There’s the usual scrum for the Exeter train at Waterloo. It’s always announced very late, and you can spot the people waiting for it. They stare hungrily at the departure board, poised to leap into action every time the board … Continue reading
I spent three days in Paris and only ate one decent meal. That’s not a good batting record for a country that gave the world Cordon-Bleu and Haute Cuisine, along with the fathers of modern cookery, Carême and Escoffier. French … Continue reading
I’m on a blog holiday today, taking part in Michelle’s Gita Italiana over at Bleeding Espresso. Why don’t you pop on over there and have a read? There’ve been some great entries already, from writers all over Italy, and I’m … Continue reading
Parisians are cold, haughty and unhelpful. Oh, and did I mention intolerant of anyone who comes from outside Paris, let alone France? Everyone says it, so it must be true, right? On my short experience of the city, however, I … Continue reading
It may be 30 years since the Strage di Bologna, but Centrale train station still bears the scars of the terrorist bomb that ripped it apart on 2 August 1980. Outside the building the main station clock forever shows 10:25, … Continue reading
Lecce to London: a distance of somewhere around 2,300 km. Most people would choose to go by plane, saving both time and money, but I decide to do it by train. It’s a mammoth journey, but a good one. Train … Continue reading
I’m not a big fan of things that fly: they freak me out. And yes, I do include planes in that list. I’m therefore planning an epic cross-Europe train journey home at the end of this month, to which I’m … Continue reading
We’re somewhere south of Rimini. We’ve been on this train for hours already, and will be so for a good few more. I’ve dozed my way through much of the journey, but am now wide awake and restless. Rimini … Continue reading
Florence. When I found out that I would have five, blissful, teaching-free days over Easter, the City of Flowers was my first thought. Second thought was, “oh god: the journey.” I love arriving in different destinations, but I hate … Continue reading
Image by Cindy47452 on Flickr It’s 6am. Even the local cockerel isn’t awake yet. The town is cloaked in mist and the car windscreen is covered in a heavy layer of dew. Alex and I climb in, bleary-eyed and … Continue reading
