Jim Dorsey

Playground Earth | Sao Miguel | Tea Fields
Good News From

Serendipi-Tea

First stop was the overlook at Salto do Cavalo. The second-highest peak on the island.

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Playground Earth | Azores | Japanese Cedar Bark
Good News From

Japanese Cedar Stripping

Thirty feet and a thousand pounds of pencil straight Japanese cedar recently came crashing down in the woods near our cabin. It sounded like thunder but there was no storm.

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Playground Earth | Good News From | Catching the Blues
Travel Stories

The king of tuna

Fish lovers around the world know all too well that bluefin tuna is the king of tuna. Prized for its rich taste and buttery texture, bluefin has no rivals.

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Playground Earth | Good News From | Furnas Swing
Good News From

In the swing of things

Today brought sunshine after another night, and morning, of heavy rain with strong winds. Several trees are down and many of the meadows near the lake have turned into small lakes. The local ducks appear overjoyed with all their temporary aquatic options.

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Travel Stories

The kids are alright

On a bright sunny afternoon, after five months of waiting, a new beginning was celebrated with the farm’s goat giving birth to two sweet kids, one male and one female.

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Playground Earth Stay at Troy's Barn
Travel Stories

Our stay at Troy’s Barn

Staying in a barn may not be everybody’s cup of tea. Even if it is in England.

However, staying in a renovated sheep barn that has been converted into a cozy studio with a large, comfortable bed, full kitchen, bathroom with a shower and tub might just change your mind.

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Playground Earth | Good News From The Azores | Mama Goat
Good News From

Waiting on the kids

Of the three remaining goats at the farm (two others went to ?market?) one of them is expecting within the next 2-3 weeks. We are keeping a daily vigil as she is getting quite big.

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Payground Earth | Azores | Some like it hot
Good News From

Some like it hot

Between weeding the various beds and investigating what could be harvested for dinner that evening I came across several deep red chili peppers.

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Playground Earth | Azores | Fruits
Travel Stories

Spring has Sprung

The surrounding hills and valleys are blooming with reckless abandon. Gorse is everywhere, with its brilliant yellow flowers as calla lilies flourish out of damp, grassy meadows.

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Playground Earth | Azores Help
Travel Stories

Help, Help

This morning brought sunshine with the usual chorus of birds urging us to wake up and get outside. We were oh-so happy to comply…Help, Help is just the funny story of a normal day in the Azores.

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Playground Earth | Azores | Fallen Tree
Good News From

Wind against trees in the Azores

Once again Mother nature is in a foul mood, introducing us to a new wave of viciousness as the rain is positively relentless Wind against trees in the Azores

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Playground Earth | Good News from The Azores
Good News From

Heavy Rain

It is widely recognized that the North Atlantic has some of the most feared and fearsome weather on the planet.

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Playground Earth | Spain | Virginia the Umbrella Lady
Travel Stories

Victoria the Umbrella Lady

Victoria, an energetic, passionate woman nearing her 80?s runs a small market kiosk in Santiago de Compostela keeping an old world craft alive.

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Playground Earth | Cies Islands, Spain
Hikes & Walks

Spain’s Cies Islands

Spain’s Cies Islands are the Vigo estuary’s greatest treasure and an amazing national marine-terrestrial park. They are also one of the country’s most beautiful places for hiking, camping, sailing, diving, and swimming.

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Playground Earth Travel | Hotels | San Francisco Hotel Monumento
Hotels & Resorts

San Francisco Hotel Monumento

Among the many, and varied, lodgings available in Santiago de Compostela staying in an 18th. Century monastery surely ranks as one of the more unique experiences.

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Playground Earth | Bilbao
Travel Destinations

Bilbao

Our time spent in Bilbao and the surrounding region was just the prolonged stay we had been looking for. It allowed us to fully experience this beautiful land with its mix of natural wonders, culture, and culinary traditions, along with the gregarious and friendly people of Bilbao and the Basque countryside.

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Playground Earth | Hikes & Walks | Paiva River Walk
Hikes & Walks

Paiva River Walk

Designed in dialogue with nature, morphology and panoramic views the Paiva River Walk was a worthy adventure!

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Playground Earth Travel | Appreciating the Caledonian Canal
Travel Stories

Appreciating the Caledonian Canal

Our time spent experiencing the Caledonian Canal gave us a greater understanding and appreciation for why it is recognized worldwide as one of the greatest waterway engineering projects ever accomplished.

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Playground Earth | Biarritz France
Travel Destinations

Biarritz

While it can’t compare to the French Riviera, Biarritz is certainly one of the hipper towns in France. Here, surfers and day trippers wearing flip-flops and Patagonia jackets comfortably mingle with fashionistas in their espadrilles and designer floral scarves.

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