Lands of Legend: The Devil’s Punch Bowl
A couple of stories for you first. Once upon a time, two giants met on the lands now known as England. The giants didn’t get along (a common problem amongst giants really) and so began to fight, grabbing great big lumps of earth from beneath their feet to hurl at each other. One giant did [...]
 and so began to fight, grabbing great big lumps of earth from beneath their feet to hurl at each other. One giant did [...] "Pin It")
Exploring Inverlochy
Every now and then I find a place that leaves me never wanting to leave. Okay, a lot of places in the world have that effect. But not many of them are in the UK. And on my new quest to explore my own country, this place has served me well: the Scottish countryside and [...]
The English Country Home
The Brits have always loved their countryside. Ask a visitor what the best parts of the UK are, they’ll mention London, Stonehenge, Edinburgh… Ask a Brit and it won’t take long for the Lake District, the Highlands and the rest of the countryside to come up. We love the country. And when I say country, [...]
The Great British Pastime – Camping
I have always loved camping, but rarely do I get the chance. In fact, I’ve never camped in the UK. Camping is one of the great British loves, which seems strange considering our more than unpredictable weather. Not exactly tons of sleeping-outside sunshine… But yet, here we are and a few weeks ago, my friends [...]
Stonehenge – Worth the Trip?
Stonehenge is probably one of Britain’s (the world’s) most well-known icons, and is probably the one we know the least about, too. This prehistoric monument has had countless theories put on it about how it was built, why it was built and when. And the answers? Well, nobody really knows. On my quest to discover [...]
 most well-known icons, and is probably the one we know the least about, too. This prehistoric monument has had countless theories put on it about how it was built, why it was built and when. And the answers? Well, nobody really knows. On my quest to discover [...] "Pin It")
Edinburgh and The Fringe
Every August, Edinburgh puts on the biggest arts festival in the world, known as The Fringe, and since this year’s starts very soon (August 5th) I thought I’d mention it. The festival is pretty fantastic, really, with singing, dancing, theatre, comedy and much more including some very entertaining street performers. Even if you don’t [...]
 I thought I’d mention it. The festival is pretty fantastic, really, with singing, dancing, theatre, comedy and much more including some very entertaining street performers. Even if you don’t [...] "Pin It")
A Southbank Summer
Naturally, now that I’ve decided to explore my home country, I’m going to start near. One of the great things about living in London is that no matter how long you live here, you will find new things to discover and love all the time if you try. I could easily write for months, or [...]
Having a look around home
My travelling feet have been getting very itchy lately. A full-time job and stretched funds (thank you, London rent prices) mean I’ve been staying put a whole lot more over the last year than I would perhaps choose. I have had a few lovely trips here and there, but while I’m more limited to Saturday [...]
 mean I’ve been staying put a whole lot more over the last year than I would perhaps choose. I have had a few lovely trips here and there, but while I’m more limited to Saturday [...] "Pin It")
How to Make Friends when Traveling
I’ve done my fair share of traveling and made some of my best friends in the most foreign of situations. But if you’re about to start traveling, either alone, or not, how do you know you’re going to meet fun people along the way to share your journey with? If you’re reading this and you’ve [...]
Microclimate Madness in Tenerife
You think Tenerife is all hot and tropical? Think again. It’s an amazing diverse little island with a lot more going on than you might first assume. I headed there for a week of visiting a wonderful friend, Naomi, and got a lot more than just the hot sun and the beach. I also got [...]
McPhee was born in London where she lived until age 11 clocking in some early travel experiences around Europe. After that, she was off to the USA with her parents, living in New York, Maryland and Massachusetts. Post university, staying in one place didn’t work, so after a summer back in London, she headed to Thailand to become an English teacher. When she finished teaching she travelled through Laos and Cambodia where she discovered her love for travel writing. In November, 2009, after getting a one way ticket for £10 through STA Travel’s Anniversary celebrations, Marianne headed to Australia where she travelled across the East Coast and at one point found herself living in the Outback.
Now that life has returned her to London, she has grabbed the chance to learn more about her home country. See her monthly updates on exploring the UK here, and read more of her musings, including her challenge to run around the world for charity at http://fillingthepages.com.