Best ever pumpkin soup recipe by Zoe Dawes
Food & Drink, Mind Body Spirit

Soul Food: Best Ever Pumpkin Soup Recipe

October 31, 2019 by Zoe Dawes 3 Comments
Of all the seasons, Autumn is my favourite, with its vibrant colours, last days of heat and hint of winter. It’s a great time to go Leaf-Peeping as the Americans call admiring autumnal foliage, and of course we have Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night to look forward to. Hallowe’en is synonymous...
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Sunset over pool at Aghios Stephanos Corfu - photo by Zoe Dawes
Europe, Holiday, Mind Body Spirit

Sunset by the pool at Aghios Stephanos, Corfu

October 13, 2019 by Zoe Dawes 3 Comments
The sunset is luminously peaceful, the water of the pool reflecting the umbrellas, sunloungers, tables and chairs now empty as guests get ready for dinner. But they are missing one of nature’s most beautiful shows, as the sun sinks slowly behind the dusky islands outlined across the sea, which is...
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Lotus-pond-and-thai-goddess Thailand - photo Zoe Dawes
Adventure, Mind Body Spirit, Personal

So what exactly is Mind, Body, Spirit Travel?

September 20, 2019 by Zoe Dawes 7 Comments
Sunset at Sirindhorn Wararam Phu Prao Temple  – NE Thailand Mind, Body, Spirit Travel? Sounds a bit fancy-schmancy doesn’t it? Do you mean you go all over the place namastaying, sitting in the lotus position and eating mung beans? Well, no, it most definitely doesn’t. Though I’m more than happy...
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Ancient olive tree beside prehistoric ruins at Talati de Dalt on Menorca in the Balearics, Spain. - photo Zoe Dawes
Europe, Mind Body Spirit

FINDING HAPPINESS under an olive tree beside ancient ruins at Talati de Dalt, Menorca

August 25, 2019 by Zoe Dawes 5 Comments
A slight breeze ruffles the silvery-grey olive leaves. A bird calls high above. In the distance a goat bleats and the sun beats down onto a scene unchanged for hundreds of years. A giant T-shaped stone stands in the middle of a circled stone wall, another T-stone leans tipsily against...
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Fish Festival Milford Waterfront Pembrokeshire - photo Zoe Dawes
Holiday, Top Tips, Wales

Fish Festival fun and other things to do at Milford Waterfront, Pembrokeshire

August 2, 2019 by Zoe Dawes 6 Comments
The giant lobster towered over me, its huge red claws wafting in the breeze. A man in a top hat waved to the people gathered round, then trundled off with his cart, pulling his inflatable crustacean through the crowds. I was at Milford Waterfront Fish Festival, in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire...
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Piel Island from Roa Island near Barrow in Furness - photo Zoe Dawes
Cumbria, Outdoors, Pye Motors

Around Morecambe Bay: Piel Island off the Cumbria Coast #followpye

July 17, 2019 by Zoe Dawes 3 Comments
Stepping on to Piel Island is to take a trip back in time in the most unexpected way. This tiny speck off the coast of Barrow-in-Furness in south Cumbria, is a microcosm of all that is special about Morecambe Bay. It’s got ancient history, abundant bird-life, friendly people, great views...
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Full Circle Retreats - meditate with horse and creative writing in the Lake District
Cumbria, Mind Body Spirit

Full Circle Retreats: Meditate with Horses and Creative Writing in the Lake District

July 1, 2019 by Zoe Dawes 7 Comments
The soft whiffle of horse’s breath ruffles my hair but I don’t open my eyes. I’m too relaxed, too chilled, too blissed-out to do more than vaguely register that a 3/4 ton Clydesdale horse is towering over me, his gentle, protective energy calming and soothing. I’m on a Full Circle...
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David Hockney and Alan Bennett at Salts Mill Saltaire in Yorkshire
Culture, UK

Discover David Hockney at Salts Mill, Saltaire, Yorkshire

February 20, 2017 by Zoe Dawes 7 Comments
David Hockney looking at a picture of fellow Yorkshireman Alan Bennett – photo Salts Mill You may have heard of, or even been to see, the new David Hockney exhibition at Tate Britain in London. One of this country’s most loved and respected artists, Hockney was born in Bradford in 1937,...
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RV Nk'Mip campground Osoyoos
Adventure, Blog trip, North America

Top Tips for your RV (motorhome) road trip in Canada

October 19, 2016 by Zoe Dawes 20 Comments
It looked a lot bigger than I had imagined. It also looked a lot prettier, covered in views of Canada’s splendid scenery. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. Once you get on the road, you’ll soon forget its size and be enjoying yourself behind the wheel.” I was at the Cruise Canada pick-up centre...
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The Laxey Wheel Isle of Man = photo Zoe Dawes
Blog trip, Culture, Holiday, Top Tips

7 quirky things to do on the Isle of Man

April 22, 2013 by Zoe Dawes 31 Comments
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,...
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Culture, Festival, History, UK

It only happens every Preston Guild …

September 18, 2012 by Guest Author 5 Comments
Barry McCann explains the history of a northern tradition that dates back centuries and illustrates it with some of photos from this year’s celebrations. Mayor of Preston in Guild Hall Procession There is a saying in Lancashire that goes “Once every Preston Guild” which is probably unfamiliar to anyone outside the county....
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Scotland, World Travel Blogger

Top 10 Tips for North Coast 500 Road Trip in Scotland

April 13, 2018 by Guest Author 9 Comments
In this article in the World Travel Blogger series, photographer Angus Matheson describes The North Coast 500, a memorable road trip he did with his wife in the Highlands of Scotland. North Coast 500 – the greatest motoring adventure in the British Isles North Coast 500 In 2015 the North Coast...
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Europe, Top Tips, World Travel Blogger

Quirky things to do in Lisbon, the must-see capital of Portugal

January 22, 2018 by Zoe Dawes 8 Comments
In our latest ‘World Travel Blogger‘ article, Canadian writer Cindy Baker shares her favourite things to do the beautiful city of Lisbon, capital of Portugal. The clatter of old trams, the smell of sardines on the grill, the haunting melancholy of fado music. In Lisbon, these traditions combine with a...
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Asia, Blog trip, World Heritage Site

World Heritage ‘Toy Train’: enjoy a unique Indian rail journey to Shimla

March 27, 2018 by Zoe Dawes 5 Comments
The Toy Train to Shimla As we clattered along the narrow track, the mountains gradually emerged like shy ballerinas peeking out from behind a curtain of lush green foliage. Glimpsed intermittently at first, the foothills of the mightiest mountain range on earth rose amidst tiny hamlets and towering pine trees....
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Reading time: 7 min
Top Tips, Writing

Top 10 Tips for Travel Writing Success

February 25, 2018 by Zoe Dawes 13 Comments
“No offence, but I want to be THERE, not here.” This was the response from Amber, a participant in one of my recent ‘Introduction to Travel Writing’ Workshops. The group had been given a table covered in travel magazines and I was asking them what had made them choose the one...
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Hi, I’m Zoë; welcome to my quirky world…

QUIRKY TRAVEL is about seeing the world from a different angle, looking at things from all sides, finding the unusual, the interesting, the fascinating. It’s about quality combined with classiness, it’s about being curious about everything and wanting to know more…

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