How fabulous it must be to find yourself at University in #Durham in digs here! Apparently, the rooms are allocated by ballot and always oversubscribed - but who wouldn't want to stay in a Castle! From my recent trip with @ThisisDurham I went on a guided tour of some of the parts of the Castle which are still open to the public - it's part of the #UNESCO listed World Heritage Site along with the Cathedral. Some fascinating stories about the Castle included how this entrance was dismantled in the 16th century and reconstructed as a slightly wider structure, enabling the bishop's carriage to pass through more easily. This is just one indication that creating a grand residence was, at that stage, much more important than preserving the defensive role of the Castle, which had diminished. The gatehouse arch dates from the Norman period, although its vaulted passageway is slightly later (as its gothic detailing indicates), and its upper storeys were rebuilt at the end of the 18th century. There's more to come about this fascinating city. But for now, I will leave you with Bill Bryson's famous quote 'I got off at Durham, intending to poke around the cathedral for an hour or so and fell in love with it instantly in a serious way. Why, it’s wonderful – a perfect little city – and I kept thinking: ‘Why did no-one tell me about this?’ I knew, of course, that it had a fine Norman cathedral but had no idea that it was so splendid. ' What he actually ended up doing was becoming Durham University's 11th Chancellor, and formal head of the University, from April 2005 to 31st December 2011 So, I urge you to follow my journey, coming soon on the blog and find out more about this fascinating City, home to Prince-Bishops and with a unique Northern charm. #ThisisDurham #LoveDurham @VCDBusiness #DUmakeithappen #DurhamDays #christmasindurham #bowesmuseum #christmasmarkets #christmas2018 #lovegreatbritain #northeast #northeastengland #exploremore #travelawesome #wanderful #writetotravel #luxfood #exploringtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #mytinyatlas #natgeography #darlingescapes #letsgobeyond #TBIN #TTOT

via Instagram

Somewhere that has been on my radar for a LONG time - @PataraLondon has a reputation for excellent #ThaiFood - here - herb steamed sea bass in a light and piquant chilli-garlic sauce infused with fresh herbs, just one of the delicious dishes we enjoyed for lunch! Apparently, Patara translates as gracious lady and derives its name from founder Khun Patara Sila-On who has restaurants in London, Switzerland, Austria, Singapore and China as well as her native Thailand. Definitely somewhere I'll return to - we had a bit of a lunch time feast in #Hampstead and now I want to try some of the other London outlets. #PataraLondon #LondonThai #ThaiFood #foodphotography #instafoodie #foodbloguk #foodblogger #instafoodblogger #TopLondonRestaurants #LoveLondon #londonfoodies #londonfoodblog #londonfoodscene #londonisopen #eeats #londonlife #thisislondon #igerslondon #prettycitylondon #ig_london #tbin #instatbn

via Instagram

I have a suspicion that some of the most successful restaurants get to be that way because of the innate hospitality of their founders. It works across all sectors and cuisines. The lovely @galvinrestaurants, @RandallandAubin with Ed Baines, @ChefCorrigan @DarjeelingExpress with @AsmasIndianKitchen and now Biswajit and Prabir at @LittleKolkataUK. This was the Doi Papri Chaat, which both of us remembered from the #LittleKolkata supper clubs - crispy pappadum topped with spicy potatoes, yoghurt, tamarind chutney sev and cucumber and garnished with pomegranate. It's a street food dish that I love and could happily feast on. We went on to enjoy a full menu and I'll be reviewing properly on the blog in the next few days. Meanwhile, just let your mouth water a little and remember this is somewhere around the corner from Covent Garden and perfect for lunch or dinner after your Christmas Shopping #IndianFood #IndianRestaurant #foodphotography #instafoodie #foodbloguk #foodblogger #instafoodblogger #TopLondonRestaurants #LoveLondon #londonfoodies #londonfoodblog #londonfoodscene #londonisopen #eeats #londonlife #thisislondon #igerslondon #prettycitylondon #ig_london #tbin #instatbn

via Instagram

Amazing artistic piece by contemporary Italian artist Valerio Berruti, displayed in the church of San Domenico, Alba, which is also his home town. His drawings, paintings and sculptures reproduce images essentially of everyday life and young attractions, encouraging adults to reconnect with their inner child. Here a carousel of sparrows moves rounds with a haunting musical score that just echoes magically in the church. Adults are encouraged to get on and ride them and to feel their youthful play-self again. . #langheroero #italy #italian #art #artinstallation #beingachildagain #beingachildisfun #foodforthought @laribezzaboutique @langheroero #whitetruffles #langheroero #truffles #italy #italian #italiantaste #exploremore #ecxtravel #travelawesome #wanderful #writetotravel #luxfood #exploringtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #mytinyatlas #natgeography #darlingescapes #letsgobeyond #TBIN #TTOT @tartufobiancoalba #tartufobiancoalba

