Hyde Park never disappoints. On my springtime trip to London, it offered flowers, stillness, and—just outside its gates—a perfectly iconic London moment.

I’ve probably been to Aberdeen a dozen times in the last eight years, for work and for pleasure. Work first, and then pleasure once I was enchanted by the city’s charms. Here’s a smattering of photos selected only for the light… I have so many more, and so many more stories to share… but that’s for another time.

My latest learnings, observations and recommendations about how to navigate international travel, with stories about how I landed on them.

Gleaming pictures and a poem about “place”, inspired by the exquisite place settings at Andrew Carnegie’s Skibo Castle in Scotland.

Join us for.a delightful summer afternoon tea at Skibo castle, with a bonus tour of the ‘house’ and gardens that once belonged to Andrew Carnegie.

January dreaming about a wonderful charcuterie “picnic” we enjoyed at a pub in Holland Park with goodies from Borough Market in July of 2023.

Lunching at Le Bistrot on a cold and rainy day in Edinburgh during the holiday season inspired us to make a version of Salade Nicoise at Glover Gardens.

A short time in Portsmouth last December made it clear that I need to go back to explore and revel in the local history, culture and food – and to eat at fine Loch Fyne again.

A rainy and cold boat tour on the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh was delightful despite the weather: we took in the wonders of seals and abbeys and gnomes and bridges.

An evening in South Queensferry in view of its magnificent bridges was golden: culture, ambiance, views, food and history were plentiful and we felt blessed.

Newcastle has forever been a bustling hub of commerce and its bridges are an important part of its dynamic personality.

London by Night has always been one of my favorite Frank Sinatra tunes, because it perfectly captures a reverence for London after dark that it’s almost impossible not to feel when you’re there.

I was a travel-weary pilgrim looking for a solo seat at a restaurant on a Saturday night in Edinburgh, and Ecco Vino provided a rave-worthy experience.

Avocado toast wasn’t having its best moment when I ordered it on a train recently. But it brought to mind Hitchcock movie scenes from dining cars.

A search for a down-home Indian restaurant in Edinburgh helped me discover a new dish (for me): Kathmandu Chicken Tikka, with lentils. Yum!

One less twirl of the curling iron, one less email, one less change of clothes discarded for being wrong-wrong-wrong – and I’d have caught that 7:27 a.m. train. 

It’s time to get on the road again, if I can only remember how to pack.

It’s clear that these COVID-19 hardships aren’t going away any time soon. We are all, in a way, staying in, but looking out the window toward that future where things aren’t quite so hard.

Bruschetta is so simple, so summery, so garlicky-good. Ripe red tomatoes meet their life partner in soft green basil, with garlic and oil to seal their commitment.

Folks, this restaurant is a jewel. If you go to London, go to Com Viet. Just trust me. You’ll get your happy back.