London fireworks Big Ben It’s raining in Carnforth. Yes, it’s New Year’s Day, the fireworks are over and it’s tipping down, it’s bucketing, it’s raining cats and dogs, it’s p*****g down, there’s a heavy shower, downpour, rainstorm … take your pick from our well-endowed English language. It’s been raining since...

When I was about eight years old I won the Egg and Spoon race. I only won because I ran so slowly the white ceramic egg precariously balanced on a large stainless steel dessert spoon had no chance of falling off. The Egg and Spoon Race – image prezzybox.com Those...

‘The Night Before Christmas’ Grandreams pop-up book I can still remember the simple joy of reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ to my six-month old son as he lay in his cot on Christmas Eve. His bedroom, decorated with ‘Winnie the Pooh’ and Beatrix Potter figures, was dimly lit and...

Mount Teide from the north – image Philipp N Quirky Travel Fact: Tenerife means ‘White Mountain' in the ancient Guanches language of this attractive island off the coast of Africa. The Guanches, according to my Berlitz ‘Tenerife' guide book, were. “tall, fair-skinned, blue-eyed people who somehow reached the Canary Islands...

Exploring Switzerland by train has to be one of the best ways to see this perfect country. Yes, it has excellent motorways and roads but rail travel is a pleasure and often quicker than by car or coach. In winter a large area of the country is covered in snow,...

I love spending money on the niceties of life – for example, a decent bottle of wine, turquoise ink for my old fountain pen, a pretty pair of earrings. A teenage son eats into the family budget. Electricity bills, mortgage payments and running a car are unavoidable expenses. Sadly, I’m...

It’s a real pleasure listening to people talk about their passions. They become animated, articulate and  engaging. Their enthusiasm is infectious and can be a catalyst for change. In recent weeks I have been chatting to a number of people closely linked to the cultural scene in Cumbria and each person...

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,...

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...

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,...

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...

“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...

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....

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...

Rain drifts gently down from a milky grey sky. There’s not a breath of wind and the sound of footsteps is all that can be heard. Ahead loom two huge pillars thrusting upwards through the drizzle. a standing figure gradually comes into focus between the pillars, resting like Samson against...