Fossend Publishing: The wonderful world of history

Many of my followers know that I love history. It's something that's been with me ever since I was a child. When I was at school I wanted to be an archaeologist. Historical buildings, ancient bones, and artefacts the dead left behind, completely fascinated me. Unfortunately my creative side was always stronger than my academic side, and I just didn't have high enough grades to follow it as a career. Over the years my love of all things historical hasn't waned though; if anything it's continued to grow. I collect books on my favourite historical subjects, visit museums all the time, and have recently completed two short courses on 'Archaeological techniques' and 'the History of Ancient Egypt' with Exeter University.

There are so many great archaeological sites that I would like to visit but haven't had a chance too yet. I'd love to go to Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy, to wander the ancient streets and buildings that were covered by ash in AD79 when Vesuvius blew her top, and devastated the surrounding area. I'd also love to visit Knossos on Crete, it's considered to be Europe's oldest city and the centre of the Minoan Civilisation. I'd really love to also get the chance to go to Machu Picchu in Peru, a lost city that sits at 7,000ft above sea level and was only rediscovered in 1911. These amazing places all sit on a list of dream sites that I keep adding too. One day I hope I'll get to visit some of them.

Despite not visiting any of the above, I've been lucky to go to some great sites already, both in the UK and abroad.

Egypt

My husband and I first visited Luxor, Egypt in 2001. We immersed ourselves in the history and it was a great holiday. While there, we went to two museums - Luxor Museum and the Mummification Museum, the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens and Nobles. We also went to a lot of temples - Karnak, Luxor, the Ramesseum, Del er Bahri, and Medinet Habu to name but a few.

The history and culture of Egypt is wonderful and I just love the place.

Me at Colossi Memnon

A few years later we visited Cairo, despite being a hectic city it didn't disappoint. The Egyptian Museum is incredible there are so many artefacts to see and the mummy room is really interesting. We also went to the Giza Plateau to see the pyramids and the Sphinx, and Saqqara to see Djoser's step pyramid and funerary temple. No one can ever describe how truly stunning these monuments are, it's something you just have to see for yourself.

Step pyramid at Saqqara

Somerset, England

I spend a lot of time in the West Country (UK), it's where I was born and the area is steeped in folklore and interesting history. One of the places I visit a lot is Glastonbury, the town is small, but there is a ruinous abbey (razed to the ground on the say so of Henry VIII), and of course Glastonbury Tor, a prominent hill that overlooks the town, with the Tower of St Michaels at the summit.

Glastonbury Tor

Just down the road from Glastonbury is Burrowbridge, a small village on the edge of the Somerset Levels. In the village there's an ancient earthwork called Burrow Mump. It looks a bit like Glastonbury Tor, but on a smaller scale, the ruinous church at the top is also called St Michaels. The area around Burrowbridge is rich in history, it sits close to the Isle of Athelney, an ancient fortress/hiding place of King Alfred the Great. I love Burrow Mump, and the view of the Somerset levels from the top it is great.

Burrow Mump

Jordan

In 2000, my husband and I went to Jordan. The ancient city of Petra is indescribable. Nothing can quite prepare you for the sight that greets you when you step out from the Siq Gorge to see the ancient city for the first time. The site is huge, filled with rock cut tombs, temples and an amphitheatre. It literally takes your breath away.

Rock cut tombs, Petra

In the south of Jordan is the gulf of Aqaba. Out in the gulf is Pharaohs Island, a small land mass with a fort on. It was built and used by the crusaders to defend routes between Cairo and Damascus. It's a really interesting place and the water surrounding it is beautifully clear for snorkelling and diving.