"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move." RLS
In the days of Empire Britain acquired, and used, Australia as a dumping ground for its undesirable and unwanted citizenry. By the late 18th century Britain’s prison system had reached its breaking point and Australia, at the other end of the world, provided the perfect solution to overcrowding in British gaols. Continue reading “Big Dig Archaeology Education Centre”
There are two options in terms of climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge – either a climb up the south-east Pylon, the one closest to Circular Quay, or the main bridge climb by which you can get to the top of the arch. I have not done the main bridge climb, nor do I intend to, for reasons outlined on my Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb review. You can also find more details on the Bridge and its history in my main Sydney Harbour Bridge review. Continue reading “Harbour Bridge – Pylon Climb”
When I wrote my main review on the Sydney Harbour Bridge I deliberately focused on the history of the bridge and admiring it from anywhere other than its upper heights. I did not want a negative commentary on climbing (to the top) to detract the visitor from enjoying what is one of Sydney’s top sites. Accordingly, I have decided to write here separately on the bridge climb. Continue reading “Sydney Harbour Bridge – Climb”
In addition to its beautiful natural harbour, Sydney boasts two instantly recognisable man made structures, the Sydney Opera House and the rather unimaginatively named Sydney Harbour Bridge – sometimes referred to as the ‘coat hanger.’ Continue reading “Sydney Harbour Bridge”
A Trip Down Memory Lane
My goodness, the sight of the Rainbow Ballroom of Romance was a throw back to earlier times for me, reminding me of church socials and dances, hotel ballrooms and dedicated dance halls like this. Continue reading “Rainbow Ballroom of Romance”
Located about 7 kms outside the village of Kiltycougher, Co. Leitrim, in the townland of Carraclooona, en route (indirect) from Bundoran to Enniskillen, I passed a small, very missable, sign advising of the presence of Prince Connell’s Grave. I pulled up, reversed back the necessary 100 metres or so and set out, on foot, about 50 metres across a peat bog to investigate. Continue reading “Prince Connnell’s Grave”
Returning to Enniskillen from a visit to Bundoran we decided to take a less travelled route back along the R281 to Belcoo and from there to Enniskillen.
While the whole journey was a lovely drive, the most scenic part was driving along the south western shore of Lough Melvin. Continue reading “Lough Melvin”
Having spent a few hours in Bundoran, albeit, due to inclement weather, a substantial part of it in the bar of the Great Northern Hotel, I decided on a route back to Enniskillen (where I was staying) which I don’t recall having ever taken before, that is via the R281 to Belcoo on the border and, from there, on into Enniskillen.
Having passed through the small village of Kinlough (which takes name from its position at the head of Lough Melvin – the Irish Cionn Locha meaning head of the lake) I spied the ruins of an old building, surrounded by trees, less than 50 metres off to my right so pulled in for a closer look. Continue reading “Old Kinlough Church and Cemetery and the Civil War”
I hasten to state that the title for this review is of my own creation though if the Great Northern is not called this locally, it should be. Continue reading “Great Northern Hotel: “The Grand Old Lady of Bundoran””
With advancing years, there are a declining number of things about my early life that I can recall with absolute certainty. One thing that I am absolutely sure of is that I have played golf three times in my life; once on a cold, miserable winter’s morning in Blacklion (not far from Bundoran), once in the sweltering heat and unrelenting sun somewhere close to Estapona in Spain and once here at the Bundoran Golf Club on a pleasant but windy day. Yes, I was dragged screaming on all three occasions. Continue reading “Bundoran Golf Club – Golf – If You Must”
The Rambling Wombat 