You can never really rely on the weather in the UK, which is how we found ourselves visiting Leeds Castle on a snowy day at the end of February. The white carpet had dissolved by the time we arrived after lunch last Sunday but the drama was still plentiful. Leeds Castle, nestled in the heart of Kent, rather than Yorkshire, is imposing but not in a scary way. It's a castle of fairy tales, surrounded by water and looking out across green … [Read more...]
{Why You Should} Visit Brogdale Farm
We spent the day at Brogdale Farm this weekend, for their annual Strawberry Festival. We rode the tractor-trail around the enormous orchards, we took a miniature train-journey in the sun. The Girls bounced madly on the bouncy castle before spending what felt like weeks in the craft tent, painting rocks and plates before worshipping at the altar of face-painting. We brought a picnic with us, which we ate in the shade of a hazelnut tree, … [Read more...]
Three Days Film- the crowdfunded rom-com everyone wants to make
Sitting in a dark room on a sunny evening not everyone's idea of a good time but I was at the Langley Park Centre for the Performing Arts to see a short film about a short film. Vanessa Bailey, Bromley-based actress, has co-written and crowd-funded the trailer for Three Days, a rom-com about trying not to fall in love. And carrot cake. Three Days was an idea of hers borne out of frustration of a lack of female parts for 'older' women … [Read more...]
Local Flavour: Lavender House, Bromley
If you came to Bromley- and why wouldn't you?- to visit me, you'd be in good company. Obviously the people that have come to visit me so far have been friends and bloggers and I have generally entertained them at home, but if you wanted to get a sense of the area, of why I love living in Bromley, then let me tell you where I would take you. We'd drop the Girls at school- you could stand bemused at the edge of a circle of Mother's banging on … [Read more...]
Arizona: things to do in the Grand Canyon State
1. Um, Grand Canyon. It's a long schlep from pretty much anywhere but is a must on everyone's list. Which explains why it's so rammed with tourists. To be honest, I felt it was a lot like the Mona Lisa: you know that it's significant, so you go to see it, but it's an anti-climax. I'd definitely recommend driving in from the East along the 64 (stop at the Craft stalls on the way for native American Indian crafts. I got a fabulous pair … [Read more...]
Things I learned in Bruges
The weekend before last we were in Bruges- not on a 'wet' assignment I hasten to add (did you like that film?), but on a House Exchange. I remember Bruges from my childhood: we spent three years in Brussels when my Dad was working at NATO. But I haven't been back since and so had very little idea what to expect, other than frites and chocolate. It was such an easy three hour journey from door to door on a Friday afternoon, including the hanging … [Read more...]
Local Flavour: Vintage Mix
I turned up at a friend's house the other day with an invitation to an exclusive Pop-Up Shop. I'd never been to a Pop-Up Shop before. It's unlikely that they'll never let me go again, because I walked in and announced to everyone there that they could all leave: I'd just need five minutes to rent a van and then I would be taking everything home with me. … [Read more...]
