Cathy Smith's Blog
Posted by Cathy Smith
The olde cliche,‘travel broadens the mind’, is probably true. However, we are sometimes so busy exploring foreign parts that we are in danger of neglecting our own country.
I have been a travel journalist for twenty years and have visited every continent except Antarctica. Yet I haven’t seen all that much of my own country, the UK. I guess the lure of ‘the other’ has usually been the draw. However, things seem to changing. This past year two friends (one living in Vancouver, the other in New York) independenty emailed me to see if I would like to spend a short walking holiday with them here in the UK.
One suggested the Ridgeway, in the county of Wiltshire - an ancient pathway that has been in constant use for over two thousand years. The other wanted to do some walking in Northumberland, the place of my birth which, I'm sorry to say, I have not seen a lot of. What came out of this was the realisation that I must see more of the UK.
We walked over heather-covered hills in Northumberland and discovered pre-historic carvings on huge rocks. We ambled along miles of beautiful beaches, passing only a handful of people, and we explored some of the numerous historic castles that are dotted all over Northumberland.
Wiltshire is such an unusual, mystical county, not only because of the Ridgeway, which starts here, but because this is home to many of the strange, intricately designed ‘corn circles’ that appear overnight in farmers’ fields. It also has ancient historical monuments like the stone circles at Avebury and white horses carved into the surrounding chalky hills. A very strange place. The UK is like this - full of surprises - and I intend to see more of them. So... check out this site and share my discoveries,
Posted by Cathy Smith
Never mind about the old saying, ‘Curiosity killed the cat’. Curiosity is a good thing, especially if you are visiting foreign cities, or even places in your own country. Poking around back streets and asking local residents to recommend restaurants will bring more rewards than sticking to the main tourist drag and eating with all the other tourists who probably found the restaurant as you did, from the same guide book.
Living in London, I often see visitors going to the tried and true name brand restaurants, which are sometimes okay, but you certainly are not getting a ‘London experience’ - you could be anywhere in the world. Yet, in the West End, all you have do is stroll down some of the narrow alleys off main streets such as Oxford Street, Regent Street or Piccadilly to find old pubs th
For example, off Oxford Street, opposite Bond Street Tube Station, is a narrow alley called St. Christopher's Place, which leads to some delightful small shops and restaurants. It’s very easy to walk by without noticing it. On Regent Street, look for tiny, u-shaped Heddon Street - a great spot for good food. There are three or four restaurants in this small odd-shaped street, all worth a visit. One of my favourite ‘off the main beat’ streets is Jermyn Street - an historic street noted for its elegant shops for men, fine good and perfumes. It is also steeped in history.
Posted by Cathy Smith
Hundreds of movies have been made in and about New York and even if we have never been to the Big Apple many of us are familiar with icons like the Empire State building and the Statue of Liberty. Frank Sinatra sang about it being 'A Wonderful Town', and it really is.
I have visited New York a number of times yet I feel I have only scratched the surface. It is a city of such diversity and contrast: from the elegant architecture of the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) to the fine Beaux-Arts building that is Grand Central Station - a spot for many romantic meetings since it was built in 1903.
The mix of different cultures is probably more evident here than in any other major world city. From Chinatown to Little Italy to the skyscrapers of Wall Street and the now fashionable areas of Soho and Tribeca and the little Bohemia that is Greenwich Village. These are all places that are worth seeing but there are more.
Check out the articles below and explore other aspects of the great city that is New York. Book your trip now and have a nice day!
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Posted by Cathy Smith
II love Italy. I have been writing about it for some years now but never tire of its infinite variety. I love the food, the culture, Even though I have travelled widely in France, considered by some to be the gourmet capital of Europe, and have had some fabulous meals, some of the best I have ever eaten have been in Italy. What other country is as stuffed with art treasures? Tuscany alone has more classified historical monuments than any country in the world and there are reminders of the great Roman Empire everywhere.
