Kateonhertravels

The world’s a stage

For some people, St George’s Day (this past Friday) represents folklore and myth, dragons and slayers. For others, it’s more an excuse to feel extra patriotic — or, in the case of two people in my village, a reason to enquire ask why the old church wasn’t flying an English flag (sigh). For me though,Continue reading “The world’s a stage”

Postcard from…Windsor (and Westminster)

Many of us think of Windsor Castle when we think of Windsor. It represents over a thousand years of royal history. But when I think of Windsor, I also think of log flumes. Don’t get me wrong, I do think of the Windsor Castle bit of Windsor, it’s a stunner of a building. And theContinue reading “Postcard from…Windsor (and Westminster)”

Vanuatu veneration and the country that risks the world: travel and global news round-up

A Tanna Island chief, 2015. Photographed by Graham Crumb, via Wikimedia Commons Images World Health Day last Wednesday symbolised the continuing efforts to vaccinate populations around the world — if they can just get hold of the vaccine in the first place. It was important day for discussion and action. Then Friday rolled around andContinue reading “Vanuatu veneration and the country that risks the world: travel and global news round-up”

Spring is here part II: a calendar year in the countryside

I mentioned last week in my first post about the beginning of spring that every day this year I’m reading The Shakespeare Almanac by Gregory Doran. I’m also reading a book called Wonderland, day by day. Every day in the book focuses on a different aspect of flora and fauna in the UK, as theContinue reading “Spring is here part II: a calendar year in the countryside”

Spring is here part I: equinox

Welcome hither, As is the Spring to the earth. The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare (Act 5, Scene 1) Today is the first day of spring, the spring equinox. In the UK it’s also Census Day, if you needed a reminder to send yours in! As usual with days like this, it led me toContinue reading “Spring is here part I: equinox”

Lake Akan calls

Ni juu ni! ‘Did he say twenty-two? I’ve got all nine numbers then. I think I’ve won the top prize… Does that mean I’ve won the Nintendo Switch?!’ Here we were, my brother Stephen and me, 5,532 miles from home at a Japanese village fete, about to call ‘bingo!’. We had found ourselves almost byContinue reading “Lake Akan calls”

Empowering women around the world

Monday 8th March is International Women’s Day, as I’m sure many of you are aware. But did you know that its beginnings date back as early as 1908? I didn’t! There is a different theme to each year’s International Women’s Day, and this year’s is #ChoosetoChallenge, because with challenge comes change. That’s definitely the spiritContinue reading “Empowering women around the world”

David Attenborough on saving our planet

Long read Did you tune in to watch new BBC miniseries Attenborough’s Life in Colour on Sunday night? I’m still picturing the lime green-mouthed mating dance of the so-called wonderful bird-of-paradise… This new project comes as David Attenborough approaches his 95th birthday in May. Ninety-five years on Earth! His life and career have been almostContinue reading “David Attenborough on saving our planet”

Travel’s roadmap out of lockdown?

On Monday the UK government’s much-anticipated big lockdown announcement will take place, indicating how restrictions will or might be eased in the coming months, even weeks. If you read the news avidly I’m sure you’ll have fund yourself a bit swamped by the flurry of differing opinions and predictions about what our ‘roadmap out ofContinue reading “Travel’s roadmap out of lockdown?”

The art of my travels

Wandering their halls and atriums and corridors. Glancing sideways at priceless art as I make my way to new exhibitions. Plonking myself down in front of an epic triptych or scrunching myself into the corner of a small darkened room to watch a new video art installation. Learning a hundred things I didn’t know whenContinue reading “The art of my travels”