Recently in Travel Category

Caught a few minutes of BBC Breakfast TV this morning talking about how Blackpool's tourist sector is trying to re-invent itself and go more upmarket.

It won't make any difference to the Young Farmers, who after this year's recent jamboree in the Lancashire town have decided to opt for Torquay for their annual get-together next year. According to the Blackpool Gazette, the incident we described on Field Day was a contributory factor in their decision..

Maybe if Blackpool reinvents itself, it can win over my travelling companion Christopher Biggins.

I find myself once again having to rebuff rumours that I am dead (I've had to do this before, along with scotching the 'pervert' rumours).

The reason for my shameful lack of blogging is that I've been on one of these. Locks, I can now report, are great fun - including the picturesque one at Iffley which we went through.

The main thing I learnt, however, having spent a few days pootling about on the water with seven other men is that stag dos and boats are a dangerous combination.

I think I learnt more during my trip to Somerset and my break on the Isle of Wight. But, there again, rather less alcohol was consumed on both those expeditions than on the river jaunt.

Andrew Pearce's south pole adventure has got me thinking about heroic feats by farmers. I interviewed one back in 1999 who made it to the summit of Everest. Here's the article.

Went to the wire a bit this time, but have now finally booked next week’s holiday.

We’re going walking in the Quantock Hills in Somerset. The cottage we’re staying in is Nether Stowey – a village which was once home to the poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

My friend Johann Tasker, who’s been an agricultural journalist for more years than he likes to admit, will be looking after Field Day next week. Be nice to him!

A minefield, sandstorms and muggers – you take them all in your stride if you’re a farmer or agronomist.

At least, Rupert Gillingham from North Yorkshire and Sam Fenton from Humberside do. They encountered all three recently, tackling the 4500-mile Plymouth to Banjul Challenge.

Life’s a beach – at least it is for the cows in the photo, sent to us by one Field Day user.

If you’re thinking it doesn’t look like the Norfolk, Cumbrian or Kent coast, you’re right, it was snapped by Sarah Bartlett in the Langkawi area of Malaysia.

Whatever next, skiing sheep?