Normandy – History, Markets and Food to Start Touring France

The dawn chorus was just thinking about making an appearance when we started our approach to the ferry terminal at Portsmouth. It was then that I realized why my mouth had gone so dry and my hands were shaking. I had not got the faintest idea of how to proceed to the ferry and an embarrassed fear set in. Where on earth do I go – what lane do I take?

Starting in Normandy – First Impressions

The dawn chorus was just thinking about making an appearance when we started our approach to the ferry terminal at Portsmouth. It was then that I realized why my mouth had gone so dry and my hands were shaking. I had not got the faintest idea of how to proceed to the ferry and an embarrassed fear set in. Where on earth do I go – what lane do I take?

Travelling in the UK – A Day In……

Please enjoy my New Travel Blog that will become my next travel book on Amazon Enjoy some travel thoughts from these English towns – I will add more over the coming months Go to the full story ……A Day In …..

Tommy Simpson and our Ascent of Mont Ventoux

From early on in my life I have always had a fascination about the career and death of the British cyclist Tommy Simpson. In my youth I was a keen cyclist, but I never cycled competitively. I had one of those ‘Can you remember where you were when JFK was shot?’ moments in 1967 when Simpson died that July day during the Tour de France on his ascent of Mt Ventoux. I do remember exactly where I was when Kennedy died. I was in a fish and chip shop in Darwen, Lancashire – my hometown. I clearly remember my parents and everyone around being very shocked.

A Day in………Whitby, Yorkshire

A Day in ………..Whitby Whitby – a name synonymous with a number of cultural events and iconic characters. I will endeavour to write this short piece without referring to the obvious. I shall try but it will be difficult. You see I go to Whitby for none of them. I also am not a fanContinue reading “A Day in………Whitby, Yorkshire”

NEW French Travel Book out NOW – Photography from the Book

Please enjoy this selection of photography from my new book It is taken on Fuji print film and Nikon & Olympus Digital Cameras Number 1 New Release on Amazon My fifth book about our twenty five years of French travel is due out in the summer of 2022, early July. It is mainly new writingContinue reading “NEW French Travel Book out NOW – Photography from the Book”

Lavender Fields at their best in a Provencal Summer

Travellers have their own favourite areas of Provence where they appreciate the vast fields of lavender. For me the finest spot is close to Banon. In fact anywhere around that village whether you head towards Forqualquier, as in this shot, or north of the village back across towards the famous area around Sault, you willContinue reading “Lavender Fields at their best in a Provencal Summer”

A Day in …….Lyme Regis, Dorset

Lyme Regis holds special memories for us. We first visited on our honeymoon and returned shortly afterwards with our toddler son. For us now, it is a short trip to the south coast from our Somerset home, but back then it was a good six-hour journey from the North of England. This West Dorset coastalContinue reading “A Day in …….Lyme Regis, Dorset”

A Day in …………….Lavenham

Lavenham is a place that is well worth a detour, a special journey. It is a fine place to stroll with your camera. It has some excellent choices for lunch. On some days there is a market in the square. It boasts many lovely independent shops. It is quintessentially, historical England. It is a mustContinue reading “A Day in …………….Lavenham”

D-Day and the American Cemetery near Omaha Beach

On the anniversary of D-Day these are my thoughts from a poignant visit to the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach. It is poignant especially because of being situated where these young men fell. I hope you enjoy this recollection but sadly we still today are filling places like this as young lives are destroyed inContinue reading “D-Day and the American Cemetery near Omaha Beach”