“To Face the Truth” My 2024 travel year review
The traditional end-of-year retrospective musings of trips completed and not completed.
Travelling
United Kingdom
The best routes to Scotland’s Highlands and Islands
In March 2024, we traveled to Scotland’s Outer Hebrides .Opting for car hire in Edinburgh for flexibility, we compared three travel routes to the Western Isles, enjoyed dramatic Scottish landscapes, and navigated unpredictable weather. We emphasize the importance of early booking, particularly in peak season, and share practical tips on accommodations, car hiring, ferry services, and potential public transport use – all based on our first-hand experience, without any sponsorship.
Two Wheels and a dram: Our Islay whisky trip – with a bit of cycling
While unable to travel, there’s an opportunity to recap something older that may otherwise never see the light of day. It may delight, in this case, lovers of whisky. I never wrote about my Islay whisky trip. It’s been a while, but as I occasionally …
“A Red Letter Day”: My 2023 travel year review
So, the end of the year is near… let’s write a wrap-up of the years travels. The traditional “between the years” 2023 travel year review. As the title suggests, it was a pretty good one! And, in the words of my teenage favourites, the Pet …
Hotel Review: The Lodge Hotel, London – Stylish in Suburbia
Another London post! I like to visit London a few times a year, and finding lovely, stylish accommodation that isn’t crazily priced is becoming harder. My answer to that: The Lodge Hotel. It involves going out to the suburbs. Doesn’t bother me – I love …
Hotel Review: Swan Bed and Breakfast, London – Stylish Affordable Suburban Wonder
Where in London will you find a well appointed, private, stylish room for to two just shy of 100 Euro? Impossible? It’s not impossible. Let me tell you. There is the Swan Bed and Breakfast. Since very few people are reading here and this blog …
London Summer in a Rush
I have my former boyfriend to thank for that, travellingin London summer, when the city is packed and priced skyrocketing. He died two years ago in July, and it is becoming a a tradition that his friends and family, previously pretty random people who did …
Splendid Sunday in London
When did I last spend Sunday in London? Too many to count after all, I once lived there – but not in many years! But as I woke up after a nice deep sleep at the Latvian Centre, I never felt more like a tourist …
London in 36 hours
Is London in 36 hours pure idiocy? It was all I had. Last time I visited London, it was August 2020. I travelled to attend a funeral for my former partner, one which I hoped would not happen for at least another 20 years. Due …
Flying in Europe during COVID-19
For someone who catches the travel bug easily, I have been travelling only a little this year. Flying in Europe during COVID-19 can’t be fun – or is it not that big a deal? Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, I did travel a bit, including flying …
Flying during the coronavirus pandemic – what can you expect?
Is flying during the coronavirus pandemic advisable? And if not, why on earth would I fly anyway? Well, let me tell you. While previous summers saw me working, tending our garden and enjoying a bit of quiet, this summer kicked me in the guts real …
Learn to sail – which courses are best?
In my late 30’s, I did finally learn to sail. It is certainly possible to start something new later in life. Combined with the great outdoor exercise and seeing new places, sailing is a fabulous sport if you love water. I have always loved water …
Sailing in Scotland for Advanced Beginners: RYA Day Skipper Course
It took me nearly ten years of living on a large island, and over five years of living close to the sea to be bitten by the sailing bug. Which eventually led me to Sailing in Scotland. Why? I honestly think it was a combination …
Learn to Sail on a RYA Competent Crew Course in Gibraltar
Throw back to late summer 2012, and a boat trip through the Vieux Port: As we glided past moored sailing yachts against the backdrop of a sunny Marseille, I decided that I must learn to sail. I have always liked water, and anything on or …
A London day trip by low-cost airline: Crazy, stupid, or great?
You can say what you like about low-cost airlines, but their crazy pricing structure lets you fly around Europe for next to nothing. Does that mean you have to do it? Certainly not. And is it okay to go on a London day trip by …