Little Wandering Wren …. chats!

‘I travel a lot, I hate having my life disrupted by routine:’   Caskie Stinnett    With a life of perpetual travel, I get to check out a fair few hotels. Isn’t it great to find somewhere a bit different and full of surprises, like  The Hoxton, Shoreditch, London?   On first entering their Hoxton Manor concept room, there was a split-second hesitation as to whether we had the right keys? Is the bed made and what’s that on the floor?  Followed by the grin, the realisation and the wow of the invitation to throw yourself onto the XXL humungous bed, with a padded headboard on three sides, pop art ‘ Live East, Die Young’  prints, and with the bed linen folded up in the middle. What fun. Mum, have you seen the high heels and handcuffs? It’s not easy to impress Gen Y with my choice of hotels,  or anything come to think of it these days. Nailed it. I was in London to help celebrate Daughter Number...

If you are a regular follower of my blog you would know how much I was looking forward to a return to my homeland to catch up with family and friends.  White Horse Hill, Uffington - return to my childhood With temperatures in Bangkok a scorching 34 degrees and humidity in the nineties, it was due to be a welcome change from my  sweaty Betty  Thailand life. Wrong! Imagine my surprise to find myself in the middle of a heatwave here in Great Britain, with temperatures, if not the humidity, matching Bangkok. Woo hoo, Great Britain!  As you will remember last week we were huddled round log fires and barbequing in the rain, sheltering under umbrellas.  All change this week and the Gardens of Britain are looking glorious after a drop of rain and some sunshine. Here are some of my favourite Homes and Gardens pictures from my time here. 1. Friars Court:   Hidden Beauty in Rural Oxfordshire Celebrating its 100...

It's been quite a week here in the UK. I seem to make a habit of being in the UK during a General Election or Brexit referendum which is always interesting, to say the least. This week's results, as on previous occasions, has resulted in  an awful lot of tea being drunk trying to figure out what the British election result means. I  have  given up being surprised by anything in world politics these days. Away from tea drinking, we have had a fantastic week catching up with family and friends  in London, Oxfordshire, Nottinghamshire, Shropshire and Devon. So welcome to a few of our photos which sum up our Great British summer road trip. In a week where people are nervous of large white vans in cities - we spotted this band in a van in Brick Lane, London which made us smile, along with the giraffemu Street Art.  As did the general vibe of the Brick Lane area of London. As you can see the sun was shining and peopl...

Wimbledon is Wimbledon:  This uniquely SW19 experience has  prestige, royalty, pin-striped mown lawns,  all white tennis attire, strawberries and cream and the world's best tennis players. Wimbledon, established in 1877,  is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and they know what they’re about. They are not a Grand Slam for the masses, you will not find the party-like 'happy slam' atmosphere that you get at Melbourne Park. Tickets are hard to come by, and spectator numbers are limited. It is all about the tennis, the tradition  and tough luck if you want free Wifi. (Quite right too, you're supposed to be here for the tennis!) Five things I loved about Wimbledon: 1. The beauty of the Championships The last time I was at Wimbledon hosting a corporate table, I remember the food we ate but have no idea who was playing! Fast forward twenty-five years I was here for the tennis and not the food! I was expecting to be impressed by...

If Preparation is Perfected: If Tradition is respected: If Innovation has purpose: If Grace is observed at all times: If Actions are honourable: If All are made to feel welcome If the Championships remain for all:  Greatness will be within reach:   With massive thanks to Irina Falconi  for a wonderful day at Wimbledon! Linking with thanks to Lady Fi and all the hosts at  Our World Tuesday