Our Japan adventure began in Sapporo, on the northern island of Hokkaido, where we arrived in the middle of January to find a city blanketed in snow. Over three days, we explored the city, sampled plenty of Japanese food, discovered just how much of the city lies underground, and wrestled with the weather. Sapporo made a great start to our trip, and experiencing Japan in the depths of winter was something quite different from the other stops on our trip. Arriving in Sapporo We landed at Haneda (Tokyo) Terminal 3 at 07:35. Haneda has three main terminals: Broadly speaking, as I’m sure there will be some exceptions - especially for ANA, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 handle domestic flights, and Terminal 3 handles the international flights. So it was no surprise that we arrived into Terminal 3 and would fly to New Chitose Airport (Sapporo) from Terminal 1. After a simple immigration / passport control, and collection of our bags, we had around four hours before our onward domestic flight to Sapporo. We needed to leave that gap as the flight to Sapporo wasn’t on the same ticket as the flight from the UK. There are a variety of different modes of transport between the terminals - train, monorail and shuttle bus. We decided to take the less complicated and very regular free transit bus from outside Terminal 3 round to outside Terminal 1. Every 4 to 10 mins, and takes 7 mins. The monorail and train transit options need a free transit boarding ticket - requiring a visit to the airport information counter, presentation of our passports, boarding passes for the next flight - too much pain! The free shuttle between Haneda terminals made the transfer from the international terminal straightforward, and was as regular and quick as advertised - I’m not sure why I was so worried about this step - it was simple. Once settled in Terminal 1 we found our gate and used the time to get some food. This wasn’t your normal boring airport food - sandwich and a packet of crisps. Japanese food is ace. The ground crew waved our plane off for the flight from Haneda to New Chitose Airport - yep they really do that. The flight was comfortable and no surprise - on time. Once we landed and retrieved our bags we took a Chitose Line train (runs every 22mins) into central Sapporo and used Google Maps to navigate the short walk to the ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo. It was our first proper taste of Japanese trains on this trip – and it immediately reinforced everything I'd heard about them. It was a cold but lovely 450m January walk from the station to the hotel. Sapporo was covered in a blanket of snow, Our First Afternoon in Sapporo: Odori Park, the TV Tower and Ramen We didn't hang around in the hotel - what would be the point. Our first afternoon was spent exploring: Odori Park – where preparations were already underway for the enormous snow sculptures that would appear for the Sapporo Snow Festival in February. Sapporo TV Tower - lit up and looking lovely in the crisp winter air Convenience store visit - Lawson, for our first of many snacks. We tried the hot chicken We even found Tanukikoji Shopping Street - a 900m long covered street with loads and loads of shops and restaurants. There we had our first taste of a 24-hour huge Don Quijote store We had our first of many ramen on the trip - close by - it didn’t disappoint. It was a fairly gentle first day introduction to Sapporo, although by the end of it we'd covered a decent amount of ground. Over the next few days we walked, ate, shopped and walked some more - here are the highlights; Sapporo Beer Garden: Why Our All-You-Can-Eat Dinner Disappointed After a quick visit to the museum, we moved on to our pre-booked an all-you-can-eat-and-drink Genghis Khan dinner at Sapporo Beer Garden, expecting a lively evening of grilled lamb and plenty of local beer. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a let-down. The enormous beer hall was almost empty, so there was very little atmosphere. Ordering through an iPad and having food delivered by robot was fun, but we still had to queue for our beer. The food needed more attention than we'd expected, with plenty of smoke from the grill and some of the vegetables burning while we tried to keep up with the cooking. The beer was good, but it never quite became the centrepiece of the evening we'd imagined. We left full, but not particularly impressed. Would we go again? Probably not. We'd rather find a good local bar, enjoy a couple of Sapporo beers and spend our money on a meal that doesn't require quite so much effort. Breakfast at Komeda's Coffee: A Cheap Japanese Morning Tradition We visited a coffee shop chain that came highly recommended for its simple and cheap breakfasts. We opted for a coffee, a boiled egg, and bread with jam. Such a simple breakfast at Komeda’s Coffee — there are loads of them. It’s a Japanese tradition ¥600 each, less than £3 each. Who said Japan was expensive? Definitely worth a visit, and much more fun than a hotel breakfast. Visiting Sapporo's Famous Chocolate Biscuit Attraction We took a train out to Shiroi Koibito Park, a chocolate-themed attraction built around the famous Shiroi Koibito biscuits. As it turned out, these chocolate-filled biscuits were everywhere in Sapporo. We used our Suica cards for the journey, and the whole process was remarkably easy. Weather warning - where is everyone? There was a lot of snow — more than usual, as it was all over the news. Everyone in Sapporo just seemed to get on with it. It was today that we realised how much of the city is underground. Not just restaurants in the basements of department stores, but huge malls with loads of shops, restaurants, and more. All the people were down there and together with the underground trains allowed for efficient movement across the city - regardless of weather. If you're visiting in January or February, comfortable, waterproof footwear is essential outdoors — but don't underestimate how useful the underground network can be. Cooking Our Own Okonomiyaki (With a Little Help!) Eating in Japan can be an adventure when you don't recognise half the menu and have no idea how much to order. On this occasion, our best guess produced a selection of sausages and a dish that looked like a cross between an omelette, a giant hash brown and a roti, with vegetables and noodles thrown into the mix. There was just one problem: we had to cook it ourselves. The waitress took one look at us and came over to help. I'm guessing it was fairly obvious that we had no idea what we were doing and were in danger of burning our lunch. She was lovely about it, although I did look around to see that nobody else seemed to need quite so much assistance. We looked up the name afterwards. It was okonomiyaki, a savoury Japanese pancake, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Another lesson learned: sometimes the best meals in Japan start with absolutely no idea what you've ordered. Mount Moiwa Ropeway A trip to Mount Moiwa promised one of the best views of Sapporo. We travelled out to the mountain and took the ropeway up towards the observation deck, hoping to see the city spread out beneath us. Unfortunately, the weather had other ideas. What had started as a clear day turned into a snowstorm, and by the time we reached the top, visibility had disappeared completely. Instead of spectacular views, we were looking at a whiteout. We made the best of it. There was coffee from a vending machine, a souvenir T-shirt and a photo with some Japanese characters before we headed back down into the snow. It was disappointing not to get the view we'd come for, but that's winter travel. If you're planning a visit to Mount Moiwa, check the weather and visibility before setting off, particularly if the views are your main reason for going. We'd certainly consider another attempt on a clearer day. Leaving Sapporo Would we recommend it? Absolutely. Sapporo was a great way to begin our Japan trip. We enjoyed the food, the shopping, the winter atmosphere and the experience of seeing how a major Japanese city copes with heavy snowfall. Not everything lived up to expectations — our dinner at Sapporo Beer Garden being a case in point — but that's part of travelling independently. January was bitterly cold, and the snow occasionally disrupted travel, but it also made Sapporo feel very different from the Japan we'd experienced elsewhere. It was a world away from the more temperate streets of Osaka and Kyoto, and even further removed from the warmer climate of Okinawa. Three days gave us a good introduction to the city, although the weather meant we missed out on the views from Mount Moiwa. We'd happily recommend Sapporo to anyone wanting to see another side of Japan, particularly if you're interested in winter scenery, a variety of Japanese food and a destination that feels quite different from the country's more familiar tourist stops. For us, Sapporo was a memorable start to the trip — and a reminder that sometimes the experiences that don't go quite to plan make the best travel stories.

