Uist and Barra in the Outer Hebrides - riding with white sand views
A trip for leisure riding the Outer Hebrides, with a spot of the weaver’s craft thrown in.
Itinerary At A Glance
5-night independent itinerary for the Uist islands and Barra in the Outer Hebrides, based on driving from Yorkshire and using ferries as needed, in early June.
Highlights include circular rides on North Uist and South Uist, with stops at ancient monuments and wild beaches, a fresh seafood platter, a tour of the machair habitat and time to stroll white sands with optional bracing Atlantic dip
Based on a couple travelling, with a focus on leisurely outdoor and cultural activities, interspersed with time to just relax and soak up the atmosphere
WHEN
Early June
This is shoulder season - before the main school holidays, so quieter roads and easier bookings. Book ferries and accommodation in advance, but less pressure than July/August.
Weather is mild (average highs 14–15°C), but highly changeable: expect sun, wind, and the odd shower.
LIGHT
Long days
Sunrise: 04:30am to 4:26am
Sunset: 10:15pm to 10:31pm
approx. 17-18 hours of daylight
TRAVEL MEANS
Car and ferry, own bikes for activities
Drive to Ullapool, ferry to Lochmaddy, then drive to your base.
Causeways connect North Uist, Bernerary, Benbecula, South Uist, and Eriskay; there is a short ferry connecting Eriskay to Barra, as well as to South Uist and to Oban on the mainland.
Road bikes or hybrids are ideal; all routes are on tarmac, with some optional gravel detours.
SCHEDULE
Day 1
Drive north, ferry to Lochmaddy on North Uist
Collect groceries in Lochmaddy
Settle in, short evening walk on the machair
Day 2
Morning bike ride: North Uist loop (Balranald Nature Reserve & beaches)
Round trip, 38km, 180m climbing
wildflowers, birdlife, white sand beaches, stone circle “Pobull Fhinn”, RSPB reserve
Lunch picnic at from The Dunes Cabin
Afternoon: visit Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum & Arts Centre in Lochmaddy or find a local event to visit though Uist.co
Dinner: order and collect a local seafood platter from Lochmaddy Bay Prawns
Day 3
Morning swim: head to the beach for a morning dip
Bike ride: South Ford Causeway – North Uist Causeway loop from Bayhead
Round trip, 78km, 280m climbing
chapel ruins, white sand beaches, causeway
Coffee & Cake: The Oyster Catcher Bakery
Afternoon & Dinner: relax back at base
Day 4
Tour: Learn about the machair habitat on South Uist with Long Island Retreats. 2hrs, 4x4
Collect more supplies from their croft shop before you go
Visit: Mill and wool centre at Uist Wool
Day 5
Brunch: The Scandinavian Bakery at the Grimsay Community Association
Bike ride: Eriskay & South Uist loop on the Hebridean Way
Round trip, 68km, 340m climbing
pristine beaches, coastal views
Dinner: local seafood at Langass Lodge
Day 6
Relaxed morning: beach stroll or swim
Drive home
RIDING IN UIST
Riding here is a joy for confident leisure cyclists.
The terrain is rarely flat, but climbs are short and the roads are quiet. Expect a mix of open moorland, coastal views, and the occasional punchy hill. Attractions are well spaced for half-day or full-day rides, and there’s always a beach or café for a break.
The wind is a constant companion - sometimes a help, sometimes a challenge. Bring layers and be ready for four seasons in a day.
Other Countryside Itineraries
A Danish summer weekend with dance, architecture and Michelin stars
3 nights in high summer. My itinerary for a cultural and culinary weekend spent in Copenhagen with a friend.
Itinerary At A Glance
3 night independent itinerary for Copenhagen, based on flying from Manchester, in August.
Highlights include an architecture bike tour, outdoor dance performance by the Danish Dance Theatre, food trucks, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and leisurely bike-riding in the city suburbs.
Based on a two friends travelling, with a focus on leisurely outdoor and cultural activities, interspersed with time to just relax and soak up the atmosphere.
Why Copenhagen in Summer?
Yep - Copenhagen is cool.
Summer suits Copenhagen. The city spills outdoors, into harbourside performances, street food markets, and long, light evenings that stretch well past dinner. It’s a season for swimming off the docks, cycling without a plan, and discovering how design features in everyday life here.
This itinerary starts with the familiar - a weekend in a European capital - but quickly veers off-script, avoiding the usual crowds and spots, and following a different line through this friendly, watery capital.
Honest verdict
Does the place live up to hype or expectations?
We felt Copenhagen exceeded expectations, with one exception - The Little Mermaid. Sure; she’s cute, and she’s emblematic of the city, but the sheer number of people crowded around her, all trying to get their instagram shot, was deeply offputting. I mean; you could hardly appreciate the sculpture for what it is.
Other than that, the food, the activities we did, the hotel we stayed in, the dane performance at the water’s edge, the morning yoga…………….literally all of it was perfect. Nothing I would change.
Did the itinerary work for the trip?
Perfectly.
One smart move was keeping the hire bikes after our guided tour. It gave us freedom to explore beyond the usual tourist zones. We saw parts of Copenhagen I bet tourists never see, because we could cover more ground. Copenhagen is also famously bike friendly everywhere, and its very very flat, so the riding is spectacularly easy. Suggest you get clued up on the hand signals given by riders, to indicate to each other when they plan to stop.
The outdoor dance performance was a highlight. It’s one of my favourite ways to experience culture while travelling; there is never a language barrier. This one, set against the water, was especially memorable.
Would I recommend it? Would I make another visit?
It is actually my second visit to Copenhagen, the previous one being in Winter, and the two seasons showed Copenhagen in two different lights. I feel we saw plenty on this trip that I didn’t feel we ‘left anything behind’.
If I returned to Denmark, I’d probably explore a different region, like the coastal sands or Odense. But yes, I’d absolutely recommend Copenhagen in summer.
WHEN
August
We got mild to warm, and dry. May be changeable. Long sleeves and jeans were useful. Not hot.
LIGHT
Long daylight hours.
Sunrise: 05:15am - 06:15am
Sunset: 09:15pm - 08:01pm
14-16 hours of daylight
TRAVEL MEANS
Flight, Bike hire
SCHEDULE
Day 1
Fly in the afternoon, arrive and settle in
Dinner & Drinks: Reffen Food Market. Took a ferry to this shipping-containers-as-street-food-market on the outskirts of town. Not only was the food good, but there was also culture, live music, and a wonderfully mixed crowd in a casual vibe.
Day 2
Yoga: started the day with a class at Copenhagen Yoga. In the summer they head outdoors to the Botanical Gardens.
Bike tour: Took a bike tour of city architecture with Be Copenhagen for an alternative view of city life and a chance to get further out than you would on just two feet.
Ride: Kept the bikes and headed out to the ‘burbs, particularly the areas of Nørrebro and Frederiksberg.
Dinner: at Amass (now closed), Michelin-starred restaurant with a strong policy around waste and sustainability. Delicioud multi-course but not twiddly-diddly food. Each chef served their course to us. The fermented potato bread was perhaps the greatest bread I have every tasted in my life, made from leftover mashed potato.
Day 3
Chill: Spent the morning relaxing
Lunch: Torvehallerne (Glass House) food hall.
Ride: Rode out to see The Little Mermaid, then Amager Strand city beach, passing through many of Copenhagen loveliest suburbs for a view of city living away from the tourist spots.
Dinner: Fiskebar (Fish Bar) casual restaurant on the site of an old meat market. Buzzy atmosphere and tasty food.
Dance performance: Watched Danish Dance Theatre in their summer performance schedule when they come outside to perform waterside. Beautiful backdrop, delightful dance. No Danish needed.
Day 4
Breakfast: in the hotel
Tivoli Gardens: Enjoyed a few hours in the city centre amusement park, well, amusing ourselves…
Travel home
Other Scandinavian Inspirations
Blueberry Crumble
A very simple two-portion recipe for blueberry crumble with a touch of walnut. Memories of Maine, New England.
This recipe comes from the Good Housekeeping Complete Book of Desserts, published in 1990. I absolutely love an old recipe book; there are such gems in there. Things that perhaps have fallen out of favour. Take this one - a simple blueberry crumble recipe.
You can swap the berry quantity for anything you happen to have, single fruit or a mixture. Its an excellent option for USU - Using Stuff Up. Wrinkly fruit, scrap ends, bumper seasonal crop, fruit on yellow sticker - the only thing you may want to do is also swap the spice for another more complimentary to your fruit choice.
What I would urge, is trying a single fruit crumble. What I learnt discovering this recipe was that using the delicate-tasting blueberries on their own really means you can taste them without them being overpowered by a more robust flavor such as apple, raspberry or rhubarb.
A note on my stance for storing crumble. Some people happily store a leftover baked crumble in the fridge, and enjoy it chilled over the next few days, stealing a spoonful each time they open the fridge……..I am not one of these people. I prefer my crumble fresh and warm, and purposefully designed this recipe as a small portion for two as an option to do just that.
PORTION SIZE
My estimates are based on a portion of about 120g per person. This recipe will make 2 portions.
TOOLS
Other than the typical kitchen equipment, you will need:
a small ovenproof dish, about 110cm diameter, 4-5cm deep
INGREDIENTS
Filling
100g blueberries
1 tbsp soft brown or Light Muscovado sugar
1/2 tbsp plain flour
juice of 1/2 lime
Crumble
35g salted butter
35g flour (wholemeal, spelt, rye, or plain, or any mix)
35g soft brown or Light Muscovado sugar
20g porridge oast
20g walnuts (pecans work fine if this is what you have)
freshly grated nutmeg
To serve
It doesn’t need anything but yoghurt, creme fraiche or custard all go equally well with it
METHOD
Prep oven - Preheat the oven to 170°C fan, 190°C regular.
