Springtime
It’s wonderful to see that Spring is just around the corner, the flower stalls are full of daffodils, the days are getting longer which means that when I walk the dogs it is still light. The beginning of March is…
Birds Galore
This Christmas I asked close friends to buy me something for the garden. The reason being is that it’s something I look out onto every day, I spend many evenings in the summer sitting outside with a glass of something…
Chalk & Cheese
This week has been one of those weeks when you wonder why you host! I had the most delightful Texan come and stay for a few days that was working in the area. As soon as he walked through the…
THREE Generations
I was having a natter with my lovely window cleaner Daniel this week asking him what he was doing for Christmas – he was explaining that he and his girlfriend had only just moved in with one another – and…
A BIG Thank You to My Much Beloved Dogs
To my dogs who have welcomed my guests all year and brought a smile to their faces a big thank you. Dogs have always been part of my life for over 50 years. I remember as a 13-year-old bringing home…
24 Days to Christmas!!!
I have decided to pace myself this year by sorting out certain bits and pieces before the madness that descends during the final run-up to Christmas. We started making chutneys, jams, marmalades, liqueurs, mincemeat and of course, the Christmas cakes…
November has whizzed by…
It has been a busy month with a diverse group of nationalities coming over the threshold. I can’t think of a week whereby all my guests haven't come from at least three continents! We also decided to test out the…
My Secret Sources…
My secret sources... FOR LONDON THIS DECEMBER & BEYOND! I was spurred on to write this for my B&B after doing an article about sourcing for guests recently. Most guests coming to London in December and staying with me is…
49 Days till Christmas
I have been in and out of the supermarkets over the past 2 weeks stocking up on the produce to make the Christmas cakes, mincemeat, and flavoured liquors! To my surprise, Tesco’s did not have any mixed peel or glace…
Homemade, Handmade
T’is the month that I start to make enough chutney, jams and marmalades and rum rich fruit cakes to last me to Christmas and beyond. October is the month that I start to spread the cost of Christmas over the…