Switzerland, Lausanne: Vivarium
This has to be the cleanest vivarium I have ever visited in my life. I usually have some very mixed feelings about these types of places, but the animals in this place looked in top condition.
France, Échenevex: Sentier des sources de l’Allondon (Allondon Springs Trail)
Fed by waters filtered by the Jura mountains, the Allondon flows from several sources. The location and the liveliness of its waters constituted, until the last century, a resource that the people of the valley knew how to take advantage of, as evidenced by the ruins of the mills of Naz-Dessus and Crozet.
France, Jura Mountains: Col de la Faucille
Col de la Faucille is a high mountain pass in the French Jura mountains. We drove up here on a clear afternoon, perfect light for snow covered trees and a cable car ride while the kids had skiing lessons. At the top a blizzard hit, I managed to take a panoramic photo where you can see the blizzard arriving from the right. We got the last…
Switzerland, Geneva: Lac Leman & Jet D’eau
After a small walk and lunch in the old town, we walked by Lac Leman toward the Jet D'eau (literally translated as 'water jet'), it was a grey day, but somehow the clouds didn't spoil the view. A very different perspective of the lake than the sunny day in Montreux.
England, Hampshire: New Forest
When you visit The New Forest there are a group of about 5,000 locals that you can't help noticing; they have been hanging around for about 2,000 years and what they don't know about the forest isn't worth knowing. Who are they? The New Forest Ponies of course! But alongside the ponies, you will also find plenty of other wildlife – deer being one of my favourites. I…
England, Hampshire, New Forest: Owl and Otter Sanctuary
The New Forest Owl and Otter Sanctuary is located on the edge of The New Forest close to the towns of Ashurst and Lyndhurst. Here you can get up close with some usually shy animals such as deer and owls, as well as seeing otters, wallabies, hogs, mice, ferrets, and even a lynx. Update: This place is now called 'The New Forest Wildlife Park', listed as…
England, Hampshire, Winchester: Cathedral and Castle
I passed through Winchester on my way to the New forest, so stopped for a brief visit to see Winchester cathedral. I specifically wanted to see Antony Gormley’s Sound II which is housed in the crypt. The crypt is much more to my taste, a welcome relief from the opulence of the cathedral above. Also in the vicinity is Wolvesley castle. We parked by Winnall Moors Nature…
England, Wiltshire, Salisbury: Stonehenge
I’ve never liked how busy this place is, and even less now that there’s been a visitor centre installed – but it is a beautiful site. The one time when I can deal with the crowds is on the summer solstice when the site is opened to the public and you can access the stones in a different way to usual. A lot of people attend…
England, Chipping Barnet: Trent Country Park
I've walked these grounds many times in the years I've lived nearby. Here are some of my favourite spots. Camlet Moat The Japanese Water Garden And all the rest is beautiful too!
England, London: Kew Gardens
I went here with my father during the Gardens of Glass exhibition by Chihuly, which added an extra touch to an already beautiful place.
England, London: Zoo
London zoo is small enough to see in a day but big enough for good variety. Kids favourites included the walkthrough lemur and butterfly exhibits, and penguin beach. Pay and display parking is also available on the Outer Circle at £2.40 per hour Monday to Saturday and £1.40 per hour on Sundays from 9am to 6.30pm each day. There is a 4 hour max stay Monday-Saturday…
England, Cornwall: Eden Project
The world’s largest geodesic domes, with temperate and tropical Biomes is quite a sight. My father took me here and I’ll always remember it as something special to both of us. Do be aware of the big changes in temperature and humidity, your camera may need time to adjust or, like me, most of your photos won't come out. This is a paid attraction, with ample…