Why there’s nothing to fear with absinthe
Absinthe tends to strike fear into the most hardened drinker, but a foray into its heartland in Eastern France and over the border in Switzerland proves its shady reputation is undeserved. My feature in National Geographic Traveller Food was a fascinating journey into the history and culture of the drink. Read the feature here […]
UB40 in Antigua
After the Caribbean was struck by three serious hurricanes in September 2017, the islands were keen to encourage visitors to come back to boost local economies. Among the least-affected islands was Antigua who – in collaboration with Virgin Holidays and UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue – brought together a plan to promote […]
Foodie guide to Cheltenham
In the last year or two, Cheltenham’s foodie scene has really grown with some fantastic independent restaurants and bars opening up across town. For National Geographic’s brand new food magazine I shared my insider tips for the foodie spots, including my favourite wine bar and the farmers’ market. It’s just a shame there was only […]
Hidden Cotswolds – Discover Britain
Living in Cheltenham on the edge of the Cotswolds, gives me a great opportunity for writing about its most charming spots, hence this article for Discover Britain’s September/October magazine on the area’s lesser-known villages. The Quiet Life
National Trust Magazine
Trust_on_Screen_7S (pdf) One of the most enjoyable stories I’ve done since I went freelance is this behind the scenes at the Antiques Roadshow story for National Trust Magazine. I spent the day at Baddesley Clinton, a charming moated house in Warwickshire, seeing how the show is put together. By interviewing the BBC team behind the show, […]
Treehouse holidays – BBC Earth
Treehouse holidays have really taken off in both the UK and other countries around the world. For the April issue of BBC Earth (sadly the final issue of the magazine), I wrote a guide to some of the best. treehousesbbcearth treehousesbbcearth2
Thomas Keller interview
Thomas Keller is one of the best chefs in the US, and so I was so pleased to finally get an interview with him, thanks to an introduction from Michel Roux OBE. Speaking to him on the phone in his office in California, I asked him about how his philosophy draws on the values held by […]
Guadeloupe
The UK first started to take notice of Guadeloupe when the BBC TV series Death in Paradise was launched, but the French have long loved it as a holiday destination. In 2010, I visited the Caribbean island and really fell love with it. [Read more]
I think I’m turning Japanese
It was one of the most unusual assignments I’ve ever reported on, I spent a day being dressed as a geisha in Kyoto’s Gion district. [Read more] I think I’m turning Japanese – The Times, Jan 9, 2006. Ahead of the cinematic launch of Memoirs of a Geisha, Carolyn Boyd and a friend bemuse a […]
Shopping, township-style
When working at Metro, I won their staff scholarship prize and spent the money on a trip to Zambia to report on the work of the small charity Families for Children Zambia. While there, I spent a day shopping in the ‘salaula’ markets in Lusaka with two young women. It was a fascinating experience to […]