jonny blair 100 countries

Working Wednesdays: Feature in the Ards Chronicle, Newtownards, Northern Ireland

This week has been a really, really busy one in my travel lifestyle. Last week I got a tweet out of the blue from a journalist from my birthtown of Newtownards. She writes for the Newtownards Chronicle, a weekly paper which oddly I once worked with the sister company/newspaper while doing my media course in Read more about Working Wednesdays: Feature in the Ards Chronicle, Newtownards, Northern Ireland[…]

Sunday’s Inspiration: 10 Ways to get Noticed (and the Day I…Scored a Hat-Trick)

“Don’t be someone who they forget” – Melanie Chisholm. The Spice Girls were pretty big weren’t they? They were huge in fact. They were noticed. They won’t be forgotten. Neither should you strive to be the forgotten one. I hate anonymity. It grills me. It’s almost fake. Standing back and hiding yourself. Do you dress Read more about Sunday’s Inspiration: 10 Ways to get Noticed (and the Day I…Scored a Hat-Trick)[…]

northern ireland newtownards

Friday’s Featured Food: Morning Coffee and Scones in Knotts, Newtownards, Northern Ireland

When life takes you back to the town you were born in after backpacking incessantly to 188 countries around the world, you do often wonder what sparkle your original home has left for you. Straight from my adventures in the Middle East (touring Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan etc.), I headed back with my Mum for a Read more about Friday’s Featured Food: Morning Coffee and Scones in Knotts, Newtownards, Northern Ireland[…]

ards northern ireland

Top 10 Backpackery Things to do in Newtownards, Northern Ireland: The Town Where I was Born!

Life may take you on many roads and to many towns and cities around the world but one fact is true: you can only have one birth town. You are born in one place and we must try and be proud of our roots. I certainly am, and I owe a lot more to my Read more about Top 10 Backpackery Things to do in Newtownards, Northern Ireland: The Town Where I was Born![…]

windsor bar bangor local pub

Thirsty Thursdays: The Windsor Bar Bangor, Northern Ireland (My Local Pub)

In life, at least where I come from we all have a “local”. “Down the loke”, “down the wins”, “see you in the local” are all phrases we use to describe that one pub or bar where we feel at home. We know the staff, we know the customers, it’s our local. Most of my Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: The Windsor Bar Bangor, Northern Ireland (My Local Pub)[…]

top 10 norn iron travel bloggers

Top 10 Northern Irish Travel Blogs 2014

This is the second year I have compiled a Top 10 Northern Irish Travel Blogs list. Following on from last year’s best Northern Irish Travel Blogs, here are the best 10 out there this year in 2014! A few changes, some dropped out and some got added – it’s top of the pops style. In Read more about Top 10 Northern Irish Travel Blogs 2014[…]

irish and british passports

Tuesday’s Travel Essentials: Dual Nationality, Holding Multiple Passports

Today on Tuesday’s Travel Essentials it’s time to take advantage of all the passports you can get. You’ll need them – trust me. When you go travelling, your passports fill up quickly with visas and stamps so it’s essential to have a back up – dual nationality and multiple passports is the best way to Read more about Tuesday’s Travel Essentials: Dual Nationality, Holding Multiple Passports[…]

armenia yerevan capital

My Top 5 Capital Cities From Around The World!!!

I thought recently about all the capital cities I’ve been to and how they don’t always live up to expectations. I’ve been to capital cities in about 55 of the 80 countries I’ve backpacked through and thought it was a good moment to do a top 5. I write this post from one of them Read more about My Top 5 Capital Cities From Around The World!!![…]