Category — Travel

Calm are the seas we travel now,
the sail is down
how tranquil is the ocean,
we drift past the deserted islands
with their scattered palms and
fallen coconuts,
we lay on the deck, with bronzed
skin and salty mouths
calm are our seas,
the soft magnolia smell of warm breezes
whispers through our hair
all is blue, placid and serene,
I am here with you, for once
essential as the mainstay
Calm are our Seas…

Photo: Personal Oil Painting – somewhere special in Oman.

* N.B. See Comments for Dedication.
@ Copyright Susie Hemingway 2009

He dreams of Montazah

the palace within his mind

as he is quietly resting

I know he goes back in time,

the splendid ‘Salam-lek’ palace

built high on hills above

this turquoise studded jewel

secluded bay, entwined with doves.

Amid the palms stands clearly

this monument of  love

built from finest red bricks

a blessing from above,

smooth and graceful standing proud,

with white ‘najoods’ and sea around,

he would walk in verdant grounds

in peaceful harmony, no sound.

The quiet of these gardens

lush all, 370 fed-dans,

would take his heart in a myriad walk,

his feet on fine white sand.

He dreams of  Montazah, the palace,

always within his mind

this paradise inn of time,

he enters gates that keep the crowds at bay

which for him are opened every single day,

and when he’s tired of strolling

I know just where he’ll go

leaving  gazelles and rock gardens

and the flowers he loves so,

he’ll step across the water

to the island of all time

where classical statues never alter,

in plethora there to stand,

and here he’ll fish or flirt,

or swim, in sunlit sheltered bays

and for a little while,

he remember all those days,

“Montazah” keeps him peaceful

I see the smile again, and when

he sleeps tomorrow,

he’ll go right back again…

* najoods – sand dunes

   fed-dans – measurement of land.

All Rights Reserved @ 2007 

Oh Cairo of the sepia light

empurple in the late of night,

the sparkling rays on marble stones

the quickest steps and gleaming domes.

The narrow streets and alleyways

the different smells the different ways

the hookah pipes, the mint tea trays,

Oh Cairo and your faded ways.

The empyrean of mosaic mosques

The many souks and little shops

the hot and dusty lives we lived

the little child with flower to give.

Street cafe’s where everyday

we sat and watched,

in wondrous gaze

Oh Cairo, I remember all those days

The perfume shop where we paid

to smell like ‘Chloe’ in a way!

the special time with special friends,

we thought that is would never end.

Halcyon days spent with you

enticing splendour of garnet hue

twinkling stars in darkest night

Oh Cairo of the sepia light.

The dark robed men

with beads and dice,

delicious honey with special spice,

the bright and silky lengths of cloth,

tahina, lentils in a a pot .

Can you recall that magic place?

for I can see your handsome face

Oh Cairo of the sepia light.

All Rights Reserved @ 2007

I am very much  looking forward to watching another chapter of this wonderful new series on ITV1 on Thursday at 9pm.  This epic journey, in the company of the very amiable Billy Connolly, covers ten weeks travelling  from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean across Canada, above the Arctic Circle, via the Northwest Passage. I cannot think of  anything more I would rather watch that these ‘Journey’s of a lifetime’.  For one thing,  it is most unlikely that I would ever manage to see these awe inspiring places, and simply wonderful scenery. Mr.Connolly started his journey at Pier 21 in the very busy sea port of Halifax in Nova Scotia.and for me what adds well to all his travel programs, is  Billy’s total joy of life,  his delight and enthusiastic dialogue as we travel with him on this fabulous journey.  It was so nice to witness his camaraderie with everyone he met along the way. This Thursday we see the comedian continuing his journey through the remote regions of Canada and along to Baffin Island, he will met the Inuit communities, and then along for a two day trek into the Auyuittuq National Park. I do know he joins a seal hunt? so not too sure about that, but if  like  me, you like to travel the world from the comfort of your armchair, do take a look at this short  four episodes series. It’s certainly worth a watch.

Mondays won’t be the same for a while as I will really miss my  travels down the Amazon with the intrepid, very cheerful Bruce Parry. What a superb program  ‘Auntie Beeb’  it has been. Last evening Mr Parry reached the final stretch of his epic journey and here we  really see the massive destruction that is taking place in the Brazilian Rain Forest. How savage it all looked, and shockingly close to the indigenous tribes.  Bruce Parry’s journey took him seven months! but we were able to see his journey in a matter of weeks and as he has now been made a ’son’ of  a badly affected tribe in a very moving ceremony, we witnessed and felt their despair. Bruce Parry covered their  story so completely – it was compelling viewing. 

