The worst day of the year for the railways in the UK isn’t when storms, floods or snow do their worst to cripple the network. It’s on that one day in August when the ritual above-inflation rise in fares is announced for the next New Year. By the same token, the best day for motorists… Continue reading
Browsing Category Travel
Young trail on the banks of an ancient river: The Thames Path at 25
“At one end of the Thames you may picnic over the river on ancient farm bridges garlanded with stonecrop, and watch aerial warfare between monstrous dragonflies; at the other end is the Thames Barrier, reposing in the departing flow like a shining line of walnut shells.” – A Walk Along the Thames Path (Michael Joseph,… Continue reading →
The great (rail) way west – to Pembrokeshire
The holiday express: in 2021 there were no through trains from Paddington to Tenby and West Wales on summer Saturdays, breaking a link which has endured with only a few gaps since the days of Queen Victoria. “If there be any one train more than another, the sight of which stirs the patriotic pride of an enthusiastic… Continue reading →
Pinot Cymru – raise a glass to the vineyards of Wales
I wrote this two summers ago – and I take no crdit for being prophetic. ‘Rugby and male voice choirs may still rule the valleys, but maybe they will toast success with a crisp local rosé or an elegant Pinor Noir in the future.’ And this week (July 6, 2021) a “deliciously fresh” red wine,… Continue reading →
How the National Theatre’s Under Milk Wood is the perfect post-lockdown play
“The itinerant, ultra-sociable Thomas would have been the last person to be constrained by social distancing, red and amber lists, and isolation. He was a man of the pub. It’s hard to see how he could have survived as a writer without beer-fuelled social interaction.” Dylan Thomas knew Under Milk Wood was good, even in… Continue reading →
How Pembrokeshire was shunted into a siding
It’s a long way from London to Pembrokeshire, so if you didn’t have too much to carry, you might fancy a nice through train from Paddington to, say, Tenby, famous old resort. And until 2019 you could do just that. Four and a half hours of Co2-busting ease, bypassing the holiday jams. But not any… Continue reading →