There are wonderful beaches, great ski resorts and shopping to die for. There is, however, a large north-south divide. Northern Italy is a powerhouse of economic dynamism, whereas the South has been somewhat economically deprived. No place is perfect and Italy is becoming economically more integrated.
The north, in general, is the most cosmopolitan part of the country. In the south the colourful city of Naples is the beating heart of the region. And close by are the antique wonders of Pompeii and Herculaneum. In my opinion, it is almost impossible to be disappointed by Italy.
So... check out my Italian articles below and plan your next trip. Ciao!
Posted by Cathy Smith
In the Hebridian Islands there are beaches covered in brilliant white sand, the Isle of Sky offers great opportunities for hikers and climbers, people come from around the world to stay in fabulous hotels in the dramatic Highlands and Edinburgh has recently been named the best place to live and work in the UK.
There’s something for everyone here - and the weather is nowhere near as bad is you might think. When the sun shines, it’s Heaven. When it rains the locals will tell you its nothing but a bit of Scotch Mist and will blow over in a minute. In the meantime, you go into the pub and have a wee dram of whisky.
It also has some of the best fishing in the world. Below are some articles to help you on your way to Scotland.
Mull of Kintyre
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Posted by Cathy Smith
If you are setting out on a trip to a country you are not familiar with you will probably have a plan re what you are going to do and see. Some items will be a must but what about those bits that you are only going to see because you are in the area and are filling some gaps. Let me give you some advice...allow yourself to change your mind
Below are just a couple of examples. For example, on a trip to Cilento, in Italy’s Campania region, I planned to see as many of the historic sites as possible: Paestum, Velia, Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius. Too much planning, too much regulation.
I needed a rest after a couple of days and took some time off. I explored the village of Castellabate, near where I was staying. The church has a 16th century painting of the archangel Michael killing the devil - who is a woman. It is the only painting in Italy where the devil is depicted as a woman. What a find!
Wandering around the local shops I saw the most luscious mozzarella. I asked where it was made and was directed to the only organic buffalo farm in Italy. The cows are milked at 4:30 am and it is ready for sale by noon. You’ll never want to buy supermarket mozzarella again! When travelling to new places build in some time for just poking around and exploring. Remember, eyes open, antennae up.
How to be a Freelance Journalist
Posted by Cathy Smith
You might think the days of the ‘Great White Hunter’are gone. Far from it. There are still a number of African countries which allow wealthy tourists (mostly North Americans and mostly men) to kill a variety of wildlife, at a cost of around $1300 a day.
So, yes, there still exists the belief that you are a Real Man if you shoot a defenceless wild animal with your own gun. Fortunately there are places in Africa where you can get close to the animals without having to kill them, and one the most popular of these is Treetops, in Kenya, made famous in 1952 when Princess Elizabeth became Queen overnight, when her father died suddenly.
Kenya was the world’s first country to totally ban hunting in the 1970’s. The Masai, who had previously only killed animals in times of drought or when food was scarce, found themselves out of work. Whereas previously they had been gun carriers they now had to reinvent themselves as game wardens to protect the animals they had helped to kill.
Some of the ‘big white hunters’ became conservationists instead. They bought up huge chunks of land and turned them into private game sancturaries and became ranchers for rich tourists. However, shooting animals with a camera is apparently not as much fun as shooting them with guns and they took their business to those countries where shooting animals is considered okay.
In Kenya you can ‘shoot’ animals with your camera from a hot air balloon as you float over the Masai Mara, walking through the bush, or from a 4-wheel drive. And at the wonderful Treetops lodge you can get almost close enough to touch them. Fab photo opportunities and you don’t have to kill an animal to get them.
Posted by Cathy Smith
The movie, ‘Singing in the Rain’ was made 55 years ago. Gene Kelly performed one of the best dance routines ever seen on the big screen - in the pouring rain. (You can watch a great 4-minute clip of the whole routine on YouTube). He looked deliriously happy - but then, he was in love.
