Quirky Traveller's Tales

You might feel stuck in the wrong groove & feeling temporarily glum, or perhaps you’ve been struggling with unhappiness all your life; many of us feel caged in at some point. While it’s always worth seeking professional depression advice if you’re suffering, backpacking offers many of the lifestyle changes that are typically prescribed for anyone who’s feeling low.

Exercise & fresh air

Photo by Chantal Forster

When you’re at home, it’s easy to get into the habit of staying there, especially if you live in a rainy country, or in a city whose parks contain more urban grit than trees & ponds. Exercise stimulates the production of seratonin, the brain chemical that makes us feel good. It burns off tense energy that’s hanging around unused in your muscles, & gets oxygen pumping further into brain & body, making us feel more alert & generally healthier.

It also increases your metabolism – nothing like a little weight loss to cheer you up on a grey day. Backpacking, especially on a budget, necessarily involves much wandering around, be you sightseeing in a city (where, admittedly, the air might not be quite so fresh) or clambering through the jungle. Exposure to nature, a well-known mood-enhancer, is another excellent side effect of backpacking in the rural & wilder countries

Meet new people, & observe different lifestyles

Photo by Derrick Story

If your colleagues are a bunch of pessimists & your entire family is addicted to X-Factor, it might be time to seek out some alternative points of view. There’s nothing quite like making new friends on the backpacking trail, be they fellow travellers, folk who make a living running hostels or selling supplies & trinkets, or the everyday people you meet on the bus. It’s infinitely refreshing to discover genuinely friendly & helpful strangers. Always follow strong personal safety measures – confidence that you’re self-protected from sad or annoying accidents will let you enjoy your travels – but try to engage with people, & venture further than the English-speaking bars & cafes so common on the backpacker trail.

The chance to help others

Photo by Chantal Forster

Working for a good cause helps you too – from the self-esteem that comes with experience gained, to the friends you’ll make in the process. If something about the world upsets you – orphaned orang-utans, habitat destruction, girls who can’t get an education – then it’s undoubtedly been bothering some of the rest of us, too. Seek out charitable or voluntary organisations where you can spend time working directly with those in need, for all or part of your backpacking trip. If you can’t commit enough time for this, or you’ve yet to encounter a convincing “cause”, look out as you travel – many excellent endeavours are too local to achieve international fame, & you might be able to make an impromptu contribution while you’re out there.

Constant change of scene

Photo by Chantal Forster

It can sound a little trite when a perpetually chirpy person suggests that “perhaps you all you need is a change of scene”. But don’t go underestimating that change of scene. There’s nothing like staring at the same workstation every weekday for several years to really grind a person’s spirit. Discovering that the world does not look like your home town is one of the most liberating experiences available; backpacking, especially when you step off the tourist trail & encounter daily life, provides a fabulous string of new scenes, which will fuel memories, inspiration & conversation for months, if not years, on your return home.

The article is brought to you by Greatvine, a team whose sole focus is finding the best experts in anxiety, depression and other related health and wellness issues, so you don’t have to!

Lancaster Canal

One of the loveliest sights in nature is that of the winter sun shining onto bright white snow.  It raises the spirits and seems to resonate with purity and innocent joy.  This photo was taken on a walk we took along the Lancaster Canal near to Carnforth.  It was one of those magical days that visit so seldom in this part of the world and lift the spirits immediately. We walked for miles and almost every person we met smiled and said, ‘Good morning’ – sharing in the delight of this winter wonderland …

Quirky Travel is all about seeing the world from a different angle, looking at things from all sides, finding the unusual, the interesting, the fascinating.  Meeting delightful people, discovering new cultures, eating strange foods and seeing curious customs, have fuelled my life-long love of the breadth and depth of experiences that travel gifts to us – and 2011 has been the epitome of Quirky Travel.

Over the past 12 months I’ve been fortunate enough to travel around the UK and abroad with a host wonderful companions.  I’ve learnt about some incredibly quirky customs and etiquette (I now know NOT to ask a Finnish reindeer farmer how many animals he has), eaten some absolutely delicious food (Cunard’s Princess Grill restaurant was SUPERB), seen on some amazing sights and spent a lot of time discovering yet more beautiful and inspiring places in my beloved Lake District.

Although it’s been incredibly difficult to choose, here are my Top Ten highlights and why they epitomize Quirky Travel … (They are roughly in date order, NOT preference – that would be impossible.)

