Scottish Highlands and Islands (Sept 24)

Scottish Highlands and Islands (Sept 24)

The old coast road between Arisaig and Mallaig is one of my favourite ‘go-to’ places to relax and enjoy nature at its very best. It’s a really special place. I found it a few years ago on the recommendation of some bikers I got chatting ….read more

Helvellyn & Ullswater (Sept 24)

Helvellyn & Ullswater (Sept 24)

The last time I attempted Helvellyn it was two years ago, I was with Emma, and we were unable to reach the peak given the appalling conditions (ice, snow, gale force winds). We did the sensible thing and turned back about 400m from the summit. It’s ….read more

Isle of Purbeck (Sept 24)

Isle of Purbeck (Sept 24)

We thought we’d add this to our travel-blog, although strictly speaking this wasn’t a destination we’d chosen to travel per-se, as the main purpose for the trip here was to celebrate the wedding of a couple of Emma’s long standing friends. However, the surrounding area ….read more

1066 county (Aug 24)

1066 county (Aug 24)

Our second camping trip of the year found us back at a place we’d visited in the Spring of ‘22 near Battle in East Sussex.  The campsite is really quaint, stuck in the middle of nowhere, but close enough to Crowhurst mainline train station to avoid ….read more

The Crab and Winkle way, Kent (July 24)

The Crab and Winkle way, Kent (July 24)

Our first proper camping trip of the year coincided with this little corner of southern England experiencing some hot sunny days and warm sticky nights. We arrived at “Fleets Paddock” our campsite for the weekend with plenty of time to set up the bell tent ….read more

Kent, England (Mar 24)

Kent, England (Mar 24)

A weekend away in a country house at Sibton Park, Kent. This HPB location is tucked away in the countryside and ideally located to explore the many historic castles and villages of the area. We booked it a while ago in order to give Doreen, ….read more

Salisbury, Wiltshire, England (Nov 23)

Salisbury, Wiltshire, England (Nov 23)

With summer well and truly over and Christmas fast approaching, we saved a date in the diary for a gathering of our six kids and their partners, in an AirBnB, in the city centre of Salisbury. With no particular plans other than to meet up, ….read more

Autumn in Hampshire, England (Oct 23)

Autumn in Hampshire, England (Oct 23)

We don’t often get to spend time exploring the local area, so during October we thought we’d not travel too far, but explore some of the local villages and towns close to my Southampton home. Hampshire is a beautiful county of England, and much overlooked. ….read more

Blue skies and hurricanes. Camping trip to Scotland and the North of England.  (Sept 23)

Blue skies and hurricanes. Camping trip to Scotland and the North of England.  (Sept 23)

A last minute trip to visit an old friend in Scotland ended up taking me on a detour via the Lake District, Northumberland and Scottish Borders. The weather played a big part in most decisions which is why I ended up zig zagging across northern ….read more

South Downs National Park (Aug 23)

South Downs National Park (Aug 23)

A few weeks ago I found myself travelling along the B2139 through England’s newest National Park for work. The scenery was so stunning that I took note of the location and made a promise to myself to come back and explore.  Well, with the weather ….read more

Highland Hogmanay (Dec 22)

Highland Hogmanay (Dec 22)

What better way to spend Hogmanay than with a ceilidh in a Gothic/Baronial style castle by the side of a Loch, in the Highlands of Scotland? It was bitterly cold with snow still on the ground when we arrived at Tigh Mor, the log fire ….read more

Bude, Cornwall, UK. (Aug 22)

Bude, Cornwall, UK. (Aug 22)

A busy few days, starting at an idyllic sandy beach in Cornwall, a few miles south of the popular beach of Bude. The sea, tide and weather conditions were just perfect for a morning and evening kayak along the coast from our base with some ….read more

East Sussex, UK. (May 22)

East Sussex, UK. (May 22)

Spent the week exploring the East Sussex coastline from our base at a campsite hidden away in the rolling hills and forests near the village of Crowhurst. Over the five days we visited Battle, Bodiam, Hastings, Rye and Eastbourne, explored castles and historic buildings, walked ….read more

Lake District, England (Mar 22)

Lake District, England (Mar 22)

A few days away with some spectacular scenery in and around Ullswater in the Lake District. The trekking started on Sunday when we broke off from our cycle ride from Pooley Bridge to Glenridding and headed up to Gowbarrow Fell via the waterfalls at Aira ….read more

