3 months ago

About three months ago, an extensive fire turned the hills surrounding Villa de Leyva into smouldering charcoal. It was a disaster.

Look at those same hills now, all green again.

I am very excited. My kids might be visiting us soon in Villa De Leyva!

I am making a list of things to see and do:

• coffee shops with delicious cakes and cappuccinos
• cozy restaurants
• colourful tourist shops (Yas loves those)
• thermal baths
• horse riding
• white river rafting
• mountain trails

Until they arrive, I plan to re-visit all our favorite coffee shops, to remind ourselves which one does the best cappuccinos.

I usually fly return from Manchester to Bogota with Air France, via Paris. Their service is very pleasant, their baggage allowance ample, and going through customs in Paris is a doddle compared to the US.

Continental Airlines

However, when you book your trip from Colombia, it is nearly twice as expensive. I called them about it, but they wouldn’t budge about the price, so I felt I had no choice but look for another alternative.

Since Continental Airlines offered the next best connection (be it via Newark) at the best price, I decided to give them a go. Here is how it went… .... continue reading 'Continental Axe to Grind'

Monday, March 22nd

the Bus to Bogota

I like travelling. It gives me a break from the routine. It tends to involve sitting still and doing nothing for long periods of time, while your gently changing surroundings provide distraction and entertainment. It is perfect for musings, and as the mountains and planes parade past my coach window on the way to Bogota, my mind goes to my concert on Sunday.

It was one of those ‘ideal’ gigs: a beautiful venue with plenty of character and positive energy, and a wonderful audience. There is a great sense of .... continue reading 'Musings on the Bus to Bogota'

As my good friend and GILES drummer Terry Shaugnessy said: “gig days are good days”

When you know you will be doing a concert later on, the whole day takes on a different flavour. Your main focus is .... continue reading 'a Gig Day'