Travelling Worm

A bookworm's travelogue

Category: travel

  • The Big Koala & The Dog on the Tuckerbox

    In this post: The Big Koala, The Dog on the Tuckerbox, and a fearsome Fairy-wren, all near the New South Wales country town of Gundagai.

    This is the blog of Mark Wordsworm, the travelling worm. I’m a 40-year-old bookmark (give or take a few years) and I proudly boast my own Hallmark serial number, 95 HBM 80-1. You’ll probably want to read all about me and my Travelling Companion (the TC).

    Today’s travel notes

    On our way to the Victorian High Country, me and the TC stopped for a short break in the country town of Gundagai. The town is a popular stopping place on one of the main routes to the border between New South Wales and Victoria.

    Just outside the town, we met a big koala, a dog perched on a tucker box, and a bird that sits still for no-one.

    “What’s a tucker box,” you ask? It’s a lunch box. Nowadays, Australians carry their food around in an esky rather than a tucker box. “Esky?” That’s a cool bag or ice box, named after “eskimo”.

    The book I’m in

    The Phenomenon of Man by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Yes, the TC is putting me in some heavy stuff. We’ll see how this turns out.

    Travel tips

    When driving the Australian highways, take a turnoff and see where it leads.

    The photos

    Me and the Big Koala near Gundagai:

    It was, errm, interesting being so close to those claws. Yours truly survived by dint of keeping a low profile. That’s easy to do when you’re two-dimensional. Just turn sideways on.

    There are “big somethings” dotted all around Australia. This worm has already met the Big Bogan at Nyngan and the Kurri Kurri Kookaburra. Now the Big Koala. No doubt the TC, bless her itchy feet, will go in search of more big somethings.

    A few million steps from the Big Koala (a few million, that is, if you’re a small worm like yours truly) is the Dog on the Tuckerbox:

    The plaque below the dog and the tucker box declares the statue to be a tribute to the pioneers of Australia, unveiled in 1932.

    A rustic sign post tells the story:

    Ironically, as far as I can tell, the dog that features as the hero of this monument was probably based on lyrics by Charlie ‘Bowyang’ Yorke, who wrote a far less clean poem than the two shown on the sign. In Charlie’s story, the dog did a poo on the cattleman’s tucker box.

    I’ve used a more polite word than the original poem, to protect tender ears. You can probably guess the original word: it rhymes with “sat“, which is now used as a replacement in the poem.

    What’s more, the dog chose his moment when the cattleman was battling through the hardest of times: his wagon was bogged, the axle snapped, the team of bullocks stuck, and rain starting. The unfortunate cattleman couldn’t even dry his trousers or boil a pot of tea.

    On to prettier things:

    In using the word “pretty”, yours truly is of course referring to the lichen on the twigs, not to the beady-eyed creature perched above. That’s a baby dinosaur, known to some as a Superb Fairy-wren, and it eats people like me for breakfast. I stayed hidden in my book while the TC ooh-ed and aah-ed over the monster.

    I’ll be back soon with more news about our trip to the Victorian High Country.

    That’s all for today, folks

  • Dixons Long Point Crossing 4WD

    In this post: Crossing the Macquarie River at Dixons Long Point, from the Hill End side. Plus some pictures of the historic town of Hill End and the Golden Gully gold-mining area.

    This is the blog of Mark Wordsworm, the travelling worm. I’m a 40-year-old bookmark (give or take a few years) and I proudly boast my own Hallmark serial number, 95 HBM 80-1. You’ll probably want to read all about me and my Travelling Companion (the TC).

    Today’s travel notes

    Me, the TC, and Beetle the Jeep spent a night in the historic town of Hill End, New South Wales. Early the next morning, we set out to cross the Macquarie River at the well-known Dixons Long Point Crossing.

    The book I’m in

    Meru, by S.B. Divya. Excellent SciFi about a human and an alloy who fall in love, and about an experiment with human life on planet Meru. Alloys are post-human beings who share human and AI genes.

    Travel tips

    You’ll need a 4WD vehicle to complete this trip, because of the river crossing. It’s also good to be aware that the Macquarie River is a large river that can carry a significant volume of water after rain. It can be deep and the current can be strong enough to wash away cars and caravans. Always check the conditions before attempting the crossing.

