Magical Makeover: Witch Explores Home Improvement Options

Yesterday, while walking through my local home improvement store, I was taken aback by a peculiar sight. There, in the paint aisle, stood a witch on a broomstick. Wearing a pointy hat and a long black cloak, she seemed completely out of place among the shelves of brushes and rollers. As I approached her, curiosity got the best of me and I couldn't help but strike up a conversation. Surprisingly, she wasn't there to pick out colors for a cauldron or browse for enchanted wall decals. Instead, she explained that she was on a quest for the perfect broomstick handle.

Tuesday Jul 18, 2023

CISA s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency s strategic plan was just recently released and focuses on four key areas cyber defense, risk reduction and resilience, operational collaboration, and agency unification. We are joined by Sophie Griffiths from TTG Media to talk about gay-friendly destinations, oppressive and discriminatory laws and the improvements in attitudes towards LGBTQ travellers that Pride events are helping to bring about around the world.

Instead, she explained that she was on a quest for the perfect broomstick handle. Apparently, witches were embracing the DIY spirit and getting into home improvement. She spoke animatedly about the importance of finding the right materials for her broomstick, explaining how it affected her performance and comfort during flights.

You should have been there

Simon Calder, travel correspondent of The Independent and former BBC producer, Mick Webb, discuss the world of travel and delight in travellers' tales.

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You should have been there Sep 11, 2023

Simon and Mick conclude their walk across the Ariège in the French Pyrenees and ruminate on the challenges and the rewards of mountain walking

Simon and I share the audio diary of our trek across a remote area of the French Pyrenees, the wild and woolly Ariège - yes, it is famed for its sheep. On the agenda are physical challenges, human errors aplenty and entertaining encounters with humans and animals.

We continue our attempt to divine the future direction of travel, assisted by listeners.

We break out our crystal ball and hypothesise about the shape of travel in thirty years time. VTOL aircraft, jetpacks, autonomous vehicles, affordable rail travel . maybe.

We try to make sense of the mayhem endured by holidaymakers during this summer's busiest month for travel. Planes, boats and trains, all have been affected. Who is to blame, do we ever learn from previous mistakes and how bad is the UK, compared with other countries?

We discuss the many, very accessible charms of the small country that is becoming a surprise travel hit. With thanks to Vonne of Brasserie Vonne in Balham, South London, for joining us. brasserievonne.co.uk

We discuss "bustling" markets, "palm-fringed" beaches and "towering" peaks with professor of philosophy, Emily Thomas from Durham University. Do clichéd travel descriptions add to our understanding of other places or quite the reverse? Plus an interview with Eleanor Parker, the winner of last week's Trans-Europe Race to Istanbul by public transport.

Simon joins the competitors and organisers of Lupine Travel's Trans-European Race at the start line in London's Trafalgar's Square. It's a bizarre medley of mystery and travel challenges, all on public transport. So who on earth would spend their holidays doing this and what prizes are at stake?

We welcome to the show Michael Motamedi, chef, digital nomad and influencer, who tells us what it's like to entrust his family's travel plans to a digital guide called Guide Geek. And we compare AI's take on Mykonos with a human view of it as a holiday destination. You can follow Michael's experimental journey at michaelmotamedi.com. And thanks for the lovely photo of Mykonos are due to Dana Tentis at Pixabay.

Snow, leaves, sun, swans, even trampolines. We investigate delays to planes and trains and discuss the bizarre causes and often ludicrous excuses.

We delve into this delightful holiday activity and suggest some of the best places to try it out. You don't need to go as far as Panama's San Blas Islands as the UK has island hops that are sometimes much easier than you'd think.

Lyn Hughes of Wanderlust magazine joins us to discuss the endless allure of islands and what it is that makes them so attractive. Is there one perfect example among the world's million chunks of offshore land?

Simon and Mick discuss the role played by luck, miraculous interventions and the kindness of strangers in a fulfilling journey. And we reveal an odd connection between Brexit and Dexy's Midnight Runners

Simon and Mick are joined by walker and novelist, Stephen Marriot, to discuss the enduring appeal of the Caminos de Santiago (I bet you don't know how many there are!) Stephen explains how the first of his "pilgrimages" inspired him to write his Reluctant Pilgrim series, published by The Marsh Books while Mick completes his audio diary of the "Camino inglés"

We talk border towns and their unique features, in particular those curious places which are split by an international frontier. In Baarle Hertog, for instance, divided between Belgium and the Netherlands, the border runs through the middle of the council chamber while the main street of Le Perthus offers opportunities to shop in Spain on one side and France on the other.

We swap tales of footwear malfunctions while shining a light on the neglected, important and richly comic topic of traveller's shoes.

Simon travels to Israel and Hong Kong, finding unexpected pleasures in harsh and politically volatile destinations. In particular, he enjoys the "friendly" Negev desert and the tranquil island of Tai O

Simon and Mick discuss the latter's experience of walking the "camino inglés", the 115 km pilgrims' route from Ferrol to Santiago. On the agenda: the weather, the kindness of strangers, fellow-pilgrims and the nature of the walk itself.

