“Oh, aren’t they tiny!”  This is a common response from anyone seeing the native, and oh so famous, Lakeland daffodil. Unlike the large and sturdy garden daffodil, our local one is a delicate wee flower, springing up in bunches all over Cumbria at this time of year.  (Well, to be...

Carnforth is a small Lancashire town on the Cumbria border, famous for its Railway Station which was used in the classic movie ‘Brief Encounter‘. Filmed at the end of WWII in 1945,  the Ministry of Transport chose Carnforth Station as it was deemed safe from enemy fire – why would anyone...

“It’s amazing to be standing here in this place where  such great explorers as Livingstone and Shackleton stood before.”  Benedict Allen, a quirky traveller if ever there was, opened this year’s  inspiring Travellers’ & Photographers’  Tales Festival last weekend at the Royal Geographical Society in London. He was so funny...

I do hope you’ll take a bit of time to look around here and find something to stir your imagination.  Check out the blog posts for ideas for your next holiday – or simply enjoy armchair dreaming.  Why not join me on a quirky journey of discovery in the beautiful...

As we shift from one decade to another I’d like to share with you what I’m really grateful for.  Please do share your thoughts, resolutions, gratitudes, intentions … I am really grateful for: My son Alex, who’s grown from a toddling 2 year old to the threshold of teenagerdom and brought us...

It had long been a dream of mine to combine my passion for travel with my love of writing.  Having been fortunate to now be realizing that dream here are 5 travel writing tips to help you get started.   The Pleasure of Travel Writing 1.  Have an ANGLE. What will...

Welcome to my world ...  … a quirky place that I hope will provide inspiration, enjoyment and interesting insights.  Having spent many years living and working abroad – and with Venetian, French and Spanish ancestors, it’s maybe not As the Quirky Traveller, I’ll be sharing some of my adventures, suggestions for...

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...

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...

“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...

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....