A couple of years ago I was hunting around for a raincoat. I wanted something better than a Peter Storm, but didn’t want to pay the £250 to £300 for the best coats around. I’d long admired the apparel that I’d seen others wear on our Norwegian Coastal Voyages, Iceland and in Longyearbyen. I wanted the same as them; Material specifications that demonstrated that the raincoat was good An authentic outdoor colour - dark colour and bright zips with colour co-ordinated strings - just incase you forget where the zips are, or when wearing gloves can’t get a good grip of the fiddly zips Water resistant whilst allowing my body to breath when wrapped up - I didn’t want to feel like a chicken being cooked in a bag To look the part of a well protected dry and warm thoughtful walker Not to keep calling it a rain coat and to get up to speed with the lingo But I didn’t want to pay the price that went with it. Let’s be clear - this was for my 5 km walk around the local area - I wasn’t about to go trail walking. After a bit of a search I found the match - Fjern https://www.fjern.equipment The website, materials, style, zips all passed the initial sniff test. It was clearly a Nordic name built for tough environments - so what was there to double check, and better still there was a sale meaning the £300+ jacket was only £130. Result. https://www.fjern.equipment/collections/sale/products/mens-orkan-waterproof-shell-jacket-navy-rust And it more than did the job on my 5km local walks. I felt like a Nordic Explorer in my raincoat Waterproof Shell Jacket. I walked around our postal code in the mild winter conditions no longer afraid of a bit of rain. 21 months passed by….. and I found myself in Iceland. It was summer - but none-the-less the conditions were challenging and the waterproof shell jacket performed very well. It was then I noticed a developing issue - the pocket seam was separating away from the main jacket - leaving a hole in the pocket. I then decided to drop an email to Fjern as this felt like a product fault as opposed to wear and tear - asking initially about advice on how to repair. After all, those Nordic brands are great at taking care of their customers. What I received back after a few emails, surprised me. The contact details for a repair shop - no thanks The offer of a £13 credit - no thanks A swap to the same product - no thanks (same manufacturing issue) A full refund - Result During the various emails I became aware that Fjern weren’t what I thought they were. They weren’t Nordic. They were UK designed and manufactured in China, and mostly sold through the SportsPursuit website - https://www.sportpursuit.com which appeared to have more sales than DFS. After I took the refund I bough the later ORKAN 2 model - https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/4263463/. Again for what appears to be a good price - but you really need to ignore the before price as I’ve never actually seen it being sold for anything near to that. The seam around the pocket has been redesigned, but unfortunately so has the stiff hood front - which was a feature that I really liked. So what have a learnt; Some bargains are too good to be believed Read around brands - don’t stop once you’ve found what sounds like an authentic name Smart marketing doesn’t directly translate into poor products and poor service. All in all - I still love the raincoat, and would buy from sportpursuit.com again.

