Lisbon

I took a short trip to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal very recently. Lisbon has the oldest bookshop in the world and is known for being quite hilly and also near the coast. I spent several days there and whilst it was a bit rainy it was still a really nice city to visit. Here are a few snaps, but my favourorite thing was seeing all the tiles on the buildings of various colours and styles.

Livraria Bertrand - world's oldest bookstore

Goodbye 2025

Today is the last year of 2025. There’s been highs and lows and sadly still too many wars being waged in this world. I pray that next year these come to an end and that people find peace and justice. Here are my favourite photos of 2025. May 2026 be a better one for us all. Happy New Year.

Knole house

I recently visited Knole house. It is said to be a calendar house, having 365 rooms, 52 staircases, 12 entrances and 7 courtyards. The house was built by Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury, between 1456 and 1486. We didn’t have time to look in many the rooms but we did climb up steep spiral staircase in the tower up to the roof which gave us great views.

Knole house

Knole house also has medieval deer park, with deer roaming the grounds for 500 years. The deer we encountered were quite timid and let us get fairly close, which was amazing.

Deer

With large grounds to walk in and with the deer and nearby stream Knole house is a lovely place to visit.

Eid-al-Fitr 2025/1446: Eid Mubarak

Eid Mubarak to all the Muslims celebrating Eid al-Fitr. The days of fasting were quite short this year and the month of Ramadan sped by, just as I was getting used to the change of routine. It was a difficult Ramadan to see the ceasefire broken in Gaza and Palestinians subjected to more bombardments and bloodletting, May Allah have mercy. Eid is a day of celebration, and as we spend time with our loved ones, we will be thinking and praying of the Palestinians and others around the world that have empty places at their dinner tables. May Allah accept our fasts, prayers and forgive our sins, May Allah have mercy on us all.

Ramadan Mubarak 2025/1446

Quba Mosque in Medina

Ramadan Mubarak everyone. The days of fasting this year will be a bit shorter than they have been for many years now, as they fall before the clocks change for summer time. Although shorter the fasts will be just as important and I hope that Muslims can reflect, earn forgiveness and blessings during this holy month. We will also be thinking of those that are facing hardships in the world, wars, displacement and oppression and pray for their ease.