19th August 2021 Waterfalls, fumaroles, lava fields and craters. The Bolearis slid into her mooring alongside the quay in Akureyri at around 6.00 am. We had arrived in Akureyri, nicknamed the ‘Capital of the North’ and known as an important port and fishing centre. As we vacated our cabin for breakfast at 7.00 am, the… Continue Reading

17th August 2021 The Golden Circle. Borealis docked quietly in Reykjavik around 6 am. It was a misty, drizzly morning, with thick clouds draped over the horizon, hiding any hint of the dramatic mountains we’d seen in brochures. Not exactly the welcome we’d hoped for, but it did lend a certain Nordic mystery to the… Continue Reading

13th August  2021 A wayward journey to Liverpool. With our bags packed the night before and all essentials accounted for, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and shower before loading the suitcases into the car, setting the house alarm, and heading northeast. The previous afternoon, I had entered the address of our hotel (Campanile) into the… Continue Reading

22nd July 2021 It’s become something of a summer tradition among my ex-rugby-playing comrades to convene at a handful of local beer festivals, ostensibly for the cultural experience, though the thirst-quenching aspect does tend to take centre stage. Last summer, however, our plans were thoroughly scuppered by the all-too-familiar villain, Covid-19. With the country in… Continue Reading

4th July 2021 I suppose it was only to be expected. No sooner had optimism cantered over the horizon, and I’d been lured into returning to a more typical format for the family blog, than the weather turned on its heel and COVID-19 picked up pace to a gallop. Still, ever the stubborn optimist, I… Continue Reading

17th June 2021 On March 20th, 2020, I began a detailed record of what I thought would be a significant world event, with a blog titled ‘Surviving Coronavirus’. At the time, I didn’t imagine the pandemic would stretch on for as long as it did. I documented family and world events every few days, titling… Continue Reading

17th June 2021 UK Deaths: 5. Harborough Infected: 24. There are now 86 local authority areas with five or more confirmed cases of the Indian Covid variant, with Bedford joining Bolton and Blackburn with Darwen in surge testing efforts. Unsurprisingly, the sharp rise in cases in the UK’s current hotspots is largely being driven by… Continue Reading

10th June 2021 UK Deaths: 4. Harborough Infected: 10. Covid-19 alert level moves from level 4 to level 3. As from next Monday, people in England will be able to enjoy a pint or a meal indoors, hug their loved ones, return to cinemas, meet outdoors in groups of up to 30 people, and meet… Continue Reading

3rd June 2021 MAY BANK HOLIDAY UK Deaths: 1. Harborough Infected: 14. The number of Covid-19 vaccines given out across the UK has passed 50 million. After a better night, poor Alice seemed much brighter when we made a video call to the family in the evening. She appears to be well on the way… Continue Reading

26th April 2021: UK Deaths: 6 Harborough Infections: 10 The European Commission has initiated legal action against AstraZeneca, accusing the company of failing to honour its COVID-19 vaccine contract. This action appears to be more about saving face than saving lives. The only takeaway for pharmaceutical companies seems to be a warning against entering future… Continue Reading