Tag: Travel

I’ll Be in Scotland ‘Afore Ye

Life, Photography, Travel

Moody, wild, variable, cold, then hot, then cold. You might think I’m talking about someone I know. But no. I’m talking about the wonder that is Scotland. I’ve been a lifelong fan, stemming from PBS specials, historical drama and yes, Outlander – books and TV series. I also follow a number of UK photographers that showcase the landscapes of Scotland and I knew I had to get there some day.

That day came in June, as part of the guided tour I spoke about in my last post. Although there were elements of the tour that didn’t fully appeal to me, none of that applies to the country, the people, the culture and the history of Scotland. I loved every minute of my time there.

This post is about what I saw, along with photographs. I hope you enjoy the tour as much as I did. A couple disclaimers: I don’t typically photograph people, so you won’t see many here. You also need permission to post their image if you feature individuals, although some of my relatives just might appear here regardless. And I did alter some photographs to remove the massive crowds and other distractions at some of these venues. And I don’t really talk about or showcase the shows that we attended. Just so you know…

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Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round…

Photography, Travel

I’ve just returned from a whirlwind tour of Scotland and Ireland, arranged through a tour company, and executed as a bus tour. It lasted 16 days, including a day each to fly over and back. There were a number of firsts here for me and I thought as I work on the photos from the trip, I would share some impressions of travelling this way.

Bus tours are very popular for seniors, providing a way to see large swaths of the world without the need to hike, climb, paddle, run, bike or any of the physical effort needed in more traditional multi-country tours. They are second for seniors only to cruises, both of which are now in my travel playbook at this stage of my life.

Find out what I loved, what I didn’t love and what you might want to consider if looking at this travel option.

Continue reading “Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round…” →

My First Cruise – Epilogue

Life, My Community, Photography, Travel

I mentioned in my last blog post that I was writing it from the middle of the Caribbean Sea, on my first ever cruise. That adventure is now complete, and I’ve returned to the cold of Toronto, Canada.

I come away from this experience with some truly delightful memories, and have also discovered some things about this option for travel that I really do not like. Some would say, just enjoy the journey. In fact, I really did. But I’m also one who watches the world around me, and there were some things that just did not sit well.

Normally, when someone says that they have things they didn’t like, these can end up being minor complaints, like my bed pillows were too hard or the air conditioning was too cold or the drinks too watered down. I’m hoping that you’ll find my list a bit more substantial, and that it reflects some unexpected surprises (at least they were surprises to me) about how these experiences are offered.

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On the Road Again – Well, Water This Time

Photography, Travel

As I write this, I am sitting in a stateroom aboard a 3,600 passenger cruise ship in the Caribbean Sea, visiting several islands in the Eastern Caribbean. This isn’t a photography trip, but I’m making it one, carrying my full sized camera with me everywhere, even on this city sized floating marvel.

Over the past two weeks, we have had absolutely abysmal weather in the Canadian east, with snow and temperatures that would make any northern location traumatized. I didn’t plan it this way, but it seems I picked the perfect time for a holiday to the warm south. But it is the trip that almost didn’t happen. More on that later, but this blog post is about the challenges of travelling as a senior with photography equipment and the unique things about cruising with that in mind.

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Warblers, Warblers Everywhere

Nature, Photography, Travel

I’ve just returned from a few days away. Where? To the heart of songbird migration in my province of Ontario, Canada – Point Pelee National Park, situated at the most southern land tip of our great country. Four days away, immersed in nature, woodlands, lakeshore walks and the cacophony of songbirds returning to start families. It was absolutely amazing. See the images at the end of this post.

Timing is everything for these trips and yet you often have to plan months in advance to ensure you can find accommodation at your chosen time. The annual Point Pelee Bird Festival is an incredible event, where bird lovers from all over the world gather to look up through binoculars or camera lenses or both to welcome the returning hoards of songbirds and to experience those amazing songs.

