My Bucket List At 60

St PETER'S CHURCH, NOTTINGHAM
Popped into the Church by chance, lured in by a sale of charity Christmas cards. Despite living in Nottingham for 20 years now this was the first time I have been to St Peters.

The church's current building shows evidence of construction from around 1180 onwards, following the destruction of the original church by fire. The original church is thought to have been constructed in the early 11th century in the then French quarter of Nottingham. It's thought to be the oldest building in Nottingham that's been in continuous public use.

There's over 900 years of history nestling in these walls, including the occupation of the church by Royalist troops during the English Civil War.

The church has a small churchyard with a coffee shop, a shop selling fairly traded goods, and books.

October's view of the Streets of Nottingham.

AN AFTERNOON IN SOUTHWELL

My husband was working this Sunday and given that the sun was shining I decided to board a bus and tootle down to Southwell. Such a lovely little town.

Started my visit with a drink at the Admiral Rodney. Sitting in the garden a couple of friends suddenly appeared walking down the street.

A quick stop at the Stalls Streetfood and Makers market followed by a drink at The Wheatsheaf.

Finally wandered around town which is full of cute boutiques and shops. Being a Sunday the shops were closed. Have made a note on my bucket list to return on another day of the week to explore the goodies on offer.

Eventually make it to the Southwell Minster. Its huge and it makes you wonder how such a magnificent cathedral ended up in this small town. There was a service just starting so we restricted our visit to the back end of the cathedral and another note to return earlier in the day next time.

Loved my afternoon in Southwell. Will definitely be back.

Farewell La Pineda

WINE FESTIVAL IN CAMBRILS
Found out there was a wine festival in Cambrils. Well it would be rude not to check it out. Back on the local buses we arrive in Cambrils.

Cambrils is a lovely resort. It has a beautiful old town, a lovely marina and lots of cute bars and restaurants. There is also a lovely big park. It is the park I headed towards which was hosting a wine festival.

46 wooden huts had been set up each offering a selection of wines from different vinyards around Spain. More wooden huts were scattered around offering a variety of tapas dishes.

I paid €8 for a starter pack which included a copa (a wine glass), a bosa (little bag to hold your wine glass) and 2 glups (wine vouchers). For a little extra you could also buy some nyams (tapas vouchers). There were waiters carrying tapas around on platters and a large seating area. I can honestly say this was the best wine tasting event I had ever been to.

SALOU
Making the most of my bus pass. Catch a bus to Salou. I guess this is the Benidorm of Costa Dorado. It's heaving with holiday makers. The promenade is lovely lined with palm trees and lots of geraniums. There doesn't appear to be an old town here? Perhaps I missed it. Lots of shopping if you're into shopping. In need of a little tranquility I catch the bus back to La Pineda.

A WALK IN VILA SECA
Today's little adventure took us on the L22 bus to Vila-Seca. A small town slightly inland from La Pineda. Strolling through the old town, seeing the Wine Museum and the Castello. A little refreshment in the town square where the market was just packing away. Just enough time to pop into Mercadona before catching the bus back for another afternoon of laughter.

MARKET DAY IN CAMBRILS
Decided to use our bus passes that we so diligently purchased yesterday. Took the local bus to Cambrills and headed straight for the market. Wandering around and stocking up on the local produce - garlic, olive oil, honey and cucumbers.

After all that shopping in desperate need of a beer, then an ice cream before meandering back towards the marina and our bus stop back.

WELCOME TO LA PINEDA, COSTA DORADO
My home for the next 7 days. Such a lovely morning. Time for a stroll to discover the locality, check out the souvenir shops, the supermarket. Decide to invest in a bus pass the T10 costs €10 for the card and 10 journeys thereafter it's a €6.50 top up for the next 10 journeys.

A picnic in the park in the afternoon celebrating a birthday. I am travelling in a group of 8 ladies. Time for some laughter.

September's view on the Streets of Nottingham

Farewell to London.

