Countries Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

Day 2: Starts with a splash. El Niño Camino the rain in Spain… but I won’t complain.

Because I’ve said my decade of the rosary, just as Mum would do in the driveway at the start of our annual pilgrimage to Ireland.

And the predicted storms have stayed away which is just as well as we trek through the woods.

Jimmy the conkerer

The only threat from the skies is from the conkers and acorns being blown off the trees and round my head.

Our walk to the woods from Tui has been, in truth, seamless bar for a left turn (isn’t there always?).

Where a kind driver interrupts his journey.

To point us back in the right direction.

We could, of course, have trusted in our other senses.

With the skirl of the pipes a familiar sound to Scottish type people like us.

Galicians being, of course, fellow Gaels, and fond of a rendition of Amazing Grace.

For a token of appreciation for which you’ll also get a stamp for your Camino passport.

Food for thought

We picked up another earlier on, and randomly a banana.

And by now, and still early on, I have a front page filled.

From our first night billet, the local pharmacy, and the second stop, 18kms that way, in O Porriño.

We take shelter from the first droplets of rain in Tapas y Vinos to refuel.

The Way, The Truth and the Life: The Big Je has your back

And for my walking companion, Big Brother Ed, to shake his head in appreciation.

At two doorsteps of a beefy ham sandwich and two Americanos for under €12.

We are, unexpectedly, further along the way than we’d imagined… on the apron off Azur Hotel in O Porriño.

Candles in the wind and rain

I feel compelled to thank Him for keeping us dry and safe.

And say a prayer at the first church in town, it looks like there’s one on every corner.

And light a candle and pray for all the requests I’ve been given ahead of my 100 mile Camino Portugues to Santiago with CaminoWays.

The candle stand is clearly well thumbed and suggests a 20c donation.

I fluff my pockets and find a 10c but there’s no cutting corners in the House of God.

And the candle only comes on when I put in a 20c which puts the Church in profit.

And me with another sin to walk off en route to Santiago.

Countries, Europe, Pilgrimage

Old the border for 720 years

28th September 2026 funtime65

And while the rest of the world has been trying to keep each other out here’s where they decided to old the border for 720 years.

We have, of course, the 1297 Treaty of Alcañicas to thank for the Portuguese-Spanish border, weas if we need to tell you that.

But we reckoned that milestone needed marking.

Which is why you see me stood here on the Valença International Bridge or Friendship Bridge.

Taking my first steps from Portuguese Valença over to Spanish Tui on my Portugués Camino.

Which conveniently for us, that’ll be me and Big Brother Ed, is 116kms to Santiago de Compostella.

Long enough to qualify for another Camino passport to go with my Frances Way one from 11 years ago.

A day in Portugal’s fortress town

Now, seeing we’ll only be in Portugal overnight we’d best have a look around.

Where we find a horde of Spaniards from just over the Minho trawling along Rua de Mousinho de Albuquerque for cheaper linen.

For all that the two countries have been at peace for 620 years.

There is a visible reminder that the Portuguese protect themselves ably.

And visitors will want to scale the Valença Fortress for the best views to Galicia.

While we’re advised that O Faz Figuras is best for traditional Minho dishes like bacalhau cod.

CaminoWays do the heavy lifting

We’re staying at the A Torre Do Xudes hotel in Tui.

Our first billet on our CaminoWays odyssey to Santiago de Compostella.

Where the bones of St James the Greater are venerated in the Cathedral.

Which is why pilgrims, or peregrinos, have been walking there for hundreds of years from all over Europe.

To earn grace and penitence and get time off Purgatory, the holding bay for Heaven.

Now back then in the Middle Ages, Michael O’Leary was just a twinkle in a great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather’s eye.

So you would have to leave from your own doorstep and walk across land and sea to get here.

While I saved myself the guts of a few weeks extra walking by taking a two-hour 50 minutes Ryanair flight from Edinburgh to Porto.

And while many peregrinos still carry their full backpacks and stay in hostels, or albergued, along the way.

CaminoWays do the heavy lifting for you, taxiing you to your first stop in TUI from Porto or Santiago.

