A couple of years ago, I went to Warwick Castle for the day.
I love visiting historical places and I can add Warwick Castle as one of the best places to visit.
You’ll find the Peacock Gardens with their beautifully manicured lawns and resident peacocks wandering around.
The Conservatory Tearoom overlooking the fountain.
Then, follow the path through the trees towards the river and the jousting area and Britain’s largest trebuchet. Check the times on your ticket for exciting shows and entertainment every day.
Cross over the river and explore all around the castle.
Enter the castle through its main entrance.
Inside the castle, you can sit on the grass, have a break with a refreshing drink, and take in the impressive architecture.
Make sure you climb the stairs and wander along the ramparts for fabulous views of Warwick and the surrounding countryside.
And, it would be a shame not to see inside some of the rooms where you can learn about some of the castle’s history.
The town centre of Northampton is small when you compare it to the likes of Birmingham and London, but it’s surprisingly full of things to see.
I live close to the centre, so I always walk there and, with camera in hand, I find some things that I have never noticed, others that bring back memories and some things that just make me smile.
I walk passed the Garibaldi Hotel all the time. I have never been inside, but something compels me to take a photo – I think it’s the green-painted wall with the sign on one side – but then I notice the date at the top of the other side. It was erected in 1897 – making it one of Northampton’s oldest pubs and it’s still open!
On the corner of Sheep Street and Church Lane, I manage to get a photo without any people and then I notice further up the street a club called Passion (the small white building on the right hand side) where I partied with friends on a mad Saturday night out many moons ago.
I’ve walked through the graveyard of St Giles Church before, but never stopped to just be in the present moment before.
I stand for a while watching this squirrel scamper about – it brings a smile to my face.
I also notice the trees full of beautiful pink cherry blossom.
I’ve spent many nights / afternoons with friends and family at the Mail Coach in the past. It’s one of the places I still go to. I remember meeting everyone there before I jetted off back to Thailand in 2014, they all came to say farewell, it was such a great night. This photo is again devoid of people which surprises me as I took this photo at 4.00pm on a Friday afternoon – I’m not complaining though!
I was on a mission to see things I’ve never seen before and I spot the ‘Rosa Concordia Signum’ which means ‘the Rose, Emblem of Harmony’ After a little research, I realise this is Northamptonshire’s motto.
There are two little alleyways in the town centre. One is Frances Jetty, leading from Bridge Street to St Peter’s Way. All the times my friends and I used this alley to get our taxis home after a night out on Bridge Street, I never knew its name. It really is amazing how much we miss sometimes!
The second alley is called Jeyes Jetty and this one used to run between the Drapery and College Street. Again, I was interested to find out that this alley is linked to the invention of Jeyes Fluid and used to be called ‘Screaming Alley’ due to painful dental extractions that happened there.
I’ll let you read the notice on the gate.
The New Testament Church of God is housed in this Greek-style building, complete with columns and arched windows and these carved stone faces and decorative capitals on another building up the road. Both things I hadn’t taken much notice of before.
I can’t wait to see what else I can find, what else evokes memories and what else will make me smile. 🙂
Lavender is another favourite flower of mine, so I was really excited when I found Hitchin Lavender – a family-run farm specialising in the cultivation of this beautiful flower.
I visited in July last year and while there was lots of lavender, if you visit later in the year, there will be even more! The main flowering season is between mid-June and late August.
You are free to wander across the fields, up and down the rows, taking in the intoxicating smell! You can pick your own lavender or buy lavender products in the shop. You can even take a picnic and sit and enjoy the views.
It’s not just lavender that is grown here – there is a wild flower meadow, and fields of sunflowers which flower from the middle of August.
At the end of 2019, I took a trip to celebrate the new year in the lovely city of Brussels.
On New Year’s Eve, I took the Eurostar and arrived at Brussels Gare-du-Midi station mid-afternoon. I caught the metro to Madou and walked the short distance to my hotel on Rue du Nord.
My first glimpse of Brussels
Hotel Sabina wasn’t the most attractive place I have ever stayed, but the owners were friendly, my attic-room was comfortable and there was a free breakfast every day. In any case, I wasn’t there to stay in my room the whole time.
