I could see the dogs larking around in the road maybe 250 metres ahead of me. They spotted the red frame of the bike and locked onto it like a charging bull. They were soon up to speed, sprinting towards me as I grappled with the weight of my touring bags while turning back the way I’d come. Thankfully, I already had a good tailwind behind me and, after an initial 50 metres of wondering whether I’d make it or not, I was soon accelerating away from them. They continued the cha

Between 2007 and 2014, I cycled large sections of the North Sea Cycle Route (EV1) with my children, camping across Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and the UK. These trips were the first phase of what became a lifelong cycle touring journey. I’ve a distinct memory of cycling down a steep winding road in Oslo with two of my kids. All was good until they decided to race each other fuelled by Haribo, and were soon out of sight. They are in their 20s now. At the

Bruges is lovely. It's a touristy, welcoming, peaceful package tied up in a bow, just like the chocolates that you can buy there - and certainly worth a return visit. Two plus years into retirement and we are still enjoying the freedom to slow down, travel at our own pace, and do stuff like revisiting some of our favourite corners of Europe. Driving to Bruges from the UK for the weekend, for what was our 4th visit, made for a fantastic visit. Best for: Couples, retirees, week

Two plus years into retirement, and we are still enjoying the freedom to slow down, travel at our own pace, and revisit some of our favourite corners of Europe by bike. This post is a lead-in for our trip. Over the coming weeks, during our travels, I plan to publish detailed daily posts covering our accommodation, ferry crossings, quality of cycling routes, the great food that I’m hoping to have, logistics and stats, costs, and the highlights (and I’m sure occasional mishaps)

One of the wheels on our large Tripp suitcase finally gave up while I was dragging it around Japan. It was a long walk from the station to the hotel, trying to keep the suitcase balanced on it’s remaining three wheels. Anyway. When I got home I contacted Tripp thinking I could just buy a replacement for the failed wheel. It’s an older suitcase and has had a good long life. It’s survived airports, train stations, cobbled streets, and more flights than I can count, so didn’t ex

United WiFi in the Sky Yes, in short - airline Wi-Fi is mostly shite. Well, sort of. Somewhere over Scotland on the way to the US, on a 9-hour United Airlines flight, I made what should have been a simple decision: “I’ll buy the Wifi”. Easy decision, and what should have been a simple task. But it didn’t work like it should. It should be as simple as making a cup of tea or turning on a TV - but it’s not. It’s not a simple button click, where you enter your credit card details

Tromso should be recognized as a premier destination for Northern Lights enthusiasts, often overshadowed by its Icelandic rival.

The cranes, known locally and affectionally as Samson and Goliath - in that order. The first, Goliath, was completed in July 1969. Samson was completed in May 1974. I've only ever known the cityscape as having the two cranes.