A night in The Loft at Artist Residence, London

A couple of months ago, I was fortunate enough to win a night in a beautiful hotel, Artist Residence, in the Pimlico area of London.

In truth, I had worked very hard that week entering the competition, which gave away a different room every day if you could tell them where they purchased a specific and obscure item from the chosen room’s interior.

For a few days I spent a little time each morning trawling through the internet to find the object for that particular day, and every day I was too late and unsuccessful. Until, somehow, I spotted Thursday’s item - a quirky bed frame - on the Anthropologie Europe website (with a little help from Pinterest…), commented on the Facebook page…and was contacted that evening with the good news that I had won a night in the hotel’s Loft room.

I cannot tell you how ecstatic and over the moon I was!

You see, at the end of last year I was dreaming about going to the same company's Brighton hotel upon recommendation from a friend for my birthday in November...but sadly, it didn’t work out. So you can imagine how delighted I was to finally have a chance to enjoy this gorgeous hotel for one night!

I contacted the team, who booked my room without a fuss, and two weeks ago I set off for London to enjoy my prize.

Artist Residence is a boutique hotel chain which can be found in Brighton, London and Cornwall. They specialise in quirky, comfortable and homely rooms, of all different sizes and designs. The London hotel is, as I mentioned, situated in Pimlico, meaning it’s an easy distance from Victoria, Chelsea and is also a walkable distance from Central London. You can read more about Artist Residence London on their About Us page - its worth a look if you’re intrigued! I think the main thing I should highlight, however, is how beautiful their interiors are...as you'll see.

I arrived at the hotel at about 5pm on my chosen Saturday afternoon, following a delicious family celebratory brunch at Source in Battersea (watch out for a review of that!). It was a fairly grey day, and after a quick walk from Sloane Square station in Chelsea and a little help from Google maps, I was welcomed into the hotel by a lovely lady at reception.

Inside, the hotel was intimate and cosy and it felt very much like we had walked into someone’s home! It was quiet and warm with lovely decor. Upon arrival I was recognised as the competition winner and was quickly escorted up to the room - at the very top of the hotel! It was a bit of a climb (there was no lift - so those with limited access or lots of luggage may have struggled) but it was worth it.

As soon as I stepped into the Loft room, I fell in love. It was exactly as the photos had suggested. I’ve always adored attic rooms and wanted one for years as a teen - and this was an absolute dream come true.

Prepare yourself for plenty of photographs - I just couldn't help myself!

The Loft had an incredibly rustic, homey feel, with exposed brick, wooden and white painted walls. The furniture had all been carefully picked, and fresh flowers were perched on the table by the window. I was delighted to find a luxurious bathroom with a french tub, indulgent toiletries, fluffy towels and heavy, high quality bath robes provided (the shower was equally as gorgeous and spacious!). It did occur to me that this would only be an appropriate room for the very intimate or unabashed, however, as there was no hiding from view when taking a soak!

You can see from the photos how gorgeous the room was - so I won’t go on - but it was a real treat and I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to be spending a night in such a wonderful place. It was quiet, comfortable and very, very special. I found that it was the perfect size, and had everything you'd need for a comfortable weekend away, with armchairs, a desk and the usual mini-fridge (with some delicious treats inside! The king size bed was an absolute dream too.

I can personally vouch that the bath was perfect for an early evening soak before dinner! The ideal antidote to lots of train journeys and a busy day rushing around England’s capital city. The Loft was tranquil and stylish little hideaway, perfect for a romantic weekend for two. I could have spent all day reading in one of the armchairs with a cup of tea. This is what I can only dream that my future home would look like!

After an incredible meal later that evening at the hotel’s restaurant, 64 Degrees (another upcoming review, I promise!) I settled into the bed for a very well-earned sleep. The sheets felt amazing and I was warm and snug and perfectly relaxed. I can't express how comfortable the bed was.

I woke up on Sunday morning feeling utterly refreshed, revitalised and ready for another busy day! The weather was beautiful and everything was so quiet and peaceful, considering I was in London.

