Our Trips: All blog posts

After six weeks away, our holiday is at an end and we return home.

Our last day before returning home is spent sightseeing in Singapore: the Aquarium and Gardens by the Bay.

We arrive in Singapore, sleep, shop and eat.

We start the long journey home. Our first hop is a short one to Copenhagen. And then a longer one to Singapore.

I spend another day orienteering while Linda walks around the parks of Lillehammer.

A day orienteering in the forests of Norway. Not much else, sorry, non-orienteers.

We visit the open air museum, Maihaugen, then in the evening, I run in the Sprint event at the Norwegian O-Festival.

An early morning, a rushed tour of Heathrow, then a lazy afternoon in Lillehammer.

Our last full day in the UK. We travel to Farnham via Minster Lovell and Oxford.

In the morning we visit the market in Abergevenny, in the afternoon we walk around Llangynidr.

We travel down to Lavernock for a socially distanced day with the wider McCann / Oram family.

Things do not go to plan. A positive Covid test this morning sees us on our own in the Brecon Beacons (via Hay-on-Wye).

A walk around a very rainy Amsterdam in the morning. We fly back to the UK and the northern Cotswolds village of Lower Brailes.

A morning canal cruise in Amsterdam and an afternoon stroll around the windmills at Zaanse Schans.

We tour Koln and its cathedral. In the afternoon we cruise down the Rhine and enter the Netherlands.

We sail along the Rhine Gorge to Koblenz. Castles, lots of castles. Then walking, a cable car and a bike ride.

A morning in Heidelberg, hiking and the Castle. Cruising in the afternoon.

A day trip to Strasbourg in France with both a walking and a boat tour.

We dock at the small town of Gernsheim, tour the Shloss Joannisberg winery and walk around the even smaller town of Rudesheim.

A day of travelling made longer by the very high water levels in the Rhine. We arrive in Mannheim, not Basel.

We enjoy the scenery around Vaduz in Liechtenstein and Weesen in Switzerland.

A travel day as we leave the UK for Switzerland. I cope with the stress of driving on the wrong side of the road, while sitting on the wrong side of the car.

We leave Youlgreave and drive south to Liz and Mat's house, stopping on the way at Stowe Gardens and to see Shirl and Dave in Camberley.

A whole day spent at Chatsworth House visiting both the house and gardens. The best garden Linda has ever dragged me through.

Walking and eating: A walk to Bakewell, known for Bakewell Tarts and Bakewell Puddings; followed by another walk.

An easy morning, barbecue lunch and a walk along Lathkill Dale.

A walk up the river Wye, well dressing in Ashford-in-the-water and exploring Youlgreave.

A quiet morning on Holy Island followed by a long afternoon's drive down to the Peak District, stopping at Hadrian's Wall on the way.

We travel further south, visiting busy Edinburgh and then leaving Scotland and arriving on quiet Lindisfarne, Holy Island.

Leaving the Isle of Skye after three delightful days, we travel across Scotland to the banks of Loch Earn.

A day spent visiting various places up and down the Isle of Skye.

A walk to the Isle of Skye's most popular tourist destination, the Old Man of Storr, followed by meanderings around Portree. And more Heelin Coos.

We finally leave Aberdeen and drive five hours across Scotland to the Isle of Skye. The weather improves as we do.

We visited Glamis Castle but the highlight of the day was Jeannie and Margaret's 80th birthday party in the evening.

Another ruined castle, fish and chips - and a deep fried mars bar.

The Winter Gardens in Duthie Park followed by a visit to see Haddie.

Mum and Margaret celebrate their 80th birthday.

A visit to the King at Balmoral. He wasn't home but kindly allowed us to enjoy his garden.

Puffin hunting along the coastline north of Aberdeen. A beautiful, still, sunny day.

Our first full day in Aberdeen. Aberdeen Beach and Footdee (Fittee).

A long day travelling to Aberdeen via Amsterdam and first visits with family.

Most of the day was a repeat of yesterday. Then the holiday got back on track as I rejoined Linda at Changi airport.

Staying at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at Changi and exploring nearby.

An unexpectedly early start to the trip. Flying from Auckland to Singapore.

À lazy day sitting around at Mapua.

A highlight of the trip, Golden Bay was spectacular - particularly Wharariki Beach.

A quieter day spent walking around Mapua before heading to Kaiteriteri for an afternoon swim

A day trip from Mapua to Lake Rotoiti in Nelson Lakes National Park - and eels!

Travelling from home to meet Liz and Mat in Nelson