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A Confluence of Ideas

Author Archives: Russ Paton

Gold, Salt, and Slaves
28 Jan 2025

Gold, Salt, and Slaves

by Russ Paton | Posted in: History, Travel | 2

Ait Benhaddou was a trans-Saharan trading post on the Timbuktu to Marrakesh trail.

Click on the road sign for directions.

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Ait Benhaddou, Timbuktu, Morocco
Doors
27 Jan 2025

Doors

by Russ Paton | Posted in: History, Travel | 4

Hospitality is a religious and cultural requirement of Moroccans.

Turn the key for a warm reception.

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Marrakesh, Morroco
Come With Me to the Casbah
25 Jan 2025

Come With Me to the Casbah

by Russ Paton | Posted in: History, Travel | 0

Pepe’ le Moco and Pépé le Pew uttered these words to woo the women they loved.

Click on the entrance to the Marrakech casbah and follow Pepe’ and Pépé to their romantic destination.

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Marrakesh, Casbah, Mosque, Morocco, Medina
Barbary Pirates
24 Jan 2025

Barbary Pirates

by Russ Paton | Posted in: History, Travel | 0

“Come with me to Barbary
We’ll ply there up and down
Not quite exactly
In the service of the Crown”
“Privateering” – Mark Knopfler

Click on the pirate for a mix of Madeira stories…

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Portugal, Madeira, wine, Pirates, Barbary
Chasing Waterfalls
23 Jan 2025

Chasing Waterfalls

by Russ Paton | Posted in: History, Travel | 1

The photo on the left was taken in Madeira, Portugal in 1956. Today we went looking for the location, at the request of the little boy.

Click on his bare feet for details.

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Portugal, Madeira, Gervais Goodman, Porto Moniz, Funchal
Cocaine
22 Jan 2025

Cocaine

by Russ Paton | Posted in: History, Travel | 2

“The only reason I didn’t commit suicide was that I knew I wouldn’t be able to drink any more if I was dead”, and other things our neighbour said.

Click on his house for details….

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Portugal, Madeira, Clapton
Forgotten Island Wine (revised)
21 Jan 2025

Forgotten Island Wine (revised)

by Russ Paton | Posted in: History, Travel | 2

We intend to do our best to restore Madeira wine to its former glory by drinking it in quantity while we are on the island.

Clink the glasses to hear more.

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wine, Port wine, Mark Knopfler, Madeira
The Fortunate Isles
20 Jan 2025

The Fortunate Isles

by Russ Paton | Posted in: Family History, History, Travel | 2

The magnificent tree on the left was planted in 1870, nineteen years before Frederik Bekker landed on the Azores.

Click on the Metrosidero tree for the full story.

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Portugal, Fred Bekker, Azores, Sao Miguel, Porta Delgada
A Matter of When
19 Jan 2025

A Matter of When

by Russ Paton | Posted in: History, Travel | 2

The Azores have been shaped by volcanic eruptions and earthquakes since the islands emerged from the ocean approximately four million years ago.

Click on the Atlantic sunset to see what lies beneath ….

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Portugal, Azores, Sao Miguel, Earthquake, Tsunami
Tripeiros
18 Jan 2025

Tripeiros

by Russ Paton | Posted in: History, Travel | 2

People born of hardship remember and celebrate their common adversity. We spent a full day in Porto living among such people.

Click on the Tripe Eaters for details…

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Portugal, Porto, Age of Discovery, Tripe

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  1. Russ Paton on A Pardoned Horse5 February 2026

    Yup. Fancy, the wonder horse.

  2. Judy Darvill on A Pardoned Horse5 February 2026

    Sometimes you just need a little motivation to pull up your boot straps and carry on! Way to go Fancy!

  3. Russ Paton on Monkey Mind1 February 2026

    The kids are my usual “go to” but those little monkeys weren’t around. I had to find professional help for…

  4. Judy on Monkey Mind1 February 2026

    Glad to hear your kids could help you out! I only assume this is who you spoke to as we…

  5. Russ Paton on Pigeon Toes25 January 2026

    Not this trip, but I get the feeling we will be back…

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