Sadly I wasn’t able to sample the breakfast - I already had plans for the morning -  but the menu looked divine and I would love to return to try some of the dishes one morning. However, I instead enjoyed a very welcome cup of tea before checking out at a very generous 11am - there was no rush to leave!

I was very sad to bid farewell to Artist Residence so soon, but I had the perfect night away in the lap of luxury, and was beaming for many hours afterwards. It was such a treat!

I’m not sure I’ll be able to enjoy The Loft  room again in the future (it’s a little out of my budget!) but I fell in love with the hotel and would be delighted to return in the future for another weekend away - or, more temptingly, I would love to head to their Brighton hotel for a quirky seaside break!

If you’re looking for a luxurious hotel which has gorgeous interiors, friendly staff and is every bloggers dream (are 'Pinterest-able' and 'Instagrammable' real words?!) then I would highly recommend Artist Residence. It's a slice of modern luxury without any pretentiousness - a little pocket of quirky calm and perfection in busy ol’ London town. 

Thank you for having me, Artist Residence - I hope to be back someday!

I was not given this stay in return for a blog post - this was written without prompting purely because I loved my experience so much!

 
All images in this post are my own - please do not use without permission.

Welcoming 2015

Happy New Year! 2015 has come around very quickly, and my days have been filled with nostalgia for Christmas and listening to other people's resolutions. Can you believe we are nearly half way through the month already?!

I've always loved the New Year. Yes, January is a dreary, grey month - and certainly not as exciting as Christmas, but after the intensity of December with its flashing lights, manic shopping, fervent socialising and overindulgence, I embrace the chance to get back to normal; to have a few days at the weekend to spend reading, cleaning, or writing; no pressure to eat all of the food, see all of the people, and buy all of the presents. It's calm, quiet, and a time for reflection.

This post is a little bit late, but I wanted to start things off well on my blog for the year, and nothing says a good start better than laying out the year ahead with some goals and resolutions.

I've read plenty of similar posts over the last few weeks and they've all been pretty inspiring - I could relate to so many. Bloggers are such an ambitious and motivated bunch, with juicing vows, fitness regimes and career objectives appearing left, right and centre. In particular I've loved Olivia's, Katy's and Zoe's.

I'd really like to have a chance to reflect on the last year and take a look at the things I'd like to change for the coming twelve months. These are pledges to myself, for my own good, to enrich and improve my life for the better, without the pressure of difficult diets, fitness fads and unrealistic goals. I'm not sure how many of you will care - but I think writing these down, talking about them, and putting them out there can seem more real and concrete. Which will hopefully mean  I'll be able to actually carry them out and see a real change by the beginning of 2016!

I won't share everything I aim to do in life on here - and my blog-related goals will appear in another post - but these are some of my personal goals for the next twelve months.

Firstly, I pledge to go offline more. I want to take more time away from the screen, living life, noticing little moments and making the most of my time on this little planet. Not everything has to be shared.  The chances are, nobody really cares that much, and nobody needs to know everything you do. This is a little hypocritical, since I blog - but I don't share everything on here, and that suits me fine.

Similarly, I'd like to make records of my life offline.  I want to actually own reminders of my life - and it's not the same scrolling through virtual albums. I have a collection of empty photo albums from Christmas and birthdays, ready to be filled with memories and moments with my nearest and dearest. I'd also like to start a scrapbook - the latest influx of people using Project Life has inspired me to make my own memory books (only without the pricey packets...I'll do mine the old-fashioned way!).

Usually, I write something about losing weight, of getting fit. This year, I don't want that pressure - I just want to be healthy and happy. Sure, I want to make conscious decisions about my eating and exercise - I want to eat better foods more often, with basic and natural ingredients - and I really do need to drink more water, a resolution from 2014 that barely made it off the ground (I walk around dehydrated 90% of the time). I won't be able to 'eat clean', 'quit sugar' or 'go vegan', but I just want to be more aware of what I'm putting into my body and to stop rewarding myself constantly with food.

I'm also training for my first charity run, which is a big tick on my bucket list, and will hopefully help to keep me in shape. I hope to keep running long after that takes place, as I have found so far that it's good for the body and the soul.

