In August 2008 we embarked on an epic road trip from Broome, in Western Australia, to Melbourne. A journey that would take 2 months and over 9000 kilometres, hugging the coastline. Our trusty overland vehicle wasn’t the robust stead we were hoping for, our budget...
In a previous post I explained my somewhat strange reasons for learning Finnish and I thought it would be a good idea to share some of the techniques I’ve found that are helping me learn this difficult and fascinating language. >> I have written an...
Liechtenstein is tiny. This landlocked principality is sandwiched between Austria and Switzerland in the Alps and is the sixth smallest country in the world. With a population of less than 40,000 people, who enjoy a very high standard of living, Liechtenstein is one of the world’s...
Feldkirch, Austria. Feldkirch is a pretty little Austrian town near the German, Switzerland and Liechtenstein borders, therefore a great place to base yourself! After our three-week stay in Konstanz, Germany, our friend Tom drove us to Feldkirch passing through all the aforementioned countries in a...
“Why?” This has been the blanket response by all when I’ve mentioned that I’m learning Finnish. Why would I learn a difficult language that is only spoken by around 5 million people in a country where English is widespread: it is pointless. They have a...
Meersburg, Germany. Meersburg is a gorgeous medieval town on the edge of lake Constance in Southern Germany. Frequent ferries cross the lake from Konstanz and if the sun is shining it makes a perfect day trip. Unfortunately, in early January, much of the town was...
We had grand intentions of heading further up northern Scotland to view the eclipse: a little road trip in our new truck to witness an auspicious celestial event. In the end we drove down to the local, yet magnificent, Tentsmuir beach and sat on the...
I learnt my lesson a few years back: pack light, travel happy! I’ve gone into more detail about the whys and hows in my previous post reviewing my well-used, well-loved Osprey Ozone 36 wheeled pack, but basically: the smaller the bag, the easier and less...
Konstanz, Germany Locations don’t often get more beautiful and photogenic than Konstanz’s jaw-dropping position on the edge of Lake Constance. This dazzling lake is enclosed by the distant white peaks of the Austrian Alps, forming a spectacular backdrop for this old German town. With Switzerland...
I’m a backpacker at heart: I take dusty trains across far off landscapes, I dash through metro stations, walk along ancient cobbled streets looking for tucked away accommodation, ride questionable buses on questionable roads, I stay in dorms, in hostels! I didn’t think I could work...
Runeberg Cakes (Runebergin Torttu) These cute little cakes are absolutely delicious: sweet, moist and lightly spiced with a heart of jam that’s both inside and on top. Runeberg Cakes, or to give you their Finnish name ‘Runebergin Tortut’, are traditionally baked to celebrate the birthday...
Gazing at the departure board at Hamburg station I realised my folly: I may have booked the wrong route. I had a ticket from Travemünde, northern Germany, to Luxembourg, part of a two-day rail trip to get to Konstanz in the south of Germany –...
Hot Cross Bun Crown This fruited bread crown will make a gorgeous breakfast centrepiece this Easter, fill it with chocolate eggs or maybe even a jar of Nutella! Soft, lightly spiced bread, full of juicy fruit that tastes amazing generously spread with butter. I bloomin’...
Finland to Germany by Ferry 28 hours on a ferry sailing the Baltic Sea from Helsinki, Finland to Travemünde, Germany: does that sound like a fine adventure to you, or a long time to be confined to a ship? I was a little apprehensive but I...
Porvoo Porvoo is only an hour away from Helsinki, yet it feels like a million miles. This pretty town is the second oldest in Finland (just a little younger than Turku) and its Old Town is gorgeously photogenic and packed with cute cafes and quirky...
Suomenlinna Camera in hand, I stepped onto the ferry for a day out exploring the island fortress of Suomenlinna. I’d woken to a clear blue sky, this would be a fine day to head out of the city for some non-urban adventure! Suomenlinna is a...
