In old flat cap, short trousers and modern-day trainers, the little lad carried the Ballot Box with his mate to the cheers of a large crowd spilling over from Carlisle Park.  Women in long white gowns sporting purple and green sashes, in fancy bonnets on bikes, in their Sunday best...

Mrs Chin started spinning the long piece of white sugar dough so fast it was impossible to see, counting aloud as her hands twirled and doubled the number of strands – 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512! With a deft flick she curled a piece of this white magic into...

If you’ve been to Iceland you’ll understand the singer Björk.  Born and raised in Reykjavik, she epitomises this country’s quirky, eclectic energy.  Visitors on holiday can get a brief glimpse of Iceland’s natural attractions and history by doing The Golden Circle, including Gulfoss (Golden Waterfall), the geothermal field of Haukadalur...

With his hands clutching his long, flowing coat tightly around him, Sir William Hillary (1771-1841) stands high above Douglas Harbour, ready to face everything the weather can throw at him.  As founder of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution he was well aware of the changeable  meteorological temperament of his home,...

‘Is it not strange, this madness that has gripped us?’ asks Cornelius. ‘What madness?’ asks the painter. ‘Have you surrendered to the passion yet?’ The painter pauses. ‘It depends what passion you are talking about.’ ‘This speculation on tulip bulbs! Great fortunes have been made and lost. These new hybrids...

The stream of clowns seemed endless, each group dressed in matching zingy, sherbet-bright costumes, gradually filling up the main promenade between the exuberantly decorated floats, marching bands and rich medley of characters that made up the extravaganza that is the Tenerife Carnival. CARNIVAL – a festival marked by merrymaking and...

There are a few sights in the world that can take your breath away and leave you speechless … Uluru in the Red Centre of the Australian outback, is one of those places. Whether your first glimpse, like mine, is from high above as the plane comes in to land,...