Old School Fun In Illuminating Blackpool

Last weekend I went off up the motorway (freeway) to the English seaside town of Blackpool.  Gaining popularity from the mid 1800’s when the railway came to town, this darling of the Northwest has been a firm favourite of northern beachgoers (and those from further afield) ever since.  Nowadays it is most known for its iconic tower, the piers reaching into the water and the Pleasure Beach, an amusement park founded in the late 1800’s.  Oh, and I guess the beach too with its donkey rides and open sands.  However, what took me there was none of the above; it was the famous Blackpool Illuminations.  

First shining bright in 1879 implemented by the local council to test the new-fangled idea of electric lights, and then really starting to become what we know today from 1912 as a celebration of Princess Louise’s Royal visit, and finally from 1925 after an 11-year break due to the First World War, the lights have shone brightly drawing visitors from around the country every Autumn.  

I remember going to Blackpool for the day as a child during the holidays to experience the magical lights and amusements of the beachside.  It always seemed so much fun as night fell, and the sparkling lights came on; I was definitely excited to head up for the day and see if I could relive my childhood!  

Arriving late morning, there was plenty of time to spend walking along the promenade and soaking up the fresh sea air.  The North Sea wasn’t quite what I have been used to from sunny Sydney, but it was fun to be by the ocean again, even if it was a bit of a darker colour!  It was also a bit chilly for a swim or paddle – I think I may have gone soft after my time in the Southern Hemisphere!!  I really loved walking along the wide promenade to the three piers.  I didn’t quite get all the way up to the North Pier but did explore the South and Central Piers in some detail.  For me the best bit comes after the modern-day arcades at the entry.  It’s worth squeezing your way through the crowds, which grow as the day progresses, to reach the fairground rides.  You’ll even find a couple of vintage old-school ones – I much preferred these even though I love a fairground ride.  There is something about a Helter-Skelter and carousel that are so classic and stylish for me.  However, the standout of the Central Pier is probably the Big Wheel, which gives the perfect view of the entire Blackpool beach and its surrounds.  It can get a bit chilly of an evening so make sure you wrap up! 

The South Pier has a small roller coaster and a couple of ‘chuck you in the air rides’; it is competing more with the Pleasure Beach just around the corner though.  Personally, I loved the carousel.  It was fun soaking up the atmosphere as the old band organ played and being in the fresh air and away from the chaos of the arcades – hang on that was probably me during a rather loud game of air hockey!!!  Oops!  It’s also not too expensive, but I can imagine it adding up for a family if the kids want to go on everything!  Each ride requires a pre-purchased set of tickets (from the kiosk) 2 – 4 tickets per person depending on the ride.  For the South Pier it was about £1.10 per ticket.  The carousel was only two tickets.

You don’t only have to walk down the promenade to explore Blackpool, there are a few other options.  Firstly, you can stroll along by the shops and enjoy the delights such as Blackpool souvenirs, rock and your regular beachside tat.  There are multiple eating establishments, with everything from the traditional British seaside fair of fish and chips to donuts and kebabs.  There was one amazing cookie shop (Sticky Chocolate Ltd) that had cookies as big as your face (depending on the size of your head I guess!), for £4, which was pretty good especially given how delicious they were!  A disclaimer here, I ate this the following day I didn’t get high on cookies if you keep reading!  Anyway, I digress….  You can also take one of the trams along the seafront, which I remember doing as a child.  Nowadays the trams are a little more modern, but there are still a few old school ones, a couple of which are illuminated when the lights come on and look pretty awesome.  There is a final option of a horse and carriage ride, but it felt a bit too much Big Fat Gypsy Wedding in a princess bauble for me.  When the Illuminations start, people also jump in their cars, which creates a huge tailback along the promenade, but is a good way to experience the lights.  Just be warned at weekends it can be very, very, VERY slow!!!

The other thing I did during the day was to head to the famous Blackpool Tower.  Built in the mid 1890’s taking inspiration from the Eiffel Tower.  It was once the tallest man-made structure in the British Empire (a fun fact for you).  Unfortunately, it was too windy to go to the top and really soak up the sights, which was disappointing – welcome to the North-West of England!  However, the Circus was open for business, and I am so glad I got persuaded to go as it was brilliant.  I won’t ruin the show and go into detail, just to say it was funny – for both adults and children, breath taking in parts and simply just entertaining.  The setting is stunning; it really takes you back to the Victorian era.  There are some beautiful, ornate details and some magical touches even if the seating is on the cosy side.  People must have been shorter back in the day!  I would highly recommend going along and spending a couple of hours laughing and being amazed.  

After some more walking around and the obligatory seaside fish and chips, which in this case I found to be average even with some lovely staff (Pablo’s by the South Pier), I caught the sunset, which was stunning over the water, the lights flicked on, and it felt like party time.  

I remember when I was small, there were tableaux along the promenade with creative images, but I didn’t see anything like this, which disappointed me a little.  There were some modern style structures near the Tower and it was lovely seeing the lights across the road, however I thought there would be a bit ‘more’ somehow.  The Tower and Central Piers Big Wheel do kind of steal the show as you look up the beach and they looked magnificent especially with the changes of colour.    

A favourite from the evening was a delicious cookie dough with ice-cream from Cake Up North from one of the market cabins just opposite the Tower.  It was yummy and gave me a much-needed sugar hit before a two-and-a-half-hour drive back down south (even if I wasn’t driving!). 

All in all, it was a fun day out at the seaside, which took me back to my childhood in a few different ways.  I do wish there had been a bit more creativity and maybe old school magic with the actual Illuminations.  Some of the more touristy bits (arcades, shops) were not for me, but it’s what people go to Blackpool for, a bit of escapism and old fashioned fun.  Oh, and lots of sugar as I think you can tell!!

