Madeira’s East
The varied landscapes of Madeira make it a superb holiday destination. There is much to see spread over its thirty-five by fourteen miles of terrain. And I soon discovered the east was my favoured part,...
Pumpkin Memories
I sent my pumpkin poem off a little while ago and had forgotten all about it, so it was lovely to have it published in the latest People’s Friend Special. What a wonderful reminder of...
Off in a Jeep
It was a thrilling and bracing trip. Our driver collected Mr Word Loft and me from our hotel to see the north-west of Madeira. ‘Inspired by Nature, True Spirit, Just Feel It’ was the jeep...
Fabulous Funchal
Yellow buses are the best way to see the city’s sights at a leisurely pace. “Take number one to Funchal centre and number two back.” Our holiday advisor’s words about local yellow buses stuck in...
Majestic Madeira – Funchal
“He’s not going to make it.” I nudged Mr Word Loft in the ribs as I referred to the pilot attempting to land our aeroplane, affected by the Trade Winds. We had been circling above...
Summer Reading
I’m thrilled to have ‘To Catch a Thief’, published in this week’s The People’s Friend. I love the illustration by Jim Dewar so much; it captures the spirit of the story perfectly.
From St Ive to Africa
Intrigued by a leaflet’s content, I picked it up. It advertised The Story of Emily experience, honouring the 19th-century welfare campaigner and humanitarian’s life. The interactive museum is set in the village of St Ive,...
In and Around a Kentish Country Lane
“We are in Provender Lane. Now, where’s our accommodation?” I instantly relaxed knowing Mr Word Loft and I were almost at our destination after a seven-hour trip from Cornwall to Kent. It should have only...
Vineyard Wanderings
An unintended detour led to my discovery of a romantic and unexpected landscape deep in the Cornish countryside. Last autumn, Mr Word Loft and I planned to meet up at Forder to go for an...
Glorious Poppies
Like other flowers, poppies seem to be blooming earlier each summer with climate change. It came to my attention four years ago in May when I was on holiday in Tuscany. I shrilled with joy...