We’re going to Barbados – for a wedding! The son of our old friends who live there is getting married, so we have hired an apartment – but more of that in the next blog. Cashing in on so-called BA freebies means we have to arrive a little early – so we find ourselves in Bequia spending a few chilled-out days doing some diving and getting into training for the wedding! Continue reading
Category Archives: Travel
Escaping reality for Basel Fasnacht again
This year the weather played havoc with both skiing and Fasnacht plans…we abandoned the slopes for the fabulous Kunstmuseum and Chagall. We rise at 3 am to get to the town centre for Morgestraich, the early morning procession that kicks of at 4 am with the lights out and the bells ringing – before a cacophony of cliques set up their rather tuneless caterwauling as they parade around. At 4 am it is a magical and mystical sight, giraffe notwithstanding. Continue reading
Picasso’s Blue & Rose periods at the Beyeler
The young Picasso in Montmartre
Storm Erik came to Switzerland and banished us from the slopes. What better way to compensate than with that superb fall-back, a visit to the Fondation Beyeler in Basel.
Reunions & races on the Swiss ski slopes
The Dents du Midi from the 8-man chair in Les Crosets
It’s January and the annual Queens College ski reunion. This is the 10thyear that old Cambridge friends have gathered in Switzerland, and now France, to remember trips of yore, including the celebrated one to Avoriaz where Ross and I met 40 years ago! Continue reading
A Champery Christmas & New Year in the mountains
Enjoying the glorious weather with cousin Diego Oyarzun Reyes, Dents Blanches in teh background
Christmas was Louise’s favourite time of year and, after my mother died, all four of us would decamp to the mountains to ski and enjoy ourselves. My main job – after cooking – has always been to ‘do’ the stocking for my three dependents…then in the early hours Santa delivers them to the foot of the respective beds. Continue reading
Christmas spirit in Basel – and Balthus
Santa Claus is coming to town! The Basel Christmas Market is world famous for its old-fashioned had-crafted decorations and yummy food stalls – not forgetting the gluhwein. We even get a visit from St Nicholas and the Grim Reaper at dinner! we hope this sint a bad omen for 2019 was my 5 year scan comes up! Continue reading
An indulgent & arty weekend in Madrid
The Haywain triptych by Hieronymus Bosch – a stolen photo!
It’s become a habit to celebrate our joint birthdays somewhere exotic – we are only 6 days apart and yes, I am the older woman. Last year we were in Nicaragua and this year we chose Madrid as it equidistant from Basel and London – plus we’ve only ever been there on business. Continue reading
Blogxit – we march against the Brexit fiasco
The gang selfie: me, Rebecca, Mish, Tommy and Lucian – its their future
A gaggle of us, all ages, nationalities, heritages and genders assembled at Green Park on Saturday for the Brexit March.
Autumn in the Alps
Sunset on the Dents du Midi
Talk about an Indian summer! Mid-October in Champery and temperatures are over 20 C. Determined to make the most of it we have two good walks, but stupidly I left my walking shoes in London, post-Zimbabwe, and had to buy a very smart new pair, half price in the sale (check them out in the photograph below).
24 hours in Harare
Avenue of jacarandas
I have always found Harare one of Africa’s most tranquil and colourful cities, despite the bad press. Give me Harare over Joburg and Nairobi any day. We always spend a day here on our return from Mana Pools. At this time of year the bougainvillea cascades purple, crimson, golden, and the jacarandas form vibrant lavender avenues along the main roads . Continue reading
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