Country Wellness Style In the Cotswolds

Much has changed since I last got on my laptop and put something out into the world with this blog.  I am now living back in the UK after nearly ten years in Sydney, Australia. To say it’s been an adjustment would be an understatement.  Maybe I will write more about this in the coming weeks but for now, I wanted to share one of my favourite places in the UK, somewhere that I love even more after spending pretty my entire Saturday there last week – the stunning, gorgeous and beautiful Daylesford Organic.  

I always keep an eye out for different events and things to do, and when I saw the Autumn Brocante advertised – read all things vintage and artisan and gorgeous, I jumped at the chance to head down to the Cotswolds.  I got some great little bits and could have spent a fortune!  Daylesford Organic is always either hosting or hiring their land for some kind of great event.  It’s worthwhile keeping an eye out on their website https://www.daylesford.com to find out what is coming up; there’s a few things I have my eye on!  

Daylesford Organic started as a farm and shop just over 20 years ago and it’s gone from strength to strength ever since.  However, it’s not only a farm shop.  There is a large home section with not only the most gorgeous homeware pieces, but also toys and gifts, a stylish gardening section with beautiful furniture and spectacular flowers, a wine stall, which I know little about not being a drinker (!) and cooking school.  There is also a café, restaurant, bar and coffee cabin I will call it.  Furthermore, there is a shop for the sister brand – Bamford, where you can find beautiful clothes made with the finest materials along with the Bamford’s natural beauty line – one I have used and love!  

The farm shop itself has a delicious deli / salad counter, which had some super yummy and different salads.  You can pick one or get several.  I chose a taster of all of them as I felt spoilt for choice.  I also tried a sausage roll, and a potato and cheese roll, which may sound strange, but was scrumptious.  They were not the largest and a bit pricey at £4.25 each, but they did taste amazing.  The salad box was about £11 (based on weight, so again more expensive, but it was filled with the best quality, organic ingredients.  It’s worth saying, that Daylesford Organic, and Bamford, are not the cheapest places to visit, however the quality is very high and reflects the organic processes and time taken to produce.  Pretty much everything is organic and locally grown – a good proportion is from the Daylesford farm on site, with other British farmers and makers supplying additional goods as needed.  

There is also a juice / smoothie bar, a pic n mix style area for nuts, seeds and store cupboard staples, which I love as it reminds me of one of my favourite shops from Sydney – Scoop Wholefoods (check them out if you’re in NSW, ACT or even Singapore), plus a cheese room and of course the usual meat counter, sweet treats from the patisserie and all the things you usually get in a farm shop.  I must say the produce all looked gorgeous, especially the fresh fruit and veggies that great you as you arrive through the stunning entry.  It’s very easy to want to buy everything, especially when you get into the home section.  I love that everything is natural and real and just so beautiful.  It feels like a real treat to get your hands on everything and anything.  

I didn’t make it into the café or restaurant as I had grabbed food from the deli counter and chose to sit outside at one of the many tables that anyone can relax and enjoy the delicious food and drink at.  Plus, it was also fairly busy being a Saturday lunch time and I was ready for some peace and quiet!  The food looked lovely from what I could see and sounded amazing when you peruse the menus.  Everything is seasonal as well, something that I really love. 

Another reason for a quick lunch was because I had managed to book into the absolutely incredible and stunning Wellness Spa for a massage.  Oh, and I was so very glad I did because it was the most fabulous massage I have had in a very long time.  It was on the off chance that I popped into the spa to see if they had any space for a massage and thankfully, they did.  You are requested to arrive 30 minutes before your appointment so you can get ready and relax before your treatment.  If you’re making a day of it, there’s a cute café space for some super nutritious snacks, meals and drinks, just behind the shop area, which has everything you would need to carry on the spa life in your own home.  Day guests can also use the crystal sauna, steam room and wellness pool, which sound super.  

Everything from the moment you walk into the Spa is absolute perfection.  The staff are very friendly, in a relaxed not obsequious way; the décor is simple, elegant and cosy.  There is an abundance of the most stunning, giant crystals, which are accompanied by numerous hearts, something you see around not only Bamford but the whole of Daylesford Organic and which I love (yes pun intended here!).  Everything is done in the most beautiful natural materials, which really does enhance the calm, peaceful and relaxed vibe surrounding and enveloping you as you walk through the giant glass doors. 

Once you have changed in the stylish changing rooms, you can grab some tea or water and enjoy the waiting area or the Lavender Room – a stunning pre or post treatment space with views onto the countryside.  The attention to detail continues in your treatment room as well.  From the massage products placed on the bed so you can easily see them, to a towel on the floor to step onto as you get on / off the bed, to the range of Bamford products neatly and stylish showcased.  However, the real winner, and what I was there for, was the massage.  

Rosa, my therapist was another level.  With a degree in Sports Science (or something similar), her knowledge was superb.  I had opted for a deep tissue massage as I do like a firmer pressure, and it was all that I wanted and more; firm without being too painful (well mostly!).  We did a few stretches as well to get some cracks out and afterwards, I felt the best I have in months.  In fact, the feeling lasted for several days, which is especially good given I drove for nearly two hours about an hour after my massage.  I don’t think I have had a sports massage where I have felt both fully relaxed and able to move freely before.  It’s either one or the other.  Rosa was an absolute angel!!!

I really wish I had more time to enjoy further treatments and I can’t wait to head back.  The Bamford team are building a new wellness Club, which sounds like it is going to take things even further to another dimension, never mind level.  As with anything Daylesford / Bamford related, I don’t see it being cheap, so it’s not for everyone.  It will, I am sure, be stylish, beautiful, relaxing, and aspirational.  The perfect place to unwind and give back to yourself, something I think we can all do a bit more of.  

