
Four Beaches
Four beachy paintings for a quick dose of beach therapy.
Read More…Travel and Lifestyle Blog
Four beachy paintings for a quick dose of beach therapy.
Read More…Pretty in pink. a flamingo in acrylics.
Read More…Painting of a coconut seller in Tobago.
Read More…A smile on a stem!
Read More…Sending you some beach blues on a canvas.
Read More…How to spend more time with your guests and less time playing waiter/waitress
Read More…Another quick natter.
Read More…A wander around the walled city.
Read More…Have you ever seen a Tizzie Whizie or tried a Tatty Pot? More from around the Lakes.
Read More…Just a few bits whilst out and about in Cumbria
Read More…Another quick natter about nothing much.
Read More…More idle chatter with strangers, around the property market in the UK.
Read More…The nitty gritty, writing the article!
Read More…Sunday lunch at Comptoir Libanais
Read More…More travel writing notes from a forgotten notebook – get your flights paid for, and other complimentary hospitality.
Read More…Another stranger, another chat…..
Read More…More forgotten notebooks – this time filled with notes from a travel writing course – in case you’re curious!
Read More…A Vintage Shopper’s Paradise on the Sussex Coast It’s true, Brighton seems to be a vintage shopper’s paradise these days, and quite a bit more than just somewhere to go for a seaside day out. I mentioned Nottingham had quite a few vintage shops, which is true, but I think Brighton more than tops that! […]
Read More…Time for another quick brew and some idle chit chat…including loo awards and sunglasses!!!
Read More…Dogs, Greggs and sunflowers amongst other random idle chit chat. Calling all fashionistas, is Greggs the new black?
Read More…Once upon a time, trips to the seaside used to be prescribed by doctors. I’m sure Eastbourne probably cured a few ills then!
Read More…Even if you don’t watch the show, here’s a wander around the Emmerdale Village on a rainy day.
Read More…Time for another quick cuppa and another natter about nothing important!
Read More…Watching wild boar having their lunch in the Yorkshire Dales! Yes there are wild boar in the UK, after a long period of extinction, they’re back!
Read More…Cows that look like biscuits, quirky shops, a retro sweet shop, a bird with a death wish and lots of lovely scenery!!
Read More…A crazy bookshop, strange smells and a quirky gift shop. A few more snapshots around Morecambe.
Read More…Sea air, and a good long coastal walk in Morecambe.
Read More…Nottingham city centre, and a must see Sue Ryder shop for retro and vintage shoppers.
Read More…A good walk does a lot of good things to you. Let’s take a closer look as we wander around this quiet Yorkshire village.
Read More…I’ve been a bit preoccupied with paint brushes and paints lately – not sure Picasso would be impressed but as long as I’m enjoying it, mission accomplished!!
Read More…Fish heads, flower heads, vintage shops and a red Indian chief!!
Read More…The pride and joy of Derby City Centre. If you love a beautiful church, this one won’t disappoint.
Read More…Let’s have a quick wander around Derby city centre!
Read More…Stopping to admire some of the more interesting shop fronts in Derby City Centre!
Read More…A quick spotlight on a quirky little shop I came across in Harrogate. Perfect for antique lovers and those looking for something a bit different.
Read More…Calling all deep thinkers and philosophers of life, lets ponder on what is means to be idle, attitudes to laziness and whether we’ve got the whole notion completely wrong!!
Read More…Random stranger, another conversation. Chatterboxes and solar panels being just a couple of key topics on the agenda this time!
Read More…Take break, grab a cuppa, let’s talk noisy eaters, birds and bargains.
Read More…Bloggers are just a bunch of show offs aren’t they, why else would you start a blog if not to show off? Let’s discuss.
Read More…Anyone still playing cassette and compact disc audio books these days? Let’s discuss.
Read More…Another cuppa, a quick natter about nothing much, and a toast to each and every one of you.
