So I’m strolling around Lake Merritt in downtown Oakland, when a man jogs by sparring in a pair of red boxing gloves. His muscular chest is bare, his skin shiny. The pièce de résistance is a pair of tight, gold sequin shorts. I tell him he looks amazing. He graciously accepts my compliment and jogs on. Another day, another… View Post
I went on a short break to Castle Leslie in County Monaghan, Ireland. First Impression The size of the Castle Leslie Estate is overawing, a 1,000 acres of rolling fields with ancient woodlands and glittering lakes. The magnificent castle sits perfectly in the grand landscape and it feels like time has stood still in this corner of Monaghan. The estate… View Post
On a creative writing retreat on a Greek islands I find sun, activities and inspiration. Set the mood It’s been said that we all have a book in us, with that in mind I headed off to the Greek island of Skyros to do a Starting Your Novel course. But it wasn’t just budding writers at the ‘holistic holiday resort’; there… View Post
Parasailing is a heavenly experience; the feeling of becoming airborne, the cool breeze on your skin and the sheer effortlessness of floating above the earth. Little instruction is needed until you are gliding peacefully, like a bird and taking it all in. It was made all the more special for me as I was flying above the cobalt blue of… View Post
Ericeira is a traditional Portuguese fishing village-turned-surf resort just a 40-minute drive from Lisbon. It’s a relaxed place with surfers strolling its pedestrianised cobbled streets while elderly locals sit on communal benches discussing the issues of the day. Nothing is done now; everything can wait. There are 10 surf beaches within the four-kilometre stretch of the town and they cater… View Post
