One of my 2023 resolutions was to do a woodworking project. In March I signed up and did a woodworking tasting evening at the London school of furniture making to kick start this resolution. But it was not until July that I had a rare free weekend to actually do a project - our potting table for the garden.
Read moreJuly 2023 On a sunny but cooler Sunday in July, we went to visit the Kyoto garden in Holland Park.
Read moreJune 2023 Columbia flower market one sunny Sunday in Shoreditch. By far my most enjoyable ‘touristy’ outing in London to date!
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This year I set out to enjoy exploring and living in London, while also escaping its hustle and bustle to more rural settings. Our year started with a lovely New Year’s Day walk up Box hill, which is only an Read more…
December 2022
A one-night stay in a cosy Christmassy pub. Having hosted big celebrations for my 30th birthday, I wanted to celebrate my 31st in a much more low key relaxing way. As my birthday is only days away from Christmas a festive city escape sounded perfect, and the Cotswolds is less than 2 hours from London. We packed our overnight bags and jumped on a train from Paddington to Kingham.
September 2022
After finishing my work at the ICR and before starting my new position at Isomorphic Labs, we booked a bit of time off with a 5-night break in San Sebastián. During our stay we enjoyed the food and wine the city is known for, as well as swimming and sunbathing in La Concha Bay, taking in the views from Monte Urgull and Igueldo, and exploring the vineyards of nearby Rioja.
September 2022
Inspired by Sandi Toksvig’s Extraordinary Escapes, I was joined by two of my favorite women for a relaxing retreat to a gorgeous chocolate box cottage in the Lake District. On arriving at Low Longmuir cottage, the fizz was flowing as we celebrated many things and life in general!
August 2022
After watching an interesting BBC4 documentary one weekday evening on the life and work of Yayoi Kusama we booked tickets to see her art exhibition at the very popular Infinity Mirror Rooms at the Tate modern.
August 2022
We escaped the city (and the heat!) with a ladies trip to Whistable. The cool coastal breeze and a swim in the sea was a very welcome break from the prolonged record breaking temperatures in London. We set up camp along the pebble beach where we enjoyed fish and chips with champagne, and later on oysters from The Forge with a bottle of Chapel Down English sparkling wine from the popular Offy. Whitstable is know for its oysters so having a few was a must!
August 2022
After purchasing tickets online, we enjoyed a sunny Saturday afternoon exploring Kew Gardens. It was my first time at Kew, so we visited some of the gardens must see attractions; the temperate house, the palm house and the waterlily house.
Having booked free tickets in advance, we admired the 360-degree views of the city’s skyline, along with lush tropical greenery, from the open air terrace and observation decks at Sky Garden.
June 2022
Visiting friends and family back home in County Durham, Newcastle, Tynemouth and Northumberland – quite the tour around the North East!
May 2022
Famous for some of the best views of the London skyline, a large group of us spent the day up Primrose Hill with heaps of picnic food and booze!
May 2022
Another must for me while living in London was to go to the world famous Jazz club Ronnie Scott’s. So we booked tickets to see Kahil El’Zabar Quartet. The main show room was big while at the same time still incredibly intimate with soft lighting and plush seating. I couldn’t help but feel incredibly cool in Ronnie Scott’s! A great night out sipping cocktails and enjoying some jazz.
April 2022
After a taste of the coast just a couple of weekends earlier when visiting the New Forest, we took the ferry across the Solent for a proper coastal escape visiting family in the Isle of Wight.
April 2022
To celebrate spring we escaped the city to Brockenhurst village in the New Forest. This lovely little rural village is less than two hours from London, and home to native free roaming ponies.
April 2022
Lesser known and smaller than the famous Borough or Camden markets, Maltby street market was only established in 2010. Lots of different food and drink stalls and mini restaurants can be found when wandering down Maltby street’s rope walk. Intimate wine bars, breweries, bakers, grocers and florists (with secret hidden bar at the back!) can also be found hidden within the surrounding railway arches.
March 2022
After feeling deprived of vitamin D throughout January and February, we enjoyed the winter sun and filled our lungs with mountain air whilst skiing in Switzerland. We were invited to stay in a lodge in Thyon and ski in the Four Valleys.
February 2022
On the day of the biggest storm to hit London in decades, Storm Eunice, we escaped the city to the Lake District!
February 2022
After Wicked, our postponed birthday celebrations continued with an evening meal at Upstairs. Upstairs is the sister restaurant to Clapham’s Michelin star restaurant Trinity, and can literally be found up the stairs from Trinity. As its non-Michelin star sister restaurant, Upstairs is more budget friendly whilst still being a special meal out.
February 2022
Whilst living in London I had to see one of the city’s big west end shows. For my birthday we booked matinee tickets to see Wicked, arguably* London’s #1 show, at the Apollo Victoria theatre. It did not disappoint!
January 2022
Following the success of their Nobel Rot magazine, Dan Keeling and Mark Andrew ventured into the restaurant business. One of the two Noble Rot restaurants is situated in an atmospheric townhouse along one of Bloomsbury’s loveliest streets, Lamb’s Conduit Street, and filled with funky prints of their magazine covers.
January 2022
For something a bit different alongside a few drinks with our pals we headed to flight club. Offering a number of fun and different darts based games, from Quack Shot to Killer to Snakes and Ladders, in your own semi-private oche playing area.
January 2022
When on a budget and living in London, head to one of the many fantastic museums or galleries on offer. Most are free! The Natural History museum, the Science museum and the V&A can all be found in South Kensington.
January 2022
Blessed with beautiful weather and armed with homemade trail mix of left over Christmas nuts and chocolate, our year began with a New Year’s Day walk amongst the Surrey Hills, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
What?
My first visit to Italy! Specifically to the boot, Puglia. A trip of three parts: exploring the main towns and cities of the region, a rural villa with friends and a beautiful wedding. We drank good wine and ate great food – Primitivo, orecchiette pasta, pizza and lots of Taralli…
What? My first visit to Ireland. After a 5 am start in London, we stepped off the 226 bus from Cork airport out onto Kinsale harbour and straight into the Jim Edwards pub for the first pint of Murphys of Read more…
Following last years weekend away in the Lake District, this year we cemented our new annual girls weekend away tradition with a trip to Bath.
A beautiful opportunistic coastal walk while staying in Staithes for a friend’s wedding.
One of our more Urban adventures, we kayaked through London’s oldest canal from Limehouse to Crate Brewery’s bar on the water’s edge in Hackney Wick.
Less than an hour from London, we escaped to Surrey for an immersive day of seasonally inspired wild fire cooking nestled beneath trees and surrounded by bluebells.