WATERLOO AND LOWER MARSH
The last time I was on Lower Marsh it was kind of non descript. The only thing of note I remember was a lovely Cuban coffee / cocktail bar and at one end. And this is the thing I love about London most. You can return to the same haunts and they are totally different. Exiting the Leake Street graffiti tunnel we are instantly hit by an array of colour and so much atmosphere - the place was buzzing.

There was some kind of vintage car event. The street was strewn with beautiful old luxury cars. There was so many cafes and bars all oozing character. Had to stop at one for a cheeky pint and some dumplings. Honestly you can never say - I have "done" London. Love every corner of it.

LEAKE STREET GRAFFITI TUNNEL
It has been a number of years since I last visited Leake Street graffiti tunnel. Found under the railway arches of Waterloo, this is an ever changing space. As I haven't been for probably 6/7 years it has changed completely.

Just look at some of those pieces. Truly amazing. Love watching the artists at their craft too.

BREAKFAST IN EALING
I grew up in Acton so believed I knew Ealing Broadway like the back of my hand. How wrong I was. Arriving late in the dark, I got off the bus and found I was totally lost. I couldn't recognise anything. The area has been so redeveloped over the last few decades.

We stayed at the Travelodge. In zone 3 however, catching the Elizabeth line we were in Paddington within 8 minutes. A great budget location to stay when visiting London. We paid £60 for a double room for 2 per night.

Given our hotel was in Ealing Broadway, I decided to spend an hour or so exploring the area. Following a lovely breakfast at 's, we walked around Ealing Broadway and into Walpole Park.

At the entrance to Walpole Park we found an art gallery. It looked really interesting and reasonably priced at £5. Pressed for time we didn't go in but I have added this to my bucket list to return.

A little time for vintage ring shopping on Portobello Road.

A MORNING IN MAYFAIR
Day 3 in London I have tickets for the In the Eye of the Storm exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts ( more about that in a previous post), so my daughter and I head for Mayfair.

Venture to Shepherds Market for breakfast in a lovely little cafe - Cafe In. Shepherds Market is a cute tucked away square in the middle of Mayfair sandwiched between Piccadilly and Curson Street. It was built up by Edward Shepherd circa 1840 on the site of the annual fair which gives Mayfair its name.

We wander through Berkeley Square and onto the Royal Academy of Arts. Following the exhibition decided to peek into the Burlington Arcade which is kitted out in 007 James Bond decor and into the Coach and Horses for a drink. Established in 1744, the Coach and Horses is the oldest pub in Mayfair, the building holding listed status.

Refreshed we walk to Mount Street Gardens. Created in 1889 out of the former burial ground of St George's. The gardens are so secluded you don't realise you're in the center of London. Just Lovely.

Pop into Mayfair's Farm Shop and onto Mercato Mayfair for a light lunch.

#007

ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS
Shameful I know that despite living in London for 25 years and now visiting several times a year I had never previously frequented the Royal Academy of Arts.

The approach to the building is amazing and I was equally impressed by the interior as I entered. I had tickets to the exhibition In The Eye Of The Storm. An exhibition of Ukrainian Modernism 1900s through to the 1930s.

Such a well put together exhibition. Lots of information on each artist as well as information on the historical context of this tragic period in Ukraine's history. We were taken through the early works where you could see the free spirit in this developing genre of art in the paintings. As you continued it became evident that increasingly the artists freedom was being replaced by ideological dogma. Finally ending in the ex*****on of many of the artists on display under Stalin's purges (along with many other writers, composers theatre directors). Very moving especially in today's context.

Really well worth catching this exhibition. It's on until the 13th October.

A WALK FROM MARYLEBONE TO PADDINGTON
Travelling with my daughter who is mad about cats we had to do a obligatory stop in a kitty cafe. Headed to Marylebone and booked into Java Whiskers UK . They have a choice of 2 rooms - the cat room and the kitten room. Chose the latter on this occasion.

Wandering around Marylebone my attention is captured by the Langham Hotel. First opened as the Grand Hotel in 1865, it is notable for its innovations - the first hotel to install hot and cold running water in all guest rooms. After the war it was in part leased by the BBC for use as offices and studios until 1986.