Mix berries - Weigh the berries, sugar, flour and lime juice directly into a small overproof dish; mix thoroughly.
Mix crumble & assemble - Weigh the crumble ingredients into a blender or food processer. Pulse to blitz into a sandy crumb. Spread the crumble on the top of the berries and lightly press down.
NOTE! If you are getting ahead, you can store the assembled crumble in the fridge at this point, for about 24 hours give or take, and bake when you are ready. A handy option to prep in the morning, and then you only need to bake in the evening for dessert.
Bake - Bake in the middle of the oven for about 15 minutes. The top should be gently bronzed once ready.
Cool & Finish with extras - Remove from the oven and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes, otherwise it will be too hot to eat and enjoy. Serve! Adding cooling dairy is an optional extra.
STORAGE
I don’t personally find baked crumble keeps, but equally, it isn’t really a very fussy dish and leftovers can easily be reheated (covered with foil, to prevent further browning of the crumble), or stored in the fridge to eat chilled.
To freeze before baking, wrap in foil and store the whole thing, dish and all, in the freezer.
Fredrikstad - a long weekend for early Summer
From Manchester to Norway, to visit one of the best preserved fortified towns in Europe.
Itinerary At A Glance
4 night road trip independent itinerary for exploring Fredrikstad
Based on flying from Manchester into Oslo and hiring a car
Highlights include cycling to a Bronze Age stone circle, a picnic on the city ramparts, summer outdoor swimming and waterside dining
Based on a couple travelling, with a focus on leisurely cultural activities and biking, interspersed with time to just relax and soak up the atmosphere
Why here?
Fredrikstad is one of Northern Europe’s best-preserved fortified towns — a compact, walkable centre with real historical character. The surrounding region, including Hvaler, offers excellent cycling: coastal stretches, forested trails, and quiet roads that promise varied and rewarding rides.
It’s also logistically easy. Just south of Oslo, Fredrikstad sits along the eastern edge of the Oslofjord, stretching from Moss to the Swedish border. With direct flights from Manchester to Oslo taking around two hours, it’s an ideal short-break destination — accessible, but far enough to feel like a proper escape.
WHEN
June
Just outside of school holiday season.
Likely warm to hot, and also changeable.
LIGHT
Long days.
Sunrise: 04:13am to 04:06am
Sunset: 22:17pm to 22:34pm
18 hours of daylight
TRAVEL MEANS
Fly from Manchester to Oslo
Car and bike hire will also be essential to move between locations
ACCOMMODATION
in the very centre of Fredrikstad - in the self-catering Holberg Suite
SCHEDULE
Day 1
Arrive: fly, collect hire car, collect bikes, collect groceries, arrive at holiday rental and settle in
Day 2
Morning swim: Outdoor swimming available during summer months only at Fredrikstad Kongstenbadet
Brunch: Mormors Café or Bakfickan bakery-café
Get to know the city: Bike along the ramparts, and follow the old streets to the square. Do as the locals do and stop somewhere along the ramparts for a picnic
Day 3
Day trip: Head slightly out of the city to visit Steinringfeltet (stone rings) just outside of Fredrikstad, an ancient and site of stone circles that date back to the Bronze age. Take a ride through the woods to reach Ravneberget Bygdeborg, a hillfort with magnificent views of Fredrikstad, Torsnes and the sea.
Nearby is the Storedal Cultural Center, an outdoor sculpture park with sensory garden
Cocktails: Visit rooftop cocktail bar Savoy Terrasse, for amazing views and delicious drinks.
Day 4
Relax: make breakfast, spend the morning chilling out
Ride: choose a route out in the countryside
Dinner: for casual fine dining with a fish focus and view of the river, book at Slippen; at Restaurant KØL for grill and meats with outdoor dining in the main town, or Nomads social dining restaurant for small, Asian-inspired dishes
Day 5
Fly home; try to leave in the morning
Other options for Fredriskstad
Markets are on a Saturday morning in the Old Town Square. Collect goodies for a picnic lunch and head to have a picnic at the Vollane ramparts of the Old Town.
Østfold art centre has art exhibitions and a small café offering delicious food and wonderful views of the Glomma river.
Blå Grotte, St. Croix and Gamlebyen Kulturhus are all culture houses that host concerts, theatre, dance, and puppet shows.
Café Magenta. The garden at the old town culture house is also a wonderful place to spend a summer evening.
Other 4-5 night Itineraries
Harbours to Highlands. A New England road trip itinerary for Summer
A summer touring holiday through New England - Maine, Vermont a Boston.
Itinerary At A Glance
16 night independent touring itinerary for Massachussetts, Maine and Vermont, taking a circular route, starting and finishing in Boston
Based on flying into Boston, and hiring a car for the entirety of the trip
Highlights include cycling the pine forests of Maine, a boat trip out of Boothbay Harbour, burnt ends at Bluebird BBQ, Saturday Farmers Market in Burlington, SUP yoga on Lake Champlain, MTB riding all over the Green Mountain State, Boston Walking Tour and seeing the Red Sox vs The Yankees play at traditional Fenway Park
Based on a couple travelling, with a focus on leisurely outdoor and cultural activities, interspersed with time to just relax and soak up the atmosphere
Honest verdict
Does the place live up to hype or expectations?
Maine is a long-time holiday destination for domestic tourists though most British people visit New England for the autumn colours, or ‘leaf peeper’ tourists as they are affectionately known locally. We bucked this trend and headed there in high summer, hence, we went without too much expectation.
What we found was green, grand and glorious. Maine smells of pine trees, Lake Champlain is breathtakingly beautiful, and Boston is just hip enough without taking itself too too seriously. Maine in particular is a sailor’s paradise (I’m imagining here - I’m no sailor), with endless islands, coves and inlets to explore but we also found it a delight to explore land on two wheels. Vermont is a superb spot for two-wheeled activities of all stripes. All in all, a recommended spot for a summer visit.
Did the itinerary work for the trip?
Almost perfectly.
7 nights in Maine was a little too long for us; the location is better suited to folks who like to spend their time on the water - sailing, fishing, kayaking - none of which we do. 4 nights in Maine probably would have worked better for us.
7 nights in Burlington for us was also perfect - plenty of time to really get to know this active city and a lot of MTB options.
3 nights in Boston is ideal.
Drive time between destinations was perfect. Travelling in the car this way, we got to see parts of New Hampshire that we may never visit if it meant making a dedicated holiday there.
Would I make another visit?
Certainly to Vermont, and could even see us returning to spend more time in Burlington itself. The entire Lake Champlain region makes a fantastic destination for biking, whether road or MTB.
I feel I have now seen enough of both Maine and Boston to not return, though I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend either.
WHEN
August
Very warm and sunny was what we experienced for the majority of the trip, with the odd cloudy or rainy few hours.
Typically warm to hot, with rain.
LIGHT
Long days
Sunrise: 05:40am to 06:43am
Sunset: 20:18pm to 19:31pm
13-14 hours of daylight
TRAVEL MEANS
Fly from Manchester to Boston, drive between locations, fly back out from Boston
We obviously took our car for the entirety of this trip (it would be impossible without it) as well as hiring bikes in both Maine and Vermont
ROUTE & STOPS
Drive 1,028 km, 11 hours 45 mins, over 16 days
Drive Yorkshire to Manchester; Fly into Boston
Drive from Boston to Boothbay Harbour (2h 40m drive) for a 7 night stay
Drive from Boothbay Harbour to Burlington (5h drive) for a 7 night stay; drive through New Hampshire’s White Mountains along the way
Drive from Burlington to Boston (3h 45m drive) for a 3 night stay
Fly Boston to Manchester; drive back to Yorkshire
ACCOMMODATION
Boothbay Harbour
Apartment called ‘Boothbay Harbour Cottage Apartment’ (no longer operating)
Lovely. About a 10 minute stroll from centre of Boothbay Harbour village, and a bakery-cafe just round the corner. Small outdoor space too for reading and relaxing on the warm summer evenings, a place where we regularly did and saw hummingbirds to boot.
Burlington
This carriage house studio apartment
Idyllic. Large studio apartment, kitchenette, private terrace overlooking the mature and immaculate garden, ample space for two (despite only being a studio), parking, located in quick and easy access to both central Burlington and Lake Champlain (each about 15 minutes’ walk). Recommended.
Boston
Apartment called ‘Boston Christopher’ (no longer operating)
Not recommended. Devoid of atmosphere, strange, looking at a brick wall.
SCHEDULE
Day 1 - Fly to Boston; Drive Boston to Boothbay Harbour
About 9-10 hours flying; About 420km, 2hrs 40m driving
Boothbay Harbour - Day 1 to 7
Had several breakfast waffles at Mama D’s - with a porch terrace, rocking chair and clapboard exterior, this felt like quintessential New England to me. Good coffee and friendly service, located just outside Boothbay Harbour town, so full of locals for an authentic experience.
Cycled around Southport Island
Visited Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland. Got ‘lobster takeaway’ and watched the locals partake in mad games on the water a la Takeshi’s Castle
Went out on a sailboat with a local guide
Had plenty of blueberry soda - a taste of Maine for us
Day 8 - Drive between Boothbay Harbour and Burlington
Stopped in Jackson, New Hampshire for lunch and a leg stretch. Sought out the covered bridges of New Hampshire along the way.