Hotel Sabina
I checked in, dumped my bags and went off to explore the city.
The city centre is a 15-minute walk from the hotel and there is lots to see on the way. As this was December, there were lots of Christmas trees to see – although artificial, I thought this one looked pretty in the tree-lined square..
Christmas in Brussels
Walking along Rue du Congres, you will see the Congress Column..
Rue du Congres
..with its statue of Belgium’s first monarch, King Leopold I at the top..
Congress Column
Next, a quick hoof around St Michael & St Gudula Cathedral..
I love the traditional Belgian buildings..
Traditional buildings
There are so many pretty little squares in Brussels – like Agoraplein..
The streets are busy which makes for a lively atmosphere..
Rue de la Montagne
Finally, at one of Brussels top sights – the Grand Place with its spectacular buildings..
The courtyard of the Gothic town hall is also beautiful..
There is a lot of street art in the city like this staircase on Rue de I’Etuve..
Street art
One of Brussels top attractions is the Mannekin Pis – a 17th century bronze statue of a little boy peeing!
Mannekin Pis
Onwards through the streets getting busier by the minute – don’t forget it’s New Year’s Eve..
Lovely buildings around every corner..
I came across this long line of people eager to try some delicious, traditional Belgian fries at Fritland..
Queuing for traditional Belgian fries!
In December, Brussels hosts its very own Christmas market with stalls full of traditional food and drinks, crafts and souvenirs..
The Bourse – the Brussels Stock Exchange – housed in this grand building located in the second-most important square after the Grand Place..
Brussels Stock Exchange
Exploring some more, I found Halles Saint-Gery a cute building which used to be the old market hall, but now used as a bar/restaurant and events venue..
Halles Saint-Gery
There is an animal counterpart of the Mannekin Pis – the Het Zinneke or The Mutt..
There is also a female version – Jeanneke Pis..
Jeanneke Pis
I decide to walk away from the city centre to see the only canal that runs through Brussels – the Brussels Canal which separates the city from the district of Molenbeek. The streets grew relatively quieter the further I walked..
Brussels Canal
Back in the city, I head to Place Saint-Catherine which was buzzing with people enjoying the market stalls and getting ready for the evening’s celebrations..
After exploring for a few hours, I went in search of food before settling in a bar with a bottle of red..
New Year Eve drinks
I was more than happy sitting outside on the street people watching, but it was bloody freezing. I went inside to warm up and got chatting to the owner. After a while, everyone had left and I was the only customer. The guy had already told me that it wasn’t that safe at night and that I had to be careful on the way back! That was just before he pulled the shutters down and I was alone with this guy and his brother. I started to feel really uncomfortable. He then started ranting about politics – that’s all you need on New Year’s Eve – so I made my excuses and walked quickly back to my hotel.
I don’t think I stayed up to see the New Year in, but I was happy that I was safe and warm again!
That little incident didn’t mar my trip to Brussels, it really is a lovely city and the best thing about it, I was spending the next day with my friend Chris!
I’ve been revisiting my trip to Italy which I took with my parents in 2018. We took a day trip to Florence – a photographer’s dream – so many cute little streets to explore and the architecture is amazing.
I hope you enjoy this photo walk around this beautiful city in Italy!
Following on from my post about Art on Soi Nana, here are some more photographs of this – off the beaten track – little street in Bangkok. It’s small but full of character.
Just a stone’s throw from Hua Lamphong, Soi Nana has somes of tiny, quirky bars – Tep Bar, 23 Bar and Gallery and Teens of Thailand – all with great atmospheres! El Chiringuito is the place to eat delicious tapas while Wallflowers cafe sells coffee and cake which you can enjoy on the small roof terrace.
Soi Nana makes for a different, more traditional experience of Bangkok. I, for one, will be making a beeline for it again as soon as I can!
Soi Nana was one of my favourite places to go when I lived in Bangkok.
It’s a small street lined with old shophouses, some of which have been converted into funky little bars, restaurants and even art galleries.
There are lots of little alleyways behind the main street to explore and Soi Nana is also host to its very own Chinatown Fair – music blaring and lots of people make for a lively atmosphere.
Being a trendy kind of area, there is always some form of art to see, so once we had finished setting up, we went in search of it.
