Well, we are off to Tenby next weekend, with family and the dog. I thought I should research a few places to eat that allow all of us. The dog comes everywhere!
The Buccaneer Not sure about dogs...
The Hope and Anchor
The Normandie Inn
No 25 Bar and Cafe
Saturday, 23 March 2013
Thursday, 14 March 2013
Shall we, shall we not ?
Easter is family get away time. Sometimes parents come, but always my brother and his family. So soon after our adventures in London we debated if we wanted to go. So, I started doing some research, nothing really caught my eye with the criteria we need. Sleeps 8, takes a dog, parking, close to town and beach, a layout and beds suitable for our family. Plus we will be traveling at peak bank holiday times, which can't be avoided this year.
So, Pembrokeshire is the destination, to avoid motorways, and reasonably close by. I eventually stumbled on a house in Tenby, Ashford Villa, that fits the bill and was a great price too. So it would be silly not to go, wouldn't it.....
So, Pembrokeshire is the destination, to avoid motorways, and reasonably close by. I eventually stumbled on a house in Tenby, Ashford Villa, that fits the bill and was a great price too. So it would be silly not to go, wouldn't it.....
Sunday, 24 February 2013
London with three children.
We are just back from a fantastic 3 days in London. A first time visit for our three nephews under eleven and their Mum and Dad, who have only ever been once. So, pressure was on to organise a good trip, and I have to say, it went perfectly. More to the point the children loved every second and were fantastic!
We arrived by train, hopped in a black cab to the hotel, walked to a bus stop, jumped on an open top bus, hopped off, took a boat trip to the London Eye, getting back on the open top bus to finish the loop, see the sights, before going back to the hotel. Phew! What a day! A fantastic day!
Day two involved getting the Museum Tour open top bus to The Natural History Museum, and joining a long long queue. Thankfully we got through it fast enough and enjoyed a good morning in the museum. As we all know, museums are tiring places so we left before we became boggle eyed. Next stop, Hamleys! Which was way too overwhelming for the kids, but they enjoyed it and all chose a special toy.
On our final day we hopped on and off red London buses, to visit the British Museum and Buckingham Palace. Going on to walk through Green Park, visit the Duke of Wellington Monument and finally Hyde Park. Where we saw one of the strangest sights, that the kids found fascinating. A gathering, organised online, allowed us to witness thousands of teenage girls going bonkers and screening for a Internet heart throb! We ploughed through the mayhem, only interrupted by a squirrel running up the leg of one of the kids, and headed for the tube back to Paddington. The Underground was a big unknown, and we were unsure how the kids would get on, but they were keen to try it. And...they loved it! We shouldn't have been surprised'
So, that is how we did London, and I have to say I saw the city through fresh eyes and the boys are full of stories to recount to anyone who will listen.
We arrived by train, hopped in a black cab to the hotel, walked to a bus stop, jumped on an open top bus, hopped off, took a boat trip to the London Eye, getting back on the open top bus to finish the loop, see the sights, before going back to the hotel. Phew! What a day! A fantastic day!
Day two involved getting the Museum Tour open top bus to The Natural History Museum, and joining a long long queue. Thankfully we got through it fast enough and enjoyed a good morning in the museum. As we all know, museums are tiring places so we left before we became boggle eyed. Next stop, Hamleys! Which was way too overwhelming for the kids, but they enjoyed it and all chose a special toy.
On our final day we hopped on and off red London buses, to visit the British Museum and Buckingham Palace. Going on to walk through Green Park, visit the Duke of Wellington Monument and finally Hyde Park. Where we saw one of the strangest sights, that the kids found fascinating. A gathering, organised online, allowed us to witness thousands of teenage girls going bonkers and screening for a Internet heart throb! We ploughed through the mayhem, only interrupted by a squirrel running up the leg of one of the kids, and headed for the tube back to Paddington. The Underground was a big unknown, and we were unsure how the kids would get on, but they were keen to try it. And...they loved it! We shouldn't have been surprised'
So, that is how we did London, and I have to say I saw the city through fresh eyes and the boys are full of stories to recount to anyone who will listen.
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Norway
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| A bookshop in Mundal, the equivalent of Hay-on-Wye in Fjærland (HAYLEY HATTON) |
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In Finse there are no roads, so the only transport options are bike and train Photo: Hayley Hatton
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It's snowing here today, so when I received an email from One Off Places, I indulged myself with more time than I really had on a busy morning at work.
This little apartment in Venice has really taken my fancy. A little summer trip?
This little apartment in Venice has really taken my fancy. A little summer trip?
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| Guidecca Mare Apartment, Venice |
The big city awaits!
Our next trip, is far from the coast, and to the big city! London is not a place of excitement for me or hubby as we have to visit for work, so it has lost the sparkle other visitors may feel.
This visit feels different and I'm looking forward to it. Why? Young children! We are taking our three young nephews ( and their mum and Dad) . They have never been before and more to the point haven't been to any other city either!