About 420km, 5hrs driving
Day 8 to 14 - Burlington, Vermont
Had several bakery breakfasts at August First cafe
Cycled into the Island Line Trail into Lake Champlain - 45km loop follows Burlington’s waterfront via the Burlington Greenway and heads out on the beautiful Colchester Causeway three miles into the middle of the lake.
Rode the MTB trails at Cady Hill near Stowe - well worth a visit.
Rode the MTB trails at Saxon Hill, just outside of Burlington - flowy singletrack with boardwalks - recommended
Burlington Farmer’s Market comes to town on Saturday morning and offers a fantastic mix of ready-to-eat treats and tasty ingredients to take home and cook with. We had THE most delicious sour cherry bagel with a cream cheese dip, noshed in the square with the sounds of a guitarist strumming for the pleasure of the market crowd. Delightful.
Dined at Bluebird BBQ, in Burlington, for classic american barbecue, burnt ends and Vermont beer. Recommended.
Did some SUP yoga on Lake Champlain
Day 14 - Drive between Burlington and Boston
About 348km, 3hr 20mins driving
Day 14 to 16 - Boston
Booked tickets for Boston Red Sox vs. NY Yankees at Fenway Park - for me, one of the highlights of the trip, since we didn’t plan this! These two are ancient rivals - we couldn’t have been more lucky to have them be playing each other on the Saturday we were in Boston. A great experience, even for those uninitiated in the game of baseball. Great atmosphere and wonderful memory.
Visited the Patriots Hall of Fame
Took a Walking Tour with Boston by Foot - excellent. Informative and fun.
Had all-American sandwiches at Sam La Grassa in downtown Boston
Day 17 - Fly Boston to Manchester
About 9-10 hours
Sewing projects for a Summer itinerary
Low-and-Slow Pecan & Pumpkin Seed Granola
Very simple two-step recipe for homemade pecan and pumpkin seed granola. Memories of Suffolk.
I once spent a summer weekend, with a friend, on the Suffolk coast. We walked, we chatted, we basked in the the high summer sun, we ate great food.
Part of the joy was the breakfast at our guesthouse, Corner Farm. We were seated in the glass vestibule just off the kitchen, and laid out on the table with our brewing tea were individual little Kilner jars of granola, clearly homemade granola at that. It was utterly delicious.
Buttery, crispy, oaty and gently spiced. Nothing like the rubbish you can get from the supermarket. I tentatively enquired as to whether the owner of the guesthouse might share her secrets with me. Lucky for me, she did, and making it is now a regular feature in my own kitchen.
Three things to know. First, this is not a ‘clumpy’ granola, but rather a ‘flaky’ one, where all the ingredients remain as separate little crispy morsels. Second, the darker the honey, the darker the bake will be. Third, don’t be tempted to speed up the baking - the low-and-slow approach is what gets you these golden, toasty, oaty nutty flakes where the rich and delicate flavour of the butter has been coaxed out over the long bake time, and none of the nuts or seeds have burnt.
PORTION SIZE
My estimates are based on an 80g portion of granola per person. This recipe will make about 1kg, which is about 12 portions.
TOOLS
Other than the typical kitchen equipment, you will need:
a baking sheet or a shallow roasting tin, 3-4cm deep
a large Kilner jar or tupperware for storage
INGREDIENTS
130g unsalted butter
130g honey (or mix of light muscovado & vanilla caster)
350g oats, rye or spelt flakes – half jumbo, half porridge
180g pecans (or swap in walnuts or almonds)
70g pumpkin seeds
1 tsp fine salt
1 tsp vanilla paste or extract
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp mixed spice or allspice
Extras after baking (optional)
80g chocolate chips or coconut shavings
50g chopped dried fruit
Ratios
1:1 fat : sweetener
100% dry ingredients : 43% liquid ingredients
METHOD
Melt liquids - Weigh the butter and honey directly into a saucepan; melt over a medium heat. Do not allow to bubble.
Prep oven & baking sheet - Preheat the oven to 110°C fan, 130°C regular and line a large roasting tin (one with sides) with reusable baking paper
Mix everything together - Weigh the dry ingredients into a large bowl. Pour the melted ingredients over the dry and mix well.
Bake - Spread the mixture on the baking tray and bake in the middle of the oven for 90 minutes, stirring every 30 minutes, until nicely golden. Keep an eye on it and do not let it burn – you may want to turn to encourage even browning.
Cool & Finish with extras - Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. It will dry and crisp up significantly. Once cooled completely, add your extras if you are using them. Decant into storage jar.
STORAGE
Store in an airtight jar; it keeps easily for a few months
Square neck tiered midi dress in Liberty Heidi cotton poplin
Perfected the fit, and finally making with an expensive fabric, Liberty’s cotton poplin. Detailed dressmaking closeups.
TOTAL TIME COMMITMENT: 17 hours
Toile (without zip, lining, interior seam finishing, basting stitch removal or hemming): none
Cut out & transfer all pattern markings: 3 hours
Main construction: 10 hours
Lining construction, attachment and hemming: none
Finishings (hem, enclose zip): 2.5 hours
Fabric type
Cotton poplin (Liberty)
Fabric weight
110gsm
ADDITIONAL SEAM FINISHING, CONSTRUCTION NOTES & EXTRAS
Cut out four of the sleeve frills, so that you see the print on both sides
Overlock each edge of skirt pattern piece before construction, press open
Overlock raw edges together at gathered tier seam
Overlock raw edges separately before construction on zip seam
Attach bodice facing to rest of garment using stitch-in-the-ditch
VERDICT & LESSONS LEARNT
A truly beautiful dress, perfectly fit at the bodice, bust and shoulder. I have worked so hard on this pattern, I now have two fit versions - one as a pinafore, fit to go over a top, and a closer fitting option (as here) to be worn alone.
The amendment to cut four of the sleeve frills really elevates the finish, where you see a printed face on the underside and upperside of the frill.
The only error is where I have managed to mis-align the top of the zip slightly, which I think is due to sewing the centred zip in one continuous line from neck edge, around bottom, to neck edge. In the future, I plan to sew each side from neck edge down to bottom of zip, sewing twice over the bottom for reinforcement.
Having made the garment multiple times has really paid off, and my technique is improving, which I can see here in this garment. Perhaps my proudest make ever, tied with the wool flannel shirt I made for my partner.
A beautiful addition to my summer wardrobe and one that I am extremely pleased and proud to wear.
Travel itineraries for Summerwear
Jersey - a long weekend in Spring
My travel itinerary for 3 nights in Jersey, Channel Islands. Walking, history and dining.
Itinerary At A Glance
3 night independent itinerary for Jersey, part of the Channel Islands, off the south coast of England
Based on either flying in and out of Jersey from Leeds, or Liverpool
Highlights include gastropub dining on English-French fusion fare, pick-your-own pearl for jewellery, Jersey War Tunnels and craggy coastal walks.
Based on a couple travelling, with a focus on leisurely cultural activities and hiking, interspersed with time to just relax and soak up the atmosphere
Why Jersey?
Elegant.
Teensy.
Historic.
It does rather pack a punch in terms of interesting things to do and see over a long weekend.
Much of it’s interest rests on the 5-year long German occupation, indeed the only part of the British territory under occupation during WWII, and theremnants and historical sites that stand testament to this cultural oddity are now visitor attractions.
As well as this though, there are plenty of beaches, coves and coastal paths for wandering, some excellent restaurants, and loads of trips and activities on the sea, which is always in easy reach no matter where you stay on the island.
Honest verdict
Does the place live up to hype or expectations?
What do people expect from Jersey?! Wealth and the remnants of war?? We got that. Some of the property is knock-your-socks-off-stunning, and there are leavings of occupation kind of everywhere.
I think what exceeded expectations though, was how picturesque it is. Tiny little valleys nestled in leafy woods that suddenly give out onto a view of the sea. Turquoise blue coves (the picture above is snapped on my phone with no filter). Ancient towers on the horizon. Harbourside restaurants.
The hotel was excellent, the walking was lovely, and the weather put on a very very good show, with blue skies, warm sun and a light breeze. Late May is a lovely time to visit.
Did the itinerary work for the trip?
3 days was just right. There isn’t endless amounts of stuff to do on the island, and it could become a bit same-y in my view. The one thing I wished we had seen was The Celtic Hoard at la Hougue Bie.
Would I recommend it? Would I make another visit?
Can definitely recommend it, though for us personally, one trip is likely enough. Maybe we’ll go back in another 10 years.
WHEN
Late May
The last week in May is a school holiday, so things book up quickly.
We got warm (not hot) the whole time. May be changeable.
LIGHT
Long days
Sunrise: 05:14am to 5:09am
Sunset: 20:58pm to 21:04pm
16 hours of daylight
TRAVEL MEANS
Fly direct from Leeds to Jersey with Jet2, or direct from Liverpool to Jersey with Easyjet
The flight schedule is more restrictive from Leeds Bradford, with flights only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, whereas flights from Liverpool are daily.
ACCOMMODATION
Greenhills Country House Hotel
An excellent hotel - peacful, elegant and relaxed.
Being such a tiny island, and a popular one, accommodation choices are somewhat limited and what there is books up very very quickly. This needs to be booked very well ahead of time.
SCHEDULE
Day 1
Arrive; settle in.
Dinner: at the hotel
Day 2
Experience: Booked Pick-A-Pearl experience at Jersey Pearl - chose, and graded pearls for jewellery.
