The Quirky Traveller on bench at Rydal Water in the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria, Personal, Walking

The Magic of Rydal Water

August 17, 2010 by Zoe Dawes 17 Comments
To sit on that little bench overlooking Rydal Water and idly pass the time of day is one of the most magical experiences anyone can have in this area full of wondrously quirky and inspiring places … Rydal Water When you are looking for peace and quiet, for a spot that...
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Levens Hall Topiary Garden - Cumbria
Cumbria, Food & Drink

Cumbria’s Quirky Chilli Fest at Levens Hall …

August 1, 2010 by Zoe Dawes 5 Comments
Do you know the Lake District, Cumbria UK? If so, you probably think of mountains, lakes, poets – and possibly a drop of rain! Well, there is a whole lot more to it than that, and you can experience the full-on quirkiness that the area can offer at Cumbria’s annual Chilli Fest...
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Leighton Hall Lancashire
Culture, Transport, UK

A Vintage Classic Car Day Out at Leighton Hall

July 14, 2010 by Zoe Dawes 4 Comments
Leighton Hall Classic Vehicle Rally It was love at first sight – that gorgeous purple and white VW Camper Van, with its shiny strong body, sturdy wheels & plush leather interior.  We were at Leighton Hall’s annual Classic Car Rally and my son was trying to convince me that I should...
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Lyme Regis, Dorset - by Zoe Dawes
Holiday, Top Tips

Top 10 Tips for planning a Staycation

June 1, 2010 by Zoe Dawes 12 Comments
In a changeable financial climate and with an ever-increasing awareness of the ecological and environmental impact of our travels, you may be considering taking a break nearer to home … Why not simply take a day out to enjoy what’s on your very doorstep?  Make the most of what’s virtually in...
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Daffodils at Ullswater - spring in the Lake District
Cumbria, Outdoors, Walking

Springtime in the Lake District …

April 20, 2010 by Zoe Dawes 4 Comments
“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...
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Culture, QT Review, UK

A Brief Encounter with Carnforth Station

March 16, 2010 by Zoe Dawes 20 Comments
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...
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Holiday, Writing

Travel Writers & Photographers London Weekend

February 28, 2010 by Zoe Dawes 19 Comments
“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...
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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 9 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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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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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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Reading time: 6 min
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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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
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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The Owl and Pussycat by Edward Lear toadbriar
Literature, QT Review

Quirky Travel Poem: ‘The Owl and the Pussy Cat’ by Edward Lear

January 14, 2017 by Zoe Dawes 4 Comments
Oh, to go to sea in a beautiful pea-green boat … The classic children’s poem, The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear, has been a family favourite for many years; I used to read it to my son, Alex, at bedtime. It weaves its quirky magic in every line, taking us...
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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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