1. The Snowmobile Safari, Finland: this was my very first visit to Scandinavia but also my first blog trip abroad. To be invited to stay in beautiful  Iso-Syote fjell-top hotel and experience their adventure holiday was a dream come true.  Zooming across pristine snow over frozen fields and through ancient pine forests at high speed defines ‘exhilaration’.
2. The Scaffolding Tour, Chatsworth House, Derbyshire: In April Visit England invited me to Chatsworth, one of England’s great historic houses.  The external stonework of the house is being cleaned, repaired and restored and I had a Scaffolding Tour to the roof.  Being able to see up close the very quirky Snake motifs was a reminder of the days when, with money, grand designs and a view to history, architects created individual works of art, even when hardly anyone would ever see them.
3. The Calf Of Man, Isle of Man: on a glorious spring day, sitting on boingy grass dotted with dainty wild flowers, gazing out across ancient stones and the Irish Sea, all seemed right with the world. I’d chosen to visit the Isle of Man as the prize for winning ‘Britain’s Best Travel Blogger’ in January.  It’s a magical island and so very quirky … a treasure trove of maritime history, proud Parliamentary tradition, roaring race tracks across the landscape, four-horned sheep and faery folk-lore.
4. Geiranger Fjord, Norway: Gazing down on the toy ship set in the middle of one of the world’s most stunning fjords was surreal.  Had I really sailed all the way to Norway aboard that ship? Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth was on her maiden voyage and I will never forget the myriad of sensory experience on board and ashore during that trip.  I fell in love with the ship and the crew made every moment a joy and a treat.  I am now a total convert to cruising  – maybe someone will invite me on another one in 2012 – hint hint!
5. The Calvari Steps, Pollensa, Majorca: walking up the 365 old stone steps past beautiful gardens was a rather exhausting but rewarding experience. We were having a family holiday in nearby Puerto Pollensa but son & friends didn’t want to do the walk – wimps!  At the top there is a small, simple chapel with a wooden cross placed in memory of shipwreck survivors.  Sitting within its peaceful tranquility was a moment to reconnect with the soul and a reminder of what’s important in life …
6. Cogglesford Mill, Lincolnshire: Windy Miller aka Michael, a retired school teacher, shared his passion for the old tradition of making wholesome, tasty flour in one of the country’s few surviving working mills.  I bought a bag of flour and it does make exceedingly good bread.
7. Walking with Wallender, Sweden: medieval Ystad, in the Skäne region of southern Sweden, was a delight. Its colourful wood-framed houses, winding lanes and imposing square all feature in the detective series ‘Wallander’.  I was with a really fun group of travel bloggers and sharing the delights of this region with a group of like-minded writers was the other reason this trip was so enjoyable.  Oh, and the food was DELICIOUS.
8. The Art Deco Tour, Midland Hotel: Morecambe is not necessarily the most obvious place to find one of the UK’s best-kept Art Deco gems, but then travel is full of surprises.  Renowned (and definitely bonkers) sculptor Eric Gill produced some of his best work for this hotel; my brother and I had an absorbing insight on one of the hotel’s tours, followed by excellent afternoon tea. History, art, culture and cake in one afternoon – heaven.
9. Strahov Monastery Library, Prague: books are a passion and the historic collection in this 12^th century monastery is one of the glories of the Czech Republic. Prague is one of my favourite European capitals. The people are friendly, cultured and feisty, the architecture is varied and well-preserved, the beer is excellent and the food … well, the food is OK if you are a carnivore with a penchant for dumplings, but it’s definitely one place I could return to again and again.
10. Cocktails at the Cavendish, London: learning how to make cocktails from a world-class expert with a group of food & drink bloggers in this luxury hotel – what’s not to like?  It combined so many things I love about travel – great surroundings, meeting new people, discovering how to do something different and getting in the festive spirit in style.

With grateful thanks to all people who made these trips possible.  Wishing all the friends and travellers I have met along the way a very Happy New Year and all the very best for 2012.  Travel Quirkiliciously …

May Your Days be Merry & Bright …

Just before Christmas I was invited to learn how to make cocktails at the Cavendish Hotel, just off Piccadilly, round the corner from its sister hotel, the world-famous Ritz in the heart of luxury London.  The hotel was previously owned by Rosa Lewis, the renowned ‘Duchess of Duke St” and her spirit would have loved the fun we had trying to come up with a festive cocktail.

Head Barman Gabor, one of Hungary’s top cocktail professionals, shared the secrets of how it should be done and then we (fellow bloggers from the world of food & drink) split into two teams to create our very own Christmas special.  I’m delighted to say that our team came up with the winning drink. The main ingredient was Bloom Gin – apparently an aromatic combination of natural botanicals of chamomile, pomelo and honeysuckle.  I think the winning touch was the twist of lime and red berries on the top!

After that fun we sat down in Petrichor, the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, for a delicious meal.  The dining room overlooks one of my favourite shops in all London, Fortnum & Mason’s fab food emporium.  They are also famous for their Christmas window displays -and this year’s burlesque theme was fun, frivolous and very festive.

The following day I window-shopped till I dropped.  There are three famous Shopping Arcades in Mayfair: Piccadilly, Princes and Burlington & and I gazed in envy and lust at all the fabulous items on sale in them all.  What I loved most were the decorations – and for just looking there was not cost involved whatsoever!  In Fortum & Mason I found some tasty treats to take back home for the Christmas stockings and revelled in the magical atmosphere of luxury and indulgence. 