Play: Roccos Crazy Golf in St Ouen’s Bay. Open 9am – 5pm everyday (not bookable)
Walk: Took in one of the coastal path walks up near Plémont and the ruins of 14c Grosnez Castle
Dinner: Ate at Cheffins at Beaumont Inn
Day 3
Jersey War Tunnels: Book a ticket for an understanding of the island under German Occupation, the only part of the British Isles occupied during World War II
Walk: Took a walk on the east coast, taking in St Catherines, Archirondel and Mont Orgueil Castle
Ice Cream: stop at The Botanic Gardens at Samarès Manor
Dinner: Booked for relaxed dinner at The Old Court House Inn, in St Aubin’s - relaxed, yet polished pub dining, with an alfresco option. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 4
Breakfast
Morning in St Helier: See the Occupation Tapestry at the Maritime Museum in St Helier (12 panels, woven by islanders commemorating liberation from 5 years of Nazi rule)
Travel home
Ideas for another visit
-
Visit ‘Searching for Jersey’s Celts’ exhibition at La Hougue Bie, home of Le Câtillon II – the world’s largest Celtic hoard ever found, including thousands of coins and several pieces of jewellery. The site is also home to a neolithic village.
Tour St Catherine’s Bunker - 2 hour tour of WWII German fortification and tunnel complex.
Become a Distiller for the Day at The Gin Lab, La Côte Distillery in St Helier
Sunset tours aboard Jersey Duchess - 2 hour tour, departing from St Helier
See St Helier as it may have been in the early 1800’s at 16 New Street Georgian House Museum - Open Wed, Thu & Fri, 10am to 4pm
Visit Elizabeth Castle, just off the coast in St Helier
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Feast on Gorey Pier, overlooking Mont Orgueil Castle. Open Tues lunch to Sunday lunch
Book at gastropub Bass & Lobster, in Gorey.
Book for Samphire Brasserie in St Helier - relaxed, yet polished fine dining, with alfresco and private dining options. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Tues to Sat. Closed Sunday & Monday.
Other Short Itineraries
Penzance - biking, brunching and lido-bathing in blackberry season
Spending a spell in Penzance, in late summer. Blackberries, biking, brunch and bathing.
Itinerary At A Glance
4 night independent itinerary for Penzance and surrounds, based on driving from Leeds, in August
Highlights include Saltwater & Geo-thermal lido, dinner at a harbourside fish restaurant, Museum of Global Communications in Porthcurno and a day trip to the Isles of Scilly
Based on a couple travelling, with a focus on leisurely outdoor and cultural activities, interspersed with time to just relax and soak up the atmosphere
Honest verdict
Does the place live up to hype or expectations?
The English seaside can be rather a disappointment to me - I’m talking the seaside towns made popular in the Victorian era that have now descended into a recurrent cheap theme of tacky shops, rickety fairground rides, fish & shop shops, arcades and absolutely zero culture worth speaking of.
I wasn’t necessarily expecting Penzance to be this, but you never know with an English seaside town……..there is always the risk………..Penzance was therefore an absolute surprise. What saves it, I think, is that it is a working harbour town, saved from the fate described above, by having actual industry instead. This isn’t a town built on tourism, its a town built on fishing.
In both Newlyn (where we stayed) and in Penzance, we encountered lots and lots of independent shops and eateries, a friendly and relaxed vibe.
Did the itinerary work for the trip?
4 days was spot on. Would have been even better to have been able to use the location as a jump off to the Isles of Scilly, but alas, this wasn’t meant to be (see note on schedule below).
The riding is wonderful, but also challenging - we encountered multiple climbs in excess of 10% and same for the descents. This is not riding for the fainthearted, but we were rewarded by regular stops to graze on the ripe and fragrant blackberries that were fruiting in the hedgerows along the side of the road.
The one thing I will say is that this drive was a looooooooooong way from Yorkshire - it took 9 hours in the end due to bits and bats of roadworks, plus some accidents. I would say that the fact we were there in the height of school holiday season - August - contributed to this experience, so would suggest that if you can, make a visit outside these times, or fin som way to break up the journey. No matter when you go, it is at least 7 hours to drive there, and navigating the busy road network through the middle of England is unlikely to go smoothly.
Would I recommend it? Would I make another visit?
Can definitely recommend it, though for us personally, one trip is likely enough. Maybe we’ll go back in another 10 years.
WHEN
August
This is high season for Cornwall, with the kids being off school. Be sure to book early for best availability.
We got warm (not hot), with one rainy day. Expect changeable weather at any time, including strong sun, rain, mist, fog and wind.
LIGHT
Long days
Sunrise: 05:51am to 6:36am
Sunset: 21:05pm to 20:08pm
16 hours of daylight
TRAVEL MEANS
Car & Road bike
Driving from Yorkshire to Cornwall should be about 7 hours each way but expect more for traffic issues.
Road bike for activities while there.
ACCOMMODATION
This rental on Booking.com
1.5 miles to central Penzance
luxury and modern
well suited for a couple
free parking
outdoor space
SCHEDULE
Day 1
Drive, start in the morning, collect groceries, arrive and settle in
Day 2
Bike ride: Round trip, 25km, 350m climbing. Newlyn-Mousehole-Sancreed-Heamoor-Penzance-Newlyn.
Dinner: in the flat
Day 3
Relax: make breakfast, spend the morning chilling out
Bike ride: Round trip, 40km, 580m climbing. Newlyn-Mousehole-Pourthcurno-Lands End-Sennen Cove-St Buryan-Paul-Newlyn.
Visited the Museum of Global Communications in Porthcurno: in 1870, the first international telegraph cable was brought ashore at Porthcurno, connecting Britain to India and later other parts of the British Empire. By the start of World War II, Porthcurno was a critical hub for allied communications with 14 cables coming ashore, carrying some 70% of all communications. A fantastic place to visit. Really tells the story of the pioneers who made our current world of always-on, rapid communication, possible.
Dinner: Booked at Argoe, harbourside fish restaurant. Excellent. Whole monkfish cooked on the bone over coals, to share. Best monkfish I have ever eaten. Terrace overlooking the working harbour fell silent for the evening.
Day 4
THE ORIGINAL PLAN GOT CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER!
The plane flying across to the Isles of Scilly is teensy, hence, liable to get cancelled if the weather is not favourable. Sady for us, despite every other day being 22 deg.C and sunny, the day we were booked to travel to St Mary’s, the cloud was very low and visibility was too poor to fly.
Day trip to St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly: Fly from Lands End with Skybus (book early - you are unlikely to grab a seat on the day)
Collect a picnic lunch from Hugh Street Café or Tanglewood Kitchen
Walk the St Marys Island Coastal path: 17km, 3.5h hike
THE BACK-UP PLAN!
Go to The Eden Project
Dinner: easy-breezy modern fish-and-hip shop with a twist, Mackerel Sky
Day 5
Morning swim: Jubliee Pool Saltwater Lido & Geothermal Pool, 1 hour session - you need to book this several days in advance - you are highly unlikely to get a spot on the day. Lovely to bob about in the warm pool. Expect it to be busy.
Brunch: 45 Queen St (strictly walk-ins only, open from 10am, closed Monday & Tuesday). Highly recommended.
Drive home
RIDING IN SOUTHWEST CORNWALL
Riding around Newlyn and Penzance is scenic but not effortless. The terrain isn’t mountainous, but it’s rarely flat - short, punchy climbs and winding roads keep you working. Riding shifts beteen deep shade, to bright sea vistas. It’s a region best suited to confident riders who enjoy a bit of unpredictability: weather, narrow lanes, and the occasional steep descent. That said, there are a lot of road options to choose from, so you can mostly avoid traffic, and the views make it worth the effort.
Ideas for another visit
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Stay on the Roseland Peninsula, just south of Truro and across the water from Falmouth
-
Bike ride: Take in the whole of West Penwith, starting in Penzance, on this 65km road ride
Visit St Michael’s Mount
Evening Show: at The Minack theatre - advance booking essential
Visit Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens (gardens open daily 10.30am – 5.30pm, though Gallery closed Sunday and Mondy) with lunch at Tremenheere Kitchen
Newlyn Art Gallery & Exchange- this gallery has loads of events, including vintage fairs happen in the Autumn, textile workshops and Newlyn art walking tours happening on just 4 to 6 dates in the spring and summer. These need to be booked well in advance, with
Golowan Festival is a 10-day festival of arts, performances, culture and parades. It’s the UK’s second largest street festival and happens in June.
Penzance Art Festival is also on in June
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Breakfast at Artist Residence
Supper club at Chapel House Penzance
Visit Nancarrow Farm for one of their famed Feasts or Sunday Lunch with home-reared organic meat
Visit Potager Garden for brunch (near Falmouth)
Other Countryside Itineraries
Apricot jam
Recipe for homemade apricot jam - more apricot than sugar. Making a taste of France at home.
Apricots have such a short season that it feels like a real imperative to preserve their flavour during summer and the house will smell divine doing so. Tangy, sparkling and fragrant, to me, apricot jam is one of the tastes of France. To have some on hand has the power to transport me to a warm summer’s afternoon in the Loire Valley when really, I’m scoffing it on a slice of toast on a wet and grey November morning in Yorkshire. The trick is storing it away in a place I forget about it so that I don’t eat it all during the summer.
My recipe below is derived and modified from an original by Pam the Jam.
