Latest news with #KerryHudson
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
The coolest thing on Earth: the sheer joy of cruising in the Arctic
I would travel from the Arctic former-mining town of Longyearbyen, population 2,500, and circumnavigate the island of Svalbard, 300 miles from the North Pole, and the most northern, most inhabited place in the world, on the SH Vega, a 372- foot ship, along with 110 guests and just as many crew representing over 70 languages and four religions. I'll be frank; when I hear the term frontier along with the word expedition, I think of my grandad on Aberdonian trawlers. In my imagination there are noisy boiler rooms, rows of bunk beds and lots of sitting around a well worn crew mess table playing endless hands of cards through storms. Read more by Kerry Hudson It's a surprise then, to learn that on this trip, there would be afternoon tea, sumptuous five-course dinners, the best Espresso Martini in the Northern Hemisphere and a spa where you can get a La Mer facial. It seems I'm not quite as in touch with my salty sea dog Aberdonian roots as I'd imagined, because it was a hardship I was willing to endure. While the accommodations, culinary experiences and leisure activities definitely rivalled any five-star hotel, the expeditions were very much the real thing. On your first night, Swan Hellenic kit you out with an expedition parka, which is yours to keep – and, I've since discovered, useful for a rainy trip to Lidl too – a lifejacket and muck boots for the duration of the trip. Each day, there are two expeditions, disembarking on to zodiac dinghies, feeling very James Bond-like, and riding at speed to some of the most unspoiled landscapes in the world. The expedition crew who come along with you are an astounding collection of scientists and researchers with more PhDs than hot breakfasts I had that week. Their job is to be informative but primarily they are there to ensure we leave these places exactly as we find them with no disturbance. They carefully mark the areas you're able to go with red flags, ensure everyone follows strict expedition protocol – including disinfection of our kit so as not to cross contaminate islands, keeping mandated distances from wildlife and, because this is Svalbard, a set number are always on polar bear watch, carrying rifles over their shoulder. I was pleased to discover the emphasis was very much focused on being a guest in this beautiful, unspoiled part of the world and treating it, and its flora and fauna, with utmost care and respect while you have the privilege of visiting. Of course, one of the greatest aspects of traveling to the most remote regions is getting to see animals and their natural habitat. On this trip, I was able to see a colony of over 50 walruses on Kapp Lee sunning themselves as though on a beach on Marbella, Arctic terns bombing our heads territorially, hundreds of gulamot nesting in caves, an Arctic fox and of course, the elusive polar bear – in fact we saw two, one of which, half red, half white, was feasting on a seal. During one particularly memorable lunch on deck, an exhibitionist puffin flew victory laps over our heads, much to the joy of everyone present. There was one experience which I was particularly excited about, though, and that was kayaking through glaciers. The last time I kayaked I was in Cat Ba in northern Vietnam and the safety briefing was essentially someone shouting "Don't drown on my watch" and then pushing me off towards a cave entirely colonised by bats. But here I was lucky enough to be taught by Alison French. Alison was in her forties when she fell in love with Scottish sea kayaking and set up Sea Kayaking Plockton. She now also charters her own small cruise ship which takes up to nine guests on multi-day trips in Scotland. Kayaking through glaciers was a joy (Image: Kerry Hudson) Alison gave us a brilliant and thorough safety briefing – as well she might since she also trains British sea kayak leaders. She taught me how to avoid expending three times the effort – "try and imagine you have a beach ball between you and the paddle" – and told us fascinating facts about the environment we were in. In an ever-faster world of new experiences and sights, images and sounds it is hard to cling on to memories, but I will never forget kayaking through the pale blue glaciers, hearing the ice, tens of thousands of years old, pop as it melted, the sound of parts of glaciers cleaving away from themselves, much like the rumble of an avalanche. This trip promised so much. The word "biophilia" was bandied about, meaning nature's healing power, as was the aforementioned "frontier tourism". In fact, it delivered on all of these with spades. I did feel healed by the power of nature. I knew that I was stepping on earth that not many people get to see in their whole lifetime. And, along with the expedition crew and the on-site citizens lab, I knew we were able to contribute to vital research while switching off from everything and truly appreciating the astounding surroundings. It was the experience of a lifetime and I'll be forever grateful I got to see it before it was potentially too late. And while I might not be able to repeat the experience of kayaking in the Arctic, Alison will no doubt see me in beautiful Plockton in the future. Kerry Hudson is an award-winning novelist and memoirist and a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers. You can find her on Instagram and on Threads @ThatKerryHudson