On day 5 of the Norwegian Coastal Route, at around 14:15 in the afternoon, you arrive into the small city of Tromso, known as the "Gateway to the Arctic". The ship docks at the modern port building - quite literally in the city centre. While organised tours often offer a brief glimpse into what this stunning location has to offer, you are perfectly placed to explore it on your own and you can tailor your adventure to your own interests. You've got 4 hours to explore - so make sure you have got a plan as 4 hours won't be long enough. TL;DR I've visited Tromso regularly over the last 10 years. This is what my wife and I did when we first visited when sailing the Norwegian Coastal Route in 2024, and loved the brief time we had there. That said - the following advice applies - if you have chosen to fly to Tromsø. Grab an Uber and Head to the Cable Car As you get off the ship into the terminal building - get your phone out and order an Uber. The cost should be approx 200 Nok (£15 or $20). This quick ride saves you time and allows you to bypass the lengthy queues to get onto the organised tour.. While crossing the bridge, take a moment to enjoy the stunning views of Tromsø's waterfront and the majestic mountains surrounding you. The bridge itself stands 1,133 meters long and provides a fantastic vantage point. Stunning view of Tromsø bridge At the cable car station, purchase your tickets and enjoy on the ride. The ride gives you panoramic views that are on a clear day breathtaking, with the city and fjords stretching out below. Enjoy the Summit Once you reach the summit, take time to soak in the spectacular scenery. The panoramic views of the Arctic are second to none. Its lovely at any time of year. There is a cafe and toilets available, and shelter from the elements if the weather is inclement. Walk Back to the Town After your summit adventure, descend the cable car and if you are feeling energetic consider walking back to the city instead of taking the Uber. This leisurely 30 minute walk across the bridge not only provides a different perspective but also allows you to connect more deeply with the beautiful surroundings. I particularly enjoyed getting an insight into Norwegian every day life, as we walked through the housing toward the bridge. Just before the bridge you'll see the Tromso cathedral. The walk way on the bridge is protected from the traffic. And as you cross any concerns that you were a little far from the ship will resolve themselves. Its probably around 16:00 by now, with another couple of hours available. Back in Tromso Tromso is really not that big, and is ideal for having a stroll through the town - my personal highlights were; The large acquarium in the window of Restaurant Skirri - where we also had a quick drink. Raketten Bar & Pølse - grab a quick hotdog or coffee at what may be Norway's smallest bar., where on a cold day there will be a fire outside. Continue your stroll as you make your way to the last stop - Ølhallen, Tromsø's oldest pub. Keep an eye out for craft shops and cozy cafes along the route. These local stops can be perfect for picking up souvenirs or indulging in regional treats.. Visit Ølhallen Brewery This brewery is well-known among both locals and tourists for its impressive selection of craft beers brewed right in Norway. Ølhallen is a nice old bar, perfect for a relaxing drink after a day of exploration. The bartenders are passionate about their craft and happy to make recommendations that highlight local brews and seasonal favorites. For example, sampling a pint of Mack Beer, crafted by Norway's oldest brewery, allows you to experience a true taste of Tromsø. Welcoming sign at Ølhallen Brewery Taking a moment, or as long as you have left, to enjoy a beer lets you reflect on your day's adventures while soaking in the local vibe. Make sure you left enough time for the short walk back to the ship. My wife asked didn't realise how small a small beer might be.... Your Afternoon of Discovery in Tromsø Exploring Tromsø on your own gives you the chance to immerse yourself in its charm and beauty. You get to do it your way - with this self-guided itinerary, you can navigate popular attractions without the stress of crowded tours. From breathtaking views atop the Fjellheisen to the welcoming warmth of Ølhallen Brewery, your day is sure to be filled with unforgettable experiences. Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning to rediscover its charm, Tromsø has something to enchant every traveller. So grab that Uber and embark on your unforgettable adventure! Final Thoughts Investing in a little time to do some research and creating a plan for your visit to Tromso, and other port stops on the Norwegian Coastal Route, is time well spent if you want to make the most of your port visit.

The Maldives doesn't need much of an explanation - its basically everything its cracked up to be. Overwater bungalows, crystal-clear waters, colourful fish and coral reefs. We visited a couple of years ago, and I like many other travellers wondered whether we should make time to explore the capital city, Male? TL;DR We took the time to visit Male - mostly to extract the maximum time spent at the pricey resorts. Understanding Male: The Capital of the Maldives Male, the capital city of the Maldives. It's where the international airport is and where you will land when visiting one of the many resorts. With a population exceeding 200,000, on a tiny island of just 8.30 square kilometres, it is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Its a lively noisy urban centre that offers such a massive contrasting experience to the quiet island resorts. Whilst we were there - it never slept. The Attractions of Male I won't bore you with everything it's got - but think culture, history, local markets, parks, shoreline, a busy dock and a bustling airport. Oh, and loads and loads of people and scooters. The Pros of Visiting Male Male provides a window into the daily lives of Maldivians - it looks like a tough life. Visiting Male allows travellers to sample the local culture. Note - there isn't any culture on the resort islands Unique experience - from tasting local dishes to visiting historical sites Engaging with local artisans at craft markets Very accessible by foot The Cons of Visiting Male It's crowded and busy - we experienced it as a city that never sleeps - so noisy Limited beach access - it its not a holiday location Will eat up time if your schedule is tight Is It Worth Your Time? To be brutally honest. No - whilst it's a friendly and mildly interesting city, best to take the first boat / ferry / plane transit out to your resort after you land at the airport. However - if you are time rich, and looking to get the best value form your Maldives spend, consider this.... If you arrive late into Male or are scheduled to depart early - you will cut into your time that you've paid for at your luxurious and expensive resort. Be like retiredcormac and integrate Male to drive some additional value. Our BA flight back to London was scheduled to leave at 11:00 on our last day at the Hilton Amingiri resort - meaning getting up at a horrible 05:00 to checkout at 06:00. Instead we chose to add a night in Male at the end of our stay. We stayed at the Hilton and enjoyed the resort until late on our last day, without having to pay for that night, and booked a cheap hotel in Male that included a free return airport transit instead. This worked really well, and also gave us an opportunity to explore Male - it isn't big and doesn't take long. Final Thoughts Retirement provides time. This, together with booking independently and creating your own itinerary allows you to drive better value when travelling. Meaning you have more money in your pocket to book more holidays. p.s. If you do want local Madive culture - go to one of the local, non-resort, islands instead. Happy travels!

