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July 29, 2020

Travelling corner: What are your travel plans for summer 2020?

What to do with travelling in the current global situation? My summer travel plans have already changed three times and there were many emotions involved with each of the changes. I felt frustrated, angry, disappointed. But one thing made me think that whatever we decide to do and are able to do (!!!), let’s enjoy this time, let’s be fully present in the moment, let’s make this time beautiful and unforgettable, shall we? 🙂

Below, I put together some inspiration for travelling in England, including Cornwall (of course!):

Isles of Scilly: it’s a dreamy place for a summer holiday

Jurassic peninsula: for the best beaches and quietness

South Cornwall: getting close to nature

South Devon: family-friendly beaches

Exmoor: wilderness & undiscovered walking paths

Where have you decided to travel to this summer? Please let me know in the comments below.

Kinga Macalla

July 15, 2020

Book review: These Islands. A portrait of the British Isles

I’d most probably recommend that you read this book review in autumn so that your could get the book for those long wintery evenings. So why publish it now? I think that for many of us, the summer plans have changed (including mine!) and it might be a very good time to get inspired by some local routes and travel destinations—your ‘summer playground’. The book / album I want to write about today is so beautiful that I could easily photograph every page of it to inspire you to visit the British Isles. To explore this beautiful land of secret beaches, grey lakes, narrow walking paths and ancient woods.

The album creates an interesting portrait of the Isles, from the Jurassic Coast, Lake District, and the Isles of Scilly, through Snowdonia, the Pembrokeshire Coast to the Wild Atlantic Way and the Isle of Sky. The album contains photographs, short essays, paintings, and poetry, all to inspire you to reflect, to slow down, to travel. It tries to get underneath the known history, pictures and destinations, to bring the Isles closer to the reader and explorers.

Published by Cereal, edited by Rosa Park.

July 1, 2020

Travelling corner: Bristol by bike (part 3), with a secret beach (shhh!)

In my humble opinion, Bristol is not the easiest place to cycle, as it’s quite hilly. The bike trips I want to recommend today are not too challenging but some stamina will be needed to complete them 🙂 I usually cycle with my family at weekends and we use a bike attachment for my older daughter, 5.5 yo (when it’s not too demanding, she rides on her own), and a bike seat for the toddler, 18 mths. My previous blog posts on bike trips can be read here and here. Today is part 3. OK, off we go! 3 bike trips are coming:

Shirehampton-Pill-Leigh Woods (route no 26)

The cycling route is beautiful and it’s not very difficult, but it takes a bit of time to reach the destination. You will meet many cyclists, runners and walkers on the way, as it’s a popular recreational route. There are a few woods’ entries, so you can decide when you wish to have a break, enjoy some forest-bathing, walk by the stream or have a little picnic on a tree trunk.

Shirehampton-Clevedon

From Shirehampton, go towards Portishead (follow directions as here) and once you pass Portishead, continue cycling towards Clevedon. Head from Weston-in-Gordano to Walton-in-Gordano then turn right towards Clevedon Golf Club (B3124) and then continue cycling straight-ahead until you reach the pier and the sea-front (and Clevedon Marine Lake which is a bit further away).

Shirehampton-Ladye Bay

There’s a secret beach that was once recommended to me by a dear friend. Only the informed know where to go, so here are the directions: From Shirehampton go via Portishead towards Clevedon (as in the Shirehampton-Clevedon route above). Then, after turning right to Clevedon Golf Club (B3124), turn right again to Bay Road. Enjoy a splash in the waves!

These are the bike routes I enjoyed recently, do let me know which cycling routes are your favourite / recently discovered. Leave your comment down below.

Kinga Macalla