The delights of the Firth of Forth

It was worth the drive - Edinburgh in the sunshine is just beautiful.

The Forth rail bridge

Three generations of my family

Mum and Dad on board enjoying the views

Stunning shadows

A seal cavorting

Possibly the same seal, at rest on a buoy

To celebrate my aunt's 80th birthday, several of her family and friends joined for lunch and three hours on a boat up and down the river Forth. The weather was perfect and the company couldn't have been better - unless some of the missing family had made it from around the world.

I'd recommend a boat trip from South Queensferry to anyone who has a spare afternoon in Edinburgh. Wrap up warm!

My current reading list/pile

Actually, this is just a sample.

 

The rest are on bookshelves or still in Waterstones. Does anyone EVER finish their reading list?

Exploring Phaistos

There's so much history across Crete and it can get busy, with tourists taking a glimpse into the island's past. Knossos was great a couple of years ago, but visiting Phaistos this year was a real joy - fewer visitors, a great cafe on top of the hill and plenty of information as you walk around the ruins.

A great day out - drive there and then take a trip to the nearby Matala beach to combine site seeing with sun worship.

Exploring the Fort at Rethymno

It may have been pushing 30 degrees, but this walk was well worth it. A stunning tour of a fort built in the 16th century by Venetians and last occupied by the Germans during World War 2, since when it has been restored and preserved.

Approaching Rethymno Fort

Many people take the trouble to walk the steep approach to the Fort, but it never felt crowded

Looking south

Artillery Warehouse

Looking towards the mosque

St Lucas' bastion

The view towards Chania

Chania in the haze

A gunpowder warehouse

The view east across the harbour

Taking a break from the sun

A beautiful hour or two spent catching the sun and some history.

Away from the madd(en)ing crowds

Looking south from the road to Adele

There's something rewarding about leaving the hubbub of the hotel behind and hiking up into the hills outside Rethymnon. Seeing more of the Cretan countryside makes me love this island more.

Within five minutes, the poolside babble had faded into silence, with just the wind through the ubiquitous olive trees to accompany me. Despite my walk taking me along a well made road, there were few cars and no passing pedestrians. I realised I'd failed to bring any water and stopped at a lonely petrol station. The owner joined me briefly between customers while I drank and he smoked. He had no English and I have little Greek, but it was a pleasant pause on my walk.

In the lovely village of Adele, I found a traditional workshop that didn't seem to have many visitors. While I browsed, the owner stitched at an elderly sewing machine.

Ancient crafts in Adele

As I showed an interest in her ancient loom, she beamed and showed me its intricacies. Her strategy worked and my fascination converted to consumerism, as I bought a tablecloth to remind me of my visit when I return to colder climes.

The walk back took me on a circuitous route through olive groves and frequent forks where left or right was the only decision.

It was only on my return to the hotel that I found this leaflet.

I'd walked most of this route, by accident.

This is the ninth time I've stayed at the beautiful Aquila Rithymna Beach hotel and yet it's the first time I've explored the surrounding area on foot. Very rewarding it was, too.

Take a break - and come back stronger

Taking a holiday has never come easily to me, but I'm getting better at it.

I'm heading for Crete, which has become my second home. It's a beautiful island, with delicious food and friendly people. This trip is partly to help my parents, but also to bring a reset to my life.

When returning to my desk, it will seem unfamiliar. In a good way. I have seven or eight books to read this week and that in itself will bring new perspectives.

See you soon!

10 ways to spot a catfish

A few years ago, I was obsessed with the TV show Catfish. I couldn't understand how so many people were duped by others pretending to be someone they weren't. This weekend, it almost happened to me, for 24 hours, I believed I was exchanging messages with 'John' after he found me on Instagram.

My gut feeling from the beginning was that something was amiss, but I went with it anyway. After about an hour, I reverse searched one of his Instagram images. That's a trick I learned on Catfish. Immediately, the photo came up on the profile of a respectable New York businessman. For the next few hours, I was cagey and John persisted - even when I called him on the photo issue. He just got hurt and then forgave me. That was nice of him.

So, here are my top ten ways to spot a catfish, based on this weekend:

1. If your instinct tells you something is wrong, listen to it. You're probably right.
2. The more perfect they seem to be, the more likely they are to be imaginary.
3. When they ask about your interests and they seem to match theirs perfectly, smell a rat.
4. If they say "I miss you" after just a few hours, they don't. They can't - especially if you've only conversed online.
5. Social media platforms are social. Dating platforms are for flirting.
6. Video calls tell you a lot. If technical issues stop that happening, there's a reason.
7. No photos of them with friends on their social media platforms? Who does that?
8. Extensive travel for their job is great, but do their social media platforms reflect that?
9. They say they're English but their language sounds like a translation.
10. As soon as they ask anything about your financial situation, drop them. I said "I've got to go" and signed off.

Never be afraid to block someone who's approached you out of the blue - if they're genuine, they'll understand.

Hidden jobs

Much of the work I do is hidden - I'm often ghost writing for businesses and much of what I write is published on internal websites. I combined that with interviewing someone in hidden tunnels in the heart of Knightsbridge tube station.

The story is about Kim (left), who is exploring all those hidden parts of London's underground network. She's seen long-closed stations and - as here in Knightsbridge - disused tunnels and lift shafts.

Part of the pleasure of this job was working with photographer Stuart Howat (right), who always makes my job easy. It's not often he's this side of the lens.