I’ve just started a science fiction book, set in a starship hotel. The main area of the lobby is screen free, as the height of luxury in an era a few hundred years hence. This seems particularly relevant today, given I’ve been stuck in Heathrow Terminal 3 for 18 hours now, an expected overnight stay … Continue reading Airports and books →

On the train again, heading from Cornwall up to Heathrow for the flight home, via an overnight stop near Reading to meet an old friend for a night. The train trip is a welcome few hours in a comfortable chair, to absorb the last few days of the holiday in a beautiful part of the … Continue reading Stunning Cornwall, theme park villages →

A couple of days in Plymouth, with a crazy mixture of sun and incredibly heavy rain. We walked along the coast path, found a couple of pubs and a gin distillery, swam at the Lido which is in the process of refurbishment. A highlight was a ferry trip over to Cremyll, walking through gardens and … Continue reading Grey rainy Plymouth →

Good weather, bad weather, we had it all in Edinburgh as with all of Scotland. Heavy rain, cold and wind blasting down Princess street, sun shining through rain, sunshine and eating an ice cream in the gardens, a sunny warm ( by Scottish standard ) walk up Arthur’s Seat with a brisk breeze at the … Continue reading Weather in Edinburgh →

A wild and exhilarating ferry trip from Skye to Mallaig, spent up on the open observation deck watching waves and swell breaking over the ferry. A few days walking around Oban, a short pleasant kayak just out of the harbour, some of the best seafood I’ve eaten anywhere, a walk on Kerrera on a quick … Continue reading Thrilling journey to Mallaig, drizzly Oban & the banks of Loch Lomond →

Skye has been an experience, so wild and such changeable weather ! Rather than a guesthouse or hotel, we are staying in a beautiful self-catering house with a view over the Sound of Sweat, and that has been perfect for the rain storms we have had passing over us all day with the odd bit … Continue reading Stormy Skye →

A couple of lovely gentle days in mixed rain and sunshine based on Inverness. The city, and the Highlands, are much more touristed than I remember with so many more foreign languages heard. I’m not sure if that’s due to Outlander, that Top Gear promotion of the driving, cool climate tourism or a safe destination … Continue reading Inverness, Loch Ness and is there a monster ? →