Putting you up in your hotel and transporting your luggage to your next stay, all in your package.

The Way of James

Now the Way of St James will always mean something unique to everyone who travels it.

And for this James it is following in the footsteps of James the Elder.

James Gerard Murty, who would have been 100 but is gone 18 years now.

And although he will have found his way to Heaven, with only limited time in the Purgatory holding bay.

He continues to guide my path, and no doubt will lead me back on track when I undoubtedly go off course this week.

So come this Way with us and…

MEET YOU ON THE ROAD

America, Countries, Sport, UK

Paws for thought… let’s have a British mascot hall of fame

27th September 202627th September 2026 funtime65

And on the back of a night at the ice hockey, here’s a paws for thought… let’s have a British mascot hall of fame.

Paws, as I ought to have known, but do now is Edinburgh Capitals’ lion mascot.

In a pride of big cats, the symbols of sporting teams the length and breadth of this island of Britain.

With Edinburgh’s two football teams, Hearts and Hibs adopting Tynie Tiger and Sunshine the Leith Lynx.

And Scotland represented by Roary the Lion.

Whisper it, we probably owe our southern neighbours for kicking it all off.

With their World Cup Willie for their World Cup in 1966.

Cats and mouse game

And yes, behind many of the mascots’ name is a giggling overgrown school kid, although sometimes it’s accidental.

Or because we are separated by a common language.

As we discovered as an Irish party visiting the Los Angeles Angels baseball team in Anaheim.

And our Angels guide proudly announced they like nothing better than getting their Mickeys out.

Which a man will be arrested for in Ireland.

Hall of Famers

All good fun and banter which, of course, drives fans everywhere.

And which our American friends recognise and mark in their Mascot Hall of Fame.

Wild World: With Anaheim Ducks’ Wild Wing

All the brainchild of Philly Phanatic, David Redmond, who held the position and costume from 1978-1993.

Now the Hall of Fame, like much else these days, is an online site.

After a spell between 2018-24 as an interactive children’s’ museum in Indiana.

Now should you or your mascot feel they belong in the Hall of Fame then you need to persuade the committee.

That you have been going for a minimum of ten years.

And that you have impacted your sport and community.

Inspired fans, and consistently given memorable and groundbreaking performances.

Meet the Mascots

You’ll only join a magical mascots membership.

That includes Cosmo, Miles, Goldy, Mrs Met and in the best tradition of these things, yes, Cocky.

We reckon Paws would be a worthy addition.

Not least because we can reveal that’s where Ed Sheeran has been hiding these past few days.

America, Countries

Vegas baby at Compston’s Palms Hotel

26th September 202626th September 2026 funtime65

Now none of us would settle for anything less than a room with a basketball court… it’s Vegas baby at Compston’s Palms Hotel.

The Scots actor giving us a whistlestop tour of his adopted town for Channel 4… all in the line of duty, of course.

Martin brings his earthy Scots schtick to Neon City and reminds us of this Scot’s unfinished business in Neon City.

Particularly with Las Vegas’s 5-Day Sale ending tonight, September 28, including the iconic Palms Hotel.

Half the fun and half as dear

Now assuming, which makes an ass of you and me, that you don’t have a spare $25,000 for a night’s stay.

And whisper it, Martin has, after dropping and flopping $20k on the Pontoon table.

Then the Palms has a range of 50% off suites.

From a Fantasy King for two from an average $158.74 including $21.99 resort fees per night.

To the Ivory Penthouse at from $358.74 average per night and including resort fees per night.

A tale of two Martins

Now Vegas still remains new to Martin as he explains, despite living eight years there with his wife Tianna and their son.

Because you could spend a lifetime there and never get to know it all.

Which is why you’re always best to tap up the locals who do live their lives there.

Like those who keep the rooms, run the tables, curate the Mob Museum, the Neon Museum and much more besides.

Miss America: Meets Mr Scotland in Vegas

And visit the Xxx Off Strip every weekend, like Cami from Utah.

To listen to Eighties-covers burlesque troupe The Whip Its at Harrah’s and get unsuspecting Scots up on the dance floor.

Now depending on how far you go you could even end up up the aisle at the Graceland Wedding Chapel.

