Sun Valley is the West's storied ski resort, with a long history of movie stars and other royalty escaping to its secluded slopes. Today, people come from all over to experience the old-world charm of this cozy alpine village on the edge of the wilderness. Sun Valley is bustling year-round - so come hit the greens at its beautiful golf courses, take a guided trails at the Sun Valley Stables, and watch world-class figure skaters practice and perform at the Lodge's ice rink. Less than a mile away is the mountain town of Ketchum, where Ernest Hemingway spent his last years. The romantic Sun Valley-Ketchum resort area is famous for world-class skiing and hiking, mountain biking , and art-gallery browsing. In March, independent cinema comes to screens around town during the Sun Valley Film Festival. Readers and writers gather in September for the Ernest Hemingway Festival.
14 January 2022
SUN VALLEY
09 January 2022
BOKSBURG
Within a major gold producing area, this town grew around the gold mining industry. Also a large coal producing area. Boksburg Lake, created in 1888 as a watering place for cattle, is now a major attraction. It has good sailing and recreational facilities, surrounded by terraces, lawns and trees. Also Artists in the Sun, tribal dancing, pipe band and a miniature train. Cinderella Dam offers yachting and windsurfing. Flea Market held on the first Saturday of each month in front of the Boksburg Civic Centre. Besides a variety of items on sale, numerous food stalls and entertainment available.
Hechter Schultz Museum houses ethnographical collections of Southern Bantu. Also extensive collection of Bushmen beadwork and hunting equipment. North Rand Road (Road was built by Italian prisoners of war): Warehouse Disco; Hypermarket Complex - largest shopping complex in the southern hemisphere; La Grange Bird Park; Fun Factory - incorporates an ice-rink, ten-pin bowling centre and Daytona 600 Grand Prix track.
02 January 2022
GALWAY
City of the Tribes
Galway is noted as the principal city of Connacht. It is situated on the northern shore near the head of famous Galway Bay. With a character all its own, Galway is a city where modern development blends pleasantly with winding narrow streets that were old centuries ago. The history of this City of the Tribes can be traced back to the 13th century and the Anglo-Normans, and its many ancient buildings bear testimony to the many influences, including Spanish, which marked its life. The streets and buildings of this ancient town have many interesting features and its position on the fringe of the Western Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking area) make it obvious gateway to Connemara, an entrancing countryside where the ancient language and customs of Ireland are preserved.
Galway is one of the most exciting of Irish cities, gateway between the Old World and the New. Columbus prayed in St. Nicholas' Church before setting out on his voyage of discovery. The short river Corrib flows through Galway city to enter the Atlantic. Salthill, the seaside suburb, is one of the most fashionable and up-to-date resorts in Ireland. Its fine promenade is equipped with a swimming pool and there is an 18-hole golf course close beside it. Salthill has the best of both worlds. It adjoins an ancient and historic city, fascinating to explore.
25 December 2021
DARTMOUTH
CITY OF LAKES
Dartmouth is Nova Scotia second largest city. Founded in 1750, Dartmouth is linked by two bridges to its twin city, Halifax. Known as "The City of Lakes" because of the 23 lakes found within its boundaries offering warm water swimming, boating, canoeing and water skiing. Nearby are the salt water beaches of Lawrencetown and Cow Bay. Tourist attractions in Dartmouth include Shubenacadie Canal, dating from the 1850's, now a public park with walking trails and interpretive signs along the canal banks; the Black Cultural Centre of Nova Scotia which chronicles the history of Nova Scotia's black Settlers; and Lake Banook, location of canoe races, wind surfing venue and two public beaches. On the Dartmouth side is Alderney Landing Park, a strip of green that looks out to sea and is the location of music concerts during the summer months.
