Getting my caving hit

Posted on September 26, 2026 by marilyn

AZORES – It isn’t easy finding caves to explore in the Azores (or even in Portugal), mostly they are show caves, I don’t mind the odd show cave. However, getting to and from the caves can be challenging – I tried to book on a couple of commercial trips (once I knew what time I had free). Unfortunately, that they were mostly booked out.  Then I figured a taxi might work, but if it was a 20k trip, how would I get back?  I resigned myself to only seeing two and determined to be thankful for that lol. Continue reading →

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The Hunter Valley has nothing compared to Pico Island

Posted on September 23, 2026 by marilyn

FAIAL & PICO ISLANDS, AZORES – 22-23 September 2026
After 4 days on Sao Miguel, we were ready to hit the ground running with 2 days on Faial & Pico Islands.  The trip theme (things not going to plan) continued with Christine and me thinking that we needed to be in the lobby at 6am to catch the bus, so we weren’t in a hurry, then at 5.20am we got a call from Rhonda to ask where were we, the bus was to leave at 5.30am – talk about chaos! Continue reading →

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We’re going where???

Posted on September 21, 2026 by marilyn

SAO MIGUEL, AZORES – 18 – 21 September 2026
This is the start of what will be 10 days in the Azores. The archipelago consists of nine islands out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and they are part of Portugal.  We will be visiting four of them.  This blog post records our visit to the first and largest island, Sao Miguel (population 133,000), we will be here for four nights (3 days of exploring).  Embarrassing fact … I hadn’t even heard of the Azores until Christine suggested we add them to our trip! Continue reading →

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35 hours – what was I thinking!

Posted on September 18, 2026 by marilyn

SYDNEY – PORTUGAL – 14/9/26 – 18/9/26
20 years ago, possibly whilst drinking copious quantities of red wind, I recall talking to Christine (although she denies this) about going to Portugal for 6 months once we retired.  I had visions of drinking lots of wine, walking along white sandy beaches, with blue fishing boats resting on the beach, with me wearing a flowing dress, and flirting with good looking Portuguese young men (bear in mind that we talked about this 25 years ago LOL). Continue reading →

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Heaton’s Cliffs – Part 2

Posted on September 5, 2026 by marilyn

HEATON STATE FOREST – 5th September 2026
Last May, Trish M and I went on an adventure looking for access to a couple of cliffs.  We didn’t get to the bottom of the cliffs and vowed that we would return.  Trish M couldn’t make it this time but Heather R and Trish N were up for the challenge. Continue reading →

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