Heading to Lancashire for the weekend to Blackpool and staying in a static caravan was an interesting way to spend my 45th birthday. The weekend was also spent with friends Gavin, Wendy, Spencer and Clare (as well as Heather of course) and I had very little idea what had been planned for me either. The Friday evening was spent in Blackpool enjoying some Italian food at Sapori, just a short walk from the iconic Blackpool Tower. It was a really nice place and ver...

Fortunately I did have a hat if it were needed for a walk on Ilkley Moor as I believe that is what the song is about (or not having a hat more to the point) apart from 'a courting Mary Jane' of course, of which I think Mrs Holt may have a thing or two to say. The trip to this delightful West Yorkshire town was my Christmas gift from Heather and included a night at The Crescent Inn and dinner at Le Bistro Pierre too (which is situated in the same building). Wit...

Having been to London hundreds of time (or thousands for Heather!), this visit was a rarity in that it was a proper weekend break in the capital. Normally we are passing through, popping down for work, stopping for a night either before or after a trip elsewhere or just having a day out 'in the smoke'. So, this weekend was actually quite special - we were stopping in a nice hotel (rather than a cheap and cheerful Travelodge), there were plans to do some touristy...

. . . . well actually we never did get a ferry across the Mersey. We used the train instead to reach The Wirral and the town of New Brighton having travelled from Derby via Crewe and Liverpool Lime Street. Coming to Liverpool was part of a birthday weekend for Mrs H and stopping in New Brighton was a little different to staying in the city itself. The town promises a long promenade to wander along giving expansive views across to Liverpool (although, if honest,...

With our flight to Kuala Lumpur booked for the Sunday evening we took advantage of a spare Saturday night and travelled to London a day early so we could take in a show and be able to get out to Heathrow without too much bother. Having checked in at the Travelodge opposite King Cross station we wandered back past Platform 9 3/4 (of Harry Potter fame) and visited the Parcel Yard pub within Kings Cross station. This was my first visit to this place and what an inte...