Blue Ice of Alaska

As the ship slowly cruised along the Tracey Arm Fjord in Alaska I couldn't believe my eyes. Blue ice!  I was in one of the lounges admiring the passing scenery: the waterfalls streaming down mountain slopes and the pine trees. The surface of the water was flat calm with the rugged mountains rising from it, the higher reaches with patches of snow or glaciers on them. At all levels were streaks of mist and puff balls of clouds.At the far end of the Fjord we would get our first close look at the North and South Sawyer glaciers which converge at that point.

The sight of a bright blue mini iceberg left me breathless. There was no way I could sit indoors and watch this phenomenon. I rushed to my cabin, donned warm clothes, grabbed the camera and hurried out on deck. Fortunately I also had a plastic hooded poncho with me - the rain was pouring down.

The contrast of the aquamarine water, lumps of white ice and the various shades of blue ice against the granite grey and dark green of the mountains created an eerie atmosphere.

The rain was a nuisance but didn't deter me. I was fortunate enough to be seeing one of the great wonders of the world.

Deeper into the Fjord we majestically sailed with more and more ice-floes about us - some with seals posing on them. Then dead ahead, the glacier looking like an enormous pile of dirty blue sheets, backed by dark mountains and, further back, snow-capped ones. As we drew nearer the glacier became less like a pile of laundry, more like dirty blue rough icing.

As I stared, a chunk fell from on high into the sea with a huge splash which I couldn't hear. Ghostly. It then rolled over and over and over causing minor tidal waves until it settled. When lumps fall from the edge of the glacier it is calving - giving birth to an ice-floe?

Since that cruise I have seen several glaciers but never in my favourite colour.  When taking an Alaska cruise don’t despair if the weather is dull and rainy – you might be lucky enough to see some blue ice.

Hit by a Virus!

No, not the dreaded Coronavirus but by a mystery one - on the computer! Strange things had been happening over the past week or so which I put down - as you do these days - to the Lockdown! We do need something to blame, don't we?

Friday I called a technician. He came and removed the computer which was returned an hour or so later, hopefully feeling all better. Not such luck. Back came the technician and as the computer is in the office he was able to work on it there while I passed the time in my living room - across the hall. And I was wearing my mask and rubber gloves. 

Guess what? Yup, still not totally right so he will have to work onit again on Monday. Apologies to my Facebook friends - I can respond to your posts but cannot post any myself. Please pass on the word among our friends. 

Fingers crossed everybody that my baby is fully functioning after tomorrow's visit from the computer doctor. !!!!!!!!!!!

The Murals of Lake Placid, Florida

Although there are bears in Florida, they are very rare and well hidden in the wilderness so it can be surprising in the middle of a town to see a notice saying ‘Caution, Bears Crossing’.  And then to hear a roar. The sign is in Lake Placid and the bears are painted on the side of a building.  The mural comes with the sound effects of Mama Bear calling to her lost cub who has found a hive of bees.

The idea for the murals came about in 1992 as a means of beautification.  ‘Tea at Southwinds’ was the first one finished in 1993 and is very pertinent to Lake Placid.  ‘Southwinds’ was originally called ‘Litl Loj’ and was the resort owned by Dr. Melville Dewey who invented the Dewey Decimal System for reference libraries.  When he moved to Florida he had the town’s name changed to Lake Placid after his home town in New York State.  During his lifetime fashionable ladies frequently took tea at ‘Litl Loj’, hence a mural of ladies taking tea.

Other murals include ‘Airboat’, ‘Lake Placid Country Fair’, ‘Tropical Bank Robbery’ (on a building at the site of the Tropical State Bank where the robbery actually took place), ‘Train Depot’ showing an old steam engine, at the station. This one is, of course, on the side of the old station building.

There are also murals about Florida’s past.  In ‘Layers of Time’ there is a Mastodon, with a hunter about to throw a spear and another with a bow and arrow.  Then there are murals depicting the Turpentine industry, the citrus heritage, the Seminole Indians, dedication murals to people who have contributed greatly to the town, to Florida and to the USA.

One of the most striking murals is the ‘Cracker Trail Cattle Drive’. Cattle being herded along the Cracker Trail (which was just north of Lake Placid) by cowmen.  The Florida cowmen are known as Cracker Cowmen because they use whips which give a loud crack.  The sound effects include the lowing of the cattle, the thunder of their hooves, the crack of whips and the yips of the cowmen as they urge the herd on towards market.

