Happy in Havana

What a shame that American cruise ships continue with their spiteful boycotting of Havana as a cruise port of call, writes Robin Mead. Not only is the Cuban capital a wonderful, friendly city, which seems to be full of music, but the harbour is one of the world’s most beautiful in which to arrive. OK, […]

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The Mystery Man of the South Downs

The most mysterious man in Britain lives on the South Downs in Sussex, just outside Eastbourne, writes Robin Mead. He is a muscular looking fellow, who spends his time standing with his arms spread wide and gazing across the flat green fields that make up the Weald of Sussex. In each hand he grasps a […]

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An Expert Guide to Cruising

New to cruising? Worried about what to wear, where to go, what to do? All the answers are in my new e-book, “An Expert Guide to Cruising”,  which has just been published by Bookopedia. It is available on Amazon at £1.92 ($1.99). Keep it on your Kindle as you plan your first – or next […]

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Secrets of the sauna

The beautiful blonde lady who was my official guide on a tour of Finland had an idea, writes Robin Mead. “Now,” she said, “we will take off all our clothes and have a sauna.” The Finns often seem like a rather cold and emotionless people. Perhaps that is why they love saunas so much. And […]

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Visiting Russia’s Uncle Joe

The shoulders of the man who bears responsibility for the deaths of millions of people and the enslavement of millions more, are reassuringly narrow. He sits at his desk with his hands gripping the arms of his chair, as if trying to explain himself. Even though he is seated, it cannot hide the fact that, […]

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Somebody had to tell him where he went wrong….

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A Barbados mystery

On a headland above St Oistin’s Bay, on Barbados, stands one of the island’s oldest churches, and next to it – as you might expect – there is a cemetery. In the cemetery stands the great stone vault of one of the island’s leading families, the Chase family. It has been hollowed out of solid […]

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What the ell….?

If Scotland votes for independence in 2014, they will no longer have to use the old imperial measures forced upon them by the Act of Union 350 years ago.  They could even go back to the “ell” – the measure formerly used by Scottish merchants when cutting lengths of cloth, wood and the like. An […]

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Has my inside cabin got a balcony?

The social high spot of a cruising holiday is the captain’s cocktail party – an event at which every passenger is introduced to, and photographed with, the ship’s master and his senior officers. It is the ideal moment for a quick quip – but you must forgive the skipper if his smile is a little […]

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I knew it!

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