Category Archives: England

On the Duver

Posted on January 28, 2019 by

The invisible, invincible, bullying wind tears round the masts of pint-sized sailing boats and whistles through the wires. It buffets the screeching seagulls, tossing them through the sky like drunken dodgem cars. Moorhens bob between the boats, paddling with grim … Continue reading →

Posted in England, Poem | Tagged , | Leave a comment

“‘Tis the Season to be Jolly”

Posted on December 13, 2018 by

Trelissick House is a three-hundred acre country estate just outside Truro in Cornwall. Built in the 18th century by the Lawrance family, has had a chequered history, having been bought and sold several times over the intervening centuries.  Today it … Continue reading →

Posted in England, History, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Blustery Day

Posted on December 5, 2018 by

‘I knew when I met you an adventure was going to happen’ ~ A.A. Milne  Woken by the foghorns on Falmouth Harbour early this morning, we faced a grey and gloomy day, warm for November, but with mizzling skies. The … Continue reading →

Posted in England, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Remembering the Armistice

Posted on November 29, 2018 by

“They do not know that in this shadowed place It is your light they see upon my face” ~ Mary Borden There was no forward planning whatsoever, but by pure fluke we ended up in the UK for the centenary … Continue reading →

Posted in England, Local Culture | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shakespeare in the Rain

Posted on September 12, 2018 by

An English castle. A late summer evening. A production of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. A handful of talented actors. An outdoor stage. A picnic tea. An eager audience. A night to remember. Illyria is a group of touring players, … Continue reading →

Posted in England, Theatre | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Don’t Count Your Chickens or Cooking Your Chook

Posted on August 29, 2018 by

The first time I watched a hen’s demise for culinary purposes was in Nepal. We were staying in a remote rural village, being treated like royalty, when our hosts offered us chicken for dinner. At the time, we didn’t recognize … Continue reading →

Posted in Cooking, England | Leave a comment

Summer Days in Shoreham

Posted on August 14, 2018 by

There is a rather pretty little path between the villages of Otford and Shoreham in north-west Kent that cuts across the golf course and is largely shaded by overhanging trees. On a 30-degree day in August, this is a blessing, … Continue reading →

Posted in England, Food & Wine | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Eating Peaches

Posted on June 4, 2018 by

I grow old … I grow old … I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled. Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach? I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cooking, England, Lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Layers of London

Posted on February 14, 2018 by

I have been mooching around London this week, while the One & Only is fully occupied being busy and important in the City.  I have wandered for hours, past Monopoly board properties – Fenchurch Street Station, Fleet Street, Piccadilly and … Continue reading →

Posted in England, Food & Wine, History | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Living it up in London

Posted on October 10, 2017 by

Earlier this year, I spent an unusually sybaritic week sightseeing and overindulging with a friend from the Philippines on her first trip to London: Hampton Court (food), Harry Potter World (food) and Harrods (and more food). Then there was a … Continue reading →

Posted in England, History, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment