Welsh Witterings: Making Festive Memories to Last a Lifetime
I often lament the loss of Christmas spirit and how each year the commercial elements of Christmas steal yet another inch of this special time of year, but...
Cracking Christmas Cocktails & Mulled Wine
It’s that time of year when a glass of warm, spiced wine is just the ticket to make you flow with Christmas cheer. I’ve compiled Ingredients 2...
Welsh Witterings: 2020 Christmas is Cancelled
Well, it seems that Corona-Sadism continues as the country is told that the much hoped for relaxation of Christmas rules will not happen and that Christmas is effectively cancelled....
Can’t go to Athens this Christmas? Have a Greek Festive Season at home – World Meanderings (n°106)
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny With the covid’s restrictions making us more and more frustrated it might help to travel in our head and in...
Can’t go to Reykjavik? Have an Icelandic Christmas at home – World Meanderings (n°105)
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny Why is it that northern cold countries have this comforting reputation of warmth and hospitality? Close your eyes and try to imagine...
The Rise and Fall of the Argos Catalogue
It’s that festive time of year again and I can’t help thinking back to how Christmas shopping has changed. I miss high streets being busy hives of activity with...
Light and Easy Christmas Cake, No Egg Fruit Cake, Quick to Make
This recipe is one I play with depending on what dried fruit is in the cupboard. Usually I have dried figs, which I dry myself in the Andalusian sunshine,...
The Ailing Tradition of Christmas Cards- Blessing or Loss
It’s not really news that the art of sending Christmas cards is an ailing one. I still like to send Christmas cards, indeed to me it is part of...
Wishing you a Happy Early Christmas!
It’s mid-November. The roads and streets are eerily quiet. The shops and mega stores closed, no shoppers, no tourists. The feeling is bleak, no sense of festivity, no excitement...
Welsh Witterings: Christmas Eve Traditions
It’s finally Christmas Eve, and hopefully you can now breathe a sigh of relief as you’ve made it through all the hustle and bustle of the build up to...
A Stranger in Vegas It’s Christmas !
It’s Christmas time. In few days, gifts and presents will be opened, parties and celebrations will start. Las Vegas itself is always on the party mode, unlike its people...
Rachel´s Wanderings in Spain 13 Christmas in Spain, Then and Now
When we first moved to inland Andalucia in 1996 it was like we had stepped back in time 30 years or so. Christmas, the little that was made of...
Christmas’ Magic in French iconic chateaux, part three: Chambord Château – Meanderings through France n° 206
By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny Welcome back again to French chateaux festivities! This year for Christmas time we invite you in three different wonderful French chateaux,...
Welsh Witterings: 2019 a difficult economic year for retailers
As the year is preparing to draw to a close and Christmas shopping is in full swing I have been reflecting on how 2019 has been another tough year...
SHELLY BEACH SNIPPETS No. 117 December, 2019.
Patricia Newell-Dunkley Photographs Reginald J. Dunkley Patricia Newell-Dunkley Website: Facebook: Patricia Newell-Dunkley Artist/Writer Google: Patricia Newell-Dunkley for all previous Snippets Greetings and good wishes for the festive season...
Mulled wine, folk ensembles and delicacies – Christmas market in Prague!
Christmas is a holiday of peace, tradition, family, good drink and food, and yes, of Christmas markets. We, Czechs, are heading to the Christmas markets to “tune into the...
Christmas’ Magic in French iconic chateaux, part two: Château de Cheverny – Meanderings through France n° 205
By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny Welcome back to French chateaux’ festivities! This year for Christmas time we invite you in three different wonderful French chateaux, Vaux-le-Vicomte,...
Welsh Witterings: Advent Calendars
There was a time when one of the first signs of Christmas in a British home was the unveiling of the children’s Advent calendar. The calendars were simple, but...
Have a magical Christmas at Hatton
Youngsters will have an enchanted time at Hatton this year, Ann Evans tells us what’s on offer. Celebrate a magical Christmas at Hatton Adventure World when the popular ‘Enchanted...