As colleagues in our party, Martin and Peter did, just for the story you understand.

Caribbean, Countries

400 years… and a Hole new Barbados

25th September 202625th September 2026 funtime65

And they do it differently in the Caribbean where Bajans are preparing to mark 400 years… and a Hole new Barbados.

With next year the 400th anniversary of English settlement on the island.

Holetown is, well, a whole different place from the stream, or hole, the first permanent colonists encountered in 1627.

And christened Jamestown, for King James VI of Scotland and First of the UK.

Today’s Holetown, which it became a couple of years into the interlopers’ stay, is among the most sought-after spots in the island.

The hub of the Platinum Coast, a playground for the rich and famous, particularly around the exclusive Sandy Lane resort.

Hot spot for celebs

And celeb spotters can easily bag the rich and famous from Cliff Richard through to Simon Cowell, the Beckhams, Rooneys and Oprah.

Shopping at the elegant Limegrove Lifestyle Centre, with its over one hundred cafés, restaurants, boutiques and stores.

And bag Louis Vuitton, Tag Hauer, Ralph Loren, Hugo Boss, Bvlgari, Michael Kors and countless more.

And for you and me, duty-free prices,

We Gatherin’

Because the Platinum Coast should not be beyond you with couples hotel Club Barbados more in your reach than Sandy Lane.

Holetown and Barbados will, of course, be marking the 400th anniversary in their own inimitable Bajan style.

With a carnival.

The We Gatherin’ initiative and the annual festival cycle centred around The Holetown Festival Remixed from February 15-22.

Now as anyone who has ever jumped at Barbados’s international spectacle, Crop Over, will know.

Mottley’s crew

Carnivals are a year-long event in the planning and execution and it’s even longer with the We Gatherin’ initiative.

With the exact quadricentennial of the English merchant ship Olive Blossom arriving at the island occurred on May 14, 2025.

And the ever-popular President Mia Mottley calling on Bajans to actively ‘reclaim national destiny’

With next year’s the 400th anniversary of the original permanent settlers aboard the William and John next February.

Limin’ essence

Me-me and Dee-Dee: At Crop Over in Barbados

Now Bajans being Bajans it’s not all heavy though.

With the event throbbing to the background log the iconic Tuk Band accompanied by folklore characters like Mother Sally, Shaggy Bear, and the Stiltman.

New to us too.

The George Ullyett Memorial Classic Car Show anchors the weekend street fairs.

While we’ll all be chippin’ behind the Grand Floodlit Tattoo & Night March.

And, as if you needed to ask… there is a liming tent all week.

Where you’re bound to find my Bajan-based Trini legend Jevan.

Countries, Culture, Deals, Europe

Apocalypse then… Bayeux’s oui cousin

24th September 2026 funtime65

And if you want to get away from the tapestry rabble in London then just slip away to Angers for Apocalypse then… Bayeux’s oui cousin.

The Tapestry of the Apocalypse has less of a cut-through, of course, than Bayeux but it is bigger news.

At 103 metres, the longest in the world and 30 metres further than William of Normandy’s story.

Sew 14th Century

So let’s start at the very beginning, it’s a very good place to start… with sew, a needle pulling thread.

And the ambitious Duke of Anjou, brother of the King of France, Charles V, in the 14th century.

With apologists for the duke playing that age-old trick of setting his story in history, that of St John’s last book of the Bible.

To talk about his own political times.

With, naturellement, all those characters that still fascinate us today and make up the tapestry of the lives we amplify.

Dragons, angels, demons, fortified towns, mysterious women and knights.

And, of course, this being Normandy, the English don’t get a pass.

With references to the English enemy, this being the middle of the Hundred Years’ War.

A real curtain-raiser

Now Bibliophiles among you and certainly those with the stomach for St John’s Apocalypse will certainly point out.

That the story is incomplete.

But it has had quite the journey, like us.

Bequeathed to Angers Cathedral, it was then transformed into covers.

And it was used to protect orange trees or curtain linings.

Prepping for the Apocalypse

Now our Angers amis promise us the Apocalypse interpretation route as if you were there.