via Instagram

An amazing view as the sun goes down on the medieval town of Monforte d'Alba, in the Italian region Piedmont. This is the view from the Boutique Hotel La Ribezza, off the Piazza Umberto. A romantic an exclusive hotel, 60km from Turin, its only 30 minutes from Alba and the main truffle fair, and is our base as we explore the area and the famous Alba White Truffles. @laribezzaboutique @langheroero #whitetruffles #langheroero #truffles #italy #italian #italiantaste #exploremore #ecxtravel #travelawesome #wanderful #writetotravel #luxfood #exploringtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #mytinyatlas #natgeography #darlingescapes #letsgobeyond #TBIN #TTOT @tartufobiancoalba #tartufobiancoalba #albatruffle #accademiabocusedoritalia #creattivecities #unesco

via Instagram

#Christmas2018 is definitely coming! What better time to go to @TheDorchester for #AfternoonTea than in the lead-up to Christmas when the hotel is wonderfully decorated and The Promenade where tea is served has all the feeling of a grand Victorian house. The Dorchester still retains many of its original fixtures and fittings, despite being extensively modernised between 1988 and 1990. And, this year’s Christmas decorations include Victorian fairground horses and a whole avenue of Christmas trees, together with some pretty foliage and glittering lights. For more about the #Festive #Champagne afternoon tea, check the link in my blog! #thedorchester #DCmoments #christmasiscoming #thisislondon #brunch #champagne #foodphotography #instafoodie #foodbloguk #foodblogger #instafoodblogger #TopLondonRestaurants #LoveLondon #londonfoodies #londonfoodblog #londonfoodscene #londonisopen #eeats #londonlife #thisislondon #igerslondon #prettycitylondon #ig_london #tbin #instatbn

via Instagram

I do love #DimSum and I also love @YauatchaCity. Ok so this is the PetitDessert, but it just happens to be so Instagram perfect I thought it needed to be posted. It's part of the YumCha menu at #Yauatcha on Sunday Afternoon until 22nd December where for £29 you get 6 x 2 dim sum. The perfect way to while away a lazy Sunday - and eat well too! The menu includes a Wagyu bun and black truffle seafood dumpling too, so it's excellent value (some of the individual pieces are priced at over £10 on the menu!!! oh and there's champagne, cocktails (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and some delicious desserts too! the perfect pre #Christmas treat perhaps? #yauatcha #yauatchacity #city #broadgatecircle #london #thisislondon #brunch #champagne #foodphotography #instafoodie #foodbloguk #foodblogger #instafoodblogger #TopLondonRestaurants #LoveLondon #londonfoodies #londonfoodblog #londonfoodscene #londonisopen #eeats #londonlife #thisislondon #igerslondon #prettycitylondon #ig_london #tbin #instatbn

via Instagram

So, as apparently everyone else in the world says - the last time I was in #CheddarGorge was when I was about 12 years old. This photo is in #GoughsCave which is also home to the skeleton of the cave's most famous body - a modern human known as Cheddar Man who was unearthed in 1903. His near-complete skeleton has been dated to around 10,000 years ago. This time I was there to learn about the @CheddarGorgeCheeseCo who use traditional methods and unpasturised milk to create wonderful #CheddarCheese which is matured for up to 26 weeks, either in their own stores or in Gough's Cave where the constant temperature and humidity helps to age the cheese perfectly. We went along to take a look. Unlike the caves in Roquefort where I went at the wrong time of year and got to see plastic cheeses, Cheddar is produced all year round - and these are real cheeses. We got to taste- deliciously salty with lovely deep flavour. Unlike many other cheeses, there's no PDO for Cheddar so it can be produced anywhere in the world, but this is the only Cheddar produced in Cheddar Gorge! #travelblogger #travelphotography #instagood #instatravel #igersfrance #guardiantravelsnap #picoftheday #travellife #instatravelling #lifestyleblogger #travelinstyle #londonblogger #tbin #ttot #bubbles #girlswhotravel #lifestyleblogger #sheisnotlost #westcountry #LoveSomerset #LoveforSomerset #WestCountry

via Instagram

#CoventGarden is gearing up for #Christmas2018 - I love this #MorrisMinor - a classic British Car for the memories it brings. When I was much, much younger I played the violin and my friend and mentor was a lovely lady called Ivy Cheeson who had played the 'cello in a ladies orchestra at the #CafeRoyale in the 1930s (doubling on banjo!) I couldn't drive and she would ferry me and my friends around to rehearsals and concerts in her vintage (1950s) Morris Minor. I have to confess we did sometimes feel we were taking our lives in our own hands. But, she was a very special person in my life - and I loved hearing her stories of the war - and playing string quartets with her. I do hope when I am in my 80s I'll have as much life as her - and will bring so much joy to other people. Here's to you, Ivy - every time I see a Morris Minor I think of you with the fondest of memories and realise just how lucky I was! Do you have anyone special in your past like that? #touristinmycity #beautifulLondon #TBIN #TTOT #prettylittlelondon #londonlife #LoveLondon #LondonisOpen #londonlife #thisislondon #igerslondon #visitlondon #instalondon #prettycitylondon #ilovelondon