PORTION SIZE
Makes 2x medium jars (about 400-500ml)TOOLS
Other than the typical kitchen equipment, you will need:
a ladle
a metal jam funnel (this will make it a lot easier to only get jam into the jars and not down the sides)
INGREDIENTS
500g underripe or just ripe apricots
275g sugar (granulated or preserving)
4g powdered pection
12ml lemon juice (about half a lemon’s worth)
A drop or two of grapeseed oil (if needed)
Ratios
100% fruit, 55% sugar
approx 2g pectin per 150g sugar
Many recipes suggest a 1:1 ratio of fruit to sugar but this blanket statement is useless and I find this far far too sweet. For apricots, roughly 55% sugar to fruit, I find, makes a jam that tastes much more of the fruit than the sugar.
You can use the above ratios to tailor your portion to however much fruit you have available to preserve.
METHOD
Prep fruit - Rinse the apricots, destone them and cut them into quarters.
NOTE! It is often considered more ‘traditional’ that the apricots are halved so that they retain a bit of size and chunk after cooking, but I prefer a more spreadable jam where the fruit has been much softened in the process of cooking, hence my instruction to quarter the fruit.
Macerate fruit - Place the apricots in the jam pot (not too large – jam reduces, which, if it’s too shallow in the pan, makes it hard to get an accurate temperature and can encourage burning). Weigh the sugar, pectin and lemon juice straight into the pan with the apricots, mix to distribute. Cover and let macerate overnight for the juices to draw.
************** WAIT OVERNIGHT ***************
Sterilise jars - First, preheat the oven to 110°C and set out a clean cotton tea towel/dish towel (not terry cloth) on the counter and put a small saucer in the fridge or freezer. Wash the jars and lids in hot soapy water and rinse but don’t dry them. Place the jars onto a baking tray and into the oven for the duration of the jam cooking - If you are using jars with rubber seals, be sure to remove these before placing in the oven and if you have separate lids, place them in a bowl of boiling water.
NOTE! When adding food to the jars, it is necessary that both the food and jars are at the same temperature so that the jars don’t crack, and the jam doesn’t heat up any more when it goes into the jar.
Bring jam up to boil - Place the pan with the jam on the stove over medium heat and allow it to come to a boil — it might look very foamy at this point – don’t worry about it.
Rolling boil - Allow to boil for 15-20 minutes until set, stirring occasionally. Use a thermometer for the best control over the progress – jam sets between 104°C and 105°C. It will be a rich orange once ready, and the sound changes from a wet ‘pop’ to more of a ‘burble’. This fruit doesn’t set quite so readily, so for a spreadable jam, I prefer to take it up to 105°C.
Remove from the heat as soon as it hits 105°C anywhere in the pan and lightly stir in the same direction to remove any foam, adding a drop or two of oil if it doesn’t dispel easily.
Ladle into pots - Now comes the crucial moment. While the jam is still extremely hot — in other words, right away — ladle it into the clean pots, leaving a margin of about half an inch (2 cm) between the top of the jam and the top of the jar. Immediately place the lids on the jars. Quickly wipe off the jars with a sponge to remove any jam on the sides. Using a tea towel to protect your hands from the heat, screw the lids on as tightly as possible.
LET COOL FOR SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE TRYING!
USES
Dollop onto rice pudding or porridge
Spread onto toast after butter
Swirl through a cheesecake
Smear onto warm scones or hotcakes
In thumbprint cookies
As a filling for Victoria Sponge Cake
In a nut butter and jam sandwich
Boat neck summer dress with tie back in a novelty print cotton
Journal of making a dress with boat-neck, shaped underbust seam and large tie bow at the back.
TOTAL TIME COMMITMENT: 10.5 hours without toile (note this dress is unlined)
Cut out & transfer all pattern markings: 2.5 hours
Main construction: 6 hours
Lining construction: none
Finishings (hem): 2 hours
PATTERN CHANGES
None
SEAM FINISHING & DECORATIVE EXTRAS
Skirt side seams – French sea
Super narrow double-fold hem – beautiful finish
VERDICT & LESSONS LEARNT
The biggest lesson I learnt making this, is that sometimes, an adjustment for my narrow shoulders needs to come from the centre front, to bring both shoulders closer to one another, rather than simply making the shoulder seam itself thinner. The boat neckline of this dress should be ideal on me, but it’s much too wide, meaning the narrow shoulder sections want come in and settle further on my natural shoulder, creating a bunch of excess fabric at the centre neck. I also find that with this fit issue, the armscye is too far over onto my arm, restricting movement. None of this would be fixed by my narrowing, or even sloping the shoulder (common adjustments for me) – instead, this needs a narrowing of the whole neckline, then perhaps adding what I have narrowed, onto the side seam, to keep the overall correct width at the bust and underbust.
This is a full circle skirt and that can create a challenge for cutting out on a fabric which has a print with a very obvious right-way-up, as in this one here
VARIATION IDEAS FOR ANOTHER MAKE
Make this in linen, or a linen viscose blend
Travel Itineraries for Summerwear
Alnmouth, Northumberland Coast - a weekend in late Summer
My travel journal for a short, late summer break in Alnmouth. Sand and castles.
Itinerary At A Glance
2 day independent itinerary for Alnmouth and surrounds, based on driving from Leeds, in early September
Highlights include morning beach walk, hike around Bamburgh Castle and fish lunch at The Potted Lobster
Based on a group travelling, with a focus on leisurely outdoor and cultural activities, interspersed with time to just relax and soak up the atmosphere
Why here?
Alnmouth caught my eye as a quiet corner of Northumberland — easy to reach from Yorkshire, yet far enough to feel like an escape. It’s known for its sweeping beaches and dramatic skies, but the cold North Sea keeps the crowds away, making it feel like a secret.
I’d heard about a standout fish restaurant in Bamburgh (The Potted Lobster), which tipped the balance in favour of this stretch of coast. The idea was set: build an itinerary around seasonal eating, coastal walking, and the kind of scenery that lingers.
Honest verdict
Does it live up to hype or expectations?
I would say it exceeded our expectations in every way. What a gorgeous weekend.
Firstly, the quality of the beaches is just outstanding. Wide, golden powdery sand, and quiet. They are such sterling examples, it’s hard to believe how quiet they are. We personally enjoy beaches for the views (rather than the swimming orthe sunbathing), and these beaches are made for walks and running, and took our breath away as we happened upon one during a coastal walk.
Secondly, there is so much preserved history here. The villages along the coast are out of the way of heavy traffic, so they benefit from not being a throughway to anywhere else - you have to be going there to stumble upon one of these villages. This remoteness has probably protected them from rampant overtouristing or modernisation. Alnmouth was like walking back in time; an idyllic little high street full of character and clearly recently rejuvenated to make the most of its historic charms for the modern traveller.
From start to finish, thoroughly recommended.
Does the itinerary work for the trip?
Absolutely.
2 nights in Alnmouth felt correct for us, perhaps up to 3 nights would work. The charms of this massive county are rather spread out, from the AONB coastline in the east, to Kielder Water and Dark Sky Park in the middle, to Hadrian’s Wall on the northern border, but this, in fact, makes it an ideal place for short 2-night trips to sample a little of Northumberland each and every time.
We travelled as a family group, and had just enough going on to give structure to the trip without overwhelming us. Perhaps better would have been to do a group activity on the Saturday afternoon, with dinner at The Potted Lobster rather than lunch.
Would I make another visit?
I would certainly visit Northumberland again, though would focus on another area.
WHEN
Early September
The start of the shoulder season. Best time for sunsets.
We experienced a hot tail to summer, with 27C sunny. Expect anything from hot to cool and rainy.
LIGHT
Moderate daylight
Sunrise: 06:12am
Sunset: 19:59pm
14 hours of daylight
TRAVEL MEANS
Car
Drive from Leeds takes about 2.5 hours
ACCOMMODATION
The Whittling House, Pub with Rooms
situated on a gorgeous little street running down to the beach
luxury and modern
well suited for a couple
slightly tricky parking
excellent on-site restaurant
a touch noisy due to it being a pub
SCHEDULE
Day 1 - Friday
Drive in the evening, arrive and settle in at The Whittling House, Alnmouth
Dinner: at the Whittling House
Day 2 - Saturday
Lunch: The Potted Lobster, Bamburgh. Top notch fish restaurant
Hike: Walking loop around Bamburgh Castle & town, 14km
Dinner: The Joiners Arms
Day 3 - Sunday
Morning beach walk: there is a gorgeous stretch of golden sandy beach right at the bottom of the high street in Alnmouth. Late summer sees a hazy and fresh start to the morning, perfect for a morning beach stroll
Drive home
Back-up plans for rainy days
Visit inside of Bamburgh Castle - still fully functioning and one of the most imposing castles on the British Isles
Other Short UK Itineraries
A Summer drive-and-ride through Belgium & Northern France
Itinerary journal of my summer tour through the Belgian Ardennes and Northern France. Bikes very much mandatory.
Itinerary At A Glance
14 night independent touring itinerary for Belgium and France, taking a coast-to-coast route starting in Rotterdam, finishing in Cherbourg
Based on driving from Leeds, with bikes, using ferry transport from Hull to Rotterdam, back into the UK from Cherbourg
Highlights include Belgian beer, a cycle ride through water, visiting the ghostly remains of an F1 race track from the 1960s, cycling the river-strewn landscape of the Loire Valley, picnic at Chateau de L’Islette, The Bayeaux Tapestry, and D-Day museum at Arromanches-les-Bains.
Based on a couple travelling, with a focus on leisurely outdoor and cultural activities, interspersed with time to just relax and soak up the atmosphere
Why here?
This was our very first trip taking our car from Leeds across into Europe, and so, to make this introductory experience as easy as possible, we chose to make the driving the least onerous we could by not venturing too far into the continent.
