Re: The road goes ever on and on - A Travel Thread

[Lancebloke]

Crocodiles dont chase you... they surprise attack as they dont have the energy for chases. Get you dream facts correct tonight... sudden, terrifying attacks!!

[Mrs Figg]

[Lancebloke]

Finally done with this. Didn't get all the footage from people that I wanted and the music sucks... but I couldnt leave it silent.

[Mrs Figg]

bloody hell! how did you stay in the boat? that gorge place was mad.

[Lancebloke]

If you are talking about the big raft.... we came out 3 times, one of which is in the video.

[azriel]

What an amazing adventure ! you must feel 10feet tall

[Pettytyrant101]

I dont think Id like that- looks really hard to keep from spilling your buckie

[Lancebloke]

The 2 Scottish lads in front of me managed fine... the 'water' bottles were tethered down and frequently used between rapids.

[Ringdrotten]

Ok, so time to revive this thread - by order of Halfwise I've been forced to post some Weymouth pics.

The pictures aren't all that exciting, but if you ever get the chance to go to this wonderful pearl of England, go there - beautiful town, beautiful scenery, reasonably priced beer, lovely people and a 10/10 girl at the hotel reception. Couldn't ask for much more Also the first time I've travelled abroad alone - I liked it, actually, but I think England is a country you can visit alone because you'll make new friends as soon as you've entered a pub and bought a beer. I'm thinking travelling alone to Norway would suck arse, we aren't a very friendly people (until you get to know us, of course, but we'll never let you do that). Anyway, most of the pics I took are from my hike along the cliffs on the first day. I saw the weather forecast wasn't very promising the next few days, so decided to go for a walk while the sun was still up.

View from the start of the hike - Weymouth in the distance






Someone had been having fun




I like these three, gave me a proper Shire feeling



Dead end


Turning back - very Shire-esque



Found the correct path and continued along the cliffs



Why go to Spain when you can go to Weymouth?




On we go



Weymouth starting to look small


A mile or so further I entered a small thicket


And coming out of it I saw this fella'




The white cliffs were getting closer (you can spot them in the distance there), but at this point I decided to go back - the hour was getting late and I was hungry (and out of the only kcals I packed - beer). I'm saving the end of the hike for my next visit






Walked along the beach coming back - incidentally, Weymouth is were Dunkirk was filmed, and it might be easier to see from these pics





A rare shot of Ringo himself on his way back to the hotel

Spoiler:

A rainy day in Soho (or Weymouth, as the case may be) - good day for a beer and a book in the hotel bar. The staff at the hotel were the friendliest people I've ever met on holiday. The owner, Michael, went out of his way to make my trip the best without ever being intrusive.




Weymouth by night - a soothing sight




Sorry for tons of pictures that aren't really that interesting - I do recommend going there if you can, though. I know I wanted to go back as soon as the train left the platform, and I'm already half considering going back in October. Like I mentioned above, this trip really got me into the concept of travelling alone. I still like to travel with friends, of course, but some places, like Weymouth, are in my opinion best enjoyed by yourself. This trip was all about relaxing and f**cking off from home for a few days, and for that purpose the town, scenery and the trip itself were perfect. I know where I'm going to spend my pension days

[halfwise]

That looks nice! Glad I twisted hour arm. Yeah, you can't understand England until you've seen it from inside a pub or two; and they are definitely not gloomy drunk types. A few places in America capture glimmerings of pub culture, but Great Britain produces that sense of fellowship most countries have never figured out how to do.

[David H]

Very nice Ringo! Your pictures make me want to throw on my pack and head out the door!
I just have to take exception to one thing:

I'm thinking travelling alone to Norway would suck arse, we aren't a very friendly people (until you get to know us, of course, but we'll never let you do that).

Not true! I've met some wonderful Norwegians while I was traveling alone. A little more cautious than some cultures, true, but once you get them telling stories it can almost feel like family.

[Eldorion]

Great pictures, Ringo! Thanks for sharing them. Weymouth looks absolutely gorgeous (and I do recognize those buildings just behind the beach from some of the shots in Dunkirk). Plus I tend to think that getting to walk through the English countryside after reading LOTR and HP so much growing up would be a pretty cool experience.

[Lancebloke]

Wow... last post before yours was mine in 2014!

Sounds like you have a great trip. I did too but on phone so no pictures to share right now. Glad some fellow countryfolk helped you along.

[Pettytyrant101]

{{Great pictures Ringo- very Shire like vibes in a few of them- but you really must visit a bit further north sometime- always a couch in my barrel for any Forumshirians wandering the Wilds

What happened to your air show pics this year Lance? Or did I miss them some how?}}

[azriel]

I loved your pictures Ringo ! I love the countryside. And I know how it feels when you enjoy a place so much, you never want to leave. That evening shot thru the streets looked so peaceful. I'm glad you had a great time & that the natives were friendly

[Lancebloke]

What happened to your air show pics this year Lance? Or did I miss them some how?}}

I drove home, parked the car then walked to the train station heading to Heathrow. Haven't had a chance with those yet either.

The weather was horrible this year so pics aren't great. Will post what I can though.

[Ringdrotten]

{{Great pictures Ringo- very Shire like vibes in a few of them- but you really must visit a bit further north sometime- always a couch in my barrel for any Forumshirians wandering the Wilds

What happened to your air show pics this year Lance? Or did I miss them some how?}}

Scotland is on my list! And thanks I'd be interested in some buckie if so!