How good it is to have  the former Royal Marine Bruce Parry back for another great series. Often not one to watch, while having supper! but how very entertaining  is  “Amazon with Bruce Parry” showing on BBC2  at 9pm on Monday evening .  This week as he  treks along  the route of the Amazon through parts of the remote Peruvian forest is quite sad in places.  The disruption to the  Achuar tribe is so badly threatened by the worlds  oil companies showing the pollution they make to their very necessary water rivers spoiling this unique way of life. As always Parry was keen to integrate with the tribe and agreed to try ayahuasaca a hallucinogen that causes severe vomiting. It was painful viewing, but fearless  Parry was not to be beaten.  As always  so educational and the scenery is  just amazing.  These are such great series and certainly not to be missed.  There are four more episodes to go, catch it if you can.

It was with great delight that I watched this enchanting program on BBC1 on Sunday.  The marvellous actress Joanna Lumley visited the Arctic Circle  to view the mystic phenomenon  of  the Northern Lights. This had been her life long dream after reading of these wonders in her childhood story book. A tiny picture of  the aurora borealis staying in her memory throughout her life and it was with a great passion that she embarked on this rather special  journey hoping to see them.  She started her journey in Trondheim, Norway, catching a northbound train towards the arctic circle and along the way Joanna meets some very interesting  people in this fantastic wonderland.  Joanna Lumley is a much loved  and  very beautiful British actress and with her wonderfully cultured voice, it simply made this delightful television viewing.  It was such a very nice change from all  the shouting  and swearing of  so many recent  programs.  How very alluring  this journey was, how restful,  delightful and visually breathtaking.   Joanna charms all the very interesting people she  meets along the way,  looking simply wonderful in her array of  stunning winter hats.  A perfect program and I wont spoil the ending  but just to say it’s well worth watching. I am sure it will be repeated again -do try to see it if you can.

Recently I started to cycle again. It is I might say a long time since I first learnt to ride and more than forty-five years since I last sat on a bike.   My sister Jenny suggested that it might be a great way of getting some much needed exercise and  a good way of exploring at close quarters, the lanes and fields that surround our homes.  Oh! such fun and great excitement and with a pounding heart as I tucked my jeans into the bicycle clips so kindly lent by a friend we passed in the village, how kind as he took off  his own clips to give to me “can’t have you getting caught in the chain on your first day dear”  So off  I ventured to  this new delight in my sixty- first year!

The first day was a real success and  returning home all in one piece I  longed to cycle again. Now having been cycling for a few weeks the delights of this pursuit are astounding, to ride on a sunny day along the lanes and see the newly harvested fields of corn and wheat instead of whizzing by in my car.  To smell the grass and earth, to see the different leaves and colours of our beautiful land.  To look at closely again, the berry filled hedges, the different views as we stopped to admire this wonderful countryside, stretching our eyes as far as we can to see across these patchwork fields of green, browns and gold. To see the little cottages nestling in their valleys and the church steeples in the distance. To pass by the huge rusty red cows and to see the geese  marching past.  To breathe the wondrous air and feel the wind on your face and hair as you freewheel down the hills after the long slog up, is quite perfect. My sister and I wave to our  friends as we pass them by and explore lanes as we have never seen them before. This pursuit  has taken me back to my childhood and yes -I know what your thinking! -  I have fallen off once, luckily on the edge of a field so the landing was soft and no damage done.

Everyday my confidence has grown, so now I feel proficient  to ride without my first fear. What a lovely pastime to start again after all these years! how exhilarating  this feeling of  freedom and how I rejoice in it all, thank you for suggesting it dear Jenny, how I love this new adventure.  

Francesco da Mosto  ends his fabulous series tonight  as he visits to pay his respects at the war cemeteries of Gallipoli.  We also see Turkey’s largest Mosque. Then finally Mosto reaches Istanbul, city founded as the centrepiece of the former Ottoman Empire having completed his voyage. I shall feel a little sad as we leave the beautiful schooner the Black Swan and even sadder to end this wonderful enchanting series. A series that has shown us such special Mediterranean places. Please  ‘Auntie Beeb’ can we have some more, or even some re-runs of his first series.

You can buy a copy in hardback of “Francesco’s Mediterranean Voyage” from www.amazon.co.uk  released 18th August, I managed to get a brand new copy for £10  by scrolling down through new and used. It is beautifully illustrated throughout and a must for fans of Francesco everywhere.

I am really enjoying Italian architect Francesco’s da Mosto Mediterranean Voyage,  now showing on BBC2 on Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 8.30. Sailing from Venice to Istanbul in the  fabulously beautiful ” Black Swan” schooner, we follow the historical Venetian trading route, stopping at some of the most beautiful Mediterranean cities on the way. This program is delightful, it brings together the threads of history and culture. Da Mosta  has a very attractive calming voice and is so passionate about the places he visits, that you find yourself caught up in his adventure. We have seen the enchanting  church at Skriljinch  and this week we stopped at the historic Mostar Bridge  in Split and then between the Croatian islands of  Hvar ad Korcula  which were surprisingly beautiful. Then onto the historic city of Dubrovnik.   A stop in Tirana the capital of Albania was interesting if not, a rather strange city. Francesco da Mosto  unadulterated enthusiasm and wanderlust is truly appealing and I cannot wait until next week to continue this journey with this wonderful Venetian.