EXPLORING MY ADOPTED CITY AND BEYOND
‘Do come in as often as you like – the place is only alive when used’. – Jim Ede Below the watchful gaze of a tiny stone church, whose tall, pointed steeple far exceeds its miniscule size, rests a cluster of unassuming brick cottages, their humble façades belying the artistic treasures that lay within. Kettle’s… Continue reading
Moving to England during one of the country’s many pandemic lockdowns – number three I believe this particular one was – presented a great deal of frustration and unrest for this wandering soul. One of the most exhilarating aspects of moving to a new city or country is the delightful pleasure of exploration and discovery.… Continue reading
Brighton’s streets are a cornucopia brimming with vibrant buildings, lively street art, and a delightful succession of colourful local characters. Yet there is one place that towers above all else with its utter extravagance and outlandish attitude, and despite its monumental stature and exotic appearance, seems oddly at ease in its humble setting by the… 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
“The heavy golden sunshine enriched the old brick with a kind of patina, and made the tower cast a long shadow across the grass, like the finger of a gigantic sundial veering slowly with the sun. Everything was hushed and drowsy and silent but for the coo of the white pigeons.” – Vita Sackville-West There… Continue reading
With spring well under way here in England the variety of wonderful things to see and do seems almost infinite. Grand old homes with their well tendered, enveloping gardens fling open their gates to allow curious visitors the chance to witness these properties at their most glorious. Many of the country’s historic manor houses sit… Continue reading
“…[Nature] ever bearing witness against man that he has deliberately chosen ugliness instead of beauty…” – William Morris When we were planning our long weekend in the Cotswolds, a visit to one of the many grand heritage gardens that reside here was a necessity. Like resplendent precious jewels adorning a royal crown the gardens of… Continue reading
Is there such a thing as too much beauty? When people think of England, they conjure romantic images of fairy tale villages filled with honeyed stoned cottages enveloped by a seemingly infinite terrain of undulating pastures made verdant by the generous summer rains. The homogeneous landscape, with its endless patchwork of quaint chocolate box hamlets,… Continue reading
The force that through the green fuse drives the flower – Dylan Thomas London is a heady cocktail of chaos, excitement, and inspiration. It is a destination for those wishing to live and work in one of the most vibrant cities in the world. London is an incredibly diverse and beautiful capital. Monumental buildings, palaces,… Continue reading
Threadbare vintage lace panels, sumptuous Art Deco velvet coats, and old glass jars overflowing with Bakelite buttons in quirky, avant-garde shapes; these are the exquisite delights that awaited me each morning when I walked through the front door of the antique shop where I worked back in my early twenties. Oh, how I loved it!… Continue reading