    The photos

    Me at Dixons Long Point Crossing:

    It’s a trifle tricky to decide which line to take when crossing the river. We were driving from the Hill End side to the Bathurst side. The TC had watched several videos of other people making the crossing. The consensus of opinion seems to be that you should cross on the rougher side of the rocks, not the smooth side. Basically, follow the line between the two rows of rocks. That’s what we did. It was bumpy but fun, and the river level was low at the time we made the crossing.

    On the other side, the TC, bless her cotton socks, struck up a conversation with a man who looked as if he knew the area. He said that originally, the intended line was on the smooth side of the rocks, where a causeway had been built. But then a flood moved most of the rocks down off the causeway, which resulted in a deep hole at one end. The hole is about the length of many vehicles’ wheelbase, so you can get stuck, especially if the vehicle doesn’t have much clearance. The rougher line is now the recommended route, although it’s basically bedrock.

    Let’s back up, now that you’ve seen the crossing, and start at the beginning of the day’s trip…

    A night in Hill End

    Before starting the drive to Dixons Long Point, we spent the night at Hill End Lodge:

    The photo shows the reception area and restaurant of the lodge. We stayed in one of the cabins nearby. Early the next morning, the TC went for a stroll and came across a group of kangaroos. Most of them fled, but a big male stayed to keep watch, along with couple of others, one of which was a female with a joey in her pouch:

    The TC, wise soul, decided that discretion is the better part of valour, and altered direction to keep away from the roos.

    After breakfast, we paid a quick visit to the town of Hill end:

    The Royal Hotel is another good option for an overnight stay in the town:

    Golden Gully

    We headed north up Hill End Road towards Ullamulla Road, and came across the enchanting Golden Gully:

    Holes small and large pepper the eroded walls of the canyon. Many of them lead to shafts and tunnels dug by hopeful gold miners in the 1850s. The gold in this area is alluvial, washed down in several creeks that feed into the gully.

    You can walk down the gully to the point where a sign warns of danger:

    Ullamulla Road and Dixons Long Point

    Me at the junction of Hill End Road and Ullamulla Road:

    A sign warns of the nature of the upcoming crossing:

    The road itself is an easy drive:

    A sheep with a new-born lamb greeted us:

    The next video shows the descent towards Dixons Long Point Crossing, on the Hill End side. At about 30 seconds into the video, a wallaby hops across the track in front of the car:

    We stopped for a photo opp when we reached the water:

    Tip: To see a video of the crossing itself, go back to the top of this post.

    With her usual aplomb, Beetle the Jeep arrived safely on the Bathurst side of the river:

    That’s all for today, folks.

  • Coxs River & Six Foot Track 4WD

    This is the blog of Mark Wordsworm, the travelling worm. I’m a 40-year-old bookmark (give or take a few years) and I proudly boast my own Hallmark serial number, 95 HBM 80-1. You’ll probably want to read all about me and my Travelling Companion (the TC).

    Today’s travel notes

    Me, the TC, and Janet the Jeep recently drove across country in the Blue Mountains area, from Little Hartley to the Jenolan area. The trip included Coxs River Road, Ganbenang Road, Cullenbenbong Road, Glen Chee Road, Six Foot Track, and Black Range Road.

    The book I’m in

    No Time for Goodbye, by Linwood Barclay. A psychological drama packed with plot twists. Much like a 4WD road.

    Travel tips

    You’ll need a 4WD vehicle for most of this trip. The first part, before the turnoff to Coxs River camping ground, is fine for 2WD vehicles. But you’ll need a 4WD to get down to the camp site, and then back up again to follow the rest of Glen Chee Road.

    The photos

    Me at Coxs River camp ground:

    The TC, bless her woollen mittens, decided to focus on the river rather than on yours truly. Sometimes I disagree with her choices.

    We started our trip at the Little Hartley end of Coxs River road. The first hour or so is a lovely, meandering route, part sealed and part dirt. The views are of rolling hills and dales. And cows. This shot is from a trip last year:

    At the camp ground, Coxs River is wide and rippling:

    Looking in the other direction, the river widens out into tranquil pools:

    We took a walk from the camp ground towards Bowtells Swing Bridge. This is a 20-minute walk through the forest, with views of the river gorge on one side:

    Bowtells Swing Bridge is currently closed for maintenance. It’s been so for a long while: years. This worm has never seen it open. Crossing the bridge could be a wild ride, swinging over a deep river canyon:

    If you turn left when you come up the road from the camp ground, you enter the 4WD-only part of Glen Chee Road:

    See what it’s like driving Glen Chee Road near Pass Gully. This clip shows some track erosion, but it’s an easy drive when dry:

    Further along Glen Chee Road, descending towards Alum Creek Camping Ground:

    The road leads through pretty forest:

    Despite it being mid winter when we made this trip, yellow flowers were sprinkled across the bushland:

    In the next video, we cross Little River. This is one of several river crossings on the trip. They’re not hard, provided the river is low and your vehicle is a capable 4WD.