Here is the run down of what was advertised for today’s 9 hour flight and what we actually got. Let’s be clear - I’m eating and drinking everything that is offered, except the sugary stuff as I’d like to keep my feet. A few passengers looked fully prepared for an endurance-eating event, so perhaps United knows its passengers. Anyway - here is the advertised menu on the app. Which is a pretty good and welcomed approach…. Service 1 - after take off Savory marinated olives or Lettuce mix Gnocchi or Braised chicken stew or Orecchiette Silky passionfruit and lime infused custard Service 2 - mid flight Apple cinnamon infused pastry Chicken burrito wrap Service 3 - pre landing Grilled chicken and pepper pizza Four cheese pizza twist And what we got Pre-Service 1 - just after take off Unexpected round of drinks Service 1 – Better Than Expected Round of drinks Chicken had run out - was ok as it wasn’t my first choice anyway Seems the vegetarian Gnocchi isn’t vegan as it has milk in it. So the vegans will have to starve. Clearly we aren’t going all the way to California There were no olives, other items were as advertised. As airplane food goes - it wasn’t bad. Service 2 - Mid-Flight Confusion Exactly (I.e. 4hrs 30mins) mid-flight No sign of the pastry As they got to our seats, we were then told that ‘they’ didn’t cook all the chicken wraps - but that the chicken wraps were now in the oven cooking. I’m not sure who ‘they’ are as there isn’t a chef back there, clearly an oversight of one of her colleagues. Unexpected round of drinks - which was appreciated Hot burrito wraps eventually arrived at 17:00, and proved to be worth the wait. Hot and tasty, and went down a treat, pretty sure it’s the first of not so healthy choices this holiday. Pastries are still AWOL, assumed MIA. So it’s now 17:15 and we land in 3hrs 35 mins - is there really time for a 3rd service? Service 3 - Final Approach Pizza Assault Its 19:00, approx 1hr 30mins to landing. Incoming is yet another unexpected round of drinks It was pizza or pizza - we had one of each. Booth were poor United Airlines - So in summary; Either this aircraft is 40% fuel and 60% catering storage, or United Airlines has cracked physics Service has been hit and miss - but on the whole - more than fine Seriously impressed by the amount of drinks served by United, and the restraint by the other passengers.

Meet Noddy Car - which I picked up from Budget last week at Belfast International Airport. I called it Noddy car - as it reminded me of this. It’s not exactly the sort of car that I’d want to own. If I got given it, I’d probably give it back, or sell it and buy something else. The colour could be better, the ‘va va voom’ is questionable, it has zero curb appeal. It’s basic - with its 4 doors, 4 wheels, 4 seats, a steering wheel and brakes. There’s no Sat Nav, reversing camera or sensors. What it has got loads of though is scratches and mileage. It did do the trick for the 5 days that I needed it. In short - it’s not shite, but pretty close. If you want great value, you can’t expect a great car. Driving a Great Deal - £62 for 5 days Here’s how I did it step-by-step: Start early: I began searching about 6 months before my trip, after I booked the flights. Early bird gets the worm, or in this case, the cheapest of cars. Using SkyScanner: The interface is easy. Set the pick-up point location with dates and times appropriately. Watch the times, as prices are based on 24-hour slots - you’ll be paying for a whole day even if you just need the first hour. Filter/Sort carefully: I sorted results by price - because I’m a cheapskate, on-airport as I can’t be arsed with the hassle of off airport. I always take a cancellable option - plans and prices can change. Check insurance options: Instead of accepting the expensive insurance at the counter, consider alternatives. I use the AMEX car hire insurance that comes with my Platinum card. You can also buy hire car insurance as a separate standalone product from lots of suppliers. Initial Booking: Most times, it is just a small refundable deposit when booking, and the remainder on collection. And monitor: Initial booking cost £80 with Auto Europe, I then checked prices every few weeks. There were two occasions when the price dropped (first to £74 with Orbit, then to £62.60 again with Orbit - same company), and so I cancelled and rebooked to lock in the cheaper rate, the advantage of a cancellable booking. £7.60 refundable deposit, with £55 to pay at the counter. This approach continues to save me a fair bit at different airports and countries around the world. Noddy car is not an individual either. I can only assume by the colour that they weren’t selling, and Avis/budget bought up a significant number for a great deal. The staff, all around, from collection at the counter to return inspection are efficient. Booking Direct Is a Wrong Turn Most people think booking a car directly from the rental company at the airport is the best way to go. It’s not. I have never gotten the equivalent value when booking direct, and to be honest have given up trying to book direct. Revisiting Your Booking Pays Off One of the best tips I can share is to revisit your booking regularly. Prices fluctuate as the trip date approaches. Sometimes, a better deal pops up or an intermediary lowers their price to compete. I checked my booking every few weeks and managed to shave off another 10% by cancelling and rebooking at a lower price. Just make sure your booking allows free cancellation or minimal fees. Tips for Booking Car Hire at Belfast or any Airport Book early but keep an eye on prices: Lock in a good deal but revisit it. Avoid booking direct: Use consolidators to find the best intermediaries. Purchase insurance separately: Don’t buy insurance at the counter. Read reviews: Not all intermediaries are equal; pick those with good feedback. Check cancellation policies: Flexibility can save you money. Make notes: Apply learnings from your experience for the next time you are booking. Manage your expectations: Low cost will probably mean something similar to Noddy car.

