I was at Bluestone in Pembrokeshire in December, 2015, on an important weekend. On the Saturday, the 12th, world governments concluded the Paris Climate Agreement. It was a pivotal moment in the story of the world about us. What would we, as individuals, do? What would governments and industries do, to met those targets of… Continue reading
Browsing Category Travel
How Guernsey welcomes the world with Potato Peel Pie
The film was actually shot at locations in London, Bristol and Devon. The scene where German soldiers march through the streets of Guernsey was filmed in Bideford, in Devon. In Bristol, Princes Wharf, alongside a dockside museum, with cranes, steam railway and transit shed, was the location for a 1940s harbour – to represent Weymouth Docks. In London the cast… Continue reading →
Belfast at peace: Lonely Planet’s choice of top place to visit in 2018
April 2018 marked the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. The 30 years before that was marked by bitter violent conflict. In the closing days of 2018 there is renewed verbal animosity, not from the province itself, but from politicians in Westminster over the status of the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish… Continue reading →
1066 Country and all that – Hastings battles up the South Coast rankings
President Macron has announced that the Bayeux Tapestry will be loaned to Britain. This will be the first time in 950 years that it is left France, although it’s likely to be five years before it arrives here. It is not known where the tapestry will be displayed in Britain, although the British Museum must… Continue reading →
Bamboos and balms in the Hertfordshire hills – how Champneys corners spa appeal
Updated, Jan 2018. Once the standard dress in this lesser stately home in the Hertfordshire hills would have been the morning suit and the crinoline. Today the everyday garment in Champneys is the fluffy white dressing gown with fur collar. After early misgivings, I decided to wear mine around the place too, taking heart from… Continue reading →
How to beat the redeye airport morning blues
I never had to get up seriously early until I was into my 20s. Then the redeye mornings started in earnest. These days, as a species, we –children included–are now doing more getting up at unearthly hours to set off on long journeys than probably any people since our distantly wandering ancestors. Although I also… Continue reading →