So - where are you going this year?

[Mike Buckley]

a river float in Texas in August. I must be CRAZY if I am going to Texas in August!!!

You apparently forgot that it's a float down the river. The water will cool you off.

[Trina]

You apparently forgot that it's a float down the river. The water will cool you off.

In August in Texas even the water is hot!

[CP140]

All these wonderful sounding trips and the only place I am going is....CRAZY!!
Actually the only trip we have on the books right now, except for the weekend camping trips, is a river float in Texas in August. I must be CRAZY if I am going to Texas in August!!!

Yep... definitely crazy... spent a week near Houston visiting family one summer... it was hot... stinkin' hot

[dubaiphil]

Dubai tends to move the goalposts on the definition of 'hot'!

[CP140]

Dubai tends to move the goalposts on the definition of 'hot'!

Yeah but it's a dry heat!

[dubaiphil]

Erm - in spring and autumn that's true.

Not in summer

[casper]

Hi Noel,

With a trip like that, I'm sure you'll get a lot of ideas (btw my cousin got an OBE for project managing the Falkirk Wheel!)

Most of your trip isn't near me, however, if you are in Stoke-on-Trent before 13th September, an absolutely must see is the "Staffordshire Hoard" in the Potteries Museum. No photography allowed, I'm afraid, but it is an absolutely globally unique collection of Saxon gold and silver ware, and beautifully displayed. Just Google "Staffordshire Hoard". (As a bonus, they have a Spitfire fighter on display too!).

Dave

hi Dave,
Thanks for the heads-up. We will be in the area late August. I wasn't aware of the exhibit, and it is something I would really like to see. Hoping the IOM museums will have similar displays of artefacts from their various invaders, and want to visit Leeds Armoury if possible. Also wanted to see a Spitfire, and there is apparently a Lancaster in Lincolnshire that does taxi runs. Then there is .......
regards, Noel

[Buzznik]

My wife and I are going to see our family in Cairns, Australia in September. Hope to get to the great Barrier Reef

[jimd]

Hi,

We're going to Jamaica for a week at the end of the month, staying in the hills not the beach, so I'll see what I can find.

Then, in June, taking the car across to St Malo, a week or so meandering through France, then through the Pyrennes and staying in the north of the Pyrennes for three nights, and finally on to Santander for five nights (and then ferry home).

Any suggestions for things to see and photograph anywhere along the route would be very appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave

Dave. I'm off to the Biarritz area for 4 weeks in August as usual. If you are in the Northern Pyrenees, besides having some very spectacular and dramatic scenery throughout, Saint Jean Pied de Port is beautiful old town on a hill with many 17th and 18th century houses. On the coast St Jean de Luz is a chic seaside resort thats a must, particularly if your visit coincides with one of their many festivals. Basque architecture and culture is different from the rest of France and Spain and their main pastimes are surfing, bullfighting, rugby and pelota.

Another place that is a must is the medieval village of Santillana Del Mar near Santander.

Plenty to keep the camera occupied

[rtbaum]

All these wonderful sounding trips and the only place I am going is....CRAZY!!
Actually the only trip we have on the books right now, except for the weekend camping trips, is a river float in Texas in August. I must be CRAZY if I am going to Texas in August!!!

Having lived in Fort Wayne oh so many years ago, I think you are underestimating the beautiful state parks available in Indiana. The first RV camping trip that my family took was begun at Johnny Appleseed in March........very memorable....as it was very wet and the old Galaxie 500 became hopelessly mired in mud as we sat overnight. The caretaker had to pull us out with his John Deere.

[Clactonian]

Well we haven't been to Italy for 5 years now, so ....

My recommendation is that you delay until October and vista the Bardolino Wine Festival on Lake Garda .... Magic!!

Sorry, tried to delete previous post but it won't go!! (MOD EDIT - Job done!)

[Clactonian]

France!!
Pas de Calais (again) in a couple of weeks time and then back to Burgundy (and probably somewhere else) in late summer. It's the wine you know, or maybe the p.o.s, can't remember now.

[wlou]

In September, I'm going to the Loire Valley in France. Am slowly working my way around the major vineyard areas of that wonderful country. Was in the Southern Rhone last year and Beaujolais the year before. Have been to Cahors and the Languedoc previously. Burgundy remains on the 'must do' list.

But before that, in June, I will spend a week on the tiny island of Gigha, off Scotland's west coast. And if I'm very, very good, I might see an otter.

Donald, I just took a virtual tour of "Gigha", and if I ever was to visit this is where I would want to stay, it look grand!
http://www.achamorehouse.com/

[dubaiphil]

My recommendation is that you delay until October and vista the Bardolino Wine Festival on Lake Garda .... Magic!!

Sorry, tried to delete previous post but it won't go!!

I wanted to try to delay until September as there is a Palio (the original - older than Siena) in Asti then. I went before, pre DSLR. Awesome day's entertainment and it felt as if we were crashing a local event and the only tourists there. Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera D'Asti and D'Alba and Dolcetto wines in the area made for a few tasty wine crawls...!

[jimd]

In September, I'm going to the Loire Valley in France. Am slowly working my way around the major vineyard areas of that wonderful country. Was in the Southern Rhone last year and Beaujolais the year before. Have been to Cahors and the Languedoc previously. Burgundy remains on the 'must do' list.
.

When you have run out of all of the well known wine regions try Irouleguy. A small wine growing region in the French Basque Country. Great wines, spectacular scenery in the foothills of the Pyrenees and of course Rioja and Navarra just over the border.

I've never seen Irouleguy in this country. Except for the two or three dozen I bring back each year.

[Dr Bob]

Planning a trip to Yellowstone Park in the early fall. Looking forward to hiking, wildlife, unique scenery and fly fishing. Did I mention fly fishing?

Jon(Plumcrak), having in-laws in Ft Wayne and having spent several years in Indiana, this time of year I understand the crazy part.

Dr Bob

[Black Pearl]

Off to Northern France this year - possibly Normandy.

Love the country, love the food, love the wine, love the culture and the heritage....photographically its good too.

[Donald]

When you have run out of all of the well known wine regions try Irouleguy. A small wine growing region in the French Basque Country.

Jim - It shames me to say that that is new name for me. So, will add it to the 'to do' and 'must taste' lists.

[Manfred M]

Actually, I'm open to suggestions.

My wife and daughter are heading off to Portugal for a week during the school holidays and are leaving in a couple of days time. They are leaving me at home (my foot's not ready to spend 8 hours on an airplane and doing a lot of walking after arrival anyways), so I've threatened to take off and do something on my own, camera in hand, in the fall (assuming the recovery continues to go well).

[Polar01]

Manfred: how about Acadia NP in the fall, not all that far from Ottawa.

Cheers:

Allan