Breaking down in the motor home on a lonely country lane with diesel streaming onto the road was not the best start to my holiday in rural Wales. We were miles from the nearest garage, it was a Sunday morning and everything in Cardigan Bay was shut. Worse still, […]
St Abbs is a strong contender for the title of Scotland’s prettiest village. It lies in a stunning location, nestled on the coast below dramatic cliffs with spectacular views across the sea. This is a place with something for everyone with its picturesque harbour, spectacular coastal walks, undersea adventures and abundance of […]
Bird watching is a funny old game. Birders love nothing better than to count the numbers of birds they’ve seen every year. The more species the better, the rarer the birds, the greater the satisfaction. I’m not immune to the challenge of counting birds. This year, I’ve managed […]
El Rocio is Spain’s strangest town. Nestled on the edge of the wild lagoons and marshes of Doñana National Park, the town looks like a film set from a spaghetti western. You’d be forgiven for thinking that cowboy Clint Eastwood might emerge from one of its taverns, unhitch his horse and ride off down the […]
Northern Spain is one of the prettiest parts of Europe. It’s a far cry from the beaches and Mediterranean coast of Spain, beloved by armies of sun seekers and party animals. We were looking for a road trip which took in the mountains, coast and historic towns for our motor home. Having […]
Northumberland is one of Britain’s most beautiful counties, but this wild and wonderful place is also one of the least visited. It’s on my doorstep so no surprise that I’m its biggest fan. With fabulous beaches, historic castles and a stunning coastline, it’s a shame that more people haven’t discovered its […]
Swans were top of the lavish banquet menu at Abbotsbury Monastery during Tudor times. They were the favourite food of monks and monarchs. But how times have changed… today thousands of nature lovers come to celebrate this fabulous British bird rather than feasting on it. Hundreds of Mute Swans nest at Abbotsbury during the spring and […]
Amble is one of the most under-rated tourist centres on the Northumberland coast with its fish, ships and picturesque harbour. It’s a great place to stroll along the beach, watch the boats come in, and enjoy some of the best fish and chips in Britain. This unpretentious coastal town has something for every taste. It may not […]
Everyone loves otters. These gorgeous creatures are a delight to watch in the wild, if you’re lucky enough to spot them. But if you can’t get see these elusive animals in the countryside, why not take a trip to the Washington Wetlands’ otter enclosure, a great example of conservation […]
It’s bird bonanza time on the Farne Islands as migrating birds flock onto the islands for the summer season. This makes the Farnes one of my top summer holiday trips. For our feathered friends, this is more than a bird vacation. They are here for romance and – let’s be […]