Boating on the canals in England is THE way to experience the countryside. I have just spent an immensely pleasurable weekend aboard my mate Shaun's boat, sailing from the marina at Barbridge and up the first part of the Llangollen canal, reputed to be the prettiest in Britain. We went as far as a tiny place called Wrenbury, which has two pubs, a camping ground and a marina , but not much else. However it was charming (the pub has free wi-fi!). The weather was ...

What photo do you take to demonstrate that the thermometer has reached 28 degrees? A thermometer? Well yes, but that's pretty dull. So, gaze on the reaction instead.... a couple of pints of cask ale and a glass of chilled Chardonnay, at the Fiddler's Ferry pub. Today has been a real scorcher, and such a contrast to the week to ten days after I arrived when the temperatures were struggling to reach the mid-teens. The forecast is for this settled fine warm weather...

Just back from a motorbike ride into North Wales... What a fantastic time! I had forgotten just how lush, green and achingly pretty this part of Britain is. Rolling hills, stone farm walls, oak trees as far as the eye can see, quaint stone cottages... and all the road signs in Welsh and English. If you see Dim Parc, then don't park! We stopped at the 13th Century town of Ruthin (pron. "Rithin") which was in full swing with its annual summer festival. Perfect wea...

So, just over a week in the UK now, and I'm slowly getting used to things I'd forgotten about, such as how large and clunky the UK electrical plugs are compared with the twee Kiwi ones. They look hugely over-engineered, almost as though they've been designed for industrial power loads, but they do at least dock in the power outlets with a very satisfying and robust 'click'. You know you're connected. Then there are other things, like it's legal to park facing th...

You've seen Liverpool in the movies many times, but you probably didn't recognise it. Hands up who saw Captain America? Well, the scene where he dives into the dock to chase the evil villain escaping in his mini-sub was shot right here. Liverpool's fine old buildings and elegant architecture mean it has been a stunt double for lots of other places (e.g. Moscow in The Hunt for Red October) and times (Victorian London in Sherlock Holmes). It features in the credit...