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Battersea – giving dogs a home for 160 years

So today I’m back in the Big Smoke for a walk, lured by the promise of an Aperol Spritz with friends at the end of it. Go on, twist my arm then! I’m in Battersea, just 3 miles southwest of the City, on the banks of the Thames. Originally a fishing village, then an agriculturalContinue reading “Battersea – giving dogs a home for 160 years”

Travels in my neighbourhood: Runnymede

Poor old King John! He’s always the bad guy, that phony King of England. Meanwhile, his elder brother, Richard the Lionheart, is remembered as a hero by us Brits, despite the fact that he spent most of his time in France or on crusade in the Holy Land. He probably didn’t even speak English, whichContinue reading “Travels in my neighbourhood: Runnymede”

An exclusive promenade in Richmond

It’s another warm weekend (yes another one, I’ve almost forgotten that I live in the UK recently), so we decide to get in the car and drive to outer London again. Why have we never done this before? Apparently it’s because of my holiday ‘obsession’. We decide on Richmond this time around – the WestContinue reading “An exclusive promenade in Richmond”

Travels in my neighbourhood: Cliveden

When we moved back to the UK after 11 years away, I vowed that I wouldn’t take my own country for granted like I did when I was younger. I even bought a Lonely Planet guide to England as a statement of intent. When I was a kid, we were always out and about visitingContinue reading “Travels in my neighbourhood: Cliveden”

Heading towards a fishy treat in Barnes

Where to walk this weekend…? Well, sometimes the choice is made for you. If you’ve read my blog before you will know how food orientated I am. Last week, chef Rick Stein announced that he was opening his restaurants for takeaway. While I’m not prepared to drive to Cornwall for Rick’s fish and chips, hisContinue reading “Heading towards a fishy treat in Barnes”

Sun, sea and sandwiches in San Sebastian

I love Spain. I associate it with fabulous, carefree childhood holidays in the sun with my parents and three siblings. Dad ran his own business, but back then you could completely escape by jumping on a plane. No-one could contact you – you could have been on the moon! And hotel buffets meant unlimited portionsContinue reading “Sun, sea and sandwiches in San Sebastian”

Hampstead, the ultimate urban village

Only 4 miles from Trafalgar Square, but bordering 790 acres of green space, Hampstead has a totally different vibe to much of inner London. Yes, it has a bustling high street, but venture into the neighbouring laneways or along the many footpaths onto Hampstead Heath and you could be miles from the city. The husbandContinue reading “Hampstead, the ultimate urban village”

Come trot with me around Royal Ascot

Sorry, couldn’t resist that. As you know, Ascot has probably the most famous racecourse in the world, owned by the Crown. Today’s walk around the village of Ascot is ten kilometres long, so I will be taking it at a steady pace, definitely no cantering. I know this place quite well, as I lived hereContinue reading “Come trot with me around Royal Ascot”

Come walk with me in the Midlands

I know, the excitement! I’ve actually driven to a completely different part of the country for today’s walk. A whole 100 miles from home, woohoo! Leicester would not usually spring to mind as an ideal location for a countryside wander. Personally I associate the city with textiles, curry, football and Walkers crisps. But I’m meetingContinue reading “Come walk with me in the Midlands”

Thank you for the music Stockholm!

As a lifelong Abba fan, Stockholm was always going to be on my list of must-see destinations. I had to visit the Abba museum. Not sure the husband was quite so excited about it. As a kid, I was mad about Abba, constantly singing the songs, ’cause everyone listens when I start to sing… IContinue reading “Thank you for the music Stockholm!”