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Oh Derry Boy

It is always uplifting to hear the sound of the organ playing when you enter a cathedral. But nothing was going to prepare me for what followed when I visited St Columb’s Church of Ireland Cathedral in Derry City last week. I was already ensconced in the guided tour in Derry by Martin McCrossan of the eponymous guided tours company. He had come highly recommended as the man to get if you want to tour the city, and within minutes of walking the walls of this extraordinary city, crammed full of history and stories, I knew why people talked so highly of him.

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SailRail – a logistical love affair?

I have long been a fan of SailRail deals and wish there were a lot more of them. I have lost count of the amount of times I have travelled on the train and Ferry to Ireland, between London and Dublin, my two home towns, hopping on the 9.10 Virgin train at Euston and travelling direct to Holyhead, one of the most gorgeous routes which clings to the shores of North Wales, arriving at 12.50 in time to catch a variety of afternoon ferries. I am always in Dublin in time for tea and all for £44.50 single. A price that doesn’t go up during school holidays either. What’s not to love? For more information on how to book and what it costs, your absolute best and most up to date port of call is the inimitable Man in Seat 61.

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Mother and son go feral in Scottish Highlands

Sitting in the bar of the Caledonian Sleeper train with my then twelve year old son Louis, it is hard not to people watch, wondering where everyone is heading on this early summer, late night train to the Highlands. One father tells his teenage daughter off for wearing headphones, shouting “For goodness sake, you are meant to be on an adventure, stop being such an unfriendly disgrace”. Louis and I suppress a giggle, but my insides tighten just a little, aware that he too is on that puberty precipice, and who knows where that will take us.

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