So, I put my surfing head on and hit the Internet. London for 4 adults and 3 kids is not cheap. Accommodation first. Self catering seems extortionate for what's on offer. Budget chains like Travelodge and Premier Inn couldn't accommodate us in two rooms, plus without breakfast the kids would go bananas, and they have healthy appetites. Breakfast for 7 people for 2 mornings would add up to expensive!
So my needs were simple
1. Central location
2. Two rooms for 4 adults and 3 kids
3. Breakfast included
4. Not fancy, but not outdated chintz
5. A good price!
Surprisingly few options were available , but the one hotel that cropped up time and time again was Holiday Inn Kings Cross/Bloomsbury.
So it's booked! Next I have to sort travel....
This visit feels different and I'm looking forward to it. Why? Young children! We are taking our three young nephews ( and their mum and Dad) . They have never been before and more to the point haven't been to any other city either!
So, I put my surfing head on and hit the Internet. London for 4 adults and 3 kids is not cheap. Accommodation first. Self catering seems extortionate for what's on offer. Budget chains like Travelodge and Premier Inn couldn't accommodate us in two rooms, plus without breakfast the kids would go bananas, and they have healthy appetites. Breakfast for 7 people for 2 mornings would add up to expensive!
So my needs were simple
1. Central location
2. Two rooms for 4 adults and 3 kids
3. Breakfast included
4. Not fancy, but not outdated chintz
5. A good price!
Surprisingly few options were available , but the one hotel that cropped up time and time again was Holiday Inn Kings Cross/Bloomsbury.
So it's booked! Next I have to sort travel....
Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Southsands Hotel, Salcombe
After reading lots newspaper reviews I was keen to try South Sands Hotel. The huge appeal for me is the proximity to the sea and the lovely contemporary feel.
I booked through i escape which offered a discounted winter rate - always nice!!
We were delighted with our room, called Dragon class. It had lovely views of the sea which we enjoyed lying in bed or the comfy armchairs. A large slipper bath in the bedroom was a luxurious treat and the bathroom was beautifully designed and finished with a powerful rainfall shower. Molten Brown lotions and potions are a nice touch too. The bed was large, we lost each other for a while! Good quality bedlinen made it very comfy.
The breakfast was fantastic on some days, not so on others. There was some confusion about what was on offer. The full English breakfast was self service from the buffet one morning, but unfortunately it was a little cold and eggs had to be ordered separately from the kitchen, which was not made clear by the waitress. Hence, eggs arrived freshly cooked 10 minutes after we had chosen a plate of food from the buffet. One mornings there was no buffet and menu only... The final day we ordered fish dishes from the menu that were nicely cooked. A good selection of fruit, yoghurt and croissants were available though not readily refilled.
We enjoyed a meal in the restaurant on our first evening, which we felt was well cooked and flavorsome. The second evening we shared a plater in the bar with a glass of wine, which was also very pleasant.
So all in all a good experience, we would go back with another offer. I'm not sure I could pay full price for this room, as wonderful as it is.
We loved the location and the beach, walking everywhere was a joy, we didn't use the car once.
The deco was very much to my taste, using contemporary and quality fabrics and furniture, while keeping comfort as a priority. We liked all the handmade touches too. The wonderful spiral staircase created by a local blacksmith, is well worth a peek!
I booked through i escape which offered a discounted winter rate - always nice!!
We were delighted with our room, called Dragon class. It had lovely views of the sea which we enjoyed lying in bed or the comfy armchairs. A large slipper bath in the bedroom was a luxurious treat and the bathroom was beautifully designed and finished with a powerful rainfall shower. Molten Brown lotions and potions are a nice touch too. The bed was large, we lost each other for a while! Good quality bedlinen made it very comfy.
The breakfast was fantastic on some days, not so on others. There was some confusion about what was on offer. The full English breakfast was self service from the buffet one morning, but unfortunately it was a little cold and eggs had to be ordered separately from the kitchen, which was not made clear by the waitress. Hence, eggs arrived freshly cooked 10 minutes after we had chosen a plate of food from the buffet. One mornings there was no buffet and menu only... The final day we ordered fish dishes from the menu that were nicely cooked. A good selection of fruit, yoghurt and croissants were available though not readily refilled.
We enjoyed a meal in the restaurant on our first evening, which we felt was well cooked and flavorsome. The second evening we shared a plater in the bar with a glass of wine, which was also very pleasant.
So all in all a good experience, we would go back with another offer. I'm not sure I could pay full price for this room, as wonderful as it is.
We loved the location and the beach, walking everywhere was a joy, we didn't use the car once.
The deco was very much to my taste, using contemporary and quality fabrics and furniture, while keeping comfort as a priority. We liked all the handmade touches too. The wonderful spiral staircase created by a local blacksmith, is well worth a peek!
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