fiftyfourandcounting | Fifty Four and Counting

Gora, Hakone, Japan – A Volcanic retreat in a beautiful mountainous region

CountriesfiftyfourandcountingDecember 9, 2023

Getting to Gora from Tokyo meant an early start, and heading to Odawara, where we bought the Hakone Freepass. This pass gives you access to all the transport in this mountainous location. Tourists and nationals head to this area for the beautiful natural scenery and the volcanic spas. But that is only part of the…

CountriesfiftyfourandcountingNovember 29, 2023

Tokyo, Japan – A buzzing futuristic city where nothing stands still

On arrival in Japan, I first noticed that the roads were relatively flat and not a single pot hole … anywhere!…

CountriesfiftyfourandcountingNovember 27, 2023

Japan – London to Tokyo – To the land of the rising sun – Japan Rail Pass

I hope this article assists others to organise their travel plans in Japan It’s not often that I get excited about…

IsraelfiftyfourandcountingOctober 9, 2023

Israel – Two sides of a war and I know which side I stand on

Humans worldwide are faced with terrible news from the Middle East about an area so soaked in complex history that communities…

CarsfiftyfourandcountingSeptember 26, 2023

Funchal, Madeira – Unspoilt, Green and Full of Character

This month, we left on time from Manchester International Airport on an EasyJet flight to Funchal, to the island of Madeira.…

Home ImprovementsfiftyfourandcountingSeptember 1, 2023

Solar Panels – Is it really worth installing them?

In February 2012, we had solar panels installed. We signed up for the government Feed-in-Tariff and have benefited from it for…

CountriesfiftyfourandcountingMay 6, 2023

Long Live the King! – 6th May 2023 – The Coronation of Charles III

Saturday 6th May 2023 King Charles III’s coronation took place at Westminster Abbey with all the pomp and ceremony we would…

CotswoldsfiftyfourandcountingMarch 27, 2023

Lower Mill Estates – A luxury weekend set in idylic surroundings in the Cotswolds

We spent the most delightful family weekend in the Cotswolds recently. My entire family consisting of six adults and five grandchildren…

For GrandpasfiftyfourandcountingMarch 23, 2023

Ulises by Occre – A great challenge and satisfying model

For my 60th birthday, I asked my wife for the Occre Ulises model kit, paints, motor and battery so I could…

CinemasfiftyfourandcountingMarch 18, 2023

The Banshee of Irshine – A movie of epic proportions … I think not!

So if you’ve not seen this Oscar-nominated movie set in an imaginary village off the coast of mainland Ireland, all I…

For GrandpasfiftyfourandcountingMarch 18, 2023

Tamiya Subaru Impreza WRX STi 24Hr Nurburgring kit – A great RC kit, with a satisfying finish

Following my posts over the years, you’ll know I love radio-controlled anything. I have drones, helicopters, a plane, a boat, a…

ArtfiftyfourandcountingNovember 4, 2022

Artwork – almost as good as the professional?

I am an art-loving sort of person that appreciates creative talents that blend textures and colours that please the eye, but…

For GrandpasfiftyfourandcountingOctober 30, 2022

An alternative way to use a fish tank – the jury is still out … what do you think?

For almost 40 years, I kept tropical fish. The tank still is a feature in the corner of our lounge/dining room,…

World AffairsfiftyfourandcountingOctober 29, 2022

Incredible! Who would have thought it?

It’s hard to believe that in 2022 the world would feel upside down. So much has happened in the past few…

CountriesfiftyfourandcountingOctober 28, 2022

Cotto, Whitefield, Manchester – A new Italian restaurant that evokes quality and high standards

Prestwich and Whitefield, in North Manchester, is quickly becoming THE culinary place to visit, where quality restaurants and bars are filling…

Author: fiftyfourandcounting