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Visiting the Ring of Kerry- a guide
Is driving the Ring of Kerry worth it? Absolutely! The Ring of Kerry is full of quintessential Irish sights- colourful towns, green fields, craggy cliffs, small islands, windswept beaches, low mountains, castle ruins, and ancient stone forts. The Ring of Kerry is 170 kilometers long and encircles the Iveragh Peninsula .It consists of three national roads, namely N70, N71, and N72, creating a circle around the peninsula. There is a basic Ring of Kerry route, known as just the Ring, but you extend it by adding on places such as Valentia Island. In theory, it it should take about 3.5 hours to drive the whole ring, but because we kept…
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Book Review: In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead
“In My Dreams I Hold a Knife” is an intriguing and enigmatic novel penned by author Ashley Winstead. With its intense storyline, intricate character development, and a suspenseful atmosphere, this book is a rollercoaster ride that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Winstead’s masterful storytelling and ability to delve into the darkest corners of the human psyche make “In My Dreams I Hold a Knife” an absolute must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. From the very first chapter, “In My Dreams I Hold a Knife” grabs hold of readers’ attention and never lets go. The story centers around a gripping central plotline that…
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Eating My Way Through London: Afternoon Tea at Ladurée, Covent Garden
Ladurée Covent Garden is renowned for its exquisite French pastries and delicate macarons, which take center stage in its afternoon tea menu. Ladurée originate in Paris, where they started out baking their famous double-decker macarons in 1862. They’ve since shipped them all over the world, with cute little shops popping up everywhere. I wanted to plan an afternoon tea to celebrate a special occasion and the afternoon tea at Ladurée seemed perfect. I am a lover of French cuisine, so embraced the opportunity to enjoy a quintessentially English past-time with a French twist. I also liked the fact that the vibe was more low-key than other afternoon teas I was…
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Karlstejn Castle- Is it worth visiting?
Karlstejn Castle, built in 1348 near Prague to house Bohemian Crown Jewels and other treasures, has undergone various renovations and now exhibits a neo-Gothic style. Easily accessible by train and a scenic 30-minute walk through Karlstejn village, the castle offers guided tours with stunning views. Despite some negative reviews, the castle's rich history and architecture make it a highly recommended day trip from Prague.
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Where to eat in Prague (and Dresden)
Food in Prague is hearty. It is also filling and tasty. I was lucky enough to visit Prague recently for a birthday trip, so was keen to try as much of the local food as possible and discover where best to eat in Prague. The local beverage is Pilsner and it is ridiculously cheap (as is all the beer). My partner loves the stuff so it was his dream. I don’t like beer so I wasn’t so keen. However, there are plenty of other drinks to enjoy. Fancy a few ideas of where to eat in Prague? Here is a round-up of some of my favourite places I ate and…
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Bistrot Pierre, Nottingham: Something a little fancy
Up until recently, I honestly thought that Bistrot Pierre in Nottingham was a one-off. I visited a few years back, and it has stayed in my mind as probably my favourite Nottingham restaurant since then. I remembered the excellent quality of the food and how the flavour really hit the spot. But actually (as you probably already know) Bistrot Pierre is a chain, with restaurants in Derby as well as Nottingham. I was excited to get a chance to visit again recently and see if the restaurant is as good as I remembered. We visited late afternoon on a Sunday and had no problems getting a booking. The restaurant felt…
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What I read in July
I’ve had a lot on in July, naming moving house and attending music festivals! However, I’ve still found the time to read. Here is a round-up of the main books I read in July. The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow Based on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, this is the story of Mary Bennet, the plain and quiet middle sister who likes to read and play the piano. Treated unkindly by her mother, and with few friends in the world, her life becomes a precarious round of visiting her married sisters, with little to look forward to. Janice Hadlow reimagines what Mary’s life might have been like and grants her…
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Dining on the River Seine with Bateaux Parisiens
My trip to Paris was quite a long time ago, but I feel the quality of the food (and the whole experience) of my lunchtime river cruise warrants a place on this blog. I really wanted a special dining experience whilst visiting Paris and the Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Lunch Cruise was just the thing! Four courses, a glass of champagne, and plenty of wine (they really didn’t believe in moderation). Just to add that if you don’t drink alcohol, there are soft drinks and water alternatives. The starters were gorgeous: For the main course, I had the beef, whilst my boyfriend had the salmon: For dessert, we both had…
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April reading round-up
Welcome to my April reading round-up! This month, I read three very different books that explored complex themes and kept me engaged until the very end. From a thought-provoking exploration of family dynamics to a thrilling spy novel and a captivating work of historical fiction, I covered a lot of areas in my reading. “Lone Wolf” by Jodi Picoult “Lone Wolf” by Jodi Picoult is a novel about a family grappling with difficult decisions in the aftermath of a car accident that leaves the father, Luke Warren, comatose. The Warren family must decide whether to continue life support or let Luke die, but they are divided on what the right…
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Eating my way through London: El Pastor
El Pastor is my kind of place. Mexican food with a buzzy vibe- what’s not to like? One thing to note is- El Pastor does not accept bookings. So be sure to bring a phone and scope out places in the area for a drink whilst you’re waiting. They are good about taking your number and texting you when a table becomes available, so there’s no having to hang about in the rain. Just be aware that wait times can be around two hours. What to eat? Tacos of course! I would definitely recommend getting a few types and mixing it up with the other people you’re dining with. The…
