More from my trip to Palma Mallorca - this is Lomo Con Col - a traditional Mallorquinas dish made with pork, sobrassada, botifarró, apricot and wrapped up in a cabbage leaf to braise. Delicious, this traditional dish is a good example of the 'fusion' cuisine in Mallorca, with influences from Roman, Venetian, Arabic, Catalonian and Spanish cuisines. We actually learnt how to make this dish ourselves at Chefs(in). And it tasted delicious too, though I suspect if I tried making it myself at home it wouldn't look nearly so pretty!⁣ ⁣ #PassionforPalma @passionforpalma #TBIN #TTOT #UNESCO #exploremore #travelawesome #wanderful #writetotravel #luxfood #exploringtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #mytinyatlas #natgeography #darlingescapes #letsgobeyond #palmademallorca #palma #visitpalma #palmamallorca #presstrip #Mallorca #citybreak #wintertravel #igerspalma #igersbaleares #spaincities #foodphotography #instafoodie #foodblogger #instafoodblogger

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Making Ensaimada in Palma - a traditional sweet bread made by coating thinly rolled out sheets of dough with pork lard (which gives rise to the bread's name as the word for pork lard is 'saïm'). The sheets are rolled out on an olive oil coated board then spread with lard before being spun into long cigar-shaped rolls that are coiled and allowed to rise for 24 hours. Then, the whole creation is baked. We had a chance to watch the baker at work in one of Palma's emblematic shops - Fornet de la Soca. The oven in the picture is the oldest in the City and Tomeu Arbona who owns the shop is a collector of old recipes from the Balearic Islands. His bread is part of the Good Bread Route of Spain, one of only 80 bakeries in Spain and the only representative of the Balearics! He's also published a book 'Rebosteria tradicional de Mallorca' covering the pastries and confectionery of Mallorca from the Middle Ages to the 1960s. More about the emblematic shops to come - we visited a handful of these unique, traditional places - from wickerwork to shoes, from toys to handmade glass. But of course, somehow I've ended up focussing on food! #PassionforPalma @passionforpalma @fornetdelasoca #TBIN #TTOT #UNESCO #exploremore #travelawesome #wanderful #writetotravel #luxfood #exploringtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #mytinyatlas #natgeography #darlingescapes #letsgobeyond #palmademallorca #palma #visitpalma #palmamallorca #presstrip #Mallorca #citybreak #wintertravel #igerspalma #igersbaleares #spaincities

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#Gifted - Rosy Posy Flowers from @TheRealFlowerCo #Realflowersoftheseason - beautiful #DavidAustin roses filling my living room with the most divine scent. The perfect gift for #MothersDay - the perfect roses for any #BridetoBe #TBIN #UKBloggers #LondonBloggers #livebeautifully #makeyousmilestyle #momentsofmine #shared_joy #persuepretty #nestandflourish #littlestoriesofmylife #thisjoyfulmoment #chooselovely #inspiremyinstagram #lovelysquares #forahappymoment #holdthemoments #simplepleasures #smallthings #holdthemoments#becreative #collectivelycreate #madetocreate #wearethemakers #darlingmovement

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Have you heard of the concept of 'Calendar Houses' ? #WelcombeHotel near #StratfordUponAvon is supposed to be one. The original building had 7 entrances (for days of the week), 12 fireplaces (months of the year), 52 chimneys (weeks) and 365 windows. I didn’t try counting but I can confirm that there are a lot of windows! The concept of the Calendar House was an Elizabethan one – the first example is said to be Knole House in Kent. And, legend says that those who stay in a Calendar House will enjoy luck and prosperity. I wonder if one night counts? I enjoyed a wonderful stay here, eating in the restaurant and enjoying the well-equipped spa. And, I got yet another four poster bed! My kind of short break in the country. Read more on the blog - link in my profile. #exploremore #travelawesome #wanderful #writetotravel #exploringtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #mytinyatlas #natgeography #darlingescapes #letsgobeyond #TBIN #TTOT #tudor #visitengland #literarytravel #travelblogger #shakespeare400 #historicalsites #shakespearesnewplace #literarytourism #shakespearesbirthplace #warwickshire #stratford

