In Barcelona there is a magical little succulent garden packed with every spiny cactus imaginable. Pure bliss for someone as obsessed with photographing plants as I am…
See you later. x
LISSSSBBBONNNN!
A Cevicheria is a MUST.
BBQ octopus with pork rind
Salmon & tiger milk ceviche with edamame and peanut
Tuna ceviche with tapioca and tomato
Whitefish ceviche with potato lime and seaweed
Halibut with quinoa, mussel, prawn, seaweed, cockle, oyster foam & kombu
Banana & peanut butter cake
Lisbon Timeout Market had an unbelievable selection of eats to choose from…and I am proud to say that I spent a good portion of the day here eating everything in sight.
Cold Octopus salad
Roasted octopus stew with potato crisps…
Salad with goats cheese & honey ice cream
Chocolate bomb
Portuguese custard tart
Seafood hotpot
Send stretchy pants plz. x
Not far from the coast of Barrow-In-Furness lies a curious little island with an rich and interesting history. Earliest records stretch back to the 12th century when King Stephen placed the island under the care of Savignac Monks and the Cistercian order. It was here that for centuries grain, wool, wine and other precious commodities were stored (and smuggled).
What remains of the castle and it’s surrounding fortifications today is mostly a mass of crumbling stone and a pub called ‘The Ship Inn’. This pub has taken care of those that pass through with lunch and a pint of local ale for centuries. Traditionally whomever runs the pub is crowned ‘King of Piel Island’ and the tradition continues to this day. Apparently there is a ceremony that involves you sitting in a 300 year old wooden throne and having beer poured all over you.
My idea of heaven.
Last July when we visited Cumbria we took a tiny little boat across waters peppered with jellies to explore Piel island and a few pints.
We made a friend on the ferry over. 😉
And even more friends once we got there!
I love a good sheepie cuddle. ❤
Our tour guide Mr. Chicken was ace.
A few little jellies…
That’s it! Piel Island done! x
Oh crap….I’m almost a full year behind on posting. 😦
I have no idea how that happened.
I’m so bad.
I keep doing this to you! All 7 of you who come here. LOL.
Lake District. Summer holiday.
After an initial taster walk around the Lakes, S and I decided to take a crack at the Coniston Old Man and Dow Crag walk. Coniston Old Man is a gorgeous mountain (12 largest in England) which stands 2,634 feet above Cumbria and boasts some of the most spectacular views I’ve ever been lucky enough to witness.
Swirling layers of fluffy clouds slicing through the horizon. Bright rolling hills carpeted with greenery and napping sheep. SHEEEEEEEEP.
Ancient boulders jutting from the Earth like sleeping giants in some fantasy novel.
The surprise discovery of tiny sparkling lakes as blue as anything, shimmering in the sunlight like a bag of sapphires.
Making lots of new friends.
Pretty romantic stuff.
But holy hell, you’ve got to work for it. It’s a proper 5-hour climb with some bouldering and nausea-inducing do-not-look-down-for-the-love-of-God moments (granted that’s coming from a complete mountaineering novice who spent much of last summer drinking craft ale and lazing about. See below the out-of-shape beer goddess in her natural habitat.)
S was ahead of me most of the climb as I heaved and puffed and swore until my body warmed up and I got into the rhythm of the ascent. Once my lungs caught up and my booty kicked in it was excellent.
It was windy and warm and lovely and challenging. Totally surreal to be up with the clouds. To have climbed your way up to something that high. For me anyway. I’m new!
We did it in just over 5 hours and we were pretty knackered by the time we got back to the car, but it was really amazing.
Next up… Piel Island!
When the need for surroundings involving less concrete and more sheep became all-consuming this past July, we took some time off and drove up to Cumbria.
10 glorious days were had. 10 spectacularly restorative days without buses rammed solid with summer tourists. Quiet mornings free from angry elbows digging into my ribcage as I try to squeeze on the 8:00am train into London. Tranquil afternoons. Peaceful evenings. Just clean mountain air, craft beer, and lots of green and blue.
