We took a run out into the English countryside recently to visit the beautiful Pitstone Windmill, which dates from the 17th Century (visitors can see the date 1627 carved into a wooden beam). Now belonging to the National Trust, the design of the mill is what is known as a post mill, which means the whole … Continue reading Pitstone Windmill
Queen Victoria in front of the Guernsey Museum Above the financial district in St Peter Port are the 19th Century Candie Gardens. Once part of a private estate, the Gardens were bequeathed to the islanders and turned into a public park. The statue of Queen Victoria is diplomatically separated from a more flamboyant statue of … Continue reading Guernsey | Candie Gardens
As you might expect, Guernsey has its fair share of museums. We chose to concentrate on just two: La Valette Underground Military Museum is on the coastal edge of St Peter Port and is a tunnel complex built by slave labourers during the German Occupation. The tunnels served as a refuelling station for U-boats, and … Continue reading Guernsey | War Museums
Hauteville House Ah, Victor Hugo ... him behind the classic that is Les Mis ... turns out he lived on Guernsey for 15 years. He left France after insulting Napoleon III in 1851 and settled in Jersey. However, after criticising Queen Victoria, he was asked to leave, which is how he ended up in St … Continue reading Guernsey | Victor Hugo’s House
The Little Chapel The Little Chapel is oddly both kitsch and enchanting. The building is a complete church in miniature, and claims to be the smallest church in the world. It's modelled on the grotto in the Church of Lourdes and every square inch is encrusted with seashells, coloured pebbles and china and glass fragments. … Continue reading Guernsey | The Little Chapel
We made it ... During the May half-term, we travelled to the island of Guernsey in the Channel Islands for a few days. Unlike our visit to Channel Islands last year, the weather was not willing to play ball, and we were diverted to Jersey for the night because of fog. We eventually arrived on … Continue reading Guernsey
Last week The Brainy One and I had the opportunity to attend the Governor's Review at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. The Review is held two days before Founders Day, the highlight of the Royal Hospital's calendar. Me with In Pensioner Michael Paling The event is not open to the public and we were thrilled to … Continue reading The Governor’s Review | Royal Hospital Chelsea
The lovely Mary-Lou of Patio Postcards blog pointed me recently in the direction of Brené Brown's new weekly gratitude practice, TGIF. Most of us would recognise TGIF as an acronym for Thank God It's Friday, but in Brené's world it stands for Trusting, Grateful, Inspired and Fun. Chihuly at Kew Gardens Trusting: that The Boy … Continue reading TGIF | With A Difference
Source The final part of Hilary Mantel's trilogy about Thomas Cromwell has a release date and I have it on pre-order. Annabel's, Berkeley Square London has been in bloom! The Chelsea Flower Show has been and gone, but many stores in Chelsea and the West End have pulled out all the stops for the occasion. … Continue reading Four Fun Things
The Brainy One and I had the rare opportunity recently to go out for dinner with friends ... at the Savoy Hotel in London's West End. In honour of the occasion, I wore a dress and heels. Entrance to the Savoy Hotel We arrived about 30 minutes before our reservation time, in order to enjoy … Continue reading Dinner at The Savoy
