Day in Cannes by train for a change of scene. Its only about 5 euros and takes about 40 minutes relaxing at the views of the coast. Not much planned except have a wander and take in the vibe The splendid La Croisette promenade. The perfect platform for watching the world. walk from end of…
Côte d’Azur – Monaco and Eze
A day trip galavanting along the French Riviera towards Monaco. Looking out across the glittering Mediterranean twenty kilometres east of Nice is the municipality of Monaco. The second smallest independent state after the Vatican but no less ostentatious. An area favoured by the world’s glitterati. First a stop to Fragonard a perfume and soap factory. Since…
Turquoise Jewels of the Côte d’Azur – Nice
A few days sampling the delights of the Côte d’Azur. First stop Nice. I love a wander around a market and Nice has plenty on offer Marché Aux Fleurs (flowers, food and antiques) Puces de Nice (antiques) Place Saint-François (fish) Place Garibaldi (antiques) Place du Palais de Justice (second-hand books and antiques/arts and crafts) Quai de…
Wandering in the Monymusk Estate
Always on the look out for new routes to wander through. Monymusk is a pretty village on the edge of Monymusk Estate. Monymusk House sits proudly near the River Don and there was a great walk admiring Bennachie in the background along through the estate and back to the village.
Magical Dunnottar Castle
I’m not going to lie, there are a few castles kicking about up here, but this one is quite special. A perfect day for a wander from Stonehaven Harbour up the coastal path to the castle and back. Take a detour to Black Hill war memorial on route and enjoy the views. Its about 4…
Amsterdam like a local
I have a rule about not going back to a place once I have visited. Amsterdam is the only exception. I get twitchy if I don’t get a yearly visit in. it helps that my best friends live there so there is always an excuse to pop over. Aberdeen will always be home but Amsterdam…
Pottering in Portmeirion
Portmeirion was conjured up by eccentric architect Sir Bertram Clough Williams-Ellis. Its reminiscent of the Cinque Terre in the Italian Riveria, but also has an Italy by Disney feel about it, probably because it feels a bit out of place nestled in the Welsh countryside. This is right up my street. I love a random…
48 hours in Budapest
I love Budapest for lots of reasons – its a romantic city (whats not to love about standing on a beautiful bridge looking over the city) architecture (especially art nouveau and modernist concrete metro stations), rickety trams, and long leisurely soaks in one of the municipal baths. This trip was spent investigating how many weird…
Corfu in Technicolour
This years summer escape was Corfu in the Greek Ionian islands. These islands lie off Greece’s western coast and the North of the Island is closer to Albania than mainland Greece. 9 years ago we took a few months touring the Cyclades with our one year old daughter, a buggy and two backpacks but this trip was…
Hopeman Bay, Moray
Easter 2017 started with a trip to Hopeman to pick up a VW camper from Moray Firth Campers to head off to do a bit of the NC500. I never need an excuse to visit this beach as its one of my favourites on the Moray Firth Coast. These beautifully decorated beach huts are one…
Glen Tanar, Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire
A day out of the office today to stretch the legs and get the 10,000 steps in, which can be a challenge some days. Great company and a picnic packed from a take out from spider on a bicycle in Aboyne and we were all set. There a few walking routes in the Glen Tanar…
Loch Ewe, Wester Ross
A glorious day for exploring round Loch Ewe and Poolewe and Aultbea and Rua Reidh Lighthouse. I have a thing about red rusty buildings and these look beautiful nestled into the landscape contrasting with the blue skies Drawing Saltires in the sky Built in 1912 by David A Stevenson, Rua Reidh Lighthouse, stands at the entrance…