I want to read more (taking time away from the screen yet again) - making my way through the stacks of books on my shelves and finally reading some of those classics that you 'really should read' in your lifetime. As an English graduate, there are just some authors I should be more familiar with (embarrassingly!). Books were my first love, and the Internet has slowly dragged me away - but I'm slowly getting back to my old bookworm roots.

Cooking has become a real passion of mine, so I want to bake and cook more in my spare time, trying new ingredients and gaining confidence in the kitchen.

Finally, I want to travel to new places - a trip to Hamburg is already on the cards, and hopefully many more after that. Even visiting new places in the UK will be wonderful and I can't wait to find some new favourite spots.


So that's that! Phew!

I am not pledging to change my life from top to toe - I will always be me, and my habits are part of that - but these are a few things I want to do this year to challenge myself and to make myself happier. If you have any advice from your own experiences, or any recommendations, I'd love to hear them! I hope some of you will be joining me in completing them. Here's to a happy, healthy and exciting year ahead!

What are your personal pledges and resolutions for 2015? Let me know in the comments!

#tasteoftravel - My three course travel menu

There are a few things you need to know about my travel habits, before you read any further.

Firstly, I've never really fully experienced proper wanderlust. I've always wanted to visit places, and see the world - but in my own time. Sadly, my worries about safety and money often mask my desire to roam the globe...but I am hoping this year will change that.

Secondly, I've never set foot outside of Europe. I've been to Spain, France, Switzerland, Germany...but no further. This, again, is something I'd love to change, though I think Europe has so much to offer, and I'd love to keep exploring it too.

Finally, I'd love to try as many foreign foods as possible - but the two previous points have hindered that slightly! Although I love the Thai, Chinese, Moroccan and Indian food I've eaten here in the UK, I'm pretty sure it's even better in their actual country of origin.

When I heard about #tasteoftravel - the chance to create a menu out of your most favourite dishes themed around travelling - I was concerned that I had not set foot in enough countries to participate. However, I have decided to take things in a slight alternative direction...

My menu reflects my third and final point; that my experiences of meals in Europe and in Britain have all inspired me to try something new. The meals featured that were eaten in other countries inspired me to keep travelling around Europe; and the meal(s) eaten in Britain have inspired me to visit their countries of origin to try the 'real thing'.

So, without further ado, here is my #tasteoftravel menu. Here's to an adventurous - and delicious - 2015!

Starter

Thai Crispy Squid - Mango, Southampton

This is the course that really relates to the whole 'inspiring me to travel more' statement above. Mango, a Thai restaurant in Southampton, is one of my favourite restaurants, and it was there that I first tried squid. As someone who isn't a huge fan of seafood (I've only just started ordering cod with my chips!) I was pleasantly surprised when I fell in love with this dish. I order it every time I go to the restaurant.

This dish is memorable for me because it introduced me to seafood, and therefore to trying something new. Chances are, by trying something new, you'll discover something you'll love and, if not, at least it's memorable! I also love this dish because I have shared it with many people I love, and so eating it also holds fond memories for me; dinner dates and celebratory meals at Mango have always involved crispy squid and smiles!

This dish is just divine and so moreish. It's melt-in-the-mouth, meaty and not chewy (as good squid should be) and the flavours are stunning. I have it on good authority that Mango is very accurate in terms of it's authenticity, and so I would love to visit Thailand for myself to see what the food is like there in comparison. This dish has inspired me to go further and to try new things.

There's nothing like starting the meal off with something to really tantalise the taste buds - so why not go for something really exotic?

Main

Tapas, Barcelona, Spain

I went to Barcelona in the summer of 2011 and spent all of my money on food. I adore tapas, and gorged on chorizo, patatas bravas, tortilla and calamari until my shorts felt too tight. You can't go to Spain without trying authentic tapas, and I've never had better.

Leading on from what I mentioned with my starter, I stupidly didn't try much seafood in Barcelona - and I'd love to go back now to be more adventurous! I mostly ordered meat and vegetarian paella and tapas dishes rather than indulging the city's famed seafood. However, I didn't miss out - every meal I ate was moreish, and bursting full of flavour.