That’s the movies for you, and it’s also Hollywood. London in the rain is something else. If you are coming to London, think rain! It’s likely that you won’t see a drop. But I would like to prepare you for some damp days, just in case. Let’s face it, people don’t come here for the weather. They come for the culture - the city is bursting with beautiful old theatres, There are more mainstream theatresin London than any other city in the world, most of them dating from the Victorian era. Think about matinee performances and dinner afterwards in a cosy restaurant. Some of the greatest museums in the world are here and many have excellent restaurants, so you can spend all day and feed both the inner and the outer man/woman.
And, of course, all those fabulous shops. Treat yourself to a traditional English umbrella while you are here - you can do so in in a charming Victorian shop which first opened in 1850. The umbrellas are made on the premises - feel free to browse a while. If it’s going to rain on your parade, you might as well be in London. And another thing, it never gets really cold in. Personally, I’m rather fond of rain although I haven’t yet got around to singing and dancing in it.
Posted by Cathy Smith
Living in London, one would think it isn’t hard to find something interesting to do. And, of course, it isn’t. In fact there is almost too much to do and sometimes I find myself unable to make up my mind. One simple solution, when in an indecisive mood, is to wander over to the South Bank where there is a bit of everything, all linked together alongside the Thames.
All this was inspired by the 1951 Festival of Britain after post-war austerity and to celebrate the centenary of the 1851 Great Exhibition - opened by Queen Victoria. The temporary fairs and buildings that sprawled over derelict land gave birth to a long-term scheme, now it is the largest arts centre in Western Europe and still growing.
One would have thought that, after the bleak years of the war, the new buildings on the South Bank would have been graceful, uplifting in their style, even fun. But what was erected showed the architect’s love affair with concrete and not what ordinary people might have liked and they certainly have not learned to love this cluster of neo-brutalist architecture.
Although I’m sure I will never get to love them, they are home to some of the world’s best music, theatre, dance - you name it. Then there’s Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, The National Film Theatre, the list goes on. Go see for yourself. There’s much more - just keep walking.
Posted by Cathy Smith
Rolling Stone, Bill Wyman may be getting on a bit but he’s far from being as ancient as some other stones that interest him. A few years ago his interest in archeology brought him to Lordenshaws, an Iron Age hill fort in Northern Northumberland. And a few weeks ago I and my friend Jane followed in his steps.
We wanted to do some hiking in Northumberland National Park and to have a look at the mysterious 5,000-year-rock carvings, scratched into abstract shapes on giant slabs of rock. The reason behing these carvings is unknown but, running your hands over them while standing on a heather-covered hillside to which people have been coming for thousands of years is really something.
Prehistoric rock art is the oldest form of artistic expression and Northumberland is a treasure trove of historic archeological remains. There are ancient trackways, earthworks and burial cairns, plus miles of remote, beautiful scenery. It’s not exactly rock and roll but it’s just as exciting. Presently there are ten national parks in England and Wales and all have something special to offer.
For overseas visitors it’s a great way to see aspects of the country far removed from the tourist scene.
Posted by Cathy Smith
When I first came to live in London, some years ago, I was amazed at the amount of stuff there was to do. So much it was almost overwhelming. Scores of theatres and hundreds of music venues. Thousands of restaurants serving food from just about every country in the world. A city crammed with famous historical sights and equally famous buildings. Try as I might, I couldn’t even scratch the surface - athough I had a good try.
Then, over the years, I gradually became less of a tourist and more of a Londoner. Seeing some of the most famous actors in the world appear regularly on the London stage, hearing celebrated conductors work with great orchestras, booking for fab musicals was somehow neglected as I got busier with work, and when there was something on that I really, really wanted to see I would forget to book tickets and then, when I finally got myself moving they were sold out.
I didn’t come to a complete halt, culturally, but I wasn’t the eager beaver of earlier days. And I have to say, there were times when I berated myself for my sloth. However, that has all changed. Writing for Suite101 has helped me to become more of the inquisitive explorer of London that I once was and I’m on track to bring you news and views of this great city that hopefully will interest and entertain. Planning a trip to London? Then click here.