I’ve mixed in a bit of black & white for fun.
Take me back please. x
Ghent was indeed quite beautiful, but Bruges really stole my heart and I didn’t want to leave. ❤
Bruges is where I really let my chocoholic flag fly proudly.
Who doesn’t need a big pair of chocolate boobs?
No shortage of beer!
And beer flag of course.
Mmmmmmmmm KWAK!
Beer bible! The only bible for me!!
Satan makes delicious beer. No surprises there.
Birthday Food was wonderful as well!
Fondue…
And Bruges, itself…simply stunning.
Basilica of the Holy Blood
DALI Museum
Probably should have split this up into more posts! Oh well. x
Ahhhhhh Belgium! So many reasons to visit this beautiful country.
Picturesque cottages. Quirky Cobblestone streets. Beer. (REALLY AMAZING BEER) Art. Chocolate. (REALLY AMAZING CHOCOLATE) Swans. Misty canals. Moules Frites. Medieval churches. Waterzooi. More beer. More beer. More beer.
I chose Belgium for OPERATION: DECOMPRESS VIA ALL OF THE BEER.
The old Monastery conversion we stayed at in Ghent was absolutely stunning!
And the historic town centre itself is incredible.
Sint-Michielskerk glowing at night…
Graffiti tunnel…
Had a beautiful dinner at De Graslei where I ordered the very traditional Flanders dish “Waterzooi”
It was SO YUMMY.
All the walking around in the freezing rain made us VERY thirsty. So we spent a lovely evening sampling (pouring beers directly into our faces) a few of the 250 beers on offer at Pub ‘de Dulle Griet’
If you want to drink the gigantic “Max” beer, you must hand over one of your shoes. It goes in the basket, the bell is rung, your shoe is lifted high to the ceiling and here comes your beer!
And then you drink the rest of the beers…
ALL THE BEER! Up next…The Design Museum Exhibit Lightopia and WAFFLES!
Annnnd we’re back! I decided to cram the rest of the photos into one last post so this is your warning that it’s a LONG one!
So picking up from where we left off with part one of our Paris trip, after a sweet little breakfast at Maison Lacombe we made our way toward Notre Dame and the Centre Georges Pompidou.
Centre Georges Pompidou!!! Amazing!!!
The walk to Notre Dame…
My beautiful parents!!!
Cutest lunch at Aux Arts Etc Cafe’ Galerie
The owner was soooooo lovely!
Off to the Pantheon…
Eiffel Tower!
Collectively sharing our feelings about selfie sticks…
The sweetest older lady and dog duo there ever was…
We were completely destroyed from all the walking and had a simple charcuterie and cheese feast for dinner…
Yum.
The next morning we took a boat cruise on the Seine from The Eiffel Tower…
Then a quick little pit stop in Bistro De Montemartre…
My beautiful mother who never seems to age!! ❤
Followed by a walk through the beautiful and sombre Montmartre Cemetery…
Our journey to Sacré-Coeur began with more walking around Montmartre…
SACRE-COEUR!!!
Loviest of birds… ❤
Our last dinner was at a tiny neighbourhood restaurant in Ternes called Le Petit Acacia.
We were incredibly lucky to yet again, have a stellar meal.
The parents look pretty darn happy and relaxed! 😉
The FOOD!
Roasted Bone Marrow
Suckling Pig
Confit Duck
Creme Brulee
On our last day in Paris, we toured the Musee D’Orsay then dined at another fantastic restaurant Le Recrutement Cafe for one final Parisian feast.
They still look happy after all of the endless walking! Success!
Lovingly threatening my darling with my Escargot tongs…
Which was short-lived because then there was escargot! YUM.
Beef stew
Salad with duck gizzards and foie gras
Cheesecake (my mother says this was the best she’s had)
Cheeky Cheese Plate
Apple Tart with salted butter ice cream
And creme brulee #2 for moi.