Cambridge (and Oxford as it happens) has always held an interest for me. Maybe as an aspirational place for education of just the historic university buildings, picturesque riverside walks, quirky shops and traditional pubs. It should have been an easy win for date day as it’s a reasonably comfortable drive from Northampton. But, in reality, the day turned out to be a bit of a mixed bag. We had a few reasons for visiting Cambridge. there was the city itself, with its historic university buildings, people watching and watching the punting on the river. we had some points to use at The Ivy, along with an email telling us that their points club was closing. It was very much a case of use them or lose them. it was a date day, and Cambridge seemed to tick all the boxes. Getting there was straightforward. The drive from Northampton was comfortable, and parking at Grafton West car park was easy enough. From there, it was a short, scenic walk into the city centre. Breakfast at the Ivy When we got into Cambridge we went directly to the Ivy for breakfast. Honestly I think it’s the best meal that they do and when paired with a couple of pots of English Breakfast tea, for around the equivalent of £40 in points, it’s very hard to beat. My traditional breakfast was considerably larger than I expected - so lunch was starting before we managed to get out to walk off our breakfast. We walked around Cambridge with very little purpose or plan - heading toward what looked interesting, before heading down to the river. We had a good stretch of the legs and time to take in a typical weekday in Cambridge. The punting looked interesting if a little dangerous - given the number of self-guided boats out on the water. That said we didn’t see anyone in any trouble. The shopping experience was poor. Maybe I wasn’t in the mood for it, but the expected quirky shops were bland and didn’t hold our interest. Beautiful chaos, or an accident waiting to happen? The views of the historic buildings were excellent. I know this will sound a bit odd - but the number of visitors in Cambridge, on a random Tuesday in October, was too much for me. And yes I do get the irony. We were either blocked, or tripping up over the other visitors as they seemingly randomly sped up and slowed down, stopped, and changed direction. And if that wasn’t enough the locals on bikes were speeding along the traffic-free roads within the centre. I’m not clear why the speeding cyclists had so much trust in the randomised visitor movements and why we didn’t see some spills and falls. I’d like to have called it a beautiful chaos - but it wasn’t - it was an accident waiting to happen and I tensed up more than once. Bring back the cars - it would be safer. That's probably an unpopular opinion in a city that has made so much space for pedestrians and cyclists, and I appreciate that cars bring their own problems - I’m only being half serious. But the current arrangement didn't feel particularly relaxing or safe. By this point, I wasn't enjoying Cambridge. The buildings were beautiful, especially in the warm autumn sunshine - the setting was lovely, but the experience of actually walking around the city had become more frustrating than enjoyable. I didn’t enjoy Cambridge and won’t be rushing back. A quieter stop on the way home On the way out of the city we took a small diversion to visit the very neat and tidy US military cemetery. I don’t have a massive interest in war or history but I do find military war graves fascinating. I think it’s maybe the order that is maintained even in death - headstones placed perfectly in line and manicured lawns, bushes and trees. The more recently built visitor centre was also an informative and interesting walk around. And then we were on our way home before the evening traffic built up. Cambridge - Box ticked - but not in an entirely enjoyable way https://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials/about-cambridge-american-cemetery/ https://ivycollection.com/restaurants-near-me/the-ivy-south-east/the-ivy-cambridge-brasserie/

Pre-Covid, I was a weekend lycra warrior. I’d suit up, have a big breakfast, stuff my pockets with food, bidons with fluids and be regularly out on my bike before 09:00 for a 3 or 4 hour cycle most weekends. Post-Covid, working from home through to retirement I moved to more regular weekday cycles. When the weather is behaving I’ll be out on my bike for a short cycle most days. I settled on a familiar cycle route that I’ve now got very used to - here are the stats; Distance - 28.18km - so generally just over an hour Elevation gain - a comfortable 177m Route - out and back - so covering the same route twice each cycle Frequency - Strava tells me that I’ve ridden this route at least 200 times, including 36 times in the last 90 days Local Legend - 10, zero KoMs (no surprise there) There’s a lot to be said for familiarity. I know the roads, I know what to expect, and I can get my head down, settle into a rhythm and enjoy being out in the fresh air. Riding the same route also gives me a useful benchmark for my fitness. I can compare times, how the ride feels, and how quickly I recover. It all seems pretty good — or so I thought. The problem with familiarity The problem is that familiarity can breed complacency. I’m still watching the traffic and keeping an eye on my position on the road, but I’m not necessarily taking in the scenery. Instead, I find myself riding on autopilot, drifting off into my own thoughts. And there have been too many reminders that this isn't a good idea. Complacency. It’s not good - if you want to stay on two wheels. Too many times - one of the following has happened. Clipping the same bush that leans into the road as I go through Salcey forest Was quick on the brakes and flicked right to avoid a parked van in Hanslope village Nearly went into the corner of a Range Rover on the approach to Salcey forest None of these incidents resulted in an accident, thankfully. But they’ve made me think about what I’m doing, particularly as most have happened on uphill stretches when I’ve had my head down. On a positive note - I haven’t fallen off in a while. Time for a Change I think it’s time to switch from my road bike to my touring bike. The thicker tyres, a more relaxed pace and a different route is what I need for the winter months. I’ll still get my regular rides in, but hopefully I’ll spend more time looking at the world around me rather than simply ticking off the kilometres. After at least 200 rides, it feels like saying goodbye is long overdue. Bye Bye 28.18km.

I recently bought a new cycling helmet from Amazon - here's my quick review. Let's start with my affliction - a huge head. It's as big as the moon. This is me... Here's the helmet. You can find it on Amazon here - https://amzn.to/4oqGgoy And here is how I look in it. It fits nicely and has a little more space if I need it. Straps are comfortable, and the netting at the front helps keep the flies off my head. That's about it. I did buy this attachment for the back - it's a red flashing light. I didn't like the plastic clip in, and difficulty to charge - so sent it back for a refund from Amazon.

