• Revival Boot-Camp – Sunshine, Sea, Sand and Somewhat More: Most of my friends thought I had lost all hold of my senses.  Would I like to review a boot-camp – in November – in Spain?  It doesn’t sound so unlikely unless you are aware I’m in my fifties, rather unfit, suffering from a mild but… [Continue Reading]

    Revival Boot-Camp, Sitges, Spain

  • An Underground Cathedral, a City in the Rocks and More: While it may be outside my comfort zone and certainly outside my capabilities as a photographer to make any kind of decent attempt to reproduce the drama of this landscape, it would be churlish not to share some of the almost surreal landscapes of Les… [Continue Reading]

    Lost Cities in Les Causses et Les Cevennes

  • Exploring England – The Alternate Way in Essex: Do travel writers lose sight of what is on their doorsteps?  I hope not, but the temptation can be great.  Trying my best to ensure I explored a little of what is under my nose, I made my way to Essex, catching the train to Chelmsford in… [Continue Reading]

    An Introduction to Essex – First Steps in Colchester

  • Food and Wine of the Alentejo: The people of Portugal eat more fish per capita than any other European country.  Their heritage, world leading explorers like Vasco da Gama and an Empire that grew from their seafaring skills, is perhaps at the heart of their love of fish. Alentejo, the area directly south of the river… [Continue Reading]

    A Portuguese Feast – Food of the Alentejo

  • Chateau de Mandagout – a Castle Home in the Cevennes Who doesn’t dream of living in a Castle?  Michel Lamotte and Roberto de Pila have made that dream come true, in a hidden and remote stronghold nestling in a valley on the edge of the Cevennes National Park.  And, they’ve done it with great style… [Continue Reading]

    Capturing the Castle in the Cevennes – Chateau de Mandagout

Revival Boot-Camp, Sitges, Spain

Revival Boot-Camp – Sunshine, Sea, Sand and Somewhat More: Most of my friends thought I had lost all hold of my senses.  Would I like to review a boot-camp - in November - in Spain?  It doesn’t sound so unlikely unless you are aware I’m in my fifties, rather unfit, suffering from a mild but chronic … [Read More...]

More Travel

Restaurants

Zumbura - lamb kullia

Zumbura Reviewed – Clapham Old Town

Purab Indian at Zumbura - Clapham: Sometimes I am not the most sensible of people.  I've heard good things about Zumbura - and my diary is quite full … [Read More...]

Christmas afternoon tea bond and brook

Christmas Afternoon Tea – Bond and Brook, Fenwicks

Festive Tea at Bond and Brook - a Shopper's Delight: I love shopping.  And, I love afternoon tea.  And, I have a soft spot for Fenwicks, one of … [Read More...]

Petrichor review- pork belly

Petrichor at the Cavendish Hotel, Jermyn Street, W1

Sustainability in the City - Petrichor, Jermyn Street: Finding a unique positioning for a hotel restaurant can be quite a challenge.  There's often a … [Read More...]

Novikov - London Mayfair - aperitivo

Novikov Aperitivo – Mayfair, London

A Russian in Mayfair - Novikov Aperitivo: Despite a couple of years of hard core dining out in London there still seems to be an endless stream of … [Read More...]

Recipes (including 5:2 Diet)

Applewod Smoked Cheese Parcels

Applewod Smoked Cheese Christmas Parcels

Trying to be creative, I thought I would rustle up some interesting nibbles that we all would like using the Applewood cheese I was sent.  The … [Read More...]

low calorie turkey bolognese

Low Calorie Turkey Bolognese – A 5:2 Diet Recipe

Turkey Bolognese - Perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas Leftovers - AND a Low Calorie 5:2 Diet Recipe: This dish scores no points for authenticity. … [Read More...]

Winter Warmer Soup

Winter Warmer Vegetable Soup with Knorr and Colemans

Simon's Winter Warmer - Hearty Vegetable Soup: A large hamper of Unilever Kitchen products arrived at my door, full of household names that I didn't … [Read More...]

