017 was a great year but 2018 is already shping to be even more wonderful. It is going to be another wanderlustful year. I have my plane ticket already and the dates made out and it is coming up sooner than anticipated. I am not complaining. I was here in Mystra on the Peloponese in March 2011 and this will be my first stop among many many others. May your 2018 be full and wanderlustful too!