Introduction I’ve always loved LEGO, and when I first saw this LEGO set the similarity to my Trek 520 was so striking that I knew I just had to get it. It’s got 1015 pieces and is sufficiently technical to provide more than enough of a challenge for a 57 year old. Certainly kept me entertained for an evening. Just like my Trek 520, it features working steering, chain, and derailleur. The brakes, pedals, back light and water bottle all add to the realism. First Impressions - LEGO 11380 What's in the Box? There are 1015 pieces in total - including two large rubber tyres. In addition to the instruction manual are a number of paper bags organised into separate build sections - for instance bag 1 contains a stand, bag 2 contains the back wheel. The instruction manual is easy to follow with excellent instructions and pictures to get the build right first time. The bright red colour of the frame and the black of the tyres work together so well, and look so similar to the Trek 520. It feels like the set was made for me. Why This Set Caught My Attention I love my Trek 520 - its iconic red colour is so similar to this LEGO set. I spent a very relaxing evening working through the 8 or so bags to build the model, and it turned out so much better than I expected. The Build Experience Stage 1: Constructing the Stand and Back Wheel First things first, I built the stand that would secure the back wheel. This worked well as it then supported the rest of the build, like a real bike you don’t want to lean it against something, put it on its side or upside down. After that it was the back wheel - which was so well thought out. A bit more complicated than most other parts - but when done correctly so very secure. It also gives a really good insight to how solid the build was. Stage 2: Frame, Front Wheel & Chain As the frame came together, again I could feel how robust the build was, and also how big it was. The red of the frame looked so good. Not at all fiddly, unlike the chain. The front wheel was a simpler build as it was pretty much a repeat of the back wheel. But what a moment once the front and back cogs were added, the derailleur was fitted, and the chain was fed through. It really looked like a bike. Even better when tested and both pedalling and free-wheeling worked. Awesome. Definitely the most satisfying element of the build - but the chain was both fiddly and repetitive. I used a couple less links than available in the kit to keep the chain tight. Stage 3: Handlebars and Brakes The front fork construction was a little different than the frame, but also designed really well. The working steering was another welcome surprise. The handlebars look great and the brakes also look great and even have a brake feeling when squeezed. It’s all very smart. A number of parts from other sets have been re-purposed / re-imagined to work in this model. This is highlighted in the instructions. I won’t ruin all the surprises - but it’s quite cool when you see how a couple of hockey sticks have been used to bring the saddle alive. Stage 4: Finishing Details The addition of the water bottle and rear light are great touches. Though my only criticism is that the water bottle feels just a tad larger than it should be. The saddle, pedals, brake levers and calipers, together with the working derailleur and chain bring an authenticity that is unexpected. Favourite Features The Working Drivetrain The coolest part of the build. Necessary, I think. But to actually build a working chain around the front cog, around the back cog, and fed through a tensioning derailleur is just fantastic. The pedals drive the back wheel as expected and when you stop pedalling, the back wheel free wheels. Realistic Cycling Components The derailleur is the most realistic component, together with the chain. The wheels in isolation are great to build and look fantastic. Challenges During the Build There isn’t anything overly challenging on this build. Whilst it is quite normal for me to make an error and have to rework a section - I didn’t have to on this model, which was pleasing. Honestly take your time and enjoy the build. It’s 3 or 4 hours that was very relaxing. How Realistic Is It? You tell me? Whilst the model isn’t specifically designed around a Trek 520 - it is such a good match that it could be. I was tempted to take off the Trek 520 mudguards for a picture to further demonstrate this. As mentioned some of the proportions don’t feel 100%, but I can forgive that given that it’s a model based on the specific limitations of LEGO blocks. Who Will Enjoy This Set? Cyclists If you have a red bike then yes. If you don’t have a red bike - perhaps consider buying one - who doesn’t need another bike. LEGO Collectors I think it has all the ingredients of a good build, and is something quite different. I imagine for the LEGO designers it was a difficult one. Both Me - this hit my sweet spot. Final Verdict I loved it, and when I take it back down, I think I’ll get another few builds out of it before I get bored of it. The working functions - steering, chain, derailleur - they are all great. What Could Be Better It did feel expensive to me @ £109. But I don’t buy a lot of LEGO for myself these days. I don’t think it’s one for display - I’d rather have my bikes sitting out. Building the stand first was a bit of a disappointment, as it’s a little like any other LEGO build. To differentiate, I think I would have preferred building the back wheel first. That said I understand the need for the stand early in the build. Rating Build Experience: 9/10 Display Value: 7/10 Realism: 8/10 Overall: 8/10 Conclusion The LEGO Icons Road Bike (11380) hits the mark. It does so well by capturing the essential elements of a bike and delivers successfully on them. It’s a rewarding build and looks great - whether it would appeal to a cyclist, or a LEGO collector, probably. If however you are both - like me - then YES, do yourself a favour and get it. Here’s where I found it on Amazon - https://amzn.to/4uUTLPv If you want to buy it click through my link to generate a few pennies for me.

