Travel tips

I travel quite a lot, with and without the family, and am often asked for my travel tips – some of which are here…

For a ready-mixed spray, try my lavender spray, to which you can add additional oils to suit. Some alternative ideas are below:

1) Heat and Humidity (Japan was 98% humidity)
Mix 10ml of a cooling essential oil, like lavender or spearmint, with 30 ml grain alcohol (vodka) and 60ml of water in a spray container. Use the spray on the inside of wrists, back of neck and inside of ankles for relief from hot weather.

Try: Lavender Natural Spray PF005

2) Puffy ankles/feet
If your ankles are prone to swelling when travelling, make up a spray with geranium and juniper essential oils.

Try: Aloe Vera and Lavender Relief Balm RP033

3) Freshening
To refresh the skin, use baby wipes as a water-free wash, then pat dry with tissue and finish with a perfume.

Try Serenity PF001


4) Anti fatigue
Citrus oils or a lively Spearmint

Try Fatigue Relief Balm RP017

5) Travelling on the wild side
Need to freshen the rest room before you can use it?
Eucalyptus and tea tree, rosemary and mint work well, effectively covering smells

Try Rosemary and swiss mint E0058 or rosemary essential oil EO-034

6) Anxiety and fear
Ylang ylang and rose work well, with a touch of neroli to reduce anxiety and fear

Try relaxation balm RP002

7) Unwinding
A mix of sandalwood, rose, and a touch of chamomile work well to promote relaxation

Try bath & shower gel GE015

8) Putting yourself at ease in unfamiliar surroundings
Palma rosa neutralises negative energy, detoxes the mind and body and has a fabulous scent

Try room spray PF007



9) Insomnia
Lavender is a perfect aid to sleep and rest

Try …and to sleep balm RP029

10) Insect Repellent
Geranium works well as an insect repellent (that’s why it has always been popular as a window box plant)


Try EO-012

11) Infection control
Tea-tree is an excellent infection control – ideal for aeroplane travel, where you may be worried about re-circulating cabin air. The scent of tea tree is not to everyone’s taste, so I often use it in conjunction with sweetening geranium or palma rosa

On the subject of infection control – we have had a surge of sales in the moisture relief for hand cream. This moisturiser was originally designed it for people who were out with their horses or dogs, or who spend a lot of time in the garden, because it leaves a fine protective antiseptic barrier. Customers going on cruises or visiting people in hospital have been snapping it up.

Scotland - Day 4, 5 and 6

Day 4
Today we sailed to the fabulous island of Iona. The island is a popular attraction for Christian pilgrims, after St Columba brought Christianity to the island in the 6th Century.

What really struck me was the simplicity of the buildings and their close relationship with the landscape. This contrasts with the complex architecture and heavily-embellished interiors of some English churches and cathedrals. When visiting Japanese temples earlier in the summer, I felt a strong sense of spiritual calm, a key element of which was the simplicity of the interiors, and the incorporation of the natural world.


On Iona, the feeling was equally strong and was clearly shared by many of the visitors. Unlike most tourist destinations, there was an air of meditative contemplation. People walked slowly around appreciating the architecture and taking advantage of the many “quiet areas” to leave simple prayer messages.

Again the similarities between this and the prayer papers in the temples were striking - two different religions, thousands of miles apart but with so much in common.

Day 5
Today we took in the waterfalls of Aros, then made a challenging walk along the high cliffs, down into Tobermory to the tiny museum of Mull. The museum was a rich and interesting source of information; I always find domestic history and the impact of political upheaval on daily life engaging. The last century’s potato famine and land clearances in the last century were fascinating - I was shocked by the political brutality, and amazed to read of the numbers who went oversees to start new lives.

My sister lives in New Zealand and, when one visits, there is a strong Scottish heritage. While she chose to go and can come back and visit whenever she wants, it is incredible to think of so many people going there with no chance of returning. Reading the visitors book it was fascinating to see that so many descendants have traced their family history back to Mull and returned to see the land their ancestors left so long ago.

I am tracing my Lancashire roots at the moment, and have been shocked by the effects of the cotton famine and irreversible migrations that were necessary to survive. For me it puts the horrors of our current world political climate into perspective.

After the museum we toured the ‘Balamory’ houses, desperately looking for Jessie Jump, Eadie Macreedy and PC Plum. Clearly the inhabitants aren’t as enamoured by the toddler tourists as the traders in the gift shops (selling Balamory merchandise at inflated prices). There were several notices informing the enthusiastic little visitors to keep quiet and remember that the buildings are real homes!!!


Considering that the owners must have been paid for the use of their houses and that the tourist season is so short, it seemed a bit negative. Surely they could have found someone to dress up and keep the little visitors happy – after all toddler-tourism is a boost for the economy!

That evening we went to Calgery Bay, the site of the most beautiful beach I have ever seen in my life, with white sand, warm water and spectacular views. I am not a beach lover, and prefer the visual diversity of landscape, but I admit Calgery was exquisite.

