I've just finished reading Joe and Nelly with my son Benji, and what a moving and beautiful read it was! The story centres on Joe, a young boy who is evacuated from London to live in Wales at the start of the Second World War. Upon returning, he finds his family home has been destroyed... Continue Reading →
What can I say about Venice that hasn't already been said? Not much, I am sure. So for today's Postcard, I am simply going to present you with five fascinating facts about the city, followed by five top tips for visiting, before sharing some of my favourite images from our trip there back in July... Continue Reading →
Though I have written several Lake District Love Letters following my recent visit to Cumbria, it's worth noting that the Cumbrian countryside is as beautiful as it is varied, even beyond the boundaries of the Lake District National Park. Today I pay a visit to the picturesque village of Wetheral just outside of Carlisle, and... Continue Reading →
I often think of Walla Crag as a non-identical twin to Catbells. As a peak, it is nowhere near as distinctive, though it is similar in height, at 379 m (1,243 ft). It stands above Derwentwater's eastern shore, while Catbells rises proudly opposite to the west. The ascent is easier, but affords similarly stunning views. It also... Continue Reading →
It's three years, almost to the day, since I started work on my first novel, The Folks across the River. My eldest son had returned to school, and my youngest had just started nursery. For the first time in at least a year, I had some valuable 'me' time. And I wasn't about to spend... Continue Reading →
Those of you who have been following this site for a while may be aware I suffer from a chronic health condition known as PMDD. I haven't written a PMDD post in some time, because I realise it may not be relevant to most of my readers. Nevertheless, I believe it is important to raise... Continue Reading →
Today, I bring you another walk from Wordsworth's Grasmere, which is a good choice when the weather isn't excellent (as so often happens in the Lake District!): it doesn't visit the tops of any fells, but the scenery is interesting and varied even in wet and cloudy weather. Just bring the correct footwear, as the... Continue Reading →
In the second of this series, I take you on a walk above the former home of the celebrated poet William Wordsworth. Wordsworth lived in Dove Cottage in the beautiful village of Grasmere from 1799-1808. He later moved to the grander location of Rydal Mount a few miles down the road, where he lived until... Continue Reading →
As I have been visiting my native Cumbria and enjoyed a lot of hiking in the Lake District, I would like to share some of my favourite places, in the form of a new series, 'Lake District Love Letters.' Alfred Wainwright famously recorded every walking route up every single mountain (fell) over 1000ft in the... Continue Reading →
Today I'm going to let you into a little secret: where to find another of Slovenia's hidden wild beaches. Debeli Rtič or 'Fat Cape' is a secluded spot close to the border with Muggia in Italy. It compares nicely with Moonlight Bay, Strunjan, as only locals tend to visit. It's not a very long beach,... Continue Reading →
