A Wheel and Away

06/02/2026

Is Japan on your wish list? Are you one of the 32% of Brits who have the country as their top bucket list destination?

I was delighted to be ask to write about my own visit to the Kansai region for this month's Motability Lifestyle magazine - with a focus on accessibility of course! So if you are one of the many people dreaming of a trip to this fascinating country then please do have a look.

Cheryl Everitt and son Stan ventured to Japan's Kansai region to experience the modern sights, historic temples and amazing accessibility it has to offer.

22/11/2025

Georgia Day 2 - Lunch stop!

Glorious setting for lunch - a family owned winery at which we could not have not been made more welcome. Everything was delicious. My favourite? The beetroot in sour plum sauce, I could have eaten bowls of it… Finished off with homemade chacha, the owner’s grandfather being rightly very proud of his collection!

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21/11/2025

Georgia Day 2 , Part 1

Uplistsikhe Cave Town-Fortress - so good it needs its own post! UNESCO World Heritage Site, dating back to the late Bronze Age. According to legend it was built by slaves who were told that they would receive both their freedom and gold when it was completed. Former home of kings, important trading point on the Silk Road, at its peak 20,000 people lived there. The entire city is carved out of the rocks and there are many different rooms and tunnels. Despite its powerful position it also had an escape tunnel underground in case of danger…

(Absolutely fascinating place but unfortunately, due to the ancient nature of the site, access is almost impossible. To reach the city visitors must climb a series of metal staircases and walk across very steep and uneven terrain. Once in to the various rooms, the floor is often rough and broken, in line with its age. Visitors can enter the site and walk by the river which does offer some views of the city but this is limited).

21/11/2025

Georgia Day 1, Part 2!

Tibilisi

Georgia’s capital was a treat.

The Kura river flows from northeast Turkey through the city to the Caspian Sea. Crossing at one point is over the Bridge of Peace, which actually features on the cover of the Italian version of one of the Harry Potter books!

We started at the smallest working clock in the city, smaller than the palm of my hand. Had a peep in the door of the city’s oldest vegetarian restaurant with its stunning decor (note the ceiling!). We saw the Tamada statue, ‘The Toastmaster’ representing Georgian hospitality and originally from the seventh century. Next was the Meidan bazaar, fascinating but unfortunately not at all accessible as it is housed in an underground cellar.

The recently opened waterfall was however a great example of thoughtful renovation. Ramps and bridges along the route allowed full access for everyone to go and see.

Dinner - traditional khinkali, Georgian filled dumplings and lobiani, another traditional dish filled with beans. Yum!

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21/11/2025

Georgia Day 1, Part1!

Our first stop was Bodbe monastery in the province of Kakheti. The church houses the tomb of St Nino, the woman who brought Christianity to Georgia in the fourth century. Outside one of the buildings was a gravestone. It contained a small dip, designed to collect water for birds and other wildlife to drink from. Our guide told us that this was done so that you can help nature even after you die. What a lovely idea, although less common nowadays as since Soviet times graves are much simpler, with inscriptions more functional.

We watched bread being made in the traditional way at a roadside bakery. It was traditionally crescent shaped so it fitted more easily into khurjini, the traditional bags worn on the back.

Next was the hilltop village of Sighnaghi, with glorious views over the surrounding countryside. We stopped at the World War II memorial - each town had a separate list detailing all the people who died. Long lists and very sobering.

Then it was time for lunch at the glorious Lost Ridge Inn Brewery and Ranch - it was a spectacular setting to enjoy the absolutely delicious traditional food, served along with home produced amber wine.

It was a fascinating morning and I can’t wait to find out more!

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18/11/2025

Very excited about the next leg of my journey…

So apparently, the Georgian government have been doing a lot of work to improve access throughout the country. I’m going to be spending the next few days finding out more about, it so watch this space…

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17/11/2025

My second visit to Arezzo and it did not disappoint.

In fact, it was even prettier than I remembered, and made even better by the Christmas markets that had opened the day before. With twinkling lights all around the square and illuminating the streets, and the scent of cinnamon wafting everywhere, this lovely city, the oldest one in Tuscany, felt quite magical.

