Speaking French in Iceland: why and how to hitchhike

Longer read Warning: this post contains some frustration at bad public transport, mixed in with hitchhiking optimism It’s got to be one of the most ancient ways of humans getting around. However, up until this past week, I’d really only hitchhiked once, on the outskirts of Banff National Park. I was with my mum andContinue reading “Speaking French in Iceland: why and how to hitchhike”

All walks of life

‘Only thoughts reached by walking have value’ — Friedrich Nietzsche Firstly, an apology is required. Required, because I’ve had a temporary case of writer’s block. Writer’s block because I’ve struggled to get beyond a few notes and ideas of what I could write about, none of it quite interesting enough to capture my attention, letContinue reading “All walks of life”

Stuck on red

17th May. Feels pretty similar to any recent day here in the UK, except now we’re allowed to holiday in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, and The Falkland Islands, without having to quarantine on our return. Yes folks, the UK’s green list of countries are readyContinue reading “Stuck on red”

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”

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?”

Saving Stanfords

In what has been a calamitous year on our high streets, I thought I would shine a spotlight on one of my favourite shops in the whole world: Stanfords. This temple to travel has sold maps and books to record-beating explorers and award-winning authors, curious travellers, the world’s governments and geographers alike since 1853. AndContinue reading “Saving Stanfords”

On finding joy

This weekend I had planned to share with you a journey from mountain and desert to modern stove and cooker. A tradition that dates back to One Thousand and One Nights and to the peak of the Islamic Golden Age. A joyous experience of cooking (and eating) using ancient methods passed down generations. If youContinue reading “On finding joy”

Slow ways over highways

I arrived back in England last week following more than five weeks adventuring in Scotland, and I’m slowly getting back to the indoors groove again. And on the theme of going slow… In the past week you may have read in the news about a project called Slow Ways. It was started by self-described guerillaContinue reading “Slow ways over highways”