Spanish food for me is also a comfort food. It's warm, spiced with paprika, laced with the heat of chorizo, manchego or tomato, and comes in enough small dishes to feed a miniature army. I love nothing more than picking at different foods, buffet-style, loading up my plate with rich, tasty bites with friends and family, so this as a main meal suits me perfectly.  Tapas is also my choice for my main because it's a dish which brings everyone together - it's a social meal, and the company you have at a dinner party needs to be just as exciting as the food. Where else does this better than Spain?

Tapas may be more 'main dishes' than 'main dish', but for me it's the perfect main meal at any travel-themed dinner party, and my love for tapas and fond memories of beautiful Barcelona has increased my thirst to return to Spain for more Sun, seafood and sangria (of course!)

Dessert

Risalamande - Denmark

(Please excuse the poor photos! It was dark and I was hungry for pudding.)

In 2013 I visited a friend in Denmark - a place I never even thought I'd go to - and we went to a cake buffet. Yes, you heard me correctly! It was pure heaven.

Anyway, we enjoyed sampling all of the different cakes which had been laid out on a groaning table in the cosiest cafe, from brownie to rich apple pie. I devoured puddings by candlelight, surrounded by my friends, in a beautiful wintry country. The dish that stood out for me was Risalamande. 

This particular gem is a traditional Christmas dish from Denmark, which simply involves rice pudding mixed generously with vanilla, whipped cream and almonds, topped with an indulgent cherry sauce. You don't need too much to enjoy it, and it's lighter and fluffier than you expect. Creamy, sweet and unusual, I think this would be the perfect dessert for our three course meal. It's from a country which is the opposite of Thailand, where our starter was from, so you really have travelled the world in one sitting! It also reincarnates memories of a cold weekend in Denmark with two close friends.

This menu takes me around the world, from warm to cold climates, and every dish featured inspires me to continue travelling even more to taste new things, whether that's further around Europe, or beyond.

More importantly, this menu highlights the importance of having good company with your meal. The people who surround you, be they strangers or the closest of friends, make an adventure even more memorable. These meals all hold happy memories for me, and inspire me to make even more in the future. They take me back to special moments in my life, and remind me to take the plunge to try new foods and adventures. 

Travel is a multi-sensory experience - and often, it's who you do it with that can make a difference. My menu brings taste, love and adventure all together. It's an unusual mix of foods, yes, and maybe not very conventional- but the memories these dishes bring back to me of my past travels makes this my perfect dinner party menu. I can't wait to have more adventures this year, to try new dishes, meet new people, and make more amazing foodie memories!

Fancy creating your own #tasteoftravel menu? If you complete it by Monday 12 January, you're in with the chance of winning a seven-night cruise, and some other amazing prizes. If you've read this all the way through, and feel inspired, I nominate you to create your own (since it's too late to directly nominate four bloggers myself - oops!).

To find out more about #tasteoftravel and the idea behind it, pop over to Celebrity Cruises.

Happy New Year everyone!

Welcoming Autumn in The New Forest

Autumn is my favourite season. It always has been, and it always will be. Autumn is the season or cosy weather; fat raindrops and crisp mornings, blue skies and wet leaves underfoot.

The sky looks changes from hour to hour, and the air smells of damp wood, bonfires and mud. Windows steam up while hot comfort food is cooked in the kitchen. Mashed potato, shepherd's pie, casseroles and stews. Toes are tucked up in warm socks after trudging through the damp and cold, and coats and hats are perpetually wet. Soup is a staple at lunchtime, and it's never too early to don your pyjamas.  Free moments can be spent curled in an armchair, reading a book while the rain lashes on the glass. Over-sized jumpers, leggings and practical black boots are a uniform, enlisted to fight the ever-changing weather.

I greet Autumn with excitement - I prefer layering up in cosy knits to donning shorts in the summer. Nothing beats pie and mash, and cosy evenings in with loved ones.

This year, Autumn appeared suddenly. After a warm September which seemed to drag on forever, the trees became orange overnight and, sadly, the weather deteriorated within hours. We are now well-and-truly in the throes of my favourite month, and despite the constant dampness of my socks and a hankering for too much hot chocolate, I'm welcoming it with open arms.

