MikeBird's VirtualTourist Home Page

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Views over the Tarn river valley

Camping in France

Ever since we have had our family we've taken summer camping trips to France. We love it. We always take our own tent and look for the smaller, preferably farm based, sites that are dotted all over the country( see my France pages for more details - I'm slowly adding to this when I can find the old photos). We've preferred to go south of the Loire because we've found the weather to be usually sunnier and warmer though not always drier.
As the children have become used to travelling and we've discovered how invaluable long story tapes are to keeping the peace we've managed to go further afield with them. Two years ago we went into Switzerland and Italy but I think we all agreed that the campsites we have found were generally much better and less crowded in France. The photo shows the views over the Tarn valley taken from our campsite which had a swimming pool, refrigerators and a sheltered communal area with an open fire facility. It was miles from anywhere but we enjoyed the fresh air, clear skies and the rural atmosphere.

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Outdoor dining area in the Monastery

Self catering holidays

When we've not been camping we've tended to hire cottages or small houses, generally off the beaten track.

In Canada, August 2005, we stayed in two different places both wooden chalets but organised differently. The first near Baddeck on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia was part of a retreat, the second further south near Bridgewater was a family holiday home rented out for the week.

North Cyprus in October 2007; we stayed in a fantastic 18th century old Monastery with a wonderful walled garden. There was even a swimming pool.

In Denmark , August 2008, we had a small fisherman's cottage overlooking the Bay.

Paris, February 2009; we stayed in a high rise apartment block, near the River Seine and with a fabulous view of the Eiffel Tower.

Our summer holiday this year ( 2009) will be spent in Crete, Greece where we have booked two different villas; one for each of the two weeks.

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Mekoros in the Okavango

Botswana

My wife and I worked in Botswana for several years back in the 1980's. We loved our work and we really enjoyed exploring this wonderful country.
Given that it's such a long time ago now that we were there ( and we've not managed to return there in all these years - owing to the expense of parenthood) I don't feel qualified to provide many tips or advice but I have written a travelogue giving a little insight to my work and life in the village of Moshupa.

I met my wife whilst working in the second school located at Otse. I might do another travelogue to pick up the story ......

I've really enjoyed reading the accounts of other travellers and oh how it makes us so nostalgic. Our top places in Botswana would be the Okavango - the mekoro trips are just brilliant in August, Chobe at Christmas time - watching Elephants on the flood plain is a cherished memory and the lesser known places like Nata - birdwatching on the Salt-pans, the hills at Shoshong and the huge village of Mochudi. If you've read the McCall-Smith Ladies Detective agency stories you'll have had a really accurate insight into the country and the hearts and minds of its people. Those books really brought the place back to us.

My wife and I are keen birdwatchers and I've chosen the image of a Pied Barbet for my photo because it reminds me of our garden when these birds - they're no bigger than a small dove - used to visit in search of fruit. They particularly liked our Strawberries and the Pawpaws.

Thanks to the African Bird Club and Augusto Faustino for the super photo of the barbet. If you want see more images of birds from across the whole of Africa then suggest you visit: African Bird Club .

When I was a University student back in the mid 1970s I was fortunate enough to spend 7 weeks doing my summer project in these islands. I was studying Geology and Zoology and I spent a lot of my time snorkelling around different inshore habitats so that I could build up a picture of the marine environment in which a local limestone had been formed.
I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to do something like that. Even at the time I think I realised it really was a trip of a lifetime!
Again reading other people's accounts of these islands has helped me recall my adventures there. Highlights of my visit include walking up to the summit of Mt Liamuiga on St Kitts, seeing huge Manta rays effortlessly gliding through water, the sheer variety of life on the coral reef, our day trip to Nevis - a real getaway-from-it-all type place and the unforgettable schooner ride to Anguilla when the crew member fell overboard ( yes they did go back to fetch him).
How can you ever forget such experiences and is it not surprising that I just love exploring new places.

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Guess where?

More recent travels 2007 -08

Since joining VT in September 2007 I've been in the incredibly lucky situation to have had holidays with my family in North Cyprus, Egypt, Wales and most recently Germany and Denmark. We've also had short breaks in Kent, Boulogne, Woodbridge and Paris.

My wife and I often think how fortunate we've been to have had these opportunities to visit such interesting and often beautiful places.

I'm slowly trying to add to my tips so please visit these pages if you want to find out more.

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One of our hens in the Botswana garden

Old Botswana photos

I found these photos in an album and have managed to scan them. They date back to 1980s. I wonder how much the country has changed? We're hoping to go back some time soon.

Our hens were our alarm clock and kept us supplied in eggs. We loved our garden.

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One of the early chalets at Nata

Nata Lodge

The second photo was taken at Nata Lodge - one of our particular favourite places - perfect for birdwatching.

We spent our wedding night camping there because all of the 3 chalets had been booked! In the 1980s they only had 3 chalets which were pretty basic really. The camping facilities were fine and perfectly adequate for our needs.

I've just discovered a notice on the Lodge's website that says in September 08 the Lodge had suffered a terrible fire and has burnt down. The website claims it will be re-built. I really do hope so. The Lodge is in a fantastic location and well placed as a stopping point between Kasane and Maun.