One final look before heading to Gare Du Norde…
So that’s it. Sadly!
Thank you for taking the time to scroll through all the photographs!
Goodbye, beautiful Paris. See you again soon! x
Hooray for visitors! My big brother recently flew from Nashville to London to visit me (first time travelling outside of the US mind you). This consisted of us basically dragging him around to anything and everything historically notable we could cram into his short stay! We made sure to keep him calm in the face of public transport by plying him with lots of craft beer! Please forgive the combination of bad iphone photos and proper photographs! 😉
Climbing at Trafalgar Square…
Imperial War Museum!
British Museum!
Boat taxi home on the Thames…
The obligatory phone booth shot!
The Emirates Air Line!
Deep thoughts on the Thames with Dan…
Off to the Tower of London!
A little afternoon stroll…
Prepare yourself for a big dose of HAPPY.
Because PUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGSSSSSS!!!!
NOODLES is convinced that he is their leader…
I even brought some friends this time to share in my crazy.
Who’s pug is this? DOESN’T MATTER – I just had to HUG him.
Pepper is such a little tart…
Then off to Tower Bridge for a stroll along the Thames.
ACK!!! Tourists!
My dog has been more places than you.
If you live in London you should check out the poppy installation currently at the Tower.
http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/remembrance/ww1-centenary/poppies-in-the-moat
We ended with pints and grub at Southwark Tavern…
Fish and Chips!! Yummmmmm.
It was a brilliant pug & London event-filled day! And then it was bedtime for all! Cheers! x
It was that time again.
Work. Sleep. Work. Sleep.
We needed a break!
One Friday afternoon a few weeks ago, we piled the family into the car (pups included) and headed North for a couple of days of respite.
Goodbye London, hello Worcester!
Our friends live in a beautiful old Georgian house filled to the brim with antiques nestled quietly between neighbouring farms.
The view from breakfast…
A gorgeous hike…
Happy little babies…
A bit of rain…
Which gave me plenty of time to explore this amazing house stuffed to the brim with antique tins, boxes, bottles, prints, signs and general oddities!
Pepper was not at all pleased when we told her it was time to leave! (Neither we were)
Thanks Linda & Al!!
xxoo
Barton-On-Sea is a very special place. When we can no longer stand the incessant hum of city life, this is our escape. A couple of hours in the car driving south takes you to a magical land where animals roam free. Sparkling waters, crumbling orange coastline and The New Forest nearby. Cows, pigs, ponies, donkeys…all just knocking around your neighbourhood as tame as a house cat.
We recently escaped to the sea for a few days of peace and sunshine.
My Dad has always been obsessed with cars. The curves, the sparkle. The speed. The smell of expensive leather. It’s a thing apparently.
Hey Dad! I hope you enjoy this car-themed birthday blog post just for you!! x
Noodles starts us off right with a bit of window surfing on the drive to the park…
He gets really zen in the wind…
Pepper spent the entire time being adorable.
And then the sun turned to storm clouds…
Super surprise old car festival meet up thing was going on!
This used to be a VW bus right?
This is a tow truck and I know that because I can read.
This is Elvis’ car and I know this because his name is all over it.
This is Dick Tracy’s car.
xx
Where did we leave off? Breakfast in England. Quick afternoon flight to Italy. Seaside dinner in Piran. Cheeky drinks in Croatia. This clearly is a great way to start a holiday.
As our eventful first night was nearing a close, I suppose we were well within our rights to pass out when we got to Uros’ flat in Ljubljana, but noooooo. HOLIDAY!!
We freshened up and high-tailed it to Zlata Ladjica – The Golden Ship, to drink more beers and meet more friends.
This is where I fell in love with Bevog Tak:
One of the most beautiful beers I’ve ever had. And the artwork is amazing as well.
