on a boat (ship) to england

greenwich

I went to Greenwich for the RaPAL conference. Telling Tales came out with me on the boat and we had a wander and a snack.



One of the workshops I attended was called "To the meridian." We went out with cameras and took pictures of signs around Greenwich. We had a funny encounter with a restaurant worker who was watching us quizzically while we photographed the wheelie bin he was dumping garbage into. We explained what we were doing and he laughed and said, "I thought you were the weirdest tourists ever."

Here is some of the stuff I saw in Greeenwich this time.



Telling Tales came back when the conference was over and we went to the craft market and did our bit for the economy and had another snack :)



(What I saw on last year's trip to Greenwich is here, and here, and here.)

sailing away

ward's island ferry

leaving newcastle

nanaimo to newcastle island

on the ferry

from tswassen to duke point

jewelry

When I was in this part of the world in the 80s we ran out of time and did not make it over to the Aran Islands. A big reason for coming early to Galway is to make that trip now. I woke up to a very rainy, blustery day and had second thoughts. Pretty much the only thing for a tourist to do over there is be outside and I just wasn't sure. I decided to go on the afternoon ferry to Inis Mor and take my chances. I am so glad that I did. The days on this trip have been like a string of beads -- each one beautiful, unique and surprising. And this was one of the best days EVER. It rained all the way to Rossavael -- a one hour coach trip. It rained most of the ferry ride. I was freezing by the time we arrived and the first thing I saw was a sign that said 'Aran island Sweater' -- I almost bought 3! But it did not rain on the island and for the ferry home, the sun actually blazed out and I burned my nose. There are 4 ways to get around the island: walk, mini-coach, horse and cart or bike. I did not want to be in a car. I did not want to be toured around even if it was in a cart. I wanted to be free to wander at will. I am not sure why I did not stop and rent a bike. I think it was just that I did not feel like a business transaction right then. I was pretty glad that I chose walking along the high road. It turned out to be the best thing. If I had a bike I think I would have ended up walking most of the way up anyway and pushing the damn thing. I'll bike the coast road next time.

I wish that my blog had smell-o-vision and that you could feel the wind and be in the quiet. But these pics will have to do. I am sure they will show you why I was just so happy all day long.