Werewolves, war and veg in the hedge on the golden isle of Guernsey

First published in the Exeter Express & Echo Saturday, September 18 2010

WEREWOLVES were said to roam the narrow lanes of western Guernsey. The area  zig-zagged by narrow lanes leading down to the sea is called Variouf – werewolf in the ancient local French dialect. In fact the terrifying tales of people turning into fur-covered beasts at the full moon were encouraged by smugglers to keep the inquisitive away from their night-time activities. This is just one small example of how a mixture of wit, enterprise and opportunism has helped the islanders survive and thrive over the centuries at the crossroads of the English Channel.

Fairytale break in heart of idyllic Basque country

The beach at Vieux Port, Messanges, France

First published in the Express & Echo, Exeter, Saturday, July 31 2010

IT was like a staying for a week in Snow White’s cottage. Fluffy red squirrels scrambled down from the trees for a drink of water, floppy-eared rabbits hopped by and sparrows fluttered around pecking up the crumbs from our left-over baguettes. I half expected them to start the washing up as well.