There is also a fascinating array of litter bins about town.  For example, near the Cattle Drive is a barn.  The car bin is great fun as it comes with sound effects.  Drop litter in through the side windows, a light comes on, the car starts up, the engine runs and then it crashes!

[Lake Placid isn’t far from the Orlando/Kissimmee area.]

 

Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands

Does Nessie – the Loch Ness Monster – ever swim out to sea via the River Ness?  Like Nessie herself that is something which will remain a mystery.  Unless, of course, someone in Inverness spots her. 

Inverness is at the north-eastern end of the Great Glen - the cross-roads of the Highlands.  Together with its great shopping centre, entertainment and hotels it is an ideal location from which to travel to many beautiful and famous places.  These include, naturally, Loch Ness, Culloden, the Isle of Skye (driving through the Great Glen) or north to John O’Groats.

The castle on the hill was built in the 1830s to house the law courts and administrative buildings.  It was at this time that Inverness really began to establish itself helped, of course, by the building of the Caledonian Canal which connects the lochs of the Great Glen.  On the forecourt is the statue of a very famous Scotswoman – Flora Macdonald who helped Bonny Prince Charlie escape over the sea to Skye. 

Inverness is a cultural city with art galleries, a museum, James Pringle Weavers (to learn about tartan and weaving) and the Scottish Kiltmaker Visitor Centre.  There are plenty of flowers and gardens to admire, including Bught Park which has the Floral Hall tropical conservatory and cacti house. 

As well as going to Loch Ness to try to see Nessie, the Battlefield of Culloden is a popular site.  This is where the last battle fought on British soil took place. On 16h April 1746 this decisive and bloody battle lasted less than an hour.  The fight was between the Government (including some Scots) and the Jacobite army which included some French soldiers.

The drive to John O’Groats passes through the varied scenery and wildlife of northern Scotland.  Off this northern coastline can be seen seals, dolphins, whales – depending upon the season and weather, of course.  On the cliffs towards the fantastic Stacks of Duncansby is a wide variety of sea birds including the cheeky looking puffins who make their nests here.

Now that there is a bridge to the Isle of Skye take a trip to the southern end to see Armadale Castle and the Museum of the Isles. Oh, also pop into a whisky distillery!

These are some day trips that can be made by car. Bearing in mind the fabulous scenery, why not take guided day trips which can be made by mini-buses and which are good value for money. And everyone gets to see the scenery. 

Beautiful Bruges

When visiting Bruges I discovered a romantic corner called Minnewater.  The Lake of Love.  As I stood on the bridge and gazed at the still water, at the lawns on either side and at the pairs of graceful swans, I felt a deep sense of peace.  I could imagine young couples strolling hand in hand or lying on the grass and vows being exchanged. 

There are two ways of enjoying the city -  strolling through the streets admiring the historic buildings, or on a canal boat. This is a smooth, serene sail along narrow waterways which give views, not otherwise seen, of the wonderful buildings.

They vary from bricks and wood to plaster-faced, plain, ornate, square, hexagonal and octagonal. Some are satisfied with simply edging the water, others hang out over the canal and at least one spans it.

The Main Square cannot be missed. It is dominated by medieval buildings such as the 13th c. covered market, a hexagonal belfry (366 steps to the top if you are feeling energetic), and the 14th c. Town Hall - very erect, with towers and turrets reaching to the sky and tall, narrow windows ornamented with the coats of arms of surrounding towns. Across the Square are several 17th c. houses of varying designs.

In a small square I found a delightful metal statue - a small carriage with a naked lady stretched across the back seat, a startled looking horse and a bowler hatted driver.

There are museums and art galleries to see whilst in Bruges but my feet were telling me it was time to stop sightseeing, return to the station and catch the train back to Brussels. 

Bok Tower Gardens - A Peaceful Corner of Florida

Sitting in the shade of the live oaks draped with Spanish moss and looking at the sun dappled grass is very quiet and relaxing.  Then comes the gentle sound of music from the nearby carillon.

