I could not write about Venice without a brief mention of the magnificent and unique transportation. The highlight of any visit must be the river transport. We walked an enormous amount but also used the Vaporetti extensively. Rather than a Gondola ride I much prefer the luxury of taking a taxi to the airport which…
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Feasting in Venice
The difficulty in Venice is finding a peaceful spot. I love markets and fresh produce so am always happy to explore and find an authentic place to eat local produce. Staying five minutes from the Rialto Bridge we crossed over to the right side of the Grand Canal to the Rialto Market. Here there are the…
Venice
One of the fortunate aspects of children who are studying overseas is the optimal excuse to visit them. Venice was one such adventure. As the train approaches Venice there is a magnificent view of this magical city. What is slightly alarming is the dominating presence of enormous cruise liners which float like giant amusement parks….
Chef in Training
I was fortunate enough to visit Immie during her gruelling schedule at the Cookery School. The students had an early start and worked all morning each in teams to produce different aspects of the lunch menu. Such an industrious kitchen and I was so envious of the fantastic organisation of equipment and ingredients. I was invited…
Cookery School
This exceptional cookery school is run by Darina, Rory and Rachel Allen assisted by an additional team of fantastic teachers and technicians. I was in awe when we dropped off Immie as everything is so aesthetically pleasing. The corridors and hallways are full of wild flower arrangements so creatively thrown together and baskets and dishes…
Ballymaloe House
After a chaotic week with preparations and endless birthday celebrations I am able to put pen to paper again as it were. Simply back to the keyboard! One of my favourite places is the spectacular Ballymaloe House in County Cork Ireland. I love everything about this place and Ireland itself. Having read about the very…
Highclere Castle
We are surrounded by a wealth of stately homes and beautiful gardens which are at our disposal and Highclere Castle was one such venue which, having been an avid fan of Downton Abbey I was very keen to visit. It had taken me a while to get organised and when I at last looked online…
Circus Sauce
I could not mention Giffords Circus without mentioning the Circus Sauce experience. The circus tours Gloucestershire, the South West and now London taking residence on village greens and in parks. There are a collection of authentic circus caravans and tents. During the intervals you can have a delicious mug of steaming tea and a home made…
Giffords Circus
From May to September the most fantastic circus tours the countryside and last year also included Chiswick House in London for some performances. The creation of an Oxford graduate who followed her dream. Nell Gifford and her husband Toti. As a family we love Giffords. It is creative and original. The costumes are all handmade,…
The Wild Duck
We drove to Gloucestershire for a family gathering. It is always a bit of a challenge to coordinate things so that all the cousins can get together with term dates and other commitments so it was great to all have a good catch up. This is a truly beautiful part of England and after a delicious…
National Youth Ballet
My post today is a tribute to Jill Tookey who very sadly passed away on Good Friday this year. She was the founder and artistic director of the National Youth Ballet of Great Britain (NYB) which she set up in 1988. My daughter was fortunate enough to be part of this wonderful experience which encourages…
Helford Passage
In an idyllic corner of our Cornish coast lies this small village. The Helford River is a very unspoilt stretch of picturesque water with lots of small quays and hidden creeks including Daphne du Mauriers famous Frenchman’s Creek. The highlight of every summer are the village Regattas’ which are an annual event and incorporate traditional competitions both…
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