I have been walking a little-known trail between Newry and Warrenpoint in County Down for the past couple of months. It gets traffic only from hikers, ambitious dog-walkers and mountain and trail bikers making the most of the steep slopes, great trails and slippy downhill tracks. Folly in Big Wood Imagine my shock when out … Continue reading Secret Castle: Big Wood, Warrenpoint, N Ireland
How I spent a week off my PhD
So there I am, amidst the research and trying to write and attending conferences on Zoom (yah-boo!) and suddenly it's over four months since Christmas. Four more months at home, shuttling around, making deals with myself that it'd just be for a few more weeks. I was burning, not quite out, but the candle was … Continue reading How I spent a week off my PhD
Reviews: Best of British Comedy, Adelaide Festival
I love a bit of comedy. Yes, I'm a picky person, but generally anyone setting out to make me laugh has a ready and willing partner, as long as I'm not picked on. Thus, I never sit in the front row! With the Adelaide Festival and Fringe Festival on in town, I was spoiled for … Continue reading Reviews: Best of British Comedy, Adelaide Festival
Experiences: Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory
Be still, my beating heart! As I sit here writing (having just arrived back in Ireland), my mind turns to the beautiful Kakadu National Park as a cyclone sweeps in to the Northern Territory. I was so lucky to visit there on a sunny, still day at the heart of what is usually the wet … Continue reading Experiences: Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory
Days Out: Flying Doctors, Alice Springs
Were you a fan of 1980s Australian medical drama-rama, The Flying Doctors? To be honest, I wasn't really, but it was probably where I first learned about Australia's flying doctor service and - as one of the things to do in Alice - wanted to see the visitor's centre, which - refreshingly - makes no … Continue reading Days Out: Flying Doctors, Alice Springs
Experiences: Uluru Desert Awakenings Part 2 (Ayers Rock)
You may already have spotted that there is a Part 1 to this post - it's worth having a quick flick through that - it's a lot of pictures! Here is the promised picture of our Tour Bus for the day - an All Terrain yoke on stilts. When daylight hits, it hits with both … Continue reading Experiences: Uluru Desert Awakenings Part 2 (Ayers Rock)
Experiences: Uluru Desert Awakenings Part 1 (Ayers Rock)
The 'Desert Awakenings' Tour is another Voyages special (Uluru-based, Aboriginal owned and partially operated). The premise is that you are collected at 5am - I typed that correctly (!) - and shipped out into the desert to watch the sun rise over Uluru, while being served a range of breakfast foods and beverages to while … Continue reading Experiences: Uluru Desert Awakenings Part 1 (Ayers Rock)
Experiences: Uluru Field of Lights (Ayers Rock)
Making the most of my two night stay in Uluru was important - I'd had a good rest in Sydney and was fully intent on being a full-on tourist. First up was the Uluru 'Field of Lights' Experience. All Uluru-based experiences are run by 'Voyages', a company which is partially owned and 40% run by … Continue reading Experiences: Uluru Field of Lights (Ayers Rock)
Galleries: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
You might have noticed my obsession with galleries, museums, art and other cultural extravaganzas. I needed a few hours out of my crunchy room at the Ibis Swanston, and a bit of a walk in the 28 degree heat! Luckily, the National Gallery of Victoria was on a direct path to the food court at … Continue reading Galleries: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Experiences: New Norcia Benedictine Monastery
I'm calling this one an experience rather than a straightforward tour as I felt New Norcia offered a weird and uncomfortable experience. I'm writing a piece for publication later on quite what I mean by this, but New Norcia has a history it appears to be proud of, that masks a problematic way of working with Aboriginal … Continue reading Experiences: New Norcia Benedictine Monastery