Posted by Cathy Smith
I was born in that area and, having not been back for some time, I decided to take another look - this time through the eyes of a visitor.
Another spur to get me back up north for a fresh look was the UK’s first Peace an Tranquillity Week, launched in September, 2007 by the internationally acclaimed travel writer Bill Bryson. I guess, when I left the north at the age of nineteen, peace and tranquillity were not high on my list. Rather it was thoughts of boys, clothes and having a good time that filled my shallow (but perfectly normal) teenage mind.
Now, being of an age when peace and tranquility are more important than boys and clothes I intend to spend more time in the land of my birth. I shall explore those places I ignored in earlier days and shall report back regularly.
The best way to explore any place, if you really want to get to know it, is on foot. So, my forages will take the form of country walks in Northumberland. Who knows where I might explore next, but for now it’s the north-east. And I’ve already started. Read my article on a delightful coastal walk in Northumberland and watch this space - there will be more. Related articles:
Posted by Cathy Smith
I’ve never understood why millions of people dash off to some horrifically hot climate to burn themselves to a crisp in order to get a tan; often to places where it’s usually too steamy to do anything other than sit in a deck chair and occasionally flop into the pool.
Me? I stay home in summer, sitting in my garden reading, sipping mint tea, or going for walks in nearby shady woods, I have had some of the best vacations of my life in winter, and the healthiest. I'm not much of a skier, but I still had a wonderful holiday in the Canadian Rockies without ever once strapping on skis.
Instead, I took dog sled rides across the pristine snow, walked through frozen canyons where waterfalls had turned into ice castles, and shoeshoed through quiet forests with a guide who pointed out small animals, birds, and other creatures of the snow.
I also took a train across Canada in winter, stopping off in Jasper for a couple of days before carrying on to Vancouver - one of the worlds great train journeys and, with the whiteness of winter all around you, one of the most beautiful and dramatic.
Posted by Cathy Smith
A few years ago I was invited on a press trip to Kenya. We stayed in a magnificent country hotel surrounded by lush tropical blooms and within sight of Mount Kenya. One day I took a walk in the grounds and came across a guard at the gate. He was a tall, handsome black man aged about 40. He seemed interested in my camera and I handed it over to him. His eyes lit up and he held it so reverently.
I showed him how to use the zoom lens and he cried out in surprise. It was then I realised that he had never in his life held a camera, let alone use one. I was reminded of this incident when I read a newspaper headline “The looting of Kenya” - an article about the extent of corruption perpetrated by the family of the former Kenyan leader Daniel Arap Moi.
The allegations were that Mr. Moi siphoned off more than £1bn (yes, billion) during his 24 year rule. Some of this must have been revenue from tourism. What can be done? And whatever might be done, how would it help my man at the gate?
I shall continue to hope that my articles will persuade people to visit such countries and that some of their money will trickle down to those who need it most. But there’s an uncomfortable little niggle at the back of my mind that won’t go away. I worry that the wrong people may be still getting most of the money and there won’t be much of a ‘trickle down”effect. As I say... what to do? I don’t know. Do you?
Posted by Cathy Smith
From Quebec, the heart of French Canada, to the Yukon Territory you can enjoy haute cuisine and high culture in large sophisticated cities or extraordinary wilderness experiences in the great northern spaces.
Canada is the second largest country in the world after Russia - almost bigger than the whole of Europe. Yes, believe it or not, it is bigger than the United States, yet across this vast country is spread a population of just over thirty-three million. Compared with the over three hundred million that its next door neighbour has one could not be blamed for thinking this is an empty land.
That in part, is true, but this is one of its attractions. There are few western countries where it is still possible to tread where nobody has been before you. To help with your search, check out the articles listed below:
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Posted by Cathy Smith
Like most countries, there are many places in France that are enticing, surprising, awe inspiring - choose your own adjective - that are not quite as well trodden as some of the more famous sights.
