We all feel it sometimes. The need to get away..to escape. The village, town, city or even country we live in gets too small and begins to squeeze the life out of us. To suffocate us. It's no different here obviously. Even though 'here' is the release for a lot of people. To us, and others who live here, the squeeze can get too tight.
So the need for travel erupts and off we go. In the last few days we have been all over the world. To Jerusalem with Simon Sebag Montefiore; to Gaza with Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish; we have explored the universe with Richard Dawkins; to Sierra Leone with Aminatta Forna. Along the way we feasted on recipes from Josceline Dimbleby and David Thompson and were entertained by DBC Pierre and Tom Stoppard.
I am referring to the Literary Festival
Simply put, if you were not here you missed out.
It is spoiling to say the least that when the need to travel emerges...such as it did after a busy few weeks preparing for the Christmas and New Year madness...we can travel the universe within a few paces.
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Thursday, 5 January 2012
A new dawn
Hi...not only is this the start of 2012...the year the Mayan calendar comes to an end drawing to a close one 'age' allowing another to be born...but it is also what i hope to be the first of regular updates of my blog. Perhaps the birth of the new age might be a touch more significant than my blogging but none the less I hope there is a little amusement along the way.
Actually on the subject of new beginnings the picture below shows what might be the start of one for Galle.
In a suggestion of what is to come for this wonderful sleepy historic town the 'blue rinse' brigade arrives searching for trinkets. Of course it will change things...but the old ways will never completely fade.
Meanwhile closer to home...in fact at home...a friendly peahen continues to taunt Bifta..our rottweiler cross...on her morning stroll across the roof tops of the Fort.
Before coming to Sri Lanka I thought Peahens, and their more colourful beaus, only ever lived in parks and royal gardens. However in Sri Lanka the 'blue' peafowl abounds and whilst the national bird is a Gallus Lafayetti Jungle fowl, an image of a peafowl adorns the national carrier.
And with that the first day of Jan 2012 comes to an end...
...with a spectacular sunset.
Actually on the subject of new beginnings the picture below shows what might be the start of one for Galle.
In a suggestion of what is to come for this wonderful sleepy historic town the 'blue rinse' brigade arrives searching for trinkets. Of course it will change things...but the old ways will never completely fade.
Meanwhile closer to home...in fact at home...a friendly peahen continues to taunt Bifta..our rottweiler cross...on her morning stroll across the roof tops of the Fort.
Before coming to Sri Lanka I thought Peahens, and their more colourful beaus, only ever lived in parks and royal gardens. However in Sri Lanka the 'blue' peafowl abounds and whilst the national bird is a Gallus Lafayetti Jungle fowl, an image of a peafowl adorns the national carrier.
And with that the first day of Jan 2012 comes to an end...
...with a spectacular sunset.
Saturday, 12 March 2011
Roads
Staying on the driving theme...or shifting gear to a road one...there is much talk in Galle and indeed the whole country ..well southern part of it anyway...about the new highway due to open in June / July. Here is a photo of a section close to Galle.
Actually this is in fact the Galle exit...the highway proper is another two km inland but an honest Policeman in a newly installed Police hut would not let me on it. Apart from the obvious lack of white lines I think you'll agree it looks pretty good. Once completed it will cut the journey time from Colombo to just over 1 hour.
A few moments later I came across this flyover
In fact I had to scramble up to it and at the moment it looks more like the bridge in Alaska that lent the world so much confidence in Sarah Palin. However whilst this fly over will not be ready in June / July the President has said a section of the highway will be. So it will.
The highway is not the only road being built / upgraded. The main road leading into Galle is also being widened and is nearing the final stages.
You may note where the buildings have had their 'front room' shaved. Whilst nothing will stand in the way of progress there are two aspects that cause most concerned frowning. One - the four lanes leading into town narrow rather abruptly to two just outside the railway station. Hundreds of commuters spill out and Sri Lankan drivers are to pedestrians as predators are to their prey.
To call some yellow painted bars across a road a 'pedestrian crossing' is, in SL, to confuse the right of way. A 'take your life in your own hands crossing' would perhaps give a better understanding.
Two - has anyone thought about how many more cars and visitors will come into Galle as a result these developments. Where are they going to park, shop, eat and drink and what effect will it have on congestion and general living conditions? There is bound to have been an impact assessment....I must ask around.
Actually this is in fact the Galle exit...the highway proper is another two km inland but an honest Policeman in a newly installed Police hut would not let me on it. Apart from the obvious lack of white lines I think you'll agree it looks pretty good. Once completed it will cut the journey time from Colombo to just over 1 hour.
A few moments later I came across this flyover
In fact I had to scramble up to it and at the moment it looks more like the bridge in Alaska that lent the world so much confidence in Sarah Palin. However whilst this fly over will not be ready in June / July the President has said a section of the highway will be. So it will.
The highway is not the only road being built / upgraded. The main road leading into Galle is also being widened and is nearing the final stages.
You may note where the buildings have had their 'front room' shaved. Whilst nothing will stand in the way of progress there are two aspects that cause most concerned frowning. One - the four lanes leading into town narrow rather abruptly to two just outside the railway station. Hundreds of commuters spill out and Sri Lankan drivers are to pedestrians as predators are to their prey.
To call some yellow painted bars across a road a 'pedestrian crossing' is, in SL, to confuse the right of way. A 'take your life in your own hands crossing' would perhaps give a better understanding.
Two - has anyone thought about how many more cars and visitors will come into Galle as a result these developments. Where are they going to park, shop, eat and drink and what effect will it have on congestion and general living conditions? There is bound to have been an impact assessment....I must ask around.
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