I didn’t think anything of it the first time it happened. I had just arrived in Plakias, on the southern coast of Crete, and was sitting outside a café, waiting for some much-needed refreshment.Then it happened again. There was an … Continue reading Easter in Crete
The weather was uninvitingly cold and foggy (smoggy) as we set out on foot in the direction of Tiananmen Square. As we reached the square, I noticed a Railway Museum across the road, and we decided to investigate. The museum … Continue reading Christmas Day in Beijing
‘This is Independence Square – where we have our revolutions’ Vladimir pointed out the landmarks as we drove past the tanks on display for Independence Day. Kiev has had a troubled past and many of the buildings, including the golden-domed … Continue reading Through the Wardrobe
“This sparrow flies swiftly in through one door of the hall, and out through another. While he is inside, he is safe from the winter storms; but after an few moments of comfort, he vanishes from sight into the wintry … Continue reading Birds, Flowers and Bellagio
Near Melksham in Wiltshire in the parish of Great Chalfield, is a fifteenth century manor house built by a remarkable gentleman and Member of Parliament, Thomas Tropnell. Like many other upwardly-mobile gentlemen of the period, he was a lawyer. He … Continue reading Legal Title
There are most definitely two sides to Eltham Palace. In medieval times it was an important royal palace. Anthony Bek, the powerful Bishop of Durham acquired the manor of Eltham from William de Vescy in 1295 as part of the … Continue reading Medieval and Modern
I had always been a bit wary about visiting Australia. One hears stories about deadly spiders and snakes. Not to mention the heat and the forest fires. And then there are all those bronzed, athletic Aussies putting pasty northerners like … Continue reading Exploring Adelaide
We almost didn’t make it to Apollonia. The road was closed and we had to find another route, slaloming between rocks on a partially surfaced road. But when we finally arrived, we had the entire site to ourselves, apart from … Continue reading Albanian Road Trip: Apollonia
The check in for the Air Koryo flight was chaotic. Most of the passengers had a large quantity of boxes and other luggage. It reminded me of our check in for a PIA flight to Lahore, only less organised. Passengers … Continue reading Ice and Presents: New Year in North Korea
The first rule of hiring a car is to familiarise yourself with the controls before driving off. The second rule of hiring a car is that if you ignore the first rule, at least make sure you familiarise yourself with … Continue reading What’s the Story in Tobermory?
Travels with me aren't 