My mother died on Monday 8 December 2025 "of frailty and Alzheimer's Disease", according to her death certificate. She was 95 years old. I have written this piece for those who knew her but will be unable to attend her funeral on Tuesday 6 January. First comes a very brief account of her life, particularly…
Once again... we're knocking out a review of our year with lots of ups and one massive down (left until the end). We've added in-page links to posts made earlier in the year, in case you're really, really interested. If nothing else you might come away with ideas for a holiday or two. *** And…
And so ended the Italian section of our holiday - which was in fact most of it. Less than 24 hours exploring the Cinque Terre sounds a bit mad. It was an afterthought really, a stop on the way from Siena to the Côte d'Azur on the only route that made sense. Riomaggiore was very…
We left Rome somewhat reluctantly. I can't explain why it took us 30 years to revisit this charming, fascinating city. We won't be leaving it so long until our next visit - although having one's 100th birthday party in Rome would be something to look forward to. The Italian phase of our holiday had not…
We reluctantly rose at 07:00 for the long walk to Bari bus station to catch the 09:15 Flixbus to Rome. Sunday 14 September Something to bear in mind when taking the bus rather than the train is that you are only allowed one free piece of luggage in the "hold". But the driver did not…
Our action-packed stay In Venice was over. Three days in Venice is never enough, even if it's not your first visit, but we wanted a lazy week at the seaside (somewhere a bit cheaper than the Lido). We'd not been to Puglia before and, having heard nothing but good, we were looking forward to it.…
From the steam train terminus at Seespitz we boarded a rather luxurious ferry run by the Achenseeschifffahrt. A pleasant 25 minutes, if a pricy way of reaching Pertisau (11 euros). We could have taken a bus if we'd managed to find out where the stop was! Achensee in September Monday 1 September (cont.) I had…
Anne and I have just returned from three and a half weeks travelling through France, Austria and Italy. Having spent four weeks Interrailing last year I wasn't sure I would enjoy it as much as last time. But it was wonderful! We had a first-class pass for seven travel days, bought in the sale for…
Owing to a family issue we decided to postpone our second Interrail trip to Europe from June to September. So we're off tomorrow morning. Trains - and the odd Flixbus Itinerary as follows: Eurostar (London to Paris) Strasbourg (1 night) Innsbruck (1 night) Pertisau am Achensee (3 nights) Venice (3 nights) Monopoli (6 nights) Bari…
I read this week that "drivers over 70 face eye tests every three years”. Why “over 70?”, I ask, as a grumpy 70-year-old who has just had to renew his licence. As arbitrary numbers go it's no worse than 65 or 75, but what's the reasoning? The RAC will have a view (supporting its members,…
The Wight Stuff 