facttime

This is the last of my 2020 round-up posts, and highlights my favourite five books that I've read this year. My reading habits changed as much as my travel habits  this year, and I've read far fewer books than last year : 94, in total. I used to read for pleasure mainly on my bus ride into the office and when travelling. I've technically had more time this year, but I've tended to use it for other hobbies, like writing (my own novel is now technically finished after I wrote the final 30,000 words this year) and doom-scrolling. I also got stuck on Hilary Mantel's The Mirror and the Light  for several weeks, which I did enjoy but felt it should have been 200 pages shorter.  Il Decameron  is a pretty hefty read too, even in English, rather than the Italian original I studied at university, but its Black Death setting and black humour felt apt for this year.  Spotted in Rye, Sussex I've also tried read books from a more diverse range of authors, and in particular to...

Despite it being a leap year, 2020 hasn't been a year where I've felt like leaping much, what with one thing and another. As such, my annual travel round-up post, where I highlight some of my favourite places for leaping that I've visited that year, has had a bit of a revamp. In January, I had seven international trips booked, but only completes one, to New York and Seattle , before the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the others. This year has been the longest I've been in the UK without leaving the country in two or three decades, and it's been hard not to miss the excitement of discovering new cities and countries, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures. But I have managed several smaller-scale adventures closer to home this year, and I thought this was a good opportunity to share a few stories. 1. Arriving in NYC in the 'before times' I spent a few days working in Manhattan before a conference in Seattle in early February, and in...

And so here we are, inching closer to the end of what has been an exceptionally challenging year. Despite everything, I know I'm very lucky to have remained healthy and in work (busier than ever, in fact, as I work for a science journal) throughout, but it's been such a difficult year for the hospitality industry, as coffee shops and eateries have had to adapt and then adapt some more in the face of constant change. Many places have already closed permanently or may have to do so in the coming months, with devastating consequences for the staff and on our changing neighbourhoods. It's more important than ever to continue to support local businesses, especially those you really care about, wherever possible — and, of course, wherever safe. Do check establishments' websites and/or social media to find out the latest information on opening hours and restrictions. As part of my end-of-year round-ups, I usually highlight some of  my favourite coffee and food favourites . Thi...

UPDATE. This Lane Eight Coffee has sadly permanently closed but you can still find them at Clapham Common. As the likelihood of London moving into tier 3 status increased over the weekend, on Sunday I took the opportunity to enjoy one last experience of drinking coffee in a coffee shop — for now, of course. On the agenda was Lane Eight Coffee in East Dulwich. Although I'm often in Peckham, its westerly neighbour is a longer walk from Bermondsey and Dog Kennel Hill is a bit steep on a Brompton! It was my last free day after a week of annual leave, though, and despite the inclement weather I enjoyed the walk. Lane Eight is located on Melbourne Grove, just around the corner from East Dulwich station and Champion Hill, the ground of the mighty Dulwich Hamlet Football Club. Behind the unassuming grey shopfront lies a small but lovely espresso bar with attractive, minimalist décor. The counter occupies most of the space and as well as the La Marzocco espresso machine and Victoria Arduin...

After a year of cancelled trips, and most of my pre-booked annual leave falling during lockdowns, I was grateful to be able to take a four-night trip to Bath last week. Bath, like London, is currently in tier 2 COVID-19 restrictions, and is an easy 1h20 train journey from London. Bath had only just come out of lockdown when I arrived, and the city was much quieter than usual for December, especially as the annual Christmas market had gone virtual . It was grey and chilly for most of my stay, but the rain mostly held off, and Bath's honeyed stone architecture looks lovely whatever the weather, especially with the festive wreaths on the colourful doors of the Georgian townhouses, and the street lamps casting a cosy glow. I've highlighted below some of the places I visited, and restaurants, coffee bars and shops I particularly enjoyed. For further ideas of things to do in Bath, do also check out my write-up of my city break from last winter , and  my Bath speciality coffee guide ....