Together the Drum and Bell Towers, which stand opposite each other at the end of Drum & Bell Square, were used as the city’s official time keepers (right up until 1924!), the drums were beaten and the bells were rung to mark the time of day.… Read the rest
Hutongs
This feels like the real deal. It’s drizzling and I’m finally out. In China. The real China. Old certainly meets new here in the Hutongs (narrow street) district where neon sits beside buildings which are hundreds of years old and now protected as the old town historic district. … Read the rest
Tokyo In 12 Hours
Tokyo in 12 hours! Not ideal, but it’s all I have. I’m on a stopover on the way home and have been awake for 24 hours already, having left the UK yesterday and now landed in Tokyo early this morning with a mere twelve hours to explore.… Read the rest
Brugge Is A Blur – 5 Must Dos
What a whirlwind of a weekend in Brugge (Bruges), it went by in a blur. And not just because of the speed of the Eurostar, the upside of which you can do Brugge in a weekend. But going fast can also be a downside!… Read the rest
Stowe Gardens & Cambridge, A Weekend With Ricky & Claire
My time in London feels like it is disappearing much too quickly, like water down the drain without a plug, I am helpless to slow it down. Work is busy and demanding and just trying to keep up with everything some days (like today!)… Read the rest
Leeds Castle
I love this stuff! Leeds Castle lies 5 miles (7.8 km) southeast of Maidstone, Kent, England, and dates back to 1119, though a manor house stood on the same site from the 9th century. The castle and grounds lie to the east of the village of Leeds, Kent, which should not be confused with the city of Leeds in West Yorkshire.… Read the rest
A Tour of Bath, Stonehenge and Winchester
After an excellent night at El Rincon Latino last night and some tragic late night karaoke, the morning dawned bright. The same cannot be said for me. Still, I made it onto the bus for my tour of Bath, Stonehenge & Winchester.… Read the rest
Marché des Halles
Troyes’ Marché des Halles is a historic local produce market located in the heart of Troyes old town, a picturesque city in the Champagne region of northeastern France. The markets are well known for their vibrant atmosphere and role as a central hub for local commerce.… Read the rest
Highlights of Auxerre
Auxerre. The name comes out in a sigh of awed appreciation of such a beautiful city and indeed the highlights of Auxerre are the embodiment of French delight. Of all the picturesque places that we have visited across the Haute-Savoie, Côte-d’Or and Burgundy regions of France, this is one of the best.… Read the rest
Fosse Dionne
The Fosse Dionne, nestled in the cute town of Tonnerre in Burgundy, is a captivating circular well. We stop in Tonnerre on a whim to stretch the legs en route from Abbaye de Fontenay to Auxerre and by luck we discover this natuaral spring.… Read the rest