Author Archives: sheg4184

“You like tomayto and I like tomahto”*

Posted on 26 October 2026 by sheg4184

In 1954, a Chilean poet and politician wrote an Ode to Tomatoes. I won’t reproduce the whole thing here, but I did enjoy this short excerpt, translated from the original Spanish, which reminds us why it is such a treat … Continue reading →

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Looping the Loop around Portugal

Posted on 19 October 2026 by sheg4184

So, after two lovely days in the Douro Valley, we headed south for Évora, a medieval walled town in south-central Portugal. Évora has been shaped by the Romans, the Moors and the Portuguese. It is the historic capital of the … Continue reading →

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Dropping in to the Douro Valley

Posted on 13 October 2026 by sheg4184

The Douro Valley in northern Portugal is located about 130 km upstream from Porto. It is one of the world’s oldest wine regions and the birthplace of Port wine. In 2001, it became a UNESCO World Heritage site, thanks to … Continue reading →

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A-Wandering in Ronda

Posted on 8 October 2026 by sheg4184

After a few days with friends in Jerez – and as I mentioned previously – I took the bus to Ronda. This trip involves some rather curvaceous roads, so I suggest you do not attempt it on a full stomach. … Continue reading →

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On Spanish Time

Posted on 30 September 2026 by sheg4184

For a couple of days, it was like having jetlag. Dinner at 9 o’clock meant bed after midnight, breakfast at about 10am and lunch between 2-3pm. And, of course, a siesta afterwards. After only a couple of days, I got … Continue reading →

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A Touch of Suffolk

Posted on 22 September 2026 by sheg4184

Our little Renault GPS (known as Daphne) has taken us on many a confused and convoluted route this past week, as we set out to explore Suffolk. Apart from a brief but beautiful week in Southwold many eons ago, this … Continue reading →

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Five Senses or 5-4-3-2-1

Posted on 7 September 2026 by sheg4184

‘Stories begin with noticing.’ ~With apologies to John Roberts It is early morning, and even the birds are silent. A faint breeze whispers around the tiled chimney stacks and fills the pale linen curtain like a sail. I am perched … Continue reading →

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Two Tree Island & Beyond

Posted on 2 September 2026 by sheg4184

As we start our descent over Kent, it is obvious that England has been scalded by summer sun this year and the countryside below is looking remarkably like Australia, the lawns and fields burnt to a yellowy-beige stubble. Heading east … Continue reading →

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“We’re Going to the Zoo”

Posted on 23 August 2026 by sheg4184

A small person in our family turned four this week, and the excitement has been building for weeks. An early birthday present had already combined her favourite colour (yellow) with her favourite footwear (crocs) and we also got to take … Continue reading →

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‘A Little Guitar’

Posted on 26 July 2026 by sheg4184

My favourite road on the Fleurieu Peninsula runs for twenty miles, through gumtrees and farmland, from Yankalilla to Victor Harbor. On a drizzly evening earlier this month, I travelled with friends down the Inman Valley Road to Victor Harbor for … Continue reading →

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