Place Notes

Tromso December 2008

The intention was to try and take some photographs of the Northern Lights - and the few quiet days between Christmas and New Year seemed like a good time to try and do this - and Tromso seemed like a good location. I think it's the most northerly place I can get a direct flight to from south-east of England.

Unfortunately neither the weather (it was Tromso's warmest late December for 25 years - which meant lots of low cloud) nor the aurora (at it's lowest possible activity) co-operated. The Northern Lights will need to remain on the wish list for another year.

It was interesting being that far north (c. 70 degrees) in late December - and seeing that it really doesn't ever get light!

Tromso December 2008

Bristol December 2008

A fantastic cold clear weekend in/around Bristol. A selection of photos taken at Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge just north of Bristol.

Bristol December 2008

Birmingham November 2008

Another trip to Birmingham - this time amongst the JISC/CETIS twitterati....

Birmingham November 2008

Helsinki November 2008

After a brief stay at home - a long weekend in Helsinki. Two full days in Helsinki plus travel days at each end. Trip booked via Expedia who suggested the Scandic Grand Marina in the harbour area. Fantastic city for a long weekend - probably even better for a longer trip. My travel trip (i) for Helsinki - get a Helsinki Card (covers all local public transport including out to Suomenlinna and more museums than it's possible to visit in a long weekend). Travel trip (ii) - when all the other museums have closed head for Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art; it opens late even on a Sunday, the building is spectacular and the collection is pretty good too.

Helsinki November 2008

US East Coast, November 2008

My final IMS trip of 2008.

Flew United into/out of Washington-Dulles - spending four days at Penn State with an extra meeting down in Orlando. Penn State brought back lots of memories of my time at Cornell in the mid 80's (particularly the fantastic autumn colours).

East Coast November 2008


It was also fascinating to be in the US (and in two of the 'swing' states) at the time of the US Presidential Election.

From East Coast November 2008

Nepal and Bhutan, September-October 2008

We've spent most of the last three weeks in Nepal and Bhutan (mostly in Bhutan). Bhutan is a fantastic place to visit and (at the risk of encouraging too many people to visit) it's been great to get the chance to visit somewhere with a still limited tourist infrastructure. We flew from London to Kathmandu (via Delhi) with Jet Airways who I last used in 1994 for an internal flight from Bombay - they are my new favourite airline - loads of room in economy class and decent food too.

September in Kathmandu is still definitely monsoon season - but not withstanding that spent time both around Durbar Square and at Bodhnath and Pushupatinath (which made for some interesting photographs), and at the other end of the trip we spent time at Nagarkot and Bhaktapur.

Places Nepal Sep 2008


We flew into Bhutan from Kathmandu - Paro airport is unlike any other international airport I've been to (both in terms of architecture and atmosphere) - it's also almost 7500 feet above sea level and surrounded by high mountains (the Druk Air in-flight magazine reassuringly tells you that the hills aren't as close as they appear!). From Paro we spent the next 10 days or so driving slowly (it's the only way to drive in Bhutan) across to Thimphu, Punakha, Trongsa and Jakar in the Bumthang valley and then back, finishing with the Bhutanese 'must-do' for all tourists, the trek up to Taktshang Goemba (Tiger's Nest).

There really is a dzong, stupa or chorten on pretty much every hilltop.

Places Bhutan Sep 2008


The entire trip gave loads of chances to photograph people - it's not my usual thing, but it gave me the excuse to do this time.

People Bhutan Nepal Sep 2008


I did try to spend a bit of time looking for wildlife (mostly birds) - and a few shots are linked below. I think I can feel a return visit coming on to spend more time looking at wildlife - and going further east to Mongar and Tashigang.

Wildlife Bhutan Nepal Sep 2008


The flights provided some chances to see the high Himalayas amidst the clouds...

WindowSeat Bhutan Nepal Sep 2008


We booked this trip (Bhutan: The Dragon Kingdom) via Cox and Kings in London - and the local guiding was provided by Temple Tiger in Nepal (Shiva Ram), and by Blue Poppy in Bhutan (Sonam and Phup).

