Re: Interesting take Oh wow. I just spent quite some time admiring all the wonderful castles. Some of them are so much like fairytale castles that one might think Walt Disney must have drawn them. I am personally a great fan of Neuschwanstein Castle, but have to say that I also found the French castles by Delek Delek and Colomares Castle in Spain pretty impressive. Happy to share my shot there as well, just not sure how to do it. Any advice?
Re: I wish you the best in your new job... Thank you. Now that things are settling a bit here I hope that I will be able to catch up with a lot of stories and that I will also be able to read a little more what everyone else is writing.
Life takes you where you need to go I absolutely loved reading your process of moving on and knowing it was time. That happened to us in 2007 and again in 2010. You have to trust your instinct on these things. Please write more about your new area even when you are not traveling. We'd love to learn about this off the beaten track part of Germany.
Re: Life takes you where you need to go Thank you so much, your wonderful comment just put a big smile on my face and encouages me to write more blog posts. Now that things are gradually settling here a bit I hope that I will also have more time again to read all the wonderful posts here.
The Book of Kells Ancient illustrated books are the stuff of legends and history. How lucky you have seen images from the Book of Kells and experienced the awe of being in its resting place, Katha. I have experienced viewings of ancient illustrated books in Ethiopia, Mali, China and Armenia that blew my mind. How fortunate there were those back then who appreciated their worth and had the bravery to conceal them from invaders so we can view them today. So many treasures destroyed over the ages making those that survive the more intriguing and valuable.
Re: The Book of Kells I fully agree, and I can see why they are the stuff of legends. There is some magic when you are in a library full of ancient books. Your viewings of the ancient books from different cultures must have been breathtaking. I am definitely grateful to those who made sure these treasures survive.
Rivendell I had a tennis team for a number of years called Rivendell from the Lord of the Rings. I was the Elf-Lord Glorfindel and we played with a swashbuckling style as a result. Your Rivendell was very different but similar as from my reading of your blog it has an aura that can assist contemplation of attitudes and thinking (if that is not too simplistic). I found your exposition of near and far enemies as thought provoking and poignant.
Re: Rivendell Great idea to have a Lord of the Rings tennis team. It is amazing what imagery can create, isn't it? The Rivendell described here in fact has this atmosphere of peace and quiet and thus provides great conditions for contemplation. Thanks for the praise, very much appreciated!
Hundertwasser I'm fascinated with Hundertwasser's work, and have seen a couple of his artworks but none of his architecture. The buildings have touches of the fairytale feel of Gaudi's work (if Gaudi was a tree-loving hippie) :)
Re: Hundertwasser So am I, I think he created some amazing pictures and pieces of architecture. I think he was even inspired by Gaudí - and I agree, it does have touches of his fairytale feel!
I started this blog in late 2007, before heading off to Australia for a hang gliding adventure. After my first solo flight in a hang glider all I wanted to do was fly as much as possible. I gave up my job as a human resources consultant and headed to Australia to live my dream of hang gliding. When I returned after four months, I wanted to build my life around the sport I loved so much, and I did. I was also determined to make it into the national hang gliding team and started flying competitions with only one year of flying experience.
My dream was shattered in earl... full info
D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
Nice blog
I love reading blogs that are to locations most people don't write about. Thanks for taking us along.