    That’s all for today, folks.

  • Walls of China at Lake Mungo

    This is the blog of Mark Wordsworm, the travelling worm. I’m a 40-year-old bookmark (give or take a few years) and I proudly boast my own Hallmark serial number, 95 HBM 80-1. You’ll probably want to read all about me and my Travelling Companion (the TC).

    Today’s travel notes

    Me and the TC spent a day at Lake Mungo, deep in the Australian Outback. While there, we visited the intriguing sand dune formation named the Walls of China, or the Mungo lunette.

    The book I’m in

    Where Song Began, by Tim Low. A telling of the origins on the Australian continent of all the world’s songbirds, rich in detail and convincingly told.

    Travel tips

    Sign up for the sunset tour of the Walls of China. The evening lighting adds beauty and drama to the scene, and you’re able to walk right up onto the dunes with your guide.

    Recommended accommodation

    Mungo Lodge offers camping and cabins. The TC opted for a cabin, which was very comfortable. The welcome is warm and the restaurant food is good.

    The photos

    To reach the Walls of China, you drive across the dried-up bed of Lake Mungo. The road is good and wide. On the horizon, the Walls of China grow as you approach:

    The extra width of the road is especially welcome at dawn and dusk. It gives you time to see the kangaroos that pop out of the bush at random intervals.

    The colours are fluid, changing with the time of day, the weather, the camera settings. In the middle of the day, the sand is all silver and pale yellows. Perhaps this is where the name “Mungo lunette” comes from:

    In late afternoon, the yellow of the sun exerts more influence:

    We were with a guide, which meant that we could walk onto the dunes and see the formations up close:

    Wind erosion has formed narrow gullies which you can walk through, to avoid damaging the fragile dunes:

    Colours deepen as the sun moves lower:

    As the sun disappears, it’s time to make our way back:

    Come daylight, and we’re on the road again, saying farewell to Mungo National Park:

    If you’d like to see more pictures of the national park, read my post titled Lake Mungo.

    That’s all for today, folks.

  • Outback Emu

    Me and the TC (read about us) are on the road again. During our Outback adventures, we’ve met several other travellers. Not least are the Emus.

    Tracks in the red dirt alert you to their presence:

    These birds can run at a speed of 50 km per hour (30 miles per hour). We had proof of that when a bird charged out of the bush, ran behind one of the cars in our convoy, hugging the bumper so that the driver had no idea it was there, then spun around the car and dashed in front of it. Luckily, bird and driver avoided a collision.

    From an Emu’s point of view, it seems that cars are either play things or creatures that need to be challenged. This bird is most likely considering a dash onto the highway:

    Emus are the second-largest bird in the world. They’re nearly 6 feet tall (1.9 metres). That’s a lot bigger than yours truly.

    The next encounter is too close for comfort, methinks, but the TC (bless her cotton socks), was keen to get the shot:

    That’s all for today, folks.

  • Bridle Track and Root Hog Road

    This is the blog of Mark Wordsworm, the travelling worm. I’m a 40-year-old bookmark (give or take a few years) and I proudly boast my own Hallmark serial number, 95 HBM 80-1. You’ll probably want to read all about me and my Travelling Companion (the TC).

    Today’s travel notes

    Me and the TC drove the historic Bridle Track and the scenic Root Hog Road this weekend with a group of friends. We camped overnight at Mary Flynn Reserve on the Bridle Track.

    The book I’m in

    Ten Days in A Mad-House, by Nellie Bly. A somewhat horrifying true tale of a reporter in 1887, who had herself checked into an asylum for the insane and wrote a book about her experiences.

    Travel tips

    You need a four-wheel drive vehicle to follow the tracks mentioned in this post. If you decide not to camp nor to stop at the various reserves along the way, you can drive the Bridle Track in two to three hours.

    The photos

    Me with Janet the Jeep and Peg:

    Introducing the newest member of our merry menagerie: Janet the Jeep. She’s a 2014 Jeep JK Wrangler, manual transmission, with a 3.6 litre, 6-cylinder petrol engine. She has two side doors rather than four, and is known as a shortie because of her short wheel base. Unlike yours truly, Janet is not built for speed but she’s plucky and strong. More like Peg, in fact.

