Sandaig and the ‘Bay of Alder’ is a very remote destination found on the Isle of Tiree, off the west coast of Scotland. Here writer Gavin Maxwell lived with his beloved otters. Guest writer Jean from the Netherlands shares his dream, travel destination and fondness for the author with TravelTipsPlus.com.
Some places are more special than others. The most special #dream #travel destination for me is Gavin Maxwell’s (1914-1969) ‘Bay of Alder’ in Scotland. It’s the remote place where Maxwell lived for almost 20 years. The place where he wrote his books, took care of his otters, planned his travels and licked his new wounds.
Camusfearna during the 1950s
Sandaig, Bay of Alder (in gaellic ‘Camusfearna’) in 1950 to the right and top photo, of present day Camusfearna.
I have read all Gavin Maxwell’s books. I have also read all the books that talk about him and his life. His father and grandfather were also authors and I’ve read some of their books also! To be short, I’m very fond of Gavin Maxwell. Here is a quote by him (1959) that I would like to share:
“It is October, and I have been for six unbroken months at Camusfearna. The stags are roaring on the slopes of Skye across the Sound, and yesterday the wild swans passed flying southwards low over a lead-grey sea. The ring of tide-wrack round the bay is piled with fallen leaves borne down the burn, and before a chill sea wind they are blown racing and scurrying up the sands. The summer, with its wild roses and smooth blue seas lapping white beaches, is over; the flower of the heather is dead and the scarlet rowan berries fallen. Beyond are the brief twilit days of winter, when the waterfall will thunder white over flat rocks whose surface was hot to bare feet under summer suns, and the cold, salt-wet wind will rattle the window and moan in the chimney. This year I shall not be there to see and hear these things; home is for me as yet a fortress from which to essay raid and foray, an embattled position behind whose walls one may retire to lick new wounds and plan fresh journeys to father horizons. Yet while there is time there is the certainty of return.”
Edal the Otter's Grave
My three favourite Gavin Maxwell books: G. Maxwell, ‘Ring of Bright Water’. G. Maxwell, ‘The House of Elrig’. Douglas Botting, ‘Gavin Maxwell, A Life’.
One day in the month of May I will walk with a rucksack from Inverness to Sandaig. Accompanied with rain, wind and sun. At the end of the journey I’ll find Edal’s monument at Camusfearna. It’s the exact place where once Gavin’s writing table stood. The house was burnt to the ground in January 1968 and Otter ‘Edal’ perished in the fire.
One great reason to visit this travel destination is for the very remote location accompanied with wild otters once in a while.
Wings of Wild Swans
Contemporary folk song. Inspired by the Scottish Highlands. Lyrics inspired by a line in Gavin Maxwell’s ‘Ring of Bright Water’. Photographed at Sandaig where, as Camusfearna, Gavin made his home.
I was recently nominated to participate in Tripbase’s “3 Best Kept Travel Secrets” by Katie Sorene.
“Congratulations on being nominated in Tripbase’s Best Kept Travel Secrets Project! Two months on, and we’re amazed at the response we’ve had. Over 100 travel bloggers have participated so far, sharing their Best Kept Travel Secrets on far-flung destinations, hidden hotels, exotic foods and expert travel tips.” – Katie from Tripbase.com.
And so here are my ’3 best kept travel secrets’. They were all unknown to me and I found them to be true gems…
1. Xlendi Bay, Gozo, Malta
Found on the small island of Gozo, is the fishing village known as Xlendi. Its focal point is the small sea-inlet ‘Xlendi Bay’ with its deep turquoise waters, sandy beach and surrounding cliffs. The bay is often dotted with the traditional fishing boats displaying the bright colours of blue, red and yellow, adding further beauty to this town.
Photo by stevesheriw
2. Stourhead Garden, England
For a period of six months I lived and worked in Shaftesbury, England. Every weekend was spent exploring the surrounding areas and the National Trust property of Stourhead Garden was a place I frequented. For a short period of time I worked as a groom just down the road. What a divine area of Wiltshire it was to work! I don’t expect, as a passing traveller, I would have had the time to have Stourhead on the itinery but as a ‘local’, I got to truly explore the magestic, 18th century garden with its bridges, grottos and temples.
