Arts
The Return of the Native
Sorry to disappoint the diehard Thomas Hardy fans amongst you, but this has nothing at all to do with Clym Yeobright, Egdon Heath and the heathlands of Wessex, nor the love tangles and tragedies he [more…]
Holiday
Arts
Postcard from Saint Agnes
I suppose the best way to start this article is to say it has almost nothing to do with St Agnes, the patron saint of girls, although rather weirdly I am unintentionally writing it on [more…]
Eating
Caribbean Christmas 2023/24, Part Two
Day 1 – 22nd December, Gatwick to Bridgetown Barbados My alarm woke me at 05:00. In no rush to get up, I lay there for 15 minutes before struggling out of bed. I showered and [more…]
Eating
Caribbean Christmas 2023/24, Part One
This year I’m only off for two weeks, but as I’m flying to pick up the ship in Barbados, so it is a full two weeks in the sun. As a single passenger I must [more…]
Arts
20th Century
Postcard From Kiruna
Having been presented with the key to the door, my wilful 21-year-old self used the opportunity to close the lock tightly behind him and allow the trade winds to billow his sails north, all the [more…]
20th Century
A Lookie at Buckie
Buckfast Buckfast is a small village located in Devon nestled amidst the beautiful Dartmoor National Park, offering splendid natural beauty and opportunities for hiking and wildlife spotting. Despite its small size, Buckfast remains a vibrant [more…]
20th Century
Scout Camp at …?
Holland, 1949 We shall interrupt my grandparents’ 1947 West Country road trip (to which I shall return) to dip into my father’s 1949 Scout trip to Holland. En route the troop passed a stricken vessel [more…]
20th Century
Cabot Cove, Midsomer, Cockington
Cockington Cockington is a picturesque village located near Torquay, in the Torbay district of Devon. The village is renowned for its old cottages and serene landscapes. Cockington Court Country Park, a prominent attraction in the [more…]