The Battle of the Iconic Sydney Beaches

Manly Beach, Sydney, Australia

First of all, Happy 2022 and Happy Year of the Tiger, given Lunar New Year celebrations are currently in full swing around the world.  Once again, it’s been a while…. I promise this year to be much better (she says not quite as confidently as you would hope!).

I’m keeping it fresh and recent as I spent the weekend at both of Sydney’s most famous and well-known beaches, and it got me wondering, which do I prefer, can you even pick?  On Saturday, I visited Manly on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, and Sunday it was time for some Bondi lovin’ in the Eastern Suburbs.  Depending on where you live, often decides which of these legendary beaches you prefer.  Both are often at the top of the must visit lists for people heading to Sydney, so which one wins??

Over my time living here for the past 9 years and several trips prior, I have tended towards Manly because I just love the Northern Beaches.  Plus, there’s something special about coming over to Manly as a tourist on the ferry from Circular Quay (ferries run every 30 minutes and you get fabulous views of the City, Harbour Bridge, and many of Sydney’s harbour beaches on the journey over. It’s well worth heading to Manly just for this).  Unfortunately, taking the ferry is not something I do now living only a 10 – 15-minute drive away, and I miss it!  Saying that, when you take the bus from either the City or Bondi Junction (the 333 is the fastest as it doesn’t stop at every single stop, which can be annoying when you’re wanting to head to the beach…), as you first head down Bondi Road and glimpse the beach, is also pretty special.  As a side note, if you’re driving to Bondi, try to avoid Bondi Road as it has too many traffic lights and buses and you are stop – start most of the way!  It seems therefore, that both have something to offer on that journey in, the ferry being the prettier and more relaxing overall. 

So how to pick?  Both have lovely promenade walks that are easy and accessible for all.  Manly’s is twice as long at 2 km, and you can easily extend a further 1 km to take in Shelly Beach.  It’s a gentle jaunt that I really do love (more on that here).  Bondi has its epic coastal walk though, which is probably the most famous path in Australia – the Bondi to Bronte, or Coogee walk (depending on how far you wish to go).  It really is a great way to stretch the legs, but it can get busy and therefore is not my personal favourite coastal walk in Sydney.  More on that another time!  The coastal route is not as straightforward as a promenade stroll, and definitely gets the heart racing in places, so if you prefer something gentler, its Manly for you.  I am getting away from the main focus, so back to the beaches!

The beaches themselves are both brilliant surfing spots.  As I am no surfing expert, I will leave the merits of each location to those with much more specialised knowledge in that area!  I’ll move on to an area I know much more about – lounging on the beach catching a few rays!  For that Manly has it for me.  Given it is a longer beach, there is just more space and room for people.  Both can feel like you’re a sardine in a can on packed summer days.  You can escape the crowds somewhat on Bondi, but Manly just has a few more inches to rest your body, grab a book and try and relax for me.  However, neither is my go-to in peak season, so maybe it’s a draw?!

Let’s look at some other important factors such as another of favourite pastimes – shopping!  Both offer some good options here.  In Bondi there are some super little shops on Hall Street and especially Gould Street.  I got an amazing top on Gould Street when I came to watch the rugby in 2003.  It was by a Kiwi designer and I still wear it now, it’s fabulous.  The young and vibrant dynamic nature of Bondi is why there are always good places to shop, whether that be fashion, homewares, or beauty.  There are also the markets.  On both weekend days, you can head to Bondi Public School and stack up on delicious fresh fruit and veggies, beautiful flowers or other delicacies on a Saturday, and Sunday has vintage and new fashions, accessories, and jewellery in abundance.  Many well-known Aussie designers start off testing their wares here so you never know what you may pick up.  Manly also has a couple of markets that take place at the weekend too.  One is at Manly Market Place at the end of the Corso and along Sydney Road, and the second used to be at Manly Village Public School on the 3^rd Saturday of every month, but covid seems to have stopped this.  Hopefully it will be back as I have found some great vintage homeware pieces here in the past.  Manly Market Place has some food offerings, but it tends to be smaller than Bondi.  You can get some super fresh, local produce and there are lots of great homewares, jewellery, art, and gift stalls.  Manly also has an increasing number of good fashion boutiques that are more independent such as Coco and Lola and 23 Albert, which may be on the pricey side for some budgets, but there are others too.  Both areas of course have plenty of surf shops, as well as cafes, restaurants, and ice cream stores.

Talking of food, another pastime I greatly enjoy (!), last year I had a super meal at Brown Sugar in Bondi and would definitely recommend this Aussie Mediterranean mix.  I’ve been to a couple of other spots in Bondi too – Totti’s a good Italian, Bills Bondi a brunch institution, which was good, and a couple of other spots I can’t remember over the years. In Manly, I’ve been to Manly Mexican a few times, which is good for simple Mexican, and another recommendation is Belgrave Cartel for brunch.  They also do dinner that sounds good, but I haven’t yet tried. I’ve also been to Garfish, which I have really enjoyed for something a little special fish wise; it makes a good option for a special occasion.  There there’s the famous Hugo’s, which was ok, but a little pricey for what you got, and very noisy, especially at the weekend!  This makes me realise I need to eat out in both place a lot more, as there are always new cafes and restaurants coming and both have some well-known, and less well-known places, that I haven’t been to yet and want to try.

So, with all that, I am not sure if I can pick out of this battle.  It honestly depends on my mood as the vibe is different.  Bondi is a bit more cool and hip, whereas Manly has a bit more of a summer holiday beachy vibe too it.  Saying that, Bondi has some incredible Art Deco buildings, which I really love…

For the beach itself, again it depends what you want.  Both have iconic views, and you get incredible sunrises from both.  You have the famous swim to Shelly Beach from South Steyne (Manly) that is popular with the local Bold and Beautiful swim club, whose pink caps you can see bobbing up and down first thing of a morning, and is quite a sight!  Whereas Bondi has the famous Icebergs ocean pool, which must be one of the most famous and photographed pools in the world. 