Thoroughly engaging trip - it's a really nasty shock to the system to be back in the UK (and the food here is just so mild)... when's the next trip, I'm sure I've still got some blank pages in my passport.

Birmingham September 2008

Another IMS meeting, another city. This time closer to home, at the Lakeside Conference Centre Aston University.

Birmingham September 2008

Spain September 2008

Visit to UNED in Spain (the Spanish equivalent to the Open University). Spent one day in the UNED offices in Madrid and one day at one of UNED study centres in Pontevedra in Galicia. Then grabbed a couple of days to be a tourist in Segovia and Madrid. And contrary to popular opinion it does rain in Spain - this is my second visit to Spain in the last year and I've got wet both times! Barcelona in the rain

Spain September 2008

Suffolk August 2008

Another week on the Suffolk Coast - again staying in one of the National Trust apartments at Dunwich Heath, and spending most of the week in/around the coast and the RSPB reserve at Minsmere. Saw avocets, bittern, marsh harriers, lots of godwits plus common, Sandwich and little terns.

A couple of weeks earlier than our previous visit.

Suffolk August 2008

Silverstone July 2008

The Silverstone Classic at Silverstone Race Track in Northamptonshire - everything from early Bugatti's through to F1 cars from the 1980's.

Silverstone July 2008

Lords Cricket Ground July 2008

Saturday of the First Test between England and South Africa - England took 10 SA wickets and enforced the follow-on - their last good day until the series was won by South Africa.

Lords July 2008

Shetland June 2008

Another week back on Shetland - about as far north as we can go without needing a passport (although BA get very grumpy if you don't have one flying from London to Aberdeen - has independence gone further than I realised?). This time we rented a splendid cottage at the Pool of Virkie - and for the first time did see the tide in at the Pool. A few good days birdwatching, and a little bit of retail therapy to help prop up the local economy.

Shetland June 2008

Travel Map

Travels to June 2008
Travel Map June 2008

Ann Arbor June 2008

That makes six US trips in the last 12 months. This time to the summer thunderstorms in Michigan. Travelling west involved long flights delays and missing luggage. University of Michigan is a huge establishment dominating Ann Arbor - also home to both Borders bookshops and Domino's Pizza. Did visit Borders, but didn't have any pizza!

Flying east back to the UK was much more relaxing - and all on time.


Michigan June 2008

Austin May 2008

Another IMS Global Learning Consortium meeting - and my 5th visit to the US in the last year. Austin is a great city to visit - an interesting mix of sights and sounds reminding me of trips to various parts of the US over the last couple of years. I was very tempted to pick up a car at the airport and go off driving - but did stick to the original plan of clocking up even more airmiles with United! A short stopover in Denver on the way home providing further encouragement to redo the Rockies loop from Autumn 2006.

Austin May 2008

Bath April 2008

As a change from cars and planes, this was a weekend by train (must try and do a few more less carbon-heavy trips this year). Weather was unseasonably warm, and the city was very crowded but the service in hotels and restaurants wasn't very good. Bath rather gave the impression that it didn't really care about it's visitors!

Bath April 2008

Kuwait April 2008

Back on planes again. Running a workshop on Virtual Learning Environments for the Arab Open University. Airport-Hotel-Hotel-Hotel-Airport. Pictures from the Crowne Plaza and Movenpick Hotels in Kuwait, which pretty much all I got to see this time. Next visit I'll have to try and fit in some tourist time! I did at least manage to avoid overnight flights in either direction - thank you Kuwait Airways!

Kuwait April 2008

US West Coast February 2008

It's weeks since I've been across the Atlantic!

This trip involved a few warm days at the coast in Southern California talking about elearning standards, and a couple of rather colder days in Redmond (with a tourist day in Seattle before flying home).

Long Beach February 2008


Seattle February 2008

Cornwall January 2008

I don't think I'll be doing quite so much travelling in 2008. However, it seemed a good idea to get the first trip of 2008 in early (and with rather less carbon footprint than some of the recent trips). Have just spent a few days in the Old Coastguard Hotel in Mousehole in Cornwall - the Mousehole Christmas lights are fantastic, and the weather was suitably stormy too. British seaside resorts are at their best in the Winter!

Cornwall January 2008