Read More…Uncanny. Same title, four different stories. Sometimes you win when you judge a book by its cover, but what about judging a book by its title?
Read More…More idle chatter about nothing in particular – just eating bugs, crunching rocks, back problems thanks to the gym, hypnotists and other random things.
Read More…More random reflections from a hotel room window, or perhaps just a ramble about nothing depending on how you look at things!
Read More…Looking for somewhere for lunch, a Turkish lunch? Well if you’re in London you might stumble across one of the popular Gökyüzü Turkish restaurants. Meat eaters, if you haven’t tried this place, you might want to give it a go because as you will see – they absolutely pile on the meat, that lovely chargrilled type […]
Read More…Idle chatter about nothing in particular, just belly buttons, bananas, toasters and a few other things!!!
Read More…Trips to the Maldives, and fights over charity shop shoes….more things that came up in conversations with strangers!!
Read More…Do I qualify for The Book Snob Tag and perhaps the Book Addiction Tag? Yes – well I’m definitely a bookworm, so book additive behaviour certainly applies, and I probably am a bit of a book snob, since I’m quite particular about certain bookish things. I came across The Book Snob Tag other day via […]
Read More…Affluenza the status and consumption virus plaguing society, can we spot the symptoms and help reduce the spread?
Read More…So you want to make sure your unwanted clothes go straight into the hands of someone who really needs them? Here’s five ways to do just that!
Read More…She exits the UK, sets up a holiday rental in rural France. Hates cleaning, loves some of her guests and can’t wait to see the back of others. Read all about it in Swallows and Robins!
Read More…So it turns out there used to be a bit more to ankle bracelets than meets the eye!! Just an innocent fashion statement? Well maybe more so today, but history shows a very different story around the world.
Read More…Are charity shops just second hand and cheap? Do the neediest people buy your donated items? A testimony from a Big Issue seller helps shed some light!
Read More…Secrets of a private flight attendant vs making fires and foraging for things to eat in the mountain forests. Glamour in the high skies, seeing the world through a champagne glass vs growing vegetables and fishing for you supper.
Read More…Musical departure gates, baggage claims chaos… Past travel shenanigans are still amusing to look back on, I wonder what new amusements and annoyances will emerge as travel opens up again…..
Read More…U turns, big life changes, new priorities? The pandemic has led some of us heading down new paths and in new directions, and perhaps inspiring others while we’re at it.
Read More…Thankful to be nominated for this the Outstanding Blogger Award, but it’s always hard to pick nominees – every blogger deserves a spotlight.
Read More…A winter walk in London’s biggest park, famous for its deer, and never-ending walking trails.
Read More…Warning: May contain sarcasm.
15 Christmas movie favourites, with a twist, read on for the bits missing from the official synopsis.
A couple of book reviews, one about a 10 day galavant around Tokyo, the other about an Indian rags to riches journey.
Read More…What have you witnessed from a hotel room window or balcony that has stayed in your thoughts, that you’ve never forgotten, outrageous or not?
Read More…Gift Ideas for the travel addict can quickly turn to the predictable and cliche, but with a bit of extra thought, you might just strike it lucky!
Read More…It’s amazing what a little bit of imagination and a few travel memories can do!!
Read More…When conversations with strangers lead to catching flights to India with them the same week, racing Tuk-Tuks amidst good old Indian traffic!! Have you or would you ever…?
Read More…This time we talked packing for flights, bottles of rum, house prices and baking cakes. Conversations with strangers can work more wonders than you’ll ever know!!
Read More…A huge thank you to Chocoviv at Chocoviv’s Lifestyle Blog for this nomination!!
Read More…A bit less show business and a bit more Lenny Kravitz. Reflections from the man himself on growing up, family and the beginnings of a musically fuelled career.
Read More…Road rage, maybe there should be a highway code sign for this, placed strategically on certain junctions, and anger hotspots!! My poor taxi driver nearly exploded, that time when…..