5:2 diet Cauliflower cheese with Bacon

Low Calorie 5:2 Diet Friendly Cauliflower Cheese with Bacon

Gentle Food for a 5:2 Diet Fast - Low Calorie Cauliflower Cheese: I have the tummy bug that is sweeping the country.  I'm not a good invalid and the … [Read More...]

Applewood Smoked Cheese And Bacon Omelette

Applewood Smoked Cheese and Bacon Omelette

I was given some Applewood Spreadable Smoked Cheese to try, and I had enough to make up a few interesting recipe ideas that would be both healthy and … [Read More...]

Events in London

krug Kreperie - cabin

Krug Kreperie – Covent Garden

Champagne and Crepes at the Krug Kreperie Pop-up: It's Christmas at Covent Garden and the seasonal decorations are all out on display.  Tucked away … [Read More...]

The pig idea - happy pig

The Pig Idea

What's the Pig Idea?  Read on to find out more:   Some times there are events that have it all.  Free lunch sounds good doesn't it?  How … [Read More...]

American Psycho Image

American Psycho at the Almeida

Preview - American Psycho - The Musical: I read American Psycho some years ago now.  It terrified and shocked me then and the concept of a thriller … [Read More...]

The Wind In The Willows, A Royal Opera House Production by Will

The Royal Opera House Presents – The Wind In the Willows at the Duchess Theatre

 Preview - The Wind In the Willows: I'm a long-time supporter and friend of the Royal Opera House.  I saw my first opera there when I was about … [Read More...]

Featured Posts

Bonjour French Food - October

Bonjour French Food

A little bit of France right to your door - Bonjour French Food: I'm just a bit of a Francophile.  It comes from spending several idyllic summers as … [Read More...]

Street Smart

Street Smart

Helping the Homeless: I can remember the first time I noticed the Street Smart card on a restaurant dining table.  It was one of those quirky little … [Read More...]

Water Aid Madagascar

Madagascar Schools Appeal #BuildFutures

WaterAid - lets make some Noise! Guest Post by Ernest Randriarimalala -  WaterAid, 4 November 2013 Hi. My name is Ernest Randriarimalala and last … [Read More...]

House of St Barnabas Soho Lounge

The House of St Barnabas – Soho, London

The House of St Barnabas - Soho society at its best: Intrigued by the name, which sounded just a little like something out of a Dickens novel, I set … [Read More...]

Unearthed Squid Less Fish Rings

Bootcamp or Bust and some Simple 5:2 Diet Ideas from Unearthed

Preparing for Bootcamp and a 5:2 Diet Update: I’m excited.  I’m off to Bootcamp in Spain next month.  I’m also terrified. Although I've done … [Read More...]

Giveaways

Jelly Belly Christmas Beans

A Very Jelly Belly Christmas #Giveaway

Jelly Belly Beans For a Festive Treat: What do you think Santa's elves would eat at Christmas time?  I have a sneaking suspicion that Jelly Belly beans would be high on their wish list.  All those lovely flavours in brilliant fruity colours! Jelly Belly® jelly beans are the coolest, most … [Read More...]

Essential-Christmas-Collection

Essential Christmas Chocolates from Cadburys #Giveaway

 A Special Christmas Chocolate Giveaway from Cadburys: It's nearly Christmas and I have another fabulous Giveaway lined up just in time to send out before the big day.  The lovely people at Cadburys Gifts Direct have offered me an Essential Christmas Selection to give away to one of you as a … [Read More...]

Go Native serviced apartment stratford

#Win Two Nights in a London Apartment with Go Native

Go Native Giveaway: I'm a real fan of serviced apartments.  They often provide all the luxury of a hotel suite at a fraction of the price and with a lot more flexibility.  Of course it depends a bit on what you are looking for - but, if like me, you tend to spend your time in city centres out and … [Read More...]