emeritablog

Old and new

This morning’s goals, Gekhard and Garni, are east of Yerevan, towards Mount Azdaak. We drove along a beautiful valley to Gekhard Monastery. There may have been a pre-Christian place of worship around a spring, now in one of the hollowed-out chambers in the side of the mountain. Most of what we saw dates from theContinue reading “Old and new”

Yerevan

A busy day today. Both yesterday’s flights were late taking off, and we did not land until 00:45. It was 02:30 by the time I got to bed. This morning , two long museum tours, the Manuscripts Museum (beautiful but noisy) and the Genocide Memorial (God, give peace!) Afternoon visits to churches, the bestContinue reading “Yerevan”

Off to the Caucasus

I shall be leaving on Saturday for a fortnight’s holiday in Armenia and Georgia, two countries which “live in interesting times.”. Flying with Ukraine International Airlines, changing in Kiev, and wondering what there will be to eat en route.

Walk leader

This is the first walk I have led for South Bank Ramblers. I chose Thursday to avoid the crowds, and then wondered whether anyone would turn up. But we were 20, a good number, including my nephew Dan, a couple visiting from Australia, and three or four members of a Dartford group. Some had alreadyContinue reading “Walk leader”

Advance Bookings

Ten years ago when I walked from Leon to Santiago, nothing was pre-booked except the flights. There were plenty of hostels and one could just turn up. This time, and on the Ignatian Camino, it’s different. Fewer places to stay, and further apart. What is more, when I started to look at booking.com I discoveredContinue reading “Advance Bookings”

Ridgeway Day 3

Thursday 24 August Rather than retracing my steps through the nettles, I headed along a road towards another of those hill forts. No vehicles passed me in either direction. Once on the Ridgeway, continued along the broad chalk track, stopping after two hours for water at Scutchamer Knob. This was the only sunny day, andContinue reading “Ridgeway Day 3”

Day 2: Ogbourne St George to Letcombe Regis

I expected a 30 km day, though I shortened it by taking a path along an old railway line instead of going back to where I left the Ridgeway last night, and possibly by leaving it before the end of the stage to head for my accommodation. It almost rained on Liddington Hill. After thatContinue reading “Day 2: Ogbourne St George to Letcombe Regis”

Day 1: Avebury to Ogbourne St George

Tuesday 22 August Easy walking. Once I got onto the Ridgeway, it was a broad track, albeit with puddles. I only visited the sights that were directly on the track, viz. The Sanctuary just opposite the car park where the trail officially begins, and Barbury castle, an iron age hill fort with a ditch betweenContinue reading “Day 1: Avebury to Ogbourne St George”

Avebury

A fast train to Swindon, whence buses were leaving to many places I knew only by name. Arrived in Avebury with an hour to spare, which gave plenty of time to explore the Henge and St James’s church. I was heading towards the B&B on a field path when I heard the church bells ringing,Continue reading “Avebury”

Language Learning

Another aspect of preparation for the Ignatian Camino is learning Spanish. I managed just a few words on a previous visit. I have tried a couple of apps: Duolingo which is free and cheerful but does not explain anything or get very far, and Babbel, which is not quite free but inexpensive and much moreContinue reading “Language Learning”