Category Archives: Mountains

Symi: coast to coast

Posted on May 27, 2015 by BarryH

There is a certain smug satisfaction in casually dropping into conversation in the taverna over an end-of-trek beer “I walked across the island today”. OK, so on a small island like Symi it’s not exactly Wainwright’s 192-mile epic but it … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Spring | Tagged Agios Vasilios, arid flora, coast to coast, Flora, Greece, Greek Island Walks, herbs, hiking, mantis, photography, Sage, Symi, trekking | 2 Comments

Symi: the island in colour

Posted on May 17, 2015 by BarryH

Most visitors to Symi come in the summer months. During the day they lie sweating in the sun coated in Factor 50 and then, showered and perfumed, in the evening sashay to the taverna or restaurant of choice. And have … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Spring | Tagged April, Flora, flora and fauna, Greece, photography, Scarce Swallowtail, spring, Symi, Turkish Ghecko | 1 Comment

Symi: a trek beyond the economic fringe

Posted on May 5, 2015 by BarryH

The deserted village of Gria set in limestone crags high above Pedi Bay has fascinated me ever since first ‘discovering’ it 15 years ago. The fact that it has a permanent pond, seemingly lost not only to sight but to … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Hiking, History, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Spring | Tagged deserted villages, dought, Drakos Fortification, Greece, Greek Spiny Spurge, Gria, Holy Orchid, orchids, Pyramid Orchid, Red Darter, Symi, Tongue Orchid, water, wild gladiolus, Zoodohout Pighis monastery | 7 Comments

Symi: a trek to the ridge at the end of Europe

Posted on April 24, 2015 by BarryH

One of my favourite easier walks on Symi is to Nimborio, the original harbour on the island, and then along the narrow shingly/pebbly beach and a steep zigzag climb up the razor-sharp limestone crags at the far side to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Reflections, Spring | Tagged arum lilies, Butterflies, cornflowers, flora and fauna, Greece, mandrake, Oertzeni lizard, Painted Dragon lizard, photography, refugees, Symi, tortoises, wild flowers | 5 Comments

From Grey Britain to Greek sunshine: looking forward

Posted on March 15, 2015 by BarryH

Into March now, in theory the beginning of spring. Despite the occasional day of sunshine it’s still mostly grey, wet and cold. Not much sign of the weather warming up significantly but my focus has shifted. I’ve reluctantly turned my … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Grey Britain, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Spring, Wales, Winter | Tagged Crocuses, daffodils, flowers, Greece, Large Tortoiseshell, photography, spring, Wales, winter | 2 Comments

Brecon Beacons: an hour’s trek to a frozen world

Posted on February 25, 2015 by BarryH

Monday and it was sleeting at home when I got up. The Met Office forecast heavy showers of rain, sleet and maybe snow all day with temperatures rising to a maximum of 3oC. I knew it might be snowing on … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Photography, Wales, Weather, Winter | Tagged brecon beacons, brecon beacons national park, Cadair Idris, Corn Du, footpaths, hiking, mountains, paragliding, Pen y Fan, photography, Snow and ice, Wales, winter | 2 Comments

Brecon Beacons: a frozen ridge-top walk

Posted on February 15, 2015 by BarryH

It has been grey and damp most days since I arrived home. But not all. A modest snowfall followed by a week of continuing low temperatures meant that when the sun was forecast to come out for a day I … Continue reading →

Posted in Grey Britain, Hiking, Landscape, Monmouthshire, Mountains, Photography, Pontypool, Wales, Weather | Tagged Abergavenny, Abergavenny and Brecon Canal, blue sky, brecon beacons, brecon beacons national park, climate change, snow, Wales | 4 Comments

Canadian Rockies: fiery peaks and blue sky farewell

Posted on February 5, 2015 by BarryH

I’m back in Grey Britain now having bid a nostalgic “au revoir” to Banff and the Rockies. It was not sunny the whole time I was there, thankfully now and again clouds moved over from the west and dropped snow … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Landscape, Mountains, Photography, Winter | Tagged Banff, Banff National Park, Canada, canadian rockies, Cascade Mountain, Massive Range, mountain peaks, snow, sunrise | 5 Comments

Canadian Rockies: walking slightly nervously on the wild side.

Posted on January 29, 2015 by BarryH

Almost at the end of my stay in Canada, on the last of my days off from skiing, I set out to trek along the Bow River to the Hoodoos, thin pinnacles eroded in soft sedimentary rock. It was 4 … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Wildlife, Winter | Tagged Alaskan Malmute, banff canada, Banff National Park, Bow Falls, Bow River, Canada, cougar, coyote, elk, Hoodoos, Hoodoos Trail, ice, photography, Rundle Mountain, trails, Tunnel Mountain, Tunnel Mountain Drive, wapiti, wildlife, wolf | 1 Comment

Canadian Rockies: Snow, mountains and blue sky reflections

Posted on January 21, 2015 by BarryH

When I’m not skiing I like to follow one of the many winter trails around Banff, some longer and more arduous than others. One Sunday afternoon I took my camera and new snowshoes for a gentle 6-mile trek out along … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Hiking, Landscape, Mountains, Photography, Reflections, Winter | Tagged 40 Mile Creek, banff canada, blue sky, Canada, canadian rockies, Cascade Mountain, Cave and Basin Banff, Mount Rundle, photography, reflections, snowshoeing, thermal springs, treks, Tunnel Mountain, Vermillion Lakes | 2 Comments