travel

Holidays – a time of spiritual renewal or just an excuse for a kip on the beach?

July 2, 2019 By Ellen Leave a Comment

Here’s a thought. Do you think our two-week break from the humdrum restores our souls or is it all about getting a lie-in and on the other side of some large gins? I know the bucket-and-spade ritual has a sacred status – nothing should get in the way of the great British holibags, and everything […]

Things I learned from going up the Glasgow Tower.

April 22, 2019 By Ellen 1 Comment

It’s not, in fact, broken. It first opened in 2001, proud above the Glasgow skyline, back before that part of the city became trendy. I don’t remember the grand opening, but I do remember the subsequent closings and even the slightly dramatic rescue of trapped visitors. All the problems have been fixed now, apparently. […]

On a journey south and a delightful deceit… things I’ve learned lately

February 17, 2019 By Ellen 1 Comment

Write a post every day, she said (to herself, cos no one else cares). Let’s see how that goes then! And here we are a week later, but it’s been a good – and educational week. Here are the things I learned. The long way round still gets you there… (Also known as, confusingly, only […]

On getting dressed in the dark, sexual confusion and hair washing – things I’ve learned lately

February 5, 2019 By Ellen 1 Comment

It’s a huge relief, I must say, to have let myself off the hook and returned to little trivial blog posts like this – but with a structure. You should try it. I could include that as a learning, couldn’t I? Make some rules for yourself, then keep them. But, actually, that’s not really healthy, […]

Why I love getting the sleeper

April 25, 2018 By Ellen Leave a Comment

My favourite way to travel to London is by sleeper train. It gives me a sense of how Harry Potter felt when he pushed his trunk and owl-laden trolley into the other world of platform 9 3/4. Instead of being pursued by a vast bearded man on an enchanted motorbike though, I just need […]