For many visitors, France is Paris, the Riviera and perhaps Province. These and a few others - you probably have your own favorites - do have a lot to offer, but what about hiring your own cruiser and exploring the Canal du Midi in the south west, explore the Champagne region while doing lots of tasting along the way, or the beautiful Rhone Valley with its hilltop medieval hilltop villages and wonderful cuisine.
The largest country in Europe, La Belle France seems to have everything: fabulous food, and wine, Mediterranean beaches and Alpine mountains, not to mention all that Gallic charm. But with so much on offer how do you decide where to go? It all depends what kind of vacation you want, of course, but with so much on offer there’s something for everyone.
Browse the articles listed below and plan your next vacation in La Belle France. Bonne journée !
- Truffle Hunting
- Brittany
- Cruising the Canal Midi
- Cap D'Agde
- Champagne Region
- Gascony
- Giverny
- Lot et Garonne
- Nantes
- Normandy 1
- Normandy 2
- Rhone Valley
- Antibes
- Gascony Gastronomy
- PARIS
- Paris from London by Eurostar
- Ten Great Things To Do and See
- Six Best Paris Street Markets
- Visit Paris in Spring
- Paris in One Day
- The Marais Area
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Posted by Cathy Smith
I remember when Big Ben was the tallest building in Westminster. Not only was it tall, it was built in a traditional style - in nice red brick and comfortably faux Gothic, matching the style of its neighbour, the Houses of Parliament. The original Parliament building (built in the original Gothic style) stood on the same spot for over three hundred years. Then, in 1834, came the fire and by 1860 a new Parliament building had risen from the ashes.
But what did they go and do? They rebuilt it in the Gothic style they were used to. Old was good, new was not considered. Fat chance of that happening today. Take a walk along the south bank of the Thames. A good place to start is Waterloo Bridge. From here, looking down the river, the great dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral can be seen. The second largest in the world, it seems to be dwarfed by some of the contemporary buildings around it. Like the huge green and blue edifice that looks like a rocket waiting to be fired. This is the Swiss Re Tower, a private office block that Londoners have nicknamed the Gherkin. It seems to pop up everywhere.
Go to the Tower of London and there it is, peering over the ancient battlements. Then there’s the new CityHall. Now wouldn’t you think a city hall should be a building of ministerial dignity? Not this one. It looks like a stack of pancakes about to slide off the plate! This is where the Mayor of London hangs out as well as being the headquarters of the Greater London Authority. Its design is said to make the building energy efficient and apparently its strange shape contributes to this. But to a lot of people it looks like Darth Vader’s helmet.
City Hall stands close to the beautiful Tower Bridge. Quite a contrast. The enormously popular LondonEye, like the previously mentioned sights, had it’s detractors when it was completed in 1999. It too is constructed in steel and glass and is also a rather strange creature that sits amidst more traditional neighbours. But it is so elegant and graceful that it has been embraced as an asset to the South Bank.
It is the world’s tallest observation wheel and for a bird’s eye view of London this is the place to come. It has 32 sealed, air-conditioned capsules, each holding around 25 people. It moves very slowly, in fact you need to gaze at it for a minute or two to reassure yourself that it is moving at all. Many of the major sights of London move slowly into view and it’s a great place for photo opportunities.
Not quite so loved, at least not when it first arrived on the scene, is the Millennium Bridge which crosses the Thames from the Tate Modern Gallery to St. Paul’s Cathedral. It is the first pedestrian bridge to be built over the Thames (in central London) for over a hundred years. And what happened when it opened in 2000? It vibrated so badly that it was nicknamed the Wobbly Bridge and immediately closed down and remained so for seven months. It’s perfectly safe now .
Posted by Cathy Smith
One only has to look at the masses of tourists who fill up cruise ships to the Antarctic, for example. They come to see for themselves the penguins and seals; animals they could easily see in the zoo. Sure, it’s more exciting/interesting to see them in their natural environment, but at what price?
