Why be like the other sheep?
A rather long-winded explanation for why I’m walking the Camino de Santiago this summer.
Some walking trails jump out at me and demand that I walk them. (I’m thinking of you Kungsleden!). Others, not so much.
The Camino de Santiago is one of those not so much ones.
The scenery looks stunning (I’ve driven over the Pyrenees and would love to see them more slowly) and the tales of camaraderie sound like something not to be missed.
So why has it never really appealed? Continue reading “Preparing to be a Practical Pilgrim”
Yesterday I was in London for a meeting and as I had a bit of time before my train home, and as I was close to King’s Cross Station, I decided to go in search of Platform 9¾. Continue reading “In Search of Platform 9¾”
The People’s History Museum documents the history of ordinary working people with posters, banners and artifacts.
I’ve been to this museum a few times before, sometimes for talks and sometimes to just look around it. I always manage to learn something new.
This time I was looking around with a friend’s daughter who is currently studying in Manchester. As she was originally from Manchester, but moved away as a child, this was a good place to re-introduce her to her roots. Continue reading “People’s History Museum, Manchester”
As I just happened to be near the Trafford Centre I thought I’d pop in and take some photos. This is the result.
Okay, so those of you who know the Trafford Centre well will be thinking, ‘What … ? She’s really scraping the barrel for things to write about now’.
But you’re wrong, I do have plenty of other things to write about. Continue reading “A Photo Tour of the Trafford Centre”
Have you put off visiting Sweden because you’ve heard all the horror stories about high prices? This post might change your mind.
The simple answer is no.
And yes.
The not so simple answer is that it all depends on HOW you travel . Just like anywhere else really.
Read on to find out why I have never found Sweden to be particularly expensive. Continue reading “Is Sweden REALLY expensive?”
You don’t have to be a military history buff to be fascinated by the many stories told in this museum.
I’m not particularly into military history which was a bit of a problem when I was given a unit of local history to teach. The unit included lessons on the Lancashire Fusiliers which I was expected to plan myself. Fortunately Bury is home to the Lancashire Fusilier Museum so I took myself along one Saturday to do a bit of research and recce it for a potential class trip. Continue reading “Fusilier Museum, Bury”
Prosecco, goat ice cream and tales of marauding Vikings are just some of the things waiting to be discovered at Britain’s oldest market.
Good markets are getting harder and harder to find. The traditional markets with cheap clothes, dish cloths and ‘3 for a pound’ fruit and veg are even rarer. The traditional markets were good for a bargain, but not so great for a day out. These days when you do find a market it’s far more likely to be of the artisanal type and to be expensive, but lovely for a day out. Continue reading “Borough Market – A Photo Essay”
A Christmas trip to Kensington Palace involved music, gambling and an early version of a ‘Shewee’.
Over the Christmas break I took my ten old niece on her first ever trip to London. As a princess obsessive, when I suggested a visit to Kensington Palace, London home of Will and Kate, she jumped at the chance. Continue reading “Kensington Palace”
Christmas trees, sugar plum fairies, toy soldiers, ballerinas … it’s Christmas at Chatsworth.
I’ve walked along the River Derwent and through the Chatsworth estate many a time, but I’ve only actually visited the house once before. And that was a very long time ago.
The house is beautiful at any time of year, but I imagined it would be absolutely gorgeous decorated for Christmas and as my brother and nieces are visiting I thought it would be nice to take a trip to see the house in all its festive glory. Continue reading “Christmas at Chatsworth – a Photo Essay”
This is the post where I disclose my liking for weird foods like chips with peanut sauce and mayo. And oily balls. Yes, really.
What would be the word for someone who is a bit obsessed with the Netherlands and has an affinity with all things Dutch? If my country of obsession was France I’d be a Francophile; England and I’d be an Anglophile. But Netherlandsophile just doesn’t have the same ring to it. Continue reading “13 Things to Eat in The Netherlands”