Time Business News
6 days ago
- Time Business News
Bestlawyerhub – Empowering Clients with Expert Legal Insights
In the increasingly complex world of modern law, finding the right attorney can be the difference between securing a favorable outcome and facing unnecessary setbacks. Bestlawyerhub is emerging as a premier resource for clients seeking legal guidance, attorney reviews, and expert commentary across multiple practice areas. Whether you're navigating personal injury claims, business disputes, family law matters, or criminal defense cases, this platform is designed to connect you with the legal representation you deserve. At its core, Bestlawyerhub is not just another directory—it is a carefully curated legal resource center. The platform provides: Verified Attorney Profiles – Detailed backgrounds, specialties, and client ratings help users make informed choices. Educational Legal Content – Articles, guides, and FAQs explain legal procedures in plain language. Practice Area Navigation – From corporate law to immigration law, users can quickly locate specialists. User-Centric Search Tools – Location-based and case-specific filters help you find relevant attorneys quickly. In an era where online information can be overwhelming or misleading, Bestlawyerhub ensures accuracy and trustworthiness. When discussing notable attorneys in Florida, Kerry Hudson Gainesville Law is a name that resonates with professionalism and client commitment. Known for handling complex legal matters with precision, Kerry Hudson has built a reputation in Gainesville and surrounding areas for delivering effective legal strategies. Through Bestlawyerhub, clients can explore Kerry Hudson's professional background, areas of expertise, and past case successes. This transparency allows potential clients to understand exactly how this attorney can address their legal needs—be it personal injury litigation, contract disputes, or criminal defense. Legal issues can arise unexpectedly—an accident, a contract disagreement, a sudden family dispute—and the urgency to find the right lawyer often leaves little room for trial and error. Bestlawyerhub serves as a matchmaking hub between clients and qualified legal practitioners. The process is straightforward: Step 1: Identify Your Legal Need – Users select the category relevant to their case. – Users select the category relevant to their case. Step 2: Browse Qualified Attorneys – Profiles include credentials, client reviews, and case specialties. – Profiles include credentials, client reviews, and case specialties. Step 3: Contact Directly – Bestlawyerhub facilitates direct communication with the chosen attorney or law firm. This eliminates the guesswork and accelerates the legal process. While many legal resources are nationwide, having a local attorney is invaluable. Lawyers who practice in your jurisdiction understand the nuances of local court rules, judges' expectations, and opposing counsels' strategies. For example, Kerry Hudson Gainesville Law offers local expertise that can significantly influence case strategy. A Gainesville-based attorney not only understands Florida statutes but also brings insider knowledge of Alachua County's legal environment, which can be a decisive advantage. The platform's credibility rests on three pillars: Verification – Each attorney listed undergoes a verification process to confirm credentials and active licensure. Transparency – Profiles disclose fee structures, consultation policies, and past case results when available. Client Feedback – User reviews undergo moderation to maintain fairness and prevent spam or biased content. By maintaining these standards, Bestlawyerhub ensures that clients engage with attorneys who meet professional and ethical benchmarks. Beyond its directory services, Bestlawyerhub functions as an educational hub. Visitors can find: Step-by-Step Legal Guides – Explaining processes such as filing a lawsuit, responding to a summons, or negotiating a settlement. – Explaining processes such as filing a lawsuit, responding to a summons, or negotiating a settlement. Latest Legal News – Updates on legislation, landmark court decisions, and legal trends. – Updates on legislation, landmark court decisions, and legal trends. Expert Commentary – Articles authored by experienced attorneys offering insight into common legal challenges. For example, clients considering Kerry Hudson Gainesville Law can read up on Florida-specific legal topics, ensuring they approach their case with informed expectations. The Role of Technology in Legal Services Bestlawyerhub embraces legal tech to make attorney-client connections more efficient. Features such as instant