Jonny Blair at Bushmills Distillery, Northern Ireland

Thirsty Thursdays: Touring the World’s Oldest Whiskey Distillery, Bushmills, Northern Ireland🔴✋️☘️

Posted on April 30, 2024May 31, 2024 by Jonny Blair

“I’ve been a wild rover for many a year and I’ve spent all my money on whiskey and beer” – The Pogues. Northern Ireland is my home country and it has some hidden gems for the thirsty traveller. Not only does it boast Ireland’s Highest Pub (The Ponderosa on the Glenshane Pass) and Ireland’s Oldest Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: Touring the World’s Oldest Whiskey Distillery, Bushmills, Northern Ireland🔴✋️☘️[…]

Top 12 Travel Highlights of 2014

Posted on December 31, 2014January 10, 2015 by Jonny Blair

I’m pretty busy at the moment trying to go through all my unwritten posts, but it’s still nice to reflect on a top 12 travel moments of the year – something I did a similar post on in 2012 and 2013. This year I started off in Iraq on New Year’s Day and I have Read more about Top 12 Travel Highlights of 2014[…]

Friday’s Featured Food: Bushmills Soda in the Copper Kettle, Bushmills, Northern Ireland🔴✋️☘️

Posted on October 31, 2014October 15, 2024 by Jonny Blair

For some reason I haven’t written too much about Northern Irish food on here before despite the fact I love it. Yes there was the cheap Ulster Fry in Holywood post from 2008 and the Pastie Supper in Bangor article, but my recent tour took me to Northern Ireland’s north coast and the town of Bushmills. Read more about Friday’s Featured Food: Bushmills Soda in the Copper Kettle, Bushmills, Northern Ireland🔴✋️☘️[…]

Backpacking in Northern Ireland🔴✋️☘️: Staying in the Bushmills Hostel, North Coast

Posted on October 22, 2014October 17, 2024 by Jonny Blair

My backpacking in Northern Ireland adventures continued as I toured the North Coast of my home country on what is my longest stint in Europe for over 5 years. After staying in the Whitepark Bay Hostel near Ballintoy, I headed on a bus back to Bushmills to spend a night here. I chose the only Read more about Backpacking in Northern Ireland🔴✋️☘️: Staying in the Bushmills Hostel, North Coast[…]

Everything You Should Know About The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

Backpacking in Northern Ireland🔴✋️☘️, October 2014

Posted on October 13, 2014October 15, 2024 by Jonny Blair

“Someday we’ll return here. When the Belfast Child sings again” – Simple Minds. How can you go backpacking in your home country? Is it even possible? You know the towns, you know the roads, you know the local lingo, you can talk your way out of a political argument. But then…I’ve been away a while. Read more about Backpacking in Northern Ireland🔴✋️☘️, October 2014[…]

Friday’s Featured Food: Belarussian Porridge in Bobruisk, Belarus🇧🇾

Posted on February 21, 2014November 22, 2024 by Jonny Blair

It’s a long time since I wrote anything about Belarus (even though I once wrote a chapter for a book on my trip there). And as it’s yet to feature on my Friday’s Featured Food series, I thought it was time to recollect that day I tried Belarussian Porridge in the drab city of Bobruisk. Read more about Friday’s Featured Food: Belarussian Porridge in Bobruisk, Belarus🇧🇾[…]

Manic Street Preachers – International Treasures: Tokyo, Japan🗾🇯🇵18.05.2012

Posted on May 27, 2012November 22, 2024 by Jonny Blair

Manic Street Preachers first came into my ears about 20 years ago, in 1992 when on a chance radio listen, I was enthused by their hit single “Suicide Is Painless” (Theme From M.A.S.H.). At the time I didn’t realise it was a cover version, nor knew anything about this band. As the 90s progressed I Read more about Manic Street Preachers – International Treasures: Tokyo, Japan🗾🇯🇵18.05.2012[…]