I’m not sure there is a place in Spain, or anywhere for that matter, with a worse reputation than Benidorm. A haven for lager drinking Brits abroad, it is defined by its English pubs, high-rise hotels and rowdy clientele. The television series Benidorm does nothing to change the public’s perception of the place, showing just… Read More Winter sun in the most unusual of places
Meet Darcey aged three and Dexter aged four our two Basset Hounds. If you’re thinking of getting a dog read this first. It might just dispel a few myths about this infuriating breed you just can’t help but fall in love with. They are not lazy The notion of a sleepy Basset Hound who hates… Read More Meet the Bassets
I’m alway sceptical of books that tell you how to be happy and transform your life with some magic formula. However having seen one of the authors, Andy Cope, speak at an event a few years ago I had an idea The Art of Being Brilliant might be a good read. The book, also written… Read More Book review: The Art of Being Brilliant
It’s a funny old thing grief, before you have experienced it you might imagine it to be a series of sad episodes, a few tears before really feeling like you are over it, then getting on with your life as normal. Of course, for those of us who have experienced it that couldn’t be further… Read More Slightly quirky ways of dealing with grief
I started blogging 18 months ago and it’s been a huge learning curve. Blogs I thought were great were hardly read and others I knocked up in half an hour went down a storm. If you’re thinking of trying out blogging there are a few things you might want to think about first so I’ve… Read More So you want to be a blogger? 10 lessons from my first year blogging
Chrissie Wellington A Life Without Limits The problem with achieving enormous feats, not just once but four times, like Chrissie Wellington is that it is easy for others to think being ironman world champion is all a bit of a breeze. But not so, her autobiography ‘A Life Without Limits’ is full to the brim… Read More Thinking of doing a triathlon? Three books to get you motivated
The Christmas frenzy is building and we are all hurtling towards December 25 looking forward to all the overindulgences it brings. For lots of people though this time of year can be hard as it has a nasty habit of shining a huge Christmas light on difficult issues. Grief, loss, troubled relationships and money issues… Read More The big Christmas lie
The problem with achieving enormous feats, not just once but four times, like Chrissie Wellington is that it is easy for others to think being ironman world champion is all a bit of a breeze. But not so, her autobiography ‘A Life Without Limits’ is full to the brim of her agonising battles to succeed… Read More Book review: Ironman World Champion Chrissie Wellington’s autobiography A Life Without Limits
Situated next to the picturesque Moors of West Yorkshire, Haworth is a small village with a big history. It most certainly would have been another forgotten Yorkshire village if an Irish vicar had not made his way there in 1820 with his children in tow. It just so happened that three of these children were… Read More Literary giants, breathtaking scenery and cafes galore – welcome to where I live
Every year it seems the fireworks start earlier and earlier and if you have a pet it is no fun. Our Basset Hounds are at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to coping with fireworks. One is totally terrified and the other sleeps through the whole thing. Darcey on the right is completely… Read More How to help your dog this bonfire night