I’m not sure how easy is is to get your hands on Bevog, but if you see it in your local specialty beer shop, snatch it up. It’s excellent.
Here is a very blurry and VERY MERRY snap of us after a few drinks:
On the way home I noticed a little vigil in support of Ukraine…heavy times…
On that note, we grabbed some street food and made our way back the flat for a well-deserved sleep.
I was lucky enough to wake up to beautiful Slovenian donuts filled with peach jam and super thick dark coffee.
Yum. Thank you to Uros’ brother Niko!!!
We ventured out in the rain to roam around the city…
Dragons!
Translation: Tits
The sculptures around Ljubljana are like something out of a Tool video. Which obviously makes me love it all the more.
Nightmarish pope related Church doors!
Yes, that is a turd sculpture. Bronze turds with faces. Spectacular.
We met up with Ajda and her wee little pup Laika (like the dog the Soviets sent to space!)
We stopped at an adorable coffee shop for a spell…
The sun came out eventually…
Dragon in the sun!!!
We spent the rest of the day in an Irish pub watching Six Nations and took an early night to prepare for the next day’s events.
x
All we wanted for Christmas was to kick our feet up and RELAX.
And because these are too fantastic not to share-here are a couple of brilliant shots from the company holiday party.
Can you guess the theme?
We’ve been dog sitting a little muppet of a dog over the holidays as well so there are THREE pups in our pack currently. Lots of walks and lots of fun at Greenwich park.
Meet Cooper. The Fraggle.
I took my camera along on one of our walks the other day to capture some more of the magic that is my new neighbourhood.
I seriously cannot believe I get to live in such a beautiful place.
That view NEVER gets old.
We made a few furry friends along the way.
x
On a hike through New Forest, a few months back when the weather was still bitter and the Spring flowers were desperately trying to push through, I encountered ponies. Velvety, soft and magnificent ponies. Gentle and wild all at the same time.
It was extraordinary and it made me feel very pleased to be alive and grateful for EVERYTHING good in the world.
I also found some super fluffy sheep and some delightful foresty bits.
Towards the middle of the day, after hiking for a couple of wintry hours, we stopped in Burley for lunch and I saw this in a shop window…
This immediately reached in and dredged the whole bittersweet flutter pony childhood tale from my memory banks.
And then on the last leg of the hike, I climbed over mounds of prickly bushes and through deep pockets of mud just to say hello without trying to “capture the moment”…
My husband pulled out his iPhone just at the right time and snapped this sweet little blurry shot of me COMPLETELY in my element.
Life is beautiful. xx
I’ve always loved flowers and plants in general, but I never really SAW them for what they are until I got into photography. Suddenly all of these mesmerizing geometric patterns and abstract neon art designs suddenly became available to me. And then I couldn’t stop noticing everything everywhere. The deep cracks within the bark on trees. Discarded snail shells. I hope you enjoy this feast of botanical eye candy from my recent trip to RHS Wisley in Guildford.
x
We decided to cut through Dartmoor National Park and the day was SAVED!!!
SAVED BY SHEEP!!!
SAVED BY PONIES!!!
My husband is brilliant at spotting things way before I see them (because of his super sharp astronaut vision) And he was able to see ponies congregating in a carpark off the side of the road in time for us to hang a sharp right and park the car amongst them.
These ponies were the most ultra chilled out group of ponies I have ever met.
I’d say they were “stoner ponies” if such a thing existed because they were M-E-L-L-O-W
Check out the utter disbelief on my face.
Followed by complete happiness…
After more time petting ponies than we had probably spent in the Dartmoor Zoo, I reluctantly got back in the car, blowing air-kisses at my new fluffy friends as we pulled back out onto the main road.
Thinking I had seen it all, that the day was not only saved but could not get much better, I made another friend by the side of the road!
Also mega-laidback and happy to be hugged.
Next up…RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey
During our weekend getaway to Cornwall, we spent a few hours in the lovely little seaside town of Looe.