Travelling with your bike can be a hassle, but we aren't going to leave it behind are we? It would make for a pretty boring cycle touring holiday! My previous go to was a simple large plastic bag. It was available from Wiggle in the UK for £5 from memory. The idea being that if they know it's a bike they will handle appropriately - which one assumes is - with care. This worked for many years - then the airlines gradually stopped allowing it - insisting on a hard case. All packed up for another adventure Thule 100502 My Thule 100502 Hard Bike Travel Case, also known as the Thule RoundTrip Road Bike Travel Case is now my preferred option for flying with any of my bikes. This review dives deep into its specifications, features, and highlights why it's my preferred choice - it certainly stands out. Thule 100502 Hard Bike Travel Technical Specification of Thule 100502 The name Thule screams quality, functionality and robustness. I've found all their products to be bullet proof and if something goes wrong - they have spare parts readily available through their online shop and are easy to fit. Thule RoundTrip Road Bike Travel Case is a solid hard-shell design that does its best to balance some opposing preferences - durability, weight, portability, cost. It does well on some, not so well on others. Weighing in at 17.69kg - yep doesn't do well there. With dimensions of 137.16 x 39.37 x 93.98 cm - yep it is huge, compromising portability. It's flexible though - accommodating most bike frame sizes, making it suitable for both road, touring bikes and mountain bikes. It's very robust - the outer material is made from high-impact polycarbonate, which is resistant to scratches and dents, essential for protecting your bike during travel. It does really well here. Cost - we'll maybe come to that later - but spoiler alert its pretty expensive. That said - I guess it really depends on how expensive your bike is. Have a look at one of the many Youtube videos that show off its features - such as the inbuilt stand. All packed up for another adventure Interior Protection and Padding The Thule 100502 uses an inbuilt rail - to securely fasten the bike, meaning that cushioning or foam padding is not required. The bike stays safe and secure. You can adjust the fixing - based on your bike's dimensions for a perfect fit. Additionally, integrated straps, wheel bags and pedal pockets keep your accessories organised, reducing the risk of loss or damage. This typical Swedish attention to design does well to minimise wear and tear, and gives me a massive amount of confidence during travel. I found there is also space for my Trek 520 mudguards and racks - if packed carefully. It's worth putting some additional padding around any items that haven't been secured, so that the inevitable plane vibrations do not cause damage. Ease of Use and Transport Did I say it has wheels? You pull it along by using the robust handle on the front, and a set of back wheels will take the load. Did I said it was heavy - try having it loaded and dragging it along - it's pretty tough. Loading and unloading your bike is straightforward, though needs a little bit of space. The integrated rail and stand is useful in this respect - your bike doesn't touch the ground until it has both wheels back on. It just fits in a standard car - though will require for the back seats to be down. It is heavy as well - especially with a steel touring bike inside - so may take two people to load and unload from the car to avoid any scratches. Recommendation for Adventurers Typically when touring I fly out with my wife - bike box fully loaded, have a short holiday together, she flies home with the empty bike box, and I arrive back a few weeks later needing a hair cut and beard trim. Transport to and from the destination airport can be tricky, because of weight and dimensions of the bike box - so takes a little bit of research. Final Thoughts on a Smart Investment It is pricier than most alternatives on the market. Best to prepare yourself before you take a look. However, the quality and peace of mind it offers to protect your bike (assuming your bike is worth protecting) make it a worthwhile expense. I'll say it again - it's bullet proof. Not literally - but you know what I mean. £650+ there you go I said it. I was lucky enough to get mine on ebay for much less. It appeared to have only been used once or twice. With 4 international trips under my belt - I think I've got my money's worth from it. I suspect that given that it isn't a bike box for everyone, and you only discover this through repeated use, that you'll always find them available on Ebay. In summary, the Thule 100502 Hard Bike Travel Case impresses me everytime I use it. I'll caveat that by saying it takes a lot more planning over a cardboard box. If you are searching for a robust, reliable bike box and have deep pockets then this case will exceed your expectations. Do check your typical airline ticket allowance in terms of weight and dimension. In some cases it's likely to exceed these. Here's my amazon affiliate link - it you do end up buying - costs you the same, and provides me with a few pennies that will help cover my overheads - https://amzn.to/4maATZ2 Happy travels!

We found ourselves in a small village off the main road in rural France - it was coming up to 13:00, and we were in danger of missing ‘menu du midi’. We knew it would be good, given the number of vans parked up outside. We were well fed for 16 Euro - with as much water, red wine, cider and lemonade as you wanted. I love France. That lunch in rural France perfectly framed something that I'd been thinking about for a while. After years of cycle touring of different types, I was no longer looking for longer distances, more complicated itineraries or adventures anymore. That was behind me - I'd moved on. I was looking for a better time - travelling at a slower pace, enjoying company and living experiences. This is the last part of my story of how my cycling life evolved through three distinct phases, and is how I want to move forward. Since retiring in October 2023, my wife and I have been cycling together for the first time in our 35+ years together. We’ve been on short local cycles for lunch and drinks, as well as multi-day cycle holidays in the Netherlands and France. During which I’ve taken the opportunity to revisit some areas, restaurants and accommodation that I’ve particularly enjoyed on previous tours and have enjoyed sharing the experience with my wife. These trips are defining the third and what I expect to be the last phase of my lifelong cycle touring journey. Phase Description Period 1 Family adventures with the kids Early years 2 Solo long-distance expeditions Working life 3 Relaxed cycling holidays with Jane Retirement We’ve experienced, reflected and tuned our approach and I think we have achieved close to what I would consider perfection - for cycle touring. Gone are the personal challenges, no more long days in the saddle. Solo expeditions are behind me. The Three Phases of My Cycling Life Phase 1 – Adventures with the kids cycling the North Sea Cycle Route Phase 2 – Long-distance solo expeditions Phase 3 – Relaxed cycle holidays with my wife that include long lunches and nice hotels Whilst I’ve cycled consistently throughout my life, I can now see that there have been distinct phases that only became apparent as I looked in the rear-view mirror over my many cycling adventures. In this set of blog posts, I look in detail at each phase, reflecting on the merits and challenges of each before deciding whether the relatively short period of Phase 3 is indeed the best time of my life. The Bikes and Touring Setup Trek 520, dedicated steel touring bike - Mine Cube Touring Hybrid EXC 625 - Wife’s 4 * Ortlieb Pannier Bags Car with Thule Bike Carrier mounted on tow bar I still have a few other bikes during this time - but doesn't everyone? Bye Bye Solo Cycle Touring My Monaco to Hook of Holland was the longest and most