During the 21st Century Marrakech has become the hub for both economic growth and tourism. Although it is only the fourth largest city in Morocco it seems to have become the most popular destination for many to visit. The souks are an obvious draw, where shyness is a no-no and…
My Star Rating: **** Pages: 156 First Published in 1997 As I mentioned in a previous post, I have decided to return to the world of study albeit from home in my own time. This is not a revelation for family and friends who know me well; my father would…
My Star Rating: ***** Pages: 832 First Published in 2013 & winner of The Man Booker Prize Eleanor Catton has achieved a masterpiece at just 28 years of age: this will be a ‘classic’ of the future, destined to appear on English Literature reading lists in Universities everywhere. Born…
After something quirky and different without a high price tag? Qbic London may be your answer. Opened for just a few months now, this hotel offers a unique concept that first started in Amsterdam – everything is recycled. You sleep in a room that has been created out of old…
Written in 1966, under the pseudonym of Ross Macdonald, Kenneth Millar accomplished yet another compelling tale to add to his already extensive work in the Lew Archer, Private Detective Series. Colombo meets Miss Marple in this slightly bizarre twist on a detective, who done it! Whilst Archer eventually draws a…
Always intrigued to look at the work of local artists and photographers, the art gallery in Bowness-on-Windermere naturally grabbed our attention as we walked past. “Shall we take a quick look in?” Knowing that we have no wall space left in our house to cope with yet another piece of…
It’s not very often that I feel disappointed after reading a novel but on this occasion that is the case. I normally embrace all writing styles but for some reason this particular novel took far longer than expected to read, however, was it a bad storyline? No. For me I think…
After a day walking around the dusty souks, relaxing in luxury is the perfect way to unwind. Calming colours, scented oils and water features provide a tranquil setting in which to enjoy a refreshing mint tea away from the afternoon heat. This delightful little Riad is just north of the…
Traditional home cooked Moroccan food can be found, lovingly prepared in many of the Riads surrounding the city so if you are after a tasty tagine this should be your starting point. Being smaller in size than many of the larger hotel chains now springing up around the outskirts of…
Covered head to toe in dust and shaking like a leaf I finally come to a stop on the small incline of a hill beside the shop front. Quad biking had always been something I feared and even though I agreed to whizz around the deserted countryside with friends it…