    A keen-eyed reader might notice the little Jeep icon on the windscreen next to this worm. Janet is cute, and she knows it.

    At the start of the Bridle Track, a sign explains the need for a 4WD vehicle and due care:

    Most of the track is a well-graded dirt road. In some sections, there’s a high rocky wall on one side and a steep drop-off on the other. In this section, the road curved through a rocky bluff:

    In years gone by, one specific section of the Bridle Track was very narrow and slippery: the infamous Monaghan’s Bluff. NSW state has since built a bypass, though a sign still greets you as you enter the area:

    The Bridle Track was built in the early 1800s, to give gold miners and settlers a route from Bathurst to Hill End. Bathurst is now a thriving regional city and Hill End is a small town that welcomes visitors interested in the history of the area.

    Right on the side of the Bridle Track is an abandoned mine shaft. The brave can walk into it. The TC, bless her cotton socks, counts herself as one of the brave. She found that she could stand, with head slightly bowed, in the tunnel:

    We camped at the beautiful Mary Flynn Reserve. This view shows part of the campground and surrounding area, taken from the Bridle Track before descending into the valley:

    The Turon River flows past the campsite:

    As the sun goes down, Janet stands guard over the TC’s tent:

    A rainbow campfire, thanks to minerals added by one of the campers:

    In the chill of the early morning (it was 6° Centigrade), the sun warms up the rocks on the opposite side of the river, while neighbours get their campfire going down below:

    After packing up our camp, we drove back along the Bridle Track to Root Hog Crossing. This is a crossing of the Macquarie River, at the junction of the Bridle Track and Root Hog Road. The river level was on the high side (measured at about 1 metre at the Rock Forest station), and there was a reasonably strong current. Janet says that it’s the strongest current she’s tackled to date:

    Thanks to our friend Matt for making the video.

    Before doing a trip like this, the TC does plenty of research. She checks the river levels over a couple of weeks, to see what the river’s doing. She also monitors the fire warnings and weather forecasts. On reaching the river crossing, if it looks a bit high or strong current, she’d walk into it first. If you can’t walk the current, then the car can’t take it either. For this crossing, luckily there was a group of three cars doing the crossing when we arrived. We watched them, and judged it safe for our vehicles.

    Root Hog Road is the road of views:

    The next couple of photos are from a previous trip, when we traversed Root Hog Road in the opposite direction. A couple of motorbikes passed us when we stopped to take in the view:

    Another road sign advised due caution:

    Also from our previous trip, this video shows the last part of Root Hog Road as it drops towards the Macquarie River at the junction of Root Hog Road and the Bridle Track. The crossing is to the right, but we turned to the left to take a look at the river and campground:

    Cleanup on the day after this week’s trip. Janet got her carpets wet in the Root Hog Crossing, and her paintwork was dusty. The tent was damp from the morning dew:

    If you’re interested in doing this trip yourself, you can find out more about the Bridle Track on the NSW information site.

    That’s all for today, folks.

  • Streets of Dublin

    This is the blog of Mark Wordsworm, the travelling worm. I’m a 40-year-old bookmark (give or take a few years) and I proudly boast my own Hallmark serial number, 95 HBM 80-1. You’ll probably want to read all about me and my Travelling Companion (the TC).

    Today’s travel notes

    Me and the TC spent a couple of days this week strolling the streets of Dublin. Read on to soak up some of the atmosphere of the city.

    The book I’m in

    Darknet, by Matthew Maher. A rollicking tale of murder and mayhem in the world of high tech.

    Travel tips

    A hop-on hop-off bus tour is a good option on a rainy day.

    The photos

    Me taking the DoDublin Hop On Hop Off bus tour:

    In the background is the River Liffey, which runs through Dublin. Spanning the river is the Grattan Bridge, built in 1874. It’s named after Daniel Grattan, one of the founders of the Irish Parliament.

    This worm enjoyed the warning from our tour guide, Adam, at the start of the trip: “Just a health and safety message before we start: if you see me jumping up and running off the bus, you should probably follow me.”