We just missed the sunset…
On our drive back, we spotted a spooky graveyard poking out from behind some dark trees and. I loudly announced “creepy graveyard”, prompting an immediate U-turn, and drove down a narrow forest path to an eerie-looking church. It was almost nightfall.
x
Here is the second batch of delightful little flowers and plants from my birthday Eden Project visit!
Weird and amazing little wood carvings and teensy sculptures…
The SEED…
Terminator vibes
I guess he’s into gardening?
See you later beautiful biomes!!!!
Coming up next…Ice cold beaches in Looe and a creepy Cornwall graveyard stroll…
My 30th birthday gift was a beautiful surprise road-trip to Cornwall.
Stayed in the most adorable little cottage…
With Alpacas in the front yard…SQUEEEEEE!
We spent an entire day trying to absorb all of the exquisite botanical treasures at The Eden Project
Lots of photos of flowers and teeny tiny plants await.
Next up: Even more Eden Project treasures…
Recently London was blanketed in snow and it seemed like everyone gave up their constant complaining about the weather for a few days and really enjoyed it!
I took the pups out to do some frolicking!
Pepper’s not so sure about it…
But she soon got some cuddles and warmed up a bit…
Noodles happens to love the snow…as well as affection from his favourite park buddy!
Okay, so that’s officially enough snow for me!
Bring on some Spring!!!
I made a few friends in Spain…the furry four legged variety.
And of course, because I am me, I took their photos…
Farm cats…
Scaredy cats…
“Jimmy”!!!
Look at his big fat grumpy head! xxxooo
This dog that looks like yoda…
My niece-kitties “Six” and “Seven”…
Snuggle time!
Super schnozzle close-up…
And last but not least, my Father-In-Law’s adorable beagle mix “Benny”
If this goofball doesn’t bring immediate joy into your heart then something is clearly broken inside of your soul.
Benny shows off his serious dog model good looks…
x
Alcalá la Real is full of olive farms. My Sister-in-Law Veronica has just inherited her family’s olive farm and is running it with her sister. It has been passed down over many generations and is a spectacularly beautiful place to get to explore. As far as the eye can see, just rows and rows of beautiful twisty olive trees disappearing over the hills…
I wandered around the farm and tried to capture as much of the magic as I could…
And all of these beautiful olives…
x
Greeting the sun…
The sky cycled through so many colours and the clouds created an amazing collection of patterns all within the span of 20 minutes or so…
All the tiny things come to life in the early morning light…
La Mota sits high above Alcalá…
The fog lingers…
Then the blue sky pushes through…
I hope you are having a wonderful holiday wherever you are. xx
We’ve got a routine with our pup Noodz that is pretty much the highlight of my day.
At 9:30am every morning a BIG group of dog owners and their gorgeous dogs meet at the park down the street from us for an hour or so of full on doggle action.
Sometimes there are only a few dogs, other times it’s closer to 20.
It’s the best antidepressant you could imagine.
Without fail. Rain or shine. Mud or snow.
I get up every morning knowing that there are wagging tales, big bright puppy smiles, and a community of fellow dog lovers waiting for us across the street.
Playtime!
Here comes Noodz!
x
Richmond Park is one of the most magical places in London no matter what time of year you visit, but an October or November trip is extra special.
After 4 hours of magical hiking through the woods, the pooches (and myself) were absolutely shattered and had a nice snooze on the ride home.
Happy Autumn-ing! xx
We decided that our souls needed a bit of open sky a few months back and we took a 4 day trip to Kirkby Lonsdale.
The raddest steps in England.
English sweets.
If you ever find yourself in Kirkby Lonsdale, you simply MUST do this:http://www.ingletonwaterfallstrail.co.uk/
Those are pennies!
Penny Mushrooms!
SHEEPS!
SHEEPS THAT WOULD NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES LET ME HUG THEM.
SADFACE.