When those ships sail in Antarctic waters they are burning fuel, which adds to emissions and increases global warming. There are other damaging aspects to such tourist ventures. What if there was a massive spill of heavy fuel into the waters? It has happened before and the, so far, pristine waters of the Antarctic are becoming more vulnerable.
Huge cruise ships carrying close to 4,000 passengers and crew are sailing amongst the icebergs. I mean, do we have to see everything and go everywhere? What happened to imagination? In the ‘good old days’, environmentally speaking, intrepid explorers went out into the world’s wilderness areas and brought back photos, film and other information about strange new worlds. Do we really have to see them for ourselves when the cost is so high?
The animals need as little interference as possible for them to survive in their natural habitat. What would the great Canadian environmentalist, Grey Owl, think of it all? If it were not for his concern about the continuing extinction of the beaver from Canada’s great wild places, there probably wouldn’t any beavers around today. If you are wondering what this has to with the Antarctic, it’s all about attitude and concern for the environment in general. Animals, forests, pristine waters all need to be carefully guarded. Imagine a world without them.
Posted by Cathy Smith
It is unlikely that you will have a cake with more than four hundred candles at the ready to celebrate William’s birth but just in case you have, or you are planning something on a more modest scale, think again.
There are those who say he was born on April 22 (1564) and they put forward an argument to prove their case. It is suggested by more than one academic that there is no real evidence showing he was born on the 23rd and it is known that his family regarded the 22nd as a very special day, indicating that his birthday would be celebrated on this day.
However, April 23 is an important day in English history, celebrated since 1222 as the date when St. George slew the dragon. It is suggested that, as Shakespeare’s posthumous fame increased, there was a temptation to link the name of England’s greatest playwright with that of its patron saint.
Does it matter whether or not he was born a day earlier than the history books tell us? Probably not to anyone outside the academic world. In the meantime,we celebrate his birth, whatever date it was. Shakespeare himself wrote: “There was a star danced, and under that was I born.”(Much Ado About Nothing).
He was not, of course, referring to himself, but let us be thankful that he was born, whatever date it was. Related articles:
Posted by Cathy Smith
Get Lost in Wonderland
Imagine you are in a fabulous place that should be wonderful to write about. yet everything you see looks familiar. Yes, it probably has been done to death and what can you possibly say that is new or different? What I try do is take a walk on my own and allow myself to get lost. I put the map in my bag and just wander down any street that takes my fancy. Notebook at hand, camera to the ready, and not looking for anything in particular.
It's surprising how many interesting things you come across when you are not chatting to someone else or being led around a prescribed tourist trail. For instance, you might come across a statue in a quiet square. He or she could be someone with special connections to the area you are in. And if you do a bit of research on their lives there may be an interesting story which could be the hook for your article. You can always weave in the popular sites here and there, and it’s possible that they too may have connections with this person.
In Venice I walked the canals of the Ghetto area of Cannaregio, somewhat off the main tourist track, and came across Tintoretto’s house where he lived in the 16th century. It was decorated with a rather worn-down but elegant carved statue of the painter. A good 'talking point' to introduce an article about the Ghetto? This approach is especially helpful when writing about historic places which have been explored upside down and sideways. What on earth can you say that is different? It’s all in the approach. Wander with eyes and mind open and you will get the stories that others miss.
More Info on travel writing
Posted by Cathy Smith
School days and Shakespeare - not many happy memories there. Miss Jackson read from a battered red book called Shakespeare for Children. We giggled and shuffled and got told off. We were not thrilled. Recently I attended a performance of Macbeth, performed by a group of five young amateur actors on a makeshift stage in the grounds of Winchester cathedral.