Northern Europe is a lovely place to spend the summer; verdant, warm, buzzing with the life of festivals and outdoorsing often denied to us in the colder, wetter months. Throughout this region, there is a palpable excitement that summer is here, and a determinedness to enjoy it while we can.
We chose Wallonia for its forested hills, quiet roads, and brewing heritage. Reims offered a counterpoint — not for champagne, but for the haunting remains of a forgotten F1 circuit. The Loire Valley is the land of river and chateaux. The riding promised was easy, quiet, and punctuated with ample towns, villages, markets, chateaux, vineyards and culture. Normandy, with its layered history and coastal charm, rounded out the journey with something a little more serious - warttime history and medieval tapestry.
Every location on this trip offered excellent biking opportunities - whether that’s leisurely pootles or long-distance leg-burners - as well as discovery, and rest. A kind of slow travel that lets the landscape unfold at the speed of a bike.
Honest verdict
Did I enjoy the holiday? Does the place live up to expectations?
One of the very best holidays we have ever taken, ever. I don’t think it is possible for France to disappoint, such is the density of loveliness, culture and history, but Belgium was an unexpected surprise, totally exceeding our expectations in every way.
Did the itinerary work for the trip?
Perfectly. Not too much driving, but enough to cover some real distance between place to place. Travelling in the car this way, we also got to see parts of Holland, Belgium and France that we would probably never visit if it meant making a dedicated holiday there.
Would I make another visit?
Certainly - with the exception of Champagne region. While we had a good time there, this was my least favourite spot, but Belgium, Loire Valley and Normandy held so much appeal, with many more options for a visit than we could fit into this trip.
WHEN
July
Very warm and sunny was what we experienced for the full two weeks, though I was prepared for some occasional overcast or rainy days which failed to come.
LIGHT
Long days
Sunrise: 06:01am to 06:33am
Sunset: 22:10pm to 21:42pm
15-16 hours of daylight
TRAVEL MEANS
Ferry from Hull into Rotterdam, and out of Cherbourg into Poole
We obviously took our car for the entirety of this trip (it would be impossible without it) as well as road bikes attached with a carrier.
ROUTE & STOPS
Drive 1,407 km, 16 hours, over 14 days
Ferry Hull into Rotterdam (overnight crossing); drive to Belgian Ardennes for a 3 night stay; stop off at Delft for breakfast and Genk for Ride Thru The Water
Drive from Belgian Ardennes to Reims (Champagne region) for a 2 night stay
Drive from Reims to Loire Valley for a 5 night stay; stop off at Montargis along the way
Drive from Loire Valley to Caen; stop off at Le Mans along the way
Ferry Cherbourg to Poole; drive back to Yorkshire
Image of full route with all stops
ACCOMMODATION
Reims
Centrally located, clean, modern, large apartment. Only issue was a lack of parking and note that Reims operates a Low Emission Zone, for which you need to have a permit before you arrive in France.
Loire Valley
Idyllic. Large kitchen, private outdoor area, ample space for two, fairly rurally located in quick and easy access to the quiet country lanes perfect for road cycling with space in the hallway for bikes. Recommended.
near Caen
Garage-turned-holiday let, this was a lovely little compact space in a residential village on the outskirts of Caen, with a bakery and pizza restaurant in town. Ideal for cycling, with space in the hallway for bikes. Recommended.
SCHEDULE
Canals in Delft
Day 1 - Drive to Wallonia, with stop-offs in Delft and Genk
Had breakfast in Delft - it was glorious. To my mind, nowhere on earth does ‘cute town’ like the Dutch, and Delft is no exception. Sat by the canal on a warm Monday morning, enjoying Roze koek and Gevulde koek alongside a good coffee, and watched the town come gently to life.
Stopped off in Genk to Ride-Thru-The-Water and made use of the excellent Points-Noeuds system
Durbuy, and the surrounding countryside
Day 1 to 4 - Wallonia
3 nights
Cycled around the Belgian Ardennes, using Visit Wallonia for downloadable .gpx routes.
Dined at miniature little bistro, Ardelle, in Rochefort
Durbuy is a fantastic destination for a bike ride, surrounded by open farmlands with paved cycle routes snaking through
RIDING IN WALLONIA
Wallonia offers varied terrain. The southern areas near the Ardennes are steep and challenging — great for experienced cyclists looking for serious climbs. In contrast, the northern part near the Flanders border is more moderately hilly and better suited to relaxed touring.
This region is ideal for touring: quiet country roads, manageable gradients, and plenty of small towns and villages to stop in.
We found the riding here to be well-balanced and it’s a great region for combining cycling with other interests like food, beer, and local crafts, especially if you plan your routes to include stops or destination activities.
Day 5 - Drive between Belgian Ardennes & Reims
About 165km, 2hrs driving
Stocked up on beer before we left Belgium.
Reim-Gueux race track, former pitlane
Day 5 to 7 - Reims
2 nights
Cycled from Reims out to the abandoned Formula 1 circuit, Reims-Gueux, whose orginal structures including the grandstands, pit buildings and timing tower, still stand today and are preserved as historical landmarks and maintained by local enthusiasts. Eerie and magical, a perfect destination for a road ride before making our way to the more known pastoral landscapes of the Champagne villages and then routing back into Reims
Day 7 - Drive between Reims & Loire Valley
About 480km, 5hr 30mins driving
To break up the long drive, we stopped at Montargis for coffee, cake and a leg stretch. This isn’t a place to go out of your way to visit, but was a decently cute town with plenty of life and options for coffee and baked goods.
Loire Valley scenery
Day 7 to 12 - Loire Valley
5 nights
Picnic’d with live music at Chateau de L'Islette - a highlight of the stay. This place is fairytale stuff, with the River Indre meandering through the grounds, flanked by bridges, lawns and billowing flora. On Fridays and Saturdays throughout July and August, you can buy tickets for their open air picnic with live music; just turn up with your loved ones, blankets, food and drink to enjoy the evening.
RIDING IN THE LOIRE VALLEY
The Loire is ideal for very relaxed, scenic riding. Even beginners and very occasional cyclists will not struggle here. The terrain is mostly flat, with quiet roads and well-marked cycle routes that wind through vineyards, riverside paths, and historic towns. It’s perfect for multi-day touring with cultural stops — châteaux, markets, and wine tastings are never far off. Some of our rides includes:
62km ride taking in Azay-le-Rideau, Langeais and Villandry - Langeais is a picturesque town right on the banks of the Loire and is well worth a stop. There is a market on a Sunday morning that is worth making your destination.
57 km ride taking in Loches, Montrésor and Chedigny - the ‘village-garden’ of Chedigny is a particularly worthwhile waypoint for a road ride.
54km ride to see Rivarennes……funny place this, bit of a ghost town really, clinging deperately to the heritage craft of dried pears.
Day 12 - Drive between Loire Valley & Caen
About 270km, 2hr 45mins driving
We made sure to route through Le Mans to drive the Mulsanne Straight, Inidianapolis and Arnage Corners (all of which is public road when not on a race day).
The Bayeux Tapestry exhibit
Day 12 to 14 - near Caen
Visited Bayeux Tapestry - for me, the absolute highlight of our trip. It is hard to believe this article of history is 1000 years old. It is vast and precious and magical, exhibited wonderfully well and with a very useful audio guide that made me feel like I was in a fantasy novel. Unlike most tourist destinations of this repute, we waited hardly any time to buy tickets and enter, and as an added bonus, Bayeux the town is also utterly adorable - well worth a patisserie stop. We did so at La Pâtisserie de Guillaume.
Visited the D-Day Museum at Arromanches-les-Bains - to tell the tale of Operation Overlord, and in particular, how Allied Forces built and erected a ‘floating port’ off the coast of Arromanches-les-Bains to faciltate the D-Day landings and ongoing supply of men, supplies and equipment for the re-taking of France.
RIDING IN NORMANDY
The riding in Normandy isn’t especially challenging, but it’s not effortless either — the terrain is mostly flat, which means you’re pedalling constantly. Roads are often narrow, with stone walls close to the edge, and the sky tends to hang low and slate-grey. Every so often, the landscape opens up and you catch a glimpse of the sea. It’s steady, atmospheric riding. Here are some routes we took:
Cycled to the Merville Gun Battery through Pegasus Bridge - historically important, Pegasus Bridge was the first bridge to be liberated following D-Day landings on June 6th 1944
Day 15 - Drive between Caen & Cherbourg
About 130km, 1hr 30mins driving
Ferry from Cherbourg back to Poole, then drive back to Yorkshire
Ideas for another visit
-
Stay near Namur
Cycle Wallonia’s UNESCO route
-
Stay near the tiny city of Châteauroux
Visit Musée du Textile et de la Mode (Museum of Textiles & Fashion) in Cholet
Visit Musée de la Chemiserie et de l'Élégance Masculine (Shirt-making and Male Elegance Museum) in the Loire Valley features a textile garden with plants used for textile fibers, dyes, and other related processes
-
Visit Dieppe market, voted best in France in 2020
Take a factory-workshop tour of Bohin, last surviving pin and needle manufacturer in France, located in the Orne department in Normandy
Visit Les Jardins d’Étretat - Clinging close to the cliff, the gardens at Etretat are a poetic mix of landscape and sculpture known as “land-art.”
Visit The Sculpture Garden at the Château de Bois-Guilbert
Dine at Le Goéland 1951, a seasonal restaurant and bar (open during the high season) in a converted bunker from the war on the edge of a peninsula with breath taking views on the sea.
From spring to autumn along the sea front at Le Havre there’s a host of pop-up bars and restaurants, some of which have a view right on the sea.
