EXPLORING MY ADOPTED CITY AND BEYOND
Although named after Philip Ibbetson Fenton, a Yorkshireman who made his fortune as a Riga merchant exporting Russian produce to London in the 18th century, Fenton House, in London’s affluent Hampstead, has been shaped by a rich and varied succession of owners and inhabitants since its original inception in 1696. Constructed by master bricklayer William… Continue reading
“Beauty is not an extra. It’s an affirmation that there’s more to life than existence and consumption and utility.” – Tim Smit – Co-founder of the Eden Project Sometimes you visit a place so special, so utterly ambitious, that you wonder how it ever came to fruition in the first place. An aspiring idea is,… Continue reading
The English, much like the Australians, love a good old game of sport. They love to play sport, they love to watch sport, and most importantly, they love to talk about sport. Crowds of cotton clad Brits, dazzling in their crisp white shorts, relish the mild English summers, allowing them to sit outside in neat,… Continue reading
Although the affluent residential town of Richmond is situated a mere 10 miles from central London, it once was rural agricultural countryside consisting of large houses and hunting lodges of the extremely wealthy. One such estate, a 17th century treasure trove, lies nestled among the naturalistic landscape along the banks of the river Thames. Tucked… Continue reading
Cornwall may well be firmly attached to mainland England, but this spectacular county on the rugged southwestern tip has its own blend of unique charm and beauty that perfectly separates it from the rest of the country. Cornwall’s reach extends considerably into the Celtic Sea, forming a jagged peninsula culminating at the promontory of Land’s… Continue reading
An awful lot of people have childhood memories of holidays in Cornwall, and the holidays are old-fashioned and hugely successful. You stick a child and a dog on one of the beaches, and they just light up: they just love it. ― Martin Clunes, Actor Cornwall has been high on my list of places to… Continue reading
London can be many things to many people. In a city saturated with historical monuments and famous landmarks the river city is a veritable playground for the throngs of eager tourists wishing to soak up a bit of British culture. For the young, or the very young at heart, London is a beacon representing opportunity… Continue reading
A self guided jaunt through two of London’s prettiest waterfront neighbourhoods – including an interactive map Time 2-4 hours depending on your rhythm and how often you stop. An easy, slow-paced walk on mostly flat, paved terrain. When Dan and I moved to London one of the biggest adjustments for us was navigating our new… Continue reading
“When I used to read fairy tales, I fancied that kind of thing never happened, and now here I am in the middle of one!” —Chapter 4, The Rabbit Sends in a Little Bill – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Bluish grey ripples of reflected water danced on the branches above their heads as the tiny… Continue reading
There is so much to see and do in Oxford that it is impossible to show you everything in one single post. Therefore, I have decided to share this quintessential English town in two delicious portions. In the first part, we wander around the town, taking in the grandiose architecture, and marveling at the specimens… Continue reading