There are eighteen characters in Macbeth and the would-be thespians had to share them out between them. I know Macbeth is a tragedy and its not supposed to be fun but the energetic dashings back and forth behind the stage to grab a prop for whatever role they were taking on lent a note of unintended brevity to the performance. There’s a fine line between tragedy and comedy, but the unplanned comedy in this performance did nothing to detract from the drama. The enthusiasm of the actors made up for any lack of a sophisticated staging. It was as enjoyable as any performance at Stratford-upon-Avon. Shortly after Macbeth
I saw A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which really is a comedy. It was great to see professional actors perform. The wit and subtlety of Shakespeare’s writing came through loud and clear. I enjoyed the amateur Macbeth just as much and I thought if only Miss Jackson had shown a smidgen of imagination and provided a few cardboard props and let us act out the plays maybe we would have had just a tiny glimpse of what Shakespeare is about and why his plays are performed all over the world in scores of languages.
As for me...it took about twenty years for me to acquaint myself with the Shakespeare outside of that tatty red book. I blame Miss Jackson. Related articles:
Posted by Cathy Smith
My earliest experience of fishing was tying some string around a glass jar, lowering it into the local stream hoping draw a few minnows into the jar. If they did we yanked the jar out of the water and took our 'catch' home, to be fed with breadcrumbs until, of course, they died.
That's a far cry from fly fishing but my childish interest persists. I have visited two places that are considered by fishing connoisseurs amongst the best: one is in Western Canada, the other is the English cathedral city of Winchester. Winchester may come as a surprise. Yet this is where fly fishing began. Invented by Frederick Halford in the 1870’s, who introduced the art of using artificial flies, the principal being that the fly imitates the action of the fish. He fished in rivers around Winchester and this new technique attracted visitors from around the world to the its waterways.
The most famous fisherman of all is Isaac Walton whose famous book The Compleat Angler, published in 1653, is the 2nd most re-printed book in the world after the bible (although I think Harry Potter might give him a run for his money). He was a coarse fisherman: this means he used live bait and put his line into the water, whereas the fly fishing involves flicking the line onto the surface of the water. Fly fishing can take years to perfect, but I’ve spent some happy hours standing alongside a rippling stream, in beautiful rural countryside. Stress flows away with the river. It’s a great way to relax, and if you don’t catch a fish, who cares, it’s the trying that’s fun. And you can always follow the great tradition of telling whoever will listen about your latest catch.
How big did you say it was?
Posted by Cathy Smith
What, you might well ask, could an ordinary lass from the north of England possibly have in common with Freud, the world famous psychoanalyst . I’ll tell you what; we both loved Blackpool, a popular resort in the northwest of England.
When I was growing up, one of the big events of the year was a bus trip to Blackpool to see the 'lights '- as the six miles of glittering illuminations are known. Hundreds of thousands of light bulbs, in dozens of colours and shapes are put together to create intricate tableaux depicting famous people, historic tales, weird and wonderful animals, food, flowers and on and on.
It took a long time to get from beginning to end. The line of buses stretched for miles and moved very slowly to give people a chance to ooh and ahh over each glorious confection. Of course, we kids did more than ooh and ahh - we yelled and screamed, faces pressed against the window straining to see what was coming up next.
Oh yes, it was exciting all right. But to someone like Freud? What could this serious intellectual see in all the candy floss and glitter of this working class holiday spot? He even mentioned Blackpool in his famous work “The Interpretation of Dreams”. In 1908 he wrote “I enjoy it much better here than anywhere else...” But what was it he liked about it? On his second visit he even sent a postcard to a friend with a picture of the iconic Tower on it. Perhaps he was interested in studying the potency of popular culture, but I bet he really enjoyed the simple things that still are part of Blackpool today.
The first illuminations were switched on in 1879, when Freud was 23. His first visit to Blackpool was when he was 19, so it’s possible he gazed at the lights with the rest of the visitors, but there wasn’t a lot to see. In those days the illuminations were no more than strings of arc lights that lit up the promenade in what was described as artificial sunshine.
