Tag: Europe
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Baltic states, Part 3: Estonia
I am on a tour of the three Baltic States. Having visited Lithuania and Latvia, we are now driving up the coastal highway north of Jūrmala in Latvia towards Estonia. Estonia is the smallest of the Baltic countries with a population of a mere 1.3 million. The language moreover, is Finno-Ugric, sharing a common root…
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Iceland: A nostalgic walk around Reykjavík
I am on my annual pilgrimage to Reykjavík. A city in which I have lived and loved. A musical place, an arty place, endowed also with an ancient literature, the Icelandic sagas, for example. Warm hearted people too. The weather can be kind here in summer but in winter it is a different matter. Located…
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Baltic states, Part 2: Latvia
It is only about 45 kilometres from the Hill of Crosses in north Lithuania to the border with Latvia. Sandwiched between the other two Baltic states, much of Latvia is covered with forests, about a third of its territory in fact. Brown bears and wild boar patrol these forests. Many rivers too. The driver slows…
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Baltic states, Part 1: Lithuania
Summer had arrived and I was pondering which country to visit next. You know how it is. Time travels so fast in one’s retirement that summer is upon you before you realise that winter is past. In summer I prefer to go north but I had left thoughts about travels until late. Quick decision required.…
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France: Waterways of Burgundy
A gentleman I know owns a boat share and invites me to crew for him. The boat, made in Holland, registered in UK and based in France, is 38 feet long, of white painted steel with a navy blue streak round the topsides, and varnished wood with blue cushions below decks. And she is quite…