Aagh, just as I was getting ready to write this week’s travel theme, I found myself locked out of the house. As I waited for someone with another key to arrive, I stared in anguish through the window at my laptop, so close and yet so far, and this week’s theme pretty much wrote itself. Here are a few close encounters I’ve had on my travels, starting with a few precocious animals, like this doe in the Olympics…
…this raccoon in Central Park…
…and this robin in Ireland who has taken to perching on my hand to grab a bite to eat.
This was as close as I wanted to get to this guy, skulking in a swamp in South Carolina.
There was my rather bizarre close encounter with a flock of bishops, the Swiss Guard and Molatov-cocktail wielding protesters in Rome…
…the Wicklow beach where St Patrick and his pals came close death going up against the local pagans …
…and the closest I’ve ever been to paradise – staying in a little jungle bungalow in the lowlands of Guatemala. Heaven.
I hope you enjoy getting up close and personal with your own version of this week’s theme. If you would like to join in (everyone’s welcome!) here’s what to do:
- Create your own post and title it Travel theme: Close
- Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
- Get your post in by next Thursday, as the new travel theme comes out on Friday (unless, of course, I get locked out again!)
- Don’t forget to subscribe to keep up to date on the latest weekly travel themes. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS.
xxx Ailsa
Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you. – Frank Lloyd Wright
Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean. – John Muir
Where's my backpack? 
And… if I’m not mistaken… we live so close… yet we stay so far! 🙂
Indeed, we must remedy that, Vossie. I know life gets so busy but I feel sure our paths will cross this year. Let’s make it so. 🙂
I think you’re down the east coast somewhere… I think I want to walk the Wicklow to Greystones walk sometime soon… ??? 😉
Ooh cool, drop me a line when you’re planning on going, I will try to join you, maybe bring Scruffy along to stretch her wee little legs too. 🙂
Thanks!! Yep… bring Scruffy… she may have to defend us from the wild lions on the beach!
I’d love to do it before the summer is really gone! I’ll drop you a mail but it may well be at short notice because you know how it goes… we wake up and the weather is promising then we must lash out… quickly!
love your photos, Ailsa 🙂
https://ladyleemanila.wordpress.com/2016/06/11/travel-theme-close/
Thanks Ladylee, love yours too, especially the couple dancing 🙂
Nature never fails. Stop by sometime 😉
Hya Vonnie, I popped by but just got a blank page. You might want to check out your landing page. xxx
Hello, lovely! Thank you for the beautiful piccies & for “making lemonade” from your experience.
Have managed a close encounter here: http://wp.me/p2ynvT-1Pw
Happy weekend, all!
del
Hi there Del, what a lovely hat, did you crochet that yourself? Bit too warm for it right now (taking you up on the ice cream idea though) but I bet it’ll be lovely round about Christmas time. My favourite colour for a hat, by the way – that or ever so slightly off white – I always think it lights up the face. 🙂
Yes, that is one of my bits of craft… You’re absolutely correct about white or close thereto lighting up the face. Thanks for reminding me. Whenever I locate it next winter, I’ll remember that! Meanwhile . . . chocy or vanilla for you ~ 1 scoop or 2? 😉
a wonderful travel!
even with the detour
of being locked
out 🙂
And I see you had an unexpected journey too, thanks to that blown fuse. Lovely post, and I especially enjoyed the John Muir quote at the top, I suspect we are kindred spirits. 😉
lots of interesting “close encounters.”
Oh my frazzled nerves, I see you had a bit of a close encounter yourself! I don’t care if it was harmless, those things give me the heebie jeebies. I may not sleep tonight. 🙂
You know this particular snake has taken up residence in my rock garden. I see it now every day. She’s probably having young ones there….luckily, she is harmless.
Love your close encounters, especially the little raccoon….