Sandwich, Kent. (Sep 21)

Sandwich, Kent. (Sep 21)

Just the two of us, on a near empty beach, exploring the many ancient shipwrecks exposed by this week’s spring tide at Sandwich bay. This part of Kent is a beautiful part of the world and a nice way to extend the holiday feeling earlier ….read more

Wye Valley, Wales, UK. (Aug 21)

Wye Valley, Wales, UK. (Aug 21)

…a cracking weekend with the kids (I include myself in that description) exploring the Wye Valley during the daytime and playing games back at the campsite well into the night.Hardly a phone signal here, let alone 4g, so a great place to check out and ….read more

Highlands and Islands of West Scotland. (Jul 21)

Highlands and Islands of West Scotland. (Jul 21)

Hiking, biking, kayaking and camping in the Highlands and Islands of west Scotland. No Emma this trip 😞 just me.I had to pinch myself at times to remind myself that this is only a car journey away and not a long haul flight to some ….read more

Devon and Somerset UK. (Jul 21)

Devon and Somerset UK. (Jul 21)

After the wonderful family weekend just passed, and with great weather forecast, Emma and I continued the fun from our base in the Southwest. We fitted in some cycling in Exmoor, kayaking in Salcombe and hill walking above Porlock Weir. We found breathtaking scenery, discovered ….read more

The West Country, UK. (Jul 21)

The West Country, UK. (Jul 21)

Some weekends stand out, and this has been one! No real plans going into it, and nothing but great memories coming out. Started off by watching the sunrise at Stonehenge, which meant a 4am start – it was magical! Then a cycle around the Wiltshire ….read more

Cornwall, UK. (Jul 21)

Cornwall, UK. (Jul 21)

After the weekend of rain, a short mid-week break in the sun. We headed west! A stop over in the cottage in Somerset followed by a jaunt to my favourite coastline. Lucked out with the weather, and the sea conditions. They almost mirrored the time ….read more

Faversham, Kent. (May 21)

Faversham, Kent. (May 21)

As long weekends go, this was just about perfect! Emma and I headed off to explore the area around Faversham Creek, Sandwich and its nearby Bay. Camping of course. Lots of outdoor exercise and al fresco eating. The local Kent scenery is simply jaw dropping ….read more

Somerset, UK. (Apr 21)

Somerset, UK. (Apr 21)

We decided to take advantage of the amazing weather and head off to the cottage in Somerset for a quiet but active weekend. I know I’m so lucky to have this on my doorstep, but I still pinch myself on occasions as this region is ….read more

Post Lockdown London, UK. (Apr 21)

Post Lockdown London, UK. (Apr 21)

Taking advantage of the empty streets, we took a few lockdown walks and cycles. Starting off at Blackheath Common (where you can park the car for free nearby), cycle to Isle of Dogs via Greenwich pedestrian tunnel, then onto tower bridge and into tourist central. ….read more

Cornwall, England, UK (Jul 20)

Cornwall, England, UK (Jul 20)

With our choice of holiday destination somewhat limited this year (Covid), Natty and I decided to explore the English coast instead of our usual trip to Europe, and we are so glad we did. We headed for Porthcurno and the nearby coastline. We found a ….read more

Lockdown Diaries (Mar – Jun 20)

Lockdown Diaries (Mar – Jun 20)

Lockdown diary #1 – MARCH 29th 2020 A weekend for taking stock and preparing for the months ahead. Like many of us, I spent time in the garden doing the things that needed to be done after a long, dark and wet winter… And of ….read more

Pembroke Wales, UK (May 19)

Pembroke Wales, UK (May 19)

A lovely weekend in Pembrokeshire, Wales at Valley View Cottages with Clare and Chris. It’s everything I imagined it to be. Spent the day walking the coastal paths between various points starting a Mwnt, finishing at Ynys Lochtyn. Breathtaking scenery. Drank a few too many ….read more

Jersey (Mar 19)

Jersey (Mar 19)

A wonderful weekend in Jersey! Out of season, this British Isle is amazing. It is only a short 30 minute flight from Southampton and cheaper than a return train ticket to London. Amazing weather, superb restaurants, £1 notes, great local ales, daffodils everywhere and only ….read more