Ok, I give up, it’s a tie!  Go and visit them both and see which you prefer, as I love them both!  In fact, now I can’t wait to head back and experience even more as they look different in every weather, and with the changes of the seasons, so it’s always a good excuse to head to either and soak up the sun, the views, or a bit of everything.  Enjoy! 

Love and hugs xo

Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia

Palm Beach Perfection

Well its been a moment, or quite a few since I wrote.  The winter lockdown kind of hit me harder this year, but now we are able to get out and about again, which was perfect timing with October being my birthday month!  I put a lot on birthdays both for me and for those I love – I love being able to spoil people and to spoil myself (not that I need a birthday to do that!) 

After the weather forecast said it was going to be rainy, it turned out to be a lovely day, so I headed up to Palm Beach, the Northern most tip on ‘Sydney’.  I haven’t been to Palm Beach for quite some time as it’s about an hour drives from Sydney, however every time I visit, I love it more and more.  It really is even more beautiful than it looks on TV. 

Palm Beach is the home of one of Australia’s favourite soaps ‘Home and Away’, which is set in the fictious town of Summer Bay.  I used to love watching this when I was back in England and always thought it looked a fabulous place.  It really does live up to every expectation.  My first time seeing the famous beach and surf club was very surreal.  Nowadays, I don’t watch the soap and get to enjoy Palm Beach for what it really is, one of Sydney’s best beaches with some of the most stunning views.

At the tip of the Northern Beaches, and also a short ferry journey to the Central Coast, which is well worth doing, Palm Beach is a beach lovers paradise, along with being one of Australia’s most expensive suburbs  If you are into real estate, there are some gorgeous properties around the area to dream about owning. 

The beach itself is just over two kilometres long, which makes it feel spacious and uncrowded, even in the height of summer.  Parking however, is not always so easy in peak season, which is another reason why I kind of like it.  The southern end of the beach has a few cafes, beach clubs and the obligatory Aussie ocean swimming pool.  It’s a little more protected by the rocky sandstone of Little Head headland and seems to attract families as a result.  The northern end under the famous Barrenjoey Lighthouse, is a bit more rough and wild.  You get more surfers on the more northern part of the beach.  It’s also where the main car park is and there’s plenty of space.  It’s also closer to the calmer and flatter internal waters, which are good for those who don’t like the rough and tumble of the ocean’s waves, yet want to cool down on a hot day or have a swim.  You also have the famous Summer Bay dinner, or the outside of it, which is actually one of several Boathouse cafes dotted around the Northern beaches. 

I find the Boathouse very mixed.  In summer and most weekends, it is absolutely packed, and you need to get here early so you can grab a table outside to sit over the water.  It is a lovely experience if you don’t mind lots of noise and hustle and bustle.  I find the food can also be a bit hit and miss.  When I visited this past weekend, the main café was closed for refurbishment, so I grabbed breakfast elsewhere at The Dunes takeaway and sat overlooking the beach watching the waves roll in, being wowed by the surfers.  I much preferred this to be honest, even if the fare is maybe a bit simpler than the Boathouse.  Saying that, I have eaten at The Dunes Palm Beach restaurant for a birthday a few years ago and it was delicious; the whole party of about 14 loved it, so I would recommend trying this place and it’s also a bit closer to the beach. 

The Boathouse group also have The Boathouse Home and Bakery, which is on the corner as you head into the main beach area and Barrenjoey House restaurant and accommodation, which is just opposite the ferry ‘terminal’ on the road that leads up into Palm Beach and onwards to the beach.  My most recent visit saw a lunch stop at the bakery, which was doing a few more offerings than regular bakery items, possibly due to the main beach café being closed, but it was not good.  A very solid, very egg dense quiche, which I didn’t end up eating and a fish and chips where the chips were hard and the fish rather average.  The batter was lovely and crispy, but overall, it was a definite failure.  It may have been an off day after the lockdown, but it didn’t make me want to go back.   Barrenjoey House has also been a bit mixed on the couple of occasions I have been.  The service has been average, and the food was only ok for the price.  The cake was very good though!  I haven’t been since about early 2019 so the chefs are bound to have changed. 

Moving on from food (!) and turning to one of the best reasons, after the stunning beach, to head to Palm Beach – the lighthouse walk.  Again, this has changed a bit over my time here in Sydney.  Initially it was a steep and winding climb up the south ‘front’ side of Barrenjoey Head.  A few years ago, a steep yet smoother road / track was built on the south west part of the headland.  It’s a bit of a longer path, about 800m as opposed to 500m, but for people more unsteady on their feet and those with smaller humans in tow, it’s probably the easier option.  Plus, it allows you to take in and enjoy the beautiful views as you climb much more easily.   You also get lovely views of the ‘internal’ side of Palm Beach, so probably a fuller view of the area. 

The cool breeze at the top is very welcome after the climb, which is pretty steep in a few places, yet easy underfoot.  It’s also well worth it for the views at the top, along with the sense of achievement, even after a relatively short walk!  If you visit on a Sunday, you can climb the lighthouse and get even more spectacular views all the way to the City on a clear day.  Unfortunately, the lighthouse is currently closed despite this visit being on a Sunday.  I am sure it will be back open once Covid calms itself down….  If you still feel like walking, you can continue along Barrenjoey Head and clamber over the rocks at the end to feel as if you are on the edge of the world and get super views over to the Central Coast as well as over the whole of Palm Beach.  It really is something to behold – one of my favourite views in Sydney.  It’s pretty special and iconic!  You may also be lucky to spot shoals of fish, whales, dolphins, numerous birds and butterflies or even a snake, which I have done before.  This time it ‘was only’ dolphins and they were a bit far out to get a proper look.