    Next up is the Ha’penny Bridge, probably the best-known of the Dublin bridges. It was constructed in 1816 and is for pedestrians only. Its official name is the Liffey Bridge, but it’s commonly known as Ha’penny Bridge due to the toll of half a penny (a ha’penny) that was originally charged for crossing the bridge:

    This view shows the steps at the start of the bridge:

    One of our days in Dublin was wet and grey. The other was bright and sunny. Strolling along the Liffey, we noticed that quite a few of the mooring posts had one or two ladybirds in residence. They were always huddled just below the curve of the rounded top of the post. Perhaps they were waiting for a ride:

    A striking sight on the river bank in the district of Temple Bar is the Sunlight Chambers building. The panels of colourful, raised figures depict the story of soap. The building was commissioned and built by the company Lever Brothers (now Unilever) in 1900-1910, and named after their best-selling product: Sunlight Soap:

    The Snug claims to be the oldest pub in Temple Bar:

    The AIB Bank building in Dame Street was designed by Thomas Deane and built in the 1870s:

    Ireland’s longest-running pen speciality shop, Pen Corner, opened its doors in 1927 and closed in May 2022. You can still see the shop front at the corner of College Green and Trinity Street:

    Continuing with the writing theme, here’s a street outside a school in the area of Portobello, where the traffic posts have been converted to pencils:

    The next building that caught the TC’s eye is number 2 Palace Street in Temple Bar, built around 1771. It used to be owned by the Sick and Indigent Roomkeepers Society, which is Dublin’s oldest surviving charity. The building is now owned by the Dublin Corporation, and is protected under a preservation order:

    This lovely artwork is in a small park near Dublin Castle. The park is a memorial given by the people of Flanders in remembrance of the Irishmen who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of Belgium in the war of 1914-1918:

    Here’s a general street scene in the area of Portobello. One of the buildings proclaims, “We <heart> Dublin”:

    A peaceful alleyway strung with lights:

    That’s all for today, folks.

  • Dublin castle and a couple of cathedrals

    This is the blog of Mark Wordsworm, the travelling worm. I’m a 40-year-old bookmark (give or take a few years) and I proudly boast my own Hallmark serial number, 95 HBM 80-1. You’ll probably want to read all about me and my Travelling Companion (the TC).

    Today’s travel notes

    Me and the TC spent a couple of days in Dublin this week. In addition to our encounter in the park, in which Oscar Wilde got a new green carnation, we cruised around Dublin Castle and a couple of cathedrals. The TC had a go at translating some Latin, which led to predictably humorous results. And I coined a new phrase: whimsy-driven sightseeing.

    The book I’m in

    Darknet, by Matthew Maher. A rollicking tale of murder and mayhem in the world of high tech.

    Travel tips

    Instead of trying to see all the sights, it can be more enjoyable to stroll around and look at whatever catches your eye. I’m coining a new phrase to describe that way of being a tourist: Whimsy-driven sightseeing.

    Recommended restaurants

    Cornucopia Wholefoods Restaurant, Wicklow Street, Dublin. The bakery goods are delicious. In particular, the TC went “Mmmmm” over the gluten-free banana bread. The coffee is probably worth passing up on, though.

    The photos

    Me with Leonessa in the courtyard of Dublin Castle:

    Leonessa is a bronze sculpture of a lioness by contemporary artist Davide Rivalta.

    From on high, another lion peers down into the courtyard. It accompanies the soldier above the further archway in this picture:

    Stepping back, the full grandeur of the castle courtyard becomes visible:

    This shot shows the outside wall of the castle and the Chapel Royal on the left:

    On the right of the above picture are three archways. The middle one leads into the courtyard. In a room above this archway, Dublin Castle was formally handed over by the last English Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to the Provisional Government of Ireland, led by Michael Collins, on 16 January 1922.

    The other side of the Chapel Royal:

    Moving away from the castle, you might find yourself drawn to Christ Church Cathedral. This ancient and lovely building was founded in approximately 1030 by the Norse King of Dublin, a Viking with the romantic name of Sitriuc Silkenbeard.

    Here’s a front view of Christ Church Cathedral:

    If you follow the green bus down through the archway, you can examine the other side of the cathedral, which is equally striking:

    Stroll a few blocks south down Patrick Street, and you’ll come across St Patrick’s Park and St Patrick’s Cathedral:

    Evidently the tomb of Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels, lies in the nave of the church.

    It’s believed that, in the fifth century AD, St Patrick baptised the first Irish Christians in a well situated where the cathedral park now lies. The first church was built on the site to commemorate the event.

