To celebrate the significant birthday of a dear friend from the United States, we are to spend a stately week in Normandy and the Channel Islands, returning to the UK in time for the coronation. At least, in time to watch it on television. There is nothing the British do better than pageantry. It is also good to see a continuity that arises above the … Continue reading France in company

I see that it is months since I added something – but it is also months since I went anywhere. However, from a hotel in Paris, I shall attempt to do better. Continue reading Apologies

As regular readers will remember, three years ago I went round the world. Today, taking an internal flight within the UK, I have spent longer in security than I did anywhere else. Surprising. Continue reading At Bristol Airport.

Ashbourne is Derbyshire is an attractive market town on a range of hills on the edge of the Peak District National Park. Shame about the traffic but you can say that about a lot of places. Tissington Lovely village, just north of Ashbourne, centred around a Jacobean house, apparently home of the Fitzherbert family for 400 years. They have diversified into weddings, holiday cottages and … Continue reading Derbyshire – a week or so late

When the friends you are staying with have caring responsibilities and the weather is awful, adventures are few and far between. (Parenthetically, ten of my retired or semi retired friends, all over 60, have full or part time caring responsibilities for their mothers. Makes you think.) Anyway, there are a couple of items I have fallen across which you might be interested in. For those … Continue reading Apology for silence.

Some of this visit is to the same places I went in June so do refer back if you feel the need to see more pictures of the Pennines. This is Corbridge – a delightful (and rich) town on the Tyne between Hexham and Newcastle. Lunch and shopping – always a good combination. On the watershed between Northumberland and Cumbria. Most of the land around … Continue reading Corbridge

Apparently Staithes used to have the largest herring fleet in the North Sea. Although now it appears to have some fishing boats, it is again full of holiday cottages. Another steep cliff to climb down and tiny stairs and gunnels between houses. Building must have been a very specialised skill. The weather being awful – horizontal rain and wind – that put paid to sightseeing … Continue reading Staithes and family history.

Again, showing my age, but Robin Hood’s Bay in my childhood smelled of fish with a scattering of tourists. Now it appears to be entirely holiday cottages and the only fishing boats are ornamental. Two of the shops I remember are still going though – the sweet shop (founded 1928) and the fudge shop (founded 1935). Amazing how some things are mainly memorable because of … Continue reading Robin Hood’s Bay and Scarborough

This is a visit to the land of my fathers (or father, at least). Although my grandparents died in the early 60s, I remember snippets of things when they were alive. Dracula, for example, was never mentioned and you did not have to pay to walk up to see the Abbey. Whitby Abbey I presume this is more famous than some of the equivalent post … Continue reading Whitby

More travel, to friends and in search of family history. Wouldn’t it be lovely if you could guarantee going to anywhere in the UK by public transport? Although the dog has so much luggage…….. Loughborough A town that used to be industrial but now appears to be mainly occupied by a university, it resembles many others. The main streets are pedestrianised but the shops are … Continue reading Hills of the North rejoice! Me and the dog are amongst you once more!