Having discovered the many advantages of an e-reader when travelling, it was always a matter of some frustration that I had to turn the thing off during take-off and landing. There is nothing worse than being at a crucial point in a story when that annoying voice pops up on the PA system asking you to turn off all electronic devices. I never understood why this action was necessary and how my enjoyment of Jack Reacher’s latest exploits could possibly affect the plane and now it seems that the safety authorities agree with my assessment. Continue reading
Mount Vesuvius
As you fly into Naples airport the horizon is dominated by the hulking mass of Mount Vesuvius. The volcano provides a striking, beautiful yet threatening backdrop to what is now a huge urban sprawl. I suspect that there are few visitors to the region who do not pause to contemplate the very real prospect of an eruption and if you tour Pompeii you get a terrifying look at what happens when the mountain blows its top. Continue reading
In Search of a Good Day Out
I work hard during the week and not being one for lounging about when I do get some free time I am always looking for a great day out. The trouble is, now that I have reached a certain age, I appear to exhausted most of the possibilities in the UK and there are few attractions which have merited a second visit. I have been spoiled by travelling too much and discovering so many special places. So much of what is on offer in the UK just doesn’t seem to cut it anymore. Continue reading
Cowboys and Indians at Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah receives relatively few visitors annually, possibly due to its comparatively remote location. It is a shame that more people don’t find their way to Bryce as it is a stunningly beautiful area to explore and quite unlike anywhere else I have seen. I have visited the park twice and would love find myself there again one day. It is one of those places that look like they merit only a short trip but just continue to reveal new wonders and places to explore.
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The Law of Supply and Demand
I can still remember the days when International travel was the preserve of the rich. The jetset would have their holidays abroad whilst the rest of us just ventured down the road to the seaside. When overseas holidays did become available to the masses everyone was heading for Spain and the Canary islands or jumping on a ferry and visiting France. As time has passed, however, people are venturing further afield and to more exotic destinations. Continue reading
It Will Have to Do
Travelling the Alaskan Interior is a real thrill. This truly is the last frontier and there is a wild and remote feel to every region which I simply haven’t experienced anywhere else. There is something amazing around every corner and when I toured the state I was constantly marvelling at how different life is for the people of the remote communities that I visited. This was certainly the case in Chitina, an isolated outpost in the Wrangell St Elias National Park. Continue reading
Dreaming of a Christmas Holiday
It was only recently that I realised that virtually every year of my adult life I had wanted to take a holiday over the Christmas period but in an epic fail had never actually managed to leave the country! As the so called festive period approached I always found that I felt somewhat less than festive and was dreading the inevitability of so much that happens at Christmas. Continue reading
Help My Hotel Is On Fire
If you travel regularly the occasional drama will befall you and it always seems to be in the most unlikely places. When I was relaxing in my hotel in Germany after a busy day at the nearby theme park the last thing I expected was to be evacuated from my room. This could be why my reactions weren’t quite as quick as they might have been. Continue reading
Memories of Diana
During her life Princess Diana was one of the best loved and most influential people on the planet. 16 years after her tragic death there is still a great fascination with the popular Princess. She was a fashion icon and a celebrated champion of good causes and today her clothes still remain a major attraction and a means to raise valuable funds. Continue reading
A Visit To Blarney Castle
I was in the middle of a lengthy business trip to Ireland travelling around the country to make sales calls. Business travel can be a lonely experience especially when you are in a foreign country. After a week of moving from place to place and seeing very little of what Ireland had to offer the weekend had arrived and not being able to work I needed something to occupy my time. I was in the Cork area and made a brief search online for possible places to visit and discovered that I was just a few minutes from Blarney Castle. I knew nothing about this place other than that there was a stone you should kiss to receive the gift of eloquence. Continue reading