If that wasn’t enough magic for one day – then we visited farms!
And I made friends and kissed fuzzy animal faces and my dreams came true.
I don’t remember this guy’s name, but he was ace.
Hands down the friendliest goat I’ve ever met.
BAAAABY GOAT!
Lambies!!
Snouts!
He’s got PIGGY EYEBROWS!!!
(pig sex photobomb totally happening in the background for extra points)
Which is how you end up with BAAAAABY PIGGIES!
And buns! So many buns…
Check out all the feet floof!
BIG bun…
Baby cows!
Hugs!
Horsies…
I’ve seen dogs with longer legs…
Owls…
Alpacas…
Soooooper goofy donkey friends…
Chickens…
The moment you have been waiting for.
The hugging of a sheep done by ME!
He came right up to me and said hello.
So I said hello back.
And he was totally into it!
Best tiny Holiday ever! xx
One of my favourite places to stay in England is the gorgeous little Bed & Breakfast at Broadgate Farms in Bleasdale, Preston, Lancashire.
With the tastiest Full English Breakfast you could dare to dream of and the cutest most well-stocked guest rooms, there is no other lodging choice for us when we visit my husband’s family up North.
The last time we stayed at Broadgate, I was lucky enough to get to explore the working farm and get a bunch of great shots of the property and the adorable little cows they raise.
And of course, my favorite and the most important part… COWS!!!
LOOK AT THOSE SQUIDGY LITTLE NOSES!
And those super long plush eyelashes!!!
And the HAIRDOS! AMIRIGHT?
THESE are the bitty babies.
This guy almost took my ring off…but it was SO WORTH IT.
xx
A few weeks ago, I got to visit Hampton Court.
My eyes were operating on overdrive and my tiny little heart just fluttered away inside my chest as we strolled around the Palace.
Hampton Court is infinitely beautiful.
It is difficult to comprehend fully that Catherine of Aragon looked out of these very same windows.
Unaware of the turmoil she faced…
The sheer scale of Hampton Court…
The soaring ceilings…
The exquisite frescos, super-saturated with color…
Ghosts that have left their mark…
Crystal chandeliers and marble staircases…
Massive kitchens…
How can we process all of this beauty?
Bask in the majesty…
The tiny details…
I really should be sauntering around in a mammoth gown right now…dripping in gems…
Surrounded by so much magic…
There is this immense feeling that you are being watched…
And I’ve never been happier…
These shots are from one of my trips up to the Lake District.
The weather was unparalleled the day we visited.
The sun was warm, the air was fresh, and there were CUDDLY ANIMALS!
The Lake District is basically my idea of what heaven looks like.
I know most people hope for sandy beaches and clear blue seas, but I absolutely adore the countryside.
There is certainly no shortage of Unicorns in England. And THIS is why we are perfect for each other!
The only thing missing is centaurs and faeries.
I mean…c’mon, this is some storybook level scenery.
We’ve even got the magic forest mushrooms!
I could just sit down in this field and cloud watch for the rest of my natural life.
OF COURSE, there is a SAFARI PARK in the middle of Cumbria.
Fuzzy head nubbins steal my heart…
I manage to get it together long enough to feed a Giraffe, almost requiring CPR.
THEY HANG OUT IN CUDDLESTACKS!
Y’all don’t even know…I’m like…going to pass out right now…
There are Monkeys everywhere!
And there are signs all over the place about being careful handling the animals and warning people about getting bitten…THIS IS ALL NOISE TO ME!
You can’t just wave these things around at me! I’m going to steal all of your monkeys!
~THE END~
Quaint bed & breakfasts with gorgeous panoramic views of the picturesque green & grey countryside.
Fresh air.
SHEEP!
Here’s a lovely little Wales trip where we took a tranquil stroll around the ruins of the Tintern Abbey.
And all the sweet little surprises reaching through the ancient cracks and crevices…
I could just stay here forever…
Alas, I must return to the city…
xx