A good point to note, there are some bathrooms by the lighthouse, which may come in useful, especially if you do have small children with you.  It’s a long way to the beach amenities otherwise!  The path back down to the beach is just next door in the shadow of the famous lighthouse.  It’s a bit steeper, narrower and more steps than anything, so don’t go this way if you bring a pushchair!  It definitely seemed quicker than the way up did!! 

There is a lot to do and see and it’s always changing at Palm Beach.  The views truly are gorgeous, and it has a smart beach vibe that makes you want to stay and live the beach life.  It’s not as vibrant and buzzing as many of Sydney’s beaches, but that is part of its charm.  It’s a chic, yet relaxed, and you can always find a peaceful spot to while away some time, as long as you can get a parking spot! 

Until next time, much love xoxo

Brisbane’s Beach Style In The Valley

At this stage, my love of Queensland and Brisbane is evident.  One of my most favourite places is a hotel I discovered just over three years ago now, not too long after it first opened – the absolutely stunning Calile.  It really is one of the most gorgeous and super stylish hotels, with a staff that are as equally wonderful as the hotel looks. 

Opened in late 2018 in Fortitude Valley, which has seen some big changes over the past 20 years, The Calile is now one of the areas most iconic and noticeable features.  As soon as you approach you can’t help but be impressed by the stature of the cream coloured stonework, glass, and arches that great you.  The outside seems like it would be more at home in Palm Springs or Miami in their heyday.  However, as soon as you walk through either of the two main entries, you are greeted by a calming cream oasis, of smiling, friendly and helpful staff, and beautiful lines, angles and arches that would make any art deco designer happy. 

This is perhaps one of the reasons I love the place so much and feel so relaxed there.  I am a huge lover of almost anything Art Deco and arches!   The colour scheme also enhances the tranquil vibe of The Calile.  Gentle, warm sand colours, with pops of subtle green, gold and brass envelop you, adding to the rich lustre of the place.  There are a couple of other things that make the hotel stand out over many others, the openness.  Whether this be the extra wide corridors – I have never seen such stylish hotel corridors with their gentle fans keeping you cool, or it may also be the openings in some of the exterior walls that are protected with either masses of greenery or cut out walls that ensure air comes through.  In winter this is a refreshing coolness and in summer it can be the gentle and much needed fresh air from a hot day. 

If you’re really wanting to cool down though, then a visit to the immaculate pool area is a MUST!  Again, one of the most stunning hotel pools, which offers a multitude of photo opportunities.  The pool itself is a very generous size and perfect for a swim, as opposed to a quick dip.  If you fancy a sunbathe or just want to chill out, you can pick from beautiful covered semiprivate cabanas, that make you feel as if you are Ibiza or Miami, or the more regular loungers that of course still have umbrellas for much needed shade.  The front side of the pool houses Hellenika, a Greek inspired restaurant, which is open all day from first thing to late into the evening. 

Your poolside lounging also offers up the opportunity to view the hotel from a different angle.  The inside pool rooms with their quite statuesque balconies provide a break from the more sold concrete and glass.  The only other rooms that have balconies are the lower level rooms on the outside.   I haven’t been in one of the poolside rooms, so I am not sure how noisy they would be with Hellenika below, but the outer rooms were the same as the other outer facing rooms; some street noise but not too much.

On the subject of rooms, these are easily as exquisite as the rest of the hotel.  Different levels of rooms are coloured accordingly, so you may have green, blue, pink, cream or beige tiles, cushioning on the loungers, marble tops or bathroom.  Each room again has a fabulous archway separating the entry and bedroom and beautiful features such as art deco inspired lighting, brass fronted mini bars, arched shower rooms and your own relaxing lounge spot.  I have found the beds super comfy and love the pretty much blackout blind that can be controlled either from the eco system air con (which turns off as you leave the room) or from beside the bed.  A good-sized table offers opportunity to work if needed, and there is plenty of space to hang your clothes, even if this is open to the room. 

You will also have a linen robe and slippers along with the normal bathroom amenities, meaning you don’t need to bring anything with you.  Another cute touch is the glass water carafe, which can be filled from the filtered water station that sits at the entry to each floor.  Oh, and the mini bar!  This time I found the most scrumptious strawberry jelly piglets – unbelievably cute, as well as my favourite chocolate covered pretzels (the prefect combo of sweet and salty) and a Brisbane favourite – Dello Mano chocolate brownies.  There is also a good range of other snacks – nuts and crisps (chips) plus of course juices, soft drinks and alcohol, which I think was high end and comprehensive, but as a non-drinker, I never pay much attention to this!  There is also a coffee machine and kettle if required.  I’m sticking with the chocolate offerings though.

 If you don’t want to make your own tea and coffee, head down to the Lobby bar, which is always full of people popping in for a coffee and snack.  Breakfast is available here if you don’t fancy Hellenika.  The service can be a little slow, and tables can sometimes be in short supply especially during peak periods, but if you relax and enjoy your surrounds, which you can’t help but do, your table will be ready before you know it.  If you’re in a real rush, there is always takeaway as an option. 

Having visited with work to hold events, I would also recommend the function space at The Calile, which include a magnificent covered terrace space, perfect for a cocktail, or stand up function.  There are also regular function rooms, that have the same décor as the rest of the hotel, so somewhat more stylish than your average conferencing space.

Some other things I love about the hotel are the cute Library, where you can pop in and borrow a book.  On my first trip, I picked up an excellent book that I didn’t get time to finish so purchased myself after and it became a favourite read.  I probably wouldn’t have picked it out normally either.  There’s also an interesting gym with three full weightlifting racks, that you don’t normally see in a hotel gym, a couple of rowing machines, three runners, some free wights and benches and boxing bags.  I would ideally like a bit of a bigger range of weights, but I love the style and the fact they are trying to do something different and functional with the space. 