consultation booking, secure messaging, and document sharing portals streamline the early stages of legal engagement. In a post-pandemic environment, virtual consultations have become a norm, and Bestlawyerhub's integrated approach ensures clients can seek legal help without geographical constraints—while still prioritizing local representation when needed. Client Success Stories Numerous testimonials on Bestlawyerhub highlight successful legal outcomes facilitated by the platform's attorney connections. Cases range from: Personal Injury Settlements – Where quick attorney engagement secured maximum compensation. – Where quick attorney engagement secured maximum compensation. Business Contract Disputes – Resolved through skilled negotiation before reaching litigation. – Resolved through skilled negotiation before reaching litigation. Criminal Defense Victories – Where attorneys like Kerry Hudson Gainesville Law defended clients against serious charges. These narratives underscore the platform's effectiveness in linking clients with the right legal expertise at the right time. For attorneys, inclusion on Bestlawyerhub is both a visibility tool and a credibility booster. The application process involves: Credential Verification – Proof of active licensure and good standing with the bar. Profile Creation – Detailing practice areas, education, and notable case results. Client Engagement Tools – Optional features like instant booking or live chat integration. Lawyers who consistently maintain positive client feedback and ethical standing enjoy priority placement in search results. As the legal industry becomes more competitive, platforms like Bestlawyerhub will play an even greater role in shaping attorney-client relationships. Consumers now demand transparency, accessibility, and authenticity, and legal directories must adapt to these expectations. The inclusion of attorneys like Kerry Hudson Gainesville Law not only raises the platform's prestige but also sets a standard for other practitioners to follow—professional excellence combined with client-centered service. Bestlawyerhub is more than just a list of attorneys—it is a bridge between individuals facing legal challenges and the qualified professionals who can resolve them. Through its commitment to verification, transparency, and user education, the platform empowers clients to make confident legal decisions. For anyone in Gainesville or surrounding Florida areas, exploring Kerry Hudson Gainesville Law via Bestlawyerhub could be the first step toward a successful legal outcome. Whether your case involves civil litigation, criminal defense, or specialized legal advice, the right attorney is out there—and Bestlawyerhub is here to help you find them. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
The Herald Scotland
12-07-2025
- The Herald Scotland
The King and I, a tiger skin rug and a bottle of Bell's
I have travelled a lot and as global tourist infrastructure has improved, so has the 'Airbnbfication' of even the furthest flung places, hitting the road feels an ever more homogeneous experience. Côte d'Ivoire? This felt like an opportunity for real adventure, to discover somewhere no one else I knew had ever been. I'm ashamed to say I knew almost nothing about Côte d'Ivoire, the French speaking West African country of 31 million, neighboured by Ghana, Liberia, Guinea and Mali. Its troubled history of two civil wars in the noughties, was my main point of reference. Certainly, I couldn't have imagined its pristine beaches rivalling Thailand, an incredible culinary scene, the unforgettable nightlife of Abidgan or the thriving contemporary art movement. I did read in advance about how diverse this country is - Abidjan with so many skyscrapers it's known as the Manhattan of West Africa, the cocoa cooperatives producing more than 40% of the world's cacao, more than 60 ethnicities and 70 languages. 'I'm ashamed to say I knew almost nothing about Côte d'Ivoire, the French speaking West African country of 31 million' (Image: Kerry Hudson) But, how did I end up drunk in a King's compound, wearing traditional tribal dress? I wake up under a mosquito net in a stilted hut overlooking wildlife reservation N'zi Lodge. As we drive the minibus down the rocky road, we catch glimpses of antilope, warthogs and a rescued White Rhino - once given as a gift to the first President. On the journey to the political capital, Yamoussoukro, where we'll spend the next 24 hours, I watch as life spills out of roadside markets. It's two days before Eid al-Adha, also known as, The Feast of Sacrifice, and, with almost half the country Muslim, there are hundreds of goats - being led by ropes like stubborn dogs, lying on top of bright buses and crammed into red dust cattle markets - unaware of their fate. In the middle of traffic, men sell Space Hoppers, machetes and bags decorated with seashells. Beside us, a truck drives by with a row of hammocks strung across the flatbed where labourers sleep, a bus passes featuring a mural of Che Guevara looking uncannily like Robbie Williams. We pass something called