    Me with the coat of arms outside St Patrick’s Cathedral:

    The TC, bless her cotton socks, had a go at translating the Latin on the coat of arms.

    First she tackled the wording on the light blue banner. Her initial reading was this:

    noli allium sapere

    Which translates to:

    don’t taste the garlic

    Ha! Actually, it’s “noli altum sapere“, which means “don’t be too wise“, or “don’t be high-minded“.

    Now for the longer bit:

    sigillum commune capituli ecclesie cathedralis sancti patricii dublinie

    Translation:

    the common seal of the chapter of the cathedral church of saint patrick in dublin

    That’s all for today, folks.

  • Oscar Wilde gets a new green carnation

    This is the blog of Mark Wordsworm, the travelling worm. I’m a 40-year-old bookmark (give or take a few years) and I proudly boast my own Hallmark serial number, 95 HBM 80-1. You’ll probably want to read all about me and my Travelling Companion (the TC).

    Today’s travel notes

    Me and the TC came across a couple of statues of Oscar Wilde in Dublin. To our delight, one of them was accompanied by its original sculptor, Danny Osborne. He was drilling into the statue’s hand! Read on for the story.

    The book I’m in

    Darknet, by Matthew Maher. A rollicking tale of murder and mayhem in the world of high tech.

    Travel tips

    Take a walk in the park, even in the rain. You never know who you’ll meet or what you’ll see.

    The photos

    Sculptor Danny Osborne repairing his statue of Oscar Wilde in Merrion Square Park, Dublin:

    It was a wet and grey day in Dublin today. Nevertheless, me and the TC took a walk in the park. To our surprise, this fellow climbed up a ladder behind the sculpture of Oscar Wilde and started drilling into the statue’s hand. The TC, ever fearless in pursuit of knowledge, asked him if he was the original artist. He said yes, and added that he was replacing the green carnation that was broken a few years ago.

    The sculpture, erected in 1997, is magnificent and eye-catching. It emphasizes the beauty of stone, much loved by Wilde himself. The large base is made of quartz from the Wicklow Mountains which lie outside Dublin. The jacket is carved from green jade, the head and hands from white jade, the collar and cuffs from pink thulite, and the trousers, shoes, and socks from blue and black granite.

    The statue originally held a bronze carnation in its right hand. Presumably the bronze would turn green with the passage of time. We were lucky enough to encounter the artist doing the necessary repairs to replace the carnation.

    Back in Oscar’s time, a green carnation was a symbol of the queer community. In 1892, he made the artificially-coloured flower famous by wearing one on his lapel and encouraging his friends to do the same. Whenever anyone asked what the green carnation meant, Oscar would imply mystery and slight danger. There are rumours that he did this to generate publicity for his new play, Lady Windermere’s Fan.

    The statue provoked some controversy at the time of its unveiling. Seen from another angle, Oscar does look a little debauched and careless:

    However, this worm finds the work intriguing and engaging.

    Me with another version of Oscar, just across the way from the park. This one is right outside the playwright’s home:

    Here’s the statue in its entirety:

    That’s all for today, folks.

  • Places of beauty near Killarney, Ireland

    This is the blog of Mark Wordsworm, the travelling worm. I’m a 40-year-old bookmark (give or take a few years) and I proudly boast my own Hallmark serial number, 95 HBM 80-1. You’ll probably want to read all about me and my Travelling Companion (the TC).

    Today’s travel notes

    Me and the TC were in the area of Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland, a couple of days ago. We visited Torc Waterfall and Ladies View.

    The book I’m in

    Darknet, by Matthew Maher. A rollicking tale of murder and mayhem in the world of high tech.

    Travel tips

    Turn off the tech to enjoy the natural beauty. But the tech is useful in getting you to the right spot!

    The photos

    Me at Torc Waterfall:

    For an immersive experience (as the high tech folks say these days), watch this video of the waterfall:

    The waterfall is a very short walk from the carpark: approximately 200 metres.

    Green is the colour of the walk:

    High on the branches of the forest, moss glows in the gentle light:

    Our next stop was Ladies View, a lookout point over the lakes of Killarney:

    The name “Ladies View” comes from the popularity of the lookout among Queen Victoria’s ladies in waiting during the royal visit to Killarney in 1861.

    Here’s another shot of the lakes, sans yours truly:

    Thus spake the notice board:

    The ground drops away quite steeply at the edge of the road. The TC peered over the lip and came eye to eye with a deer quietly browsing:

    That’s all for today, folks.