Long known as a bucket-and-spade destination steeped in Victoriana, the Isle of Wight is looking to the future with environmental tourism Nothing on the Isle of Wight is quite as it seems. It’s early morning and I’m standing on the water’s edge at Newtown Creek, but this isn’t the coastal view the island is historically best known for. Seaside paraphernalia, amusement … [Read more...] about Isle of Wight: From Victorian Seaside to Eco-Conscious Paradise?
The dramatic growth of data centres
As much as 70% of the world's internet traffic flows through a band of rural counties I'm the American northeast In the southwestern outskirts of Washington DC, the capital’s residential suburbs slowly give way to historic towns, a protected Civil War battlefield, rolling hills and the green pastures of Northern Virginia. For residents, however, the sounds of the … [Read more...] about The dramatic growth of data centres
Does summit fever hinder our understanding and love of mountains?
Are mountains to be conquered or feared, revered or enjoyed? Dawn Hollis wonders whether 'slow mountaineering' is the best way to appreciate our highlands Climbing mountains with small children gives you a different perspective on things. To start with, one’s definition of a ‘mountain’ becomes very much qualified. Last summer, I took my small humans up Latrigg, a 386-metre … [Read more...] about Does summit fever hinder our understanding and love of mountains?
Aral Sea: an environmental disaster to rival Chernobyl
The Aral Sea was once the world's fourth biggest inland sea, now it has dried up to reveal a secret biological weapons facility We left the last cotton fields behind hours ago, but as for their toxic legacy, the worst still lies ahead of us. We bounce along a rutted road with nothing around us but desert. There’s a little scrub – just enough grazing for the occasional … [Read more...] about Aral Sea: an environmental disaster to rival Chernobyl
Equipment matters: what you should have on any long bike ride
A bike ride through the Mendip Hills teaches Tristan Kennedy some hard-earned kit wisdom When it comes to long-distance bike rides, you can never be too prepared. An 1898 guide for British and Irish cyclists that recently resurfaced online features a long list of more than 100 ‘touring requisites’, including ‘sperm oil’, ‘white cuffs’ and ‘permanganate of potash’ – … [Read more...] about Equipment matters: what you should have on any long bike ride