I have been lucky to have been away on several trips this year. The first was to Turkey, a country I have wanted to visit for some time and it turned out to be a wonderfully varied historical and cultural experience.

Instanbul is a stunning and vibrant city with many interesting sights and a rich historical heritage. Iznik tiles to die for but I came back with a carpet!

There are many Greco-roman remains, far more than I had realised. Ephesus was the most extensive and the highlight for me.

Also included was  a trip to Cappadocia with its amazing landscape and underground dwellings and churches. I managed also to take my first ever hot air balloon flight.