a 'China Mall', mannequins by the side of the road with large round backsides that make me optimistic I might find clothes that fit me. A woman balances a huge basket of limes on her head, laundry is laid out flat on scrubby patches of grass to dry and stalls are piled high with sun-faded Manchester United tops. Read more Kerry Hudson It is said you cannot visit Yammousoko without also visiting The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, which holds the Guinness World Record as the biggest church in the world. To murder a Groucho Marx quote, 'I refuse to join any religion that would have me as its member' but, in the way I have felt in mosques, temples and cathedrals around the world, I feel a tearful sense of peace in this construct of hope over experience. Built in the 1960s by the first president, Félix Houphouët-Boigny, who wanted to honour what he believed was a time of 'God given' peace. Its 24 epic stained glass windows were designed and created by artisans in Burgundy, France and I'm told not a single pane broke in transit - an act of God indeed. There is also an altar carved with marble from Carrera, Italy, and a teak Virgin Mary statue carved by a prisoner of Muslim faith and it was designed by a Lebanese Ivoirian architect, Pierre Fakhoury. Quite the international affair. The next stop is to the village of Kondéyaokro via, sure, why not, a river of two-hundred crocodiles, in the centre of the city. They are apparently very popular and judging from the way they all swim to the edge and stare at us with unsettling gimlet eyes, I can only assume they're expecting dinner in one form or another. We are accompanied to the village, 40 minutes out of town, by a truck of armed guards with automatic rifles. I'm told reassuringly, this is normal for official delegations. After a Goli Dance, a traditional masked performance, we're invited into King Nana Yao Daniel's compound, a large, squat bungalow with five gold and velvet thrones accommodating the fully-robed king and with his most trusted advisors. The decor is gilded maximalism, there are swan vases stuffed with plastic flowers, carved teak elephants, a tiger skin rug, and, on the back wall, a big TV with the 'Action Channel' on mute showing a very young Dwayne Johnson. I don't know what I expected from a king - I turned down my last invite to Buckingham Palace - but I'll come here any time. We're given large measures of Bell's whisky (as the only Scot, I am given double). The men in our party are bestowed a tuft of tiger fur from the rug, the women a strand of horse tail, both for good fortune. Côte d'Ivoire is off the beaten track for tourists (Image: Kerry Hudson) Then there is more, so much more, whisky and photos before we're called outside for a dinner of carp, tomato and onion salad, boiled yams and the gifting of our tribal robes. Each of the armed guards is given a carton of local red wine, the visitors, a bordeaux as a sign of hospitality. A dog called Commander and a straggle of rangy ginger kittens roam about. It's a party. Even when the heavens open with thunder and lightning and we carry our tables to the porch, the night is full of laughter. At around 11pm, as is tradition, we ask the king, 'for the road' and drive through a man-made slalom of sandbags and plastic barrels, ingeniously designed to stop speeding. Was it all a show for us visitors? Perhaps. But it felt deeply genuine. Everyone in our group, most far better travelled than me, agreed, 'This is the sort of thing you get on a plane for!' The Côte d'Ivoire offers a perfect adventurous experience, to see things others don't, to connect with people you might never have met, to raise a glass of Scotch, maybe even a double, to an entirely different way of life. Kerry Hudson is an award-winning, bestselling novelist and memoirist. You can find her on Instagram and on Threads @ThatKerryHudson
The Herald Scotland
23-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Want to follow the hottest new trend? Book yourself a coolcation
Of course, unlike my Swiss-raised husband, I grew up in Scotland. I know the shadow side of these rare sunny days. No, you will not get a lovely suntan, but turn the same livid pink as a 1980s prawn penny sweet after an hour in the sun. Yes, it's all fun and games while you're enjoying your third spritzer in your new summer dress patterned with some sort of citrus fruit. But after a day and a half, we all know it is the social if not legal contract of all Scots to retreat home, complain about how hot it is, how Scotland has no air conditioning and blame climate warming. I am, true to my Scottish genes, a mess in the heat. During a trip to Florence last year in August, I reacted so strongly to the sun that my face blew up like I'd done five rounds with Ken Buchanan, despite my broad "I'm a perimenopausal Scottish woman" straw hat and slathering on enough sunscreen to resemble a mime artist. Read more by Kerry Hudson And it seems I'm not alone in finding cooler climes, where your holiday photos won't make you look like a sweaty slab of cheese left on a