A week and a half ago on Italy began the tentative steps to reopen after ten weeks of “lockdown” or “quarantena” due to Covid-19. The Sunday before the restrictions were due to be lifted there was a distinct buzz in the air. Verona was ready to consider the new normal. Couples in masks strolled besideContinue reading “Oh the irony.”
Category Archives: travel
Just 134 more things….
At the end of last year I did something rather whimsical. Or at least I thought it was. I’ve had my eye on the Vinitaly International Academy certification course. It’s basically the most intensive, complex and thus prestigious course you can take if you want to specialise in Italian wines. It’s five days of lecturesContinue reading “Just 134 more things….”
Dark corners and damp wool
It’s the first of July. and the heat has finally arrived. I was beginning to think that a proper summer was going to allude us, I seem to forget year after year that it’s not really summer until after the last weekend in June. Why? Because that last weekend is home to Woolfest, a place ofContinue reading “Dark corners and damp wool”
Hi, my name’s Dave, I’m with the band…
Last week my husband and I saw Dave Holland play at the Blue Note. I’m still having a hard time getting to grips with that sentence, it’s not one I ever thought I’d be able to say, but it turns out that getting a reservation at the Blue Note is as easy as giving themContinue reading “Hi, my name’s Dave, I’m with the band…”
The Great Paris Yarn Crawl of 2015
Everybody talks about the food in Paris, the wine, the cafe culture, the stunning museums and architecture, the lazy picnics by the Seine and the fashion. I talk about the yarn stores. I adore the yarn stores of Paris, they are all so different, full of character, yarn and in some cases wine. I haveContinue reading “The Great Paris Yarn Crawl of 2015”
Drinking my way around Paris.
There are two things that are absolutely certain when we visit Paris. Firstly that despite all my protestations, denial and good intentions I will buy yarn. I don’t need more, my stash is overflowing with pillows of colourful skeins, and yet I will be powerless to resist when faced with bundles of new potential inContinue reading “Drinking my way around Paris.”
What (Parisian things) I learnt this week.
There are so many things to share from our recent trip to Paris, from what we drank, to what and where we ate, and of course a tour of all the best Paris knitting shops. But I’m afraid I’m smack bang in the middle of a series of ten hour shifts at the day-job and need aContinue reading “What (Parisian things) I learnt this week.”
Bon fete!
Bonjour mes petit pois! I think it’s fair to say that mes Francais leaves much to be desired. Fortunately my in-laws live En France and so the husband has picked up the obligatory smattering of the language over the years. This is most welcome as Paris is fast becoming one of our favourite retreats. TheContinue reading “Bon fete!”
The cats are sulking.
On Friday afternoon I watched my husband get into a taxi with a rather large suitcase and head off to the airport. Since then I have spent my time trying to placate the cats for the terrible injustice I have inflicted on them. I haven’t hoovered as much as I would usually, there has been lotsContinue reading “The cats are sulking.”
How to travel like a Mixologist
I’ve become one of those people who simply cannot pack lightly. Gone are the days of throwing a few pairs of pants and a t-shirt in a bag and heading out of the door to wherever adventure takes me. Now I am more likely to have a separate suitcase for the “essentials” I cannot leave behind;Continue reading “How to travel like a Mixologist”