Island Holidays Blog

Free Passports

I've just heard that if you are a British citizen and were born on or before 2nd September 1929 you are entitled to a free 10-year, 32 page passport.

Apparenlty this is in recognition of the sacrifices made by World War II veterans and civilians.  I don't think this news is hot off the press but you might well want to pass it on to any of your friends who are of that generation and who still enjoy roaming this wonderful world of ours.

Talking about roaming the world, I was working on our itinerary for Uganda next March yesterday and nearly packed a bag and left to jump on the first flight!   We've got a slightly different itinerary this time and it looks absolutely wonderful.   Some of the accommodation which Johnnie has chosen for us is really outstanding and the chances of seeing Chimps and Gorillas are strong.  Although it's primarily a birding tour, you can't be in that neck of the woods without being surrounded by game as well, to say nothing of impressive scenery.   I haven't been able to get out there yet and so want to go.   Down girl.  Get on with that 2009 brochure .....!!!  (By the way - I haven't finalised the price for next year yet so haven't changed the web page - departure will be 17 March.)

The rain in Spain ...

You don't really expect lashing rain, fierce winds and seriously cold temperatures in southern Spain in late April, but that's what we got.   Some of the streets in Seville were flooded as we left the city on Saturday morning and the river was a raging. rich muddy colour and seriously full.

Not that we were deterred.  The rain eased as we headed up to Extremadura and the rest of the day was sunshine and showers (more of the latter than the former) but always with a really strong wind.  The Montagu's Harriers were on great form, displaying, prey-passing in mid air and getting their nest sites organised.  They breed in colonies in barley fields and, of course, there's a problem when it comes to the harvest.  That'a s lot of what Fergus's work is about (see previous blog) - mapping the nests and ensuring the farmers avoid them when the time comes.

We had a busy three days, quite a bit of it with the harriers and other members of the AMUS (Action for Wildlife) team but also had time to check out hotels and restaurants for the tour and do a bit of general birding.  I was thrilled - I had seven "lifers" (species I'd never seen in my life before) including Great and Little Bustard and the rare Black-shouldered Kite which was fantastic.   There was a wonderful spot smothered in orchids and, a rare treat, a Nightingale singing but in full view (they usually lurk in the bushes and frustrate the heck out of you if you want to see as well as hear them.

All in all it was an excellent (if chilly) three days - five if you count the travel, but that wasn't excellent, it was just tedious!   I love the place I live, but having to take the extra flights to and from London really does add a lot of time to any journey.   On the other hand, what would I do if there wasn't something to grumble about?

Hit the Road Jack

Do you remember that song?   It seems what I do rather often and today is no exception.  Just half an hour and it's time to leap into that trusty Golf and head to the airport where the chaps in Secure AirParks seem to know me reasonably well! 

Unfortunately there are no direct flights from Scotland to Seville so it's that same old story of flying to London and then hanging around.   I'll be leaving just after 8 this morning but don't land in Spain until 10 past 7 this evening.   And when I get home people ask if I had a nice holiday!!!!

But it should be an interesting trip.  Tour leader Fergus Crystal will be meeting me and tomorrow morning we head up to an area of Extremadura about 1 1/2 hours north of Seville - think we have to arrive by 8.30 a.m. (repeat comment about nice holiday).   Fergus spends 5 months of the year out there working on a Montagu's Harrier conservation project in a really rural area.  I'm hoping that we'll be able to get some involvement in that work for our clients when you/they go out next March.  We're timing the holiday early in the year so that the flowers and butterflies are at their best as well as the migrant birds arriving.   

I doubt there'll be a chance to get near a computer while I'm away - it will be fairly intensive: learning about the area, the project, inspecting hotels and looking for reliable transport and restaurants.  The latter is fun!   So I'd better stop, transfer data to the laptop and head off into the great unknown.

Want a free passport?

Well, apparently you can get one - if you were born on or before 2nd September 1929!  I didn't know that!   The information came courtesy of an email from one of my delightful clients who thought that some of our more mature travellers might be interested.

Over the years I have never failed to be impressed by so many of you who travel with us well into your 80's (and for some even beyond that).  I well remember a wonderful 93-year-old from Shetland who put the other members of the group to shame!  She was quick and nimble, not only in mind but in body. Which all goes to show that age is totally irrelevant - unless you want a free passport.

I'm away to try to find out more.   The Passport & Identity Service website hasn't given me anything - not that I've read every word of it - but I hope by the end of today to know more.  I'll then put a wee piece in our next newsletter which I'm currently (supposed to be) writing!

I'm off to Extremadura in Spain on Friday - probably won't have time to do another blog before then: as always there's too much to do and never enough time in which to do it.  Still, the sun pouring into the office this morning gives a bit of energy and enthusiasm.   Onward!

Daddy Simpson

Congratulations to tour leader David Simpson and his partner, Aud, who have produced a son and heir.  Joseph Horatio was born a couple of days ago (I think - my mobile was turned off so I've only just got the message)and weighed in at 3.4 kilos which I reckon to be around 7 - 8 pounds.  (Don't have a photo of the baby yet so you'll have to make do with one of the proud father.

Great excitement all round but it won't stop Dave leading our wonderful holiday in his own part of France - the North of Aquitaine/Dordogne region from 10 May.  It's a fabulous part of the world and Dave's all-round-naturalist approach, love of the landscape and appreciation of the finer things of life such as food and wine all enhance the visitor's experience.  This time of year the spring flowers will be in bloom and the trees will have that wonderful fresh green which disappears so quickly.  As for the butterflies ......   Then there's the pre-history aspect with cave paintings and so on.  Wish I was going too!