Onwards towards Paddington before finally settling on The Heron for our evening meal. This pub is full of historical memorabilia and has a pretty good Thai kitchen.

CATCHING THE SUNRAYS IN PARSONS GREEN
Leaving Chiswick behind we catch a tube to Parsons Green. Keeping this quiet as my son is an avid Fulham fan so would be very jealous. I am travelling with my daughter who wanted to visit Accessories of Old, a vintage dress jewellery warehouse. We find the warehouse close to Parsons Green underground station. Unfortunately this was a little disappointing so decided to catch a little sun and made our way to Parsons Green. The area is lovely, full of life with some lovely pubs. We visited The White Horse and The Duke of York on this occasion.

BREAKFAST IN CHISWICK
Started the day by taking the tube to Chiswick Park. We found a lovely little cafe - Cafe Paradiso for our morning coffee and some lovely sandwiches.

Feeling satisfied we went in search of the Mosaic House. The creation of an artist - Carrie Richardt , who works under the motto of "I am an artist. You're rules don't apply". The Mosaic House is amazing and a project that has taken 20 years and collaboration with many other artists. It was such a shame as most of the frontage and back is currently hidden behind scaffold. The 2 vehicles - a taxi and a pick up parked at the front of the house are also adorned in amazing Mosaics. There is so much detail in the Mosaics that you look at the work and keep finding amazing details. I'll certainly be back to the house once works are complete and the scallord reveals more.

AN AFTERNOON IN RICHMOND
I have a few days in London with my daughter so decide to spend an afternoon in Richmond. It is about 2pm by the time we arrive in Richmond.

We walk towards The Green and stop at the Cricketers for a quick pint. The sun is shining and many are relaxing on the green. The Cricketers sells drinks in plastic and allows you to then take them onto the Green. There are some lovely alleys coming off the Green.

Feeling refreshed we then take a walk through the fields to Petersham Nursery. Such a cute nursery and the cafe is really cute too. Perfect for a glass of wine.

Head back into Richmond along the river and grab dinner at Peggy Jean - Australian fayre set on a boat on the Thames. Very pretty.

Our day concludes as we head off to the Orange Tree Theatre. This is a small drama space where we see "Here in America".

Finally catch a bus to Ealing Broadway where we are staying. A nightcap in a local bar before we tuck in for the night.

Check out those shoes!

RAIN IN LIVERPOOL
No surprise but last Sunday was a washout in Liverpool. Decided to head into town. Walked down to Piers Head where we stopped to admire Albion House. More about that in a separate post.

From there we decided to walk through the city center to the Philharmonic Dining Rooms, ducking and diving into various pubs to shelter from the rain - The Liverpool, Carnavon Castle and The Fly.

The Philharmonic Dining Rooms did not disappoint. The interior is stunning. My daughter finished work and joined us. Decided to try The Florist across the road for lunch before heading off homewards.

ALBION HOUSE
Located at 30 St James Street, directly opposite Piers Head. Albion House is a Grade II listed building constructed between 1896 and 1898, distinctive with its red brick interlaced with white Portland stone.

The building was home to the White Star Line. It is said that in 1912 when the news of the Titanic's tragic fate broke, officials were too fearful to leave the building, instead announcing the names of the deceased by reading them out from the balcony.

It has now been repurposed as a Titanic themed hotel.

DISCOVERING SMITHDOWN
Having to transport a car load of belongings we drive to Liverpool. Decide to go on a short walk to stretch the legs after the drive. Walk through Smithdown towards Penny Lane.

Stumble across the Penny Lane Emporium. A lovely collection of all sorts vintage and antique. Good to browse around.

We pop into the Tavern Company for some lunch followed by a pint at The Penny Lane bar. Theres a lovely little Italian deli opposite.

The John Lennon statue stands on the roundabout. This was the spot where Paul McCartney used to meet up with George Harrison on the bus to school

An enjoyable few hours spent, we are ready now to trip out to Aintree for shopping from storage boxes to candles, rugs to a food shop. She's sorted.