He was terribly cute, and very adept at working the crowd for any food they might throw his way. I suspect Central Park raccoons can spot tourists a mile away. 🙂
Sniff them, probably! 😀
Ooh I just read your Monday walk, Sue. how lovely, especially that statue of Margot Fonteyn. xxx
Glad you enjoyed it, Ailsa!
Pingback: Close Shave – Travel with Intent
Your theme was a great side effect of being separated from laptop! I love your shots.
Here is my close encounter: https://travelwithintent.com/2016/06/11/close-shave/
Oh Debbie, that is the most hilarious photo, I love it! Yes, I always try to make the most of whatever sticky situation I find myself in – never a boring moment, right? 🙂
Wonderfully clear shots!
Thanks Kerry. xxx
I don’t think I could even pick a favourite this week, Ailsa!
Like you’ve done with most of your photos, I’ve gone with an animal theme, in my case, dolphins!
https://jaspasjourney.wordpress.com/2016/06/11/dolphins-up-close-off-maui/
Oh wow, I can’t believe how close they got, how amazing (and boy, that water is so beautifully blue). And I couldn’t resist checking out your swim with wild dolphins, OMG I want to hop the next plane to Hawaii right now! 🙂
They were two special days, that’s for sure, Ailsa!
Being locked out is no fun! Love your theme! Very nice pics. I can picture myself at the jungle bungalow. Would be cool to build one of those in my backyard! Thanks for sharing.
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BEAUTIFUL!
Pingback: Travel Theme-Close – WoollyMuses
Pingback: Travel Theme: Close | Middleton Road
Pingback: Travel theme: Close | Leya
http://wp.me/p1hCI2-6tI
Animals of course…love your entries!
Pingback: #229 Close – You Inspire Me
Pingback: Travel Theme – Close | Julie Powell – Photographer & Graphic Artist
https://juliepowell2014.wordpress.com/2016/06/14/travel-theme-close/
Pingback: Travel Theme : Eye to Eye… | gypsy life
What an interesting theme this week Ailsa. I know all about locking out 😦 I was surprised at how easily I broke in to my own house!!! love all the photos and I would love to stay in your paradise found…https://pommepal.wordpress.com/2016/06/14/travel-theme-eye-to-eye/
Pingback: Close | Wind Against Current
When kayaking in New York Harbor, you can’t avoid getting close— https://windagainstcurrent.com/2016/06/13/close/
Pingback: Ailsa’s Travel Theme: Close | Stephen Kelly Creative
Hello Ailsa and fellow Travel Themers … it’s been a while, but I’m back … all up close and personal!
https://stephenkellycreative.wordpress.com/2016/06/13/ailsas-travel-theme-close/
Pingback: Travel Theme: Close | gwh photos
I like your photo collection. Here’s my contribution: https://gwhphotos.wordpress.com/2016/06/14/travel-theme-close/
Pingback: Travel Theme: Close | The New 3 Rs: Retire, Recharge, Reconnect
Love the photos and I enjoyed reading your post
Pingback: Travel theme: Close | Small Town Blogger
My response; https://smalltownfashionblogger.wordpress.com/2016/06/15/travel-theme-close/
Really cool details on a tree!
Raccoons! haha we get them here but I’m kind of scared of them.
Pingback: A Perfect World | Writing Between the Lines
Hi Ailsa,
Thanks for another great challenge. Here is my response: https://naomibaltuck.wordpress.com/2016/06/17/a-perfect-world/
Pingback: Across the generations | The 3rd Drawer Down
Hi Ailsa. I’ve been out of the loop for a while. Here’s a “catch-up” entry from me this week: https://jennysotherstuff.wordpress.com/2016/06/18/across-the-generations/
Pingback: Travel theme: Close | Figments of a DuTchess
Love love LOVE those beautiful animals up close, Ailsa! And that beach oooh. ❤
Have a close weekend x
Here's my take on your theme: https://drieskewrites.wordpress.com/2016/06/18/travel-theme-close/
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