Or L’Apocalypse comme si vous y étiez, which d’accord we know you know it as.

Through six rooms and seven centuries, meet the creators of the tapestry, consider the secrets of its making and message.

And go back in time to the Middle Ages.

With videos, games, sound and touch devices.

Costumes to try on and even Playmobil diaporamas (no, we’ll have to learn that too).

All the world to us

The tapestry is housed in the 14-tower medieval fortress of Château des Ducs d’Anjou (Castle of the Dukes of Anjou),

All impressive enough but even more as UNESCO has included it among the pantheon of great documents of history.

The Memory of the World Register which boasts.

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, the Appeal of 18 June 1940 of General de Gaulle and films of the Lumière brothers among others.

Now our Medieval forefathers and mothers didn’t have the advantage of high-speed, not their fault.

And we dare say Leonardo Da Vinci was working on it.

But we do and our go-to site Omio flag up £9 tickets from Paris.

Africa, Countries, Flying

Olympus above the Serengeti

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As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti we all picture what a safari in Africa might be.

Although perhaps only Eighties American soft rockers Toto would put it like that.

Because Tanzanians and Kilimanjaro or Serengeti veterans will tell you there’s 200 mile distance between them.

With it all being part of rock legend that David Paich famously never set foot foot on the continent.

Toto recall

Flying high: Your British Airways flight awaits

Toto’s Africa though blares out of the lobby of the Boardwalk Hotel in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) in South Africa.

To remind us that safari country is on our doorstep.

So Paich’s leap of imagination clearly worked in promoting the joys of African safaris.

Now in Paich’s favour it is less of a trek to get to Kilimanjaro now than in his day.

African skies

And getting easier all the time with British Airways introducing direct flights.

From London Gatwick to Kilimanjaro and on to Zanzibar, starting with three flights a week.

Now our friends at Wild Frontiers have a ten-day safari into Tanzania’s Northern parks.

Of Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire as well as the Rift Valley and Lake Natron.

Plus a chance to climb the Sacred Mountain of the Masai (Ol Doinyo Lengai), and experience real Maasai culture.

Like a Maasai warrior

The safari travels into the best areas of this game-packed region.

Where you can camp among the game with the sounds of the African bush all around.

As well as visiting some off the beaten track areas of Masailand, where few venture.

Now to take in Kilimanjaro then Wild Frontiers will tailor your package.

So we’ll just leave you with the exhortations of David Paich…

Hurry boy, she’s waiting there for you.

America, Countries, Europe, Pilgrimage

Passport for Pocohontas on the John Smith Trail

21st September 202621st September 2026 funtime65

And as I train on for the Camino next week I’m leaving stamps on my passport for Pocohontas on the John Smith Trail for a next trek.

Pocohontas, as we don’t have to tell you, is twice blessed in the sacred Rotunda in the US Capitol in Washington DC.

We’re concentrating here on the stone relief sculpture above the doorway.

Titled The Preservation of Captain Smith by Pocahontas by Antonio Capellano.

Captain Smith and Pocohontas which you’ll know from your Disney are inextricably linked.

At home with Pocahontas

As they are on the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.

The 3,000-mile trek through five states and the District of Colombia.

For Pocohontas fans Machicomoco State Park along the York river and Gloucester County Visitor Center are your touch points.

With Werowocomoco, where Pocohontas grew up, alas closed off for just now from us.

While the The National Park Service works through with Virginia’s First Nations how to shape the site.

With Werowocomoco holding truths about Native American societies in the Chesapeake stretching back thousands of years.

A tale of two Johns

The John Smith Trail is the authentic way through pre-American history.

In much the same way as the 216-mile John Muir Trail is in California.

You may be more familiar with the Father of the National Parks’ 134-mile coast to coast trek in his native Scotland.

Big hand: For John Muir in his native Dunbar

Now whichever trek you set out on remember to take your passport with you.

Yes, of course, that document that will let you through the security gate but also trail passports.

Where you collect stamps as a memento of your odyssey.

Stamp your authority

I’ll be on my second Camino passport but a Portuguese Way one to go with my Camino Frances.

While I also have a Via Francigena from my journeys in Italy.

