Mark and I fled from Skopje first thing.
Marvellous Matka – Matka Canyon & Skopje Revisited, North Macedonia
Riots in Skopje & The North Macedonian Name Game
In my last post, I asked, “What’s in a name?” when we discussed the City of Light. Little did we realise that we were about to discover the mother of all naming disputes – and get caught up in the news.
Once upon a time, in a land not-so-far away, there was a little country stuck in an almighty conflict over its cognomen.
When it declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, it found itself in a pickle, because it chose to name itself Macedonia.
Can I Get My Dog an EU Pet Passport?
Updated with new information 19th April 2026
Since the Brexit transition period ended on 1st of January 2021, taking your pets abroad from Great Britain (not Northern Ireland!) involves much more expense and red tape.
From 1st January 2021, Britain, except Northern Ireland, has ‘Part 2’ listed status. Overnight, the British Pet Passport (except those issued in Northern Ireland) became invalid. Since then, British pets (dogs, cats, and ferrets) entering the EU require a 10-page, bilingual Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued within 10 days of entry into the EU, and valid for four months from the date of issue. For more information on AHCs, see my blog Animal Health Certificates – What You Need To Know
Mark and I travel full time with four dogs. Before Brexit, we foresaw potential problems with pet travel, and put Le Quatre Fabuleux on French passports. This meant that, so long as we keep their rabies vaccines up to date, they could travel freely within the EU. Unlike us.
Getting an EU pet passport was a bonus if you travel frequently – it is much easier and less costly than getting an AHC for every trip, or for long-term travel for periods longer than four months. However, getting one post-Brexit is a little more complicated. If you want to know how, read on!
HOWEVER – As of 22nd April 2026, the 10-year transition period for The Animal Health Law, EU approved Regulation (EU) 2016/429 ends. One part of this complex regulation covers the use of EU pet passports, including who can – and who cannot – use them. AHPA Briefing Note 14/26 issued by the British Government on 17th April 2026 states that:
An EU pet passport issued or held by a resident of GB will no longer be a valid document for travelling with pets from GB to the EU. This applies to pet passports issued in an EU member state or Northern Ireland, including those issued before 22nd April 2026. EU passports may only be issued to owners whose main residence is within the European Union.
For more information on the changes, see my post New Rules for GB Pets using EU Pet Passports in April 2026 & What This Means in Practice
Note: Following the UK/EU Summit in May 2025, UK-issued pet passports may be back on the table, although the timescale has not been confirmed. In the meantime, UK pets still need either an Animal Health Certificate or EU passport to travel. For more information, see my post Reintroduction of UK Pet Passports: A Gateway to Freedom for British Pets
In the meantime, however, it seems an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is required in order for pets to travel legally to the EU. See my post Animal Health Certificates – What You Need To Know
Continue reading “Can I Get My Dog an EU Pet Passport?”Ohrid, North Macedonia: The City of Light
What’s in a name?
These days, Paris bags first dibs on the handle ‘The City of Light’.
Accepted wisdom suggests this emerged from the French capital’s prominent role in the age of enlightenment. However, Paree’s lofty claim to La Ville Lumière title actually comes from something much more mundane.
It is based on the city’s innovative attempts to combat crime.
In the mid-17th century, following a period of unrest, King Louis XIV pledged to restore law and order. As part of The Sun King’s purge, Paris’ chief of police placed lanterns on the streets and urged residents to light their windows with candles and oil lamps. Lighting deterred criminals from lurking in dark alleys.
Then, a few centuries later, in 1829, Paris lauded itself as one of Europe’s first cities to roll out gas street lighting.
Yet, Paris doesn’t have a monopoly on claims to this City of Light business.
Continue reading “Ohrid, North Macedonia: The City of Light”
World Wide Walkies 