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#PressTrip The sweeping lawns and driveway as you approach Boringdon Hall set the scene for what is a spectacular historic building. Boringdon Hall, now a 41 room hotel is set in 7 acres of land and was first mentioned in the Doomsday Book. The name Boringdon comes from the Saxon ‘Burth-Y-Don’ – the enchanted place on the hill. And that is is very much the impression any visitor will get. Grade I listed, there are stunning rooms with four-poster beds, those massive fireplaces that you can walk into and a three rosette restaurant where you can feast in style looking down over the great hall. There's even an award-winning spa, with its own treatment range. Wonderful I was lucky enough to stay a week or so ago and you can read my review on London-Unattached now. I was in #Plymouth to explore the connections with @Mayflower400 - and fit yet another piece into the #Mayflower400 jigsaw we are working on - though, I doubt the pilgrims made it out here when they stayed in Plymouth, you could do if you plan on tracing their footsteps. #exploremore #travelawesome #wanderful #writetotravel #exploringtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #mytinyatlas #natgeography #darlingescapes #letsgobeyond #TBIN #TTOT #visitplymouth #visitdevon #lovedevon

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#Review - Just in time for #ChineseNewYear - @chinatanglondon have launched their own #DimSum #AfternoonTea - I went along to find out more and after a fabulous selection of savoury dim sum, went on to enjoy chocolate dumplings (not in the picture) and this delicious selection of sweet cakes and pastries. You'd expect fine teas from #ChinaTang and they didn't disappoint there either. Priced at £46 per person (not including champagne or cocktails), this is a great way to enjoy the luxury of @TheDorchester and celebrate New Year at the same time - If you are looking for an alternative way to celebrate the Year of the Pig, or just want to try at any time in the coming year I’d strongly recommend the afternoon tea at China Tang. Check my review - link in my bio #foodphotography #instafoodie #foodbloguk #foodblogger #instafoodblogger #TopLondonRestaurants #LoveLondon #londonfoodies #londonfoodblog #londonfoodscene #londonisopen #eeats #londonlife #thisislondon #igerslondon #prettycitylondon #ig_london #tbin #instatbn

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Seasonal Rhubarb Pannacotta to finish off my lunch at @GalvinLaChapelle - one of the Galvin Bros restaurants I've wanted to try for years. In a former church in Spitalfields, La Chapelle is a One Michelin Star French restaurant by Chris and Jeff Galvin #galvinlachapelle - it didn't disappoint at all, although we ate the set menu du chef (£38 for three courses at lunchtime or early evening, though buyagift have a special offer where you can buy the same menu with a glass of bubbles at £79 for two diners!) Apart from fabulous food, excellent paired wines and exemplary service, I also loved the setting in what was once a school (not a chapel!), St. Botolph’s hall is now a Grade 2 listed building status and retains many of the original fixtures and fittings including a splendid ceiling. I'll be writing up in the next day or so @galvinrestaurants @buyagift #buyabettergift #foodphotography #instafoodie #foodbloguk #foodblogger #instafoodblogger #TopLondonRestaurants #LoveLondon #londonfoodies #londonfoodblog #londonfoodscene #londonisopen #eeats #londonlife #thisislondon #igerslondon #prettycitylondon #ig_london #tbin #instatbn

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What happens when the third generation of one of the greatest Gastronomic families decides to do her own thing. With her Italian husband who just happens to be an amazing chef, classically French trained, who has worked his way up through restaurants like Alain Ducasse's 3 star Michelin restaurant in Monaco to being the Head Chef at Gavroche...Well, if you happen to be @Emily_Roux_London you do your own thing with great character. The result, in #NottingHill, is definitely worth a visit or three...and you'll enjoy dishes which are already becoming classics like a celeriac cacio e pepe and a delicious risotto made with acquarello rice. Here, Grilled monkfish with sprouting broccoli, piquillos and cockle jus was a vibrant plate of food both in terms of appearance and taste. And yes, this is my pic, taken as the food was being served. A picture on a plate...Many thanks for @caractererestaurant for an amazing meal with impeccable service and delightful wine pairings to boot. Review on the blog and link in my profile if you are interested... #foodphotography #instafoodie #foodbloguk #foodblogger #instafoodblogger #TopLondonRestaurants #LoveLondon #londonfoodies #londonfoodblog #londonfoodscene #londonisopen #eeats #londonlife #thisislondon #igerslondon #prettycitylondon #ig_london #tbin #instatbn