And finally, I was not going to miss out on the spa.  Kailo Medispa is open to non-residents as well as hotel guests so you need to book in advance to avoid missing out.  I have managed a couple of massages on visits and both times they were superb.  Again, the fit out follows the natural feel of the hotel and is certainly relaxing.  It’s also a good price for a hotel spa.  There are numerous treatments on offer, but my go to is a massage, especially when travelling.     

Everything at The Calile screams style and class and glamour.  It can be a little intimidating with the slew of pretty people walking about the place but enjoy it as you have as much right as anyone else to head there.  I think it’s an exquisite place to spend either a night, or I would 100% recommend longer, because there’s so much to see and do in Brisbane.  Besides, you definitely want to have some relaxing hotel time when you stay at The Calile. 

Until next time, much love xoxo

Where The Locals Hang

Twice in one week, I really am on a roll with the blog writing 😊 Plus, I did some great exploring last weekend and I wanted to share another lovely spot, or two, I found for anyone coming to Sydney and wanting to get off the tourist trail.

I sometimes get these strange ideas or cravings in my head and have been thinking about Bread & Circus, a wholefoods café in Alexandria for a couple of weeks.  So, on Sunday I headed over early doors to hopefully avoid the madness that I’ve often experienced when visiting this Sydney favourite.  It was super quiet as I arrived and at one point, I ended up being the only person sitting there, I think everyone was having a lazy Sunday morning.

As always it was delicious; the food is always so good here and they also do a great hot chocolate too.  My breakfast go-to is the parmesan not-so scrambled eggs with the best sourdough loaded with butter and spinach, tomato and avocado on the side!  Yes, it’s a meal that will last you for the whole day, and one I heartily recommend.  Though to be honest, I don’t think you will go wrong with anything from the menu.  There are so many delicious things to chose from including a pretty scrumptious chocolate cookie, which I refrained from partaking in this time.  Well, I really had eaten enough by this point!!

Maybe I could have taken one with me though in hindsight as I did a fair bit of walking after this as I decided to wander around the streets of Alexandria, as you do!  Often, I don’t really plan where I am going to go and I find more often than not, that it works out for the best.  It’s so fun to be spontaneous with no expectations and just see what you find.  This was a really good day as I found lots of Victorian era cottages and houses.  If you read my last blog on Potts Point you will know how much I adore old buildings, so it was a treat to see plenty of cute places as I ambled about.  A lot of Alexandria is industrial space, but there are some lovely, more homely pockets, especially towards the north side near Erskinville and Waterloo, which is where I was.  However, I didn’t really know where I was headed so a quick look at the map and I saw Sydney Park, which I haven’t visited before but driven past a few times, was just around the corner.  Off I headed! 

Sydney Park is the city’s third largest park and prior to being a beautiful outdoor space it started life as a brickworks.  Its clay pits were used as a rubbish dump for 30 years before it was finally turned into the beauty we have today.  You can still see the brickworks’ chimneys and kilns on one side from almost every angle of the park as a reminder to past times.  The park itself is 103 acres, so a good size to meander about for a while.  There are a few hills to get the heartrate up as well.  Right in the middle are the beautiful wetlands, with mini waterfalls, water features and stepping stones.  The sound of water always relaxes me and even on a beautiful winters day of 20 degrees (yes that is the height of summer where I am from!), when there were plenty of people (read children) around, this was still a pretty peaceful and relaxing spot.

I am not sure if this was my favourite spot though.  The garden farm at the far end from the entry I took, is absolutely wonderful.  Up on a slight hill, this pretty, picturesque corner was everything I could want from a chilled-out Sunday, sun-soaked corner of a park.  There were multiple flower / veggie beds with lots of goodies growing.  Plus, a circular flower bed as you enter that you could walk through to fully immerse yourself in nature.  There are also a couple of seating areas, one being by a honeycomb effect sculpture, which is designed to help the insects and bees with pollination.  All very clever and at the same time super pretty.  I even had my first proper cherry blossom moment of the season, which made me super happy as I am mad for cherry blossom. 

Naturally, being in the park, there is plenty of grass to roam around, relax or sit and sunbathe on.  It would be the perfect spot for a picnic or to stop and eat that cookie that I didn’t bring – next time!  I also think it would be the kind of place that you can go all year and it will always feel different with mother nature offering something new on every trip.   So, if you’re stuck for somewhere to go and escape the madness of the city, head over to Sydney Park and put your feet up in the sunshine for a while.

Have a super weekend, much love xoxo

Here’s To New Adventures!

The past 6 weeks have been pretty tough and have found me questioning myself, my life, the world and so many other things in between all of this a lot.  I am a thinker (read over-thinker) at the best of times, but big changes make me really examine myself, and my life, in more detail than normal.  My partner of 11 years, who I moved to Australia with 6 and a half years ago, moved back to the UK and I have been trying to work out what I want from my life and where I am going.  It’s been hard to lose my person, the one I turned to whenever something good or bad happens.  And, because his decision to move was the right one for him, and me, it somehow makes it harder.  There is no animosity or hatred, we just want to be in different places and the opposite side of the world doesn’t really make for a good relationship, especially when I don’t feel that England is where I want to live any time soon in for the foreseeable future!

That raises the question of where do I want to be? Do I want to stay here in Australia; I have fought so hard to be here and get my citizenship after all?!  Or do I want to be somewhere else?  This quickly leads into what do I even want to do with my life, a question I have not known the answer to since I didn’t get into the Diplomatic Service when I was 23/24.  The way my head and brain work, I then think about what I have achieved and start to doubt myself and think I haven’t done anything, because I look at other people.  Everyone knows that comparing your life to the highlight real of someone else’s life is a road to misery, yet many of us still do it and all too regularly.