Swim in the sea water swimming pool, plage du Plat Gousset in Granville
Swim in the Bains des Docks in Le Havre, designed by reputed French architect Jean Nouvel - this 5000 square metre aquatic centre comprises 12 pools, including a 50 x 21 metre outdoor pool, several leisure pools, a sauna, steam room, spa and fitness room.
Dieppe’s outdoor swimming pool offers views of castle and limestone cliffs
Other itineraries & food for France
Cotswolds for William Morris - a weekend in high Summer
A friend and I visited Kelmscott Manor in The Cotswolds. Where else we stayed and ate.
Itinerary At A Glance
2 day independent itinerary for Kelmscott Manor and surrounds, based on driving from Leeds, in early June
Highlights include a visit to William Morris’ summer home, Kelmscott Manor, a country walk to Lechlade, and dinner at Thyme
Based on a pair of friends travelling, with a focus on leisurely outdoor and cultural activities, interspersed with time to just relax and soak up the atmosphere
Why here?
Visiting the Cotswolds? Pioneering.
William Morris? Would never have thought……….
Everyone knows the Cotswolds — it’s one of the UK’s most sought-after destinations. But that popularity can be a double-edged sword: high-season prices, packed villages, and the risk of a trip that feels more generic than special. I wanted to see if it was possible to experience the Cotswolds differently.
The idea started with Kelmscott. I’d never thought much about William Morris, but a friend mentioned it, and it piqued my interest. I began to dig into the area’s links to traditional English craft and design, and it felt like a good fit for a short, thoughtful trip.
I planned a two-night stay with a simple itinerary: Kelmscott, a countryside walk, and dinner — all easy to do without a car. We stayed at a pub with a restaurant, which made the logistics smooth and gave us a cosy base. I skipped the more obvious hotspots and Instagram-famous villages, aiming instead for a quieter, more grounded experience about English heritage.
Honest verdict
Did I enjoy the holiday? Does the place live up to expectations?
When it comes to these kinds of places, I think, there can be a hefty dose of disappointment when you get there as it is thronged to the rafters with tourists and you had to pay through the nose to stay there in high summer. Thankfully, this wasn’t our experience on this trip. We found Kelmscott to be alive with activity but not crowded, and there was nothing at all that we had to queue for. Thyme, similarly, wasn’t overdone nor packed with people trying to fill an Instagram reel.
If you have any interest at all in traditional England, and perhaps learning a little more about one of our most important and beloved artists, thinkers and businessmen, I can highly recommend a trip to Kelmscott.
Did the itinerary work for the trip?
Absolutely. We travelled as a pair of friends, and the three booked activties on Saturday - Kelmscott, walk, then dinner - was a perfect day of memories that we have regularly reminisced about since.
I think it would work equally well to stay a little further out and take a circular bike ride with Kelmscott as the destination.
Also, staying with the pub, with the benefit of a restaurant for dinner on the day of arrival and breakfast on the day of departure, made a 2 night stay very easy indeed.
Would I make another visit?
I would certainly visit Cotswolds again, though would focus on another area.
WHEN
Early June
Probably the most beautiful month to visit England, in my view. Spectacular blue skies and warm sunshine.
TRAVEL MEANS
Car
Drive from Leeds takes about 2.5 hours
ACCOMMODATION
The Plough Inn, Pub with Rooms
literally a short walk to Kelmscott Manor
well suited for a pair of friends
slightly tricky parking
a touch noisy due to it being a pub
Kennet, 1883, By William Morris - Photo by Birmingham Museums Trust on Unsplash
SCHEDULE
Day 1 - Friday
Drive in the evening, arrive and settle in
Dinner: at The Plough Inn
Day 2 - Saturday
Kelmscott Manor & Gardens: Seeing up close and personal, the spot where William Morris (and his wife and some other artist hangers-on) would spend summer. The house is filled with remnants of his artistry, as well as that of his wife, Jane, and their life of collecting and making of beautiful things. The garden is also an absolute delight.
Walk: Walking loop from Kelmscott to Lechlade and back, 10km
Dinner & Art: Thyme - couldn’t recommend this place highly enough. The food was superb, as was the service, and the open dining room-kitchen-lounge area, which I believe was a converted barn, contributed greatly to the experience. Thoroughly modern and luxurious. We were also allowed a private view of the art exhibition that was on in the neighbouring space.
Day 3 - Sunday
Breakfast at The Plough Inn
Drive home
Sewing & Wearing
Other Short UK Itineraries
A tent dress in Liberty crepe-de-chine from Very Easy Vogue 8593
Reflections on the first time working with silk. Main lesson: crepe-de-chine is difficult to cut out…
TOTAL TIME COMMITMENT: 16 hours
Cut out & transfer all pattern markings: 3.5 hours
Main construction: 7.5 hours
Lining construction: none
Finishings (buttons, hem): 5 hours
ADDITIONAL SEAM FINISHING, CONSTRUCTION NOTES & EXTRAS
Interior seams - stitch-and-pink
No buttonholes (didn’t want to risk it on the crepe-de-chine!) Went with faux buttons, with press-studs underneath.
VERDICT & LESSONS LEARNT
This was one of those ‘scary projects’ for me. My first attempt using crepe-de-chine and it was a gift to boot, so the fear about getting it wrong felt real enough to put me off getting it made for a long time - too long. The trigger was reading this great article from Closet Core Patterns, which really cut through and reminded me that I won’t learn anything unless I just get on with it.
What greatly helped, was using a pattern that a. I know I love, b. I know fits me, and c. is quite a simple design. I think it could have gone poorly if I’d attempted to make something in this more difficult fabric whilst also grappling with a new or more challenging pattern. I set myself up with success being a strong possibility.
My main learning was the application of crepe-de-chine needs considering, and some design elements need changing when using it. For example, I don’t think garments made from crepe-de-chine should have pockets. Part of the appeal in this fabric is its featherlightness when wearing, and when you have a pocket, you put something in it….weighing down that airy fluidity you (probably paid so much) to wear. So, the lesson for me is: if I’m intending to make something from crepe-de-chine, skip any pockets on the pattern.
I actually found the cutting out, not the sewing, to be the most challenging aspect of using this fabric. I don’t own a cutting mat or rotary cutter, so it was good old fashioned pins and scissors and this fabric definitely shrinks away from the scissors very readily. While the sewing wasn’t dreamy, it being a matte fabric, it was actually fairly grippy and steady under the machine, more than I expected it to be.
Last learning point was the stitch-and-pink method for finishing interior seams works a treat. OK, not necessarily the sort of finish you get on designer or ready-to-wear, but straight-foward to sew, reliable, and crucially adds no bulk. Its a finish I will use again on this fabric.
In terms of the result, I. Am. Thrilled. I feel like a flipping goddess wearing this garment, and it’s turned out to be a compliment-fetcher too. It’s the epitome of effortless chic, and has me wafting about with the air of a woman who knows what she’s about.
Travel Itineraries for Summerwear
Norfolk - Summer riding
Itinerary for a short weekend cycling break near the North Norfolk Coast.
Itinerary At A Glance
2 day independent itinerary for Holt and surrounds, based on driving from Leeds, in mid-August
Highlights include a boutique hotel stay, long road ride around North Norfolk, and fish and chips at the seaside
Based on a couple travelling
Honest verdict
Does the place live up to hype or expectations?
Outstanding.
I would hear people announce how flat Norfolk, and while that might be true, before I visited, it led me to believe flat meant boring - not so. The landscape, the villages, the gardens………it felt like a view was peeking out around every corner and it was oh, so, quiet.
A spectacular introduction to Norfolk, leaving us eager for more.
Did the itinerary work for the trip?
Yes….and no, in that we could easily have stayed longer (there is enough to do), and this was quite a long drive for just 2 nights. A cycling weekend is perfectly perfectly suited for Norfolk though; a framework I would look to replicate again.
Would I make another visit?
Definitely; even this same area around Holt would warrant another trip for us.
WHEN
August
We got spectacular blue skies and warm sunshine.
Can be changeable.
TRAVEL MEANS
Car + Road bike
Drive from Leeds takes about 4 hours
ACCOMMODATION
The Harper, Hotel
boutique, luxury
intimate
fantastic restaurant
impeccable, yet thoroughly modern service
SCHEDULE
Day 1 - Friday
Drive in the morning, settle in
Dinner: At The Harper
Day 2 - Saturday
Ride: Long road-ride loop around Holt, 73km (gpx download here)
Coffee & Cake Stop: Heydon Village Tea Rooms - absolutely delightful, in a pictureque village setting
Fish & Chip Supper at the Seaside: French’s, Wells-next-the-Sea - be prepared for a very, very long queue!
Day 3 - Sunday
Spa & Sauna morning: The Harper allows you to pre-book the pool, hot tub and sauna on an exclusive use basis for 30-minute sessions
Breakfast at the hotel
Drive home
Ideas for another trip
-
Visit Sandringham during the winter, for its annual light trail ‘Luminate Sandringham’
Tour The Boards National Park on a bike - 125 miles of navigable waterways – more than Amsterdam or Venice. The Broads was originally dug out in medieval times to provide peat for fuel. In the 14th century, these peat diggings flooded, creating the beautiful waterways we see today.
Visit Norwich - best-preserved medieval city in England (the Industrial Revolution left it unscathed because of a lack of fast-running water), largest permanent covered market in Europe, only city within a British National Park, hosts Europe’s best-protected chalk river and it was England’s first City of Literature.
