BLOG POSTS

Visiting Carlsbad Caverns

Visiting Carlsbad Caverns

Visiting Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico was one of the highlights of our road trip in this area. The caverns are huge! The formations inside the caverns are spectacular. I am tempted to say that this subterranean landscape is "out of this world" and, figuratively...

read more
Visiting the World Expo, Dubai

Visiting the World Expo, Dubai

Our visit to the World Expo in Dubai was a fascinating experience. A phantasmagoria of light and colour, the Expo was a wonderful demonstration of how art can be created by technology.  At times, visiting the Expo was like being in a giant kaleidoscope.  Each...

read more
Lochnagar, one of the best hikes in Scotland

Lochnagar, one of the best hikes in Scotland

Our recent hike up Lochnagar turned into one of the best hikes we have tackled in Scotland. The fabulous weather with which we were blessed certainly went some way towards cementing this view, but the landscape around Lochnagar would be spectacular in any conditions....

read more
Hiking Ben Cruachan – watch out for starships!

Hiking Ben Cruachan – watch out for starships!

It is a few weeks now since we set off to hike Ben Cruachan in the Scottish Highlands - and found ourselves in a galaxy far, far away! It was quite a dreich day for a hike, misty and threatening rain, but Peter had wanted to climb Ben Cruachan for some time, so we...

read more
Pet Hates From My Travels

Pet Hates From My Travels

I’m feeling grumpy today so thought I would have a rant and share some of my pet hates when travelling. Actually, these are pet hates when not travelling too, so really this post is just about pet hates – or what my American friends call “pet peeves”.   Pet Hate...

read more
Ennerdale Water and the West Coast of Cumbria

Ennerdale Water and the West Coast of Cumbria

Ennerdale Water is probably the least well known lake in the Lake District National Park. Although we live in the Lake District, we had not visited Ennerdale Water until recently, mainly because it is way out west and quite remote. However, we were on our way to the...

read more
Hiking in Peru: a trek to Machu Picchu

Hiking in Peru: a trek to Machu Picchu

I thought my days of camping in a tent were done. How then did I find myself hiking in Peru on a trek to Machu Picchu and sleeping in a tent? Well I did and loved it: hiking in Peru (including the tent) turned out to be a fabulous experience which will always stay...

read more
Cycling in Cambodia

Cycling in Cambodia

“How do you fancy cycling in Cambodia?” he asked. My initial response, I think, was something along the lines of “Aye, right!” – that wonderful Scottish double positive, which roughly translated means “Don’t be ridiculous!” I hesitated because I am neither a skilled...

read more
High Sweden Bridge: a short hike from Ambleside

High Sweden Bridge: a short hike from Ambleside

The walk to High Sweden Bridge is one of my favourite walks from Ambleside.  It is a relatively short walk, but it gives the feeling of being right in the heart of the Lake District. It is one of our go-to dog walks and it never disappoints. With views of Rydal Water,...

read more
One Day in Arches National Park

One Day in Arches National Park

Arches National Park in Utah is one of my absolute favourite National Parks. It has the most amazing geography and geology and is stunningly beautiful. The other-worldly red rock formations, natural bridges and unique arches make for a wonderfully dramatic landscape...

read more
Wansfell Pike: a walk with a view

Wansfell Pike: a walk with a view

Wansfell Pike has the most wonderful views across Lake Windermere and over the Lakeland Fells and mountains. This is the latest post in my Lake District series and describes one of my favourite walks. Wansfell is situated high above the village of Ambleside and is...

read more
2020, our year of Covid. How has life changed?

2020, our year of Covid. How has life changed?

As I write, it is almost the end of the 2020 and it is strange to look back and think that this time last year, we had no idea what was in store for us. This time last year, we had not heard of Coronavirus or Covid. A Pandemic was still the stuff of Hollywood films or...

read more
A Walk Around Crummock Water

A Walk Around Crummock Water

Continuing with the series of posts about the Lake District and favourite walks in this area, I offer a walk around Crummock Water. Crummock Water is less well known than its close neighbour, Buttermere, but it is just as beautiful. Not only that, with good waterproof...

read more
Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada is my favourite State Park in the US. At this point I should admit that I have not visited every State Park in the US – there are over 10,000 of them! I reserve the right, therefore, to change my mind if ever I discover a State Park...

read more
One Day in Keswick, a traditional Lake District town

One Day in Keswick, a traditional Lake District town

One day in Keswick? Wonderful! Several days would be better, but you can always come back. So what is there to see and do in one day in Keswick and the surrounding area? I recently penned a post with ideas about how to spend One Day in The Lake District. This offered...

read more
Have dog, will travel! How do you travel with a dog?

Have dog, will travel! How do you travel with a dog?

Really??  Does this mean the end of your travels? How are you going to travel with a dog? Can travelling with a dog work? Yes, we have acquired a dog! Meet Jasper, the border collie. He was born the day before lockdown started in the UK and arrived to us aged 8 weeks...

read more