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This is Smeaton's Tower in Plymouth. Once out at sea (you can still see the 'stump' next door to the much larger replacement that was built in its place). Constructed in 1759 at a cost of £40,000 it is the world's first stone lighthouse. Originally it was lit by just 24 candles too. It was taken down in the early 1880s when it was decided that the sea was undermining the rock it was standing on. It was moved to shore stone by stone and reconstructed as a memorial to the Civil Engineer John Smeaton who had designed it. Now standing at 72 foot high, you can go inside (like I did) and get some great views of Plymouth Sound and the city from the lantern room which, along with the rest of the building, has been painstakingly restored to its original glory. I was in #Plymouth to explore the connections with @Mayflower400 - and fit yet another piece into the #Mayflower400 jigsaw we are working on. The lighthouse wasn't there when the Pilgrims sailed, and in fact although this was the third one, even the original wooden construction wasn't built until 1698. #exploremore #travelawesome #wanderful #writetotravel #exploringtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #mytinyatlas #natgeography #darlingescapes #letsgobeyond #TBIN #TTOT #visitplymouth #visitdevon #lovedevon #smeatonstower

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There’s no better city in England to visit for a short break than Bath. With its Roman heritage and elegant Georgian style, it has breathtaking views aplenty. We stayed at the impeccable Queensberry Hotel and ate at its fabulous recently Michelin-starred restaurant The Olive Tree. Review on the blog tomorrow, but we loved every minute! @olivetreebath @chriscleghornolivetree #Bath #staycation #midweekbreak #royalcrescent #TBIN #TTOT #UNESCO #exploremore #travelawesome #wanderful #writetotravel #luxfood #exploringtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #mytinyatlas #natgeography #darlingescapes #letsgobeyond #visitbath #lovebath #bathuk #cityofbath #igersbath #georgian #theprettycities #ukshots #lovegreatbritain #visitengland

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This is the kind of #Veganuary food that means I don't miss meat at all. I went along to @BelandtheDragon in Reading to try their special menu and was truly impressed with the menu. This is Winter Vegetable Bourguignon with chickpeas and lentils which is one of the three main courses. We were hard pushed to choose - Pumpkin Risotto with sage and black truffle sounded pretty good too. I'll be making my own version of the Winter Veg Bourguignon pretty soon too. #foodphotography #instafoodie #foodbloguk #foodblogger #instafoodblogger #TBIN #Reading #BelandtheDragon #Veganuary #vegan #vegansofig #plantbased #veganfood #whatveganseat #instafood #vegansofinstagram #vegetarian #veganfoodshare

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This is the Bishop's Throne at #DurhamCathedral. When the Cathedral was originally built in1093 by Bishop William of St Calais the Bishops were truly powerful individuals. The North-East of England was so far from Westminster that the ‘Prince-Bishops’ were given powers to hold their own parliament, raise armies and generally rule over the diocese. Indeed Bishop Antony Bek commented in 1299 that ‘There are two Kings in England, namely the Lord King of England wearing a crown in sign of his regality and the Lord Bishop of Durham wearing a mitre in place of a crown’. Known today as the Prince-Bishops, their role remained much the same until the Great Reform Act of 1832 which largely removed their powers. The Bishop's Throne was commissioned by Bishop Hatfield who sent his monks over to the Vatican to check out the throne there. And the Bishop’s Throne in the Cathedral was designed to be one inch higher than the one at the Vatican. #ThisisDurham #LoveDurham @VCDBusiness #DUmakeithappen #DurhamDays #lovegreatbritain #northeast #northeastengland #exploremore #travelawesome #wanderful #writetotravel #luxfood #exploringtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #mytinyatlas #natgeography #darlingescapes #letsgobeyond #TBIN #TTOT @thisisDurham @durhamcathedral #UNESCO

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Goodness, I went to some fabulous places in 2018. Grenada, St-Lucia, Rodrigues, Prague, Paris and more. And others from the London-Unattached team went to India, Qatar, Barbados, Greece, France, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. We did a lot in the UK too - from Durham (my latest post) to Penzance. Where will 2019 take us? We are busy working that out right now - if you've got any suggestions please do get in touch. #exploremore #travelawesome #wanderful #writetotravel #luxfood #exploringtheworld #guardiantravelsnaps #mytinyatlas #natgeography #darlingescapes #letsgobeyond #TBIN #TTOT

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