Jessica has visited every country world and is almost certainly the first black woman to do so. She shares her tales of favourite and not so favourite places, of inspiring encounters and lessons learnt along the way. You can follow Jessica's journeys on https://thecatchmeifyoucan.com . Her new WhatsApp docuseries, Crossing Cultures, is about the world's diasporas and starts in London's Peckham : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzndKNV9HrE

We report on recent journeys: Simon to the potentially controversial destination of Israel, Mick to the North of Spain, where the FEVE narrow-gauge railway takes you to some remote and intriguing mountain villages. Find FEVE information here https://www.renfe.com/es/en/suburban/cercanias-feve

We are joined by Sophie Griffiths from TTG Media to talk about gay-friendly destinations, oppressive and discriminatory laws and the improvements in attitudes towards LGBTQ+ travellers that Pride events are helping to bring about around the world

We compare and contrast Simon's happy-go-lucky approach to travel planning with Mick's meticulous preparations. Serendipity v serious forethought. And which is better when it all goes Pete Tong, as journeys often do? We also hear from listeners about the ideal length of time to allow for transits, layovers and stopovers. Thanks to all contributors, in particular traveller, Catherine Oldham and coach driver, Husain.

We celebrate our 150th podcast at London's St Pancras station with highlights (and some lowlights) from our previous editions. On the agenda: crossing strange borders, psychogeography, Pyrenean slip-ups and strange brews.

We are joined by astronomer, traveller and tour group leader, Doctor John Mason. He talks eclipses, paths of totality, meteor showers and how best to see the Northern Lights. According to Doctor John: "Think of yourself as an insomniac Polar Bear"

We are joined by Claudia Gualdi, a travel data expert at the company Riskline. She talks us through a recent survey that reveals in a surge in post-pandemic travel by solo females. What are the rewards and, sadly, the risks? How best can they be mitigated? Websites: riskline.com and solotravelerworld.com/about/solo-travel-statistics-data And apps: Toilet finder: Flush Safety: Bsafe App

We hear the salutary tales of Debra's passport and of Mick's misplaced click, while continuing the hot topic of travelling with children- is there a best age? With many thanks to Debra Davis, Alec Webb and Charlotte Hindle. And do send us your own stories of travel errors to be avoided and childhood memories to be cherished.

We hear anecdotes and advice about travelling with young children, from TV producer Nicky Lessware, You Tuber Mark Wolters and Charlotte Hindle, co-author of the Lonely Planet Guide to Travelling with Children. On the agenda: which country is the best to visit with a baby, what dogs should be avoided in Georgia and where in Rome can you find Bugs Bunny's house?

Our guest this week is the incredibly popular US You-Tube traveller, Mark Wolters. He tells us how and why he started Wolters' World and shares some frank tips on travel do's and don'ts. When in the USA, for instance, don't touch Americans- unless they ask you to, of course! Find Mark's 2000 plus videos at woltersworld.com

Simon delves into his library and his memory bank to come up with ten tips for reducing holiday outgoings

Friday Sep 16, 2022

I never knew there were so many considerations for witches when it came to broomstick handles – everything from wood type to ergonomic design. As I listened to her, it became apparent that this witch was not your stereotypical Halloween character. She was a serious craftsman, putting thought and effort into her chosen profession. The image of witches as spooky creatures that only appeared during October was shattered; they were real people who had hobbies, passions, and everyday needs, just like everyone else. This encounter left me with a newfound respect for witches and their commitment to their craft. It reminded me that we should never judge a book by its cover, or in this case, a witch by her broomstick. Behind the fantastical image lies a person with their own unique interests and desires. So, the next time you're in a home improvement store and happen to spot a witch on a broomstick, don't be quick to dismiss them as out of place. Take a moment to chat with them, to learn about their hidden talents and interests. You never know what you might discover and how it might change your perspective on the world..

Reviews for "Halloween Vibes: Witch Spotted Looking for DIY Supplies"

1. Alex - 1 star - I was really excited to read "Witch on a broomstick at a home improvement store" as I love magical stories. However, I was thoroughly disappointed with this book. The plot was weak and predictable, with very little character development. The writing itself was simplistic and lacked depth, making it difficult to become engaged in the story. Overall, I found it to be a uninteresting and forgettable read. I would not recommend it.

2. Sarah - 2 stars - The concept of having a witch in a home improvement store was intriguing, but the execution in this book fell flat. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth or relatability. The plot meandered aimlessly without a clear direction, making it hard to stay engaged. The writing style was also quite dry and lacked any real flair or creativity. While the book had potential, it ultimately failed to deliver an enjoyable reading experience for me. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're a die-hard fan of witches or home improvement stores.

3. Mark - 2 stars - I found "Witch on a broomstick at a home improvement store" to be a boring and uneventful read. The story lacked any real excitement or tension, and the main character, the witch, was portrayed as dull and uninteresting. The writing was also lacking in creativity and failed to draw me in. Overall, I was hoping for a more captivating and engaging story, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. I would not recommend it.

Unusual Sighting: Witch Spotted Shopping for DIY Supplies