One week into our Madeirense holiday and some observations: The Madeiran geography is part cake, part Swiss cheese. Let me explain further. If you imagine a cake where someone has cut random slices around it, that is what the coastline of Madeira is like. Only instead of someone, it's nature in the form of rain,… Continue reading Island life – part 1
Author: Michelle Kn Stone
Australian-born London-dweller. I love books, travel, my garden, my husband and sunshine but not necessarily in that order.
Travel in a time of Covid-19
We read all the instructions several times to make sure we'd covered everything. Vaccination proof? CheckMadeirasafe website information completed? Check Airline check-in done? (although with much cursing at the airline's rubbish website on my part) Check (Although the airline website generates a document that declares "This is not a boarding pass. Please check in at… Continue reading Travel in a time of Covid-19
Making plans (33.2021)
There have been some grim stories coming out of Afghanistan this week as the Taliban take over: give us all the unmarried women from 15-45 and we will marry them to our fighters (I think they have since denied this is happening). Female journalists hiding their identity in fear of retribution. Women who have fought… Continue reading Making plans (33.2021)
Priorities (32.2021)
It's been a successful week in terms of the goal I set myself of doing more of the things I say are important - prioritising reading, writing and exercise. I sat down and looked at the things I said I wanted to do more of and worked out what would be an appropriate amount of… Continue reading Priorities (32.2021)
Putting the pieces back together (31.2021)
It's strange how pieces from different places connect sometimes. I'm not talking about jigsaws here (for once). I heard this week that one of the more interesting novels I've read in recent years, Drive your Plow over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk, has been made into a movie called Spoor. I found… Continue reading Putting the pieces back together (31.2021)
August – what? (30.2021)
How did it get to be August already? July seemed to pass in a very short blip of time. Is it because I spent so much time doing jigsaw puzzles? This week we had our big social event of the summer which was hosting five people for a barbecue. Our barbecue trademark is overcatering. Seven… Continue reading August – what? (30.2021)
What does freedom look like? (29.2021)
I stood in the doorway of the restaurant. "Do I need this?" I asked the man, waving the mask in my hand. "No, you don't need that anymore," he replied. "What about scanning? Do I need to check in?" I asked, pointing at the QR code on the door. "Not unless you want to," he… Continue reading What does freedom look like? (29.2021)
The last week of… something (28.2021)
This was the last week of Covid restrictions in England. Or most restrictions at least. From Monday 19th (referred to by the stupid as "Freedom Day") nightclubs and sports stadia and concert venues can open at full capacity; scanning a barcode for track-and-trace is no longer required; social distancing and one-way systems are no longer… Continue reading The last week of… something (28.2021)
Before and After (27.2021)
I'm disappointed that I'm late again with getting this week's post published. Sorry, but my weekends that should be my writing and reading time are being eaten up by jigsaws. Pointless gesture of the week: the Queen awarded a medal to the National Health service (NHS) on the occasion of their 73rd anniversary. Not on… Continue reading Before and After (27.2021)
Back in the old routine (26.2021)
It's always tough adjusting back to work after a holiday. Being stationary for longer periods of time, having to think and concentrate, and worst of all, not having regular access to British TV murdering programmes. The last one was easiest to solve, and Husband and I - for our sins - are watching old episodes… Continue reading Back in the old routine (26.2021)
Tales from Tobhamhor 