Christmas’ Magic in French iconic chateaux, part one: Vaux-le-Vicomte – Meanderings through France n° 204
By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny This year for Christmas time we invite you in three different wonderful French chateaux, Vaux-le-Vicomte, Cheverny and Chambord. Each...
Taxi Noir: Save the Trees
I hate working this time of year. I love Christmas, but I hate driving around London in my cab. I dread that moment in November when I’m stuck in...
Enjoy a Real Victorian Christmas
Ann Evans is hoping for to experience a traditional Victorian Christmas over at Ironbridge. Take a trip back in time to experience a real Victorian Christmas with the...
Bedgebury Christmas Trail
Bedgebury Pinetum is in Kent, just over the Sussex border. The arboretum is an award-winning site with lots to do for everyone, from walking to cycling, or a visit...
Christmas Shopping in Tunisia
Christmas Markets in Europe and other countries are very popular at this time of the year, but I bet you’ve never thought of doing your Christmas shopping in Tunisia!...
A TIMELY REMINDER FROM DOGS TRUST
Photographs courtesy of Dogs Trust Christmas is coming, and Ann Evans joins Dogs Trust in reminding everyone that a dog is for life, not just for Christmas. With Christmas...
Back to the Chequers for Dinner
The Ashdown Forest has always been a favourite Tourist area. And the Chequers Inn in Maresfield is a very popular place for a meal, to spend the night, or...
Welsh Witterings: Christmas is Coming but its Spirit is Lost
It’s that time of year where my inbox seems to fill up with Christmas offers and gift ideas. Suddenly it seems that a type of mild hysteria about last...
Cruising: Riviera Travel’s Christmas Markets River Cruise
The scent of glühwein, cinnamon and spices. Stalls in ancient town squares overflowing with continental yuletide treats all surrounded by tall medieval buildings and cathedrals bathed in magical lighting...
SHELLY BEACH SNIPPETS NO. 112 July, 2019
Patricia Newell-Dunkley photographs Reginald J. Dunkley Website: Facebook: Patricia Newell-Dunkley Artist/Writer Google: Patricia Newell-Dunkley for all previous Snippets. Greetings from down under as we drift towards spring, with...
Welsh Witterings: Making New Year Traditions
In my past New Years Eve was a time for getting dressed up and having a night out, but for nearly a decade my New Years Eve celebrations have...
Ranjit Recommends: The Snowman
Choreographed by Robert North, The Snowman has several elements of ‘Show-man’ when he waves mid-air thus complementing the orchestra whilst playing the timeless Christmas tune ‘Walking in the Air’....
Fighting to get Fit & Save Money. Turkey Leftover Recipes.
I’m faithfully writing my Blog ever day, & being totally honest, which is the hardest part of a diet! #allposts Here are some great recipes for using up your...
Trevor’s Wildlife Week for 3rd Jan 2019
Happy New Year everyone. I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year celebrations. A huge thank you to all our volunteers and staff who have been...
Seren’s Traditional Festive Pie
Here is Seren’s favourite article of the year. This pie will not need to be served with any pickle or condiment as it is moist and flavorful. I include...
A Magical Evening of Light
Photos by Rob Tysall, Tysall’s Photography One of Ann Evans’ favourite events this year was the Magical Lantern Festival at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. ...
High Weald Dairy update.
Last week I went to the Christmas Open Day at my friends’ dairy. I hadn’t seen Mark and Sarah since I went to their Cheese-making Day The High...
Trevor’s Wildlife Week for the 20th December 2018
A huge thank you to Peter at Perfectly Green Artificial Grass for donating a few rolls of artificial grass for our casualties. Our gulls are loving having the new...
Getting in the Festive Mood with British Christmas Markets
There is nothing like a good Christmas market to boost festive inspiration and give you a good dose of festive cheer. Indeed just the thought of a Christmas market...
A Night at the Tunbridge Wells Panto.
Lyn and her family went to the Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall to see Sleeping Beauty. Last night we all went to see this year’s Panto, which is Sleeping Beauty....
Magical Lantern Festival
By Ann Evans Photos by: Rob Tysall, Tysall’s Photography Treat the family to a magical experience. Ann Evans shines a light on Birmingham Botanical Gardens....