Coming home from Disney World June 13, 2022 It is the weirdest feeling to come home after a holiday. It’s only been two weeks, but it feels so much longer than that. The house feels unfamiliar. And the smell when you come in…
Poldark country. (Visiting Cornwall) November 29, 2021 Have you seen either BBC series of Poldark? If not, it’s a romantic saga set in Cornwall in the late eighth to early nineteenth century and was based on the novels by Winston Graham. The original TV series was made in 1975, but when it was shown again in 1988; that’s when it captured my heart…
Visiting Scotney Castle in autumn November 3, 2021 A much-needed respite in the middle of a week exploring London; my Mum took me and the kids to Scotney Castle, near Tunbridge Wells in Kent. This was near the end of September, so not quite at the right time to see the autumn colours at their best, but change was in the air. The odd branch of red leaves dangled over the moat of the castle, and a tint of yellow ochre brushed the borders…
Van life August 11, 2021 In these last two years I have never been more grateful for owning a camper van….
A story about visiting East Rock Park, New Haven, CT; + a new year’s eve party dress December 27, 2019 It was Saturday afternoon in October and the weather had turned unexpectedly warm. Local families had decided to make the most of it, the car-parking areas at East Rock Park were crowded. The little picnic area below the look-out point had people playing frisbee and surprisingly, British football. Couples and groups took in turns to take their photos by the wall where the landscape fell sharply down to a wide vista of New Haven….
Getting lost in Venice December 6, 2019 If you’ve already read my guide to visiting St Mark’s Square, you’ll know why it’s a good idea to leave the tourist trap and go a wandering further around Venice…
A story of visiting St Mark’s Square, Venice November 13, 2019 6am. That’s the time to do it in September. Up at five in the pitch black, spooky yellow lights are just enough to see the way. Luckily St Mark’s Square is signposted fairly regularly for tourists – just look up at the walls at every junction and you should be fine…
‘Ancient Albania & Blue Eye’ excursion from Sarande port October 18, 2019 Yes, this one was a surprise to us too! By the way, this was written in my dairy during our P&O cruise two years ago around Greece, but one stop was at Albania. I typed up most of this blog post back then, but am only just getting round to finishing it! (I just thought I’d explain that to my regular readers who are wondering when on earth I went to Albania!)….
A day at the Aztec Hotel and Spa October 4, 2019 Oh my goodness, I have just returned from the most wonderful day out at the Aztec Hotel and Spa, just North of Bristol. Breakfast, a swim, a spa treatment, a masterclass with chef, Marc Payne and then an eight course taster meal from the new winter menu in the Curious Kitchen restaurant. Yes, I said eight…
Visiting Godrevy Beach, Cornwall – the story and the photographs September 30, 2019 Continuing the braless theme of my recent fashion post; I didn’t even have time to put one on on the Saturday morning we visited Godrevy beach. As we approached the National Trust hut at the carpark entrance, I covered my chest with one arm, and hung the other out the window to flash my membership card at the volunteer. The bed at the back of the camper van was still out and it must have been obvious I hadn’t been awake long…
Is it worth upgrading to Premium Economy? – Comparing Norwegian Airways, Hi-Fly and Virgin Atlantic August 16, 2019 This is the question I’ve often pondered, but until you fork out the money to upgrade, you’re not going to know are you? Last year I flew three times to America accompanying Chris on work trips and the company has kindly paid for our return journeys to be Premium Economy. It was so exciting that first time! We all have wildly varying opinions as to what we spend our money on and what we save it on, but if you’re not sure if it’s worth paying extra to fly premium economy, then hopefully this will help….
Visiting the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival, Gloucestershire July 17, 2019 If there’s one thing as a family that unites us, it’s an interest in history. It may well stem from an old Sunday evening routine that consisted of a bath, a McDonalds, and watching Time Team while I nit combed their hair….