I have a bad habit of comparing myself and my life with other people and the story often develops around how I haven’t achieved much, I don’t know what I want to do with my life, I’m getting too old to make anything of myself, it’s a young persons world, why have I wasted my life etc etc etc!  Full on hey!? For some reason last night I was journaling and I mapped out my life and what I have done at different ages and realised that up until my mid-30’s I was actually pretty driven and focussed.  I had actually achieved quite a bit despite not knowing what I wanted to do!  Once I arrived in Australia, I was so focussed on trying to find my thing, my purpose that I got lost.  Being restricted with visa’s didn’t help.  I met so many great people who had their focus honed in on something even if they weren’t doing it, but I felt I was just going aimlessly from one thing to another and the harder I tried the more I stressed myself out inside and the more pressure I think I was putting on myself.

It got to the point where I hid myself away more and more, disengaging from life, from people and friends, from my partner.  I have put on quite a bit of weight and couldn’t even see it.  I would convince myself that things would be alright when I found my purpose, my passion. New weeks, new months, new seasons would come and go when I would say this is the time I will sort everything out and be the perfect person – exercise more, eat 100% properly, read more, get everything sorted in my life.  Unsurprisingly, nothing changed!  I got fatter, I ate more sugar, I didn’t exercise and I ended up wanting to stay at home and hide away even more.  Even with the job I have had for the last two years where I get to travel, which I have come to remember I love doing and it’s something I am passionate about.  I would try and make the most of my time when I was when away and then hideaway when I was home making excuses that I needed to rest from the travel.  Really I needed to rest from me and my head, my emotions and feelings.

Having the past five weeks on my own a lot of emotions have come up.  I haven’t been able to rest from myself quite as much.  I am having to confront things I have hidden down inside for several years such as who do I want to be, what do I want to be doing with my life, how have I let myself go so much, why don’t I love myself as I am and for being me… I don’t know the answers to these questions, but today I began to realise that my age (currently 40, just shy of 41) is not a barrier to me living the life I want and that I have plenty of time to achieve my dreams.  Age doesn’t have to stop me getting out there and living the life I want.  Yes, I may not be in my 20’s, but that doesn’t mean my voice is less valuable just because society is very much focussed on younger people, or so I feel. It’s an excuse I no longer want to use. I know I still have many years ahead of me, and years where I can start a business, travel the world, lose my excess weight, and do whatever I want.

So three years after my first blog post, I am writing this as a way to hold myself accountable.  To push myself to get out there, make changes, move forward and open my heart to the dreams I had twenty years ago and even more new dreams as I move into a new phase, a new adventure in life.  It doesn’t matter that I don’t know ‘what I want to be when I grow up!!!’ it only matters that I keep trying.  Keep being me, the real me, the me I know I have hidden away for a while and I can feel is there just below the surface.  I will say yes to more things and see where life takes me.  It’s time to be open to new possibilities and ideas, to do what I really want to even if I am a bit nervous or scared.  Here goes, let’s see where it takes me hey!

Dreaming of Adventures

 

There’s something about flying that awakens my dreams.  I find things become clearer and suddenly seem to fall into place without me even trying. I don’t know if it is the different perspective, being so far above the earth.  Or maybe it’s being stuck in one place with not much space to move around, or the lack of distractions and anything else to concentrate on. Whatever it is, my last two trips have felt something shift inside and my thoughts and feelings become clearer.

It’s been a tough couple of weeks as my partner of 11 years moved back to the UK a week ago today and to say I have been a bit up in the air (!) is an understatement.  It has made me think about whether I want to stay here in Sydney, or move back to the UK, or even try somewhere completely different. Do I stay in my job or try and remain with the company I currently work for, or do I head back on the career roulette wheel and try something completely new…again!?   I never seem to know what to do and my head gets in a spin trying to work it out.  I am sure I used to be better at making decisions as a kid, but perhaps that’s because the decisions didn’t feel so life changing!

Today, I not only knew, but also more importantly FELT that travel is my future; it is something I really love and I always have done.  I want to see the world and explore all of the places (and more) that I see on Instagram and read about in magazines.  I don’t want to wake up in five, ten or twenty years and wonder what if!  I have no idea what this means for where I will end up or what I will be doing day in day out, but I know things are changing and I am trusting more in more in the universe / my instinct to guide me in the right direction at the right time.

For now that is staying where I am and making the most of my work travel opportunities. Plus, there are lots of places I haven’t seen in Sydney and Australia that I want to get to.  In fact I have a few exciting Aussie and Kiwi adventures coming up as well as Christmas in the UK so who know what this will tell me for 2020! I do know the next few months are going to be super fun and I will be upping my adventures and making the most of this new chapter of my life starting with exploring somewhere new in Sydney this weekend.  Adventure can start closer to home and then who knows where I will ultimately end up!?

Adventures in Singapore

Having been to Singapore 7.5 years ago on a short stopover to Australia, I had always wanted to go back.  The more I saw on social media and in travel press; I definitely couldn’t wait to get on the plane at the end of April for 5 nights.

Hitting Singapore at anytime of the year is going to be hot and humid, and we had a few storms as well, which all adds to the fun. There truly is so much to see, do and experience in this mecca of modern and new, which sits alongside traditional, Chinese heritage.  Here are a few of my favourite explorations from my few days in this magical, juxtaposed city.

 

Pamper Time:

One of my favourite things to do wherever I am is to go to a spa or have a massage.  I love a super good pampering session!

Before heading over, my other half did some research and decided that Healing Touch Spa was the place to visit and it didn’t disappoint.  In a very handy spot between Bras Basah and Dhoby Ghaut MRT stations on the second floor of the Rendevous Hotel, this hidden gem, which does have other spots around the city, offers a few type of massage.  We had their signature Asian Fusion massage, a mix of Swedish, Deep Tissue, Thai Massage and pressure point work to relax and soothe aching muscles.

I am very fussy with my massage, and loved this; great pressure and also relaxing.  I definitely felt looser and more chilled out after the one and a half hours of pampering. The massage was followed by a choice of tea and water before heading back the heat.

