One of the great things about middle age is that it’s no longer necessary make any attempt towards coolness. I can happily admit that I’m a Shakespeare fan – it’s quite OK to be a geek at my age. To celebrate this situation, I’m heading to Stratford-upon-Avon for the first time today to indulge myselfContinue reading “A date with Shakespeare in Stratford”
Tag Archives: england
Heading South…as far as West Sussex
We’re on our way to the coast, doggy friends in tow. This wasn’t what we planned, but flexibility is key in 2020. First we booked Ibiza, then Crete, then Porto, I’d started to lose track. Last week our hotel closed due to COVID and our dog sitter went into isolation for two weeks. I acceptedContinue reading “Heading South…as far as West Sussex”
Spending the day as a Chelsea Girl
Who remembers Chelsea Girl? Growing up in Yorkshire in the 80s, it was the place to shop for fashion conscious teenagers. The first UK boutique chain was launched in 1965 by the Lewis brothers, four Eastenders who were building an empire of shops called Lewis Separates, but realised they needed a name with more pizazzContinue reading “Spending the day as a Chelsea Girl”
Come walk with me to Dorchester-on-Thames
It’s walking time again while the UK weather holds out. Today I’m back on the glorious Thames Path, exploring a new stretch of my favourite walkway along our most famous river. I’m going from Benson to Dorchester on Thames, a distance of around 4 miles, but unfortunately as I don’t have a chauffeur I’ll thenContinue reading “Come walk with me to Dorchester-on-Thames”
Travels in the North – Yarm
It’s the last leg of our road trip, and we’re heading south, leaving Northumberland behind and driving down to Yorkshire. On the way, there’s something I want to see. The Angel of the North, designed by Anthony Gormley, stands 20 metres high and 54 metres wide just off the A1 in Gateshead. It’s hard toContinue reading “Travels in the North – Yarm”
Travels in the North – Northumberland
The emptiest part of England, Northumberland is the place to escape if you’re not that keen on people, so I’m surprised the husband hasn’t brought me here before now. There are only 62 inhabitants per square kilometre here, compared with an average of 275 for the UK as a whole. It’s renowned for being desolateContinue reading “Travels in the North – Northumberland”
Travels in the North – Berwick
The English and the Scots fought for centuries over Berwick-upon-Tweed, so I figure it has to be worth a visit. The northernmost town in England sits in a strategic position where the River Tweed meets the sea. Berwick’s role as a border fortress led to enormous sums being spent on fortifications during the reign ofContinue reading “Travels in the North – Berwick”
Travels in the North – Durham
The city of Durham in the North of England is renowned for its Norman castle and cathedral, standing high and proud above a loop in the River Wear in County Durham, the Land of the Prince Bishops. It’s also where I went to university to study French and German, more years ago than I likeContinue reading “Travels in the North – Durham”
A shopping trip to post-lockdown London
The husband wants to go shopping in the Big Smoke. Normally I would groan and try to wriggle out of accompanying him. Today, after our recent trip to a very quiet Palermo, I feel that I should go and assess how things are going in London in the wake of coronavirus. The train to PaddingtonContinue reading “A shopping trip to post-lockdown London”
Travels in my neighbourhood: Henley on Thames
I decided to write a blog about Henley because I drove there spontaneously on a sunny afternoon and was so heartened to find it was busy despite the pandemic. After visiting Windsor recently and finding it dead on its feet, I felt a huge sense of relief. Yes, we all want to stay safe, butContinue reading “Travels in my neighbourhood: Henley on Thames”
Steph's Travels 