Earlier in the day, we visited a beautiful church, one of many (It is Italy after all!). What made this one special is that houses the oldest painted cross in Europe. Painted by Cimabue, a famous Italian artist, in 1262, we were told that it represented a marked change in the way Jesus was depicted in religious iconography, more as a man suffering the agony of crucifixion than a deity. Next it was a stop at the gold museum, chronicling the history of Arezzo as one of the gold centres of the world, dating back to Etruscan times. From there, we climbed to the top of the bell tower in the main museum to get a fabulous aerial view of the whole city, before special entry into another tiny little museum dedicated to the jousting for which Arezzo is known. We finished off with a trip to the cathedral, built over 700 years, with its spectacular painted ceiling. Finally, enjoying the atmosphere in the square with a very welcome drink! #🇮🇹

16/11/2025

Sixty meetings in two days attending Agrietour in Arezzo, Italy. Rather full on (!) but also rather fantastic. The event showcased rural tourism in Italy and I met some incredible small businesses from across the country.

I met a couple opening an agrotourism dedicated to artists and creatives from across Emilio-Romagna such as Fellini, with a library in every room. There was a husband and wife team offering leather workshops in their home, with the chance to dye and tan your own leather before creating beautiful bags and accessories. There was a young tour guide who was also an archaezoologist, offering children fun experiences in nature, exploring both history and the world around them.

I found some incredible properties from seventeenth century villas to more modern apartments in spectacular rural locations. Even an entire hamlet, owned by the same family for generation, available to rent. Chances to immerse oneself in the Italian way of life with winery tours, cooking classes and olive oil tastings. Beautiful venues for weddings or other events. And the best part? So many of these were totally accessible to people with all kinds of disability.

My personal favourites? Lilly, the fabulous guide who offers treks through the Tuscan countryside for visually impaired people. Or perhaps the organic farm in Sicily who have special platforms set up on the farms so wheelchair users can take part in the grape and olive harvest.

I’ve never wanted to be Italian more! Not helped by the whole event being backed up by a parallel one, showcasing delicious Italian produce, wines and artisan craftsman. Followed by a delicious dinner of the local pico pasta and fresh truffles with some new friends.

There will be more information coming soon, about places to stay and ideas for your own trip, but in the meantime if you are dreaming of your own Italian idyll then do get in touch.

13/11/2025

Fantastic few days at the World Travel Market in London. 3 days, 46,500 people from 182 different countries. Catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. I love getting the chance to meet people from all around the world and experience snapshots of so many different cultures. It was so encouraging to meet so many incredible businesses who are working hard to make travel accessible for everyone. And not just the regular destinations either. So whether you want to go off the tourist trail in Egypt, experience the local culture in Turkey, hire a WAV for a self drive road trip in Japan or go through seven centuries in just an hour and a half in Kazakhstan then get in touch. All accessible, all curated by people who know what they are talking about. Adventure awaits!

08/10/2025

Delighted to say that I have been asked to write a regular column in Ability Needs magazine about adaptive sport. While this is a slight diversion from travel, many of the activities I will be covering are scattered around the country so still offer a perfect opportunity for a short break away! This month I covered the National Junior Games. The event is held by WheelPower, the national charity for wheelchair sport, for young people with a. disability. To read the article in full please visit https://issuu.com/abilityneeds/docs/creating_opportunity_and_celebrating_achievement_a

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07/10/2025

Happy to say that my latest article has now been published in Ability Needs magazine. If you have ever fancied visiting Seville but weren't sure if it was accessible, this tells you everything you need to know.

https://issuu.com/abilityneeds/docs/seville_-_an_accessible_city_break_in_the_city_of_

Welcome to Issuu’s blog: home to product news, tips, resources, interviews (and more) related to content marketing and publishing.

06/10/2025

Trying out the very cool Cyberdyne exoskeleton at the SMA UK big weekend….This amazing bit of kit works by detecting signals sent by the brain and translating it into movement, thus potentially helping people with all manner of physical impairments to move more easily, as well as build ability over time. Think it and it shall happen……..