Day 6
All too soon, our holiday came to an end. However en-route to the ferry we stopped at Fishnish, where there is a fantastic café overlooking the loch, where we could see a family of otters frolicking on the beach. Bliss!

Scotland - Day 2 and 3

Day 2
On day two we visited Tobermory (the Balamory of children’s TV fame). But the highlight of the day was an eco-cruise. With a great boat to ride on and friendly experts on hand to answer our questions, it was a great experience!


We saw seals, porpoises, rare seabirds and an awe-inspiring basking shark. The shark was 10 metres long and we were close enough to see its great mouth slicing through the water. These sharks eat plankton and are no danger to people – much to the disappointment of the children!

Day 3
While Kevin walked from the campsite over the hill to the loch in the next valley for fishing, we scaled the hills behind our campsite to get a better view of the wildlife.

After a hard walk up the boggy steep slopes, and wading through small streams, we were rewarded with a “Sound of Music” style landscape of green plateaux carpeted with wild flowers and surrounded by tall trees and bracken-covered slopes. The view of wooded mountains and the river with its many waterfalls, against a backdrop of hazy mountains was wonderful. Sea eagles and buzzards soared, and even a sudden short and fierce downpour did nothing to dampen our spirits.

In the afternoon we walked over to the other side of the valley to view the standing stones, crossing the river, passing deserted farmsteads. The track was much dryer, making walking easier. We could see a sea eagle perching (close to the sheep and absolutely dwarfing them), then soaring high into the sky over our heads so that we could see its vast magnificent wingspan.

In the evening, we made a trip to Salen Bay, where we parked near the shipwrecks to watch the seals. They were playing in the water close to shore and basking on the tiny rock islands a few metres off shore. Unfortunately, with a noisy four-year-old in tow, we could not get as close as we would like; nevertheless it was a fabulous sight.

Japan and the start of our Scotland holiday...

Tokyo
Japan is a country I have always wanted to visit, and early this summer I was lucky enough to have the opportunity – it did not disappoint. It is a rich green and mountainous land with beautiful cities. I visited Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.

Tokyo was busy and vibrant – amazingly clean. The tourist attractions are many, but I especially enjoyed visiting the Mitsukoshi department store and the Mitsui museum. The Mandarin Oriental hotel added a sophisticated element, while the fresh fish market offered character and interest.

I was amazed at how efficiently the Japanese manage to move tens of thousands of people into and out of the city every day. My most lasting impression however, was how friendly and kind people are, even to tourists – there is a very noticeable culture of respect, often lacking in the UK.

Maybe that’s why I have chosen to work in the area of complementary medicine - it is a discipline in which respect is central - respect for others, self respect, respect for health and respect for the human spirit.

After Tokyo I travelled on the bullet train (spectacular!) to Osaka, which I found to be a lively, social city with a strong business community and culture.

Then I finally went on to Kyoto to see the temples and immerse myself in the spiritual aspects of Japan. I saw several temples, and they were truly awe inspiring.

Isle of Mull, Scotland



During my visit to the Isle of Mull in late August, I stayed at a farm Crannich holiday caravans. I travelled from Stansted to Glasgow by plane, then by car to Oban taking in some dramatic scenery. From Oban, I took the ferry to Mull, arriving at Craignure port.

The holiday was arranged by my sister Annette, a keen mountaineer and wildlife enthusiast. We stayed in a large static caravan, which was warm, modern and well equipped. The caravan was in the most fabulous location, overlooking a valley frequented by sea eagles (with an eight-foot wingspan) and buzzards – fabulous!

Day 1
We visited Duart Castle, which is set high above a rocky shoreline – with 360-degree views of superb land and seascape. The castle itself had lots to interest the kids, including scary dungeons and historical clothing. For the adults, there was something for every taste – military history, domestic detail, architecture, and superb interiors.


The light was wonderful, and changed as the sky alternated. One minute the sky was filled with threatening rain clouds, then these opened up to reveal patches of clear blue, from which rays of sun shone like spot lights. Wild winds whipped up the sea one minute followed by eerie stillness.

The castle windows set into the enormous walls were a barrier from the outside elements. At the same time they provided a fabulous natural frame, which brought the view into the room and lit the interior to perfection. I enjoyed photographing them.

In the afternoon we visited Torosay Castle. The house was a treasure trove of details, political, historical and domestic, relating to Edwardian family life. But it was the gardens (and the playground for the kids) that really held our interest. Torosay didn’t have the visual drama of Duart, or the interaction with the natural elements – the landscape was manicured and largely manufactured – but impressive nevertheless!

In the evening we scoured local notice boards to find some genuine Scottish music and went to a ceilidh at the community hall in Craignure (near the railway and the excellent children’s playground). We were given a warm welcome and enjoyed some spectacular music and dancing from individuals of all ages – superb!