Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Tunisia # 12 Sahara Desert (part 1)

We headed out into the desert, some riding camels and the rest of us in our horse drawn 'carriages'.

In the distance we could see ruined buildings and a few palm trees and that was where we were headed.


As we got closer to the palm trees we saw a herd of goats appearing out of the sand dunes.

I'm not quite sure what they find to eat but they looked in good condition.

I think I imagined that we would see sand dunes that were much higher, but that was to come later in the day when we visited Nefta and Ong Jemel.


Archives:
2008: Fun Monday-90 We must never forget
2007: PFriendship Award
2006: Traditional Champ

Monday, November 09, 2009

Fun Monday # 142 Another day in my life


When I saw the topic Grace chose for this week, I went back to look at the first time I wrote about my day. This was not long after Fun Monday started, week 9 to be precise. As I read through the post it made me laugh because today was very similar to my Monday way back on March 19th 2007 A day in my life or my life in a day. I lead a very dull, day-to-day existence....

For example, this morning I got up and showered really early, well that is if you call 6am early, remember I am supposed to be retired!

The reason I was getting up earlier than usual was because I had an appointment with my Doctor at 9am and I wasn't too sure how long it would take me to get there given the early morning traffic (if I'd been energetic I could actually have walked there and back as it's only about a 2 mile round trip but I'm lazy and the reason I was going is because I have a problem with my foot and it's painful to walk).

Also before I set out I had to do a few household chores, have breakfast, check my emails and check out my farm and cafe (on Facebook). I was home by 10am, walked to local shop to collect the daily newspaper and then it was coffee time as I listened to a music quiz on the radio.

I then had to drive to the Council Offices in Thornbury to make a delivery, this took me another hour (17 mile round trip), on the way back I went to the bank and Post office for Embee, and then on to the supermarket to do the grocery shop for my mother as well as ours.

Oh just remembered, I deposited some things for recycling in the containers at the supermarket.

I really don't like shopping over the lunch hour, it's far too busy, the queues at the deli and fresh produce counters are long and getting through the checkout takes ages. I finally got home just before 2pm, unpacked the groceries (not my favourite job), my mother likes to do her own and she is so slow, so by the time I made myself some lunch it was 3pm.

I ate my lunch at the computer, then did a bit of tidying up, vacuuming and mopping floors, sorting laundry and it was then time to think about dinner for Embee (actually knowing I had a busy day coming I prepared a pasta dish yesterday). He always comes home from work and is starving.

I try to sit down and watch a couple of 'soaps' on TV around 6pm and my evenings are taken up reading the paper, doing the crossword, a couple of on line quizzes, reading blogs, plurking and facebook. I usually read in bed before settling down and often don't turn the light off until around midnight.

Tomorrow will be a slight variation. I have to take my mother to the hairdressers and then I have to take her clothes shopping, that will be quite an ordeal! Oh and I have to fit in a visit to the local hospital to have an x-ray on my foot. And so it goes on and on...........

yesterday I put the tortoises into their boxes for their winter hibernation and they are now safely on a shelf, in the garage, where they will stay until around the end of February. I think I'd like to hibernate, or better still move to a warm climate until the spring. Instead I have 10 days in the Emerald Isle coming up soon and as I'll be with Beccy and the grandchildren the weather won't matter.

Well that's it for today folks. I'm now off to me bed to read, I'll catch up with you all tomorrow.

Archives:

2008: Armistice Day-Remembrance Sunday
2007: How to survive a heart attack alone
2006: Recycling

Sunday, November 08, 2009

In Remembrance


Today throughout the country there have been services to remember all those brave, men and women, who have lost their lives in the many conflicts of the last century.

They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old. Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.


Archives:
2008: Silent Saturday
2007: Ladies Lunching
2006: Get that car clean...

Saturday, November 07, 2009

Tunisia # 9 Sahara Desert (part 1)

Douz,is the largest of the oases in western Tunisia and driving through it looked quite shabby. It was from here that we were going to get our experience of the Sahara Desert. It was all geared for the tourists and very contrived, however you could still imagine what it must have been like for the early camel trains crossing the desert.
When you go out into the desert you really do need to dress for the occasion.

It seemed a bit of fun but when the wind whipped up a bit of a dust storm we were very glad to be dressed appropriately!

I was very tempted to take in the view riding on a camel, but decided my back might not like the experience.

I know I've already shown you a close up, but camels really do have the sweetest faces and these were very well behaved-no spitting or kicking.

So this is how Anna and I got out into the desert.
In places it was quite a bumpy ride, but the driver stopped frequently to let us take pictures and I'll show you some of these tomorrow.


Archives:
2008: Whats happening today!
2007: Witty Wednesday-26
2006: Sams Toulouse Sausage, Bacon and Green Lentils

Friday, November 06, 2009

Tunisia # 8 A trip to a desert oasis (Chebika part 2)

Chebika is a small mountain oasis town surrounded by a dry and arid desert region, just north of the salt lakes or Chotts. It is said to the least famous of these oasis towns yet it's quite spectacular with its rugged rocks and steep-sided ravines. Having driven through houses we arrived below....


After walking through 'the obligatory shopping area' the visitor begins to get a view of the area.

There are two routes to reach the base of the ravine, the most difficult being up the terraces between the rock and then down, the easy route is a winding path down. Guess which route I took!!

The more difficult route (actually it wasn't too bad and you could climb at your own pace) gave some great views. Below parts of the ruined village.

Looking across to the mountains.

The Holyman's retreat.

Looking back...

Hmm will I squeeze through that gap and I wonder what's on the other side...

Looking down into the ravine, it is actually a deeper drop than it looks in this picture.

A closer look at the mountains.

At the bottom of the steep climb down (there were some steps).

This is where you find a pool of water.

In the mud at the edge of the pool were hundreds (well maybe dozens) of these little fellows.

Looking back up from where we came (what can you see carved in the rocks??). For some reason I didn't take a close up, silly me!

We followed the stream, and yes it was narrow in places and you had to negotiate stepping stones, but I managed it without getting my feet wet.

We passed a very pretty little waterfall.

Then it was back to where we started.
Archives:
2008: Meme-6 things about moi and awards
2007: Fungi Forage
2006: Echo Lake

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Look what I won!

I had a lovely surprise today when a parcel arrived from Karisma. You can see below that it was a T-shirt and I must confess I'd forgotten I'd won it in a draw for commenting on one of Karisma's posts.

I will be taking it to Dublin when I go in a couple of weeks time and I'm sure it will fit one of my grandsons. If necessary I'll have to toss a coin!

So thank you very much Karisma it will be going to a good home x

Archives:
2008: Witty Wednesday-71
2007: Fun Monday-40 Holiday Traditions
2006: Beautiful Sunset

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Witty Wednesday # 118



I borrowed this one from my plurking friend MysticFirefly

(click to enlarge)
Not really feeling jovial today, having attended the funeral of an ex-colleague and friend.

Archives:
2008: None
2007: Introduction to Yield Wine Bar
2006: How I got my dose of exercise