Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and love is in the air! While it’s a wonderful time to celebrate your affection for that special someone, it doesn’t have to break the bank or harm the planet. Candlelit dinner Create a romantic atmosphere by preparing a candlelit dinner at home. Cook your partner’s favorite dishes, set a beautifully decorated table, and enjoy an intimate evening without the restaurant price tag.
Exploring
Hotel Indigo Exeter — A review (AD)
From the minute you stand at the check in desk you are reminded that the Hotel Indigo Exeter used to be a department store called Colson’s. And if you have ever watched Are You Being Served you will find yourself peering round the corner of the bar in the hope of catching a glimpse of Mrs Slocombe. Yes, this used to be the City’s department store and there are nods
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Musings
Cote At Home’s Alpine Menu (ad)
During lockdown we had to find ways to celebrate birthdays that took into account the current restrictions. Cote became my go to for birthday celebrations and in fact it was whilst sitting in the garden enjoying a Cote beef wellington on Bruce’s birthday that we got the phone call to say that our first granddaughter had been born. So when I heard in the midst of a dreary January that
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Musings
100 Book Reading Challenges aren’t for me
In a world that seems to be constantly rushing, there’s an ever-increasing trend of reading challenges that encourage individuals to devour books at an astonishing pace. One such challenge that has gained significant popularity is the “read 100 books in a year” challenge. While some people find exhilaration in conquering this challenge, I have a different perspective. I believe that reading should be about more than just numbers, and in
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Exploring
Exmouth: A Seaside Paradise
Nestled along the picturesque coastline of South Devon, Exmouth is a quintessential British seaside town that simply oozes charm and character. With its stunning beaches, vibrant town center, and rich maritime history, Exmouth is a place where time seems to stand still, allowing visitors to bask in the beauty of the British coast. Join me on this journey as we explore the many reasons why Exmouth is such a lovely
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Exploring
A weekend exploring Exeter
If you’re looking for a charming and historically rich weekend getaway, Exeter should be at the top of your list. Situated in the heart of Devon, this city boasts a fascinating blend of medieval history, stunning architecture, and a vibrant waterfront scene. We had a fabulous weekend there recently and didn’t realise until we arrived just how steeped in history the city is. A Stroll Through History Our adventure began
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HomeLife
Tips for a master bedroom makeover (ad)
Tips for a master bedroom makeover It is said that we spend around one third of our life in bed and so it stands to reason that the master bedroom in our homes is worth putting a little time and effort into. Giving the room a makeover can make all the difference and actually aid sleep. Simba are experts at this and have some very handy tips on how to
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Nurturing
Unlocking the Health Benefits of Ginger
Ginger, a spice with a rich history in traditional medicine and culinary arts, has earned its place as a natural remedy with numerous health benefits. From easing digestive troubles to reducing inflammation and even potentially fighting off infections, ginger has a lot to offer. In this blog post, we’ll explore the medicinal properties of ginger with five easy ways to incorporate more ginger into your diet. Plus, there’s a delicious
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Nurturing
Homemade chocolate coconut bars
Homemade Coconut Bars are a delicious treat, especially if you’re missing the Mars dark chocolate Bounty Bars that Mars had the audacity to stop making last year. Making your own allows you to customise the flavour, adjust the sweetness, and with no added sugar these are relatively health. Here’s a simple recipe for homemade Bounty Bars: Ingredients: For the coconut filling: For the chocolate coating: Instructions: These bars are a
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Exploring
Here’s to having more local adventures
In a world where travel seems synonymous with jet-setting to exotic destinations, it’s time to rediscover the magic right in your own backyard. Simon Calder, the seasoned travel journalist, once said something like, “Start your travels by exploring your own backyard” I couldn’t agree more! I mentioned this when I wrote back in 2016 about Fleet Pond. Here’s why you should consider exploring the towns nearby before packing your bags
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Exploring
Explore the Best of England: 27 Must-Visit Places in 2024
If you know me you will know that Bruce and I love to venture out at the weekends and explore local cities and towns, or sneak off for a weekend to explore further afield. With that in mind then here is my list of 27 places you have to visit this year. England, with its rich history, stunning landscapes, and charming cities, offers a plethora of destinations and as much
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Musings
Why we need to listen to cabin crew
Five people lost their lives earlier this week when the plane they were on collided with another aircraft on the runway in Japan. Absolutely heartbreaking news. Miraculously all 397 on the Japan Airlines plane survived. How is that even possible? Well much is being made of the design of the aircraft, but an early report I read suggested a lot of it came down to the majority of passengers being