disappointing cycle tour. The plan had been fantastic - fly into Nice, watch Monaco F1 Practice day and then set off on a 20+ night adventure north through Eastern France, Belgium and Holland - mostly sticking to quiet and defined cycle paths, powered by early morning coffee and croissants, magnificent lunches, and epic places to stay. And whilst there was some of this - it turned out to be, well, a little bit dull. The cycle west out of Nice along the Mediterranean coast was pretty cool, as was turning north and inland, but after only a few days, the cycle became quite samey. The route looked the same, the weather didn't change much, the days were difficult to distinguish between each other. There were of course a few standout points - a view, an overnight stay, a short coffee stop, a great meal. But in the most part the whole French countryside felt empty. Miles of cycling without seeing another person, never mind a cyclist. Villages that had been left to crumble, abandoned. Towns that didn't have a bar, restaurant just a shop/boulangerie. High mileage trips need treats - a coffee, cake, beer, good lunches and great places to stay. By the time I arrived into Langres, maybe a third in, I’d pretty much had enough. It was dawning on me, that having already retired from work, I didn’t 'need' the escape from the 9 to 5 grind - I already had that. There wasn’t that “I’d rather be doing this, than the weekly client meeting” - I hadn’t escaped from anything other than a pretty comfortable time at home. I followed EuroVelo 19 - Meuse Cycle Route from Langres - sticking pretty close to it - right through to the Hook of Holland. It was only when I got into the Netherlands that the cycle changed - my mood lifted and I began enjoying the scenery, the food and the adventure again. I wouldn't recommend EV19 from Langres north. The only adventure was getting chased down by the dogs - I had a tailwind, a straight road, and strong legs. Had they caught me, I’m convinced it would have ended badly. I completely zoned out later that day and cycled on past my stop for the night and then had to back track 15km! The hotel was naff, and the town was naff. And if that wasn't enough I then had to recycle the duplicated route the next day. Things improved dramatically once I reached Maastricht. In short - it was a long lonely cycle. Having retired, Jane and I were spending more time together and that was enjoyable. We took time over breakfast, didn’t rush to work, had more lunches out, with little to rush back for, and took a little more time over making dinner. The urgency in our lives had reduced and with a long transition into retirement - I had transitioned from ‘what’s next to pretty chilled. Solo cycling. I was done with that kind of cycling. That said - I was soon missing the touring - especially as I had all the kit. In the end the answer was pretty simple. Get Jane a bike. A gentler pace - with more stops, more sight seeing, and we could cycle together. New bike day for Jane was 14/07/2024 when her Cube Touring Hybrid EXC 625 was delivered. Whilst heavy, very heavy, it comes with a good motor and a large battery. After a helmet, padded seat, padded shorts - we were ready to set out on Phase 3 - Best Cycling of My Life. Jane loved it. I loved it. We did a few local cycles together - enjoyed our coffees, had the odd lunch out. It wasn't long until we were enjoying the planning stage of our first multiday cycle together. Here are the rides that we’ve done so far; 2024 – Netherlands We took a chance with the weather and opted for a tour through the Netherlands in September. We chose to park the car at Harwich and take the boat over to the Hook of Holland - to enjoy the wide and car free cycle paths through central Netherlands. Riding onto the boat was a special moment - I'd done the same with the kids, by myself, and now with Jane. The next morning disembarking and disappearing onto the cycle paths of the Netherlands confirmed that we'd done the right thing. We stuck closely to a plan of lower mileage, staying in hotels, enjoying breakfasts, hearty lunches and dinners. We took time to revisit some spots that we’d been to over the last 30 years - but at a much more relaxed pace. There are so many options in the Netherlands, that it's not worth walking through our route - we’re not the same and we all enjoy different things. Heading back on the ferry was a breeze, as was getting back to the car that we’d, like all the other cyclists, parked in the station car park. It was a great trip and even better that Jane was a willing participant. I did note that it was a faff to fit the bikes into the car - careful packing was needed, and I could do without the hassle of breaking down the bikes for transport and rebuilding at the other end. 2024 & 2025 – Bangkok, Maldives, Lecce No we didn’t take the bikes, but did enjoy a cycle experience in each of these destinations. 2025 – Ouistreham to St Malo Sailing from Portsmouth, we then followed the Velo Verte routes across Northern France - using both hotels and accommodation found on Booking.com. It was an enjoyable trip with plenty of laughs and excellent food. We returned via Guernsey, taking the slow ferry back to Portsmouth. We’d parked the car in a secure church car park - which I’d found on one of the parking sites - this worked well, and it felt good to give the money to a charity. 2026 – Western France This was our latest and best. We’d taken all the things that we’d learnt from previous cycles and applied them for a better holiday. The addition of a tow bar and the purchase of a Thule bike rack was a game changer. We drove down through France to specific locations, and then were able to cycle most days - without anything more than water and locks. Weather wasn’t an issue as we didn’t have to cycle from A to B each day. Most cycles were loops back to the hotel at which we were staying and could be elongated or curtailed as needed. Each of course included a lunch, and allowed us to work up an appetite for dinner. Honestly - we think we’ve cracked cycle touring now, and by the looks of the number of couples driving around the areas that we visited with a couple of bikes on the back - we aren’t the first. I’m not sure why its taken us so long to get here - but I’m glad we have done. Hotels & Guest Houses When Solo Touring Hotels and small apartments have always been my preference. Cycling with Jane - it’s the same. Staying in someone’s spare room - as nice as it was - wasn’t for us. Chatting with hosts or sharing dinner with strangers has never really appealed to me or us. The Cost of Solo Touring It’s annoyed me for years that a room for one costs the same as a room for two. I like value for money. I’m happy that Jane and I are staying in the same accommodation as my solo cycling days - for the same price. Revisiting the Best Places I’m making it a point to think back to my solo cycling, identifying the best places that I stayed, ate, drank, or just visited and have begun working these into our cycling plans. Whilst in Western France in 2026 - we revisited a restaurant and an accommodation that I particularly enjoyed first time around. Both hit the spot again. Zipping around in the car - doing the mileage in between quickly and efficiently is such a good idea. Looking Forward to more Phase 3 – Relaxed Cycling Holidays We’ve got the set up right now, and are already planning some more cycling holidays. Taking the car is 100% the right approach. I will miss cycling onto the ferry, though I won’t miss the waiting around at the port in the cold and dark. When I started cycling, I thought cycle touring was about distance, testing myself, a challenge. But now, for the current me anyway, I realise that it's about shared experiences, great food, good company and the freedom to revisit and explore at my own pace. Phase 3 may not be the most adventurous and challenging chapter of my cycling life, but do I need that at 55+? It is though undoubtedly the most enjoyable.