All of which reminds me that I have to update my Big passport for next year and get my Irish one too, like the Daughterie.

The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail has 43 unique stamps,

And like all trails the first journey always has a first step.

America, Countries

Aer Lingus is working Nine to Flyve for Dolly

19th September 202619th September 2026 funtime65

And we thought you’d appreciate some good aeronautical news and that is that Aer Lingus is working Nine to Flyve for Dolly.

The Irish national airline carrier has only marked The Queen of Country’s passing by dedicating their flight to Nashville.

In Dolly’s name… renumbering their Dublin-to-Nashville service EI95.

Been there, bought the t-shirt: The Great Dolly

Aer Lingus currently has transatlantic fares available from €199 each way, as part of a return trip.

So doll up, get your nails done and your blonde wig on… and ladies do the same.

Bookings must be made before 29 September 2026 for travel between October 1-March 19.

A Parton gift

Talking of books the promotion of reading was one of Dolly’s great passions.

And we all know of her roots and that she pledged to get the world reading.

After growing up in a Tennessee home where her Daddy couldn’t read.

And that she went on to found the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

Which since its inception since 1995 has gifted more than 330,000 books to under-5s.

A leaf out of Dolly’s book

Now taking a leaf out of Dolly’s book Aer Lingus are donating books on their Nine to Flyve flight.

Every child on the first EI95 service will receive a book to enjoy during their journey.

And to take home as a memento of the flight.

Which parents will be delighted with to keep the wee ones quiet.

While Daddy and Mummy Dolly listen to their Dolly playlist on their headphones.

Or maybe watch 9 to 5 on the infotainment.

To get them in the mood for celebrating Dolly at the Grand Ole Opry.

Or further afield at Dollywood.

Countries, Deals, Europe

Ten years of the real House of Dragons

18th September 2026 funtime65

Consigned as I am to live in ‘Winterfell’, and as a dracophile, I clearly want to mark ten years of the real House of Dragons.

No, not Daenerys Targaryen, who as my own Queen of Dragons reliably informs me is also to be feared.

But the real House of Dragons as those keen-eyed among you will have noted is Postojna Cave in Slovenia.

Which is, of course, one of the world’s best-known karst caves.

Where we only got to watch the development of the olm in real time.

From the first eggs, embryos and larvae hatching to their transformation into playful little baby olms.

Aw, they do grow up so fast

This year, ‘the baby dragons’ from the 2016 olm brood are turning ten.

And our Postojna pals are giving us an insight into how they live today and the interesting developmental stage
they are about to enter…

And whether dragon adolescence is anything like ours.

The very first olm was discovered right enough, in Postojna, in 1797.

The shy olms had, in truth, probably been around for 14 million years ago moving from the surface into the permanent darkness of subterranean waters.

Now instead of vision, which is unnecessary in darkness, the olm has developed a range of highly specialised senses.

Food for thought

It has an excellent sense of smell, taste and hearing, and can detect vibrations in the water.

And sense weak electric fields produced by other animals and orient itself using the Earth’s magnetic field.

And therefore locate its prey, such as small crustaceans, snails, worms and insects.

Its survival strategy in an environment where food is very scarce includes an extremely slow
metabolism, a low heart rate, and minimal movement.

And doesn’t that sound the life?

This one’s got legs

Slithering about: The olms are on the move

And there’s more…

The olm can live for more than 100 years and can reproduce even at an advanced age.

And because of its slow metabolism it can survive for several years without food, maybe not like a human adolescent then.

While here’s where it gets even more interesting.

They can regenerate damaged limbs and organs, blood vessels, the heart and even parts of
the brain.

And how do we know? Well, here’s where little Viktor comes in, handy,

Still of the night: And we’re in their world

Viktor like most kids likes a scrap and hurt and lost part of his leg in a fight with two other olms.

But like the Monty Python knight, he shook it off as a flesh wound.

Because he knew that within just a year he would have grown back a fully functional limb.

Now if you think all of this is dragon on a bit and you want to see Viktor for yourself.

We found round-trip flights for random dates in October to Ljubljna from under £200 with EasyJet because unlike dragons, we can’t fly for ourselves.