Visit Norwich Castle Museum (undergoing a major renovation project, set to re-open 2025)
See a show at Cromer’s end-of-pier theatre
See Grey seal pups at Blakeney Point during the winter, when the mums come ashore to have their young
See red deer on the Holkham Estate in the winter
-
Stay at The Victoria Hotel on the Holkham Estate (accepts dogs)
Stay at The Wiveton Bell (accepts dogs)
-
Dine at Meadowsweet in Holt
Other Itineraries for Exploring with Bikes
Summer walking on the Suffolk Coast
My itinerary journal for a short weekend walking break on the Suffolk Coast, to catchup with a dear friend.
Itinerary At A Glance
2 day independent itinerary for Walberswick and surrounds, based on driving from Leeds, in mid-July
Highlights include a walk around the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape starting in Walberswick
Based on a pair of friends travelling, for a short catch-up trip
Honest verdict
Does the place live up to hype or expectations?
Suffolk is perhaps unseen, as a holiday destination. It doesn’t have the Royal connection as Norfolk does, and for those of us in the North, it’s just that bit further away.
It is though, worth the trip. It is worth it for the quiet, for the history, and for the golden sandy coast.
Does the itinerary work for the trip?
Absolutely. This is a short shot-in-the-arm kind of trip, like an extended day out with a pal, with the walk offering great opportunity for a long catch up and some gentle exercise combined. I think it would work equally well for a biking stay, especially since the Suffolk countryside is flat without being boring.
Also, staying in a guesthouse, with the benefit of a breakfast, made a 2 night stay very easy indeed.
Would I make another visit?
I would certainly visit Suffolk again, though would focus on another area.
WHEN
Mid July
Spectacular blue skies and warm sunshine.
LIGHT & WEATHER
Long days, likely warm (may be hot)
Sunrise: 04:36am to 5:13am
Sunset: 21:18pm to 20:46pm
17 hours of daylight
ACCOMMODATION
Corner Farm, Guesthouse
luxury and modern
well suited for a pair of friends
fantastic breakfast, with the best granola I have ever had (the owner kindly provided the recipe!)
absolutely silent
TRAVEL MEANS
Car
Drive from Leeds takes about 4 hours
SCHEDULE
Day 1 - Friday
Drive in the afternoon, collect groceries and settle in
Dinner: BBQ at our guesthouse
Day 2 - Saturday
Walk: Long walking loop around Walberswick, 13km (gpx download here)
Dinner: The Anchor, Walberswick - friendly, relaxed, casual
Day 3 - Sunday
Breakfast at the guesthouse
Drive home
Ideas for another trip
Dine or event at Suffolk Food Hall, Ipswich
Visit Kentwell Hall, one of the finest moated Tudor Houses in England and regular scene for history re-creation events
Bike ride around Suffolks’ Wool Towns - Lanvenham, Clare, Kersey, Long Melford
Visit Woodbridge on the River Deben
Other July Itineraries
A scoop neck tiered sundress from a 1970’s Butterick 7012 pattern
Going off-piste, using quilting cotton for a simple summer tiered dress with topstitching.
TOTAL TIME COMMITMENT: 7.5 hours
Cut out & transfer all pattern markings: 1.5 hours
Main construction: 5.5 hours
Lining construction, attachment and hemming: none
Finishings (hem): 0.5 hours
PATTERN CHANGES
None
SEAM FINISHING & DECORATIVE EXTRAS
Vertical interior seams – overlock
Raw edges at gathered seam - overlock
Attach bodice facing to rest of garment – stitch-in-the-ditch
VERDICT & LESSONS LEARNT
Very very very simple to make. There are hardly any fit devices on this garment (which also means its not very figure-showing either) and there is no closure - it pulls over the head - so it is very easy to knock togther. This looseness of fit makes it ideal for a very very hot day, or as a cover up over a bikini, both of which I have used it for and its ideal.
I absolutely love the Painters Palette solids quilting fabric as an option for dressmaking. It’s so very easy to sew with, and is ‘substantial’ cotton fabric that is not sheer at all. It seems very hard to find a similar weight cotton in true dress-making fabric.
Did a ‘quick and dirty’ Full-Bust-Adjustment on this bodice, that doesn’t have any darts, by simply lengthening the bodice front and back, then adding two darts. Result is not bad, though darts feel like they are in the wrong place.
VARIATION IDEAS FOR ANOTHER MAKE
I would like the gathering to be more generous than it is – would like to widen each of the tiers to get more gathering into each one
Make in a viscose crepe or a crepe-back satin. The result will be more drapey and the loose fit means seams won’t get stressed.
Other Sewing Projects in Cotton
Guernsey in Spring - walking on a tiny island
My planned itinerary for spending 4 springtime days in Guernsey, Channel Islands. Days spent walking and picnicking, nights spent in a treehouse hotel.
Why Guernsey?
The Bailiwick of Guernsey is technically a collection of islands that includes the island of Guernsey plus nearby islands of Sark, Alderney, Jethou, Brecqhou and Herm.
Guernsey itself is a very very small island - just 65 sq. km. Comparing this to other islands: it is 7 times smaller than Ibiza, and 6 times smaller than Barbados. Comparing it to an English county: Cornwall is 55 times larger than Guernsey. Comparing this to cities in the UK, it is about the same size as Derby; a very very small British city indeed. Apparently, walking around the entirety of the Guernsey Coastal path is 64km which can be done at a very leisurely pace over the course of 4 days. So that sizes the prize a little.
Aside from its diminuitiveness, Guernsey is known for dramatic coastlines, lots of beaches, being a tax haven, being occupied by the Nazis during the Second World War and also being the home of Victor Hugo when in exile from France. The culture is neither British nor French, and both at the same time.
The attraction of Guernsey for the traveller is a little escapism, activities on the water and some easygoing outdoor activity like walking or leisure cycling to take in the sea views, pretty coves and fortress remnants. You come here to slow down, relax and experience island life.
Itinerary At A Glance
4 night independent itinerary for Guernsey, part of the Channel Islands, off the south coast of England
Based on either flying in and out of Guernsey from Leeds, or East Midlands
Highlights include alfresco dining on English-French fusion fare, walking parts of the Coastal Path, a day trip out to Jersey to visit the War Tunnels and hiking with a picnic
Based on a couple travelling, with a focus on leisurely cultural activities and hiking, interspersed with time to just relax and soak up the atmosphere
WHEN
April or May
Typically dry with long daylight hours and mild pleasant weather
ACCOMMODATION
Being such a tiny island, and a popular one, accommodation choices are somewhat limited and what there is books up very very quickly. This needs to be booked very well ahead of time.
In order of preference for me:
Fermain Valley Hotel Treehouses (they have a yoga space in this hotel)
The Farmhouse Hotel and Restaurant
Fermain Tower **While very cool, this is also located in a small car park, so not quite the prettiest outdoor space. This is incredibly popular, easily with a year-long list of bookings already scheduled.
TRAVEL MEANS
Fly direct from Leeds to Guernsey or direct from East Midlands to Guernsey with Aurigny
The flight schedule is more restrictive from Leeds Bradford, with flights only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, whereas flights from East Midlands are 4 times a week.
SCHEDULE
Day 1
Arrive; settle in.
Day 2
Breakfast: Rooftop Cafe at Creasey’s, in St Peter Port
Hike with a Picnic: Take one of these harder hiking routes
Day 3
Hike: Take one of these routes
Dinner: Book at hotel gastropub Les Douvres, in St Martin’s - dinner and live music (Friday nights only)
Day 4
Day trip to Jersey: Take the foot ferry, have breakfast in St Helier at La Bouche in Central Market
Jersey War Tunnels: Book a ticket for an understanding of the island under German Occupation, the only part of the British Isles occupied during World War II
Day 5
Breakfast
Travel home: try to arrange return travel to leave in the morning
Other UK-based Itineraries
Stopover in Denver: a plan for 24 hours
My itinerary for a 24 hour stop in Denver.
Why stopover in Denver?
Denver is the principal city of Colorado state, between mountain ranges and prairie flatlands, known as the ‘Mile High’ city, and famed for its perpetually sunny climate. It’s roughly central if moving north to south in the USA, and about one third the ways in if moving west to east, so an ideal stop point for a road trip, or a schedule of flights.
Colorado’s varied topography and picturesque peaks and valleys makes it perfectly suited for outdoor pursuits regardless of the temperature; people come here to raft, fish, ski, mountain bike, horseride, run and hike year-round. That same topography makes for a marvellous road trip through the state if you aren’t the adventuring kind.
A stop off here promises craft beer
Itinerary At A Glance
1 day itinerary for Denver, Colorado in the central Southwest of the USA, packing in art, city tour and comedy show
WHEN
June, July, August or September
Pikes Peak Hill Climb is typically on annually in June, so coordinate a visit to be able to attend this event
ACCOMMODATION
The Westin, Denver International Airport
Since this is for a layover stop, avoid the hassle of driving into the city by staying close to the airport and use the airport train to travel into the city.
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
Clyfford Still, PH-1186, 1955
Courtesy of Clyfford Still Museum
Morning Scoot Tour: Book a 2 hr moped tour of the city. Alernatively, rent a scooter via the Lyft and Lime apps
Lunch: On Wednesday or Thursday, Civic Center Eats, rallys together the city’s food trucks and live music (spring through to autumn).
Art: Visit the Clyfford Still Art Museum - this artist bequeathed his work to any American city willing to house, display and care for it in its entirety. 20 American cities contended for the privilege; Denver won.
Wander: Confluence Park offers riverside walks
Dinner & Evening Comedy: Dinner on Larimer Square, for a view of the founding street of Denver and book a show at Comedy Works to round off the evening
Other Road Trip Itineraries