Category Archives: Hiking

Pontypool, South Wales: ‘The Beast from the East’ meets Storm Emma

Posted on March 7, 2018 by BarryH

It doesn’t often happen but when it does it’s dramatic. And fun. In winter, cold weather comes to the UK from the continental land mass. It’s a cliché but nonetheless has an element of truth, that the Welsh Mountains are … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Pontypool, Wales, Weather, Winter | Tagged brecon beacons national park, Meteorology, Pontypool, Pontypool Folly Tower, snow, snowdrifts, Southeast Wales, Storm Emma, The Beast from the East, Wales | Leave a comment

Banff, Canada: walking on water

Posted on February 28, 2018 by BarryH

I’m back home now but still reminiscing about the trip to Banff. It was comparatively mild compared to previous winters when we have been there, afternoon temperatures getting up to a toasty -50C though much colder overnight and most days … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Wildlife, Winter | Tagged 40 Mile Creek, Banff, Banff National Park, Bow River, Canada, canadian rockies, Cave and Basin, cougar, frozen river, hot springs, Lynx, river ice, snow, snow tracks | Leave a comment

Banff, Canada: The Hoodoos Trail

Posted on January 21, 2018 by BarryH

Though skiing has been the main focus of my visits to the Canadian Rockies since I first came for Christmas 2010 they have always been about more than that. Especially so since I invested in a pair of ice cleats … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Weather, Wildlife, Winter | Tagged Banff, Banff National Park, Bow Falls, Bow Falls-Hoodoos Trail, Bow River, Canada, cougar, Hoodoos, Mount Rundle, Winter trekking | 1 Comment

Nisyros: beach art

Posted on November 8, 2017 by BarryH

Nisyros has some of the most spectacular scenery and most spectacular treks in the Dodecanese. But it’s not great for beaches. If you want a beach holiday, Nisyros is not the island for you. Not that it doesn’t have beaches, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Greece, Hiking, Landscape, Photography | Tagged art, beach art, beach caves, Greece, Hochlaki, land art, Nisyros | 2 Comments

Nisyros: castles in the air

Posted on October 16, 2017 by BarryH

Nisyros has some of the most spectacular scenery and most spectacular treks in the Dodecanese. I first went there in 2001 on a day trip from Tilos. We only had a few hours on the island but in that time … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Hiking, History, Landscape, Mountains, Photography | Tagged Crusaders, Emborios, Enetikon, Greece, history, lava, Mandraki, Mycenaen, Mycenau, Nikia, Nisyros, Paleocastro, Parletia, Stavros, Symi | 1 Comment

Nisyros: scratching the surface

Posted on August 3, 2017 by BarryH

Sandwiched between spending time on Symi I hopped a little further north in the Dodecanese to spend a couple of weeks on Nisyros. Google it and you will see lots of photos of ‘The Volcano’ and the Paleocastro, both very … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Hiking, History, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Reflections, Wildlife | Tagged caldera, earthquake, Emborios, fumaroles, Grass snake, Greece, lava, lava stacks, Nikia, Nisyros, Nyfios, Scarce Swallowtail, seismic fissures, sulphur, Symi, Volcano | 2 Comments

Symi: Spring and early Summer landscapes

Posted on July 6, 2017 by BarryH

I think that is the longest gap between blog posts on Barry’s Ramblings. Force of a range of circumstances. I had to return home to sort out some of the issues still unresolved when I flew back to Symi in … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Spring | Tagged deserted village, Greece, Gria, monasteries, Nimborio Bay, Pedi Bay, Pedi Valley, ponds, Symi | 2 Comments

Symi: it’s good to be back

Posted on May 7, 2017 by BarryH

I didn’t manage to get the issues sorted out which prevented me coming back to Symi in April as planned but I bit the bullet, cut the Gordion knot, took the bull by the horns, and came back on 3 … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Spring, Wildlife | Tagged Butterflies, Dragon Arum, flora and fauna, Greece, poppies, Symi, thistles, tortoise, views | 1 Comment

Symi: focus ….. and losing it

Posted on November 30, 2016 by BarryH

I don’t consider myself an adrenalin junkie, though I know some who disagree. But one thing which I have learned from ‘adrenalin sports’ (white water kayaking, paragliding, climbing ….) is the importance of maintaining focus. Lose it and there are … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Wildlife | Tagged adrenalin sports, Agia Paraskevi, ancient olive press, bees, Caetopelma Aegyptiacum, dehydration, eucalyptus trees, Greece, honey, kalderimi, photography, Symi, Symi Spider, trekking | Leave a comment

Nisyros: Rock around the volcano

Posted on October 9, 2016 by BarryH

Signs on roads and footpaths around Nisyros point to ‘The Volcano’ in English and in Greek. Arrive by boat in the harbour and you are offered coach trips to The Volcano. A bit misleading that because by the time you … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography | Tagged ancient routeways, caldera, craters, desert, fumaroles, Greece, lava, lava bubble, lava pinnacles, lava sculptures, Nikia, Nisyros, photography, seismic activity, Stephanos, sulphur, Volcano | 1 Comment