[Pettytyrant101]

{{{ you are welcome any time Ringo- and there is always buckie, well, for a reasonable price }}}

[Lancebloke]

OK, so I have selected a few photos of my trip to the US a couple of weeks back. Same part of the world we have been to before but this time got to see a little more of San Francisco, go via Yosemite and Death Valley (versus Southern Cali last time) and the see a few different shows in Vegas before coming home. I wont post any photos of Vegas as nothing different to what I have done before.

So our first trip was an early morning journey to Battery Spencer (yes, an old military installation) which is just the other side of the Golden Gate bridge. It was something was saw in the movie 'The Internship' and so decided to head that direction until we found the place. Weather was great so views were awesome. Little hazy to get any clear pics over a distance so just the bridge and coastline here.





Then we noticed something.... can you see what it was??


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These (look under the shadow of the bridge).





I think they are humpback whales. There were a couple of pods feeding around the bay. Apparently this is quite a new thing for them to be doing;.

Well, we then headed to Golden Gate park which I was told was nice. We explored a lot of the park and went over to the coast for lunch looking out over a choppy Pacific Ocean. The only pictures I took here were of the Japanese Tea Gardens. I could imagine having a garden like that of my own, just with less people in it!





We later headed in to Chinatown to look around. Not sure who has been there but I don't understand how those shops stay afloat. They are either full of junk or full of massive, expensive, random sculptures.

Day 2 we headed down to Fisherman's Wharf on the cable car. Obligatory photos of the Sealions.





We then walked up to Coit Tower which was a bad idea as it was really hot. Nice views from the top though!



Also, one of the famous pieces of road could be seen in the distance.



Close up. We drove down it the day before and it is actually a little easier than navigating those ridiculous hills!



Our last evening before moving on so we thought we would get a nice, last view of the city and Bay Area. We drove up to a place called Twin Peaks and waited for the sun to go down.

Before:



After:



Unfortunately the cloud was rolling in so the picture I had been hoping for didn't turn out too well.

That is part one. I will post part 2 when I next get a chance.

[halfwise]

Very nice! Looking forward to part 2.

[Pettytyrant101]

{{Blimey Forumshirians dont half get about the place! Great pictures Lance, particularly like the whale pod beneath the Golden Gate Bridge- it's Star Trek 4!! }}}

[David H]

Nice! San Francisco gets bigger every time I see it, especially since Silicon Valley/Google/Facebook came to town. It's nice to see places like Lombard St. haven't been completely lost (even if the rent's 100x higher )

Standing by for part II !

[Lancebloke]

So, Yosemite Valley.

We were supposed to stay in Mariposa, however at 6.30am on the morning we were due to travel an email came in saying that the town had been evacuated because of wildfires and we couldn't stay there for the 2 nights we had planned. After a brief panic, so helpful hotel staff and a longer drive we found a place outside Oakhurst called Tenaya Lodge. Lovely place that I would recommend if you ever visit that part of the world.

Anyway, we had to enter the valley from the south entrance which should have given us a really nice view as we came through a tunnel, a place called 'Tunnel View.' Unfortunately the smoke from the fire was passing through the valley. Sometimes it was heavier, sometimes thinner but always annoying for some good photography.



Also annoying for photography is getting settings right, so first waterfall (Vernal Falls) came out a little bright. This squirrel on the way came out fine though.



Our next stop in the valley was Mirror Lake. Another wildlife encounter but this time with a deer and her 2 babies.



The lake wasn't much of a mirror due to the breeze, however it was nice to walk in an admire the view.





Heading to another waterfall on the bus and we noticed a group of people getting all excited in the road. The bus stopped and we saw this guy roaming about. Made my other halfs day as she really wanted to see one.



Another close encounter, this time mine. I was trying to work out what people were taking pictures of and I was clearly looking in the wrong place. It took a little while to notice that what they were looking at was literally right under my feet. Thanks for the warning general public people!!



We did get to Lower Yosemite falls just after nearly getting killed. Got a few shots but other people were trying to get themselves killed by climbing up the rocks so the below is the best shot without idiots in the frame.



And then didn't think we would be able to see both Lower AND Upper falls in one shot, but the trees nicely framed this one for me.



High Country

Travelling in the car to Mammoth for our next stop took us through the Yosemite National Park high country. Nice viewing point here looking down toward the valley (which is in the smoke!)



Went by a dew nice lakes. This one I got in to.... it was very cold and made my skin feel like it was burning. Surprisingly felt nice!



And a nice meadow.



And the lastly a nice view of some lakes around Mammoth (this one I think was Twin Lakes). Sure this looks nice in the winter when it is covered in ski tourists.



Death Valley

So, it's hot here. I have been through the Mojave and Nevada deserts before, but not through Death Valley. It has proper dunes like a real desert!!



As I said.... it's hot here!



And my last picture. This place is called 'Artists Palette'. Was thinking it might be more colourful but there is a bit of red, bit of green and a bit of yellow in there. Would be a rubbish bit of art!



So, that is my rushed update. Could do with more time to give a better picture and add a few more photos but lots going on here at the moment. Does also mean you may not hear much from me for a while but will try and pop by.

Hope you enjoyed!

[azriel]

Enjoyed very much indeed Lance ! Those are cracking pictures

[halfwise]

Glad you got a few somewhat smoke free shots. Nice wildlife encounters, especially the bear! People can spend weeks in bear country and never see one, so you truly lucked out.

One little point: that was a chipmunk, not a squirrel. Mini-bear.