stephpeech

Looking past the headlines in Bristol

In 2020, Bristol was in the news quite a bit, but not for the right reasons. The toppling of slave trader Edward Colston’s statue during a Black Lives Matter protest kicked off a huge debate about how the UK should deal with its history of profiting from the slave trade. The furore still continues inContinue reading “Looking past the headlines in Bristol”

My favourite places: The Loire Valley

After losing our beloved Golden Retriever, Henry, just before Christmas, I wanted to write about somewhere we travelled with him. He enjoyed the Loire Valley as much as us, because it’s just so dog friendly – yet another reason to love this part of France. You’ve also got the wines, the landscapes, the chateaux, theContinue reading “My favourite places: The Loire Valley”

Behind the turrets of Tallinn

After the non-event that was Christmas, missing out on our annual end of December trip away was a bitter pill to swallow. With no prospect of travel for some time to come, it’s back to the archives again if I want to blog at all. So today I’m heading back to December 2018 and theContinue reading “Behind the turrets of Tallinn”

Stonehenge – the most famous circle in the world

Today I’m travelling in both space and time. A mere seventy miles west of home in the car, but a momentous 5,000 years back into our history. A few miles on foot too. Anyone who thinks they can park up at Stonehenge and do a quick loop around the circle is in for a shock.Continue reading “Stonehenge – the most famous circle in the world”

Escape to Burley – puddles, ponies and pigs.

It’s the end of lockdown (again) and we desperately need a change of scenery. But can we actually go on the New Forest trip we booked in long ago pre-covid times? Yes, we’re allowed to travel. Yes, the hotel is re-opening. The weather forecast isn’t great, but this is December in the UK after all.Continue reading “Escape to Burley – puddles, ponies and pigs.”

A walking circuit around Corfu Town

I’m back in Corfu Town to finish off our trip. Waking up to another beautiful day, the husband would be quite happy to sit outside a taverna soaking up the sun and people watching. It’s not going to happen, obviously. I have a list of things to see, so we’d better get walking. After breakfast,Continue reading “A walking circuit around Corfu Town”

Come walk with me in Wallingford

Heard of Wallingford? Probably not, but in the Domesday Book of 1085 it was named as one of only 18 towns in the country with more than 2,000 inhabitants. Wallingford was BIG in the middle ages. Founded in the 9th century at the lowest point of the Thames, a natural fording place, it still hasContinue reading “Come walk with me in Wallingford”

Corfu – as good as Gerald said it was

We’re heading to Greece, hurrah! This is a sneaky extra trip, just because. It’s been a rubbish year and we’re desperate for some Autumn sunshine and cheer. And why Corfu? Haven’t you read Gerald Durrell’s books, about his island childhood? My Family & Other Animals is such a great title, especially if you were broughtContinue reading “Corfu – as good as Gerald said it was”

Salisbury loves Lizzie

Today I’m heading to Wiltshire, to the medieval cathedral city of Salisbury. Believed by many to be the loveliest town in Britain, it hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in September 2018, with the Novichok poisonings of Sergei and Yulia Skripal. Are you sure it’s safe? asks the husband, proof that mud sticksContinue reading “Salisbury loves Lizzie”

The ancient marvels of Avebury

Today is a big one for me – it’s been on my list for a while. Avebury village sits at the heart of a World Heritage Site with the largest prehistoric stone circle in Britain and the highest neolithic structure in Europe. But it just isn’t very well known. Jeez, what do you need toContinue reading “The ancient marvels of Avebury”