At $88.28 for 90 minutes, I definitely felt it was good value and would definitely return.

http://www.healingtouchspa.com

A couple of days later we headed to Tang Dynasty Massage and Spa on the north side of the Kampong Glam area on North Bridge Road (Nicoll Highway MRT).   This was one of my favourite foot reflexology sessions ever!  The room was cool (but not cold) and relaxing, with gentle lighting.  The big comfy, reclining chairs helped you melt away from the moment you sat / lay down. The next 60 minutes were blissful to say the least.

I love having a massage where you can tell you are being massaged, and Tang Dynasty definitely gave me this.  After three days covering many miles of Singapore, I was hoping to feel some pressure work, and I wasn’t disappointed.  While there was some lower legwork, this was also good and not for too long.  When I go for reflexology I want my feet rubbed!  We had a special price of $45 all in for an hour, which I think was worth every dollar.

http://tangdynastyspa.com

 

For Foodies:

There are so many places to eat in Singapore and we definitely got the hang of where the locals go more this time around.  The multiple food courts and hawker centres are go to spots for most Singaporeans.  We tried the Food Opera @ ION in the basement of the ION shopping mall on Orchard Road, that was bustling and full of local and broader Asian options. Cheap and good flavoursome food.

http://www.ionorchard.com/en/(Orchard MRT is right underneath so super easy).

One evening we went to Newton Circus (Newton MRT and a two minute walk over the bridge).  This is one of the oldest and most fun hawker spots to go and eat at; plus with the weather always being so warm, it’s fabulous being sat outside.  The buzz is amazing and you can pick whatever Asian delights you fancy, so all tastes are covered.  I would recommend this for a true taste of Singapore life for sure.

After heading to Gardens By the Bay in the evening (see below), we had not eaten, so headed to Marina Bay Sands for some food as one of the nearest places.  After a quick search of the map we decided to try English – yes a bit strange in Asia, but not having been home for a while, the Fish and Chips caught my eye and definitely did not disappoint.  The Bread Kitchen by Gordon Ramsey is not normally where I would chose to go when on holiday but I was glad I did.  In fact we went twice (the day we flew home so as to avoid the plane food!!!)  The fish and chips has the best batter I have experienced in a long time – crispy but also soft underneath (like it is in England) and the crushed peas were scrumptious!  The second visit we also managed dessert as well – the deconstructed mango cheesecake was light, palate cleansing and delicious.  Be careful not to fill up on the wonderful selection of bread on arrival though! J

https://www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com/bread-street-kitchen-singapore/

And my favourite foodie, well drink place is Atlas Bar in Parkview Square (Bugis MRT).  I am a huge lover of Art Deco and this was like heaven for me.  It is a divine cocktail (and gin bar – I have never seen so many types of drinks in one place).  Before the fairly recent refurb, a fairy used to go to the higher shelves to pull down specially requested tipples.  I was sad not to see this as I thought I might have found my calling J

We only had a snack here but it was a delicious club sandwich with fries and a beautifully crafted mocktail specially made for me with grapefruit and passionfruit juice (and some other things), which was refreshing and crisp and delicious.  (I am a fussy drinker and the bartender created a masterpiece just for me).

There is a much wider food menu, which I would have loved to have experienced, but we didn’t have time.  Next visit for sure!!!  I think Atlas Bar is one of my favourite places in the world – relaxed, elegant, stylish, and full of class without being snobby or superior I LOVED IT!!!!

http://atlasbar.sg

 

Being a Tourist:

My overall favourite ‘tourist’ experience was Gardens By the Bay (Bayfront MRT). We went twice in one day – first thing in the morning, which I would definitely recommend.  It is quieter and the light is beautiful for taking pictures.  We also visited the same evening, to witness the magical and goose bump inducing Garden Rhapsody Light Show, which is not to be missed.

Definitely visit the two Conservatory Domes – ‘Flower Dome’ bursting with colourful blossoms, tulips on our visit, but this changes regularly, and ‘Cloud Forest’ which you can climb to the top of the tallest indoor waterfall and experience a magical plant discovery on the way down.  The mist as you explore the walkways, offers much needed cooling respite from the outdoor heat. We unfortunately did the Flower Dome in the evening, which was pretty with the lights, but didn’t allow for great pics and the crowds were a bit much for me.

The other not miss is the OCB Skyway.   The views are spectacular of the gardens and city behind, including the majestic Marina Bay Sands hotel.  The unique perspective is pretty stunning and you get the best views of the iconic Supertree Grove, which is where the evening Light Show takes places.

You can spend the day wandering around the whole garden and I would definitely go back and take my time more as I felt we didn’t see everything and were a bit rushed.

Note, you have to pay for each of the experiences – $8 for the Skyway and $28 for both domes.  You don’t have to do them one after the other, but tickets must be used on the day of purchase.

http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en.html

Of course Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Little India are great to explore and there are delights around every corner.  I loved just exploring and soaking up the different architecture and vibes.  Sometimes you feel like you have walked back in time as you peak around a corner.

Sentosa Island is also worth a visit.  You can get some quite time in the more hidden corners – we had some time out the sister hotel of where we were staying, the Sofitel, and it was beautiful.  The cable car ride back to the ‘mainland’ gives great views of the shipping lanes, which is something to behold.

Next time I would also head back to the Botanic Gardens – we unfortunately got rained out during our time there.

 

Overall, Singapore is a must visit!  I can’t wait to go back and spend more time exploring and maybe doing a bit more shopping this time.  I would rush to M&S for some more English treats as well – this was as added bonus surprise!  The bits of home you miss when you live so far away.

There is so much to see and do, and I would take multiple visits to do it all or chose what you really want to see rather than rushing around.  If you do make it over, enjoy and soak up the magic of this spectacular city.