Glastonbury and Frome, Somerset, UK.

Driving down from Lacock, to the south coast, we went through Frome. Frome is a pretty little town with some cool second hand shops, historical sites, interesting street art, and a really good coffee place Moo and Two although I am sure they would prefer to be called a tea shop. So good in fact, I had two coffees!

If a shop is abandoned why not decorate the window?

Seems corny.

I almost see a face here....

These are always so tempting....

St Johns Church

From the window seat at Moo and Two.

I love natures intrusions on our otherwise grey landscape.

After Frome we continued on down the trails to Glastonbury.

We climbed to the top of the Tor. The Glastonbury Tor also has a grisly past. Abbot Richard Whiting was executed here in 1549. Glastonbury Tor is also known as being one of the most spiritual sites in the country. Its pagan beliefs are still very much celebrated. You will notice some of the few remaining hippies of the world here!

Almost there.

Quite a view amongst the hippies, pagans and other day trippers.

some were too tired, others needed love.

The view, I have now figured out what makes the ticking sound and fixed it, I didn't know then.

Mt Wellington/Kunanyi, Hobart, Tasmania

Mt Wellington/Kunanyi is the impressive igneous mountain towering over the city of Hobart. I can remember the first time I ever visited here. It was freezing cold, windy, and covered in snow. Yes, it was just the end of Winter, and so that was expected. Whereas this time, we went and it was summer. Meaning that we had some really nice blue sky in-between white fluffy clouds..... for about 20 minutes. Then, in came a quick front, it smashed us with wind and even hailed while we were there. Then it happily returned to sunshine. That, to me, is the essence of Tasmania (Tassie to most Australians). I recall when living there working on Christmas Day and it snowed! This is in the middle of summer.... Yes, Tasmania is a completely different world to the rest of Australia.

This has to be one of the better toilet views in the world. 

Down the hill to Hobart.

A panorama from the top

Another panorama clearly

One of the walkways to a viewpoint.

As it got a little wild outside we popped into the observatory to ride out the storm. I love the reflections of people here.

and here.

I think we were getting close to that on the day we were there.

Here is the hail, wind, rain..... scary but fun.

It was hard to walk around, let alone get across the car park to the car!

Then to show you the contrast, as the front came from the SE here on the NW side of the mountain the rain created steamy situations on the road to the peak.

Worth the drive up to the top. If I had more time, and more appropriate clothing, I would have tried to take one of the walking trail to the top.

Sicilia - The Etna edition

Sicilia, it is a beautiful, beautiful place. I am amazed at how it is not more popular with tourists when it has all that one could ask for. History, nature, fabulous food and wine, beaches, sun... I mean what does it lack? Oh yes, it isn't glamorous. But, to me, that is the attraction. I don't know what influence the mafia has there any more, if it is still so big or if it is nominal but it could be a great place to live. After falling for the western end of the island around Trapani, Erice and Favignana a few years back we ventured to the eastern end around Etna to start to see what we could find. Let's see what it is....

The view from our airbnb location, beautiful.

Being there in early spring we got to see wild flowers everywhere.

The almonds were in blossom.

There are prickly pears everywhere.

The accommodation had some great nature around.

It wasn't my bad photography the tracks are this angle.

Lots of terracing on the steep hills around Etna.

The classic Mediterranean life. 

I guess you have to have pasta sometime in Sicily, why not start with it and some local home made wine.

The local church, looking a little worse for wear.

Train station for the train from Catania to Taormina 

Maybe it was time for a drive, head off to the beautiful volcano side town of Zafferana Etnea and grab a local pastry and coffee.

It was the height of oranges and artichokes too.

A little meat.

The little volcano of Etna.

The pretty little town of Sant'Alfio

Sometimes old and loved is beautiful

And there ends the day.