Last week I spent Sunday in the beautiful New Forest, and I saw it as my moment to welcome Autumn back into my life once more. Where better to see the stunning change in colours, and watch nature ease through it's cycle?

It was a beautiful clear day. The sky was blue after the rain throughout the previous day, and the ground had yet to become boggy. Days in the New Forest should always start with a roast dinner, of course - and that's exactly what we did.

After a little background research, we ended up in The New Forest at Ashurst - a quaint little place with lovely decor and a mean carvery. My plate was piled high with succulent meat, crispy potatoes and all the sides and vegetables you can imagine. In a few months, the pub will no doubt have a roaring fire and holly all around - and I'm tempted to return. It was the perfect start to our day out.

After such a big roast, what else was there to do but walk? We found a place to park and meandered through the forest, across open spaces and bridges, admiring the colours and peace-and-quiet. Nature was all around us and we spotted wildlife with every step. I nearly trod on a furry little chap, which turned out to be a Pale Tussock Moth caterpillar (I shamelessly googled him afterwards) - he was fascinating, and I watched him for age, crawling over the forest floor. We were also joined by wood peckers and a number of birds and New Forest Ponies.

Ending the day with locally-produced ice cream (Apple Strudel flavour, which fitted in with the season perfectly!) I headed home for a hot shower and Netflix in bed.

if you haven't visited the New Forest before, I can't recommend it enough - it's a wonderful place to get a breath of fresh air away from the hubub of busy city life; stunning in every season and the host of many-a lovely pub and more.

It was the perfect start to my favourite month, and I can't wait to make the most of it before the bareness of winter arrives.

Here's to the weeks of soggy feet, hot showers and candlelight to come.

Happiness is...#9

It's been a long time since I last shared a 'Happiness is...' post. It's not that I've been unhappy - I just haven't had a moment to step back and take stock of the little things which have been making me smile. Life has been busy; but now I'm going to stop and notice the delights that have been making life a bit better over the last few weeks.

Making simple fruit smoothies and discovering that almond milk is actually really delicious. I need to try out a few more recipes!

Wearing my new brown and gold New Look sandals in the early sunshine - they're so cute (but unfortunately after a little walking, they wipe the smile off my face - they're so painful! Hello blisters...)

Drinking fruit cider in the sun on my local common. A sure-fire signal that warmer weather is finally (hopefully!) on its way.

Trying out new (simple) recipes. I knocked up Sorted's Butterbean & Broccoli soup and it tasted delicious! An easy and cheap meal (even though it may not look overly appetising!)

Beautiful home-grown flowers brightening up my room. After a quick visit, my parents brought them down for me and they added a touch of home to my place. I feel the need for more flowers in my life; it's amazing how blooming marvellous they make me feel (sorry...)

I bade a final farewell to Cambridge this weekend. That didn't make me happy - I will really miss the beautiful city - but I have so many lovely memories of my visits and it will be a special place for me. If you haven't been, I urge you to. You can read my posts on the city here:

Bangers at Bill's, Cambridge

Cream Tea in the Orchard

Fry Ups and the Fitzwilliam

One of my colleagues came back from America and brought in a selection of goodies from the US for us to try! I couldn't resist trying out a Twinkie. It was tasty but a little too sweet for me. But it definitely perked up my day!

What's been making you happy recently?

 

Feasting at Bristol Food Connections Festival

It was Bank Holiday Monday. After a fried breakfast, my boyfriend and I set off to visit Bristol Food Connections Festival before I left to go home after a weekend of little visits and adventures.

The Bristol Food Connections Festival ran from the 1st to the 11th May, sharing good food with the people of Bristol and beyond. With food markets, demonstrations from top chefs, and even chocolate tours of the city, there was so much to choose from. Unfortunately we were only able to stop by for a morning, otherwise we might have been able to join in with more!

But back to the food. We headed to the city centre and scouted out each tent, circling the arena and picking our targets.