Photo by BethM527
3. Hallstatt, Austria
Hallstatt is still the travel destination that I hold the fondest memories. I have in the past already dedicated a full post to Hallstatt. What captured my attention is that I stumbled upon it quite by chance and found it to be so lush and green, and tidy with a dolls-house atmosphere within the village. The surrounding mountains and lake, simply resembled nothing like what I would see here in Australia.
I now have to nominate five other bloggers to share their 3 best kept travel secrets.
TravelTipsPlus.com is a proud supporter of the ANZ Bank’s ‘FebuSave’ campaign designed to assist women to save money during the month of February. FebuSave is a fabulous initiative considering the report results regarding women and their finances! It incorporates the internet and the power of social media, giving the program the ability to build a very supportive community for women to take ownership and responsibility for their financial well-being.
The research ANZ Bank undertook prior to the campaign found the following results:
• 58% of women have less than $5,000 in savings and 33% have less than $1,000.
• 56% of Australians do not save money on a regular basis.
• 52% of women claimed they know they should have a financial plan but keep putting it off.
• Only one in ten women are very confident in managing their investments, financial planning and superannuation,and
• Less than one third of women surveyed said they were very confident about managing everyday finances.
So come and join me and others this ‘FebuSave’ and register your support and pledge what you will go without in order to save some pennies during February. You can also join the FebuSave Facebook Fan Page.
Big Dreams, Warrant a Big Savings Plan
There will be things we all wish to achieve and purchase during our life-time. For me as a young women having finished three years of University, my desire was to travel. In less than 12 months, I put a plan in place to get myself overseas for a period of two and half years. Here are 7 budget tips for the young women wishing to do the same (the blokes can implement these principles also!):
1. Work a few extra hours wherever you can. That may mean taking a second part-time job and working after hours or on weekends.
2. Ensure you attract minimal fees with your banking institution.
3. Excess savings should be in an account earning higher interest.
4. Prior to purchasing items ask yourself “Do I really need this?”. You’ll be surprised how much you’ll save by not spending on purchasing items you can do without.
5. If you must purchase those ‘I can’t live without’ items, shop for the best value and this may not mean the ‘cheapest’!
6. Try to survive without a credit card and if you can’t, pay off the debt when it’s due and avoiding heavy interest charges.
7. The best tip and most obvious tip – don’t spend more than what you earn! You will ‘never’ get anywhere with your finances, let-alone that life experience of travelling abroad!
Have you undertaken overseas travel and what did it take to get you on that journey? What budgeting and savings tips can you share?
Granada is the fourth largest city of Nicaragua and was established by the Spanish during 1524 as a showpiece. It was built in recognition of its Spanish namesake, Granada. Granada lies on the shores of Lake Nicaragua but is only a mere 70km from the shores of the Pacific Ocean. The rich, Spanish colonial heritage, can be seen in its architecture and layout. Granada is commonly referred to as the “Gran Sultana del Gran Lago”, the Great Sultan of the Great Lake.
Granada is an ‘off the beaten track’ travel destination but well worth a visit for its colonial heritage and beautiful architecture that can be enjoyed here. Granada is built around its main square, the Parque Central, and represents the city’s cultural, social and economic hub. Around the Parque Central you will find Granada’s cathedral, City Hall, banks, cultural centres, as well as a collection of small shops and stalls selling traditional food and handicrafts.
Lake Nicaragua with its warm climate makes it rich in tropical flora and fauna and is home to the only species of freshwater shark. A volcanic chain cuts right through the lake forming many beautiful islands that attract many to the area to enjoy a range of outdoor and water activities. A ferry service connects Granada to neighbouring cities on the lake.
The Traveler IQ challenge ranks geographic knowledge of cities such as: Punta Cana, Willemstad or Columbia by comparing results against 5,473,834 other travelers.
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