fiftyfourandcounting | Fifty Four and Counting

The Dwarf Mini – it feels like this should be impossible!

Astronomy and AstrophotographyfiftyfourandcountingApril 25, 2026

All my life I have been fascinated by the stars, astronomy, anything space related and photography. When planning my next adventure we decided to visit South America , a part of the world we’ve not been too. We settled on a trip to Peru, got it all planned and then heard about Uyuni in Bolivia….

AttractionsfiftyfourandcountingApril 22, 2026

The Horizons of Khufu – A virtual tour of Khufu’s Pyramid found among the pyramids of Giza, Egypt

There’s something quite surreal about standing in the middle of Manchester and finding yourself transported 4,500 years back in time to…

EuropeanfiftyfourandcountingApril 20, 2026

The Hideout, Prestwich – An apt name for a place that is tucked out of sight with great food

A bar and eatery hidden away, but worth finding.

AttractionsfiftyfourandcountingApril 19, 2026

Jodrell Bank, Cheshire – educational and fascinating site of a radio telescope

A day out at Jodrell Bank

AttractionsfiftyfourandcountingJanuary 4, 2026

Virtual Machu Picchu Experience, Manchester – We really felt we were there!

Manchester city centre reached via the very efficient Metrolink, was very cold on the day we arrived for our Virtual Machu…

ContinentfiftyfourandcountingNovember 18, 2025

Tivoli, La Caleta, (Adeje), Tenerife – Fabulous hotel for a winter break

My wife and I were in need of a break. My criteria was peace and quiet, quality rooms with a great…

AsianfiftyfourandcountingOctober 15, 2025

Royal Nawaab, Pyramid, Stockport – an exceptional concept with food

Stockport is on the border of Cheshire and Lancashire, once home to an industry that made top end cultivated hemp. This…

BistrofiftyfourandcountingSeptember 28, 2025

The Spread Eagle, Mellor – A delightful country pub with character and wood burning fireplaces

My wife and I took a trip out towards Blackburn. The countryside in this part of Lancashire retains its authentic look…

CountriesfiftyfourandcountingJuly 15, 2025

Barton Grange Garden Centre, Willows Restaurant, Garstang – creative tasty food worthy of a visit

Today we stopped for a quick lunch at Barton Grange, Garstang in their restaurant. The garden centre here is probably the…

BritishfiftyfourandcountingJuly 14, 2025

The Beehive Inn, Combs, Derbyshire – A hidden country pub and amazing food, close to Buxton

It was probably the hottest day of the year and we had a day out with friends in Buxton. Little did…

CountriesfiftyfourandcountingJuly 9, 2025

Porto Bay Teatro, Porto – A quiet, clean and centrally located boutique hotel

Porto in Portugal has a lot to offer for a city break and choosing the right location could be a challenge…

AirlinesfiftyfourandcountingJuly 8, 2025

Porto, Portugal – Where Port, good food and wine can be found in abundance

My wife and I, together with friends, planned a short break to Porto, found on the Douro River which runs from…

AfricafiftyfourandcountingMarch 16, 2025

Nairobi, Kenya – 36 hours that surprised me

Our trip to Tanzania in February 2025 ended with a week in the sun in Nungwi, Zanzibar. We had an early…

AfricafiftyfourandcountingMarch 13, 2025

Olmara Camp, Serengeti, Tanzania – An immersive experience like no other

Nowhere on earth can you find as much rich cultural history as the African continent, where the oldest human remains were…

AfricafiftyfourandcountingMarch 11, 2025

The Hadzebe and Datooga Tribes, Lake Eyasi, Tanzania – A humbling experience to see their way of life

The Hadza, or Hadzabe (Wahadzabe, in Swahili), are a protected hunter-gatherer Tanzanian Indigenous ethnic group primarily based in Baray, an administrative ward within Karatu District in southwest Arusha…