This is Bok Tower Gardens which were created by a gentleman called Edward Bok. He was born in the Netherlands in 1863 and went to the United States at the age of six, eventually becoming a well respected publisher and philanthropist.  Remembering something that his grandmother told him about helping to make the world a more beautiful place he caused the Gardens to be created.  They cover 63.53 hectares, are said to be the highest point of Florida, and are filled with trees, shrubs and fragrant flowers. 

You can stroll along the winding paths enjoying the gentle breeze soughing through the trees, the bird calls, the rustling in the foliage from squirrels or maybe raccoons – or other wild life.  There are many seats located throughout the gardens and, after what seems to be five minutes of relaxing, you discover that time has slipped away.  The perfume from the nearby flowers – gardenia, azalea and other flamboyant blooms – is heady and the butterflies simply gorgeous.  Some are small black and yellow striped tigers and others are large gaudy yellow creations.  Among the trees there are palms of various shapes and sizes, pines and the oaks.

The Carillon Tower is 62.50m high, made of pink and grey marble from Georgia and local coquina (a mix of shell and limestone).  The delicate hues set off by friezes and window decorations showing some of the Florida wild life which includes pelicans, flamingoes, geese and swans.  Higher are the large coloured grilles through which the music of the carillon can be heard.  And, returning to Florida wild life, the finials are of herons.  The door is a brass of the Creation and is made up of thirty panels.

A magnificent edifice for a magnificent instrument with 57 bells, which were struck by John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd., of Loughborough.  They are tuned bronze bells and have a range of nearly five octaves.  The largest (the Bourdon) weighs over 11 tons while the smallest (a treble) is 17 pounds.

Every afternoon at 1pm and 3pm the Carilloneur plays an hour’s recital.  During the rest of the day there are brief selections of music – usually appropriate to the season.

In Bok Tower Gardens you can enjoy a truly peaceful afternoon away from the theme parks, which only half-an-hour to an hour’s drive away.

Let's Go To Brazil!

A friend and I once agreed to take a holiday in Thailand. I had once had a few days in Bangkok and was eager to see more of the country.

One snowy winter she visited me in London and got stranded. To keep from being bored whilst I was at work she read travel brochures. And I set a limit as to how much I was prepared to pay – that reduced her wish list!

We ended up going to Brazil for two weeks and stayed at a resort south of Ipanema. Unfortunately her idea of a holiday was to lie on the beach all day! As I pointed out, it would have been cheaper to go to Benidorm. We had a holiday flat so had to eat out but my friend had some weird ideas.

First let me point out that the rate of exchange was very favourable. The only decent meal we had was three courses, wine, aperitif and coffee - £5 each. We only went once to that restaurant, thereafter it was a ‘cheap’ café or barbecue-type food. (I would have gone to the restaurant every day given the choice.)

Corcovado from a distance!

The holiday included two half-day tours, only one of which I can remember. In to Rio to visit the Sugar Loaf Mountain. We used local buses (even though taxis were dirt cheap – she had an aversion to them). We went to Rio three times: Corcovado, the Carmen Miranda Museum and to take a ferry to a small island where we took a tour in a donkey cart. On that occasion she didn’t fancy anything on the lunch menu.

On another occasion we went to visit the hill town of Petropolis which someone had recommended to her. It is a fabulous town where the Winter Museum is located. Oh, and this time we took a picnic. She had me up at the crack of dawn to take the workmen’s bus to Rio and the bus station where we found that the bus to Petropolis didn’t leave until 1.00 p.m. Time to discover Rio? Nope. She thought if we moved away from the bus station we would get lost so we sat in a small garden – and ate our lunch.

I loved Petropolis. We did go into the Winter Palace but only saw the outside of the Cathedral and missed the Crystal Palace (I lived in Crystal Palace, South London at the time!). Two reasons for this was lack of time and she wanted to shop for her friends.

Sugar Loaf Mountain

We caught a bus back to Rio and made an amazing discovery – two bus depots and our local bus did not use this one.

Having caught a bus at 7.30 a.m. we finally reached ‘home’ at 11.00 p.m. Exhausted. My friend’s comment?

 ‘We didn’t have lunch with the gauchos.’

‘We didn’t go on the excursion!’

Before going on holiday with a friend make sure you know them well and agree on the type of holiday that you want!

View from the balcony. Yes, she is lying on the beach
 but you have to look hard!

Incidentally, ten days after returning to England she went to Thailand with another friend.