Read More…On the last day of a holiday, are you wishing you could stay a bit longer or raring to get to the airport? I think its probably a sad day for many – but I’m curious to hear whether you agree.
Read More…A walk in the park, St James Park, where pelicans steal the limelight and squirrels steal the nuts.
Read More…Warm hugs and a big thank you to ‘Travel and Share’ for this Liebster Award nomination – very kind of you!!
Read More…Robotic airport staff, robotic luggage, and robots that can go on holiday on your behalf!! The evolution of AI is sweeping the travel industry in its wake, especially on the back of Covid 19.
Read More…Thank you to blogger Juvie at ‘Paradigm Shifter’ for nominating Cherrylsblog.com for a One Lovely Blog Award, a lovely and much appreciated surprise!
Read More…Mary L Trump gives us her take on Uncle Donald Trump, from childhood to present day in her ‘tell all’ book.
Read More…Imagine having to shake the hands of 250 people all waiting for you on a beach, or jumping over a herd of cattle to prove your manhood. Ladies – how about having three husbands at once? Perhaps you’d be up for a nomadic tent-life in freezing cold snow storm territory. These are just a few interesting highlights from the some of the world’s lesser well known tribes and indigenous populations. Curious?
Read More…So what’s your position, do you hate going on holiday, is the agro of planning and packing all too much, or is that all part of the fun? Are you a holiday hater?
Read More…A quick message for Jamaica, just to say hi, and keep in touch!
Read More…Of all the things I could have bought in Cuba, I didn’t think a beach bar would end up on the shopping list!! Its interesting to look back at some of those forgotten holiday souvenirs, many of which I treasure all the more now!!
Read More…There’s more to Jamaican patois than ‘irie’ and ‘yeah man’. If you want to get a better grip on Jamaican patois, this funny little book gives you some common words and phrases written with a Jamaican dialect and pronunciation.
Read More…Heathrow bound? Fancy more than a mere 40 winks before or after your flight? The Renaissance London Heathrow Hotel gets a thumbs up from me. Here’s a quick look!
Read More…Push the guide books aside, here’s my first hand round up of thoughts and observations after a first and very worthwhile trip to India.
Read More…Snapshots from the iconic Indian Pink City, loved for it’s royally dressed elephants, pink palaces, chamber of mirrors, and endless shopping bazaars.
Read More…Well it’s undisputedly a fantastic work of art, one of the world’s seven wonders and perhaps the selfie capital of India, however….
Read More…The other two Indian hotels were just as lovely, delicious food, a good nights sleep and welcoming staff.
Read More…There’s far less exciting things you could do than stalk tigers on a jeep safari through India’s Ranthambore national park, taking in an array of wildlife and beautiful scenery while you’re at it. Just saying!!
Read More…I felt an almost unbelievable sense of being in an entirely new world, a world with ‘ways’ that are not to be labelled or ridiculed, but simply accepted as ‘the way’ for where we were – a different way to what I was used to seeing or experiencing.
Read More…A quick glance at a couple of Indian Hotels, The Vivanta by Taj Dwarka in Delhi and The Clarks Shiraz Hotel in Agra, near the Taj Mahal.
Read More…Traffic in India is not for the faint hearted – its a bikers paradise, a barrage of beeps, the rush hour seems ceaseless, and chaos might just be the new calm.
Read More…Are you curious about India? India and colour go hand in hand, vibrant and flamboyant, cheerfully extrovert. Dull and dismal doesn’t seem to feature. The people, buildings, flowers, the food. When the sun’s out and everything twinkles and gleams, the colours are dazzling and India will certainly give your camera a run for its money!!
Read More…Taking a solo trip to India was a welcome escape from the UK’s winter weather and long month of February (even though it’s technically the shortest month, lol). India had been sky high on my bucket list for a very long time and I can honestly say it was everything I’d hoped for and more […]
Read More…An autobiography by Sir Trevor McDonald, with detailed insights into his journalistic escapades, world politics, childhood memories and reflections on his media career.
