Out to see industrial/techno band Cabaret Voltaire from Sheffield at the Limelight in Belfast this evening. Thanks to @skippyvinyls.bsky.social for suggesting

Change of pace today to art and architecture. In the morning, visited St Gallen to see the cathedral and old abbey library (St Gall may have been Irish, he certainly travelled with St Colombanus from Bangor). Afternoon, on to Winterthur to visit the Sammlung Oskar Reinhart Am Römerholz.

Morning hike up Kamor and Hoher Kasten from Brulisau, gondola down. Great view of the Alpine Rhine from the top despite clouds moving in. Wonderful clear weather of the last two weeks finally ending but rain is needed.

Wonderful first day hiking in Appenzell, great views, good trails, several nice patios to stop at for refreshment

Salzburg AU to Appenzell CH today via five trains and a ferry. Everything on time but tight connections. Here for a few days exploring and easy hiking.

Today climbed the Drachenwand via ferrata above Mondsee close to Salzburg. Quite long with some airy moves and a fun rope bridge. Very busy. Steep challenging descent

Amazing drive today over the Hohe Tauern on the way from Lienz to Salzburg, lots of stops to take in the view. Caught Ruperikirtag in the evening, a Salzburg equivalent of Oktoberfest.

Fun morning climb of two short via ferratas in the impressive Fanes Gorge north of Cortina before heading north to Lienz in Austria. Wonderful drive with great views of Cristallo and Tre Cime.

Climbed via ferrata Sottotenente Fusetti this morning then hiked up to the summit of Sass de Stria exploring the extensive network of WW1 trenches built among limestone gullies and clefts, fascinating to see. Great views across to Lagazuoi.

'Rest day' exploring Lagazuoi on our way to Cortina. Half of the 700 m ascent was up through steep tunnels built during WW1, impressive to see. Good lunch at the summit refugio. Great views back to the Sella Group where we had spent the previous few days. Gondola back down.

After a night at the Kostner Refugio, great sunrise and breakfast, climbed the Vallon via ferrata, easier but impressive setting and icy in places. Then hiked up Piz Boe (3152 m, highest in the Sella Group). Again very clear, great views of the Eastern Alps.

Tues, climbed Piz da Lech via ferrata from the Vallon lift, again quite challenging, then hiked up to the summit. Very clear but quite cold in the wind. Spent the night at the Kostner Refugio, wonderful dinner.

Mellow rest day hike from Passo Sella to Refugio Sandro Pertini, great views. Delicious patio lunch of Knödel Trio at the refugio.

Great day climbing the via ferrata alla Forcella del Sassolungo, quite challenging in places, stunning scenery. The route nicely finished right by Refugio Toni Demetz for some refreshment on the terrace before the hike back down to Passo Sella.

Wonderful first day in the Dolomites climbing two via ferratas north of Passo Gardena

Over to Europe for several weeks. While shaking off jetlag, started off with some site seeing in delightful southern Bavaria. Seeing Neuschwanstein and surrounds reminded me more of darker elements of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang rather than Wagner's operas.

A few pics from hiking and camping at San Josef Bay and Raft Cove

Ferry over to Bowen Island today, then hike up Mount Gardner (16 km, 800 m). Better views than I remember from last hiking it in 2000, maybe some trees felled for comms towers. Numerous sketchy skinny MTB structures along the trail, old school but not for me.

Two nights in Dublin before flying home. Got out to Phoenix Park and Dollymount Strand as well as catching some music and a few pubs.

Magical evening hike up Slieve Donard (850 m), which I had not climbed in decades. Lovely to be up among the mountains of my youth on such a perfect evening. Impressed at the trail building almost the whole way to the summit, which my grumpy knees much appreciated.

Staying in Dundrum, NI while visiting family. Stunningly warm weather after my chilly Scottish sailing trip. Fantastic views of the Mournes, stomping ground of my youth, from evening walks at Dundrum Bay and Murlough

A few more pics from the sailing trip, Loch Ewe, Applecross, Plockton, Totaig

First week of sailing on the NW Coast of Scotland, chilly northern winds. Skye, Rona, Gairloch, Lochinver, Summer Isles, Ullapool. Fantastic views.

Into London for one night before catching the train up to Inverness. Evening saunter around the British Museum and the National Portrait Gallery to shake off jet lag

Fine spring weekend for skiing and cycling

Out to Spanish Banks at low tide

Lovely spring day for a cycle to Widgeon Marsh followed by a short hike at Minnekhada

I immediately collapsed upon observing that it is World Quantum Day! Still trying to figure out what eigenfunction I collapsed to, probably a low energy one ;)

Local Cherry blossom looking great

Spent our last full day in Japan exploring the Asakusa (Sensō-ji temple) and Jimbocho (bookshops, trainspotting) neighbourhoods of Tokyo. All sorts of good food stops along the way.