This month, you get three pictures1. That’s all. Sorry for any disappointment.
Photo #1
First up, it’s a snap of HVW and me at the top of Gornergrat in Zermatt last month2. You might recognize the massif in the background. The Matterhorn3 dominates everything in Zermatt and not for no reason: it is a massive block of gneiss. Every time you turn around: there it is.
Photo #2
I completed 66 years on this planet without visiting Venice4: at first it was just happenstance, but in recent years we consciously avoided it due to over-tourism horror stories. Despite not having been there, it was easy to imagine what it would be like. Mostly thanks to paintings by Canaletto but also, to a lesser extent, The Talented Mr. Ripley.
Last month, HVW and I visited for 3 days. It was January, so crowds were not a problem and on one golden evening I managed to snap this pic. Canaletto, eat your heart out.
Photo #3
The final picture shows 388m high Volcán el Cuervo on the island of Lanzarote.5
Just 300 years ago, it didn’t exist.
There was a period of intense volcanic activity from 1730-36, which created multiple volcanic cones and expanded the land mass of the island by 174km2. Some of the terra nova has been preserved as Parque Nacional de Timanfaya and the lava, ash and extraordinarily dry conditions on the island result in a landscape that is eerily similar to Mars; so much so that it was used as a testing ground for NASA’s rovers.
- If you are paying close attention, you will notice that there are actually 4 pics on the page, counting the one at the top. That bonus photo is also from Lanzarote, and I call it Twin Peaks. ↩︎
- Gornergrat is one of 3 skiing areas in Zermatt. It is distinctive because you reach the peak not by chairlift or gondola, but by train, ski down to one of several intermediate stations on the mountain, then get back on the train to return to the top. ↩︎
- Fun fact: Matte means meadow in the local Valaisian dialect and horn means peak, so Matterhorn means mountain in the meadows. ↩︎
- Came close in 2017 when HVW and and I explored the Istrian peninsula in Croatia, and flew into and out of VCE. ↩︎
- If my little snippet about Lanzarote inspires you to follow in our footsteps, here is a link to the hotel where we stayed: Casa de las Flores. It is a lovely small (5 room) boutique hotel in the village of Teguise, which is well situated for exploring the island. The room rate includes an excellent 4 course breakfast served at a large communal table, which is a great way to meet other travelers. ↩︎
hi Stuart, I quit from Facebook ( once in the 2/3 weeks I take a quick glance to for example see your month stories ) . How can I see those 3 things without going on fbook?
I see that you came to Europe again in a period when there are no hurdles of tourists! How nice it is to be 66 and having all the time of the world to do these things!
lovely greetings to you both
Hi Cathy,
Nice to hear from you, as always. I have added you as a subscriber, so you will receive an email from brannan.org each time I post something.
Cheers to Romke and the family,
S