What was that? With my ears trained on the hedge, I struggled to listen through my helmet. Cuckoo. Yes! The sound of spring. The sound of Switzerland. Yeah, sort of. The cuckoo clock was actually invented in Germany. But since I wasn’t actually in Switzerland, it seemed appropriate. Suisse Normande – Norman Switzerland – lies … Read more
‘Are you going to Macclesfield? Astonishing! So jealous!” Absolutely no one said. When I told friends where I was going, all I got was a questioning eyebrow: “Macclesfield? Why?” Maybe that was to be expected. It is, after all, a post-industrial city that the Local Futures Group once labeled the ‘least civilized’ place in Britain. … Read more
Diary entry, June 6, 1944: “Land (invasion) 7:30 am, little done in the morning, afternoon with information[antry], it turned out to be 4 bunkers. Met other AVREs at 5pm (prox).” Much has been written about D-Day. Although not much, as evidenced by the words of my grandfather, James “Jim” Baxter, who summarized his part in … Read more
Canoeing is one of the most popular activities in Canada – James Smedley/Destination Ontario In recent years, Mario Gionet has had the same dreams: his grandmother, by a fire, in a clearing of cedars. “She gives me my lessons,” Mario explains as we walk through the Hiawatha Highlands, the mist making the deep forest suitably … Read more
Sarah Baxter and Paul Bloomfield went on their first skiing holiday together in middle age and battled to outdo each other on the slopes As a couple, we were not skiers: our shared interest in the sport ranged from feminine nonchalance to masculine skepticism. But now, halfway through our lives, we headed to Avoriaz, 1,800 … Read more
Sarah Baxter tries out winter SUPing – Sarah Baxter It wasn’t your traditional winter fairytale. But that made it all the more special. I was dressed in a cheerful red and pink suit that wouldn’t have looked out of place on one of Santa’s helpers. Only it was made of polyamide and neoprene and was … Read more
Loughborough has launched a new augmented reality trail that reveals the city’s heritage: Alamy I don’t usually opt for the full English breakfast. But at Holywell House I knew I had to do that. And yes, it was a beautiful thing: thick slices, fat sausage, beautiful egg; coffee, milk and sugar in shiny silver pots. … Read more