Travels Over Tribulations

The 4ft Sausage and German Beer in Russia

Ciao Adios, my feet are done. They are not going to co-operate today and I know it. But what do you do when there’s still so much to see?

You plough on. Double hard, stiff upper lip, head for the nearest coffee shop and sit down as much as possible.

By midday today, things hadn’t improved. We had caught the Metro to Gostiny Dvor and made our way to one of the city’s iconic bridges to take some…

A kiss from a Russian rose

Day 3

Rain. Rain in the night. It’s as if there’s been a decree that the hot weather should desist and allow the rain in. The skyline looks very different now and the large downpipes that undoubtedly relieve the roofs of snow during the winter are splashing the pavements below us. As we leave the hotel after breakfast expressions around us are the same. It’s the focused city mentality where…

A Million Voices

3 years ago in May 2015, Polina Gagarina almost won the Eurovision Song Contest for Russia with her song – A Million Voices

I loved the song and her singing as it was pure Eurovision. Catchy and corny with a dramatic climax.

I can’t even picture a million people let alone voices. Can you? If you have been able to, now times that number by 20 million. I’ll come back to this…

White Nights in Russia

Dust off the cobwebs – TOT is back

So, this journey could have been a reconnaissance mission for those travelling to the World Cup this summer? Or, it could have been a Cold War 007 spy mission. Trouble with that idea is that, unfortunately, we are asconspicuous as Denholm Elliot’s character in the Indiana Jones films – who Indy states will blend in, disappear – but is quickly caught by the…

The Pacific Coast Drive to Pebble Beach – Summer 2017 – Day 5

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The Golden Gate Experience Part 2 – Summer 2017 – Day 4

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The Cunning Plan

At times, the last few months have been a nightmare!

How do you keep a secret from Michelle? Not easily, I can tell you. But, on the day we…

The Golden Gate Experience Part 1 – Summer 2017 – Day Three

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The Hidden Gems of Airbnb – Summer 2017 – Day 2

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Coming to America Summer 2017 – Day 1

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Whisky without an e

Traditions I can trace against the drown in your face! Name that tune?

What is happening to our traditions? History and learning passed on through the centuries and coupled with modern practices can often produce something special. 

The Deenston Single Malt distillery is the perfect storm of  old and new. 

The way that the whisky is made, matured and sold is a magical blend of clever working…

The Lost Gems of France Part 1

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Were the Bronte’s worth the fuss?

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A road trip to Kalavassos and Lefkara

Whenever we have explored any of the islands that we have visited there is always the question, Why? In Cyprus, surely there are beaches and, er, Napa, Protaras and more beaches, isn’t there? Indeed, the Mediterranean does have its fair share of sandy treasures but it also boasts little inland gems and we visited two.

Lefkara – a Land of Lace

These days, like the lace industry that disappeared…

Daxifest 2015 – Artists raise money for great causes.

Daxifest brings hope to those in need

Daxifest 2015 – a 13 hour musical extravaganza with 28 acts – was everything a festival should be whilst the bells of its purpose rang loudly through the village of Achna, where it was staged, and beyond.

The Queen of Rock sang classic anthems

Raising Funds

Primarily set up to raise money for the homeless in Cyprus and with multiple sponsors and over 40…

The faceless ruins of Salamis

Salamis is one of the great ruins of our age

Sometimes, history is beyong our comprehension and imagination. As emerging technologies allow us to accurately age artefacts and human remains, it is difficult to ride back through time and truly imagine the ancient gymnasiums and theaters that still influence our modern builds. Salamis reveals so much of our past but it is a little like seeing three…

Our First Big Fat Greek Wedding

​Our First Big Fat Greek Wedding was not what we expected. Well, there was not an inch of fat in sight, for a start.

As rumours start about the remake of My Big Fat Greek Wedding called My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (what choice did they have?), last weekend, Michelle and I attended our first ceremony in Larnaca.

So what differentiates a Greek wedding from all others? Is it the line up at the…

Syrian Dust Cloud hangs over Cyprus

Dust Cloud makes Cyprus feel like the Sahara

The Cyprus Mailhave captured the mood of a very strange day, yesterday. This is the first time in 4 months that we have not see the blue sky above us. There was an eerie quiet around the island as cars appeared through the blur with headlights on during the day. The beaches were quieter too; and the sea, for the first time in months just ambled up to…