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas & Quirkilicious New Year …

“Christmas isn’t just a day: it’s a frame of mind …” Kris Kringle

“The first thing which I remember as an event in life was being taken by my nurse to the brow of Friars Crag on Derwentwater.”  Victorian art critic and philanthropist John Ruskin described this view as one of the three most beautiful in Europe.   Friars Crag is a one of the most popular places to visit in the Lake District, and it really is easy to understand why.  It’s a small and perfectly-formed promontory floating out above one of Cumbria’s loveliest lakes, Derwentwater.

A short, easy stroll to Friar’s Crag from Keswick town centre takes only 15 minutes; no problem for pushchairs and wheelchairs.  Wandering by the shore, huge swans demand to be fed and graceful old rowing boats wait to be taken out for a ride. The Crag may be familiar to Arthur Ransome fans as Darien, the children’s lookout point in ‘Swallows and Amazons’. It’s said to have got its name because monks used to leave from this point to get to St. Herbert’s Island where a hermit lived. There are old trees and a seat to give protection when it rains.  On a bright day the sunlight glitters across to lake in a shattering of diamonds.

There are stunning views across the lake to Derwent Isle, once owned by the very eccentric 18^th century entrepreneur Joseph Pocklington, who used to hold mock battles and horse races on rafts around the lake.

Regular ferries taking passengers around the lake; Brandlehow Woods can be seen across the water; it was the very first property acquired by the National Trust in the Lake District. Canon Rawnsley, vicar of Crosthwaite and one of the founders of the National Trust, ensured that this area was not developed. On his death in 1920 Friars Crag, Lords Island and Calf Close Bay were given to the Trust as his memorial. A plaque, unveiled by Ruskin, commemorating this is set into a wall beside the Friars Crag Path.

The curiously named Catbells undulates in the distance; the name is believed to come from the Old Norse ‘Cat Bields’ meaning ‘shelter of the wild cat’. It’s one of the Lake District’s most popular easy walks – on a summer’s day a steady stream of hikers can be seen wending their way along its spine.

Through the overhanging pine branches, the end of the lake shimmers in the mist towards the Jaws of Borrowdale, a rocky ravine leading into a beautiful valley of white-washed villages, high passes, majestic mountains and yet more lakes, tempting the visitor to explore yet more Lake District delights …

Lincoln City

Lincoln Cathedral

Restoration of southern turret and St Hugh’s statue: A two-dimensional saint’s eye-view of the city spreads out beside a photo montage of the dedicated  rescue team.

Organ practice: Sublime music rumbles along the Episcopal runway, falters, stops, starts again and soars into immense grandeur.

The Forces Chapel:  Two kneeling soldiers bow their wooden heads as ancient flags droop in memorium.

St Hugh & The Imp:   A saint’s head is venerated below a mischievous stone image.

Kathryn Swynford, wife of John Of Gaunt: The mistress of a Duke and mother of Kings sleeps eternally in a wooden shrine. 

Choral evensong: Rumbustuous schoolboys transform into Christmas card choristers as their voices charm the stone angels above. 

The Dean’s & Bishop’s Eye rose windows Kaleidoscopic circles shape-shift their colours as sunlight glimmers onto the marble floor. 

Bailgate

Brown’s Pie Shop by the Wig & Mitre: Lawrence of Arabia revises his magnus opus above a pie shop before popping next door for a pint.

Newport Roman archway: The tired child wails faintly as the push chair passes under an ancient archway oblivious to to the passage of time.

Table outside Castle Hotel: Plumptious olives, crunchy nuts and succulent red peppers wait patiently beside a tall glass reflecting autumn sunshine. 

The Magna Carta at Lincoln Castle: A fragile document of faintly legible script preserves our constitutional heritage secured beside a medieval prison. 

Steep Hill: Quirky shops perch perpendicularly precariously along the steeply exhausting yet quaintly charming lane.

Lincolnshire

Cogglesford Mill near Sleaford: Dusty Miller shares his passion for grinding corn within mellow stone walls smelling of slower days and freshly baked bread.

The National Centre for Craft & Design, Sleaford: Quirky crafts mingle with cool contemporary exhibitions showcases some of the best and funkiest designers in the UK and around the world.

The Dower House by golf course, Woodhall Spa: Pringle-clad guys and smart-casual dolls discuss birdies and nibliks beside a willow-shaded Grecian temple.

The Cottage Museum at Woodhall Spa: Druid maidens relive historic pageant next door to wartime memories in Victorian Spa town of quirky delights.

Lancaster Bomber over Petwood Hotel: The iconic plane drones overhead reliving moments in history as a wedding party chinks champagne on a moss-strewn carpet whilst WWII veterans remember a bouncing bomb in the bar.

Bracing Skegness:  Whirling amusements, dripping Ice creams, , intriguing tattoos, kiss me slowly hats, fish and chips squished into polystyrene trays, laughter all around with a shimmering sea in the distance.

Mablethorpe Beach: Donkeys amble along undulating sands transporting giggling kiddies clinging on with white knuckled joy.

I travelled to Lincolnshire courtesy of Visit Lincoln – and must go back soon as there is so much to see and do for a quirky, curious traveller …