A trip in 16 chapters
English cities & towns
1 September 2021 — 17 June 2026
Chapter 1
Glorious Gloucester
1 September 2021 · Gloucester, England
What can I say about Gloucester except that it’s a great base for exploring the Cotswolds (see separate…
Chapter 2
The Cotswolds – the perfect place for staycation in August 2021
1 September 2021 · Cotswold, England
The Cotswolds (which means “King Cod’s lands”), famous for picturesque villages, spread across six English counties in central…
Chapter 3
Warwick, Packwood, Charlecote – what a feast for the eyes!
22 September 2021 · Warwick, England
How could I follow up a great day in Stratford Upon Avon? (see link) Have a walking tour…
Chapter 4
Stratford-upon-Avon in September 2021 – real bliss!
22 September 2021 · Stratford-on-Avon, England
My friends assumed that a hodophile like me, or frog traveller as my friend Galina calls me, would…
Chapter 5
Leamington Spa – the oft-overlooked gem of Warwickshire
27 September 2022 · Warwick, England
When one thinks of Warwickshire, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick immediately spring to mind. However the elegant spa town of…
Chapter 6
Henley-in-Arden via Newbury and Banbury
27 September 2022 · Stratford-on-Avon, England
I always look forward to our annual trip to Warwickshire to visit my partner’s brother in Claverdon, Warwickshire….
Chapter 7
Hereford is a secret well worth discovering
10 June 2023 · Herefordshire, England
Hereford is diametrically opposed to cosmopolitan Hong Kong of my recent visit but a change of pace for…
Chapter 8
Ross-on-Wye – the birthplace of “Picturesque Tourism”
10 June 2023 · Herefordshire, England
Ross on Wye became known as “the birthplace of Picturesque Tourism” after being featured in the first travel…
Chapter 9
Leominster or Ledbury?
10 June 2023 · Herefordshire, England
Leominster or Ledbury? From my research, both towns are easily accessible by train from Hereford Both are famous…
Chapter 10
Whitchurch – where? Why?
17 June 2023 · Shropshire, England
Whitchurch in north Hampshire is not a name thst’s on everyone’s lips, much less that of a tourist’s! …
Chapter 11
A+ for Ardencote and Alcester!
7 September 2023 · Stratford-on-Avon, England
After the rather disappointing weather in July and August, the beginning of September brought scorching summer temperature, just…
Chapter 12
Long weekend in Warwickshire
9 March 2024 · Stratford-on-Avon, England
There’s something rather exciting about packing my bag for a long weekend away! And when the sun and blue…
Chapter 13
Captivating Cambridge
1 July 2024 · Cambridge, England
Visiting Cambridge on a day trip is like having an elusive glimpse of the beautiful countryside on an…
Chapter 14
February hotel breaks – Salisbury & Bournemouth
19 February 2025 · New Forest, England
When the dull, drizzly and dismal January seemed to stretch endlessly on to February, there’s one thing to…
Chapter 15
Bristol – where edgy street art meets historical roots
4 June 2026 · Bristol, England
I love visitors from abroad. They have in mind destinations which would not normally be on my to-visit…
Chapter 16
Brighton – where Bygones meet Bohemia
17 June 2026 · Brighton, England
Before my sister, brother and his wife returned to Hong Kong, there was time for one last day…