We sampled cheese, bread and truly the most amazing honey I've ever tasted; drooled over the smell of hot chorizo rolls and fresh pizza, locally-sourced lamb burgers and vegetable paella. Our first stop was a small, tropical looking stall specialising in healthy juices and smoothies. I'm a sucker for freshly squeezed drinks. I had to go for 'Coco-nuts'; cocoa, banana, almond milk and coconut. My other half plumped for a concoction of passion-fruit and mango. To be truthful, it was a little overpriced: I could have easily made it at home. But I will admit, it was tasty and I could tell it was healthy and fresh. In fact, it was so yummy that I have now purchased the ingredients to make the smoothie at home myself. I can't wait to have it for breakfast very, very soon.

 

While nothing beats sipping on fresh, cold smoothies in the Bristolian sunshine, our tummies started to rumble and grumble and we set out searching for something to satisfy our hunger.

If there's one thing neither of us can resist, it's Spanish food. We spotted a Spanish tent, The Spanish Buffet. nestled in the corner and purchased a small selection of tapas bites; tortilla, houmous and paprika bread, and a small selection of meat nibbles. They were tasty, and fresh, and moreish. I would have happily feasted on tapas all afternoon.

However, we were still keen to sample even more food. I gravitated towards Gopal's Curry Shack, a vegetarian / vegan curry stall which was giving off the most amazing smells, and opted, after much uhm-ing and ah-ing, for the Aloo Gobi. I couldn't resist picking up a Gluten Free onion bajhi too, and threw it in with my delicious curry, complete with fluffy rice and various sprinkled and drizzled toppings. Who can resist some cooling yoghurt? The curry was so fresh and tasty. I was very disappointed when I had finished every last bite and was left with an empty punnet.

Doesn't it look good?

We topped off our visit with a scoop of sheep's milk ice cream from Shepherds. I couldn't resist the peanut butter and chocolate option and, as I ate it walking back up Park Street, I was in positive ecstasy. It was divine. Not overpowering, not too sweet...just right. There were plenty of yummy noises that afternoon.

We couldn't have been luckier with the weather that day. Spending the afternoon sat in one of my favourite cities eating amazing, fresh and local food, and spending time together was the perfect way to end my bank holiday weekend. I'd love to go back again next year!

Now, if only I could get hold of some more of that ice cream...

London Life: A Saturday in Chelsea & Battersea

It's been a few months since I last had a proper London adventure. Before I started my job and, consequently, a new chapter in my life, I spent a few days in London, visiting the Natural History Museum, British Museum, L'Eto Cafe and Barrica Tapas Bar. Since then I have been swept along in the current of life, visiting friends and family both in the UK and in Denmark, and I don't feel that I've had a moment to breathe - let alone go back up to the Big Smoke for another wander around it's streets.

Last weekend I decided to meet my parent up there, halfway between our two homes, to meet with my cousin who has just moved into a flat in Battersea. It was so lovely to see my Mum and Dad again, who I miss very much, and we enjoyed a lovely mocha and catch up at Benugo, my frequent mid-travel pit-stop in Waterloo Station, before catching another train to Clapham Junction and heading over to my cousin's new 'pad'.

His home, let me tell you, is a dream. It's cosy, and has just enough space for two, but it stylishly decorated and has a wonderfully homely feel about it. We chatted for hours over tea, cheese and olive bread, deli meats and quince jelly, before we decided to explore the local area.

I've never ventured as far out as Battersea and Chelsea before, usually favouring the immediacy of Soho, South Bank or Westminster. It was a very odd but fabulous feeling to be in a  new place in such a familiar city. In fact, it didn't really feel like London at all! The river was peaceful, and we saw sailing boats darting about the admittedly brown water. After looking around Battersea Square, we wandered up to King's Road in Chelsea.

I admired the up-market shops, cosy quirky cafes and glittering jewels in the windows. This was a place of style but also of contentment - everyone was going about their day, shopping, drinking coffee. We wandered into movie art shops, vintage stores, glittering market halls and lush green garden centres (in the middle of the city!). It was quite a wonderful place, and I would like to go back to experience it more! I have to admit, I did get excited when I spotted a Mary Quant shop after working on a 'Fashion Through the Ages' project in Year Five - I once was quite the budding fashionista! Unfortunately I didn't go in for the sake of my purse's well-being, but it was beautiful.