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When Life Gets in the Way of Art

Architecture, Life, Photography, Travel

First, Happy Flag Day! To all my Canadian readers, we show the flag with pride today – first unveiled 60 years ago. Proud of the flag – and so very proud to be a Canadian!

As you read this, I’m in the final planning stages of a trip – to Los Angeles. Will be joining an avid group of hobbyist architectural photographers to try creating abstracts with this unusual source subject. A new twist for me on a typically formal subject, usually captured with full facades, straight lines and predictable angles. These images will be tilted, twisted and perhaps even distorted. It should be fascinating. I’ll report on the outcome separately, but I wanted to take note of a few unexpected considerations in my planning. Not life imitating art or vice-versa, but rather life getting in the way of art.

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My Next Trip

Life, Photography, Travel

Over the past few months, I’ve had a number of experiences that have shaped how I will be approaching travel in the future.

Seniors are definitely great travelers. It’s what the retirement brochures say you will be doing with your time once you retire – visiting family far away, visiting places you have never seen before, having adventures with like-minded souls and meeting new friends. All hyped up to help you comfortably transition from filling your days with work to filling your days with ???

But I’ve never been a big traveler. There are a number of reasons for that, but mostly because I’m a solo traveler – no regular companion. A number of reasons for that too, but I digress. I was determined to add more travel to my retirement plans and have only modestly achieved that goal. Some trips have been with family, some have been with friends, some have been with groups having a common interest and some have been on my own. I’ve enjoyed some more than others but have learned something from each one.

In the past few months, I’ve looked into 5 separate trips, each one offering something different. Two are now booked, another will likely be booked by the new year, one is complete and the other, well, didn’t happen. Here’s what I’ve learned about me and my travel interests at this stage of my life.

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Travelling with Friends

Landscapes, Life, Nature, Photography, Travel

I recently took a trip – the first one in a long time. It wasn’t to an exotic far-away location, but rather about 3 hours north of my home. The area is very popular with city residents and tourists alike, because of its small towns, wide open tracts of land covered with trees, rock formations that are part of the Canadian Shield and fresh air.

I don’t travel much with friends, at least driving in the same vehicle and staying in the same hotel suite. I instead prefer to meet my companions at our desired destination and prefer to have a quiet place to myself at the end of the day. At least, that’s what I’ve concluded now after several trips done in more traditional fashion.

The bigger challenge, and the purpose of this post, is how to manage my photographic interests while travelling with others. It is hugely difficult when travelling with those who are not photographers – family especially. I won’t go into those details, for fear of alienating any family member who might choose to read this (ha!).

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On the Road Again

Landscapes, Life, My Community, Photography

shutterstock_93355207It’s been a trying year to say the least.  Lockdowns, restrictions, cancellations, disappointments, even changes to things as simple as ordering food.  I went to a local take-out place recently, only to be told that no more than 2 could be inside the take-out order area and that once my order was placed, I had to wait in a pre-marked parking area, in my car.  Businesses and people are adapting.  I have to admire how well we are adapting.  But it still sucks.  And on top of it all, my blog host, WordPress.com, decided to completely replace the blog editor I was familar with.  Hence no posts for the last two cycles.  An old dog can learn new tricks, but it sure takes a lot longer.  I decided recently that I needed a break from it all, and with restrictions in place, took a trip north to two parks. Continue reading “On the Road Again” →

Finding Beauty Where You Live

My Community, Photography

CompassMany of my generation are travellers.  We have done our bit for job, country and family, and now have the time and the funds to see the world.  Many of us travel to exotic locations, with cultures not remotely similar to ours, to experience all that human civilization has to offer.  I’ve seriously considered joining my friends, especially where the destination offers some unique photography.  But I’ve also come to realize that much of the beauty of life can be experienced right here, in the country where I live, Canada.

Canada is a huge country, with so many diverse environments, providing so many different ways of life.  It has absolutely amazing landscapes, which are routinely explored by residents and visitors alike.  I’ve decided that until I fully explore what’s in my own backyard, travel outside the country will probably be limited.  So here are a few tips on how to get the best out of your local explorations.

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