windowsill, alluring. In fact, many travellers in Europe are eschewing crowded beach resorts for a "coolcation" to more clement Northern countries. While the coolcation became particularly popular last year it shows no signs of slowing down with Scandinavian Airlines data showing Stavanger, Norway, has seen a 38% increase in arrivals from Spain, Italy, and France in 2025. We also chose to visit Norway after seeing it billed as the "ultimate coolcation destination". I had never been to Norway before for the simple reason I always imagined it to be perilously expensive. But with the Norwegian krone at a historic low against the pound now is actually the most affordable time in a long time to go. With some budgeting, I don't think it cost us any more than visiting, say, Paris, Rome or Barcelona. This, I convinced my husband, was our best chance to see spectacular landscapes and enjoy what the Norwegians term "friluftsliv" – literally "open-air life". Because anyone who's travelled with a four-year-old boy knows they have more energy than a Duracell Bunny after 15 Red Bulls and you want that wee boy outside, running, jumping and swimming his way to an early night so you can have a glass of wine and peace to read your book. While it was very tempting to experience the midnight sun in the North we chose the ease of city-hopping along the West Coast starting in Bergen before travelling on to Stavanger and Oslo. Bergen is a beautiful mountain town with picture-perfect white, wooden houses. We were lucky enough to be there for Norwegian Constitution Day when everyone dresses in "bunad", old folk costumes, and I do mean everyone – I saw a punk wearing one with no irony whatsoever. This is also the last day of the legendary partying month for Norwegian teens and let me tell you, the drunken scenes outside a 3pm McDonald's rivalled anything I've seen in a British seaside town at 2am. However, Bergen is also home to one of the most beautiful mountaintop parks we've ever been to, with hidden wooden trolls for my little boy to hunt, a crystal clear lake to swim in and their own herd of adorable, friendly mountain goats. In Oslo, which the Wall Street Journal called the "newest capital of Nordic cool" and one of the most walkable cities in the world, we visited the achingly hip Munch Museum, marvelled over the stark modernism of the harbour and visited the absolutely unmissable Deichmann Bjørvika, Oslo's Central Library, where our boy played happily (and quietly!) for two full hours. We also ate some excellent pizza at Chicago and Brew, and went for a family swim with views of the city from the 37th floor of the Radisson Blu Plaza. But it was in Stavanger where we truly fell in love with Norway. Stavanger bills itself as "The edge of Norway". And during our few days there, we took a trip through the fjords, just one of over a thousand in Norway by the way, to see waterfalls, more mountain goats and Pulpit Rock, where Tom Cruise faces off with his nemesis Henry Cavill in Mission Impossible: Fallout. A view of Oslo, the newest capital of Nordic cool (Image: PA) But as an Aberdonian quine, it wasn't the majestic Norwegian fjords that held my attention, it was the city's legacy that I understood so well. It's former fishing port blessed with an oil boom in the 1970s and 80s that changed the small city in so many ways, and now with oil wealth on their side they are wondering what they will do next and how to invest in green renewable energy for future generations. I loved visiting, confounding all my expectations, both the Norwegian Canning Museum and the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, both modern, interactive and suitable for every age. As I walked the famous Fargegaten street, a long row of wooden houses painted in a carnival of colours, I felt a strange kinship with this town, hard to explain, unless you have also come from a city where the fishing industry has been completely surpassed by the boom of oil. For us, our Norway trip was a "coolcation" in every sense of the word and we have fully caught the addictive spirit of friluftsliv'. As the world heats up, I predict we, and many others, will keep seeking out coolcations. Kerry Hudson is an award-winning, bestselling novelist and memoirist. You can find her on Instagram and on Threads @ThatKerryHudson
The Herald Scotland
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Want to get kids away from screens? Put them inside one
