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  • Extract From My Diary: A Neanderthal Experience in Gibraltar

    Extract From My Diary: A Neanderthal Experience in Gibraltar

    While on a press trip in Gibraltar I had the opportunity to visit Gorham’s Cave and Vanguard Cave in an archaeological site known as the Gorham’s Cave Complex. Access to these caves was down a cliff face (steps provided) and then along a rock-strewn pebble beach in scramble mode. A thrilling and…

  • An Extract from my Diary: Walking in Vallesinella near Madonna di Campiglio, Italy

    An Extract from my Diary: Walking in Vallesinella near Madonna di Campiglio, Italy

    Vallesinella is a beautiful valley below the mountain resort of Madonna di Campiglio in the Brenta Dolomite Mountains, a mountain range that stretches across the region of Trentino in Northern Italy. A tributary of the River Sarche runs through this valley bounding over rocks and cliffs on its way.…

  • An Extract from My Diary: A Day Out on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset

    An Extract from My Diary: A Day Out on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset

    The Jurassic Coast that fringes the seaside of Dorset is littered with pretty and historic villages as well as long sandy beaches, sheltered coves and extensive natural landscapes. A beautiful back clothe for the stories of Thomas Hardy my day out takes me through the medieval village of…

  • An Excerpt from my Diary: Foraging in the Dolomites

    An Excerpt from my Diary: Foraging in the Dolomites

    The stunning Brenta Dolomites and the excellent Hotel Lorenzetti in the Mountain resort of Madonna di Campiglio draw me back year after year. I never tire of the spectacular mountain scenery, the wonderful walks and the diverse events that are staged there. This visit I enjoy a new experience,…

  • An Excerpt from my Diary: 24 Hours on Brownsea Island

    An Excerpt from my Diary: 24 Hours on Brownsea Island

    One of the shifts I do as a volunteer on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour is the out of hours’ warden. As it involves an evening patrol and being available in case of problems on the Brownsea Island campsite I stay overnight stay in a cottage on the island. It is a great opportunity to explore this…

  • An Excerpt from my Diary: Winchester, Uppark and Emsworth

    An Excerpt from my Diary: Winchester, Uppark and Emsworth

    Winchester and Emsworth in Hampshire and Uppark House and Gardens in West Sussex are the highlight of a weekend staycation. It is so good not to be restricted by measures introduced to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. A shadow hangs over us once more as news breaks regarding the experts’ opinion…

  • Extract from my Diary: My Platinum Jubilee Weekend

    Extract from my Diary: My Platinum Jubilee Weekend

    It is the first weekend in June 2022 and a two-day bank holiday, Thursday and Friday, to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate an unprecedented seventy years on the throne. Celebrations take place all over England from local street parties to a very special Trooping the…

  • Life During a Coronavirus Pandemic: Week 113 Moving On

    Life During a Coronavirus Pandemic: Week 113 Moving On

    It is week 113 of the coronavirus pandemic and it will be the last instalment of my coronavirus diary as daily life approaches normality in the UK. There are still pockets of COVID-19 in the world, notably North Korea, and still the risk there will be another global outbreak. Hopefully, the virus…

  • Life During a Coronavirus Pandemic: Week 112 Planning a Move

    Life During a Coronavirus Pandemic: Week 112 Planning a Move

    My coronavirus diary for week 112 of the coronavirus pandemic records the news that there are two new COVID-19 hotspots – New Zealand and North Korea. The latter is centred on an outbreak of omicron cases in the capital, Pyongyang. It is the first time this country has admitted the virus has…

  • Life During a Coronavirus Pandemic: Week 111 Brownsea Island

    Life During a Coronavirus Pandemic: Week 111 Brownsea Island

    In my coronavirus diary for week 111 of the coronavirus pandemic there is very little about COVID-19 as the news is mainly about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the rapidly rising cost of living in England. Covid, we are told, will soon be treated like a common cold – unless a new, stronger…