19 December 2021
SPALDING
Received from Thomas, Northamptonshire
11 December 2021
PERTH
Western Australia’s pretty capital is the most isolated city in the world. The city of Perth lies on the Swan River, just 20 km from where it flows into the Indian Ocean. The coastal plain on which it stands is bordered to the north and west by the Darling Range, beyond which lie the region’s wheat fields. To the south is a diverse landscape: forests with some of the tallest trees on earth, mountains that dramatically change colour during the course of each day and a spectacular coastline. The history of Perth has been one of building and rebuilding. Perth is a relatively small and quiet city compared with those on the east coast. Its main commercial and shopping areas can be easily explored on foot. The city’s atmosphere is brisk but not hurried. The city centre is bordered to the south and east by a wide stretch of the Swan River known as Perth Water, and to the north lies Northbridge, Perth’s restaurant and entertainment centre.
Established at the end of the 19th century, King's Park is 400 ha of both wild and cultivated parkland. Situated on Mount Eliza, it offers views of the city and the Swan River. Most of the park is bush land, which can be seen from the DNA Tower. A landscaped parkland area on the eastern side includes the 17 ha Western Australian Botanic Garden. Treetops Walkway, a 629-m-long elevated walkway, gives another perspective of the garden. The State War Memorial on Anzac Bluff is dedicated to the Western Australians who died in the two world wars.
04 December 2021
AUSTIN
In 1839 five mounted scouts ranged over a broad area of wilderness seeking a site for a new capital city for the Republic of Texas. Location on north bank of Colorado River was chosen, where rich blacklands meet scenic hills. Name honors Stephen F. Austin, the "Father of Texas". The city bills itself as the "Live Music Capital of the World". Austin has it all - blues, country/Western, reggae, jazz, conjunto, Tejano, swing and rock. Performed in various clubs around city and at night spots along Sixth Street. Austin is home to many computer chip makers and other computer industries. The city is home to nation's largest urban bat colony found under the Congress Ave. bridge during the summer.
28 November 2021
PORT ELIZABETH
Only a few minutes away from the city centre, the beaches on the long graceful sweep of Algoa Bay provide unlimited opportunities throughout the year for swimming, rock and surf angling, deep sea fishing, boating, surfing and diving. The yachting fraternity tends to gravitate to Hobie Beach and the placid waters of the Swartkops River. The historic heart of the city and traditional gathering and bartering place. Trading still takes place here at the flea market on Saturday mornings. The impressive city hall dates from 1858. Steam train enthusiasts come from afar to ride on the Apple Express which runs from Port Elizabeth on a narrow gauge (610 mm) railway line to the fruit-growing valley of the Long Kloof.
20 November 2021
THUNDER BAY
This is Canada's western terminus for ocean-going freighters which ply the St. Lawrence Seaway. Not only is Thunder Bay Canada's third largest port, it also boasts to be the largest grain-handling port in the world, holding its precious cargo from the Prairies in huge elevators at the mouth of the Kaministiquia River. There's plenty to do in Thunder Bay - mine your own amethysts, visit the numerous parks, gardens and museums or tour the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, the only public galery in Canada that focuses on aboriginal art.
Terry Fox Monument. Just east of the city, this impressive bronze statue of Terry Fox is located at an awe-inspiring lookout near where he ended his Marathon of Hope run.
14 November 2021
JERSEY
14 miles from France, Jersey is the largest and most southerly of the Channel Islands possessing great natural beauty and has the highest sunshine record in the British Isles. St. Helier is the capital of the island. The cosmopolitan harbour town is bustling with life, shops, restaurants, bars, and galleries. There are over 20 beaches, all different with many small and picturesque fishing harbour around the Island's magnificent coast. In the south west of the island stands St. Brelade, most known for its beach culture: the sheltered sandy bays of St. Brelade, Portelet and Beauport and a special fisherman’s chapel “La Chapelle ès Pêcheurs.” An island of natural beauty, where you’re free to reconnect and revitalise in the fresh sea air. A land of sunshine, sparkling blue seas, and hot white sand. Somewhere a little way apart, a little bit different, ever so slightly exotic.
ST. BRELADE'S BAY * THE BEACH, GOREY
PORTELET BAY * LA CORBIERE LIGHTHOUSE
[1972]