Dr. B has a new challenge this week – Sport. Below are my sportie images
The first two are from my friend Solange Hando, travel writer and trekker, who has covered most of Nepal and Bhutan and who can’t resist climbing a mountain if she sees one. I know, I’ve holidayed with her and waved her off many times as my energies don’t run as far as mountain-climbing.
TREKKING:
Kyrgyzstan, canyon trekking
Trekking on Ben Nevis
RIVER FISHING:
The next photo shows a slower and more sedate form of sport, river fishing on the Guadalquivir River that flows through the heart of Seville, in Spain. There was often as many as 20 sitting along the banks of the river while just as many stopped to chat and pass the time of day.
Still in Seville, it is kayaking this time, and the second image is the same sport taking place in Syracuse in Sicily. Both are major cities and both support a large number of water-sports clubs.
KAYAKING:
Kayaking in Seville 
Kayaking in Syracuse, Sicily
Off to Thailand now for horse riding on the beach. A few of the beach hotels have recently opened stables where horses are kept for visitors to ride along the beach, very early in the morning or late in the evening as it is too hot for afternoon trotting – even in the water.
HORSE RIDING:
Still in Thailand, windsurfing is one of the coolest (in both senses of the word) and most enjoyable sports to be had on the water.
WINDSURFING
Along with windsurfing, para-gliding is popular in Thailand and I first encountered it there in the early 70’s, long before safety harnesses were thought of, never mind health and safety rules. I grow failt at the thought of the foolishness of it all, trusting myself to a harness into which I was strapped by someone whose language I didn’t understand and relying on his mate to catch me as I landed on the beach – if the boat maneuvered correctly. And my husband encouraged me! I have dark thoughts about that now. The quality of the first photo is pretty bad but I had to include it as this was Pattaya before it got its reputation for night-life of a certain kind. It was just beginning to attract the US servicemen on R&R from Vietnam, but was at that time, quite genuinely, a fishing village with, I think, about 5 hotels and we had one of our best holidays, ever, there.
And last, PELOTA, the Basque game of very fast handball. This is a Pelota Court but I never got a photograph here because the game is so fast and the atmosphere so tense that I couldn’t really take a camera out as it would have disturbed the onlookers. They were all locals as this was quite a small village and this was the main event of the week. If you are ever in an area in which it is played (mostly along the northern coast of Spain and in the Canaries), then do try and catch a game.
MARI'S TRAVELS WITH HER CAMERA 
I’d already asked Solange if I could use a couple of hers as I didn’t think I had any, but there they were when I put my mind to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve ended up with a great collection – well done you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t we all regret the things we missed doing years ago! My big miss is trekking in Nepal (despite the mountains) as I would have loved to have been amid that scenery. Nick didn’t fancy it though and I didn’t push it, but now I wish I had. Still, we managed a lot in our travels so regret isn’t really what I feel, just a wish to have a few more years added to my life and to be able to live them in my thirties or forties!!! If you’re going to dream, dream big.
LikeLike
What a wide ranging and fabulous selection. I still haven’t climbed Ben Nevis, and I now wonder if I ever will.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you noticed that it was my friend Solange who trekked Ben Nevis, not me! I couldn’t do this, certainly not now, and I’m not even sure if I would have done it years ago. I was never into mountain climbing.
LikeLike
Oh, I did notice! We planned it some years ago, then John hurt his back. I’m not sure I could climb 4000+ feet now, so I’m sorry I missed my chance.
LikeLike
Well done, Mari, enjoyed that
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Solange, and thanks for letting me use your photographs.
LikeLike
Mari you have been to so many places and I love reading about all of them! My favorite sport would be the trekking! PS I am famous for ALWAYS managing to turn the canoe over while I’m in it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
As I said, it’s my friend Solange who does the trekking. She is a really intrepid lady and goes off by herself to remote places. I can’t swim either so kayaking and canoeing is out for me although I have been known to risk a trip in a speed-boat!
LikeLike
Well done Mari, and you thought you’d struggle with this one? I thought EVERYONE would struggle and I was a bit sceptical at first, but we have all pulled up a few memories at least. Thank you for your comments on mine, I’ve replied over there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, It’s like I’ve been on this tour with you. River fishing is the best.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very brave of you Mari
I’ve read a few stories of horrible accidents from those parasailing in Thailand!
Some lovely photos in this gallery
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the horseman, Mari, and I’ve seen the kayaks and fishermen in Seville, but I’ve never witnessed pelota. 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
There was a full-page article in yesterday’s Observer about the ancient pelota court in Madrid which is being saved and they hope it will get UNESCO badge. It looks marvellous from the old 19th century picture they found. You might find it online.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okey doke. I’ll have a look later 🤗💕
LikeLiked by 1 person