What I think he would have loved are the three magnificent Victoria piers. It’s hard to imagine that he would not have had a stroll along one of them. It’s such a lovely thing to do. When you reach the end all that is between you and Ireland is the Irish Sea. Would he have taken a ride on a donkey? I doubt it. They are just for children, but he would certainly have watched Victorian kids clamber onto the backs of these sturdy little beasts.
Donkey rides along the beach are a big feature in Blackpool and the donkeys are carefully watched over in case of any abuse. In fact, in recent times, they have been granted a lunch break to ensure they get a rest. Freud also talked in his letters about beachcombing and rock pool explorations. Seems he really liked the place, and so do I.
The illuminations are from the end of August to the beginning of November each year.
Posted by Cathy Smith
You have done the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Madame Tussauds and other famous attractions. But there are dozens of place that are not so obvious that are equally famous. Historic areas tucked away down small streets, ancient shops that sell everything from candles to chandeliers and antique markets dotted around the city, plus much more.
London, like most big cities, can be frustrating, crowded, and sometimes overwhelming - and it even rains sometimes! However, back in the 18th century, Dr. Samuel Johnson wrote: 'He who is tired of London is tired of life'. How right he was.
Click here: More to do in London
Posted by Cathy Smith
For all you history fans who may be holidaying in Britain, think about purchasing a pass that allows you into hundreds of magnificent castles, stately homes, ancient monuments, royal residences and idyllic gardens for extremely reasonable admission charges - at least half of what it costs the poor old Brits.
Yes, this is something only for visitors from other countries. One of the many reasons why people from around the world travel to Britain each year is because of the amount of history contained in these small islands. No matter what region you are in there will something for you to see.
Because the country is so small compared with many others - particularly the United States and Canada who provide a big chunk of the tourist market - it is very easy to get around and probably the best ways to see all the historic stuff is to rent a car and amble around at your own speed, with your list of places that interest you at hand.
The Pass is only for individual travellers (maximum of ten to a group). It’s a convenient, money-saving, way to visit whatever interests you. You have lots of choice as there are over six hundred heritage sites to choose from. It’s a good deal (and, no, I don’t have shares in the company). If you were to pop in to any of these places and pay at the door, so to speak, you would often pay more than double what you would pay with a pass.
It’s not difficult to visit two places in one day and still have time for a slap-up lunch in between. You can buy a pass online in your own country, or after you arrive in Britain, at any of the 50 tourist information centres scattered around the country.
See my article on the Stately Homes of England
Copyright Cathy Smith and Suite 101. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use will constitute an infringement of copyright
Posted by Cathy Smith
The big build-up for the 2012 Olympic Games in London is underway. As has happened before in other countries, the budget has swelled into a sum three times the original estimate.What bugs me is that nobody asked me if I wanted the Olympic Games in my town.
I don’t live in the area where the site will be built but the Games have become this huge monster that tramples to death established areas of cities and, in the case of some, i.e.Montreal in 1976, the city was left with a gigantic debt which took thirty years to pay off. Sure, they can bring advantages too. The 2000 Sydney Games were not only a big success they presented a glowing image of the city to the world, and no doubt increased the tourist income by millions of dollars.
You just never know what will happen if your city takes on the games. In 1936 Berlin was awarded the games and only two years later Adolph Hitler came to power and the Nazis used the games as a way to promote their sickening idealogy. They spent tons of money on grand stadiums, swimming pools and a super Olympic village. Then came World War II and no more games until London put them on in 1948.
There were those who thought spending should be curbed when there were so many European countries still in ruins and people starving. They went ahead but participants had to bring their own food. No Olympic Village was built and particpants were housed in the empty huts of a former army camp. Do we in the wealthy west really need to spend fortunes on the Olympic Games. Or, a better question might be, should we?
I know there are also reasons why the Games can be a “good thing”. But I’m not entirely convinced. What about those people who now live in East London who have to be ‘re-located’ from areas where they have spent their whole lives.? But then... I’m not running the games.
Copyright Cathy Smith and Suite 101. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use will constitute an infringement of copyright