It's true though, that now I'm a parent, I've developed a whole new appreciation for playgrounds. I like to think of them as the sibling of libraries – truly egalitarian spaces, where everyone in the community can go for free, stay as long as they want and are expected to give nothing in return. When we consider how much social isolation is part of our new modern lives and as we struggle with trying to get children away from screens, as housing in many cities becomes ever more cramped, they become vitally important. We have a running joke in our family, which is that we might not be able to tell you where the best restaurants are in any given city, but we could pinpoint every excellent park in Tokyo, Paris or, in this case, Helsinki. Read more from Kerry Hudson: In fact, I've traveled specially from Sweden by ferry to a specific Helsinki playground because it's the first computer themed one in the world. It combines STEM education with creative, imagination-based play. There is a huge 'computer-processor' climbing frame, a racing track painted to resemble code and a stage shaped like a phone screen. The concept is inspired – get our kids away from staring at a computer screen by letting them run around inside one. On the sunny May day I visited Playground Ruoholahti, inaugurated on the 1st October 2024, they were trialling having a permanent, and hugely enthusiastic, educator, Miriam, onsite. Her job is to help facilitate and engage the many school groups who come daily. Besides this, she explains, they have their own communal building where they can hold activities, and each summer, rain or shine, they serve a free daily communal lunch to every child. Playground Ruoholahti is the passion project of Finnish children's book author and illustrator, Linda Liukas, known for her books on coding for children and her international efforts with Rails Girls, an NGO designed to get girls, 'Started in Tech' with, 'sketching, prototyping, basic programming and introductions into the world of technology.' I asked Linda, who is also currently in talks about outdoor play with Education Scotland regarding their Curriculum Improvement Cycle, what her ultimate goal with the design was: 'To show that computers are not just screens. They are made of ideas we can move through and explore with our bodies. I wanted children to feel curiosity and confidence around technology.' Of course there are challenges with any pioneering project she tells me, she was careful 'to keep the wonder. It was hard to balance learning with play. We didn't want to explain too much. We wanted children to discover things on their own or with their school or kindergarten group'. Playground Ruoholaht combines STEM education with creative, imagination-based play (Image: Sakari Röyskö) What she is sure of is that playgrounds are absolutely essential to communities, 'because they are where thinking begins. Children imagine, investigate, solve conflicts, meet others, and learn how the world works. A playground is a small society and already embodies many of the values we'd like to see in schools'. Perhaps what is most notable about this incredible playground is how it keeps on evolving. They now have curriculum guides in both Finnish and English to enable teachers to take children there and follow a range of games or activities based on several different learning styles. It is truly a resource for the whole community, with all ages covered. I asked Linda what other countries, and specifically Scotland, might be able to take from the model of her Helsinki park. She was already impressed with our educators' engagement with outdoor play: 'Scotland's curriculum already supports outdoor learning as a means to enhance engagement and understanding. Use what is already there: local stories, weather, landscapes. You don't need good weather to build good play, we in Finland know it! Look closely at how children already play, whether in the digital or physical world. And let children help with the design. 'This is not specific to Finland. My family have visited other parks taking that extra step to bring value and education to their young patrons and our travels recently – in Stavanger, an oil town in Norway, familiar to me as an Aberdonian Quine, there is a playground entirely constructed from leftover sea and oil equipment outside the petroleum museum. Even in our hometown Malmö, we have a sprawling playground of makeshift frames, swings, ships, and dens made from scrap wood, metal and tires with tools and materials on site so that children can, as they wish, constantly add and adapt the space for themselves.' Read more from Kerry Hudson: Playgrounds can be the heart of a community. They not only bring children together, provide adults with the respite and something to do to fill the hours on the weekend or after school, but they provide points of connections in neighborhoods where people might not otherwise cross paths. Playgrounds are about exercise and education yes, but also feeling a sense of appreciation and ownership of your patch. And of course, they are about socialisation, which feels ever more important in a world where we are all stuck behind our screens barely looking up to meet the eye of the person in front of you. While some people might spend their time traveling, discovering the latest Michelin star restaurant or seeking out local artisanal boutiques, I think there is as much art, humanity and narrative in a beautiful, thoughtfully designed playground. Playgrounds offer one of the greatest opportunities to gain insight into local life and isn't that what we travel for? Kerry Hudson is an award-winning, bestselling novelist and memoirist. You can find her on Instagram and on Threads @ThatKerryHudson