Fabulous old shophouses Fabulous old shophouses Fabulous old shophouses David’s artDavid’s art
Who’s that?
We had to look twice!
Advertising in the toilet!
Cool little alleyways
Who’s that on the wall?
Fun images
Escaping!
Colourful mural
Art – everywhere!
Art really does look after your mental health. It’s relaxing if you create something yourself or if you go in search of it like we did, it’s fun and gets you out of the house for a bit!
Following my memories in Tales of 2018, I am a little late in reminiscing about 2019, but here goes.
2019 was the first year in a long time that I had spent back home. I never thought I would be living here again, but the year started elsewhere!
January
I flew to Valencia to make a new start in a new city. I had never been before, but it appeared to be right up my street. There is street art, the city of arts and sciences and fabulous architecture and outdoor spaces – like the Gardens of Turia and the beach.
River Turia, Valencia
It didn’t work out there, I didn’t have the money to pay the deposit on a flat, so I made the decision to return to the UK. That was after just 2 weeks. Looking back I never really explored all my options – I could have looked at places outside the city. There is a really good metro service. Hindsight is a wonderful thing!
February
Back in the UK, I moved in with my brother and his girlfriend. My plan was to stay 6 months. I ended up living there for over a year! I am forever thankful to them for letting me stay – we had so much fun!
Sunday Funday!
March
I went to Rotterdam to see Chris who had recently moved there. We spent time exploring. I didn’t think much to Rotterdam that first time I went, but am glad to say it has grown on me and I love going there now for its markets, historical areas and its centre.
Rotterdam
I also went to Amsterdam, one of my favourite cities to wander around.
Skinny Bridge, Amsterdam
April
I went to London with my sister for a day out at Camden Market – a fabulous place to hang out. We did a bit of shopping, had a few drinks and ate some food. A really great day out!
Camden Market, London
May
I went to Fleetwood with my sister and niece. We stayed in a caravan park and had days out to the beach and Blackpool – eerily devoid of humans – which was rather nice! We went for walks and took my niece to the local farm, so she could feed the animals. It was a lovely few days away!
Blackpool
I also went to Portugal for a friend’s wedding. Living in Bangkok meant I missed out on a lot of things. Before the wedding, I went to Albufeira for the day and relaxed on the beach. The wedding day was fabulous, everyone was happy and I was thrilled to be able to spend time with my friends.
Praia da Falesia
June
My friend Chris came to visit. We went out for dinner and drinks and had a ball – as always! I went for Thai food with other friends later in the month. The food and company were fantastic!
Yellow curry with prawns
July
I loved the Thai food so much last month, I went back to the same restaurant with my mum and dad.
Having a great time with Mum and Dad
I also went to London to the Van Gogh Exhibition at Tate Britain. I used to visit art galleries all the time in Bangkok, so it was good to do it again on my home turf!
Vincent Van Gogh
August
In August, I went to Newark to see my good friends – Doyle and Mel. We always have a good time together and this time was no different. We went out for drinks and had a BBQ the next day.
Another trip to Rotterdam and, this time, Chris and I went to Amsterdam for dinner and drinks.
Lovely views of Amsterdam
September
Another art exhibition, this time closer to home. Northampton artist, Aasen Stephenson’s Death on Two Legs. His leaf creations are fantastic! I am not sure I would have the patience nor the dexterity!
Leaf creations by Northampton artist, Aasen Stephenson
October
October came around and I was off to Ibiza – a very different trip for me. I used to go there to party until the sun came up and beyond! The closest I got to that was having fun at the mini disco with my sister and niece! But we had a fabulous time and I got to spend time with friends who were there at the same time!
November
I went on a girly weekend to celebrate a friend’s 40th. We sang, we danced, we laughed, we ate and we drank! We made some fab memories!
December
I spent the end of the year in Brussels. It was great to walk around seeing all the sights, having food and drinks by myself. I like the solitude. Although, I was looking forward to the first day of 2020 when my friend Chris was coming to visit!
All in all, my 2019 was a great year! I travelled a bit and went to a couple of art exhibitions, but most of all, I got to spend precious time with my wonderful family and friends.
