A little context

My WHY…

Because women deserve to believe that life can get bigger, not smaller, as they get older.

I’m interested in what happens when we get curious, try something new, look after ourselves, admit we’re struggling, change our minds and realise we’re not finished yet.

This is my story of strength, weakness, reality and utopia, four sides of a life still being written.

Why I exercise and what I really want from a fitness instructor

Featured story

Why I exercise (and what I really want from a fitness instructor)

A personal take on fitness, confidence, ageing and why I keep showing up at the gym, even when my body has other ideas.

Family adventures & travel

Places we’ve been, things we’ve tried

Family escapes, hotels, adventures and the places that give us something to talk about when we get home.

Crete, Greece


Celebrating 50 in Crete

Nine days at the Mitsis Royal Mare, with family beach days, moussaka, cats and a little midlife indulgence.


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Strathyre, Scotland


A family escape to the woods

A log cabin, Loch Lubnaig, canoeing, cycling, Persian barbecue and an unreasonable number of wasps.


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Rhodes, Greece


Atrium Prestige, Rhodes

A family stay in Rhodes, looking beyond the glossy photographs to see what a hotel actually feels like with a child.


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Yorkshire


A gourmet getaway

Can a boutique hotel deliver grown-up luxury when you have a small child in tow? The Burgoyne makes a convincing case.


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For travel PRs & tourism teams

Planning your next travel campaign?

I’m interested in thoughtful family travel, hotels, destinations and experiences that give readers something worth talking about.


More from Saffron & Cyrus


A few more things I’ve been writing about lately.

Rainy day in Newcastle? Discover the museum that turns learning …

There’s nothing like an unexpected downpour to ruin a family day out during Bank Holiday weekend. Luckily, there is still plenty to do in Newcastle when it rains.

Chai Gol Gavzaban: why this herbal brew should be your …

I’m a big fan of Persian Chai Gol Gavzaban (borage tea) because it’s flower power for relaxation.

I’m a big fan of Persian Chai Gol Gavzaban (borage tea) because it's flower power for relaxation.

When you lose your mum in mid-life, you lose your …

The hardest thing about being a mum over 40 after losing my own was that she was always the first person I’d call – good or bad.

Confidence in midlife: learning to stand tall when self-doubt persists

Confidence is often spoken about as if it’s something you either have or don’t. In reality, it is rarely natural, rarely effortless, and rarely constant. As a woman in midlife,…

Family food review: Zeera Indian Restaurant

Zeera Indian Restaurant Review: A Family-Friendly Dining Experience in South Shields A family meal out with a toddler can go spectacularly well or descend into chaos. We headed to Zeera…

STEM learning made fun: domino robots, problem-solving, and screen-free play

STEM learning has started with some baby steps in our household.

STEM learning has started with some baby steps in our household.

Eating out with a small child: our family night at …

H and I used to dine out in style. It was quiet, relaxed, calm and romantic. Now surviving eating out with our small child can be quite a chore.