As I made my way along the roads I mentally made a list of where I'd like my future home to be (in my dreams, of course!). Some of the buildings are stunning, especially (of course) around Sloane Square. I didn't get to stay in Sloane Square due to time and the looming black clouds, but I hope to return in the future.

When we had made our way over to the other side of the river, over Chelsea bridge and down the other side towards Battersea park....the clouds began to close in around us. We'd already noticed how quickly the weather was changing - an hour beforehand the sky had been clear, but the sky grew steadily blacker.  The wind had been whipping itself up into some sort of frenzy whilst we were wandering along King's Road, but now it was beginning to really become something else. The sky deepened like spilt ink running across a page. 

As we approached Battersea bridge and passed the temple in Battersea Park, the heavens opened, and our umbrellas and hoods were made redundant as we ran down the pathway to find some shelter.

The river Thames had developed foaming waves, the water as dark as the sky, and the heavens split open, lightning cracking around the city, reaching out for skyscrapers and cranes. It was the brightest storm I had seen in years and we were right in the middle of it.

Eventually, my cousin hailed a cab and we made the last five minute journey back to his flat, the once beautiful day now a threatening, soggy mess. We warmed up with hot tea and chocolate fingers before my parents and I set off, each of us intent to make our own way home.

This was, however, easier said than done; all of my routes home had been cancelled due to fallen trees. It seemed that the ten minute tempest had caused havoc for the rest of the night. Waterloo was crowded, full of stranded visitors and irate Londoners, and there was no sign of being able to return to the south any time soon that night.

And so, with my soggy boots and rat-tailed hair, I boarded a train back to my proper home with my mum and dad for a spontaneous and much-needed visit. Which, after mugs of hot chocolate,  roast dinners, fish and chips and a roaring fire, turned out to be the best idea in the world.

Jo

xxx

 

Adventures in Aarhus: Marselisborg Mindeparken

Bright an early on a Sunday morning, we looked out upon a beautiful winter’s day in Aarhus, Denmark. The sun, which usually hid behind a smothering of grey cloud, shone brightly, complementing the cool, crisp air, and we couldn’t wait to get outside and enjoy our final day in the city.

The view from Ellie's room in student accommodation

Ellie had mentioned a deer park, or mindeparken, just outside of the city, and we wrapped up warm ready for a brisk walk in the Danish countryside.  As we made our way to the bus station in the city centre, we ended up getting distracted by one of Ellie’s favourite shops, and spent a lengthy amount of time browsing and buying (though you’ll have to wait until after Christmas for my haul, as it would spoil a few presents!).

Having finally finished in the shops, we got onto the bus and travelled out of the city into the beautiful suburbs, with its skeletal trees, fresh green grass and pavements coated in leaves. We finally made our way to the park, which was right by the sea, and was absolutely stunning.

The park's true name is Marselisborg Mindeparken, near to the summer palace of the royal family. We didn't see the palace, but I definitely would make sure I found it if I went again.  There is also a monument elsewhere to the Danes who lost their lives in the First World War. You can find out a bit more about the park, and memorial park, HERE.

This was the sort of place my family and I would love to go for our Christmas day / boxing day walk. The floor was strewn with orange leaves, and we were surrounded by so many tall trees. We were joined by many families, and it seemed to be a local destination for Sunday walks for many in the area.

As soon as we entered the park, we encountered a large herd of deer, complete with a very dominant stag who certainly made his presence known! The deer were relatively tame, providing you offered them a carrot or two! Unfortunately we had forgotten any food, but watched as young children edged closer to the animals. We even got to stroke them ourselves, if we were gentle!

 

Once we’d watched the herd for a while, we climbed a steep hill to the very top, and found more deer and some impressive views. The sun was quite low in the sky which made for beautiful photographs, and we basked in its warmth for a bit, before walking around the park to explore the surroundings. 

Bronwen sunning herself

After a long walk, we decided that we were hungry , and walked back along the shore line to the nearest bus stop. Though it was cold, it was absolutely stunning, and a really lovely place to wander.

Red-cheeked and windswept, we chatted excitedly about our next destination – the cake buffet we had been eagerly awaiting all day! They say an army marches on its stomach – and it seems we do too!

Jo

xxx