welcome

I've not travelled as much as usual during 2009 - just extended trips to Ireland, Greece and Zimbabwe. I've been spending most of my time writing features and promoting my new book on Wildlife Conservation and Volunteering (Bradt, 2009) which is selling well. I've also contributed to a book on Great Railway Journeys of the World (Time Out), a guide to Crete and have been working on a non-travel related novel.

My time in Ireland was as great as always but it dented my confidence in being able to produce a guidebook for exploring the country by public transport. It turns out that all the people who laughed at my idea really did know Ireland better than I did. It is possible - if you've a flexible timeframe but tragically it would never work as a practical guidebook.

Zimbabwe was a real eye opener. If you read the FCO travel advice you would never visit the country - which is a shame because its a beautiful and fascinating place. What's really strange is that South Africa, with a murder incidence of around 56 people per day and countless tourist no-go areas, doesn't put visitors off?

Zimbabwe is fabulous and I was bowled over by the friendliness and the welcome that visitors get and surprised at how proud ordinary people are of some of the British traditions they've inherited. 

The general media portrayal of Zimbabwe as a country in turmoil is quite inaccurate and on my return to the UK I found that none of the national media wanted to hear anything positive about the country. Of course bad things have happened and no doubt still do, so sensible caution is required - just as it is for any visitor to London or Los Angeles.

The day-to-day economy and the availability of goods has improved beyond recognition since 2008. The adoption of the US dollar, as the main currency has stabalised prices and normalised inflation. In Harare ATMs now dispence USD, shops have a fair range of goods and there's no shortage of fuel around the country.

Prices are high for average wages of $125-150 so life is hard and poverty is evident throughout the countryside - but there's no evidence of starvation. There is a notable town and country divide as in Harare there is plenty of evidence of wealthy Zimbabwean's if the plethora of 4X4s, BMWs, Mercedes and the occassional Bentley continential are anything to go by.

The political situation seems much improved although its still unsettled with ongoing political in-fighting. The routine armed police/army roadblocks - checking for who knows what - are the only offputting issue for visitors travelling around the country.

No matter whether it's near or far I can produce reliable and insightful copy either in a breezy internet style, in depth stories on conservation and green issues, hotel reviews, travel guides or just fascinating destination features - and always with great photographs.