Posted by Jill Bowen on Sat 14th April 2007 at 11:44 PM, Filed in Europe, September
Fly me to the moon…or maybe just a few feet into the air – if I’m very lucky!
The Icarus Cup (Coupe Icarus) is held at the end of each summer at St Hilaire du Touvet – this year 20th September – 23rd September 2007. A truly spectacular event, the biggest free flight event in the world that attracts over 8,000 pilots and 75,000 visitors each year. Totally motor- free bids for the skies that attracts the most amazing ‘flights of fancy’
Competitors spend months designing their elaborate machines, attached to para-gliders. The judges award points for the length of the flights, the ergonomics, and the design of the machine. The competition for the best disguise is the highpoint of the Coupe Icare. Just imagine a six metre long dragonfly, a four metre high Eiffel Tower and a giant magic carpet…. this will give you an idea of the imagination of the competitors! We will have to wait until September to what incredible ideas this year’s entrants have in store for us, each year they are more complex and astounding. No wonder the population increases from its normal 1300 inhabitants to 20 times this amount during the four days of the event!
Read more...
Posted by Jill Bowen on Thu 12th April 2007 at 08:12 PM, Filed in Europe
There’s a lot more to do on Lanzarote than simply soak up the sun, drink and eat. This list of must see’s can be seen in a single day and is a common itinerary on day trips from Fuerteventura.
(The ferry crossing from Fuerteventura takes about 25 –40 minutes and arrives at the town of Playa Blanca). On a Wednesday or Saturday there is a market at the Marina Rubicon, about a kilometre from the harbour selling the usual range of leather goods, cheap clothing and souvenirs (that can also be bought in all the markets on the Canaries – so don’t make a special journey just for this purpose).
However, an organised day trip will give you time to see most of the major attractions on the island (this will usually include the market)….I will mention a few of the not to be missed sights.
The relatively young Montanas del Fuego (fire mountains) were created between 1730 and 1736, when more than 100 volcanoes, covering more than 50 square kilometres rose up and totally devastated this part of the island. Many villages were destroyed, the last recorded eruptions were in 1824, and because of the low rainfall the area has not changed since this time. It was designated a national park in 1968.
Read more...
Posted by Jill Bowen on Thu 22nd March 2007 at 09:25 PM, Filed in Europe, Naturism
Skiathos is one of the most cosmopolitan islands in the Aegean, and, with its lush green vegetation, glorious sandy beaches it must rank highly as being among the most beautiful.
It maybe small in area, but being in easy reach of other Islands and mainland treasures it certainly doesn’t feel claustrophobic. There is only one main road leading from Skiathos town all the way to the other end of the Island at Koukounaries, with small villages in between all having sandy (textile) beaches. As you look out to sea while driving or walking along the road your eyes will be draw to the picture postcard deep blue of the Aegean and the myriad verdant small islands just waiting to be explored.
Read more...
