Having just had a brainwave in MarJus's thread about Mull, thought it might be interesting to know where people stay while on wildlife watching trips? Would be interesting to see feedback!
Make the boy interested in natural history if you can; it is better than games [Robert Falcon Scott]
Great idea - be nice if it was kept to recommends though (could get tedious wading through "don't use" ones).
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
I second this - we normally go off walking so would be good to get a reputable list of places. Agree with Squirrel that it should be where and not where to go.
Squirrel B said: Great idea - be nice if it was kept to recommends though (could get tedious wading through "don't use" ones).
Regards
Kerry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezmo6310/
I can highly recommend 2:
On the Isle of Skye: http://www.anchorage-skye.co.uk/bb.htm good breakfasts, nice rooms, lovely landlady and stunning location, especially for sunsets!!
Near Pitlochry in Perthshire: http://www.balbeagan.com/ SUPERB breakfasts, great location, wonderful hosts and rooms with more than you could ever need!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
Hi,
I usually seek out B&Bs as you get a personal service and feel you're supporting a local business. Here are a few places that I've found fantastic in Britain:
In the Highlands: Torguish House www.torguish.com (red squirrels in the garden, in between 8 RSPB reserves including Abernethy/Loch Garten, choice of cosy self catering cottages or luxury B&B in really beautiful house, I'm going there again soon)
Near Minsmere RSPB reserve, Norfolk: The Roost B&B www.theroostbandb.co.uk (cosy B&B run by birders, just a few miles from Minsmere)
Near the Lodge RSPB reserve, Bedfordshire: the Tythe Barn www.tythebb.co.uk (nice converted barn, good breakfasts, the signage isn't very good as it says a different name but it's the only B&B on that road)
Near Vane Farm and Loch Leven reserves: Burn Bank B&B, Kinross www.burnbank-kinross.co.uk (cosy rooms, good breakfasts, environmentally-aware hosts, reasonable rates)
...and overseas:
Romania: Transylvanian Wolf www.transylvanianwolf.ro Guesthouse and guided tours, wolf and bear tracking, historical daytrips, they also run trips to the Danube Delta. Incredible place, wonderful wildlife and amazing people with very good English).
Australia: Red Mill House, Daintree www.redmillhouse.com.au (run by birders for birders, very central for Daintree rainforest guided tours, river trips, etc.)
Australia: Rainforest Hideaway, Cape Tribulation www.rainforesthideaway.com.au (VERY rustic, really immersed in the rainforest. Fruit bats hanging around above, the occasional cassowary passing through...)
Australia: Mareeba Wetlands www.jabirusafarilodge.com.au (individual 'tented cabins', surrounded by wildlife. You can hire open canoes to explore the reedbeds and have personal guided walks, and the money you pay goes to helping their conservation work)
New Zealand: Callies B&B, Otago Peninsula www.otago-peninsula.co.nz/callies.html (near the royal albatross colony and penguin colonies, relaxed atmosphere and really friendly hosts, lovely view of the bay)
They're just a few that spring to mind, I might add some more as I remember them. It's got me thinking about getting away again now...
Happy holidays!
LB
Oh thank you for the link to the place in Romania Luckybustard! That could come in very useful as we're thinking of going to Romania!
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
KatTai said: Oh thank you for the link to the place in Romania Luckybustard! That could come in very useful as we're thinking of going to Romania!
Hi KatTai,
Do go! It was the most special holiday I've had - to get to know people who have suffered such difficult history and yet are so generous. Dan and Luminita have worked hard to make a better life for their family, and yet they still manage to run their own charity to help people in a long-term psychiatric hospital. I felt pleased that we spent our holiday money with such deserving people.
The scenery is spectacular, the wildlife is awesome, the culture and history of the area are fascinating, the food is great and the people are inspiring. We went in January to enjoy the heavy snow, and hope to go back in the summer next time to see bears, a greater range of birdlife, and the mountains in all their green finery.
Transylvanian Wolf is in Zarnesti, in the heart of the Carpathian mountains, but I also suggest a trip to Sighisoara - it's straight out of a story book, exactly how you imagine a Transylvanian town to be!
Here are a few photos of our trip to whet your appetite...
Crossing a frozen stream
Following an ancient shepherds' trail into the mountains (can you spot us?)
The best way to get around - by horse and cart! Many people still travel this way.
Wolf tracks in the snow. We didn't see them but I bet they saw us...
The ingenious stove in our room that warmed us up at the end of each day - the chimney is coiled around behind the tiles so it gets hot all over, and you can dry your socks on it. Very welcome after a day in the snowy mountains.
And the fortress town of Sighisoara, home of Vlad the Impaler - yes, really! By day...
...and by night, very spooky.
I'd love to hear if you get there - do keep us all informed! All the best,
LuckyBustard
LuckyBustard - Fantastic photos! I love the idea of travelking around by horse and cart too! We haven't decided where we are going yet or when but that is definately something we will consider!
Super photographs LB. Thanks for posting them. It certainly looks to be a place we would like to visit.
Wow LB!! Superb! I Adore wolves too and would be quite excited just to see their prints although of course it would be fantastic to see them!! Did you hear any howling?
It's definitely high up on my places to go one day! That's after I finish exploring Scotland (if ever!!)!