via Instagram

So, this could possibly be my favourite winter dessert - sticky toffee pudding as served @TheSavoyGrill @TheSavoy - on the seasonal lunch menu along with some classic autumnal dishes including pumpkin soup with cardamom and yoghurt, pork cheeks with pommes puree and pickled turnip, rare breed sirloin and roast of the day. For me a rediscovery - this is where I used to love to go for a special occasion about twenty years ago. I've avoided it for YEARS out of fear it had lost that #English integrity - but I am LOVING the perfectly cooked, perfectly served food and wine we enjoyed courtesy of @RedletterdaysUK - you could do the same for £99 for two - could this be the perfect #Christmas treat? Many congratulations to the team and to @GordonGram for making this @GordonRamsayRestaurants something that manages to fuse the tradition of the #Savoy with contemporary dining #foodphotography #instafoodie #foodbloguk #foodblogger #instafoodblogger #TopLondonRestaurants #LoveLondon #londonfoodies #londonfoodblog #londonfoodscene #londonisopen #eeats #londonlife #thisislondon #igerslondon #prettycitylondon #ig_london #tbin #instatbn #Redletterdays #SavoyLondon #SavoyGrill

via Instagram

A belated photo from the range of #koreantemplefood at the @kccuk dinner the other week at the residence of the Korean Embassy. We met executive chef Ji Young Kim and tried dishes from #Michelin starred #BalwooGongyang in Seoul . This is a beautiful lotus flower; in Korean temple cuisine, they use the whole lotus to represent “blossoming” of Buddhist enlightenment and it’s also the symbol of purity and rebirth. Warm water is poured over the whole lotus flower in a large bowl so that the petals spread across the water surface and the steeped lotus flower creates a tea. The Lotus has a range of different medicinal properties and is used to treat gastritis and insomnia #koreanfood #koreancuisine #koreantemplefood #buddhist #buddhistfood #buddhism #korea #koreanambassador #ambassadorsresidence #templefood #travelblogger #instatbn #writetotravel #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #ttot #tbin #travelblog

via Instagram

What was the most memorable trip you made this year? For me, it was to Rodrigues. If you happened to be looking for an affordable #island paradise with a tropical climate, stunning sandy beaches and crystal clear seas, you might do worse than consider #Rodrigues, a small island about an hour from Mauritius. Unlike #Mauritius here the luxury of a sea view is affordable and the pace of life is altogether gentler. It's also eco friendly (plastic bags are banned altogether on the island and plastic bottles will be too soon). And, those lucky enough to live here are warm and welcoming. Look out for 'table d'hote' - not what I thought (a posh meal in a hotel) the local homes open their doors on request and will cook you authentic Rodrigues dishes for around £5 a head. What you'll find is a lot of fresh fish and Creole-style food with a good dash of Chinese influence. People on Rodrigues live simply. Even the internet seems to be made out of string and tin cans - don't expect to stream videos here. But, if that's what you are looking for Rodrigues may not be for you. I have to confess until I was invited to find out more, I'd never heard of #Rodrigues - it turns out that most of the people who come on holiday here are from Mauritius! An unspoilt island paradise - what could be better? Well, everything is reasonably priced - so, once you've got here, you might not ever want to leave! #SecretRodrigues #RodriguesIsland #Rodriguestourism #ThrowbackThursday #TBT #travelblogger #instatbn #writetotravel #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #ttot #tbin #travelblog #secretplaces

via Instagram

I was lucky enough to be invited to preview the #TasteofTrishna #Diwali menu last night. It's available from 5th -11th November and will include 6 courses of delicious food (there's a full veggie option too, with choices at each stage). More on the blog by the weekend, but just to give you a taste for yourself, this was my favourite of the savoury dishes - a Red Leg Partridge chukka with curry leaves, black pepper, Indian onion and parotta. It tasted every bit as it looks. Diwali is on 7th November this year (though the celebrations go on a lot longer) and is the Hindu festival of lights, which symbolises the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. It always brings with it a wealth of very special celebratory menus, so if like me you love Indian cuisine, why not make it an excuse to explore for yourself! @TrishnaLondon is a #Michelin starred restaurant in #Marylebone, London which focusses on the coastal cuisine of South India. It's their tenth birthday this year - another reason to celebrate #Trishna10thAnniversary #foodphotography #instafoodie #foodbloguk #foodblogger #instafoodblogger #TopLondonRestaurants #LoveLondon #londonfoodies #londonfoodblog #londonfoodscene #londonisopen #eeats #londonlife #thisislondon #igerslondon #prettycitylondon #ig_london #tbin #instatbn

via Instagram