Read More…One night at the Courtyard Luton Airport Hotel was very pleasant indeed, with a few ‘little things’ that made it a particularly comfortable stay. It’s the first time I’ve stayed here and I’d definitely recommend it. I arrived quite late in the night to very friendly and helpful reception staff. The next morning I had […]
Read More…Calm and quiet, untouched by mass modernisation and tourism – Malta’s sister island of Gozo is proudly held as something of a national treasure, and here’s a little snapshot….
Read More…Before heading off on your Malta holiday, here’s a few observations, tips and bits of info that might interest you or prove useful to know if you’re curious about Malta, since the guide books don’t tell you everything!!
Read More…More of Malta’s nooks and crannies!! Bugibba vs Paceville, they couldn’t be more different. One attracts a very lively, club/pub crowd whilst the other appeals more to those seeking a quieter life.
Read More…Looking for some peace and quiet? Soak up the rugged costal views of Malta’s Blue Grotto. It’s busy with boat trips in the summer, and featured in the Hollywood blockbuster, Troy.
Read More…The old is being quickly replaced with the new in Sliema Malta, so wander it’s inner streets to capture what’s left of it’s original charm before the high-rise hotels and apartments take over completely. Malta is evolving, with Sliema leading as the modern tourist hub of Malta.
Read More…There was a storm brewing in Malta, cooking itself up since the night before, growling with thunder, pouting grey mist and bringing back Sliema’s floods.
Read More…Malta’s biggest fishing village sports its most colourful boats, and turns into a mega market every Sunday, with a secret beach tucked away around it’s little corner!!
Read More…Shopperholics listen up! Sliema has the giant shopping mall, Valletta’s brand names will pass some time and Marsaxlokk is the mother of all Maltese markets.
Read More…Sliema and Valletta, the siblings that couldn’t be more different, staring each other out across the harbour. Valletta could well be the Vatican’s little brother, while Sliema seems more like the Manhattan of Malta.
Read More…Interesting pies, unusual doughnuts, pastries, rabbits and octopus, with plenty of Turkish kebabs thrown in for good measure. Welcome to Malta!!
Read More…Forget taxis, and drive if you dare. The easiest and cheapest way to get around Malta is by bus.
Read More…A Valletta show that leaves you staggering out of the cinema, a church with enough gold to go head to head with Buckingham Palace (no doubt) and those iconic streets of Valletta that seem to come alive at night – interested? Then read on.
Read More…It used to be the capital of Malta, and has the mood of a bygone era, or a film set. The Silent City of Mdina feels like a hidden world, and a must if visiting Malta for the first time.
Read More…The miracle bomb and Mosta Rotunda church is a popular tourist attraction when visiting Malta.
Read More…Are you due for some time out? I’m talking about taking a break, getting away, an escape from the daily grind – a much needed mental and perhaps a physical rest. Maybe some time alone to flop around with no demands on your attention. The freedom to think, read, write, daydream and explore creative ideas. […]
Read More…Morocco and sardines – not something I would ever have thought of as having anything significant in common, but they do!! Morocco is a global sardine giant, and clearly very modest about it because they never seem to mention it.
Read More…Want to win a tripod to improve your travel photography? Share your funniest travel moments to enter the prize draw and you could be a winner!!
Read More…Cuban photography by Andrew Moore is a little different to your typical cuban tourist photographs of vintage cars, Varadero beaches and people smoking cigars. Moore’s cuban photography goes beneath the surface Moore captures scenes that the average tourist probably wouldn’t see unless they ventured away from the predictable tourist traps – this is what drew […]
Read More…Apparently, a red sky at night really is a shepherds delight because it means the weather will be good the next day. The photographs below capture a sunset one evening on the west coast of Barbados. Without a camera, these sights would have so easily been forgotten – it doesn’t bare thinking about. I love […]
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