Travel Group eNewsletter #41, December 2018

TRAVEL GROUP e-NEWSLETTER

Travel Image of the Month is: “Into the Light” by Rob Thomas, ARPS

©RobThomas

Well done Rob, a lovely image with some nice diagonal lines and straight into the sun

Contents A Christmas greeting from Liz Rhodes, plus her article “A Walk by the Lake” Meet the Committee A “message in a bottle” from Susan Dall Bits & Bobs - including seasonal reindeer!

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#41 December 2018

TRAVEL GROUP e-NEWSLETTER

#41 December 2018

Christmas Message from the TG Chair “This final newsletter for 2018 gives me the opportunity to wish you a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.

May 2019 bring you some memorable travels.”

and her article “A Walk by the Lake”

“The Whisper”

The Lake in question was Lake Geneva. One of my current projects is to travel along the pilgrimage route to Rome, known as the Via Francigena. Unlike travellers and pilgrims of the past, I am not walking it, but following it by train, as near as I can, stopping off in the larger towns and spending a few days exploring the area.

In Switzerland, the route goes along the north side of the Lake from Lausanne to Villeneuve and I walked along parts of it. Being early June the warm sunshine had drawn the crowds, undertaking all kinds of activities either on the lake itself or alongside it. Montreux, home of an upcoming Jazz Festival, was particularly busy and it was there that I discovered something I had never come across before, a Bible Kiosk.

Run by an Englishman, it had Bibles in all languages as well as the usual tourist knick-knacks.

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TRAVEL GROUP e-NEWSLETTER

#41 December 2018

“Bible Kiosk, Montreux”

I chatted to the owner and got the impression that he had been visiting Montreux some years ago, decided to stay and felt called upon the set up the Kiosk.

Another curiosity was finding that coots and grebes made their nests on parts of motorboats moored in the various marinas that dot the lakeside. I could only hope that their eggs had hatched and they had all taken to the water before the boats were put to their real use.

“Nesting Coot, Lake Geneva”

“Portrait Artist, Montreux”

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TRAVEL GROUP e-NEWSLETTER

#41 December 2018

Ringed by mountains, my walk along Lake Geneva was an enchanting one. I was glad, however, that I was not doing the whole trip to Italy on foot: even from a distance the Alps loomed large and are a major obstacle for the traveller who wants to continue walking.

“Musical Notes & Flowers, Montreux”

“The Table-Tennis Game, Montreux”

Text & Images Copyright Liz Rhodes

Meet the Committee This month, please put your hands together for Robert Akester, TG Treasurer:

Bob would be far too modest to mention that he is a very accomplished photographer (so I shall) and received a Merit Award in the PIC 2018, plus we all remember the “elephant”, don’t we? So, as promised, here is the explanation of how the Queen faced down an elephant!

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TRAVEL GROUP e-NEWSLETTER

#41 December 2018

“ My wife and I are Patrons of the Zoological Society of London and occasionally get invited to the opening of new zoo exhibits. On this occasion we were given the special honour of being in a short line-up of ZSL supporters to be introduced to the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh as they opened a new elephant facility at Whipsnade Zoo. After shaking hands and exchanging a few words with us she moved onto the dais where she did the formal opening ceremony. The zoo had brought several elephants into a sandy space in front of her. After the ceremony she was given some bananas to feed to one of the elephants. I was at that time on the opposite side of the space and thought this view in particular was a good summary of the day, as well as being a big quirky. Clearly a few other people must have agreed with me.”

“Around the World at 5 mph” - by Sue Dall, LRPS

I am circumnavigating with my husband, Bob, in our 40ft sail boat, Mawari. We left Chichester harbour 8 years ago and have reached just over half way. We are already 5 years behind schedule as we discover more and more of the wonderful places our planet has to offer.

Photography has become an important part of the experience for me. The facilities I have onboard are challenging at times so I really enjoy and appreciate the RPS as a facility to help improve my work and knowledge during our short visits back to England.

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TRAVEL GROUP e-NEWSLETTER

#41 December 2018

In 2015 we sailed 1000 nms from New Zealand to Vanuatu, a South Pacific nation made up of 83 islands stretching over 1,300 kms.

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TRAVEL GROUP e-NEWSLETTER

#41 December 2018

Vanuatu holds many festivals in which they celebrate their culture, these include the Naghol land diving festival on Pentecost Island, the Toka festival on Tanna Island, The Magical Rom Dance festival on Ambrym Island and the Arts Festival on Maleluka Island. Although the events are primarily for the locals, the few visitors who attend are made very welcome.

These images were taken at the Arts Festival, run by the community of Lamap on Malekula, to celebrate their traditions and unique way of life.

In this collection I have focused mainly on the Kustom dance performed by the photogenic locals!

Text & Images copyright Sue Dall Now I know that Sue is back in the UK whilst the boat is in dry-dock but I’m hoping to receive a few more “messages in a bottle” when she and her husband resume their fascinating journey.

Bits & Bobs

Firstly, I’d like to add my own Christmas thanks to the TG Committee for their support & advice over this year, with a special mention for John Riley for his sterling efforts with the Travel Log; thanks too to everyone who has contributed & supported this newsletter, and to my wife Katharina for her support, advice & proofreading.

I can’t do it without you all!

As TG is in full artistic mode for next year’s Springboard, I thought I’d just mention that the Turner Prizewinner for 2018 is Charlotte Prodger who is an iPhone film-maker —the way forward?

Speaking of Springboard, if you’re looking for a special Christmas gift, or just want to treat yourself (oh go on!) click here to book the tickets: Springboard 2019

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TRAVEL GROUP e-NEWSLETTER

#41 December 2018

Reindeer Racing, Jokkmokk - copyright Grahame Soden

I took this a couple of years ago in Jokkmokk, which is just inside the Arctic Circle and hosts one of the biggest and oldest Winter Markets in Europe. The town’s population explodes from c4,000 people to almost 40,000 for a few days every February. If it’s on your bucket-list then you have to book accommodation the previous September!

See you next year!

Grahame

©GSoden

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