Holiday 2019 reading (Part 2)

Over the summer holidays, I was back in New York, and armed with my beloved library card. I managed to read lots of good books during my time there, and blogged about some of them last week. This week, I’ll wrap up the reviews of my holiday reading … also giving me a chance to…

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Holiday 2019 reading (Part 1)

Reading is always a big part of my holidays. Even more so when I return to New York armed with my fabulous library card. I took full advantage of that shiny red card this year. Here are the books I read on my time back in New York this summer: Donna Has Left The Building…

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New York beach day! Rockaway, Queens

When you think about New York City, many images and impressions probably spring to mind. I’ll wager none of those include pristine white beaches and refreshing ocean waves – all reachable by subway. Rockaway Beach in Queens offers an easy beach day far from the stresses of mega-city life, and all for the price of…

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The kindness of strangers

It’s not only Blanche DuBois who depends on the kindness of strangers … Although, to be fair, most of us are pleased with the more innocent variety. On holidays in New York, I quickly slip into a pattern of morning jogs in Central Park. This is always enjoyable, and never fails to start my days…

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Views over Washington, DC from the Old Post Office Tower

In a city where buildings are not supposed to be built higher than the Capitol dome, there aren’t a lot of panoramic views over Washington. The Washington Monument is the best vantage point, but the Old Post Office Tower comes a close second. The Old Post Office was built between 1892-1899 in the Romanesque Revival…

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Have library card, will travel…

I am back this summer for holidays in New York, which means … I am putting my long-dormant library card to excellent use. I know, I know. It’s usually the City that never sleeps. Or Sex in the City. Or Shop ’til you drop. But to each, his own. When I’m back in the Big…

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Enjoying the passeggiata in Rieti

I’ve already written about the hillside town of Rieti, in the north of Italy’s Lazio region. You can read my earlier post here and learn how Rieti claims to be the town at the center of Italy. My younger son does track and field, and runs for Rieti’s team. Although he trains in Rome, we…

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Book review: The Hunting Party

I picked this novel up after having read good reviews about it. I liked the idea of a murder mystery set in a remote Scottish hunting lodge, cut off from civilization during a blizzard. This novel started off very well, and kept me quickly turning the pages. Nine old friends – most of them classmates…

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