Incredible India Southern India 1 of 3 Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala Many of our friends have expressed their frustration with long-haul travel in recent times: the long journey to the airport, exhausting queues at check-in, shoes off, shoes on, belt off, pull up trousers, belt on and empty pockets at security, three-hours of waiting around in that other world of make-believe in the departure hall before takeoff, and then the traumas of immigration on arrival. Maybe they’re right. Immigration with the new Indian eVisa at Bangalore was the final straw for us, queuing for ages as passenger after passenger struggled with inefficient fingerprint machines, retina cameras and the like. They do love their bureaucracy: passports and photos on arrival at our hotel too. But then, we British left them with that legacy didn’t we? We ... read more

The Malvern Hills 18th-25th February 2016 Listen a moment. Above the whisper of a chill winter breeze a buzzard calls, a shrill mewing cry from high up there beyond the hills, soaring gracefully on broad wings across a cloud scattered sky. Such is the joy of the English countryside; those special moments when nature surprises us all with its delightful sights and sounds. Enjoy the panorama slideshow. The Buzzard has become a common sight across the UK in recent years after decades of persecution and it is now known to nest in every county in the country. Its significant presence above the Malvern Hills of Worcestershire and Herefordshire is recognized by a recent sculpture by Polish sculptor Walenty Pytel in the Rosebank Gardens of Great Malvern, commemorating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year. This time we’re here ... read more

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Tobago 5th February 2015 Tobago is just a 25minute flight across the 19 miles of sparkling turquoise water from Trinidad, bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the west and the Atlantic Ocean in the east. But in this sleepy land where time melts languidly by each day the choice of a dreamy ferry-ride bears more appeal to both mind and pocket for those with time to spare; asleep in the shade on deck under a knotted-hanky for the price of a few stops on the London Tube - or better still, free for the over 60’s. Trinidad and Tobago certainly offers choice. Tobago is the smaller of the two main islands of this fascinating Republic. At 26 X 7 miles it’s little more than an hour’s drive from south to ... read more

11a.m 11th November 2014 A Journey in Memory of those who gave their lives so gallantly in WWI 1914-1918 There’s a poignant peace amongst the quiet towns of Flanders and The Somme as the sun goes down. As if remembering. Bright the light on furrows deep beyond the plough reveal a past of sacrifice, as lambs now graze this placid scene bequeathed to those who live today. We can but reflect. This thrill of combat, this sense of duty shared, called to arms for King and Empire, few were spared. And so they came, the strong the weak, fearless and brave. Such is patriotism. With glory, gun and horse they came to battle, this war of wire and gas, machine-gun rattle, to give their lives to the mighty roar of tank and mortar. We will remember ... read more

Motorhome News from Spain II Los Escullos - Almeria - Spain 22nd January - 2nd March 2014 Escape to the Country Mid way through our winter stay in southern Spain we had sensed a touch of boredom in the offing. It’s rather unlike us to stay in one place for more than a few days. We had been in and around Almeria for several weeks, enjoying our regular hikes and absorbed in our endless hobbies on long sunny winter days. It struck us that we were in danger of becoming creatures of habit, so we took off to the north in our motorhome for a few days to explore new territory further up the coast road and inland into the mountains. Over the years we have walked many a long mile along the shore ... read more