Chasing Sunspots in a UK Heatwave ☀️🔭
A UK camper van weekend, 30°C sunshine and a smart telescope pointed at the Sun. Capturing sunspots with the Dwarf 3 during an unexpected astronomy session.
Latest
Visiting Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai: Our Ethical Elephant Experience in Thailand
Our visit to Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai was one of the most memorable days of our Thailand trip. Here’s what made it feel different, why ethical elephant tourism matters, and what to look out for before booking an elephant experience.
🚄 Lisbon to Porto by Alfa Pendular: First Class Comfort, Thunderstorms & Accessibility Realities
A first class journey on Portugal’s Alfa Pendular from Lisbon to Porto — combining comfort, strict reservations, accessibility challenges, and an unforgettable thunderstorm along the way.
The All Line Rover: Seven Days Across Britain by Rail
23 February – 1 March 2026 What do you do with a rail pass that gives you unlimited travel across the entire National Rail network for seven days? If you're anything like me, you start in rural Hampshire at 08:58 on a Monday morning and don't
🚆 7-Day UK Rail Adventure with My Dad
Previewing our 7-day UK rail adventure — Highland scenery, overnight sleeper, First Class segments and travelling with my dad.
The Curse of Lost Luggage
Lost luggage can ruin a trip — especially if you rely on mobility gear. Here are 3 proven ways to protect your bag (plus a bonus mistake accessible travellers should avoid), based on real-world experience from Init4LongHaul.
VPNs at Sea: Why They’re Your Secret to Streaming (and More) on a P&O Cruise and others
A plain-English guide to VPNs, P&O’s Wi-Fi tiers, and the simple Surfshark tweak that unlocks YouTube on the cheaper package.
Your First Celebrity Edge Class Cruise: Everything You Need to Know
Stepping aboard a Celebrity Edge class ship for the first time can feel overwhelming – these aren’t your typical cruise ships. Here’s your complete guide to making the most of your inaugural voyage on these revolutionary vessels.
A Perfect Day in Paradise: Celebrity Ascent Visits Mykonos
Everything you need to know about visiting Mykonos on Celebrity Ascent including arrival times, tendering information, weather expectations, and the best ways to spend your day in this iconic Greek island paradise
The Hidden Gems of UK Rail Travel:
Rangers and Rovers Explained Discover how these flexible tickets can transform your British railway adventures while keeping costs down If you’re planning to explore the UK by train, you’ve probably winced at the eye-watering cost of individual rail tickets. But here’s a secret that many travellers
Celebrity Ascent: First Impressions from Our Accessible Cruise
Our mid-cruise review of Celebrity Ascent from Athens to Barcelona! From excellent accessibility and next-level food to standout entertainment and warm passengers — here’s what’s impressed us (and what could be improved) so far.
Chasing a Rail Icon: My Farewell Journey on the GWR HST from Salisbury to Cornwall
A nostalgic final ride on a Great Western Railway HST from Salisbury to Cornwall – saying farewell to the world’s fastest diesel train as it nears retirement.
Travel
Hong Kong in 48 Hours: Temples, Markets & the Symphony of Lights – Was It Worth It?
Our 48-hour stopover in Hong Kong included ancient temples, buzzing markets, panoramic views from Victoria Peak – and the famous Symphony of Lights. Here’s what we loved… and what fell flat.
✈️ New Zealand Adventure Pt 1: London to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific B777-300ER
Join me as I begin my New Zealand adventure with a long-haul flight from London to Hong Kong aboard Cathay Pacific’s B777-300ER — complete with a scenic stop-over and full flight vlog.
EGLL (or is it LHR) to VHHH (that’s HKG to you)
ICAO codes vs IATA codes Having worked in Air Traffic Control / Air Traffic Management for 35 years this year, I’m aware that like many industries we have our own language! I think ATC has more TLAs (yes, that’s Three Letter Acronyms) than most. I would guess that most
To the land of the long white cloud
After waiting for what seems an age it’s time to head to Heathrow to catch our Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong, then onwards to Auckland. A first for either of us on Cathay and also a first for Hong Kong. Not really sure what to expect, but so
Accessible rail travel done right
Just back from a day out from Salisbury to Exeter with my wife and daughter using South Western Railway. Although their rolling stock is old (partly due to no electrification of the West of England line), and some of the stations could do with a lick of paint, I'
Review
Product Review: Eastpak TravelPack 42L
A truly awful bag with some significant design flaws
About
Paying my own way
I think it’s important when reading reviews of anything to know if any content has been sponsored in anyway. There’s too much of it (in my view) on the internet. I want to assure my readers and subscribers that I pay my own way - and that any reviews
Mediterranean Cruise - Two weeks on P&O Arvia
Today we are embarking on a two week cruise of the western Mediterranean on P&O Arvia leaving from, and returning to Southampton. This will be my second time on Arvia, but my daughter’s first. My wife and I sailed in the Caribbean on Arvia in January of
Rail
Unlocking Savings with Split Ticketing: A Guide for UK Rail Travel
Significant savings can be had on rail travel in the UK using split tickets. Find out how…
Rail
GWR "Night Riviera" Sleeper - London to the far south west
A review of the GWR "Night Riviera" sleeper service from London Paddington to Penzance