Maps Worldwide | Blog

Ideas and Activities

Diga del Cingino dam

I was sent these photos from the Diga del Cingino dam in Italy yesterday.  You may have already seen them, but if not enjoy looking for the “spots” on the dam wall! As you get closer the “spots” are more visible. They are European Ibex and they like to eat the moss and lichen growing on the wall. They also are licking the salt off the stone. Isn’t it incredible they can stand at that angle ? Just when you think you’ve seen everything! This dam is situated close to the Swiss... Read More

Ideas and Activities

Sissinghurst

Earlier this year I finally got the chance to visit Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, created by Vita Sackville -West and her husband Harold Nicholson, and now managed by the National Trust.  The gardens are a delight and well worth a visit at any time of year.  Even K, (whose interest in gardens is not well known!) found it a place of great beauty, although so very popular with visitors it was difficult to get around at times to experience the tranquility that should be found in a garden. I have no... Read More

Ideas and Activities

Is the USA closed today?

A few years ago I made my only visit to the USA to date, and spent a few fascinating and tiring days in New York, where we made the most of all the iconic sites, especially the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Empire State Building and Times Square.  However, anyone who is holidaying in New York today, (or anywhere else in America) will not be so lucky as all the Federal buildings and National Parks are closed following the failure to agree a budget last night!  I guess for those... Read More

Ideas and Activities

Giant Snails

My niece is currently working in Sydney, and has come across a number of giant neon molluscs who have appeared in the city in recent days.  These vibrant snails are part of the Art and About Festival in Sydney and will be around for the next month.  Made of recycled plastic the snails are designed to encourage people to consider more sustainable environments. As art projects go, I can’t help thinking these snails lack some of the endearing nature and public appeal of many of the other art projects included... Read More

Ideas and Activities

Trains and Ducks

Mapsareus is not the only one to enjoy steam trains around here!  When we were down in Sussex recently we had a great afternoon on the Kent & East Sussex Railway running between Tenterden and Bodiam chugging through the enigmatic Rother Valley and past Bodiam Castle.  At one point during the journey our train was ‘buzzed’ by what I think was a restored Spitfire plane! Although most of the afternoon was cloudy and overcast we had a good time spotting the various engines in steam that day. We later finished... Read More

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Guten Tag, Bonjour, Buen Día, Buongiorno!

I am conscious that once again I am about to travel to another country, this time Germany, with little or no knowledge of the local language beyond ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you’ and ‘Do you speak English?’ What is it about the British that arrogantly assumes that we can always speak to others and be understood by them in our own language, and expect them to respond to us in English as well?  It amazes me as I have travelled around Europe (to date I have only left Europe briefly, and... Read More