Hello! It’s been a few weeks since I last had the chance to write. In all honesty, I don’t have anything massively exciting to report. I feel like life goes through seasons of action and seasons of reflection, and since the start of the year it has been a season of reflection for me, with some incredibly important ‘aha’ moments along the way. I thought I’d share some of them.
The privilege of peace. One of the greatest privileges is to feel at peace. The first things that spring to mind when we talk about privilege are usually material wealth and societal status but I feel like the most important privilege of them all is so often overlooked. The privilege of inner peace is rare these days. Many people are not at peace for one reason or another. I’ve realised one of the best things you can do for yourself is to optimise for peace in as many areas of your life as possible. That certainly does not mean living a boring or quiet life. Not at all. It means living a life that you actually align with and to live in on your own terms.
The luxury of time. Similar to the above. The ultimate luxury is time. You can’t get time back. Many of us won’t think twice about indulging in material luxuries but won’t (or can’t) allow ourselves the luxury of time. It’s okay to give yourself permission to do nothing once in a while. You might just be a lot happier for it.
There are no rules. Literally everything is made up. You do you. I happened across this little titbit of wisdom on TikTok (lol) and it really resonated. The thing is, it’s true. I like things like this that remind me that it’s okay to rip up the ‘imaginary’ rule book. You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing.
A sure sign that spring is on its way.
The first snowdrops arriving in my local area.
Country walks.
Budding trees.
The most deeply saturated pink-orange sunset from my window one evening. No filter needed.
Lovely trip to Tenby.
Red roses never go amiss.
Looking forward to packing away the winter wardrobe once spring finally arrives.
Newfound love for Koi carp. We had to bring ours indoors from the pond because apparently the winter weather is too harsh for them.
Something to brighten up the gloomy winter days.
Wading around.
The cutest castle village of Kidwelly.
The first crocuses.
The first daffs.
Escape to the Cotswolds
In the blink of an eye, a few months have passed since I last wrote and it's safe to say that I'm out of the routine of writing once again. So I'd make my return by sharing some snaps and recommendations from a recent long weekend in the Cotswolds. From the...
Cornwall drinking and dining favourites – UK
There are countless good reasons to visit Cornwall. It’s my favourite place in the world so I could easily spend all day extolling its virtues. But let’s get right to the good stuff. The food. If there’s one thing that’s guaranteed when in Cornwall, it’s that you’ll...
North Wales favourites
As I grew up in Cornwall, I’ve always had a soft spot for Celtic destinations. Among the famous Celtic lineup is Wales, a land of castles, rugged coastline and stunning mountainous national parks. During my time living up North, North Wales was one of my favourite...
A weekend at Thornbury Castle
I had the privilege of spending the weekend at Thornbury Castle in Bristol during the summer months. Staying in a castle was definitely something to cross off the bucket list, especially as I am someone who adores historic architecture. Dating back to the 1500s,...
Northern dining and nightlife favourites – UK
Having lived up North (many moons ago), over the years I have been lucky enough to get a taste of what the region has to offer in the culinary department. Whether you are fortunate enough to call the North your home or are simply planning a trip there in the future, I...
Top 10 unmissable attractions in Cornwall
My favourite place in the world will always be Cornwall. Admittedly, I am somewhat biassed having grown up there but even so, I am convinced this would be the case regardless. Cornwall brings a combination of coast, countryside and culture giving it unmissable...
Up and away in a hot air balloon
We were up and out the door at the ungodly hour of 4am to head over to Ragland in South East Wales to cross something big off the bucket list, to fly in a hot air balloon. I have my brother to thank for this truly unforgettable experience as he had initially...
6 top-tier gardens in Cornwall
Cornwall is home to some of the country’s finest historically and horticulturally significant gardens. Who needs a holiday when Cornish gardens often bring New Zealand, Mediterranean and South African vibes to the fore, instantly transporting you to far-flung climes....
Salcombe, Devon – UK
Though I grew up in Cornwall, the neighbouring county of Devon is very much uncharted territory for me and up until recently, I had yet to explore it in any meaningful detail. Though there has been a long-standing (albeit friendly) rivalry between the two counties,...
Life lately #4
I feel like I am well and truly settled back in the UK now. It feels good to be immersed in greenery and nature once again having been away from these things for so long whilst out in Dubai. During the entirety of my time out there, I never got the chance to visit...
Clifton, Bristol – UK
Bristol has got to be one of my favourite UK cities. Having spent a stint of time there in my early 20s, I have fond memories of it. Bristol is the largest city in the South West so it was always seen as a place of fascination and excitement for us small-village folk...
Brecon Beacons National Park – UK
South Wales is one of the areas of the UK that I have yet to explore in any real detail. Now I am very much in the process of remedying that and loving what I have seen so far. Said to be one of the UK's most beautiful national parks, the Brecon Beacons are an...
Castle Combe, the Cotswolds – UK
Charicertised by its beautiful honey-coloured stone chocolate-box cottages and leafy surroundings, there is little wonder why Castle Combe has been dubbed ‘the prettiest village in England’. The overwhelmingly beautiful Cotswold village is nothing short of...
Northumberland National Park – UK
We had been so lucky with the weather on our recent visit to Scotland that it was decided that we would extend the trip a bit longer and head over to Northumberland National Park. I find that it is very often the case that the best memories are...
Edinburgh, Scotland – UK
When it comes to my favourite UK cities, I am sure I am not alone in considering Edinburgh right up there at the top of the list. As a city, Edinburgh has all of the makings of a top-notch destination. It's sizable, has a rich history with picture-perfect historic...
South Downs National Park – UK
Since visiting the South Downs National Park for the first time, it has become one of my favourite destinations in the UK. I was lucky enough to have my brother (who lives in the area) to show me around and it did not take me long to absolutely fall in love with it....
Chipping Campden, the Cotswolds – UK
I have to admit that I only visited the Cotswolds for the first time relatively recently. It had always been on the list for me, especially as without exception, you always hear great things about it as a destination. Largely prompted by the pandemic like many others,...
London dining favourites
When it comes to drinking and dining in London, it’s safe to say that you are spoilt for choice. It’s a city that I have spent a lot of time in, yet have hardly scratched the surface when it comes to its culinary offerings. That said, I thought I’d share some of my...
SAME Forum – House Of Commons
I had the pleasure of attending another SAME Forum session, hosted at the House of Commons by friend and chairman Khalid Nadeem, who kindly invited me. As you enter the House of Commons, you come through St Stephen’s Hall, which is incredibly impressive and has some...
Harrogate – UK
Situated in the heart of Yorkshire, Harrogate is a little gem that offers all of the makings of a wonderful day out. Because of its modest size, you can make your way around most of what it has to offer in a day, without having to rush.Royal Pump Museum No trip to...