Category Archives: Nature

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

Happy New Year

Posted on December 31, 2017 by BarryH

2017 was not as eventful for me as 2016, my Annus Horribilis, which included a dislocated shoulder, diagnosis of a heart condition, Easter in a Greek hospital, skin cancer ….. and culminated in an 02.30 evacuation from a hotel fire … Continue reading →

Posted in Grey Britain, Landscape, Monmouthshire, Nature, Photography, Pontypool, Reflections, Wales, Weather | Tagged Happy New Year, Monmouthshire-Brecon Canal, omens, sunrise, Wales | 4 Comments

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: A bit of colour

Posted on June 8, 2017 by BarryH

One of the effects of climate change which, despite what some may say, scientific evidence shows overwhelmingly is not a myth, is increased unpredictability in the weather. Even on the Greek islands you can’t assume that usual climate patterns will … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Mountains, Nature, Spring | Tagged allium, crown daisies, Dragon Arum, elephant garlic, Flora, Greece, hollyhocks, Holy Orchid, Oregano, poppies, star clover, Star of Bethlehem, Symi, thyme, wild flowers | 1 Comment

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, Greece: Looking back and looking forward

Posted on March 26, 2017 by BarryH

In early April in recent years I have headed to Greece for the summer. Not possible this year because of various ongoing issues. There is still a degree of uncertainty about when I’ll get back to the islands but, trying … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Landscape, Mountains, Nature, Photography, Spring, Wildlife | Tagged fortifications, Greece, Holy Orchid, limestone landscape, mantis, Oertzeni lizard, Orchis sancta, Scarce Swallowtail, Symi, water sources, wild flowers | 2 Comments

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

Nisyros: All in a day’s trek

Posted on September 3, 2016 by BarryH

I have been back to the UK planning to continue the blog about treks on Symi but mundane stuff got in the way. Now I’m on Nisyros and as always blown away by this place. Been out in the mountains … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Hiking, Landscape, Nature, Photography, Wildlife | Tagged ancient houses, archaeology, bats, caldera, craters, drought, fumaroles, Greece, horseshoe bats, mountains, Nisyros, seismic fissure, snakes, snakeskin, sulphur, Symi, Volcano | 5 Comments