BootsnAll Travel Network



Scandinavian and North Atlantic plans

February 5th, 2009

I wish I could write South Atlantic plans. Those include the Falklands, Tristan da Cunha, St Helena and several bits of Antarctica. But these are still in the vaguer goal-stage, not yet in actual plans. The North Atlantic is far more feasible. And Scandinavia – well, that’s home.

Here’s what I planned for the more immediate surrounds years back. Some done, some planned for 2009, a bit to go:

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Cafe de Paris Carnivore

January 30th, 2009

I entered a 100-word competition (clever idea) and severely cut down my Cafe de Paris story. Didn’t win – but got a good rating and some fun reviews. I like to ramble on, so it’s good to get in a bit of practice being brief and succinct now and again. Here it is:

 

Your only choice at Café de Paris is entrecote. I rarely eat meat. Except here, where I’m drawn in by some unseen magnet. Like a wild carnivore, I devour steak that has barely kissed the grill. For dessert, I have chocolate mousse bathing in whipped cream. I don’t really like chocolate mousse. And yet…

The air is ripe with the scent of sizzling meat, perfume, Pinot Noir and smoke. Cafe de Paris is not for those who need personal space or dislike the scent of Gauloises. I like space and hate smoke. Yet I adore Café de Paris. Go figure!


 

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Quickly into Kosovo

October 16th, 2008

story is up on travelmag.co.uk – here

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Iceland

October 10th, 2008

Turns out Icelandair was very good indeed. Nice planes and plenty of entertainment options. It’s now Cat’s favourite airline. And I’m glad to be able to say that, especially now as the country is close to bankruptcy and not very popular with Gordon Brown, who has invoked anti-terrorism laws. Well; in my experience, Icelanders are cool and pragmatic. I’m sure they’ll find a way to turn this around. And even win.

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Canada – here we come

September 28th, 2008

So we’re heading for Canada – specifically Maritimes. We’ll see a whole new part of Canada this time: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Am sort of dreading a potential Anne of Green Gables overload, but if the scenery is as beautiful, I shan’t complain.

Turns out Canada is big (duh!), so Newfoundland and that odd little corner of France in the Atlandtic – St Pierre & Miquelon – will have to wait for another time.

Cat is dreading the flight – 2 1/2 hours to Reykjavik, then another 6 or so to Halifax. Suspect Icelandair isn’t full of films, games and leg room, so shall have to think of something to keep her busy.

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Srpska tomorrow

August 22nd, 2008

I’m off to Srpska. After the end of the Bosnian war and the Dayton Accord, Bosnia & Herzegovina was divided into two political entities; 51 % of the territory for Croats and Bosniaks and 49 % for Serbs. The latter is Srpska.

Fortunately, there’s no chance of bumping into Srpska’s horrid first president, as he’s behind bars – or at least locked up in a comfortable cell – in the UN detention centre in Scheveningen where he’ll face genocide charges – and about time, too. But enough about the Dr Evil. (Why does the fact that he’s a psychiatrist make his crimes seem even more sinister?) 

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Skopje story

August 8th, 2008

My article on Skopje is live here

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Lesotho story

February 14th, 2008

published on OnAJunket in November and I only noticed it now.

I’m liking this.

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Christmas markets

December 29th, 2007

with and without kids – here’s my quick round-up

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A new story – in a new outlet

December 3rd, 2007

Had a piece published over at Travellady about the Russian Arctic ghost town Pyramiden.

I’m such a busy bee these days.

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